Tuesday, September 20, 2011

Colorful Containers

First of all, I want to apologize for not posting in more than a week! I have a good reason, I promise. I have been overwhelmed by orders from my Etsy shop. Yay! However, I need to get it together, I know. I am having to reorganize my day, so I can fit it all in. I am working on that.

Well, talking about organizing, I wanted to share with you a way I reuse my used tomato cans. After looking at a can, I thought how pretty it was. The cans are graphically appealing to me. So, yes, I kind of bought these tomatoes because the cans were pretty!

I saved the cans because I knew I wanted to reuse them, somehow. I have been trying to organize my workspace and I am an even more inspired to do more, since Miss Mustard Seed, has inspired me.. (If you haven't found her blog, yet, you should.)

Did I mention, my makeshift "workspace" is my kitchen! So, that makes it all the more difficult to function. My kitchen is for my family and for my business. Ugh! That means I am constantly making things, then having to clean it all up just to pull it all out again. Not fun or pretty. I dream of one day having a seperate space dedicated to my crafts and furniture. Until then, I must make do. Do you work out of your kitchen, too? I don't think I'm alone in this situation.

Anyway, back to my topic. I have found a use for my beautiful tomato cans. I use them to store my craft tools like scissors, pencils, paint brushes and the like.
(One day, I will have perfect pictures, too!)

Before you throw out your cans, look for ways you may be able to reuse them whether to hold useful things, or place fresh flowers. I would love to hear how you store items in creative ways that reuse otherwise thrown out things.

It helps reduce waste and shows your creativity!

Happy making!

Pam

Tuesday, September 6, 2011

Repurpose: Vintage Windows

I have been looking for the perfect size vintage window to repurpose and put black & white 8x10 photos behind the glass panes. I have found several windows but the panes were too small. I am patient, though. You just "know" when you find the perfect piece for a project.

Well, I have found many cool and pretty picture of how other very creative & crafty ones used their windows and I wanted to show you some eye candy! I hope they inspire you to not throw out that old window, but repurpose it and keep our landfills less full.

source: poetandchic.com via Annie Wilson on Pinterest
Vintage window used as jewelry organizer! 

beneathmyheart.com via NewEveryMorning on Pinterest
Greenhouse made from old windows! How smart!!

source: casadedaisy.blogspot.com via Amy Jean on Pinterest
I love the world maps in this teal window.

source: marthastewartweddings.com via Smitten Kitten on Pinterest
Window as a menu.

source: gapinteriors.com via Michel Neal on Pinterest
This is kinda what I am going for, except my pics will fill in the panes. 

source: wists.com
Smart!

source: milk and honey design via hammersandhighheels.com


 source: thebooandtheboy.com via Emily Burns-Leary

I love the vintage fabric used in the window and then over the bed.



Happy Making!

Pam












Saturday, September 3, 2011

Halloween Glitter Critters

I was sitting around thinking about Halloween decorating and trying to figure out how make a Chic Cottage Halloween for less. I mean way less. I don't know about you, but it seems like this year, money doesn't go as far as it used to! One has to be really creative and mind their pennies these days. Well, I decided to add some glitter.

When it comes to decorating for festivities or holidays, I think things that sparkle make any setting look more chic and elegant. You can add that touch with metallic acrylics, gold plate spray paint, shimmery fabrics, and, of course, glitter.

I want to share with you how to make spider rings sparkle. You know those rings that you find at every halloween party, in your trick or treat bag now and even when we were kids.. They are a timeless classic.

By adding glitter to them, they instantly become a chic accessory for your party goers or sprinkle them on a centerpiece for added charm.

First, you need to gather these supplies. Some of which you may already have at home.


Spider Rings ( I got mine at Dollar Tree) 
Glitter in black and/or silver and gold
scissors
glue
paper plate
small paint brush
small paper bag
cooling rack
newspaper

Get your area ready: 

Lay newspaper out and place cooling rack on top.

Pour a small amount of glue on paper plate.

Pour glitter in paper bag. If using more than one color, 
use 1 bag per color.


You are about to transform these from basic to bling!


I cut the center of the ring part open for adult 
fingers to easily slide them on. If you are making these for 
kids or for decorating only, then you can skip this part.

 

Brush glue to top of spider and cover all its body.

No need to get glue on underside or ring.


Place glued ring in paper bag, fold top closed, & shake.
(a snake is shown, but same process)


Remove from bag and place on cooling rack to dry.


Once dry, look at how it sparkles! How much more fun than the original.

Or you can decorate a tablescape with them. I placed them in a cloche on 
a pedestal with some moss and a trapped rat. 


Or sprinkle a vintage silver tray with them for party favors.

Here, you can see them in the different colors: black, 
silver, & gold.




A vintage photo fix using Picnik.com gives it an eerie fee.




See, how you can take a dollar store find and make it look like

something more chic in just a few simple steps?

I did the same thing with some snakes I found at Walmart, too.
(The same process, anyway.)

The large ones are $.25!! Then, in the party supply section, I found
a bag of 8 little ones. So, mama can have her baby snakes, of course.

Here is how the looked before and after:


I liked this pink one with the balck glitter stripes. 
I ended up covering the pink with silver, though. 
It matched what I was going for better that way.



I placed the little ones on the napkin rings.



I was happy to use my vintage trays for my Halloween table. I will add some cobwebs, too. 

I hope you enjoyed this tutorial and found it easy to follow.
Share your glittered found objects with me! I love to see other's work.


Happy Making!

-Pam











Thursday, September 1, 2011

Upholstered Furniture Love

After watching those videos by the Sprucettes at Spruce, I felt inspired to find some upholstered eye candy. Enjoy the show...

This is considered upholstered, I guess, since it is decoupaged with fab floral fabric from housetohome.





Yes, mirrored upholstery by Joel Morrison with Jean de Merry & Christian D. Maroselli




I don't know if you can actually sit in this, but maybe a real pricey kitty bed?






Horchow

Happy making!

-Pam








Inspiring Video: Upholstery by Spruce

I found this video on Etsy a while back and just loved watching the girls from Spruce in Austin, TX show off their process of how they take an old chair and make it into a beautiful piece of art.




This video helps you understand the process of upholstery. It inspires me to go beyond just covering seat cushions. 


I also enjoy their new pilot video for Spruce TV, below.Have a cup of coffee or tea and take a break to watch this one because it is 15 minutes long. Well worth taking a break for!



I hope these videos inspire and motivate you to cover a chair. If you do, please share with me. I love seeing other's work.
Thanks to Spruce for making creative videos like these!

Happy Making!

-Pam

my Etsy shop