Empty Frame Wall Art: Revised

This post has been edited. I couldn't look at the project below on my wall for another minute. I love it in theory, and it works in the craft room...but somethings you just can't change. Things like YOUR self. My entire house is decorated in shades of blue, gray, and neutrals. The color seen below was stressing me out!

So, enjoy below the BEFORE and AFTER of the empty frame art.
Before

After

Inspiration, where does it come from? Sometimes when I am having a dry "crafty spell" I go hunting through blogland. There are so many great ideas out there, and I love when I find the perfect one. Well, I was in need of some real inspiration this past week, and I found it here on Ucreate. Check out the 5th picture down. Let's all just come to the consensus now that it is way classier than what you will see in a minute, but we'll proceed anyway and see what I got into this week.

I've been looking for something to occupy the space of the guest bed in my craft room. Honestly, my craft desk used to occupy space in the guest room, but times have changed around here and I've got to say I like it! Anyway, this room has gone through many changes, and I was very unsatisfied by how dark the room still felt. How was I supposed to be creative in such a drab space? So, I set out to remedy this situation, using what Kari had discovered.

First, I used some great magazine's I already had, (and purchased some additional ones at a discount book store for $.50), to create a fun graphic for the wall. (Again, this has now changed, but just in case you like it...read on!)

I just cut the covers off and used a glue stick to attach them to two poster boards taped together. My little assistant helped me choose the perfect layout.

We mounted this, with 3M poster strips I had lying around, above the headboard.



Next, I had to make a frame. I had planned on thrifting to purchase a giant old frame, but came up empty handed. ( I have to say for all that Goodwill offers, paying $39.75 for a giant frame there seemed a little steep to me still.) So, I had my husband cut some cheap chair rail for me into 3 foot strips. He used a table saw to cut the corners at a 45 degree angle.

Worried about splitting the wood with nails, I used the unconventional method of hot gluing wood to stick the frame sides together. It holds perfectly so I am pleased. I am totally aware that there are better ways out there to do this, but I went with the cheap, no additional materials needed, way to get the job done over here!

Next, all I needed to do was paint them the perfect cool blue, to go along with every other accent in my house. Perhaps it is getting a little monochromatic around here, hmmm?

When the frame was complete, I cut burlap strips from some left over scraps, and hot glued them to the back of the frame.

To hang the frame, I purchased a coat hook from a Target clearance aisle for $2.44 (win!). I screwed it into the wall, just below the crown molding, and...

Ta-da! Some bright graphic wall art was created using an empty frame and some recycled magazines. (Or other random paper wreaths and monograms you have lying around your house...)

Being the non-committal, A-type personality that I am, I have some mixed feelings about the results. So, let's lay out the pro's and con's and see what you think. (SO VERY non-commital, hence the re-post!)

Pro's
-It's big, and I LOVE big!
-Burlap ribbons make me happy!
-I'm in love with Martha Stewart, and now I get to be inspired by her everyday!
-I get to use a lot of exclamation points while posting this blog! yay!
-The frame can change forms a million times, and still be a worthwhile project!
-I got to recycle magazines!

Con's
-It's a lot of color. (Is that a con? Most of the things in my home are shades of blue, gray and something VERY neutral?
-It is not very sophisticated, and I am not generally that whimsical...hmm...
-I keep imagining the frame filled with one of my wreaths or some super cute silhouette plates. Now I am questioning whether or not I made the right choice going the graphic right?

Ohwell, for now I am just going to think I like it and be happy that my husband is too. (That DID NOT work out for me so well!) We can brainstorm later (aka, problem solved, for now!) Let's just check out what other great inspirations are floating out there in crafty world here.

I am pleased with the end result, even if it took a while to get here!

Happy Thursday friends!

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Shutters Memo Board

I am going to be honest, this latest project threw me for a loop. I came out of our local Habitat Restore with some great miniature indoor shutters, but couldn't think of a thing to do with them!

I have seen awesome tutorials on making shelves, mail racks, jewelry stands, wall hangings, etc. with them; but nothing seemed to fit into my style or tickle my fancy. I half-contemplated just sitting them around for interest, but quickly decided they were too "cookie cutter" and not vintage enough for that. So, after racking my brain for awhile, I just pulled out all the materials I could think of and started winging it. I have mixed emotions about the results, so I am definitely going to need some opinions on this one!

Without further ado, here are my new shutters:

First, I decided it was only natural to number my shutters. I mean, I really do number everything, as I will show you next week! I used the easy pencil mark transfer with simple Times New Roman numbers. I used acrylic paint to make them black.

Next, I secured the shutters with hot glue. Then, before adding the final elements, I came up with a cheater hanging solution. I was out of picture hooks, so I just screwed in a tiny screw and pulled out my handy picture wire. It hangs very well this way!

To make my shutters semi functional, I added scrap booking clothes pins to the bottom of the front to make it into a memo board. They now hold mail, notes, grocery lists, or whatever else.

The final elements I added were a silhouette and a monogram. I painted both on teal polka dot scrapbook paper that fits into almost every color theme in the house since I am already extremely non committal about where it should hang. I then mounted them behind glass and hot glued them into place. I can't figure out what to call this look, but I kind of like it. Also, it was my first attempt at a silhouette, so don't laugh at me. My sweet little girl looks cute even in black and white though, that's for sure!

So, in the end, old shutters+hot glue= kitchen memo board (for the moment, could possibly also = future craft room memo board, future kids room memo board, well you get the picture!)

Here it is in the kitchen entry way. Sorry about the picture quality, my kitchen is incurably dark. Well, at least until I knock out the entire back wall and make it completely glass... oh Matt...

I'll be linking to these parties this week. Hope to see you there!

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Floating Window Wall Art

I'll have to write a post soon solely dedicated to the journey my house has taken up until now. I am fairly certain if my walls could talk they would tell you about their various identity crises due to my constant new "visions" for them. No room more so than my living room. I have moved the furniture all over the place trying to make everything fit just right. I realized that what was currently missing, (besides the frame tray from last week, hehe) was more COLOR. I combined my need for more color with some old windows I found (aka forced Matt to turn around and pick up off the side of the road) to add a unique new touch to the living room. (Thank you government incentive for new energy efficient windows! There should be plenty laying around your neighborhood too! ) Here is what I did:

1) Scoured the dirty windows. YUCK!

2) Added a fresh coat of paint to each. Cheap Robin's Egg Blue and Light Grey, ($.33 each, yeah!!) As well as my favorite Martha Stewart Anjou Pear (I might cry when I use the last of that!)

3) Laid out the windows in just the right combination for sturdiness and visual appeal.

4) Purchased and installed mending plates from Home Depot. We used flat head screws to attach the mending plates in two places on each window to make them sturdy. I was pleased with how well they worked.

5) Found the best, low traffic spot to put our newest treasure. We had to rearrange some furniture (surprise, surprise!) but I found the perfect corner for a little burst of color.

As if I wasn't crazy about decorating before, getting involved in this crafty blogging community has made me down right mad over perfection. I think I am going to have to be content with this room for now. In the next couple of weeks I might just have to share a little over view of what I've done to make this living room just right for us.

On a side note: If only I could find these gorgeous ranunculus for $4.00 at my local kroger year round?? They are just the right color to make my windows pop. I think I am in love!

This week I'll be linking to the CSI Project. Stop by and see what other projects are out there!

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Reclaimed T-Shirts

As a home owner, I found out really quick that the project list has become more of an encyclopedia (as I'm sure most of you know). I'm in the process of finishing a bedroom, which is when I realized I was in need of some wall art. So, I started thumbing around and found myself in the closet going through old clothes. In return I came up with these textile pieces.


Materials: scissors, staple gun, old shirts and a canvas (which I bought at hobby lobby 50% off) or you could make your own which is normally the cheaper route.


The first thing you'll want to do is find a shirt to fit the canvas you want to use. My canvas is 12X12 so almost any size shirt will do and the graphics will fit nicely. I am using a medium on this particular project.

Begin by cutting your material at the seam and placing it on the canvas in preparation for permanent placement.



Next pull the fabric tight around all edges and use a staple gun to secure it. I like to start at the sides and finish with the bottom. Once the fabric is tight, tuck in any remaining fabric between the canvas and the wood.

For an added touch, I chose to use chip board numbers and an old beaded necklace. I printed some patterns on cardstock from a book I have: The Repro Depot Pattern Book



Trace the number backwards on the backside of the printed paper, cut it out and apply it to the chip board using mod podge.




I used a hot glue gun to apply the number and the beaded necklace.



Some other fun ideas could be old flags, table cloths, place mats, shower curtains and well you get the idea!

Stop by these party links to see what wonderful things are out there. Thanks for stopping by!

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