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So I’m back on track, yes. I’ve found a SUPER do-it-yourself project that is (1) recycled, (2) easy to do, (3) goodlooking, and (4) will fit anywhere you need art!
And it’s practically FREE.
I found this on a fun blog, Homemade Mamas Blog and they not only invented the project, they share how they did it! I’ll bet a nickel you are going to love this as much as I do:
Recycled Wall Art invented by Homemade Mamas (dot net)
Just to give you a hint: this is what the project starts with:
Recycled paper towel and toilet paper cardboard tubes
Now, you see what I mean? This really handsome, sculptural wall art – is made entirely with recycled paper tubes you just throw away anyway! Well, and a little paint, and some paper clips (you can reuse those, too).
This is an idea I am definitely going to steal!
PS I added this to my “bridal and weddingj” category, because think how you could adapt this for some beautiful wedding decorations. Make floral wall art in your wedding colors. Paint the tube(lets) and scatter them on your reception tables. Spell out the names of the bride and groom! I know you can think of more ideas. And you can make them at the bridal shower!
So this post is about doors. Not paper, this time. I’ll think of some way or other to incorporate paper – later (yes I thought of shoji screens already, thank you.)
This is an inspiration piece. Something caught my attention the other day and I started looking up pics of doors – with color. Amazing some of the pretties that are out there!
Case in point:
I found this wonderful door on Flickr – it’s the work of Jason Williamson. The photo I mean, not the door. You notice it’s not a fancy-schmancy door – this is not rich folks territory. But they believe in color.
And:
A yellow door – with character. The article is about Vanishing South Georgia over on WordPress – please do follow the link to read more.
Once again – not rich folks. But real people who added something special to their home.
And one more:
Yes, that is definitely a Chartreuse Door. And it’s a little fancier, yes. And you really ought to go peek at her blog – Curlin Reed Sullivan – she is absolutely celebrating chartreuse, and her blog is much fun to read!
The point of all this is – one, decorate your door. Add some paint. It doesn’t cost much and it’s easy to change. But more than “decorate your door” is the idea that – well, adding color is good, adding some special personal touch is good, and it DOESN’T HAVE TO COST A LOT OF MONEY.
All it costs is – taking a little time, and caring to make life just a little more special. And just like the commercials say – that’s priceless.
A bucket, you say? Now wait, it is MUCH cooler than you’re thinking. 🙂
If you’re like me, you always need places to PUT things. You need to get more organized. You don’t want to spend a lot of money but you want whatever it is that’s doing the organizing, to look good. And you’d be thrilled to do it yourself – if you just knew how.
So take a look at this absolutely terrific burlap “bucket” – container – catchall – magazine holder – tote – you name it:
DIY Burlap Bucket or Tote – PDF Instructions from Designsmayamde on Etsy
No this is not my idea – this is a wonderful tutorial available for only $9.00 from Designsmayamade on Etsy
Think how many ways you could use this. In every room – in colors made to coordinate and look good with what you’ve already got. You can do it yourself. You could use all kind of great recycled fabrics!
And she offers online help if you need it!
Please take a look at these pics. And tell me if you agree with me – I bet you will – that they are beautiful, and refreshing, and soul-calming.
Beautiful rooms in Filicudi Italy – as seen in style-files.com.
It makes me feel good just to look at the pics. And it inspires me. Yes, these rooms are in an exotic (to me) island halfway around the world. But the ideas here are absolutely universal.
USE LESS STUFF. Clear out the clutter. Have a wonderful color. Let the light in.
Let me be sure to give credit where it’s due – I found these wonderful pictures, and more you will love, over at style-files.com. Totally inspirational!
This is completely do it yourself. GET RID OF SOME STUFF. Let the bones of the room show. Add some light. Take away some of the crap.
Do I seem to be stuck on that idea? Well, yeah, I am. Use less – and love what you have, MORE.
PS You may have noticed that I included this post in the category “Going Green”, and I haven’t mentioned recycling once (till now). But I have mentioned “using less” – and that is a very important green idea!
Now you know how I love seeing artistic creativity, especially when it’s original work, and especially when it’s budget-friendly. This is fabric creativity, not paper, but it’s right up my alley all the same.
The artist is Kankywompous – see her work here. Her project – that reminds me of Project Runway – was to create a Japanese kimono outfit (kimono, obi and haori) for a small contest on the following Saturday. To find the fabrics, do the cutting and sewing of all the pieces from Wednesday to Friday (night) – and oh yeah, there was a “real” job during that time too – I’m applauding!
And check out the result!
 and 
See the detail:
And they won first place! The artist mentioned, “I started cutting and sewing about 11am Wed and stopped at about 10pm that night with both the Kimono and Obi finished at that point.
The Haori I had less time to work with, as I had work in the morning, so after I got back on Thurs, I started the cutting and sewing of the jacket. The Haori is lined with the same print as the outer layer, but in a brighter color to add a nice pop.
At the event, which is part of a two day CCG Event for Legend of the Five rings, it placed 1st in the costume contest (out of four placings).”
You have to admire that kind of creative rush (and can I add, I absolutely love that lining!)
It’s not really a catch though – it’s a question. I’m having my first Free Earrings Giveaway at Paper Jewels. All you have to do to enter the Giveaway is send me an email telling me what pair of earrings you’d like to win AND (this is the “catch”) tell me one thing you’d change 🙂
You want those earrings – but in another color? Or, you’d make them in silver, not gold? Or you wish they were smaller (or bigger)? Or – well, you tell me. 🙂
You could win these pretty paper earrings:
 or these: 
Or, well, you pick your pair! Just tell me the one thing you’d change 🙂 Hint: these CAN be made to match your bridal gown / wedding party. Or you can choose your honey’s favorite color – and use these for the perfect First Anniversary Gift or Mother’s Day earrings 🙂
The Giveaway runs until April 15, 2010 – so we have something nice to look forward to on Tax Day.
Good luck!
Only, maybe not so much. Like most of us (well here in the U.S. anyway) we recently got a letter from the U.S. Census Bureau (or whatever their official name is) telling us that we were going to get a letter from them soon, requesting accurate updated census information about our household.
Then we got the census form. Then a few days later, we got another piece of mail from them, reminding us how important the Census Data is, and saying if we hadn’t mailed it back yet, would we please remember to do so Real Soon.
Now first off this seems like a lot of (expensive) mail for them to generate. The guys on the news say it’s worth it because there are so many people who won’t bother, and the census people have to send real live humans to each house that doesn’t respond, to get accurate data, etc etc. Okay fine, I’ll go along with that.
But: the instructions on the census form very clearly state that you are supposed to fill out the form with accurate information AS OF APRIL 1, 2010. And they’re already asking why we haven’t returned the form. Note that I am writing this blog entry on March 27, 2010 – and we received the “why haven’t you returned your form yet” postcard FIVE DAYS AGO.
Well, duh, it’s not April 1, 2010 yet. (Gotta wondered who picked April-Fools-Day as a return date, too.)
I know a lot of households won’t change from, say, March 20 to April 1. But, sadly, many of them will. People die, people move out, people split up. The kids leave. The kids come home. His or her kids come home – and need to be counted in census because they have to fit into classrooms.
So is this a case of “you can have it now, or you can have it right”? Do they want us to follow their instructions? If not, why did they include them? And if they DO want us to follow their instructions, why are they bugging us?
Of course I always think vintage is a great idea – it’s usually thrifty (or downright cheap) – which always helps. And so often, you’ll find clothes made better than new ones. And there are so many beautiful finds!
As, for example, these wonderful wedding gowns I found today at Pink Ribbon Bridal on Etsy:
Vintage Alfred Angelo White Lace Wedding Dress Bridal Gown Plus size 20W BNWT
and
Vintage Moonlight Plus Size 28 Wedding DressI know it’s sometimes hard to find terrific plus size garments when you’re searching vintage – for that matter, it’s always a crapshoot to find any particular size. That’s part of the hunt! So when there are wonderful choices like these, I think they need to be found 🙂 Don’t forget your unique engagement rings because it’s a very special day.
Now I will say, I’m not sure if these fit the definition of “true vintage” because they’re from the 1990s I think. But if I was looking for a wedding gown in those particular sizes, would that bother me? Oh no. I’d be thrilled to find them!
These gowns were purchased from a breast cancer charity – read more about it on her Etsy page so this is just a win-win all the way around.
Of course the most important thing is that you are finding the PERFECT wedding gown for your most special day. At a great price. Talk about a win-win!
You know it’s fun to give presents, and it’s very nice when they’re all prettied up to make the gift even more special. And now I’ve found a way to make those fancy bows I used to buy. And to make them out of recycled paper – so (1) you don’t have to spend money on them, and (2) you can make them out of practically any paper so they can be as fun or colorful or unusual as you want to make them.
And it’s easy! Take a look at the results:
Make your own gift bows from recycled paper!
Now I can’t take credit for this – I found instructions at How About Orange Blog.
The blogger is Jessica Jones, and she gives full pics and instructions and even admits she just grabbed what she had on hand – in other words, you can do the same thing and adapt as needed. She’s got lots of other good ideas over there – go read, you’ll see how easy it is.
No more having the money to either buy the present or the wrapping/bows 🙂 Now you can find cool mag pics – fashion mag? Harley catalog? Phone book? (She used that one!)
Easy. Cheap. Recycling-and-reusing. Fun. And did I mention easy? This is of the good!
No, really, I’m not obsessed with cardboard. But once I started thinking about cardboard, and how useful it is, and how it’s all over the place, and we usually just throw it away – I couldn’t resist finding more good examples of what we can do with it. Easy, Inexpensive, and Fun Home Decor Idea No. 2 (or 3, or whatever):
Corrugated Cardboard Wall Decor created by Jonathan Fong
That wall looks great! Neutral, strong, geometric, dramatic – take your pick of descriptives. We could all use some version of this! The article even tells how to do it – though I imagine there are as many ways to do it (easily!) as your imagination can come up with patterns.
And if you mess up part of the design, you just cut new cardboard. If your baby scribbles on the wall, you can replace that section (or celebrate her creativity!) If your cat shreds the bottom, so what? Tear up another cardboard box. And reuse the pieces 🙂
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Coolness
DIY
Eco friendly
Gardening
Home Decor
Indie / Design
Thrifty
vintage
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