Showing posts with label Crafts. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Crafts. Show all posts

Thursday, July 22, 2010

Hooray for TEAMWORK

So a quick post here to update:   As I mentioned previously, I decided to open an etsy store.  Shameless plug to follow  right about HERE - Click Me!! Click Me!!    I'll be doing a little post in the near future to explain how it all came about, but something else I've been super excited about is the fact that I've also been asked to join an Etsy Team of fellow hookers, umm...  crocheters!    CreateCrochet Team to be exact.   

We've got a blog http://createcrochet.blogspot.com/
and a Facebook Page  http://www.facebook.com/#!/CreateCrochetEtsyTeam?ref=ts
and so far there's been lots of fun stuff going on, such as weekly Chats and Team Challenges.   More to come about those as well.

It's been a geat opportunity to meet a bunch of new faces and interact with others who truly understand my passion for crocheting!   The talent on this team absolutely blows the mind!

I wanted to share these links so you can feel free to please check out the blog or fan page on Facebook and show all these folks some LOVE..........

While you are there, be sure to become a fan of my page on Facebook as well!   I'll be offering all kinds of discounts, free shipping, tips, toutorials, patterns, giveaways, yada yada yada - exclusively for Facebook fans.  I also have started a Discussions tab where I invite All Crafters to leave a link and a little description of their own store!   A little Linky Love is a good thing.

Ciao for now!

Smiles and Hugs, Joyce
The Crochet Barn on Facebook
TheCrochetBarn on Etsy

Wednesday, September 23, 2009

"Old Stuff" Redo Part #1

Okay, so I found some really good buys at a thrift store that I introduced you guys to right here.

I finally found a bit of time to play around with over the weekend and wanted to share the results, so far.

Okay,   remember this little beauty?





I actually didn't even give her a makeover.  Not even lip gloss or NOTHIN.  Well I did wipe the dirt off, but that's about it.    I really just liked it so much that it ended up on my hutch with some fall flowers.



The color is obviously not coming through the greatest, but you get the idea.   I actually think it would be stunning black with fall flowers, but sometimes I just get impatient!  Maybe this weekend.




Okay, and these candlesticks?




They had a little more lovin'.    I started with a basic Ivory paint.   Everything I do seems to be either Ivory or Black lately.   

All together now... Ebony and Ivory... Live Together in......

Sorry, I'll stop.   Anyways, this is what I ended up with




Prettier, but still pretty boring.   Plus the bow reminded me more of spring.    So I tried this instead....




And I kinda liked it!  The bow got moved along the BOTTOM of the piece and I added some fall foliage and berries.   A gingham ribbon along the top and a cute little birds nest with more berries on the inside.

Then I wondered what to do with it.    A candle seemed so "anticipated" or something.  I know, I'm a weirdo.   So first I tried the super trendy lately "pumpkin on a pedastal".




Yeah, not so much.

Then how about a cute decorative bird?



Still just looked a little out of place - she's too separated from the damn nest or something.  Anyways, then inspiration struck and I found the PERFECT purpose for my new old thing:



A lipstick holder for my daughter's play makeup!   

I'm kidding of course - but it's the only thing that did fit perfectly.    I think perhaps I will just stick with a candle.

Here's the other one:



Added a bow again with a touch of foliage for fall, and along the bottom some more fall berries with a couple of pine cones.

I know you are thinking that the two pieces would make alot more sense if they matched.  You would probably be right.  




Maybe someday - nothing seems to stay the same way in this house for too long before I get bored and change it all over again!

I'll be doing some more postings shortly with the rest of my "finds" along with an updated stool project,  some uses for repurposing scrapbook materials (got WAY too many of those) and I've also been having fun with Letter Decorating.

Have a great day everyone
Smiles and Hugs,
Joyce

Friday, September 18, 2009

It's A Pink Pink World

Sure seems to be a Pink Pink World at this point! At least in my daughter's room.




My daughter has been asking me to repaint and update her bedroom for AGES.  Well, except that she's only five, so it can't have been that long.    Anyways, she picked out all the colors herself, God Help Me.    Yellow, Pink, Red and Green.  And maybe Blue.  And a Big Yellow Sunshine.   Well, we'll figure out the details later... and I'll be sure to post photos along the way.



We picked out a pretty light pink sheer fabric for the windows and the plan was to get some fancy tie back to dress it up a bit.  Trouble is, I couldn't for the life of me find anything that was at all pretty and unique.  So I did what any self respecting Cheap Girl would do - I made them!




Very proud of myself in fact.  Little One loves them, and they do add a little spark to the curtains.   If the whole room was going to be this pink?   Too Pepto Bismal for my taste.  But we've got a pretty light yellow for the walls picked out, and this really will be the only pink in the whole room.  I hope.





Basically what I did was this:  You know those sometimes (usually) awful silk flower arrangements they sell at W#$mart for about $2?  I bought one bouquet of those and ripped it into pieces (not REALLY but I did dissassemble it - the flowers pop right off).  Then I found some very pale shimmery pink ribbon in my craft room, and glued those suckers right to it.   Easy peasy pie, right?   It really was that simple and it looks fairly pretty and my daughter thinks I ROCK!  Awesome Possum.  Gotta love that.

And, I cannot actually recommend this for a child's room, but I just used a push pin to attach the ribbon to the window trim.  Can't even tell!  Well, not really.




I'm thinking of TONS of possibilities now for more handmade curtain tie backs - can't wait to start playing around!

While I'm at it, I've been browsing online for Little Girl Room ideas (by the way, BEWARE of using the search terms "cheap little girls rooms") , and WOW there are alot of pretty rooms out there..


Courtesy of HGTV
I'm really enjoying the rooms that showcase other colors, besides the traditional Little Girl Pink



From HouseDecoratingIdeas.com (where I will be headed next!)



Sandra Belle Interiors - just love the green and purple combo!




Courtesy of Firefly Furnishings - More green - I just adore this nightstand and the head and foot board. 

Here's a couple using the standard *PINK* but with their own unique twist.

I forget where I pinched this photo from and I apologize.
Pretty for a sophisticated parisian look


The above is one of my favorites - from Rustic Decorating Gone Wild.   Perfect for my future log cabin!  Except for the fact that my little girl will probably be 30 by then.  She won't need a bunk bed.



Doesn't this look like a fun little spot for a tea party??

Another thing I want to try to somehow incorporate into my daughter's room (at her request) is a canopy of some sorts above the headboard. We've got a bunch of built in shelving, so at the moment it seems impossible. 


And  the little rugs!  They look like adorable little polka dots scattered around - LOVELY touch.



The above is from Diapers to Design - Awesome idea as a headboard!!!



Courtesy of Sprouts Gallery

Love the idea of something like this in my little one's room.   A small desk that can double as a vanity.  I would find a *cheap* (of course) mirror to place above the desk and raise the pics up a bit.

So, that's one of the decorating challenges ahead of me.   My daughter is old enough to have some say in her room, but I'm thinking it's definitely going to be a battle of the wills here!   I keep compromising by telling her we can get a little more crazy in her playroom (another challenge for another day year).   I want her "little girl" room to still look like it belongs to an actual little girl!

Do any of you guys have girls you decorate for?   Any suggestions for me?   I clearly need all the help I can get!

Please leave a comment or link to your own photos - I love hearing from you all!


Smiles and Hugs,
Joyce

Sunday, September 13, 2009

Coming Soon...........

What's In Store..............  


A Real Live Link to my Real Live Etsy Store - Stocked with goodies for holiday shopping and for your own home...............


Guest Blogger..................

A Giveaway......................
Instructions on how I made my Window Mistreatments

 
Other Ideas for Mistreatments
Fall Decorating
`


Changing Your Kitchen in One Day
Repurposing Cardboard Boxes

Scrapbook Corner


Kids Crafts

How to make your own Holiday Decorations and Gifts!

 
Best of the Blogs
Make sure to leave a comment if there is something you would like to see featured!!!!


Best Wishes for a Happy Weekend.


.......Scrawled out by the Cheap Gal
Blog Widget by LinkWithin