Thrift Store Scrolls

On a recent trip to the thrift store I spied this
scroll-y work of art. It was one of those thrift finds that
one picks up,
looks at with curiosity,
tries to figure out whatever could be done with said item,
puts it back,
and then repeats the process
several times
until
inspiration finally hits,
curiosity is resolved
and the item is purchased.

Do you ever do that with any thrift store finds?

Once home I decided to make my inspiration a reality by first cutting and painting a piece of MDF the length of the scrolls.Next I found a font on the computer that I liked and printed the word "Welcome." I rubbed the backside of the paper with chalk so that I could transfer the image onto the MDF by tracing over the text.I painted the letters---three coats were needed in order to cover the deep red base coat.A couple of wood rosettes were added to each end of the board. Then two small holes were drilled to thread wire through in order to attach the board to the scroll. Sometimes it pays to pick up a curious thrift store item several times until inspiration hits!

Girl Time

OH MY! I have neglected this little blog lately. I have a good reason though. My daughter was in town! We spent time taking care of family matters and enjoying time together, catching up, shopping and creating. Saturday night I had the pleasure of a girls night out with my daughter, daughter-in-law, and granddaughter. Oh what fun we had! We went to a local craft store that was offering mini make-and-take classes. Our favorite class was the one where we learned how to make these cute, easy, and quick favor boxes. And since blogland is a place for sharing great ideas, I thought you might enjoy learning how to make them too.

First start with a rectangle of scrapbook paper
(any stiff, cardstock type paper will do).Fold the rectangle in half width-wise. Then give it a small crease at the open end
to determine the center point.

Using a ruler, score a line
(use a stylist or the back of a butter knife)
from the top center to the bottom outside corner
of each side of the rectangle. Your scores will resemble a triangle. Flip the paper and repeat on the other side.

Use the scored lines to create folds in the paper. Fold both sides inward forming a box.

At the top of the box punch holes through all four ends.Thread ribbon through the holes and tie.Cut a circle about 4 inches in diameter. Begin at one edge and cut in a circular pattern
resembling a curled up snake.
Cut off the center bulb, or "snakes head."Start at the center and curl the entire "snake"
until it resembles a flower.

Use hot glue or craft glue to adhere a scrap of ribbon or yarn and then apply the paper flower on top
(use a big dollop of glue and hold until the flower is set).Now you're ready to untie the ribbon and
fill your cute little box
with small items like candy or jewelry.

An Artist's Window

Over the last few months I shared with you a few projects we built for our friends cabin. We built a hall tree out of an old door,and changed the look of their fireplace from this...to this...
Across from the fireplace is an open staircase, a perfect little spot to tuck in tables an chairs for their grandchildren. To make it even more fun we created
an art center made from an old wooden window frame. One side of the window we made a chalkboard and the other side we cut a piece of metal to fit for a magnet board.We built and attached a little window box out of cedar to hold plastic flower pots filled with oodles of art supplies.

A perfect spot for inspiring little artists!

Tres Chic

Looking back at my blog I remembered this oldie but goodie.
I hope you don't mind that I share a little re-post.

I bought a very large tray at the thrift store. It was rather plain and was stained an orangish color. This is how it looked after I sanded it and primed it.I spray painted it Heirloom White

and sanded the edges for a distressed look.I added some retro hardware that I sprayed
black with a bronze metallic dusting.I spray painted four finials.And ABRACADABRA!
Those pretty finials are now fancy legs.Then just to make it "tres chic",
I added some fleur de lis rub on decals.