Fun Project with old Photo Film Holders

Have you ever seen these before. They are old photo film holders. Each one is a wooden frame and these things slide in and out. When I got these at Last Year's junk bonanza I had an idea in mind, but it's only now that I'm actually getting to it.

I painted one side of the slide thing with chalk board paint to make it a chalk board and on another one I turned it into a photo frame. They have cute little stenciled numbers on them as well, which appeals to the typography buff in me. The wooden frames have a great patina that I just can't capture with my camera.

I played with the idea of selling them, but not any more. This was a fun and very very simple project. I love chalk board paint. I think we might find a use for these in the wedding decor, but I have to run that by the bride first;)

Speaking of Wedding, it's only a few weeks away and the projects are starting to come together. Can't wait to share it all with you.

Changing up the bed without breaking the bank

Lets talk about beds and bedding. I love a made bed and I love bedding, but it can be expensive to change it often... so my solution is this.

I use a neutral coverlet as my bed spread and then I dress it up with color through pillows and throws. The bedspread rarely changes, but the look of the bed changes quite a big. Below are some examples of a couple of beds in my house using this formula.

When we first moved into our home, I was in a primitive plaid phase. So in addition to the cream background coverlet I made the plaid shams and added a plaid dust ruffle. A bench with quilts and a basket rounded out this prim country look.


Moving ahead a few years and I had a desire for a change and some color. I first tried orange and multi with the pillow cases and shams, and colorful burlap coffee sack pillows. One of my old quilt projects finishes this look. But I'm still not happy, no problem, as I had not spent a lot of money.
But I was still going for a slightly more vintage modern look...
Then I found this pillow

And used it as my starting point in this direction

As you can see the cream coverlet never changed throughout and so my expense was minimized by changing only pillow covers and throws. Instead of buying expensive European pillow forms for the background pillows, I just put 2 standard sized pillows inside each sham.
I purchased the filler pillows at walmart for $2.50 ea.
So for now It's gray and green and I'm loving it.

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I've done the the same thing in my guest room, which started out like this.

Not bad but lacking in color and I love color.

A couple of colorful pillows and a colorful quilt,
and with or without the grannie square afghan I recently found.
Well there you have it. Margo's formula for changing out the look of a bed without breaking the bank.


Never fear I'm always junking and on the hunt, but pickings have been slim and I've focused on some home projects, and getting read for my Son's wedding and my upcoming trip to Paris.
You can keep up with my new finds by browsing my Etsy store. New things added almost every day.

Orla Kiely coming to Bed Bath & Beyond...mixed feelings.

I read yesterday on Apartment Therapy that my Fav Designer, Orla Kiely, is coming out with a line of bedding that will be available in the states at Bed Bath & Beyond. My first reaction was elation "wow I'll be able to get me some Orla sheets, shams etc." But then I began to wonder...

If Orla's designs become too available at too good a price will it decrease the desirability of her designs? If Orla was a commonplace product on the shelves of say, walmart...would we love her as much?

I know she had a line a few years ago at Target and with the "limited edition, short time only" availability, it did not do her much damage, and even now you can find those Target items on Ebay for a truly "Orla" price.

I'm reminded of Warren Kimble. He is a folk artist who's prints were in high demand back in the 90's

I fell in love with the primitive aspect of all his art and began to use is in my decor. Then suddenly his stuff was everywhere. From greeting cards, to napkins, to wrapping paper. He saturated the market with his fabulous art and it died out in popularity. Now I see his prints at garage sales, and I just pass them by and think "how sad" that something I had loves so much is now passe'. (No offense intended), I just think he over saturated the market. I hope this is not what Orla is doing.

Nevertheless, I will be First in line for some true Orla bedding, and my calendar is marked for May to start looking. I just hope that she knows what she's doing. I'd hate for her beautiful designs to peak and then die out. I want Orla on the job for years to come.

Shoe Crafting

I really should be working on wedding projects, but...

What better to do with a pair of $18 Airwalks from Payless

Some glue and trims

Than to craft a fab pair of new shoes.

This Texan loves them.

I've seen this done to Tom's shoes, but I didn't want an expensive pair of Tom's to be ruined by a crafter who sometimes takes on more than she can chew. I'll see how these wear for awhile before tackling the Tom's.

Been Crafting

I got all creative with an old pair of jeans, and decided to Orla-ize them. Oh do you see that fabulous orla tote beside me??? Picked that up online a few weeks ago.
This is a pretty easy project, stitch witchery, scissors and some embroidery thread. Not to mention colorful fabrics. You could do this with any design.
And while I was at it, I decided to do this technique on an old messenger bag I had hanging around.

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• While Mr R was busy taking photos of my legs :) He snapped this one of some of my junk and I just loved it and wanted to share it with you.
  
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• Have a happy weekend.