tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-71409126563897805992024-02-18T20:49:16.034-05:00{Repurpose Universe}My little blog about how I rescue, reimagine, refurbish, recycle and repurpose items for my home.{Repurpose Universe}http://www.blogger.com/profile/14379686132980542485noreply@blogger.comBlogger58125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7140912656389780599.post-43124954720644255372012-04-06T21:39:00.002-04:002012-04-06T21:44:34.549-04:00Easter pillows<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhvesL2GheDpvHMZouPyO90C1izaGyMPq83KUKg1tft8dGHkXHu7BTAeBQeu2F6z5tzZ_IalDSZN5we3kJ-3VqugixrcerRlIgEtVHLnhlqahk4PyqMnVVG6fhae7hb20Z3kKg5EpEGoBE/s1600/bunny+pillow4.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhvesL2GheDpvHMZouPyO90C1izaGyMPq83KUKg1tft8dGHkXHu7BTAeBQeu2F6z5tzZ_IalDSZN5we3kJ-3VqugixrcerRlIgEtVHLnhlqahk4PyqMnVVG6fhae7hb20Z3kKg5EpEGoBE/s400/bunny+pillow4.jpg" width="400" /></a>To celebrate Easter, I made a few bunny pillows yesterday.<br />
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This was a really simple project and only took a few minutes to complete.<br />
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First, I found this bunny silhouette from The Graphics Fairy {<a href="http://graphicsfairy.blogspot.com/2012/02/vintage-clip-art-bunny-silhouette.html" target="_blank">here</a>}. The image was from an old typography book. The original image was in black in white, so I went into Photoshop elements, lassoed the black image and swapped out the color with some spring colors. I also enlarged the image so it was just about 11 inches wide. <br />
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Next, print out the image on transparent t-shirt transfer paper with your ink jet printer. I did several versions of the bunny ---- black, pink, purple, & turquoise.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGqAa_-j4vXewSg2zN_Gl5iquBuT6jlTLcLOcSbbrgCXX0gaT8c31NL6VYHnp68UqGHRJJxGel-yagEhGaFwLE1UoTQRQlwtmOVjxdMRo7APhKC4Vz_lk-HiXCbvei0BgXNxeZJzg1W4GF/s1600/bunny+transfer.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGqAa_-j4vXewSg2zN_Gl5iquBuT6jlTLcLOcSbbrgCXX0gaT8c31NL6VYHnp68UqGHRJJxGel-yagEhGaFwLE1UoTQRQlwtmOVjxdMRo7APhKC4Vz_lk-HiXCbvei0BgXNxeZJzg1W4GF/s400/bunny+transfer.jpg" width="400" /></a> </div>
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Cut the bunny out {leave about 1/8" margin, anything else will not blend as nicely in to the pillow} and position on your fabric.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijuCARVm5JlVuU6kL41JUELpBHCcXqlY5jBi8-zj9kgSmpJXfA4OI_Nrf362ip8f8EOmE0YtbJHZpAcI08vxapoNiIVetqed78_TjYazgNIQzejHpvOF39Tw0CgumVarWeE-Pev4AYCy6m/s1600/bunny+pillow2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijuCARVm5JlVuU6kL41JUELpBHCcXqlY5jBi8-zj9kgSmpJXfA4OI_Nrf362ip8f8EOmE0YtbJHZpAcI08vxapoNiIVetqed78_TjYazgNIQzejHpvOF39Tw0CgumVarWeE-Pev4AYCy6m/s400/bunny+pillow2.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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Follow the transfer instructions and press the image down. Once the transfer has cooled down, pull up the paper backing to reveal your image. <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3wVs0qHjrRnJEQqMrTpXGP3TtW6X9dSuUWQAB_o7iTO8umk8uHhT8AkEaww64xO7JNabflU_MHKLZ5EbN0uWRbjVAM1qMQwNPGvXp2HOMmj705TyDD8cYGOhTIyvYw53j46zarPIg-Yz3/s1600/bunny+pillow3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3wVs0qHjrRnJEQqMrTpXGP3TtW6X9dSuUWQAB_o7iTO8umk8uHhT8AkEaww64xO7JNabflU_MHKLZ5EbN0uWRbjVAM1qMQwNPGvXp2HOMmj705TyDD8cYGOhTIyvYw53j46zarPIg-Yz3/s400/bunny+pillow3.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhvesL2GheDpvHMZouPyO90C1izaGyMPq83KUKg1tft8dGHkXHu7BTAeBQeu2F6z5tzZ_IalDSZN5we3kJ-3VqugixrcerRlIgEtVHLnhlqahk4PyqMnVVG6fhae7hb20Z3kKg5EpEGoBE/s1600/bunny+pillow4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br /></a></div>
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Next I stuffed my pillow cover and voila! Here is one of my new bunny pillows!</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHkgit0dh4bHPO_Vo99vmFOCk5IAj61t-6bbuEDaD2cUBouP-3fNc3b6pMkbuUYxK5T6J-wqJ_LvVfg2meDuXyE-cugLazswuauYW1DVSYqTHunursOpvngkCRkmbyah5mJCDw74jC3Tbi/s1600/bunny+pillow5.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHkgit0dh4bHPO_Vo99vmFOCk5IAj61t-6bbuEDaD2cUBouP-3fNc3b6pMkbuUYxK5T6J-wqJ_LvVfg2meDuXyE-cugLazswuauYW1DVSYqTHunursOpvngkCRkmbyah5mJCDw74jC3Tbi/s640/bunny+pillow5.jpg" width="425" /></a></div>
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Thanks for stopping by today!<br />
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I'm linking this one up:<br />
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<a href="http://graphicsfairy.blogspot.com/2012/01/brag-monday-menu-chalkboard-peacock.html" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLxdA21iKDlUDC_GamRS-J4SnzQ_EfHs_1dwjd8C7-yaqkLXtsdtZZCDoBRWrfsYW2HCtdjtnbUNyv53PlODkmecdCKCP76kcwITRhsg3k-aCAZXKSNZ7K6td2CVQRkvYA71uAtDbP-TUd/s1600/bragbuttonfinalsmall.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" target="_blank" /></a></div>
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<br />{Repurpose Universe}http://www.blogger.com/profile/14379686132980542485noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7140912656389780599.post-55054892680512588992012-03-26T17:08:00.001-04:002012-03-26T17:09:55.405-04:00Key magnets<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFRebIcRQJxR59acrxOA7Qt1rIgcWGSyg8qdXojNCMI12VuMFXVryGJYx4Y3Ub9E0WllXY85reWYydlu15UDy_0xGchRWjDMoqmNOTMYaPg0YT44IxANYf_yA29dY9gh0_Ott7do-DxYJp/s1600/keys+urn.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFRebIcRQJxR59acrxOA7Qt1rIgcWGSyg8qdXojNCMI12VuMFXVryGJYx4Y3Ub9E0WllXY85reWYydlu15UDy_0xGchRWjDMoqmNOTMYaPg0YT44IxANYf_yA29dY9gh0_Ott7do-DxYJp/s200/keys+urn.jpg" width="133" /></a>So I recently had the good fortune of buying a lot of 72 office furniture keys. <br />
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Why did I do it? Well it was eBay and I thought "of course I can find something to do with these." Well, when I got them in the mail, they weren't as cute as I expected. But then again, who thinks office keys are cute anyway? I blame it on the 3am impulse buy...<br />
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So here is what I ended up doing with my 72 keys. Hint, they're MUCH cuter now!<br />
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For this project, you'll just need three items. I have my {1} office furniture keys, though any flat backed key would work. I purchased a {2} set of magnets from the Home Depot. They do NOT have the foam sticker backing, and here's why: when I'm making magnets, sometimes the item being magnetized is pretty heavy. I've found over time the foam sticker doesn't hold up as well as my {3} E-6000, item #3 on my list.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPomvLrVeDQRL7lxNgPzN4thUblzdFZERb0PBsQss_LR-TW0usj6MF4WweAriMls_BLG6WvggCrcW2OnC0ja9Myx9-BRCwKhzZopd5umR2XyhUWh4EXw9YA_5qrtrz1D3TX0We2Kwmpxzl/s1600/key+magenets+supplies.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPomvLrVeDQRL7lxNgPzN4thUblzdFZERb0PBsQss_LR-TW0usj6MF4WweAriMls_BLG6WvggCrcW2OnC0ja9Myx9-BRCwKhzZopd5umR2XyhUWh4EXw9YA_5qrtrz1D3TX0We2Kwmpxzl/s1600/key+magenets+supplies.jpg" /></a></div>
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All you need to do is put a small dab of glue on the back of the magnet and then stick that to the key. I let mine dry for two days. E-6000 is some strong stuff and it really stinks, so do this project in a well ventilated area.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLphyphenhyphenWB5EdekurBrtS5oNiLzPc3Izg2S5nCzSInI_gsB4fWjwrFdEO2eTjaIbpiNe5-3r5G4q8qcRK4whZ-nPETC1eRYn3DMeet7XmW1xaF5HwSr-07EYRFaeKrxfhXa8ZEDElQJZiUhMM/s1600/key+mag+closeup.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLphyphenhyphenWB5EdekurBrtS5oNiLzPc3Izg2S5nCzSInI_gsB4fWjwrFdEO2eTjaIbpiNe5-3r5G4q8qcRK4whZ-nPETC1eRYn3DMeet7XmW1xaF5HwSr-07EYRFaeKrxfhXa8ZEDElQJZiUhMM/s1600/key+mag+closeup.jpg" /></a></div>
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Here is my final project holding a vintage print on my refrigerator. I realize that it doesn't make much sense now, but I didn't really have anything to hang up for the picture :) <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiz9TRH3HR0OcLmbap3nJkiWyhyphenhyphenAsHLm9F2rsbm6EePjf0NwBvtiHYAiRGWO2x9YWeDbSb-zNlNxtahddbTK4MpUQAh5ahvhoKGDTpN9O7bLPHbSyFZLdCWXcwlK2yHBE41KIAWK50pP9wu/s1600/key+magnet+in+action.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiz9TRH3HR0OcLmbap3nJkiWyhyphenhyphenAsHLm9F2rsbm6EePjf0NwBvtiHYAiRGWO2x9YWeDbSb-zNlNxtahddbTK4MpUQAh5ahvhoKGDTpN9O7bLPHbSyFZLdCWXcwlK2yHBE41KIAWK50pP9wu/s1600/key+magnet+in+action.jpg" /></a></div>
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Only 66 more to go! Wish me luck!</div>
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<br />{Repurpose Universe}http://www.blogger.com/profile/14379686132980542485noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7140912656389780599.post-53533010549870171582012-01-30T23:26:00.001-05:002012-01-30T23:26:12.249-05:00Figuring out fonts<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhy3MXa4EYyLDJbYpMSpSFsJV4WON30WTO4n4dkRqmKMDVd7JkoavEq51KcId5VhZmY153jTzonxxlyzCi4PSq3E1fiGCIENe5GgQc3OPdPtbIa83vE24c_412hml25g_cDi6-8w_QJdbb-/s1600/Gabriola.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="81" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhy3MXa4EYyLDJbYpMSpSFsJV4WON30WTO4n4dkRqmKMDVd7JkoavEq51KcId5VhZmY153jTzonxxlyzCi4PSq3E1fiGCIENe5GgQc3OPdPtbIa83vE24c_412hml25g_cDi6-8w_QJdbb-/s400/Gabriola.png" width="400" /></a></div>
I'm quite font obsessed. I love making art from simple sayings in a really cool font.<br />
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It's really frustrating when I see a font I fall in love with and then <strike>spend the next 3 hours on fontspace trying to match it</strike> I can't figure out the font. I've had this issue with calligraphy fonts I've seen on invitations and unusual script fonts I've wanted to use.<br />
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I came across this website {<a href="http://whatfontis.com/">whatfontis.com</a>} that will let you upload an image and then will give you a list of possible fonts. <br />
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{1} First, I typed up some text I wanted to test out. You could easily scan in an image of text you want to figure out.</div>
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<img border="0" height="85" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMcdi01C8bBkgiixEvG0O3ouaZBwEVyPPDXrp5mhyCOEUjNLdZ2XW3Cijz_WNeC8mx2QvLsdJXfEJZoQMA-__3OUJE8JtbQY1yzFn1IiraM5ZiIWOGuD9ssCNfew06-vqXIXTSyDnG0s9j/s400/My+Underwood.png" width="400" /></div>
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{2} The next step is to go to <a href="http://whatfontis.com/">whatfontis.com</a> and upload the image of your font.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZXZFayLYmdgYDEaV_vzRr4gUZlHr6jew3SsOdTyyA1PD_Fvmkc77tDzrQqZExMFuT9Apf4NWQ3k0KQW2NCHmB8XL-C0LKO00gG2HJGwWFNkNhXJZdoCigr2DSEgNYMM6ODZoC1HvJ5_fG/s1600/font1.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="247" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZXZFayLYmdgYDEaV_vzRr4gUZlHr6jew3SsOdTyyA1PD_Fvmkc77tDzrQqZExMFuT9Apf4NWQ3k0KQW2NCHmB8XL-C0LKO00gG2HJGwWFNkNhXJZdoCigr2DSEgNYMM6ODZoC1HvJ5_fG/s400/font1.png" width="400" /></a></div>
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{3} After you upload, the site will try to decipher the text from the picture you uploaded. There are instructions on the page, but basically I chose the letters that were most distinct so the site would have an easier time figuring out the font {read the TIP at the bottom of the page too for an explanation}. At the bottom of the screen I also chose to display only results for "free fonts" because I didn't want results returned where I would have to pay for a font when I got the right one.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5k62IgUNry871w04B3kCLsNePKdUxnrf4SycEm1tNQ3Jnnc7BNpn6CGv2wS7TGAW-aib148yXvRHcNRRmMJpz5puRyXYSCV-VOob0r3tXre84Cq3j3z_ehfgMRTzTQx2IQLyIJADWvuU0/s1600/font2.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="257" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5k62IgUNry871w04B3kCLsNePKdUxnrf4SycEm1tNQ3Jnnc7BNpn6CGv2wS7TGAW-aib148yXvRHcNRRmMJpz5puRyXYSCV-VOob0r3tXre84Cq3j3z_ehfgMRTzTQx2IQLyIJADWvuU0/s400/font2.png" width="400" /></a></div>
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{4} Here are the results returned. My test font is one of my favorite free old typewriter typefaces - My Underwood. The site found it correctly and it was in the top three results - cool huh?</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKiJn1NBnG2btEjEt0zfgK21t-ile9aPxYTHHsYuC_BshPwMM9OWYMNzTaAFo7zHvgRz5TfOp4lQy2_KBfcmz_fxomvCBz1WxE0wmOJE3TMLQzvW12nJqhIC004HN3lLT80FhxHX1MlOV3/s1600/font3.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="247" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKiJn1NBnG2btEjEt0zfgK21t-ile9aPxYTHHsYuC_BshPwMM9OWYMNzTaAFo7zHvgRz5TfOp4lQy2_KBfcmz_fxomvCBz1WxE0wmOJE3TMLQzvW12nJqhIC004HN3lLT80FhxHX1MlOV3/s400/font3.png" width="400" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMcdi01C8bBkgiixEvG0O3ouaZBwEVyPPDXrp5mhyCOEUjNLdZ2XW3Cijz_WNeC8mx2QvLsdJXfEJZoQMA-__3OUJE8JtbQY1yzFn1IiraM5ZiIWOGuD9ssCNfew06-vqXIXTSyDnG0s9j/s1600/My+Underwood.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br /></a></div>
TIP: when you're doing my step #3 above, be sure to pick the more unusual letters {the ones with unusual serifs etc.} If the font looks just like Times New Roman except the S, J and V's have really unusual flairs on them - pick those letters in step #3. Why? If you don't distinguish the font with the unusual letters, you'll get 100 results back that all look just like Times New Roman and you'll be scrolling all day trying to find the one with unusual S, J & V's. Trust me, I did this the first time and my test font was MUCH lower in the results list when I chose any letter.<br />
<br />{Repurpose Universe}http://www.blogger.com/profile/14379686132980542485noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7140912656389780599.post-75625260244673997602012-01-27T08:00:00.000-05:002012-01-30T00:28:05.147-05:00The Friday 5 - vintage letters<div style="line-height: 0px; padding-bottom: 2px;">
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://pinterest.com/pin/222294931576984339/" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" target="_blank"><img border="0" height="254" src="http://media-cdn.pinterest.com/upload/222294931576984339_f0pJzZ13_c.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">{1} Letters from a 1900's marquee</td></tr>
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Source: <a href="http://www.etsy.com/listing/80137008/vintage-marquee-letter-k-c1900" style="color: #76838b; font-size: 10px; text-decoration: underline;">etsy.com</a> via <a href="http://pinterest.com/eqmartin/" style="color: #76838b; font-size: 10px; text-decoration: underline;" target="_blank">Emily</a> on <a href="http://pinterest.com/" style="color: #76838b; text-decoration: underline;" target="_blank">Pinterest</a></div>
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I'm totally smitten with vintage letters - porcelain, metal, rusty, whatever. <br />
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They're great to display alongside your books, on a mantle, or hanging in your living room or bedrooom. <br />
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Here are a few of my favorites this week...<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://pinterest.com/pin/222294931576984322/" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" target="_blank"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://media-cdn.pinterest.com/upload/222294931576984322_D2kvirQ6_c.jpg" width="298" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">{2} Lovely porcelain letter found on eBay</td></tr>
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Source: <a href="http://www.ebay.com/itm/Vintage-Porcelain-Letter-R-White-Enamel-12-Sign-/300575171800" style="color: #76838b; font-size: 10px; text-decoration: underline;">ebay.com</a> via <a href="http://pinterest.com/eqmartin/" style="color: #76838b; font-size: 10px; text-decoration: underline;" target="_blank">Emily</a> on <a href="http://pinterest.com/" style="color: #76838b; text-decoration: underline;" target="_blank">Pinterest</a></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://pinterest.com/pin/222294931576984332/" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" target="_blank"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://media-cdn.pinterest.com/upload/222294931576984332_uXJCrRew_c.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">{3} I love how the bulbs were removed from this sign. How perfect would this be in a kitchen?</td></tr>
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Source: <a href="http://www.etsy.com/shop/IOUvintage" style="color: #76838b; font-size: 10px; text-decoration: underline;">etsy.com</a> via <a href="http://pinterest.com/eqmartin/" style="color: #76838b; font-size: 10px; text-decoration: underline;" target="_blank">Emily</a> on <a href="http://pinterest.com/" style="color: #76838b; text-decoration: underline;" target="_blank">Pinterest</a></div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://pinterest.com/pin/222294931576984315/" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" target="_blank"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://media-cdn.pinterest.com/upload/222294931576984315_kzcQdHDW_c.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">{4} Great 10" high metal letter I love the patina on this one!</td></tr>
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Source: <a href="http://frillsandfrolic.blogspot.com/2010_12_01_archive.html" style="color: #76838b; font-size: 10px; text-decoration: underline;">frillsandfrolic.blogspot.com</a> via <a href="http://pinterest.com/eqmartin/" style="color: #76838b; font-size: 10px; text-decoration: underline;" target="_blank">Emily</a> on <a href="http://pinterest.com/" style="color: #76838b; text-decoration: underline;" target="_blank">Pinterest</a></div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://pinterest.com/pin/222294931576984304/" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" target="_blank"><img border="0" height="299" src="http://media-cdn.pinterest.com/upload/222294931576984304_s5blnyLQ_c.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">{5} I've always been partial to wood block letters. So many variations and fonts. I love this display of zzzzz - how great would this be in my bedroom?</td></tr>
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Source: <a href="http://www.etsy.com/listing/86741252/vintage-wood-type-5-letter-set-of-zs" style="color: #76838b; font-size: 10px; text-decoration: underline;">etsy.com</a> via <a href="http://pinterest.com/eqmartin/" style="color: #76838b; font-size: 10px; text-decoration: underline;" target="_blank">Emily</a> on <a href="http://pinterest.com/" style="color: #76838b; text-decoration: underline;" target="_blank">Pinterest</a></div>
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<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7140912656389780599.post-90862185577234042582012-01-25T22:33:00.001-05:002012-01-30T00:28:18.675-05:00Digital collage basics {making transparent images}<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5eSCx6E72UIdG6v8AekP3tfIdGd1bjDl58E6_BVRdhkKUwKUihMM_w5zKh6nO65a89yVH8mx0RSfTvElbiWvkQHSf3we9xqzckFgTE_ZkGaqeW3dupnQozDMVFFaAmh2gFEJmloNhaTJx/s1600/DSC_1958.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="362" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5eSCx6E72UIdG6v8AekP3tfIdGd1bjDl58E6_BVRdhkKUwKUihMM_w5zKh6nO65a89yVH8mx0RSfTvElbiWvkQHSf3we9xqzckFgTE_ZkGaqeW3dupnQozDMVFFaAmh2gFEJmloNhaTJx/s400/DSC_1958.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
Earlier this week, I posted a tutorial {and craft fail} for my<a href="http://repurposeuniverse.blogspot.com/2012/01/fish-on-canvas-project.html" target="_blank"> fish canvas project</a>. I've had a few comments in the past on the blog, asking about how to make digital collages.<br />
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The fish canvas project was a good simple project to share because it used a limited number of images and used a black and white image with a colored image.<br />
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I figured I'd post a few tips on how I create and layer the images in Photoshop Elements and MS Publisher. I had a heck of a time figuring this out, so hopefully it helps someone out there. <br />
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{1} Open Photoshop Elements. Click File > Open and select your copyright free image {shown below}.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxaAyZ0wU52NkGLs8lFjnsjU29riieU_dFxNorOfcwpcUVwNMt9-FMfsVgySUbgnlH5eWCMha3Ec83blBYEt46ilSKgrjVQklLXbNcnlmbx1lkOB8SDG1vsye0d-mz6WZb2U2rnPRz-TSU/s1600/image+before+selecting.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="316" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxaAyZ0wU52NkGLs8lFjnsjU29riieU_dFxNorOfcwpcUVwNMt9-FMfsVgySUbgnlH5eWCMha3Ec83blBYEt46ilSKgrjVQklLXbNcnlmbx1lkOB8SDG1vsye0d-mz6WZb2U2rnPRz-TSU/s400/image+before+selecting.png" width="400" /></a></div>
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{2} For Adobe Photoshop Elements users, use the magic wand tool {the one with the yellow star at the end of the wand} to select the white background aka what you want to get rid of. {Tip: if the graphic has a pretty distinct colored background, a tolerance of 50 usually works for me. I check the anti-alias, contiguous, and sample all layers buttons as shown below. If you have a background that isn't as distinct or a patterned background, you'll need to play with these levels, or else you may be selecting too much or too little of what you want}. The only difference between this image and the one above is that this image has dotted lines around the fish, showing that the white background is selected. <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtIpwYu_Y3WiGTGnLTbSXOikwyoVO_Z9CsSvXuE9hfjxGANzkJw_xWqJKJMWg1gISfhGJwtYaj0kngbcEI3XZFy5NHwtNscv6sDEGhJRiyH-omEj-iIa1U0fAXYFtLX2Gph1UYMB9sF5A1/s1600/selecting+transparent+images.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="411" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtIpwYu_Y3WiGTGnLTbSXOikwyoVO_Z9CsSvXuE9hfjxGANzkJw_xWqJKJMWg1gISfhGJwtYaj0kngbcEI3XZFy5NHwtNscv6sDEGhJRiyH-omEj-iIa1U0fAXYFtLX2Gph1UYMB9sF5A1/s640/selecting+transparent+images.png" width="640" /></a></div>
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{3} Lots of steps in this one, so pay close attention..I then go to Select > Inverse {to select the fish now since that's what I'm interested in}. I then go to File > Copy {which puts the colored fish portion on your clipboard}, then File > Paste > New Document {to start a new document with just my colored fish}. When the new document pop up box comes up {see below}, you're going to want to make sure "Background Contents" at the bottom is set to "Transparent".</div>
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<img border="0" height="376" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdzGXDxCNXrM50MMBPJn_WSm8c2pzAVNs5fhsTa3qNC4htOILYs6OkmaCvJY4d2jknwJa4IBbZmREXrKjuhBY9s7S8VTn07Rp8rzuG1GjVxY-EnDA5L4BSgPvJa5WG2H4X6JLp9pm_z-dB/s400/save+as+transparent.png" width="400" /></div>
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{4} Here is what your new file will look like. You have just pasted the image part that you want in to a new file and the background is clear which means you can now layer images as you please...but only if you do a few more things, so keep following along... </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJdoggHQ4Rc-gyhLh5T1yOuiFU8-yepDo8GZWSi1RymF4_Vawb5idmL4vmE4l03ILcuwX0mxk5pnOVho9OSTsLCT0HuD0O55paPLYQh_u1HzAcAPaoJfRWb3kGi_igoP9malJy0CeSZ-05/s1600/paste+as+transparent+background.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="317" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJdoggHQ4Rc-gyhLh5T1yOuiFU8-yepDo8GZWSi1RymF4_Vawb5idmL4vmE4l03ILcuwX0mxk5pnOVho9OSTsLCT0HuD0O55paPLYQh_u1HzAcAPaoJfRWb3kGi_igoP9malJy0CeSZ-05/s400/paste+as+transparent+background.png" width="400" /></a></div>
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{5} OPTIONAL: It's a little tough to find projects where I'm going to want all three fish in this plate together. So to increase my options for layouts, I break apart plates that have multiple images in each scan, and save them separately. Using the crop tool, select the fish you want and crop close to it. Click the green check mark when you're ready. Your file will now just show the one fish with a transparent background {sorry no picture of a single fish}.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWTgbTMDsuIFtDtNggmj-httELynST3lEGi-ocmLldGrqW1_7bZExxiKxIEziIhhgIieMS_49yIVQOhhPpS7lRRXjv3u7dfdnk7Hr4qbfb-2AsAchCr6l2SI3di8GdXoGzINB8PzFETnW3/s1600/cut+the+picture+you+want.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="385" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWTgbTMDsuIFtDtNggmj-httELynST3lEGi-ocmLldGrqW1_7bZExxiKxIEziIhhgIieMS_49yIVQOhhPpS7lRRXjv3u7dfdnk7Hr4qbfb-2AsAchCr6l2SI3di8GdXoGzINB8PzFETnW3/s400/cut+the+picture+you+want.png" width="400" /></a></div>
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{6} It's important that you save your new file as one that is compatible with transparency. At this point, if you save your painstakingly created transparent image file as a .jpg or .bmp, you're going to end up with a white background. So, go to File > Save As. Choose a file name, and then in the drop down, select .PNG. This file format will preserve your transparent background.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-ShU-ArkXmZUUnhLRSW_66m2G4VrO1FunBTXcPieAdXC0QXJyg3EuE2DkpIjIyWGeHiQgP6xjXwpFuKk2jrlkqyDuxe891QOFE-ksRVgjWxAr8AnkxuKdTNpd_7E99rf1MgKt-mXkFF9N/s1600/save+as+png.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-ShU-ArkXmZUUnhLRSW_66m2G4VrO1FunBTXcPieAdXC0QXJyg3EuE2DkpIjIyWGeHiQgP6xjXwpFuKk2jrlkqyDuxe891QOFE-ksRVgjWxAr8AnkxuKdTNpd_7E99rf1MgKt-mXkFF9N/s400/save+as+png.png" width="362" /></a></div>
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{7} Repeat this process for all graphics you want to use in your project. Now open your graphics editing program {I like MS Publisher for some reason, maybe because I'm not an Adobe Photoshop Elements expert}. Insert all the images you want to use and begin moving them around on the page, on top of each other {use the "bring to front" option to get an image in front of another one}, etc. Don't forget that images look really nice and more realistic if some graphics are half on/half off the page.<br />
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Here is a really simple two image layering I did for the fish canvas project. I put the script graphic in the back and centered my transparent fish graphic on top. The finished fish canvases are back at the top of this post.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmaxjXpn5Pi9-yAHfrCfnmm9qnsjIC-UgW-vjNKRa12ToaoceXzMbqoebpa-psgxKF8qtlkwLgZhvtyAjsTX3pVVLYPPxldljJ9BKNI6lCVB2wHe9hyphenhyphenOgSNbgSx81KAAkdh0o6BWoV-8Wl/s1600/picture+layout.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmaxjXpn5Pi9-yAHfrCfnmm9qnsjIC-UgW-vjNKRa12ToaoceXzMbqoebpa-psgxKF8qtlkwLgZhvtyAjsTX3pVVLYPPxldljJ9BKNI6lCVB2wHe9hyphenhyphenOgSNbgSx81KAAkdh0o6BWoV-8Wl/s400/picture+layout.png" width="328" /></a></div>
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I know there are probably better ways to create these images and better software, but this is how I do it, using cobbled together instructions from the Internet and some of my trial and error techniques. If you have any tips, please leave me a comment!<br />
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<br />{Repurpose Universe}http://www.blogger.com/profile/14379686132980542485noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7140912656389780599.post-17220632944186331862012-01-24T21:39:00.000-05:002012-01-30T13:55:36.252-05:00Fish on canvas project<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
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<img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVPsOXP5_tnd0-lYkz0lvAM79qCkCN5p7Wp4J2Wt_uOiyCYuUuWNSjetTKyZwX6QH-jmD4MM20He9Q6Qp9ZbYp7GfCJLG6xdag1NH83Z0l8kf-QRxaSPgX0dhtdNWjbxCoeUtXp7rjY1tz/s400/DSC_1957.JPG" width="400" /> </div>
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Okay, so I thought I'd post this tutorial a few days ago. Why not you ask? Because I had a major craft fail on this one and had to rethink the project. So here goes the story...<br />
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I've been itching to do a project using these fish prints from Oceania and Samoa I found. The images are from 1906. For the background, I used a <a href="http://graphicsfairy.blogspot.com/2010/03/free-antique-clip-art-pen-flourished_19.html" target="_blank">flourished pen image</a> from The Graphics Fairy. I was thinking of using an encyclopedia page or newsprint background, but I surprised how the script became so graphic and abstract when blown up on my computer.<br />
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For this project, I'm using some 5"x5" canvases I had lying around {shown below}. I had painted them blue, then green, then back to the nice white shown {that's what causes my craft fail, so heed my warning and just use untouched canvases for this project}. {Tip: if you're buying canvases that are stapled, look for staples on the BACK of the frame. There are some inexpensive versions that staple on the edges --- unless it's going in a frame or you cover the sides, you'll see the staples}.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpiLyxilWJM5T4URtzgeGIMGWibtnDzCVkfuFiAceShuxymlFaXmIWaJB3dquSfeHXDps2Pr4VRF-dQbJIVDWpO-z9lPXAaB_2xtPbhRufcSoHjXUCA7Vvv68YsWP-cEs5tTj017tStkVX/s1600/mini+canvas.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpiLyxilWJM5T4URtzgeGIMGWibtnDzCVkfuFiAceShuxymlFaXmIWaJB3dquSfeHXDps2Pr4VRF-dQbJIVDWpO-z9lPXAaB_2xtPbhRufcSoHjXUCA7Vvv68YsWP-cEs5tTj017tStkVX/s400/mini+canvas.jpg" width="342" /></a></div>
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{1} First, scan in your image or find and save your copyright free image to your computer. Open that file in your graphics editing program and remove the background, making it transparent {everything except for the fish}. {see below} {I'm posting the specific instructions for how I create transparent images in Adobe tomorrow if you need that info. {<a href="http://repurposeuniverse.blogspot.com/2012/01/digital-collage-basics-making.html" target="_blank">CLICK HERE</a>}}</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjymDJdx_Ub0vW_J2dluOzUC3ubGbE03xXy3puA5vYR55T4MPUxuBXQ_ejUMGebkaqGCRcZhPFlm5H4IMVeFP5qJUNgSetDtZjiWhvqQfXfR7EHoMUfxx9dYhw6JkmeRWde6b0xfd6b_GZ-/s1600/transparent+fish.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="385" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjymDJdx_Ub0vW_J2dluOzUC3ubGbE03xXy3puA5vYR55T4MPUxuBXQ_ejUMGebkaqGCRcZhPFlm5H4IMVeFP5qJUNgSetDtZjiWhvqQfXfR7EHoMUfxx9dYhw6JkmeRWde6b0xfd6b_GZ-/s400/transparent+fish.png" width="400" /></a></div>
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{2} In a graphics program, as shown below, layer your transparent graphic on top of the Graphics Fairy <a href="http://graphicsfairy.blogspot.com/2010/03/free-antique-clip-art-pen-flourished_19.html" target="_blank">flourished pen image</a>. {You obviously need to take in to account the size of your canvas. Just account for the canvas top, not the sides, I'll explain why later}. When you're happy with the results, print the image out on Avery t-shirt transfer paper {shown below}. {Tip: I use the kind for light t-shirts which is a clear background instead of a white background}. <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmaxjXpn5Pi9-yAHfrCfnmm9qnsjIC-UgW-vjNKRa12ToaoceXzMbqoebpa-psgxKF8qtlkwLgZhvtyAjsTX3pVVLYPPxldljJ9BKNI6lCVB2wHe9hyphenhyphenOgSNbgSx81KAAkdh0o6BWoV-8Wl/s1600/picture+layout.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmaxjXpn5Pi9-yAHfrCfnmm9qnsjIC-UgW-vjNKRa12ToaoceXzMbqoebpa-psgxKF8qtlkwLgZhvtyAjsTX3pVVLYPPxldljJ9BKNI6lCVB2wHe9hyphenhyphenOgSNbgSx81KAAkdh0o6BWoV-8Wl/s320/picture+layout.png" width="261" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkahRqbiMHb25Xy2uF6NbqP_obxsQAORhGj5PHTIYIQa3z3YVnNC8JyVkBHu6olJ5Oof-18x6G3F3hF3eqpR49qe3GqikB5dXpXAGn9E7UG2a67d1Cau5thcrTSNDJL9C5gv2DHtAx6izX/s1600/fish+transfers.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="249" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkahRqbiMHb25Xy2uF6NbqP_obxsQAORhGj5PHTIYIQa3z3YVnNC8JyVkBHu6olJ5Oof-18x6G3F3hF3eqpR49qe3GqikB5dXpXAGn9E7UG2a67d1Cau5thcrTSNDJL9C5gv2DHtAx6izX/s320/fish+transfers.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<br />
{3} Cut out your transfer to size.<br />
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<div style="text-align: center;">
<img border="0" height="255" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbknbBcMxicAC0j33M5tJp5hltwRHsLuSw71JF2R69SYNyV4gx2zjaHBMx690mYy05MZVXL-b0-XaHtalOQdUsVe9poEkbmHTmsfPc5yGm7WMPHVLpxs9jqrWKiVhooqzxuv2tzFxYhBXp/s400/DSC_1940.JPG" width="400" /></div>
<br />
<br />
<br />
Now here's the craft FAIL: I'd seen a technique on Pinterest where the person used the same transfer sheets I'm using and ironed them on the canvas. She however had NOT painted the canvas. So after I applied pressure and ironed....THE PAINT MELTED! The smell was terrible and it looked even worse. After shouting a few "wow, really? really?" 's I took a deep breath and decided to regroup...<br />
<br />
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<a href="http://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=7140912656389780599" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGaaJrW7q9ChyphenhyphenAXFs2odQlDuqtj5-ixy889YyQKpy1q5wuQXX1ZeiC2afM26a9hjtg6ceiH0iADzwCGFBpQB7U_vq0LYHsa6QaVR6uzFTaLreOsEocBXpVS7xodDURzV0N-8s3l0P8RvGC/s320/DSC_1944.JPG" width="320" /></a><a href="http://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=7140912656389780599" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="248" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTvqS2tGivJEF31-kHJ_lsvK1y1x7n2dxZvg5vZHw9NachdXE2RJRnTfMY9Dqo35PhLalFlxlEjZcAvSCc8Gl9GUxhJlStdBqjgodD4zxGsvgSpLBct3AFtH8DBdb4A70adzP2aq8BYPjg/s320/DSC_1943.JPG" width="288" /></a></div>
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{4} So then I cut out some scrap fabric {enough to cover the front and wrap around the sides}.<br />
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<img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6TsEKAQA_yAPzckglEjTZFK0nIxzuigtU-0pC2Rkrknlve37V6zIBX8iwyDnOIISjQCvpwC5LBpPA3Vv2swD1or7rHBSoghOaKakFuBEMnLN2erPqPjnj-BtPVclH02cILi-TGUyHyDDu/s400/DSC_1946.JPG" width="400" /></div>
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{5} Put the transfer face down & center it. Iron according to the directions. Gently peel back the transfer paper {shown below}. {Tip: it's best to wait a few seconds after ironing before trying to pull off the transfer paper backing. If you pull when the paper is very hot, the transfer may not adhere to the fabric or the paper backing and you'll have trouble getting it to stick back down}.<br />
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<img border="0" height="312" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRzr8pXJz1nTasc4Klp74So-vY0Nk_SgwM7XXt94ZRV_zdumJIYKghvv8jXcKP1JFqUZi5KovBDyxv4pequtI0Ggc5mZU0qJjl0wQ-H599Kkp_GwH4-OrQ4Cw_YSHIR5T6oT2YpDY6ot7u/s400/DSC_1949.JPG" width="400" /></div>
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{6} Wrap the fabric around the canvas. I used matte Mod Podge to glue it down. I also used the matte Podge over the front transfer part too. {You know how I said make sure your image transfer only fits the top of the canvas, not the sides too? Well I'm glad I did it this way, because it was MUCH easier to wet the fabric sides with glue and apply pressure with my fingers than deal with a more rigid transfer on the sides and try to fold that down}.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgst62WqUCM62ZJcaWcshF6ul8WuDdS-drrkUEn7r0TkCzjgg4ioiT7FvoNOx7Xh_wMa1cfPOLUsfDUSVs3ghI09QapHndaHbx_UFQwGYx8S17yyjQx9QD6TSc2vzHn1ouNpBPZ-C9Qh_0t/s1600/DSC_1953.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgst62WqUCM62ZJcaWcshF6ul8WuDdS-drrkUEn7r0TkCzjgg4ioiT7FvoNOx7Xh_wMa1cfPOLUsfDUSVs3ghI09QapHndaHbx_UFQwGYx8S17yyjQx9QD6TSc2vzHn1ouNpBPZ-C9Qh_0t/s400/DSC_1953.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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{7} I then let my canvases air dry on top of a cup. Notice how they look wrinkly on the surface? I thought I had another craft fail on my hands!!! Thankfully when they fully dried the front dried without wrinkles!<br />
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<img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1Yb0baay_DP9SdFz9itJcAWbKEDga09NYjlsiJYLIpccS3TtPGS6LM7vnkhHkGcGysOSGgE5L-bnAcL8GC3SE9dfQLLUaF4TQq-kRHcdwjjDGNS8QbpE84Qx9VlA-avpXLrO7PuacLWVR/s400/DSC_1954.JPG" width="400" /></div>
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Here is a closeup of four of the canvases. I love how the vintage script looks so abstract. It was hard to remember that they were actually script letters and not some cool pattern. The fish really seem to pop. I can't believe that these fish were from 1906 --- not that I didn't think they had color back then, but I guess I didn't think they used such vibrant colors in their fish studies.<br />
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<div style="text-align: center;">
Here are my five finished canvases!</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCC71E2BcPn48Qr6bMskys0HsVAUEFVz13tnWyU6kwG_gNuZqOP0a97WgcvFbcM0keWhO6iaYXLYZ3psM6L2oWV1SBvOpmEVH0KRM6fffKGkFjpMvVR2F4FJPYLElhLCbLqzCrkqVBfvC_/s1600/DSC_1955.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="330" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCC71E2BcPn48Qr6bMskys0HsVAUEFVz13tnWyU6kwG_gNuZqOP0a97WgcvFbcM0keWhO6iaYXLYZ3psM6L2oWV1SBvOpmEVH0KRM6fffKGkFjpMvVR2F4FJPYLElhLCbLqzCrkqVBfvC_/s640/DSC_1955.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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Thanks for stopping by!<br />
<br />
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<br />
I'm linking this project up to:<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<a href="http://somedaycrafts.blogspot.com/2012/01/whatever-goes-wednesday-101.html" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" target="_blank"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9B9M39A9mKFTLSDdWs2MhenftGJCYevxHGHPaEOxJ__kUqthNyY0UPZCQMfNdtJbCQGURULNavD-T1Vc9QXBnEaycNxgfzs76eit5xDCyWMeyC4yiDiXJEEV86uELfEdIZ-spoSXkARLS/s1600/wgw+button.jpg" /></a></div>
<br />
<a href="http://www.bystephanielynn.com/search/label/Link%20Parties" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" target="_blank"><img alt="UndertheTableandDreaming" border="0" src="http://i693.photobucket.com/albums/vv298/theliebertfamily/party.png" /></a> <br />
<br />
<div align="center">
<a href="http://www.homestoriesatoz.com/" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" target="_blank" title="Home Stories A2Z"><img alt="Home Stories A2Z" src="http://i916.photobucket.com/albums/ad2/bethcrabtree/tutorialsandtips.jpg" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://tatertotsandjello.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/09/978446890_7b2ZN-O2.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a><a href="http://graphicsfairy.blogspot.com/2012/01/brag-monday-menu-chalkboard-peacock.html" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLxdA21iKDlUDC_GamRS-J4SnzQ_EfHs_1dwjd8C7-yaqkLXtsdtZZCDoBRWrfsYW2HCtdjtnbUNyv53PlODkmecdCKCP76kcwITRhsg3k-aCAZXKSNZ7K6td2CVQRkvYA71uAtDbP-TUd/s1600/bragbuttonfinalsmall.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" target="_blank" /></a><img alt="" border="0" src="http://tatertotsandjello.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/09/978446890_7b2ZN-O2.png" /><a href="http://tatertotsandjello.com/" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" target="_blank"></a></div>
<br />{Repurpose Universe}http://www.blogger.com/profile/14379686132980542485noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7140912656389780599.post-61328616658960114502012-01-21T12:41:00.000-05:002012-01-25T21:44:11.958-05:00Message in a bottle<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container mceItemTable" data-mce-style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td data-mce-style="text-align: center;" style="text-align: center;"><a data-mce-href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Lv3xo7GnH6o/TxXlrbCKOaI/AAAAAAAAAcQ/elosd-TjLcU/s1600/message+in+a+bottle.jpg" data-mce-style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Lv3xo7GnH6o/TxXlrbCKOaI/AAAAAAAAAcQ/elosd-TjLcU/s1600/message+in+a+bottle.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="" border="0" data-mce-src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Lv3xo7GnH6o/TxXlrbCKOaI/AAAAAAAAAcQ/elosd-TjLcU/s1600/message+in+a+bottle.jpg?w=200" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Lv3xo7GnH6o/TxXlrbCKOaI/AAAAAAAAAcQ/elosd-TjLcU/s1600/message+in+a+bottle.jpg?w=200" width="213" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" data-mce-style="text-align: center;" style="text-align: center;">{<a data-mce-href="http://office.microsoft.com/en-us/images/" href="http://office.microsoft.com/en-us/images/" target="_blank">source</a>}</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
What's better to count down the days until Valentine's Day than a message in a bottle each day for your sweetheart?<br />
<br />
All
you need is a small bottle with a cork and a small piece of paper.
Write a special message on the paper and stick in the bottle. Then
place in a spot your loved one will see it.<br />
<br />
You can also embellish the bottle or write your message in a neat font, but I like the simpler, handwritten version myself.<br />
<br />
I
found a bunch of these a few months back at Anthropologie. At $16
each, I thought that was a little crazy. You can certainly make this
for literally less than $1 per message.<br />
<br />
<a data-mce-href="http://www.save-on-crafts.com/glassbottles2.html" href="http://www.save-on-crafts.com/glassbottles2.html" target="_blank">Save-On-Crafts</a>
has a bunch of options for the bottles. There are several lots of 12
where each bottle is less than $1. Also try your thrift stores and
craft stores.<br />
<br />
I snapped this picture on my phone of an example I
saw while I was in the Anthropologie store. I love how they used some
twine to wrap the message. It makes the paper more compact and easier
to remove from the bottle.<br />
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Nothing like a daily love note washing up on your bedside table each morning!</div>
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<tr><td data-mce-style="text-align: center;" style="text-align: center;"><a data-mce-href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-HaXUjOtsGfM/TxXlsgGldbI/AAAAAAAAAcw/PcID0RTPyOc/s1600/washed+up+bottle.jpg" data-mce-style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-HaXUjOtsGfM/TxXlsgGldbI/AAAAAAAAAcw/PcID0RTPyOc/s1600/washed+up+bottle.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="" border="0" data-mce-src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-HaXUjOtsGfM/TxXlsgGldbI/AAAAAAAAAcw/PcID0RTPyOc/s1600/washed+up+bottle.jpg?w=300" height="213" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-HaXUjOtsGfM/TxXlsgGldbI/AAAAAAAAAcw/PcID0RTPyOc/s1600/washed+up+bottle.jpg?w=300" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" data-mce-style="text-align: center;" style="text-align: center;">{<a data-mce-href="http://office.microsoft.com/en-us/images/" href="http://office.microsoft.com/en-us/images/" target="_blank">source</a>}</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7140912656389780599.post-15733672609940249242012-01-20T08:00:00.000-05:002012-01-25T08:03:16.783-05:00The Friday 5 - Vintage Dress Forms<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEho4nuNzvsptUYBQRBJGVyWVjh2KisDEBrGb66ezWyB8qTXSlzKNh21PMz00m0RMobAmMLuhDbGhtuF4jOGxPvfYXWJrxDtfruohwFfVRzqm9lbAOadAD1xfVU9uqYYo59DFRznmQBbbM_W/s400/IMG_2897+copy.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="300" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A picture I took for <a href="http://luckettstore.com/design-house" target="_blank">The Lucketts Store Design House</a>.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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I'm totally in love with dress forms this week for some reason. I pinned a bunch to my <a href="http://pinterest.com/eqmartin/" target="_blank">Pinterest account</a>.<br />
<br />
From time to time, we get vintage dress forms in the shop. Usually they're in the $200-$600 range, but lately, they just haven't been getting many in.<br />
<br />
I found out that even for experienced treasure hunters and pickers, THEY are having a tough time finding these nowadays. So of course, where do you go when you can't find what you need?...the internet!<br />
<br />
I scoured around and found a few favorites out there, but they're mostly early 1900's versions and many easily ranged from $750 and up. Here are the results of my labor...enjoy and have a great weekend!<br />
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<div style="text-align: center;">
{1} Late 1800's version found on eBay for, gulp, $1,000! This one is 54" tall and came from an estate sale in Ohio.</div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0Aj3foRo1_nxnGYZ4erWlhzAwskdDmxrgg1FXka2GeNiiAwLrJgBivvc509p8ZFvpgOHhpa_rcM1h4YIhwQ7J_y4sczL1foRHJxRUJpZxYUuUqul0NlZSJvbyROT6gQB8QGTSRQh59iYm/s1600/1900s.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0Aj3foRo1_nxnGYZ4erWlhzAwskdDmxrgg1FXka2GeNiiAwLrJgBivvc509p8ZFvpgOHhpa_rcM1h4YIhwQ7J_y4sczL1foRHJxRUJpZxYUuUqul0NlZSJvbyROT6gQB8QGTSRQh59iYm/s640/1900s.jpg" width="304" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">{<a href="http://www.ebay.com/itm/Victorian-Antique-DRESSFORM-Mannequin-/290496147848?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item43a2eb7188&afsrc=1" target="_blank">source</a>}</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
{2} This one is early 1900's. It stands 4' 6" tall with a 21" round skirt and costs $795.</div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjysYPFiXvi8p70dPtklERyHEjXQRHxpsQWMaqGU8CWoKgX7DGaDViBy8KBIOMuxNSpEoVKGTBOmzbr_bwMARqmG3NyZE6SlpUi7aNoMQTtbq_pJ_M4N9S2ZaorJ3ZsqJzUxb6lG_Hdl8R8/s1600/dress+form.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjysYPFiXvi8p70dPtklERyHEjXQRHxpsQWMaqGU8CWoKgX7DGaDViBy8KBIOMuxNSpEoVKGTBOmzbr_bwMARqmG3NyZE6SlpUi7aNoMQTtbq_pJ_M4N9S2ZaorJ3ZsqJzUxb6lG_Hdl8R8/s400/dress+form.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">{<a href="http://www.ebay.com/itm/Vintage-Industrial-Antique-Dress-Form-Rare-Original-Mannequin-Dress-Form-/170759669624?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item27c211c778&afsrc=1" target="_blank">source</a>}</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
{3} Not sure of the era on this one, but another example of a cage dress form.</div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCMSvWO5hUgf8pzL7TrqJLCs2b9Kz6GGMHs9yrP7nCv5wilHlkwjdZOBJfY281HNR3hnkcQiTfHdWYFIDuxqiXqfNcOtuea5omPjegCzVfMG0HtpJNe7eVem4mMAxDE4JLugSVgXqcyQxv/s1600/dress+form2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCMSvWO5hUgf8pzL7TrqJLCs2b9Kz6GGMHs9yrP7nCv5wilHlkwjdZOBJfY281HNR3hnkcQiTfHdWYFIDuxqiXqfNcOtuea5omPjegCzVfMG0HtpJNe7eVem4mMAxDE4JLugSVgXqcyQxv/s640/dress+form2.jpg" width="388" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">{<a href="http://morewaystowastetime.blogspot.com/2009/07/ebay-finds_18.html" target="_blank">source</a>}</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEho4nuNzvsptUYBQRBJGVyWVjh2KisDEBrGb66ezWyB8qTXSlzKNh21PMz00m0RMobAmMLuhDbGhtuF4jOGxPvfYXWJrxDtfruohwFfVRzqm9lbAOadAD1xfVU9uqYYo59DFRznmQBbbM_W/s1600/IMG_2897+copy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br /></a></div>
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{4} This one extends to 43" tall. I love how the photographer offset the form in this picture against that dark concrete wall. Pretty!</div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwPZL3aK8Ndui4rleJEgte9QkBBccLIAXxDbRO2EZRXXCa2HsWKZ3BiKk1AEhm7LDgk9SC0UFdskHQYH20YPTc1hLo1qZqpwAnyAxoHSPcYlIMulaty4rE1ApbkSaHgfITsttcd3tB7Q7I/s1600/dress+form.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="263" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwPZL3aK8Ndui4rleJEgte9QkBBccLIAXxDbRO2EZRXXCa2HsWKZ3BiKk1AEhm7LDgk9SC0UFdskHQYH20YPTc1hLo1qZqpwAnyAxoHSPcYlIMulaty4rE1ApbkSaHgfITsttcd3tB7Q7I/s400/dress+form.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">{<a href="http://modern50.com/objectsart/vintage-white-dress-form-/" target="_blank">source</a>}</td></tr>
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{5} These are really exciting....well to me anyway! Here is a pair from France circa 1750! These are still available from Coup d'Etat in San Francisco. One is listed as 6' 2" tall and the other is 6' 6" tall. No price listed for the pair, I can't imagine...</div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjib2IHndqnTrQh30G7ZyCUL9z0LpI6_zyamv8s_VG2uRBWG5LQc8Bj_o8Y9NScDwFz9-3E2NBHBubjLN0rnf3Nru22XlqlWHegb2l1itpnepm5ep1enZsxwW42AiwLGLcJau388voM8rGD/s1600/dress+form+1700s.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjib2IHndqnTrQh30G7ZyCUL9z0LpI6_zyamv8s_VG2uRBWG5LQc8Bj_o8Y9NScDwFz9-3E2NBHBubjLN0rnf3Nru22XlqlWHegb2l1itpnepm5ep1enZsxwW42AiwLGLcJau388voM8rGD/s400/dress+form+1700s.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">{<a href="http://www.1stdibs.com/furniture_item_detail.php?id=350885" target="_blank">source</a>}</td></tr>
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Have a lovely weekend!Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7140912656389780599.post-59738500761580894772012-01-19T08:30:00.000-05:002012-01-19T14:59:50.279-05:00Love letter pillowsIt's pretty rare that anyone gets a handwritten love letter anymore.
Or maybe it's just because I've been with the same person for 13 years
now that we mostly bond on the couch watching TV now : )<br />
One of
the things that I love about looking through old letters and postcards
is the handwritting ---- combine that with the rarity of an actual
handwritten love letter today and enter the love letter pillow.<br />
<br />
These
are such a fantastic way to immortalize a love letter {either yours or
someone else's} and the graphic script adds such a nice design element.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container mceItemTable" data-mce-style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td data-mce-style="text-align: center;" style="text-align: center;"><a data-mce-href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-WOrG0qu969I/TxXlrEzvYDI/AAAAAAAAAcI/3fOQVbLEIvk/s1600/love+letter+pillows.jpg" data-mce-style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-WOrG0qu969I/TxXlrEzvYDI/AAAAAAAAAcI/3fOQVbLEIvk/s1600/love+letter+pillows.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="" border="0" data-mce-src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-WOrG0qu969I/TxXlrEzvYDI/AAAAAAAAAcI/3fOQVbLEIvk/s1600/love+letter+pillows.jpg?w=300" height="400" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-WOrG0qu969I/TxXlrEzvYDI/AAAAAAAAAcI/3fOQVbLEIvk/s1600/love+letter+pillows.jpg?w=300" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" data-mce-style="text-align: center;" style="text-align: center;">{<a data-mce-href="http://decorate.tipjunkie.com/" href="http://decorate.tipjunkie.com/" target="_blank">source</a>}</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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If
you want to create your own handwritten text, you can either have a
photocopy of a your own handwritten letter and then transfer that on a
pillow {flip the text first}, or there are several good fonts that
are based on handwriting. Sorry I didn't have time to put in pics of
each {maybe later}, but here are the quick links to some of my
favorites:<br />
<ul>
<li>Jenna Sue - a more casual, younger looking script handwriting {<a data-mce-href="http://www.fontspace.com/jenna-sue-design-co/jenna-sue" href="http://www.fontspace.com/jenna-sue-design-co/jenna-sue" target="_blank">link</a>}</li>
<li>Otto - a more traditional, older looking script handwriting {<a data-mce-href="http://www.fontspace.com/kevin-richey/otto" href="http://www.fontspace.com/kevin-richey/otto" target="_blank">link</a>}</li>
<li>Bernard - a traditional looking script {<a data-mce-href="http://www.fontspace.com/philippe-blondel/bernard" href="http://www.fontspace.com/philippe-blondel/bernard" target="_blank">link</a>}</li>
<li>Brown Bag Lunch - a heavy looking print that looks like marker {<a data-mce-href="http://www.fontspace.com/kevin-richey/brown-bag-lunch" href="http://www.fontspace.com/kevin-richey/brown-bag-lunch" target="_blank">link</a>}</li>
</ul>
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<img alt="" data-mce-src="" height="1" src="http://repurposeuniverse.wordpress.com/wp-admin/post.php?post=242&action=edit" width="1" /></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7140912656389780599.post-64285679703681960262012-01-18T12:38:00.000-05:002012-01-18T12:38:00.555-05:00Sweets for your sweet<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container mceItemTable" data-mce-style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td data-mce-style="text-align: center;" style="text-align: center;"><a data-mce-href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-MR6RDQqApt4/TxXlr30mTbI/AAAAAAAAAcY/Sxi3xI4J860/s1600/printyourownpaperbags.jpg" data-mce-style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-MR6RDQqApt4/TxXlr30mTbI/AAAAAAAAAcY/Sxi3xI4J860/s1600/printyourownpaperbags.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="" border="0" data-mce-src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-MR6RDQqApt4/TxXlr30mTbI/AAAAAAAAAcY/Sxi3xI4J860/s1600/printyourownpaperbags.jpg?w=262" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-MR6RDQqApt4/TxXlr30mTbI/AAAAAAAAAcY/Sxi3xI4J860/s1600/printyourownpaperbags.jpg?w=262" width="280" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" data-mce-style="text-align: center;" style="text-align: center;">{<a data-mce-href="http://www.twigandthistle.com/blog/2009/02/diy-sweetheart-brownie-valentine/" href="http://www.twigandthistle.com/blog/2009/02/diy-sweetheart-brownie-valentine/" target="_blank">source</a>}</td></tr>
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This
cute idea is from a few years back, but I've saved it for a few
reasons, 1) it reminds me how to print out gift bags using my home
printer, 2) it reminds me brownies can come in other shapes besides
squares & rectangles, and 3) it's a cute idea for a teacher,
coworker, or loved one gift for Valentine's Day.<br />
<br />
Pop on over to <a data-mce-href="http://www.twigandthistle.com/blog/2009/02/diy-sweetheart-brownie-valentine/" href="http://www.twigandthistle.com/blog/2009/02/diy-sweetheart-brownie-valentine/" target="_blank">Twig & Thistle</a>
for the full tutorial, including how to make the heart shaped brownie.
I'm sure anyone would love to receive a sweeeet gift like this one.<br />
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<img alt="" data-mce-src="" height="1" src="http://repurposeuniverse.wordpress.com/wp-admin/post.php?post=244&action=edit" width="1" /></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7140912656389780599.post-75120188071552267252012-01-17T10:52:00.004-05:002012-01-17T15:45:30.659-05:00Recycle Your Holiday Candles!<a data-mce-href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-hOCs7gt7g4A/TxXcNrZZMdI/AAAAAAAAAa4/65fLgeIz7p0/s1600/candle.jpg" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-hOCs7gt7g4A/TxXcNrZZMdI/AAAAAAAAAa4/65fLgeIz7p0/s1600/candle.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Repurposed Candle DIY" class="size-medium wp-image-337 alignleft" data-mce-src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-hOCs7gt7g4A/TxXcNrZZMdI/AAAAAAAAAa4/65fLgeIz7p0/s1600/candle.jpg?w=223" height="300" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-hOCs7gt7g4A/TxXcNrZZMdI/AAAAAAAAAa4/65fLgeIz7p0/s1600/candle.jpg?w=223" title="burning candle" width="223" /></a>Here
is a picture of what my candles look like after the holidays....grubby
and spent. I burn my fingers every time I try to light the
inch-and-a-half of wax at the bottom. Even with all the finger burns
and ugly jars displayed around my house, I somehow still can't bring
myself to throw them away.<br />
<br />
I feel like I'm throwing away Christmas.<br />
<br />
Okay, time to grow up and get over it. I finally found a great solution to this problem. <br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
Kara at <a data-mce-href="http://happy-go-lucky-harvey.blogspot.com" href="http://happy-go-lucky-harvey.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">Happy Go Lucky</a> melts her hodge podge of candles down to create a tiered candle of different scents. Please visit her blog for her tutorial {<a data-mce-href="http://happy-go-lucky-harvey.blogspot.com/2011/11/easy-candle-upcycle.html" href="http://happy-go-lucky-harvey.blogspot.com/2011/11/easy-candle-upcycle.html" target="_blank">here</a>} and you never have to feel like you're throwing away Christmas again! {okay, maybe that's just me}<br />
<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img alt="" class=" wp-image-338 " data-mce-src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-7D5jawsQ6-4/TxXcU8okWRI/AAAAAAAAAbg/EvUg-VpY6fk/s1600/tiered-candle.jpg" height="305" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-7D5jawsQ6-4/TxXcU8okWRI/AAAAAAAAAbg/EvUg-VpY6fk/s1600/tiered-candle.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="tiered candle" width="320" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">{<a data-mce-href="http://happy-go-lucky-harvey.blogspot.com" href="http://happy-go-lucky-harvey.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">source</a>}</td></tr>
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<b>Tip:</b>
when you're doing this, make sure the candles scents you're using tell a
similar story. What I mean by this is don't mix evergreen with sea
mist with lavender with Christmas cookie, or you'll end up with a
headache like I did the first time I burned my concoction. If you have
enough candles that could be remelted, think about using similar scents
and similar colors. The results will be beautiful!<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7140912656389780599.post-87365416632176400452012-01-16T10:29:00.003-05:002012-01-17T15:47:00.456-05:00Words with WireWords are powerful and really striking graphic elements.
I saw this tutorial for making words with wire on <a href="http://cfabbridesigns.com/craft-projects/yarn-love/" target="_blank">Family Chic</a>. Camilla wraps her words with yarn, which gives so many options for color and texture.<br />
<br />
I have a bunch of old hangers lying around and I'd love to play with the natural metal as well {instead of wrapping with yarn}; maybe even check out some scripty fonts and see if I could mimic a cool font rather than freehand the script. Maybe I could even attach these to a large canvas and do an entire saying?
We'll see what happens. Until then, it's on my list!<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;">
<tbody>
<tr>
<td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-WRNJyriY_q8/TxXcP-u0zfI/AAAAAAAAAbY/D_G4QkzQm20/s1600/wire+yarn+words.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="" border="0" height="216" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-WRNJyriY_q8/TxXcP-u0zfI/AAAAAAAAAbY/D_G4QkzQm20/s1600/wire+yarn+words.jpg?w=300" width="400" /></a></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">{<a href="http://cfabbridesigns.com/craft-projects/yarn-love/" target="_blank">source</a>}</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
Here are a few sayings I'd like to try out:
<br />
<ul>
<li>Love</li>
<li>Cherish</li>
<li>Family</li>
<li>It is what it is</li>
<li>Every little thing is gonna be alright</li>
</ul>
Pop on over to the <a href="http://cfabbridesigns.com/craft-projects/yarn-love/" target="_blank">Family Chic blog</a> for the full tutorial.<br />
<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7140912656389780599.post-6034837458410213132012-01-15T11:39:00.000-05:002012-01-17T15:50:12.390-05:00Eight Resources for Vintage Prints<div class="mceTemp">
<dl class="wp-caption alignright" data-mce-style="width: 273px;" id="attachment_325" style="width: 273px;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img alt="" class=" wp-image-325 " data-mce-src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-g8tIBQIzoB4/TxXcPBny6nI/AAAAAAAAAbQ/YfJLGaVP1j8/s1600/vintage+horse+print.jpg?w=206" height="381" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-g8tIBQIzoB4/TxXcPBny6nI/AAAAAAAAAbQ/YfJLGaVP1j8/s1600/vintage+horse+print.jpg?w=206" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="Horse Print Reframed" width="263" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Beautiful horse print I found in a vintage horse racing book and framed.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<dt class="wp-caption-dt" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></dt>
</dl>
</div>
Hi
everyone! I'm super-excited. I put in an order today from Amazon.com
for some vintage books, one on parrots, one on owls, and one with
horses. I'm a print-aholic {if that's even a word} - I love looking at
antique animal and plant plates. They're also wonderful as art too!<br />
<br />
I
just can't see spending $40 at HomeGoods for a print from China, when
you can buy a book of antique prints reprinted in the US or UK from 30+
years ago for a fraction of the cost. And because these are old
reprints and not the originals from the 1800's, a lot of my guilt over
cutting them apart goes out the window.<br />
<br />
Where do you find your old books and images, I'm often asked. <b>The truth is you have to train yourself to always be on the lookout. </b> My favorite haunts are: <img alt="" class="mceWPmore mceItemNoResize" data-mce-src="http://repurposeuniverse.wordpress.com/wp-includes/js/tinymce/plugins/wordpress/img/trans.gif" src="http://repurposeuniverse.wordpress.com/wp-includes/js/tinymce/plugins/wordpress/img/trans.gif" title="More..." /><br />
<br />
<b>1. Library Sales.</b>
Private donations tend to be in better shape, but old library books
that often look like heck on the outside have undamaged plates &
images on the inside. They're usually only a few dollars per book, or
if you can wait, there are usually "fill a box" sales on the last day
when they're trying to get rid of everything. I've found some great 60+
year old French dictionaries at my last sale.<b></b><br />
<br />
<b>2. eBay. </b>
Not too original, but yes, scour eBay regularly. I usually just look
at the Buy it Now books or ones that are ending soon so I'm not tempted
to "bid myself up" too high on a book. Bookmark your favorite dealers.
If you find something you like that's well priced, check what else that
dealer has - oftentimes they have the same style or type of item and
tend to keep their prices consistent {i.e., if someone prices items to
sell, most likely much of what they have will be a deal; if a person's
prices are ridiculous, all of their prices will likely be that way}.
I've found a dealer who had a slew of bird and insect books on eBay just
by hitting "view seller's other items."<b> </b><br />
<br />
<b> </b><br />
<b>3. Amazon. </b>Not
much else to say here except that the used books option is my best
friend. There are tons of books out there for a few dollars each plus
media mail shipping. I've only been burnt once {the item's pages were
stuck together, ruining several prints}, but I emailed the seller and
they refunded my money and told me to keep the book.<br />
<br />
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img alt="" class="size-full wp-image-327" data-mce-src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-xFdS3hb6j0c/TxXcO02AWoI/AAAAAAAAAbI/dRCYpidTDgs/s1600/vintage+apple+book.jpg" height="290" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-xFdS3hb6j0c/TxXcO02AWoI/AAAAAAAAAbI/dRCYpidTDgs/s1600/vintage+apple+book.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="Apple plate" width="400" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I scored this 1910 book on fruit growing {and all of its plates} online</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<b> </b><br />
<br />
<br />
<b>4. Online Libraries.</b>
Because there was a huge movement to scan in and digitize old books,
you'll often find complete copies of old books {including their plates}
online. The resolution is often good enough to make a print from, and
you get the original imperfections of the paper which adds character.
{Note: I only look at books pre-1923 that have expired copyrights}<br />
<br />
<b>5. Public Domain Resources. </b>
I like to go to the National Archives site for old and rare books. The
site is well-organized and you can find good quality copies of the
prints.<br />
<br />
<b>6. CDs. </b> There are a lot of companies that
now sell the digital copies of the books I mentioned above that were in
the public domain and in online libraries. The CDs {usually on eBay}
are typically not the best quality scans {be sure to look at seller
feedback and review details of the scan's dpi}, but you'll get tons of
books on one CD. For example, I purchased a ornithology CD, which came
with PDFs of more than rare 25 books.<br />
<br />
<b>7. Vintage & Antiques Stores. </b>
I like to check out the "paper section." With everything else, there
are dealers with crazy prices that make reframing not worth it, and
sometimes you'll hit the jackpot. I have not had much luck with thrift
stores up until now. I find they usually don't have older items I'm
looking for or the image style I prefer.<br />
<br />
<b>8. Blogs. </b> There is one main blog that I go to for my vintage images - <a href="http://graphicsfairy.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">The Graphics Fairy</a>. She has thousands of images and has a category for full size printable art as well.<br />
<br />
<br />
<ol>
</ol>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7140912656389780599.post-66882428024108172482012-01-13T10:49:00.000-05:002012-01-17T15:55:44.249-05:00The Friday 5 - Vintage CamerasI love, love, love vintage cameras. Even if they're no longer
functional, why not repurpose them as a great piece of three dimensional
art? Here are five great looks for vintage cameras that get my heart
racing!<br />
<br />
<br />
<div data-mce-style="text-align: center;" style="text-align: center;">
{1} How much do you adore this vintage camera repurposed as a nightlight?</div>
<div data-mce-style="text-align: center;" style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div data-mce-style="text-align: center;" style="text-align: center;">
<a data-mce-href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-19htj581rdo/TxXcMXmX6qI/AAAAAAAAAag/mEx4dI3Ct-A/s1600/camera_nightlight.jpg" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-19htj581rdo/TxXcMXmX6qI/AAAAAAAAAag/mEx4dI3Ct-A/s1600/camera_nightlight.jpg"><img alt="" class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-164" data-mce-src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-19htj581rdo/TxXcMXmX6qI/AAAAAAAAAag/mEx4dI3Ct-A/s1600/camera_nightlight.jpg" height="400" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-19htj581rdo/TxXcMXmX6qI/AAAAAAAAAag/mEx4dI3Ct-A/s1600/camera_nightlight.jpg" title="camera_nightlight" width="266" /></a></div>
<div data-mce-style="text-align: center;" style="text-align: center;">
{source: <a data-mce-href="http://www.buzzfeed.com/donnad/vintage-cameras-repurposed-as-night-lights" href="http://www.buzzfeed.com/donnad/vintage-cameras-repurposed-as-night-lights" target="_blank">Jayfish via Buzz Feed blog</a>}</div>
<div data-mce-style="text-align: center;" style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div data-mce-style="text-align: center;" style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div data-mce-style="text-align: center;" style="text-align: center;">
{2} A no longer functioning camera is transformed into a lamp.</div>
<div data-mce-style="text-align: center;" style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div data-mce-style="text-align: center;" style="text-align: center;">
<a data-mce-href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-wbXWBzDZ1Z8/TxXcLCWvXaI/AAAAAAAAAaY/Up1vygliNNk/s1600/camera_lamp.jpg" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-wbXWBzDZ1Z8/TxXcLCWvXaI/AAAAAAAAAaY/Up1vygliNNk/s1600/camera_lamp.jpg"><img alt="" class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-165" data-mce-src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-wbXWBzDZ1Z8/TxXcLCWvXaI/AAAAAAAAAaY/Up1vygliNNk/s1600/camera_lamp.jpg" height="400" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-wbXWBzDZ1Z8/TxXcLCWvXaI/AAAAAAAAAaY/Up1vygliNNk/s1600/camera_lamp.jpg" title="camera_lamp" width="266" /></a></div>
<div data-mce-style="text-align: center;" style="text-align: center;">
{source: <a data-mce-href="http://www.1lightartlamps.com/index.php/Lamps_For_Sale" href="http://www.1lightartlamps.com/index.php/Lamps_For_Sale" target="_blank">1LightArtLamps.com</a>}</div>
<div data-mce-style="text-align: center;" style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div data-mce-style="text-align: center;" style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div data-mce-style="text-align: center;" style="text-align: center;">
{3} Reclaimed wood made into a shelf for a camera.</div>
<div data-mce-style="text-align: center;" style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div data-mce-style="text-align: center;" style="text-align: center;">
<a data-mce-href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-5DiuSybQ8Pk/TxXcM_iBI1I/AAAAAAAAAao/7l0aN4d1j_g/s1600/camera_shelf.jpg" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-5DiuSybQ8Pk/TxXcM_iBI1I/AAAAAAAAAao/7l0aN4d1j_g/s1600/camera_shelf.jpg"><img alt="" class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-163" data-mce-src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-5DiuSybQ8Pk/TxXcM_iBI1I/AAAAAAAAAao/7l0aN4d1j_g/s1600/camera_shelf.jpg" height="400" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-5DiuSybQ8Pk/TxXcM_iBI1I/AAAAAAAAAao/7l0aN4d1j_g/s1600/camera_shelf.jpg" title="camera_shelf" width="266" /></a></div>
<div data-mce-style="text-align: center;" style="text-align: center;">
{source: <a data-mce-href="http://mamiejanes.blogspot.com/2011/05/vintage-camera-display.html" href="http://mamiejanes.blogspot.com/2011/05/vintage-camera-display.html" target="_blank">Mamie Jane's</a>}</div>
<div data-mce-style="text-align: center;" style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div data-mce-style="text-align: center;" style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div data-mce-style="text-align: center;" style="text-align: center;">
{4} I love these vintage cameras with simple black frames around them.</div>
<div data-mce-style="text-align: center;" style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div data-mce-style="text-align: center;" style="text-align: center;">
<img alt="" class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-161" data-mce-src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-2u5jVM08sBU/TxXcOecIT5I/AAAAAAAAAbA/1cpA47m4U-0/s1600/framed_cameras1.jpg" height="266" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-2u5jVM08sBU/TxXcOecIT5I/AAAAAAAAAbA/1cpA47m4U-0/s1600/framed_cameras1.jpg" title="framed_cameras" width="400" /></div>
<div data-mce-style="text-align: center;" style="text-align: center;">
{source: <a data-mce-href="http://www.pocketfulofpretty.com/2011/02/vintage-camera-display.html" href="http://www.pocketfulofpretty.com/2011/02/vintage-camera-display.html" target="_blank">Pocket Full of Pretty</a>}</div>
<div data-mce-style="text-align: center;" style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div data-mce-style="text-align: center;" style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div data-mce-style="text-align: center;" style="text-align: center;">
{5} These bookends made from an old camera and game pieces are so clever!</div>
<div data-mce-style="text-align: center;" style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div data-mce-style="text-align: center;" style="text-align: center;">
<img alt="" class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-159" data-mce-src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Q50v_Fx1Ie8/TxXcNSxmKxI/AAAAAAAAAaw/3547XkjNkcQ/s1600/camera-bookends.jpg" height="361" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Q50v_Fx1Ie8/TxXcNSxmKxI/AAAAAAAAAaw/3547XkjNkcQ/s1600/camera-bookends.jpg" title="camera bookends" width="400" /></div>
<div data-mce-style="text-align: center;" style="text-align: center;">
{source: <a data-mce-href="http://www.etsy.com/listing/21171851/fun-pair-of-repurposed-camera-bookends" href="http://www.etsy.com/listing/21171851/fun-pair-of-repurposed-camera-bookends" target="_blank">1453 Designs on Etsy</a>}</div>
<br />
<br />
So the truth is that cameras on a shelf are art in an of themselves, but
there are also so many wonderful ideas for repurposing cameras out there
too. I hope you'll think of me next time you see an old camera at a
flea market or swap meet!Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7140912656389780599.post-24054497370140101212012-01-11T11:55:00.000-05:002012-01-17T21:34:32.246-05:00Make the Best Lotion...Ever<br />
<div style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;">
Here is a great recipe for my favorite make it yourself hand and foot cold cream. Three simple ingredients and that's it!</div>
<br />
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-fR9QU7wKqh0/TxXlqfGceCI/AAAAAAAAAbw/zeKhYW3VJGI/s1600/best+lotion+to+make.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img alt="" border="0" class="alignleft wp-image-133" data-mce-src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-fR9QU7wKqh0/TxXlqfGceCI/AAAAAAAAAbw/zeKhYW3VJGI/s1600/best+lotion+to+make.jpg" height="333" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-fR9QU7wKqh0/TxXlqfGceCI/AAAAAAAAAbw/zeKhYW3VJGI/s1600/best+lotion+to+make.jpg" title="Soft Hands" width="222" /></a>This
stuff is great for cracked hands and feet. You can also slather it on
your feet and then wear socks to bed so it can soak in to your skin.<br />
<br />
<b>The Best Lotion...Ever</b><br />
<ul>
<li>16 oz. Johnson & Johnson's baby lotion {I like the bedtime lotion; the lavender smell is great!}</li>
<li>8 oz. Vaseline</li>
<li>8 oz. Vitamin E Cream</li>
</ul>
1. Blend all three ingredients together with an electric mixer until it has the consistency of icing.<br />
<br />
2. Package in small containers and enjoy!<br />
<br />
*If
you want to make smaller batches, just be sure you keep the following
ratio: 2 parts baby lotion to 1 part Vaseline to 1 part vitamin E
cream.*<br />
<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7140912656389780599.post-77676647467669798132012-01-09T12:22:00.000-05:002012-01-17T21:36:10.605-05:00Top kitchen substitutions you can make<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-sOMKagitj0k/TxXlq4f4kAI/AAAAAAAAAcA/M5oiprfa5TA/s1600/kitchen+subsitutions.jpg?w=300" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img alt="" border="0" class="alignleft size-medium wp-image-33" data-mce-src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-sOMKagitj0k/TxXlq4f4kAI/AAAAAAAAAcA/M5oiprfa5TA/s1600/kitchen+subsitutions.jpg?w=300" height="214" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-sOMKagitj0k/TxXlq4f4kAI/AAAAAAAAAcA/M5oiprfa5TA/s1600/kitchen+subsitutions.jpg?w=300" title="Whisk in an Empty Bowl" width="300" /></a>I'm
all for streamlining in the kitchen. This past holiday, I was making
cookies with the kids and ran out of baking powder as we're ready for
step #3. {insert groan} What could I use instead without trekking to
the grocery store on Christmas Eve?</div>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
After this experience, I
started to research some common kitchen ingredients that can be
substituted for each other. Here is my list. I'll keep adding whenever
I run out of anything in the future!<br />
<br />
<table border="3"><tbody>
<tr><td data-mce-style="text-align: left;" style="text-align: left;"><b>IF YOU DON'T HAVE...<br /> </b></td><td data-mce-style="text-align: left;" style="text-align: left;"><b>AMOUNT<br /> </b></td><td data-mce-style="text-align: left;" style="text-align: left;"><b>IN A PINCH, YOU CAN USE...<br /> </b></td></tr>
<tr><td>Baking Powder</td><td>1 teaspoon</td><td>1/4 teaspoon baking soda plus 1/2 teaspoon cream of tartar</td></tr>
<tr><td>Bread Crumbs</td><td>1 cup</td><td>1 cup of crushed crackers</td></tr>
<tr><td>Brown Sugar</td><td>1 cup</td><td>1 cup white sugar + 1/4 cup molasses; decrease the liquid in the recipe by 1/4 cup</td></tr>
<tr><td>Corn Syrup</td><td>1 cup</td><td>1 1/4 cups white sugar + 1/3 cup water OR 1 cup honey</td></tr>
<tr><td>Cottage Cheese</td><td>1 cup</td><td>1 cup ricotta cheese</td></tr>
<tr><td>Cream (half & half)</td><td>1 cup</td><td>7/8 cup milk + 1 tablespoon butter</td></tr>
<tr><td>Cream of Tartar</td><td>1 teaspoon</td><td>2 teaspoons lemon juice or vinegar</td></tr>
<tr><td>Evaporated Milk</td><td>1 cup</td><td>1 cup light cream</td></tr>
<tr><td>Flour (Cake)</td><td>1 cup</td><td>1 cup all-purpose flour minus 2 tablespoons</td></tr>
<tr><td>Flour (Self-Rising)</td><td>1 cup</td><td>7/8 cup all-purpose flour + 1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder + 1/2 teaspoon of salt</td></tr>
<tr><td>Herbs (fresh)</td><td>1 Tablespoon</td><td>1 teaspoon of dried herbs</td></tr>
<tr><td>Honey</td><td>1 cup</td><td>1 1/4 cups white sugar + 1/3 cup water OR 1 cup corn syrup</td></tr>
<tr><td>Ketchup</td><td>1 cup</td><td>1 cup tomato sauce + 1 teaspoon vinegar + 1 tablespoon sugar</td></tr>
<tr><td>Lemon juice</td><td>1 teaspoon</td><td>1/2 teaspoon vinegar OR 1 teaspoon white wine OR 1 teaspoon lime juice</td></tr>
<tr><td>Lemon zest</td><td>1 teaspoon</td><td><b></b>2 Tablespoons lemon juice</td></tr>
<tr><td>Mayonnaise</td><td>1 cup</td><td>1 cup sour cream OR 1 cup plain yogurt</td></tr>
<tr><td>Molasses</td><td>1 cup</td><td>3/4 cup brown sugar + 1 teaspoon cream of tartar</td></tr>
<tr><td>Ricotta</td><td>1 cup</td><td>1 cup dry cottage cheese<b></b></td></tr>
<tr><td>Shallots, chopped</td><td>1/2 cup</td><td>1/2 cup chopped onion OR 1/2 cup chopped green onion</td></tr>
<tr><td>Sour cream</td><td>1 cup</td><td>1 cup plain yogurt</td></tr>
<tr><td>Soy sauce</td><td>1/2 cup</td><td>4 Tablespoons Worcestershire sauce + 1 Tablespoon water</td></tr>
<tr><td>Stock--beef or chicken</td><td>1 cup</td><td>1 cube beef or chicken bouillon dissolved in 1 cup water</td></tr>
<tr><td>Vinegar</td><td>1 teaspoon</td><td>1 teaspoon lemon or lime juice OR 2 teaspoons white wine</td></tr>
<tr><td>White sugar</td><td>1 cup</td><td>1 cup brown sugar OR 1 1/4 cups confectioners' sugar OR 3/4 cup honey OR 3/4 cup corn syrup</td></tr>
<tr><td>Wine</td><td>1 cup</td><td>1 cup chicken or beef broth OR 1 cup fruit juice + 2 teaspoons vinegar OR 1 cup water</td></tr>
<tr><td>Yogurt</td><td>1 cup</td><td>1 cup sour cream OR 1 cup buttermilk</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7140912656389780599.post-59074028519191168452012-01-06T11:52:00.000-05:002012-01-17T21:44:14.236-05:00The Friday 5 - Vintage SuitcasesVintage suitcases have loads of style, are sturdy, and make some of the most interesting pieces of furniture I've ever seen! Here are some favorites for this week.<br />
<br />
<div data-mce-style="text-align: center;" style="text-align: center;">
{1} A very organic looking, yet very precise wall of suitcases. This studio is to die for!</div>
<div data-mce-style="text-align: center;" style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img alt="" class="wp-image-130" data-mce-src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUhtz1gj7KjaKjlXWEk3yzeYgWzpyUv724Z3HymfM54padvlvT1ja22fNII0Ej0bM79nERRLFNY7jXXYvaV-ZbMIQVXi6O6VQXXB1Pmq1H3muBMLCaFe2tpaSHiA5Q_d2yaPC-mUg0COIK/s1600/wall_of_suitcases.jpg" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUhtz1gj7KjaKjlXWEk3yzeYgWzpyUv724Z3HymfM54padvlvT1ja22fNII0Ej0bM79nERRLFNY7jXXYvaV-ZbMIQVXi6O6VQXXB1Pmq1H3muBMLCaFe2tpaSHiA5Q_d2yaPC-mUg0COIK/s1600/wall_of_suitcases.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="wall_of_suitcases" width="400" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">{source: <a data-mce-href="http://www.riekestudios.com/studio.html" href="http://www.riekestudios.com/studio.html" target="_blank">Rieke Studios in Santa Fe, New Mexico</a>}</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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{2} This suitcase turned bar is to die for! How great would this be in an apartment or in a man cave?</div>
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<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img alt="" class="size-full wp-image-126" data-mce-src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMCm8DJWcNUtzXUa8ZNOa0Tg2HiEVa4yDcZibCNfL3H-9jK9hJslybsjcwdHVxGFNA0E_5XxYR9fyB4fXBxdflQMZPZ936FOUBJyix4bt_RXOh7UQx-rqCIyxErXV5sFksQzr9g-vk3x40/s1600/suitcase_bar.jpg" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMCm8DJWcNUtzXUa8ZNOa0Tg2HiEVa4yDcZibCNfL3H-9jK9hJslybsjcwdHVxGFNA0E_5XxYR9fyB4fXBxdflQMZPZ936FOUBJyix4bt_RXOh7UQx-rqCIyxErXV5sFksQzr9g-vk3x40/s1600/suitcase_bar.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="suitcase_bar" width="308" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">{source: <a data-mce-href="http://www.etsy.com/shop.php?user_id=6904209" href="http://www.etsy.com/shop.php?user_id=6904209" target="_blank">Vanity Case Etsy Shop</a>}</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<br /></div>
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{3}
The only question I have for the makers of this suitcase table, is how
in the world did they get all of those different suitcases to even out?<br />
</div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img alt="" class="size-full wp-image-129" data-mce-src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNmHfIm86hPSUXONdJ7UGeeqXDMvv3DVMpbP7dfa1KzOIMiKGikRStZHcVbk2vaDekJA2-U8gilSl4myQVG-BTDHsElvHbKuIIUc4uAfuyo34EuOIuNQgPd0ARtZ42jTWZ8FIoASmsTly1/s1600/suitcase_table.jpg" height="323" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNmHfIm86hPSUXONdJ7UGeeqXDMvv3DVMpbP7dfa1KzOIMiKGikRStZHcVbk2vaDekJA2-U8gilSl4myQVG-BTDHsElvHbKuIIUc4uAfuyo34EuOIuNQgPd0ARtZ42jTWZ8FIoASmsTly1/s400/suitcase_table.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="suitcase_table" width="400" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">{source: <a data-mce-href="http://www.elementsofstyleblog.com/2010/06/current-obsession-vintage-suitcases.html" href="http://www.elementsofstyleblog.com/2010/06/current-obsession-vintage-suitcases.html" target="_blank">Elements of Style</a>}</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div data-mce-style="text-align: center;" style="text-align: center;">
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<br /></div>
<div data-mce-style="text-align: center;" style="text-align: center;">
{4} Suitcase chair with leather upholstery. I love the tags dangling down!</div>
<div data-mce-style="text-align: center;" style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img alt="" class="size-full wp-image-127" data-mce-src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhu1gyCZl4_RWDPtZwqQnajecsww4PPO85TUFlTrPYl9IsQNbYeFJ2P2vTjsMqb5ykYMLyg0EWkIgbizbeaio_3S_TsIJUM_xs9yLvFA1No1-pSP7ocI96FOQF4cXVtVIoJo7Y0oqYKkmt4/s1600/suitcase_chair.jpg" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhu1gyCZl4_RWDPtZwqQnajecsww4PPO85TUFlTrPYl9IsQNbYeFJ2P2vTjsMqb5ykYMLyg0EWkIgbizbeaio_3S_TsIJUM_xs9yLvFA1No1-pSP7ocI96FOQF4cXVtVIoJo7Y0oqYKkmt4/s1600/suitcase_chair.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="suitcase_chair" width="320" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">{source: <a data-mce-href="http://www.recreate.za.net/products/furniture/seating/suitcase-chair-red-skinny-2" href="http://www.recreate.za.net/products/furniture/seating/suitcase-chair-red-skinny-2" target="_blank">REcreate</a>}</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<br /></div>
<div data-mce-style="text-align: center;" style="text-align: center;">
{5} A suitcase of shelves or shelves filled with suitcases?</div>
<div data-mce-style="text-align: center;" style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img alt="" class="size-full wp-image-128" data-mce-src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEji0iQIyRh6WQZvkX_N8pAIBWfjiAMzyne2Yp33wWJ9s_QFTwXQcy3j9fCu2TCt-DpHXfcFijmdDBrjablxoBh614Ootui3wefFZLHikZf5XUu50z9uyNXjC_JSyJUVQIit4M-odHLi2fFw/s1600/suitcase_shelves.jpg" height="600" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEji0iQIyRh6WQZvkX_N8pAIBWfjiAMzyne2Yp33wWJ9s_QFTwXQcy3j9fCu2TCt-DpHXfcFijmdDBrjablxoBh614Ootui3wefFZLHikZf5XUu50z9uyNXjC_JSyJUVQIit4M-odHLi2fFw/s1600/suitcase_shelves.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="suitcase_shelves" width="397" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">{source: <a data-mce-href="http://iamkhayyam.tumblr.com/" href="http://iamkhayyam.tumblr.com/" target="_blank">This Made My Day on Tumblr</a>}</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<br /></div>
<div data-mce-style="text-align: center;" style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
I
cannot believe that vintage suitcases came in so many varieties,
colors, and sizes. So many creative people out there making wonderful
furniture pieces out of them too!<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7140912656389780599.post-25722881018009398792012-01-05T12:25:00.000-05:002012-01-17T12:30:30.888-05:00A few tips for working with palletsHere are a few tips about repurposing pallets that I've collected
from some of my DIY buds. I hope these can help you before you
attempt one of my favorite industrial trend projects!<br />
<br />
<strong><strong>1. Finding Them.</strong> </strong>They're easy to find. Most people tell me that<strong><strong> industrial parks and around the back of home improvement stores & shopping centers are the best place to find pallets</strong></strong>. Please make sure you ask before you take them. Sometimes they are not free and you don't want anyone chasing you down!<br /><br /><strong>2. Working with Them. </strong> Anyone I know who has ever worked with pallets tells me that <strong>they are difficult to get apart</strong>.
After all, they're made to hold hundreds of pounds, so I guess that
should be a no-brainer, but I never thought about it before. Just work
carefully, and be prepared to sweat if you plan to take them apart. You
may want to bribe a strong friend or employ some power tools.<br /><strong> </strong><br />
<strong>3. Cleaning Them. </strong>
Not that you can really tell when these collect dust {until it's way too late}, but this tip will
help you avoid splinters. If you make furniture or storage out of pallets, the best
way to clean them is to <strong>use a vacuum with a brush attachment</strong>.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7140912656389780599.post-9934748605463765062012-01-04T08:00:00.000-05:002012-01-17T13:05:41.242-05:00Three things to do with an old sweaterIt's 25 degrees today in Virginia, which is painful for me. I love when it's cold and there is snow outside, but when it's just cold and windy....nah, no thanks!<br />
<br />
Cold days remind me my favorite sweater, which is sadly too small after an accidental date with the dryer. What to do? Find a new purpose for my shrunken sweater of course! Here are my three favorite ideas and tutorials to upcycle some old sweaters into something fabulous.<br />
<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-NAxRApf-rEI/TwN-BfHcFsI/AAAAAAAAAYM/vA-UTqPQqQ0/s1600/sweater+bag.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-NAxRApf-rEI/TwN-BfHcFsI/AAAAAAAAAYM/vA-UTqPQqQ0/s400/sweater+bag.jpg" width="388" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">{<a href="http://alemonsqueezyhome.blogspot.com/2010/10/purse-week-kick-off-with-guest-tutorial.html" target="_blank">source: Sweater bag tutorial from a Lemon Squeezy Home</a>}</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-v9hiwjFLxSo/TwN-tJlKaoI/AAAAAAAAAYY/CtMB4BF4aig/s1600/sweater_pillow.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="500" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-v9hiwjFLxSo/TwN-tJlKaoI/AAAAAAAAAYY/CtMB4BF4aig/s400/sweater_pillow.jpg" width="375" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">{<a href="http://www.bhg.com/decorating/do-it-yourself/accents/creative-pillow-ideas/?sssdmh=dm17.567901&esrc=nwcu122011&email=328291239#page=27" target="_blank">source: Sweater Pillows from Better Homes & Gardens</a>}</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-YEXAgXZ_NI8/TwOAWOLPVgI/AAAAAAAAAYs/djqSr9BeWs4/s1600/sweater_bracelet.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="500" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-YEXAgXZ_NI8/TwOAWOLPVgI/AAAAAAAAAYs/djqSr9BeWs4/s400/sweater_bracelet.jpg" width="390" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">{<a href="http://www.ravelry.com/projects/leftcoastknits/knitted-bracelets" target="_blank">source: Knitted Bracelets by Left Coast Knits</a>}</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
Gas up the car and get me to a thrift store...quick!<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-l8qNBUVo1AU/TqDe-_oMB3I/AAAAAAAAAE8/WQ70zRwysGU/s1600/blog_signature.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-l8qNBUVo1AU/TqDe-_oMB3I/AAAAAAAAAE8/WQ70zRwysGU/s1600/blog_signature.png" /></a></div>
<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7140912656389780599.post-8935855791362239832012-01-03T16:27:00.000-05:002012-01-17T13:14:04.293-05:00Repurposed palletsI love decorating with free things. The industrial trend was hot in 2011. In an effort to mix the two, I found a few of my favorite pallet projects that I would love to do. What a great way to be green and on trend.<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
A bookcase made entirely out of old pallets and crates.</div>
<div style="line-height: 0px; padding-bottom: 2px; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://pinterest.com/pin/222294931576929097/" target="_blank"><img border="0" height="525" src="http://media-cdn.pinterest.com/upload/187603140697260936_8zuscT8j_c.jpg" width="350" /></a></div>
<div style="float: left; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px;">
<div style="color: #76838b; font-size: 10px;">
Source: <a href="http://www.looplane.com/uncategorized/home-style-trend-pallet-craft/" style="color: #76838b; font-size: 10px; text-decoration: underline;">looplane.com</a> via <a href="http://pinterest.com/repurposequeen/" style="color: #76838b; font-size: 10px; text-decoration: underline;" target="_blank">Emily</a> on <a href="http://pinterest.com/" style="color: #76838b; text-decoration: underline;" target="_blank">Pinterest</a></div>
</div>
<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
Stack a bunch of pallets for quick and rustic shelving.</div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-U-RJ5YDhOh0/TwNv9fZ5sYI/AAAAAAAAAYA/ZVL3USbTYAw/s1600/pallet+buffet.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="500" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-U-RJ5YDhOh0/TwNv9fZ5sYI/AAAAAAAAAYA/ZVL3USbTYAw/s400/pallet+buffet.jpg" width="326" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">{<a href="http://www.atypicaltypea.com/2011/06/17/pallets/remodelista-pallet-storage-buffet/" target="_blank">source</a>}</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
Simple shelving made from pallets.</div>
<div style="line-height: 0px; padding-bottom: 2px;">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://pinterest.com/pin/222294931576927142/" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" target="_blank"><img border="0" height="500" src="http://media-cdn.pinterest.com/upload/203225001904647159_DVt4q4l4_c.jpg" width="386" /></a></div>
</div>
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<div style="color: #76838b; font-size: 10px;">
Source: <a href="http://www.looplane.com/uncategorized/home-style-trend-pallet-craft/" style="color: #76838b; font-size: 10px; text-decoration: underline;">looplane.com</a> via <a href="http://pinterest.com/repurposequeen/" style="color: #76838b; font-size: 10px; text-decoration: underline;" target="_blank">Emily</a> on <a href="http://pinterest.com/" style="color: #76838b; text-decoration: underline;" target="_blank">Pinterest</a></div>
</div>
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<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
I love how palettes add texture to this focal wall. The colors are great too. How great would a bed look against this wall. It looks like you can just use the vacuum to clean the wall up too.</div>
<div style="line-height: 0px; padding-bottom: 2px;">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://pinterest.com/pin/222294931576909238/" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" target="_blank"><img border="0" height="500" src="http://media-cdn.pinterest.com/upload/253890497712598876_3olcPqRf_c.jpg" width="334" /></a></div>
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<div style="color: #76838b; font-size: 10px;">
Source: <a href="http://www.bowerpowerblog.com/2010/02/nursery-news-accent-wall/" style="color: #76838b; font-size: 10px; text-decoration: underline;">bowerpowerblog.com</a> via <a href="http://pinterest.com/repurposequeen/" style="color: #76838b; font-size: 10px; text-decoration: underline;" target="_blank">Emily</a> on <a href="http://pinterest.com/" style="color: #76838b; text-decoration: underline;" target="_blank">Pinterest</a></div>
</div>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<b>Where do you find old pallets? </b> Check out back behind home improvement stores like Home Depot, Lowes, or COSTCO. Also check industrial parks and warehouses. If you ask, they'll likely give you the pallets for free!<br />
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<div class="CommenterMeta">
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I sort of like this trend, it's rustic and most important, inexpensive! What do you think? Do you like the repurposed pallet trend?Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7140912656389780599.post-7838959139829950022011-12-30T12:30:00.000-05:002012-01-19T13:31:48.644-05:00What is is repurposing?<br />
<div style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;">
Here
is how I define some of my favorite recycling terms. I'm sure these
definitions will improve over time, but here is my best shot:<br />
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHiJSpdF9ZzVbLOBCGl2oVlYeCxuJtSMo3LY0fhhtE2ZjVx4T618DcMCFUw3bxhkyTd7QRoFvz93bGhiS06ZDVu4J5-5-SOX3LXuT7RUbtWlDaJvkNMM5BGB3JHxHlJ3cJeb_jqSqg3cez/s1600/antique_door.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHiJSpdF9ZzVbLOBCGl2oVlYeCxuJtSMo3LY0fhhtE2ZjVx4T618DcMCFUw3bxhkyTd7QRoFvz93bGhiS06ZDVu4J5-5-SOX3LXuT7RUbtWlDaJvkNMM5BGB3JHxHlJ3cJeb_jqSqg3cez/s400/antique_door.jpg" width="261" /></a><span data-mce-style="color: #008000;" style="color: green;"><b>Recycle</b></span> - to alter and adapt for a new use<br />
<b><span data-mce-style="color: #008000;" style="color: green;"> </span></b><br />
<b><span data-mce-style="color: #008000;" style="color: green;">Refurbish</span></b> - to freshen up through renovation or repairs<br />
<br />
<span data-mce-style="color: #008000;" style="color: green;"><b>Reimagine</b></span> - to reconceive or recreate; imagine again<br />
<br />
<span data-mce-style="color: #008000;" style="color: green;"><b>Reinvent</b></span> - to remake or redo completely<br />
<br />
<b><span data-mce-style="color: #008000;" style="color: green;">Repurpose</span></b> - to give a new purpose or use to an object<br />
<br />
<span data-mce-style="color: #008000;" style="color: green;"><b>Rescue</b></span> - to recover and free from imminent danger {i.e., the trash}<b><span data-mce-style="color: #008000;" style="color: green;"> </span></b><br />
<br />
<b><span data-mce-style="color: #008000;" style="color: green;">Reuse</span></b> - to use again especially in a different way or after reclaiming or reprocessing<span data-mce-style="color: #008000;" style="color: green;"><b> </b></span><br />
<br />
<span data-mce-style="color: #008000;" style="color: green;"><b>Upcycle</b></span> - to adapt an item for a newer {and more chic} use than its intended purpose</div>
<ul>
</ul>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7140912656389780599.post-28922553532490376982011-12-22T12:32:00.000-05:002012-01-17T21:50:38.837-05:00Glass tile magnetsI've tried making magnets out of the glass gems from the dollar
store. I've had limited success so far. I've found several of the
glass flat backed marbles have imperfections in the glass which can't be
disguised when you create the magnet. Their irregular sizes also
create a lot of extra work trimming them up. In addition, many of the
collage sheets etsy sellers offer are set up for square 1" images.
Enter the 1" glass tile magnets!<br />
<br />
I found this great tutorial on
the Celtic Mommy blog and put this on my to-do list right away. I'd
love to compare how these turn out with my glass marble magnets. Pop on
over to the <a data-mce-href="http://celticmommy.blogspot.com/2011/02/how-to-make-glass-tile-magnets.html" href="http://celticmommy.blogspot.com/2011/02/how-to-make-glass-tile-magnets.html" target="_blank">Celtic Mommy blog</a> for her great tutorial and lots more pictures!<br />
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<tr><td data-mce-style="text-align: center;" style="text-align: center;"><a data-mce-href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-nCmHJ6BSG4o/TxXlsUzrSXI/AAAAAAAAAco/vl8kIyWgm_w/s1600/tilemagnetset.jpg" data-mce-style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-nCmHJ6BSG4o/TxXlsUzrSXI/AAAAAAAAAco/vl8kIyWgm_w/s1600/tilemagnetset.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="" border="0" data-mce-src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-nCmHJ6BSG4o/TxXlsUzrSXI/AAAAAAAAAco/vl8kIyWgm_w/s1600/tilemagnetset.jpg?w=300" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-nCmHJ6BSG4o/TxXlsUzrSXI/AAAAAAAAAco/vl8kIyWgm_w/s1600/tilemagnetset.jpg?w=300" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" data-mce-style="text-align: center;" style="text-align: center;">{<a data-mce-href="http://celticmommy.blogspot.com/2011/02/how-to-make-glass-tile-magnets.html" href="http://celticmommy.blogspot.com/2011/02/how-to-make-glass-tile-magnets.html" target="_blank">source</a>}</td></tr>
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<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7140912656389780599.post-34314813957650393962011-12-20T12:35:00.000-05:002012-01-17T21:50:38.842-05:00How to make your own sea glass<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container mceItemTable" data-mce-style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td data-mce-style="text-align: center;" style="text-align: center;"><a data-mce-href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-CIviieM_eMY/TxXlsLOYo4I/AAAAAAAAAcg/z3wSimRFtMY/s1600/sea+glass.jpg" data-mce-style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-CIviieM_eMY/TxXlsLOYo4I/AAAAAAAAAcg/z3wSimRFtMY/s1600/sea+glass.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="" border="0" data-mce-src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-CIviieM_eMY/TxXlsLOYo4I/AAAAAAAAAcg/z3wSimRFtMY/s1600/sea+glass.jpg?w=226" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-CIviieM_eMY/TxXlsLOYo4I/AAAAAAAAAcg/z3wSimRFtMY/s1600/sea+glass.jpg?w=226" width="241" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" data-mce-style="text-align: center;" style="text-align: center;">{<a data-mce-href="http://pinterest.com/pin/126663808239289367/" href="http://pinterest.com/pin/126663808239289367/" target="_blank">source</a>}</td></tr>
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I'm
a sucker for sea glass. Last year we went to the beach in Delaware and
I kept looking for those beautiful sea jewels...it gets so addictive.<br />
<br />
I
recently ran across a beautiful picture of sea glass on Pinterest. I
followed the link and in the comments someone mentioned you can make
your own by shaking glass in a bottle with water and sand. That was
something I didn't know!<br />
<br />
Okay, so I try it, and unless I want an epic shaking workout that lasts for hours, it's not happening --- FAIL.<br />
Then I found a few neat tutorials on the Internet that I've been meaning to try. One tutorial from <a data-mce-href="http://davesgarden.com/community/forums/t/761052/" href="http://davesgarden.com/community/forums/t/761052/" target="_blank">Dave's Garden</a> involves those little rock tumblers you had when you were a kid.<br />
<br />
The
instructions say to "fill the barrel with water so the level of water
is just barely above your materials. Add three to four spoonfuls of
common sand. Smooth a small amount of Vaseline on the outside of the
barrel, then put the lid on securely and let 'er rip. If you simply want
to knock the edges from the glass for handling, you don't have to run
the machine for days on end. In fact, several hours will do a good job.
You can take the tumblers off at any time and check for smoothness. The
longer you leave the tumblers running, the smoother and rounder the
pieces will become. Alter the time according to what you would like the
finished product to look like. Remember, this will likely be a noisy
process. If you have a garage or a covered area outdoors, it would be
best to run your tumbler(s) where they may run continuously for days
without causing anyone a headache." The tutorial warns against
overloading your tumbler {2/3 full is a best bet}. {<a data-mce-href="http://davesgarden.com/community/forums/t/761052/" href="http://davesgarden.com/community/forums/t/761052/" target="_blank">Click here for the full tutorial</a> created by Karen Manasco on the Dave's Garden site}<br />
<br />
Another
tutorial involves a more industrial method is on YouTube. I love this
guy! The tutorial is very good and provides instructions if you happen
to have a cement mixer on hand --- not moi! He created a bunch of sea
glass for his garden beds and the result is just beautiful. {<a data-mce-href="http://www.blogger.com/goog_1337863459" href="http://www.blogger.com/goog_1337863459" target="_blank">Click here</a><a data-mce-href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mCPG1JsD2r8&noredirect=1" href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mCPG1JsD2r8&noredirect=1" target="_blank"> for that video</a>}<br />
The <a data-mce-href="http://www.evilmadscientist.com/article.php/beachglass" href="http://www.evilmadscientist.com/article.php/beachglass" target="_blank">Evil Mad Scientist</a> site also has a tutorial. His glass {shown below} is also made with a cement mixer.<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container mceItemTable" data-mce-style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td data-mce-style="text-align: center;" style="text-align: center;"><a data-mce-href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Jj9N1LMbcPk/TxXlqmqIvLI/AAAAAAAAAb4/-Jy8boGXQQI/s1600/green+sea+glass.jpg" data-mce-style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Jj9N1LMbcPk/TxXlqmqIvLI/AAAAAAAAAb4/-Jy8boGXQQI/s1600/green+sea+glass.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="" border="0" data-mce-src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Jj9N1LMbcPk/TxXlqmqIvLI/AAAAAAAAAb4/-Jy8boGXQQI/s1600/green+sea+glass.jpg?w=300" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Jj9N1LMbcPk/TxXlqmqIvLI/AAAAAAAAAb4/-Jy8boGXQQI/s1600/green+sea+glass.jpg?w=300" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" data-mce-style="text-align: center;" style="text-align: center;">{<a data-mce-href="http://www.evilmadscientist.com/article.php/beachglass" href="http://www.evilmadscientist.com/article.php/beachglass" target="_blank">source</a>}</td></tr>
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Here's
my assessment, in order to do this well, you need an investment in time
and materials. Simply shaking a bottle of sand, water, and glass isn't
going to give you the best results. However, the results are
beautiful, when you take your time and use the more heavy duty supplies.<br />
<br />
<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7140912656389780599.post-59614192618870457192011-12-17T22:35:00.001-05:002012-01-17T13:12:31.519-05:00Awesome bowler hat lights<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-y8tZTPO8iuc/Tu1cveCHH8I/AAAAAAAAAX0/4nGowrsSRTM/s1600/bowler+hat+lights.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="223" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-y8tZTPO8iuc/Tu1cveCHH8I/AAAAAAAAAX0/4nGowrsSRTM/s400/bowler+hat+lights.png" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">{<a href="http://www.jakephipps.com/" target="_blank">source</a>}</td></tr>
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Sometimes you follow links and blog posts and it's like a never ending rabbit hole. Other times, you actually see the light at the end of the tunnel and find something really cool.<br />
<br />
I spotted these really cool light fixtures from a designer in London, Jake Phipps. I think these would be fairly simple to make.<br />
<br />
<br />
Though I haven't made them myself, I was able to get some info. off his site that give some clues to how he made these.<br />
<br />
The designer found vintage top hats or bowler hats. He added an anodised aluminum lining to the hats. He added a suspension lighting kit. The bulbs he used were 28 watt. I don't think I've seen that here in the US, but I would assume you'd need to use a very low watt bulb. <br />
<br />
For the lining, the designer used gold and silver. I prefer the silver or {and I'm not even sure if they sell it} I would prefer a black lining myself. I'm not sure how the light would reflect off a black lining - probably not too well, but just sayin' what I think would be pretty.<br />
<br />
These look super-cool. I hope I can try to make these some day!<br />
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<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7140912656389780599.post-49690005076026080332011-12-13T15:31:00.001-05:002012-01-17T13:05:27.283-05:00Use what you have wrapping {wrapping ideas}I'm in love with brown kraft paper wrapping this season. I think I'm attracted to the earthy tones and effortless, easy look that comes with it.<br />
<br />
Pairing brown paper wrapping with other materials around the house can really yield some beautiful results. I've looked for a few inspirational ideas that can be done on the cheap. Here are a few favorites I've collected on my Pinterest account. Enjoy!<br />
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I love this example of brown paper {you could use brown remnant fabric too} with an old scarf made in to fabric roses.</div>
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<a href="http://pinterest.com/pin/222294931576928382/" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" target="_blank"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://media-cdn.pinterest.com/upload/222294931576928382_SYoHPpNT_c.jpg" width="266" /></a></div>
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Source: <a href="http://prettypetals.typepad.com/prettypetals/2010/10/gift-wrapping-ideas.html" style="color: #76838b; font-size: 10px; text-decoration: underline;">prettypetals.typepad.com</a> via <a href="http://pinterest.com/repurposequeen/" style="color: #76838b; font-size: 10px; text-decoration: underline;" target="_blank">Emily</a> on <a href="http://pinterest.com/" style="color: #76838b; text-decoration: underline;" target="_blank">Pinterest</a></div>
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I just love the use of a strip of burlap or burlap ribbon, fastened with a button. So simple and yet so elegant.</div>
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<a href="http://pinterest.com/pin/222294931576928421/" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" target="_blank"><img border="0" height="286" src="http://media-cdn.pinterest.com/upload/58124651410323611_lDGyh6yj_c.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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Source: <a href="http://olderandwisor.blogspot.com/" style="color: #76838b; font-size: 10px; text-decoration: underline;">olderandwisor.blogspot.com</a> via <a href="http://pinterest.com/repurposequeen/" style="color: #76838b; font-size: 10px; text-decoration: underline;" target="_blank">Emily</a> on <a href="http://pinterest.com/" style="color: #76838b; text-decoration: underline;" target="_blank">Pinterest</a></div>
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I just love how a vintage doily combined with a button and ribbon really make this wrapping job look more formal.</div>
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<a href="http://pinterest.com/pin/222294931576927191/" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" target="_blank"><img border="0" height="266" src="http://media-cdn.pinterest.com/upload/222294931576927191_xGtp41yO_c.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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Source: <a href="http://olderandwisor.blogspot.com/2011/11/way-31-that-was-random-50-more-gift.html" style="color: #76838b; font-size: 10px; text-decoration: underline;">olderandwisor.blogspot.com</a> via <a href="http://pinterest.com/repurposequeen/" style="color: #76838b; font-size: 10px; text-decoration: underline;" target="_blank">Emily</a> on <a href="http://pinterest.com/" style="color: #76838b; text-decoration: underline;" target="_blank">Pinterest</a></div>
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I've found another use for my Cricut! I've seen variations of this name theme using old book paper, scrapbook paper, sheet music, and maps. I'd recommend using photocopies of paper so it goes through the Cricut more easily --- I've had some interesting results trying to run old dictionary pages, maps, and vintage sheet music through my cutter - yikes!</div>
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<a href="http://pinterest.com/pin/222294931576928403/" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" target="_blank"><img border="0" height="303" src="http://media-cdn.pinterest.com/upload/117515871496244850_YxHrhyxx_c.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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Source: <a href="http://www.creaturecomfortsblog.com/home/2008/12/8/font-astic-gift-wrapping.html" style="color: #76838b; font-size: 10px; text-decoration: underline;">creaturecomfortsblog.com</a> via <a href="http://pinterest.com/repurposequeen/" style="color: #76838b; font-size: 10px; text-decoration: underline;" target="_blank">Emily</a> on <a href="http://pinterest.com/" style="color: #76838b; text-decoration: underline;" target="_blank">Pinterest</a></div>
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I just love the simplicity of this candy-striped ribbon with a simple handmade tag.</div>
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<a href="http://pinterest.com/pin/222294931576927177/" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" target="_blank"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://media-cdn.pinterest.com/upload/222294931576927177_kjHcF3xP_c.jpg" width="425" /></a></div>
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Source: <a href="http://rachelgreig.typepad.com/thedarkroom/2011/11/christmas-sentiments.html" style="color: #76838b; font-size: 10px; text-decoration: underline;">rachelgreig.typepad.com</a> via <a href="http://pinterest.com/repurposequeen/" style="color: #76838b; font-size: 10px; text-decoration: underline;" target="_blank">Emily</a> on <a href="http://pinterest.com/" style="color: #76838b; text-decoration: underline;" target="_blank">Pinterest</a></div>
</div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com2