Colorblocked Wooden Baubles.

On my outing to Goodwill this past Saturday, everything was 50 percent off! So coming across a strand of seven wooden napkin rings for $1.50, hands down no questions about it, they needed to come home with me. Just look at the neat geometric shape to add to the already super great price of these wood bits! When I put an instagram photo of these wooden rings up, the question I asked was "Chunky necklace or color blocked napkin rings?" My friend Natalie replied, "Both!" Perfect, right? Create a colorblocked necklace that can easily be untied and used as a table setting accessory.

Statement piece jewelry is everywhere right now. The bib necklace and other bits and baubles are something I have been noticing all over Denver {and Fashion magazines}. I think they are such a great accessory, yet so many of them can be costly. Now, I know it is not the norm to come across wooden napkin rings at every thriftstore out there, but any type of wooden bit with a hole in the middle can be used for this project. Check out your local craft store, or keep on the hunt at flea markets, Ross, HomeGoods, garage sales, etc. 

Making your Colorblocked Bauble: 

Gather your wood pieces, paint, yarn or string, and something to hang your wooden rings on to dry. For drying, I used a pencil set across two jars {The pencil being where I hung the wooden rings, and the jars as an anchor on either side-- creating a little trapeze looking contraption. It kept my painted wood from setting on anything, allowing them to dry properly}1. Dip your wood piece half way into your paint. I used BEHR's sample size of cobalt blue. It is a matte finish, which is what I wanted {and what I had in my paint bin}. You could also use multiple paint colors to achieve a different look. 2. After dipping your wood piece, hold it over the paint to allow excess drips to go back into your paint can. You can also utilize a flat paintbrush to wipe off paint if the coat is too thick. 3. Hang your half painted wood piece on your pencil trapeze drying contraption {or by other means} so as not to set the paint on any surface while it is drying. 4. Repeat steps 1-3 for each wood ring. 5. Allow to dry fully for one to two hours. Maybe more because the dipping process creates a thick layer of paint {I left mine to dry over night} 6. Cut your yarn to length, giving extra slack to play around with once you have the baubles around your neck {I like to have options for long, medium, and short, how about you?}. 7. String your colorblocked wooden baubles onto your yarn. You can really be creative with this. Use ribbon or even a long chain repurposed from another necklace. Make it completely your creation. It is truly up to you! 8. Add your necklace to your outfit of the day, and get ready to wear your statement piece about town! {And, if you somehow aren't agreeing with your necklace. Take it off, pop some napkins in your baubles, and throw a dinner party! Your guests are sure to notice your statement colorblocked accessories }

DIY magazine rack

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In the latest guest post, Natalie {Thoughts by Natalie} shared how she has made her bathroom embody a more spa like feel. One element for this design was reading materials at the ready. I came across this DIY magazine rack that I just had to share with you. The pop of red is really what drew me into this photograph, but is it not clever? If you are wanting to make your bathroom more like Natalie's, but need to do some design elements yourself for a more affordable makeover, this tutorial may be just perfect for you. (Another idea would be to use a rack like this in a storage space to hang table clothes, scarves, tights, necklaces, etc. And, yes, this really is just repurposing a hanging pant rack. Genius!)


PS, Stay tuned. Tonight I'll be posting Part III of my button art!

Seeing quilted, Ikat, and black & white.

While on a run about Park Hill a few weeks ago, I came across a garage sale and of course had to stop and see what fun things they had.  I was immediately drawn to this chase style futon (it is somewhat like outdoor lounger meets full bed). It seemed handmade, with wooden frame and a hand sewn cover. The tag read $35. I sprinted home and sent Matt back to the sale, telling him if he liked it, to haggle and bring it back in the truck. He got them down to $20 and brought it home! (He outshines me in the haggling department, by far). I was very pleased because I had been wanting a futon for the second bedroom, and this one is perfect because it was affordable yet functions as a bed but also a great place to curl up and read a book (Shelby has been testing it out. A lot.). The hand sewn cover that came with the futon is a shade of velvety plum. It is not that bad to the eye, but is to ho-hum with our thrifted decor. Both my grandmothers quilted, and I have always loved this one patchwork style duvet that my mom's mom made. It sings 1970s. I love it and see no reason for it to be in a box any longer, so it is functioning as the futon's patchwork cover. 

However much I do love the quilt that is on the futon right now, it is too short, leaving the bottom uncovered. This room is still in the works (that is why you are only seeing an unclose photo of the futon, the rest of the floor is boxes and artwork!), but soon it will house visitors, serve as a space to work on projects, display a gallery wall, and be the perfect reading nook. I want the space to be filled with bits and pieces from all over, with photos from our travels and things from the past. The ikat print is a fabric choice that I am drawn to, not only because of the pattern but because of its "of another world" flare. I think that if I were to find an ikat print with the right color palette, I would be one happy girl and this futon would look so great. That, and it would give me even more reason to bust out my sewing machine (something very new for me!)

Plan A: iKaT IkAt iKaT

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Urban Outfitters

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And, as in anything, always have a plan B. My plan B are these black and white fabrics from Ikea, that is, if I am extremely out of luck in finding an ikat fabric that meets my criteria of affordable and pretty. What are your thoughts on these pattern/fabric choices? Any tips on purchasing fabric?

Plan B: Ikea's black and white prints

TRÅDKLÖVER, ikea fabric

wide stripe, ikea fabric

Guest Post: Ida's repurposed perfume bottle.

I am sure you can relate to the end of the perfume bottle dilemma. Perfume is not cheap and the bottles themselves can at times have value. Some can be ever so pretty and it really is a tragedy when the last spritz is sprayed, because then you are forced to decide to toss it out or become a perfume bottle hoarder. Yes, this is black and white. You do one or the other. Well, at least I thought so until my mom begged to differ. How about this. Turn that little glass bottle into a simple bud vase. Perfect. My mom (Ida) has the most beautiful roses in her yard, so turning a special perfume bottle from Italy into a bud vase was the perfect DIY answer. The bottle she used is one that when you read about it, is described as "An object that reveals its complexity over time" and that one that "Is inspired by Venetian glasswork and the traditional Italian carafe, designed with an eye for timeless lines and resonant juxtapositions, [simple yet] with perfectly balanced contradictions." Whoa. No wonder she wanted to keep this bottle.

In her words:

"Noted above is the description of my Bottega Veneta Perfume Bottle, from their website. Needless to say, when it was empty, I hesitated before I threw it away.  This perfume was not only a special gift from my husband, but [a lovely scent] that I get compliments on at least three times a week from perfect strangers. I wanted [the bottle] to somehow last and stay with me.

[Genius idea] I will try to get the top off and make it into a little bud vase. First, I had to pry the spray portion off with pliers and the glass broke on top a bit.  Just enough to be unsafe.  Hubby to the rescue!!!  I [handed it over] and asked him if he could use his dremmel and smooth out the rim of the glass, so as to be safe and usable.  I left the house for a while to run some errands and when I arrived home....surprise: I had a repurposed Bottega Veneta Bud Vase!  I can enjoy it with roses from my garden and see it on my dresser every day.  I will treasure it for years (and not have to throw it away or become a bottle hoarder)....I think I may make this a habit."

Now for some perfume bottle swooning. 

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This is the perfume I currently use.

 Cannot wait to make a bud vase (thanks mom)!

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Red tray fixer upper.

I set out to make a chalkboard this morning while doing some housekeeping and enjoying my cup of coffee. Yesterday I found this neat red tray at Goodwill, for $1.99. It was rather grimy, but after giving it a good bubble bath, it was smooth and clean and ready for paint. I wasn't really sure how to prep the surface other than cleaning it, because its not wood and its not a metal, so priming it was questionable. I went with just painting the chalkboard paint straight on it, knowing that if it does chip overtime, I can always redo it, and use primer if I need to (I am still learning all the simple things regarding paint projects).

I used my level to measure and make the spacing right. I wanted to first paint a simple rectangle with an equidistant border all the way around, still leaving enough of the pretty pattern showing. I gave myself some extra wiggle room in case I decided to add in edge detailing by hand after the rectangle portion was done.

Once the tape measured out well and I was happy with the spacing, I used my foam paint brush with the paint. It's better to use a synthetic brush with this kind of paint, and a foam brush helped create a more sleek application. 

The first coat needed to dry, so I decided to use some paint to make a label for Shelby's treat jar. 

This is only after one coat. The chalk board paint needs a few coats to look true black and matte.

After applying a few more coats to my tray and waiting 2-3 hours for it to dry, I peeled the tape off and this is what it ended up looking like. I just wasn't satisfied. Although, it does look pretty cute, right?

Onto the victorian look. I first took a pastel and made a light outline on the tray. I did not use any stencils, but did use that Victorian tray (mentioned earlier in the post) for reference of shape. I then took my skinny paintbrush and went over my pastel outline. Again, lightly, incase I made a mistake. To fill in the space between my fancy border and rectangle, I used my foam paint brush again to get a smooth look. It is still drying and I may add some touch ups, but it is done! All I need is some chalk to write on it with! (And I just realized that the border of this tray matches the style border of my blog. I must like this look or something.)

Total estimated cost: $1.99 for the tray + barely a dent in my can of paint = $3