trash to treasure

Our task: create a bookmark from items destined for the trash or recycling....  it's a salvaged goods bookmark. 

For the front I used a discarded paper I had used as a paint pallet and added a piece of a paper coffee cozy, some plastic that came as extraneous packaging, scraps of craft paper, old foil, & an old coil.  To which I added scraps of ribbon with attached charms.

On the back I added some fun sentences from a rescued book.

This was a fast, fun project .... I LOVE functional art. 

What have you re-purposed recently?

...scatter joy...
lindy

aLtEReD ArT!

Here is my first attempt at an altered art doll.  The parameters were to use as many 'found' objects as possible, and paper, pens, paint, pencils and tape were not allowed.  We had to use a minimum of 10 different objects, meaning if we used 10 of one thing (like buttons) that would only count as 1 item.  Per usual, I had no idea what I was doing... lol... do you see a theme with me?

Attaching metal to metal was my biggest challenge... I initially tried liquid nails and even clamped it, but it didn't hold.  Next I tried an epoxy.  That worked well (at least well enough for it to hold together through the mail.)  A friend suggested I sand it a bit to add some 'grip' so I think that definitely helped.

This was a very fun project for me because I tend to see facial images in EVERYTHING so it's simply a matter of filling in what my mind's eye sees.  And I love repurposing items... and making something out of 'trash' or junk.

The more I look at her, the more pleased I am... perhaps I've found an Etsy item for my empty shop???

If you had your own shop, what kind of shop would it be?

...scatter joy...
lindy

Score!

On a recent antiquing adventure with friendsI found this great package of beer coasters.  The owner of the store was keen on telling me that she thought they might be extra special because she doesn't think that particular brand is still brewed (I think that it is... lol... but it doesn't matter either way) because all I could see when I saw the stack were canvases for zentangles... these coasters measure 3 1/2  x 3 1/2 which is the zentangle 'standard' size (although they are most definitely done on ALL sizes on all manners of canvas!)  I can hardly wait to get started...!

what's your best 'score' lately?

...scatter joy...
lindy

envie envy

Trading these fabulous miniature works of art (ATCs) has been so fun for so many reasons... one of which is the discovery of mini envelopes to send them in.... (I know, it's the little things in life that gives me such pleasure!)  I've received some very cool envies and finally I took one apart to use as a template.  You could use any kind of paper, really... scrapbook paper, wrapping paper.... I had a couple Paper-Source catalogs on hand that I thought would be fun to turn into envelopes...

I'm going to work on making a template to share with you, but in the meantime here are the photos.... (and you can always make any size envies... just think of it as wrapping a package.  Tape runners (or 2 way tape) works wonderfully well.

template:

folded piece before taping:

new life as an envie:

envies a plenty:

and today's craft moment.... the Paper-Source blog is full of ideas and links to templates!
what color is your envelope?

...scatter joy...
lindy

Pillow Punch

My wonderful friend beat me to the punch and crafted some fabulous felted pillows upcycled from old wool sweaters! (I have felted the sweaters, and have yet to utilize in a project.)  She gifted me with this one after she saw me lusting after it.... isn't it just adorable with the button placket down the front??? (Thanks, Fran!)

I think this Punch of Orange is going to be simply luscious with the lime green, chocolate, and blue color scheme!

What colors are dancing in your dreams?

...scatter joy...
lindy

Kitchen/Dining Re-Do ---Continued

The make-over continues.... As I continue to refine the kitchen and dining area I decided to change the gorgeous green on the side board to a beautiful chocolate cream.... I mixed some chocolate mousse from the bedroom with some marshmellow from the kitchen to create this luscious color.... and changed the hardware from small pewter knobs to long brushed nickel handles.  I LOVE the result.... it now feels more like a 'sideboard' instead of a dresser...!

And... thanks, Jane, for suggesting the idea of simply unplugging the TV and storing in the closet when I'm entertaining.... I did that this weekend and it worked perfectly!

Craft Social Part II

Reduce, REUSE, recycle (upcycle)... 

A fun twist at Friday's Craft Social was the swap table.... people brought in their extras and everyone was invited to take what they would be able to use and anything left over at the end of the night was to be donated.  I could not pass up some great 'green' fabric.... it's upholstery swatches that will be perfect for the cell phone holders we made.... and the yarn... lol.... well, knitting IS my new fave, so how could I possibly pass up this yarn that is the perfect mix of my favorite colors (and coincidentally matches my favorite winter puffy vest!)

What is something old that you could make new again...?

...scatter joy...
lindy

Flippin my Lid!

A major part of designing my small space is the purging of all things 'clutter'.... but at the same time I need to find creative ways to store items. 
I do not have a candy bowl, but I had these wonderful small hard candies I wanted to have out ... so I dug out a jar from the cupboard and did a quick recycle art project on the top to add a little 'new' to something old...

Easy Peasy:  Took the lid, turned it over on top of a gorgeous card (from one of my fave stores, Paper Source) and traced the lid on the paper.  Cut out a smidge inside the mark... I did not measure this, I eyeballed it.  Took some Mod Podge (because it was what I happened upon first when digging through anything that I could use to 'stick' the paper to the lid) and smeared it on the lid.  placed the cut out on the lid then smeared a little more over top of the actual paper. Let dry. The actual 'art' part of this project took me less than 5 minutes...

Isn't it cute??? I think this would be a really fun and easy thing to do for a multitude of things... and of course using papers that coordinate with either the holiday or the contents would be superb....

What ordinary object can you transform into functional art?
...scatter joy...
lindy

fabulous finds!

It's a glorious day here today... and since I've been away from my blog for a week, I've words to share...

I've been thinking through a multitude of things lately... one of the things I'm committed to trying to do better is reducing my footprint. I feel I do ok at the typical things... recycling, lightbulbs are all switched over, turned off, unplugged non-necessities.... and I've begun to think about living in a capitalistic society.... it's weird feeling I need to do my bit to keep the economy moving, at the same time wanting to make sure my money is supporting the things important to me.

To that end I am trying to make conscious purchases that support local artisans.... the fabulous sweater I have found today is made from old woolens (sweaters, etc) and made into the beauty of scarves, ties, bags, etc.... I have had my eyes on these beauties for a couple years and today took the plunge...! and if you didn't know it before, you should know it now... I LOVE POLKA DOTS!!!! Visit Laura & Claudia today @ go dotty go! today... http://www.godottygo.com/

and yes... I did justify my purchase as helping get our economy back on track...! ; )

...what is a commitment you've made recently to yourself or others that is important to you?...

... scatter joy...

lindy