Thrifty Tickle

Branch Art

2011-01-09T09:31:00.001-06:00

Here is a simple inexpensive idea for wall art, as featured on Apartment Therapy.

New Dress a Day Continues!

2011-01-08T19:12:00.000-06:00

Remember New Dress a Day? I am so pleased to report that although her 365 days of refashioned dresses are over, Marisa will continue to refashion thrift store finds and include some tutorials. She also has plans to do some accessories and home decor items. It sounds like NDAD just got bigger and better than ever. Way to go, Marisa! Check out the info about Year 2 here.

Baby Sock Advent Calendar

2010-12-10T23:18:00.001-06:00

Sorry, I realize we are halfway though the advent season but I saw this and just had to share because it may be the cutest holiday countdown idea ever and it involves repurposing! I'm smitten. Head over to Rhythm of the Home for details!

Vintage Suitcase Friday!

2010-12-10T00:58:00.000-06:00

Time to link up!

Vintage Suitcase Friday!

2010-12-02T20:46:00.003-06:00

Time to link up!

Vintage Suitcase Friday!

2010-11-25T20:46:00.002-06:00

Time to link up!

Vintage Suitcase Friday!

2010-11-18T23:25:00.000-06:00

Time to link up!

Vintage Suitcase Friday!

2010-11-12T23:21:00.000-06:00

Time to link up!

Vintage Suitcase Friday!

2010-11-04T20:41:00.000-05:00

Time to link up!

Halloween Water Bottle ideas

2010-10-31T12:55:00.000-05:00

I know it's late to be posting this but I was just looking at some last minute Halloween ideas and I found these great ways to repurpose plastic water bottles into a costume.

Vintage Suitcase Friday!

2010-10-28T20:45:00.000-05:00

Tiniest jack-o-lantern edition!
I have not been very involved in re-doing stuff lately, but this week I took a little time to give some acorns a seasonal makeover. I got the idea from the Family Fun site, though the acorns from the massive oak tree in our front yard are much smaller than the ones pictured there. Since we have no shortage of acorns, I got all I needed right from the porch. (We actually have so many that pile up near the sidewalk that it can be like walking on marbles. Farcicle.) Family Fun doesn't indicate how tricky it might be to cover little acorns evenly with acrylic paint. If I were to do it again, I might use spray paint instead. They turned out well, we love them and all the people we shared them with loved them!

I love my new kitchen tablecloth.

(fabric from Hobby Lobby)

Time to link up!

Vintage Suitcase Friday!

2010-10-21T21:16:00.002-05:00

Time to link up!

Vintage Suitcase Friday!

2010-10-14T22:22:00.000-05:00

Time to link up!

Vintage Suitcase Friday!

2010-10-07T21:42:00.000-05:00

Homemade Halloween

2010-10-04T11:23:00.000-05:00

Filth Wizardry has a wealth of ideas for your recyclables including Milk Jug Storm Trooper Helmets. Near the end of the post you will also find links for milk jug batman masks, homemade light sabers and milk jug "treat pots" for trick-or-treating. Plan to stay a while, this blog is full of great stuff!

Halloween Ideas

2010-10-02T11:32:00.000-05:00

Savers/Value Village had some great Halloween decorating and party ideas last year. Fortunately, I bookmarked that section of their site because they have updated it and I had to pull up my bookmarks to find these again. As with the back-to-school ideas I posted last month, there are lots of examples of how to turn thrift store items into seasonal ones. "Dolls of the Living Dead" and "Sinister Ceramics" are just a few examples. The instructions can be downloaded in PDF format. You may want to download them before this page disappears!

Vintage Suitcase Friday!

2010-09-30T21:23:00.000-05:00

Last week I posted about fusing plastic to make a stronger plastic you can sew. This week I am interested in learning to crochet Another way to reuse plastic bags is to cut them up into strips and make "plarn" (plastic yarn). You can then make all sorts things by crocheting the plarn, including reusable shopping bags. You can find more ideas by googling "crochet plarn". Here's a little intro:

Vintage Suitcase Friday!

2010-09-23T21:38:00.002-05:00

What can you do with plastic bags? One idea is to fuse them into a stronger plastic. Cut off the handles and the seam at the bottom of a bag, flatten it out, fold it up to 8-ply, sandwich it between pieces of paper (they use wax paper in this video, I used parchment paper) and iron it with a medium-heat iron for about 20-30 seconds, moving the iron continuously. The new thicker plastic can then be sewn up as you like to make something new. In this video, they show you how to make a laptop case. To skip the goofy parts and get to the project, start at minute 1:00.

I tried this for the first time today and haven't made anything with my fused pieces yet but will post when I do. I would love to see comments if you have tried this or links to your finished projects!

Time to link up!

"Back-to-School" Ideas

2010-09-18T08:01:00.001-05:00

Here are some back-to-school ideas from Savers/Value Village (not the same as St. Louis Value Village). They are called "back-to-school" but they are really just idea for anyone who has a desk space (or a bed looking for a canopy).

Recovered desk chair, etched glass pencil cups

and record picture frames

Stickerman

2010-09-17T16:34:00.000-05:00

How can you reuse plastic produce stickers? Here's an idea from Stickerman:

The Door is a Jar

Vintage Suitcase Friday!

2010-09-16T21:16:00.000-05:00

Check out this photo I found with mother nature network's article about one of my favorite facebook communities, ReUse Connection. I love it! (I bet a cat would too!)

Photo: gellenburg/Flickr

iPhone Holder

2010-09-11T17:40:00.000-05:00

I love this idea I found on GreenDiary for reusing silverware. I want one!

by ForkedUpArt

Vintage Suitcase Friday!

2010-09-09T21:04:00.002-05:00

This is the place to link to any projects in which you have repurposed or upcycled something. Thanks for linking up!

Green Fashion

2010-09-04T12:00:00.001-05:00

I follow Eco-Artware on facebook. They have a couple of fascinating posts this week. One is an article from treehugger about an art camp in The Hamptons. The kids there participated in a recycled fashion challenge and created pieces like the one below.

The other post was especially interesting to me because I had just been considering how to reuse medicine bottles a few days earlier. For me this is a wonderful example of how exciting it is to see something old and familiar used in a new way. Go here to see recycled pill bottles by LilacPOP.

Vintage Suitcase Friday!

2010-09-02T21:18:00.001-05:00

Ready to link up?

ReUse Connection

2010-08-28T21:24:00.000-05:00

A splendid idea! ReUse Connection is not live yet but according to the info they have up now, it will be in the next few months. I predict it's going to be big! In the meantime, you can follow them on facebook.

From the site:
"Have you ever wanted to get rid of something but didn't want to throw it away...and yet not known what to do with it? Come visit ReUse Connection and see what people around the world do with everything from old shoes to chemicals to anything you can imagine.

Take Beth, who doesn't want her old CDs to go into the landfill. She posts "CDs" on RC, and global users tell her that they ReUse "CDs" as compact mirrors in their purses, as scarecrow substitutes in their gardens, or as paper weights after they glue them together.

Vintage Suitcase Friday!

2010-08-26T22:09:00.002-05:00

Today I want to share a couple of my favorite repurposed storage ideas. The first is made from 2-gallon water jugs.

by randofo at Instructables

Another idea to corral lots of odds and ends is from kcli and can also be found at Instructables.

I love this idea! Look at all those containers being reused!

Can't you just see this with smart looking labels

and maybe a little Mod Podge action?

Finally, you really need to go see Apartment Therapy's Inspiration: Vintage Storage. That's where I found this.

These are apple crates available from Baileys Home and Garden

You should browse around there too!

Lots of simple, lovely stuff.

It's not clear if they deliver to the US.

Time to link up!

Vintage Suitcase Friday! (and Plastic Bottle Caps)

2010-08-19T21:11:00.002-05:00

Did you know that plastic bottle caps are not accepted at some recycling centers? They are made from a type of plastic (#5) called polypropylene. You can check Earth911 to see what type of recycling is available in your area. It says my local Whole Foods accepts #5 plastic (and even Brita filters!) Also worth looking into is Recycle Caps with Aveda is a program in which caps are collected throughout the community, by salons, in school, etc. and then made into caps for Aveda products.

Kiwi magazine has a great idea for repurposing plastic caps. I would love to find more ideas like this!

Go here to see the directions for making these super-fun magnets!

Time to link up!

Write On, Wipe Off Calendar

2010-08-18T23:27:00.000-05:00

I wish I had thought of this! Here is a super idea posted by Katia Ruby at Cut Out + Keep for making a dry-erase calendar out of a picture frame. The frame must have a glass insert because that is what you will be writing on. The directions suggest that you should only use dry erase markers to write on the glass. I would suggest that you write the numbers with permanent marker so they don't rub off when you change your plans that are written with dry-erase markers. At the end of the month, simply wipe the glass down with nail polish remover and start fresh.

See the directions at Cut Out + Keep

"Cup" Cakes

2010-08-18T08:28:00.002-05:00

Here is a wonderful, budget-friendly idea for making a little dessert similar to "Warm Delights". I call it a "cup" cake because we make it in a coffee cup. Though it's not nearly as cute as a real cupcake, it sure is tasty!

All you have to do is put 4 tablespoons of cake mix and 2 tablespoons of water in a cup and mix it up. (Earlier recipes suggest adding 1 1/2 teaspoons of mayonnaise for "instant" egg and oil which you would normally add to the cake mix but I don't find it necessary.) If you want to get fancy, mix something in before you microwave it: chocolate syrup, caramel, fruit preserves, coconut, chocolate chips, whatever. Microwave for 30-60 seconds. You could put a little frosting on it when it's done The first one I made for my son was a yellow cake and after I microwaved it I put canned cherry pie filling on top. He loved it! It's perfect for singles or smaller families that don't want to make a whole cake or 2 dozen cupcakes at once (or fire up the oven on a hot day. You know what would be a really good topping? Ice cream!) And it's much more cost efficient than buying the real "Warm Delights". You can often find cake mix on sale for $1. Here is my little repurposing tip: I have found that after you use about 8 tablespoons of cake mix (2 "cup" cake servings) the rest of the mix will fit nicely in a jar that originally held spaghetti sauce and you can just spoon it out when you want it. Let me know if you try this or what your favorite variations are!

Mila's Daydream

2010-08-16T20:46:00.001-05:00

I love this blog I just found called Mila's Daydream. Mila's mom Adele Enersen says "This is my maternity leave hobby. While my baby is taking her nap, I try to imagine her dream and capture it." She does a beautiful job. Go check out the rest of the pictures. They are very inventive and lots of fun!

Vintage Suitcase Friday!

2010-08-12T22:58:00.000-05:00

Last week we had the best turn out so far for VSF. I hope it keeps getting better and better! I love to see your ideas and share them with my readers.

Repurposing Recyclables Part 1

2010-08-11T22:33:00.002-05:00

I have a lot of SoBe life water bottles right now. A lot! I have been playing the Heads or Tails game online (hoping to win a MacBook Pro) and I keep winning buy 1 get one free coupons. The SoBe drinks were on sale buy 1 get one free last week at CVS so I got a bunch for free (CVS paid for their "one" and the coupon took care of the other "one").

I have been playing around to see how I could repurpose thesebottles and here's what I've come up with so far.

Please pardon the grainy phone photo! I tried cutting them and realized that they are most easily cut in a spiral. I cut just a little of this one and left a cup on the bottom. When I showed it to my 6-year-old he begged me for it. It stretches like a slinky and might be fun storage for little things in a kid's room.

Here is one that I colored with permanent marker and then cut

all the way instead of leaving a cup at the bottom. Party!

A bugcatcher?

This was made by cutting off a top portion and inverting it into the bottom portion. It's just one bottle, pay no attention to all those others you see! I don't know if the opening is narrow enough to trap the bugs but in theory if you do this with a regular water bottle and put something in the bottom like juice or ripe fruit you can trap fruit flies and more. It's based off similar ideas I have seen on The Idea Room and Instructables. If you have any ideas for reusing SoBe bottles or any plastic bottles, I'd love to hear about them!

Vintage Suitcase Friday!

2010-08-05T19:46:00.002-05:00

I have been thrift store shopping and dreaming and reading this week. Needless to say, no projects have been finished but this is a vital part of the creative process, is it not?

I have discovered some lovely books at the library, the "Pretty Little" series by Lark Books. I have checked out Pretty Little Pincushions (again).

I also have Pretty Little Presents and Pretty Little Purses & Pouches and still others have been placed on request. I read these books and study their pictures with a ticklish feeling in my brain as I am inspired to create variations and new things. I have decided that what puts the tickle in "Thrifty Tickle" is the need to create, the delight in a new idea. Sometimes (er, quite frequently) when I come up with an idea for something whether it's updating a tired calendar or replacing the cinnamon in cinnamon rolls with basil and lemon, I laugh out loud. I really do.

Time to link up! Grab a button from the sidebar and tell all your friends! This link party is still in its infancy, let's make it great. I can't wait to see what you've redone or repurposed!

Some Project Ideas for you

2010-08-05T14:50:00.002-05:00

Have you seen the pamphlets at Hobby Lobby in the fabric section? They have some interesting ideas in them. You can download them here. Also click here to get Hobby Lobby's weekly coupon. You might want to bookmark the link. The link doesn't change but the coupon does. This week it's 40% off one regular priced item. Last week it was 30% off Rustoleum or Krylon spray paint (no limit!)
Speaking of Krylon, their website has lots of spray paint project ideas and techniques like this one.

Check it out!

Thrift Store Trip

2010-08-04T07:07:00.001-05:00

I went to the thrift store yesterday. A few months ago, it would have been news if there was a day when I hadn't been to a thrift store. I have been trying to declutter, use what I have and stay out of the stores. (I am proud to say that I started my Totally 80s theme week with the purchase of two 97 cent cans of black spray paint and the only other thing I ended up buying for my projects was a 35 cent spool of ribbon (on sale at Hancock) for The Boot!)

Look what I found on my little outing!

No date tiles and it cost four times

more than the other one--four whole bucks!

Ready for a transformation?

I'm thinking of making pincushions with this stuff.

Another theme week?

And finally, it's nice when you find something for a buck

that doesn't need any work!

Turning "Trash" into Fashion

2010-08-02T00:51:00.002-05:00

I was looking at some different repurposing ideas and came across this. There are some interesting ones here but why do they have to call it "trashion"? *groan*

Visit msnbc.com for breaking news, world news, and news about the economy

Updated Calendar

2010-07-30T13:53:00.011-05:00

Welcome to the final day of Theme Week: Totally 80s! The grand finale, the pièce de résistance.
When I found this perpetual calendar for 99 cents I was thrilled! I knew it had potential.

I also thought it was funny.

Especially the "Call Mom & Dad" reminder.

And ducks? Ugh.

For some reason I found the

"Happy New Year" tile to be wildly depressing.
(It's the one in the middle.)

The ducks were easy to remove since they were screwed on. That little heart wasn't going without a fight. It had to be chipped off with a screwdriver and hammer. But what to put in their place? Luckily I have a nice assortment of frames. I chose this one.

(also 99 cents)

I painted it white...and then black.

I used some scrapbooking paper (of course) and painted the calendar and the tiles black. Then I used a typewriter font to write the numbers and words.

I attached the frame with thin velcro strips so the pictures

or quotes can be changed out.

(I wrote the "flow" by hand. I was going to use a script

font but they all ended up looking to me

like they said "flaw" or "flour"!)

Days of the week

I especially like my new holiday tiles. They are kind of generic...

...but that means you can use them more, right?

A note on perfection: This project didn't turn out "perfectly". The older I get, the less perfection matters to me. If I had insisted on all the numbers and words being glued on perfectly straight (it's bothering some of you, I know!), the project never would have gotten off the ground and I think it's a marked improvement over the original.

;)

There's still time to link up to Vintage Suitcase Friday, my relatively new link party. Please join me!

Today I'm linking up here:

Vintage Suitcase Friday! (and The Boot!)

2010-07-29T21:47:00.003-05:00

Welcome to Vintage Suitcase Friday and Day 4 of Theme Week: Totally 80s!
Here's what I'm working with today:

It has a good shape but that

peach ribbon and lace has to go!

I wanted a bluish green wash and luckily I had this paper on hand from Basic Grey (which must be the most ironic name ever).

Should I have left it like this?

It looks pretty good!

It was hard to decide what kind of "trim" to put at the top. One of my favorite things about this piece is that curvy line at the top of the boot and I didn't want it masked like it had been with the lace. In the end I decided on some flower paper, cutting out the petals along the bottom to make a sort of lacy edge.

Then I needed some blue paint to match the paper but I wanted it to be somewhat transparent so you could still see the washed look of the paper. The glitter paint I used on my frame yesterday was the perfect solution! I mixed it with Mod Podge and piled it on.

Much better!

Click here for the grand finale of Theme Week:Totally 80s!

See how I transformed this!

(You're gonna love it!)

Link up here!

From Mauve to Mahvelous, Part 3: The Beauty

2010-07-28T16:19:00.007-05:00

It's Theme Week: Totally 80s!

Here was my idea of vintage when I was a teen in the 80s:

Very "Gibson Girl"!

How romantic.

This wasn't mine but it could have been.

I originally just bought this because it was a cheap frame and didn't intend to keep the pretty girl. But instead I decided to give this Beauty an update by painting her frame a mix of white and glittery blue.

Just a hint of sparkle

Here is what I'm working on now:

I got it for 99 cents!

~~Stay tuned to see what I'm doing with it.~~
It's finished! Click here!

(Those ducks didn't stand a chance!)

Linked to

Mauve to Mahvelous, Part 2: Chunky Hearts!

2010-07-27T11:25:00.009-05:00

Welcome to day two of Theme Week: Totally 80s!
Today's victim:

Chunk heart city

My son loves that the middle of the hearts makes a star.

My first thought was to paint it...black. Which I did. Then I was going to Mod Podge some crazy colorful scrapbooking papers to the hearts. I have a lot of scrapbooking paper for just such a task. But you know what I really wanted? A bright yellow with a cloverleaf pattern. I did not have that. But I did have...

some radiator grill with a cloverleaf pattern

and crayons.

I ended up using crayon rubbings of items around my house. Talk about budget-friendly!

After I did the rubbings, I cut out heart shapes and Mod Podged them on. Here is the result, which I am quite pleased with!

The drama of black and color!

Love!

Linking to:

From Mauve to Mahvelous, Part 1

2010-07-26T13:06:00.009-05:00

Welcome to Theme Week: Totally 80s!

Back in the 80s, mauve was the hot color and we apparently didn't pronounce it correctly. (It rhymes with "rove"...and I still think it feels weird to say it the right way.) Thrift stores are rife with things that are obviously from the 1980s and well, really tired-looking: hearts, ducks, mauve, sad "country" blue, peach. It's kind of a challenge to re-imagine and update them. That's what this week is all about. (Though, seriously, I think I might have to draw the line at ducks. The challenge may be too great. Are you up for it? I may have an Update a Duck link party...)

Here is my first victim.

Would you like a rocking horse with that raffia?

Babygirl needs a make-under.

News flash! I like to paint things black. I could have painted her red but that would have required a purchase and I'm stash-busting, folks. I roughed up the edges with sandpaper to make her "shabby chic" et puis voilà!

Doesn't she look mahvelous?

Tomorrow: Mauve to Mahvelous, Part 2: Chunky Hearts!

Linked to:

The Gypsy's Corner

Money-saving + recipe

2010-07-25T15:20:00.001-05:00

I don't usually talk about coupons or recipes here, but today I have a few odds and ends:

CVS stores have been springing up in St. Louis over the past year. Shopping there can be a lot of fun because you can get ECBs (Extra Care Bucks-like money toward a future purchase) for buying certain things. I used to shop CVS and Walgreens like a pro when I lived in Texas. (Once at Walgreens I spent 4 cents for about $57 worth of stuff and got a rebate back on one item and a coupon good for $5 off my next purchase!) This week at CVS you can get a 6x8, 10 page photo album for $7.99 and then get back $7.99 in ECBs, so it's free. Nicole at Nicole's Nickels has some tips on how to make your photo book here.

Did you know that you can make cinnamon rolls from Trader Joe's (99 cent) pizza dough? You could also use Pillsbury French Loaf (but it would take 2 cans and run you about $5). I first read about this idea on My Dear Trash (go visit!) and then found this recipe for IKEA-Inspired Cinnamon Rolls on the kitchn (yet another chapter of apartment therapy). They are so delicious! We have been missing IKEA and their cinnamon rolls!

Lastly, I am trying to dig in to my thrift store stash and make some new things and I have decided to do a theme week: Totally 80s! Come back this week and see how I update things that are obviously products of the 80s: chunky hearts, mauve, lace and peach ribbon and maybe ducks. I don't know. Wooden ducks are as quintessentially 80s as mauve and that sad shade of country blue. Can they be updated?

Vintage Suitcase Friday!

2010-07-22T21:28:00.001-05:00

Today I want to highlight an entry from last week. This is what it's all about, folks! Repurposing at its finest. Lisa at Recaptured Charm redid a cabinet that she got for free and that was, as she says, "really one step from the garbage. It was cracked everywhere, warped and filled with holes." She not only made it beautiful, it is now also very useful.

before

after

She even used branches from her yard for handles!

Go to Recaptured Charm and see what the hidden purpose of the new cabinet is. It's amazing.

Time to link up! What have you repurposed or given a new life to?

Fruit Bouquet

2010-07-22T10:23:00.001-05:00

Look what my neighbor made for my birthday! My birthday was actually last week and it was really special, but she thought it was yesterday and made it another special day by putting together this little bouquet.

In the bottom of the cup is an apple, poked with the fruit laden skewers and there is plenty of fresh mint. We ate lots of the fruit right away, then I put it in the fridge. Later I discovered that the grapes had become subtly (but delightfully) mint-scented. Seriously, I am going to start storing my grapes with fresh mint!

(Don't you just love how my slipcovered chair is an instant photo background? I do!)

Raven Words

2010-07-20T00:38:00.001-05:00

It occurred to me a few weeks ago that Wordle would make a good Mod Podge project. I used the one that I had featured in this post and variations of it. My "canvas" was this cute little cabinet.

The original Wordle was not big enough to cover the four doors so I ended up making more of them (a very simple cut and paste job) and varying the size of different words to emphasize them.

Here is the "finished" product!

I say it's finished, but is it? I don't know.

It may need something else.

I've been messing with it too long.

I may have to revisit this one...

Vintage Suitcase Friday!

2010-07-15T19:54:00.010-05:00

It's Vintage Suitcase Friday again! Here is my favorite repurposed find this week. I would love to see it implemented but so far all we have is the thrift store picture and an idea.

(Yes, that's Beck.)

I found it the idea on Curbly (a site you should definitely check out if you haven't already) though it was originally posted on Re-Nest (the green section of Apartment Therapy). The idea is to put whatever art you like in the mirror area and recess it into a wall so that you only see a framed picture. It's a secret cubby! Or extra storage for a minimalist space! Or hang up a series of three in the kitchen to use as a spice cabinet as suggested on Re-Nest!
The photo is from Flickr member JonnyXandtheGroadies, licensed for use by Creative Commons.

Link up below! (When entering your link, please take care to link to a specific project you have done, not your blog's main page. Thanks!)
:)

Decor Pad

2010-07-14T20:50:00.000-05:00

Decor Pad is a design inspiration site, kind of like Houzz in that you can create a virtual library of inspiration photos. (I'm not saying it's as cool as Houzz. That's a tall order.) One interesting feature is called look 4 less where you can find cheaper look-alike versions of some designer items.
I found this photo there and I'm not sure why I like it so much, but I do! I really do!

Uh, now I'm pretty sure I need a) banquette seating and b) to paint my pedestal table white. I do like the idea of a nook, but the thing that I think mainly appeals to me about this photo is how vibrant the pops of color are in the muted room. And the kid art. Lovely.

Make Diapers and More from T-Shirts

2010-07-13T18:06:00.001-05:00

I saw this news story of a woman who uses old t-shirts to make diapers, beanies and bibs (all from one shirt) and sends them to El Salvador. Google has yet to reveal how to do this triple play, but here is a tutorial on how to make a diaper from a t-shirt from Natural Violet and there are scads more ideas on Hide Your Arms. Like more ideas than I even had time to look at today. You could learn how to deconstruct, recondition or cut up a t-shirt, make it into a wedding dress or make a customized silhouette t-shirt of your kids.

Special!

Slipcover: Finished!

2010-07-12T07:22:00.006-05:00

My white slipcover is finished! To refresh your memory, I got this chair

at The Sharing Shop for $15 (I got that cute little number to the left of it for $10, but that's another story!) and posted about it here and here. My sweet friend Lisa had some friends over one morning and taught us how to make a slipcover using this beauty as a model. We used white cotton twill, bought at Hancock for something like $3.77/yd. We cut off the headpiece thing and did away with the skirt. Now it still looks feminine but not as dowdy. I love the way it turned out! I have some vintage pillows that I've been meaning to list on Etsy so the chair didn't even make it in the front door before I started snapping away.

Oh my. Look at those legs!

Wow! That really shows off a pillow!

...Er, the beam of sunlight helped, as
did my mad photo-editing skillz.
;)

Is it just me or is the whole chair like,
"Hey look at this pillow!"
I love "her"!

Did I ever mention she has a sister?

I'm not quite sure what to do with this one.

The white twill is not going to cover that print.

Remember when I posted about Cassie from Primitive and Proper and the gorgeous upholstered headboard she painted? (If you didn't follow the link to see the after picture, go do it now for goodness sake. It's breathtaking.) I wonder if painting upholstery makes it hard or crunchy feeling. I welcome any suggestions about what to do with this other chair and its bold print.

p.s. Thanks to all who participated in the first ever Vintage Suitcase Friday! I'm looking forward to seeing even more participating this Friday!

First Ever Vintage Suitcase Friday!

2010-07-08T20:58:00.003-05:00

I confess I'm a little nervous. I just dreamed up this idea last week and have been too busy having a blast with my visiting family to promote it since then. What if I have a link party and no one comes? You actually have until Monday evening to submit something. Please do!

Vintage Suitcase Idea #2

2010-07-05T14:02:00.001-05:00

Please come back Friday to link up to Vintage Suitcase Friday! I can't wait to see your trash to treasure projects! As I mentioned last week, I will be hosting a link party on Fridays and I'd love to see what you have creatively redone or repurposed. Of course it doesn't have to be a vintage suitcase, it can be anything. As I countdown, here is another idea of what can be done to freshen up an old suitcase. This one is from Tracy Porter and she has a great idea for turning a suitcase into a decorative shelf. Please excuse her excessive perkiness.

Vintage Suitcase Friday

2010-07-02T11:51:00.000-05:00

When I was waiting to pick up a $3 desk from the back of a thrift store on Wednesday, I saw this:

Hear me in my best Haley Joel Osment confidential whisper. No, I don't see dead people...

...I see potential. (Which is, admittedly, both a blessing and a curse. If my "rescued" pieces were felines, I'd be the crazy cat lady by now. I need to start my own business.)

I wonder what was wrong with these suitcases that they couldn't even be sold in a thrift store. Were the latches broken? Make it into a pet bed!

Natural Home has a tutorial here.

There are so many ways to redo a vintage suitcase that I have chosen one to be the poster child for repurposed items in general.

Look, it's smiling at you. Winking, even!

What could you do to make something old new again? I would love to see your trash to treasure creations! Come back next Friday to link up to my very own party: Vintage Suitcase Friday!

An "Ode" to DIY and a Note to You

2010-07-01T07:13:00.011-05:00

I really dig Ode Magazine. They have a blog article celebrating the do-it-yourself spirit, "For example, sewing a couch cushion, growing a food garden, painting walls, or unclogging a toilet -- have you ever done these things yourself?" Well, I wasn't going to mention it, but last week I unclogged my own toilet and it was really, um...empowering. There I said it. It felt good. Let me know if you ever need to borrow a toilet auger.

A note: My sister surprised me the other day by saying that she would never have thought of doing the projects that I have done on this blog because she's not that creative. But the thing is, she is at least as creative as I am, if not more. The only difference is I am "in the flow" as I like to call it. (I don't actually call it that, but I'm sure going to start!) Once you start creating it's kind of hard to stop. ~~Like a sickness.~~ Exercise that creativity muscle. Mod Podge something or paint something. Look around for inspiration.

It's like writing. They say if you want to be a writer, you should write every day. See this Daily Pep Talk from a Best Friend called Today, You Become a Writer. Today you become a creator! Make time for it.

No excuses, OK? We are going to get the ball rolling for you. Only have like 10 minutes? Go to wordle.net and create your own "beautiful word cloud" by pasting in your favorite quote or favorite attributes or whatever you want. Then toy around with it until it is just the way you want it, print it out, hang it up on your bulletin/inspiration board and be proud of what you made! So easy and fun! (If you want to share, post a link in the comments section. I'd love to see what you make!)

Here is one I made using a quote from Louise Erdrich's The Painted Drum.

Here is the text:

Ravens are the birds I'll miss most when I die. If only the darkness into which we must look were composed of the black light of their limber intelligence. If only we did not have to die at all. Instead, become ravens. I've watched these birds so hard I feel their black feathers split out of my skin. To fly from one tree to another, the raven hangs itself, hawklike, on the air. I hang myself that same way in sleep, between one day and the next. When we're young, we think we are the only species worth knowing. But the more I come to know people, the better I like ravens. If I have a religious practice, it is the watching of these birds.

You know, I made this quite a while ago and suddenly it occurs to me this would be great to Mod Podge on something...stay tuned!

Update: See what I made with my Wordle here.

Better Life

2010-06-30T11:35:00.007-05:00

I've been using Better Life cleaning products to clean up the filthiest piece of furniture EVER which I rescued from bulky trash pickup. These products are my favorite! Green, safe, and awesome! The company is local (St. Louis) but expanding quickly. I'm not finished cleaning it yet, but there's a preview on the Better Life blog!

Go to Whatever Wednesday

New Dress a Day

2010-06-29T17:02:00.001-05:00

I heard about New Dress a Day from a friend today and I love it! Marisa has some mad repurposing skills and is on a year-long adventure to turn a thrift store dress a day into a piece of clothing she can add to her personal wardrobe. Inspired by Julie&Julia but lacking a passion for pheasant, she has sworn off buying new clothes and is instead dedicating a year and $365 to adding 365 items of repurposed clothing to her collection. Go Marisa!

Members Only jacket makeover

Blue dress with polka dots

Great Ideas

2010-06-28T10:35:00.003-05:00

Beckie at Infarrantly Creative has a great idea for making an Uncrustables-type sandwich and using the leftover crusts to make croutons. Love! Actually she has lots of great ideas on her site, including Great Idea Days link parties. Here is the link to the March party and there is another coming up on July 9th. I can't wait!
Also check out her "Roadkill Rescues" which are pieces rescued from the side of the road (or otherwise acquired for free) and given new life.

Fresh Coat Fridays

2010-06-27T15:37:00.001-05:00

If you love before and afters as much as I do, head over to Life in the Fun Lane's new feature Fresh Coat Fridays!

St. Louis Zoo

2010-06-25T07:47:00.007-05:00

(For those living in or visiting the St. Louis area, here is the second installment of a small insider's list of the best free activities and events to take advantage of here in my hometown. See the first installment here. Please feel free to comment and add your favorite free St. Louis activities. This is a great town for free fun!)

The St. Louis Zoo is such a big draw it almost seems redundant to talk about it...OK, let's talk about it! Not only is it "America's #1 Zoo" according to Zagat Survey's U.S. Family Travel Guide, it's free! It's also huge (see map) and you could easily spend the whole day there and not see everything. Please see the Zoo website for detailed information for your visit. These are just a couple of highlights and are really meant as a jumping-off point.

Enjoy the architecture of Historic Hill, the oldest part of the zoo, including the 1904 World's Fair Flight Cage.
Don't be surprised when a peacock struts alongside you, preening on the sidewalk. Visit the beautiful Mediterranean style Herpetarium built in 1927.

Watching the Galapagos tortoises eat lunch is one of our favorite Zoo memories.

This is an especially great time to visit because the Zoo is celebrating the 100th anniversary of the formation of the St. Louis Zoological Society with a new (free) exhibit, Zootennial. From the website: "The exhibit is located in Peabody Hall, a newly renovated exhibit gallery which was once the historic 1917 Elephant House next to the Bird House. With archived video, old photos, artifacts and fun interactive elements, the stunning Zootennial exhibit will reveal how the Zoo has changed in the past 100 years while its mission has remained the same."

Jungle Boogie Friday Night Concert Series is from 5-8 p.m. Fridays through September 3rd. It features an evening of free entertainment and activities for the whole family. See link for schedules

Insider's tips:
Parking in the Zoo parking lot costs $11 per vehicle. Plan to find a place to park nearby on the street for a truly free visit.

The Children's Zoo normally costs $4 per person, the Stingrays at Caribbean Cove exhibit (They're back! Now with horseshoe crabs!) is $3 and the Conservation Carousel is $3. All three of these are free during the first hour the zoo is open (8-9 a.m. through September 6, 2010) Beat the heat and get there early!

There are shows at the Children's Zoo daily except Wednesdays, starting at 10 a.m. (see info near the bottom of the page here) so if you can stretch out your early morning visit to the Children's Zoo, you could catch a show while you're there. There is a nice playground in the Children's Zoo with a slide which takes you past a tank of river otters. It's kind of a big deal.

100 Decorating Ideas and a Dog Bed

2010-06-24T08:09:00.006-05:00

Better Homes & Gardens publishes a magazine I love to ogle at Walgreens:100 Decorating Ideas Under $100. The summer issue is out and it's available only in stores.

There is no information on bhg.com. The best I can do is point you to the facebook page. There are definitely some Mod Podge Rocks-inspired pieces in this issue! You can see some of the photos from the magazine on the facebook page, but not the one I want to show you. They took a table like this

and removed the doors and the top, painted the whole thing white and put a dog cushion in it! Who knew it would make such a sweet dog bed? p.s. I own the table above. I got it for $5 at Salvation Army. I have seen similar tables at other thrift stores for $40. Look:

The truth is, a relative of yours probably has one in their basement and would love for you to take it off their hands. Do them and your dog a favor by making it into a dog bed!

Free Fun in St. Louis

2010-06-23T14:29:00.002-05:00

We have been enjoying our summer with mostly free activities and I just have to share some of them. For those living in or visiting the St. Louis area, here is the first installment of a small insider's list of the best free activities and events to take advantage of here in the Gateway City. Please feel free to comment and add your favorite free St. Louis activities. This is a great town for free fun!

The Missouri Botanical Garden offers the Whitaker Music Festival Wednesdays through August 4.
The music begins at 7:30 p.m. and free admission starts at 5 p.m. The Children’s Garden is open with free admission from 5 to 7 p.m. Parking is free.

Let's talk about this. People keep telling me that they don't like going to the music festival because it's so crowded (it totally is) but do you have to have a lawn seat right in front of the stage? I look at these music festival nights as a free time to enjoy an evening in the garden (which normally closes at 5 p.m.) and it is the only time you are allowed to picnic there. You are welcome to bring your own picnic supper, baskets, or coolers. Picnic fare is also available for purchase on site. If you have kids, take them over to the Children's Garden (interactive map here). It is spectacular (and normally costs $5 per kid.)

Insider's tip: There is some serious picnicking going on here! Some people bring lawn chairs and set up little tables with wine glasses, fruit and cheese plates and tea lights! Feel free to do so or bring a blanket and a drive-thru meal. You could come from 5 to 7, just to eat a picnic dinner and let your kids explore the Children's Garden for free. Working late? No problem, you are permitted to enter the Garden until 9 p.m. Enjoy!

(The Missouri Botanical Garden also offers free admission, including the Children's Garden to St. Louis City and County residents on Wednesdays and Saturdays from 9a.m. to 12 p.m. This includes admission to the Children's Garden!)

Malcolm Martin Memorial Park may be one of the area's best-kept secrets. It is a green space directly across the Mississippi from the Arch. According to the website: "Eero Saarinen, designer of the St. Louis Arch, originally included a park on both sides of the Mississippi River; decades later his vision has become a reality." The park includes the Gateway Geyser, which erupts at 12, 3, 6 and 9 p.m daily, April-October. It's over 600 feet tall (mirroring the height of the Arch) and is surrounded by 4 fountains that are 100 feet tall. The eruption lasts approximately 15 minutes and is absolutely refreshing. Majestic, even. It is the tallest geyser in the US. See the video here. Also at the park is one of the best views available of the Arch. The Mississippi River Overlook is a 40 foot tall platform which "offers visitors marvelous views of the park, both sides of the Mississippi River, and the St. Louis City Skyline."

Houzz

2010-06-20T11:35:00.000-05:00

I love this site! Houzz has a vast collection of home design photos to inspire you. So vast it could be overwhelming but it's not. You can browse by style (Mediterranean, Modern, many more) by space (Bedroom, Media Room, Wine Cellar...wait, Wine Cellar?!) or Metro (Miami, Hong Kong, etc.)
Create a free account and start saving design photos into your Ideabook (or just browse others' Ideabooks!)
Below is a random Ideabook for your viewing pleasure!

Kitchens

Houzz- Kitchen Design, Bathroom Design and More»

Peppermint

2010-06-18T11:33:00.003-05:00

Several months ago, my sister sent me a link to a post by Homebody Holly about a book we had read as children. It's about a kitten named Peppermint who was born in a candy store.

Peppermint is a "soiled white kitten" who falls into a tub of bluing right before the cat show.

It turns out to be just what Peppermint needed to win first prize.

A good friend of mine was so touched when she saw this because it had been her favorite book as a child. Right then I knew I wanted to make something Peppermint-y for her, but what? The idea was in the back of my mind for a while (a necklace? a keychain?) and then I saw this poor wooden cat at the thrift store. It was so ugly I was tempted to just pass it by:

*shudder*

After removing the "accessories" I painted the cat white and chose two scrapbooking papers to create Peppermint.

I love the candy look of this one.

The other side:

Oh no! Peppermint fell into a tub of bluing!

(Apparently I took this picture before I painted the thing!)

After painting, I Mod Podged the papers on and gave it to my Peppermint-loving friend for her birthday.

Note: I don't think people use bluing much anymore, but it is a laundry product used to make dingy or yellowed whites look white again. According to Mrs. Stewart's Bluing: "Not only does it whiten whites, it also brightens colors and does so without harsh chemicals, prolonging the life of any garment. People are seeking environmentally safe products and they know that MSB is non-toxic and biodegradable." In the Other Uses section, it is suggested that you can use bluing (diluted) to whiten the hair of a pet.

Library Bag

2010-06-14T20:51:00.000-05:00

Another follow up to my Preserving and Repurposing T-Shirts post:

I got this shirt for 99 cents at Family Thrift. It's a child's large

and I thought it would make a good throw pillow, maybe for the boy's room.

But then I thought it would make a good bag for library books, although being a child's shirt it isn't super roomy. Plus if I change my mind later I can still make a little throw pillow out of it. I sewed a French seam in the bottom of the shirt, which is just a fancy way of saying that I sewed the bottom together while the shirt was still right side out. This assures that you don't have unfinished edges after you sew it together. Then I sewed the bottom seam right sides together. Since t-shirt fabric doesn't fray all you have to do is cut off the collar and sleeves to make a bag opening.

What do you think?

You Can Paint Upholstery?

2010-06-13T07:24:00.004-05:00

This is what I learned from Cassie of Primitive & Proper as guest contributor on The Frugal Designer (now called The Design Confidential): Yes, you can paint upholstery by mixing one part paint with two parts textile medium and painting it right onto the fabric. This is awesome news for pieces that are in great condition but need a color adjustment!

before

For details and to see the beautiful after pictures of this unique and uniquely-painted bed, click here. So impressive!

Custom Chalkboard Colors

2010-06-12T10:54:00.003-05:00

Painting surfaces with chalkboard paint is a popular way to repurpose an old picture frame or even an old cabinet door.

Smitten Furnishings on Etsy

I have been thinking of making the door of an old spice rack into a chalkboard but I have been hesitant to bring that dark color into my sherbet colored kitchen. Enter Martha Stewart's recipe for custom chalkboard paint! It's made by mixing flat-finish latex paint with unsanded tile grout. See the article and recipe here.

Repurpose Frames with Radiator Grill

2010-06-11T07:45:00.055-05:00

I have found two great ideas for using radiator grill to make an old frame into something new. The first is a jewelry organizer from Lost Button Studio.

The second is this idea from Brooklyn Limestone for a mail center. Go see it!

I love the cloverleaf pattern.

I had a hard time finding information about radiator grill. The comments that I read indicated that you had to get it at Lowe's and that the people at Home Depot wouldn't know what you were talking about but I found the opposite to be true. (I got mine at the Home Depot on Kingshighway. It is 36"x36" and cost around $30.) It is aluminum so see Brooklyn Limestone's little hack for using the bulldog magnets if you are making a mail center.

Anthropologie Inspired Pendant

2010-06-10T07:18:00.004-05:00

Ashley Ann is a photographer who takes amazing photos. She also appears to be an extraordinary creative spirit in everything else she does as well. I am linking to a pendant light she made out of a wire basket, inspired by Anthropologie (so much to love! so expensive!) but you must also check out the rest of her blog, including (but not limited to) her DIY Projects.

Inspiration from Anthropologie

Ashley Ann's light

Einstein on a Bike

2010-06-08T06:56:00.017-05:00

My favorite thrift store find right now is a poster of Einstein riding a bike. I found it rolled up on a shelf at Goodwill without a price on it. Instant love. They marked it at $2 and I brought it home where it sat for months. The other day as I was putting together the boy's room (reclaiming it from the toy storage area it had become) it occurred to me that this would be the right place for it, especially since the boy just learned how to ride his bike:

I love how whimsical the idea of Einstein riding a bike seems but I suspect there was nothing whimsical about it. Regarding the theory of relativity he is reported to have said, "I thought of that while riding my bicycle."

Next I want to paint the room something a little bolder. Everything else you see here is originally from Ikea. The "nightstand" is actually one of the TRONES shoe storage cabinets.

It's perfect for holding a few bedside items in a small space. The duvet and pillowcase were purchased new for $10! Alas, there is no Ikea here in St. Louis. We used to live near an Ikea and I trolled craigslist for the abundance of Ikea goods. That's how I found the bed. If you don't live in an Ikea town but are making a pilgrimage to one, it's definitely worth your while to check the craigslist there.

Go ride your bike. That's where the magic happens.

Sunburst Mirror

2010-06-06T07:38:00.001-05:00

Wow, this is beautiful. Can you believe that Stephanie Lynn at Under the Table and Dreaming made it with cereal boxes? She has a wonderfully thorough tutorial.

Spoonflower

2010-06-04T07:19:00.000-05:00

I have really started to get interested in textiles again and was delighted to find out about Spoonflower. They will print fabric from a digital photograph, a scan of some artwork, or a design created in photoshop or illustrator. It's not just for professionals. Apparently anyone can design fabric. If you don't have Photoshop, they have links to some free programs that can be used to create images. You can opt to keep the images you upload private but there are lots of customer designed images that are for sale if you are looking for something different and don't feel like creating your own. There are so many to chose from in the shop. Here are just a few:

When I worked in a fabric store about 15 years ago it was almost impossible to find any fabric that was unusual. It was even rare to find fabric to match the picture on a pattern envelope. So I am particularly excited about Spoonflower!

How it Comes Together

2010-06-03T11:33:00.000-05:00

Does furniture speak to me? Or would you just call it inspiration? Sometimes I just know what to do with a piece (though usually not instantly). Here's an example of how it goes down. On Tuesday I went to the thrift store and saw this table:

I loved the lines but I was in a hurry and didn't take the time to really sit with the possibilities. I left and drove maybe 5 miles before I thought YELLOW. Now, I'm not a yellow person. I don't even own any yellow. But it was definitely this yellow that popped in my head:

Krylon Sun Yellow

I had a mission. I turned right around and headed back to the store. Whew! It was still there! As I was on my way to the cash register I saw this vintage fabric that had not been out 10 minutes before:

Hmm...looks like I may have a Mod Podge project on my hands. The table and the fabric together set me back about $10.

Oh, and I was in such a rush to buy the table once it "spoke" that I didn't even see that it was missing a drawer.

No matter! I think I may know just what to do.

Meal Planning Magnets

2010-06-02T07:04:00.000-05:00

Today from The Red Chair Blog: a great way to reuse junk mail magnets (those advertising pharmacies, pizza delivery, etc.) that will help you figure out what's for dinner. The tutorial includes a free printable PDF.

I love this idea! I don't know if I love it more because I am a visual person or because I would most likely lose a menu plan if it wasn't stuck to the fridge, but I love it!

Got Spray Paint Questions?

2010-06-01T07:52:00.000-05:00

Thrifty Decor Chick's got answers. Check out "The 411 on Spray Paint".

Sewing Stool Makeover

2010-05-31T14:11:00.002-05:00

I got this sewing stool at Goodwill for $8.

I was reluctant because the price seemed a little high but the hidden storage and the functionality won me over.

It's made by Burlington and similar stools are available for upwards of $50 on eBay (here and here).
It was covered in vinyl with a very "Spirit of '76" theme: cannons, eagles and whatnot. Not to mention the shiny gold trim which must be the trademark of Burlington sewing stools:

I painted the legs and inside black. I covered it with the lovely Perfect Pattern fabric.

In keeping with the sewing theme, I used tape measures for the trim.

I sewed a double pocket onto the inside of the lid like there had been on the original.

Another look:

before

after

before

after

before

after

I'm trying to be cool about it but the truth is, it's so cute it makes me want to squeal.

Linking to Reinvented's Trash to Treasure Tuesday

Painting Ceramic

2010-05-30T07:34:00.000-05:00

Do you know how easy it is to paint ceramic? Today I point you to House of Hepworths to see how simple it is to turn these:

Into these:

St. Vincent de Paul

2010-05-29T23:30:00.001-05:00

This evening I went to St. Vincent de Paul in Ballwin, which you may recall is one of my favorites. I got a bike which needs a little beautification for $13.50 and some other things I couldn't pass up, like a little pitcher for ten cents. At first I thought I might paint it but looking at it in my home, I think it will just rock the blue and green.

Did you know that St. Vincent de Paul has a frequent shopper card? I wish I had known it before! When you spend $10 or more they will punch your card. After 10 punches you get a $10 discount on your purchase of $10 or more.

St. Vincent de Paul is opening a new thrift store in Dellwood (about 5 miles northeast of UMSL) within the next month according to their website. The address is 10052 West Florissant Ave, 63136. I have updated the map:

View St. Vincent de Paul in a larger map

Rocking Chair Pincushion

2010-05-28T10:31:00.006-05:00

This is my favorite find from Value Village's half off sale Wednesday. I paid 40 cents for it.

I painted it black and covered the back cushion with Alexander Henry's Perfect Pattern fabric and the seat with a scrap of houndstooth. Here it is in action!

I am working on recovering a sewing stool in the Perfect Pattern fabric and will post pictures soon. I love this fabric.

Garage Sale Tracker

2010-05-27T11:34:00.000-05:00

I just found out about a site called Garage Sale Tracker from Thrifty Decor Chick.

You can advertise your garage sale or find a sale both free. Or you can look for consignment shops and flea markets. They also have an iPhone app!

My First T-shirt Pillow

2010-05-26T07:05:00.003-05:00

I was inspired by the t-shirt ideas I posted the other day so I bought a couple of 99 cent shirts at Family Thrift to fiddle around with. I started with this one:

After much sewing frustration (it was the machine's fault) (kind of) I came up with this:

The stuffing needs to be distributed a little more evenly, but I'm happy with it.

Many people are apprehensive about sewing with knits and to them I say, "You should be!" I'm kidding. Just sew knits with a ballpoint needle instead of your standard everyday needle. It really makes a difference.

Tomorrow is 1/2 Price Day at Value Village!

2010-05-25T10:52:00.000-05:00

Tomorrow is the last Wednesday of the month and that means 50% off everything at Value Village! (except new furniture.) They are open from 8am to 10pm at all four locations.

View Value Village STL in a larger map

Repurposing and Preserving T-shirts

2010-05-24T07:30:00.002-05:00

Today I present some interesting ideas for reusing t-shirts (which can be found in abundance in thrift stores) as well as a few ways to preserve t-shirts as keepsakes.

Here is one idea for reusing which is to cut the t-shirt into strips to make yarn for knitting.

From Instructables, sewmargaretsew details how to make the "fastest recycled t-shirt tote bag" promising that "With just two quick seams and some fast cutting---you are finished!"

On Etsy, lilblueboo has a tutorial pattern for sale to show you how to recycle t-shirts into an adorable dress.

For the t-shirts you would like to preserve, there are patterns for making quilts of them and there are plenty of people on Etsy such as prettythreads (whose quilt is shown below) who will make one for you.

I particularly like this style because of the way it is top-stitched. Many of the other t-shirt quilts I have seen are merely blocks sewn together. The meandering stitch used on the top of this one makes it look more like an old fashioned quilt.

DIYIdeas has a tutorial to teach you how to make a scarf from t-shirts and a pillow.

Hmm...looking at this scarf, I'm thinking that a few of these sewn together would make an interesting throw. See the scarf video here.

This is super easy to do. See the video tutorial here.

Can This Piece Be Saved?

2010-05-23T07:53:00.003-05:00

Things aren't always as bad as they look. Admittedly, this piece had seen better days before it was rescued (from a dumpster!)

from Design*Sponge

As noted on Design*Sponge, Andrea simply cleaned up the rust, then used spray paint to turn it into something delightful!

Don't you love it with that rug?

White Slipcovers

2010-05-21T18:46:00.002-05:00

Sounds crazy, doesn't it? White furniture + kids + pets? Last week I posted about this chair

and the whimsical fabric I thought it needed. Today I was meeting with a dear friend to learn about slipcovering and since I still hadn't picked a crazy fabric for the chair, and because I have read what The Nester and her friend Pink and Polka Dot have written about the joys of white slipcovers, I decided to go with a white twill for now. Once the cover started taking shape on the chair, I fell in love with it. We cut the skirt of the chair off which gives it a much different look. The cover is not quite finished but I will post pictures soon!

The Sharing Shop

2010-05-20T06:56:00.003-05:00

I'm so excited today to give you some information about The Sharing Shop! Read my interview with Founder and Director Jennifer Little, then go become a fan on facebook and spread the word. (While you're there, become a fan of Thrifty Tickle as well!)

What is the Sharing Shop?
The Sharing Shop is a non-profit resale shop that benefits children in foster care and state adoptive children as well as the foster and kinship families that care for them. We sell publicly donated new or used items at extremely reasonable prices.

What about your location and hours?
The Sharing Shop is located at 140 Four Seasons Center, Chesterfield, MO 63017 (SW corner of Olive and 141). We are open Monday through Thursday 10-6, Friday and Saturday 10-8 and Sunday from 12-4.

View The Sharing Shop in a larger map

Tell us why you started the shop and about your passion for helping foster children.
I started The Sharing Shop because I saw a need to provide nice clothing, shoes and accessories for children in foster care at low prices or free. Being a foster parent for the last 5 years, I've had 39 children. Thirty-nine children that walked into my home with only the clothes on their back and sometimes those clothes and shoes had to go right into the trash because of their condition. When the child arrived at about 6pm, I had to run out to WalMart, Goodwill or somewhere else to at least get clothing and necessary items for the next few days. The state provides limited funds for clothing and although it helps, it's nice to be able to buy the children a variety of outfits instead of just 5 or so. We also have helped foster and biological families to get needed beds and furniture to prepare for the arrival of a child.
We just want to help and since I'm awful at asking for monetary donations I thought a resale shop where the public supports through donations of goods and also shopping would be a great way to be self supportive! We need you to shop and support The Sharing Shop with donations so we can continue our work.

I have been struck by the politeness and eagerness of your young helpers. Are they employees or volunteers?
The Sharing Shop has 2 full time and 2 part time employees and about 5 volunteers at any given time. We can always use volunteers! If you have a few hours a week to work with us, we need you! No amount of time is too small, we just need to see you each week or every other week!

How does The Sharing Shop support foster children?
There are two major ways we support foster children. First, children with their foster parents or caseworker initially shop at The Sharing Shop at no cost to the child, family or state and foster and state-adopted families receive a continual discount for future Sharing Shop purchases. The second way we support foster children is by funding The Sharing Wishes program. This program provides financial support to pay for extracurricular activities such as Christmas and Birthday presents, mini foster family vacations, camps, lessons, equipment rental or purchase, participation and uniform fees, graduation packages for high school seniors, and much more.

Your prices are very reasonable but you also offer some promotions such as a customer appreciation card. What's going on right now?
We are currently having a progressive sale on clothing and shoes. Purchase $15 of clothing and/or shoes and save 10%, $25 or more save 20%, $35 or more save 30% or purchase $50 or more in clothing and/or shoes and save 40% on your clothing/shoe purchase.
As you mentioned, we do have a customer appreciation card which you can pick up at the register. For every $10 you spend we will punch your card. After you collect 10 punches you will get 10% off your next purchase.

You are doing a great service with this shop! How can we support you?

Donate your items.
Shop with us.
Become a regular volunteer.
We need a sorting/storage warehouse. If you know of a location we can get either very cheap or even donated please contact me: JLittle@thesharingshop.org
Join us on facebook and tell your friends!

Grandfather Happiness

2010-05-19T09:31:00.001-05:00

I'm not sure what this picture has to do with being a Grand Father. Would it be more appropriate to say Happiness is ...being limber?...being flexible?...being double-jointed? That's quite a move that boy is busting.

From Family Thrift on Lemay Ferry. I'm just posting a link to the google map because it says the website may harm your computer. Yikes.

Old Records

2010-05-18T09:59:00.002-05:00

If there is one thing you can certainly find in abundance in thrift stores, it's old records. Once my 5-year-old held one up and said, "What's this?" When I told him it was a record, his eyes lit up and he asked, "Is it the kind of record you get a lot of money for breaking?"

Here are a couple of ways to re-purpose old 33s:

letter holder from Pink of Perfection

purse from Craftster

The Big Reveal/Tiny Birdhouse

2010-05-17T09:16:00.002-05:00

As promised I have pictures of the tiny birdhouse that I decorated for my mom for Mother's Day. We had an excellent visit (as always) and she was surprised to see how small the birdhouse was but I think she likes that it's so tiny and cute.

Here's the blurry before picture:

I painted it black, then decorated it with some bathing beauties on the sides, using Mod Podge, of course:

and then printed the "tweet" in my favorite typewriter font onto a scrap of striped paper. I cut the bird shape out of the paper that I used for the roof, using one of the dots for the eye.

Sharing Shop Chairs

2010-05-16T07:12:00.001-05:00

The Sharing Shop is a great little resale (thrift) shop in Chesterfield at the southwest corner of Olive and 141. I will have more information on this wonderful shop coming up soon!
I got a pair of these chairs (and also the one on the left side of this picture) at The Sharing Shop and incidentally am just now embarking on lessons in slipcovering.

I think such an unusual style of chair merits equally unusual fabric so I'm thinking of something by Alexander Henry, specifically Zanzabelle Zanzibar in pink

or Noguchi in black and white

I know they're kind of crazy but I think that's just what the chairs need. What do you think?

The Lowly Toilet Paper Roll

2010-05-15T07:30:00.001-05:00

I love finding creative ways to reuse things. Recently I've been wondering what to do with cardboard toilet paper rolls. Thinking about reusing them conjured up images of puppets with construction paper glued to them. Not what I have in mind.

This is more like it!

from Tali at Growing Up Creative/Eco Kids Craft.

It looks so elegant, doesn't it?

Click here to go to her tutorial.

I like the fact that you can paint it to match your decor as Audra at Simpsonized Crafts...and then some! did

Here is an idea from Unclutterer.

Apartment Therapy took that idea and prettied it up

with a scrap of wrapping paper.

Mother Earth News suggests making them into biodegradable seed-starter pots.

(Composting them is another option. Apparently worms love 'em!)

One more idea: my son brought home a poster-sized map he had made at school. The teacher had rolled it up and slid an empty toilet paper roll over it to keep it contained. It was a revelation to me. I know that sounds silly, but sometimes it's the little things, you know? It makes it so much easier to keep stuff rolled up! No more rubber bands! And it's aesthetically pleasing. I've already implemented it at home.

Seal-a-Meal

2010-05-14T07:38:00.000-05:00

Here is another vintage item in the box, found at the same St. Vincent de Paul as the Executive Dumbells. I hadn't realized that Seal-a-Meal had been around so long.

For your viewing pleasure, here's a Seal-a Meal commercial from 1984.

Funky Chicken

2010-05-13T07:16:00.003-05:00

Emboldened by my success with the 80 cent bird, I tackled an aproned chicken. (Not literally).

She was badly in need of a makeover...

...badly.

Time to work a miracle with the ol' scrapbooking paper.

Ah...that's better!

I think this funky chicken may be ready for my funky kitchen.

Yes, indeed.

Executive Dumbells

2010-05-12T07:40:00.002-05:00

I love to find things in their original boxes. I found this at St. Vincent de Paul in Ballwin. I think I've been going there too much since it opened. Instead of asking for my zip code before he rings me up, the manager says, "Um, what was your zip code again?" (It's not like I go there everyday. But still.)

I always buy something awesome there (at an awesome price). And then some things I am just content to take pictures of, like today's feature:

"Executive Dumbells"!

(Uh, I thought there were two b's in that word.)

Behind every "dumbell" is a good woman who is pleased to see her man staying "toned and trim".

From back in the day when working out meant donning a heather gray sweatsuit.

Pink Shoes

2010-05-11T07:49:00.002-05:00

Fabulous pink shoes.

They cost $49 originally. When I found them they were $2.99 and it was half-price day so they were about $1.50. Whenever I wear them, people compliment me and ask about them. Is it tacky to say how little I paid for them? Because I'm really excited about it, even after a month. Should I just smile gracefully and say "Thanks, I love them too"?

p.s. They're really comfortable.

Little (Bird)house

2010-05-10T11:35:00.003-05:00

I was so preoccupied yesterday fixing up this little birdhouse for my mom's Mother's Day present. (Sorry the before pictures are blurry but they're all I have.)

Under the perch it said something like "Wren Inn"

Oops, now she knows how much I paid for it!

Seriously, how could you pass up something that costs a dime?

I got some beautiful new papers at Archiver's on Saturday and I would love to show you how I dolled this baby up with paint, paper, and Mod Podge, but I'd like it to be a surprise for her and won't see her until next weekend. I'm pretty sure she checks in here because she's wonderful like that (Hi Mom!)

So the little birdhouse reveal will have to wait. However, my 3-year-old neighbor was so enthralled with the finished product that he had a hard time keeping his hands off it while I was taking pictures so I decided to make him a little house of his own. His was a little 20 cent number I had laying around from Goodwill. I didn't take a before picture of his but it looked very similar to this:

Not pretty.

Now it's a crazy colorful mix of dots,

stars and stripes.

(Don't worry, Mom. I went with a totally different theme for you.)

It's missing something though. That grass I snipped for the front is blending in.

You know, one of my neighbors likes to garden and put a box of flowers outside my front window. When you open the curtain, they are right there. I love it.

So sweet!

I think Aidan's house needs some flowers too. And some cartoonish window panes...

(Please excuse the little scrap of paper hiding his house number!)

You know, maybe this could be a "bird" house for Aidan after all...

Yep, I think it's finished.

A Little Paint

2010-05-09T14:36:00.002-05:00

I picked up this plaque at a thrift store. I liked the lettering and the flowers and the fact that the brassy message was held on with screws, making it easy to remove for painting.

Don't you love spray paint? That's what I used on the metal part and I think the white just makes those daisies pop. I hand-painted the blue.

Happy Mother's Day!

2010-05-09T06:50:00.000-05:00

Just in case you had forgotten...

Better than a Bunny Painting

2010-05-08T06:50:00.001-05:00

I picked this up at Value Village on half-off day for about $3.50. It's all one piece (the frame doesn't come apart.) My first thought was to spray it with chalkboard paint. Then I moved my loveseat and was desperate right then for something to go on the wall above it. So I dug into my scrapbooking paper and made a little collage.

As I said, I was in a hurry to get something on the wall, so I just scotch-taped the pieces on there. It was meant to be a temporary solution but now I think the best part about it is its fluidity. I have taken some papers off and trimmed them down to use for another project or replaced them altogether. It's a working display.

It should be a little lower on the wall but there were already screws there so you know that's where it landed. For now. ;)

Vision

2010-05-07T21:59:00.006-05:00

"The real voyage of discovery

consists not in seeking new landscapes

but in having new eyes."

Marcel Proust

Here is what I like to call "the bird that launched a thousand projects":

Horrible, right?

What attracted me wasn't the fine decorative painting, of course, but the shape. I didn't know what I would do with it but I saw potential.

Yep, definitely at least 80 cents worth of potential.

Do you see it?

One day I was at ArtMart looking at scrapbooking paper and I saw lovely large sheets with birds on branches. I traced the bird onto the lovely paper, cut it out and glued it on.

Perfect!

Ubiquitous

2010-05-06T07:26:00.000-05:00

Pronunciation: \yü-ˈbi-kwə-təs\

Function: adjective

Date: 1830

: existing or being everywhere at the same time

:constantly encountered

: widespread

Merriam-Webster

Goodwill, Forest Park (I mean, Anywhere, USA)