INSPIRATION! Dark Brown Walls......Blue Accents.

Dark brown walls mixed with vibrant blue.  Wonderful!

 I have a very tiny living room off of my main living room and I'm seriously considering painting it dark brown.  I'm pretty sure the cozy factor will be kicked up a notch if I do.

Did you know you can buy these Cobalt Chinese Foo Dogs on Amazon!  

And how about that beautiful antique mirror?  I'm pretty sure you can find that almost anywhere.

For some reason, I think this mirror I made for THE BIG ASS BOOK OF HOME DECOR, may actually work in my new dark brown living room.  

What do you think?

Fantastic Fabric Plant........Why not?!

Ok, I know what you’re thinking. “Why would anyone want a fabric plant”?  Well, I have no idea, I just wanted one so I made one.  Isn’t that what creativity is all about anyway?  Let’s face it, silk plants are a plenty, but ones made with your fabric scraps, well, they’re all one of a kind!  I may actually start inventing new plants just to see what I can come up with. 

 YOU’LL NEED

Rebar tie wire

Wire cutters

About 2 yards of fabric scraps (mine were green strips left over from some curtains)

Sewing machine (I'm digging my Bernina!)

Matching thread

Scissors

Block of Styrofoam

Planter box

HERE’S HOW

Cut about 40 triangles in different sizes.  Mine ranged from 8” to  20” long and never more than 4” wide at the base.

Fold the triangle in half and sew up to the tip.  Since we are not turning these inside out, all you have to do is make sure you can slip your wire inside.

Cut your wire about 4” longer than your leaf

Slip the wire inside all the way to the tip

Stick the excess in the Styrofoam, put the plant in a planter box, and keep going until your plant comes to life.

P.S.  That's my craft house in the background. 

 

This project is from THE BIG ASS BOOK OF HOME DECOR

Soon to be available as an E-book in full color!

PLY NOT? Amazing plywood desk gets you thinking.......

I've been wanting a new work table and have given myself a brain tumor trying to figure out exactly what I want.  I saw this table in a magazine and thought to myself that plywood would be the perfect material for this project.  The best part, it's affordable and you can have it cut to size at a good lumber yard.

I'd like to know what you would make in plywood.  Why don't you share it with me here!

INSPIRATION! Shell Game............

In 1781, the princess of Lamballe was given a Rococo cottage adorned with seashells...........

I think this is one of the most amazing rooms I've ever seen.

Doesn't it want to make you cover your walls in seashells?

New Video Blog.....RAMBLING MAN!

I'm still working on the video "thing" so bear with me.  My Etsy button is below if you want to check out my store!  Shouting out to Fiskars and friends today.

PHOTO OF THE DAY.........House Beautiful

This dresser is TERRIFIC!

 If you haven't seen the new issue of House Beautiful magazine, it's worth picking up.  This dresser is sure to inspire someone out there to get some painter's tape and spray paint and go to town!

I love how fresh the color green looks.

This graphic quality of this dresser made me think of my Blue Plate Special pillow which was a project from The Big Ass Book of Home Decor.  This pillow is made with canvas, contact paper and Krylon Fusion spray paint. 

Take an 8" diameter plate and lightly trace IN PENCIL interlocking circles in a grid on a 20"x20" square of creme or white fabric as shown.  IMPORTANT! In order for you to see the design I used a Sharpie, but use a pencil and lightly trace your design.

Cut out (in contact paper) the shapes you want to remain white.  

 Peel and stick them to your fabric 

Spray paint your fabric and when dry, remove the contact paper.

Stitch your pillow and stuff!

For this project and 100 more, check out THE BIG ASS BOOK OF HOME DECOR

SOMETHING NEW.......Let me know what you think.

Hey friends, I've been experimenting with my video capabilities.  Forgive the morning hair!

PAPER MACHE.....WOW!

I'M INSPIRED

 

I have always been a huge fan of paper mache.  We have such an abundance of paper and tossing it has always seemed wrong to me.  Paper mache is probably the least expensive craft project you can make.  It always brings me back to childhood and making huge messes on the picnic table in our backyard. Melanie Bourlon is a French paper mache artist and she is amazing.  Let her work inspire you.  

These remind me of the wonderful body cast that Frida Kahlo wore and then painted.

 I am blown away by the fantasy Melanie has created in her life.

 How wonderful to live with these creatures every day.

Such a wonderful idea an so simple. I would love to own one of these shoes just to keep in my curio cabinet.

This is out of this world!

I made this paper mache table for THE BIG ASS BOOK OF CRAFTS Vol. 1.  It took some time but I enjoy it very much.  Cardboard, newspaper and paper mache glue and you're on your way.

Also in The Big Ass Book of Crafts Vol. 1

Now get that stack of newspapers and get busy!

Grab a cigar......It's a BOX

 Well, it finally arrived.  The 2012 Big Ass Box of Crafts Daily Desktop Calendar!
They are available on my Etsy site if you'd like one.

4 1/2" X 4 1/2" and a big bundle of joy.  This is based on The Big Ass Book of Crafts Vol. 1 and is filled with suggestions, tips and tricks that I use every day that aren't in the book.

 Great packaging!

 One project a week with clear instructions

It's true, Minwax is a favorite!

 Something to think about.

 Great suggestions!

Wow, that's a great idea!

If you would like one, they are now available on my Etsy site.