Something Old, Something New

A sneak peek at another project in progress...

Glass Jar Photo Frames

I came across this idea today for a new twist on photo frames: See directions at Photojojo.com. I might make some of these magically appear at my house...

Fun With Frames

I just finished up this project I started a few months ago. I had purchased a chair at a garage sale about 6 years ago and just found some fabric I wanted to reupholster it with to match my bedroom. I also had this old antique frame that had been repainted that I purchased at a benefit auction. I decided I wanted to showcase some of my jewelry using the frame. I had some leftover fabric from the chair and decided I should use it to bring a little bit of texture to my frame. I purchased some cuttable cork board at Hobby Lobby, cut it to size to fit the frame, and wrapped it with fabric. I stapled the edges of the fabric to the cork. Then I stapled the cork to the frame. Stick some push pins in the cork and then hang on your jewelry. Voila! Instant, useful yet decorative wall art!

Buy Handmade at Etsy Shops

A lot of crafty people these days can earn extra income by selling their crafts on an Etsy Site. An Etsy Site is "your place to buy & sell all things handmade." The only things that can be sold fall into three categories: Handmade--Goods handmade by you, Supplies--Commercial and handmade crafting supplies, and Vintage--Items 20 years or older with vintage appeal.

You can search for items several ways, including by product or location, even color! If you're business savvy enough to create your own store, it could be a great way to earn some extra cash. It's also a great place to buy one-of-a-kind items for yourselves or gifts for others.

Check it out. http://www.etsy.com/

Here are just a few examples from Springfield MO.

missindie indie fashions and fiber art...

elsiecake paintings, canvas, embroidery...

Red Velvet Art

I'm on my way to crossing off my first Belated New Year's Resolution of being more crafty... I came across the blog of this really crafty, talented group of girls called Red Velvet Art a few months ago and I've been blog-stalking them for awhile now... I signed up for their spring online craft class and I'm excited about making some new, fun things. Check them out. Get inspired. They are opening a store on Commercial Street on February 6 (my birthday!), so if you like their stuff, go have a looksie!

Silver Tree

Here's another little project I did for Christmas.. I used a vase that I already had, and I spray painted some small tree branches silver and stuck them in the vase. I then hung some lightweight colored Christmas balls on the branches. I thought it turned out pretty cute... and of course, the best part was that it was cheap!

Christmas at My House

I love to decorate--especially at Christmas! There are so many beautiful, sparkly things to see, and I love the soft glow of white Christmas lights... Here are a few photos from my house decorations this year. I hope they inspire you to try a few new things this year...

Prop a full-length mirror behind your themed setting for an added effect.. 

and don't forget to find a way to incorporate some lights for a soft glow...

This is a super-cheap idea... Just fill a decorative bowl or wineglass with ornaments of all kinds, stick in a flower if you want, and set them on top of some Christmas lights to illuminate them...

Got an old mirror laying around? Put a bow on it! 

More pictures and decorating ideas coming soon!

Picture Frame Collage

So I'm trying to get an early start this year on Christmas gifts... and for me, that means shopping the clearance aisles at my favorite stores for items that have minor defects, and then taking them home to "craft up" a little bit. Usually for me, this includes picture frames. Picture frames are great gifts for me to give and fill with photos, since I kinda like to take pictures.. I got some great deals today at Hobby Lobby at their 80% off aisle. I bought 18 frames and albums for a grand total of (drumroll please).. $36.20, a whopping $2ish apiece. Most of the frames will get a new paint job to hide some scratches and discoloration, while others are perfectly fine.

If you like a good deal, and consider yourself to be somewhat crafty, you may want to try a project like this... Buy a lot of wooden cheap frames on sale that are various sizes, shapes, and textures and spray paint them all the same color, insert your photos, and then hang them up for a fun photo collage. I did this in my own bathroom with some of my flower photos, and I always get compliments on it. It's great because you can add more frames any time you want!

Got any great crafty gift ideas? Let me know!

Great Photo Gift Ideas

I don't know about you, but I absolutely LOVE to give personalized gifts--gifts that have a special meaning and that are unique and thoughtful, specific to the person you are giving it to. With the fall and holiday seasons coming up, you may be scrambling for ideas for those "perfect gifts" for your special someones... Here are some ideas for photo gifts.

If you would like to get some great pictures for these gifts ;) you may contact me to schedule a photo shoot. (You may want to right click and open these links in a new window).

Shutterfly -- You can create almost anything here... But the nicest gift here is the Photo Book. It conveys the idea of a wedding photo album in a hardcover, bound book. Templates are already created... all you have to do is drag and drop your digital files, and voila! you have a great photo album in book form. There are currently sales on photo books for 30% off, which makes it even nicer. Other gifts of interest are Holiday Designer Cards, Collage Posters, and Canvas Tote Bags.

Wal-Mart -- Wal-Mart has really increased its product line for photo gifts. Probably one of their better products are their make-your-own Calendars. Of course, Wal-Mart is still probably one of the cheapest places around to make your own fall or holiday Greeting Cards.

Snapfish -- Snapfish also has a variety of products available. I happen to like their Under $15 section.

Things Remembered -- There are not a ton of photo-related items at Things Remembered, but they do have great products,

and they are corporate sponsors of a non-profit very near and dear to my heart, the Make-A-Wish Foundation, where I used to be a Wish Coordinator. They are a fabulous company to work with!

If you know of any more great places to buy photo-related gifts, please let me know, and I will add it to my list! I hope you will be pro-active this year and start thinking about the perfect gifts for those you love...