Industrial Chic Craft Storage

It's been a peculiar year.  Sometimes, life throws you curves.  I guess that's what makes us stronger.  As I'm turning 58 years young next week, I guess it's time to admit I'm a real grown up--whatever that means.  My Dad passed away early this year, and while we are all grateful he lived almost 91 years, it wasn't without its bumps along the way.  Yes, we are grateful, but that doesn't make me feel less sad.  

My Dad was the optimal optimist.  His thoughts were always positive, believing that tomorrow will be a better day.  With the crazy world we live in, it is important to think, hope and believe that tomorrow will, indeed, be better.  

To help with all the insanity, I'm glad for my arts & crafts--it's the best therapy ever.  Although I haven't posted anything new this year, I have spent many a day, wandering up and down the junk-treasure-packed aisles at the local flea market and at a few yard sales.  I hide my quirky and rusty finds in the corner of our backyard, hidden from view.

  

I'm in the process of replacing my plastic storage bins with industrial chic organization.  Remember my 33-drawer metal cabinet and my very cool-for-school locker transformations?  Recently, I purchased a wonderfully rusty, 18-drawer metal cabinet, and knew it would make a perfect storage unit for my rubber stamp collection.    

Here is a photo of it in its original glory:

First things first, comes the mundane: cleaning each one of those 18 drawers.  Ugh -- remind me again why I bought this.  It was hot outside, so hosing down those little monsters was actually keeping me cool.

I spray-primed the entire piece and each drawer, then hand-brushed the drawers with a pretty shade of green, leaving the label holders white.

Then it was time to re-organize my stamps and move the ones I want to keep into the metal drawers.  Here is a photo of the old and new storage side-by-side:


And here is the [almost] finished cabinet.  [I still need to create the labels.]  This cabinet also has three large openings at the top which are perfect for housing card stock, stamp pads, and miscellaneous other very important items.

Once the labels are in place, I should easily be able to find specific stamps to create a personal, handmade card or gift.  Come on over and craft with me!

You may also like:

Lockers: The Right Combination

From Plastic Bins to Industrial Chic

Join me at these fun link parties here and:

a stroll thru life

and sew we craft

a pretty life in the suburbs

the crafty blogstalker

dagmar bleasdale

thank you honey

cuddlebug cuties

crafty wife

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A Coordinated Ensemble

Here it is late January, and I'm still writing up my to-do-list for the new year.  So many things to take care of.  One of my resolutions is to carve out crafting time a few times a week.  Until I get this prioritized, I have decided to re-post favorite Valentine's Day theme projects.  Here's one which includes an entire coordinated ensemble.  Enjoy!

A heartfelt handmade gift means so much, both to the giver and receiver. You know how much love goes into making something special, so it is equally important to know who your recipient is as you create it.

I decided it would be fun to create an entire coordinated ensemble of altered artwork to mix and match for a good friend or two.

Finding vintage-style coordinating scrapbook paper online a few years ago, I loved it so much that I bought all that was available. It's a subtle Valentine mix of dark red, soft yellow, sage and black -not a hint of pink or bright red in the bunch.

Since I just altered a wood photo frame (see February 2 post), I decided to create coordinating items, adding a small notebook, pillar candle, clothespin clips, a large spiral notebook, a note holder, and of course, a glass jar filled with chocolate.

Here is the beginning of my embellished mini notebook. I found these small spiral notepads (with pens) on our recent visit to Cal Poly, San Luis Obispo -- in the college bookstore for less than $2 each. Here are the before and after notepads.

And here is it is shown with the matching pen and altered clothespin clip. Embellishments include ribbons, chipboard circle stamped with "Friendship is a work of heart," a wooden bead and metal heart charm, and of course, the coordinated scrapbook paper.

And a surprise envelope inside for love notes or perhaps a sweet gift card?

And a few stamped images throughout the pages.

...the large spiral notebook

...matching tile coasters

...an embellished pillar candle

and this altered glass hinged jar full of kisses--chocolate kisses!

And a photo of the complete ensemble:

Now it's time to steal a few of those kisses...xoxo

Linking up to these fab blogs:
The CSI Project: Red Inspired Challenge
Cheap Crafty Mama Valentine Party
Serenity Now)
Bacon Time with the Hungry Hypo
Project Queen
Rook No.17
Carolyn's Homework
Making the World Cuter
Today's Creative Blog
Passionately Artistic
Lil Luna
Ginger Snap Crafts
Blackberry VIne
A Glimpse Inside
Happy Hour Projects
The Answer is Chocolate
One Artsy Mama
Happy Go Lucky
At the Picket Fence

Keep Calm [and Ride On]

[This post originally appeared as a guest blog on Positively Splendid.]

Being a student in a small college town has its perks -- like riding your bike from your apartment to class, meeting friends downtown for coffee, and stopping at the library for a study session, and then cycling back home, all while exercising your brain and your body. 

In June, our older daughter graduated from this bicycle-friendly academic world that she enthusiastically embraced for four years.   Is she ready to go out and make her mark on the world?  Well, ready or not, here she comes!  And in this day of high unemployment and economic despair, I am happy to report she just landed a professional job in her field of study. 

As a mother, it is nerve-wracking exciting to cheer from the sidelines, as one's children take their first steps towards becoming self-sufficient in the "real" world. I know she'll be fine. I'm not so sure about me. Thank goodness I have my creative therapy. Thus, I present my altered art canvas entitled, "Keep Calm and Ride On."

                                          

This two-piece canvas uses the college graduation announcement and one of my favorite photos from that special day.  The photo captures her walking away, while taking a quick glance back.   I love how this represents her moving forward with her life, while always treasuring her wonderful college days. 

The supplies:

12" x 12" and 12" x 4" artist canvasses

four eye screws

acrylic paint

cardstock - two solid colors and coordinating paper [I used the college colors]

chipboard letters

large and small Prima flowers

Buttons and hemp cord or embroidery floss

2011 tassel (found at Dollar Store)

decorative pearl brad

3 different coordinating ribbons, 16" in length

acrylic parentheses

bicycle stamp and black Staz-on ink

college announcement

photo

The process: 

Paint both canvas pieces.  Let dry.

Cut solid color cardstock 1/2" smaller than larger canvas.  Cut coordinating papers to fit accordingly.

Decoupage cardstock and coordinating paper to canvasses.

Stamp [bicycle] image onto printed paper.  Trim and mat with solid paper, adhere to canvas.

Mat photo.  Position in place, but do not yet adhere.

Apply chipboard letters [I looped the tassel to one of the letters] and acrylic parentheses.

Using hot glue, adhere buttons to wheels on bicycle image.

Decoupage announcement and text onto canvas.  Hot glue layered flowers and small button, slightly overlapping onto announcement and text.

When dry, decoupage entire canvas which adds luster and holds chipboard letters in place.

Using 3D foam squares, adhere matted photo to canvas and hot glue pearl brad.

Measure and mark 3" in from sides on canvas edges [bottom edge for large canvas and top edge for smaller canvas].

Twist eye screws into canvas at marks, so canvasses line up.

Cut ribbon into 8" lengths. Tie three ribbons together, inserting ribbon through matching eye screws.
This connects the canvas pieces.  Trim ribbon ends at a diagonal.

The altered artwork canvas is now ready to display and can easily be mounted on the wall using one nail.

Now one question remains: Who gets to keep it? The proud Mom [me] or the new college graduate [her]?

Linking to some of these crafty blogs and:
That DIY Party
Creative Jewish Mom
Three Mango Seeds
Serenity Now Weekend Bloggy Reading
its so very cheri /its-party-time
homemaker on a dime creative-bloggers-party-hop
a bowl full of lemons
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Flaunt it Friday

Pomp & Circumstance

Pomp & circumstance...and a cupful of [happy] tears!  Yes, it's graduation season.  Whether your child is graduating from kindergarten or college, it's an emotional time for us Moms.  Where did the years go?  Wasn't she just starting to crawl?  walk?  talk?  ride a bike?  sneak out of the house wearing make-up?  borrow the car keys?  go off to college?   Quick -- hand me the Valium!

Thanks.  I feel much better now.  Actually, the best Rx for times like this is

CREATIVE THERAPY! 

Here is the first in a series of graduation projects I would like to share, beginning with a photo frame.  

Here is the before-and-after picture.

I used a 10-1/2" x 4-1/2" MDF frame from Michael's. 
It holds a 4" x 6 photo. 

Assemble as many graduation-themed items from your stash,

or treat yourself to a quick trip to your local craft store. 

Choose paint to match your school colors. 

 

Remove the glass insert and set aside.  Paint the entire frame and let dry. 

Stamp graduation sentiment onto glossy paper.  Adhere to frame.

 [Hint:  I use Mod Podge to adhere most of the items to the frame.]

[Disregard streaky look in photo above.]

I am a sucker for my Label Buddy, so I typed out "Class of 2011." 

Stickers and rub-ons will work too.

Adhere to bottom of frame.

Add dimensional quote.  I chose the definition of  "wisdom."

Add decorative embellishments.

[I used stickers, silver sparkles and grad cap and diploma buttons.]

Lastly, I inserted a 4" x 6" graduation-themed scrapbook paper

[which will be replaced with a real graduation photo]. 

Replace glass insert.

Voila! 

Now pass the tissue box and save me a seat at the ceremony.

Linky parties:

Yesterday on Tuesday Crafty Soiree

http://www.atthepicketfence.com/

The Answer is Chocolate BFF

http://sassysites.blogspot.com/2011/05/ffa-friday

Frugalicious Friday

Tickled Pink #49
chic on a shoestring decorating
.inspiring creations friday-favorites
tatertotsandjello

katiesnestingspot
Making the world cuter Monday

 

Creative Therapy

Some call it arts & crafts.  Others say it's time well spent.  I call it creative therapy.

Whatever the name, Altered Artworks provides workshops in a warm, creative environment, giving you the opportunity to awaken your creative muse.  With our busy lives going in many directions at the same time, pause to treat yourself to some creative therapy.

Choose from a variety of altered art projects:  a beautiful clipboard with coordinating pad of paper and over-sized note holder; ceramic tile coaster set, crystal candle holder complete with wonderfully-scented candle, two-panel canvas photo frames, desktop notepad & pen set, personalized journal and a decorative photo box.  View pictures of projects on the right sidebar of this page.  Click on any photo to enlarge it and view the detail.

Each project begins as a plain, bare item.  One embellishment at a time, you will transform this item into a beautiful and useful piece of artwork.  Everything you need is included in the price of the workshop including a selection of designer papers, acrylic paints, ribbons, buttons, metal embellishments, flowers, tags and charms.  You choose your own materials, making each art piece personal and original.

What transpires is Creative Therapy!  Located in the West San Fernando Valley, these workshops are just what you need to get away from it all (for at least three hours anyway). Reservations are a must as space is limited to 8 people per workshop.  Classes are held on selected Friday mornings 10 AM -1 PM and Sunday afternoons 1-4 PM.  In addition, if you get together at least four people, you can plan your own private workshop tailored to your creative needs. Planning a bridal shower?  Make some great votive holders using the bride's wedding colors.  In a book club group? Create reading journals to keep tabs on books and meeting dates. Need a special birthday gift for your BFF? Make a decorative clipboard to coordinate with her office or kitchen.

With the holidays approaching (yikes, already?), it's time to think of all those special people in your life who will appreciate a handmade gift that is useful and doesn't need dusting!  These altered artwork items make great gifts for teachers, coaches, hairdressers, work associates, family and friends.  Once you make it, however, you might want to keep it for yourself, so come and make two!

To register for workshops and get more information, email Doreen at dozeedo@gmail.com.  Looking forward to sharing creative moments together!
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