Blue Velvet Chair: DIY

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Friday, April 20, 2012

1 Top, 16 Ways to Wear it

Today has really been a day of 'how to see things differently'. And in the process, I landed on some great videos that really have me rethinking how to use my wardrobe. And there's a bonus - no sewing!!!

In this first video, the super cute video host shows 1 sweater and 16 ways to wear it! But I'm quite sure this could work with a nice long top as well - at least I'm gonna give it a try!

She also shows 30 ways to wear a button down shirt. I'm more keen to try the sweater, but what's more important here is that she really has me thinking about what's possible in a new way.

I absolutely loved seeing this example from a young lady who inherited a top from her dad. When I see someone this young that is willing to experiment with repurposing, I have great hope for the future!

There are so many examples out there - now I just need to get some pieces out and experiment! How about you? Would you wear any of these styles?
Until next time...Mike

Monday, April 16, 2012

HGTV.com Reveal

It's official! Let my 15 minutes begin.

My DIY projects made it on the pages of HGTV.com - both of them! I was approached and asked if I had any unique storage ideas for the garage. Guess what? I didn't! My first chance to be featured by a major DIY big shot and I didn't have a single thing to share for the garage. I barely have any finished projects in my house...let alone the garage! So I whipped up a couple of things and sent them to the journalist and crossed my fingers. They used them both!

See HGTV.com slideshow here.

Of course when you release your stuff to the editors, they get to pick and choose what they want. And let me tell you, taking photos inside my dark little garage didn't give the best results. But let me share with you all the pics that I shared with them.

Hanging Hubcap Shelf

Made from my growing collection of abandoned hubcaps (I have plans to make more recycled hubcap flowers)

Garden Tool Grab

Made from a scrap piece of wood, 2 pieces of driftwood, an old wire basket, and a couple of little glass plates with recycled magazine pages mod podged to the back for an extra dose of happy for the garage.

You can probably just look at them and figure out how to DIY your own, but I'll share some before and after pics later this week so you can see the various parts I pulled together.

There was an extra bonus in all of this as well. One of my favorite artisans out there is Brian Carlisle with GadgetSponge. He makes the most wonderfully whimsical bird houses. The journalist who approached me also saw one of Brian's cool license plate clocks on one of my blog posts and I introduced the two of them - and Brian's clock made the cut as well. Congrats, Brian!

I love several of the other unique garage storage solutions, especially the file cabinet turned on its side as a tool holder. But you won't be seeing any more garage DIY from me for a while. I have a LONG list of things to play and experiment with on the inside of our home and in the garden!

OK. 15 minutes are over.

Until next time...

Mike

Sunday, April 1, 2012

10 Recycled Flower Ideas for Spring

Can you feel it? Everyone is getting Spring fever. I know I am!

We'll all be getting our flowers planted soon, but this year how about adding a little extra whimsy to your summer garden with one of these recycled flower ideas for Spring?

sunshiny bright recycled bottlecap flowers by Yoav Kotik via Treehugger

recycled book page flowers from Sunday Baker

this recycled button bouquet of flowers is one of my favorite projects - via Blue Velvet Chair

string these recycled magazine page flowers together for a fun spring garland - via Zakka Life

can you believe these recycled flowers are made mostly from bottlecaps? - via benignpxl on Flickr

seriously! Where can I get some bottlecaps to make these divine recycled bottlecap and tin can flowers? - via Kim Groff-Harrington Gallery

recycled VHS tape flowers - via Craft Gossip

I have big plans to try to hubcap flower bomb somewhere in my town - via Blue Velvet Chair

this cute recycled rebar flower fence makes me smile - via Mark of Steel

this springtime flower pillow is from 100% recycled felt - via Pillow Pallooza

I really want to try something with these recycled plastic bottle flower cascades - via Michelle Brand

This is another one of those post collections that could go on and on - so let me know if you want to see more recycled flowers for Spring.

Until next time...

Mike

Monday, March 26, 2012

Recycled Toy DIY - A Day's Worth of Inspiration

It's Monday, I'm in a playful mood because the sun is shining in Sweden (finally) - so what better time to feature some fun and colorful recycled toy creations! I don't think it matters if you are old or young - these projects are bound to make you smile.

small plastic toys become adorable lids with a bit of silver spray paint at Craft and Creativity

turning childrens wooden blocks into paint-dipped wall hooks via Present and Correct

recycled makeup and moisturizer jars are topped with plastic toys and painted for a luxurious little box to hold your secrets from Pysselbolaget

recycled plastic animals repurposed as hooks at Pysselbolaget

recycled plastic animal makes a great candle holder at The Sweet Occassion

painted toys repurposed as lamp base by Ryan McElhinney

this cushy sofa at Inhabitots is made by recycling your kid's plush toys when they overpopulate

this recycled Barbie chandelier is featured at Apartment Therapy

recycled Happy Meal toys make this wreath from Infarrantly Creative

Swarovski crystals intertwine with lego for fun jewelry via Chip Chick

recycled toy art from Lucas Mongiello

recycled lego figures make a cute upcycled belt buckle at Craft Gossip

I think this list could go on and on...but it's only a day's worth of inspiration. Perhaps I'll put a larger collection together soon - interested?

Until next time...
Mike

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