celebrate CREATIVITY in all its forms

Stick a Pin In It

If you're like me, you're probably always on the lookout for ways to use things already in your possession.  It's especially rewarding when those same things can be used in exciting and fun new ways.  

I think the official term is "re-purposing".  This pretty bulletin board is a great example of re-purposing-and it's also a fun and fairly easy project to make.

 

The frame of this "re-purposed" project was originally part of an old picture that I  had tucked away in the basement for years. 

I have to admit, I've never been crazy about the original picture which was never quite my style to begin with.  

The wooden frame was always my favorite part of this purchase.  I just love the carved detail.  I bought the picture on sale at a hobby shoppe for less than 20-dollars, with the idea that one day I would think of something to do with the frame.  

During our recent move, this picture and an old bulletin board were wrapped in the same box by the moving company.  When I pulled the paper off of both items and saw them side by side and a light bulb immediately went off in my head. 

As it turned out my bulletin board was a bit too large for the frame but the seed for a great idea was already sewn.  I purchased a roll of cork board (available at any office supply or crafts store) to get the project started.

The first step is to remove the picture and the matting from the frame.  That's easy enough.  You may need a flathead screwdriver to help lift the u-shaped nails upward and out of the way so the picture can be removed. 

Don't pull the u-shaped screws out of the wood-you'll need them later to secure the newly-created bulletin board to the back of the project.

While the original color of this frame is beautiful without a new paint color, I wanted a softer, more feminine look for this project.  If you plan to paint your frame, use a damp micro-fiber cloth to remove all the old dust from the frame.  Tack cloths are also a good way to clean off a surface in preparation of painting and are available at crafts and hardware stores.

Don't skimp on this cleaning step, because it's important to remove dirt and other particles to ensure the paint will adhere to the wood well.

I didn't want to sand the old paint off and risk damaging the frame and I also didn't want to be bothered with any paint stripping process. 

Instead, I painted the entire frame with a latex primer which is merely a base coat to prepare the wood for painting.  I used a water-based primer for easier cleanup. 

Give the primer at least 12-24 hours to dry completely before applying your desired paint color.  Any acrylic craft paint will work for this project.  I used an antique white for my initial overall color. 

After painting, set aside for several hours to dry completely.

  

To create the bulletin board, measure the frame opening and cut a similarly sized panel out of a cardboard box.  I had plenty of moving boxes on hand so I just cut one of those down.

Cut a piece of cork board from the roll, large enough to cover the entire piece of cut cardboard.  Better to cut the cork board to large than too small.  You can trim the excess cork board later.

 

Here's a "learn from my mistake" tip.  I initially applied heavy duty glue to the back of the cardboard and then adhered the cork board on top.  I sat several books on top for a few hours to hold the two together.  Big mistake! 

I forgot that cork board material is very porous.  While Gorilla glue is a great product it's the wrong product for this project.  The glue ended up seeping all the way through to the front of the cork and also crystallized on the front of the cork board which was quite unsightly. 

When I tried to sand the little glue crystals off, that damaged the cork even more making matters worse.  I had to start all over with a brand new $17 roll of cork material. 

I found the best way to adhere the cork board to the cardboard is by using heavy duty double-sided tape which can be found at any hardware store.  You may need two rolls of this specialty tape.

Apply several strips of tape to the back of the cardboard, peel off the wrapper and then adhere the cork board to the sticky strips.  Trim off any excess cork board around the edges of the cardboard for a perfect fit.

  

Getting back to the frame, once the paint is completely dry, consider adding a contrasting color to the embossed areas to help highlight any carved detail in the wood. 

I decided on a simple acyclic white paint to help give the project a bit more contrast against the overall antique white color.  I also think it gives the frame a subtle, vintage look.

 

I also wanted to add some fancy push pins to go with my new bulletin board and these pretty pins are perfect.  I found these bee-shaped pins from Ballard Designs, which is a wonderful mail-order catalog company. 

There are also cute Eiffel Tower and Fleur-de-lis push pin styles available in packs of 24-pins.  I think it's nice to use something a bit different like this for that unexpected touch.

Getting back to the frame, finish off the wood with an application (or two) of sealer.  Sealer adds a protective coating to the painted project. 

Sealer comes in various finishes including matte and gloss.  I prefer the gloss sealer for this project because it gives the wood a nice shiny result.

Once the sealer is completely dry, simply insert the cardboard piece into the frame opening.  I used a flathead screwdriver to push the original u-shaped hooks in the frame back down and into place over the cardboard for a secure hold. 

If the frame does not have original u-shaped screws you can always use a staple gun to adhere the board.  If you use a staple gun make sure you place them close enough to the frame edge so the staples shoot directly into the wood frame-and not out, into the cork board.

You may recall reading in my last post about my re-organization efforts for my new crafts space. This new bulletin board is a great functional addition.  Right now I'm using it as an idea board to keep track of various decor items that strike my fancy.

Green is one of my favorite colors and I'd like to try to incorporate some of the fabrics in the above photo into my crafts studio.  I have my eye on a really nice Parsons chair  which I can customize with my own fabric so I've been collecting swatches like this for consideration. 

This desk and my new bulletin board need a pretty chair.

Meantime, because of the various paint and sealer drying times, this bulletin board project will take at least one full day to finish.  You'll need to take your time throughout the various steps of this project and it's worth the patient effort.

This is a fun creation and I think it really yields a beautiful result.  When you're done, add a hook, hang it and then just stick a pin in it.

Where Women Create

Let me first take an opportunity to thank everyone for your support of my creative efforts this past year.  I look forward to sharing loads of new projects in 2009 that I hope will inspire and also help get those creative juices flowing.

Speaking of creative juices, have any of you spotted this wonderful new publication called Where Women Create ?  It's a wonderful magazine, which features photos of the creative spaces of artists, designers and crafters from all over the country.

               

This new quarterly magazine is based on the popular book of the same name.   The original book, Where Women Create  by Jo Packham is a stunning collection of workspaces and crafts rooms. 

I think it's a must-have hardcover for any crafter's personal library and I just love the cover photo.

        

The original Where Women Create book along with the new Where Women Create magazine are a wonderful combination to review, as I'm now faced with transforming a new space into my own personal creative sanctuary. 

We just moved into a new home in November and I'm super excited about one room in particular.

My "soon-to-be" favorite room in this house is a walk-up attic, which I immediately claimed as my own.  I may put a sign on the door that reads, "crafters and creative spirits only".

However, before I can create anything in this room, I'll first have to find my way through all these boxes.  This is a real organizational challenge.

  

Of course, I am totally grateful the movers were so careful in their packing but it also means that every single item from the previous space is layered and layered in heavy-duty paper for protection.  It seems to take forever to unpack one box. 

The photo below shows my old space in the basement of our previous home.  It took a long time to get this area organized in a way that really suited me and it was tough to watch all my organization get totally dismantled for the big move.

 

One of the features I loved most about my old basement space was this large custom kitchen island which was not only a good storage unit on both sides, but a roomy work table top to boot. 

Some people may look at this and see (organized) chaos, but trust me I knew exactly where everything was and it was all at my fingertips.  Fellow crafters know exactly what I mean.

   

Lately, I've been collecting great organizational inspiration wherever I can find it.  I really like the casual elegance and clean lines combined with the warmth and usability that the Pottery Barn designers come up with.  

Pottery Barn's Storage and Display and Workspaces are two of my favorites in the PB library series.   

   

Organizing Your Craft Space is another wonderful book by Jo Packham.  This book is loaded with fun, useful tips on organizing your stash and there are loads of unusual storage solutions too.

I've always enjoyed seeing how other people organize their supplies.

Another visual treat can be found in the pages of A Room of Her Own by interior designer Chris Casson Madden.  This book is filled with really nice photos and reflections of the personal spaces of some well-known and not so well-known ladies. 

While most rooms in this book are not crafts areas, the book is beautifully presented and a pleasure to get lost in.

Need a few more ideas for organization?  Check out this recent special issue by Memory Makers magazine called Get Organized.  It's a really helpful resource for anyone trying to get their supplies and stash in order. 

There are multiple articles and tips covering such topics as;  products to keep you clutter free,  scrap more-search less, and purging and rearranging your supplies. 

   

My former craft island is also featured in this special "Get Organized" Memory Makers issue along with inspiring organizational ideas from other Memory Makers Masters, editors and readers. 

I don't have an island yet for the attic but I'd love to find a large vintage-looking one that will work well in this area.  

One nice feature in this space that I didn't have before, is a wall-mounted TV.  With the television now on the wall and off the floor, that will definitely free up valuable floor space.

This mechanical room sits just off of the attic.  It's unfinished but I still think it will be perfect as extra storage space.  I'm keeping my eyes peeled for some sturdy metal shelves to use in this bonus area.

The attic windows provide a nice vantage point for spotting the deer that live in the area and frequently stroll through these woods early in the morning and late evening. 

I envision a day when all the clutter and packed boxes are gone and I can sit at this window and peacefully work away at my desk, which is already parked nearby. 

My husband used to call our old basement space the "Bat Cave" because it's where I would disappear for hours.  Since I'll soon be regularly disappearing into the attic , I decided to nickname this new space "The Belfry".  Not that I'm batty, but isn't there a popular expression referencing "bats in the belfry?"

Anyway, I'm happy to say in the few weeks since I first started writing this post, I have made some organizational progress in The Belfry, as you can see in the photo below.

Looks better, but there is still much to do before there is any real sense of order here. 

Wish me luck in that effort and stay tuned for photos of a newly organized "Belfry" down the road in an upcoming post.

Meantime, whether you create at a kitchen or dining room table, the corner of a spare bedroom or a large dedicated work space, I think the most important thing is that you are CREATING. 

You are doing what you love and finding fulfillment in the simple act of making things with your hands-and that's something we can all celebrate in this New Year.

Here's to a happy (and creative) 2009!

A Bucket of Fun with Fabric

I may have mentioned before that I am a sucker for creative storage solutions.  I really love "re-purposing" too.  It's great to be able to take an ordinary item that's meant for one purpose and use it for something else entirely.  I'm constantly trying to find new ways to use old items to stash my various crafting supplies. 

Case in point?  This metal bucket used to hold an old floral arrangement.  Now it's a fun and colorful, fabric-covered storage solution.  This is a really easy project that you may enjoy trying for yourself.

You'll only need a handful supplies including a large galvanized metal bucket or container, some Modge Podge sealer, a small strip of some favorite fabric (this patterned print is from Heather Bailey's Freshcut line) and some optional decorative trim. Talk about a minimum of supplies indeed.

The first thing you'll want to do is measure your fabric strip.  Place your bucket on top of the fabric and trim so that your fabric will be long enough to reach all the way around your container.  Cut a few inches wider than the dimensions of the container.

Prepare your fabric strip by turning one top side over as well as one end over and ironing flat.  This turned-over edge will be placed just under the rim of the bucket as well as overlap the end of the fabric once it's placed completely around the bucket.  This will give you a smooth edge under the rim, as well as a nice finished seam at the point where the two fabric ends meet. 

The photos below give you an idea what the edges of the fabric should look like before you adhere it to your container. 

Don't forget you can always click on each photo here for a larger view.

If you plan to apply the optional trim, I think you can skip turning the fabric over that will go under the rim because the edge will be hidden under your decorative trim.  However, you should still fold over the edge where your two fabric ends will meet. 

I'm briefly jumping ahead in the construction sequence with the photo below, so you can see what that finished seam ultimately looks like. You don't want a raw edge at the point where one end of the fabric meets the other end as they come together to cover the container.  I added machine stitching, but that's completely optional.

OK, getting back on track now.  Trace the bottom shape of your bucket onto a piece of paper and use that as a pattern to cut out a piece of matching fabric.  When you cut this shape out, make sure you cut the fabric about 1/4-inch beyond the pencil line.  This will give you just enough fabric to turn over at the bottom of the bucket for a finished look.

After you cut out your oval shape, turn the bottom fabric over about 1/4-inch and press firmly with an iron.  Iron this 1/4-inch measurement around the entire oval shape.  Set this piece aside for now.  This fabric shape will ultimately be adhered to the bottom of your bucket.

Next, apply the Mod Podge directly to the metal bucket or container and then place your fabric strip on on the container.  You'll definitely need to smooth the fabric across the metal as you go in order to eliminate any bubbles or lumps.

Once you've applied the fabric all the way around, make sure you smooth all areas.  In this case since the galvanized metal bucket has ridges in it, I had to make sure the fabric was smoothed out so that the ridges appear beneath the fabric.

Once the fabric is applied all the way around the bucket, apply another coat of Mod Podge directly over the fabric for a nice glossy finished appearance.  The Mod Podge will dry clear.

I found the idea for this project in the pages of the latest issue of Creative Home magazine, which is filled with lots of colorful ideas and doable techniques.  While this article used smooth-surfaced miniature galvanized containers, obviously this fabric-covered project can be applied to whatever size item you like.

I decided to take the project a step further than is depicted in the magazine, by finishing off the bottom of the container too.  After the fabric has been adhered all the way around your bucket, simply trim off the excess on the bottom.  Leave yourself just enough fabric on the bottom to turn it under about 1/4 inch.  Then apply Mod Podge on the bottom to adhere the fabric to the bottom of the bucket.

Now you can pull out that oval-shaped bottom piece that you set aside earlier.  Use more Mod Podge to adhere the fabric oval to the bottom of the bucket.  This will give you a nicely finished under side.

For this project, I neglected to remove the price tag from the bottom of the bucket before I applied the fabric and because the Mod Podge makes the fabric more transparent, the tag is clearly visible.  See the little square white sticker in the center?  Since this project is for my use only, I think I can live with the tag showing underneath the fabric (even though it does bug me a bit).

However, if your project is going to be a gift, remember to remove all tags and labels from the container, because they will show through the fabric-and that's just not ideal.

If you want to dress up the edge of the project you can always add a little decorative trim.  Ribbon, rick-rack or even a fun line of buttons would work.  I decided to use some beaded trim and I think it adds the perfect touch of whimsy to the bucket. 

To apply any trim, just whip out your trusty glue gun.  Hey, what did we do before glue guns anyway?  Apply a line of glue just under the bucket rim and adhere the trim slowly.  Because the glue dries really fast, take your time and squeeze just a small amount at a time, pressing the trim into place as you go.

For another finishing touch, I added this little woven label that I found in my scrapbooking supply stash.  It fits perfectly just inside the interior metal rim. 

Since I'm trying harder this year to use up more of my paper crafting supplies, I thought this cute label would inspire me to reach for what I already have, rather than buy new stuff. 

Those of you with loads of scrap supplies know exactly what I mean, don't you?

My new fabric-covered storage container fits perfectly on the end of my crafting island. I was surprised to see how many scrap supplies this bucket could actually hold.  This is a really great way to put some of my more frequently used supplies right at my fingertips.

This is such an easy project and can be applied to any kind of container or bucket size.  I'd say the entire project took me about two hours to complete and that was only because I puttered around with it for a bit.  You may be able to finish yours even faster.

Now that's a real bucket of fun with fabric.

The Power of Cute

Let me say right off the top that the next few photos have absolutely nothing to do with crafting. Nothing, nada, not a thing. However, I figured since I take a lot of pictures and perhaps you also take a lot of photos, you might enjoy getting a closer look at my latest fabulous find.

I was in Wolf Camera the other day to buy some photo paper and when I walked past the camera bags, this little beauty caught my eye.  It's made by Jill.e and it's totally adorable, functional, stylish and just plain cute to boot. Ahem, so much for that photo paper.

The bag is a delicious yellow leather with a bone colored croc-like trim exterior. It's got dual carrying handles as well as a really comfortable detachable shoulder strap. It's wonderfully waterproof too. 

Take a look at the photo below for a peak inside at the fun polka dot print lining. I love that. There are several Velcro dividers and well-padded compartments so I'm sure my gear will be safe and snug. Isn't that a cute little detachable zippered purse too? Great for personal items like money, makeup or whatever.

The little netted strip of pockets in the cover flap looks like it was designed to store film cannisters. Now that does make me wonder how many people out there are actually still using film in this digital camera age.  Since I stopped using film a few years ago, I'll just use these slots to hide a few pieces of leftover Halloween candy.  Hey, sometimes I just need a sweet and tasty energy source.

Anyway, I love that there's room to store a little bit of everything in the bag and all the great spaces in the base can be configured to fit your equipment size needs.  Also, did I mention the bag is just so darn cute?

When I find something I love, I love to share it with everyone who'll listen, or in this case everyone who'll keep reading.  Glad you're still with me on this.  I really think my gear looks so much cuter sitting in this bag, don't you? 

Notice the recurring "cute" theme going on here?

Now don't get me wrong, I didn't go into the store looking or a new bag, remember I was out to buy some 20-dollar photo paper. Come to think of it, I've never held anything against my old camera bag. I don't even think I needed a new camera bag.  In fact, I didn't need one. That is until I saw the yellow one.

Sorry old black bag, the writing was on the wall the minute I walked into that camera store.

I think you can see how I got to this point, and I suspect you've been in my shoes at one time or another. OK, I'll admit it. I do have a fair weakness for pretty storage and yellow is my favorite color. That last point just happened to be a very convenient selling point, by the way. Not that I needed any convincing though, because this cute yellow bag had me at hello.

So, now it's out with my old boring, black masculine camera bag that I've had for years-and in with my new feminine, fabulous, fully functional and oh, so cute replacement.

Hmmm, like I always say, "never underestimate the power of cute".  I sure don't.

Never Bored with a Board of Thread

Anyone who has a fabric addiction probably has a thing for colorful spools of thread too. I mean you have to have lots of thread to sew all that fabric you've been collecting for years, right?  I used to keep my sewing and embroidery threads in a big, boring cardboard box. It was never the most effective storage idea.

The cardboard box was not only unattractive, it was difficult to get my hands on exactly what I needed when I needed it. I also had a hard time keeping track with what colors I already owned because I could never really see what I had on hand. How many times have you purchased a spool of thread only to find out later that you already had it in your stash? 

I finally solved the problem with what I think is the perfect thread storage solution. Take a look below at my thread board project which may also work for you.

This is a really easy project to make. Start with several inexpensive wooden spool holders like the picture below. These spool holders are available at just about any fabric store in the storage section. You'll also need a large pre-cut wooden board that you can pick up at any hardware or lumber store. Collect wood screws, picture wire, a heavy duty picture hook, optional paint and stencils and you're ready to get started.

Simply screw the wooden thread holders into the board. The number of thread holders you'll need depends on the size of the board you have selected. I used three thread holders for this project to cover the length of the board. The wooden boards come in various pre-cut sizes but you can also have a board custom cut at your local hardware/lumber store, generally at no charge for a project this small.

The pre-cut board I used for this project has a 1-inch depth, 16-inch width X 48 inch length. You may want to take your thread holder with you to the lumber store to insure you get the exact size board and wood screws you'll need.

Center each thread holder before screwing it into the board. Insert one screw into the middle of the frame on both sides of each thread holder. Make sure your screws are long enough to go through the thread holder frame and about half way through your wood board. Be careful not to use screws that are so long they'll poke through the back of the wood board. I used 3/4-inch wood screws. Line up each thread holder foot-to-foot for a continuous seamless appearance.

After you've screwed all the thread holders in place, paint the entire board. Using leftover paint from the designated wall will help the board blend into the room's decor. I also added a subtle texture to my board by sponging a tan color lightly over random areas of the painted board. Because this is a fairly large painting surface, you'll definitely want to make sure your workspace is well ventilated. 

To add a decorative element to the board, I lined up the thread holders in a way that left about 7-inches of free space at the top for some stenciling. I think the little bluebird, vine and butterfly motif add a nice finishing touch to the project. You can find this stencil at Designer Stencils in the birds and butterflies collection.

Finally, install heavy weight picture wire on the back of your board, and hang on the wall using a heavy weight picture hook. If you don't want to mount the thread board to the wall, simply prop it up against the wall. That's what I do with this second thread board that I made. One day I'll get around to painting and mounting that one too.

This is a great use for an empty wall and because it's a vertical storage solution, it won't cut into valuable floor space.  Even if you decide to simply prop it against the wall, it still takes up a minimum of space. It's fast and easy to construct and does not require any carpentry skills whatsoever.

This has been a wonderful solution for me because now all of my sewing and embroidery threads are fully visible at a glance and easily accessible. No more desperate digs for a particular thread color and definitely no more duplicate purchases of spools. 

On top of that, it feels great to finally be able to kiss that awful cardboard box goodbye and good riddance!

Pretty stamp storage

I'm always on the lookout for great ways to store and display my craft supplies... or as they're more commonly referred to in my house, "all that stuff in the basement".  Now, you know I'm not the one that describes it that way!  Anyway, I love to find unusual looking containers that are designed for something else other than craft supply storage. I think these are the kinds of fun finds that can add character and whimsey to any craft space. Who says all your precious supplies have to be locked up in plastic containers? Certainly not me, that's for sure.

Take the basket above as a case in point. I found this flowerpot holder at Hobby Lobby this week. It was filled with artificial wildflowers at the time and when I removed the flowers, all I could see was my collection of oversized rubber stamps lined up in it... right there in the middle of the store. Now, that's a crafter's imagination at work for you.

I love the intricate looking flowers and stems that make up the design on this basket.  This was also a real deal at a bargain basement price of ten bucks. That's the kind of price you just can't pass up. It's a great addition to my craft space and helps put these large stamps right at my fingertips in a most attractive way. I love that! So keep your eyes open too, you never know when you'll come across a picture perfect find.