The Charm of Chimes

Digging through boxes in the attic, 

I discovered a set of tarnished flatware.

I believe they were my father-in-laws.

Looking at the discolored pieces, I knew there was no

 chance I would ever take on the task of cleaning them.  

Chimes from flatware are nothing new.
Still, they are a charming adornment for an outdoor space
and quick to assemble.

Less than one hour from start to finish. 

I think these held syrup

Many things around the house will work:

cookie cutters, kitchen utensils, keys, small glass bottles.
You can find all of these items at the thrift store. 

For drilling into metal you will need a power tool
and a small cobalt drill bit.

After drilling a hole all the way through the handle,

file off the burrs before stringing with fishing line.

Pull line through drilled hole, double knot and again

after securing to the mesh basket,  

fashioning various lengths for each utensil

It is easier to start from the middle and work outwards.

Make sure there's at least 1" of space

between each secured item.

Afterwards, apply a dab of cement glue to all the knots for a permanent fix.

15 pieces of silverware and glass bottles made this too heavy

to hang with fishing line, so I purchased 4ft of black chain

at the hardware store (sold by the foot). 

4 equal chain lengths, 1 for the middle, and 3 evenly spaced

around the top perimeter of the basket creates balance.

An old drapery ring joins the 4 lengths of chain for hanging.

I had all items on hand, except the black chain.

Total cost, $4.49.

They chime beautifully.

The Crab Nebula

smoky haze reminds me of swirling gases in outerspace

Last summer, I painted the tv/game room a pumpkin orange.

album frames are from Restoration Hardware

A couple of space themed movie posters and framed album covers 

helped turn the once bland walls into a cozy, modern, fun room

with a hint of retro appeal.

However, I was drawing blanks when it came to decorating

the large wall space behind the pool table.

Adding more album covers or movie posters seemed excessive. 

The bar mirrors that used to hang on the wall 

no longer suited the ‘family’ décor.

I had purchased a poker table for my husband over the holidays.

The table top was protected in the carton by

(2) 48"x48" x1/8" mdf boards.

They took up a lot of space but I'm glad I saved them.

After months of debating, a recent viewing of the Crab Nebula

set in motion an idea for the vacant wallspace.

One of the boards would make an ideal canvas

for my "interpretation" of the Crab Nebula and
a perfect compliment to the movie posters.

I lightly sanded the sheen with 100 grit sandpaper,

cleaned, and followed this up with 5 coats of gesso.

I also applied gesso to the back as well.

The size of this board would be expensive to frame

and the thinness (1/8") would make it display more like a poster. 

Not the impact I was going for.

My solution was to attach a hidden frame

made from square wood stakes

that would allow the board to set out from the wall,

creating a shadow effect.

  

The frame is reinforced with L-brackets

making the mdf very sturdy but not too heavy.

Picture sits out approx. 2" from the wall.

The rough cleat also provides a convenient way to hang on the wall.

I created the effects by applying acylic paint 

with rags, cellophane, feathers, and sponges.

The vibrant colors and scale of this painting did not stand out

until I added stars using qtips.

Amazing how that little detail, really transformed the picture.

Total cost, < $20. 

That pleases me the most. 

I am still here in spirit.

Work is crazy for me the first two months of the year.

 I barely have time to read others blogs. I realize now,

I should have offered up an explanation sooner as to my lack of posts.

My load will lighten up considerably

around the week of Feb. 22nd, at which time, I look forward to

getting back into the swing of things with weekly diys.

I hope that the new year finds everyone happy, healthy and harmonious.

I offer a glimpse into diy 2010.

quartz crystals + gunmetal necklace (a thrifty purchase)

= a quality piece

Breadmaking 101

Inspiration

and the interpretation

vintage restored

Dumas' work reinvented

The boots were hung by the chimney with care

Update:  Some of the pics were not loading correctly.

Look no further than your closet for inspiration

to create these whimsical boots err…stockings.

Throughout the year, I acquire deeply discounted

upholstery remnants and ribbon/trims at the fabric store,

or find drapes in rich brocades at the thrift store
for less than $5.oo a panel.

These are not traditional holiday fabrics, deliberate on my part.

Iron on applique trim.

Thinking out of the box....anything goes.
Using embelishments already on hand enhances creativity.

Rhinestone strand removed from old t-shirt.

I think these stocking boots are festive.
They make great gifts.

I make the pattern out of a grocery sack or newspaper
and tracing about ½” out and around the entire boot.

The pattern is also used to make the lining.

Better to pin, but I used soup cans as weights instead. !Laaazzy!

Cut out 2 boots and sew up the bottom and sides

I use the end of a small paint brush and

gently push out the toe and heal of the boot.

Press seams.

Pin trim to the boot and sew.  The seam will later be hidden.

I used a silk ribbon, leaving the tails long to tie a big fancy bow.

Cut out the lining.

Notice: The lining is cut so it stops at the ankle of the boot.

*You’ll see why.

Sew up the lining leaving about a 5” opening along the back seam.

Do not turn out!

Place the boot inside the lining and sew along the top opening.

Press the seams of the lining and push down into the boot.

*Take some batting and push it down into the foot of the boot

through the opening in the lining,

giving a nice full shape to the boot.

There is plenty of space for the goodies.
This boot will hold a bottle of wine!

Pull the lining back out and sew up the 5" opening.

The hook is actually part of a hoop earring.

I’ve attached the hook and tied the bow. 

I'm done!

HA!

The old earrings occupy my thoughts a lot lately.

Now I'm done.

Jester Stocking (on either end) made with Dawn Anderson, Vogue Pattern 7375.

It's getting pretty creepy around here

My kids enthusiasm for Halloween always rubs off on me.

Do you want eggs or eyeballs with your toast?

I know our home would be haunted as early as July.

I manage to hold off their decorating till September.

Still, their tactics to get me in the mood are second to none.

Aghhh…a snake in my bed.      Good one!

Wall color in the game room; pumpkin.

A centerpiece that would impress the Adams family.

The butler did it.

Broken branches pilfered from the neighbors yard.

Busted! He came over and thanked me.

Sink the branches into styrofoam in a decorative container.
Trim carefully!

It's only fun until someone loses an eye.

Add black flowers, feathers, lights, webbing, spiders, a femur, eyeball...

                                   

The skulls are motion sensor lights that run on a battery
 and play the theme from Friday the 13th  Halloween.

The display is more frightful in person.

PB: Inspiration for DIY

Mauve/decopauged thrift store table, $15. Stripped, refinished, and added new hardware

to resemble a PB table for use as a nightstand in my son's room.  

Whether its repurposing furniture,

Beaded fringe added to Asian lamp shade for a Victorain flair. 

spiffing up existing items with clever accents,

Son's junk art guitar, made from a Gateway box, wood trim remnants, and acrylic paints.

PB Teens for inspiration.  It really is acoustic. 

Wood composite trim;   Primed, painted, distressed,

added (10) drawer pulls, and hung the trim 5 feet from the floor

in the laundry room to hold totes, raincoats, backpacks...

Odd sized frame, garage sale find,  $.50.

Barbed wire from the 1800's.

Wood shelving from great, grandfathers barn.

This assembly nearly came together on its own

at which time my husband claimed for his office wall.

or creating distinctive displays, using color, texture, and imagination,

PB is a source for ideas and inspirations, when I'm 'drawing' blanks.

My son wanted Euro pillows similar to some we had seen in PB Teen.

I borrowed a friends PB Euro Pillow Case and took measurements.

They look complicated but in fact are very easy to make.

The finished pillow measures 30x30 with a 2” flange
 for a 26x26 Euro Pillow.

Before cutting, launder/iron your fabric.

Use a ruler or straight edge and draw the panels right on the fabric.

Make the length (for the back pieces) with the grain and

be sure to mark the grain direction for the front panel.

Cut 1 panel 31” x31” for the front (ex.a)

For the back you need  2 pieces that create an over flap
to insert your pillow form.

Cut (1) 17”x31” (ex. b) and (1) 21” x 31” (ex. c.)

For the 2 back panels, fold and press the middle seams ½”,

then fold over 1”, press, stitch close to the inner edge.

Hint: for visible stitching, increase stitch length to 3.5mm for a professional look.

Assemble pillow in this order.

Front panel (ex. a) print side up

17x31 (ex. b) print side down and lined up to one side

21 x 31 (ex. c) print side dorn and lined up to other side

Make sure the fabric grain is in the same direction as back pieces.

Pin sides and stitch all the way around the pillow using a 1/2" or 5/8 seam allowance".

Trim seams to 1/4". Press open seams.
Turn pillow right side out pushing out corners, press.

Stitch around the pillow 2” from edge to create the flange.

Hint: Put a piece of masking tape on your sewing machine,

measure 2” to the right of needle, draw a straight line with ruler.

Use as a guide, lining up the outer edge of the fabric as you sew.

Insert pillow form

My son  loves them….

so I made some for my other son.

He loves them too!