A Nettle's Tale
all things-> Made . Found . Saved My Etsy shop
I found a bag of wooden embroidery hoops for $2.00 at the thrift store. I bought it because I have also been collecting random yards of vintage fabrics over the last year, for the quilter in me that will emerge on day. I had seen this done before and figured, given my collection of fabrics, that I would be able to make a decent wall hanging. Ta Da!
Fabulous Modge Podge! Oh, how I love thee. Found a bunch of old maps at a thrift store and have loved this IKEA lamp for a while now. There is something so simple about the clear base. The most challenging part of this DIY project is cutting the map to fit the lamp shade. I did mine in strips, but this creates some overlap, that is noticeable when the lamp is on. To avoid this look, you will have to cut one continuous piece of map that fits the shade. I only modge podged the side of the map that was being adhered to the shade.
The Easiest, Cheapest, DIY Mason Jar Lights
Materials Needed:
A wide mouth mason jar with a lid
An Ikea Tool Kit
You Need the Hemma Cord set or any cord set you like from Ikea
Light bulb that goes with the cord set
DIRECTIONS:
Place the sharpest head (one shown in picture of tools) on the IKEA screw driver. Start in the middle of the lid and use the sharp screw driver head, like a nail and hammer a hole in the center of the jar lid. Then keep going around that hole, making holes until you have made an opening just big enough to fit the base of the light bulb through. *Make sure the hole does not get too big because you can never go back once its too big*. Then take the lid off the jar, place the base of the light bulb through the lid, so it is sticking out the top of the lid and screw it into the cord base. Then twist the extra “ring like” piece on the cord (make sure the widest part of the ring is facing toward the light bulb). Twist it down snug to the mason jar lid. Screw the jar back on the lid, which is now around the light bulb, plug it in and you are good to go. The bulb can be bright! Try tinting the jar if you are finding it to obnoxious. Hang however you like. Enjoy!
Wow, haven’t posted in a while. I moved! It would only be fitting that I posted some decor ideas and creations from my new apartment. I bought an old wood soda pop crate and was not sure where to put it. It has become the perfect way to display my earrings. I find I wear a lot of my earrings more these days because I can actually see them!
The fire place mantel in my place is one of the most interesting ones I have seen. I love the angles and how tall it is! I didn’t want to place anything on it that was going to shorten it. The tall and slim vintage window pane is perfect. I also love the peach color against the sage green. Married with some brass, antique books, rustic glass bottles and final touch of dried lavender. Smells so good mmm.
Bridal Party Rosebud Earring Posts
My contribution to the Gray wedding was earrings from my shop. I designed these pearl centered rosebuds to go with the brides dress and antique/vintage theme, as well as the orchard peach rosebuds to go with the bridesmaid dresses. They fit in perfectly and made great bridesmaid gifts. Now there is a custom order bridal earring package available on my shop (www.etsy.com/shop/juliachurch22).
DIY Vintage Farm Wedding in Oregon
The Marriage of Mackenzie and Andy Gray this past weekend was the perfect display of a wedding done well and at a very low cost. The farm property was used for the ceremony and reception. Mackenzie and Andy had a very clear vintage/antique theme and vision, which made it easy for family and friends to lend a helping hand: donating decorations, making homemade jam or a salad, setting up, taking down etc. There is something about a crafty, outdoor wedding, done on a budget with the helping hands of loved ones that removes the formality that can so easily overpower the celebration.
Paper n Stitch is not only a GREAT craft blog, but they also have monthly exhibitions where they feature online design, craft and vintage shops. I recommend checking out the current exhibition for two reasons: a) there is a lot of new talent and great deals on this month b) one of those deals is 15% of all the product in my etsy shop “A Nettle’s Tale”. So visit www.papernstitch.com, browse and get inspired if anything.
Guess I’m on a bit of a Modge Podge kick
Just spruced up these coasters from the thrift store with some modge podge and lovely patterned card stock. Be sure to polyurethane them when you are finished for protection.
Revamped and Thrifty Book Ends
I bought these wooden bookends because I had just purchased a wood burner and thought it would be a fun first project. Wood burners are harder to use than I thought.
If you would like to DIY:
1. I painted the black section of the book ends that you see in the finished image with Chalkboard paint (2-3 coats). I thought it would be a fun touch to be able to write on them.
2. Then I picked a card stock print I liked and traced the bottom of the bookends. I then cut the bottom shape out of the card stock and modge podged the card stock to the bottom of the book ends. After the chalkboard paint had dried of course.
3. I finished them off by using my new wood burner to add one of my favorite shakespeare quotes to the insides. I got my wood burner for about $18 at Wal-mart. Again I need a bit more practice with it, but I still think they turned out nicely.
Post Series of Thrifty and Nifty IDEAS.
The first post in my thrift series will be on Picture Frames
I am sure you have purchased frames from the thrift store that you have liked, but what about all those frames that you would by if….
For example I always buy the frames that are those bronze metal ones. I remove the backing and the glass and then I just use the metal frame for decorating. The second photo above is an example of a metal frame that I took apart and pray painted ivory. The other frame in that photo use to be a an unappealing combination of green, black and gold. I really liked the floral design on it…so I also spray painted that it ivory as well.
In fact that entire wall is salvaged frames that I either bought in ivory or bought form the thrift store and spray painted ivory to make my mix matched photo wall complete. Some of them I left as is to increase interest.
Another thing I love to do with the metal framed is hang different sized ones over a vintage map. Thrifty photo frames are the best. I can’t even bring myself to buy them new anymore.
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