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TREE BRANCH SLICES

7/23/2013

I'm not exactly sure how this started, but years ago I thought it would be cool to slice a tree branch on a band saw. Each slice itself is like art with the different colors, tones, & textures you'll find inside different branches. You can make some cool art with only tree branch slices or you can add them to paintings, make shapes, words, etc.
Other than art, there are a whole host of other uses for tree branch slices too: buttons, decorative jar filler, Christmas ornaments, game pieces, key chains, lucky charms, cuff links, paper weights, jewelry, furniture, drawer pulls, napkin rings, curtain ties, decorative mirrors/frames/lamps.

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repurposing suitcases

4/23/2013

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Mod Podge Everything

4/19/2013

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50+ Mod Podge Ideas

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Pinterest hanging jar sconces

3/28/2013

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Thanks to websites like Pinterest, Hometalk, Etsy, & a huge variety of independent blogs, there is no shortage of creative, thrifty, crafty ideas for home decor.

How To:
(click the directions below to enlarge)

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build a beach rock lamp

3/23/2013

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HOw to...

Find a glass beverage container & remove (usually twist off) the spigot. If you find a container like this, there's no need to drill through glass, which can be tricky.

Next, you'll use PVC to build a center structure for the lamp. There are different diameters of PVC & you'll want to use the largest size that fits in your container so that you don't have to use as many rocks. That will keep the weight down. Rocks make for one heavy lamp!

Purchase a PVC cap that fits the width of the PVC you chose. Cut the PVC to the height of your container or ask them to cut it at your local home improvement store.

Drill a hole near the bottom of the PVC that lines up with the former spigot hole in the glass.
Drill a hole in the PVC cap so that you can attach the lamp kit (purchase these at any home improvement store).

Glue the PVC to the bottom of the glass & let it dry completely.

Finally, thread the wiring from the lamp kit through the bottom 2 holes (the former spigot hole & the hole you drilled in your PVC), thread the wire up through the PVC & through the cap and wire up the lamp socket as listed in the directions of the lamp kit.

Add your rocks & a shade of your choice.

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Flip your dining table

3/15/2013

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Use this quick trick to turn your dining table into a reclaimed wood or farmhouse style table.

FLIP IT!

The underside of a dining table is usually unfinished wood--a perfect blank canvas. Remove a few screws & flip your table top so that the underside becomes the new top side. You can stain it or paint it or both. Then, prime & paint the legs. Finally, distress it all with whatever you have laying around--sand paper, a hammer, a wire brush, etc. You can use a wipe on polyurethane or quick dry sealer to add durability, but the beauty of this style of table is that the more wear it endures, the better it looks.

BEFORE

FLIP IT

AFTER

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easy, cheap, quick headboard

3/6/2013

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This project starts out with an inexpensive bed frame (stained dark) from IKEA.

Here's the stained bedframe.

IKEA often has large pieces of wood & foam in their As-Is section. You can find the size you need, cover it in foam & fabric with a staple gun. Then, just use shelving brackets to attach the headboard to the bedframe.

If you like the look of nailhead trim, you can press thumbtacks into the foam around the front border of the new headboard.

This entire project costs under $20 with all supplies & takes about an hour.

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tee pee time!

2/22/2013

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These projects are a part of my littlest sister Audrey's room. The vintage vanity was updated using gloss white paint for the body & chalkboard paint for the table top. Then, Mod Podge mixed with silver glitter was applied as a top coat over the white paint. The chalkboard paint + the Mod Podge glitter combo takes care of uneven surfaces.

before

after

And then my little sister's twin bed became a tee pee for about $20!

An 18" embroidery hoop is secured to the ceiling with u pipe hangers from the hardware store. 3 sets of IKEA netting curtains ($5 per pair) are tied to the embroidery hoop & an ombre turquoise scarf is stapled to the hoop, over the curtains, around the top of the tee pee. Christmas lights & a dream catcher are hung on the inside of the tee pee (securing them to the inside of the embroidery hoop & to a screw in hook in the ceiling). Finally, the bottom of the curtains are tucked under & behind her twin mattress. The tee pee ends stayed put pretty well, except in the corners, where clear duct tape was used to secure them to the floor under the mattress. The tee pee is such a pretty place to relax & rest. I wish I had one! It's simple & cheap. $15 netting & a $4 embroidery hoop, Christmas lights & hanging supplies for just a few dollars.

That's a lot of impact for $20!

SUPPLIES

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small business repurposing

1/24/2013

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When an item is made & sold expressly for commercial use the price seems to go way up. Small business owners are faced with a barrage of expenses and one way to save money is to repurpose. In this example of repurposing, a local Pilates/Yoga/Dance studio was in need of a sign in area for their entry way. The wish list for this area included: something that made the sign in area more visible, a multi-height structure to make the area comfortable to utilize while standing, storage for commonly used materials & supplies, a divider between common space & employee space, a structure that fit in the limited entry way space that did not block the flow of traffic, a place to display announcements.

A look around the business owner's home provided a great (and nearly free) solution!

A high quality, solid wood baby changing dresser was the perfect size to fit the space. The back of the dresser was painted with chalkboard paint & a cork bulletin board was added. This became the front of the new sign in counter/work station. The total cost of this project would be for supplies and was under $40.

This side, which faces the employee area, provides storage for frequently used items. The unit divides the entry way from the staff area without stopping the flow of traffic.

Chalkboard paint turns any surface into an area for reminders or announcements & corkboard strips are a simple, inexpensive way to display fliers, promotions, or interesting articles. These details also draw attention to the area, making the sign in area visible. The two different heights of the changing table make this unit work well as a counter top.

This project is at Pilates Plus of Schaumburg. Located in Schaumburg, Illinois at Roselle Rd. & Weathersfield Way. They offer a variety of fitness classes, personal training, parties, & equipment classes in a welcoming environment. Support small business in your community! Check them out at www.pilatesmindbody.com

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