I've been working on finishing touches around here. Still so much do to, but it is total fun. I don't think there is anything more gratifying than beautifying one's surroundings. It makes you feel good about yourself somehow. So here are a few things I've managed recently.
Here was a fabulous ebay find. Isn't ebay the greatest?? I mean what are the odds of finding something like this?? Love having a world marketplace in which to shop. It's an old rotating Dennison (LOVE Dennison) display rack for books of seals. I thought it would be a cool way to display family photos in the living room.
It's about 3 feet tall.
See how I can put a whole big stack of photos in one slot and people can take them out and thumb through them??
Next up are a couple of easy frames. These were purple and black leopard print cardboard frames from Target dollar spot several years ago. We're talking about a 30 minute craft here nailed to the wall with straight pins. Easy, cheap and lovely.
I decided I needed a little something to hang above the two frames to sort of finish it off. I looked around for ANYTHING that was basically the size I needed. Found an old Domino box and here's what happened:
I had to move the two wallpaper covered frames because this obviously had to hang below them. I stuffed the box top with some wadded up paper. Cut a piece of corrugated cardboard the exact size of the lid except I let about 3/4" overhang at the top so I could attach the box to the wall. I covered that 3/4" with wallpaper. You can see it at the top right behind the "N." I punched tiny holes in various places in the box top and lined them up with punched holes in the cardboard. Wired it all together. Then I wired on the bottle and glued the embellishments. Hung it to the wall with straight pins hammered through the 3/4" cardboard lip. Make sense?? Here's a photo of the entire wall vignette.
Around the corner from this is my coke sign I finally had Brian hang in the living room. Love my coke sign:)
Here is a little something I threw together out of an old drawer I had painted red last year. This is on my kitchen window sill.
See that funky glazed clay piece on top of the shelf?? Luke made it about 5 years ago and I've never been able to figure out what it is. I didn't want to offend him by asking so I just acted like it's identity was perfectly obvious. When I pulled it out of the cabinet the other day I thought, "I can ask him now because he's old enough to no longer be offended." Turns out it's a snake with pointy things like some dinosaurs have. I always thought it was the gums of a giant with really bad teeth:)
Cool stuff. Looking really awesome!
Posted by: sherri | September 16, 2008 at 11:14 AM
LOVE those frames. I love junk like that in the TDS. One of my favorite places.
Been meaning to ask ya...wha happened to your kissy face pic?
c
Posted by: Cindy | September 16, 2008 at 12:26 PM
ohhhhhh and ahhhhhhhhhhh love love love your ebay find! Great job
xoxo
casa bella chic
Posted by: Priscila | September 16, 2008 at 03:03 PM
Hi Donna, those frames are really beautiful! the red shelf is lovely too. I love your decor usage, especially that of red colors. By the way, I have not yet sent to you the photo how I used the wallpapers I purchased from you. I'm so sorry... my room is too hot and high humidity during summer, I could not use the wallpapers. However, autumn is coming now. I want to make something, like you. I have to go shopping for beautifying my room! And my room will be more disaster... oh no. You are not only artistic, and a good hard worker. I am jealous of your family =)
Posted by: Kana from Tokyo | September 16, 2008 at 04:51 PM
Hi Donna!
You are a very crafty person.
I mean that in a good way!
What a totally brilliant idea of how to use the rotating display rack. That is so cool!
I love your other decorating ideas too.
As for the snake with the pointy things it reminded me that I did that once with my son when he was just a little guy. He would have been 4 or 5 at the time he made this clay thing.(he's in his 30's now) I waited for a year or so before I asked him what exactly it was and when I did ask he couldn't remember what it was suppose to have been. LOL! :)
Donna, as always, thanks for sharing with all of us. I really enjoy your blog.
Have a great week!
Lois
Posted by: Lois | September 16, 2008 at 06:20 PM
I love seeing all the new projects because I know just where they all are in your home now. Its cool to see them all coming together. I hope I can visit again and see it all in place. Miss you!
Posted by: Heather | September 16, 2008 at 07:18 PM
You have some really unique ideas here -- very fun, whimsical and eclectic! Thanks for sharing your ideas -- the domino box is genius and proves you can do something with anything!
Posted by: sherry | September 16, 2008 at 07:52 PM
Wow - love it all. I love the way you've used the display rack, such a unique idea. And thanks for sharing the drawer; I picked one up while "garbage-picking" a few months ago, I had no idea what I would do with it, but I knew I liked it, so I took it, but its been sitting in the basement ever since.
Posted by: Anna Matthews | September 17, 2008 at 10:32 AM
what a great find on ebay, love how you used it as a photo display! great photo frames.
Posted by: Alissa Millsap | September 18, 2008 at 07:35 AM
You are a decorating genius! I love the aqua and red together. Thanks for sharing. Kara
Posted by: kara | September 18, 2008 at 09:23 AM
The book stand photo display is very creative and fun. Thanks for sharing your creative inspiration.
The new wall paper packs are pretty cool, bet they will sell well.
Posted by: Pearl Maple | September 20, 2008 at 05:28 PM