Footstool Makeover

I'm addicted to thrift store shopping.  I can't help myself.  I mean, even if I was just there, there could be something new.  Which means that I bring home random items on a regular basis.  Recently, I found this little gem:

For $3, it seemed like the perfect project to make over.    To make it even easier, the cushion wasn't attached so it easily came apart into two pieces.  I started by removing the fabric and giving the wood a light sanding.

Next, I attached new fabric using the existing tacks and spray painting the frame.  Finally I attached velcro to both the frame and the cushion to hold it in place.  Done!

It makes a great footstool for a regular sized adult...or the perfect seat for a little baby.

Baby Shower Guest Tree

Hi All-

Here is a great little project to create for a baby shower, wedding, bridal shower, or really any party you want.  It's a tree with leaves for guests to write their names or wishes for the baby/bride/birthday girl, whatever!

I created this one in particular for a friend's baby shower.  I started with a large piece of watercolor board.  I found my board at Michaels.  I had never used this kind of board before but wanted something sturdy but also something with the option of framing. I prefer ink and watercolor, but you can use whatever medium you prefer :)

I started by sketching the outline of a tree with pencil.  I then outlined everything in ink and erased the pencil.  Then watercolor!  Be sure to check that your ink will not run when you start painting with watercolor.  I have made this mistake before and it is not fun.

For this particular tree, I added the baby's initial in a heart on the tree trunk.  Depending on whether you already know the name, you may want to omit this or add another detail. 

Finally, cut out leaves from thick cardstock for the guests to write on.  I chose colors that will coordinate with the nursery because I know they would like to hang this in there.  I also chose to outline each leave in black to help it pop a bit. 

I didn't get a picture at the party of the finished tree because I'm awesome like that.  The guests had a lot of fun writing wishes for the baby on their leaves and then I used a heavy duty glue stick to attach.  Be sure to bring extra leaves because people will mess up and want another one.

Doctor Who Crafts

In case you weren't aware, the season finale of Doctor Who is happening this weekend.  Because we are total geeks, we are hosting a viewing party complete with themed food and costumes.  I said that if people were willing to dress up, I would have prizes for best costume.  Here's what I came up with.  No tutorials, just inspiration.

A pop art Dalek.  Just giving you the chance to exterminate in style.

Bow-tie mug.  My mug wears a bow-tie now.  Bow-ties are cool.

Artistic Copying and Inspiration

I wanted to write a more serious post today and get your thoughts on something I have been thinking about lately.  In the creative world, there is a lot of talk about artistic originality.  If an artist claims that a big company has stolen their idea, the creative community goes up in arms.  Post after post will be written about the evil corporation that stole a poor etsy seller's idea (example 1, 2, 3).  I completely agree that you shouldn't have your ideas ripped off by someone else.  But my question today is, why isn't the reverse true?

Image Source

I started thinking about this last week when I watched a video post on how to recreate a dress from Mod Cloth.  I don't want to give any specifics on the blog I saw this on.  This isn't a post to call out specific bloggers or make anyone feel bad.  Really, I just wanted to open up the discussion on when it is okay to copy.  I'm sure if you spend time reading blogs, you have seen someone give a tutorial on creating a Anthropologie knock-off or a Kate Spade replica purse.  I'm not talking about the ones where you recreate a current trend.  I'm talking about the tutorials on how to create an exact copy of the store item.  These seem to be quite common and accepted in the craft community.  I myself have seen designer pieces and thought to myself, "I could make that so much cheaper." 

Scarf from Anthropologie.  Image Editing by me.

However, there seems to be a distinction made between large companies and independent designers.  If I posted a tutorial showing how to create something from an etsy seller and linked directly to the etsy design, I would probably get some angry comments.  I've even read blog posts on how wrong it is to pin an etsy product on pinterest under a board labeled DIY (example 1, 2).

Image Source

So what's the distinction?  Why is it okay to share these tutorials online?  Is it okay because we aren't selling them?  Even if a product is sold by a large store like Anthropologie or Urban Outfitters, didn't someone have to design it in the first place?  Is it considered okay because they are already so successful? 

Image Source

I would love to hear your thoughts on this.  I'm honestly not sure what the answer to all of this is and would love to hear some other insights into it.  I try to be careful about what I post myself, but I do read blogs with these kinds of posts and have even pinned the projects, so I'm wondering, should I stop?

Around the House

I love filling my home with unique handmade and thrifted pieces.  I love thinking that each piece is really special or has a story.  Today I wanted to share some of these.

Here is a glimpse on top of my dresser.  I would have taken a picture of the whole dresser but it was messy :)  So here is the corner.  I have a little jewelry dish from Goodwill that I use to hold pins.  In addition, I have my little notebook that I recently purchased from Beaded Tail.

The pink/purple brooch is from Vintette and the notebook is from Beaded Tail

Right above that hangs a little mirror.  I also found this at a thrift store.  Something about the fabric frame is so charming.

Here is the bookcase on the other side of my dresser.  I got the blue vase for my birthday and originally had it in the living room.  That lasted a day because the cat kept eating the fake plant.  I moved it to a high place.  You can also see the wire I rigged up to hold my particularly long/bulky necklaces.

Here is a fantastic letterpress calendar I ordered after Urban Craft last winter.  I had wanted to buy one all weekend and when I finally went to get it, he was sold out.  Luckily there were still a few online. 

Calendar from Old School Stationers

Finally, a set of paintings that my friend gave me for my birthday several years ago.  She painted them herself which makes them extra special.  They have hung in several different houses and apartments; I keep them with me every time I move.

What extra special pieces do you have in your home?  Are they usually gifts?  Handmade?  Thrifted?  Special splurge items?

Handmade Calendar

I have been planning on making this calendar for years now.  I bought the basic structure of the piece probably four years ago.  Last fall, I bought the stickers for the 2012 calendar pages.  Since it is now March, I decided it was time to make it happen, even if I had to leave the first two months off. 

Since I have the two pages left over, any thoughts on what I should do?  I'm thinking I will either make January and February of next year or else do something totally different than a calendar and use the two pages to create some sort of photo book.

Tea Party Wrap-Up

My friend and I hosted a tea party last Saturday and I wanted to share some pictures with you.  It was a wonderful day; good friends, good food, all around wonderful.

For favors, I made little jars full of loose tea.  I'll show you the step-by-step of how I made these later this week.

I found some adorable napkins at the party store and couldn't resist.  I think I may use the leftovers to decorate a wooden tray or else some glass plates.

My husband bought me these lovely lilies when I got back from Kansas and luckily they were still in full bloom for the party.  I bought that tea pot a few years back at a flea market.  In case you can't tell, those are bunnies dancing.

Shockingly, my set of 100 cookie cutters did not have a shamrock.  However, green flowers made a pretty good substitute. 

We set out as much tea as we could and all the possible tea fixings.   Later, we added lemon slices as well.

I loved having an excuse to use my fancy tea set.  The set was a wedding gift and I absolutely love it.  I tied little ribbons onto the handles to help tell the cups apart.

Finally, here's a picture of me.  I've gotten so in the habit of photographing the things I make and bake that I often forget the people.  I didn't get any of the girls hanging out, but at least you can see me :)

I hope this helps inspire you to throw your own tea party!  Enjoy!

Tea Party Ideas

A friend and I have decided to host a tea party in a few weeks.  Nothing super fancy, just an excuse to hang out with the girls and drink tea.  I do love a good theme party though, so I'm starting to research fun things to do for the party.  Here are some ideas I have found.

Tissue Paper Flowers- From Kara's Party Ideas

More Uses for My Vintage Hankies- From Oh One Fine Day

Some cute earrings- from etsy seller UntamedMenagerie

Loose tea in a test tube for a favor- From The SoHo

Fancy tea sandwiches- From Martha Stewart

Scones- From taste.com

IC#4- Metal Chain and Embroidery Thread Bracelet

Our Iron Craft Challenge this week was to create something inspired by a piece you didn't buy.  I knew I wanted to create a bracelet based on some of the tribal, friend-ship bracelets out there.  I started by creating a collection of jewelry pieces on Polyvore.

Accessories by jenny-chang featuring tribal jewelry

Then, I created my own.  I took some random jewelry pieces that I had in my store and started taking them apart.  I always save old, broken jewelry so I can use the components over again.  I then combined some silver and gold chains together with embroidery thread.

I did add a new gold clasp to hold the bracelet all together.  I just tied each end of the chains to the clasps to hold it all together.

Want to see more Iron Craft pieces?  Check out the flickr group here.  Want to join in the fun?  Check out the blog here.