Thrifty Thursday Wallpaper Scrap Art

You just never know what you will find at the thrift store, that is why it is important to look at all the things. With the resurgence of wallpaper there have been lots of wallpaper scraps and single rolls at the thrift stores lately. I am not going to wallpaper my walls--been there, done that and it is a paint to remove plus my walls have quite a bit of texture. But, the scraps can be used for all other kinds of projects. I found a roll of a black and white ginkgo leaf pattern at one of my favorite local thrift stores for only one dollar. 

The wallpaper and a 99 cent thrift store frame

came together perfectly to create an inexpensive piece of art.

I have quite the supply of thrift store frames. I definitely wanted one with glass and chose one with a little rattan accent to add tot he casual, boho, and natural look that I like.

I taped off the rattan part, making sure to really press the tape into the edges so the paint wouldn't bleed.

I couldn't decide on a color for the frame--green, black, gold? I decided on all three, painting dark green first, black over the top of it, and using a little bit of Antique Gold Rub-n-Buff on the edge. (This post contains affiliate links at no extra cost to you.) You can get Rub-n-Buff HERE.

While the paint was drying, I used the picture frame glass to decide where I wanted the Ginkgo leaves placed in the frame. I traced around the glass and cut out the wallpaper.

I am working on creating a floor to ceiling art wall in my reading nook in my bedroom. I have twelve foot high ceilings so it will take me some time to get enough art and items to fill it. This Gingko art will be a part of that, but until then, I staged the art in a sitting area.

I like the simple black and white design and the natural touch on the frame. For $2 I have a unique piece of art.  I think I might frame more of this in ornate gold frames to eventually sell. 

Be sure to check out the craft or home improvement section while thrifting. You may find the perfect for you wallpaper art.

 

Small Fall Touches in the Entryway

Now that it is officially autumn, I am adding small touches of fall around my home. I do not feel the need to plop a pumpkin--real, sweater, ceramic, or otherwise in every nook and cranny. Instead, I like subtle, small seasonal changes. In my front entryway I changed out the painting propped on the coat hook shelf and added some Chinese lanterns to my hanging macrame growler. 

See what I did have for spring and summer art HERE and to read about my stenciled wall click HERE.

I love Chinese lanterns and when we lived in North Idaho, I saw a lot of them. I don't think they grow here in Montana. I decided they were the perfect flower subject for a fall painting. 

I painted this on a scrap piece of plywood (originally, part of my porch) and used only wood scraps as my paintbrushes.

I was going to just prop the unframed painting on the shelf, but realized it would fit behind the mirror frame I used for the spring-summer painting I had on the shelf.

I have decided dark green is the perfect seasonal neutral color. It looks great with oranges and rusts for fall, red or white for winter, pinks and pale yellows for spring, and bright yellows for summer.

Some thrift store faux Chinese lantern stems were added to the hanging gold growler (see the how-to HERE) and I brought out fall jackets/shackets and that was it. 

These few, subtle changes will stay until I start decorating for Christmas. The sunlit entryway is welcoming and warm, perfect for autumn days.

Thrifty Thursday Creating an Eclectic Autumn Vignette

If you have been reading my blog for awhile now, you may know that I like to change up my dining table centerpiece or vignette seasonally. Rather than decorating for specific holidays, I typically alter, add and subtract, small bits and pieces of decor on a seasonal basis. I might include a few items that are holiday specific, especially at Christmas time, but I prefer to decorate with items that can be used for 3 or more months at a time.

I did some thrifting this week to find items for my autumn tablescape. Here are some of the things I found to use.

Utilizing these simple items and adding a few new accessories, I created a fall vignette that is unique and eclectic.

Keep reading to see how I came up with this fall centerpiece and to learn more about each component used.

I bought this vintage planter for $1. I knew I wanted some white and the shape is somewhat pumpkin like. I needed a fall colored candle and a favorite, local thrift store had just what I wanted. I placed the candle on a jar lid to lift it up a bit more. I filled it with black beads from a thrift store beaded seat cover. The black beads match the black edge on the tray.

The thrift store tray has a bit of a summery, beachy feel. But, I liked the black edge for fall and the texture that the rattan weave adds to my wood table. I typically use a table runner or tablecloth, but decided to let the table be naked wood for this season.

I filled a small, orange dish (that I thrifted last spring and used in my summer table vignette) with some small wood mushrooms I had. I might swap these out for some caramels or dark chocolate squares.

Old books in the colors that I am using for fall add height to the vignette.

The velvety pumpkins I created in the post below this one. I placed them in a heavy brass tray that I found at my favorite thrift store. I liked the aged patina on it, so I left it as is.

I placed some fake flowers that I bought new at Michaels in a brass vase or pitcher. Next to the vase on top of the book stack sits a wood salt grinder that I got from a garage sale free box.

I placed everything in a very linear or organized fashion on the tray. This isn't my typical style, but it helps to keep the vignette from looking too cluttered. Why does this centerpiece work and how can you create something similar?

*Use three or four colors and have more than one object with each color. The white planter ties in with the white/cream colored pumpkins and the white book pages. The orange and yellows tie together, as well as the black beads and the black tray rim.

*Use at least 3 different textures. I used wood, rattan, brass, cloth book covers. You could add leather, stone, glass as other textures.

*Height--make sure your eye has different heights to keep the flow. Use books, stacked dishes, a chunk of wood, a small pedestal to add height. Be sure to have something at tall, medium, and low heights.

*Group like items together to keep the vignette neater looking. 

*Look at your centerpiece from all sides and make sure it is interesting on all sides.

*Keep it practical if you are using it on a dining table or kitchen counter--add salt and pepper shakers, snacks, a plant that isn't messy or dropping pollen in your food (thus the fake flowers), and maybe something interactive for guests. I thought about adding some paint and paintbrushes so guests can paint the mushrooms. 

*Have fun, don't take yourself or your decor too seriously. I had a variety of different items and played with them until I found an arrangement that I liked. 

Make it Monday Velvety Textured Pumpkins

Today's project is a fast and fun one that creates a unique and different velvety, textured look on decorative pumpkins. 

Keep reading to see how to easily create this weathered, aged soft look on small decorative pumpkins (or fruit, or figurines, or Christmas ornaments).

I started with white, squishy pumpkins from the craft store, some decorative craft paint, and some cocoa powder and some plaster of paris powder.

I started by painting the pumpkins a base color--either a golden yellow, orange, or brown.

When the base color was dry, I painted a second color over the top, either orange or cream.

Then, when the paint is still wet, dab on either the cocoa or the plaster or both with a paintbrush.

When the second coat paint and powder seem dry, brush off the excess with a stiff, dry brush.

I did add bits of more yellow and orange paint and then powder here and there.

I love their texture and aged look.

(This post contains affiliate links which means if you chose to buy something from the link I provide, I may receive a small compensation.)

I made this fun sign a few years ago with the help of Funky Junk's Old Sign Stencils. You can find them HERE! They are high quality stencils made to be used over and over.

This is not their final resting place or display for these pumpkins. I am going to use them in my fall centerpiece that I will share later this week.

Let me know if you try this technique!

How to Make a Bead Garland with Thrift Store Finds

I am not sure if today's project falls under the category of Thrifty Thursday or Make it Monday. But, at any rate, it is a fun and easy project that started with a $2 bag of napkin rings from the thrift store.

I understand the chance that you are going to find similar napkin rings is unlikely, but I do hope this inspires you to look at items at the thrift store with fresh eyes. These beads came together to make a beaded garland perfect for the holidays or any season.

I cut the wire on the napkin rings to collect the metal beads.

I wanted the beads to be a little darker and aged so I shook them up in a plastic back with a tiny bit of antique gold Rub-n-Buff and a bit of black acrylic paint.

Using the gold beads and some shabby white beads that are from a thrift store, beaded, seat cover I strung the beads on 22 gauge wire. I wasn't sure how long I wanted to make the garland so I left the wire on the paddle until I was done. The garland ended up being about seven feet long.

I made a loop on the each end. The loop makes it easy to hang and to interchange what you might put on the end--bells, tassels to match the season or your decor, an ornament.

There are so many ways to use a garland like this. Add the beaded garland to a tray of candles for an easy centerpiece. The candle sticks and tray are also thrift store finds.

You can add seasonal items such as small pumpkins, fresh pine boughs, eggs to this tray centerpiece to use it year round.

Drape the garland over a railing. 

You could add twinkle lights to enjoy a little more sparkle.

Loop the garland on a hook or

drape it across hooks in an entrway.

It looks fantastic intertwined in a pine garland on a mantel (or bar in this case).

Keep your eyes open when thrifting for beads. You might find them with or used as an unusual or unexpected item and remember that beaded garlands are versatile decor items that aren't just for Christmas trees!