PB Inspired Bulletin Board

Loved this when I saw it in Pottery Barn, knew I had to make my own version of it. Their price? $199.  (Wish I had that chandelier to stage mine in front of!)

Here is mine. The frame is a little different, I used grapevine wrapped wire instead of dowels (although I am going to work on one with the dowels too).  I free-handed the postage marks, but you could print some off and put it behind the burlap and hold it up to a window to trace it.  I used the same curtain clips I used on my Christmas stockings.

Another view:

PS--My bulletin board cost about $7--$1 for the bulletin board, $2 for the frame, $1.50 worth of burlap, $2 for curtain clips.

I am linking up here:

Blue Cricket Design

  It's So Very Cheri

Questions and a Giveaway

What does this picture have to do with my post?  Nothing--just wishin' I was at the beach!

You all are a wealth of knowledge so thought I'd turn to you for a few questions I have.  First, I have a wide center column on my blog, but everything is in a narrow column and there are wide, blank spaces on either side.  Anyone know if I can remedy this?

Secondly, I have a cruddy camera--a Kodak easy share.  I have no funds for a new one.  I need hints and tips to improve my photo quality. 
 
Thirdly, why haven't more of you entered the giveaway?  No, seriously, don't forget to enter the giveaway below.  The bracelet really is cute and would look so great with jeans or dressed up.  Also, you can still link up to my linky party.  Remember to check out the links and post a comment.

Thanks, love u!

Giveaway and a Zipper Rose Tute

Time for a giveaway!  I will get to that in a moment, first you have to suffer through my tutorial.  I fell in love with the zipper flowers from the first moment I saw them and knew I had to try some.  I haven't seen any tutorials on them (I am sure there are, I just haven't seen them) so thought I'd attempt to show you one.

Start with the single side of a zipper.

Roll up the end to form the center of the rose and tack with thread.

I wanted a more ruffled look, not a pinwheel, so I sewed basting stitches, gathered it every few inches and tacked it.

Continue until you are the end of your zipper, tack the end.  The back isn't pretty.

But the front sure is.

Now for the giveaway.  I have been honored to see how many of you have chosen to follow my blog without even any bribery--thank you.  But, to prod a few more of you to follow, I am having a giveaway for all followers.  If you currently follow my blog, leave 1 comment to be entered to win  If you don't follow, sign up to do so and then leave 1 comment telling me you did.  That's all!  Now who said being a follower is a bad thing?  1 entry per person please.

Oh yes, this is what you can win.  An oh so hip burlap bracelet ( I used Mod Podge over the burlap to seal it so it won't fray to pieces) with three sweet zipper roses.  Not your style?  Enter to win it as a gift for someone.  I will draw the winner Wednesday evening--9:00 MT time.

 I am linking up at:

Keep 'Em Coming

Here are some things from this week's linky party.  Keep on linking and keep the great ideas coming!
I want this spring blossom pillow from Crafty Sisters .

And this yummy tic-tac-toe game from Blue Cricket Design .

 

 Look at this wonderfully shabby clock face from Cinnaberry Suite.

 

 So, let's see more.  And please, comment as you would like to be commented upon, i.e. take a few minutes to let someone know you appreciated their project.

Under $100 Linky Party

Thanks so much for linking up--so many ideas and so hard to choose what to feature, but here a few things that stuck in my brain.
An amazing wrapping center from It's the Little Things

This fun idea at Made By Stephie costs you nothing.  Wouldn't they be cute as a wreath?

I love these colorful hair ribbons from Sara's Art House--you can't help but smile when you visit her colorful blog.

And check out this new idea for headband storage at Get Craftin'.

Thanks so much for linking up. can't wait to see what you have this week!


Under $100 Linky Rules:
1. Please include a description in your link post.
2. Only post an idea that cost $100 or less--it would be great if you tell us the cost of your project, but not a must.
3. Please link to the specific post, not to your blog.
4. Please grab my 100 ideas under $100 button on the side bar and include it in your post so people can find us.
5. Check and make sure your link works--I often click on people's links and they don't work. If it doesn't, try again--you can let me know and I can delete the one that doesn't work.

Junky Fashion

I have been loving all of the refashions I have seen all over blog land (check out Ruffles and Stuff).  Decided I need to try my hand at it.  I started with a $1.50 thrift store sweater (Am I cheap if I usually wait until 1/2 price day to buy stuff at the thrift store?).  I bought an XXL so I'd have extra fabric.  I pinned the sides (my pins went with my son on the tomato pin cushion, so I had 8 to work with.

 I sewed down the sides.  I trimmed the sides.  I cut a hole in the sweater.  I sewed down the sides again.  I CAREFULLY trimmed the sides.  (Incentive to lose that final 10 pounds now that the sweater is slimmer than planned.)  I cut strips from the side pieces and sewed a basting stitch down the middle.

I gathered the strips and pinned them on the sweater and sewed them.

And there you have it.  I am happy with my first refashion attempt.  (Scary, end of the day, ready for jammies, self portrait photo)

I also spied this denim bracelet in Lucky Magazine.  See the $118 price tag?

Here is my version, easy peasy!  Rip some strips from old jeans, hot glue around a thrift store bangle, and then hot glue a thrift store or in my case, broken necklace around the bangle.  My bangle cost $1.

Find more fun ideas at:
2nd Time Around Tuesday
Blue Cricket Design

Valentines, Check

Got the valentines done--all 40 of them (20 for my preschoolers, 20 for my daughter).  I used this adorable idea from How Does She.  I used M-n-M's instead of the hearts--chocolate makes everything better. 

I learned a few things.  Use a freezer ziploc bag--I could get 6 plastic pieces from 1 gallon bag--sandwich bags were too thin.  It would have been better to have the printing up higher on the card, so you could see the name better.  I didn't discover this until after printing them all, so oh well.  When sewing the maze part, just move your machine to the different places rather than cutting the thread after each line sewn, it is faster.

Also, my daughter turned 8 this past weekend.  She got new ice skates. I love this picture of her skating--so free. 

Candle Holder or Something Else?

Thanks for linking--keep 'em coming!  And don't forget to visit the links and leave a kind word.  Let's face it, a "wow that's fabulous" really can go a long way.

I had so much fun coming up with different ideas for the step ladder that I thought I'd try it again with a different object for project #13.  I started with a $1 candle holder from the thrift store (ignore the dust on it please).

How about have a little fun in the bathroom and use it to make the lowly extra roll of tp look special?

 

I know you have all seen the dessert stands made from a plate and candlestick.  This is a temporary one.  Use some scotch double stick tape on the top of the candle holder and one of your plates--it holds well.

Works great on a desk, helps keep flat surfaces clutter free by elevating your supplies.

And it makes a bottle of wine on a buffet stand out.

 

I added a dowel (secured with the double stick tape or glue for a permanent fix) and it becomes a ribbon holder (remove the cardboard circles on the ribbon, secure ribbon with a piece of tape)

or to hold bracelets.

What fun ideas to you have for a candle holder?

Find more fun ideas:
Poppies at Play
Finding Fabulous