Cottage Hill

Thursday, May 5, 2011

Gail @ My Repurposed Life has a winner!!!

Thanks to Gail @ My Repurposed Life, I got a lot of sweet comments and made a bunch of new friends.
Not bad for my first gig as a guest poster!

We partnered up to give away one of my paintings...

Reading Nook

And the winner???

momof2Boys

who left this nice comment...

Thanks so much, Gail. I'd love to do it again -- anytime!

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Wednesday, May 4, 2011

Ballard Bird Knock-offs (with printable pattern)

I "borrowed" this idea from Ballard Design. I hope they don't mind...

Ballard Design

Lindy Design

***

I love these vintage frames. They are two (in one) of the ten projects I'd hoped to finish...well....soon.

I can't imagine how anyone could let them go for such a low price -- just $4 for both. I can't imagine how anyone could let them go, period. But, hey, it works for me.

To make the paper I cut the birds from, I found a description of a mockingbird online and cut and pasted it into a Word document several times to cover the entire page. I changed the font to Arabic Typesetting, the size to 14pts, the type to white, the background to black, then printed it out on cardstock.

I didn't throw up over this step but I came close. This took an enormous amount of printer ink, I'm sure!!! The up side was it came out looking just like theirs, yes?

Using this pattern...

I cut the birds from my "special" paper and, using Mod Podge, glued them in place.

My details were painted on with a tiny brush but I think you could just use a fine marker if you wanted.

Perfection!

I'm hooking up...

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Saturday, April 30, 2011

Guest Posting and Painting Giveaway!

You can catch me today at Gail's place--

I'll be guest posting and giving away one of my paintings...

16"x20" Oil on Canvas

If you haven't already, check out Gail's blog. This is one talented lady. She has an amazing way with wood! You'll find a couple of photo galleries that are
cram-packed with great ideas.

And, while you're there...don't forget to enter the painting giveaway!!!

Let's Party...

Today's Thrifty Treasures
*Metamorphosis Monday - Between Naps on the Porch
Made By You Monday - Skip To My Lou
*The House In The Roses

DIY Show Off Project Parade

C.R.A.F.T.
Dittle Dattle
Making The World Cuter
The Girl Creative
Before and After Party at Thrifty Decor Chick

If you enjoyed this post (and, gosh, I hope you did) please BECOME A FOLLOWER!

Thursday, April 28, 2011

Vintage Overnight Case Turned Doll Trunk

My grandtwins, Aubrey and Chloe, have a birthday coming up. Because I always make them something, I decided to use the overnight case (the third of my, maybe a little too ambitious, 10 projects in 3 weeks) to make them a trunk for a 1970's doll I found and for the doll clothes I made the poor little naked thing.

I'll have to find second suitcase. I predict a cat-fight over this one. I'll be ready with my video camera, though, just in case they stage a Youtube worthy brawl that'll make us all instant millionaires.

Before they were infamous...

The doll and trunk were the perfect size for each other. I love it when that happens. A good bath was all the baby needed but the suitcase was a very different story.

The outside of the case was in almost perfect condition and just needed a good cleaning and some furniture polish to liven it up. It turned out awesome...

But, the inside was just plain nasty. I ripped the guts out and re-lined it with a really cute vintage-y looking fabric.

This was a little tricky. Not hard, really, just tedious. Poster board was cut to fit then covered with the fabric using spray adhesive and white glue.

The fabric was stitched to the poster board to help it stay put.

I added a little pocket for storage, the ties to hold the baby in place and a bar for hanging doll clothes.

I'll be linking up at these parties...

Thursday:

*Transformation Thursday - The Shabby Chic Cottage

*Strut Your Stuff Thursday - Somewhat Simple
*Between Naps on the Porch
No Minimalist Here

Fireflies & Jellybeans
Tales from Bloggeritaville
Brambleberry Cottage
My Repurposed Life
French Cupboard
Beyond the Picket Fence

Savvy Southern Style
*Blue Cricket Design
*Be Inspired - Room to Inspire

*Power of Paint Party - Domestically Speaking

*Tea Rose Home
*Someday Crafts
Restore Interiors

Sew Much Ado

Primitive & Proper

My Backyard Eden
A Beach Cottage

If you enjoyed this post (and, gosh, I hope you did) please BECOME A FOLLOWER!

Monday, April 25, 2011

Vintage Suitcase Ideas

The clock is ticking, I know, on my plan to finish my 10 projects in three weeks. If I were the panic-y type I'd be there. But, I'm not. I'm more the rollin' with the punches type.

So, when I realized I'd planned my 10 projects at the same time I was working on an out-of-town wedding for a friend, I just checked out for a week (which is more like a year in "blog" time) and planned on playing catch-up when I got home. The story of my life...