Another Non-Scrapbook Project with Scrapbook Paper

Tsh — Tue, 15 Apr 2008 08:47:19 +0000

I guess all this scrapbook paper my mother-in-law brought with her has gotten me inspired again. Here’s my latest art project:

The colors are more muted in real life. The orange isn’t so orange, and the robin’s egg blue and chocolate brown really complement our room’s colors. Oh, and the splotches aren’t accidental – that’s the way the paper is, and that’s how I like it.

I completely, 100% got this idea from the wonderful Heidi at Mt. Hope Chronicles. She’s so crafty – I love everything she does. Go spend time at her blog. Here’s hers:

It’s better than mine.

I was going to write a how-to tutorial on this, but it’s too easy. I simply cut out circles (using a cereal bowl as the template) and glued them on. They’re all the same size, and they’re all (mostly) evenly spaced on the canvas.

Frugal, original, easy artwork to fill an otherwise blank wall in the master bedroom. Check.

A few hours exercising my creative juice and refreshing my bones. Check.

I have so much scrapbook paper, I may have to do one of these for each room in our place.

Works for me!

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Funkifying Cans into Colorful Pots

Tsh — Fri, 11 Apr 2008 12:00:07 +0000

Problem: Terracotta flower pots are expensive in this country, and I’m not big on the plastic kind. I can recycle cans, but then they’ll look ugly.
Solution: Scrapbook paper and Modge Podge!

Here’s a step-by-step tutorial for what I made today… the beginnings of our burgeoning urban balcony container garden.

Step 1 - Empty the right-sized can. In this country, tomato paste only comes in mammoth-sized cans (no idea why). So I emptied a can, and stored the paste in 1/2 cup portions in the freezer.

Step 2 – Cut drainage slits in the bottom with a can opener.

Step 3 – Cut a piece of scrapbook paper to size. I cut it to sit flush with the bottom lip and then fold over the top (I later changed my mind and cut the top flush with the upper lip).

Step 4 - Glue the paper to the can. I used basic Elmer’s glue and a paint brush to cover the surface. My goal was not perfection when I stuck the paper to the can – wrinkles and unevenness is good here, in my opinion.

Step 5 – Be creative with your available supplies! Then paint the outside with Modge Podge, which is a sealer that dries clear. This waterproofs the surface.

Step 6 – When the Modge Podge dries, fill with soil and your plant. Here’s my newly purchased basil on display in a lovely orange with brown polka dots. I’m using a plastic plate for drainage, but I’m hoping to find something else more creative and eye-catching. To the right is my 3-year-old daughter’s contribution, where we’ll probably grow basic grass, just for fun. We also Modge Podged her handprint for a splash of originality.

This can be done with all kinds of medium – look for fun images in magazines, wrapping paper, even fabric remnants. My plan is to scour for bigger cans and tubs to plant my larger plants, and then Modge Podge it all for a cohesive-yet-funky look.

Problem solved! A cheap, green alternative to overpriced terracotta or ugly plastic, and I get to expunge my creative juices with my daughter. A fun afternoon project.

Head over to Crystal to find more frugal ideas.

CURRENT SPONSORS:

Plan to Eat - meal planning made simple.
The Justice Conference - Justice hangs by a thread.
Lil' Soak - Sewing hope with handmade goods.
Treed - A simple, flexible, effective project planning tool.

Funkifying Cans into Colorful Pots is a post from Simple Mom

Simple Mom » frugal

Another Non-Scrapbook Project with Scrapbook Paper

Funkifying Cans into Colorful Pots