SALVAGED WHIMSY: sign

Thursday, April 19, 2012

Driftwood Picture Frames

We are lucky to live in a lake community.

Besides the fact that I LOVE wearing a swimsuit for a quarter of the year....stifle your laughs, that was a blatant lie. Thoughts are things, right?

But really, living near a lake has many benefits, one of which is driftwood.

...driftwood, you ask?

Yeah, driftwood.

If you know me, you know I like free stuff.

Driftwood is free.

I also like natural stuff.

Driftwood is natural.

I've been collecting big pieces of driftwood since we moved here, and have a growing pile collecting in my garage.

The last time we took the kids to the beach, I noticed how pretty the smaller twigs and sticks were and picked up a couple handfuls.

(My sweet husband doesn't even bother to ask any more.)

The first project I decided to try was a picture frame.
So, using a natural-colored frame from the Dollar Store, I grabbed my handy-dandy (and nearly dead - is it bad when it smokes?) glue gun and went to work.

A couple tips if you decide to make one...

-- I suggest starting by covering the inner edges of the frame first, and then working your way out.

-- When you cut or break a stick, it looks better (IMO) if you lightly sand the tip (which I did not do on the one pictured here - it was my first try).

Another tip...make sure the font you use for your sign has an apostrophe*.

(*If an apostrophe is required for your phrase)

I did not do this and didn't realize it until I came home from taking it to the shop.

Nice.

Here are a couple other frames I've made:

I made the inserts using backgrounds from Mel Stampz blog - there are lots of different background options there - and Picasa to add the words.

Mel Stampz

If you'd like to use one (or all) of my little inserts for any reason -

they're all yours....but if you make a $1,000,000,000 from them, I expect a cut! ha!

It can't be enlarged very big, this frame is 4x6" and it was a little blurry. But, I did fix the apostrophe!

I love this quote - I even painted it above a window in my last house.

And they're free.

Free is good.

Planning to share my little frame at these link parties:

No Minimalist Here, the shabby creek cottage, The Charm of Home, The Shabby Nest, Redoux, French Country Cottage

take care -

Friday, April 6, 2012

The Bold Abode is Visiting Next Week!!!

Instead of taking calculus or bowling in college - I wish I could have taken a class in "how to get everything done in 24 hours". Although, I think I would have failed.

Everyday, I come across women who would have aced "Living Efficiently and Effectively 101" without reading the book or taking notes.

I need to ask Gwen from The Bold Abode for lessons - super-mom and wife, home-schooler, SAHM, blogger, diy-er, animal-lover,...let me catch my breath...and she's funny as heck to boot! (she even makes up her own words 'n stuff!)

Maybe in her spare time, Gwen should become a life coach because she makes this life-stuff look easy AND fun.

Guess what....Gwen is coming over here for a virtual play-date next week! Yes ma'mm, the first ever guest poster on Salvaged Whimsy is the amazing Miss Gwen from The Bold Abode. Be sure to stop by Salvaged Whimsy next week to check it out because she's more energizing than a 48oz cup of coffee!

These signs are a few I've made this week to restock my booth and etsy shop. I did them like I showed in this post but I used chalk instead of crayon, and it worked a lot better.

They are painted on drift wood and reclaimed barn wood...and then distressed, or course. I think I've done 1 piece of furniture in the past 6 months that wasn't distressed.

Distressing is a must with 2 toddlers who like using your projects as a racetrack for their favorite toy cars.

Sharing at these linky parties:

MONDAY:

Thrifty Decor Chick (1st Monday of Each Month)

TUESDAY:

Home Stories A2Z

Tip Junkie

Coastal Charm