A tutorial on how to DIY wallpaper with old sheet-music. 
{Of course you could use any vintage papers that are pretty or have special meaning to you.}

DIY vintage paper as wallpaper!  YES! 
I love the way it looks, I love the nostalgia it brings along....  I just love it....

My favorite part of this very fun music wall is when Beth, my pianist friend, comes over, sits down, and starts playing the wall!  She plays short passages from Beethoven, Braum, Bach, folk-music, finger exercises, etc. etc....    They're all on the wall!  I love it....
I could listen to her all day...!
{We play a little bit too, but not like she does....  }

Over the last summer I had collected some vintage sheet-music at thrift stores and estate sales, and always selected those which had the most yellowing....
Then in the fall it was time to wall-paper the wall behind the piano.

We had a little bit of a sneak-peak of the wall
with the post I did on the potato sack stockings.
I am just now getting around to posting how I did it.  {Sorry!!}

I learned quite a bit along the way, and hope that my mistakes and tips will help you out when you paper your wall with vintage music paper or other old pages of some sort.

I had no idea that I had WAY too much musicpapers so now I have LOTS left-over to so something fun with...  :)  Yay!

And now I will tell you how I did it! 
It took me two days beginning to end.

I started by thoroughly cleaning the wall, then painting over it with primer (the wall WAS a deep red: very popular ten years ago....heeheehee). 

These are some of the things I learned along the way (the hard way, unfortunately):

• Using Mod Podge or wallpaper glue makes the sheetmusic very wrinkly.  You might like that, but I didn't, so I removed them, scrubbed the wall clean again, and started over.
• I thought I would like the removable tape, so I could reposition the pages, but alas:  ALL the pages that I used the removable tape with had to be redone, because they were falling off!
• Double sided tape is a little bit spendy, but to my surprise the least expensive variety that I found (Target-brand) was the tape I liked best (for this project)!  Good news!

P.S.  I want to paint my piano.... What color do you think I should go?

• a stack of old paper (book pages, magazine pages, sheetmusic, letters, receipts, etc.)
  
• double-sided tape ( I used 7)
• scissors
• spackling knife

Go through the slides below for step-by step instructions and tips.
Also read the tips above.

Partying with these bloggy friends.... & the Charm of Home, Coastal Charm, Savvy Southern Style, Today’s Creative Blog, Home Stories A 2 Z, The Shabby Nest, The Shabby Creek Cottage, Thrifty Decor Chick, Between Naps on the Porch

Vintage flashcards are popping up everywhere and are used in everything from art to decorating.   They have fabulous style and personality.  Included are several ideas I have come up with on utilizing vintage flashcards in your home decor.

Popping a vintage flashcard (or Bingo Card) into a frame all by itself make for a fun decoration.  Vintage Flashcards are so fun by themselves, they are worthy of a frame....!
(Isn't that brown colored Bingo card below super unique?)

Use vintage flashcards to upcycle an old clipboard.  Nothing adds more "flash" with such minor effort!
Just use Mod Podge to adhere them to the front.

See that red Bingo card in the bird cage?
Isn't it adorable...????
And note how the Valentines message in the frame can be easily changed out for a different phrase. {It is secured with pins around the edges}

See how Jess from Whimsical Treasures used the same cards again for a Christmas message:  Merry and Bright.
Isn't it brilliant?

Add some vintage flashcards to your message board for some vintage flair!

And don't forget the ever popular garland {banner, bunting, streamer}!

Note how the garland above uses vintage flashcards strung together at the top. 
Just punch holes on the left and right top and string your ribbon through them.

Another option is to punch holes at the top of the flashcards and tie the individual cards together {using string, jute, ribbon, etc} one by one as in the picture above. 

Using vintage-looking paperclips to attach the flashcards is an option for interchangeable messages on your streamer.  I haven't had my mantle/fantle very long, but it has already sported the following messages: Happy Birthday, Happy Thanksgiving, Happy Christmas,
and now Be Mine.
Soon it will say Pinch Me, or something of the kind, I'm sure....  :)

Clothespins are probably my favorite way of hanging flashcards without damaging the cards; this way the cards can be used again and again, and they will still look great.

Another option is to hang your card using a binder clip.
When your dress-form changes her mood the clip makes it easy to change out the
statement on her necklace...!
Of course you can use those clippies on garlands as well... (with ribbon or lace...  ).

Speaking of statements:  How about writing out a message using word cards:
Above I displayed the cards to spell "I Do" in old mason jars.

I love using vintage flashcards in mixed media 'art'..........!
Like I did in this recent "Love at Home' collection

Decorating with vintage flashcards (& Bingo cards) offers endless possibilities....
In short, this is what I came up with:

• Pop into a frame
• Clipboard
• Inside a Birdcage
• Carefully pin around the edges for interchangeable messages
• Add them to your message board
• Streamer with holes punched and strung together
• Streamer with holes punched and tied together
• Attach with paper clips
• Attach with clothespins

• Attach with clips
  
  • Garland (bunting, banner, streamer) using ribbon
  • Garland using lace
• Display in a mason jars

• Mixed Media Art

Keep an eye out, more ideas are coming soon!

Ta-DA!  Here is the newest addition to the laundry room:  
a new "chandelier" made from a vintage pot-rack and some old-old silverware... 
I am so excited!

After collecting real silver flatware at estate sales and thrift stores for a few months, I finally had enough to finish the vision I had for my vintage pot-rack (purchased years ago).  I drilled holes along the outer-edge of the pot-rack, drilled holes in the silver utensils; and got to work with a bit of wire. 

I used mostly forks and spoons and just a couple of regular knives, because the knives were not silver throughout but silver-plated, and the metal underneath was too hard for my poor drill-bits...  (I went through quite a few drill-bits making this chandelier....  ).  The butter knives were fabulous though, plus I really like having the variety in shapes. 
I also have a few sugar spoons hanging around...  I love 'em all.......

It sounds so pretty too.  My son thinks this new "chandelier" makes a beautiful wind-chime.
And he's right!  It does!  Sounds just like one when you gently "plunk" it, and the silver utensils jingle....   It's like Christmas all over again!

In stead of wiring a light into the pot-rack, I opted for a simpler method of lighting the pot-rack chandelier at night:  a magnetized battery-powered light I found at Harbor Freight Tools for just a few dollars.  It sticks securely to the top of the metal chandelier, shines nice and bright, and I don't have to worry about hiding the wires and such...  :)

It looks enchanting at night....

Here it is:  the long awaited tutorial for the skirt made from upcycled neck ties.... that I introduced to you in this previous post.

I love this skirt.  It is so fun to see some of the ties that my husband used to wear....  Not gone, just used in a different capacity..  :)  It's like a memory-quilt, except it's a piece of clothing....

This skirt is a size "small" but thanks to the t-shirt waistband, fits SOOOO many different people.  It is so fun to see how great it looks on many different figures. 

My friend Elly Gray agreed to be my model for today, and I am glad she did!  We had a fun time outside (even if it was a bit cold), and we got some cool pictures.  She is a gifted and creative person and a wonderful mom to three terrific kids.

Doesn't she look great?

The skirt looks totally different when you turn it to show off different ties,
and combine it with different colors...  Isn't it great?

Follow the slide-show instructions below for easy step-by-step directions to make your own tie-skirt with t-shirt waistband.

Election Day is coming up REALLY quickly....

We are so fortunate to live in a country where we can vote according to our conscience.  We are so blessed to have the ability to read and educate ourselves on the issues at hand.  We are blessed to have a voice.  Many people in history have sacrificed so much for our right to vote.  I would hate to let their sacrifices go to waste....

I love this vintage poster above with the lady hanging a "Votes for Women" poster on a wall.  Such an awesome part of history.  I love  the plainness of the writing on the poster, the expression on her face....  And what do you think of her stylish hat?  I wonder what her name was, what her life was like....

Inspired by this poster and the necklace I saw on Crafty Teacher Lady's site, I made myself a necklace to celebrate our right to vote (whether we are male or female).

As members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (aka Mormons), we are encouraged to play a role as responsible citizens in our communities, including becoming informed about issues and voting in elections.  Our church does not endorse, promote or oppose political parties, candidates or platforms.  Rather, we as members are expected to engage in the political process in an informed and civil manner, respecting the fact that members of the Church come from a variety of backgrounds and experiences and may have differences of opinion in partisan political matters. (read more about the Mormon church's stand on neutrality and view on politics right here)

Wishing you a happy Election Day 2012!
Celebrate Your Right To Vote!

At this time of harvest galore I thought it would be appropriate to celebrate the abundance of fresh produce we have been blessed with....

I've been itching for a "Produce" or "Vegetables" sign for a few years now, and since I have been unsuccessful in finding a vintage one, I decided to make my own....
I think it turned out pretty cute....

Kinda vintage looking, right...????

I am hoping this sign will influence me subconsciously to make lotsa green smoothies for the family and also provide more fresh produce in our everyday menus. 

Could work, right?
 
If I am constantly accompanied by this sign in the kitchen.....? 

Do you think it will.....?

Have a great week!
Crystelle

I took a board, just kinda eyeballed the size of it, cut it off, painted it black.  Sanded the edges.  Added a piece of burlap to the front with some Mod Podge.  Then adhered the print to the front.  Adding upholstery tacks to the corners finishes it off.
Ta-da!



October IS kind of a good time to read......: 
Scary stories......!



;)
Crystelle

These are some of the party friends I link up to ....

Link one is a photograph of the poster
Link two is a cropped version of that photograph {this is the one I used}

Linking up to these party friends

Funky Fun, yet Classy Style: 
I love this tie-skirt!


It is super soft, comfy, and also a memory-skirt at the same time!

For a few years I would snag the ties my hubby would toss in the 'to be donated' pile....
I even snagged some ties at my in-laws house {from their donation pile}.
Finally I couldn't wait any longer and stopped by the thrift store to finish up my collection and get started on the tieskirt.....

I was so excited, and I must say: it turned out pretty cute!

I sewed the ties together using a variety of decorative stitches (that I rarely use) on my sewing machine.  This was a great excuse to use them!

When I look at the skirt I remember how my husband used to wear some of these ties....
Fun times....

You know for as 'light' as ties are, this skirt is surprisingly warm and 'heavy'....
Great for fall and winter coming up...
:-)

I don't know about you, but I just wash this skirt a home, rather than take it to the dry-cleaners.

• Just throw it in the washing machine with mild detergent.  Set the machine on 'hand-wash' cycle.
• Pull it out and hang it up to dry.
• I even touch it up a bit with some steam if I need to....  {or press carefully}

What's so nice about the T-shirt waistband is that it is nice and soft and comfy, and it also allows you to adjust the length of your skirt: 

• wear it on you waist, folded over, for a shorter skirt,
• wear it on your hips, for a longer version

Another fun thing you can do to mix things up is to TURN it!
Twist and Shout

• Who says that front is front, and back is back? 
• Maybe back is front...
• Or side is front...
• It's all good.....!

Lots of colors in the ties give you lots of opportunities for combining with different tops...

Because the T-shirt waist-band is stretchy this skirt fits a variety of sizes even....!  How handy is that!
Great for sisters to share and expand their wardrobe...
Or even roommates at college...!
 
Have a great day!

Crystelle










The tutorial for this skirt is right here.

Do you have a collection of ties at home?
What are your plans for them?

 Linking up to all my favorite bloggy friends....

I painted a 1950's gossip seat in my favorite color:  seafoam green.  Seafoam green was my favorite color when I was a child, and it still is....!!! And it certainly is making a come-back!!!!  Lucky me....
I love it!
Added some flowers and bird on the front and one on the back.. Super cute, if I say so myself.
I you are interested int his piece, it is for sale ....  I have a tendency to paint more furnishings than I have room for in my house....  Oops!

Just let me know if you're interested... 
{I would love to sell it locally....}

Have a terrific day!
Crystelle