Posts Tagged ‘upcycle’

I recently move to South East Georgia…

From Old GA Buildings

And have already fallen in love with the old abandoned buildings, homes, barns, stores, etc.

From Old GA Buildings

So I Stalked Them!

From Old GA Buildings

In My Subaru On the Open Road With a Camera by My Side…

From Old GA Buildings

I Explored and Hunted.

From Old GA Buildings

Sometimes Breaking the Law…

From Old GA Buildings

Sometimes Meeting Nice People.

From Old GA Buildings

Like Grandpa David who owns the above barn and silo.  There is a dilapidated over 100 year old house that his grand father lived in nearby that I would love to explore.  He welcomed me back and I think I will take him up on that.  

Lovely man. The photo below is also from his property.

From Old GA Buildings

I want those things.

Love the curling wood chippy paint of the one below!

From Old GA Buildings

I love wood, but it is not a secret that I am in love with rust…

And love this rust to death!

From Old GA Buildings

Oh, the Rust, Green and Blue of it all!  

Old Brick and Old Wood…

From Old GA Buildings

Nothing Better…unless you added Rust to it!

Welcome, Come Right In!

From Old GA Buildings

Lovely Doorways, sigh.

Old Rust and Old Wood…

If You Threw Old Bricks in There I Would be Besides Myself with Giddiness!

From Old GA Buildings

There is a Story Behind Each One of These Buildings…

And I Would Love to Hear Each One!

From Old GA Buildings

Until Then, I Will Use My Imagination!

From Old GA Buildings

Are there Lingering Ghosts Here?

Maybe.

From Old GA Buildings

The door  shut on its own as soon as I walked up to it.

No wind. I kid you not!

From Old GA Buildings

The Door was Wide Open and it Slowly Closed as I Walked Towards it.

As I Stopped to take Photos, the Door Stopped Closing.

Oh, Yes…That Happened!

Any way, Back to the Bright and Cheery.

From Old GA Buildings

Love the Contrast of Color & Texture!

From Old GA Buildings

The Things I Could Remake with this Loverly Old Wood!

From Old GA Buildings

AND THESE RUSTY BITS OF LOVE!  

From Old GA Buildings

GLAD I SHOT THIS IN THE WINTER AS THE LEAFLESS VINES ADDS A BIT OF LONELINESS TO THIS OLD LOVE SHACK.

From Old GA Buildings

WHAT WAS ONCE LOCKED INSIDE THIS OLD GAL?

From Old GA Buildings

ONE OF MY FAVORITE SHOTS…

A TREE TOOK OVER THIS OLD PLACE.

From Old GA Buildings

LEFT WITHOUT THE BLUE CURTAINS.

From Old GA Buildings

AND THIS CHAIR.

From Old GA Buildings

THE TV WANTED ME TO TAKE IT HOME.

From 20140124_0207

AND I WANTED TO TAKE HOME THIS CHRISTMAS CANDLE AND BED FRAME!

BACK TO THE OUTSIDES!

From Old GA Buildings

THIS OLDIE WAS NOT LONELY.

From 20140123_0206

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BECAUSE IT WAS RIGHT NEXT TO BUNCHES OF HONEY BEE HIVES!

From 20140123_0206

I LIKE THE BEE…

AND THE BEE LIKES ME AND MUD!

From Old GA Buildings

LOVE ALL OF THIS.

From Old GA Buildings

LOOK A THOSE INTERLOCKING LOGS!

From Old GA Buildings

YUMMY WOOD.

From Old GA Buildings

TIN ROOF…

RUSTED!

From Old GA Buildings

PAINTED SO LONG AGO…

MAKES FOR NICE PATINA NOW.

From Old GA Buildings

ON THESE OLD BUILDINGS, EVEN FAKE BRICK LOOKS GOOD!

From Old GA Buildings

DO NOT ENTER!

From Old GA Buildings

ENTER AT YOUR OWN RISK!

From Old GA Buildings

I HOPE YOU ENJOYED MY PHOTOS…

AS MUCH AS I ENJOYED TAKING THEM!

Any of these photos are for sale…

Just let me know!

And for other photos and items for sale, please visit OUR OWN BIG WORLD!

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RSVP-Stamp-6

What Do you Do When you Have to Move…

and Need to Downsize Tons?

From RedTable

And No One Wants to Buy your Hoopty 50’s Style Hill Billy Front Porch Picnic Table?

From RedTable

You Fix it Up and Five it to a Young Adult for her First Apartment!

But First, I Had to Access the Situation…

From RedTable

The Top Was Good!

Schwew!

From RedTable

The Trim was Not!

From RedTable

Nor Were a Couple of the Legs!

So I Started with…

From RedTable

Removing All the Trim.

And Then I had to Figure out What to Put There?

From RedTable

But Before that… I Painted all the Wood White.

From RedTable

Looking Good!

Oh Boy, I got Creative with the Trim!

From RedTable

Oh, Yes I Did!

From RedTable

After I Sampled it!

From RedTable

And Decided it Would Work Perfectly!

From RedTable

And It Did!

From RedTable

Around the Corners…

From RedTable

And Close Up!

From RedTable

The Drawer Even Got Purdied-Up!

From RedTable

Tea Time!

From RedTable

It is So Cute, it is Making the Hill Billy Front Porch Look even More Hoopty!

From RedTable

It Looks So Good Now…

You Forgot about the Legs!

From RedTable

Although I just painted them, you could use a wood putty to re-shape them.

Next Time…

When I Have More Time and Less to Do.

Like Pack. Sigh.

To See More Purdy Things, Please Go to:  OUR OWN BIG WORLD!

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RSVP-Stamp-6

UPCYCLE LIGHT!

From Vintage Strainer Lamps!

EASY PEASY!

From Vintage Strainer Lamps!

To start the hole, I used pliers and a hammered it just a bit in the centered dot in the centered star of the bottom of the strainer.

You can see the finished hole in the photo.

Oh, and yes, those pliers have a pink rhinestone on them!

From Vintage Strainer Lamps!

To help enlarge the hole, I snipped from the inside with wire cutters.

From Vintage Strainer Lamps!

Then I would push this vintage soda bottle into the hole to make it more round!

From Vintage Strainer Lamps!

Picked these up at IKEA for $5.00 each the other day!

From Vintage Strainer Lamps!

Put lighting through hole, put in lightbulb…

From Vintage Strainer Lamps!

And there you have it…and cool hanging lamp that casts spotted star shapes!

From Vintage Strainer Lamps!

That was fun!

But I was not done creating!

Back to Gnome Christmas Trees!

From Vintage Strainer Lamps!

I so need a gnome for under that tree!

From Vintage Strainer Lamps!

Now, let’s see if these things sell!

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Yes, Gnomes celebrate Holidays too.

And they, just like us, need Christmas Trees.

I have made it my goal to supply them some this holiday season.

From Felt Tree

Let me talk first about the tall one in the back.

Or better yet, let me show you how I made it!

From Felt Tree

Supplies: Cone, felt, glue gun, scissors and maybe some tidbits for decorations (I used some brads and tacks).

From Felt Tree

Cut, cut, cut out your tree leaf thingies.

From Felt Tree

Glue them, one at a time to the cone, all of them!

From Felt Tree

Start adding your decorations as you go.

From Felt Tree

Figure out your topper and decorate.

I decided on decorating a small Styrofoam ball with the brads and tack.

From Felt Tree

There you have it, the first of many…

From Felt Tree

A Gnome Christmas Tree!

For those Gnomes who like simple lines…

From Felt Tree

The Bobble String Christmas Tree!

Yes, it bobbles a bit from the way it is attached to its stand.

And now for those Beachy Gnomes…

From Felt Tree

The Pearly Shell Gnome Christmas Tree!

I made both the string and shell trees awhile ago…lots of string, shells, glue and patience, and you too can make them.

As you can see from the first photo, there are many other trees.

Some are vintage and some are just darned cute.

From Felt Tree

I had to have a variety, so many Gnomes so many different trees needed!

And these two are my favorite!

From Felt Tree

They so remind me of my Italian Grandparent’s Christmas decorations. Under their Aluminum Christmas Tree (Yes, I said Aluminum) they had this tiny outdoor winter skating Scene (a mirror was used to make the frozen pond) with these tiny trees all around it!   Ha, but they have sold already…should have put a higher price on them! 

I have two more in the making, but not sure they will get finished in time.

Gnomes…I got you covered!

Elves get all the attention during the holidays, give some love to any Gnomes you may know!

EARLY HOLIDAY BONUS CRAFT FOR YOU:

From Felt Tree

I made the wreath awhile ago, Click here to see how I did it: The Garbage Wreath

But then I put it in an old frame and threw some red felt on the back for that something special and different Christmas decoration!

HAPPY HOLIDAY CRAFTING TO YOU!

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I have a thing for circles, balls, orbs, globes, pizzas…anything round!

So I buy needlepoint hoops, lots and lots of needlepoint hoops.

Mind you, I do not do needlepoint!

But I do love cool retro looking material.

So, I put the two together and this is what I got!

From Button Up

This little cutie consists of three different size hoops, 3 different sample pieces from JoAnne’s and some twine.

I did glue them together, so it is a just hang one thing wall decoration!

Note to self, iron material next time!

For those that can not commit to 3…I give you this:

From Button Up

Not attached for cases where just one or two will do!

PS…the lint and stuff on the floor do not come with hoops!

I have saved the largest hoops (one really big…others quite large) for the wall on our new dining room.

Now on to something different.

I like frames, and I could not pass up this little metal one with tiny crosses!

From Button Up

I found a map, which I also love..and this little fleur de lis was calling my name.

From Button Up

All together, and they make an interesting conversation piece!

Circles, Frames and Maps…I wish I only like those 3 things!

Whatever it is for you…find new uses for your favorites!

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Buttons aren’t just for clothing anymore…

Especially cool old Buttons!  

I pulled out my small collection the other day when I wanted to snazz up a few other things.

And here is how it went!

The below were just plain old round colored cardboard boxes.

From Button Up

AND NOW THEY ARE FANCY RESPECTABLE DECORATIVE CONTAINERS!

So easy…old buttons and some burlap!

From Button Up

Oh, and Mod Podge, gotta love the Mod Podge!

Wait, and some glue!

I used the Modge Podge to adhere the burlap and after that was dry, I glued on the buttons.

From Button Up

Sassy & Brassy!

From Button Up

Golden Girls!

They were so cute, I did not stop there!

From Button Up

This nice piece of pottery had the word “Utensils” across the front.

Why? I mean, if the utensils were in it, couldn’t you tell what was in it?

So, I got rid of it and prettied it up with some vintage white buttons!

From Button Up

I really like how it came out!

Can’t wait to use it now!

Any button will do…glue it on, sew it on, or even use wire for jewelry…

JUST BUTTON UP!
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What do you do when you have a funky piece of “art” in an old cool frame?

From String Weaving Art

Find some string…

From String Weaving Art

And…

START TO MAKE SOME ART!

From String Weaving Art

Figure out your design…

From String Weaving Art

And your color pallet!

From String Weaving Art

Oh, and we can’t forget…

The Accessories!

From String Weaving Art

String and Felt Flowers!

From String Weaving Art

I have to admit…I luuurve these!

From String Weaving Art

Now find the perfect place for the flowers!
(Ahem…maybe where you may think there are imperfections…Maybe?)

From String Weaving Art

And there you have it…

A new bright cheery piece!

From String Weaving Art

And yes…everything is for sale!

But right now…

It is happily placed on the wall in our living room until I am ready to let it go!

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I asked for hints for a handmade gift, and I got Big Sur and the number 7!

WHAT THE WHAT?

I racked my mind and kept my eyes out for 7’s and anything Big Sur (Hello, I live in Florida, Big Sur is in California)!

I found it hard to find decorative numbers, if it is not for the front of your house.   So when I found a big black ceramic 7 I had to grab it.

It sat around for quite awhile trying to motivate me to do something with it.  Nothing was coming to mind!

Then at a flea market, my husband came across a 1966 arial map of mid-coastal California! Yes, with Big Sur smack dab in the middle!

I grabbed it!

So, I had the 7 and the map…what to do?  I went to my map pinterest board to see what I could find!

Yippy, I saw a map used as a mat in a frame!  How could I have forgotten about that?

HERE IS HOW I MADE THE MAP MAT FOR FRAMES:

First, the things you will need:

–  Map

– Frame

– Mat (you can either make your own or not even use one)

– Scissors / X-Acto knife

– Graphics & Printer

Now lets Mat Our Map!

From Old Map Framed

1)  Cut the part of map you want to use.

Hint: If there is a special place…put it in a corner of the mat.

From Old Map Framed

2) This is how I incorporated the 7 into the piece!

I found different graphics of 7s and then printed them out on sample paper to make sure they got on the right spots of the map. Then I printed them out on the map.

From Old Map Framed

3) Once you have your map ready, cut the center out.

Hint: Just cut an “X” from corner to corner and you can just bend back the pieces.

This is my sample map and I cut the edges off to fit in the frame better. But the final map I used had very thin paper, so I just folded the pieces over.

I do not like to completely cut/destroy things in case the person buying or receiving my stuff, can change it around if they like.

From Old Map Framed

4) Firmly fold down the map around the mat.

I did not glue it down, because the frame would securely hold it in.

From Old Map Framed

5) And then you are done!

I ended with two of them, since I did a “practice” run first!

The practice one is done with scrapbook paper I got on sale for 25 Cents! I hope someone else likes the number 7!

From Old Map Framed

BIG SUR!

I love how there is a circle about Big Sur too!

From Old Map Framed

And now you have a “something special” frame!

We wish the recipients of this frame the happiest life together!

By the way, I wrote a special date on the back of the number 7 for them!
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Sometimes I buy things that I have to take apart to make  better!

This is a story about a cute little metal basket with some fake flowers stuck inside it.

From Tear Down & Build Up Craft

I freed the basket!

And made something from the removed “stuff!”

From Tear Down & Build Up Craft

I love decorative balls, but I have never made one for myself.

So, to add this “mossy” one to my collection, that I made, is quite exciting!

From Tear Down & Build Up Craft

And now, how cute is this metal wire basket?

From Tear Down & Build Up Craft

And I will use the flowers for displaying my “book” vases!

For 75 Cents, I got a basket, a ball, and extra flowers to boot!

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I have to admit, I AM a Serial Creator.

In my past, I have killed off many mediums, and then moved on to the next!

Sometimes bringing back old haunts because…you know…they always return to the scene of the crime!

Here is The Life Cycle of This Serial Creator.

Pre-High School: Anything the Art Teacher Would Make Me Do!

From My History of Creating

6th Grade: Block Print (Did the carving, water colors and printing!)

High School: Writing Poetry & Photography

From My History of Creating

10th Grade:  For Photography Class!

From My History of Creating

12th Grade:  My Nationwide Winning Photo for the “Year of the Disabled” Photo Contest.

I worked with this girl at McDonald’s…she was a friend that was born with just part her arm.  I still admire her!

College: Photography & Writing “Witty” Letters to the Editor of the School Paper.

From My History of Creating

A couple of my letters to the Radford University Newspaper’s Editor.  I was so sassy!

I wish I could still write that neat!

20’s: Making Greeting Cards (When the Name “My Own Little World” was created), & Rock Jewelry.

From My History of Creating

One of a series of the “Hill” themed birthday cards. The only sample of them that I have left…because I actually gave them to people after making them! I have a person in mind for this particular “Vintage” card of mine.

From Safety Pins & Pendants

My Rock Jewelry. I actually still wear these! Timeless Beauty!

30’s: Writing Children’s Stories, Making Greeting cards, & Creating Small Odd Gifties.

From My History of Creating

Bookmarks that I thought were awesome…not so much now.

You should have seen the ugly Christmas Ornaments I made in the same design!

Ack!

Sorry friends and family for that “creative” period of mine!

But I still love the below creative flow!

From My History of Creating

A variety of my Christmas Cards!

There is The “Gangsta’ Santa” one , The “Safe Sex Christmas Tree” one (It says “Keep Your Christmas Bright…Wrap It Tight”), The “Reindeer Got Ran Over by a Grandma” One, and of course, The “Dancing On Top Of Santa” one!          Good times!

Now, my one and only published piece!  And mind you, I got paid for it too!

Okay, I wrote on the internet too, but in the writing world, it is just not the same!

Click and Read, My Friends, Click and Read:

Volunteer, Learn a Language Combine Language Study and Volunteer Work in Guatemala

Early 40’s: Writing.

From The Books I Made
From The Books I Made

Although, I just made these actual books, I wrote the stories in my early 40’s for a Children’s Clothing Line…that never went into the book business. But they said they liked them, they really did! Now, they are just for my 7-year-old twin nieces!

Mid 40’s: Blog Writing, Photography & Videography.

Examples of this are all wrapped up neatly in “Vintage” HenderBalz Blog Posts!

Click and Browse, my friends, Click and Browse:

HenderBalz Blog: El Salvador Story Time

Later Mid 40’s (ahem…NOW): Making of Things, Photography, Writing, & Videography.

Again, the HenderBalz Blog, says it best!

Check it out, My Friends, Check it out:

My Own Little World Shopito!

I attack with gusto, even to the point of trying to sell my work, and then I give up…whether I have done well or not.

MAY I NEVER GIVE UP AGAIN…MY OWN LITTLE WORLD SHALL GROW!

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