knock off bulletin boards

I love drooling looking at design cataloges.   You know:  Pottery Barn, Restoration Hardware, Ballards Designs.  You get the picture.  So, I've notice a trend...large framed bulletin boards and chalkboards in a cool Industrial Chic style.

Restoration Hardware

  Pottery Barn


Well, my syndrome struck again.  The "I can do that" syndrome. 

Enter Hobby Lobby's 90% off section.  I found these frames {because they were missing glass} for $2.99 each. 

I had 2 cheap, ugly cork boards that I got for $1.00 each at the thrift store.

I wrapped one cork board with some reclaimed burlap from an old cranberry sack and used my CitraSolv technique to add the Fleur de Lis.  I altered some large flat marbles and attached thumb tacks.  I also decided to add in some cool broken earings as thumbtacks {they look like number 8's}

On this one I decided to use the thick cardboard backing that came with the frame as a chalkboard.

 I applied 2 coats of chalkboard paint and then wrapped the smaller cork board I had in burlap and attached it to the center of the chalkboard.  I then used the CitraSolv technique again to add the Nest saying to the middle.

this picture is being a brat and will NOT rotate

Forget the HUGE price tags from high end design cataloges and  try to make one yourself.  It was easy and fun.

designer garden VIP party

no sew knock off pillows

I don't make a secret of the fact that I can't sew...as in I can't even figure out how to load the bottom bobbin on the old Singer that I have.  I'm sure I can sew a straight line {or at least a sorta straight line} but that's about the end of my abilities in the sewing department.  I wish I knew how to sew...I'm jealous of those people {including many family members} who are talented with a Singer.  Anyone want to volunteer to be my Sewing For Dummies private tutor?  NO.  Is that crickets I hear?!

Well, thank God for the people that invented Stitch Witchery.  Thanks to that product I was able to make some Ballard Design/Restoration Hardware-like pillows for a FRACTION of the cost.

Supplies Needed:  A canvas painter's drop cloth {any size in the regular weight}, Stitch Witchery, pillow form {I like to get pillows from the thrift store...just throw away the old, ugly pillow cover that's on there}, an iron, CitraSolv cleaner, black and white images copied using a toner-based copier.

I won't bore you with a lengthy and confusing tutorial in writing.  I basically watched THIS VIDEO and just used Stitch Witchery where people with sewing skills would normally sew.  Just so you know, if you do a no-sew version it will take you about 20 minutes per pillow.

Once you finish your pillow cover, grab a toner-based image and tape it right-side down.  Using a paint brush or q-tip, LIGHTLY apply full strength CitraSolv all over image then burnish with a metal spoon.  If you are using an image with wording, make sure you invert the the image/lettering before copying or it will come out backwards.  If you want a tutorial on how to do the CitraSolv transfer method, just check out my tutorial post found here.

Tada a cheap knock-off pillow. On this one I made a pocket using scrap fabric. It holds a reproduction French postcard.

I will be linking up to the parties on my side bar as well as the ones below:





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