Birdnest Centerpiece

I really, really, really like Pinterest.com for inspiration! How about you? I have a formal dining room table and a table in our kitchen, so I am always looking for fun and inexpensive centerpiece ideas. As I was looking through Pinterest, I came across a three tiered centerpiece that was decorated with bird nests. I loved the look of it, so I ran with the inspiration and this is what I came up with...

I had a three tiered plate stand that used to hold fruit on our kitchen counter and I was excited to get to use it again. I wanted the centerpiece to be in creams, whites, and greens, so I visited a local thrift store and found some very pretty cream plates for $.29 cents each and a cheese plate with dome for $1.99! I purchased the nests, plastic bird eggs, sprays, and balls from Hobby Lobby and Michaels when they were 50% off and the small grapevine wreath from Dollar Tree. I really like the way this looks on our front room dining table and am even happier that I spent less than $15!!

Re-purposed Mixed Media Serving Tray - "Laughter"

As I was looking at a variety of great creations on Pinterest, I came across where someone had taken an old wood frame and turned it into a serving tray. As you know I love to re-purpose frames, so I decided that I wanted to give this a try. I also decided that I wanted to create a one of a kind mixed media piece to go inside. Below are some photos showing you the step-by-step process I went through in creating this tray. Feel free to email me at: judesigns@hotmail.com with any questions.

I had an old wood frame, that I picked up at a thrift store, and thought it would be perfect for this project due to the width of wood it had, the face of the frame was inset, and it had a unique design around the edges.

I painted the frame in a variety of different greens, sanding and distressing in between coats. I have several old drawer pulls on hand, so I found a couple that I thought would work perfectly. Because of the slope of the wood frame, they wouldn't look right to attach them to the top of the frame sides, so I drilled holes through the sides and attached them on the outside of the frame. Once the handles were attached, I filled the holes with wood filler and completed the painting and distressing process.

For the mixed media piece, I used the backing out of the frame as my base.

I decided to create an art piece with a coffee cup and saucer for the inside of the tray. I also wanted to use some of my scrap paper, since I seem to have piles of it. :)

To start with, I used Mod Podge and glued on pages from an old book as the first layer.

I then added the scrap papers I had chosen and glued them across the top leaving some space for the book pages to show through.

I like to recycle cereal and cracker boxes and use them in my projects to add dimension.

On this project I decided to use an empty cereal box to add dimension to the cup and saucer. I traced it and then cut it out. I forgot to take photos of the rest of this process, but it was pretty similar to how I created the back ground. I used old book pages for the mouth of the cup and decorative paper for the cup and handle.

I also used old book pages for the saucer, embossed, and painted it.

I added my "Laughter is the best medicine, but coffee is a good substitute" saying to it and also added some steam coming out of the coffee cup.

Here is a photo of the completed mixed media piece before I put it into the serving tray.

I didn't feel like the backing on this frame was sturdy or strong enough for it to be used as a serving tray, so I added a thin wood backing.

Once glued in, I used wood filler to fill in the gaps around the perimeter, then once it was dry, sanded it and painted it to match the rest of the frame.

My final step was to add bumpers to the bottom, so that it won't damage or slide around on furniture.

This was a fun re-purposing project. If this has inspired you to make one, I would love it if you would come back and post a photo. I would love to see YOUR creation!
Don't forget to visit my facebook paget at: Dippity Dot Creations. If you would like to place an order for a serving tray or a mixed media art piece be sure to email me at: judesigns@hotmail.com

Magnetic Photo Frames

I just finished a few magnetic photo frames and wanted to share them with you. This first one is a 16"H x 13"W frame that can be hung on the wall or displayed on an easel. I decided on a clock theme and created the inside of the frame using tissue paper, paint, ink, and chipboard. The saying "Every day a blessing. Every hour a dream. Every minute a possibility" is such a great reminder and I thought it went perfectly with this frame. Magnetic frames are such a fun way for posting photos and memos.

Here is a close up photo of the saying, which also shows all of the texture and dimension this frame has. Visit my fb page at: Dippity Dot Creations to see other creations I have made and to see what all I have available for sale.

This next photo is a double magnetic frame that has a magnetic chalkboard on one side and a magnetic board with burlap on the other side. I also included two bottle cap magnets and a piece of chalk with twine and a magnet. The wood frames are glued onto a painted metal candlestick. Email me at: judesigns@hotmail.com with any questions or visit my facebook page, Dippity Dot Creations, to see other creations and items I currently have for sale.

This last photo is of a double magnetic frame that has a magnetic chalkboard on one side and a magnetic board with decorative paper on the other side. Also included are two button magnets and a piece of chalk with twine and a magnet. The wood frames are glued onto a painted metal candlestick. Email me at: judesigns@hotmail.com with any questions or visit my facebook page, Dippity Dot Creations, to see other creations and items I currently have for sale.

Repurposed old screen door

I came across this old screen door and decided to turn it into a Memory/Story Board for my Dining Room. I really liked that there were two different sized openings. I added chicken wire in the larger opening, to allow many photos to be hung, and attached burlap in the smaller opening (love burlap!). Antique hardware is a favorite of mine. I came across some neat door knobs and plates so I added one of them to this board as well as a few other rustic accents. My family and I are really enjoying this new display. Currently we are displaying photos that were taken on our recent 20th wedding anniversary trip to Hawaii.

In the smaller section, I wanted to use the saying "Christ is the center of our home, a guest at every meal, a silent listener to every conversation", so I decided to frame it between three frames I found at a local thrift store. I really liked the design on the frames, so I painted and distressed them and added tea cup graphics from one of my favorite websites - The Graphics Fairy, along with the saying and hung them together with twine. I think it turned out neat and unique. :)

Glass Etching

Glass Etching has been a fun way to personalize and create one of a kind decor and gifts. Below are some photos of a few projects I have made. Questions or to place an order, email me at: judesigns@hotmail.com. Items I have for sale are listed on my facebook page: Dippity Dot Creations. Be sure to stop by and take a look!

Pedestal Jewelry Organizer

I am the type of person that believes there is a place for everything, and everything should be in its place. I think that is one reason I have enjoyed making Jewelry Organizers! Below are a couple of photos of Pedestal Organizers I made. These start at $35. To place an order contact me at: judesigns@hotmail.com. To see other items I have for sale, visit my facebook page at: Dippity Dot Creations

This wood jewelry organizer is antiqued green with a burlap flower. I used mesh screen on the inside of the frame for holding earrings, two black knobs on the top corners for holding necklaces, as well as four hooks at the bottom to hold bracelets and rings.

This wood jewelry organizer is distressed black with fabric flowers. I used mesh screen on the inside of the frame for holding earrings, two hooks on the top corners for holding necklaces, as well as four hooks on the bottom to hold bracelets and rings.

Hanging Earring Organizer

I was excited to finally get the chance to make a hanging earring organizer. I have been wanting to make one of these for awhile. It is going to help soooo much in keeping my earrings organized and easier to find! I came across the perfect sized wood frame at a local thrift store and used screen from an old screen door. After removing the insides of the the frame, I spray painted it along with the screen. Once they were dry, I glued the screen inside of the frame and it was ready to hang!
I am in the process of making more and will have them for sale. I am currently working on one with a pedestal, that way it can be sat on a dresser or on a bathroom cabinet if wall space is limited. As soon as I have them finished I will post photos on my facebook page at: Dippity Dot Creations. Email me at: judesigns@hotmail.com if you would like to place an order or have any questions.