Super Simple- Super Cute

I found the idea for this project at the following site;

http://bluevelvetchair.blogspot.com/2011/08/super-simple-diy-frame.html. I thought it looked pretty neat and while I don't have a space for it in my home I thought perhaps it would be a fun interactive project that could be placed in the waiting room of the counseling office where I work.

All of the materials for this project were recycled from things I already had around my home. I had a 12x12 frame with a picture in it that I wasn't using and decided to tear it apart to reuse the frame. I used cotton string, added a little of thin glitter yarn and then decided to use metal clips versus small clothes pins (I had both but liked the metal clip look better). I used an industrial hand staple gun to hold the cotton yarn on and hot glued the glitter yarn around the staples. This was all done on the back of the frame. Added clips, cut some decorative scrap paper in different patterns and colors with the purpose of using them to have people add inspirational/motivational quotes to the board (perhaps when they are waiting in the waiting room)! ;) Including prep time the entire project was created in about 45 minutes.

Scrap- Paper- Tree- Centerpiece

I found this art project from a link on Reddit Crafts (http://www.reddit.com/r/craft) that inspired me to try my hand at creating something similar. Here's the official cite that gives the instructions:

http://www.everydaymomideas.com/2011/03/scrap-paper-tree-centerpiece-tutorial.html.

Hmmm... mine turned out mediocre. Difficulties were that it didn't say what are the best size branches to use nor what size to make the leaves or about how many per branch. I found that I ended up using to big of branches and not enough leaves or perhaps my leaves were also too big. The final look is okay and I think it might actually look even sharper if I had a solid black vase to put it in. However, finding an inexpensive decent black vase is proving to be difficult. Since I'm not sure how long I'll keep the piece I don't want to invest a lot in the vase. I've looked at Goodwill, Family Dollar and Craigslist with no luck. I'll keep looking and if I find something I'll edit this post to show the difference.

My Purchase's/ Art Center Room Decorations

I purchased a piece of artwork from each 6x6 exhibit since it began in 2008. I found a great deal on frame's at Michael's (buy one get one free). Now they are hanging in my art center room and look wonderful.

It was very neat to purchase the artwork and see who created them. One is from a Geneseo College Student, another is an Illustrator, and the newest piece from the 2011 show turned out to a neighbors daughter. Isn't that crazy-out of 5,000 pieces I end up picking a neighbor's!

Artist Trading Cards Received

Here are some artist trading cards I've received upon exchanging. The top two cards are from tomorrowboy and the bottom two are from Jennifer.Dickieson@live.ca