Race to Beat the Rain...

My family has been in overdrive the last two weeks. Even though we homeschool, we do so many activities outside the home during the school year. We have been in a rush to get all of our supplies, books, and LOTS of projects completed. I keep saying that things will calm down, but it will get worse before it gets better, lol!

Here are a few projects that we finished up and headed out today...

I was surprised when my hubby was thinking about swapping this table with our current coffee table. I mean, I totally LOVE it, but I am not quite ready to part with our ginormous, square, red hangout yet. Yes, I am a color addict and I won't be changing anytime soon. I hope my son finds a girl ready for some colorful walls because white walls don't exist here. :)

And check out these gorgeous feet...

 

Last, but not least, is a project that I have been waiting for the perfect table backdrop for. I love doing subway art wall boxes and wanted to try it on some tables. It needed to be a surface that was pretty plain so it would not overwhelm it. I found some honking wood storage tables that were perfect!

Then I wanted some rustic chunky hardware and found a match! I just love how they turned out!

Be sure to check out Alternate Endings Design on Facebook!

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Being a Jane...

I am having my creative outburst on the You're so Jane blog today so head that way and check it out!

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A Touch of Spring Color...

Here is my second table that I finished last week...

I wanted something with a little bit of color. I didn't want to go to extreme because I wanted it to be able to morph into a room for a long time instead of a passing fad. This side table started off in a light oak finish. I painted a base coat of a light gray to blend with the finish. Then, I mixed up a light green color that had a little more blue for coolness to match the green of the season. Of course, I couldn't just stop there. I added the last coat in a warmer yellow green wash for contrast. 

I did some moderate distressing to show all of the colors and added a couple of coats of wax for durability. I just LOVED the finished table. If I had a place for it, I would be keeping this! It looked great everywhere I put it. As a bedside table or end table, its colors were surprisingly versatile.

I have already hauled this table off for all the shoppers at Vintage Jane, but if you have a piece that you would like funked up a bit, just let me know!

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Loving the Time Change and Weather!

I am so excited about the time change and the fabulous sneak peek at Spring weather! Of course, I am NOT excited about waking up in the dark morning hours, but hopefully it will be lighter soon. When the daylight hours are longer and the weather is calling me to come outside, I feel like I can conquer the world, or at least finish something.

I have been working away on so many projects lately that i haven't even had time to post them! Well, I may just have to spew out some photos this week so you can see that I really have been doing something. Maybe short and sweet will get me caught up. :)

I refinished a couple of side tables this week. Yay! It has been since last Spring that I have gotten to do a furniture project. It will be happening more often now.

This is a solid oak and sturdy side table, but it's a bit ho hum. You know I just like to FUNK something up!

This drop leaf table started off with a light oak finish. I painted on a light gray base coat, then added two coats of a matte black. These are moderately distressed to let the light gray and light oak contrast with the darker top coats. They were finished off with a couple coats of wax to help them stand the test of time.

I will try to post my second table tomorrow with some details. I started a new Facebook page just for my repurposed and upcycled projects. Check it out at Alternate Endings Design!

This table and more will be heading up to Vintage Jane in Kville tomorrow. If you are local, come find some treasures of your own. :)

Joined the party at:
- Craft Schooling Sunday at Creative Jewish Mom

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Not Quite Crystal Clear...

I had fun making some of our Christmas gifts this year. I was trying to handmake or purchase handmade this season. I think I came out 50% not, lol. I think if I would have started further ahead of time I could have at least had 80% made. Oh well, something to work toward next time. :)

I really like making these "incognito" mugs. The kids and I were giggling each time we held them up. Kind of hard to look at someone drinking from it and not think they were a bit silly.

Then we just had to make more!

So I had lots of fun with these and I am in the process of making more. I wanted something a little more artsy as well, so I decided on doing some wine glasses. I found some stemless glasses that I had to have! I think they are so casually contemporary! They may not be for the wine connoisseur, but I think they can be used for so much. I would even use them as candleholders or a short vase.

Did you get a little crafty over the holiday season? Any ideas for the next holiday season? I am gonna keep my mind open, hands moving, and creativity flowing to see what we can do!

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Getting Back in the Game...

Well, I dare show my face (or avatar) again after quite the little break. So much has been going on around me that time just got away from me. Now that summer has beat my door down, I'm trying to get into a new routine. I have been quite busy and have so much to share...but one thing at a time. :)

Stocking my smallfrynotables shop has been a blast and I am looking forward to adding so much more! Please stop by and check it out. Here are a couple of items you will find there...



If you like what you see, please "like" Small Fry Notables on facebook, as well! In fact, if you drop by now, please write something on the wall you would like to find for your upcoming Independence Day gatherings. You might find it as a FREE download next week!

Another thing that has consumed me is...couponing! I never thought I would do it, but once I started, it has become quite addictive. I thought I did well with my bargain hunting before, but I have blown myself away, lol. I always love a challenge.

Well, tootles for now, but I won't stay gone long!

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From Drab to Fab - January Creative Challenge

So for my project with a $20 maximum, came in at $18.44. It was a lamp that someone had given us long ago. I had kept it in my basement for ages because I really disliked it (that's really an understatement). I had to buy a new lampshade because I couldn't find one at the thrift store that was the shape I wanted. I'm sure I could have scoured more, But I was still under $20 so I didn't sweat it. So here is what I started with.


Pretty bad, huh? Not to worry. The first thing I did was to give the metal a little rub down with a fine grade sand paper to give it some tooth, then gave it a couple of coats of a red spray primer that was made for metal.


After priming it, I left that to dry for a bit while a freehanded a simplified leaf shape in pencil on the new lampshade. Next, I used thick artist acrylic black paint to fill in the pencil sketch. This was a silk lampshade, so anything too wet will spread. I went back and painted a black border on the top and bottom to give it a bit more punch.


By now, the primer was dry and I gave the base a couple of coats of matte black spray paint.


I then took a copper patina glaze and drybrushed all of the edges and surfaces that would normally show wear, topped it with the new shade and called it a day!




I joined the party at:
DIY Project Party monthly contest
Creative Share Wednesday @ Trendy Treehouse
FFA Friday @ Sassy Sites
Frugal Friday @ The Shabby Nest
Just Something I Whipped Up @ The Girl Creative
The DIY Show Off Project Parade
Amaze Me Monday @ Dittle Dattle
Letting the Creative Tuesday Juices Flow
Restored It Wednesday @ Restore Interiors
Trash 2 Treasure Tuesday @ Sassy Sites

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January Creative Outburst Grownup Gathering

We had so much fun at our first Creative Outbursts at our new From Art to Zebras studio! Our theme for this one was New Year, New You. We each did a 16"x20" mixed media canvas. Everyone chose a face or design that represented how they felt. I loved the variety and seeing how everyone felt about themselves. And I am so looking forward to our February Creative Outbursts that we will be creating cupcake collages for a sweet soiree!

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January Creative Challenge!

Theme: Totally Drab to Totally Rad!

I know it sounds a bit 80s but don't let that influence you (or do, if that's your thing!). Here are the details of our first public challenge with From Art to Zebras. Above all, HAVE A BLAST!

Your challenge this month is to spend $20 or less at a thrift store and buy something super ugly, tacky or otherwise abominable and revamp it into something totally awesome. If you have something totally horrible already, first, let me say I'm sorry; second, why???; and third, go ahead and use it for the challenge. You must take pictures of the item in its original state, so we can see both the before and the after. Your purchase can be a piece of artwork, clothing, figurine, statue, platter, furniture -- whatever! You decide. You can purchase more than one item at the thrift store as long as your total is $20 or less, and your items somehow come together in the same theme of the project.

Rules:

• Craft your project during this challenge period (Jan 11 - Jan 31st 2011) only. Projects created before this timeframe will not be removed, but they will be excluded from the voting. Post before and after shots on our From Art to Zebras facebook page and tag yourself in them. If you don't have a facebook account, you can either get one, lol, or just email them to us and we will post them.
• You can make this by yourself or as a group or family. If participating as a group, please tag all individuals. You will be responsible for working out how the prize will be divided.
  
• Post your craft no later than Jan 31st.
• Voting will happen from Feb 1-8, 2011.
• Enter only ONE project. Your entry can have multiple components to it.

Originality:

It's probably impossible to know whether your project is 100% original or made by anyone else in the past. But if your project was definitely inspired by something you've seen before, please give credit to that project.

Prizes:
At the end, I'll set up a poll and the first place winner will get:

(1) their project featured on blog, facebook, website and twitter!
(2) bragging rights (you'll probably do it anyway).
(3) a $75 gift certificate to use with From Art to Zebras on anything! classes, camps, events, artwork, gifts, photography, okay, you get the hint. :)

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Quick and Easy Spring Crafts for Kids

From Art to Zebras had so much fun at the March of Dimes walk this past Saturday doing crafts and glitter tats with the kiddos. It was delightful for the little ones up through the teens! Imagine that!

beaded-chick-craft, originally uploaded by smallfrynotables.

This beaded chick was super easy! With just two wooden beads, markers, a feather and chenille stem, these were cute! We had the kids color the beads first, fold a 6" chenille stem in half and tuck the feather into the fold. Next, thread the smaller bead (head) on the unfolded end of the chenille stem, then the larger bead. Lastly, fold up the ends to make a couple of little feet. Your little ones can make a whole peep of their own chicks! Have fun...

Joined the party at:
Tots Tuesdays

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Funky Little Toadstool Houses

toadstool-houses-closeup-2, originally uploaded by smallfrynotables.

The kids in our Draw/Paint/Sculpt class had so much fun designing and creating these little toadstool house. They used some old plastic bottles as the foundation and then added paper clay to create the houses. They started designing them on paper first and then painted away. These are SO cute and would make a wonderful little village.



Links to party with:
We Made It Friday

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Handmade Mother Goose Stationery

recycled-envelopes-3, originally uploaded by smallfrynotables.

If you know me, you will agree I like books. I love books. Okay, I may be considered a hoarder when it comes to books. Some of my books are no longer easy to read because of missing or damaged pages. I still can't part with them. Sometimes I will use them in my artwork to add a bit of whimsy.

I love upcycling and being able to use these books for an entirely different purpose. I used some of the pages from a Mother Goose book that were undamaged and handcut each envelope. These are so cute and have been very useful for quick thank you notes. I slipped some recycled colored cardstock into each one along with a matching address label with a star shape cutout.

I love these and can't wait to make more! You can get some of your own in our studio or check out our etsy shop, small fry notables.

Link parties to hang with:

Super Crafty Sundays
Check Me Out Saturdays
Metamorphasis Monday
Show & Tell Wednesday
It's a Hodgepodge Friday
Make It 4 Monday
Tots Tuesdays
Do It Yourself Day
It's So Very Renovated Tuesday
Show and Share Day
Toot Your Own Horn Tuesday
Nifty Thrifty Tuesdays
Making the World Cuter Monday
Talented Tuesday!
Creative Cats!
Trash to Treasure Tuesday
Penny Pincher Party Wednesdays
Lucky Linky Tuesday
Simply Designing Link Party
Made by You Mondays
Whatever Goes Wednesdays
Weekend Wrap Up Party
The DIY Show Off
Just Something I Whipped Up Monday
Made It Monday
Tip Junkie's Tip Me Tuesday
A Little Craft Therapy
Look What I Made
Whatever Goes Wednesday
Make It Yours Day
Get Your Craft On Thursday
Frugalicious Friday

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Star Wars Paper Mache Fun!

Star Wars Paper Mache Fun!, originally uploaded by smallfrynotables.

We had a fun get together for a newly turned nine year old boy and a few of his friends today at the studio. He really likes Star Wars, so we decided upon these figures. They really got into it and were busy bees hard at work!


This is also a great recycling craft project. We started off with a drink bottle with the cap removed for each child. They balled up some aluminum foil for the head and glued that on the top. We used wire for the arms, then layered on the newspaper strips coated in glue. The finished with a layer of paper clay on the head, paint, and glued on the finishing touches.

This is definitely something you can at home, just be prepared for a LARGE mess!

Joined the Party at:
What are little boys made of? Weekly Round Up
Penny Pinching Party Wednesdays - The Thrifty Home

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Some FUN Photography!

You have to take a look at these images! Jan von Holleben - Dreams of Flying has some imaginative and amazing ideas. I think I might have to try out a few of these with my little mermaid and wannabe NBA player! Let me know if you all try this out; I would love to see your ideas!

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Come Make Some Christmas Ornaments!

Our Christmas ornaments are arriving, more each week! From simple to more intricate, we have something for all ages. Bring your kids in to make one, or call us to schedule your group. We even have some new ornaments that light up! Remember, our studio hours are M-F 11-6 and other times by reservation. Some other ideas for your group to celebrate the holidays with From Art to Zebras style are:
*Gift Making Workshop - Give us the age range of the group and we will come up with some special gift projects that are just right!
*Ornament Making Workshop - Pick up to three different ornaments for your group to choose from. Great for all ages.
*Cookie & Santa Plate Decorating Workshop - Kids will have a yummy time decorating not only cookies, but they can do Cookie & Milk plate sets and aprons as well.
*StoryTime Art Gathering - Have a special holiday storytime followed by an age appropriate craft. You may even want to include some festive snacks!
*Gifts for Giving Gathering - How about spreading some cheer to those in need this Christmas season by making some special gifts and cards while having some fun yourself!

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Busy, Busy, Busy!

We had a class-filled afternoon at the studio this afternoon. The PreK-K classes started back up today along with our new Geography Society. It will definitely be a hit!

In PreK-K Art, we made mixed up magazine collages. Isn't it fun to see what comes of putting together various features from all different people. It turns out quite wacky! You can also do it with all different photographs of the same person. Kind of a unique and crazy memoir!

This week we did PreK-K Math and learned about the whole and parts of the whole by making our own puzzles. The kids drew pictures that covered the entire piece of paper and decided how they wanted it divided up. They figured out the more pieces you have, the harder it is to put back together! This is a neat idea if your kids like to make birthday cards and such. They make the card on a single side of cardstock and cut it up for the recipient to put together!

The Geography Society started off by making their notebooks and made their first graphic folder to put in it. We talked about the Earth's surface and the imaginary lines that divide it up. They showed what they had learned in their folder. Their notebooks are going to be a great tool to show others what they have learned. Each time they show it off, it refreshes their memory!

Check out our calendar to see what classes and events are coming up. Be sure to reserve your spot for this Sundays Holiday Card Making and Tuesday evening Mom's (or any adult!) Night Out. We will be making some cool "treasure" boxes to put your holiday cards or other treasures in. Grab your girlfriends and join us for a productive night out!

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Sticking Around

I know everyone who has kids has a LOT of artwork. But at From Art to Zebras, we have MORE than a lot. I don't like to tape everything up on the walls, and I can't, nor can I afford to, have everything framed. So my idea was to have a few pieces that can be rotated easily without damage to the artwork or the walls. So here is what I came up with.

Not the best picture, but it gives you the jest of it. I just took sheets of metal and predrilled holes about an inch in around the edges. We used drywall screws to attach to the wall. Just add magnets and artwork and wah-lah, instant framing! Of course, I have to add my funky touch, so i will be decorating some magnets. You could paint or wallpaper the metal, but I like the industrial look of it and it won't compete with the artwork displayed on it.

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