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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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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