Posted in Projects to Make, Game/Sporting Decor, Frames |
Frames, Plus a Revisit to the Picture Puzzle Frame
June 1st, 2006
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I love visiting other people’s home to see what cool, EASY decorating tricks they have used to add personal charm to their homes. On my last trip to Florida, I saw something I liked that surprised even me (that I liked it, that is). My girlfried had “damaged” some of her picture frames - ON PURPOSE! I was like “WHAT!?!?” You probably just had the same reaction I did, but stick with me. She may end up changing your mind, too.
My friend used a lot of wood frames with a layer of vinyl-type plastic, covering the wood. She peeled some of the vinyl off of parts of two legs of the frames - meeting in the corner. Check out the picture (click on it for a bigger view). What you see is the end result.
My first reaction to this was “Why?”. But then it started to grow on me - I think because:
1. I didn’t expect to see it. It was a surprise and it caught my eye.
2. Doing so exposed an organic element (wood) into a modern plastic-looking frame. I loved the contrast.
3. Doing so exposed part of my friend’s personality, and that part I just LOVED!
So, although I have not done this anywhere in my home, I think the very idea of doing it, opened even more creative windows for me. Feeding creativity is a KEY tool in frugal decorating.
Today, I got some feedback on the Picture Puzzle Frame I had made as a gift. If you didn’t read that blog entry yet, it’s here:
I had sent a note with the gift that said something like:
Congratulations on your new home! This gift is a combination of things that you love. May you fill your new home with much more that you love!
The recipient told me today that she wasn’t much on giving and getting housewarming presents, but that my gift had changed her mind. That sending things very personal, ESPECIALLY with a note of explanation (in her case, she would not have made the connection that I knew she loved both the picture itself and making puzzles), made her feel very special.
As an artist, that accolade, that acknowledgement of understanding my design by her, was worth more than gold to me. The design didn’t cost much, nor was it hard to assemble. I may never make another one, making it not all that “productive”. But, like the commercial says:
Materials for the design : $10.00
Assembly Time for the design: $20.00
Time coming up with the design: $80.00
Having a design “understood” - PRICELESS.
Your Frugal decorating Diva,
Nancy
Sheryl on 3 Jun 2006 at 9:09 am: 1
My oldest son(12 at the time) was with me at a local public library book sale. He found a 1922 nursery rhyme book that was falling apart. We purchased it and selected the rhymes that I uses to chant/sing to him and his little brother (now 20 and 24). I had them matted and framed. They are displayed in my dining room. I have had more compliments on the grouping. Not only is it a fun and interesting grouping…it has sentimental/family story value. I hope one day to break up the set and give them to my boys when they become daddies.
Sheryl