Wine Bottle Remix

I received this bottle of wine from a friend recently.  It is a Sofia 2010 Riesling from Francis Coppola Winery.  Francis Ford Coppola makes wine?  Um...what can this man not do?  First, "The Outsiders" and now this.  I haven't drank it yet (oh don't worry I will), but that is okay because what I really wanted to talk about was the shape of the bottle.  Isn't it pretty.  It has a very gentle curve, not your typical wine bottle.  It's too pretty to recycle, so instead I might try one of these ideas.

The Missing Piece

Thanks for taking a little break from food prepping and table setting to catch up!  I wanted to share a quick little art update that I made this weekend to my picture collage wall.  You can read about creating the wall here.  I had bought 2 wooden state puzzle pieces at one of my favorite vintage stores, just because they were so sentimental and sweet.  See I grew-up in Illinois, and got married in Indiana.  So when I saw these little guys, I had to have them.  

Cleaning Copper and a WINNER

I found this antique doorplate at a flea market a a few weeks ago.  It appeared to be copper, but was quite tarnished and grungy.  I liked the ornate detail and the not one but two keyholes.  I snatched it up for $1.  The seller asked me if I was from the TV show American Pickers.  UM....I wish!

Before

I did a little research online and found that you can clean copper with table salt and vinegar.  So I made a vinegar and salt paste that I applied to the copper, and scrubbed (and scrubbed, and scrubbed) with an old toothbrush.  I probably could have scrubbed even more, but I was getting impatient.  I rinsed with water and viola...

D is for: D.I.Y. Art

The right piece of art really makes a room, but can also be quite pricey.  Drawing or painting are not my strong suits, so I have always been inspired by art that I can actually make myself.  And saving a buck by finding beauty in the ordinary or unexpected is perfect for me.  I am thinking a few of these ideas might be perfect for you too!



Clipboards as a rotating art gallery

Upcycle: Storage

Before you sell or donate an old piece of furniture, think if it could have a new life.  Anything with drawers such as dressers, cabinets or desks can be repurposed into DIY storage.  This particular project started out as a media center.  When the leg broke, it was clear that it could no longer hold the TV.   Before I set it by the curb to be recycled, I pulled out the two drawers.  I started by removing the drawer slides.  Typically this means unscrewing a few screws.  If you plan to paint the drawer, remove the pulls or knobs as well.  I used brown spray paint for a darker finish.  It covered easily in a few coats.  But depending on your drawer's material, you may need to use a primer first. Remember to always spray paint in a well-ventilated area.