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Catalogue Copy Cat Challenge –

January 28, 2013 · by Organizedisland · 19 Comments

This past weekend I worked on a project as part of the magazine copy-cat challenge over at Debbie Doo’s. I needed some wall art and I found this cool print in the Crate and Barrel catalogue. This was my inspiration.

Now, I realize that the piece in the catalog is made from handcrafted paper made from boiled bark, but the $899 price was a bit more than I wanted to pay for my wall art, plus I wanted a smaller version.

I already had a frame that I could use to recreate the art on a smaller level.

So I headed to my local craft store and picked up some scrapbook paper and burlap.

I cut the scrapbook paper in smaller increments to duplicate the effect.

Then I added a piece of burlap and put it under the glass in the frame.

What do you think?

I am sharing this at Debbie Doo’s Copy Cat Challenge.

Filed Under: Crafts, DIY, Frugal Fun · Tagged: cheap decor, copycat challenge, craft, crate and barrel craft, DIY, diy wall art, frugal wall art, wall art

Christmas Decoration Copy Cat Challenge

December 9, 2012 · by Organizedisland · 16 Comments

If you are like me, you are in the midst of the holiday entertaining season. I just love this time of year because I enjoy decorating the house. I love to peruse all of the catalogues of beautiful decorating and entertaining ideas for inspiration. This year, one of the things that caught my eye was this serving dish from the Crate and Barrel catalogue.

I decided to try to recreate it myself, so I headed to the store to find a plain white plate. I found a couple at Big Lots for $3.00 and $3.50. It would have been cheaper if I had waited for a coupon, but I decided to just pay the current price. I did not have time to come back after work when the coupon sale started. Anyhow, here is the plate before:

I made two plates but did not photocopy the round one before (oops!). I purchased some painter markers from the craft store in gold and silver. These markers are non-toxic.

Then, I started drawing on the plate. I chose to draw freehanded, because I wanted I like the look of hand painted.

Here is how the square plate looked when finished.

I decided to do trees and snowflakes on the round plate.

And here are both of them:

I have washed it a couple of times by hand and the paint has remained on the plate. If I decide to give it to someone, I would recommend hand washing only. To see my other frugal decorating ideas, check out my recent posts:

I am sharing this at Debbiedoo’s Holiday Knock Off Decoration party.

Would you try this?

Filed Under: Crafts, DIY, Entertaining, Frugal Fun, Gift Ideas, Winter · Tagged: cheap decorations, cheap entertaining ideas, copycat decorating, DIY, DIY Christmas decorations, DIY decoration, DIY holiday gifts, frugal decorating, holiday decorations

Decorating Mini Pumpkins

September 20, 2012 · by Organizedisland · 37 Comments

Today I am decorating some little pumpkins using decorative tape and scrapbook stickers.
I have a lot of scrapbook supplies from my scrapbook days (now I do a lot of it online).

First I picked up some miniature pumpkins from the market.
Here they are undecorated.

I just cut the tape and the borders to size and adhered them to the pumpkins.

Here is the after shot. It took me about 20 minutes and makes a great craft for kids and anyone really, that is not too messy (read paint, glitter, etc.) It’s officially here on Saturday! Are you excited for fall?

Filed Under: Crafts, DIY, Fall · Tagged: crafts, decorating with tape, DIY, fall, fall decorations, kids crafts, mini pumpkins, pumpkins, scrapbook supply crafts, simple halloween crafts

DIY Wall Art

September 17, 2012 · by Organizedisland · 11 Comments

A few weeks ago, after searching for artwork for her apartment, my daughter could not find the right painting at a reasonable price. So she decided to make her own. She came over to our house and bought some canvas and some acrylic paint at the craft store. The paint colors were chosen to match her apartment decor.

First she took a blank canvas and started sponging the first color.

Then it was time for the other colors

until the entire canvas was covered.

Next, she took some black and white paint for contrast, and added some features. In this case, a fleur de lis and some flowers.

Then we set the painting outside to dry. This is the finished product:

It came out really nice and is the perfect color scheme for her apartment. It also did not cost a lot. It inspired me to try to paint something too, I will let you know how it goes. Have you painted before?

Filed Under: Crafts, Frugal Fun · Tagged: acrylic paints, art, cheap art, decorating for your apartment, DIY, DIY artwork, frugal art, how to decorate your wall, simple wall art, wall art

Easy Paint Chip Art

August 22, 2012 · by Organizedisland · 17 Comments

Well it is finally cooling down here in California which means fall is on its way. I made a simple and frugal craft decoration out of paint chips and it is so simple that the photos tell the story. Kind of like a Wordless Wednesday.