Water Heater Drip Pan Door Decoration $1.82

I've had this crude barnwood frame in our garden shed forever. I snipped two squares from this scrap metal that we ripped out of our cabin when we installed a new water heater. Greg thinks it was the old drip pan. I have no idea what it was, but it came from our cabin's water heater closet and it isn't magnetic. (Rats!) Greg recycled the metal I didn't use along with the old water heater. He got $11 for it. That is a lot of money in ReDEUX Land.

After I snipped a larger square and a smaller square (use tin snips or crummy scissors set aside for cutting crummy things), I used my metal alphabet and hammered the word "WELCOME" into the center of the small square. I punched holes in the corners to secure the small square to the big square with silver brads. I also drilled two holes in the top corners of the barn wood frame for the ribbon. I used the largest drill bit we own. 

This is the metal alphabet. I originally bought it at the craft store and it was made by Making Memories.

Then I cleaned the metal with my Mrs. Meyer's countertop spray. Don't you just love Mrs. Meyer's? I used to drive all the way to Sur la Table at The Gateway to buy it, but now it's at Walmart. Excellent. Don't buy the geranium scent. It's nasty.

I took it to Hobby Lobby and had the framer shoot some glazier's points around the edges to hold everything in place since my nails weren't holding (the wood was so distressed they kept falling out). The framer didn't even charge me. I was expecting to pay a dollar. Yahoo. I tied my ribbon (taken from a wrinkled gift bag) in knots in the front of the frame.

Lastly, I hot-glued some felt to the back so when the frame bangs against the door we don't hear it. And it looks nicer. I had to buy the felt, which was $1.82 for half a yard. I have tons left, so if anyone needs felt please call.

I love it.

Lampshade Birdcage $1

 

I had a couple of old lampshades from my house I used for these, but I also bought some at D.I. for $1/piece. You just want to get a lampshade that has the metal rib cage. They are harder to find than you might suppose.

Slash through the shade fabric and remove what comes off easily. Soak the lampshades in hot soapy water. The glue will loosen up and you can rip the remaining fabric off with pliers. Once dry, pick any leftover glue off. I use my fingernails, but needlenose pliers would probably be better. Or a razor blade. I like the patina of the metal shades. If the shades are white I cover them with washi tape.

Make birds with fabric scraps. I got the pattern for my bird from this book. Sew little embellishments on your birds. I collect all sorts of trinkets, so I sewed little bits to my birds because I think it makes them interesting. RE named this bird "From Paris With Love."

 

 

 

Decorate your cage with anything. I have wired buttons and sewing notions on one, crystals and beads to another, and left some blank. You could do any theme you want. I used stamped clothespins from French General to make a perch in one of my cages. Really, the possibilities are endless, and I decorate my cage with the recipient in mind (their style, their colors, etc).

Attach the birds to the cage with fishing line and crimp beads. Yes, more fishing line and crimp beads. I told you I have an endless supply.

Hang the cage however you wish. I have done clear fishing line, braided embroidery floss, ribbon remnants, and jute. Just use what you have. Don't go buy something!

If you don't have a lampshade, use other clever objects. I made this one out of an antique sewing hoop for my sister Suz because she sews custom baby bedding for a living.

Grain Sack Appliance Cozies $3

Grain sacks purchased at a consignment store in Santa Ynez, CA; $1 each.

Some were holey and flea-bitten, but I worked around it. Here we are just giving the ol' Blendtec a custom fitting.

Very thankful for the serger. I read that "serging prevents handmade from looking homemade." 

Around here we appreciate a decent letter "G" since I married a Greg.

This turned out so well that I made one for the toaster, too. I love grain sacks! Look at all the cool typography on them!

The Drifted Snow Flour man (that was holding the sheaves of wheat) was very handsome. I mean, look at his forearms. I saved his head in my scrap pile. He kind of looks like Ken-doll meets the Green Giant. I suspect he was going out with Martha Meade. I'm sure it was all sorts of scandal at the flour factory.