Art for my "new" frames

So, what about my "new" frames? Did I put them to use, and hang some art?



I did - cool kitchen art - thanks to Studio Fuller.



 Beth Hannon Fuller is the owner and artist behind Studio Fuller. She makes fun, whimsical small-scale (postcard-size) mixed-media art. She combines drawings with fabric and pages from old books to create her quirky pieces of art. She sells her prints in her Etsy store, Studio Fuller. She also does all the cartoons and illustrations for BRAIN, CHILD, The Magazine for Thinking Mothers.You can also find her illustrations and art on her fun blog Studio Fuller Blog.




So, here are the prints hanging on my kitchen wall; they are perfect in my kitchen. Why? First, I love berries. Second, my main kitchen colors are blue and red. Third, paisley prints were big in my childhood (fabric with the currants). Fourth, I love to travel (map with the blueberries). Lastly, the quirky prints just make me happy, especially when I am cooking at my stove.

Creative rugs on a budget

Moving into a new apartment is exciting, but covering 75% of its hardwood floors can be challenging, especially on a budget (agggghhh!!). Hardwood floors are so beautiful, so it's a shame when landlords make tenants cover them (okay, not really - I get why); I just want to admire more than a quarter of my floors:). Of course, I looked at the usual discount shops (Target, Ikea, TJ, etc.), and hunted Craigslist multiple times, but the options were pretty lackluster.  Fortunately, other thrifty tenants have run into the same challenge; my favorite idea was from Bartleby - paint dropcloths. 

DISHCLOTH DROPCLOTH RUG



You need: 

• 1 lined paint dropcloth 
• 2 packages of dollar store dishcloths (for 5'x5') 
• Paint  
• Iron 
• Ultra fusible bond tape, at least 3/4" wide

To make:   

1. Unfold dropcloth & turn on iron. 
2. Follow instructions on fusible bond tape, & attach to 1 side of first dishcloth. Repeat for all 4 sides of dishcloth. 
3. Follow same instructions to attach dishcloth to dropcloth in the pattern you want. FYI, the dishcloths do not fit perfectly across, but are pretty close. 
4. If desired, paint.

 


PAINTED DROPCLOTH RUG

Clearly, I needed a larger dropcloth for my living room, so thank goodness the cloths come in multiple sizes. This rug is my sad ode to Jackson Pollack in pinks & purples. I loved making it, and highly recommend throwing paint. However, I'm not so certain my floor would agree. Apparently, not all dropcloths are lined. Not only was my floor also pink & purple, stuck to the rug in places. It required using a mixture (of course, products were not actually used together) of Murphy's Oil Soap, Goo Gone & Meyer's general cleaner over several hours and days to remove all the paint. Thus, be sure your dropcloth is lined.



UPHOLSTERY DROPCLOTH RUG

You need: 

• 1 lined paint dropcloth 
• Upholstery remnant, enough to cover dropcloth with extra for hemming (or close)
•  Iron 
• Ultra strength fusible bonding table, at least 3/4" wide 
• Quilt batting to cover dropcloth

To make:  

1. Unfold dropcloth, & turn on iron.  
2. Measure upholstery fabric to evenly cover dropcloth, & hem.  
3. Follow fusible bonding tape instructions to adhere to upholstery fabric, and repeat for each side.  
4. Follow same instructions to attach upholstery fabric to dropcloth on one side. Repeat for 2 more sides.  
5. Slide quilt batting through opening on 4th side between fabric & upholstery.  
6. Attach 4th side to dropcloth.   

*NOTE: Do not worry if your upholstery remnant does not quite fit, furniture can disguise it. 



Dropcloth rug pros: 

• Cheap - $5 for a 5'x5' & $19 for room-size (maybe 15'x12')
• Neutral color
• Very paint-friendly

Dropcloth rug cons:

• Easily wrinkles
• Does not quickly vacuum
• Not very cushy for walking & standing

** NOTE: Use either quilt batting or a rug pad underneath dropcloth to add cushioning, and help keep it in place. An old comforter or blanket could also work. Of course, furniture will help anchor it in place.

Falafel burger lunch

Today, I went with a falafel burger for lunch. Falafel is a Middle Eastern dish made from garbanzo beans (aka chick peas), and typically served in a pita with yogurt. The idea of falafel is very good (protein & spices), but its execution seems to vary; sometimes, I love it, and other times, it is just awful. Now, I could have ordered it from an experienced restaurant, or followed a well-loved recipe, but I went for a mix I found at an ethnic grocery store. I could have followed the instructions on the box, and made falafel, but I wanted a burger. I did add the water, but then I just made a patty & placed it in my Pam-sprayed skillet. It fried pretty fast, so I baked it in the oven for a few minutes to melt the cheese. Then, I sat it on some broccoli slaw (for some veggies), and added my beloved Trader Joe's Red Pepper sauce. At the last minute, I even threw in a couple pickles. Finally, I took a bite; it was horrible. Even using my never-fail mustard dousing (my go-to method for finishing my "no thank you" helpings as a child) did not make it tolerable.



The boxed falafel did have some redeeming uses, as it added pizazz to my tomato soup, and made a subtle falafel-spiced "sloppy joeish" lunch. Next time I want falafel, I will just stick with the tried & true.

Picture frame makeovers

You can't find the perfect frame? Make the perfect frame with a thrift store makeover. Thrift stores often have a lot of frames for cheap, but you can't let the bad art scare you. The key is to find the style and size you want. Remember, glass can be replaced, and frames can be painted or stained. I found 2 remotely similar 5x7 frames at a thrift store for $1.41 for one, and $0.99 for the other.



After cleaning and sanding the frames, I painted them white. Then, I added a layer of yellow, a layer of melonish-red (I mixed it), and finally, a layer of red. My paints are just the cheap tubes of acrylic paint you find at craft stores, and used at full strength (you can thin them with water).



Next, I used steel wool to lightly remove some of the paint to reveal the other layers. I wanted to add depth, and a somewhat aged appearance. For final touch, I rubbed beeswax on the frames for a protective layer, and a little shine.



Of course, I am a bit biased, but I think the makeover was a success, and the frames make a nice pair.

My orange bag & the banquette

While house-sitting last week, I noticed my orange bag sort of matches their banquette. See...



This is my weekend/ "personal item" bag, and I just love it. Thus far, I have yet to run into another person carrying the same bag, though I am certain such person exisits. 



I found it in New York City at Brooklyn Industries. I love its colors, especially the orange; they make me happy, and lift my spirits a bit when my plane gets delayed.



My dream kitchen has a banquette, so I have a place to read my cookbooks & food magazines. Thus, getting to cook in a kitchen with one is fabulous. The fact that the banquette complements my bag just gives me an excuse to play with my camera (another love).



I also love my orange bag's pockets, and



its interior compartments.



Look, it even makes for good pattern mixing.