flat washer + paper + stamps = key ring

This is not a new idea. In fact, the interwebs keep telling me how old this idea is.  Whatever, I love it.  
These flat washers are not salvaged, but you know they will be top on my list of things to look for this spring when the flowers and the tag sales start blooming.  This is super fun and super easy.

So far, I've done two:  one for me and one for my dad for his new boat. I know, I know, washers sink.  I've been told.  Apparently he can put something on it to make it float.  When you own a boat, I think sinking keys are the least of your problems.  What I love about his is I managed to find the exact place he docks his boat on a vintage map from my stash.  Stamped with the name of the boat, the "evie", it's perfect.

For mine, I went through my delicious, new stash of beautiful paper and added some inspiration words, so now grabbing my keys to go food shopping is going to be so. much. more. FUN!

one side

and the other

it's an adventure, not a traffic jam!

explore (the feeling of Gus kicking my seat)

fantastic champagne bottle top art,
as a complete aside

emphasis on the adventure

teeny tiny pedestal, perfect for your bonbons

I truly loved creating this little project.  I'm a little obsessed with cake stands after seeing this great cupcake stand using wooden bobbins and vintage pie tins.  I started to think about a mini version that could be used for candy, truffles, jewelry, or, if you have a small child, teeny tiny legos.  Or your bonbons.  Because I know you spend a lot of time lounging around, eating bonbons, and you need a place to display them.

I started with the idea of using some of my beautiful wooden spools to divide the levels.  I just scored a bunch at the Goodwill in Pittsfield.  Who knew?

Then I thought of old CDs, which are everywhere, and can be decoupaged to add some nice color and paper.  It was also a nice excuse to use my fabulous Martha Stewart circle cutter.  She's no joke; I almost cut a circle in my butcher block counter.  But then, we knew that.

Next, a trip to Salvation Armani where I sashayed the home goods aisle, letting them speak to me.  I turned up this sweet little tea cup saucer:

And finally, the perfect topper:  a vintage tartlet tin that my friend Laurie gifted to me some time ago:

What I love about this project is the variety of materials:  paper, plastic, tin, wood and thread.  We've got it all.  It was also super fun to piece it all together, and I will now be on the lookout for smallish round stuff to make more!

full disclosure:  the paper is new

as a jewelry holder

with sweet treats

travel pin board

I recognize the potential pretentiousness/obnoxiousness, but we thought it would be fun and * educational * to create a travel pin board for Gus.  At first it was simply terrifying, as in, my son just grabbed a thumbtack off of his fun and educational travel pin board and almost tossed it in his mouth.  We quickly removed it from its perch right above his crib and forgot about it for a while.  Now that he is 3, we figure/hope he is old enough to know better.  

There are a million different ways to do and embellish these, but here is my take.  

city, occasion, date
extra credit if you can guess the state

recycled bulletin board + pretty paper +
vintage-y map (forgive me, it's brand new)

you could decoupage maps on the tacks...
or not

the east coast states are so tiny....
lots of thumbtacks in close proximity

love the way the baker's twine looks

slight pennant addiction

Very excited about our pennant workshop at the Bement School in a few weeks!  In the name of preparation, I've been working on pennants, and my, they are addictive.  For Gus' (so sad he has such a short name), I used jute twine instead of the baker's twine I used for the New Year pennant:

I also used the star punch outs from the New Year pennant to decorate it.  Can't let those tiny, tiny stars go to waste.  We are all about recycling here.  The folks at knack would be so proud!

And here's a pretty fabric and felt one I did for a wedding last year:

me and the plumbing supply store guy

I thought that might get your attention.

I got this awesome book called Home from the Hardware Store for Christmas.  It's all about repurposing hardware and plumbing parts, and it's super cool.  Like Brooklyn hipsterish cool, with lots of references to French flea markets.  

I was especially attracted to what the authors describe as "machine-age candlesticks," made from plumbing parts.  John and Gus waited outside the plumbing supply store (no way was John subjecting himself to this), while I bravely tucked my craft book under my arm and headed inside, muttering "hex bushing" under my breath.  

these are hex bushings.
who knew?

After scanning the aisles for about 30 seconds, I gave in.  In my most confident voice, I asked where I could find hex bushings and unions.  And then I blew my cover, blathering on about candlesticks and repurposing and crafting.  But then, when I showed the nice plumbing supply store guy the pictures, he brightened at the picture of the candleabra, suggesting a menorah. A kindered spirit, right there in the degreaser aisle!  

The project could not be easier, but it also couldn't be more expensive.  I'm reminded of the other cool thing about using salvaged and reclaimed items:  they are generally cheap (except when I get carried away at an auction for the coolest. croquet set. ever.).  The whole shebang was so expensive, I didn't buy the unions, which came in at a whopping $18/per.  Hopefully this spring I'll hit the tag sale of a retired plumber with lots of hex bushings and unions to get rid of.  

The sudden disappearance of the unions allowed me to add my own twist/new obsession:  

giant washers
and check out that awesome tag sale scale! 

sweet

home

So here they are, all dolled up for a housewarming present (sweet home, home sweet, get it?).  Thanks, Brooklyn hipsters.  If the trend continues into 2013, you'll be moving to Northampton any day now, and we will welcome you with open, crafty arms.