Scrap Wood Art Using a Cricut

I started this project several months ago and just finished these decorative scraps of wood today. I found them in my art supply box.

I always seem to have small scraps of wood around the garage and I like to make use of them. One tool that helps me do that is my Cricut. This is actually my second one in 6 years. I used them a lot while decorating for others in Connecticut and these days I just have a little fun with it on my own projects. Mine is the Cricut Create - the small version that does a lot. It retails for $129.00 but I have seen them for less on ebay, etc.

A big part of the investment goes into the fonts/Cartridges you want. Each one gives so many options.They run between 29.99 to 59.99 retail and one will come with your machine. A video comes with the Cricut to show you how to use it, too. Very useful.

The Cricut cutter and the fonts, print pads and tools are available in craft stores and even Walmart. I have attached the Cricut website link here. I buy my vinyl by the yard on-line at Ordway Sign Supply. The vinyl I like best is FDC 6" or Oracal Intermediate. I don't see 6" as an option on the site today but I have found it in the past - you can special request your desired width. I have also cut the rolls down myself with my table saw. =/

This is transfer tape, the sticky stuff that goes on top of your words or design that pull it off the backing paper and allows you to place your design on the wall as it is measured out during the printing process.

For this design I just placed the sticker on the wood with my little tools.

If you have a business where you might use words and designs a lot - I recommend this little machine but if you just want a couple of designs or words - go for stenciling or check out Etsy.

To hang my 6 inch square art pieces, I used bronze hooks attached to the center of each - one at the bottom and the other at the top.

Then hooked them together. I like seeing hardware and this makes it so I only have to make one hole in the wall instead of two.

The top is even hung with a hook on a matching bronze drywall screw.

A simple project! I can hang these on a skinny wall in the bath or hall.

Even if you don't make this design...I hope you are inspired to make something similar out of your scrap wood.

I also used my Cricut for this early Trash to Treasure redo.

and this one...

One year I made super cute Christmas ornaments with scrap wood - you can see those HERE

.

For sign making instructions using a Cricut see THIS POST.

Happy Creating!

Make a Topiary

For a while I have had these little angel vine balls (from Rod Works in Utah).

I broke a stick down to the height I wanted my plant to be.

Tried putting it in dirt...wasn't that sturdy - but OK.

Found a large enough hole in the vine ball and topped the stick with it.

After a day or so I decided to switch pots. This mini white urn has craft foam glued into the bottom of it and moss on top to hide the foam.

I used the homemade topiary in this post.

While shopping at TJ Maxx I found this cloche for $14.99.

The tall artificial plant fits perfectly.

If you don't have little angel vine balls lying around you can make your own.

This is a good DIY Topiary tutorial to start from scratch.

Topiaries are expensive but I love them. I have purchased these type of plants at TJ Maxx, Homegoods and Target (Smith & Hawkins). Ballard Designs has some cute ones, too, The most beautiful ones are the preserved boxwood type. Restoration Hardware is one place that sells them. Floral shops do too - maybe for less than RH.

I'm starting to think "Spring". (NO more flu season, please!)
If you love plants and green things around your home - you might enjoy my Greenery Pinterest board.
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Coastal Charm - Nifty Thrifty Tuesday

Wreaths....lots of them

I have lots of wreaths .....

Just on my main floor there are - let's count together -

1 my office (Target Christmas item for 70% off)

2 living room 

(bay leaf wreath from Target many years ago - paid full price - worth it)

3 inside of the front door in the foyer

(thrift store wreath for $1)

4 living room - again (craft store - maybe 12.99)

5 inside the homemade star on our breakfast nook window

(thrift store for $1)

There are actually 7 in this scene - one is hidden

2 on each post, one on the door and one on each twig planter makes 12.

While we were getting ready to move here - my boy, Ben asked "Are we hoarders?" (maybe).
(we did get snow! -YAY!)

This one is made of natural boxwood. It is drying out.

I got it from a local nursery for $19.99

That makes for one dozen wreaths before you reach my kitchen....

What does that say about me? I could try to psycho-analyze that but the real reason is because I don't have a basement wall to store them on here at our rental home. They won't survive garage storage - not many things do.
(bikes, tools paint over-spray etc.)
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Here are some beautiful wreaths on Pinterest from my wreath pin board - which you are welcome to hop on and follow.

White Lace Cottage

Stone Gable

Funky Junk

More from my blog...

Favorite Burlap Wreath

Raggy Burlap Wreath (made with a cheap picture frame)

Cute Burlap Wreath (how to)

Wisteria Vine Wreath

Oh....and to make my wreath count a "baker's dozen"...

My Foyer looks like this right now.

(I even have some wreaths stacked on my armoire in the office - oh my!)

This is hard to believe but I hated wreaths when I bought my first house (wish I had a picture - minimalist modern - black and white) and refused to put one on my door. That was way too country for me (wreath styles have come a long way since 1996). We used to make fun of (in a nice way) my "mans man" brother-in-law because he called them reefs. Like a coral reef? He hunts and puts dead stuffed birds on his wall - What would he know about quaint twiggy wreaths? Just a silly memory.

How many do you have?

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side note - I have had a sinus infection, flu or cold all month....Mazi has enjoyed sitting on my lap and blogging with me.

She LOVES coffee!!!

We are bonding and she is getting sweeter day by day. I love her. I wanted a lap dog and I got one.

Happy Weekend....go hang up a wreath or two....or thirteen!

view how my Muslin Rag Wreath was made HERE

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Cozy Little Cottage

{Rustic Heart Mantel}

I started my morning with ambition to decorate for Valentine's Day.

(I usually just skip over that holiday decor and go for the heart shaped sugar cookies)

I had this one token heart to use.

The foyer is where it all began...

The "Back in Black" table needed something. So I distressed it.

Sand, Rub in stain... (I still use my old method that works - I haven't jumped on the chalk paint or milk paint & wax wagon - yet)

As the table dried I searched for a new wall piece and decided on my latest -

LiFE iS...BEAUTIFUL.

I was super lazy about getting all the nails out during this project and thought the nails might add some extra rough character. It did.

 Today when I took the piece off the piano it was pretty heavy. I don't like hanging heavy stuff. I took the back layer of wood off. I realized the nails might be easier to remove now.
Then I came up with a simpler solution!

I love my table saw....it just isn't always convenient to pull out to use quick, due to my garage space. Not so beautiful....

(I have to share with the boys - I'm keeping that in mind for the future house.)

Once the nailed ends were cut off it made the piece just about 3+ inches shorter
-no big deal.
I sanded the edges again and turned the thing over. Well....look at that?

The back looked pretty.  I am going to use it!

While the wood piece sat on the center of the table I used a level from the nail in the wall stud to the top of the wood. That is where I put the D rings (the blurry picture).

Two uses for one piece of junky wood. I am proud.

I just gathered the most "Valentine looking" items I had around the house and placed them all in one spot ... on the wood.

Lights, wreath with pink berries and a {LOVE} Christmas ornament.

The heart twinkle lights are from Target - $3. The wreath and metal heart are from
 The Nosey Goose.

I like the lighter wood and the distressed black on the foyer table.

Happy Valentine's Day decorating!

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Funky Junk Inteiors - SNS #174 It's all about Valentine's