Quick and easy: Paper lined vase

I wasn't going to do a post about this "project" because it was too easy. But my mom saw what I did and immediately went home and replicated it herself. (She even bought the same fake flowers!) So I guess it's worth sharing. And it's very likely you might have all that you need already in the house!

Paper-wrapped pillars are nothing new; it seems like something like this is in Martha Stewart Living every few months. But try the paper on the inside of the glass, and it's almost like the paper becomes part of the vase itself. Except nothing's permanent here. You can quickly and easily swap out the paper for a different look.

Start with a plain glass cylinder vase and a piece of scrapbook or wrapping paper. Roll the paper around the outside of the cylinder and cut to size. Then roll it up and insert into the vase.

See what I mean? Too easy.

I used a heavier cardstock, so I didn't need to secure it in any way. But if you use thinner paper, you may have to add a piece of scotch tape on the inside of the paper cylinder to give it shape.

Obviously, you shouldn't fill this with water for real cut flowers. But depending on the size of the vase, you might be able to nestle a smaller vase full of water inside.

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Check out these similar projects
Paper-wrapped cylinders as wedding centerpieces
Photo cylinders for Elise's first birthday party

Shelving accessories: Eye chart lens + stash box

After showing you our new shelving for DVDs earlier in the week, I thought I'd elaborate on a couple of the accessories on display.

I did some scrounging around the house and came up with this weird glass lens with a flat back that's about four inches in diameter. It's kind of cool, but I never knew what to do with it or how to display it, really. But I also ran across this small plate stand, and it all came together.

I cut a section of an eye chart from a vision test brochure I've apparently been saving since I was in grade school. Score another one for hoarding. (I've always loved eye charts; maybe it's because of my thing for the letter E.)

Then I cut another circle of thin cardboard cut from a cereal box for backing. I layered everything together (no glue, no adhesive) and stuck it on the plate stand. Almost too easy!

I love how this looks interesting and slightly high-end, but was totally free. If I want to swap out the paper it will be easy to change. I have a couple more of these lenses, but they are a bit smaller. After this, I may try to do something similar with them.

The second thing I wanted to show you is the transformation of this small plywood box.

Before

Remember this beauty? I picked it up a couple of months ago at an antique mall for $3.50. It was banged up and ugly, but it was solid, and I knew we'd need a place to stash things like DVD-Rs in paper envelopes. I painted it with some deep blue craft paint ("Deep Sea" from the new Martha Stewart craft paint line.. good stuff!). An easy and quick makeover.

Pottery class, Round two: Part 2

As promised, here is the second half of pots from my recent pottery class.

This batch has contains many of my larger pieces, though nothing is all that large. The white plate in the center is about 8 inches in diameter, if that gives you some reference. 

My biggest bowl would still probably be the smallest size in a set of nested mixing bowls.

These three are my favorites. The two pieces in the front are glazed in lavender, but it looks more like gray to me. The bell shaped bowls are small, but deep. They could easily hold an apple. (You know, if you needed a little pot to hold your apple.)

Secret: I only crimp the edges when the rim of a pot starts to look a little wonky.

I'm kind of sad class is over, but I was spending about five hours each week working with clay. So yeah, time to work on something else.

Pottery class, Round two: Part 1

Last fall, I took a pottery class. After that introduction, I couldn't wait to get back to working with clay. I started a new session in February and it just ended. I wondered if the two-month break between classes would affect my new skills, but I was able to pick up right where I left off.

So here's the first batch of pots from my recent class. The largest piece pictured here is probably eight or nine inches in diameter. I went through two 25-pound bags of clay this time, so I made tons of stuff! I'm still waiting for some pieces to be fired, including most of my larger pieces, so expect another post when I get those back.

I glazed these pieces a few at a time and didn't see them all amassed until taking these photos. Funny how I choose the same colors all the time! Coral, aqua, white, black. I don't think the next batch is any different!

These two are my favorites so far. The one on the left is matte white on the outside and glossy aqua on the inside. The glossy white one on the right is low and shallow and has a scalloped rim. 

I think many of these will turn out to be gifts. If I know you and you have a birthday or other occasion coming up, you might be seeing one of these again! But seriously, I am going to have to figure out what I'm going to do with all of these. I can't possibly keep them all, especially because Elise doesn't let me put out anything breakable.

A couple of antique mall finds

I scored on a recent trip to my favorite antique mall (and it's somewhat inferior neighbor). I'll show you my greatest find in another post soon, but these two are just as interesting.

I was almost out the door when I spotted this unusually shaped stained glass window. I'm not sure if it was from a house or what, but the colors and even the tone of the wood frame are going to fit my living room perfectly.

It was $35; I thought that was a fair price and a fantastic birthday gift to myself! Especially because there's no chippy lead paint to contend with like on so many antique windows.

I also found this small iron dog, who totally took advantage of my weakness for animal figurines. It's in too good of condition to be very old (I think), but for $4, I don't really care.

Restyling the mantel

I restyled the mantel (finally). I much prefer to do something non-seasonal because I am lazy and don't take things down timely enough. I just got around to taking down the Christmastime pine greenery a couple of weeks ago. And I think Elise's birthday party garland was up for like three months after her party last year. Yeah, I'm bad.

Most of the things I had in the house already. Just when I think I can't possibly find anything "new" in my own house, I manage to pull out some great stuff.

I've had this print in the same spot for most of the time we have lived in this house, but I don't see any reason to move it.

Dan and I went to London five (wow) years ago and I think we spent more time on the "tube" than anyplace else. While I didn't bring this print home with me, it always reminds me of that trip. I also love the whimsical way the people are floating.

I found this pair of crocodiles a little while ago at my favorite antique mall for $2. Love them.

I think they are Japanese, but I'm only guessing that because they are painted in a very similar fashion to a small piggy figurine I have that is stamped Japan.

I found this former clock (?) at my grandparents' house. I love scrolly ironwork (even if it is made out of plastic), so I had to do something with it.

I found an octagonal mirror at the craft store that fit almost perfectly and used super-strong E6000 adhesive to attach it to the plastic. The mirror could have been a tiny bit bigger, but that size was pretty much the only option I had short of custom (not happening).

More back-painted glass frames

My sister- and brother-in-law just had a baby boy last week, so for Christmas I thought they could probably use some new photo frames.

I love how the back-painted glass picture frame I made for the playroom turned out, so I decided to do a couple more. I originally found this idea on marthastewart.com, but like last time, I simplified it quite a bit. I modified one of the shapes in Martha's tutorial and googled for another shape to make my templates.

I printed out my template and taped it to the underside of the glass. I added some little white highlights, then traced the shape with black acrylic paint.

Then I filled in the area between the outline and the edges with thin layers.

After painting the image on the glass, I printed out the templates again on cardstock.

I cut out the templates to create a paper backing behind the painted surface so it wouldn't stick to or rub onto the photo.

For gifting, I framed pieces of scrapbook paper.

The frames I used were 5 x 7 inches, but I designed the openings to accommodate a 4 x 6 inch photos. And they can be flipped vertically or horizontally.

Download the 5x7 shape templates

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This is part of my Handmade Gift Challenge.

A couple more pottery pieces

For the sake of completeness, I just wanted to show you the last two pieces of pottery from the class I took.

The first is another black and white bowl, though it was made with recycled clay so the white glaze does not appear quite as bright as it was on the white clay.

The second is a heavy plate about 7.25" in diameter. I used a wax-resist technique to decorate it, first dipping it in white and then in a buttery yellow glaze. It's fairly thick and pretty heavy.