Frame Hanger Project

April 15, 2020 at 12:09 pm (Projects) (, , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , )

I love old picture frames. All kinds. I’ve got a hallway of empty ones upstairs. Sometimes I fill them. Sometimes I paint them. And sometimes I do something fun with them…

This frame I once painted black with a silver line. Years ago. I was over it. (Ignore the ugly paneling in the upstairs hall we hope to rip out soon)

I wanted something lighter and brighter for my office. And I needed a place to hang some of my beautiful Parabo Press photos. (If you haven’t ordered from them, you must. They are gorgeous)

So first I lightly sanded the frame. Then I painted it white. I used wall paint for this project because it’s what I had. And its quarantine. And this step wasn’t super important for this project. It took 2-3 coats, but doesn’t need to be perfect.

Then I sanded with a foam sanding block. I scraped the edges and roughed up the centers. Go slowly and start lightly. Keep going until you love it.

Then, because I wanted just a little something more for this one, I used a small brush and “dry brushed” on some charcoal gray paint. This means I dipped a tiny amount on the brush and then swiped most of it off onto a paper plate. When the brush is almost dry, wipe it on the frame. It will give you just a tiny bit of paint and give a smudge-y look. I used a paper towel to rub this in as I added it too. It came out nice and weathered.

Then to add some wire. You could use twine or ribbon, or whatever you have. I had some picture hanging wire from a hanging kit. I cut it slightly longer than the width of the frame, maybe a half inch extra on each side. Then I pulled it tight across the frame and used a staple fun to staple it in place. I twisted the extra ends into a little ball to help keep it in place.

You can get tiny clothes pins on Amazon.

And viola!

I’ve also done this before with chicken wire…

What do you think?

Doing any quarantine projects?!

XX,

Jess

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Rearranged

January 14, 2009 at 11:00 am (Home Changes and Additions) (, , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , )

The cluttered corner of the living room just wasn’t working, so this morning (we are both home again due to awful weather) we moved the old Coke crate to the entryway of the bedroom.  This took care of two problems at once.  The marquee letters we had hanging in the doorway were looking a little lonely as well.  We were happily surprised by just how much tiny changes can help a space out!

The space isn't completely finished, but it does already look a lot less cluttered.

The space isn't completely finished, but it does already look a lot less cluttered.

The Coke crate could still use a few odds and ends,  but this is a great improvement.  All in good time!

The Coke crate could still use a few odds and ends, but this is a great improvement. All in good time!

I am so glad my fiance is understanding with me when I want to move shelves three times before its right!  And, thankful that he is willing to do all the work, even on his day off! 🙂

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On An Organizing Spree

January 8, 2009 at 9:42 am (Home Changes and Additions) (, , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , )

After being so impressed with my organizational skills with the jewelry in the medicine cabinet, I decided not to stop there. I moved onto the closet next. Mostly we were already pretty organized in there, but rearranging a few things helped free up some space. I also hung a hook on one of the walls inside the closet to hang a few extra long necklaces from my costume jewelry collection. Things seem so handy and visible now. Here’s a peak inside the space of our home that everyone is afraid to share:

This is a view of the closet as a whole.  The shelving was already installed when we moved in, so we are using it as-is.  It is helpful, but we do not have "sides,"  just "areas."  A little confusing at first, but now it works.

This is a view of the closet as a whole. The shelving was already installed when we moved in, so we are using it as-is. It is helpful, but we do not have "sides," just "areas." A little confusing at first, but now it works.

We hang belts, scarves, and ties on the low bar, along with a few of my shorter shirts.  My giant shoe rack fits in the corner.

We hang belts, scarves, and ties on the low bar, along with a few of my shorter shirts. My giant shoe rack fits in the corner.

This is the hook of necklaces that I hung along a side wall of the closet.  This is so helpful!

This is the hook of necklaces that I hung along a side wall of the closet. This is so helpful!

Here is a close-up of the hook I used.  It is actually a hook that fits over a door, so one end is flat, which I use to hold multiple necklaces.  The other end is curved, but I twisted it with pliers to hang agianst a wall.  So simple I even did it myself.

Here is a close-up of the hook I used. It is actually a hook that fits over a door, so one end is flat, which I use to hold multiple necklaces. The other end is curved, but I twisted it with pliers to hang agianst a wall. So simple I even did it myself.

I know I’m no expert, but here are some of my organizing tips (for any area, but especially the closet):
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1. Downsize. Make three piles of your belongings. One- things that no longer fit or you no longer want, which will go to good will or the garbage. Two- things that you want to save, but not use currently, such as items you want to keep for your children someday, or mementos. These should get stored away in boxes, maybe in a storage area if space provides. Three- things that you use often and want to continue to use. These will get put away neatly.
2. Hang like items together. I put winter, or long sleeved items together, pants together, t-shirts together, etc.
3. Use space wisely. I like to fold items like sweaters and jeans, so I find a place (like rolling tubs under the bed) for these items. We also added a unit of metal wire shelving to the closet for t-shirts and the like.
4. Use leftover space for the “extras.” When in a new (or newly cleaned out) space, I put away the most important things first. This way you know how much extra space you are going to have. I hang belts, scarves, and ties after the rest, finding a place in each unique space that will make them handy.
5. Try it out. Use your new set-up for a few days. Make any changes after you have tried the system out for a while. If there is something that you use often and doesn’t seem handy enough, then you know what you need to arrange.
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I hope these help you a little bit in your organizing adventures. I, personally, am a very organized neat freak (its ok, I know it), so if you have an organizing dilemma, ask away!

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Organized Jewelry

January 8, 2009 at 9:11 am (Home Changes and Additions) (, , , , , , , , , , , , , , , )

Last night I decided that I had had enough digging around for jewelry in the mornings.  Or, even worse, just not wearing my fun jewelry because it was too hard to find.  So, I organized the vintage medicine cabinet we have hung above our dresser in the bedroom.  I took a few old little shot glasses and dishes and a short candle holder and arranged some of my favorite costume jewelry.  Now everything is visible and arranged neatly.  And, the inside of the cabinet looks so pretty!

Here is the outside of the medicine cabinet.  I know you have seen this before, but this is a good angle of the chandelier crystal I used as a pull.

Here is the outside of the medicine cabinet. I know you have seen this before, but this is a good angle of the chandelier crystal I used as a pull.

This is the inside of the cabinet all neatly organized and pretty.

This is the inside of the cabinet all neatly organized and pretty.

Close up of the jars.  I love that little one with the skull on it.

Close up of the jars. I love that little one with the skull on it.

I found these little jars and glasses at the local Salvation Army for about 25cents.

FYI: I found these little jars and glasses at the local Salvation Army for about 25cents.

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Quick Trip To The Antique Store

December 19, 2008 at 6:49 pm (Home Changes and Additions) (, , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , )

Last night before the ice storm, we took a quick drive to the antique store the next town over.  I love this store.  All antique stores are fun, but this place is so big that you always see something new.  I did find these two little gems:

A coke box with the cubbies still in.  I have been wanting to hang one of these up for a trinket shelf.

A coke box with the cubbies still in. I have been wanting to hang one of these up for a trinket shelf.

This is a very old cigar box.  I though this would be beautiful to hold little odds and ends.

This is a very old cigar box. I though this would be beautiful to hold little odds and ends.

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We decided to put the cigar box in the TV cubbie for now.  The coke box we hung in the living room above the Eames lounge chair.  For now all that we put in it are some antique glass candies.  They are a little lost in there, but I needed a place to put them.  Over time I’m sure we will collect more trinkets to put in there.  I think it looks really cute.  Any other suggestions?
The cigar box in the TV cubbie.

The cigar box in the TV cubbie.

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This was the spot we chose for the coke box. Don't mind those awful curtains! 🙂

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The back of the box has a bit of a wierd shape, but this is a close up of the little candies if you can make them out.

The back of the box has a bit of a wierd shape, but this is a close up of the little candies if you can make them out.

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Our Little Collection

December 10, 2008 at 7:03 pm (Our New House) (, , , , , , , , , )

A close up view of our little collection.

A close up view of our little collection.

When I was little my grandma gave me a little antique die.  She gave my brother the other to the pair.  To this day I still have it (how I never lost such a tiny thing is amazing).  Tony and I decided that we could start a dice collection.  We are so random sometimes.  We bought an antique printer’s tray and hung it on the wall.  Now, wherever we travel to, we stop to look for dice to add to the collection.  We even got one at the casino when we recently went for my birthday.  Some of them did come from ebay to get the collection rolling.  Here is what we have so far!  (This is hung in the kitchen next to the window)
Side view of the printer's type tray and collection of dice.

Side view of the printer's type tray and collection of dice.

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