Wendy over at the Shabby Nest is having a Linky Party today featuring creative and thrifty decorating ideas. Thrify ideas and a party?! Oh, you know I couldn't miss that.
So here's my contribution. Large sheets of watercolor paper. Huh...You say? Stay with me people.
You know those fancy schmancy framing mats that cost at least an arm...if not a leg too? They look great, but thrifty they are not. Thick, textured watercolor paper on the other hand is very affordable at $2-$4 for a huge poster size sheet (at Hobby Lobby...even less if you have a 40% off coupon), and it can give the same look as fancy mats.
For example, here I just taped inexpensive postcards on top of the paper, and voila...we have custom art...more or less.
And on this one I cut a square and then taped some perdy fabric behind.
And these are my most recent creations. I printed some pictures I found here (on a regular black and white printer...because that's all I have), cut them to size and taped them onto watercolor paper. Then I went the extra mile by taping the whole shabang onto burlap. How much did this whole project cost?...around $6 for all three (excluding frames...which I did buy when they were 50% off at Hobby Lobby).
Just remember my friends, where there's a will there's a way.
Happy creating, and have a great weekend!
Thrifty Decor Ideas - Shabby Nest Party!
Thursday, April 23, 2009
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45 Suburbanites Said:
What a great idea! They look awesome!
GREAT ideas!! Love them all! I'm going to have to try those. Awesome!!
Love it!
I've been looking for this idea and didn't even know it! I bought lots of frames on sale this weekend and wondered what expensive tool I'd need to buy to mat them. No longer wondering (and it's not expensive) - thank you!
Wow love it! Fabulous idea, I just may have to use it!
I've done this with little picture frames, but this looks great with your expensive looking art! I love the burlap backed pics in you br. I think I have to do this in my br, too!
Seriously fabulous idea!!! Thanks for playing along !!
Great pictures! Love the burlap looking matte! Now I just have to find a spare wall to hang some pictures!
Wow, they look great! I am very impressed!
Great idea!
Beautiful! I love how easy that is!
Beautiful! Fab idea! Thanks for sharing!
Very nice. I love the small photos/prints in the larger frames. I see these in all the boutiques and specialty shops for way more than $6 bucks. Very clever. They look fabulous hanging on your walls.
Have a happy day
Kris
This is a terrific idea!! You've really got me thinking now...
Genious! Love the look of the watercolor paper. I love the way you took the print over the potty from very low to very high, so my style! Oh, and burlap makes everything cooler! I have a bag full waiting to be transformed...
~Misti
Awesome idea! I love that! And I have lots of watercolor paper! I'm so glad you shared this creative idea! (And the burlap, those prints look very expensive!) Great Job!
Cute idea! I used to paint, so I actually have tons of watercolor paper sitting around! Or perhaps I should paint with it again and hang my paintings on the wall! Lol! :-)
Great idea. 'Specially for odd sized thrift store or Ikea sized frames.
Nice job! Love the prints that you did from the "Vintage Moth".... I'm definitely gonna' try that! Excellent mat ideas as well!
I love that fabric! I wish I could have found that when recovering my chairs. Great Job, love the prints!
These pictures are wonderful. What a great idea.
Frames will now be my new flea market focus.
Thanks,
Have a great day!
Darlene
Love these ideas! That fabric is beautiful too! Thanks for sharing!
Girl, you are just full of great ideas! Have a good weekend!
I have only a black and white printer, and never want to use it. I'm thinking I'll be getting it out again after seeing your pictures!
Long time lurker first time poster here. You have the best ideas - I can't tell you how many of your posts I've saved for future reference. Keep up the good work!
Those are fab!
:)
Very nice! You made frugal look fabulous!
These are fabulous my friend - great suggestion!
Have a lovely weekend,
xo
What a great idea. Each of the pictures is totally different, but they are all beautiful. Love it!!
You are amazing! They're perfect!! :) I want one!
Just wanted you to know how much I love reading your blog! You are an inspiration! So, I nominated you for an award:
http://itsthelittlethingsthatmakeahouseahome.blogspot.com/2009/04/thank-you-dawn.html
Thanks for all of the great ideas!!
Karla @ It's The Little Things...
I love framing stuff that has meaning to me! Thanks for the ideas!
Those look so sharp lined up like that. Beautiful work!
We're just at the point of being able to decorate our new home. It's in Germany, so I feel such a struggle. You've given me such hope. Thanks!
Katie
What a great idea!! Love it!
Oooo they're gorgeous! I love the prints on the burlap, but I'm a sucker for the perdy green fabric too.
Great job!
xoxoxoxoxo
Love the 3 picts in the bathroom, very, very chic!
Wow, who knew? Great trick!
Great idea! I have plenty of that paper, only I just use it to watercolor on. Who knew?
Love your custom artwork! the colors are so pretty, especially that fabric!
Love, love, love the burplap. Gonna have to steal this idea. Thanks!
Great idea! Love your blog!
Love that idea, especially the burlap! ;)
I've used textured wallpaper as mats, but haven't tried the watercolor paper, great idea!
What a cool idea! Very pretty!
Donna
Absolutely GORGEOUS!!! Definitely going to have to try this! :)
I love, love, love the idea of putting the mat onto burlap!!! Gorgeous!
genious! I paid an arm, and a leg, and a foot from the other leg, and a couple of fingers from the standing hand when I had my picasso prints matted the way you did those post cards! Wish I would have waited til I saw this post!
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