Dragonflies and Butterflies

Dragonflies and butterflies...

If you are like me, you also keep a TRY or Die board on Pinterest - with the all of the projects that you really want to DIY. I have a board like that, and it's BURSTING at the seams with over 200 ideas! I'm finally trying some of them and having the best of times with the inspiration shared by others.

One project I've been wanting to try for quite a while now are Lucy's dragonflies over at Lucy Designs. They captured my attention at first glance and were one of the first ideas I ever added to my 'must try' Pinterest board. She just posted a new batch and she's even selling them now on Etsy if you want to skip the DIY and purchase one of her fabulous creations.

I invited my friend Marie over and we created these three cuties:

Lucy has shared tutorials in the past and you can search her site to find one...or come back to visit tomorrow and I'll tell a bit of how we made ours. Thanks for your creativity and inspiration, Lucy! My home style just got a nice addition thanks to you.

Until next time...

Mike

p.s. Is your 'try or die' list over at Pinterest packed as well? Leave a link to your board - I'd love to come have a peek.

A Day's Worth of Inspiration - Before & After

It's Monday...and time for a day's worth of inspiration to get this week started!

Today I'm going to share some spectacular before & after pics to give the full fabulous effect of upcycled, recycled, and repurposed designs.

recycled and repurposed with Régis Mayot via Manufractured

upcycled by Anouchka Potdevin

upcycled at BHG

can you see the before and after for these upcycled shoes from Brassy Apple?

love the pallet wall created for this boy's room at East Coast Creative

Now let's create!

Until next time...
Mike

Friends Who Know You

What does every person need? Friends who know you!

I had two friends pick up some thrift store goodies for me these past 2 weeks - and now I have no doubt in my mind that they know me...really know me!  Have a look at what they dropped by with:

Top picture: I've started to experiment with glass garden towers and needed some toppers. These candle holders (imagine them turned the other way and in a metal holder) fit the bill perfectly!
Middle picture: Additions to my sweet little collection of Rosa Ljung (Sweden) ceramics.
Bottom Picture: Do you remember the post I had some months back with all the fabulous ideas for redesigning and repurposing globes? I'm gonna have some fun now!

 With friends like these who thrift...me thinks me shall never have to leave the house again! Thanks Laurie and Marie!

 Until next time...
 Mike

Reclaimed Wood Goodness

How about a little reclaimed wood goodness for today's eye candy?

I'm lusting over these adorable creatures made from reclaimed wood over at 508 Restoration and Design.

Amy at Four Corners Design sure knows how to bring it with the reclaimed wood eye candy!

I want a wall full of these gorgeous painted tree stumps! Wouldn't they look fab with the blue velvet chair?

Want to see more? Hop over to this Pinterest board where you'll find 150 ways to bring new life to old wood.

Until next time...

Mike

Dumster Diving

These guys from graypants don't know me at all, but they captured my heart the moment I saw them dumpster diving in their video.





And the moment those recycled cardboard lights come on and they are there sitting so casually on the sofa...what a fabulous feeling captured!

In their own words, "we responsibly create products, architecture, and other fun things around the world."

Like this cool table made from scrap wood pieces.

These recycled cardboard lamps caught my eye today and sent me on the search to find their maker. What a fun surprise to land on graypants' website for a burst of recycled product eye candy.

And this adorable scrap doghouse was auctioned off for a good cause.

There's more to see where these came from...so give the boys some love and appreciation with a visit.

Until next time...

Mike