“But now, O Lord, you are our Father; we are the clay, and you are our potter; we are all the work of your hand.” Isaiah 64:8 ESV
The day arrived like any other day, but on this day I received a card in the mailbox.
It wasn’t just any card. I couldn’t force myself to stuff it into a drawer, forgetting its existence.
What should I do with it?
Yes, that’s a good idea! Would anyone notice it?
That was the day that I began changing out artwork in my picture frames throughout the year. There isn’t an opportunity that goes by that I don’t take out one image and replace it with another. Antique postcards, pages ripped out of calendars or books, images found online, a beautiful card or a piece of art that I have created are always on rotation in our home. Family photos are pretty safe, but, if you’re a winter scene and now it is spring, you’ll get replaced – bunnies or florals in, snow-covered pine trees out. Most of the time, no one notices, but it brings me a lot of happiness and allows me to create new vignettes for little or no money.
Tell me you do this too, if not, I encourage you to once again see and use items differently than just what they were intended for.
Isn’t she pretty? I just love how she looks in this frame that my Aunt Betty gifted me, many years ago. A pretty little dish inherited from Grandma, along with some of her hand-sewn linens made this vignette come together in minutes. Add a trail of ribbon and some preserved roses and this beauty shines!
“Every artist was once an amateur.”
– Ralph Waldo Emerson
If you opened up the back of most of the frames displayed on bookshelves, walls, and tabletops, you would find many images behind the current one displayed. I have quite a collection gathered now.
Speaking of frames, don’t buy new ones. Look through your stash and get creative with changing the look. Would a little Rub & Buff do the trick in making it just right? How about a little spray paint or chalk paint? Does it need the addition of a trinket or two? Maybe a metal flower or a piece of jewelry such as a brooch that’s lost its latch? Glue it on and give it new life.
Don’t have any extra frames around the house? My favorite place to go to is the thrift store. You can find some unique-looking ones there for very little money. If you need to buy a new frame, wait for the sales at Hobby Lobby or check out Home Goods or the like for a good deal.
“To create one’s own world takes courage”
– Georgia O’Keeffe
My current arrangement above our mantle is one that I came up with after I found these prints at an antique store for under $10.00. They are from a 1952 calendar that someone saved these images from. I almost passed them up because I couldn’t figure out what I was going to frame them with, but then I remembered that I had a pair of old frames that I bought over 25 years ago that might just do the trick.
I took out the Tuscany scenes that were in them and found that I had the perfect fit for my new finds. The other winter scene is from another calendar image that I have had for many years. That was a two-for-the-price-of-one deal. When I opened the back of the frame that it was in, I found a springtime scene behind the winter one that I bought.
A kindred spirit from another homemaker in the past.
I haven’t tried this technique yet, but you can find instructions all over the place if you want to make your simple prints look more like an original painting. Natalie has a fun step-by-step on her blog.
https://www.myvintageporch.com/how-to-make-a-print-look-like-a-painting/
While you’re there, take a look at the beautiful home that she has created. So many great ideas on how to make your home unique.
“Art washes away from the soul the dust of everyday life.”
– Pablo Picasso
Buying a color printer opened all kinds of possibilities for me, but don’t stop yourself from having beautiful prints because you don’t have a printer in your home. There are many online printing sources, UPS, any other shipping stores, Staples, or even your local library will have easy-access printing available for you.
I found this paper on Amazon.
https://www.amazon.com/VViViD-Inkjet-Canvas-Printable-125lbs/dp/B08XMY1W4Z/ref=sr_1_7?keywords=canvas%2Bpaper%2Bfor%2Binkjet%2Bprinter&qid=1707617058&sr=8-7&th=1
It drastically changed how my images were coming out!
You can see the tan sheet behind the winter barn scene in this photo to give you an idea of what this canvas paper looks like.
I highly recommend this paper to take your print collection to a new level.
Here are a couple of my favorite online sources to get printable images:
https://www.etsy.com/shop/thelostgalleryco/?etsrc=sdt
You are going to have so much fun!
Here is a fun thing to do for Valentines that is creative and beauutiful.
I don’t think that this lovely creation needs to come down after Valentine’s Day. It can take you right through Easter. Add a sprinkle of artificial eggs and you’re good to go.
What do you think?
Another delightful post from my multi-talented sister. Not only a feast for the eye but contains fun and helpful tips. I love how we both enjoy creating vignettes around our homes.
I look forward to reading more of your posts.
Love you
Thank you-love you too!
If you want to see beautiful photography, I would love to direct any and all of you to Deb’s posts here: https://www.facebook.com/ds35downes
https://www.facebook.com/taketoheartimages