Budget Art!

I needed some art for my dining room redo to go with the curtains I'm sewing and normally I would have run to TJ Maxx or Hobby Lobby or looked on ebay and just bought something. But that's just not in the budget at this time so I started thinking about how I could make something that would fit into my decor with the stuff I already had on hand.

I always have extra frames of all sizes. When I see them on clearance or at the thrift store, I grab them because I know I can always use them for something. My Target just had a fantastic blow out clearance on that whole frame aisle because they're setting the new fall merchandise in the store this week (per a friend who works there). I also have lots of scrapbook paper, wrapping paper and clearance wallpaper that I use for all kinds of things. I think these are 2 essentials for your budget decorating kit!

I think we all know that you can frame postcards & calendars. You can frame leaves and ferns (very pretty). For things that aren't flat you need a shadow box though (like pinecones). You can take pictures of architectural elements and frame that (they do this on Design to Sell & other HGTV shows all the time) and they always look really nice. You can frame just a piece of pretty paper.

Here's what I did. This is made from scrapbook paper and a print out of a fleur de lis that I got off the internet. My original idea was to use my fleur stencil (the one I used on the pumpkin) and trace it on black paper and cut it out. But I can't find that stencil anywhere! And I just saw it a couple of days ago (doesn't that drive you crazy)! So instead, I printed out a fleur de lis. I love it! Now I have to decide if I'm going to make another one just like it or something complimentary cause that wall needs more than one picture.

I also wanted to share another budget artwork that I did a while ago. This is toile fabric which I just wrapped around a piece of cardboard and then framed. I love the look of fabric behind glass because there's some texture there that almost gives it an oil painting look. I made three of these from the same scrap of toile and they hang in my kitchen.

Look at this cute button flower that my dear friend Phyllis Miz Shabby sent to me. I told her I was going to frame it cause it so pretty! She made the petals from sheet music and in the center is a big button. Isn't that creative! A frame, a piece of scrapbook paper and walla....art!

I'm really pleased with myself for using my imagination and things I had on hand instead of buying something. It was fun trying to think of ways to solve this problem without going to the store!

These are all really easy ways to stretch your decorating dollars and make something that's personal. Feel free to leave a link in the comments if you've done a budget art project so we can all see it. I'd love some more ideas!