Monday, June 27, 2011

Wall Art - Knock Off and NEWS

Many months ago I saw this original artwork from the amazingly talented folks at Restoration Furniture and I HAD to have it!!  


Seriously, I could not get this piece out of my head!  


Months of this swirling around in my head!!  Months of a picture of these tiles sitting on my desk.

Originally I had planned to use these in my bathroom.  But not long ago, I made a HUGE decision.  One I have wanted to do for years, but put on hold for many reasons.  But with my unemployment, I decided to start fulfilling the dreams I have for my life, one by one, and to stop just talking or thinking about it.  


-  As those that follow me know, college is just around the corner!  Classes for my Interior Design degree begin August 22nd to be exact!! :)


-  Several months ago I started volunteering at a local Women and Children's Shelter.  I work with the children once a week for 2 hours.  Plus Doodle and I serve dinner once a month.  It is the highlight of my week!! :)


-  And the HUGE decision I recently made (but have always wanted to do).....I am currently in the process of becoming a Licensed Foster Parent!!!  :)


So.....I have been working on turning my guest room, turned office, turned disastrous craft room...into a child's room!!  Specifically, a girls room between the age of 8-13...as this will be the age range I am requesting (because I feel she would blend into our life easier).  


I am becoming licensed as a "Special Needs Foster Parent", not an emergency foster home, as most people think of.  Special needs can mean alot of things, such as, behind in school, slow development, emotional needs, sexual abuse, etc.  Typically, the child will be in my home for 12-18 months while they try to prepare the family for reunification by completing the court ordered milestones...while I work with the child's needs.  If reunification does not remain an option, I could potentially adopt the child or at least provide a home until they can find an adoptive family. 


SOOOOO.....back to my knock-off artwork.  


It was obvious THIS art needed to be my inspiration piece for the new bedroom!! :)


I purchased these tiles at the Dollar Tree, with the little hangers on the back.  




After the fact, I realized you could just hot glue little hangers onto the back like they did, and save a little money by buying cheap tiles from a restore or the hardware store.


And for whatever reason, I didn't take any during photos.  I know you guys are not surprised. LOL


But basically, I just cut a variety of scrapbook papers and aged them and Modge Podged them onto the tiles.  


I used my Cricut to cut out the numbers...using my Sure Cuts Alot 2 Software so that I could choose multiple font types.




And here is how my version ended up!!




When I hung the tiles on the wall, they felt very wimpy.  I wasn't happy.  So, I started thinking of ways to beef up the artwork.  And as luck would have it, I found this picture at the Salvation Army for $2 and it was the perfect size!!!  That never happens! :)




I used spray paint for the frame and the matte.  I used the wall color paint for the center square...which I glazed and antiqued up a bit.  And I used black craft paint to paint the inner molding to help it stand out a bit.




I am completely IN LOVE with how this turned out!!!


It's fun.  It's whimsical.  It's non-committal to any certain "theme". 


Besides painting the walls, the yellow color that used to be in my living room...I've purchased a dark (almost black) denim comforter (from Kmart's Country Living line).  I figured that was neutral enough to make any tweaks once we know the child's personality. And now, added artwork.  




I made the throw pillow out of a $2  double-sided place mat and stuffed it using stuffing from an old pillow...so it literally cost me $2!  Yay! :)




There's still plenty to do, like find a headboard, refinish my $5 garage sale dresser, etc. which I'll be showing as I finish each project....you know, between fence installing, crafting "No Soliciting" signs, laying pavers and gardening, volunteering, attending college orientation (with BABIES!!), looking for a paying JOB, foster parenting classes, parenting my own child, summer vacation sleepovers, blah, blah, blah..... ;)


I have lots of fabulous garage sales finds to show you, like this huge basket I picked up for $7...that still sells at Target for $40!




But for now, I'll enjoy finally having my knock off artwork!  :)






I will be joining the following parties!








22 comments:

  1. You did a killer job on your version. Wow!

    You are not only talented, but compassionate too. How wonderful of you to give so freely of your time, home and family.

    ReplyDelete
  2. I like yours WAY better.. seriously! I mean you not only recreated it, but you beat it! Are the tiles hanging directly on the wall.. then you hung the frame separately, and painted in between blue.. correct?

    Erin, I admire your desire to fulfill your dreams of a new career, raise your daughter, create a lovely home, and still... give a home to someone that so desperately needs it. You rock!

    ReplyDelete
  3. Now that is great! I love it! I may have to make one for my son's bedroom. It came out awesome! Nice! Alyssa of Boston Bee

    ReplyDelete
  4. Morning Erin,
    Thanks so much for coming by and for your nice comments about our bathroom redo. It was a labor of love for sure, and we are most happy with it.
    My you are quite a neat lady! You are really accomplishing a lot of neat goals in your life, and good for you hon!
    Loved your artwork you made, it is simply adorable and looks as good if not better than your inspiration piece. Very nice job!
    It is clear you are not a whiner but a shaker and mover, will be praying you find the perfect job for you!
    Blessings, Nellie

    ReplyDelete
  5. I love how your artwork turned out. I really like the way you painted the frame and mat (my favorite colors) they really make the art stand out against the yellow wall. So beautiful.

    ReplyDelete
  6. Hi Erin! :) Thanks so much for your sweet comment on my laundry room makeover...I LOVE it so much! Wow, your art piece looks wonderful...love the blue color inside the frame! You sure are gonna be a busy girl..school, volunteering AND being a foster mom! I'm very imnpressed! I'd like to do interior design too, but I don't want to go back to school...we're still paying for my hubbies school..as a matter of fact, he's still going! He only has a few classes left though..hallelujah! :)
    Have a great week!
    Missy :)

    ReplyDelete
  7. Your knock off art looks fabulous! Genius!! Shows you're going into the right field. I'm so impressed with your dreams. Life is so short and we have to live each moment as they come. Forge ahead girl and conquer!! hugs ~lynne~

    ReplyDelete
  8. yours looks fabulous! especially with that turquoise. and that pillow with it pops.

    wow-about your foster parenting. that is amazing, and takes a special kind of person to do that, especially the special needs foster parent. you are amazing me right now, girl!

    ReplyDelete
  9. I love your version more! Great job, I love it! THanks for visiting and your nice comments!

    ReplyDelete
  10. Great job on the knockoff artwork! I had to go back and look a couple times because I was sure it was the same exact piece.

    Good luck with all your plans, you certainly have a lot on your plate but with determination, you will succeed.

    ReplyDelete
  11. First of all, blessings to you for becoming a foster parent. Your artwork is amazing. I love it. Thanks so much for visiting me. I enjoyed touring your blog. I'm following you.

    ReplyDelete
  12. Hi Erin,
    I love your knock-off art. I've been thinking of investing in a Cricut but haven't yet bought one. It certainly worked well for this project...do you use it a lot? I'd love to hear more about them.
    I really admire you for training to be a foster parent for a special needs child. I have a daughter with special needs and am also a special education teacher...these children give back so much more than they take and have so much to teach us. It will not be easy but I think you will love it!
    Cheryl

    ReplyDelete
  13. That is so cool! It turned out so great! Thank you for stopping by and visiting my blog, I am a new follower! Looking forward to getting to know you better and reading your blog!
    Jenni
    kissedbyafrog.blogspot.com

    ReplyDelete
  14. Hey Erin! You rknock-off art looks AWESOME!! And I am lovin the pillow with the geometric green pattern. Great job!!! thanks for stopping by:)

    ReplyDelete
  15. Your knockoff look s fabulous. I have never thought of sewing place mats together. So inventive.

    ReplyDelete
  16. I just gave you the One Lovely Blog Award! Check it out here: http://kissedbyafrog.blogspot.com/2011/06/one-lovely-blog-award.html
    I am really looking forward to getting to know you better and reading your blog!!
    Jenni
    kissedbyafrog.blogspot.com

    ReplyDelete
  17. I LOVE your version! It fits into the room really well and I'm sure your future foster child will love it :)

    ReplyDelete
  18. that looks absolutely fantastic, all are such great ideas. I love those tiles too, I'm adding it to my to do projects. I'll probably add a little saying at the bottom..."who do we apreciate" kind of thing....we'll see.

    Love your blog, thanks for coming over to visit mine.

    ReplyDelete
  19. Hi Erin, Thanks for popping by my blog & leaving a comment. I love this adorable project. So fun & creative!

    Warmly, Michelle

    ReplyDelete
  20. Erin, Your art is much better!! I did a Pottery Barn knock off that you might enjoy seeing..go here... http://amcinnisartworks.blogspot.com/2011/01/from-dinged-up-to-blinged-up-decorating.html
    I am your newest follower and look forward to seeing your projects...I admire you very much for the Foster Child adventure! You will do wonderfully, I am sure!
    Angela

    ReplyDelete
  21. Okay - so you have been majorly busy and I have been MIA lol
    I feel like I am finally caught up with what you have been up to and I am adding you back to my list of "must reads" :)

    ReplyDelete