Thursday, 1 March 2018

It's down to the wire...

...and today is the day our home is listed.  What does this mean?  Well, the house is clean, tidy, staged and ready to show, so I've got some studio time now - hurray!

I had a call this week from a local group who were looking for ideas for small table centres to use at a tea where the theme would be the four R's - i.e.  reduce, reuse, recycle and repurpose.  Here's what I came up with:

This abused miniature dictionary is just the perfect size (4 1/2" x 3") to sport a book sheet
rosette and tendril. Both book sheets are covered with  paint mop-up dryer sheets for
additional colour.

Here a soup can takes on a new shape and purpose, graced with another paint mop-up item - a piece of
cheesecloth.  The flower is made from leftover collage papers; on one side the centre is a beer bottle
cap topped with a stray button, while the other is a pair of twisted pipe cleaners which continues
on to form the stem.

A closer look at the beer bottle cap/button centre.

😏
The reverse centre is the twisted pipe cleaner.

Now since I used a flower I had on hand, the second item is not completely repurposed, but I'm sure that the pipe cleaners could be replaced with wire clippings from any shop (Had John not been in the process of clearing his, I'm sure he would have helped with that.  😏 )

So I'm looking for YOUR take on a small table centre utilizing repurposed items.  What do you suggest?  What have you done in the past?  What can you do right now.  Tell me in the comments below, and I'd LOVE it if you gave me a link to see.  All you ArtRockStars out there surely have some more fun options! 

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Location: 2315 Erickson Rd, Creston, BC V0B 1G1, Canada

24 comments:

  1. Paper Creations by Shirley1 March 2018 at 07:18

    Beautiful creative flowers, love them. Good luck with the house sale, we know what that is like and glad it's all behind us now. Take care, Shirleyx

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    1. Win Dinn, Artist1 March 2018 at 09:31

      I was thinking of your recent building and moving as I wrote this blog, and how you must be much relieved to be done with it. I look forward to creating in a new space, and know that's it's just a matter of time....

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  2. froebelsternchen1 March 2018 at 08:18

    Oh my gosh - so much detail in both projects ! Wonderful four R's art Win Dinn! No I will definitely not think about that - sorry Win Dinn my friend! Since I am a natural born hoarder of all kinds of stuff - I even published a book 14 years ago with recycling kindergarden crafts in german....
    I am just on decluttering my stuff now, I always collect all kinds of things but I am wise enough to sort out from time to time...
    but I love this as well... can understand you - all things I get in my hands I look at with the question to self - what could I make out of it?!
    Sometimes this makes me just crazy ----

    I love your little creations my friend!

    oxo Susi

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    1. Win Dinn, Artist1 March 2018 at 09:34

      Many thanks, Susi; the paring down of art supplies has been difficult, but I am grateful to have so many student friends who were delighted to share in the wealth.

      Like you, I cannot pass a piece of 'junk' or 'garbage' without thinking about what could be done with it. John just rolls his eyes at me, bless him!

      I wish you well with your decluttering, and look forward to the results of the things you make in your finds as you do so! Big hugs from across the pond, my friend!

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  3. Mellowood Gallery1 March 2018 at 09:24

    These would make super table centres Win and just right for the 4 R's. Good luck with the sale of your place - where are you moving to?

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    1. Win Dinn, Artist1 March 2018 at 09:30

      They were great fun to create, Val, and I think they'd fit the bill. We're planning on moving into a condo/townhouse in town, so if you know of someone who's selling one, please let us know!

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  4. Alice Saltiel-Marshall1 March 2018 at 09:39

    Lovely wee centrepieces.
    Be sure to keep spreading the word about wanted a condo/townhouse - it sure worked for us!

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    1. Win Dinn, Artist1 March 2018 at 09:48

      Thanks, Alice, and we most certainly are spreading the word In fact, I'm rather afraid the word police are going to be after us soon and you'll have to bail us out. Fingers crossed to the max here!

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  5. Felix the Crafty Cat1 March 2018 at 11:49

    Hi Win, I've altered bottles which might make nice table decorations. I think a house move might be the only thing that would make me declutter Lol! Happy creative week, Angela xXx

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    1. Win Dinn, Artist1 March 2018 at 14:09

      I've done bottles as well, Angela, but didn't want to suggest them given the 26 tables and limited allotted time, although they would be great fun. I'm with you on the de-cluttering thing, although it has been great exercise is more ways than one! :D

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  6. Unknown1 March 2018 at 12:13

    That is the neatest idea - the 4 R's! That would be a fun tea to attend Win! You ideas are super. I'm good at helping put things together after someone else comes up with the idea! It just seems like you just told us about your home, move, etc and now it is already listed - wow. You have been working hard girl! Praying it sells quickly so you don't have to live in limbo too long. Xj.

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    1. Win Dinn, Artist1 March 2018 at 14:11

      It's going to be a lovely event, I suspect, Joi, and truly, were my studio not so pared down at this rate, I could have come up with a dozen ideas. I love making things from castoffs and discards. You're right about getting the home ready - it seems to have happened very quickly. I'm hoping the sale and purchase of a new place will feel the same way! xo

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    2. Deann1 March 2018 at 15:41

      My friend you are absolutely the most inventive, resourceful and ambitious person I know...beautiful work.
      What comes to mind right off hand is making Angel doll centerpieces out of pantyhose, polyester stuffing and leftover fabric scrapes. My Grandma and I used to make carnations out of 3 pieces of Kleenex and a wire. Of course that was back when they had pink Kleenex you don't see to much of that around now.(but you could use dryer sheets) I think my inventiveness comes from not having money to spend on fancy things.I will leave you with one of my favorite quotes... "I have done so much with so little for so long, I am now able to make anything out of nothing."

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    3. Win Dinn, Artist1 March 2018 at 21:05

      Many thanks, Deann...it's so fun to use what other people would throw away. Love the memory of making kleenex flowers - that was a fave when we were kids, as, like you, we had little to work with. LOVE that quote! xo

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  7. Rose Tresures1 March 2018 at 17:08

    I do love your ideas Winn, on reduce, reuse, recycle and repurpose. We all need to be doing that more for sure. I do, as much as possible. Happy you had some time to create. I always love to see you creations. Hope the selling of the house goes quickly for you. Again, beautiful project!! hugs, patty

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    1. Win Dinn, Artist1 March 2018 at 21:05

      Thanks, Patty - it's so fun to create something from leftovers and found objects! Thanks for the good wishes on the house sale - we most hopeful!

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  8. Jackie PN1 March 2018 at 17:19

    Oh Win! Good luck with the sale- I can't believe you don't have someplace planned out to land first- you are daring my dear!I do hope wherever you end up has a lovely studio for you to continue making your fun and fabulous art!
    Your upcycles are awesome and are sure to be a hit!
    love&hugs,
    Jackie

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    1. Win Dinn, Artist1 March 2018 at 21:06

      Wherever we land, it's sure to be on our feet, if only across town. And we all know that creation can take place in a teeny tiny spot as well as a large studio, so it will all be great! xo

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  9. Watercolour and Textile Artist, Eileen Gidman1 March 2018 at 17:33

    Both so different. Both artful table centres that would look perfect at such an event.

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    1. Win Dinn, Artist1 March 2018 at 21:07

      Thanks, Eileen - I'm looking forward to seeing how it all turns out!

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  10. Corrie Herriman4 March 2018 at 11:03

    Your flowers are lovely ! Good luck with the house !
    Corrie x

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    1. Win Dinn, Artist4 March 2018 at 11:22

      Thanks on both counts, Corrie - a fun project on the first and a lot of work to downsize that art stash on the second! :D

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  11. Tracy6 March 2018 at 12:31

    You always amaze with your innovation and creativity, Win. I hope you sell soon and find the perfect spot.

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    1. Win Dinn, Artist6 March 2018 at 12:36

      That's so kind of you to say so, Tracy - a real compliment from one who inspires me so much! And thanks for the good wishes our our potential new home...we're excited to be nearing that 'looking for' point after the challenges of downsizing our present place! xo

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