Wednesday, February 27, 2013

In My Workshop




I like to keep a bowl of tumbled and polished stones in my workshop. 
Rather than keeping them stored away, it's great to have them right on
my workbench where I can see them. Sometimes their colors or shapes 
will inspire a new project. Because I'm a visual person and am often
inspired by what I see, I try to keep beautiful things around me, especially
when I'm designing and working. It's a great practice for keeping those 
creative juices flowing. 

Mind you I said beautiful, not expensive. Some of the things I find the most 
beautiful are rusty and old. As they say, it's in the eye of the beholder.




Your thoughts?


I hope you have a great week 
Love, Laura


My broken china jewelry is always available for purchase at https://www.etsy.com/shop/dishfunctionldesigns


Monday, February 25, 2013

Make Each Day Your Masterpiece




Make each day your masterpiece! 
Do the things you really want to do.
ENJOY your life, you only get one...
Make each day count. 
Do something memorable.
Do what makes you happy. 
It is entirely your responsibility, and your freedom.


Your thoughts? 



I hope you have a great week 
Love, Laura


My broken china jewelry is always available for purchase at https://www.etsy.com/shop/dishfunctionldesigns


Friday, February 22, 2013

The Upcycled Garden Volume 2: Using Recycled Salvaged Materials In Your Garden


I really enjoyed writing The Upcycled Garden blog post I did last year so I thought I'd do another one (or two) of them this year. Before you know it spring will be upon us (hopefully sooner rather than later!) so why not get those gears turning and think about what creative ways you can use and display unique items in your yard and garden this summer? Take a look at this collection and let me know what you think!


Coffee cans + chain + paint = A unique hanging planter
Can garden via Against the wood grain



Upcycled garden hose door mat by Mark Kintzel



Mosaic wall with embedded teacups for succulents



Painted wash tub garden via Indulgy



Simple birdbath made from a grapevine wreath, terracotta saucer, and rope



Upcycled bottle hummingbird feeder by Dee Luxford via Etsy



Tub settee from CleverJunk via Junkmarketstyle 




Chicken wire chandelier DIY from fun.kyti.me



Upcycled water fountain photo via Heartland Gardens



Bicycle lawn mower from Treehugger



Planter made from an old doll by Franglias Designs


Make a ginger-bird house to feed the birds like this one from Backyard Farming



Old sink on sewing machine base is now a unique planter. From Cherry Hill Cottage


Planter made from an old wagon & sewing machine base from Second Hand Rose



Use broken clay pot pieces in your planters to deter digging pests by gardengateenotes



Vertically hung garden fence edging serves as a unique trellis



Birdhouse chandelier


Recycled tin can hanging planters from Poppytalk




Old screen door used as a garden gate 



Chicken coop car (It's a Yolkswagon) 



Bowling ball + 714 marbles = unique garden art



Outdoor chandelier made with electric insulators by Brian at Gadget Sponge



Old electric glass insulators on copper pipes =  unique garden art




Copper pipe windchimes by SarahMc




Flower art via Just Imagine








I hope you enjoyed this post.
Please leave me a comment below! 



Have a great week!
Laura

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Article copyright ©Laura Beth Love 20 and may not be republished in print or other media without express written permission from the author. For any link corrections please leave correct info in comment area.

Wednesday, February 20, 2013

Vintage Album Cover Notebooks Are Awesome!


Sometimes I come across something that is so absolutely fantabulous that I just 
have to share it with you! This happened recently, when I came across John & Jill's
Etsy shop Records And Stuff while perusing Etsy for some music themed items. 

The first thing that caught my eye was a notebook whose cover was made from an 
old Led Zeppelin IV album. Awesome! Since my daughter Erica  (aged 10 soon to be 11) 
plays guitar, goes to School Of Rock, and is a Zeppelin fan, I thought of her right away, thinking this would be a great musical journal for her to use for her guitar lessons 
and would just be the perfect place for her to write her musical thoughts and ideas. 
She was thrilled when I gave her the notebook, whose inside featured the album
 insert along with the song lyrics from the album. What a great gift! 

front cover



back cover



inside the cover



page made from the record sleeve



lyrics from the record sleeve - after this page is a full lined notebook


As soon as I saw Erica's notebook, I knew I needed one for myself! Back to Records
And Stuff I went, and was happy to find the Heart Dog & Butterfly and Fleetwood Mac
Rumors album cover notebooks. Sold! 

I'm using the Heart notebook as a jewelry journal, where I'm keeping notes
 and sketches while I write my jewelry book for North Light. The Fleetwood Mac 
one will be going to my best friend Nikki, who is a lifelong Fleetwood Mac fan. 

Well played John & Jill! Love your stuff! 





What do you think?



I hope you have a great week 
Love, Laura


My broken china jewelry is always available for purchase at https://www.etsy.com/shop/dishfunctionldesigns