Tuesday, January 29, 2008

Always Keep an Open Mind

A while back I was at an estate sale rummaging through some boxes. I came across some finds in a box full of miscellaneous items. I excitedly brought my finds to the man running the sale. He knew exactly which box I had pulled my items from and proceeded to try and sell me the entire box as he was eager to clean things out. I really didn't want the other items in the box but he kept insisting. My husband knew the man running the sale so I felt that I should just take the entire box and be on my way. Immediately I had buyers regret. Why did I let myself get pushed into buying things I didn't want?

Well long story short, I held onto the box of "junk" and put it into the great abyss that was my creative space. Last week, my sister came over to help me organize the abyss into some sense of a workspace - I'll be posting the results later this week - as we were cleaning, low and behold - here is that box of junk again! I sifted through it and with now fresh eyes decided that many things were worth keeping and could be reinvented. The picture frame above was one of the items. It is a nice enough frame, I just didn't need it or have a space for it (or so I had originally thought!). The other day I came across the frame again and decided that a little glitter might help...

Here are the results! I couldn't be happier with it. I removed the worn magazine clipping that was in the frame, added some vintage sheet music and coated the frame in silver glitter. I added a pearlized vintage earring to glam it up a bit more. I thought it needed just a little something more. I've had this vintage key that I just love - I can't put my finger on why exactly, maybe it is the shape, maybe it is the number 136 etched on its top (though those particular numbers mean nothing to me) but I will never giveaway or sell this particular key. I'm kind of liking it jauntily resting at the corner of the frame.


So this frame that I so haughtily had dismissed has found new life and a new home in my now clean and organized creative space. It will provide me with inspiration and a reminder to not be so quick to judge...

Have a great day.



49 comments:

Anonymous said...

That is so cute! I love it when people can see the potential in things.

suzi finer said...

transformative magic...not doubt your entire world is filled with fascination and delight!
love what you come up with...and can't wait to see what else is brewing in that creative brain!
love.

Artifax said...

What a wonderful second life for that frame! Just beautiful how you've transformed it.

I have treasures like that key too. Just attached themselves to my soul somehow :)

Cape Cod Washashore said...

Good thing you saved that frame - you've turned it into spetacularly stunning!

Heidi said...

That's a magical transformation for sure! Lovely! Sometimes it does take a while to "see" beyound what's in our hands.

Anonymous said...

It's beautiful! I love the vintage music insert, great idea!

vintage girl at heart said...

Trash to treasure. Love what you did with it!!! Just beautiful!!

Sandy McTier Designs said...

Hi Karla,
BEAUTIFUL transformation. It was a nice frame but now it's a WOW frame with the Karla touch and lots of glitter! LOL

Have a great day.
Sandy :)

bluemuf said...

I love what you did with the frame. It's lovely

Karen

Lori said...

Karla, once again proof positive of the magic powers of glitter...that frame is now a TRUE stunner!!! i just LOVE it!!! and now i can't wait to see what else you transform from that
"junk" box:)
YOU ROCK!!!

Alison Gibbs said...

That frame is fabulous. What a makeover.
Alison

kari and kijsa said...

Oh...we love this post...that picture frame was already wonderful...but add a little glitter and WOW!!!!

Have a blessed day!

smiles, kari & kijsa

Rosemary said...

It looks great with the glitter. You can never have too much glitter.
Great job!
Rosemary

Anonymous said...

I just love that frame! Who would have known? It is your creative artistic, after all, that saved the ugly duckiling and made it a glittering swan :)!

Susan @ Blackberry Creek said...

Very nice work.

Beth Leintz said...

Amazing what a little glitter and imagination will do! I liked the frame before, I LOVE it now!

Anonymous said...

Wow, that's a pretty amazing transformation. What a great idea. Nice suggestion to give things a second look.

You did a beautiful job. Great project!

Monica said...

Had to comment on this lovely again!
From trash to treasure, aye?
It is so pretty, the glitter was the perfect touch for it.

Anonymous said...

It's amazing how much we can learn from our creative experiences. Beautiful story to remind us all of the miracle of restoration when the mind is set free to think outside the box. Now after your magic touch it's stunning Karla.

God bless,
Laura

Merci-Notes said...

If I may!!! Be so honored as to present you with THE TOP AWARD FOR CREATIVITY AND REINVENTION!
this is so extremely beautiful!!! Magnifique!!!! BRAVO! BRAVO!! (can it be mine now??? pretty please?

I would also like to say that your sister is sooonice to come over to help you! Now I miss my sisters even more boohoo.

Hugs,
Mary

Sadie Lou said...

Such a clever Re-do! I love making the ordinary something delicious!
I really like your new banner--I've been looking at banners a lot because I'm having Heather Bluhm do mine! It's almost ready! *excited*
~Sadie

Anonymous said...

You have given it new life!
cd&m
http://catondarlingandmoore.typepad.com

Anonymous said...

Karla!!! It's simply beautiful!!!! I just love it!!

Vicki Chrisman said...

AAHhhhhhhhhhh.... Karla ... I have that EXACT frame... and NOW... I know what to do with it!!! I love love love it dressed up like that! Very Cool!
oh...and thanks for letting me know that my blog comes up alright for you, because I want to make sure it's only an isolated problem.

Mary Isabella and Kiley too! said...

You are so talented. You created something so beautiful...Smiles...Mary

karlascottage.typepad.com said...

Gorgeous!!!!!!!!

Anonymous said...

You never know what a little glitter will do!A sprinkle here and a sprinkle there... magic!
Susan

Preppy Lizard said...

I love what you did to that frame! You have inspired me to go through some of my old "junk" and see what I can do to spruce it up.

Naturegirl said...

Karla a work of art!! You are talented! Love it!! thank you for giving me the inspiration to look beyond what is there! hugs NG

Penny from Enjoying The Simple Things said...

That turned out wonderful! I love the whole piece, but that key with the heart shape on the end is the BEST!
Penny

Natasha Burns said...

Hi Karla,
LOVE what you made, you have wonderful vision!!!
And happy birthday to your hubby, hope he had a good one!
Missed you xo

Anonymous said...

Wow Karla! you sure do have an open mind! I would have never been so inventive! It looks gorgeous now! I'm going to remember to look at things more like you and make them beautiful! thanks for sharing! xo natalea

Flea Market Queen said...

Kala...I love the frame!
It is absolutely beautiful...
I'm o glad you kept the box!
Priscilla

The Mrs. said...

So cute!!! I love it! You are so creative!!!!

The GlitterFairy... said...

Nice job, Karla!
It's no surprise that I would love what you did to the frame. Gorgeous! From "flat" to "fabulous"! There's nothing like a little glitter to jazz things up!
Hope you're well.
Glittery hugs,
Laurie

kari and kijsa said...

Love this! A most beautiful recycle and reuse!! Talented as always!!

blessings,
kari & kijsa

The Old Painted Cottage said...

What a major transformation....I love it!!

oxox
Jennifer

Kerryanne @ Shabby Art Boutique said...

What a fabulous revamp Karla....I loved it it its original state but now it has new life with a bit of glitz and sparkle - well done!!
hugs,
Kerryanne

ShabbyInTheCity said...

REALLY nice!!! I love it. I also love the worn magazine photo you tossed LOL :)Did you toss it?

Cheryl Miller said...

Wow, Karla! Love what you did! That's SO SATISFYING, isn't it?-- Taking something old and out-dated and giving it new life!! Good job!
Cheryl

Stampindamour said...

Love the picture frame!! Great Blog!! I need to visit more often! :0)

-pamela

Mary Isabella and Kiley too! said...

I love what you did with the frame.It is beautiful....Smiles

workinthatpreppy said...

wow...amazing job you did...congrats...

Anonymous said...

I love your glittered frame.
:) Bren

Anonymous said...

What a stunning transformation!
xo
mary
hoganfe handbags

karlascottage.typepad.com said...

Karla, the Valentines you sent to Beth and I are darling! I just love the picture of my baby, thanks so much. I can't believe you sent all of that, you were way too generous. She has enjoyed playing with her fairy and her puppy, they are so cute.

Thanks again!

Anonymous said...

Lovely work my dear. It's truly not trash anymore, a treasure now.

G'day,
Karla Smith
http://artwhisper.typepad.com

Susie Q said...

This is beautiful!! You work magic...sheer magic!

Hugs,
Sue

Anonymous said...

Hi Karla, this is soo cute! You work magic Miss Sugar Bear :) Jenn and Jacqui

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