Friday

DIYP #43 Dollar Decor: Customize Your Pillows

I love the simplicity of this project! It's so easy and affordable, but offers a big impact!

Inspiration:
make your own bird pillows

Aren't these birdie pillows cute?

Supplies Needed:

Assorted felt (.20 cents a piece)
A pillow from The Dollar Store or a discount store (Mine came from WalMart for $2)
Fabric glue or hot glue gun


I am not an artist, but I can fake it sometimes. I just drew a branch, a bird and some leaves on colored felt. This is my second attempt. My first bird looked like a marshmallow with a beak.

I discovered after the fact, that this article, actually has a printable pattern for the birds!


I cut out the simple pattern and glued the pieces to my pillow. Easy-peasy!


I love the punch of color on my bed!


Total project cost: $2.60

Imagine if I could draw!

Lately, garage sales have been my favorite place to find dollar deals. I've been heading out early with Amanda from The Eck Life. Last weekend, we found these cute matching picture frames. I thought they would make great chalkboards. She put her adorable chalkboard in the laundry room.


I just taped off the ugly floral part and painted the center with chalkboard paint.


I like the way it turned out. But it felt a little boring to me.

So, I got out the spray paint. (I taped over the chalkboard part, so I wouldn't have to redo it).

Yes, now that's more like it. Plus, red just calls for a sassy note to all the eaters in my kitchen, "Take it or leave it!"

Check out Rhoda's for more thrifty inspiration! 
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Some other fun bird projects:

61 comments:

punkinmama said...

That pillow is so cute!

And I love that chalkboard - especially in sassy red!

LaDonna said...

I love the frames you found to make chalkboards with. Lots of detail.
I have been considering painting one of my closet doors in my home office with the chalkboard paint. Then I can use the colored markers on it to keep information handy.

Niki Jolene said...

I love the chalkboard redo! And even better, the "menu"!


:)

Beth S. said...

ADORABLE pillows...and AWESOME picture frame turned chalkboard! You have such an eye to turn these things you find into such treasures! I feel like my craftiness is in limbo, but you are beginning to jump-start it with all of your wonderful, inexpensive ideas! Garage sales, here I come!

Laryssa Herbert said...

I really like your menu options! We are serving the same two things at our house. :-)

Sassy Gal said...

SO cute, girl!! I love both things...and I've been making your Monogram Coasters from the ceramic tiles. You, my dear, are an inspiration...thanks!

Amber @ Classic Housewife said...

That is TOO cute!!

"Imagine if I could draw!" - TOO Funny!! =)

I think your pillows are beautiful. I'm hoping to start taking in some garage sales soon but I haven't been able to make one yet.

Anonymous said...

I saw Amanda's chalkboard earlier this evening. They are so different, but I love both of them.

How fun that the two of you have a bloggy buddy that you can go shopping with! I think I'm a little jealous. ;)

arkie said...

Loved the chalkboard! The pillow project turned out cute also.

frantically heidi said...

I'm loving all the birds lately, but i have to ask - are they due to a twitter obsession? Hmmm?
Adorable!

Jennifer said...

the chalkboard is great! i'll have to keep my eyes peeled at our community garage sales...
BTW, i posted a recipe and pictorial at my blog about making easy bread. come take a look, if you havne't been innundated with hundreds of bread recipes already!

http://caplingerfamily.blogspot.com/2009/05/kitchen-aid-mixer-is-mandatory-for-this.html

Adrienne said...

What is the color of your bedroom? It looks like exactly what I am looking for.
Thanks so much!

Jackie said...

Great ideas! I love the red frame.

~*Michelle*~ said...

I am totally digging the chalkboard idea....and stealing it! ;)

....and as I've mentioned before, I just have this thing for birds and trees, so I {heart} your pillow...

Has anyone told you that you ROCK, lately!?

Peace~
*~Michelle~*

Carrie said...

I love the pillows and the chalkboard! The red looks great! And the note is even better!

teachermom said...

I am new here to your blog. I've been reading and reading! I'm hooked! I love blogging and home decor also! Your ideas and tips are priceless! Keep up the good work, and God bless your wonderful family!
Kim from Florida

Pam said...

OK - both of these projects ROCK! The bird pillow - my, oh, my. So cute. So easy. So cheap. Loooove it!

And the chalkboard! I have been racking my brain lately trying to figure out where I can put one in my little house. But the frame on yours - I've never seen anything like it. It's fabulous.

Love them!

Stephanie said...

The birds are so cute. So cute. And I think even I might be able to do this craft.

And what a difference a little sassy red paint makes. Great find.

bridget {bake at 350} said...

I am so impressed! How do you get this all done? Those supplies would be sitting in my guest closet for years! :)

Love that birdie pillow!

Kathryn said...

Your pillow turned out just darling. Good job!

Unknown said...

Love the chalkboard! That's a great idea. I'll be on the lookout for frames from now on.

Dorci said...

I love the chalkboard! And I love the note on it. :o)

stephanie h said...

Love the pillow and chalkboard! Oh,and I got all my goodies from you!

Thank you so much, again!

I LOVE it all! :)

nicole said...

Your DIYP inspire me. I have yet to do any of them, but the seeds have been planted. I love your style!

ShEiLa said...

2 choices for dinner.
I love it.

It is always fun to see what you have come up with... not too hard to do either.

Thanks for sharing.

ToOdLeS.

Screwed Up Texan said...

Great idea! Very simple and yet elegant!

Tiffany said...

Marshmallow with a beak? Why didn't you take a picture?! :)

Very cute pillows. I need to do something with the felt I bought. I'm thinking it would be nice paired with some burlap that I also purchased. Why do I buy this stuff without a plan?

Anonymous said...

Oh my, I adore that chalkboard.

Jaden Paige said...

I love them both... but expecially that chalkboard! How awesome!

Robin said...

Love, love, love the chalkboard - especially the menu choices!

MommaJen said...

super cute pillows! I love your ideas and that they are cheap and easy! My kind of projects!

LANA said...

You are so creative! Thanks for the brilliant ideas....where do you find the time to do these lovely projects? You must also have excellent time management skills:)

Unknown said...

I have been following your blog for a while...love your ideas and attitude about life. So real. I don't normally comment, but found that I have to ask you where you got your bedding from. It is exactly what I am looking for. If you have a moment, please email me at katelafave@gmail.com. Thanks so much.
Kate

Unknown said...

Love the chalkboard!

Anonymous said...

So adorable! I have the urge to go make pillows now!

Marie {Make and Takes} said...

What a great idea. I love how easy that is! My house is in desperate need of some fresh pillows!

Mama Jessica said...

Love the chalk board idea! And the pillow is so very cute! Thanks for the idea. By the way is the chalk board paint a spray paint or a canned paint?

Jessica said...

Wow, those are two super cute projects! I especially love the pillow :-)

Grateful for Grace said...

Those really are cute!

grannyann said...

Cute idea. I love DIY projects.

Jessica said...

really really love the chalk board project.

ParkerMama said...

I went yard sailing today looking for a frame to make into a chalk board.

I found a beauty, but the gal wanted $20.00 bucks for it.

So, I'm still looking.

Tammy and Parker
www.prayingforparker.com
www.5minutesforspecialneeds.com

joyh82 said...

What a neat idea and a clever bargain as well.

Unknown said...

Those pillows are adorable! And I would say you are an artist! thanks for sharing I will be making! Sue

From the Old InkWell said...

Very clever. Thanks for the idea!

Carol said...

I love those pillows! The price is right, and the difficulty level is right up my alley! That red chalkboard is awesome!

Carmen @ Life with Sprinkles on Top said...

The birdie pillow...genius! I love your red chalkboard, very cool! I also love your bedding! :)

The Tattered Cottage said...

Love the bird pillows...thanks for the link. I already went there and printed out the pattern! :) I see a Christmas gift completed (well, once I complete the pillows LOL) Love the chalkboard also.
Toni

Rhoda @ Southern Hospitality said...

Cute board, Kristen! I love how you changed it up to meet your needs.

Amanda @ Serenity Now said...

I love that pillow!! :) Great idea!!! :)

Kim @ Starshine Chic said...

The pillow turned out adorable! And so did the chalkboard.

momof3girls said...

love the red spray job! It made it really pop off the wall!

Christina said...

I just love your red chalkboard. Beautiful.

What a great job you did on the pillow. Fantastic idea.

Anonymous said...

Both crafts are great. Thanks for the inspiration.

Elaine H

Joelle said...

The birds look like Twitter birds. So cute! Thanks for sharing.

Embellished Bayou said...

That red chalkboard is awesome, thanks for sharing!

Carla said...

Love the birdy pillow. And hello red!

Shannan Martin said...

LUV that little birdie! What a great idea. Maybe even the craft-challenged people like myself could pull this one off!

Decor To Adore said...

What a great makeover! It looks amazing! Well done~the bird pillow is so tweet!

Nicole A. said...

Love that pillow, it looks awesome! Love the colors and it adds so much! Your room is gorgeous! That chalkboard is Fabulous too, love it red!

Melissa said...

That pillow is TOO cute! It matches my blog background!

Thanks for sharing!

Melissa :D