Welcome to my blog!

Thanks so much for stopping by! I believe that everyone can have a beautiful home without spending a fortune! One of my favorite things to do is find creative ways to re-purpose things I already have on hand, or have picked up at yard sales and thrift stores. Join me as I share with you some of my favorite ideas for crafting and decorating, as well as travel adventures, and fun things that I pick up on my treasure hunts! Much of my work is influenced by my love all things French, nature, and of course shabby chic! I have gotten so many creative ideas from you very talented bloggers out there, and I hope that I can be an inspiration to you as well!

Tuesday, July 27, 2010

Vintage French Glittered Clothespins, a Fun Project!

Hello everyone, hope you are having a terrific Tuesday!

Today I made a fun little project that I thought I'd share with you.  I have seen some of you talented ladies out there in blog land make decoupaged clip style clothespins. Well, when I spotted a bunch of vintage wooden clothespins a few weeks ago at a sale, I just knew they would be perfect for a similar style project!  Mine aren't the spring type of pin, but I really love their shape!  I wanted to put my own French twist on the project, so the wheels started spinning, and this is what I came up with!  Viola, glittered vintage French clothespins!



I just adore the look of vintage French text, so I thought, why not French clothespins?  I pick up vintage French books at our local libraries used book sale that occurs each month. For just a buck each, I get tons of crafting possibilities!

I traced the clothespin shape on the book pages, then used just a small amount of Mod Podge to adhere to both sides of each pin.  After they were dry, I brushed another coat of Mod Podge on, then sprinkled with some of my Martha Stewart coarse clear glitter. I am afraid I don't have a photo of that step.  I really envy you ladies who are so good at photographing each and every step of your projects!  My fingers were covered in Mod Podge and glitter, so I wasn't even about to attempt snapping photos during that step!  I need another hand to do that!



Here I have displayed them on a wire photo/card holder thingy that I picked up many years ago. I love its fan shape, and the green color is perfect!


I picked up all of these reproduction vintage postcards in Paris.  I think these pins would be fun just gathered in a bowl, clipped to the outside of a present, or on your desk to gather miscellaneous papers.  It would be a fun project to do with kids, and it's inexpensive, too!
 You can never have too much glitter! Magnifique!

Here is a closer look.  Oooh, la, la!
I am linking up with these fun parties.  Be sure to check them out!
White Wednesday
Under $100 Party at Beyond the Picket Fence
Tickled Pink Friday at 504 Main  
Flaunt it Friday at Chic on a Shoestring 
Saturday Night Special at Funky Junk Interiors
French Obsession Party at Le Chateau des Fleurs  
Metamorphosis Monday at Between Naps on the Porch 
Cindy Adkins' Whimsical Musings Linky Party

55 comments:

Christine said...

These are sooo cha cha! I love them and how you displayed them too.

Jami said...

Those are beautiful...lovely is in the details!
I love your ideas! I hope you'll stop by my Pretty Packages Party next week and share some of your talent! Be sure to pick up a button so you don't forget!
www.blackberryvine.blogspot.com
smiles!!

Tete said...

What a fun idea!
Have a great WW!
Tete

Deana said...

cute!!! what a fun project.

Linda @ A La Carte said...

So cute and I love how they look holding those wonderful postcards!

One Cheap B*tch said...

I love working with clothespins but I've been so hesitant to work with glitter. Probably b/c I'm intimidated by the mess - ha! I love your's and you've inspired me to give them ago - mess and all! =)

Jeanine

Lynn said...

Cute, gotta love glitter!

Olive said...

Sparkles and it's French...swell...olive♥...visiting from faded charm

Anonymous said...

I LOVE your crafty clothespins and reproduction postards! They're a perfect compliment to one another...just beautiful!
I'm not much of a crafter (emberassed to say so in Blogland - hehehe), but this is one craft project I think I can manage. Thanks for sharing!
Happy WW!
~ Jo :)

P.S. Thanks for visiting and becoming a follower! I sure do appreciate it! I signed you up for my giveaway. Good luck!

Gretchen said...

Of all the clothespins decorated that I've seen, yours rank #1. :) I love what you've done and being that I sell at a French inspired shop, you've just inspired me to check out the local library next time it has a sale. Great tutorial.
Stop in and see my blog too if you have time.

Karen said...

OK, glad you posted this about the clothespins....I was really wondering what you would do with them! SO, so adorable!

Rebecca said...

Fun idea-it looks time consuming but very rewarding when it's done!

Donna said...

Very clever!!!

Nice and Easy Antiques said...

Just the perfect glitter touch that we all need!!!

Mary said...

Fun idea, they are magnifique :-)

Debbie said...

Oh Donna...what a cute idea!!! I absolutely love how you displayed your postcards on the wire fan with the pins. They would look cute holding a curtain over a window too.
Hugs,
Debbie@houseatthelake

Leo said...

These are great. What a wonderful Idea!

Linda @ Itsy Bits And Pieces said...

What a cute project, Donna~ inspires me to try this!

Anonymous said...

How cute! I was wondering where everyone gets their french books, and now I know. Merci! Marcia

Ms Bingles Vintage Christmas said...

Oh, I love these! Bravo! Bravo!
Thank you for sharing!
Leticia

Sassy Southern Lady said...

I think those are so cute and it gave me an idea for making my own.

Dee@FrenchBleuVintage said...

ooooh - Very pretty & a great idea.

Sandi said...

Love them and isn't it fun to play with glitter!! If a person is in a funk just get out some glitter and you will be *right as rain* in no time. :)
Happy WW!
Blessings~

Cindy Adkins said...

Hi Donna,
I just popped over to say "hi" and hope things are great...Your clothespins are so adorable!!! Really darling!
Hugs,
Cindy

Heaven's Walk said...

Hi Donna! What an adorable idea! I'm now in clothes pin envy! Where in the world did you find those treasured pins? I have looked high and low for a bunch like that to use (hate those springy ones) because they're just like the ones my mother used to use years ago.

Oh, on my blog you asked where my coffee table came from. My hubby made it for me (after I showed him a photo of one) and gave it to me years ago as a Christmas present. It's made out of an old door! Glad you like it! :)

Have a glittery day!! lol!

xoxo laurie@heavens-walk

EnchantedBella said...

great idea I love it.

Rebecca

Sissie's Shabby Cottage said...

Ooh la la is right! These are as cute as can be and I think I'll need to make some.

hugs
Sissie

kate said...

Those clothespins are so cute!! I love that you used vintage french text! I'm a fan of glitter too!

Alaina said...

You are right, I have seen some out there in blogland and thought they were cute. I like how you put the glitter over top.

Rust: Vintage Inspired Design said...

I love making these clothes pins, BUT yours are even better because of the added glitter and vintage element to the old pins. Love them!
Happy WW!
xojanis

Maude Lynn said...

How cute!

Rita said...

Your crafty clothespins are adorable beyond words. we cannot find french clothespin in italy otherwise i'd immediately steel the idea: truly superb and with some character too.
with warm wishes on this sunny summer day in beautiful Italy
rita

Christy said...

I love these!!! They are perfect with your Paris postcards. :O)

Heather{Our Life In a Click} said...

I love how these came out!! Stopping over from the French Obsession party. Such a great idea!

Diane said...

Those are sooo cute and would be sooo handy. Thanks for the idea.

Unknown said...

Eh Bas Didonc! Superbe! I love what you did! So inexpensive but they look like a million buck!
Thanks for sharing at the French Obsession!
Hugs
Frenchy

Jenn Erickson said...

You had me at "vintage"! I love the way you transformed the basic clothespins into something boutique-chic, Parisienne, and so charming! So glad to have clicked your link on Tickled Pink (I didn't mean to rhyme there). Best, Jenn

burlap+blue said...

Oh my! These are so gorgeous!! Thanks so much for sharing!! xo

Cassie Bustamante said...

those are awesome! i love this idea and am going to have to steal it from you- hope you don't mind! ;) hopped over from met monday.

~ ~ Ahrisha ~ ~ said...

I do still hang my wash outside. How much fun would it be to hang sweet little unmentionables with these pins?
~ ~Ahrisha~ ~

Amy Chalmers said...

Gosh these are darling! I love them!

Unknown said...

Cute idea. They look dressed up.
Best wishes,
Anna
Anna's French Obsession

Maria@BubblegumandDuctTape said...

that is so pretty, what a great idea. Love the glitter on them.

Visiting from Cindy's Whimsical Musings.

Cindy Adkins said...

Hi Donna,
Oh my gosh, these are adorable and I'm half-flabberghasted because I just bought clothespins today to start crafting with and the paper to cover them with...wow-we must think alike!!! Yours look so fabulous and I love all you've done with them--you have such flair!!!
Thanks so much for linking this up...I know that everyone will LOVE your work!!
Hugs,
Cindy
xoxo

peggy aplSEEDS said...

thanks for sharing these lovely clothespins!

Kathy @ Creative Home Expressions said...

These are wonderful, Donna! I've done the spring clip ones, but I haven't tried these yet. I made mine magnets, as well, so they are on my refrigerator. I'd like to do some as a desk top clip to hold papers.

Terry said...

I will never look at a clothespin again in the same way! OMG - these are stunning!

Chris Arlington said...

I have just met you on blogland and I know I like you. I love what you have made wiht efemera and other recyled goodies. It is more important than ever to reduce, reuse and recycle. With your beautiful creations it inspires us all.

Victorian1885 said...

Love them! Thanks for sharing a great idea!

Wanda

Miss Hillbilly said...

Those are so neat!!

PetraB said...

a great idea, the clothes pins look like good fun

Holly Lefevre said...

I thought I already commented on these beauties - but I do not see it. I love, love, love this idea. Your design and special touches are gorgeous! Thanks for linking to Tickled Pink a couple weeks ago...I took a little (unexpected break) but I am back!

Lynne Moncrieff said...

Love this idea. Recently playing about with altering clothespins but would not have thought to add sparkle. Thanks for the inpsiration. Lynne M

Karen said...

These are TOO FUN! And love the way you are showing them off! Perfect!
HAGD! Karen ~ Some days are diamonds

Anonymous said...

Creative,beautiful and useful. It doesn't get better. Thanks