Mockingbird Hill Cottage

Mockingbird Hill Cottage

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Re-Imagining the Bulletin Board

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You never know what might happen when I clean out a closet. I have this closet in the guest bedroom/office/music studio. By the way, we only have 2 closets upstairs and a very small one downstairs. My husband and I share the one in our bedroom and it is not a big walk-in closet. Oh no. We cram our clothes in there, which allows me to have the other closet for fabric, yarn, craft supplies, office supplies, etc. When we first moved here, I installed shelves and that makes a huge difference. I was ruthless the other day and filled up a big contractor’s bag with stuff. I still have to go through my yarn and donate the yarn I know I won’t use. While I was tossing things, I found a bulletin board. It got me thinking.

I have a memo board, the kind with ribbons on the diagonal. While pretty, it isn’t entirely practical as I have to shove everything under the ribbons. It limits what I can do. So, why not have one board for some things and the bulletin board for others? I pulled out my trusty aqua paint – the same can I used on the mantel shelf in my studio and on the chalkboard.


I painted this much the day before yesterday. Fast forward to this morning, oh, about 5 AM. I woke up early and couldn’t get back to sleep, so I got up, finished The Lost Symbol by Dan Brown (really liked it) and got out my paints. Of course, I was in my flannel pajamas, which seems to be the norm for my creative spurts. Just like with the chalkboard, I added the antiquing glaze to ‘age’ the bright aqua paint. Then I painted these:


I bought these from Rita when I was in California – at the Barn Sale. These also were aged. Looks like an frowning face, doesn’t it? I was unsure what to do with the cork when I remembered all the sheet music I have. I pulled out an exercise book that I know I will never use – that would mean I would have to practice. Ah…no.


With the help of Mod Podge and the adrenaline from strong early morning coffee, I came up with the above arrangement. I used an almost-dry brush and aged the sheet music a bit.


Then I attached my little garland and roses.



And, here is my pretty bulletin board:


Almost too pretty…I don’t want to clutter it up. Oh well, I’m sure that feeling will pass. I have to seal it somehow – any suggestions from all you crafters? Some sort of clear acrylic sealer? Any advice would be most welcome.

Thank you for your lovely comments about sweet Nella. I will pass them on to my parents. We will always miss her. I’ve already seen photos of Lydia and Luke and they are so adorable. Hopefully, I will be able to share them with you soon.

Comments

  3. Oh Claudia Sweetie…
    I love this beautiful bulletin board. I think I would use some of that clear matte spray sealer. I bought some at Michaels.

    The flowers just sealed the deal. It is so beautiful and I just love the aqua color. So perfect for Phoenix. (Southwest color).

    I too do my best work early in the morning or really late at night. It seems my creative juices only flow at those times.

    Thank you for sharing sweetie. Great post and wonderful job as usual.

    Country hugs and much love…Sherry

    Reply

  5. Jammies are the only thing to wear when creating. :)
    This is gorgeous, Claudia! I use Krylon to seal a lot of my crafts. Probably a matte finish would look good. Or Mod Podge it.
    When I clean out my closets I don’t end up with something this great. Maybe YOU should come over and help me. :)
    Have a Happy,
    Zuzu

    Reply

  6. The bulletin board looks INCREDIBLE!!! You have a gift for turning the ordinary into the extraordinary! I would suggest a matte spray too :)

    Reply

  7. Hi Claudia…..You are so clever! I love using sheet music, as well. Something about seeing all those little notes dancing across the page….just makes me feel happy.

    I think that beautiful shade of French Blue is becoming your signature color. May I ask the name and brand? I’d love to use it on a little dolls wardrobe that I’m refinishing.

    Fondly,
    Kay

    Reply

  8. Lucky Day for ME ! I found YOU !

    LOVE your blog…love your cottage and porch and dogs and…and..and…love all of it…

    can’t wait to go hit the follow button ….
    i’ll be back very soon for more fun….

    kary
    xxx

    Reply

  10. HI CLAUDIA’
    WHAT A CLEVER IDEA, A MATTE SPRAY MIGHT DO THE TRICK. HOMEMADE ITEMS ARE SO GREAT, AS REWARDING.
    GREAT JOB, HAVE A NICE DAY.
    RIZZI

    Reply

  11. What a great new board. I love the new “hardware/rosettes.” We have an extra one in our cellar that’s just sitting there…hmmm.

    Have a wonderful day!
    Leann

    Reply

  14. Claudia..thanks for stopping by Farmhouse…even though we are under water…i just saw the kitty that passed away….

    i have lost 5 kittys to that kidney failure….she looks like such a sweet kitty….

    I have 2 indoor himalayan and just like your mom and dad..3 outdoor homeless who have found me….I have been feeding all 3 for 3 years now..i consider them mine..i love them..all so sweet…..

    my heart goes out to you and your family…i know how hard it is to lose a beloved pet…

    my deepest sympathy…..

    fondly,
    kary
    xxx

    Reply

  16. LOVE it…I am in love with that blue color. Funny I never use to like blue but am having a real thing for aqua, turquoise and peacock blue of late…Mick isn’t so convinced :-)

    I would midge podge it too.

    I bought some old sheet music books from our library a few weeks back to do something similar. I am also partway through covering a tray with a torn up dictionary in a similar fashion. We hope to make one of the rooms a library so I going to go with a words theme…and birds to keep Mick happy :-)

    Reply

  19. Hello Claudia,

    LOL I can understand as to how you don’t want to put thinks on your new board. It is pretty the way it is :-) I love the rose details specially! :-)

    I just read of Nella. Didn’t you just post something about her and how she’s trying to block your blog from your parents? :_) I thought it was cute and I certainly didn’t expect she was sick and that the next post of her would be a goodbye one. 13 yrs is a long time and she will surely be missed!

    Mizpah,
    Li

    Reply

  21. Been busy today setting up my new iMac, sugar. Squeeeeeeeeeeeal….

    Okay, that’s lovely so now you can just wrap it up and send it out here to Idaho. I LOOOOOVE what you did with it.

    xoxo,
    Connie

    Reply

  22. Claudia,

    This turned out fabulous! Mod Podge is a great sealer and they make a “matte” finish…that would be perfect. :0) Or if you’d rather not coat the sheet music with anything then a 3m sealer/water repellent would work…however, it wouldn’t protect the sheets from being accidentally torn during the wear and tear over the years…

    The Mod Podge will totally secure the pages and still give a layered look. This is truly inspiring. :0)

    I’ve finished another collage if you’d like to take a peek.

    Have a wonderful day,
    Stephanie

    Reply

  24. Claudia ~ What a wonderful bulletin board! I wouldn’t want to cover it either.

    Loved your previous post about your mom and dad getting the two new cats. They will never replace but will fill a void.

    caren

    Reply

  25. Gorgeous – almost too beautiful to cover up with bits and bobs as a bulletin board – just hang it as an art piece!!

    Yes, I think spraying with a matte sealer for paper will be fine.

    What a wonderful makeover – you are the best Claudia!!

    Thanks for the kind words about my friend who lost her dear husband. We will be snuggling up this chilly weekend, crying and laughing over the memories of 40+ years…..and planning for the future.

    Reply

  29. That is the most beautiful bullentin board. I love the color, sheet music and antique glaze. The garland on the top in “over the top” as the expression goes.

    I love bullentin boards. They are so handy and useful.

    Have a “Heart” day…

    Reply

  31. Just found you via a link of a link. Well, you know how that goes…. I am trying so hard to find your button code to as to add to my scroller of places I visit.

    Having a peak around your cottage. Hope for you to stop by my garden sometime.

    The Garden Bell

    Reply

  34. Hi Claudia,
    Love the bulletin board! You did a wonderful job and it is almost too pretty to use! Aqua is one of my favourite colours! I just retuned home from visiting my son in Vancouver and he bought me an aqua Olympic hat, turquoise actually, but close enough. I love it! Thanks for sharing your lovely bulletin board and enjoy your evening.

    Blessings,
    Sandi

    Reply

  35. Hi Claudia sweetie…
    I had to pop back over and ask you if you managed to put anything on that bulletin board, or if you were going to keep it as a photograph? I don’t know if I could stick one pin in her. She turned out so beautiful, and has such a beauty of her own.

    Thank you for popping over and allowing me to share my beauty with you. I so love Moma and Daddy and they are True Beauty.

    Have a beautiful Friday sweetie. Country hugs and much love, Sherry

    Reply

  36. Claudia, that came out so beautiful – and it’s so fitting for MHC since you and Don are both musical!

    I use acrylic varnish by Delta to seal everything I do. I’ve used their matte and satin in the past, but lately I’ve been in a high gloss phase!

    Donna

    Reply

  40. This is the prettiest bulletin board I’ve ever seen !! Love the music sheets and turquoise … perfect !! Becca (Adventures in Decorating)

    Reply

  42. Really love it! I am seeing so many using the old sheet music for decor in one way or another. I hope I can think of a way soon because I just love everyone ideas!bak

    Reply
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