10.28.2008

WFMW: Easy Vintage Artwork

Day Three of my front room makeover is here!  It is also a great excuse to share a "Works For Me Wednesday" tip that I recently discovered.  

I needed some new artwork for my front room.  But I am not one to go out and spend a ton of money on art pieces, as much as I would like to.  Luckily, a few weeks ago, I found three gorgeous frames, all matching, at Goodwill for $4 each.  

These frames also came with mats, so I didn't even have to buy those.  I just needed to come up with something cool to put in the frames.  Enter Vintage Printables!  It's this wonderful website I heard about recently (I can't remember where, but if you blogged about it, please tell me so I can credit you!).  It has lots of beautiful sketches and vintage drawings, all free to use, as far as I can tell.  Check out what I ended up with!

Don't you love my vintage birds?  The colors are gorgeous, and they match my new room perfectly.  The best part is that I printed them in my husband's home office on the backs of manila file folders which, when cut to the right size, made the perfect "canvases" for these little birds.  I didn't spend a dime on the prints, and I got gorgeous artwork that looks fantastic in my new front room.

Oh, and did you want to see what the frames looked like when I started?  Nice, but just not the style I was going for.

So there you go!  Free, original artwork at Vintage Printables.  Works For Me!
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61 comments:

  1. BetsyOctober 28, 2008 at 9:36 PM

    Nothing beats that...getting so excited for the big reveal.

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  2. UnknownOctober 28, 2008 at 9:38 PM

    Absolutely brilliant : )! Have a wonderful Wednesday!

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  3. KristenOctober 28, 2008 at 9:40 PM

    How easy was that?! And so cute too? Off to check out that website!

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  4. AngelaOctober 28, 2008 at 10:04 PM

    I love this! Thanks so much for the tip. Those frames are freakin' awesome... especially since they were on the cheap at Goodwill. (Wait. "Inexpensive" would be a better word. It sounds more sophisticated.) LOVE it!

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  5. LauraOctober 28, 2008 at 10:05 PM

    Great tip, love it!

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  6. StephanieOctober 28, 2008 at 10:20 PM

    Nothing is better than free, and frames for cheap! You are so smart! Love the rooster!
    Happy Wednesday!

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  7. ShiloOctober 28, 2008 at 10:33 PM

    Thanks for the tip, Carrie! Can't wait to snoop around the site!

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  8. LanaOctober 28, 2008 at 10:46 PM

    Looks so nice...thanks for the great tip!

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  9. AmberOctober 28, 2008 at 10:51 PM

    What a fun website with tons of potential! Thanks for sharing!

    Nothing is better than fun decor at almost totally free! ;)

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  10. AnonymousOctober 29, 2008 at 1:09 AM

    Now this is funny!!! Not your pic's but my post about your blog on WFMW. I found your blog(didn't noticed the WFMW in your post, a little ADD) and...because I love home decor stuff, I posted you and a few others on my blog as great resources for home decor.

    If that made any sense? Anyway, love your site.

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  11. AmandaOctober 29, 2008 at 1:31 AM

    they turned out great, can't wai to see the site...and see your reveal friday

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  12. Shell in your PocketOctober 29, 2008 at 1:33 AM

    Wonderful...what great tips!
    -Sandy toes

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  13. Heidi BoosOctober 29, 2008 at 1:36 AM

    I am so impressed with your ability to transform things. You have such a great "eye" for making something new and improved!

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  14. Lisa & GeraldOctober 29, 2008 at 3:01 AM

    You go girl! You always have great finds and Ideas1

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  15. AnonymousOctober 29, 2008 at 4:30 AM

    those look great! did you age the frames?
    ~nicole

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  16. AngieOctober 29, 2008 at 4:59 AM

    Wow!! They look great, I am going to check that website out! Thanks

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  17. Keeper of the Skies WifeOctober 29, 2008 at 5:13 AM

    They look really good, Carrie!!!

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  18. StaceyOctober 29, 2008 at 5:52 AM

    I have to spend some time on that website. I can't remember who told us about it either.

    Your room is looking great!!

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  19. CIRCLE OF LIFEOctober 29, 2008 at 6:15 AM

    GO YOU KEEP FINDING GREAT BARGAINS AND DEALS. VERY NICE I LIKE YOUR STYLE

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  20. Wendy October 29, 2008 at 6:37 AM

    Got to love free artwork! I love the vintage printables website too...can't remember who blogged about it either unfortunately. Great job on your pretty birds!

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  21. CarrieOctober 29, 2008 at 7:03 AM

    Ohhh...very cool! I'm going to have to check that out! Great idea!

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  22. JbooOctober 29, 2008 at 7:14 AM

    So, so cool!! Do you take extra-strong vitamins or something? How do you do everything that you do (and do it so well) with a toddler and being pregnant!!! I think you are Superwoman, aren't you! :) Have a fun day!

    Janet

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  23. SandyOctober 29, 2008 at 7:19 AM

    You always have great ideas, Carrie!

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  24. AndreaLeighOctober 29, 2008 at 7:27 AM

    Very, very cool! I must brave our local Goodwill. It doesn't smell very good, but I always hear about the bargains to be found so I think I just have to such the moldy smell up and get in there!

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  25. AmandaOctober 29, 2008 at 7:27 AM

    Love your WFMW posts! Thanks for the link to the vintage printables website...I'll eventually be getting some good use out of those. AND I am jealous that you found matching frames at goodwill! I am never that lucky :-)

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  26. AnonymousOctober 29, 2008 at 7:37 AM

    OOH, thanks for the website link :) Your pictures look great :)

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  27. the undomesticated wifeOctober 29, 2008 at 7:39 AM

    Those are great! I love bird decor, and those are fantastic!

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  28. ShannonOctober 29, 2008 at 7:39 AM

    Looks great!!! I'm going to have to check that website out!

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  29. GennyOctober 29, 2008 at 8:20 AM

    You are so talented. I love this idea. Thanks for the tip on the website!

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  30. ChristyOctober 29, 2008 at 8:29 AM

    How fun is that! I am going to check out that website. I love vintage prints. How much longer until the big reveal?!

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  31. Ruby Red SlippersOctober 29, 2008 at 8:36 AM

    I have a blank frame on the wall in our Music Room...I haven't known what to do! This could work for me!
    Thank you!

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  32. jennykate77October 29, 2008 at 8:52 AM

    What a fabulous find...and an even more fabulous idea! I love the vintage printables...just went there and saved the site to my favorites! So, when do we get to see the rest of the room???? :)

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  33. MelissaOctober 29, 2008 at 9:05 AM

    What a great site~I'm bookmarking it. The pictures look 100 times better~can't wait to see the whole room put together. Thanks so much for the award!!
    Melissa

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  34. JoannaOctober 29, 2008 at 9:12 AM

    Great idea! Thanks for sharing.

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  35. Ms. TeeOctober 29, 2008 at 9:24 AM

    Your pictures look great! I can't wait to see your big reveal, either! :)

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  36. Buzzings of a Queen Bee!October 29, 2008 at 9:28 AM

    Ha! Janet at JBoo wants to know if I take extra-strong vitamins! I wonder sometimes how much longer I'll have all this energy to complete projects, but I think that it's just the nesting thing, and the knowledge that in a few months I will be permanently parked on the couch in my sweats, nursing an infant again. Makes me want to get everything done that I can before then!
    Carrie

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  37. EmilyOctober 29, 2008 at 9:40 AM

    Thanks for the fabulous idea and the manila folder was brilliant!

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  38. CIRCLE OF LIFEOctober 29, 2008 at 9:46 AM

    THANK YOU THAT WAS SO SWEET~!

    MY CHARMING KIDS ARE IN MY PRAYERS ALL DAY AND HER WAS BORN AT 9:30 THIS MORNING AND IAM HOPING FOR A GREAT OUTCOME OUR GOD HAS MICERIACALS.

    IF YOU LOOK DOWN FUTHER I POSTED OUR VACATION PICTURES

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  39. Inspired KaraOctober 29, 2008 at 9:49 AM

    wow
    wow
    wow

    How have I never heard of this resource!?

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  40. KimOctober 29, 2008 at 10:00 AM

    I would've walked right past those pictures in the store... you have a great eye & great ideas! LOVE THOSE pictures and website!!!

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  41. AletaOctober 29, 2008 at 10:10 AM

    Ohh, I love the vintage birds. I went to the park just the other day to take pictures of the roosters and hens there. Never thought I'd see those birds at a park, but ever since Katrina, they are the new birds that live in harmony with the swans, ducks, geese, egrets, etc! You did a lovely job with finding those vintage pictures!

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  42. Our Complete FamilyOctober 29, 2008 at 10:20 AM

    Oooh, it's going to be so neat! These prints are so lovely. Kuddos to you hun! The big reveal is coming soon, isn't it? I can hardly wait! Hugs, Les

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  43. SunnyOctober 29, 2008 at 10:46 AM

    That is so neat. This is one reason I love blogging - you get to learn about neat things that you wouldn't have otherwise. Anticipation is building. Can't wait to see the finale.

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  44. WaniOctober 29, 2008 at 11:07 AM

    I've never heard of that. I'm totally bookmarking it! Thanks.

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  45. LisaOctober 29, 2008 at 11:12 AM

    Very cute! : )

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  46. AJOctober 29, 2008 at 12:04 PM

    Love those frame:)

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  47. AnonymousOctober 29, 2008 at 12:27 PM

    Oh so cool! I'm going to check out that link. I still need something for my dining room - maybe I'll find it there. Can't beat free - thanks so much!

    Manuela

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  48. jennykate77October 29, 2008 at 12:55 PM

    You've been BOOed!

    Go read my blog :)

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  49. HollyOctober 29, 2008 at 12:55 PM

    WOW!! Thank you soo much for sharing. I am really excited about this idea. I feel a craft brewing! :)

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  50. Half Gaelic, Half Garlic!October 29, 2008 at 1:41 PM

    You never let us down....you always pull some trick out of the hat!!

    I love what you did with these pictures....and I love the vintage feel. I would never have thought to do that....not you, your mind is always working!!

    The suspense is killing me....can't wait for the big reveal!

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  51. angie {the arthur clan}October 29, 2008 at 2:01 PM

    I love Goodwill! I find so many cool things there ~ it's like a treasure trove for cheap gals like me. I really like the frames you bought and I can't wait to check out that vintage website. Very nice!

    Angie in OH

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  52. UnknownOctober 29, 2008 at 2:10 PM

    Free is always good! They are beautiful!

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  53. Buzzings of a Queen Bee!October 29, 2008 at 2:41 PM

    Nope, I didn't age the frames at all. I was lucky enough that they just came like that! :)
    Carrie

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  54. ROXYOctober 29, 2008 at 6:33 PM

    I love this idea!! I can't wait to print some things from this website!!

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  55. AnonymousOctober 29, 2008 at 6:40 PM

    Such a useful site - thanks for sharing!

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  56. Sweet SimplicityOctober 29, 2008 at 7:47 PM

    I am on my way to check it out right now! Thanks for letting us know!

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  57. The Golf WidowOctober 29, 2008 at 8:09 PM

    Great tip! Who can't use free art! Love the runner...can't wait to see the finished room!

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  58. rebeccaOctober 29, 2008 at 8:21 PM

    Love the birds!
    Found your blog through Andrea's.
    Cute cute!

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  59. EloiseOctober 29, 2008 at 8:45 PM

    Wow! The frames and the roosters look great. I am completely in awe of your vision and resourcefulness!

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  60. cherryOctober 29, 2008 at 8:51 PM

    I have done that but printed out Redounte botancals...it works great! Love your birds...would love to see a closeup of them. Can't wait to see everything. cherry

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  61. LuluNovember 1, 2008 at 2:28 PM

    So brilliant! I love how everything is so cost-effective, you're so inspiring!!! That website is a great find too, thanks for the tip!
    Hoep you had a great Halloween!
    xoxo,
    Lulu

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Thank you so much for your comments! Please know that I read each and every one. I would dearly love to visit each of you in return, but sometimes life's busyness wins out! :)