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Miy Eco-Memo Design Decor
Re-cycle, Re-Vamp, Re-invent & Re-decorate
"f o r t h e p u r e j o y o f m a k i n g t h i n g s"

Miycreations Project article and photographs
by MaddyLane (Madeleine M Langlois)

MIY Eco-Friendly Design Decor: Re-cycled & Re-vamped Window
Memo Board

Hands-on time: Weekend project.
Total time: Plus drying time for the paint and topcoat
(2 hours for each coat).
Skill: Moderate
Project cost: Under $25.00 for the supplies

Materials & tools:

• An old window frame with at least one broken pane (available at flea markets,
antique dealers, or garage sales)
• Sandpaper, sanding block, steel wool, and paint scraper
• 1-inch (2.5cm) bristle brush (for varnish), 1-inch synthetic brush (for    latex
paint)
• Lint-free cloths
• Latex paints in black, apple green, light blue and dark turquoise
• Minwax Polycrylics Satin-finish water-based varnish (I like using Minwax
Polycrylic because its water based and has no odor)
• Painter's tape
• Rigid cardboard
• Craft knife
• Quilting batting
• Scissors
• Decorator fabric with leaf patterns to co-ordinate with the paint colours
• Glue gun or double-faced tape
• One 1/4-inch (5-mm) decorative ribbon
• Decorative upholstery tacks (available at hardware stores)
• Low odor adhesive
• Picture-hanging wire, finishing nails and hook

(Materials for this project are available at craft and hardware stores).

It's easy to incorporate eco-friendly designs into your office or home living
spaces. Environmentally friendly decorating is all about re-cycling, re-vamping,
and re-using items that can be incorporated into your everyday living. Plus when
you go eco-friendly décor, you also save money, have fun doing it, and the
creative results are always so original. You don’t have to start with large projects,
start with something small and something you need.

I found this old window at a garage sale, it had a broken pane ($2.00) . Not a
problem, for I had the inspiration to turn it into an “Inspirational Memo Board” for
my office. I replaced the broken pane section with a decorative upholstery fabric
insert. My favorite part of projects like this one is the expedition for the finds at
garage sales and flea markets, my fun is getting inspired right away in seeing the
object in its transformed creation.

Start by cleaning your frame and window thoroughly. With a scraper, remove any
old paint from the window's surface. If your frame has several coats of old paint,
you can sand its edges down with sandpaper or steel wool to make the colors of
the underneath layers visible. You can also achieve the vintage look by painting
on 3 to 4 layers of assorted colors, letting dry between each coat. Then, with the
sandpaper or steel wool, sand the frame until parts of all the colored layers are
visible. Use a scrapper in a few areas to give an extra-weathered look.

With a bristle brush, varnish the window frame with a satin-finish varnish avoiding
the glass panes by using painter's tape to protect them. Then, peel off the tape
once the varnish is completely dried.

Using the craft knife; cut out the cardboard to fit in the broken pane space area.
Trace the outline of the cardboard on to the quilting batting and cut out.
Trace the outline of the cardboard on to the fabric, including a 3/4-inch border,
and cut. Using the glue gun or double face-tape, make an "X" shape on the
cardboard and fasten the quilting batting on top. Place the fabric over the batting
and secure it at the back of the cardboard with the glue gun; pull the fabric to
make sure that is tightly in place.

Position the decorative ribbon on top of the fabric at a diagonal angle and secure
with hot glue at the back. Make an "X" pattern with the ribbon (or several if space
allows), gluing at the back to secure where the ribbons intersect. Add the
decorative upholstery tacks by pushing them into the areas where the ribbons
cross over in the front.

Place your covered board in the pane opening and fix firmly in place with small
finishing nails or tape. Cut out the leaves or desired accent design from the
decorative fabric. Apply adhesive to the surface of the design, place it directly to
the inside of the panes and pat down to position into place.

Affix a hanging hook and wire at the back of the frame. Always measure the
placements of the wires for best hanging results. All you need to do now is add
your inspirations, from various business cards, to images or quotes that inspire
you.

Variations:
•   Larger windows also work well for this project and they are perfect for a wide
office or workshop wall. You can even make a screen room divider with a few old
doors, perfect for a garden for a little extra privacy from your neighbors.
•   Old shutters can be transformed into magazine racks or CD holders.
•   For more creative ideas on how to transform garage sale and flea market
findings visit these MIY projects; Flea-Market finds 1 & Flea-Market finds 2.

• You can give an old
window frame or picture
frame a colorful and yet
vintage look even if it
plain in color. Paint
painting on 3 to 4 layers
of assorted colors, letting
dry between each coat.
Then, with the sandpaper
or steel wool, sand the
frame until parts of all the
colored layers are visible.
Use a scrapper in a few
areas to give an extra-
weathered look.

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The ribbons intersects are
fastened into place with
decorative upholstery tacks
simply by pushing them into
the areas where the ribbons
cross over in the front.