One Frame.. Two Ways To Use It

On my first trip to Old Green Shutters Antiques in Crown Point, Indiana, I had

purchased a really unique piece!  Not seen on any of my many travels to flea

markets or antique malls.  It was an unpainted window frame that Carey

had used in her shop.  She had configured it to rest on top of a metal stand.

Attached to the sides were two wonky rusted wires on which she had hung cards

and other light treasures.  Such a great display piece!  And I knew I had to be

the next owner of this gem!

I had spruced it up a bit by spray painting the base semi-gloss black paint.

Had taken off the wonky rusty wire and used it, tucked in this display, for 

added texture.  

I made a simple swag of greens with a burlap bow for the top of the frame and

then proceeded to add mini "vintage" ornaments hanging from twine.  

 

Spaced unevenly as odd numbered groupings add so much more interest.

Next use for this darling display?  How about as a means of holding Christmas

sweets?  Typical for me, this was a last minute project (as in Christmas eve..

yes, you read that right!!) Earlier in the day I bought a slew of different

old-fashioned candies that I wanted to tuck inside glassine bags.  Uh-ohhhh!

No glassine bags left in my studio.  What to do?  Chinese restaurants use them

to hold their fried appetizers for take-out orders.  Genius!! I sent darling

husband out to the nearest restaurant to buy some.  He did alright, great

guy that he is.  But upon handing them over, my eyes lit upon not plain ones

but these!

Hey!  At least these Asian ladies are printed in Christmas red!!  Ok... Ok....

let's think this one out.  Make my own Christmas labels to cover them up!

A friend had just sent me some beautiful ones in the mail.  I could make

copies on label paper, cut them out and adhere them to the bags!  I was

doing the happy dance all the way to my studio... so tickled, was I!!

No worries about the bit of red showing from the original printed label as

it faded into the background.  Tuck the candies inside, fold over the top,

punch two holes in it, thread some ribbon through it and tie a pretty bow!

Christmas ornament hooks are what I used to hang them on the twine.

Two rows filled with holiday glassine candy bags!

 Sixteen bags hung in rows... sixteen bags filled with sugary surprises!

 A different use for the same frame, creating a different vignette!

 And by the end of Christmas day?  Well, I think you can see that this idea 

is one that will be worth repeating next year!!