Oy Vey!

Hand-cut, hand-stitched felt on Gerber Onesies.  Your twins will be envied by all the other babies on the playground.

Name Meaning Plaques

A friend asked me to make three plaques for her children’s bedroom doors.  I turned their names (along with their linguistic origin) into works of art that complement each kid’s color scheme.  Merry Christmas to Vivian, Ian and Nathaniel!

 

Holiday Gift Tags

Much to my husband's chagrin, I have found yet another reason to save discarded paper.  My cardboard boxes have been rescued from the recycling bin (again) and turned into these oh-so-very-green, eco-responsible gift tags.  They are perfect for gift giving, and also work well for labeling/organizing supplies around the house!

(click here to buy from my Etsy shop)

Wedding Picture Frame

Presenting (drumroll, please) another example of my wedding invitation frame... The invitation was hand painted in its entirety onto a wood frame.  This will certainly be the most original item the couple receives!!  Great for shower or wedding gifts - This would also be an amazing present for a Bar Mitzvah or First Communion.

 

(Photographed with the original invitation: Click the pictures for more detail)

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Thank-you Family Style Blog!

Thank-you, THANK-YOU to Babble's Family Style Blog for including me in their list of "5 Totally Unique Ways to Celebrate the World Series Champs!"

They featured my Giants Stationery Set, which sold the same day :)

Cut-Paper Initials

Here is my latest recycling project... The pops of color on these letters were cut from discarded magazine pages (and of course, everything here was hand-cut by yours truly).  I made these three as first initials for siblings, but it would also be fun as a monogram.  Isn't it amazing what you can create from a trashed magazine and a piece of cardstock?

 (click to enlarge)

Baseball Stationery Sets

Getting ready to list these in my Etsy shop - Now I have six featured teams: Phillies, Red Sox, Yankees, Rays, Dodgers and Cardinals.  Keep checking back for more (and let me know if there's a team you'd like to see!!)

What a wonderful gift for the baseball aficionado in your life!  Each stationery set includes ten upcycled envelopes with coordinating flat notecards.  Every envelope features team statistics (rescued from old Bill James Handbooks).  They have been hand-cut, folded and glued by me... Just seal with a glue stick or fun sticker and you are ready to go!  

Phone Book Nesting Bowls

Hmmmm... What do you do with the outdated phone book?  Throw it away?  Not in this house!  You make a set of stacking bowls, of course!  These sturdy, environmentally friendly containers are completely functional or could also stand alone as a great conversation piece.

Newspaper Coasters

Created from discarded newspaper, I used black and white pages for the centers with the color comics along the rim.  These coasters turned out so well - I think this is my favorite recycling project so far!

"Pottery Barn" Coasters

I have found the PERFECT use for a Pottery Barn catalog. Cut it to pieces and make a set of hip coasters (my apologies, PB)!  While these are eco-friendly and completely functional, the best part is that since they were made from the latest catalog... they reflect the most current color trends in home decor.

 

 

Newborn Frame

A clean, crisp, neutral design... This frame is sure to blend with most nursery themes.  Do you need a present for a baby girl?  I'm itching to reproduce this design for a girl's room - all I need is a request!

Graduation Frame

Here's a great frame for any recent (or soon-to-be!) graduate.  This one was created for a high school student, but the concept would easily transfer to college or even pre-school.  Personalized with your choice of colors, this is the perfect way to display your favorite commencement photo.

My Etsy Shop is Open!

Ok, so I have only listed one item so far.  But there are many more goodies to come!  Check out my shop and if you are already an Etsy member... be sure to add LizOhsiekDesigns to your favorites list.  If you are not yet a member, JOIN!  (And then add me to your favorites list).  There are so many wonderful handmade items out there, made by amazing artists.

Baseball Stationery Sets

These envelopes were hand-cut from my husband's outdated baseball statistics books.  Pictured here is a set of ten envelopes featuring Red Sox players, with coordinating flat note cards.  So far I have also made sets for the Yankees and the Phillies..... More teams will be coming soon!

Personalized Baby Frame

Vvrrrooooommmm... Beep! Honk!

This handpainted picture frame is perfect for any little boy. Personalized with his name and birthday, it makes a wonderful newborn gift.  Leave the birthday off, and boys of all ages will love it!

Magazine Coasters

Ok, I'm officially driving my husband crazy by taking all the paper out of the recycling bin.  He thinks he's thrown something away, and SURPRISE!!!  His lovely wife has made coasters out of his trashed magazines.  

Newspaper Bowl

This cute little bowl is made completely out of newspaper rescued from the recycling bin!  I made the base from the black and white pages, while the rim uses the color comics.  Deceptively sturdy, it is the perfect size to collect loose change, paperclips, or jewelry... 

Glass Pebble Ransom Letters

These glass marbles are so fun...  This alphabet was made ransom-style with recycled magazines, and I just ordered some new magnets (strong ones!) so get ready for some boggle fun on the fridge.

Glass Pebble Map Set

These turned out so well, I just had to share!  I found an old map of Harford County (where I used to live) and found six places that were significant to me.... my first apartment, the schools where I taught, our first house, my first office job, and the baseball stadium where we had season tickets.  My first attempt at making a magnet failed miserably -- the magnets that I bought were too weak.  So, I'm off to search for stronger magnets and thumbtacks.  How cute would these look on a bulletin board?    

This idea would transfer easily to other cities, states, etc.  I can't wait to get my hands on an old atlas so I can start chopping it up!

P.S.  For any fellow Harford Countians: if any of these places are special to you too, I'd be willing to part with them :)  And I still have the rest of the map - I could make several sets!

Communion Canvas

I made this canvas for my niece's First Communion.  Her mom sent me pictures of her bedroom so I could match the colors, which are SO cute!  The best part is that the finished product is super-light-weight... Since I painted the sides, there is no need for framing.  Just put a single nail in the wall, and you are ready!

Wedding Picture Frame

It's wedding season!  This 12"x12" picture frame holds a 5"x7" photo and features the wedding couple's invitation painted (by hand!) in its entirety.  This is guaranteed to be treasured by the recipients, and makes THE perfect wedding or shower gift.

Click on the image for more detail.

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Picture frame

Ooh La La!!  I painted this for Ava's first birthday, but girly girls of any age would love a frame like this.  C'est magnifique!

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Artwork Hanger

These art hangers are turning out to be quite popular!  This one was created for a two-year-old that was getting a room makeover with a train theme.  I might have to make another one for my son, who is also a train enthusiast.  What little boy isn't??

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Wildwood Sign

"Watch the tram car, please!!"  [Read in a nasally, automated voice.] If you have ever visited the Wildwoods at the Jersey Shore, you have heard that phrase a gazillion times on the Boardwalk.  I made this sign as part of a gift for my Mom, who listens to it constantly from my parents' little condo in North Wildwood.  Happy Mother's Day!

  

Baby Frame

I am thrilled with how this frame turned out.  I was told the baby's nursery has been decorated with a 'frog-prince' theme and yellow walls... So I went from there, and here we are!  Fit for a princess.  I also love that it isn't too babyish.  Little Tatum will be able to bring this to her big-girl-room when the time comes.

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Artwork Hangers

Ever wonder what to do with all of those pages and pages (and pages!) of art created by your little Picasso? These artwork hangers are perfect for budding artists, with clips to display up to four masterpieces at a time.  

These particular hangers were created for sisters to exactly match their bedroom decor.  Their aunt sent me photos of the bedding, and I was able to reproduce the cats and color scheme.  

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Typographic Name Canvas

These were a newborn gift for a set of twins, painted in colors to match a mural in their room.  They were a little more time-consuming than I had anticipated, but the extra hours were worth it.  The result is adorable!  

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Wedding Picture Frame

I absolutely love this frame.  The complete wedding invitation has been painstakingly hand-painted for the perfect wedding or shower gift.  What a wonderful unique alternative to the (predictable) wedding registry!

Click on the image for more detail.

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Baby Picture Frames

These frames are perfect for "New Baby" gifts or birthdays. Completely customizable... 

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