Knock-Off Party

Knock-Off Party time!  You can link up any knock-off from any home decor catalog.  A few basic rules (more details here):

1. the knock-off must be made by you
2. please have a photo of the original item so we can compare
3. please link back to me in your post (why? read this)  If you like, just copy and paste this into your post:  Partying @ Homebody

I wasn't on the ball this month with talking up the party ahead of time, but I hope there will be at least a few links.  You're welcome to use an old post.

Also, today I'm happy to have a guest poster.  Welcome Vivienne of The V Spot!  She has a simple, inexpensive and really cool knock-off to share. 

I love these candles from Pottery Barn.

image credit: Pottery Barn

However, even at the relatively reasonable price of $15, I still saw no need to spend that much…


In a previous post, I explained how I can use every single bit of my candles.  I did the same thing here, using old candle wax, wicks from the craft store and a few shells that I already had.

Take the wax and put it in a microwave proof bowl. 

In a perfect world, I would have had plain white wax for this project, but alas, it is not a perfect world.  However, some of the wax was my favorite Tuscan Basil scent, so at least my imperfect world smells like Tuscany.


Microwave the wax in 30 second to 1 minute intervals, gently swirling the wax in between heatings.  You will probably need to use a pot-holder to handle the bowl.


In the meantime, take the shells and prop them up/steady them.  I used rice on a plate to support them so they don't tip over.

Since the bottom of the shell is curved, you might need to bend the wick at an angle when you place it in the shell.

Take the hot wax (carefully!) and dip the bottom of the wick in the wax to anchor it in place. Then pour in the wax into the shell. (Carefully!) (I warned you guys a couple of times that this is hot, hot, hot.  Please be careful, and if you burn yourself please do not come crying to me, because I told you to be careful...mkay? Just sayin'.)




    

Let them sit and harden.  Clean off/scrape away any wax that might have run onto the outside of the shell.


I wanted to use sand like the picture in the Pottery barn catalog, but unless I wanted to vacuum my car’s interior to try and get some leftovers from our last beach trip (which I didn’t) or go over to the beach (which I didn't) I opted to use sea-glass type filler instead.

It’ll work.

The best part?  That they were pretty much free.

Give it a try.  Cheap, easy, and it smells good too!

Knock-Off Highlights

{I hope everyone is enjoying the long weekend!  Thank you to all of the men and women who have served in our armed forces.  Freedom isn’t free!}

 

There were some pretty awesome projects linked to last week’s knock-off party.  Thanks to those of you who participated; double thanks if you put my link in your post!

Here are a few of my faves.

Jane from Two Sides of the Rainbow made her own version of Restoration Hardware’s hotel bedding at a fraction of the cost.

 

Tanya from Percolating Projects made her own Farmhouse Bed à la Pottery Barn.

 

Annette from Designs By A Rose used a thrift store find to make a rosette lamp like Pottery Barn’s.

 

Jane, Tanya, and Annette, you’re welcome to take my “I was featured” button for your blog if you like (scroll down for the code on the right sidebar).

I hope my readers will check out some of the other Knock-Off entries.  It’s good stuff!

Knock-Off Party

 

Welcome!  This party is for those of us with champagne taste, but more talent and resourcefulness than cash.  If you knocked it off, you can link it up.   The party is now open to any home décor catalog/store knock-off.  There are a few basic rules (more details here):

1. the knock-off must be made by you
2. please have a photo of the original item so we can compare
3. please link back to me in your post (why? read this)  If you like, just copy and paste this into your post:  Partying @ Homebody

 

This month, I recreated the Deux Ruban Linen Panel from Ballard Designs.  The 96” panel sells for $89 each.

 

I already had drop cloth drapes in the family room.  While not linen, the color is very similar.  It’s been a couple of years since I put these up, but I think each panel is one 6x9 drop cloth (about $10 each at Lowes).

 

 

I bought 24 yards of black 1½” grosgrain ribbon at 82¢/yd (that was 30% off at Hobby Lobby) and sewed stripes to the bottom of my panel.  I didn’t even take it down; I just set up my sewing machine next to the window.  Procrastinator that I am, I did this at about 4 pm this afternoon, and I’ve only done the one so far.

 

 

I had decided to only do three stripes, instead of Ballard’s four, partly to save a buck because I have another set of these panels to do in the adjoining dining area, which will be another 24 yards.  But now I don’t know; I think that fourth stripe adds a little oomph.  (I also think I need to raise my panels a smidgen so that they are just grazing the floor instead of resting on it.)  Other than that, I like it!

 

Your turn!

I’m going to leave this open until Sunday night, but will do a highlight post on Friday.

Knock-Off Party This Thursday, and a Plea

 

Don’t forget that my next Knock-Off party is this Thursday, May 26.  I’ve also changed the rules…starting this month, you can link up with your knock-off of any home décor catalog.

I’d also like to mention a little bit about party etiquette.  It has become very popular for bloggers to just put a “here’s where I party” link in their post.  I’d like to point out that this is not ideal for the hostess or the other participants of the party.  Most people probably will not click over at all, and if they do, they may not know which party this particular post is linked to.  That means that they cannot click over to the hostess’ blog and see the other entries.  That means less traffic for the hostess, for the other participants, and ultimately for you (if everyone uses that method).  Your link will stay in my post forever (in blog terms) so you could potentially get traffic from my party post for a long time.  Please be considerate and return the favor.  It’s awesome if you use my button, but it’s okay if you just put a text link in the post.  If you like, just copy and paste the following:

Partying at Homebody

 

Can’t wait to see your knock-offs!

 

Full party rules:

1. Your knock-off can be inspired by any home decor catalog, such as Pottery Barn, Ballard Designs,  Restoration Hardware, West Elm, Crate and Barrel, Anthropologie, etc. 
2. your knock-off entry must be made by you
3. you must include a picture of the original item from the catalog so we can compare
4. it’s perfectly fine to knock-off something that they don’t sell anymore, or something that you see styled in the catalog or store but isn’t actually for sale.  But, in either case, I would like you to have a photo of the original item, either scanned in from an old catalog, or a photo you took in the store.
5. it must be a specific comparable item, like my lamp shade
6. I don’t want something totally unique that you made that you think has "the look”; that’s awesome, but it’s doesn’t fit this party.
7. Items which have "the look", but were purchased at a different store for less money and required no alterations from you also do not fit the party
8. you must link back to me in your post, preferably using my button code, which you can get in my right side column
9. it’s okay to use an old post that fits the party guidelines, just edit your post to add my link.

Knock-Off Party News and Highlights

The entries in last week’s Knock-Off Party were awesome!  I hope you’ll take some time to go visit the links if you haven’t already (please leave a comment…everybody likes affirmation!).

 

The news is that I’m changing the party rules!  Two of the entries were West Elm knock-offs, and while technically that didn’t follow the rules, they were so fantastic that there was no way I was going to delete them!  So instead, I decided to open the knock-off party to any home décor catalog.  That means in addition to PB, Ballard, and Restoration Hardware, you can now link up your projects inspired by West Elm, Crate and Barrel, Anthropologie, etc.

So get busy and start looking through your catalogs for ideas!  The next, new and improved, Knock-Off Party will be May 26.

Knock-Off Party!

Welcome to the Knock-Off Party!  I am thrilled to have a guest poster today.  Angie from The Country Chic Cottage cranks out knock-offs and other crafty goodness at an incredible rate.  She is one of the judges at One Month to Win It and has a Etsy shop of vintage and handmade items.  Be sure to visit her blog after you’ve linked up your project at the bottom of this post.

 

 

 

Hello all!!  This is Angie with The Country Chic Cottage!  I am so happy to be here for Holly's Knock Off Party!  I looove a good knock off and always wait for Holly's parties!  :)  Today I did a little Pottery Barn Knock Off...with a farmhouse twist...

 

 

Here is the Pottery Barn version...so very beachy...and $249 to boot!

 

I wanted more of a farmhouse look instead so I took some items I already had.  An old coke crate without a bottom and a couple of barnwood signs I made last year. 

 

 

I took a saw and cut off the front and back of the coke crate.  I found some more barnwood pieces laying about and started laying out my plan on the deck...

 

 

I then took some Deco Art craft paints after those barnwood boards...

 

 

I use a dry brush paint technique on wood like this to give it a worn appearance without using sandpaper.  Just dab a small amount of paint on your brush and then dab most of it off.  Go back and forth on your wood in long, rapid strokes over a large area to make the paint stretch as far as possible.

 

 

I did one board in white, one in gray, and the third in a pale blue.  You cannot buy rustic goodness like this in a store...

 

 

I then took another scrap board and nailed each of my signs to it.  I nailed from the back so the nail heads were not visible on the front.

 

 

Then I just leaned mine against the house on the front porch.  This one was 100% made by me!  No hubby help with the tools!  If I can do it, you can do it!  And the grand total for my version...$0...FREE!!

 

 

I really love the rustic, farmhouse feel...

 

 

Seriously this was super easy!  You can make your beach themed if you wish.  Or come up with another theme for your rustic sign!  Maybe a garden theme with words like grow, garden, spring, etc.

 

 

The beauty of these is the more weathered they get....the better they will look!  Now that is my kind of outdoor decor!

 

 

Maybe you can tell by the milk can with my house number, I am a farmhouse kinda girl!  Y'all stop by The Country Chic Cottage for even more farmhouse decor and fun!

 

 

You are welcome anytime!  And you will be greeted at the door by this rustic, farmhouse knock-off!

 

 

Stop by my blog for even more knock offs I have done over the past year and a half!  Better yet..follow me cause I am sure there are more to come! 

Thank Holly for inviting me!!  I had a blast! 

~Angie~

---

Your turn!

Linky rules (for full details see this post):

• your knock-off entry must be made by you
• it must inspired by Pottery Barn, Ballard Designs, or Restoration Hardware
• you must include a picture of the original item from the catalog so we can compare
• it must be a specific comparable item, like my lamp shade, and not just a “this kind of has the PB look to it”
• you must link back to me in your post, preferably using my button code, which you can get in my right side column
• link to your specific party post, and not your general home page
• please be polite and visit several other participants and leave a nice comment

I’m going to leave this open until Sunday night, but will do a highlight post on Friday.

Party Shout Outs

Thanks to everyone who showed off their creations at yesterday’s party!  The linky is open until Sunday at midnight, but today I’m going to highlight a few of the entries.

 

Jaime from that’s my letter did a great job recreating PB’s Eagan mirror. 

 

Carol from The Answer is Chocolate showed an impressive remake of some artwork from Ballard Designs.

 

 

Libby at Life With the Mondellos took inspiration from PB to make a photo-hanging board.

 

 

Amy and Emily at Sisters of the Wild West wanted our vote on a little sisterly competition.  They each made a replica of the PB butterfly pillow.

 

 

There are more inspiring entries on yesterday’s post.  My intent is not to leave anybody out today, but to encourage you to go over there and visit other links.

If you were featured in today’s, January’s, or February’s shout-out posts, you can grab my “featured” button if you like.  It’s been sitting there all along, but it just now occurred to me to use it for this!  The code is on my right side bar.