2.02.2009

Memory Board

Lessons Learned...

I loved this linen memory board from Pottery Barn, and though it was on sale (from $54 to $42), I knew that I could recreate it on a budget. It would be perfect for the little wall in my kitchen. 


So, I did recreate it, and it did fit that wall perfectly.

Except...


I spent exactly $42 on my "thrifty" knockoff. 


Frame -   $20 (half off, was $40)
Elastic -   $12 (should have waited until it was on sale)
Fabric #1 - $3 (linen look-alike)

Discovered that I hated fabric #1.

Fabric #2 - $7 (linen)

Coming to the conclusion that I could have saved time and bought it ready-made? 

Annoying!

37 comments:

SouthernDogwoods said...

I love your version better though! Such a great idea. May have to borrow your idea!

Monica said...

I like your version better too. But if it were me, I would just buy it. LOL But then again, I'm not crafty like you.

Anne said...

I'm laughing because this is always what ends up happening to me!!! I'm all congratulating myself on a thrify project, and then I total it all up and realize I saved very little after all. On the other hand, you DID get the satisfaction of knowing that it was made with your own two hands. AND you carry the knowledge you gain from this project on to your next big undertaking.

Krista said...

I'm LOL . . . the same thing happens to me on occasion! =) I LOVE it, Kristin; btw, I like yours better! Can't wait to see you guys in a few days!

Tiffany said...

Sadly, that happens sometimes. At least when you made it you gained some knowledge. You don't get THAT at PB. :)

Come over and leave a comment on my give away post!

Heather said...

but it is cute! and when people ask where you got it, you get to say, "I made it!"

Unknown said...

Oh, I hate it when that happens! And trust me, it's happened!

Sara said...

oh this happens to me all the time! i think i'm being frugal, and in reality, i'm not. sad!

but your version does look great!

Anonymous said...

Thats why I love the saying "Why buy it when you can make it and it will take more time and cost more." I like yours better too. The frame is much "richer."

ReminisceHeirlooms said...

I still think you did a fab job and you have pride in it too. :)

Anonymous said...

It happens! But, it is much more rewarding having things around you that look that beautiful and know you are the one that put it together.

Letti said...

Yours looks great and you can have the satisfaction of saying that you made it.

Mommy Managing said...

I like yours better b/c the frame is thicker, more substantial. I just love the idea! I'm going to have to do this in different fabrics and styles for every room in my house!

Browns said...

Very cute! I like the ideas of using elastic!

Terri said...

I'm glad I'm not the only one that happens to! Still, you did a great job!

Cathy said...

I like it,,great job.

Alicia @ Oh2122 said...

Ugh. I hate that!

I had it happen tome last week with soap crayons. I spent just a tiny bit less than what it would have cost to buy them, and they were a disaster.

Your board looks fab, though!

Jenny and the Princess Peonies said...

Well, at least it looks great and you can say you made it!

DairyQueen said...

I love it! I have done the same thing to a dresser I am working on, but it's fun working on it, and I am doing things I never thought I could do, so that makes the satisfaction worth it!

I think you should be proud of your creation!

SoBella Creations said...

Your version looks great!

Alison Gibbs said...

It looks wonderful. Funny how we all do that - we don't include our time in the costing wither!!
Alison

Amy said...

Oh, I have so done that before. The thing is, you tried and you did a beautiful replica. Keep that in the back of your mind :)

boysmum2 said...

Laughing as well cause that so sounds like me! Although if you had liked fabric #1, then you would have saved!

Jill -Forever and Ever House said...

That happens to me allll of the time. I just threw a home birthday party for my 5 year old. When all is said and done, I realized that I might as well have gone to one of these birthday party places. Less stress, mess and not much more than what I spent!!

TLEB said...

I always do that too! I spend probably more than if I bought it myself! Oh well, there's something to the process :) Your version was cuter though!

Kristi~The Slipcover Girl said...

I like your's and you have the satisfaction of knowing...you did it...just like PB! You should do a tutorial. I have old frames...and elastic...and fabric laying around. How'd ya do it?

Amanda @ www.kiddio.org said...

Oh, the frustration! I've totally been there (like my daughter's princess dress for Halloween last year...then it just didn't turn out how I wanted. Grrr!)

Bree said...

Hi,

I've been following your blog for a while now - you always have such fab ideas!

I have recently started my own and have put your blog on my page as one of my faves, I hope that's ok!

Just thought I'd let you know :)

My blog is

http://a-journey-of-a-thousand-miles.blogspot.com/

if you happen to want to have a quick look but its still rather new :)

Sabrina

Holly said...

Oh, this has definitely happened to me on more than one occasion. Last week I was at Hobby Lobby and had a set of 3 clearance art in my hand, but I felt like I could make it myself. I almost didn't buy it, until I remembered based on experience, that to make it would cost more than I think, take longer than I think, and not look as good as I think.

DM said...

Hi Daughter,
I love those dresses but especially the girls. They are my sweeties.
Papa

muralimanohar said...

Oh, yeah, been there, so done that. My current inspiration board, I searched all over, found the cork, cut the backing to size, glued everything together, and then finally found that I could have bought two Ikea cork boards for the same price, equaling the same size, and it WOULDN'T have sagged from the humidity. Argh!

Anonymous said...

Wait, you didn't pay Pottery Barn shipping and tax? You had to have saved something? Plus, a learning experience, it looks awesome! I'm proud of you!

Anonymous said...

Wait, you didn't pay Pottery Barn shipping and tax? You had to have saved something? Plus, a learning experience, it looks awesome! I'm proud of you!

Molly Anne said...

I hate to laugh at you but this did give me a chuckle.

It did turn out fantastic AND you can have a little pride in saying you made it, but yes...annoying. I feel your pain! :)

Unknown said...

LOL...thanks for keeping it real!!

Anonymous said...

thrift store frames about that size are 5-10 dollars, usually, and cheap white spray paint's a buck...

Chris said...

I'm so glad you posted this. I feel like I do the SAME thing. I get some thrift item and end up spending a boatload of money anyway! I'm not the only one!! :) It looks awesome, by the way!