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Wednesday, September 17, 2014

Vintage Shoo-Fly Screen, Kind Of

I've always loved the look of vintage shoo-fly screens
but have never owned one!


I found this new, gaudy one at Big Lots on the clearance
shelf and thought I could give it a makeover!


I clipped off all the trimmings and this is what was underneath...


I made a new hook by layering two vintage buttons, a single
 sterling silver earring and a little sterling jewelry jump ring.
I used a bit of hot glue and grey thread to hold it all together.


The screen had a green glow to it, so I put painter's blue tape
over the metal trim and put a very light coat of white paint on
the screen.  It didn't really make it white, but took
away the green glow.


I think it turned out pretty great
and only cost me $2.00.


55 comments:

  1. So clever and creative. It looks great.

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    1. Just a little effort and I think it looks so much better!

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  2. Replies
    1. Thanks, Abe. :) Shall I make a crab apple pie to put under it? ha.

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  3. I'm impressed- it turned out great!

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    1. I like it! Too bad it doesn't block fruit flies, though. ha.

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  4. lovely indeed! I like those too and saw some really big ones at Home Goods but the buying mood wasn't lined up with the stars so I left them there. lol

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    1. I'll have to take a look at Home Goods! I haven't been in that store in over a year!

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  5. Betsy, you are one of those really clever people who amaze me. I couldn't accomplish something like that if I were handed the instructions. I think it looks very french. Lynne in NC

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    1. Aw., thanks Lynne! Are you on Pinterest? I started a board of shoo-fly screens. Boy, those old ones sure are pretty!

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  6. Ok... I would never of thought of redoing a new item. But what a wonderful and more appealing result.
    Thanks for helping me think outside the box. Hopefully I will see something and stop to think, What would Betsy do?

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    Replies
    1. haha...people usually update things to look newer....I make them look old. lol....This was a fun little project, though!

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  7. I remember my mum having one of those. Now that's going back a few years.
    Licked your modification of the gawdy one to vintage look - and what a great way to keep the flies off for just $2
    You are extremely resourceful . . . :)

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    Replies
    1. Licked? lol....I might smack you if you licked it. :)

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    2. Oh . . . . a dreaded typo again !!! . . . . :)

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    3. Since the c and k are nowhere near each other I'm inclined to think it was a misspelling instead of a typo. :) What ever it was, it was funny!

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  8. Replies
    1. Vintage is always better, right? ha. I like it so much better! I found a tiny old one on pinterest today that fits on top of a jar...adorable. Now I want that one!

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  9. Doesn't your made over version looks so much better! I have an old one just like this only more battered.

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    1. Lucky you to have a real one! I think they are so charming!

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  10. very clever!! Beautiful!!!

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    Replies
    1. Thank you, Laurie! I wish I had one of your apple pies under it!

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  11. What a make over....I love it. Who would have thought!!!

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    1. Thanks, Wanda! I never would have thought...until I saw that new one on clearance!

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  12. I have a food screen but mine resembles an umbrella without the stick. It can be collapsed down when not in use, and the mesh is fabric.

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    1. Well, that sounds very clever! Is it called a shoo-dinky? ha.

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    2. I did notice that you damaged the mesh trying to rip off the decorations, leaving a big hole for a fly to get in. Tut!

      Just saying. . . .

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    3. As a matter of fact I do open it up and place it over the bedside phone to stop Dinky jumping onto it and knocking the handset off.
      Hmmm . . .I never thought of using it to keep the flies off my Lemon Drizzle cakes. Must try it sometime.

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    4. Did I make that hole? And here I thought it was you, poking your finger in, trying to get at the cherry pie!

      I'll have you know that I took a toothpick and straightened up the screen lines so it doesn't look so bad. ...did it just for you. :)

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  13. I got 2 of these when we purchased the cottage...truly vintage...from the 30's...
    I do believe they are still in one of the cupboards!
    But...I bought one at the $ store a few years back and use that one!
    You did an excellent job......of course♥️
    enjoy your evening....
    Cheers!
    Linda :o)

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    1. I think they would be fun to use at the cottage....you'll have to show me your old ones some time!

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  14. Looks way better indeed
    Although with all the cats at your feed
    Do flies even survive?
    haha they'd never get out alive
    Can't beat that for 2 bucks though
    Great job at your show

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    Replies
    1. Samantha is the best fly catcher here
      and I watch her and give a cheer.
      They should really know better than to come inside
      where all these four legged fly catchers reside!

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  15. Such a good idea. At first, I thought you had put the trimmings ON, and I thought "I liked it better plain." Haha. It is so charming. If I see a similar one, I will try this.

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  16. I thought the same as Miss Dishywoo at first. Looks much better now. We need to have a picnic out by Garden Girl and put it to good use. I adore vintage buttons. My Mom used to keep a mixed collection of buttons in glass jars. I used to love dumping them out and sorting through them. I wonder where they have gone!

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    Replies
    1. There's just something about a jar of old buttons! I bet your mom still has them!

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  17. Oh my I love that! And a good price tag too!!

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    Replies
    1. Yes, the price tag was the best thing of all! ha.

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  18. Ingenious, Betsy!! It looks SO GOOD!! blessings ~ tanna

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  19. I love the makeover. I enjoy finding something and improving upon it and Big Lots has great sales on end of season items.

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    1. They really do. ..I always think I should stop by more often!

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  20. That is sure an improvement. I love Big Lots but tend to stay out of there because I nickel and dime myself into too much spending.
    Does anyone beside me still call them Pic N Save? Taria

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    Replies
    1. Pick n' Save is our grocery store here in Wisconsin.

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    2. I have never heard of Pic N Save! They need to come to Ohio! ;)

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  21. You have got me thinking...I need a tall one for my butterfly caterpillars...OK, now thinking outside the box! Thanks!

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    1. That would be perfect! Did you see Martha above said Home Goods has large ones....might not be as tall as you need. I bet you could make one with screen and a frame.

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