Personalized Clip Board

This project was by far one of the easiest ones yet!  It's just a personalized clip board that I mod-podged with scrapbook paper…. then I added a personalized luggage tag which I found on sale for approximately $1… and since the clipboard was only $1 (from the Dollar Tree) the entire craft was a little over $2 bucks!

You can tell from the picture there are "bubbles" in the mod-podge which you will want to smooth out BEFORE it dries with either a squeegee or your fingers.

I used the backside of the scrapbook paper to trace an outline of the clipboard and then carefully cut out before I mod-podged everything together.  I applied the first coat to the clip board then attached the cutout scrapbook paper and applied another layer of mod-podge over the top of the scrapbook paper.

I added the luggage tag to personalize the clipboard for "J" my college roomie and possibly to hold her business cards as well as a pen for the clipboard.

DIY Memo Board

As if I didn't have enough crafts with cookie sheets from the dollar tree I've decided I would add yet another one!  This time however, I'm turning it into a DIY Memo Board for a dear friend from college.

It's a relatively easy project it just takes patience to finish the entire craft… especially if you plan on adding the embellishments I have added.

I started by painting the edges of the cookie sheet black with a craft paint.  This process took 3-4 coats for me as the cookie sheet seemed "slick" and the paint had difficulty adhering to the pan.

But, all in all after a few coats I think it turned out great.

I decorated the cookie sheet with scrapbook paper and used a box cutter to cut the scrapbook paper to the specific measurements I needed.. I didn't really measure, just cut it like you see in the picture to the right.

And here's my final scrapbook layout!  I mod-podged all of the scrapbook paper to the cookie sheet.  Also, I painted the cookie sheet with mod-podge…. placed the scrapbook paper on it….. then mod-podged over the top of the scrapbook paper.  I used a stencil to trace out the "W"

And here's the final product

Also, I made my on mod podge using glue and water… I used about 3/4 of glue to 1/4 of water for a somewhat thick mod-podge

I found some 3D "sticky letters" which I used to spell out "MEMOS".   Then used magnets to attach the notepad and glitter clothespins.

If you don't have any magnets… you can easily find those "photo magnets" used to turn a picture into a magnet and then cut it to size which is what I did.

Mending The Cracks

I recently bought a really cute pumpkin which looked gorgeous on my mahogany sofa table.... that is until the little 4 year old from next door paid us a visit!  He enjoys playing with my daughter.... and on this particular day my gorgeous Fall pumpkin!

I decided to "mend the crack" and find a way to use the pumpkin as a decoration somewhere in the house.

My broken pumpkin with a crack
and no stem.

I used some adhesive and applied
with a sponge.

In the picture to the left, I used a piece of Fall Burlap Ribbon to hide the obvious crack down the side of the pumpkin.

Instead of trying to glue the stem back on I opted to use the pumpkin as a vase and place some fall flowers inside.  

It's not exactly the pumpkin I purchased, but I suppose it's one way to use a cracked pumpkin as opposed to throwing it away.

Veggie Bowl with A Twist!

I've always been a huge fan of "up cycling" and when the opportunity arises I give it a shot every chance I get.  My latest adventure was to create a container I could use in the kitchen to hold some fresh produce but added more style and more color than a regular vegetable holder/bowl.  So, ... I settled in to make my own container!

1) I started with a clean and dry container.  In this case it was a plastic Cascade Container.  I didn't even bother to remove the labels since I knew I would be covering over them.

2) I selected the fabric I wanted to cover it with and then some accents such as ribbon and a flower.  Since it is so close to fall I opted for colors that would work with other Fall/Autumn decorations in the house.

3)  Next, you will want to measure and cut the fabric in the length necessary to cover your container.  Then, using 1/2 glue and 1/2 water mixture "paint" one side of the plastic container and press your fabric gently down onto the sticky surface.  Continue with "painting" each side of the container and then pressing your fabric into place until you have finished all four sides.

4) Afterwards, if you plan on using a ribbon, you will want to use your glue and water mixture to "paint" the back of the ribbon and then press it into place around the container as you choose.

5) The picture above shows fabric which has been glued down along with a wire edged ribbon which has also been glued into place.  You can still see the glue in some places, especially along the ribbon, but a mixture of 1/2 glue and 1/2 water will dry to be clear and you won't even be able to see it.

6)  The dried version of my Veggie Bowl with a Twist!  It adds a nice splash of color to the kitchen and since it is plastic it will be a breeze to clean on the inside when necessary!

6)  This picture shows the side view of my veggie bowl where I've placed a few red potatoes, zucchini and yellow squash along with some cucumbers.  I was a bit surprised at the amount of produce this little craft holds!

7)  The final picture!  Overall I really enjoyed the project and it was super easy to make!  Although for the next one I think I'll ditch the ribbon at the bottom.  One important thing to not is that wire rimmed ribbon can be extremely difficult to "mod podge" into place.

A Cute lil' Fall Flower Vase

Fall is almost here and I find myself looking for easy and inexpensive ways to add a splash of Autumn color wherever I can.  This is how I settled on my fall flower vase craft.

I started with the supplies:
A candle holder from the Dollar Tree
Fall Ribbon
Adhesive - Be sure you choose one that dries clear!!
And finally, a salsa jar.  (I'm notorious for holding on to things that I might could upgrade into something decorative or usable).

1) Start by cleaning your jar and removing the label.  You can soak the jar in warm soapy water or use an oil of some type to remove most of the label.  I actually used some pledge orange oil (after soaking the jar).  This worked really well.  However, since I knew I would be wrapping the jar in ribbon I wasn't too concerned with getting it "perfectly clean."

2) Once the jar is dry measure the amount of ribbon you will need to wrap around the jar.  Cut to your desired length and on the backside of the ribbon and down the very middle, squeeze a line of adhesive from end to end then wrap the ribbon around your jar.


3) The next step is to glue the decorative jar to the candle holder.  All you have to do is line the rim of the candle holder with your adhesive and secure the jar by pressing it firmly down into the adhesive.

In the picture above you can see the adhesive has not yet dried and it leaves a "white ring" that's visible through the ribbon.  This is OK!  You will think your project is ruined but as long as the adhesive dries clear it will be fine.

Once it dries your done!  I did almost turn this into a candle holder but decided to use some left over Autumn decorations and turn into a vase instead.  But I think a pumpkin scented candle or maybe a cranberry candle for a splash of color would be nice too!

My Soup Can "Tote"

I hate to do yet ANOTHER can craft but I use so many of them!  Not to mention they are durable, sturdy and cheap!  One of the things I look for with my crafts is "upcycling," ... taking something made for one purpose and "upgrading" it to be used for another purpose.  Soup cans or just cans in general are perfect for crafting and thus "upcycling"! 

1) I've already paid for them, aka They're cheap





2) The possibilities are endless!



3) If you happen to mess one up it's no big deal!!

I started with my cans and for the purposes of a "tote" I made sure all of my cans were the SAME SIZE.  I chose some fabric I had which complemented each other.  I suppose if I had wanted to make a "soup can tote" for one of the holidays I could have chosen fabric or colors consistent with the Holiday but I was looking for something to use year round.

I then used Mod-Podge... you can make your own with 1/2 glue 1/2 water.  I cut my fabric to the width and length I needed for my cans allowing for about 1/2 inch overlap (because the fabric will shrink slightly when you paste it on).

 I knew I wanted to add a handle to my tote because  wanted to use it for some of my craft storage.  I looked for a rope handle but in the end... I settled on using some 2-ply twine.  I braided a "handle" to the length I needed and presto!... A handle for my soup can tote.

I think it turned out pretty well.  You will have to use a hot glue gun to glue the cans together after they have been mod-podged/decorated to your liking.  After they have been "glued together" then you can work on the handle.  I think in some cases ribbon would be cute or maybe even some embellishment to the top of the cans.  At any rate... the possibilities are endless which I love about crafting with leftover cans!!!

Storage Containers

In my efforts to begin reorganizing I needed storage containers.  Because I wasn't willing to spend a fortune on storage just to organize my belonging it left me wondering the following:
1) What's affordable?
2) It needs to be easy... I have a toddler!
3) It needs to be cheap.. I DON'T feel like spending a fortune!
4) It needs to be dependable and reliable :-)

This line of thinking led me to the versatile, affordable but not so stylish cardboard box.  Cardboard boxes are everywhere!  Most of the items I purchase come in a box.... everything from diapers, wipes, cereals... you name it!

I've seen a dozen tutorials on how to decopauge a box to upcycle it as a storage container.  I've done this numerous times however, I just wasn't in the mood to get out my brush, the glue, fabric, etc... and start the decopauge process.  That's when I came across some self-adhesive prints in the store.  I found them in the school supply section because they were originally designed to be a "locker sticker" for students returning to school.  Because they were on clearance I loaded up and thought "eventually I'll find a use for these"... and boy did I ever find a use!!

I started with an empty box of baby wipes because it seemed really sturdy and re-usable.  I took the self-adhesive sticker and cut in order to match the length and height of the box.  I allowed for about one inch extra on both length and height in order to accomadate error and ensure the total coverage of the sides of the box.

I used duct tape to cover the bottom seam of the box and also to tape down the side handles for extra support.

The finished product was way more fashionable than a baby wipe box.  It was also more importantly, usable, affordable and way easier and less messier than decopauging!

Cans and Ribbons

We use a lot of cans at our house!  I had seen previous crafters take their soup cans and make different things out of them so I decided I would give it a try.

I started with a regular soup can that I thoroughly cleaned and peeled the label off of.

 I picked out some ribbon I liked (which wasn't hard to do since I like ribbon so much!) and used a regular all-purpose adhesive that dried clear and worked on fabric.

I cut about three strands of ribbon to cover the can completely.  I pasted the adhesive to the back of the ribbon and then carefully rapped it around the can.  I did allow some time to pass before beginning with the next ribbon strand in order to allow the adhesive to set a little on the previous ribbon strand.

And hears the finished product.  I used it as a pen/pencil holder.  However, I'm seriously thinking I will make some more of these to use with different items.

DIY Kids Activity Table

One of the things I've made it a point to do more of lately is crafting and organizing.  I wanted to focus on low cost crafts and organization tips to make life easier.  That's how I came up with the DIY Kids Activity Table.  My toddly loves to color and draw.  I was TIRED having to constantly pick up crayons, markers and other items that rolled off her coloring table.  That's when I decided to add a raised edge to the table and then take it another step further by making it more of an activity table.

This was a standard coffee table I found somewhere at a yard sale a while back.  It's obviously stained in some places but it's otherwise very sturdy.  Most importantly, it was LOW ENOUGH to accomadate my toddler.  She can sit in her chair to color, draw or play on the table or she can stand.  Since I was tired of crayons always rolling off, the first thing I wanted to do was add a raised edge with whatever I had on hand and didn't have to buy!

I had a hot glue gun, some rope, small books, puzzle pieces and other small toys to use for Hannah's table.  So... I started around the edges and hot glued the edges of the table to keep crayons and other rolling objects from rolling off the table.

In no time, everything was superglued down and there was a border to keep things from rolling off.  Hannah especially enjoyed the small books glued down.  Of course you could probably put almost anything on the table to make a more elaborate and intersting 'Activity Table' such as something that makes music, maybe some chalkboard paint or numerous other things.  But for now, this works fine for us.  I did leave room at the ends of the table to color, eat, etc.. without something being in the way.  Most of the items were glued near the center of the table.

Also, If you are like me and have a toddler to clean up after you will especially enjoy hot gluing all of those tiny puzzle and plastic pieces down to a permanent location to never have to pick up again!  Of course it's true they can't be played with the same way but your toddler will still get some use from the small objects but not at the expense of you having to pick it all up!