Wednesday, December 30, 2009
Personalized Checkers and Yahtzee
Tuesday, December 22, 2009
Maddie's Child-Size China Hutch
Merry Christmas, Maddie! You get a little china hutch for Christmas refinished by your loving parents!
The hutch was only poly-ed how we bought it, so I wanted to give it some life. I thought of staining it, but I wanted to match it to the PLAY KITCHEN that is in the process of being transformed (stay tuned for that AMAZING makeover). First, all of the brass hardware was removed (even the screws) and spray painted silver; the original wooden knobs were tossed [aside of course, for another project, not thrown away!]. Then it was sanded, painted (3 coats), and polyurethane-d. The knobs were from Lowe's (a 10-pack so they match the knobs on the play kitchen). The hutch was $35, poly was 10, a big can of paint (to also paint the kitchen) was $18, and the knobs were about $1.50 each, I think. So, it was an investment, but will last through many years of play, and even make it to grandkids, I'm sure! Plus it turned out SUPER CUTE! I'm way excited to get all of her tea set, mini silverware and accessories on it, but for now it's waiting under the tree for a few more days!

BEFORE (partially disassembled):
And the WONDERFUL AFTER:
TA-DA!
The hutch was only poly-ed how we bought it, so I wanted to give it some life. I thought of staining it, but I wanted to match it to the PLAY KITCHEN that is in the process of being transformed (stay tuned for that AMAZING makeover). First, all of the brass hardware was removed (even the screws) and spray painted silver; the original wooden knobs were tossed [aside of course, for another project, not thrown away!]. Then it was sanded, painted (3 coats), and polyurethane-d. The knobs were from Lowe's (a 10-pack so they match the knobs on the play kitchen). The hutch was $35, poly was 10, a big can of paint (to also paint the kitchen) was $18, and the knobs were about $1.50 each, I think. So, it was an investment, but will last through many years of play, and even make it to grandkids, I'm sure! Plus it turned out SUPER CUTE! I'm way excited to get all of her tea set, mini silverware and accessories on it, but for now it's waiting under the tree for a few more days!
And the WONDERFUL AFTER:Monday, December 21, 2009
Go from BLUE to RENEW
For Christmas we gave our YW scrapbooked Books of Mormon. I got the idea from a super talented girl HERE. For the NEW YEAR, we gave them a reading challenge to complete the book in 6 months time, along with us. With the title being "Book of Mormon", "B.O.M.", gave me the idea of having this challenge be "THE BOMB"! I made little bomb invitations that had a fuse with the invite stapled on them. It turned out to be SUPER CUTE! We also made matching journals to help them keep track of the promptings they receive while reading, matching bookmarks, pasted our testimonies inside, and presented them in a dollar store tote with a scripture pencil!
Saturday, December 12, 2009
Tuesday, December 1, 2009
Cheap Christmas Ideas
Wrap your mirror with ribbon:
On my shelf I added a couple mini stockings and a mini tree I received as gifts last year. Oh and more of my old tree branches...
Another way to do cheap decor is using dollar store ornaments in jars, or as a centerpiece, etc. You could string them on a rounded hanger and make a wreath, or hang them from your valances. I am going to the AFTER CHRISTMAS sales to get all of my ornaments 75% off (or more). We're keeping it simple over here this year! I'd love to see what you have done for your decor....
Got a new Christmas Tree?? DON'T CHUCK THE OLD ONE!
Simple things to do with that old greenery that no longer works as your Christmas Tree...
We bought a new tree after our old base cracked and broke. We used Duct Tape to secure it for another year of life, but this year, I was all for a new tree... Thank goodness for Black Friday sales because I got a pre-lit 7' tree for $50.
Anyway, what to do with that old tree that had no base???
First, I used the smaller branches to spruce up some of my original decor; my sideboard, my dining room table, my shelf... but I had another idea to make a wreath for my front door. I took all of my large branches from my old Tree and looped the wires around to make one large circle:
I just looped the wire with my pliers to hook them:
Then I sandwiched some more of the smaller branches to make it fuller, and fluffed them:
And hung it on my door with my sparkly star:
I then took the tree top and glued it into a vase:
I put present boxes around the vase and secured it to a tray (which will eventually be covered with a tree skirt)...
All in all I love the way things turned out. Especially for FREE!
We bought a new tree after our old base cracked and broke. We used Duct Tape to secure it for another year of life, but this year, I was all for a new tree... Thank goodness for Black Friday sales because I got a pre-lit 7' tree for $50.
Anyway, what to do with that old tree that had no base???
First, I used the smaller branches to spruce up some of my original decor; my sideboard, my dining room table, my shelf... but I had another idea to make a wreath for my front door. I took all of my large branches from my old Tree and looped the wires around to make one large circle:
All in all I love the way things turned out. Especially for FREE!
Chair ReDo
I have this SWEET staple gun that I had yet to use, so I used that to staple my new fabric on adding about 50 unnecessary staples I'm sure.
It was really easy to do, just a little time consuming waiting for the paint to dry and waiting for the kids to nap to get the other stuff done, but I'm really pleased with the outcome. Now I have a vanity and chair for about $20!!
Friday, November 20, 2009
Stolen Art
From styrofoamstyle.com I was inspired to do these tile-looking projects. Check them out to find more! only $3 for the art in the top picture. I used foamboard instead of styrofoam bc it's easier to glue. $3; Can't beat that!
The bottom picture I used wooden plaques and painted the edges. I also have a fourplex that I used 12x12 paper to achieve larger scale art. I used picture hooks. Don't do that. Creates a gap. Instead use putty. I did that on the top picture. Much better.
Paint/Scrapbook Art
Obtain Canvas.
Obtain picture/idea/inspiration.
Paint.
Add scrapbook paper, make animals/flowers/whatever.... glue on dry painting using Mod Podge.
Paint more, some on top of scrapbook paper.
Dry for over a week (if using oil paint) so you don't get paint on your wall.
Hang.
Enjoy.
Cost for mine was 10 bucks with a sale on canvas and paper at HobLob.
Simple Banner
Monday, November 2, 2009
Trick-or-treat boquet
Saturday, October 24, 2009
Name plaque and Bulletin Board
Placemats with corkboard centers have a new purpose! 2.50 per placemat and $1 for a pack of corkboard. They now hang in my office over my desk. I love them. Hung with floral wire threaded through the back.
This old picture frame has been with us for quite some time. It used to have a picture of a palm tree. I just took out the back and secured the glass and mat from falling out, then stenciled our name right on to the glass and hung it up. It was a pain. Next time I would just use a paint marker instead of sponging paint into a home-made stencil. It bled, and was ugly. Took a lot of time to razor the bleeding lines. It's okay now, but not my favorite. Oh well.
Saturday, October 17, 2009
Halloween craft
This guy is a fun Halloween craft. He is made from a tomato sauce can. I used a Crop-adile to punch holes for the bolts and the wire on top. Make the face how ever you like before you glue it together. You don't need to glue it to the can. Just glue the last strip of paper to itself. Add embellishment's. I filled one with Halloween pencils, glue stick, and sisorrs and gave to my kids teacher's.
Thursday, October 1, 2009
Family Proclamation picture
We made these at a Super Saturday. Very easy. It is a framed painters canvas. I painted it all black. The Proclamation was printed up for us and modge-podged on top. Place an 8x10 family photo in the center. Most people put a cute ribbon all along the out side edge. I choose to put the garland on top instead.
Christmas glass block lights
These are Christmas gifts I made for my children's teachers. The blocks we bought at Home Depot for cheap--around $2. The most difficult part is drilling a hole in one of the outside edges. You have to have a glass drill bit. Also make sure you use water when drilling because it gets really hot. Once the hole is drilled string a small set of lights in, leaving the end exposed. I bought my wired ribbon at the dollar store. Tie it up like a present. Very cute when lit.
Cookbook
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