TIS THE SEASON NIFTY THRIFTY GIFTS
Tis the Season to find creative ways to give gifts to friends and family that are well made with love of course and useful. In this economic time we are all looking for ways for our gift budget to stretch as far as we can but we still want a thoughtful gift. Last week I went to the Dollar Store to see what I could find for my gift giving project this year. I have to say the thought crossed my mind to use one of the many cost effective gift ideas I have seen on the other blogs, Pinterest, Facebook, Google+ but , I wanted an original idea.I shopped around and found silver, metal, mesh, pencil holders. Ahh! This would be my container for the gift. Then what would I put in the holders along, with adding a my creative design, to make this a special gift?
I spotted the butterfly type paper clips 8 count in the large size and 10 count in the smaller size.
The last few items I need for this gift I already have in my stash at home. Yippie! I have a plan, a nice gift to give, with a little of my creative love thrown into a pencil cup holder.
Can you guess what the gift is yet? Hmmmm. By the way the last few items are scrapbook paper, glue, twine, and I will need to purchase some tulle to use for wrapping because I think it will add a nice touch. I will show you that later on another day.
Yard Sticks have Character |
Here are the measurements for the two size clips I bought at the Dollar Store. The Large is 1 5/8" wide, the smaller one is 1 1/4" wide. Now I need to measure the length of the paper I need for each, after some trial and a lot of error. I found that cutting a strip the width of the paper, wrapping it around the clip, making a indent with my finger nail by pressing the paper tight into the top of the clip. This gave me a good place to start. Then I cut the paper a few times until I found just the right measurement, 2" for Large, and 1 5/8" for the small. Out of one 2" strip of paper in 7 different color I was able to make 35 clips. Out of the 1 5/8" strip of paper also using 7 different colors I made 49 clips.
I bought this at Micheal's on Sale |
Bright and Cheerful Colors |
My next step is covering the black clip with the scrapbook paper. I uses E6000 glue on the Large clips, because the paper did not fit in my Xyron. Bummer, I should have bought the bigger Sticker maker. Christmas present for me??? I did use the Xyron permanent sticker for the small clips. It took less time, was less mess, and turned out nicer, in my opinion. This picture shows the paper cut ready to be glued to the clips.
How do you like the finished Clips? |
A view from the top |
Front and Center |
I am Blessed my family is at home. My cousin, with his family will be here tomorrow.
I am a happy girl!!!!
Happy Thanksgiving!
Here is a list of items used and where I purchased them:
Dollar Store
1 package Butterfly paper clips Small 10 count $ 1.00
1 package Butterfly paper clips Large 8 count $ 1.00
1 Pencil Cup Holder ( Wire Mesh Silver) $ 1.00
Michael's
I used Xyron Permanent Sticker
Scrapbook Paper
E6000 glue
Steals.com
Twine
http://wonderfulathome.blogspot.com/2013/12/wonderful-wednesdays-15.html?showComment=1386202147418#c2527398334266671696
THAT'S ENTERTAINMENT
We had been searching for a entertainment center for our great room at the lake house. I found the perfect one, except for the $$$$. It had white framing with the top, drawer, cabinet fronts, and legs in different stains of wood, with mismatched hardware. I scoured the Internet to find a deal or a substitute, but it wasn't comparable in structure or materials even though I met one goal of lowering the price.
At a local antique store I scored this marked down buffet. It was the answer to my entertainment center quest within my budget. It had a few blemishes but seeing past the issues was my vision of our entertainment center.
Before |
After checking my supplies, I made a list of items I didn't have in my stash from other projects. I drove to our nearby Lowe's, which is a good resource for gaining knowledge, and bought my supplies. I began the process of removing the knobs and hinges, taking care to mark them because the wrong one may not fit properly.
Next I sanded the top, doors, and center drawer front until all the paint was removed, and then the remainder of the buffet enough to rough up the surface to paint . We measured the opening for each shelf. My husband cut two shelves from oak plywood with his table saw, then drilled a hole through the back of the buffet between the two shelves for the cords. I used my new iron for the first time to iron on the oak facing to the shelves. Then I used Ebony stain(top), walnut stain(doors)and drawer front. Tape off the edges to insure clean lines to paint the frame, shelves, interior and legs with Linen paint.
Supplies @ Home Stash
Veneer facing Roll Paint brushes
Black & Decker Orbital Sander Minwax Stain and Sealer
Sandpaper 80, 120 & 220 Oak Veneer Plywood
Sanding Sponge Blocks fine grade Painters Tape
Latex gloves
1 Quart Linen Paint
These purchases proved to be such a mess, I switched to the sander
disposing of all these products;
Chip Paint Brushes, Rubber Gloves, Scrapper, Metal Bucket,
Natural Paint Stripper
I look forward to your comments, please share your ideas too.
No comments:
Post a Comment