Showing posts with label DIY. Show all posts
Showing posts with label DIY. Show all posts

March 31, 2009

Smooshed Paper No More

I store my fancy paper in carry tubes (you can see them in the picture)—but it is becoming increasingly difficult and I certainly cannot afford a flat drawer file (nor do I have the space). So, I've gotten to the point where I am just leaving the paper on the floor. But after stepping on, rolling over with my chair, and moving the paper from place to place I decided "that's enough!" I solved the problem today. Check it out.



No more paper on the floor. No more ribbon on the window sill. Total cost? $12 bucks. This contraption will eventually get painted and hang on the wall, but I gave it legs long enough so it could still stand on the floor if I need it to.

Want to know how I did it? Send me an email and I'll share the wealth.

January 8, 2009

Pretty Good Start

I'm sitting here, my desk cluttered, my mind just the same . . . trying to pick up where I left off before the holiday vacation and I simply don't want to be back. So, I am putting off doing the paperwork that is a "must" and instead will start off the new year sharing with you a couple little goodies.

PRETTY PIECES
Over the Christmas break we girls (my mother, sisters, and I) went to Sacramento and happened upon an antique shop where we discovered these large beauties.

The colors and style remind me of Marie Antoinette—a movie worth seeing for colors and costumes alone. In person, the lamps are completely striking, breath-taking, and tall, . . . I wished to myself "If only I had a room for these—but they demand presence, something my meager apartment does NOT have." Marked down from $800 each to $300, I thought they were a great deal. Alas, I had to leave them behind.

PRETTY PARTY IDEA
Ikea sells itty-bitty silverware perfect for your kids playhouse—and perfect for an adult "mini" party too. My sister bought a set for my mother and we promptly put on a pretty little party using all the tiny antique dishware she has been collecting over the years.


Among other foods, we served mini: bagels, ciche, tarts, and pigs in a blanket. Each setting had its own creamer full of milk to refresh personal cups when empty. All adults attended. All adults loved it.

PRETTY PLAYFUL
Lastly we threw an un-birthday party for my neice—and I was promptly asked to make a party hat. Panick sat in as I stared at the pile of colored paper thrust in front of me . . . "can I make something creative on the spot?" Scissors flying and tape sticking I began. The result was a purple hat with a wonderful, bouncy explosion from the top. Moral of the story: don't be afraid, let it be handmade!

September 8, 2008

Printing with Blurb

A short while ago my book arrived from Blurb, a printing service I found online. (Check it out, it has free software for both MAC and PC so you can custom create your book. You upload your design, they print it, and it is delivered it to your doorstep.) Since I don't enjoy scrapbooking, I decided to try Blurb out. It was easy and pricing is fair! I thought I would share a few pages. . . .


COVER



August 8, 2008

DIY: Tags

Just as I was about to go live with my new Etsy store I found out about tag requirements for textiles. After scouring the internet for a good deal, I realized I can make my own tags for now—no screen printing or special embroidery machine necessary.

Here's How:
Because tags are tiny, you can use scraps of fabric and iron on transfers to make them. Remember to flip your image so that everything reads backwards—when you iron it on the image will be in reverse. With my design I can get 32 tags out of one sheet of transfer paper.


July 31, 2008

Slight African Twist: Wedding on a budget

My sister married a man from South Africa and they wanted the reception to be bold and colorful. The bride's favorite colors are orange and green so the bright colors lent themselves well to the event and looked fabulous on both bride and groom.

This wedding was done on a very small budget (about $2,800) and right in the middle of the Christmas season, so we had to get creative.

The announcement came in a pocket (left) and included a reception invitation, wedding invitation, photo of the bride and groom, and a map. I was able to print these at work to help save money and of course designed them for free.

• We wrapped little shoe boxes for the center pieces. The local shoe store collected their small boxes for us—for free—and we wrapped them using $10.00 worth of white wrapping paper.
• The ribbons came from the dollar store and the orange fabric was only a dollar per yard.
• The tissue paper for the poofers was dirt cheap, so it was used everywhere.
• The reception took place at our home—lot's of money saved there. We served favorite finger foods and my mom made the wedding cake.
• The grooms boutonneir, (and father's/mothers' corsages) we made out of left over pieces from the bride's bouquet.


Fun huh? Sometimes a wedding on a budget is a blast. Especially if the bride and groom are easy to work with and like to have fun getting involved. This whole motif suited their personalities quite well!

June 24, 2008

Before and After

I just finished painting the green on the inside of this cubby and couldn't wait to share. You can find these absolutely everywhere (2nd hand stores), most of them are in pretty good condition, and very cheap. I got this for under $10.00. (The green knob I found at Target—they also offer the knobs in other colors, including blue and pink.) My dream is to make a cushion for the inside, using THIS material from Volksvaden and then it will be complete!




Other ideas for a cubby like this? Leave the door off, put the cushion in and it becomes a little bed for your pet and can double as a lamp table for your living room or bedroom. I am going to put it in the baby's room (when I have one) and it will be a place to store toys.
What would you use it for?