Thrifty Decorative Desk Organizer

  

  I don't know about you all, but one of my main goals for 2012 is to become more organized. Today I am sharing with you a super easy and inexpensive way to add a little organization to your desk, command center, vanity, etc. These little cans are perfect for storing anything from pencils to loose change to hair clips. They would also be perfect teacher gifts! You could even use V-day scrapbooking paper, add some candy and make some fun gifts for Valentine's Day! :)


Materials Needed:
Canned goods can, I used some old green bean cans and just washed and dried them well


Mod Podge (You can also mix Elmer's Glue and water for this project if you don't have Mod Podge)


Scrapbook Paper... you can also use fabric scraps or even pretty gift wrap paper


Paintbrush


Any trim or embellishments you want to add. I used sequin trim. You may also want to add ric rac, buttons, glitter, ribbon... use your imagination. This would be a fun project to do with the kiddos and let them help you decorate! 

How to:


Remove label, wash and dry the can. 

Cut your scrapbook paper to the appropriate size to wrap all the way around the can. 


Using the paint brush, begin "painting" the Mod Podge onto the can. Wrap the paper around as you go. Rub any bubbles out and make sure it is smooth. After I got mine started, I found that it worked out a little better to apply the Mod Podge to the actual paper instead of the can. If the can doesn't have ridges like the ones I used, I don't think this should matter. 

You can seal it by adding a coat of Mod Podge over the top of the paper. 

                                Don't worry, this will dry clear. :) 

  After all of your Mod Podge is completely dry (I let mine dry overnight), add any other embellishments you want to add. I used my hot glue gun and added sequin trim around the top. 

Isn't is amazing the difference a little Mod Podge and creativity can make? Unfortunately, I am not am organized person by mature. If you are creative, there is a pretty good chance you can relate! :) There is just way too much going on inside my head sometime to focus on organizing! ;) I fully intend to use my creativity to help me become organized this year! Lots more fun & creative organization projects to come! ;)

Toilet Paper Roll Flower Starburst Mirror ~ Only $1!

  I have been wanting a starburst mirror for a while now! The are one of the hottest trends right now, and of course I had to jump on the bandwagon. I would go out and buy one, but they are SO expensive! Why buy it when you can make it, right? Only thing is, I don't like to create things just like everybody else. I decided use another new trend to create my very own version of the starburst mirror!
Materials Used:
Small Mirror ($1 at the dollar store)
Toilet paper rolls (about 5) and Paper Towel Rolls (2)
Hot Glue Gun
White Spray Paint (already had)
A little patience
Total cost: $1!

   First, I flattened my toilet paper roll lengthwise. I then cut  approximately 1/2 inch strips (across).
I used my hot glue gun to glue pieces of the toilet paper roll together, see picture below. The process of creating this "frame" around the mirror is pretty self-explanatory.

Please excuse the condition of this table. It is my little "work bench" I use for hot gluing, painting, etc.

   I used my mirror as a guide, but be sure you don't glue the cardboard to the mirror just yet. That will be your very last step. Continue to glue your cardboard pieces until your starburst frame reaches the size you desire.

 After I finished my pattern, I simply applied a couple of coats of white spray paint. Once the paint was dry, I "stretched" the frame to fit around the mirror and used my hot glue gun to to attach it.

To hang my new mirror, I used the tab from a coke can. I just glued it to the back of the mirror!

I hope you like my thrifty new mirror! I am very pleased with the results! And it only cost me $1, ya'll, $1! I want to make one in every color now, lol! :) Hope you are all having a happy week!

I will be linking here:

Wednesday:

http://www.diybydesign.blogspot.com/

http://tearosehome.blogspot.com/

http://www.abeachcottage.com/

http://www.bluecricketdesign.net/

Thursday:

http://christinasadventures2010.blogspot.com/

http://www.katiesnestingspot.com/

http://www.aglimpseinsideblog.com/

http://firefliesandjellybeans.blogspot.com/

http://www.paisleypassions.blogspot.com/

http://www.brandyscrafts.blogspot.com/

http://www.theshabbychiccottage.net/

http://bec4-beyondthepicketfence.blogspot.com/

http://thefrugalgirls.com/category/chic-and-crafty

Friday:

http://www.stuff-and-nonsense.net/

http://funtocraft.blogspot.com/

http://crystalscraftspot.blogspot.com/

http://frugalfabulousdesign.com/

http://tidymom.net/

http://romantichome.blogspot.com/

http://www.fingerprintsonthefridge.com/

http://www.kojodesigns.blogspot.com/

http://www.mysimplehomelife.com/2011/06/features-simply-creations-link-party-12.html

http://trulylovelywiththelaneysisters.blogspot.com/

http://www.ladybirdln.com/

Sunday:

http://www.flamingotoes.com/

http://www.iheartnaptime.net/

http://www.bystephanielynn.com/

Monday:

http://www.thegirlcreative.com/search/label/Just%20Something%20I%20Whipped%20Up

http://thediyshowoff.blogspot.com/

http://www.homemakeronadime.com/

http://betweennapsontheporch.blogspot.com/2011/06/pottery-barn-bedford-office-addition.html

Saturday:

http://www.iamalongfortheride.blogspot.com/

http://funkyjunkinteriors.blogspot.com/

 http://serenitynow4amanda.blogspot.com/

http://stayathomenation.blogspot.com/2011/06/diy-tile-coasters-my-favorite-things.html
                                                     http://tatertotsandjello.blogspot.com/

DIY Scrappy Rag Wreath

    Lately I have been "summerfying" my bathroom and I have got to create a few things to help decorate the walls. It has been a while since I have made a wreath, so I decided to throw together an easy one! It didn't cost me anything to make!  That is my favorite kind of project!


Materials Needed:

• Fabric scraps ( about 1" wide x 6" long)
• old wire hanger
• a good movie or tv show... you will be tearing strips of fabric for a little while

   First, I twisted my hanger into a circle for the wreath. I made it about 10 inches wide. Don't worry, it doesn't have to be perfect, lots of fabric will be covering the wire soon!

   After I finished tearing my fabric strips, I began tying them around the wreath, then pushing them together. I also used some ribbon, ric rac, and tulle. I continued this until I was completely finished. I used aqua, pink, yellow, and green fabrics. I decided to add this little scripture rock using twine. It actually was a keychain before! One great thing about a rag wreath is that you can do one for any season, just by using different colors!

This hand towel was the inspiration for my color choices.

I hope you are having a wonderful week! :)

I'll be linking here: http://tidymom.net/
and more parties listed on my sidebar

 

From Vintage Tin to Dog Food Storage with Chalkboard Label

   For the past few months, I have been looking at this old potato chip tin, trying to decide on a use for it. 

   This week, I decided to use it as cute storage for my dog food. I simply applied a couple of coats of Krylon Cherry Red spray paint. While waiting on this paint to dry, I searched my desk drawer for the perfect sized label. I actually decided to use one of these Priority mail labels.

   I applied a couple of coats of Chalkboard paint to the label, placed it accordingly on the container and added this little applique, because it looks like my little Schnauzers! :) 

   Now, I have a brand new container for storing my dog food! If I ever want to use it for something else, all I have to do is erase my little chalkboard, and write whatever I am using it for on the label. Pretty cool, huh?   You know what's even better? My total cost for this project was $0! Everything I used I already had! I absolutely LOVE projects like that! I'm thinking that may update it with a Chevron print soon. I will let you know if I do!  :) 

Mother's Nest Brooch

  
   After I made the Robin's Nest Hair Pin the other day, my mother called me and she was absolutely in love with it! She was so tickled to have even recieved phone calls fom her friends who had seen the post. Since she loved it so much, I decided to make her a beautiful bird's nest brooch for Easter! I think it will look so lovely on her at church on Easter Sunday, if I do say so myself!;) I will definitely be making one for myself, as well! This is also a wonderful gift for Mothers Day! You can represent the number of children your mother has with your eggs! :)
I basically made this brooch the same way I made the nest for my hairpin. You can see that tutorial here. I simply made it much larger.
These are the materials I used:

• 18 gauge tin copper wire
• beads to use as eggs 
• glitter, I like the Martha Stewart Extra Fine
• hot glue gun
• pliers
• small piece of felt
• pin back

 My first step was to take my pliers and grip the ends of the wire. As I held one end, I took my roll of wire and just coiled it around the end my pliers were holding and continued to wrap it around until it got to the size I wanted it to be and looked like a little nest.
   Then, I spritzed it with some brown spray paint and sprinkled on lots of glitter while the paint was still wet. Next time I will use either clear paint o modge instead of brown paint. I love how the brown gives it that "nest" look, but I really wanted this brooch to sparkle and shine. I forgot to take a photo of this step. You can see my hair pin tutorial if you would like an idea of what it will look like at this point.
   After finishing my "nest" and applying the glitter, I cut a small piece of felt and glued it to the back using my hot glue gun. The helped to hold the nest together better, since it was larger this time.
    Next, I glued my pin back to the back onto the felt. Be sure to glue it toward the edge you will want to be the top of you brooch. If now, it will try to flip down. The was a mistake that I had to correct. :)

   Finally, I had to secure my "eggs." I used a small piece of wire to string 4 pearl-like beads and bent it into sort of a square. I left a little wire on each end to twist into the nest. I also had to hot glue it a little. In the places where the glue was visible, I sprinkled some more glitter before it was dry.

   I am so pleased with the final result. It really is beautiful brooch, my camera just does not do it justice. I wish you could see how it sparkles when the light catches it! I hope my mother loves it! :)

Framed Chalkboard with Chalk Holder~$1

When I saw this picture at a yard sale the other day, I knew it would be the perfect size for the chalkboard I have been wanting to make for my kitchen. When I heard the awesome price of $1, I bought it, of course.

   Initially, I was going to paint the frame white, so I used newspaper to cover the glass and started to clean the frame to prep for painting it. It was then, that I realized what a beautiful frame it actually is! It was covered in so much dust, that I had no idea. The light gold-pewter color was perfect, not too brassy looking, just perfect! So, I finished cleaning my frame and removed all of the newspaper that was covering the glass. I then took some Glad Press 'n Seal Plastic wrap, and used this to cover the frame.

   I painted 2 coats (letting the first dry before applying the second) of Krylon Chalkboard spray paint. I happened to already have this onhand from a previous project, so it wasn't an expense. :)
  I knew I wanted something to hold a piece of chalk, because what is the point of having a convenient chalkboard, without also having chalk right there handy? I decided to cut about a 3 inch piece of ribbon to use for this. I then took some velcro dots and applied one on each end on opposite sides of the ribbon, so that I could wrap the ribbon aroung the chalk. The velcro isn't absolutely necessary, but it does help to hold the chalk a little more securely.

 At this point I simply used my hot glue gun to attach this to my frame, and that's it! Now, I have an fabulous new chalkboard in my kitchen for the whopping cost of $1! :)