3D Frames

Instead of just hanging something on the wall, put scrapbook paper in a frame and glue it to the glass on the front.  

 I used E6000 multipurpose glue and let it dry overnight.  However, once it's glued, it cannot be removed without ruining both the glass and the item that's glued to the glass.

Fingerprint Heart Tree

I love this fingerprint heart tree card!  It is so easy, my first graders made it for their parents without difficulty.

Supplies are:

• White paper
• Brown and green markers
• Red and pink paint
• Little fingers :)

I let the first color of paint dry before they applied the second color. 

Love!

Nightstand Makeover :)

What a difference a paint job makes!

I bought this nightstand at a garage sale for $2.50. What a steal!  I did have it hanging out the back of the car from Whittier, CA to Las Vegas, though.   I was not going to let that stop me, I loved it!

I removed the hardware first, then gave it a good sanding.  After, I gave it a good washing to get rid of the sanding dust.  While it was drying, I dipped the hardware in the paint and let them dry on a piece of wood.  Then, I gave it two coats of paint, letting the first coat dry for two hours before applying the second coat.  I let second coat dry overnight before I put the hardware back.

I really like the end results and it matches the decor in my room now.  My husband wants me to change the hardware, he says the nightstand is constantly smiling at him when he comes in the room.  I'll think about it, I like it just the way it is and since I already had the paint, it only cost me the original $2.50. :)

Piano Bench Makeover

Yikes!  This $3 garage sale piano bench was filthy and smelled.  Of course, that didn't keep me away!  I bought it at a garage sale in Big Bear, CA and brought it all the way back to Las Vegas, much to my husband's dismay. :)

$17 in supplies and about two hours worth of labor and it looks amazing!

First, I unscrewed the padded seat and threw everything away except the wood.  I sanded the wood and then washed off all the dust. 

Next, I gave the wood two coats of spray paint.  As that was drying, I covered the bench wood with padding and material and used a staple gun to attach both to the back.

Lastly, I re-screwed the bench back on top of the base.   It looked slightly plain, so I hot glued the fringe around the perimeter.  

I love it!

Snowman Craft

These cute picture frames are a fun craft and a great gift from a child.  I gave my students a choice of what kind of snowman they would like to make and they came up with a melted snowman, a three snowball snowman, a two snowball snowman, and a snowman looking up.

Supplies were: 

• white construction paper for the snowman
• buttons for the eyes, nose and buttons
• orange foam for the nose
• brown marker for the stick arms
• black construction paper for the top hat
• puff balls and pipe cleaners for the ear muffs
• large puffballs for the melted snowman's head
• colored felt for the scarf
• black marker for the mouth
• empty picture frame
• paint
• paint brushes
• colored paper for the background
• foam snowflakes
• Elmer's glue

I had my students paint the frame the first day and let it dry overnight.  Then, I put samples of each snowman on the board and put all of the supplies out on a table.  They came to the table as they needed a supply.  

I again let it dry overnight to let the glue dry before they wrote on the frame with marker.

The total time for each frame was less than an hour, minus drying times. 

They gave the frame to their parents as a Christmas or Hanukkah gift. :)  So cute!

From Candle Holder to Serving Dish

I found a candle holder at a garage sale for $3, talked them down to $1, came home and transformed it into a serving dish.  I love that it's elevated so I can put more food on the table.

The glass piece unscrewed (of course, I saved it!), but if it hadn't, I would've just broken the glass out lower than the top of the wooden piece.

I got out my hand sander and sanded the wood for a distressed look.  

I had previously purchased four plates for $1 at a garage sale and was holding on to them waiting for a good idea to come along.  I used E6000 clear epoxy (any multi-surface glue will work) around the top of the candle holder and put it upside down on the back of one of the plates.  

After a few hours, I turned it right side up and had an elevated serving dish.

The Lorax

We found The Lorax on Netflix and all of the sudden, it became a Lorax weekend!

I bought a $5 throw to use for the Thneed.  After sewing, in order to turn it inside out, I had to sew the middle after I turned it inside out.  

It really does have a million uses!

I used embroidery thread to make the Truffula trees.  I wrapped the thread around two fingers, slipped it off and tied a string tight around the middle.  Then, I cut all the loops.  After I fluffed the puffy ball, I slid a twig inside the string I had tied in the middle.

The Lorax pancake is made out of one marshmallow cut in half for the eyes, two chocolate chips, mandarin oranges, pancake mix and yellow and red food coloring.

It's been a fun weekend, all for less than $10!