DIY : Upscale a Dollar Store Tray (With Matching Journal)

I might have to start calling Mr. C, Mr. B. He’s become an aficionado of small batch bourbons (not to excess!)

I don’t mind because I get all kinds of cool bottles to play with. He mentioned the other day that he saw an online bourbon journal but it only allowed 5 entries until there was a charge for it, so I decided I’d go old school and make him a hardcopy journal. He’s also into watches and time pieces, and I already had some very cool clock themed paper in my stash. Win-win since I’m working to bust some stash this year.

For this project you will need:

1.) Dollar Store Silver Tray ( I got mine @ Dollar Tree)

2.) Pre-made (or make your own) chipboard journal….This was on sale after Christmas at Michaels for $.25! A whole quarter. Cheaper than making my own.

3.) Coordinating charms to match your paper of choice. These were NOT on sale at Michaels but they were $2 for the pack and totally justified given the $.25 journal ( which I may or may not have purchased more than one)

4.) Embellishments. In this case I had these Tim Holtz game spinner thingies in my stash. So my total cost was $3.25.

I cut my watch themed paper to fit the inside of the tray. Applied Mod Podge to the tray, applied the paper and finished with two coats of MP.

Before Christmas we saw some high end barware at Macy’s . Gorgeous, but $$.  I like my price a lot better!

For the journal, I covered two pieces of the chipboard ( it actually comes w/ four pieces but I’ll use the other two for something else) with the watch paper on one side and some number themed paper on the other. Mod Podged these on. Went around the edges with some aluminum tape.

I had a chipboard tag in my stash which I left naked and applied a scrap of the watch paper to, then edged with black ink.  I added one of the watch charms (one of four from my $2 package so this was $.50), and an antique embossed monogram sticker I had in my stash.

To finish off the journal, I added some of the game spinners to the watch hands on the paper.

Just gives it a little dimension. I cut the inside pages to size from paper I had on hand, and put on the ring that came with the journal ( added some ribbon on hand just cause) and done.

So now Mr. C or Mr B or whomever I’m married to , has a place to display his current favorite find, as well as keep track of what he likes, doesn’t like, etc. about them.

If adult beverages aren’t your thing, you could easily adapt this for any kind of theme from coffees / teas, flavored syrups, olive oils, balsamic vinegars or just cause you want to decorate a tray!

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I Love The Winter Weather Snowflake and Valentine's Printable

I'm excited to be participating with a bunch of other bloggers in celebrating snowflakes today! Living in the Pacific Northwest we're not guaranteed snow every Winter ( and then we come to a screeching halt when we do get it) and I know there are people in other parts of the country who would gladly forego snow right now. But, there's something just so serene about snow ( especially when you get it infrequently!).

We went up to the mountains to get our snow fix this weekend. Of course as a crafter what did my eyes see by extra fine glitter in twinkling in the snow and dimensional glues and embossing ideas on the trees. Prior to that though, I was inspired to make a printable based on the song "Winter Weather" made famous by Peggy Lee and then by Vanessa Williams.

(Click on image to bring to full size; right click to Save As)

I'm loving chalkboard printables right now so I did this one on a chalkboard background and to make it multi-purpose, I did "LOVE" in red with a chalk outline so I can keep this up ( once I frame it ooops) through Valentine's Day.

I took a little artistic license with the lyrics changing "got my love" to "got your love" but I don't think anyone will mind. And why is this solely a Christmas song?

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BFF Open House #87 Wrap Up and Features

Thanks as always to everyone who linked up to Friday's BFF Open House. Let's get right to the highlights.

Artsy Va Va shared this wonderful upcycled yard stick turned picture hanger. Love how she painted and stamped the wooden discs. 

Kathleen from Charm Bracelet Diva shared her version of a lamp she saw at World Market. Wonderful upcycle from a Goodwill find. 

Bev from Flamingo Toes, once again transforms an ordinary dish towel into a fun work of art.

How could I resist this printable from Polka Dots On Parade? I couldn't. And it's a perfect lead in to this week's chocolate feature from Back for Seconds: 

Yum! Hope you all have a creative week. Make it a creative one! 

BFF Open House Link Party #87

Happy Friday Eve everyone and thanks for stopping by and linking up to this week's BFF Open House! So, are you all settled in to 2013? College boy has one more week left of break so we're definitely enjoying every minute of it, but haven't gotten back to too many projects. Priorities right?  I definitely have lots spinning around in my head though.

What has everyone been up to this week?

Hybrid Chalkboard Background Birthday Card

My cards need to lose some weight. I love embellishments and layers but unfortunately that can create heavy cards requiring extra postage. And since some of my cards need to be sent internationally, that can add up.

So I decided to hybridize this one by making most of the card digitally with just a couple light embellishments.

Since chalkboard printables are very popular right now, I decided to go with a chalkboard background. added a chalky font for the sentiment, added a shabby frame, paper flowers, a balloon and even a strip of digital washi tape. I used My Memories Suite digital scrapbooking software to make this.

Then all I needed to do was print, trim and mount. I used a coordinating polka dot background paper to cover the front of my 5x7 card. Added two rhinestones and some baker’s twine and done.

Here’s the image I used if you have a birthday card you need to whip up quickly.

 

It’s sized 4x6 but you can make smaller in any photo editing program.

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First Cards of 2013

My first projects of 2013 happen to be my first craft love, cards. I have a few January birthdays. Proud mom moment when your College age child asks when you’ll be making the thank you notes he needs to write for Christmas presents.

I am on a mission this year to,  if not craft SOLELY from my stash ( hear that Mr. Chocolate…I did not say I was not going to my homes away from home so you cannot quote me on that no way no how) but to bust a lot of it.  So everything I’m showing here I already had in my stash.

For the first card ( above) I used a watch themed paper by Recollections. This paper is so great I hardly needed to add anything to it. But we can’t have that now can we? I ran a piece of kraft cardstock through my Cuttlebug using a Tim Holtz Alterations embossing folder.

I distressed my embossed watch panel with Tim’s ( we’re on a first name basis even though we’ve never met) Distressed Inks in Black Soot and some mica gloss inks in silver. Added a couple of sprocket gears , also from Tim’s line.

For the second card, I used a paper pack from EK Success “Life’s Little Occasions” line. I picked up a bunch few of these at JoAnn’s on one of my trips…they come in coordinated color packs and they also have sticker sets in themes like birthdays, anniversaries, etc. They’re usually in little bins on  the scrapbook paper or sticker aisle (this one’s called Black Punch Pack) and they’re great for bits and pieces or scrapbook journaling. Sorry…forgot to take a pic of the pack!

Pulled out three different pieces and added a black mat. The silver ribbon? Recycled from Christmas wrapping.

The tag in the middle is by Jolee’s Boutique French General line. Picked up a pack of these last year when they were 50% off. I embellished with another piece from my Life’s Little Occasions pack, and some leftover rub-ons.

For College Boy’s thank-you notes, I pulled out these fun black and white cards I picked up for $1 at Michaels some time last year. They’re by “Ditto / Studio G” and I know they still carry a bunch of their stuff at reasonable prices because I have had to force myself to keep walking past them! See? I can be good.

On another prior Michaels trip, I’d scooped up a bunch of vintage rub-ons in their then $1 section. College Boy likes things clean and not fussy so I kept these really simple and just applied them directly to the cards.

Do you have stash to bust in 2013? Please tell me I'm not alone :)

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BFF Open House Link Party #86 Wrap Up and Features

Happy Monday ( ok I’m pretending those words go together) and thanks to everyone who linked up to the first BFF Open House link party of 2013.

I’m beyond excited that on Friday, I hit 1,000 GFC followers!! Thank you all for making TAIC a part of your blog world. Working on ways to celebrate.

Here’s an up close look at some of the great ideas shared at last week’s party.

Aimee from Twigg Studios provided the answer to a question I asked myself on a recent walk through Pottery Barn. The question was “I wonder how soon some intrepid blogger will knock these off” because they’re ridiculously over priced ( IMO) . Go see how she achieved the look for a fraction of the cost.


I love printables and am really in love with chalkboard printables right now. Fotini from Glamorous Mommy has some really cute ones she’s sharing. I love the message:

It’s beginning to look a lot like Valentine’s Day already. Keri from Shaken Together has a cute wreath idea that has so many holiday possibilities:

And Michele from The Scrap Shoppe has another fun Valentine’s idea to try. I have yet to do anything with photo props but this may just be the occasion.

If you started a New Year’s diet, look away before checking out this next post. It looks soooooooooooooo yummy and is this week’s chocolate feature. From Tiffany at My Crowded Kitchen comes Dark Chocolate Walnut and Sea Salt Fudge. Oh my!

Again, thanks to everyone who linked up and hope to see you all back again this week. Make it a creative one!

New Year and Already Learned A New How To : Make Your Own iPhone Wallpaper

The thanks for this goes to Bethany over at Pitter and Glink who linked up her amazing tutorial at this week's BFF Open House ( still open here). Bethany has a step by step tutorial on how to make your own wallpaper for the iPhone. Her detailed and easy to follow  instructions are sized for the 4/4S. The dimensions for the iPhone 5 are 640x1136 pixels. And yes, Bethany's tutorial tells you how to get the image ON your phone :)

I happened to get a new phone for Christmas and just set it up a day or so ago so the timing of this was perfect!

Bethany used PicMonkey for her tutorial so that's the first thing I tried when making my own and made these. I used some free digital backgrounds I'd downloaded and then options within PicMonkey. SO easy!!!

I had so much fun with them, that I decided to play around in My Memories Suite and made this one:

I think I may have a new addiction. Thanks Bethany for sharing this!! 

The Eiffel Tower image is a free png file I found at Free Vintage Digital Stamps

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BFF Open House Link Party #86: First One of 2013

Happy New Year everyone, and welcome to my 86th BFF Open House Link Party, the first one of 2013!

I'm so excited to meet new friends, and see what everyone's been up to over the holidays. I'm already seeing Valentine's ideas ( you're WAAAAYYYYYY ahead of me!) and anticipating a bumper crop of crafty goodness from all of our favorite companies judging from the sneak peeks I see from CHA on Facebook.

For those who may be new, the party goes up "Friday Eve" aka Thursday night around 5PM Pacific. It's up all weekend so if you don't have something to post right away, you can always add it throughout the weekend. Features are posted each Monday. You don't have to be a follower to link up but I'd love to have you follow so I can follow you back and keep up with your creations outside the party.

I've been having fun playing with My Memories Suite digital software so I created a new "link party rules" graphic for the New Year. OK here we go!

My 2013 Word: Confident

Like many bloggers, I’ve become fond of picking a word for the year. I did this last year for the first time (my word was “focus”) and created a printable for it that I framed and hung outside my home office / craft room door.I decided to do it again this year because it helped to see it displayed there every time I went into my office.

I’ve always had people tell me that they think I’m so self confident when in reality the opposite is more often true than not. I am my own worst critic; hardest on myself, riddled with self doubt . Truth is, I’ve always struggled with being confident in myself.

What’s the line between confident and arrogant? How can you be the former without being obnoxious and self important? These are things that have always  been at the back of my mind.

But I do want to be confident in a positive and healthy way and it’s not like I’m a whimpering puddle in the corner but just really want to focus on not feeling guilty about being confident if that makes any sense? I think as women, we struggle with that. Mr. Chocolate helps me with this but it's still something I need to work on from within.

I want to be confident in growing my blog while remaining true to myself. Working with new brands and sponsors and maybe some ads, but again, not losing my authenticity. I need to learn how to say “no” with confidence. I’m learning how to prioritize myself. My day job is one of those where if I don’t set limits , no one else will and it will consume me and I need to do that with a strong sense of confidence too.

When College Boy graduated from High School almost two years ago, I used this portion of a  quote from Thoreau on a lot of cards and décor I made :

Go confidently in the direction of your dreams! Live the life you've imagined.

This is going to be a milestone year for me ( more on that to come later) so it’s in that spirit that I’ve chosen the word “Confident”.

Do you have a word of the year for 2013? If so, will you share it in the comments?

Happy New Year! 2013 Reminders For Me

I've never been a resolution maker. Or, I should say that I've never been good at resolution making...specifically resolution keeping.  I like the idea of them but I've found that "life is what happens when you're busy making other plans" and making resolutions that are too specific doesn't always leave room for reality. Things change and then I'm riddled with anxiety over feeling like I've failed.

But I have set some goals for 2013,  or as I like to think of them , reminders of things I want to keep at the forefront  so here goes!

So tell me, do you make resolutions or fly by the seat of your pants? 

Happy New Year!