Storage Containers...

This last week we've been attempting to get our laundry room in order. A new utility sink was installed with countertop and cabinetry. I painted one of the walls a beautiful neutral green -- "Oolong Tea" from Martha Stewart's line of paints at HD. Some accessories and storage containers were added to the room, and this week I'm making some new curtains for the space.

Now about those storage containers I just mentioned ... I would venture to say that most women would opt for more storage in their homes if given the opportunity. It seems we never have enough. Fortunately, last week we added to the storage space in our laundry room by adding the extra cabinet which brought additional storage to the room, but as I was rearranging items in the cabinets I realized that all the space on several shelves in one cabinet was being taken up by light bulbs. I knew there had to be a better solution to storing these items.

Last year I bought some small paper mache boxes and covered them with scrapbook paper to use as gift boxes. (You can see them here and here.) I decided to use the same technique to cover larger boxes that would fit on the top of my cabinets for light bulb storage. I have a step-stool tucked away nearby, so reaching those boxes would not be a problem at all...

I started this project by buying three round paper mache boxes in descending size. One was 13" wide x 8" tall @ $5.99; another 10 1/2" x 6" @ $4.99; and the last 9 1/2" x 5" @ $4.49. I also found some scrapbook paper -- half price! I used the Mod Podge and a paintbrush that I had previously purchased. Start by measuring the height of the boxes and adding 2 1/2" to that measurement. For the box below I cut my paper to 7 1/2 inches.

Paint Mod Podge onto the side of the box and down the middle of the length of the paper -- leaving about 1" on the sides of the paper free. When using Mod Podge make sure you cover both surfaces for adequate adhesion.

Place your box onto the paper and roll it down the paper -- adding Mod Podge to both surfaces as need be. Smooth the paper with your hand to avoid wrinkles. Then, on the bottom side of the box slit the "overhanging" part of the paper every 1"...

Put Mod Podge on the box and on the slits of paper and adhere the slits to the bottom of the box (they will overlap slightly), like this...

Do the same to the top of the box turning the paper to the inside of the box.

I followed this process for all three boxes, but they still looked a bit plain...

I didn't want to have to remove the lid each time I needed a bulb (the epitome of "lazy"), so I did the following...

I cut around the edge of the lid about 1/2" from the side with an exacto knife. This enabled me to be able to put the "lid" on the box, but the box would be open at the top so I could easily grab a light bulb. The lid was covered with scrapbook paper in the same manner as the bottom part of the box...

After I covered all the containers with the paper I put one thick coat of Mod Podge over all the outside of the scrapbook paper to add some texture, shine, and durability to the paper.

After that was dry, I dabbed some brown glaze on the paper to distress it ever so lightly in spots. Then a tag was added to each box to identify the type of light bulbs residing therein!

I have to admit I love these storage containers. They have freed up an enormous amount of space in one of my cabinets! I also love the fact that they add a little color at the top of my cabinets.

The whole project cost about $20 including the scrapbook paper, the paper mache boxes, and the Mod Podge. I paid full price for the boxes at HL, but they often go on sale at 50% off. All in all an economical, practical, and fun project!

Linked to:



Show & Tell @ Blue Cricket Design
Boardwalk Bragfest @ bobbypins Boardwalk
Anything Related @ All Thingz Related
We're Organized Wednesday @ Organize & Decorate Everything
Nifty Thrifty Tuesdays @ Coastal Charm
Just Something I Whipped Up @ The Girl Creative
The DIY Showoff Parade @ The DIY Showoff
Craftastic Monday @ Sew Can Do
Mad Skills Monday @ Support Blog for Mom's of Boys

Friday's Fabulous Finds...

I spy with my Etsy eye something...
at the boardwalk.


Clockwise, starting top left:

"Sky High" Fine Art
Appliqued Beach Towel
Small Hair Comb
Hand-stamped Beach Necklace
"Pincushion Flower" Fine Art

Have a wonderful weekend!

Gift Card Lil' Wristlet

I have two little friends, Dani & Grace, who happen to be sisters with birthdays in the same week. When I was young I always loved a little change in my pocket, so I thought I'd give them a couple of gift cards for their birthdays, but I wanted to "wrap" the gift cards in something special that they could use over and over again, so I made a small wristlet just big enough to hold the cards. Since we all give gift cards at one time or another, I thought I'd share this pattern that I created for this purpose.

The finished dimensions of these wristlets are 7 inches wide by 4.5 inches tall with a 5.5 inch long strap. It's smaller than my other wristlets, but still big enough for the essentials for an adult (cash, a debit card, a license and keys), or in this case the valuables of a little girl!

You will need to cut out pieces of fabric in the following dimensions. (Please see photo below.) Remember all measurements are in inches.

• Strap - cut one 12 inch x 2 inch piece.
  
• Lining - cut two 8 inch x 5 inch pieces.
• Outside back - cut one 8 inch x 5 inch piece.
• Zipper "ends" - cut two 3 inch x 1.5 inch pieces.
• Outside front - cut one 3 inch x 5 inch piece and one 6 inch x 5 inch piece.

Also, you will need (not shown in photo):

• One 9 inch zipper & thread.
  
• Interfacing - cut two 8 inch x 5 inch pieces of fusible fleece.
  

I allow for 1/2" seams. Once you have the fabric cut out, you will need to round the bottom corners of your outside edges. You will only be rounding one side of each of your outside front pieces because you will sew those pieces together. You can do this by taking a small cup, meeting the side and bottom selvages and drawing a line around the cup, like I did on this piece of paper...

Then, trim the bottom edges around the pen line. This will provide a curved edge at the bottom of the wristlet.

Pin the 5 inch sides of the outside fronts together and sew with a 1/2 inch seam. (Make sure you are sewing the straight edges together, so the curved bottom edges will be on the outside edge.)


Now go to Flossie Teacake's fabulous tutorial, follow it, and get 'er done! I add a strap to mine. Just tuck it into the seam before you sew around the outside edges. Then go here to "Emily's Little World" and follow this fabulous tutorial on how to make the flowers! I attach mine with fabric glue. And... you're done! You've got a place to hide some gift cards and the receiver has a wristlet to carry around long after those cards are spent!

Have a great day!

Linked to:
Frugalicious Friday @ Finding Fabulous
Frugal Friday @ The Shabby Nest
Friday Fun Finds @ Kojo Designs

Out with the old and...

...in with the new! I'm so excited about a little transformation we are making in our utility room. When we designed and had our home built about 20 years ago our main focus was square footage and function. Ours was an unusual family with seven children, a mother and a father -- 9 people total. We needed lots of space and functionality. So we opted to put our money toward size, because we knew that in time we could add the desirable features that we preferred in the house but didn't need immediately. So that's what we've done over the years. We've added extras as funds became available.

One of the things I knew I would eventually want to change was the sink in the utility room. When we moved into the house we opted to have a utility sink installed. We didn't have the money to buy cabinetry, so it was installed without the surrounding cabinetry. It didn't really bother me at the time because I was so thrilled just to have a big sink where I could hose off the kids dog and wash paint brushes.

This, however, (sans the cabinetry above the sink -- those were added 15 years ago) was the view that guests got as they looked down our hall to the utility room...

As you can see this view with the exposed sink is not one that leaves a favorable impression. Still, for years I let it go because there were more important things to buy (sneakers and milk) and do (give hugs and do laundry).

Well, this year I received some money for my birthday. I cashed the checks and the money sat in my wallet for more than a month. Finally, I knew where I wanted to spend it and today it was installed...

I'm so happy! I love how it turned out. Instead of a utility sink, it is a 10 inch deep single tub stainless steel sink, and I love the storage that the cabinetry provides! However, I'm not done yet. There will be colors added to the walls and a new throw rug added to the floor. I'm also making some new curtains and adding a little more storage here and there. Stay tuned for more...

And the Winner Is...

A big
"thank you"
to all those who entered my wristlet Give-Away!

I truly appreciate all your kind comments and encouragement! I received word the other day from the bride who ordered all these wristlets for her bridesmaids. The wristlets had arrived and she was thrilled. (Yay!)

Now, let's get to business.

The winner of this month's Give-Away is...

I'll be whipping up a #7 later this week
& shipping it off!

Congratulations!

Bloomin' Tuesday

Happy Bloomin' Tuesday! There's a lot going on in our garden this time of year. Flowers, fruits, and veggies have all taken root and are strutting their stuff. We've already sampled our vine-ripened tomatoes. The cherries are ruby red, and the peaches are getting ripe. Usually, I highlight the flora in our yard, but today I'm going to introduce you to some of the fauna that has taken up residence within the confines of our property. See those pink flamingos to the left? They aren't ours. (I'm such a tease.) Although I have never consider putting one of those "delightful" knickknacks in our yard, we do have a medley of motley creatures taking up residence in our gardens.

This is "Grizzley" -- "Grizz" for short. He's a friendly sort and welcomes friends and neighbors to our backyard...

Kermit, named after his famous second-cousin once removed, is a hard one to spot, but today he's nestled amongst the impatiens staying out of the hot sun...

This is Peter. You can usually find him in the perennial flower bed. He stands still as a statue when I take his picture. Such an accommodating fellow...

A few years back my boys were playing their traditional paint ball game in our backyard. It's an obnoxious little game where each takes his turn at being "the target." Don't judge. I would never have permitted this game when they were younger, but I get a perverse kind of pleasure in watching them whack each other now that they're grown. Later that evening we were hosting a wedding reception at another location for son #4 and his new bride. The boys asked if they could play the game and I said "yes", under three conditions. 1.) Clean up after yourselves. 2.) Don't hit Mr. Squirrel. (Please see photo below and note the location of Mr. Squirrel in relation to "the target.") And 3.) Don't shoot each other in the face because there would be a photographer at the reception, and I didn't want purplish welts on anyone's face in the wedding photos. I thought those were reasonable requests.

Soon after I came outside to find Mr. Squirrel covered in orange paint. Son #3's excuse... "I hadn't hit anything all day. Who would have thought I'd actually hit the sorry sucker?" As you can see Mr. Squirrel no longer sports an orange-ish hue, however I wouldn't say he's fully recovered...

Our feathered friends taking bird baths...

Another bunny wrapped in foliage...

"Kitty" is tucked under a tree by our front door. When she was younger, she would cause friends coming up the walkway to our front door to take a second look. Now that she's older and a little weathered she doesn't cause so many double takes. She's a favorite of mine. My mother bought this for me in California years ago. It's a painted rock. She didn't realize how heavy it was until after she paid for it and went to pick it up. Then because they loved me, she and my dad lugged that feline through two airports before it was unceremoniously dropped it into my lap. Whenever I look at her I think of them...

Have a great Bloomin' Tuesday.
To enjoy more Bloomin' Tuesday posts, go to Ms. Green Thumb Jean's linky party.

Friday's Fabulous Finds...

I spy with my Etsy eye something...
time-worn.

Clockwise, starting top left:
Vintage Wire Basket
Sterling Silver Earrings
Antique Spoon
Contrast Floral Original Painting
"Black & White Laundry" Print

Have a great weekend!

Silver Linings...

Yesterday I ran a lot of errands -- one of which was dropping some items off at a thrift store in our town. It seems I go there as much to drop things off as I do to search for treasures. Does that seem incongruous to you? It does to me. I wasn't looking for anything in particular, but since I was there I thought I'd take a quick sweep through the store to see if anything caught my eye. Famous last words -- that I rarely regret.

I came upon this silver creamer and sugar bowl set. When I picked it up I knew immediately that it was silver-lined rather than pure silver. It was way too heavy to be pure silver, but I loved the shape of these items. When I bought them they were tarnished with a thick patina, but I hoped that would buff right off with a little tender loving care.

Eighteen hours later I learned that sometimes tender loving care isn't enough. I don't think there is enough silver polish in the world to take these items back to pristine form, but that doesn't really bother me much. I love things that are a little weathered, a little time-worn, and a little used. These fit into that category beautifully.

I paid a total of $1.68 for these treasures. Sometimes I like to buy things like this to use as receptacles for gifts. A few little flowers in one and some candy in another can brighten a friend's day. Thrift store items can be inexpensive containers for gifts! Just a thought...

Linked to:

Garage Salen @ Debbiedoos
Deals of the Week @ Frugal Finds
Frugalicious Friday @ Finding Fabulous

***Feel free to scroll down and sign up for my Give-Away!***

Shhhh... it's a Give-Away

Last week was a busy week. Not only was I working on our family art gallery, but I had an order of seven wristlets that I needed to fill for a bride to present to her bridesmaids as gifts. Diana contacted me late last month asking if I could fill a "special order" of seven wristlets. I thanked her for the inquiry (which I truly appreciated), but told her that I didn't fill custom orders in my shop.

After sending off the email to Diana telling her I couldn't help her, I thought that would be the end of it. I underestimated the determination of a bride-to-be. I should have known better.

She wrote back this email: Suzanne - I don't want to bug you, but I just love your design & I wish you'd reconsider making me the wristlets for my bridesmaids! They are perfect & I honestly can't find anything close to those!

Danged if that wasn't one of the sweetest little emails I ever read. Ahhh, shoot. My defenses were slipping. I wrote her back telling her I would consider filling a custom order for her, but citing my limitations -- that I couldn't promise them till the end of July -- that I'd have to special order fabric...etc.

She wrote back: Yippee! This just made my night! The wedding is August 14, and the rehearsal is the 13th, so as long as I have them a few days ahead of time, I'm all set...

To be honest, I wasn't terribly excited about the pressure I knew this order would bring. Then something happened. I got excited about those seven little wristlets. Diana mentioned in that same email that the wedding colors are fuchsia, pink and orchid. Then she added that the theme of the wedding is "flowers", since they are being married in a flower garden. She also mentioned that I could make the wristlets the same or make each one slightly different, but in keeping with the colors. Hmmm .... I loved the idea of making each one unique. I had her give me an idea of some fabrics she liked, and I went to work filling her order. Today I added the last touch -- the fabric flowers...

I'm thinking of asking Diana if I can be an honorary bridesmaid just so I can get one of these...

It's time for a Give-Away!

For those of you that have read all the way to the bottom of this post, it's time for a little Give-Away. This Give-Away is directed to those who frequent my blog. It's my way of saying "thank you" to those who visit my blog and leave such kind, encouraging comments. It doesn't matter if you've been a long-time follower or if you've just discovered my blog. You are welcome to enter. If you've never left a comment, that's OK, now is the time. No need to advertise this in any way. It's just for you.

Here are particulars...

• Scroll down to the photo below. I have each of the seven wristlets numbered. To enter this contest, leave a comment below stating the number of the wristlet you would like to win. I will make the winner of this contest the wristlet of her choice.
  
• No anonymous comments, please. I need an email address or accessibility to a public blog. Private bloggers --feel free to enter, but you'll need to leave your email address. If I don't have any way to contact you, your name will not be eligible.
• This contest will run through midnight Tuesday, July 13th. Wednesday morning, July 14th the winner will be announced.
  

Good luck!

Update: I have received some emails and comments asking about the fabric I used in the above wristlets, and I'm more than happy to detail the fabric line and the designers:

#1 - Santorini Ambrosia by Lila Tueller
#2 - Picadilly by Pamela Mostek
#3 - Soirre by Lila Tueller
#4 - Santorini Olive Grove by Lila Tueller
#5 - Farmer's Market by Sandi Henderson
#6 - Santorini Trellis Floral by Lila Tueller
#7 - Soirre by Lila Tueller

More wristlets are available in my Etsy!