Cuddly Coasters

As we move head-on into wedding season, I'm reviving a crafty idea that comes from the heart and gives your bank account a breather.  BULLETIN:  I made today's crafty gift for a thrifty $1.  Oh, it feels so good to write that. 

Praise the clearance bin.  As I was sifting through a giant cage of odd-n-ends, I saw several sets of coasters, but didn't like the designs.  So, I decided to make my own.  BAM!  I bought one of the packs for just 40-cents to use as my base.  But, if you really want to go 100% homemade, you can make yours out of chipboard (see Crafty Girl's blog here to find out more about that).  A thick chipboard or cardboard would be fine, or you can buy thin wood discs for about $2.  I was happy with my 40-cent find, knowing I'd be covering them anyway.  

Here's what I used:

1-Coaster bases

2-Mod Podge

3-Sponge

4-Pictures

5-Scissors

First, I picked out my pictures.  If you have tools to cut circles, you're ahead of the game.  I used a wooden disc to guide me, as it was exactly the size I wanted.  I layered my base with Mod Podge and centered each picture (I like to leave some border, which also helps seal the picture in the next step).

Finally, I added another layer of Mod Podge over the top of the picture and sealed it in place.  The white streaks dry clear, but be careful to smooth out the glue with your sponge and brush it on in one direction because you can see how carefully it was applied when it dries. 

You can use pictures of the happy couple's pets, holiday designs, artsy shots you see in magazines, or make coasters showing a special occasion, like a wedding.  The 40-cent set I bought in the clearance bin came with eight coasters.  I decided to split them up.  I used four to make an animal set.  For the other four, I used black paper as a background to accent smaller black and white wedding pictures.  They would make a fun gift for someone's anniversary too.  I have to warn you...they won't last forever.  One week of drinks on mine left a clear ring.  It is best to give your coasters several days to set.  Either way, they are a fun and affordable addition to your special gift.  Make a set for yourself while you've got your supplies out.  Then, put your handy work to use with a well-deserved frosty drink.

Grad Series: $$$ Lei

Where was this idea when I picked up my diploma?  Nice.  I don't know this young man.  In fact, the person who took the picture doesn't know him either.  She just HAD to get a picture of that crafty lei around his neck.  I have to admit...I have walked up to many strangers myself, asking to take pictures of their fun creations.  Then, I'd pick at it, trying to figure out how it was made, asking a list of questions.  I bet most of you can identify with that curiosity.  I'm happy to report that the picture taker got all of the sweet details.  You can see what she found on her blog:  http://yourhomebasedparties.com/graduation-lei-669

The only drawback is that you have to provide all of the cash to make this.  But, wouldn't you have been so excited to get something like this on your big day?  I actually think it would be a great gift for a bachelorette party or a wedding dollar dance...a birthday party.  There is no reason it has to be limited to graduations.  GREAT idea!!  If you spot any fun ideas at your upcoming graduation parties, pass them along.  We'll be sharing fun ideas  to honor the student in your life, for the rest of this week.  If you happen to use this idea, we'd love to hear your story.  Come back and tell us about it.

Place Cards

If you need seating arrangements at a party, handmade placecards are a simple way to class up the place and add your personal touch.  Layering takes a little more work, but it makes the final product look polished and professional.  The first thing you need to do is come up with a guest list.

Here's what you will need for supplies:

1-Choose three different patterns of paper. 

A-Make sure you choose a light color to print the names on.

B-Pick a medium or dark color to compliment and border the first page.

C-Finally, find a pattern that matches your two other choices...this is your base and can be more decorative.

2-Choose a decorative hole punch.

3-Paper trimmer
4-Printer

Print your guests' names on paper "A".  I spaced them far enough apart to print several names on one sheet of paper.  Cut all of the cards out the same size.  Leave extra space at the top, so you can use a decorative hole puncher along the upper edge.  I bought the puncher that created this heart effect in Michael's.  They are very easy to find and use.  You simply place the puncher along the edge and press down.  Voila!!  Make sure you use one of their weekly 40% off one-item coupons.  The puncher is really the most expensive part of this project.

Next, you'll want to border paper "A" with paper "B".  I chose a cream color on top (A) and a shiny black to contrast (B).  Measure your darker paper slightly larger than the name card, so it shows a medium border around the perimeter, but also you want your hole puncher design to show up well.  Cut all of those darker pieces the same size too...so they should all fit together well with the cream cards in front.  Glue or tape your name card onto the background paper.  You can repeat the process with a third decorative layer in the back.  I chose to only use the third background for the bride and groom, so their place card would be more special than the rest.  I did make a few larger cards for particularly long names.  I also used my leftover supplies to make a few small blanks to write in last-minute rsvp's, which were literally needed the day of the wedding.  Then, I bundled up the cards in a cute little package to present to the bride...an exciting and special handmade addition to an exciting and special day.

Clothing Decor

Whether it is from your own closet, an heirloom, or just a fantastic vintage find...clothing like this old wedding gown can really become the centerpiece of a room.  Consider draping it over a bed OR put your babies baptism gown in a shadowbox and hang it on the wall.  Better yet, get a dress form, so you can protect the shape and display it in a corner. That's what I did with a dress I bought from a renaissance festival years ago.  I thought it'd be a fun halloween costume.  It is so lovely, I hated to put it away for 11 months of the year.  A young girl would go gaga over having a beautiful dress, veil, and gloves on display next to her tea set and dolls.

If you're someone who loves vintage accessories, you may have accumulated lots of hats, purses, and gloves that are now at the bottom of your closet.  Why not use them as an accent for your room?  You bought them because you love the vintage look and they reflect your classic style.  They'll likely add the same flair to your wall.  Nothing is better than having your home reflect exactly who you are.  Clothes and accessories can double as decorations.  Get them out of the closet!!

Crafty Coasters

BULLETIN:  I made today's crafty gift for a thrifty $1.  Oh, it feels so good to write that. 

Praise the clearance bin.  As I was sifting through another one this week, I saw several sets of coasters, but didn't like the designs.  So, I decided to make my own.  BAM!  I bought one of the packs for just 40 cents to use as my base.  But, if you really want to go 100% homemade, you can make yours out of chipboard (see Crafty Girl's blog here to find out more about that).  A thick chipboard or cardboard would be fine, or you can buy thin wood discs for about $2.  I was happy with my 40 cent find knowing I'd be covering them anyway.  

Here's what I used:

1-Coaster bases

2-Modge Podge
3-Sponge
4-Pictures
5-Scissors

First, I picked out my pictures.  If you have tools to cut circles, you're ahead of the game.  I used a wooden disc to guide me, as it was exactly the size I wanted.  I layered my base with modge podge and centered my picture (I like to show some border, which also helps seal the picture in the next step).  Finally, I added another layer of MP over the top of the picture and sealed it in place.  The white streaks dry clear, but be careful to smooth out the glue with your sponge and brush it on in one direction because you can see how carefully it was applied when it dries. 

You can use kid's pictures, holiday designs (Halloween is coming), artsy shots you see in magazines, or make coasters showing a special occasion.  The 40-cent set I bought in the clearance bin came with eight coasters.  I decided to split them up.  I used four to make an animal set.  For the other four, I used black paper as a background to accent smaller black and white wedding pictures.  They would make a fun gift for someone's anniversary.  I have to warn you...they won't last forever.  One week of drinks on mine left a clear ring.  But, they are a fun temporary addition to your party or endtables.  After you finish layering your modge-podge, let the coasters set for about an hour.  Then, put your handy work to use with a well-deserved cocktail.