Boxed IN

I love making new things from old stuff...

I hope you've been saving those greeting cards, because here comes another idea for them. I like to use this one for lightweight gift giving. Not only for Christmas and birthday gifts, say for those pretty scarves, or a tie. Gift cards, and money fit into these nicely, too for other occasions.
And what about Halloween candy for those special kids who deserve more than a lollipop? Some cookies, and little trinkets would be a welcome treat, also.

Today's project is:

Greeting Card BOX

You will need:
~5 cards, approximately the same size (and same theme)
~ribbons, or string, or raffia
~ a hole punch
~tissue paper

The Dollar stores sell cheap greeting cards if you have not saved up any.

1. You will punch a hole in all four corners of the cards
2. The four cards you will be using for the sides should be the same size. If not cut them to the smallest card's dimensions.

3. The fifth card that you will use for the bottom needs to be a square, the width of the side cards, so cut this accordingly.
4. You will lay out the cards as shown, and tie the ribbons through the holes at the bottom corners of the sides to the box's square bottom. Don't pull the ribbons too tight or the cards will bunch up.

5. Bring up the sides, and tie the top corners as shown.

The box will have gaps in the edges, but that's okay. Because when you give the gift, you will put in a piece of tissue paper (in the case of the scarf or tie). And if you are giving little goodies, put them in a ziploc bag first, then in the tissue paper. That way nothing will spill out.

You now have a decorated box, and made it yourself using recycled materials. Aren't you wonderful? I think so!

Tip of the day:
If you roll up your kitchen towels, THEN put them in the drawer, you can fit a lot more in, than if you folded them in the traditional way.  The kitchen drawers are usually pretty shallow, and the smaller size of these towels work well. Fold them in half, then roll up. Try it. You'll be amazed how many you can squeeze in.
I also roll up the bath towels too. They fit in the closet nicely, and I have some in a large basket in the bathroom, next to the tub.

That's all for today!
Dee

Corky Candle

I love making new things from old stuff!

Hope you've been enjoying some fine wine during this autumn harvest season...
and saving those corks.
The vineyards around here have some really wonderful wineries.
It's always fun to go wine tasting and if you don't have any corks at home, ask the winery for some of theirs. They always have plenty.

Today's project is:

Cork Candle

You'll need:
~32 corks, approximately
~old candles
~bucket filled 1/2 way with sand
~one new candle (about 1" less than the height of two corks)
~plastic grapes, optional
~glue gun

You need to find a large can or vase that you can use a form to use while you glue the corks together. Make the bottom layer first. The glue the upper corks onto the bottom ones, and glue them side by side. Hold for a few seconds each time to let glue dry.

In the meantime, take your old candles and put in an old metal coffee can, and place this into a pot filled with water (double boiler) and heat up to melt the candles.

this part you should do outside...
After your cork circle is completed, make an impression in the sand bigger than this. Put the cork circle into it. Push the sand snugly (but gently) up to the outside of the cork circle. (This will keep the wax from oozing out.) Use a can to tamp down the center so it is even. This will be the base of your candle and you don't want it lumpy.

Place the candle into the middle and pour the melted wax around it up to the top of it.

Let cool overnight. Then lift gently out the cork candle and brush off the excess sand back into the bucket. You can hot glue a cluster of plastic grapes to one side if you wish. ( just make sure it doesn't interfere with the candle wick)

tip of the day:
If you have removed tape from something and it's left a sticky residue, a quick fix is to sprinkle baby powder on it, and rub it around then shake/wipe it off.
This works for pine sap too. Sometimes it gets on my clothes or shoes.
I bought some tea cups and saucers from the thrift shop, and they were taped together. When I removed the tape it left a sticky mess. But the powder worked wonders, so I could handle them easily.
Of course these will be for outside use (upcoming project). If you were to drink from them, use Goo Gone.
Of course, Goo Gone will take it off for good, it just takes more time.

That's all for now...
Dee

Minty fresh idea

Wow, where did the summer go?
I was looking back when I started blogging and talking about the hot weather, and picnics and summer fun. And now it's the beginning of autumn. Although it's still warm up here in the foothills.
Not that I mind fall that much, it gets a bit cooler, and the leaves start turning pretty colors.
What I don't like is what follows autumn...winter! ugh.
I hate cold weather. And count the days til it gets warmer again.
So what do I do on cold days, stay in and make stuff!

Mint Tin Containers

you need:
~small metal containers (such as Altoid mint tins, I also got a few tins from cigars that my husband ordered)
~ duct tape (get decorative designs: like zebra stripes or tie dye designs, from Walmart or Michaels)
~optional: squeezy paint

The duct tape sticks really well to the tins. Make sure they are clean, shake out the mint crumbs from inside, too. I rounded the edges of the tape so it fit with the shape of the tin. After the tape is on, burnish it down with your fingernail or popsicle stick so you get a good flat finish. Although it won't look smooth, it looks kind of leathery, and that's a good look.
You can cover only the top, but I like to do the bottom and inside lid.

Then I added some embellishments with the squeezy paint, like dots around the edges, or fake laces or stitches. This paint takes a while to dry, so keep that in mind (you might only want to do the top)

If you have small tins, you can make a keychain with it. Take a hammer and nail and make 2 holes in one end. You'll have to open the top and work on a firm surface (like scrap wood). You don't want to bend the metal. Loop a piece of string or twine (with a bead or two, if you want) through the holes, and tie inside the tin, double knot and trim ends.
Then get a big key ring, and fasten it to the string.

You'll find lots of uses for these little gems:
1. I use one for traveling, to put my recycled aluminum can earrings in so they don't get crunched.
2. If you made a keychain, you can keep your vitamins or pills you take daily in there. That way you'll have it with you at all times.
3. It's the perfect size to fit credit cards, your driver's license and change. It fits into the back pocket of jeans nicely too, when you don't want to lug a purse or wallet around.
4. Kids love little boxes to put little treasures in.
5. Use it for gift giving for Christmas or birthdays. Put a gift card in it, a ribbon around it- instant gift. No need for further wrapping.
6. Or make an emergency sewing kit. Fill it with a few safety pins, a needles with a long piece of thread on it (stuck into a piece of cardboard and folded over the sharp tip), a few buttons of different sizes and small emery board.

Make a bunch, they're fun and useful, and recycled!

tip of the day:
While visiting Montana last month, I spilled tea on my white pants. My friend Kathy suggested getting out the stain using Dawn detergent.  Now this is the 'original' Dawn (she said that works best).
Take a small amount in your palm, add a little water and suds it up, and then rub onto the fabric. I did this several times, and using my fingernail to scritch it in a bit, the tea blotches started coming out. Wash as usual, but do not dry it, until you check to see if the stain is gone. If not, repeat process.  (Heat will set the stain in and make it virtually impossible to get out). And tea and coffee are really tough to remove.
I was overjoyed! Or should I say "over-dawned"? sorry 'bout that, I couldn't help it.

That's all for now...
:D

That's the key!

It's back to school. And that means driving around, which also includes keeping your keys handy and why not have a key chain that not only looks good, but that you made yourself!
A hardware store is such a fun place for us crafters. You'll never know what things you can find to make into chic/industrial/unique items. Like this project...

Wire/Beaded 
Key Chains

You will need:
~covered wire, 18 gauge (find at the hardware store)
~beads
~wire, 24 gauge
~key ring
~pliers (needle nose preferred)
~wire cutters

You can cut the plastic covered wire to about a 1 foot length. Using your needle nose pliers curl one end into a curve. As you can see from the picture, the curves are up to you. You can make a big "S" or a small top "S". You can make your keychain bigger or small according to the length you start with.

I took the 24 gauge wire and wrapped it around the curve to keep it together. Tuck the end of the wire into itself. And you can always use a drop of E6000 glue to keep secure.

Then curve the bottom half and wire a bead onto it. To keep the bead from falling off, you can either use a smaller bead on the bottom, or curve/twist the wire into a small bundle to keep the bead on.
Check out my kid's blogs too:
http://melittaberze.blogspot.com/ and
http://www.apairofneedles.blogspot.com/

We are a crafty bunch! :)

Tip of the day:
If you ever use "Yankee Candles" or something similar -  you know they come with a nice glass lid. Well, what do you do with this when you open it up to burn the candle? Turn it upside down and put a votive candle in it. It will catch any drips and look better than that crinkled up piece of aluminum foil you are using.

That's all for today!
Dee

Art in the Orchard

Not only do I love making new stuff from old things,but I love selling them even more!

The last weekend of August I spent a wonderful two days with my daughter Dana in the middle of an apple orchard.
We were selling our creations at the El Dorado County Artists sponsored: Art in the Orchard.

In the middle of this beautiful apple orchard, there were artists of all kinds. Fine art, crafts, handmade goodies galore. Along with live music, food, and fun events for kids, we had a great two days.

Dana made hats, bags, and wallets, as well as her fine art set up on apple crates  I had Betsy's (Dana's twin sister) prints and cards as well.

Besides these awesome creations, I had my own recycled aluminum can jewelry, and fused glass stuff. I also made some recycled beer bottle glasses, as well as recycled fabric bags and tins.

The weather was hot, the company was exceptional and the scenery was beautiful. All who came had a fun time, and we enjoyed each and every person who stopped by to chat, shop and enjoy our wares.

For a sneak peek at the kids' stuff check out their websites:
dana@danabetsy.com  and betsy@danabetsy.com  and of course mine: http://www.arttowearbydee.etsy.com/

Tip of the day:

I use a carabiner (that I took off my metal water bottle)  to secure my keys onto the outside of my purse. I got tired of hunting for my car keys at the bottom of the abyss, so now I attach them to the outside of my purse, and can lock the car, and unlock it, while the keys are dangling on the outside of my bag. And I find them in a snap.
It's so much faster and easier, and I'm much happier. :)

That's all for now!

Dee