Pinterest

I've been pokin' around on Pinterest lately. It helps me gather images of inspiration for upcoming Winter home projects. 


If you have a goal, or if you're like me and you like to yank images from print ads or articles and post them in an idea book, you'll love it. 


You create a category or "board". Mine consist of categories such as crafts, dream home, decorating, holiday ideas, etc. 

Then within each of those boards, you "pin" your images. You can add a lengthy description to each pin, or you can just use a word. I have many that say "headboard", "wall color", "table", "skirt", etc. 


I use Pinterest a few hours a week, and it helps fire up my creative side. I have made decisions on wall colors for the house, resolved organizational issues (we have many in our small house), found patterns and fabrics, and much more!


If you need some assistance with creative visualization, I highly suggest it.


The site is as yummy as a big can of Tuna!

ModPodge Bank

I love Trader Joe's coffee. Every time I finish a can, I wash it out and put the can on a shelf in my craft room, knowing that someday I'll do something super cool with it.


Here's a super cool idea........ MODPODGE BANKS!!

Step 1: Get a can. (Doesn't have to be a TJ's can, I just think they're a great size - and I drink a lot of coffee. 

Step 2: Gather your tools.

* Mod podge and brush (sponge brush works just fine)

* Cutter or scissors

* Paper: Thick card stock is not appropriate for this project. Use thinner printed scrapbook paper, wrapping paper, stationary, tissue, etc.

* Embellishments: Stickers, tags, die cuts, etc.

* Step 3: Prep

* Measure the width around your can, and cut paper strips long enough to run it.

* If you want a more "collaged" look, then rip or cut shapes.

* (My next can will be decorated with wrapping paper die cuts. )

Step 4: Decorate your can

* Apply thin coat of Mod Podge to the back of your strip or shape. I "paint" it on very thin.

* While holding one end of the strip, slowly wrap a strip around the can, taking care to smooth out any wrinkles as you go. Repeat this step for the rest of the strips or embellishments.

Step 5: Seal your can

Hold the can over a fist, and begin to paint a light coat of Modpodge around the can. Apply 4-5 coats of Mod Podge. Let the Mod Podge dry completely between coats.

Step 6: Let dry for 24 hours, put the lid on, and start to save those coins!!

Decide where you want your art, and put it on display!!

 My Nephew passed away on February 5th, so there wasn't much inspiration to finish my Valentines. However, his death inspired me to do something for my sister. 

I have been accumulating Starbucks, Stumptown, and First Cup cup sleeves in my RRR drawer, with the intent of using them one day. I've used a few on cards, but I was looking for something original. I was visiting my second favorite store, Paper Zone, and one of the artists had made a Valentine's mini book out of two of them. 

I started by cutting two sleeves to the same width and length. 

I then reduced the size of pictures of my Nephew and printed them on vellum and card stock, and included divider pages and pages with quotes about children. 

I used office supply binder rings to bound the book together. The Paper Zone artist used ribbon, but I hope that this book will hold up better with the rings. 

I lined the back of the book (the corrugated side of the sleeves) with pretty paper.

I stamped the front of the book with a "Memories" stamp, and added a bit of antique lace to the top. 

I then created a wrap for the book out of another thinner sleeve, and covered it with glitter modpodge to prevent splits.