A sure way to get your plate back......

At Thanksgiving there was still some pie leftover and I left my plate behind. I wasn't worried about getting it back. To make it easier for it to be returned, I came up with an idea. I would add our name to plate! I wasn't thinking with a piece of tape and sharpie. What I had in mind was more permanent. I wanted to etch it on the plate!!!



I gathered my supplies.....



I have had this bottle of etching cream for
over 10 years and it still works great. 

After I washed and dried my plate, I attached the stencils (I like to hold the plate up to light after I attach the stencils. This allows me to make sure the placement is where I want it).


Then I added a thick layer etching cream. I had to be careful here and make sure I only got the cream where I wanted it. The etching cream is basically an acid. Once it has done it's job, there is no way to reverse it.

I let the plate set for 5-6 minutes. Using running water and a rag, I rinsed the cream off (before removing the stencils I hold the plate up to the light to make sure I didn't miss any spots). As a side note after I finish rinsing the plate off, I clean both my work area and sink with bleach to remove any acid left behind.

I wash the plate with soap and water (etching is dishwasher safe) and it is done!



Making this took no time, you could even whip one up for Christmas!!!

If you want to make one here's what you need......
a pie plate (or any glass serving dish)
etching cream
stencils (the need to stick to the glass)
foam brush
disposable gloves



If you make one please share a picture. If you have any questions let me know.

A handmade gift for a guy

I love making gifts for people but I have to admit sometimes creating a gift for a guy can be difficult. When I come across an idea I jump on it.  I have been wanting to make something for my brother for awhile now. The problem was I just could not decide what to make. 

 

I decided to scroll through Pinterest and see what I could come with. Although there was a lot of great ideas, nothing spoke to me. Then I decided to do a search looking for DIY plumbing crafts (he is a plumber after all). That was the key!!

 

I found this pin and it spoke to me!! I headed off to my favorite antiques/jack of all store (Jellison Trader's). There I was able to find the board and knobs. I was stuck on how to attach the knobs to the board. Then I decide that a trip to Home Depot was in order. After much help and discussion (I love when have to explain the use of something other than the original purpose), I settled on bolts, washers and nuts.

 

All my need supplies
 

  With all my supplies gathered I set to work. I spaced the knobs out on the board and marked where I wanted them. Then I drilled the holes, attached the blots. I placed one nut below the knob and one on the top (to keep the knob from sliding down or off). The two holes that were already in the board I left for attaching the coat rack to the wall.

 

Here's my version.....

 

 

 

 

What do you think????

Waiting until Christmas

I made most of the gifts we are giving this year.

It's really selfish on my part.

I get so excited making just the right thing for someone.

I can only hope they feel half as excited when they open it.

 

Sadly, I can't show you the finished projects until after

December 26.

I don't want to ruin the surprise for those who read my blog!

 

What I can do is share a few random pictures.

 

I finally used my Kreg Jig
 

I have been spending so much time with my saw,
I think I need to name it.
Any suggestions?

Any ideas on what this might be??
 

Hot Chocolate Sticks in the making

 



Yup I sure have been busy

and

I would not have it any other way!

 

 

 

 

A new use for a old window

 

I needed a gift for a yankee swap with my friends. There was a limit of $20 for the gift. I was having a hard time coming up with a gift for that amount. I did not want to do a gift certificate and I wanted it to be something special. So after I got the ok, I went the handmade gift route.

 

I had recently repurposed an old window into a chalkboard for a local auction. There was a lot of interest in it, so I decided to make another version for the yankee swap.

The one for the local auction


I had seen this pin on Pinterest. I really liked it and knew I wanted to do it. I stopped at my favorite antique/jack of all store (Jellison Trader's). They didn't have the window I was looking for out on the sales floor. Luckily, I asked and after a trip to their storage barn (felt like I belonged on American Pickers) I found two of these beauties.

 

 

The windows still had the glass in them when I picked them out . I had my car that day and the windows would not fit. So we left them outside at the store until I could get the truck. In the process there was a big wind storm which knocked the windows over, breaking the glass (thank you mother nature).

 

To prepare the frame, I removed the small pieces of glass and sanded the rough spots. Once that was done, I was ready to start the transformation. I purchased the chalkboard at Home Depot. It's 1/4inch thick and comes in a panel (I just can not remember the exact size). Using the table saw, I cut it down to fit one panel. Using my staple gun, I attached both the chalkboard and chicken wire.

 

I also attached a thin strip of wood over the edges of the chicken wire to prevent it from scratching the wall

Once I had it all together I added to hooks for hanging. I also added a few clothespins for hanging either pictures or notes.

 

 

 Like the one I made for the auction, it was a success!  My friends loved it!!! In fact we even decided next year that all the gifts are going to be handmade.

 

 

 



I was inspired, so I made it

My family was able to Thanksgiving at my cousin's house this year. He and his wife graciously hosted even though they had just moved in their newly built home on the 7th of November. While I was there I spotted this sign as you walked in the door. I thought it was beautiful and took a picture. Now I must admit I forgot to ask her where she purchased it, so I am unable to give credit where credit is due.  

 

 

 

A million versions of this have been floating around my head using different words and styles. I think one with either welcome or a last name would be super cool. 

 

 

When I was ready to make mine I decided to use two pieces of scrap wood. I used gorilla wood glue and Irwin clamps (absolute best clamps in my opinion) to make them into one.

 

 

 For the letters I used different scraps I had....paint stick, old picture frame, large cork and wood. Using the chop saw I cut the letters. Then I spray painted them.

 

 

Once they were dry, I attached them to the wood using gorilla glue and nailing gun. Then I roughed up the letters. Now to be honest I usually due this step before attaching but I forget. It still worked but was harder.

 

 

I must say I am super excited with how it came out!

 

Traditions = Christmas

I am not sure if your family is like mine but Christmas is ALL about traditions. One my favorite traditions from my childhood was going to the craft fairs with my mom and picking out a new ornament each year. My most LOVED, CHERISHED (I will cry if anything happens to it) ornament is the very first one. That little ceramic snowball guy on skates is placed front and center each year.

 

It only seemed right that I continued the tradition with my children. For the first few years, I went to the craft fair and selected an ornament that was some how connected to that year. As the years went, I found it harder and harder to find the perfect one. Not willing to stop the tradition, I started making my own. The thought that some day many, many, many years down the road my girls will decorate their own tree with ornaments made by me....well I can't even explain how that makes me feel.

 

(I apologize for the pictures. These were taken for my own use and not up to blogging quality)

I love all the ornaments I have made in the past. Each one was made with love and reflects that year.


 

The ones from last year are my absolute favorite. In fact they became a tradition in a tradition.

 

Each block has a little interview with the girl of their current favorites, the picture from the Christmas card and copy of a drawing they did. I LOVE how one little block of wood captures so much about each girl in that moment.

These little guys are on my list of projects this weekend. I will show you the finished project along with a how-to next week.

 

Handmade gift exchange....

While scrolling through instagram back in November I stumbled on a handmade gift exchange by Craftaholics Anomymous. I instantly signed up. The exchange was being hosted through Elfster and the rules were simple....

You will be PAIRED UP to exchange HANDMADE gifts! Please mail your gift by 12/1/14. Use Wishlist tool to show your partner your TASTE and STYLE. DO NOT BUY an item on someone's wish list! *Most important, get to know your partner and HAVE FUN!* :)

Thankfully my partner made a list. Sadly.....I am unable to share her list. I can tell you her list included this scarf and  these monogrammed glasses. Using these two items I set out to make her gifts.

Here's what I came up with.......

Sorry for the lack of a model

 

 

 

I made the infinity scarf out of a yard of material. I made this before I decided to blog, so no pictures. I can promise it is super easy. If you are interested I can post a little how-to.

 

 

and now for my take on the glasses....

 

 

 

 

Now these I am super excited about! I am not sure if you noticed but the original glasses were almost $60 for a set of four. Mine cost under $5 for a set of four!!!! Don't you just love DIY projects that save you money?!?! I purchased the glasses at the dollar store. To monogram them I used stencils and etching cream that I already had. Again, I made these before blogging. These are super easy to make and are a wonderful gift.

 

I think my versions came out just as well as the originals. What do you think? 

Counting down........

Counting down the days to Christmas is a tradition in our family. However, the way we go about it changes yearly. The problem is we just haven't found the one for us. 

We have had an advent tree, a visiting angel (think elf on the shelf) and hidden stockings. The tree was good for one child but not for two. The angel lost her appeal after a week.  The stockings, although a favorite of  the girls, wasn't easy when I work third shift.

 

So I set out to see what I could find. I found ones that hung on the wall, ones that used premade boxes, ones that used all gifts, ones that used candy.....you get the picture there was a lot. Finally I stumbled on this one.

Please click on picture to visit the blog, there are a lot of great ideas!

It was perfect!!! This one would all me to incorporate all my ideas. I wanted to be able to included a few gifts, a few crafts, a few activities but most things that spread the holiday cheer. Spreading the cheer was important as I feel that seems to be lost lately. While I was searching for ideas for spreading the joy, I stumbled upon a this 

Sorry, I am unable to find the original source
 

Again this was perfect it would allow us to leave treats with a nice little explanation attached. The last thing I need was numbers for the package. Thanks again to pinterest I found these numbers.

 

Once I had everything wrapped and in the bucket I realized I need a way for the girls to select the random acts. I typed up a list and posted it on the fridge.

 

 

Now with the bucket in place the only thing left to do is count down the days.

 

 

Does your family have a count down tradition?