Red and Toile'n!

So remember my mommy's Mothers Day Gift?

Well, turns out mom is super picky has a keen design taste and would absolutely love to see a shadow box with red silver ware in it.

And why not?

I got another little wooden tray and some silver ware from...you guessed it, the Dollar Tree.

I spray painted a spoon and fork red and let dry.  I also spray painted the tray the same light coat of off-white and let dry.

Once dry, I then did the same technique in applying the toile contact paper to the inside of the box, hot glued my silverware into place and glued some jute around the edge and ta da!

 Love it!

xoxo

Ginger

Make-Your-Own Decor Ball

Pretty huh?

My original plan was to make a decorative garden sphere on a stake, but this worked out too!

And everything was found at the dollar store!

What you need:

styrofoam balls (any diameter larger than 3" works best)

spray paint in any color

clear glass decor beads

hot glue gun

wire clothes hanger

First, cut some pieces of wire the length of the hanger and poke it into the ball.  Then, spray paint the ball your desired color.  I chose the green you saw here.

Second, stick the hanger into the ground so your ball can dry.  

( I didn't document these steps with pics since its pretty straight forward.)

Third, warm up the glue gun and start gluing your glass beads down starting at the wire and working your way out.

And continue until the ball is covered.

Fill in any "bald" spots with a dab of hot glue to fill it in.

(I forgot to take a pic of that part...oops)

Lastly, give it a liberal coat with a clear glaze and let dry.  I used Krylon Triple thick clear glaze.

Now, if you had a wood dowel and used that rather than hanger wire, poke that puppy into the ground and you've got a garden ornament on a stake!  

The glass beads make the ball really heavy, and sadly a hanger just won't cut it...the ball will just droop over.  :(  So I just pulled the hanger out, but I still have an awesome decor ball!

Maybe I'll just set it in a potted plant?  Hmmm... there are possibilities!

xoxo

Ginger

I'm linking at these awesome parties!

The Mossy Wooded Bird

So, I have been slowly collecting decor for my new soon-to-be-gett'n-started-on-it-kitchen and I snagged this little birdy at the Dollar Tree.

Not bad as is, but I knew I could dress him up a little bit...

I added a little reindeer moss and a brown satin bow.  

Now he's the little Mossy Wooded Bird...

That moss just added a little something...don't you think?

xoxo

Ginger

I'm linking to these awesome parties!

God Bless the Dollar Tree...

So I went to the Dollar Tree to pick up some mouth wash and flip flops.

Yup.  You heard right.

Flip flops for Jack because they are the only shoes he can put on all by himself and God forbid anyone help him with anything! And mouthwash because I'm out.

But...I didn't walk out with just flip flops and mouthwash.

Check out my loot!!!

Let's see...

2 sheets of decal letters

a ball pf twine

a roll of beautilful French toile contact paper

a bag of floral moss

2 straw wreaths

5 rolls of ribbon

2 baskets of sea shells

2 bags of decor glass beads

and a little wooden tray

I have so many ideas stirring!  Eek!

And yes, we did get plenty of flip flops...

Grey, brown, and black with flames...guess which Jack picked out.

And for only a $1!!!

Like I said...

God Bless the Dollar Tree...

Can I get an Amen?

xoxo

Ginger

Spring-y Green Cross

I enjoyed my Ivory Squirrel so much that I decided to do a similar project! 

Again...in stocking up for new decor things for my soon-to-be-redone kitchen, I snagged this pretty cross from the Dollar Tree...

Not too bad as is.  Good color and I loved the scroll detail in the center, but not a fan of the gold trim.  Plus, I already have some other ivory details going into the kitchen.

So I picked up a can of Krylon "Ivy Leaf"

(sorry a little fuzzy)

And now...

Love this color!  And I love spray paint...

xoxo

Ginger

I'm linking at these awesome parties!

Ivory Squirrel

So I'm slowly picking up some new decor things for when I get to re-do my kitchen and I came across this little guy at the Dollar Tree.

He's so cute but so dark...

He needs to lighten up!

So I picked up some new spray paint...

Krylon "Ivory"

And gave him a little make over...

Isn't he cute?  I gave him a light coat so that a little of the brown showed thru a bit.

See that great detail around the eye and acorn?

And such an easy change, just a quick spray and all done!

xoxo

Ginger

I'm linking at these awesome parties!

Spring Wreath

So I tried my hand at a wreath the other day!  For my first attempt, I am really loving it!

Started out with these things:

 Got 'em all at the Dollar Tree!!

and flowers, of course (also from the Dollar Tree).

Got my glue gun warmed up and got to it.

I love the twig wreath so I knew I didn't want to cover a lot of it up.

I started by cutting pieces of the moss roll up and gluing in a random pattern.

I took apart the flowers stems and placed the pieces where I wanted them.

I put as much on as I wanted, using different pieces here and there until it was "just enough".

To hang, I cut a length of brown satin ribbon and hot glued it onto the wreath.

 All done!  I love it and can't wait to put it in my soon-to-be re-done kitchen!

Yup, re-doing the kitchen.

Lovely...

Ginger

SSB

I'm linking to these great parties!

Poinsettia Ornaments

So I was invited to a Craft Party by a friend of mine and I wanted to come up with an easy and inexpensive craft to show everyone.  It needed to be something that everyone could afford to buy supplies for and could hand out as gifts. 

I knew I wanted to make an ornament but I had to brainstorm about what materials to use.  It had to be something that pretty much anyone could afford and would possibly already have the tools needed on hand. 

This is what I came up with...

I know the picture sucks...but every single one I took came out blurry.  And when I finally got a clear one, I could not crop and save it. sigh.

All you need is some ball ornaments, silk poinsettia stems, and jingle bells.

I bought plastic glitter balls (6 pack) and poinsettia bundles at the $1 store for a buck a piece.  Then got the jingle bells at the craft store for less than $2 for a packet.  I bought enough to hang 2 bells on each ornament.

Then I cut the flowers off the stems and also cut a few leaves to help "garnish".  Hot glued the flowers on the top of the balls and tied 2 jingle bells on.  Simple!

And everyone loved them.

Ginger

SSB

I'm linking:

Craftastic Mondays at Sew Can Do
Creative Juice Tuesdays at These Creative Juices
We Did It Wednesdays at Sew much Ado
Show and Tell at Blue Cricket Design

Show Off Your Stuff at Fireflies and Jellybeans
Hooked Up at House of Hepworths
Feature Yourself Friday at Fingerprints on the Fridge
Plant a Seed at Punkin Seed Productions

Quick and Easy Christmas Ornaments!!!

I LOVE getting Christmas ornaments as a gift!  

Getting one as an ornament is special because I remember the person that gave it to me every year when decorating the tree.  Some on my tree I've had for years!

I also LOVE giving Christmas ornaments as gifts!  

DIY ornaments are heart-felt and fun.  They are usually easy to make in bulk to give to family, friends or co-workers.  And it's sure to be something used every year instead of some random gift that might end up at the top of the closet...

And best of all...DIY ornaments can be VERY easy on the wallet which is definitely a relief during a busy and budget-minded season.

Here is a true favorite that everyone appreciates.  Great for family (grandmothers adore them) and friends! And very simple to make!  Kids can have fun making them for mom and dad!

Here's a shot of Jack's hand print...

His hand print was placed on the bottom of the bulb, his name on one side, and the year on the other.

I have used red bulbs (that's what I call these type of ornaments if anyone is confused :) but found it was kinda hard to see...especially the name so I switched to white bulbs, green/red paint, and a black sharpie.  A box of 24 count white glass bulb ornaments is less than $5 at most stores.  The paint and marker I had on hand.

DIY ornaments make great party favors too!  My cousin had her wedding a week before Christmas and these were her reception favors!  

 On the other side is the wedding date.

She had a huge Christmas tree at her reception covered in these cute bells and used red ribbon as garland!  I've found similar ornaments the $1 store!

"Heart-made", simple gifts that everyone loves!  Enjoy!

Ginger

SSB

I'm linking:

Anything Related at All Thingz Related

A $20 Halloween!

So I noticed that a lot of our Halloween decorations were missing this year...?

Hmmm.....I think hubby may have misplaced a few boxes.  I can find all my fall decor, but only one box of Halloween stuff!?  Grrr...

Oh well, an excuse to pick up a few new things!  And I was thinking about pulling off an awesome Halloween under $20!

(not including candy...candy is WICKED EXPENSIVE!!!)

So I stopped by my $1 store and picked up these things.

Nothing too scary...Jack is starting to decide for himself whether something is too spooky or not...most often, it's too spooky.

And I've been wanting to pick up some of these for the past few years...finally got some for my front garden!

HALLOWEEN LIGHTS!!!

Anyways, so far my total is $9.00.  And since I just can't wait...I'm gonna go ahead and put up what I got so far...just for the fun of it.  I'll post pics soon!

Ginger

SSB

Dollar Tree Games!

So I planted this garden right?  Check out all the fun I had last night... 

But today I wanted to share some tips for cheap games and activities I've found for Jack.

All are either from the Dollar Tree (holla for the dolla!) or FREE!

I love the Dollar Tree (see this post).

I picked up these foam dice from there and we have a great time learning about numbers and counting with them!  Plus, their foam so Sam can join in the fun!

I also got these wooden shapes/shoelace sets from there!  Perfect for learning shapes, colors and exercising those fine motor skills.

I

But one of our favorite car games (FREE!!!) is I Spy Shapes...when in the car, we spy all the shapes around us.  Octagon from the stop sign, rectangle from a tall building, square from the street signs, etc.

Jack LOVES it!  Try it out the next time your out and about with the kiddo's!

Post a comment with your dollar activities and car games!

Ginger

SSB

Totally Bugg'n

So my mom bought a cute little bug catching kit from the $1 store for Jack this past weekend...so cute!

Jack is so excited about it!

 Cool, huh?  A great learning tool for nature and science...not to mention a great activity for the backyard.

Only problem is...

I am NOT having him bringing a bunch of bugs in the house (eew) to hang around until they die or something.

Solution?

We went up to the $1 store to pick up some bugs that will never die (or reproduce), lest they get out of their cute little container.

And there are dozens more where this came from...all hidden under the couch probably.

So now Jack can "hunt" thru the house findings all sorts of little critters!!  And I don't have to worry about a bunch of uninvited "guests" taking up residence!

Have any cool $1 store games or crafts??  Post a comment here and let me know what you got!! I'll be featuring a few later this week!!!

Ginger

SSB

I'm linking:

Just Something I Whipped Up at The Girl Creative
Tot Tuesdays at Delicious Ambiguity
Anything Related Tuesdays at All Thingz Related
Creative Flow Tuesdays at These Creative Juices
We Did It Wednesday at Sew Much Ado
Show and Tell Wednesday at Blue Cricket Design
Hoo's Got Talent at Night Owl Crafting
Motivate Me Monday at Keeping It Simple 
What You're Working With Wednesdays at Me and My Bucket