Library Book anyone??

I purchased this book from the library for 1 dollar

To make the book look nicer, I took off the plastic dust cover

This one came off without leaving glue or tearing- Nice!

The only evidence left that it was a library book is in the back, with a stamp and a barcode.

Here is the "finished" book. Looks pretty nice

Here is the book, and the plastic cover- which I throw away

Another library book purchased for a buck. Love the Salt Lake County Library System!

Took the plastic cover off this one and it ripped- this is fairly typical.

So I take my handy paper trimmer and cut off the inside flap "info"

I use double sided sticky tape and paste the "info" bar (minus the plastic obviously) back over the tear.

Finished books!

I have bought tons of library books and re-worked them this way. It is AWESOME buying these originally $15.00 books for a buck each. Can't wait to start story times once my daughter is old enough to stop tearing and eating books.








 

Rocking Headbands!!!

If only I had a better camera.... My sister makes these- I can't claim them although I have in the past helped put together color combos- my only claim to fame. She sells these online and in local boutiques in Utah county. Go to her site here (http://www.etsy.com/shop/MyGenavie?ref=top_trail) for much bettter photos and to see all the things to makes by hand.
These headbands were also on the DAILY DISH.... See previous post with title "Fashion for you Olympic Parties" and check out toward the end when they show a couple of these great headbands.
Whenever I wear mine I always get compliments. I also got the comment from someone that they didn't think they could pull it off. Not true! I felt the same way but just play around with one until you like the way it looks, cowboy up with confidence and you will rock these babies!!!

Fashion For Your Olympic Parties

Fashion For Your Olympic Parties

The above is a link to a video segment of the Daily Dish that shows (towards the end) my sister's handmade headbands. Also has my favorite boutique- "Karma". The owner is so nice and friendly and she constantly has new styles and great ideas. She also likes to support local artists, like my sister, so there is a lot of handmade jewelry, belts, purses, and of course- headbands!

Karma Boutique on Main can be "liked" on facebook. They are located in Pleasant Grove Utah. They take orders over the phone and do a flat rate ship to anywhere in the country... not sure about out of the country- you'd have to ask:)

Deja Giraffe!

I make a lot of the burp cloths and blankets so this is not a "new" idea per se but I really like this new combo I used. I made a stack of ten burp cloths for my friend who is expecting a boy. Had to include a little stuffed giraffe of course!

A little update on my technique- I have found that I often use bulky weight yarn and that it works just fine although my crochet hook is a little bent from having to pull hard every so often. This fabric is from JoAnn's and is in their nursery section- it is a flannel. The back is a dark solid brown flannel. The yarn is also from JoAnn's and is the Sensations brand and is called "Beautiful".

I have laundered a burp cloth to see what happens to the yarn when washed and it mainly clumps together a bit more and remains soft. Meaning it launders well.

Harem magnet boards

Why harem? Well this paper reminds me of a screen in some exotic locale. I only have one of these boards done and the second we will finish today. They are going to be going into the 'master bedroom' that I am re-decorating for myself and my hubby. Can't wait to show you finished pictures but you'll have to wait until October. Why? Because I am re-decorating our bedroom for when my hubby comes home from being deployed in the Middle East. Before he left, we saw this gorgeous bed set at Bed, Bath, & Beyond by Echo designs (see here: http://www.echodesign.com/shop/for-home/bedding/?gclid=COOIn4-W1rECFSgbQgodVEkAnw#/http://www.echodesign.com/shop/for-home/bedding/jaipur-comforter-set.html ). It has inspired me to create a new "escape" for us. These magnet boards will be on either side of the bed above our nightstands. My photos do not do it justice but I don't have a fancier camera:(
The frames are ones we had lying around, waiting to be used. They used to be painted dark brown but were originally white. I believe you can find frames like these at a craft store. I painted the frames 'Pastel Jade' by Behr paints that I bought at Home Depot in the sample size. Can you believe the little sample size painted both frames AND I still have some leftover? Awesome! The paper I purchased at JoAnn's. It is called gossip bluebird by pop culture. I used double sided sticky tape to adhere it to the back side of the frames. I bought sheet metal at Home Depot and had my younger brother cut it for me. Then me and my dad used what looked like an ice pick to create holes in the back to drive nails in which holds the metal in place. Lastly, we put the back on with screws I think- by that time I was playing a card game with my mom and not really observing or helping. But I saw my dad make holes in the back board, then holes in the metal with the ice pick and hammer, and then put the screw in. VERY STURDY!!! Oh- we also put large picture hangers on the back- the ones that are a bar with teeth on them.
I had forgotten to bring all of my fancy dancy paper so we were only able to finish one board but the second will be finished today! Yipee!!!
I will post better photos when I get a chance. Summer has been busy for me with my garden and chickens.

Next Project: Sanding and painting two antique sewing table cabinets to use as nightstands!!!