Prettied Up - Old Spool Style

What happens when you reorganize?  Well, sometimes you end up with things that are still useful, but maybe not in their present state.  Maybe they aren't as pretty or don't fit your current style.  This happened to me when I decided to organize my stash of ribbon.  I used old, wooden spools for many of my ribbons and ended up with the empty cardboard/paper spools.  Throw them away?  Nah, just pretty them up!

To pretty up your spool stash, grab these lovelies and get started...

• cardstock or colored paper
• pencil
• scissors or Martha Stewart paper cutter (that I also used here)
• Mod Podge or similar glue
• foam brush (or flat bristle brush)
• exacto knife
• ink pad (optional)
• sponge dauber (optional)

Measure the width of your spool.  Cut out two circles from the paper for each spool.  You can also trace the spool onto the paper with a pencil and cut the circles out with scissors.

Using a sponge or flat bristle brush, apply the glue liberally and evenly to the back of one circle.  Place this on the side of the spool and gently use your fingers and palm to smooth the circle onto the spool.  Take care not to move the circle as the glue sets up quickly and makes it hard to reposition.  Repeat with the remaining circle and the other side of the spool.

Let the circles dry.  If you prefer, you can use an exacto knife to cut out the hole in the side of the spool.  This is great for hanging the spools of ribbon on a dowel rod.  I found the middle of the spool, poked a hole in it with the knife, and while holding it up to the light, cut out the circle.  It was easy to see and cut this way.  I also used a dowel rod to push in the cut area of the spool center.  I then used my finger to gently soften the edges a little more.

If you like the vintage or aged look, you can use a sponge dauber to apply ink to the edges of the circles.  It doesn't take much to add a little color.  I used a sepia brown ink on mine.  If you don't have a sponge dauber, you can wrap a piece of paper towel around your finger, pat the stamp a little to receive the ink, and then lightly apply the ink to the edges.

And there you go!  I like these much better now.  Stickers with SKU numbers and ribbon widths and lengths just weren't my style!

I think I'm going to purchase a long dowel rod that I can insert between the brackets of the shelf that sits above my chalkboard.  It will free up some counter space and, you guessed it... pretty it up!

 

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Winner, winner... chicken dinner!

Who came up with that saying anyway?  Well, its just funny so I had to use it!

A big thanks to everyone who left comments for the Studio Summer 2011 magazine giveaway!  Mr. Random N. Generator was called in for the occasion and picked.... 

Congratulations Pam!  Your copy of the latest Studios will soon be on its way.  Please email me with your mailing address so that I can get that sent to you speedy quick.  Autographed or not?  Phahahaha!  I hope the magazine inspires you with useful and creative ideas for your space!

Cousin "Mimi" - I have to say you cracked me up.  I counted nine, yes nine uses of "pick me" in just three comments!  I can just see you with your hand waving about!  "Ooh, ooh... pick me!"  Dad and Aunt Helen are asking for copies... maybe one will make it your way soon... hint, hint!

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Pink I think

I like pink.  Enough said.

 

 

 

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Studio Bunting and Chalkboard Re-do

My chalkboard/magnetic board needed a new look.  I made some magnets that I intended to put at the top corners and possibly string ribbons across and down each side.  Nope.  Wasn't working for me.

So, I grabbed a few scrapbooking supplies and went to work.  Unfortunately, I don't have a Silhouette or Cricut so I had to do some of it the old-fashioned way.  I really had fun though with the process.  It was one of those "slow down and enjoy it" kind of projects, not "hurry up, dinner needs to be made" kind of projects!

 

I used three different papers, ink to age the edges of the bunting and letters, vintage seam binding and  buttons, stickers, and pearls.  After I affixed the letters and stickers, I sewed the seam binding to the button and then glued on the buttons.  Voila!

 

 

I also made some little yo-yo and button  magnets.  They are so tiny and cute and will hold up some pretties if I ever decide what I want to add to the chalkboard.  I kind of like it the way it is right now.  Simple.

I need to write some sort of inspiring or profound quote, too.  Do you have any you would like to share?

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I'm goin' old spool!

This is certainly nothing new, but I finally took a few minutes the other day to reorganize some ribbon and trim.  I just wrapped some of them around some old wooden spools I have had for several years. 

They certainly are much prettier this way.  Now, will I actually take them off and use them?!

Mona

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Get it together!

Now that Halloween has come and gone, I'm gearing up for the holidays.  Decorating for Thanksgiving is always a fun time for me, and well Christmas - an all out excuse to decorate every room in the house.  More on that later!  But, I have so many projects in mind that I have to stop and take stock, make lists, and of course... get organized!  So, I wanted to share with you some ways that I stay organized throughout the year.

I love storage boxes of all sorts!  I am fortunate to have a roomy closet in my studio and I have equipped it with lots of great shelves and yes, LOTS of storage boxes!  I love them!  I divided things up in groups like paint, glue, scissors, paper, sewing supplies, etc.  Now I can easily find the supplies the kids and I need for our projects.

I picked up about 15 or so of these boxes at JoAnn's when they were on sale.  They hold mostly sewing supplies and tons of little spools of thread as well as embroidery and serger thread.  I made the labels on the computer and just cut them out and slipped them in the brackets.  Easy to change as my needs change.

These little boxes are great for storing patterns and odds and ends.  I painted the front with chalkboard paint so I can re-label when I need to.  Or, my daughter can play and draw!

I found this little trio of buckets at Hobby Lobby in the gardening section and it stays on my counter to hold brushes, pencils, scissors, and sewing tools that we use frequently.  Fun.

When I work on a project periodically, I like to keep it handy, so a container like this is great.  I can keep my area tidy for other projects and pull it out when I need it without having to search for all the supplies.  I have about four different things going on in this little box!

I use magnetic containers like these to hold paperclips, push pins, rubberbands, and such.  I found these at World Market in the kitchen area.  They are actually spice jars!  And on the other side of the hutch is a handy cork board for notes and swatches.  I just glued 6" square pieces of cork to the hutch.  Super easy!

One of my favorite organizers is this awesome peg board which I purchased at Lowe's. It came with this great silver painted surface and holds yet more scissors (hey, you cannot have too many scissors!), pliers, tape, ribbon, paper towels, needles, and even my small ironing board!  I also keep my sewing machine feet on the peg board in small bags that are labeled.  This keeps me from having to dig around in my sewing machine!

Well, I have no excuses now!  I better get busy and get these projects going.  I 'm excited about the upcoming holidays, crafting, and sharing.  I hope to hear from you!

Mona

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