DIY Earring Holder

I have a problem.  There it is.  Step 1 complete.

I have a problem with accessories.  I love them, adore them, want to have them all.  In fact, if I could have a limitless Visa card to Charming Charlie, I would be a world of trouble.

Because of this... addiction (there I said it), I obviously need a way to organize and display my little lovely treasures.  I figured I'd better start with the earrings, which I perpetually lose, tangle or forget about.  And they're just so colorful... why not?! 

This earring holder cost me about $10 in supplies and was surprisingly easy.

Enjoy the project!

Approximate Time: 15 minutes

Materials:
Picture Frame
Ruler
Scissors
Hammer
Nail (smaller than your eyelet hooks see below)
Pencil
Picture Hanging Wire
Picture Hanging Eyelet Hooks

Instructions:

1.  Remove glass, backboard wings (the tabs that hold the picture in), and any other picture hardware.  If you would like to paint your frame a different color, this is the time to do it.  I chose to keep my white.

2.  Measure out the distance between your hooks and mark with your pencil on the inside edge of the frame.  I chose to do four rows - 1 for short earrings and 3 for long earrings.  Becareful to line them up on both sides.  For instance, since I am doing 1 shorter row, I needed to make sure I put my markings in the correct place on the other side... which I didn't the first time.  That's what erasers are for I guess! 


* You can also make your earring holder horizontal. 
* Make sure you measure to the frame. 

3.  Using the hammer and nail, make holes on your markings for the eyelet hooks to be screwed into.  Make sure your holes are not too deep and smaller than your eyelet hooks.  This step is just to make putting the eyelet hooks in easier. 

4.  Screw in all of your eyelet hooks.

5.  Cut your wire the width of the inside of your frame PLUS 1/2 inch.  This will give you enough wire to work with.

6.  String the wire through one eyelet and then the other without securing.  Make any adjustments you need to make sure you have an even tail length on both sides.  Once decided, pull taut, fold tail over eyelet and then twist around wire to secure.  Repeat to secure all of your wires.

*Be careful!  Some of these hanging wires are very sharp.  If you have never worked with this kind of wire before, use gloves or wire tools.

7.  Hang earrings and enjoy!




Inspired By: http://www.realsimple.com/beauty-fashion/shoes-accessories/jewelry/organize-earrings-with-empty-frame-00000000038622/index.html

Patriotic Watermelon

Backstory: In 2010, I wanted to make some patriotic sugar cookies with these great Wilton's cookie cutters.  I failed - tragically.  In 2011, I found another use for them!

Approximate Time: 15 minutes

Materials:
Fresh Watermelon
Cookie Cutters
Knife
Cutting Board
Dish
Parental Supervision

Instructions:

1.  Cut the watermelon into 1/2 inch thick slices. 

2.  Lay the watermelon slice on its side and use the cookie cutter to create shape.

3.  Enjoy your delicious watermelon pieces!

Fourth of July Wreath

Approximate Time: 2 hours

Materials:
12 inch white styrofoam floral wreath
6 sheets of White Felt
6 sheets of Red Felt
4 sheets of Blue Felt
White Felt Stars
Tacky Glue
Wood Skewer (the cooking kind)
Scissors
Ruler
Pencil
Ribbon (if you'd like to hang it by the ribbon... I didn't)
















Instructions:

1. Cut all sheets of felt into 2.5 x 2.5 inch squares.  You will have some felt left over - KEEP IT!  You'll need it.  Just put it to the side for the time being.

2.  Take a blue felt square and wrap it around the flat tip of a wooden skewer.  Add a small drop of Tacky Glue to the tip.  This will help adhere the felt to the wreath. 

3.  Starting in the middle of the wreath, begin inserting felt squares.  Use gentle pressure.  For spacing purposes, I inserted felt a half an inch apart. 

4.  Do you have some gaps?  Cut your leftover felt scraps into squares and insert at your pleasure. 

5.  Using the same spacing method from Step 3, insert red and white felt squares.  My stripes were 2 squares wide to make 11 stripes.  If you would like a fuller look, do your stripes 3 squares wide to make 9 stripes.


6.  Fill in your entire wreath to your heart's content.  Using all of your squares and using scraps, you can pack the wreath to be quite full.

7.  Adhere stars to finish off your patriotic flare!

Hang and Enjoy!


OPTIONAL:

I used Mod Podge (Matte) to seal the back of my wreath to avoid shedding.  You can also adhere felt or fabric. 

If you would like a fuller but less packed look to your wreath, cut your felt squares into 3 x 3 inches.  This will give you a bit more wave.



Inspired by: http://ssbuffat.blogspot.com/2010_06_01_archive.html

Sleeping Baby Door Hanger

 

Approximate Time: 1 hour (includes drying time)

Materials:
Wood Plaque of Your Choice
Paint
Ribbon
Scrapbook Alphabet Letters
Permanent Marker (Fine Tipped)
Mod Podge (Gloss)
Sponge brush
Embellishments
Glue (Tacky or Hot)
Drill

Instructions:

1. Drill holes in plaque to desired size.  I used 1/4 inch ribbon so I used a small drill bit.  **If you don't have an electric drill, you can easily make a hole using a screw or a hammer.

2.  Paint the entire plaque in your desired color.

3.  Wait until the paint is completely dry!!!  This is very important - have patience!

4.  Place letters on board.  I outlined the letters with a fine-tipped black permanent marker to help them pop.  White or paint pens would have worked well too.

5.  Apply a thin layer of Mod Podge using sponge brush on entire plaque.  Not too much, just enough to add a little sheen and keep the letters on.  See detailed look below:











6.  Using Tacky Glue or Hot Glue, attach your embellishments.  String ribbon through holes.

And viola!  You have a delightful sign any mother would appreciate. 




Inspired by: http://www.sayitonthewall.com/gallery2/main.php?g2_itemId=131&g2_imageViewsIndex=1