patchwork clipboard

patchwork clipboard

Patchwork clipboards are really easy to make. Of course, they can be made in many different ways but this is my method...they are pretty, simple, totally usable....and very gift-able. I hope seeing a few steps sparks some ideas that you'd like to try.

First, gather the supplies:

• standard (letter-sized) clipboard
• 6x6 paper stack or paper scraps
• decoupage glue
• strong craft glue
• sanding sponge
• old magazine or catalog
• foam brush
• buttons and twine

Cut the paper stack or scraps into several 3x6 and 3x3 pieces. I used a paper stack this time...it's an easy way to work with coordinating papers without much thought.

Arrange the cut papers. Keep the layout as shown but put them together the way you like. Include two small squares for the top of the clipboard.

This is the only hard part of the project. Cut a small strip from one of the squares and place it on top of the clip hardware (the part connected to the clipboard). Use your fingers to press the paper around the clip, lift it up, and cut around the indentations you made (it helps to look at the back of the paper to see the indentations a little better). You should have a piece of paper that fits perfectly. Do the same thing on the other side of the clip.

Now we're ready to glue the pieces to the clipboard. Use an old catalog or magazine...lay a paper piece on the catalog and use the foam brush to apply the decoupage glue to the back of the paper. Place the piece on the clipboard and smooth it with your fingers. With the arrangement I've shown, the pieces will overlap slightly in some places. Flip the page of the catalog and repeat with the rest of the patchwork pieces. Let dry.

The next step is important. Sand the edges of the paper over the entire clipboard. This gives a finished look to the edges and a little life to patchwork pieces. I use a sanding sponge that you can find at any hardware store in the paint supply aisle. I put the clipboard in my lap to do the sanding...paper dust gets all over my clothes and on the kitchen floor. Here's a before and after sanding comparison:

See how much better the sanding makes it?

The next step is to seal the papers so they are durable and ready for everyday use (one of my clipboards fell into a crockpot of chicken soup once and I just had to wipe it clean). I hold the clip open, apply the glue under the right side, and slide a pen under the left side to keep the clip open while the glue dries. Do the same thing for the left side. Put a good coat of glue over the rest of the surface being careful to hit the edges too. Let dry and give the entire clipboard and edges a light sanding.

We're almost done. Adding the buttons is not necessary but it's a nice way to hide the brand name on the clip hardware. I used three vintage buttons and threaded the middle one with a piece of baker's twine. Glue the buttons to the clip with a strong craft glue (I use a version of wackytac).

From: http://janesapron.typepad.com/janes_apron/2009/11/patchwork-clipboard-a-tutorial.html

Dye Your Hair!

Thought this was a really cool idea!!!

Natural Makeup Remover

- Plain, unflavored yogurt is all you need to gently cleanse the makeup from your face. Be sure to wash thoroughly to prevent any kind of bacterial growth from the dairy.
From: http://www.apartmenttherapy.com/4-natural-makeup-removers-you-148131

Hydrating Honey Mask

Hydrating Honey Mask
1/4 cup plain yogurt
1/4 cup honey

Combine yogurt and honey and mix until well blended. Apply to face and leave on for five minutes, then rinse off with lukewarm water. This mask gently moisturizes without being heavy or greasy.

From: http://vivafullhouse.blogspot.com/2011/03/kitchen-skin-care.html

DIY: Crafty Book Binding

The materials used for this little book. Everyone seems to have left-over bits of paper, so rather than toss out, make a book!

Tools used for this project. A paper punch (to create circles), needle, awl, bone folder, bulldog clips, exacto blade, scissors, and a ruler.


Cut and fold paper and cardboard to the size you want the book to be. Burnish the folds with a bone folder.


After scoring the back side of both the front and back covers (about 3/4" from side), clip all pages and covers with bulldog clips. Use some paper to pad the bulldog clips to prevent dents in cardboard.

For a 5"x7" book punch three holes with the awl: one in the centre and one on each end about 1" in.

Using book binding thread or a sturdy cord or ribbon, start stitching. I used a stitch very similar to what I did with wedding albums. It's pretty easy, but you really can come up with many different patterns. Try it out!


Cut out shapes with your scrap paper. We made some simple birds and circles. Glue stick was used to attach cut-outs to cover.

LUSCIOUS AND DELICIOUS LIP SCRUB

LUSCIOUS AND DELICIOUS LIP SCRUB!

Ingredients
1/2 Teaspoon Olive Oil
1 Teaspoon Honey
3 Teaspoon Sugar
Splash of Lemon

Mix all ingredients together in a bowl, then massage onto lips. This works best when you actually scoop up the sugar and rub that part. Feel free to apply the juice of the scrub on your lips and let sit for a couple of minutes! All of the ingredients are super moisturizing for lips, especially the honey!
From: http://www.stumbleupon.com/su/AjMbNW/hudabeauty.com/2012/01/23/vitamin-hb-luscious-lip-scrub/

DIY Interchangeable Sequin Pocket Tank Top

DIY Interchangeable Sequin Pocket Tank Top

{Son of John The Attitude Racer Back Tank, Laugh Cry Repeat by AZFN, Erin Kleinberg}

DIY Eco Hairspray

DIY Eco Hairspray

What you'll need


You can mix it up however you like, use all three {lemons, limes and oranges} together or just mix lemons and oranges. If your hair is on the dry side you might want to only use oranges. If your hair is very dark {either naturally or you color it} you would probably want to avoid the lemon as it could lighten your hair, especially if you will be out in the sun.

Steps

1) Cut into slices.

2) Combine slices in a pot with two cups of water.

3) Boil on low heat until about 1/2 of the liquid is left {about 30 minutes}.

4) Strain and let cool.

5) Pour into spray bottle and store in the fridge. This spray will last about a week, since there are no preservatives.

*Optional add a few drops of a complimenting essential oil. My favorites are vanilla and coconut, both go very nicely with oranges. But you might also try lavender or cinnamon, anything will do that you like.

From: http://www.stumbleupon.com/su/32iYzC/www.ivamessy.com/2010/05/my-hair-care-routine-some-tips-on.html/

Dog Cookie Jar Mix

Layered Dog Cookie Jar Mix

Ingredients:

• 1 cup unbleached or whole wheat flour
• 1 cup of oatmeal, blended into flour
• ½ cup cornmeal
• 2 tsps beef or chicken boullion granules
• 1 tsp garlic powder
• 1 cup skim milk powder
• ½ cup grated parmesan cheese (I used the grated parmesan that is commercially made to sprinkle on pasta)
• ¼ cup (approximately) of flour, or enough to fill a one quart jar

Dog Biscuits:

Directions:

Preheat oven to 250° farenheit.

Empty jar mix into a bowl. Stir together two eggs and 1 cup of hot water and add to mix. Combine with a fork until a stiff dough forms. Add a little flour or water if dough is too sticky or too dry to work.

Roll out dough on floured board to ½ inch thickness. Dip cookie cutters in flour before cutting out each cookie. A bone shaped cutter is preferred, but any shape will do. Re-roll the leftovers and cut as many cookies as possible.

You can place cookies close together on a baking sheet as they will not spread while baking. Bake for about 90 minutes, or until cookies are dry and hard, turning pan around at half time to ensure even cooking. You can turn off the heat, but leave the cookies in the oven to dry out without further cooking if necessary. Dog cookies are usually baked until they are hard and crunchy. Let cool completely before storing in an airtight jar.

Homemade Marshmallow Recipe

Homemade Marshmallow Recipe

Ingredients

• 3 packages unflavored gelatin
• 1 1/2 cups granulated sugar
• 1 cup light corn syrup
• 1/4 teaspoon kosher salt
• 1 tablespoon pure vanilla extract
• Confectioners' sugar, for dusting

Directions

Combine the gelatin and 1/2 cup of cold water in the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with the whisk attachment and allow to sit while you make the syrup.

Meanwhile, combine the sugar, corn syrup, salt, and 1/2 cup water in a small saucepan and cook over medium heat until the sugar dissolves. Raise the heat to high and cook until the syrup reaches 240 degrees on a candy thermometer. Remove from the heat.

With the mixer on low speed, slowly pour the sugar syrup into the dissolved gelatin. Put the mixer on high speed and whip until the mixture is very thick, about 15 minutes. Add the vanilla and mix thoroughly.

With a sieve, generously dust an 8 by 12-inch nonmetal baking dish with confectioners' sugar. Pour the marshmallow mixture into the pan, smooth the top, and dust with more confectioners' sugar. Allow to stand uncovered overnight until it dries out.

Turn the marshmallows onto a board and cut them in squares. Dust them with more confectioners' sugar.
From: http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/ina-garten/homemade-marshmallows-recipe/index.html

Classic Cocoa

Classic Cocoa

Ingredients:
1 cup granulated sugar

1 cup unsweetened cocoa powder

1 cup powdered milk

1/2 teaspoon salt

1/2 cup miniature chocolate chips

1/2 cup miniature marshmallows

Directions:

1. Layer sugar, cocoa powder, powdered milk, salt, chocolate chips, and marshmallows.

2. On the back of the tag, write: "Mix contents in a large bowl. For each serving, place 1/3 cup cocoa mix in a mug and stir in 1 cup boiling water. Store remaining mix in airtight container."

This mix will fill a 1-quart jar (12 servings)

From: http://www.myrecipes.com/recipe/classic-cocoa-10000001011198/

Peppermint Stick Cocoa

Peppermint Stick Cocoa

 Ingredients:
1 cup powdered milk
1 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
1 cup granulated sugar

Click to see savings

1/2 teaspoon salt

Click to see savings

1/2 cup miniature chocolate chips

1/2 cup crushed peppermint candy

Directions:

1. Layer powdered milk, cocoa powder, sugar, salt, chocolate chips, and peppermint candy.

Note:

This mix will fill a 1-quart jar (12 servings), but if your containers are different sizes, just keep the ratio of ingredients constant. On the back of the tag, write: "Mix contents in a large bowl. For each serving, place 1/3 cup cocoa mix in a mug and stir in 1 cup boiling water. Store remaining mix in airtight container."
From: http://www.myrecipes.com/recipe/peppermint-stick-cocoa-10000001011199/

Toffee Blondies

Toffee Blondies

For the jar:

1 cup brown sugar1/2 cup mini chocolate chips
1 cup flour
1 teaspoon baking powder
1/4 teaspoon salt
3/4 cup chopped pecans or walnuts
1/2 cup Heath Chips
1 quart size mason jar

To make the Toffee Blondies:

the contents of the jar
1/4 cup melted butter
2 lightly beaten eggs
1 teaspoon vanilla
Layer the brown sugar, chocolate chips, flour, baking powder, salt, Heath chips, and pecans. I used a 1/4 cup measure to get the contents in jar. Try to level out the ingredients a little better than I did. You want it to look pretty. It is a gift after all.
To make the Toffee Blondies, melt some butter in a bowl. Whisk in the eggs and vanilla.
Pour in the contents of the jar. Even that looks pretty doesn’t it?
Mix it all up.
Pour the batter in an 8x8x2 pan coated with cooking spray. Bake in a preheated 350 degree oven for 25 to 30 minutes or until the blondies are set and start to pull away from the sides of the pan. Cool in the pan and cut into 16 bars.
OMG. Those look pretty delicious.
This is what I used to package the jars. I printed the recipe cards out on white card stock and cut them out using my paper cuter. I tied the card to the jar with bakery wine. That. was. it. Two minutes tops.
Seriously cute huh?

From: http://bakedbree.com/toffee-blondies-week-4-of-12-weeks-of-cookies

Scented Bath Salts

Scented Bath Salts

What You Need

2 cups Epsom salts
1 cup baking soda
Large bowl
Lavender-scented oil
2-x-4-inch scrap of white cotton fabric
Food coloring
Cookie sheet
Apothecary jar
Ribbon
Baby spoon

How to Make It

1. In a large bowl mix 2 cups Epsom salts and 1 cup baking soda. Dab a few drops of lavender-scented oil onto a 2-x-4-inch scrap of white cotton fabric and stir through mixture. Repeat with drops of food coloring. Continue mixing scented oil and food coloring until desired scent and color is achieved. If desired, make two colors of salts to layer in a purchased apothecary jar (available in thrift shops).
2. Spread salts mixture onto a cookie sheet for several hours, stirring several times. Wash and dry the jar. Spoon salts mixture into jar.
3. Tie a baby spoon onto jar with ribbon.
4. To use, dissolve several teaspoons of salts in bathwater
From: http://www.three-peas.com/2009/04/craft-project-thursday_16.html
 

Rooms and Stuff for the Home

Wishing these cute rooms would appear in my house...