Cool Ideas: Pix Stick

Do you have problems hanging your pictures where you want them? Do your wall groupings look like they were hung by a blind man? Do your walls look like this?

(Kay, I'm sounding like an infomercial now! lol!) I had this same problem forever and I hated it! There is nothing more upsetting than trying to hang pictures up on a wall and having them look crooked and ill spaced!!

Here's a really simple solution that I've been using for several years now. I call it my "Pix Stick".

All you need is a paint stick and a screw  or nail (like my artwork?).

 Now I know you're wondering "How the heck is a paint stick and a screw gonna help me hang my pictures?" When you find out, you'll be thinking "Brilliant!".

As you can see, there's a screw "screwed" into one end of the stick.

You'll want as short a screw or nail as you can get and insert it about half way into the stick. Instead of putting the screw in so far down like mine (my stick split at the top cuz someone stepped on it so I had to lower the screw), you might wanna screw it in closer to the edge but not too close cuz the stick might split or break. I'd say screw it in about an inch from the end of the stick.

K, here's the back of a picture frame. Locate the picture "hanger". 

Another common hanger is a sawtooth hanger. (not all hangers look the same but the pix stick will work with all types of hangers)

Place the picture frame hanger over the head of the screw like you're hanging it.

It should look like this.

Pic 1                                                     Pic 2

While firmly holding the handle of the stick, put the picture against the wall. As you can see, you can either hold from the bottom (pic 1) or from the side (pic 2). Yes, I had a hard time holding the stick and taking pictures at the same time so I had my baby help me. See his chubby arms!

The "flatness" of the paint stick is ideal for getting the frame against the wall as close as possible to the way it would really look as if it were hanging on the wall itself.
 

Place your picture (on the stick) against the wall where you would like it to hang until you are satisfied with the placement. Press lightly but firmly against the frame (over the screw) to make a little mark on the wall. If you are hanging more than one picture, while the 2nd picture is on the stick against the wall, pay attention to placement by looking at 2 things. 1, you're going to see if pictures are horizontally level and 2, you're going to see if pictures are equally spaced.

Here I am pressing firmly against the frame at about the area of the screw to make a small mark on the wall.

The mark made by the screw is exactly where you will be putting your nail in the wall to hang your picture.

Your frame should hang nicely in the exact spot you "chose".

Here's a peek at some of the groupings in my home.

my kitchen entryway

My foyer

My livingroom

downstairs hall

my room

The loft

 

Soon, you will have all your plaques, clocks, picture frames and wall decor hanging so perfectly on the wall that they'll look like they got hung by a professional! The pix stick will be a wonderful, handy addition to your arsenal. It is one of the most utilized tool in my own arsenal. I really don't know what I would do without it! (I'd probably have way more holes in my walls than I'd like)

Happy Hanging!

Brandi-Lee

Cool Ideas (Picture display)

Do you have pictures that you want to display but don't have the amount of frames or wall space to display it?

Well here's a solution for ya!

I am a photographer and I also make announcements and invitations so naturally, I have a ton (not kidding!) of photos and invitations that I want to display. I have a workspace/office that is tiny (we've incoporated the "office" into a nook in our loft) so there is not much space (or wall for that matter!) to display my stuff. I needed something that would utilize the little space I had and maximize its usage. And of course, I wanted it to be Beautiful!

Here's my solution. . .

a "clothesline" of pictures! Not only was this a very inexpensive solution,

 it was also very easy to make!

Here's how I did it!

Materials:

 On-hand Materials: glue gun and paint brush

Steps:

1.  Paint clothespins a color of your choice. Separate the wooden parts from the metal part of the pin and paint just the wooden parts. Put the pin back together when the paint dries. (I got my clothespins from the dollar tree. I think there were 100 or 150 of them for $1.

I got my paint from Michaels for .50 when it was on sale.

They are normally .75-$1 at Michaels or .98 from Walmart.You could also glue decorative paper to the front of the pins, but that's another post!

2. Prepare "flower tacks by: putting a dab of hot glue on the head of the pushpin and attaching the pushpin (with firm pressure) to the underside of the flower. (you may also use thumbtacks. I used pushpins because

it's what I had at home) The hot glue should harden in no time at all.

3. Think about how you want your display to look and where you will be displaying it. Keep these things in mind: How many things do I want to display? How much room do I have?

How much materials do I have? Remember, you can "stack"

more than one clothesline (like I did).

Here are some ways you can choose to display. . .or you can

come up with your own!

4.  When you've chosen the style and area of display, you can begin putting it up. Simply push a pushpin into one end of the ribbon (do not cut the ribbon yet!) and drape. This is your pattern (pin, drape, pin, drape, pin). Remember not to drape too much, the clothespins and pictures may weigh it down a little causing it to sag lower. Clip some of the clothespins on to see how low it will sag. The beauty of the pushpin idea is that if you make a mistake in placement, all you have to do is pull the tack out, reposition and push it back into the wall.  

5. You may want to rotate the flower so that it will "point" downward.

6. Now all you have to do is pin your photos up. Easy, peasy and beautiful!

This idea would work well in any room. If I were to do a boys room, I would paint the clothespins blue or camoflaged and glue "boy things" to the pushpins (depending on the decor, for example if the decor were cars and trucks, I would glue a toy car/truck to the pushpin. Use your imagination when decorating and have fun! 

How much did it take for me to make my photo/art display?

Ribbon (on-hand)=FREE

Flowers (on-hand)=FREE

Clothespins (on-hand)=FREE

Pushpins/thumbtacks (on-hand)=FREE

Ribbon Photo/Art Display=FREE

How much would it take for you to make a photo/art display

if you didn't have all the materials on-hand?

Ribbon (10 yards)=.50-$1 each @ Michaels/Walmart

Flowers (1 bunch)=$1 @ Dollar Tree

Clothespins=$1 @ Dollar Tree

Pushpins/thumbtacks=$1 @ Dollar Tree

Ribbon Photo/Art Display=$3.50+

(depending on the amount of ribbon you may need,

the minimum you would need to pay would be $3.50)

Brandi-Lee

Fabric Wall Hanging

 For a while I wanted "gratitude" up in my house somewhere.

I thought about vinyl but didn't want to pay for it
(u know me:)

It was before I figured out how to make faux vinyl.

(click here to learn how to make faux vinyl)

I decided that the next best option would be to make a wall hanging.

I didn't have any spare wood on hand to make one.

So, the idea just sat around in my head. 

(Remember reading about the power of patience?

If not click this link to read more).

Then one day as we were driving to the community pool we passed a house with a ton of trash sitting out on the curb.  I didn't want to stop.  My hubby said that it looked like there might be some good stuff (I didn't see anything...because I didn't look in it...duh).  I got out and took a look.  I actually did find a ton of good stuff.  I think the best find was this frame. 

It is pretty big.  It still had its glass in it.  The picture wasn't great but I know I good find when I see it. 
We loaded up the stuff into the back of our van and went swimming.

About a week later I finally figured out what to do with it.  I wanted to paint "gratitude" on the glass (like I did in my hand painted mirror project...click this link to check it out).  So I got started.  I took out the picture, cleaned the glass, and painted the frame.  The frame was dry and I was putting the glass back in when it broke...I wanted to cry...I almost did.

I had my heart set on finishing my project.  I had to walk away so that I wouldn't get angry.

I sat on my bed thinking of how I could still make it work.  Then it came to me...use fabric...paint on the fabric.  I had fabric!  I had the perfect color.

I knew that if I painted on the glass I could just wipe away my mistakes. 

Painting on fabric is totally different.  One mistake and it's done.

I decided to use a stencil.

Here is how I did it...

Supplies:

• frame (with backing-or make one out of cardboard)
• paint (for frame/lettering)
• paint brush (I prefer foam brushes for stenciling)
• fabric
• box cutter/exacto knife
• Packing tape or hot glue gun (with glue:)

1.  Prep frame (paint if needed)

2.  Place the fabric into the frame from the back.

3.  Place the frame backing into the frame.

4.  Pull the fabric along the edges pulling the fabric taut/tight.

5.  Tape the fabric in place to the frame backing/backboard

(make sure the fabric is taut/tight).
I used good old clear packing tape ($1 at Walmart).
It is what I had on hand.

6.  Secure the frame backing/backboard into the frame

(double check to see if the fabric is taut/tight)

Did I say that enough?..ok...I think you got the message:)

7.  Find a font and saying you like. 

Use your computer to enlarge the letters to the size you want.

For large projects it will run onto multiple pages.

8. Cut out the lettering with a box cutter/exacto knife/etc. to create the stencil.

Remember...not to totally cut out the center pieces. 

Leave it connected with a little bridge.  This gap can get painted in when you are done.

9.  Tape pages together(if necessary) and tape the stencil to the fabric.

10.  Paint the lettering using an up and down "blotting" stroke.

You don't want to use sweeping strokes as that will force the paint under your stencil.

Go slow.  Take your time.  Hold each letter down as you paint.

11.  Remove the stencil.  Fill in any gaps.

Tada!

my cost = FREE

(I had or found everything I needed)

mileka:)

Helpful Hint: Why go to garage sales?

Why go to garage sales?

They have awesome deals!

Example:

Found these at Goodwill.  Cost?  $3.00 (ok, we've noticed that our local Goodwill prices are starting to climb...not too happy about that).  I started laughing because I found the exact same thing at a garage sale near my home for $1 for the pair (2 weeks prior).  I bought them...but haven't done anything with it...yet.

Did I get a good deal?

You bet ya!

Paid $1 instead of $3.

Happy garage sale-ing!

mileka:)

Awesome Find: Faux Vinyl Wall Stickers

Wall Stickers

(Found it at the Dollar Store) whoop! whoop!

cost = $1

They have lots of different designs. 

Here are some of the ones that I bought...

This was one of my favorite...



Do you remember the faux vinyl project that I did?

(click this link to see the how to)

 I added a wall sticker to it...oooo...so pretty.

I also moved a hutch that I had in the kitchen into the room to help take up some wall space.

I got this hutch on the side of the road...marked free. 

 I spray painted it with black spray paint. 

It took about 2 cans.

Total for this grouping $5

faux vinyl $2

wall sticker $1

Hutch - FREE

spray paint $2

Grand Total = $5

stay tuned to see what happens to the hutch:)

"stick" around...lol

mileka:)

Awesome Finds: Wooden Board Project

So, I bet you're all wondering what I did with all those wonderful wooden boards (from my awesome finds post) that I rescued from certain death. Well wonder no longer 'cuz imma gonna tell ya!

What used to look like this. . . 

Now looks like this. . . . .

 (I still have 2 boards left that I'm going to use for my own house)

I made these gifts for my mother and father-in-law, my sister-in-law, and my sister to give to them when I visited Hawaii. PS I am posting this from Hawaii! Hi Ena!

Not bad huh? Was I lying to ya'll when I said that I literally find trash and turn it into treasure? And this, my friends, is not an isolated incident. I've done this over and over and over so many times that I could write a book on it. Why do I say this? Because I want ya'll to know that anyone, YES, ANYONE! can find stuff ANYWHERE and turn it into something Beautiful! 

How, you ask?

1. Change your mindset. (find out more about how to change your mindset here) You have to believe that YOU too can produce similar results. You need to believe that even you have the ability to make things beautiful (just say "Yes, I can!). When you've allowed yourself to accept these things, you can then move on to #2.


2. Open your eyes. You cannot expect for things to magically appear on your doorstep. You need to keep your eyes peeled no matter where you may be. You may be driving down the road and see something out for free or in the trash, or you may be shopping and see something for an "as free as can be" price. No matter how you do it, remember that there is more than 1 way to acquire what you want or need. (find out more about how to get "stuff")



3. What you see is not always what you get. Train yourself to look at things differently. Do not let appearances deceive you! What may be hideous to the untrained eye is beautiful to someone that sees the hidden potential. People will always throw out their "trash" but always remember that "One man's trash is another man's treasure".


4. Do it! Projects do not complete themselves. This may be the most important thing of all to remember.The reason I say this is because you may have all your "stuff" ready to go, but if you don't physically get up and do something with them (because you "don't know how" or "you can't make things beautiful" or "yada, yada, yada and every other lame excuse you can come up with") it'll lay there and collect dust and you will be where you were the day you brought them home.


I hope you will take these things to heart and finally decide that you are gonna decorate and 'aint no one gonna stop ya!. The only one that can stop you is YOU!


Good Luck--Brandi-Lee

Cool Ideas (Vacation Keepsake Displays)

My children and I love keeping things that we've acquired from places we've visited and vacations we've taken. These special mementos usually ended up in our "special keeps" box (a plastic tote that gets rummaged through only once every year on our "memory day").

The thing that bothered me so much about chucking stuff in the keeps box is that we couldn't enjoy the mementos and  pictures more often.

Sure we could've brought them out to look at more than just once a year but going through a pile of ticket stubs, postcards, foliage (that's right, foliage) and reciepts doesn't really sound appealing, does it? Actually it kinda sounds like tax time! Groaaaan! Not to mention all

the pictures that were put on my hard drive stayed there . . . .doing nothing. . . .but sitting. . . .

THE MADNESS HAD TO STOP!!

Sorry, I got a little carried away there. Anyways, I had come up with a solution for those really special vacations that had lots of mementos and pictures.

I framed them!

Sorry bout the hideous pictures, no matter what, the "glass"

in the frame would reflect light from every which way so I had to improvise.

As you can see we kept our theme park maps, ticket envelopes, tickets, stroller tag, postcards, brochures, card keys, foliage gathered, wristbands, etc. We used whatever we kept to help us remember the wonderful time we had on that particular vacation. 

These frames are poster frames that I would buy whenever I saw some at a garage sale. I paid .25 for the 22x28 frame

and $3 for the 24x36 frame at two separate garage sales.

 I've found that these frames were the best for framing mementos because

1. There's no glass, just a thin, plastic covering so it's lighter (all the mementos tend to get a little heavy especially as the frames get larger)  

2. They are easier to hang because they come with "clips" that hold backing in place  

3. They are also able to accept not so flat items or bulky items (if you look really closely, I have an acorn in one of the frames) because of the clip backing 

4. You can find large poster frames for much less than what you would pay for regular frames of the same size. 

5. You can find these frames quite easily at almost any garage sale

When you have your frame and all your stuff,  take the frame off and just start placing the items on the "frame backing" according to how you want it to look. (make sure you are doing all this on a flat surface) I filled the entire area so that there was no background showing through. I used the maps and brochures in the background to cover more area. Put the frame over the backing to see what gets cut off by the frame (there will always be just a little cut off on the borders, this will help with placement. When you are sure you absolutely LOVE the placement, tack each and every one of the mementos down to the backing (either with double sided tape or fold pieces of tape on itself to make it double sided) This will ensure all the stuff won't fall down to the bottom of the frame when you hang it. Replace the frame and Hang!

These frames hang in our loft and the children love stopping to look at them to remember the good times we had on our vacations.

Another way I think is really cool to display keepsakes from a trip is to make Trip Jars.

These are very inexpensive because they can be extra glass food jars that you have laying around. These are pickle jars. Wide mouth jars are the best for this particular project. I also love the look of mason/canning jars.

All you need to make these is 1. the jar, and 2. the keepsakes.

I usually take the label off by scraping it with a razor blade (you know those razor blade scrapers). These are very effective tools to take all the paper and the glue off the glass. (Be very careful if using the razor blade method)

A lot of the time, the lids will also have labeling on it. All I do is 1. remove the lids and 2. give it a light coat of spray paint. Usually one coat will do!

There are several ways to label your glass. There's vinyl, sticky labels (file folder/return address labels), homemade tags, glass etching, etc. My favorite method is vinyl. I like to put, 1. where we went on that trip and 2. what year it was. You can put whatever it is that you want to put on it, it's all up to you.

There are soooo many ways to display keepsakes and mementos, this is just 2 of them! I hope you will go through those boxes and drawers of "stuff" that you're keeping and put it to use! (or you can just face the facts that you are a packrat and love holding on to stuff that you will never, ever be able to enjoy only to have rodents eat them forcing you to eventually throw them out and then feeling sad that you never actually did anything with them when you had the chance!) <---- This could be you! Don't let it happen, you're better than that!

Brandi-Lee

Faux Tin Star (cardboard)

Faux Tin Stars

I totally love tin stars.  I've always wanted them...but as usual...I don't want to pay for them.

So...of course I figured out how to do it for free (using what I already had).

They are made from...cardboard.  One of my all time favorite supplies.

cost = FREE
(already had everything I needed)

Supplies Needed:

• cardboard
• pencil
• ruler
• box cutter/exacto/etc.
• tape
• newspaper
• school glue/mod podge
• paint (spray paint or acrylic)
• sand paper

 1. Find a pattern of a star that you like.  print it out (or just draw one).  I found this one on yahoo images.  There are lots of different types and styles.  I like the chunky ones.
Cut it out and tape it down.

2.  Find the center of your star and draw lines out BEYOND each point (if you want to enlarge your pattern like I did.  I did a 2:1 ratio.  The long points are double the size of the shorter points (I measured the long lines at 8 inches beyond my pattern and the short lines 4 inches beyond my pattern).

3.  poke a hole through the center of the star.

 4.  remove the star.

5. connect the lines through the center hole.

6.  connect the outside points.

7. Cut out the star. 
Score each long line of each star. 
Turn the star over. 
Redraw the lines and from the score all the short lines (on the under side).

8.  Bend the star so that the long lines are raised and the short lines are indented to create a 3D effect.

9. "Scrunch" your star so that it is the height that you want it and trace it onto another cardboard.

(p.s...the hairy arm is not mine...lol...guess who:)

Note: depending on the size and shape of your star you may need to trim the points at the short lines to get it to lay flat.

How to trim:  locate short line point measure in (1/2 to 1 inch in).  From that point, draw a line to the long line point.  Cut the trim line.  Repeat this process all the way around the star.  

This will help your star to lay flat.

10.  Cut out the 2nd star (it is the backboard) and will be smaller than star#1.

11.  Tape each long line (outside points) of star #1 to star #2.

12.  Also tape each short line (inside points).

it should look like this.  See how it's raised....ooo.

13.  Paper mache/mod podge one layer newspaper onto the front of the star
(the paint will take to the newspaper better than the cardboard...and it will help to hide your tape). 
I use white school glue watered down with a little water to thin it out to do this.

14.  Let it dry and then paint it black.  I spray painted these.  You could also use acrylic paint.

15.  After it was dry, I sanded each raised edge (the long lines) and around the outside edges.

Tada

They have texture and character. 

I really like the way that they turned out.

I made a bunch of different sizes for variety.

If you want to hang them all you have to do is make a hole in the back star (star #2) and hang it on a picture hook, screw, nail, or push pin...whatever you fancy.

mileka:)