upcycled scrabble tiles–>magnets (DIY)

Last year when I joined Pintrest, it seemed like everyone (including myself) was “pinning” these scrabble title coasters–a brilliant idea, I thought! However, these little tiles haven’t exactly been the easiest to find (people toss them out because of the tiles are missing anyway). This minor complication (in my journey to gifting some coasters for friends) and the convenient clutter/shocking lack of creativity on my fridge culminated in the creation of,  scrabble-title-magnets! They’re great because, magnetic poetry kits are occasionally void of some, ‘perfect word’, for inspired prose of the moment!
After, watching Midnight In Paris (AND loving it!), the “perfect” word I was searching for was, ‘pedantic‘ (It is exactly why I hesitant to pursue academia, I didn’t want to become pedantic, you know?). I have an old magnetic poetry set that didn’t have that word so it inspired me to upcycle scrabble tiles I found into magnets.
Now for the DIY info:
Gather: scrabble tiles (flea markets, garage sales, thrift stores, estate sales..etc),
E-600 or Liquid Nails,  moderate-strength magnets, and heavy item to weigh down on the magnet to insure it has adhered.

Simply glue tiles to the magnets, keep together for 10 minutes and then, enjoy!
I know I’ll eventually cave and get Emmy plastic-letter-magnets, but for now, I’ll stick to these. I think they are a playful addition to our fridge!

P.S. here is the inspiration:

photo credit: intimateweddings.com

cute, aren’t they? maybe when I get enough tiles I can make them, or trivets or even a wall display, a welcome sign, thumb tacks for a memo board –so many ideas flooding my mind! Happy Wednesday!

upcycled branches & repurposed knobs

I found these knobs a while back, when I was out thrifting, they remind me of the pretty ones at Anthro. So, remember the photo tree when I said I’ve been collecting fallen limbs and branches on my runs and have been working on some projects? Well, I used some of the limbs to make this necklace holder as a birthday present for Megan last December:

I finished it just moments before her party began so just snapped a quick photo...

This is Meg--she helped me take pics for a Father's day gift for Daniel when Em was just 4 months old! such sweet memories...

 Meg’s a really sweet girl and shares my love for brown paper packages (tied up with string!) so I figured she might also share my love for ‘bringing the outdoors inside’!

A couple of months ago, I went on a walk with Breezy and she pointed out what cedar wood looked like so I kept an eye for them--it turns out they smell nice when burnt and you can't purchase them so most people don't throw them out, but a kind old fella gave me a small limb (he wanted to burn the rest of his branches over the holidays). Anyway, I called around trying to borrow a chain saw when, Cody of Total Tree Skill Force in Norman, just offered to just slice it up for me-- Thanks, Cody Slimp*!

Isn’t cedar wood just beautiful? I love that the heartwood is distinctly different from its surrounding sapwood (all new terms, I picked up from putting this project together, again, thanks Miller carpentry–I feel like I’m learning so much on these little adventures of mine).

Inspiration: Esther has a super sleek and mod necklace holder made out of knobs that was the inspiration for this project. Check hers out here. It’s genius because it holds longer necklaces! I upcycled tree slices instead of purchasing unfinished wood from the craft store–but, I did check and you can even purchase tree slices so you don’t have to go foraging for them if you haven’t got the time!
–DIY info:

After you’ve got your wood, you can just drill holes using a drill bit similar in size to the knobs and screw them in. I actually had fun making these and went out and got a couple more knobs and made one for Sarah (who is in Beirut and I miss terribly!). Anyway, I think these tree limbs are just natural and timeless in their own whimsical way…Other knob ideas:
If you use drawer handles you could hang earrings on them (I’ve seen some pretty cool vintage handles out there, wish I had thought of the idea while making these!).
or
you could use, wooden knobs—I found some that are just  $0.50 cents at the Habitat for Humanity Re-store and I think it’d be fun to doodle a design on them or paint them…

I think earrings can also hang from the "floral" knob...and you don't have to use ribbon, you can use the hooks on the back, too!

See, fallen branches and limbs aren’t that bad, right? I am definitely an advocate of upcycling them and displaying their natural elegance…

* I told Total Tree Skill Force (Cody Slimp) that I’d help promote his business: So…if you need, “stump grinding, trimming, removal jobs big or small,” give them a call, they give “free estimates and are fully insured and bonded for your protection” — 405-799-8884

‘Tis the Season…

Each day has literally been chalked full of adventures! So much so, this is my first official Christmas post!
Well…we kicked off the holiday season with “Rudolph-style” crepes:

Rudolph was a spontaneous creation--the raspberries just made the perfect red nose!

Emmy even got to have crepes with us this time around!

Then we decorated for Christmas–this year we went with live garlands (Douglas fir and cedar, it was the one on sale and didn’t shed!):

Daniel took a pic of me trying to unwind the garland...crazy, but it smelled wonderful!

Perhaps my favorite thing is puling out the pepper-berry garlands that we used in our wedding and hanging the snowflakes we made our first Christmas…
A few years ago, I made these 3-D snowflakes with left over card stock from our wedding invites and have kept them since.

oh the memories-- these were actually the originals we made together while living in our cozy duplex. And yes, they keep, just stick them in a box!

I was inspired by some I saw at the library/Anthro window. Anyway, here is a tutorial if you’re interested in making some for your home. The individual pieces that make up the snowflakes are perfect little ornaments as well!

Lastly, the little candles you see are actually upcycled baby food jars:

yes, we do make our own baby food, but these were a courtesy of the Lebeaus (thanks!!)

I first had the idea a few weeks back when I washed all the jars up and they were just sitting on my counter top:

Then, I threw a few pebbles in the bottom, added tea lights…
For the finishing touch, i simply wrapped raffia and twine around the lip and viola, candle holders! simple, right?

P.S. Many moms just toss their baby food jars out, so just ask for them and they may give you some to upcycle!

So there you have it, we are thrilled for the season to be here!
Cheers to a, handmade holiday!