More DIY Magnet Boards

There are a few thrift stores in my little town, and my SIL and I 

like to go to them each week to see what treasures we can find.

Last week I found some gold trays hiding on a bottom shelf of one of the stores, 

and knew immediately what I could make with them.....more magnet boards!

These trays were gold, so I spray painted the edges a chocolate brown color 

before mod- podging scrapbook paper onto them.  

They turned out so cute!

I think there may have been a few more trays at the store....

and I'm hoping they're still there!  

My girls and I will be making more of these 

for Christmas gifts for their friends this year.

(if I can find more trays!)

Upcycled Soda Box Pencil Cases

I've got a daughter who is a pencil/crayon/marker/pen hoarder.

Seriously. (can't imagine where she gets that from :)

I thought that if I made her a fun case for her pencils, maybe she'll use them.  We shall see.

These cute pencil cases were made using a 12-pack Fanta soda box.  

Turned out adorable!  

And this one was from a 20-can Diet Coke box.

Each of my kids have requested one now, 

so I guess we'd better find some more soda boxes!

These would also make cute back to school teacher gifts!

You can make your own by using THIS TEMPLATE.

If you don't want to use soda boxes, 

you could also upcycle some cereal boxes, like THESE.

**a little tip** the pencils that I bought were too long for my cases.  

This could be solved simply by lengthening the box as you assemble it, 

or just sharpen your pencils before putting in your case.

DIY Magnetic Memo Board

As I was preparing to go to Girls Camp a few weeks ago, 

I was on the lookout for fun 'Secret Sister' gift ideas.

I came across THIS TUTORIAL for DIY Magnetic Memo Boards using 

Dollar Store metal burner covers, and knew I'd found what I was looking for!

I forgot to get pictures of all of them, so here's 2 of the 4 that I made:

I absolutely {LOVE} these!  Not only were they super easy to make, 

but they turned out adorable!  

Wouldn't they make fun birthday/Christmas/Mother's Day/Just Because gifts?  

We'll definitely be making more!

Hot Cocoa Cups in a Cute Little Carrier

There's nothing better than a hot cup of cocoa during the winter...especially when it's freezing cold outside!!  I needed a quick gift idea for my kids' teachers, and when I saw THIS TUTORIAL from The Little Blue Room, my search was over!!

I filled each cup with 2 packets of hot cocoa, and some Candy Cane Hershey's Kisses {my favorite!}

I had to make up my own pattern for part of the carrier since I don't own a scallop envelope die cut.  Here's what I did:

1. Cut two pieces of cardstock to 4.5" x 6".
2. Score at 1/2" & 4"
3. Turn cardstock and score at 1 1/4" & 4 1/2"
4. Fold along score lines, trim corners off, and adhere to carrier as the tutorial directs.

I loved these so much, that I ended up making enough to give to some of my friends, and some ladies that I visit each month as well.  Hopefully I'll be able to get them delivered tonight!

What gifts are you making for your kids' teachers, and for friends and neighbors this year?  Leave me a link to your posts in the comments section...I'd LOVE to take a look! 

Pull-Tab Treat Can Tutorial

Last week I had the opportunity to guest post at Meremade.  In case you missed it, here's the tutorial I shared...

Finding ways to recycle 'trash' has become a hobby of mine.  I love taking something that would otherwise be thrown away, and turning it into something useful and {cute}!  Today I'm going to show you how to make a Pull-Tab Treat Can... 

 
These Pull-Tab Treat Cans would make a fun addition to your kids' lunch boxes, or even a great gift for a teacher or friend!

Let's get started, shall we?!  Here's what you'll need:

*1- Fruit Can with a pull tab on top (I used an 8.75 oz. can of peaches)
*1- Safety Can Opener
*1- 3.75"x8.75" piece of scrapbook paper
*ribbon & other embellishments
*hot glue gun
*scrapbook adhesive
*candy

First, using your safety can opener, open your can from the BOTTOM.  Empty the fruit out of the can and wash both the can and the bottom lid well.  Dry thoroughly.

Adhere the 3.75"x8.75" piece of scrapbook paper around the can, and decorate as desired.

Fill the can with candy, leaving a 1/4" to 1/2" head space.

Put some hot glue on the edge of the bottom lid and quickly place back on the can. 

And there you have it...easy peasy!!

You can get really creative and use other items besides candy to go inside the cans as well.  How about putting a few bracelets and maybe some earrings inside?  Or what about some small toys?  The sky's the limit!!

A Birthday Treat

My neighbor had a birthday recently, and I wanted to give her a fun gift.  She loves chocolate almost as much as I do {wink}, so I finally settled on making her this:

A standard size Hershey's bar fits perfectly inside...YUM!

I used THIS TUTORIAL as a guide for the box, but changed the dimensions to these:

**Cut a piece of cardstock to 6.5" x 6.5".
**Score at 1/2" and 6" on one side, then turn cardstock and score at 1", 1.5", 4", and 4.5".
**Cut the box and put together as laid out in the tutorial I linked to above.

These boxes go together really quick, and dress up chocolate in a big way! 

Soda Can Coasters

I've got bags and bags full of empty soda cans, so as soon as I saw THIS TUTORIAL from The Idea Room, I just had to give it a try!

This first set was made using energy drink cans.  My husband thinks they're pretty cool!

And then I had to try some soda cans.  Blogger doesn't want to load this picture the right way, but you get the idea.

These would make a perfect gift for Father's Day....or birthdays....or Christmas!  I'll definitely be making more! 

Easter Matchbook Treat Idea

Hopefully you aren't growing tired of my Matchbook treats!  When I find an idea that I LOVE, I end up using it A LOT!! 

My 8-year-old daughter helped me make these.  She loves using the stapler to attach the treats!

We used THESE FREE PRINTABLES from Catch My Party.   They were the perfect size for the front of our matchbooks.




I'm linking to these fabulous parties:

Wow Me Wednesday @Polka Dots On Parade

Candy Wrapper Button Earrings

We've been saving our candy wrappers to make more bracelets like THESE.  As I was sorting our collection, I was thinking about how I could make matching earrings.  And then the idea came.  I wasn't sure if it would work, or if they would even be cute, but I must say that I LOVE the result!

Cute, right?  I used a 5/8" covered button kit for these...

and these...

And a 7/16" covered button kit for these...

Here they are together so you can see the difference in size.

Did I mention how much I love these?  I don't know what it is about recycling, but I love taking 'trash' and turning it into cute, wearable items.  What do you think?

FYI:  For some reason, the 7/16" size was harder to make than the bigger size.  I ended up having to hot glue the bottom on because it wouldn't stay otherwise.  Also, to protect the wrappers, I brushed each earring with a few coats of Mod Podge. 

**Edited to Add:  A great tutorial for making covered button earrings can be found HERE**



I'm linking at these fabulous parties:

It's Stinkin' Cute Craft Thursday @It's Sew Stinkin' Cute
Tuesday Tell All @My Craftie Life
Get Your Brag On @Gluesticks
Fantabulous Friday Link Up @Momma's Kinda Crafty
I'm Crafty Party @So You Think You're Crafty
Take A Look Tuesday @Sugar Bee Crafts
Ten Buck Tuesday @Young Nester

I'm a little OBSESSED with these...

Yes...I'm admitting it.  These cuties have become my latest obsession!  My 2 older girls were horrified when I saw some cans lying by the side of the road and stopped to pick them up.  I guess it won't be the last time they are embarrassed by their mother!

Here's a few samples of the latest earrings I've been making.

Have a great Thursday!!

Candy Wrapper Bracelets

We've been on quite the 'repurposing' kick lately!!  Our latest project has been making Candy Wrapper Bracelets.

I remember making these bracelets all the time when I was a kid, so it's been fun for me to teach my own kids how to make them! 

If you want to make your own, check out THIS TUTORIAL from Cut Out + Keep!

Juice Carton Wallets

I'm sure you've all seen these cute juice carton wallets.  I {heart} them!  I found two different tutorials for making them and decided to give both a try.

The bigger one was made using THIS TUTORIAL from Family Fun.

And THIS TUTORIAL from Connect the Dots Crafts was used for the smaller one.

My kids were unanimous in their decision....they all like the smaller wallet the best.  I was glad to hear that, because the smaller one was a lot easier for me to make!!

Start saving those juice/milk cartons so you can give these a try and let me know what you think!