DIY { map covered clipboard }

 

I got several maps for $2/each at Farm Chicks this past summer.

And I have a serious stash of clipboards going on.  I buy every one I see at thrift stores and have no purpose for them and bring them home and layer them leaning against the wall on my desk.  Then I slowly find projects for them.  I made a chalkboard out of one this summer.  And eventually I’d like to have a wall of ‘em, like this one.

With this one, I decided to combine my map love and my clipboard love.

I simply traced an outline of the clipboard onto the map with pencil and cut it out.

Then I had to cut out a hole in the top end for the clip bracket.  This was tricky.  I have no magic advice for you.  I used a scratch piece of paper and practiced fitting, tracing, and holding it in place and slicing with an exacto knife.  Then when I kind of had it figured out, I did it with the map paper.

Then I worked in small sections (rows) and Mod Podged the map onto the clipboard from top to bottom. 

Then I used sand paper to sand the edges; this just makes it look softer and hides any cutting mistakes you made.

When the Mod Podge had dried (I’ve learned letting the adhering coat dry before applying the topcoat is the trick to avoiding bubbles and wrinkles) I added another coat over the top to protect the map.

That’s it!

    

It now hangs above my desk, next to some clipboard cousins...

Pretty easy.  I think it’s really cute.  Plus, I’ve even used it – so it’s totally functional!  HA!

Hope you have a good weekend!  Godbless!

goings on

 

That is a misleading post title; it makes it sound like there is actually something going on up in here.  When in reality there is not.  Well, except some of this…

And a little of this…

The fires have started blazing around here, which makes the house so cozy and makes winter more worthwhile.  And while waiting for Stanley Steamer to arrive to clean my carpets, I came up with a revolutionary new furniture arrangement, and now I feel the need to have a party.

I started refurbishing a dresser yesterday.  I hope to finish it today, between thrift store trips for Halloween costume pieces.   If you follow me on Pinterest you may have seen the inspiration pin of the dresser project earlier this week.

I feel like we are wrapping up the busy leftovers of the summer season and moving into the slow, relaxing winter, but something tells me it will never slow down!

Mark has his last soccer game tomorrow.  I did his picture last week, and Susie wanted one too…

    

The white balance is totally off in her picture.  Hopefully she doesn’t notice.

Out little dwarf apple tree gave us ONE apple that the deer didn’t massacre.  Kinda sad.  It came late and was like a farewell to the summer harvest…

Anyway, that’s all I got today.  Random tidbits.  I’m going to get a post ready for tomorrow of a neat little project I did last week, so check back. 

Godbless!

DIY { fabric jar candle }

 

I finally made good on this pin from a long time ago…

Except I used fabric scraps instead of magazine clippings. 

I just cut the triangles of three fabrics, and put a layer of mod podge on the jar a little at a time, sticking the fabric to each section before it dried.  Then tied some lace trim around it.  Easy.

I like it.  It looks pretty lit.

Mind blowing stuff I am sharing here today, huh?

Here are some crazy kids to top it off…

Those were taken a couple weeks ago and I just came across them again.

Them people are crazy.  I had to just watch in a state of ‘WOW’ for a while. 

Then I ruined their day and told them to stop that right now.  That’s what good moms do, right?

Well apparently I’m still on ‘summer’ break, or I’m not a good blogger, or I’m on sabbatical.  Which ever one you like best, just assume that’s it.  I do have a couple projects to share but I have to take pictures.  I’ve been homeschooling, so at least take peace in knowing my kids are getting my full attention.  Well, besides working again a little.  And hubby and every other distraction in life.  Anyone else?  Life is so busy in this day and age.

Enough ranting!  I’ll try to be back soon with something else.  Godbless!

the fair

 

this past weekend, we took some friends on a major road trip and headed over to the Yakima Fair.

We had a swell time.  Except when I had to sit in the van sharing my iPod with Susie for two hours because my sprained ankle from two days before was super swollen and in severe pain.  But hubby brought me a funnel cake so it turned out obese ok.  =)

What’s your favorite fair?  Or- What’s your favorite fair FOOD?  … because that’s really why I go.