And the Oscar goes to….YOU!

A Walk Down The Red Carpet

What girl wouldn’t want to have Harry Winston sparkling around her neck or wear a beautiful designer gown and shoes?  I sure would, but I can only dream about it – the life I lead doesn’t include a walk down the red carpet at the Oscars or even an invitation to dine at the White House .  I do however get invited to the neighbor’s party and have the occasional wedding, shower, or fund raiser to attend.  I have friends who are having babies and my daughters always had birthday parties to attend on a weekly basis.  Family, friends, and my co-worker’s pass milestones that are worthy of recognition.   It took me awhile, but I came to realize that these day-to-day events that fill my calendar are my walk down the red carpet.  I could choose to let them pass by without giving them much thought, or I could elevate them into a way to enable me to express my personal style and in doing so, not only make my life more rewarding, but put a smile on the faces of the people around me, too.   At Oscar time I  think of all of my friends  who would love to wear the gown and jewels and make them something stylish so they feel special and red carpet worthy.

A Day in The City

Since my friends and I don’t have the lifestyle to ever need one of the glittering gowns or gems, one way I can make them feel special and Oscar worthy in my book, is to make them a collection of stylish magnets that their refrigerator can wear for them.  It is a little like playing with paper dolls, just think of the refrigerator door as the doll.

Beach Day 

When I am reading fashion magazines, and see a great looking dress, piece of jewelry, or an object I know my friends or family member will adore, I cut them out and place them in a folder.  Before the Oscars or a big event in their lives I give them a paper purse filled with a to-die for dress, handbag, shoes, and jewelry that they can accessorize their refrigerator doors with.  When arranged on the refrigerator, they will be able to mix and match to create outfits, like the Chic Simple books do and feel a little red carpet magic going on right in their kitchen.

Try to be creative and think of oppurtunities to give-away a free wardrobe, maybe a friend is going on a fabulous trip, you could put together a collection  and title it “Trip to Paris” include a suitcase, sunglasses, scarf, and anything else you can find that relates to her trip.  Every time she goes to her refrigerator she will be pleasantly reminded of her upcoming trip and think of you.

Browsing through magazines searching for items to include can be inspiring – you will find that there are images of just about anything you can think of.  How about a photo of a bouquet of flowers for your garden loving friend, highly polished kitchen appliances from a Williams Sonoma catalog for a foodie friend, and images from baby catalogs filled with all sorts of baby paraphernalia for your cousin who is expecting her first child.  It is an inexpensive, yet creative way not only to surprise someone, but to let your personal style shine as well.

  
 You can turn any image into a magnet.  I save all the sheet magnets I get, from the local pizza place to the ones my dentist gives me to promote her practice.  You can also buy sheets at craft stores in many different sizes with adhesive already on the sheet.  You can find the adhesive sheet magnets here at AC Moore along with magnet sheets that are designed to go in Ink jet printers which allow you to print images directly from your computer, also at AC Moore

Clipped items from magazines, catalogs, and old books 

Sheet magnets 

Spray adhesive - if you are not using the sheets with adhesive already on them

Small sharp scissors – I use nail scissors 

Self-laminating sheet

 Colored markers 

1.  Cut images from magazines and catalogs leaving a bit of the background on each. (Do not cut the details of the image until the magnets are glued-on.) 

2.    Place sticky side of self-laminating sheet on top of clippings and smooth to makes sure there are no air bubbles.

3.     Spray, spray adhesive on the top of the magnet and arrange clippings on top. Smooth each image with your hand to make sure images adhere. 

4.    Trim images with scissors, closely following the details. 

5.     Run a matching colored marker around the edge to create a more finished look to each image. 

Variations: 

Embellish an evening gown image with glitter or teeny tiny beads.

Glue card-stock instead of magnets to the images to make bookmarks

As I am typing this post, I am watching the Oscars,  and just heard a line from a very funny movie that I think is fitting for this post. 

“Life moves pretty fast, if you don’t slow down and enjoy it, you just might miss it”

    - Ferris Bueller

 Find ways to celebrate your everday!

I will show you how to make the handbag gift bag that I put all the magnets in later this week.

 I am linking this post to:

Make It Monday – Twice Remembered

Just Something I Whipped Up – The Girl Creative

Make It Monday – Persimmon Perch

Market Yourself Monday – Sumos Sweet Stuff

Motivate Me Monday – Crafts Keep Me Sane

The Project Parade – The DIY Showoff 

Made By You Monday – Skip To My Lou

Get Your Craft On -Today’s Creative Blog

This project is for all the moms out there who still have little children.  I know you must be thinking- what the heck…about the table in the above photo, but it has a cute story.

When my girls, Kelly and Mandy were about 10 and 12 they went out to play one Saturday morning.  About an hour later I happened to be near a window and saw them with the help of a few neighborhood kids carrying this table down the street, although at the time it was finished in a dark walnut stain.  Imagine my horror when I realized they were bringing it to our house.  I quickly went out to meet them and they put the table down on the driveway and came running up to me all excited, “Look what we bought at a yard sale.  It was only $10.00!”  I was thinking, $10.00 too much, but I had to contain my thoughts.  Instead I said  ”Wow, that’s great, what are you going to do with it and where are you going to put it?” 

 They had formulated a plan, they were going to paint it and decorate it with pictures, then put it in the basement which had recently been re-finished as a place for them to hang out with their friends.   Ok I reasoned, they have thought this through and are so excited I can’t discourage them.  Then it dawned on me that they were being just like me, (the apple doesn’t fall far from the tree) bringing home other people’s cast-offs and junk to transform. I had one of those mom moment’s where you just want to kiss and hug your kids all up, knowing  it was a natural thing for them to want to decorate their new space.  It is what they saw me doing all the time.   So I let them implement their plan.  They gathered all the supplies and I gave them a few painting and Mod Podge tips all the while thinking they would lose interest before the paint dried and then I would be able to put the table out on the curb in time for the next trash pick-up.

Well, as you can see from the photo I just took of it, that never happened.  Over the years the table has become the centerpiece of our basement, their household hangout while growing up.  Kelly is graduated from college now and Mandy a sophomore.  Girlfriends, boyfriends, neighbors, mothers of friends, roommates, team mates, coaches, have all signed this $10.00 treasure.   Their original plan was to have everyone that came to the house, make a hand print with paint on the table.  That became too messy so it ended up they just had everyone sign the table.  Some of the signatures have faded or have been unintentionally wiped away as they initially used water based marker.  There are names written in pencil and ball point pen, too.  It really doesn’t matter as the best part of the table is all the unique signatures and seeing it take on it’s own personality.  

The table has a ten year history, some names are my daughter’s best friends that they see all the time, many are kids they went to elementary school with and will never see again.    It is colorful and has become a beloved piece of furniture in our house.  It is going to be interesting to see if Kelly or Mandy are going to take it with them when they move into their own homes one day, as it has an equal number of each of their friends names on it.

 They painted the table with white latex.  When the paint was dry they used Mod Podge to attach images they clipped from magazines to the top and the legs, leaving the main table surface for the signatures.   The first few friends that signed it also made a hand print with craft paint.   I would suggest having a collection of  permanent markers nearby for everyone to use so you won’t lose any signatures as the table ages.

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