Shoe Hangers

As I said last week, we just moved. and with moving comes purging and re-arranging. Our new place has a big master bedroom closet but that's about all it has in the way of storage. So a lot of things have to fit in there, including my craft stash, all my clothes and shoes. I found this cool idea on Pinterest (do you want an invite? Email me!):

Link here

 PERFECT idea for me! So I got to it:

and then I realized I didn't really have the tools I needed, so I improvised. My method is not the best, but it sure is WAYWARD!

Materials:

Wire Hanger

Tools:

Wire Cutter and Pliers would be best, but I used what I had, a pair of garden shears and a small adjustable wrench

Eye protection would have been a safe idea (I didn't have any problems, but you never know)

Step one, cut the wire hanger like so: 

On both sides, see?

 Then take your wrench pliers, and bend up the sides you just cut. Mine weren't the best because I was using that wrench.

Repeat on the opposite side

Then use your hand and pliers to bend the hanger like so. 

Here it is in action:

Oh, my beloved Bernardo's.

So my attempts weren't as cute as the original, but they are very functional and fast! I made 5 in about 10 minutes. I love that you can use them for flats too. 

Have you ever thought of hanging up your shoes?

Fourth of July Candles

In keeping with our patriotic theme, these embellished candles could serve as a great 4th of July centerpiece. They would look nice with Jaime's pinwheel garland. You could even print out Jordan's graphic and apply it around a  blue candle using the same method as used to apply the stars.

To complete the candles, you will need:

1 tall white candle
1 medium red candle
18" of a blue plaid (or other blue and white design) ribbon, and 18" of 1/8" blue satin ribbon
2 star charms
blue tissue paper
hair dryer or heat gun (follow the directions for your gun and don't get burned!)

For the red candle:

It's pretty obvious-- just tie the ribbons around the middle of the candle. Tie the charms on the thin ribbon. Done!

For the white candle:
Cut  stars of various sizes out of tissue paper (I printed some stars from my computer for a pattern.)
If you have a star punch, use it!

To apply the stars, you can either lay the candle on its side and rotate it or stand it upright. Either way, be sure to put something under it to collect any drips. Start heating up one small area with either the blow dryer or the heat gun. The blow dryer could take a couple minutes for the wax to start melting.

Once the wax begins to melt a little, the surface of the candle should get  shiny. While it is shiny, apply a star and gently smooth it onto the surface. Continue heating the star until it adheres. A layer of wax will form over the stars. Continue applying stars on the rest of the candle. Sometimes the heat will blow off a star that you have applied. No worries, just stick it back on!

It's that easy!

Happy 4th of July!

PS-When burning the candles, make sure the tissue paper doesn't get near the flame.

Mother's Day Cards for Kids, 2 pop-up cards for children to make.

Here are 2 more cards for children to make for Mother's Day--- or any other day!

First, you will need two pieces of paper the same size. They can be the same color or coordinating colors.  You will also need scraps of printed paper, markers, and scissors.

First: Fold one of the pieces of paper in half hamburger style. Fold in one corner on the fold as shown below..

 

Open the card and refold the triangle as shown.

Write your message on the inside of the card. Then, cut out a shape that you like. (The heart is shown below.) Carefully tape or glue it on the center foldline. You will want to make sure it will lie flat when you close the card. You may need to reposition it. (I did several times.)

Close the care and apply glue on the outside of the card, both top and bottom. Fold the remaining piece of paper in half and put it over the first card. (It will be a cover.)

Decorate the outside and you are all set!

PopUp Card 2

(I learned this on EnchantedLearning.com and used it in my classroom, too.)

First, you will need two pieces of paper the same size. They can be the same color or coordinating colors.  You will also need scraps of printed paper, markers, and scissors.

First: Fold one of the pieces of paper in half hamburger style. Make two cuts (about 1 1/2" long) on the folded edge of the card.

 I have darkened the lines for easier viewing.I have also drawn dotted lines to show where to fold, but you don't need to draw lines. Fold down the two cut sides. Open the card and push the folded flaps to the inside.

From the outside, it will look like this:

Now, make 2 more cuts and folds as shown. Your popups will have a stairstep effect.

Study the photo above to see which flaps come forward and which go back. (I learn better from photos than words.)

Now it is time to decorate your card.  For this garden motif, cut flowers and stems and glue them as shown,. I thought animals or jewels might also be nice.

Finally, you are going to glue the second piece of paper on the outside, just like card 1.

Enjoy!