Grad Tassel Ornaments

While doing some cleaning and reorganizing, I came across several of my kids' graduation tassels and decided to put them to use as Christmas ornaments.

 Originally I wanted to put the year charm inside the ornament but these were too big to fit through the opening.

 Instead I removed the year charm to hang on the outside.  Getting the tassel INSIDE the ornament proved to be the most tricky - go figure.  But by twisting it first, it seemed to make it easier.  I already had jump rings and these jewelry clips/clamps.  

 The year charm was then attached to the jump ring and the jump ring attached to the clamp and the clamp attached to the cord.  

 You could cut the cord off but I wanted to keep the entire tassel intact.  I think this is a great way to preserve the graduation memory!

Boxed In

 

 I love boxes and these were some great garage sale finds that I was able to make over using just chalk paint and my tissue paper transfer method.

These are all for sale in my Etsy Shop.

I used Duck Egg Blue chalk paint on some and Paris Gray on others then distressed using my portable sander.

Some of them were lined with coordinating papers.  In my opinion, one can NEVER have too many boxes to hold precious treasures, right?

Save the Mice - Mousetraps Repurposed

I don't REALLY want to save the mice (sorry mouse lovers) but using the traps to hang pictures seems a bit kinder anyway.

 A few drawer fronts from the ReStore and some mousetraps create a fun way to display photos or your children's artwork.  I spaced the mousetraps so that you can hang pieces as large as 8X10 as seen here.  (These are prints I created for my son's apartment since he loves Billiards and Frisbee Golf)

 A coat of flat, black paint was followed by using graphite paper to transfer the numbers onto the traps.  I distressed them a little more after painting the numbers on.

 These are refrigerator magnets.  Tiny, high-powered magnets were attached to the backs using E-6000 glue.

 I'll be selling all of these at an upcoming show I'm doing.  I think they'd make great stocking stuffers too, don't you?

Re-Tooled Toolbox

 I'm getting ready to do my first 'craft' show in years so lots and lots of projects in progress.  This is one of my favorites.  It was the insert to my hubby's toolbox and he (gasp!) had thrown it in the trash!

  

A coat of Paris Gray Chalk Paint and this quote applied using this tissue transfer method . . .

A quick rub of some stain here and there . . .

and it's ready to go!

I have to admit I'm having to "gear" up my ego for this show.  Have you ever done a show?  If so, how do you handle the people who:

A.  Want your hard work for nothing and

B.  Ask you about every little detail of HOW you made this (often while taking pictures and copious notes!) and then walk away saying, "That is SO cute!  I can make that."

Any pitfalls you suggest I avoid?

Tea Set Contest Win - Jessica Dotta

 I was so excited to win this beautiful tea set from Jessica Dotta during her 31 Days of Give Away!  

Included in the set are this exquisite tea pot,

 cream and sugar set and

 four cups and saucers.  

This prize package is part of the book launch of Born of Persuasion by Jessica.  I can so relate to this gal and her fascination with English society a la "Downton Abbey".  In her own words she says she was "born in the wrong century--except for the fact that she really likes epidurals and washing machines".  This is her first novel and I can't wait to read it!

Visit her blog to enter the give aways each day.