Deflecto for Greeting Card Storage

I love my Deflecto storage! I can decorate it to fit with my studio decor; or wherever I decide to put it.  In this case; I am using the 4 bin tilt bin by Deflecto for my greeting card storage.  I  make my cards ahead and because I make a LOT of them, I end up having to put them away where I can't see them.  Problem solved with this tilt bin storage that is made to fit with the other sizes of tilt bin containers. The 4-1/2" x 5-1/4" cards fit nicely in the tilt-out bins.

By adding decorative burlap; some cording trim and a few other things, I upgraded my storage into a piece of decor that I will enjoy looking at.  Check out the photos below to see how to cut the burlap.

You will need:

Deflecto:  4 bin Craft Tilt Bin #20403CR

Burlap with a fleur de lei print

Trim:  1/8" beige cording (several yards)

Embroidered letters:  1" black to spell CARD

Cardstock:  Black

Pen:  White Chalk

Scissors

Tacky glue

Gluegun

Directions:

Follow the steps below to measure and cut the burlap fabric to fit the storage.

Apply using tacky glue.

Adhere the cording to the edges of the burlap using the glue gun.

Cut a piece of black cardstock to fit the slot on one bin.  Write the type of card on the paper.  Insert into the slot.  Repeat for the other bins.

Make medallions from the cording.  Apply glue to a paper circle.  Starting in the center; press the cording into the glue, making a spiral.  Adhere to the front of one bin.  Repeat for the remaining bins.

Glue the letters to the cording medallions as shown.  Now fill up your bins with all of those beautiful greeting cards you have made!

Would you like to check out this blog post? Here is the link!

Make this Patriotic Lamp for Summer Entertaining

Summer is almost here and it is time to start thinking about 4th of July parties and patriotic decorations.  etchallR has this very cool lampshade that can turn most bottles, jars, etc. into a decorative lamp.  Read on to find out how I made this one!

You can find the lampshade and etchallR products at http://etchall.com/lighten-up-kit/

You will need:

• etchallR:  Lighten Up Kit; dip 'n etch (pattern for shade in kit)
• 2 quart jar
• burlap: red
• fusible web
• iron and ironing board
• bead trim by the yard: red
• ricrac:  red and blue
• chalk paint:  red, blue, white
• painters tape
• paint brush:  1" flat
• cardstock:  vintage white
• clear glitter
• tacky glue
• 1" star punch or die cut
• glue gun
• milk jug, cleaned out and top cut off (or container the right size to etch your glass)
• scissors
• ruler
• pencil

Instructions:

1. Unpack the lampshade kit.  Remove the pattern from the shade.  Spread out.
2. Press the fusible web following manufacturers instructions onto the burlap.  Trace around the pattern onto the paper side of the fusible web using the pencil.  Cut out. Remove the paper.
3. Adhere the ribbon side of the trim to the (wrong side) bottom edge of the shade.
4. Adhere the ricrac to the bottom edge of the (right side) of the shade.  Adhere ricrac to the top edge of the shade.
5. Stars:  Punch out and apply glitter to the 1" stars.  Allow to dry. 
6. Etch:  Refer to manufacturers directions (and photo shown below) to etch the jar. Clean and dry.
7. Use the ruler to measure from the bottom of the jar and make a mark at the same measurement around the perimeter of the jar.  Wrap the painter's tape around the middle of the jar; following the marks.  It is easy to get the tape on at an angle and you want to keep it straight.
8. Paint the bottom of the jar blue.  Let dry thoroughly.  Remove the tape and apply another row of tape along the top edge of the blue paint.  Tape off any other area that you don't want painted.  Paint the top area white.  Let dry.
9. Remove tape; glue ricrac around the middle of the jar as shown in photo given.
10. For the shade:  Screw the lid back on the jar.  Adhere a wooden spool, dowel or candle cup to the top of the lid.  Make sure that it is the right size to fit in and activate the lamp.  If it is too tall, make a hole in the lid to shorten the length of the spool. Read the instructions for turning the lampshade on and off.  Adhere the stars to the shade.

Supplies

Refer to manufacturer's directions and etch the jar.  I turned the jar upside down and weighted the top to etch the top of the jar as my receptacle wasn't large enough and I used the entire bottle of dip 'n etch liquid.

**IMPORTANT:  Return the dip 'n etch liquid back to the original bottle after use.  It will turn a dark color but is still good for more use. 

Follow instructions given above to paint and finish the lamp.  Below is another photo of the finished lamp and shade.  It is ready for my summer activities on the deck.  This is the perfect little light to create some ambiance after dark.  I hope you are inspired to make one for yourself.

I hope you are enjoying spring and looking forward to a great summer packed with activities.

Make sure to take the time to enjoy the small blessings along the way and

Life Life with a Flourish!

Marilyn

etchall provides product and a small 

stipend in exchange for my creativity.

#1 Teacher Paperweight with Deflecto

School is almost out for summer!  What better way to show appreciation to a favorite teacher than to give her a useful keepsake that she can remember you by?

Here is what you will need:

Adhesive back Vinyl:  Navy Blue, Dark Pink, Green

You will need a die-cutting machine with dies for an apple, #1 Teacher (or something similar....a worm, book, etc. would be cute.)  Set your dial to the proper size.  I recommend cutting out a sample on scrap of paper before using the actual vinyl.

It only takes minutes to apply the vinyl to the acrylic block.  You can apply to the front and the back.  Smooth out any air bubbles.

The pencil holder shown in the photo is also a product from Deflecto.  The pencil holder is hinged and opens up to reveal 2 small frames built-in to the container.

I hope you got some inspiration here today.  Make sure to take time to enjoy the small blessings along the way and,

Live Life with a Flourish!

Marilyn

I receive complementary product in exchange

for sharing my creativity on this blog.