INKLING: DIY Stash-Busting Business Cards

Did you see my big news on Monday? I’m going to be joining over 100 bloggers across the United States for a Hometalk & Michaels in-store Pinterest Event.

ETCETERAS: Stash Buster Fall Wreath

I’ve been dragging my feet about fall décor in my house but when it’s sweltering outside and you have no air conditioning (uh, we live by the coast), it’s hard to wrap your head around pies baking in the oven, pumpkins and fall foliage. One of the things on my list was to go to the craft store and pick up some supplies for a fall wreath. I had a few ideas in mind but as I continued to drag my feet about running this errand, I started digging through my seasonal floral supply box.

Etceteras: stash busting mod podge dish

Here’s another stash busting project in my attempt to use up some items that I’ve purchased, collected, saved and stashed… along the way.


This dish was originally an olive green plastic dish that I bought. [I have a weakness for leaf shaped bowls and dishes.] I always intended to spray paint or cover it somehow but it got put in a craft bin and I never got around to it.



I decided to Mod Podge the bowl instead of painting it. I used pieces of torn white tissue paper to completely cover the dish. Between coats of Mod Podge, I cut up bits of gold paper and sprinkled them on the dish.



A final coat of gloss Mod Podge and once it was dry a coat of clear spray varnish finishes the bowl.

Since summer is around the corner, I may use it to display beachy shells.

Or use it as a jewelry dish.

Either way, I’m glad it’s not an olive green plastic dish sitting in my craft bin anymore.

Thanks for visiting.

Carolyn

I link at the wonderful parties listed here and

 

Inkling: stash busting butterfly wreath

I’m officially declaring it “stash busting” week over here at homework. I either have to start using up some of my existing supplies or start throwing things away.



And since I can’t bear to throw precious things away, I needed to come up with some projects to use up some of my supplies.



One item that I have an abundance of is security envelopes. I’ve mentioned before that I love the pretty patterns of the insides of these envelopes… but my box is overflowing.



I grabbed a stack and started punching out butterflies. I punched and punched until I had a large pile.



To make this wreath, I used a pool noodle as the wreath form. I’ve seen this trick over and over traveling through blogland and it works great. Pool noodles are everywhere right now so it’s a good time to stock up {I know, we’re supposed to be stash busting not stocking up on things... } Another trick is to use pipe insulation that you can buy at a home improvement store. Cut your pool noodle or foam pipe insulation to your desired length, form a circle and duct tape closed. An instant wreath form.



Once you have your wreath form, you may want to wrap it in paper, fabric or ribbon to cover up the bright pool noodle color. Mine was neon green and I covered it with white crepe paper. I used hot glue to adhere the butterflies.

Butterfly wreaths and garlands would be a great way to decorate on a budget for summer parties and weddings. Stay tuned for more stash busting this week…

Thanks for visiting.

Carolyn