You can make that...

That's what my husband told me when I was soliciting his opinion on these super cute clip boards I found on etsy (I LOVE ETSY).  I was shopping for teacher gifts and thought the clip boards were cute.  He snorted and told me that I have all the materials to make them myself.  Huh, I hadn't thought of that.

So off I went to inspect my stash of scrapbook paper and supplies.  I was unimpressed and set out to purchase the things my husband was confident I already owned (snort). Patrick's teacher is on maternity leave so everything was multiplied by two because I wanted one for both his teacher and the sub.

Oh My Modge Podge (yes, I call it Modge Podge.  We are down like that), it has been too long my friend. Oh how will we work together next?

Paper (on sale at Michael's) $1

Clipboards $2.79 each

Ribbon (some of what I used I did have in my closet) $1

Mod Podge $5.99

I used the directions from the Michael's site.  And here we are.....

What say you?

NEXT PROJECT!!!! My balls!

I have always wanted to add a wreath to my light fixture.  I just never got around to it, this year we made an ornament wreath and it now adorns the fixture in the dining room.  I have a thing for bright Christmas ball ornaments.  Somehow, when they hang out together, they are even prettier.  I need more!!!!  But I'll wait.  This was a no-cost 15 minute project.  I used ribbon that I had in my closet and all of the balls were from my stash.  I love projects like this!

Next Project: MAKE-UP
My sister and I don't fight anymore.  We haven't had a real argument for years.  But if you asked our mutual friends they would probably tell you that we are prone to (public) sisterly squabbling, that they find hilarious no doubt.  Anyway, presents for our children are a sore subject.  Especially when I buy nail polish and chapstick for Abby (heh).  So when I saw what Emily at Not So Idle Hands created, I knew I had to create my own faux make-up for my darling nieces (x4).  And it is another cheap and quick project!

Step one: Buy make-up at the Dollar Store.  I would have used recycled make-up but I went on an unprecedented cleaning frenzy a few months ago and threw out a Walgreens worth of old make-up (yes, I have a problem).  I found these at the Dollar Store.  By the way, Dollar Store make-up STINKS!  Can anyone wear this without getting a rash????

Step 2: Find old nail polish (possibly buried with your button collection, as though I would ever mend an actual button).

 Step 3: Assess your strange preferences in nail polish and wonder what you would do if you still painted your own toenails.  Decide that you are grateful that your current love of red toes didn't span the years and also decide that although you might have had odd taste in blue and purple nail polish, it is paying off right now.

Step 3: Work with your partner to open all of the packages and remove the real make-up from their little dishes. 

Step 4: Coordinate colors based on the girls' personalities and pour.

Step 5: Oh and Ah over the beauty (that's your partner's job)

Step 6: Wait for it to dry.
One problem: the smell is a bit much.  Kevin wanted me to put it outside to limit the number of brain cells killed for this project.  It was pretty cold in the garage and the nail polish shrunk.  I am going to re-pour tonight and see what happens.

AND FINALLY:
The running joke in our office is about the one stapler that actually works.  We all pass the broken staplers around, swipping the only operational stapler from the current owners desk.  So, (since I'm the best boss ever) I bought each staff member their own (high quality stapler) and put a personal touch on each one.  I love this (mama lou original!)  Bling bling.   Hmmm.... What other office products need a little something?

 

I'm done!!!!  Off to our office party..... we're going to the MET! shhhh.......