"Dad" Magnetic Board

The magnetic board pictured above was a custom order that I was able to try some "new to me" techniques. Through some trial and error, I finally was able to complete it! Here is what I did that finally worked:

1. The frame came without a back, so I cut some plywood to fit the frame.

2. I then cut some metal the size of the wood and used liquid nails to adhere it to the wood.

3. Once that was done I designed the saying on my computer and printed it off on fabric, using my laserjet printer.

4. I then ironed on some backing and did a messy stitch around the edges to attach it to the burlap (which I cut a little larger than the wood backing).

5. Next came attaching the burlap to the backing, which I used Elmer's permanent bond spray adhesive.

6. I wanted to use upholstery nails, in the corners of the fabric with the saying on it, but they were too long and would stick out the back of the wood, so I decided to cut off the nail part and glued them in the corners. Worked great!

7. For the magnets, I used some old keys and metal buttons.

8. The frame was stained somewhat, so to make it look more rustic, I sanded it and applied Antiquing Glaze.

If you like this idea and would like to place an order, please email me at: judesigns@hotmail.com. You can also check out some of my other designs on my facebook page at: www.facebook.com/dippitydot.

Christmas Decorations - 2012

If our greatest need had been information, God would have sent an educator. If our greatest need had been technology, God would have sent us a scientist. If our greatest need had been money, God would have sent us an economist. If our greatest need had been pleasure, God would have sent us an entertainer. But since our greatest need was forgiveness, God sent us a Savior. ~by Max Lucado

I absolutely love this time of year for several reasons...there are many opportunities to spread the love of Jesus by serving and giving, beautiful decorations and lights everywhere, yummy food, a great excuse to get together with family and friends, need I say more? One of my favorite quotes is "The magic of Christmas is not in presents, but in His presence." I pray that you will find the peace and rest you need in Jesus' presence.

Here are a few photos of Christmas decorations at my house. I love decorating in red, white, and silver! I was also wanting to add another splash of color, but just didn't find what I was looking for this year, so I will keep looking. :) Above is a photo of our tree and fireplace. I was excited to find a nice long berry garland for 80% off after Christmas last year and I think it looks great on top of the mantel. This year we gave my kiddos teachers poinsettias, so we were able to enjoy them around the bottom of the tree for awhile, until giving them to them. The photo below is of the bulb wreath I made a couple of years ago. I thought it would look nice hanging on my mirror above the couch this year.

The photo below is of a unique glass candle holder I found at a thrift store that I filled with bulbs and put berry sprays around it as well as added a small figurine of little sledders. It works perfect on the metal shelving beside our couch!

Above is a photo of the ledge above our back door. It is fun to decorate it with our larger nativity set. Someone gave me an old wood piece out of an old dresser drawer and I thought it worked perfectly for turning into a "Noel" sign. The photo below are the decorations on top of our armoire in the family room.

The photo above is the decorations on a wall in my kitchen area. The photo below is the decor on my kitchen table. The glass lid came from a thrift store as well as the trees, bench, and lamps inside. I thought it would be fun to create a mini winter scene for this table top display.

The photo above is a display that I have on one of my kitchen counters. The "True love was born in a stable" frame I made last year and grouped it with a couple of sprays and one of my favorite nativity plaques. The photo below is the decorations on top of my fridge. I love finding unique bargains and everything in this photo was either found at a thrift store or on the clearance after Christmas sale racks!

Here are some photos of my front dining room. The photo below shows how we are using the old screen door I made a few months ago to display our Christmas cards. I also made a "Joy" banner out of recycled cardboard and old hymn book pages to hang on it. The garland on the top was also purchased 80% off last year after Christmas!

BEFORE PHOTO: Below is a before photo of some items I picked up a thrift stores and the dollar store with a plan in mind. ;)

AFTER PHOTO: The photo below shows how I used some of the items for my dining room table centerpiece. I spray painted the $1 ceramic house white as well as some of the trees. I have the winter display on a glass cake stand, with a glass cover I found on clearance a few years ago, and setting in a vintage mirror jewelry tray that I spray painted. I also added some berry sprays and evergreen sprays to finish the centerpiece.

AFTER PHOTO: The photo below is what the gold reindeer looks like after I spray painted it. I like it so much better!

2012 Christmas Projects

Here are some recent Christmas projects I completed. For pricing information and to see everything I have for sale, visit my Homemade Items for Sale facebook page at: Dippity Dot Creations

This first photo is a tree made from old hymn book pages and is attached to a glass candle holder. I used a green color wash on the pages as well as some silver glitter. On the top of the tree is a fabric bow, held on with a pearl pin. The word Noel is cut from chipboard and is painted off white. I added translucent glitter for more bling. This tree looks so much better in person. It is hard to photograph all of the glitz, color, and texture. Sorry, but this item is not able to be shipped. Email me at: judesigns@hotmail.com with questions.

This second photo is of a wood photo/note holder. It is made out of solid wood and is self standing. It is painted black, distressed, and I added decorative paper, twine, and a clothes pin to the front of it. This would make a great gift. I can custom make these in any color and theme that you prefer. Email me at judesigns@hotmail.com to purchase this holder or to place an order.

This photo is a Joy banner made from chipboard covered with old hymn book pages. I added ink and paint for more texture. The letters are printed on kraft paper and I added an off-white fabric ruffle around each letter and attached them to the pennants. I finished it off with using twine to connect the letters together. These banners can be made with any saying and in whatever colors you would like. To purchase this banner or to place a custom order email me at: judesigns@hotmail.com.

Christmas is right around the corner! These blocks are a fun way to keep track of how many days there are until Christmas. They are solid wood, painted and covered with decorative paper, adding a lot of texture. Email me at: judesigns@hotmail.com to purchase these countdown blocks or to place a custom order.

This altered kraft box is the perfect size to display anywhere. I used the cracked paint technique, added old book pages, decorative paper, paint and a wood knob to the top of the lid, giving it a finished look and making it easier for removal of the lid. Email me at: judesigns@hotmail.com to purchase this box or to place an order.

Take time to Give Thanks

I enjoy the Fall season ALOT...the cooler weather, the gorgeous colors, sunflowers, pumpkin bread...you name it, I am sure I love it! ;) There are so many things to be thankful for this time of year and all year.

Several years ago, a lady in our church shared that their family started a Gratitude tradition. For the month of November each family member would write down what they were thankful for each day and at their Thanksgiving meal they would read them out loud and then she would turn them into a mini album.

I wanted to implement this great tradition into my family, but my children were young enough that writing something every day would have been a challenge. I also wanted the attitude of gratitude to last all year round, so with that in mind I went shopping for a box to decorate. Once decorated I placed some cards with lines and a pen and pencil inside. That started our year round attitude of gratitude. Now that the kids are older, they are able to write more on the cards and it is so much fun reading through the years of blessings that have been written down.

The photo above is of an old screen door I altered into a memo board and have it hanging in our front dining room. This year I decided that I would like to display the Blessing Cards for the month of November, before they go into the Blessing Box.

Here are a couple of projects I just recently finished and are taking orders on, in hopes to help you implement this Attitude of Gratitude tradition into your family.

The photo above is of a Take time to Give Thanks Memo Board. I made this using an old wood frame and painted it using the crackle paint technique. It is painted black with white showing through the cracks. Inside the frame I used eye screws and ran twine through them. This works great for displaying photos, memos, and Blessing Cards. I also made a chipboard sign that is hung over the frame that says "Take time to Give Thanks". It is not attached, allowing you to remove it, so you can use the memo board all year around. Email me at: judesigns@hotmail.com to place an order or visit my fb page "Items for Sale" album to see the other items I have for sale.

These next few photos are of a Kraft box I altered and decorated, making it perfect for displaying and storing your families Blessing Cards. I again used the cracked paint technique and added a wood knob to the top of the lid, which I think gives it a more finished look and makes it easier for removing the lid.

Once painted, I started adding the paper, embellishments, and paint. I used old book pages as well as some other scrap paper and paint to get the design I wanted.

On the front of the box I added a mini clothespin that I had added paper to and some metal buttons. The clothespin can be used to display the Blessing Cards, a photo, or note. The box is a 5"x5" box, making it the perfect size to place anywhere in the house. Email me at: judesigns@hotmail.com to place an order or visit my fb page "Items for Sale" album to see the other items I have for sale. Thanks for stopping by!

Magnetic Word Game Board

Wow, I didn't realize it had been so long since I last posted. Time goes by quickly when you are having fun. :) Several months ago, I came across this word game board idea and have been wanting to make it every since. My family and I enjoy playing games, especially word games! Once I found the perfect sized frame, I was ready to start. It came together pretty quickly too.

The frame was gold, so I painted it black and distressed it. I then cut a piece of ply wood to fit inside of the frame, attached metal to it and decoupaged old dictionary for the background. For the game letters I attached magnets to the back of Scrabble pieces, added two saw tooth hangers and voila, it was ready to hang. Great to have in an area, where family spends a lot of time, to play ongoing word games, leave messages or encouraging notes!

Feel free to check out all of the other projects posted on my blog and then be sure to stop by my facebook page at Dippity Dot Creations to keep up with what I am currently working on and check out my Items for Sale album too.

Birdnest Centerpiece

I really, really, really like Pinterest.com for inspiration! How about you? I have a formal dining room table and a table in our kitchen, so I am always looking for fun and inexpensive centerpiece ideas. As I was looking through Pinterest, I came across a three tiered centerpiece that was decorated with bird nests. I loved the look of it, so I ran with the inspiration and this is what I came up with...

I had a three tiered plate stand that used to hold fruit on our kitchen counter and I was excited to get to use it again. I wanted the centerpiece to be in creams, whites, and greens, so I visited a local thrift store and found some very pretty cream plates for $.29 cents each and a cheese plate with dome for $1.99! I purchased the nests, plastic bird eggs, sprays, and balls from Hobby Lobby and Michaels when they were 50% off and the small grapevine wreath from Dollar Tree. I really like the way this looks on our front room dining table and am even happier that I spent less than $15!!

Re-purposed Mixed Media Serving Tray - "Laughter"

As I was looking at a variety of great creations on Pinterest, I came across where someone had taken an old wood frame and turned it into a serving tray. As you know I love to re-purpose frames, so I decided that I wanted to give this a try. I also decided that I wanted to create a one of a kind mixed media piece to go inside. Below are some photos showing you the step-by-step process I went through in creating this tray. Feel free to email me at: judesigns@hotmail.com with any questions.

I had an old wood frame, that I picked up at a thrift store, and thought it would be perfect for this project due to the width of wood it had, the face of the frame was inset, and it had a unique design around the edges.

I painted the frame in a variety of different greens, sanding and distressing in between coats. I have several old drawer pulls on hand, so I found a couple that I thought would work perfectly. Because of the slope of the wood frame, they wouldn't look right to attach them to the top of the frame sides, so I drilled holes through the sides and attached them on the outside of the frame. Once the handles were attached, I filled the holes with wood filler and completed the painting and distressing process.

For the mixed media piece, I used the backing out of the frame as my base.

I decided to create an art piece with a coffee cup and saucer for the inside of the tray. I also wanted to use some of my scrap paper, since I seem to have piles of it. :)

To start with, I used Mod Podge and glued on pages from an old book as the first layer.

I then added the scrap papers I had chosen and glued them across the top leaving some space for the book pages to show through.

I like to recycle cereal and cracker boxes and use them in my projects to add dimension.

On this project I decided to use an empty cereal box to add dimension to the cup and saucer. I traced it and then cut it out. I forgot to take photos of the rest of this process, but it was pretty similar to how I created the back ground. I used old book pages for the mouth of the cup and decorative paper for the cup and handle.

I also used old book pages for the saucer, embossed, and painted it.

I added my "Laughter is the best medicine, but coffee is a good substitute" saying to it and also added some steam coming out of the coffee cup.

Here is a photo of the completed mixed media piece before I put it into the serving tray.

I didn't feel like the backing on this frame was sturdy or strong enough for it to be used as a serving tray, so I added a thin wood backing.

Once glued in, I used wood filler to fill in the gaps around the perimeter, then once it was dry, sanded it and painted it to match the rest of the frame.

My final step was to add bumpers to the bottom, so that it won't damage or slide around on furniture.

This was a fun re-purposing project. If this has inspired you to make one, I would love it if you would come back and post a photo. I would love to see YOUR creation!
Don't forget to visit my facebook paget at: Dippity Dot Creations. If you would like to place an order for a serving tray or a mixed media art piece be sure to email me at: judesigns@hotmail.com

Magnetic Photo Frames

I just finished a few magnetic photo frames and wanted to share them with you. This first one is a 16"H x 13"W frame that can be hung on the wall or displayed on an easel. I decided on a clock theme and created the inside of the frame using tissue paper, paint, ink, and chipboard. The saying "Every day a blessing. Every hour a dream. Every minute a possibility" is such a great reminder and I thought it went perfectly with this frame. Magnetic frames are such a fun way for posting photos and memos.

Here is a close up photo of the saying, which also shows all of the texture and dimension this frame has. Visit my fb page at: Dippity Dot Creations to see other creations I have made and to see what all I have available for sale.

This next photo is a double magnetic frame that has a magnetic chalkboard on one side and a magnetic board with burlap on the other side. I also included two bottle cap magnets and a piece of chalk with twine and a magnet. The wood frames are glued onto a painted metal candlestick. Email me at: judesigns@hotmail.com with any questions or visit my facebook page, Dippity Dot Creations, to see other creations and items I currently have for sale.

This last photo is of a double magnetic frame that has a magnetic chalkboard on one side and a magnetic board with decorative paper on the other side. Also included are two button magnets and a piece of chalk with twine and a magnet. The wood frames are glued onto a painted metal candlestick. Email me at: judesigns@hotmail.com with any questions or visit my facebook page, Dippity Dot Creations, to see other creations and items I currently have for sale.