Re-purposed Clocks

I love clocks! I don't know why, I am just intrigued by all of the different designs and uniqueness they bring to decorating a home or office. That is why I enjoy re-purposing items into clocks. Here are a few photos of some projects I have completed, but there are so many more I plan on tackling, so be sure to keep checking back!

Feel free to stop by my facebook page Dippity Dot Creations, to see other projects I am working on and to check out what I have for sale. If you have any questions or would like to place a custom order, email me at judesigns@hotmail.com. Thanks for stopping by!

The photo above is a before picture of a large vintage metal server/platter I came across, when junking one day. The photo below is how it looks turned into a clock. I drilled a hole in the middle of the server/platter, added a clock mechanism and finished it by cut out roman numerals out of vinyl on my Cricut cutting machine.

Here is a photo of an old book that I turned into a clock.

Here is a photo of a small ceramic plate that I spray painted, distressed, added a vinyl design to and then added a clock mechanism. This size is fun to hang or display on an easel.

"Clean/Dirty" Dishwasher Magnet

I don't know about your house, but in our house my family doesn't seem to take the time to ask or check to see if the dishes in the dishwasher are clean before adding dirty dishes to it. I love that my family cleans up after themselves (most of the time), but it is so wasteful to have to rerun the dishwasher, because dirty dishes have been added to the clean ones. I decided that we needed a magnet. Even though my son's handwritten "Dishes are clean" sticky note was a cute reminder, it wasn't going to stick forever. :) After doing some searching on the internet I came across this neat clean/dirty dishwasher magnet idea. Here is how I made it...

I dug through my Scrabble pieces and retrieved the letters I needed. I then laid them down the way I wanted them and glued them together using wood glue.

I decided I wanted to add some color, so once the glue was dry, I painted and distressed it.

I then added a couple of high powered magnets to the back.

I didn't want it scratching up my dishwasher, so I cut a piece of felt and glued it onto the back to cover the magnets.

Voila! Here is the finished product! Now I just have to get my family to use it. :) Magnets like these can be ordered by emailing me at judesigns@hotmail.com or by visiting my facebook page at Dippity Dot Creations.

Valentine Decor Items 2013

Hello! I thought I would share with you a few items I made for Valentine's Day this year. Be sure to stop by my Dippity Dot Creations facebook page to check out my other projects. Enjoy!

Below is a photo of the "Love you more" wood block I made using the items in the picture above. The "Love" is made from the metal of a pop can and then was embossed. I really like how it turned out!

Below is a photo of a candy dish I made from clay pots and a glass bowl. The metal tag is stamped with the saying "you are my happy".

The next photo is a framed "I love you because" dry erase board. A fun and easy way to leave and change messages.

Decorating for the New Year

If you are like me you enjoy decorating for Christmas, because it adds fun colors and fullness to your home, but dread the after Christmas blahs. To help with those blahs, every year I challenge myself to come up with a new decor arrangement, using decor items I already have on hand. Last year I chose to make a wall of frames in our formal dining room with frames I had been collecting. Check it out on my "Frame Wall" post.

This year I chose my fireplace mantle. Below is a photo of how sad it looked after removing the Christmas decorations.

After going through a variety of my thrifty finds I came up with the arrangement below. The great thing about the arrangement, besides already having all of the items, was that all of these items were found at thrift stores, garage sales, clearance racks, or given to me. So the total cost of this arrangement is only around $10!

My goal for this year is to create an art piece to add to the mantle, but for now I like how it turned out.

Memory Jar

Happy New Year! Life at times moves so fast and since we are unable to slow it down, I love discovering ways to cherish the memories. One blog I enjoy following is Teresa Collins. She just recently shared a wonderful idea of using a memory jar to help cherish and record all of the years memories. I was so excited about this idea that I got started on one for my family right away. With a little bit of time, glue, fabric, vinyl, paper, and pen it is complete.

Here is what I did...

I had picked up this jar at a thrift store (love thrifty finds)a few months back and it was just waiting for me to beautify it and bring it to life. :)

I cleaned off the labels and stickers (Goo Gone works wonders!) and decided I wanted to dress it up a bit with an old clear glass knob that I found junk'in along the way.

Once the glue was dry, I started tearing fabric and cutting ribbon and added it around the knob to dress up the top a bit more.

I felt like the front of the jar needed something too, so I created a design with vinyl to add to the front that says "memories". This will also hopefully help remind my family of the purpose of the jar. :) I had picked up the notepad on one of my trips to Michael's dollar spot. It was a bit too wide to fit into the jar, so I cut it down a bit.

Now it is ready for 2013 memories!

"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!