DIY Gift Lemonade Stand in a Box

Lemonade Stand in a Box Gift

FYI: Was intended to be a Christmas gift to the neighbors.  It was only 2 weeks late:)

Step 1: print the labels and tally sheet.  I created a them in power point and printed them on avery 8/12 x 11 adhesive sheet and white cardstock. Free printable if you want my design.  I laminated my tally sheet so the gift recipient can use a dry erase pen over and over again.  I created the list of instructions and best practices from the country time website and kids business ideas I looked up.

Step 2: buy a few supplies! Use your imagination and make this gift as large or small as you like. I considered a plastic pitcher from the dollar store and putting all the supplies inside the pitcher. I ended up loving a cute green swirl pattern shoe box from Target a bit more and like the idea the kit fit on a shelf and was all in one box.

What I bought for the box:

ü  Lemonade mix    I purchased a jar of lemonade mix from the grocery store when on sale and with a coupon.  So the big container of mix only cost a couple of dollars. 

ü  Mini citrus colored whisk   I got a 2 pack at big lots for $4. The full size did not fit in my box.

ü  Plastic locking lid shoe box Target carries a couple of storage container styles with every size imaginable available in a set pattern.  This green box feels summer citrus to me. I like that it is clear so the fun contents can be seen inside.

ü  (2)  20 pack green cups The dollar store had the perfect color of green and 2 packages fit perfect in the box with the large package of mix.

Step 3: Make the big sign. I specifically used fabric so it could roll up into the box.

a.      I sewed a fabric strip to a vinyl shelf liner. I created 2x1 rectangle of yellow scrap fabric.  It was thin so I doubled it.

b.       I folded the vinyl shelf line (clearance bin from Michaels for .50c a roll) package style over the edges and used my sewing machine to sew it down.

c.        I placed a flower scrapbooking eyelet in each corner so the sign can be hung in any way necessary. In hindsight I should have used big grommets but the flower was so pretty.

d.       I used my silhouette cutter to create the letters LEMONADE STAND in sparkle glitter iron on vinyl. Each letter is a 1.5 inches tall and the glitter will get the drivers attention when the stand is sitting in the sun. Craft stores sell letters of all sizes or a simple stencil would work so vinyl iron on is not a limiting factor.

e.       I used chalkboard paint to make a small price square on the sign. Let the kids pick their price. I included a piece of chalk and vis-a-vie pen in the box for the tally sheet and sign.

Note:  If you have never done iron on letters before I have to mention that regardless of the cutter you must mirror image the letters so they cut out looking backwards. When you place the vinyl on the fabric  for iron on the letter face the right direction. I have wasted a good bit of vinyl forgetting this fact when I rush. 

DIY Jewelry Organizer

Earring and Bracelet Keeper

Note: I need better pictures when the daylight is available!

Not sure if I should be sad or proud that I have so much jewelry I need a huge armoire and two separate wall mounted organizers.  One constant challenge has been bracelets and earring. In a box or drawer they get jumbled and I have too many to keep them sorted by pair and sitting alone.  Soo… Pintrest to the rescue, after much research and a wander through Lowes this is the outcome.

Supplies:

$6.00 key rack (the pretty unique hooks were removable as they screwed from behind)

$5.00 pre-sized length of copper pipe

$4.00 knobs from hobby lobby

Free frame and shadow box I already owned

Drill

Black stain I already had on hand.

Steps:

1.       Create distressed antique finish by sanding corners of frame and spot around the frame and then sporadically wiping black stain on. Let dry for a couple of days and adjust according to desired result more or less stain and sanding.  I considered a black paint finish but decided against it. Anything works.

2.       For the necklace shadow box I removed the glass and had originally planned to create a new insert. I skipped that and left the glass out and the necklaces exposed. Way too overloaded now so the insert may still be in the futureJ

3.       For the earrings and bracelets I attached 2 of the hooks in the bottom corners of the frame level.  I tested that the rod would easily rest in the hook without problem. I choose copper but a dowel or pvc painted would work as easily.

4.       Using duck tape around the screw of the knob I wrapped it and twirled the knob into the copper for a snug fit.  I did not glue it as I was not sure how my patina on the copper will look if glue is involved. I used vinegar and salt to start the patina so in a few days it should look really cool.

5.       For the earrings I used a black satin background, created 2 ruffles of tulle netting run onto wire.  In this case the glass was not a snug fit (I tested) so I wrapped the glass with the satin and carefully wrapped the wire around the glass and twisted them into knots on the back of the glass.  So the wire will not move and the knots are sandwiched between the glass and the frame back.

a   a.   The top ruffle is the tulle folded in half and the wire threaded along the entire width and scrunched for the ruffle.

b.      The second row is one layer, longer and then tucked into the bottom of the glass to secure the base and make a simple puff of tulle.       I wrapped a second run of wire no tulle but it is not functional so skip that step.

7.       I carefully placed this creation on glass into place. Note if you don’t have glass with a bit of room on either side the wire and wrapping will be too much and the glass will shatter when you put it into the fame. 

Nintendo DS Game(s) Keeper DIY

Nintendo DS Game Disc Keyring DIY

Drive management for kids in car for extended time continues...

My kids are 7 and 10.  Both have a Nintendo DS and assorted games magical little 1x1 plastic bits that cost a $20-60.  They are constantly being misplaced and dropped in the seats of the truck. Previous road trips have included countless efforts by me to load games back in boxes identify what is missing, tear the truck apart looking for it, repeat! To date no man has been left behind but I just don’t want to go through all that.

So I started trying to solve the problem.  First stop toys-r-us.  Wow! How a tiny box that fits in another box is going to be answer to all game management is beyond me.  They struggle to keep it in the box it came in; creating a new process with a tinier box does not seem the answer.

I want these on a keychain I told the clerk.  Like keys! Nope I have never seen anything like that.

Google searches and Pintrest searches (my always winning idea sources) reveal only more opportunities to arrange a process that the child will place tiny game in a slot or box or bag. 

Off to the office supply store, I remembered from a lonnng time ago binder supplies included little paper strips (sticky back) with metal loops to add pamphlets etc. to a binder. I may be dreaming about those because the looked at me like I was crazy. But after a lot of searching and looking like a nice lady who needs solutions I had 2 different office stores give me some pages of adhesive hang tabs (from their internal supplies and no charge). I had an idea that started brewing.

Walking around the office store I found some cute lightup keychains for $2 each and some keychain rings. 

This is how it came together after much experimentation.

Step 1: I placed a game in the console and examined how it set in place. Using the tab portion (NOT THE STICKY AREA) I discovered I could slide it into the top of the game/disk without the disc being moved or bend in any direction. The game is snug on the bottom nothing can be attached to that side without the game bending in place.

Step 2: Using a least popular game I cut the tab down to fit securely without effecting the game insertion or position. I cut the sticky half (while it was still on the paper protection sheet) to look like a smaller square. I was careful not to jeopardize the security of the tab. A tear or overcut would cause it to fall off the keychain and invalidate the effort.

Notice the plastic is cut smaller to not interfere with the game cartridge dimensions

Step 3: String on a keyring, add the new handy light, a cell phone layard to attach it to game console and SUCCESS.

In the dark they can still read their game titles.  

Project out-takes:  My fails include multiple efforts gluing jewelry findings to the front portion of the game disc. But they pop off. I tried gluing necklace wire as well, pops off. I took apart one game disc and looked inside and ruled out any drilling or inserting findings in the plastic housing.  I was worried that it would affect the electronic pieces.

Getting a 10year old girl to plan and pack!

The holiday drive to North Dakota is on final countdown. We have just enough time to wash and dry needed cloths and get them in the cases ready to go. 

  Last year when we took this trip over Thanksgiving Makenna (my then 9 year old) cried for an hour.  It went like this… “I know you forgot what I need”, “Why did you pack for me”?, “what will we do if I don’t have enough stuff to wear”?, and on and on and on.

Cut to this year Makenna is now 10 and even spunkier (nice adjective instead of what I really think).  So this is the printout she is being given tonight to complete. Once finished no revisions or exceptions (maniacal smile).

The Christmas Craft and Gift Summary:
As I finally finish the many handmade gifts (which is taking a considerable amount of time) I am going to post the ready to give version.

Office Cocoa and Peppermint Schnapps:
$3.00 a piece
I couldn't figure out how to tie the tiny Schnapps to the tiny cocoa so I folded down a plain brown lunch sack and added some ribbon to hold the little items.  I made some of the cocoa for my kids and if you follow the instructions it makes a very rich drink.  Next year I will modify the instructions to allow for a less dark choc version.  This is a perfect mix for adults and will be super yummy with some peppermint schnapps.

Bracelet and Ring for a Girlfriend:
Twice I have jumped onto Pickyourplum.com and gotten a fun set of resin flowers for an inexpensive price. I paired a couple of them with a cute bracelet from Joanne fabrics new line of Plaid resin flowers and findings.  I love how simple and pretty and it looks.

Bracelet and Ring
Flowers: $.25  (from my favorite set a combined sizes and styles)
Bracelet: $2.49 (half price on sale)
Total: $2.74
The funny part about making jewelry for friends is how much I don't want to give it away after I finish. So the cost of not keeping it for myself should be factored in the overall value:)

Keeping this one for myself:
I found a cool flower sugar skull style image on pintrest. I copied it, shrunk it down and printed it on photo paper after making a black and white image.   Using my circle punch I cut it out and started the process of carefully layering crystal effects like a resin cover.  I had to dab it on to start the process and keep the paper and image from soaking in moisture and smearing.  After it was well coated on both sides I used the crystal effects to press it into the finding (a cool silver flower from Hobby Lobby) and started layering the goo until I had the start of a dome.  At some point in that series I dropped 2 of the resin flowers into the goo on the side and sat them on the lip of the flower inset.

I LOVE the look so now I am keepin this one for myself.
Flower: $2.00 (half price, I only buy with a coupon or sale)
Resin Flowers: $.25

Anthropologie DIY Knock Off

Anthropologie silk scarf necklace knock-off

The original

My knock off

 

How I did it (drawn out below after description):

Ribbon is half off at Hobby Lobby in Colorado.  Score I purchased a few (I had the leather lace and chain). All told the investment was $7.00 and I made 2 necklaces! Christmas present score!!

1.   I chopped random lengths of the ribbon and tied them into one very long chain. I have each tied point a bit long so you can see they are tied. I tied the leather lace into this as well. I did not add the chain until last.
2.   I used a lighter to melt a finish on all the ribbon so it does not fray.
3. I created a long loop of measuring 40 inches. 
4.   Create a small extra loop that extends beyond the bundle. Hold in place and...
5. Sew down the loops for security
6. Add the chain (I tied it into a sewn down piece) 
7. Wrap the ends cover all the mess and and tie or glue the wrap end
8. Sew a button onto the end without the loop. 

 Now fasten and wear!

 

EMILY's Cranberry Salad

EMILY's Cranberry Salad
 (Judy Brown original family member submitter)

1 large raspberry jello
1 1/2 cups boiling water
1 small can crushed pineapple - drained

1 can whole cranberry sauce
1/2 cup water
1 cup nuts
Mix together (Jello and boiling water first until dissolved)refrigerate until firm

Topping:
1/2 cup sugar
8 oz sour cream
mix and spread on top of jello mixture when set.