Thrifty Thursday

Earlier this week I started on a new collection of greeting cards for Kitsch. When I opened my stack of cards I realized all the envelopes were water stained and wrinkled! I didn't want to have to run out to return them (and less than 20 envelopes were effected) so I decided to make my own envelopes to go with my cards.

You can use my template above for a card 3.75"x6" or follow these super easy instructions to make your own envelopes of any size. I may start doing this for all my cards!

Take a piece of cardstock, scrapbook paper, page from a magazine or newspaper. Make sure your design isn't too busy so you the postmaster can still read the address. Lay your desired card in the center and trace light around the edges.

On the top and bottom, draw a line 1" from your card edge. I angled the sides a bit.

On the right side, draw a vertical line half the width of your card away. So, if your card is 4" wide, draw a line 2" away. On the left side, draw a vertical line half the width of your card + 1"....so the line would be 3" away. Starting to make sense? Again, I angled the sides a bit.

Now, cut out along your lines and fold: 1) the right side, 2) the left side (with some glue on the edge), 3) the bottom (with glue), 4) insert your card, add a line of glue and secure shut.

Pizza Muffins

Using a muffin tray to make individual deep dish pizzas, brilliant right? It's a Martha-inspired dinner...one that I didn't have to go buy 100 ingredients and it actually came out the way it was suppose to!

What you need:

1 pizza crust mix (I used Jiffy)
Pizza sauce
Onions, green peppers, mushrooms, all diced
Pepperoni, chopped
Shredded cheese
basil, garic salt and Parmesan cheese

What you do:

1. Mix the pizza crust as instructed and set aside. Next, grease the muffin pans really well (even on the top) and set aside.
2. Once the dough has set, pull into seven balls. Depending on the size your muffin pan, you might have more or less. Work the balls into flat circular shapes and lay into the pan, making sure that some of the crust sticks over.
3. I layered mine like this: veggies, 1 tbsp sauce, cheese, repeat. Sprinkle some basil, garlic and parm on the top and bake for 12 minutes at 450 degrees.

Office Updo

I've been wanting to give my office a little facelift for a while. Although, considering we rent and my office is actually in a closet, I don't really have a ton of options. So I did a few low-cost decorations and storage ideas that have already proven helpful. Annnnnd, I got my new computer up and running and all my files transferred (a much bigger task than I thought). 

 This might seem a little obsessive, but I made labels for all my plastic boxes (and organized all the contents) to easily locate all my crafts. I also came up with a new system of categorizing my crafts by fabric bins labeled "in progress," "needs tagging" and "finished." Totally nerdy, I know.... but totally helpful!

My two bookshelves, only one of which is occupied by books. The other holds all my clothing patterns, buttons, zippers, markers and my new tea pot from Punky and the City.

I covered a piece of foam core ($1 at the Dollar Tree) with material I've had for years. I labeled some hanging folders for shipping labels and inventory forms and hung my handmade stamps with clothespins.

This project was particularly easy and free (thanks to Barney, Mike's dad). He had some extra pegboard laying around his garage, so we painted it and added a bunch of hooks to help me organize a bunch of items I never have a place for.

I decided to dye this old Ikea rug with some bright yellow dye. I found that bold yellow fabric at Hancock's for $2.50 a yard, so I made a cushion for my chair and a new curtain for the shelves.

Music Monday

 Happy Memorial Day.

The Big Reveal!

I participated in the Send Something Good project hosted by Gentri Lee, Kaitlyn Patience and Kristy. It's been great getting perusing through all the different musings of like-minded bloggers. The blogger I sent Something Good to was Amy from Amy Is Thinking. I learned she loves her puppies (which are too cute for words), gardening, love, Sudokus, making lists, letters, future traveling ideas and Pinterest :)

So I got her a Sudoku book, some little (locally made) doggy soap and toothbrush, some seeds for her garden, a few Fairview Place goods (earrings, scarf and travel-themed greeting cards), a handwritten letter and some little notebooks for her nightly to-do lists.

I wrapped up everything in magazine pages and sent the package on its merry way.

After three weeks of traveling I came home to this lovely box from Punky at Punky and the City. The box itself is too cute!

She really hit the nail on the head with all the goodies she sent me, including: postcards and a little souvenir from Ventura (where she lives), a super cute necklace she made herself, a little wool pouch, felt stickers, a vintage tea kettle (currently on the mantle) and some yummy tea. Oh, and some pretzel m&ms, which were gone before I could take their photos :)

I loved participating in this project and finding, reading and exploring so many interesting people's blog, lifestyles, creations and experiences. Cheers to the Send Something Good Project!

Store Update

Have you seen the latest goods at Fairview Place? I've just updated with a few new felt food items that look tasty enough to eat. I've been inspired by some girls over at Kitsch to add pancakes, bacon and eggs to the menu... Oh, and some cookies as well. So, you can imagine what I'll be working on next week. Stay tuned for more felt food goodies in the (very near future).

 heading to the pretend baseball game? don't forget the peanuts!

cheese (pepperjack and cheddar, of course), crackers and sausage for the perfect pretend picnic.

pretend circus? gotta have popcorn!

smaller box of chocolates, for those on a diet ;)

Thrifty Thursday

I get a kick out of seeing various ways to use paint chips. I have a collection of 50+ from my days working at the newspaper that just sit in my cupboard. For today's Thrifty Thursday, I've complied a roundup of ingenious ways to put these to use!

wall art

 moving announcements

ornaments

 coasters

earrings

 bike art

invites

 canning labels

 wallet

bracelet

 business cards

notebooks

calendar

placemats

lamp shade

seating cards

rolodex

napkin ring

Apple and Pear Turnovers

Yet another recipe from Pinterest, although I added pears to mine. It's exactly like apple pie, but smaller and better and cuter. Try them, you'll agree.

What you need:

1 refrigerator pie crust
1 apple and 1 pear, peeled and cut into 1/4" slices
1/2 cup sugar
2 tsp cinnamon
1 tbsp butter

What you do:

1. Mix the sugar and cinnamon together.
2. Melt the butter and spread on the pie crust. Cut into strips about 1.5" wide and 4 to 5" long.
3. Toss the apples and pears in the cinnamon mixture. Wrap the pie crust around the fruit and top with remaining cinnamon.
4. Bake at 425 degrees for 10-15 minutes.

Music Monday

Today's playlist... Ballads for a slow Monday.

Happy Friday!

I'm so happy it's Friday! I've been spending all week in doors, transferring computer files, unpacking, cleaning and sorting the office and I'm ready for some fun with friends. There is so much going on these upcoming days, so pick an activity (or several) and get to enjoying the weekend!

Stockley Gardens Art Fest

The Plot Volunteer Day

CSA Pickup at Five Points Community Farm Market

Whiffle Ball at the Oceanfront

"Smashbook" Class at Kitsch

Beer Fest at Town Point Park

DIY Fabric Headband

So I actually planned to make these headbands while I was home, but ran out of time! I'm really happy with the way they came out, considering the project cost me a dollar (thanks to Pat Catan's Craft Center and their 49-cent headbands) and about 20 minutes of work time.

What you need:

Plastic headbands
Mod Podge
Glue
Fabric
Paint brush

What you do:

1. Cut the fabric into three thin strips about 1/2"x18".
2. Run a thin line of glue along the top of the headband and smear it in.
3. Start at one end of the headband and start wrapping your fabric. Make sure to fold the fabric ends under where you start so no plastic is showing. Also, it's okay if the fabric frays a bit, the Mod Podge will help secure that in place.
4. Once the band is completely wrapped in fabric, use the paint brush to dab on the Mod Podge, completely coating the fabric. It will appear it was a white coating, but it dries clear. I applied two coats, waiting 20 minutes in between. Just to be safe let them completely dry over night.