A Good Holiday

It was a good holiday.  Just as it should be when we are at our real home - lots of family, friends, cheer, good food and love.  We've spent the last few holidays in Colorado at our other home, which is totally enjoyable, but in different ways.

Here's a holiday recap.  And by the way, my iPhone had over 6,000 photos on it and thus, it was giving me an error message that I couldn't take anymore. Bah humbug.  Mr. UpCyclist helped me download all those lovely photos.  Now, I am ready to take 6K more.

Lil O by our tree.......She is way into fashion design lately, so many of her presents centered around that theme.

Christmas night dinner at my sister's house.  Lil O is sporting her new outfit from her cousins.  Cute, isn't it?  I love the gun metal gray color.  I believe the entire outfit is from 77 Kids; purse from Claire's.

The three cousins on their new love sac.  That sac is a hoot.

What do you think of my new dress from Macy's?   It made of t-shirt material, which means it is so soft and comfortable.  Thanks, Mom and Hal!

Here are some day-after shots....Lil O in her fascinator headband.  That was a great find at Kohl's for 50% off that day.  Mr. UpCyclist is working on the Our Home Town puzzle.  The puzzle is of our home in Colorado.  Ahhh......

And me.   Happy, slightly tired, me with sweet Jedi in the background.

How was your holiday, Upcyclists?

xoxo,

Jen

PS - What do you think about the wall behind Mr. UpCyclist in the photo above?  Wouldn't it make a great chalkboard wall?

Season's Greetings

From our family to yours!  Take care, Upcyclists!

xoxo,

Jen, Mr. UpCyclist, Lil O and Jedi

Magnet Ornaments - Easy, Peasy.....

I saw these adorable, couldn't-be-easier-to-make magnet ornaments at Young House Love here.  I enjoy reading YHL.  The couple who makes up YHL is silly, creative and oh-so-productive.  Three of my favorite descriptors.

Lil O and I made our own magnet ornaments.  We didn't follow YHL and use Liquid Nails to glue our magnets.  But, instead, we used our trusty hot glue gun.  This project cannot be any easier.  In fact, it may go down as the fastest craft completed ever.

Which isn't a bad thing.  Especially when Mr. UpCyclist is on me to finish my craft projects as many of them are a "work-in-progress" - like for several years a work-in-progress.

Here are the supplies:  Glue gun ($2.99); we purchased ours from Joann's.  Surprisingly, the mini glue gun sticks are more costly than I always imagine.  Not break-the-bank-costly, but about $7-9 a bag.  Go figure.  This is Lil O's new glue gun.  I've had my glue gun for years and it looks sticky and glorious.  Ha!

Magnets:  I bought these for $3 at Michael's with my 50% off coupon (they were originally $6).  They are a bit chubby, but strong.  Plus, I absolutely love having extra magnets at home for other craft projects (see photos and links at the end).

I bought these 50% off ornaments at Michael's.  Lil O loves disco balls and dancing, so I knew she would adore these.  The colors are energizing, too.

To make the magnet ornaments, all you have to do is open the packages (no, duh!?) and hot glue the magnets to the back of each ornament.  Hot glue dries within seconds.  So, the magnets were ready for their fridge debut within a minute.  

And even with slamming the fridge door, they haven't fallen off yet.  Thanks, Young House Love, for the idea.

It feels soooooo good to get back to crafting lately after a nationwide stressful week.  Did you see yesterday's post about DIY Chalkboard Ornaments?  That's another easy craft, too.   Again, crafting fuels my soul.

xoxo,

Jen

{More magnet ideas here.....}

DIY Chalkboard Ornament

Crafting fuels my soul.  Does it do the same for yours?

This ornament could not be any easier.  Seriously. I'm slightly embarrassed that I am writing a tutorial about it.  But, since not everyone is a crafter, I figure, better to explain the process than leave it to chance.  This ornament is also under $5, which is good because today Lil O and I are bringing the ornament to an ornament exchange and we were supposed to stay under $5.  Mission accomplished.

Here we go....

First, gather your supplies.  The ornament was literally $1 from our local Dollar Tree store.  I purchased the chalkboard spray paint from Joann Crafts with a 50% off coupon.  I think it cost $3 after the coupon.  Yay!  I also used a coupon to buy the chalkboard bistro marker, but in the end decided old-fashioned chalk for ($1.49) looked best.  Chocolate is optional!  Lil O gifted that piece of chocolate to me. Ha!  I will explain the painters tape in a moment.

Tape off the top of the ornament and the string with painters tape, so it does not get covered in spray paint.  Then, go outside and spray away.  I like to keep my arm moving while I spray paint so it doesn't get too globby.

After you spray the first coat, let the coat dry for a few hours.  I wasn't in a hurry, so I left the ornament to dry overnight.   Then, spray a second coat and let that coat dry, too.

The next step is key.  You have to "cure" your chalkboard surface.  You do this by rubbing the side of a piece of chalk all over it.  Lil O and I had extra fun by rubbing the chalk all over the ornament with our hands, too.  Girls just gotta have fun, right?

For the grand finale, with a damp paper towel, wipe off the cured chalk.  Your ornament is now ready for chalk doodles and giving!

Easy, no?

If you make a DIY Chalkboard Ornament, post a photo on our Facebook page here.  I'm certain it will brighten my day (and maybe others).

Speaking of today, have a fantastic day, Upcyclists!  I hope to post more craft ideas before Christmas.

xoxo,

Jen

Love. This.

I can't remember where I found this. But, I love.....

xoxo, Jen