The Paper Fleamarket

Posted on | February 4, 2009 | 3 Comments

One last post for the day. Tomorrow I’ll share photos and a recipe for peanut butter jelly bars…they are baking in oven right now…the batter was pretty divine.

I have no idea how I found this funny little paper site. I wish I would have found it a few months ago when I was still working on my $1 design finds column for domino. The Paper Fleamarket carries all sorts of vintage papers and pharaphernalia. The site recommends using the paper for collage projects. Some of the pieces I would just frame on their own and add to my art gallery walls. Prices are super reasonable starting at just .10 cents. Check out more: thepaperfleamarket.com.

yhst 33079557493474 2038 931396 714483 The Paper Fleamarket

yhst 33079557493474 2038 2369360 714459 The Paper Fleamarket

yhst 33079557493474 2039 8986947 766945 The Paper Fleamarket

Category: $1 design finds, affordable artwork, paper, vintage finds

Budget Gifts Ideas Winner!

Posted on | December 23, 2008 | 5 Comments

Stephanie from Even Cleveland is the winner of the budget gifts ideas sweepstakes! I absolutely fell in love with her diy snowflake ornaments. A sweet and cost-effective gift for the holidays. Stephanie was kind enough to share the instructions with all us. I can’t wait to try out this fun craft.

p.s. my boyfriend said, “I think they’re gorgeous”….he not a gorgeous saying kind of guy. I got him his own glue to help me make some.

This is how you make them:

1. Select your macaroni – I used large and small wagon wheels, small shells, and fiori (flower shaped pasta).

2. Come up with your designs – this part is the most fun. I like to spill a few macaronis out and move them around, until I find the most snowflake-like arrangements. This year, I came up with ten different styles – the possibilities are only limited by your imagination (and the strength of your glue!)

3. Using a good strong craft glue (Like Aleen’s or Smart) and a small paint brush, apply glue generously to the edges of the pasta and attach the pieces to make your design. Once they are put together, I like to lay them out on wax paper to dry. Let glue dry completely, making sure to rotate your snowflakes periodically. This prevents them from sticking fast to your wax paper.

4. Using a large cardboard box, lay out a single layer of the snowflakes. Make sure that they are not touching each other. Spray lightly with glossy, fast-drying white spray-paint. Let dry. Re-apply in light layers, letting snowflakes dry in between, until they are completely coated. I spray the backs as well. As they are drying, give the box a few gentle shakes to keep them from drying to the bottom of the box. Make sure to keep the coats of paint light, or the macaroni will soften and start to lose it’s shape.

5. Once they are painted and dried, it’s time to apply the glitter. I thin my craft glue with a few drops of water, then use a sponge brush to lightly coat each snowflake with glue. Sprinkle generously with glitter, and let dry completely, Re-apply glitter as needed to cover any empty spots. I used large flake clear crystal glitter on these, but any glitter would look lovely – it’s craft magic.

7. Attach a looped length of ribbon or monofilament, and ta da! Macaroni snowflake ornaments!

I made mine white, but I think colorful ones might be fun, too. They make great garlands as well. I also tie them on the necks of wine bottles as little presents.

Category: $1 design finds, diy, holiday

Budget Gift Ideas Sweepstakes!

Posted on | December 15, 2008 | Comments Off

Do you have any clever ideas for super-inexpensive or even free gifts? If you do you could win all the blue and white china featured in my $1 holiday guide story at domino. The gift ideas do not need to be under $1 just relatively inexpensive. Think diy gifts or inventive finds. The winner’s idea will be featured on my blog next Monday! Send a photo, brief description, and address (so I can mail you the prize) to me at elliott.katy@gmail.com. Sweepstakes runs till midnight on Sunday December 21, 2008. Good Luck!

Category: $1 design finds, diy, holiday

2008 Holiday Cards: Marblehead

Posted on | December 3, 2008 | 1 Comment

I included these nostalgic holiday cards in my $1 holiday gift guide. The cards are from a local printshop in Marblehead, MA. This is our first Christmas in our new town it seemed perfect to send Marblehead themed cards. I just went down to the local printshop and bought a few more to start sending out. From past experience it’s better to start early on the holiday card writing. Otherwise, you end up with cards that only say “Happy Holidays” love so and so. Assorted cards, $1 each, Litchman’s & Orne Printing (781) 631-0175. Check out more $1 holiday finds here.

Category: $1 design finds, holiday, marblehead, on the streets, paper

$1 holiday gifts ideas at domino

Posted on | November 25, 2008 | 1 Comment

Be the first to go and check out my $1 holiday gifts story over at domino. With this $1 story I tried to concentrate on more handmade gifts and vintage finds. Many of the gifts were made from things I had lying around the house. As my boyfriend always reminds me, “You don’t have to go out and buy everything new!” I remind myself in these tough economic times to spend less and really think about what I spend my money on. Check out the my $1 story for inspiration and budget saving gift ideas.

For more budget friendly decorating ideas including my first $1 design finds story click here.

p.s. I had a sweepstakes for budget holiday gift ideas. The winner: macaroni snowflake ornaments. Make them now!