Cheap Tray-fabulous!!

On the way to Seattle the other day we stopped off at Ikea, because well it's Ikea and if  you are nearby it is mandatory you stop in.  Period, check the rule book.

It was a quick trip and I did skip all of the fun mini rooms and went straight for the kill.

But not before I checked out the kitchen stuff.

I stumbled upon this 1.99 tray called Smula, not sure what smula mean but it was singing my song.

If you want one for yourself click HERE

It is a simple good sized tray.

Just a little too plain for my liking.

Easy fix, since you can see through it.

Dig out a fun design, I used a piece of scrap fabric that I looo-uve 

Flip the tray over so you are painting on the bottom side and start outlining or coloring.

Use any color you like, it's yours after all. 

I chose yellow to go with my outdoor stuff.

After I had gone over the design in the colors I wanted, I sprayed over all of that pretty stuff with a grey primer and then sealed it up with silver. 

Ikea Hack taaa-daaaa!

Now it is ready to use :)

they say it's summer

Everyone in the red zone and even orange, I am truly sorry for this post.

The ones in pink zone I'm just sorry you are living in an oven.

My heart goes out to you, I use to live in one of those deep red zones.

But I moved, about 14 years ago and now my summers are no longer on fire.

Trust me I am NOT complaining. 

I have grown to love the rain and grey days.

Mostly when I remember what it's like living in an oven.

I do miss swimming though and bright colors and just the feel of summery things.

Soooo it was off to the Dollartree and tada summer on my door. 

That is about all the summer I need right thar!

You know what is another colorful and amazing thing up here?

Chihuly

Here's a quick shot of some of his work and new museum.

Yessss, I did not go in but shot through the fence.  Next time I have some fundage I will do better pictures, if they let me.

What does color and rain have in common?

This chair! 

For free..... left in the rain...... with bright blue color.

Ok, it didn't really go but I had to slip it in there as a before and hopefully a cliff hanger.

Will I complete it?  Will it be colorful?  Will it be tacky?

See, got you on your seat now :D  lol

A Day in the life of.....

Ok, actually it was a few days, but they blend together with the same thought.

Boredom

My daughter is in Canada at camp, and my son has been working so I have a lot of time on my hands.

When I get bored, I start gluing things together.

The project below is what came out.

I had read on Pinterest that you can make large images for cheap, if you order engineering prints at Staples.  They only come in black in white and they are not picture sharp.

I thought I'd give it a try and ordered this picture on line and another one, you'll see at the end of this post.

For two 18x24 images was under five dollars.

So I glued the paper on a piece of foam core I had left over from a Dollartree excursion.

I used spray glue on the foam core and then smoothed the picture on top.

I had room left over so I started gluing on my husbands old (as in thrown away) drumsticks.

Then I threw in some coffee beans for flavor HA! get it?  flavor :D 

How more Seattle can you get?

It still didn't work on the wall.

So I put it on another wall. 

I kinda liked it but, I like my orange frame better.

Oops sorry random picture.  It's a "vanilla bean cheesecake with chocolate crust and salted carmel topping.  Insert drool here. 

Dang, another random picture, but I did finally capture Kiki in his bed. 

Ok back to the picture without a wall.

I found a frame that was on my mantle....empty....just kinda sitting there staring at me and my dillema.

I got re-inspired and added a little typography on thar 

The frame was happy to oblige me and made my free art complete.

I think NOW it is working.  Maybe....

I will post another picture when that side of the room is complete.

And of course the final picture. 

Yes, I have not painted my mantle yet.

I am bogged down by the little things I have to do before I can actually do that.

I wish I had a intern to do all the lacky stuff so I can finish up these projects.

But on the great note, my knee is finally healed and I am able to do stuff.

Whoooo hoooo.

Cheap Pot

So summer is upon us and it's planting time.

I tend to kill things so I try to keep CHEAP!

While on a Goodwill hunting trip I found this lamp.

It was dated. 

See?

But it could have a new life.

One of  a green nature.

Slightly modern and hip. 

See it yet?

I just tore the guts out of it....it's really simple. 

                                                                    How about now?

Isn't it cool?

It's totally modern and sleek planter possibilities are released!

So double green TA-DA!!!

I did a quick trip to Wally world for clearance plants and soil.

I even threw some poises in my other pots 

All hail King Kiki

I looked up at my Mother's Day flowers and was sad to see they were dying.

I also noticed one was glaring back at me.

I recognized that glare...

Been seeing it ever since this little Rooo cat joined the family. 

Not by her but himmmmm

Yessss, it has been hard on him with a cute kitten who has no boundaries or problems invading personal spaces.  Who sneaks up and randomly sniffs his behind.

He just doesn't have a space of his own, not that he ever wanted one but things have changed.

I stumbled across these baskets someone gave me a few years back. 

It looked like a perfect Kiki throne, just needed some spiffing up and flava..

Oh yeah, uh huh, it's his birthday sing it.

So went to StuffMart and got a cheap pillow. 

Brought out some spray paint. 

Got all fancy with the tape and more spray paint. 

Oh look its Chevron (do I get some brownie points or what?) 

Made it official on the other side 

Found some fun fabric on the internet for cheeeap. 

And Bam! just like that a Kiki Throne. 

I was going to sew it but then I'm like why? when he's not gonna dig it up or move it.

So I safety pinned it on the underside so I can wash both the fabric and pillow when needed.

Now to find him and give it a test run.

Here kikikikikiki

This may be continued

Noodle Chucks, or Nun Noodles, or Dollar Store Crafting

Squeeeeeeeeee!

I am really excited about this one.

My daughter is having a small party with "The Sasquatch Gang" as the center and theme.

It's an older movie but we love it.

I of course will go overboard and have corn dogs, tater tots and chocolate pudding but I also came up with this idea.

Quick run to the dollar store and rummaging through my duck tape pile.

Can ya guess?    No?  O.o

Ok I'll tell ya, I'm gonna make numchucks.

First you cut some pool noodles, I got 2 pair out of each noodle. 

One necklace for each pair.

Cut it.

That's it just make a cut. 

Make a big knot on both ends. 

Shove knots inside of noodle.

Really can't get more simple than this. 

Now is the time for the duck tape.  Rip off a piece and rip it down the middle half way.

Use it to secure the necklace.  Then do another one in the other direction.

Cover the noodle in duck tape and do the top in a different color just to be official. 

There ya have it!

Numchuckery TA-DAAA!!!!! 

Yes, we did try them out and they were fun. 

Had to bring out the Ninja to demonstrate, 

Talk about an affordable party favor I know teens will love.

Less than a dollar to make....each!  I know right :D

Cheap Therapy

With so many big projects that tend to eat up my time and money.

I've gotten into a funk.

The blah, sore, can't quit staring and wishing for things I really don't need.

Do know what helps me with that?

People telling me to quit it. ahhahaaha

Also just being able to do something fun, simple, and colorful and also cheap.

Off to the dollar store  (sound the trumpets)

With the sun shining weather and so many people planting things that grow.

I remember my thumb is not very green and refrain from herbicide.

It's just not pretty.

So I found this fun ribbon and foam ring and fun butterflies.

Then the crowning touch?

Drink umbrellas!!!! a couple dollars for 144 of them. 

Yes, this craft has been seen on Pinterest, it is where I saw it as well.

As usual I did not read directions just looked at the pretty pictures. 

Honestly how hard could jabbing umbrellas be?

It looked a little lumpy.

Maybe the ring is too small.

hmmmmm, I will fake it. :) 

 A quick burst of color TA-DAaaa!! 

See, feeling better already and no monthly payments.

whoot whoot

Give it a try, it's amazing how creating something makes you feel a little saner