Crafts: A Pinspired Christmas

Happy Saturday! Hope you're enjoying the weekend. I don't know about you, but I love Christmastime! It's my most favorite time of the year. From the holiday movies and twinkling lights, to the crisp winter air and handmade Christmas decorations! Everything about this season brings me great joy, and being able to experience all of this with my loved ones is truly a blessing.

When it comes to adding a holiday touch to our home, I try to include as many handmade DIY projects as possible. Don't get me wrong, I love buying store-bought stuff! Our home has them too. But nothing beats a handmade creation for your family to enjoy for years to come....

With the internet at our fingertips, it's never hard to find ideas and inspiration for ways to personalize your holiday home. And today I'm giving you glimpse into our home to see some of the fun projects I've made to decorate it... each one inspired by Pinterest!

ACTIVITY ADVENT CALENDAR

Pinspired Christmas: Activity Advent Calendar

This is a handmade activity advent calendar that I created for my 4-year-old daughter. You can find my DIY here. It's our second year doing it, and although the calendar stays the same, the activities and the cards you write them on can be changed and customized year after year.

WORD ART

Pinspired Christmas: Christmas Subway Art

A simple and inexpensive way to decorate your home is by switching out some of your photos with fun Christmas art prints. There are so many different designs and styles available [free] on the internet, that you can change them out each year. Here is the Christmas Rules subway art print I used. Mine is displayed in a large black 8x10 frame.

25-BOOKS-IN-DECEMBER

Pinspired Christmas: 25-Books-in-December

Here is another fun project that we continued from last year! I think it's my little one's favorite :) If you have a child that shares a love for reading, it's definitely something to add to your family's list of traditions! You can find all of the details about my 25-Books-in-December here.

CHRISTMAS CARD HOLDER

Pinspired Christmas: Handmade Card Holder

This is one of my favorite handmade Christmas projects! Besides it being super simple to create, I loved using supplies from my stash to customize it to fit our holiday theme. I'll be sharing my DIY next week, so stay tuned to see how I made it!

SANTA'S KEY

Pinspired Christmas: Santa's Key

I think this is the most special handmade Christmas decoration. When I saw it on Pinterest last year, I knew I had to recreate it for our family. It only took a few supplies to make, but the message speaks plenty. I love it!

The hardest thing about this project was finding "the key". I snagged this big glittery gold key ornament from Target. Isn't it perfect? Next, I cut a large tag from Kraft cardstock and printed up a card with the following text:

"Dear Santa,

This magic key works just for you,

Please open the door and come on through.

Thank you for coming to our house tonight.

We are celebrating the birth of Jesus Christ.

Thank you Santa for the gifts you bring,

Thank you Lord for everything."

I added the card to the Kraft tag, and tied on some pretty ribbon to complete it. This piece hangs on the doorknob of our front door for everyone to see.

CHRISTMAS PRINTS

Pinspired Christmas: Christmas Art Printables

This is another freebie that I displayed in one of our silver frames. You can download the "Believe" print here. There are so many beautiful designs online that it's so hard to choose just a few! But I have to say, it really is a simple and frugal way to decorate. With the endless Christmas prints on Pinterest, you can easily change up your displays year after year!

I hope you enjoyed today's post and leave here feeling inspired to create something beautiful this holiday season! If you're looking for more crafty Christmas decor inspiration, check out my "Holidays" pinboard on Pinterest! I also have more fun free holiday printables on my "December Daily" pinboard! Feel free to pin away!

You can stay updated on my recent posts, projects, and photos by following me on instagram or by "liking" my fan page on Facebook. So why not head over there now and show some love....

Were you inspired by Pinterest this season? Tried any of these projects? Any thoughts, questions, or comments about this post? I'd love to hear it! Your feedback is always welcome and much appreciated!

Thanks for stopping by!

Christmas DIY: Traditions | 25-Books-in-December

Happy Holidays! Today I want to share a special project that our family started in 2012. Originally inspired by Pinterest, I added touches better suited to my style and our family. We loved it so much that it's definitely a tradition that we'll continue for years to come! It's such a simple project that any parent can put together... you and your child can share your love of reading together all month long! The best part... it's a great way to start a wonderful collection of books that your child can enjoy all year!

When it came to gathering books together for this project, and being the frugal mommy that I am, I tried to find the most inexpensive route. I rotate my daughter's book collection every six months, so I like to include some of those books for this project. They're almost like new to her, since it's been a while since she's seen that particular book.

I also frequent the local Goodwill often and make it a habit to scour the children's book section. You do have to thumb through each book to make sure the pages are all there, and that they aren't covered with crayon marks. But it's definitely worth the time and effort, because the prices of kids books are incredible! And on that rare occasion you may find something you weren't expecting!

Here is the stack of books that I'm using for this year's 25-Books-in-December...

When I mentioned earlier that sometimes you find something unexpected, this is what I was talking about! 90% of these books came from our local Goodwill. You can imagine how excited I was to find numerous Hawaiian books for $.50 a piece! It was a great way to build my daughter's Hawaiian book collection :) The other 10% of them are from family members and cousins that passed down their favorite books. They were put away until she was old enough to read them.

So don't think that you need to go out and buy ALL brand new books for this project! "Be Green" and buy secondhand, like I did :) If you're a book lover yourself, you'll find much joy in searching the thrift store's shelves for books to be treasured by your little ones. I absolutely love it!

Next comes another fun part...I don't know about you, but I love wrapping presents! It's one of my favorite things to do during Christmas time, so I treated this batch of books just like a stack of Christmas presents! I alternated between pretty printed wrapping paper and brown Kraft paper, and adorned each book with a handmade tag and white & gold twine.

My Silhouette Cameo named "Candy" [a gift from the hubs last Valentine's Day ;)] helped with the tags. Super simple... no cutting for me! I decorated each one with various washi tape and hand wrote the numbers with some of my favorite pens. Some gold and white twine wrapped around each book finishes my 25-Books-in-December.

Christmas DIY: Traditions | 25-Books-in-December

PROJECT IN ACTION: Here is a look at a favorite book from last week. This is such a fun tradition! We get to read together as a family or one-on-one, and discover new adventures each and every night. We look forward to putting on our favorite jammies and snuggling up together with a new book. At the end of the night, it goes into a basket under the Christmas tree with the rest of the books we opened, to be enjoyed any time.

That's all I have for you today. I hope you enjoyed my Christmas post! If you're looking for more DIY Holiday inspiration, check out my handmade Activity Advent Calendar. I have even more fun projects, ideas, and inspiration on my "Holidays" pinboard on pinterest! Are you documenting December? I'm doing a December Daily this year! I'll also be sharing more of my Christmas projects this month, so stay tuned!

You can stay updated on all of my recent posts, projects, and photos by following me on instagram or by "liking" my fan page on Facebook.

Do you share this family tradition? Have I inspired you to try it? Any thoughts, questions, or comments about this post? I'd love to hear it! Your feedback is always welcome and much appreciated.

Mahalo for stopping by!

Christmas DIY: Activity Advent Calendar

This time of the year is definitely my favorite... and the year long wait it takes to get here is so worth it! Starting in November I plan and gather ideas for December. From daily bible verses and 25-Books-in-December [stay tuned!], to a handmade Activity Advent Calendar like this one.

I chose daily "Activities" rather than a candy or gift calendar. It's much more suited for our fun and active family. Brainstorm ideas that your family likes to do during the season. But don't ever set anything in stone, so it's easy to make changes to scheduling when need be. See how I incorporated my ideas into my Filofax 2013 Holiday Planner. This is the second year doing our Activity Advent Calendar, and it's so much fun! I included a lot of stuff from last year.. and added some new things too!

>> MAKE YOUR CALENDAR <<

I cannot give you a step-by-step of this project, since I made it last year before I started blogging. I do have a few photos that I captured on IG which I'll share with you. They aren't the best quality but they give you a good idea of how this project came together. I'm also including lots of updated images from this year's calendar.

GATHER SUPPLIES

This calendar was made using scraps and leftover bits and pieces from my 2012 Studio Calico December Daily Kit. Along with pretty holiday paper, I also used designs from my year-round collections. I repurposed two sheets of thick 12" x 12" chipboard, pieces of packaging that I saved from paper stacks I bought at Tuesday Morning. They're extremely sturdy and make the perfect "backing" for my calendar. I spritzed them with some of my pink glimmer mist to give it a subtle pop of color.

Using a homemade template with some pretty patterned paper, I created pockets that will hold tags and cards with our daily activities and scriptures. For each pocket, I added a pink number printable [download the set here] which I cut up and modified for this project.

PUT IT TOGETHER

I used some wide pink ribbon to connect the two boards together, punched holes at the top and bottom to attach a ribbon for hanging and a 6" x 4" pocket for Day 25. Each 12" x 12" board holds twelve 3" x 4" pockets perfectly.

HANG IT!

It looks beautiful hanging on the wall with a set of handmade t-shirt pompoms and a big pink bow using the same ribbon from the project.

FILL IT UP

I wrote 25 different activities onto a set of Outnumbered Journaling Cards. They're the perfect size for my pockets. Here is a list of some of the things we're doing this year:

...Read a book, write a letter to grandma, dance to Christmas music, take a photo with Santa, play a game, go on a nature walk, photograph the outdoors, drink hot cocoa together, create something: arts & crafts, buy a present for a loved one, watch holiday movies, build a gingerbread house, do something with Daddy [his choice], make pretty things, write to Santa, bake cookies with Mommy, look at Christmas lights, do something nice [a random act of kindness]....

I attached easy-access washi tape tabs and gold twine to the tags so my little one doesn't have trouble pulling them out. I figure this way, the pockets will last longer so we can enjoy our calendar for many years to come...

Any other ideas? Choose your family's traditions. Things you love to do during this special time of the year. Be creative and have fun with it!

We also read a bible verse together each day in December. I found a list here. When I came across these journaling spots, I knew they would be perfect for this part of the project. The "Story From December" being a bible verse is very fitting. It's nice to remember the true meaning for the season.

ENJOY!

That's all for today! I hope you enjoyed my crafty Christmas post and leave here feeling inspired to create something beautiful this holiday season! I have other fun projects to share with you this month like a customized Christmas Card Holder, and another daily tradition we call 25-Books-in-December. I'm also documenting the month with a December Daily album, so check back often to read about our holiday adventures!

You can find more free DD inspired printables and ideas on my "December Daily" pinboard on Pinterest. I have lots of freebies and inspiration on my "SMASH & PL" and "Printables/Templates" boards too! See how I stay organized through the "Holidaze" with my Filofax planners.

Stay updated on my recent posts, projects, and photos by following me on instagram, or by "liking" my fan page on Facebook. So why not head over there now and show some love...

Do we share this Christmas tradition? What's your favorite thing about advent calendars? Any thoughts, questions, or comments about this post? I'd love to hear it! Your feedback is always welcome and much appreciated!

Thanks for stopping by! 

DIY: Handmade Yarn Wig

Happy Wednesday! I apologize for the little hiatus I took earlier this week. I just needed some time away from my blog and other social media outlets to recharge. Now I'm back and ready to play catch up with my usual blog posts. But today, I have a super fun DIY project for ya!

Last week was the start of the Holiday season with Halloween. I really love that my daughter adores all of the characters that I loved when I was her age. So you can imagine how excited she was when I found a Strawberry Shortcake costume for her. It's such an adorable outfit and I know she'll get more than one day's use of it since she loves to play dress-up, so I didn't mind paying $25- for it. But the one thing I couldn't see myself paying for was the $20 hot pink character wig!

I knew there had to be a better [and cheaper] solution to complete my daughter's Strawberry Shortcake costume. And being the crafty mama that I am, I find pleasure in making things myself. So I wracked my brain for ideas and thought that a ragdoll-like wig would be a great alternative. But how do I start? While scouring the internet for inspiration, I came across this post from A Beautiful Mess. How perfect!

So here is my DIY for a custom, handmade yarn wig....

SUPPLIES

Yarn: In your choice of color. [30" to 40" strands]

Embroidery Thread: In a complementing color.

Embroidery Needle

Felt Strip: In a complementing color. [8" - 10"x 2"]

Hair Comb [Optional]

Ruler

Scissors

Ribbon

*TIPS: The length of yarn I started at was around 40". A great length for an adult, not so much for a 4-year-old. 30" is perfect for a child's wig. For the felt, I used an 8" x 2" strip, which fits my daughter's head perfectly. 10" is a good size for adults.

NOTE: I decided to share my DIY in two-parts: How to Wrap Yarn & Sewing Your Wig. I'll be providing you with easy directions and helpful tips to make the whole process super simple.

-----------------------------------

HOW TO WRAP YARN

• 30" lengths of yarn produces a 15" wig when sewn in half. Find something around 15" or so to wrap the yarn around. Maybe a 15" length of sturdy cardboard, legs or arms of a chair [my choice], or even a metal baking sheet.
• Make sure the yarn is nice and taut (but not too tight) when you're wrapping.
• I found it easier to work in groups.
• Once you have a decent sized amount of yarn wrapped, grab a set of "loops" on one end, and cut the loops at the opposite end. 
• Slowly add the batches of yarn to your bundle. This is where the piece of ribbon comes in handy. Tied at the center of the lengths of yarn, it holds the bundle neatly together while you work.

SEWING YOUR WIG

• Lay your strip of felt vertically on a flat surface.
• Place your bundle of yarn (still secured with ribbon) horizontally across the strip of felt. Smooth out the strands by finger-combing. Make sure it is nice and centered before untying the ribbon.
• Arrange the yarn along the strip of felt, creating an even layer of "hair."

• Starting at the end closest to you, sew a backstitch right down the middle of the felt backing. The stitching acts as the center "part" of the wig. Be sure to make your stitching nice and tight! When you reach the other end, knot it off.

• This step is where you'll hand sew the hair comb near the front of the wig. It will help secure it to the hair. [I opted out of it since my daughter's costume has a hat. It holds the wig perfectly!]
• After your wig is done, place it on your [child's] head, and trim or cut to desired style. I cut my daughter's wig into layers, varying the length of sections by 1-2".

NOTE: I was originally going to style this wig with large bouncy curls to mimic Strawberry Shortcake's hairdo, but was unable to do that. I searched the net for ways to easily stiffen yarn but the hairspray option I chose didn't work. I think I'll try the diluted glue tip on the next wig I make. If it worked for you, please let me know!

What I love most about this project is how it was such a simple and inexpensive solution to a costume wig. And being able to customize it for any costume is fabulous! My munchkin is already asking for a red Jessie [from Toy Story] wig for next Halloween ;)

I hope you enjoyed today's post! If you're looking for more crafty fun, be sure to check out my other DIYs! You can stay updated on my recent posts, projects, and photos by following me on instagram, or by "liking" my new fan page on Facebook.

Thanks for stopping by!

Filofax DIY: Customized A5 Notepad

Hello! I hope you're enjoying your week :) Today I'm going to be sharing a super fun project for your planner. I've had the pleasure of owning an A5 Original Filofax for the last month or so, which is the second addition to my collection. I also use a Personal Domino, and over the last few months I've spent lots of time personalizing "My First Love." Now that I have a new (larger) baby, I'm looking for creative ways to add my own personal touch to it. I have yet to share the inside of my A5, but in the meantime you can see My Personal Domino, and how I use it. 

I came across a cool "pin" while browsing pinterest for planner inspiration. It led me to this "Pretty Little Notebook" by The Hybrid Chick. But I decided to change up the supplies a bit to fit my style and make it my own. I really love the idea of personalizing a notepad. It brings me back to my teenage days when I made altered composition books to be used as journals [now it's trendy and called SMASH*ing ;)].

DIY: Customized A5 Filofax Notepad | Getting Started

Getting Started

Although I'm using the Filofax notepad that came with my A5 Original, you can easily customize this project to fit your needs.

SUPPLIES

DIY: Customized A5 Filofax Notepad | Supplies

Notepad

Washi Tape: Mix it up!

Patterned Scrapbook Paper: In complementing designs and colors.

Tag or Label

Alphabet Stickers

Scissors or Craft Knife

Dry Adhesive: I used double-sided tape.

DIRECTIONS

1. Trace the cover. [I extended the paper an inch or so to wrap over the fold and onto the back cover.]

2. Cut out your new cover. [I used a ruler and bone folder to create a nice crease.]

3. Apply a decent amount of tape onto the old cover. [If you have a tape gun, use it!] Adhere the patterned paper.

4. This is now a blank canvas for you to be creative and add your own personal touches......

5. For the first layer, I cut a 2.5" x 7" banner from complementing cardstock.

6: Start layering and adhering your papers. [I used a glue stick.]

7. Add washi tape as another layer. [The inspirational post I mentioned earlier used ribbon. You can certainly do that too.]

8. Find a good place for your tag or label. [I used a sticker label from my stash, backed it with more complementing paper, and cut it to size.] For the title, you can use alphabet stickers, or even a sentiment stamp like the inspiration post did. I have a passion for penmanship, so I hand wrote mine. But I did use some tiny alphas for a cute little saying on the bottom.

DIY: Customized A5 Filofax Notepad

There you go... You are done! Wasn't that super simple? And it turned out fabulous! What better way to add a custom and personal piece to your planner...

If you want to see how I use my Filofaxes each week, you can find out here. I also have lots of other great Filofax posts! If you're looking for even more planner inspiration, check out my "Filofax Addict" pinboard on Pinterest!

You can stay updated on my recent posts, projects, and photos by following me on instagram, or by "liking" my new fan page on Facebook. So why not head over there now and show some love...

Are you a Filofax Addict? Do you personalize your planner? I'd love to hear about it! Any thoughts, questions, or comments about this post? Please let me know. Your feedback is always welcome and much appreciated!

Mahalo for stopping by!

DIY: String Tie Envelopes

Hello everyone! I hope you're having a great week and enjoying this fabulous summer weather we're having! It's been a while since I've done something crafty with you here on my blog. So today, I'm happy to share this lovely DIY papercraft project. I've been making these for a while now and thought you would really like them.

If you follow my blog, you know that I love anything handmade, especially if it's made from paper. I originally came across this project almost a year ago when I was browsing through Pinterest. You can find that "pin" here on my "Printables/Templates" pinboard. After reading that post, I knew I had to add these fun little envelopes to my collection.

The original blogger provided a great tutorial, but certain aspects of the project didn't work for me. So I made some modifications to suit my needs and added a few touches that showcase my own personal style. Here is what I came up with...

SUPPLIES

• Cardstock: White, plus a variety of colors and patterns. I use 12x12 scrapbook paper.
• String/Twine: Embroidery Floss works great and is inexpensive.
• Glue Stick
• Scissors
• Mini Brads: Mine are 3mm.
• Paper Piercer: A push pin or needle works too.
• Bone Folder
• Pencil
• Ruler
• Template: Download here at MinieCo Blog

DIRECTIONS

1. Print the envelope on standard white cardstock rather than plain paper. It's much sturdier and allows you to use it as a template. Cut it out. Don't forget the 2 circle pieces! (I label all of my templates so they're easily identifiable in my collection when I need them.)

2. Choose your desired colored or patterned paper and place it [print-side down] on your work area. Using your template and a pencil, trace around the envelope and cut it out. Score each flap with your ruler and bone folder, then fold each side.

3. Using the scrap from the envelope you just cut, or scraps from coordinating patterned or colored paper, trace and cut the 2 small circles. For extra sturdiness, I usually double these, cutting 4 discs and gluing them back to back.

4. Poke the two holes in your envelope and a hole in the center of each circle (marked on the template). Attach both discs to your envelope using the mini brads.

5. Fold the sides and bottom flaps and secure with glue. 

Tip: I use small craft clamps along the areas I glue to be sure that I get a nice and secure bond.

6. Using about a 10" length of string, tie one end to the disc on the top flap and secure it with a double knot. Trim the excess string under the disc. Wrap the remaining string around both circles to close your envelope. Tie a knot at the end to keep the string from unraveling.

This project is so simple and can be easily customized to fit any theme, mood, or occasion. I love using them to hold precious ephemera or small treasures or trinkets in my smashbook. I've also added them to some of my handmade daybooks. You can find more info about my daybooks in this post, or in the tab at the top of my blog titled Daybooks. My most favorite thing to do with these envelopes is including them in my Happy Mail swaps! The girls I send them to just love 'em! I even created my own 4x6 template so I could have a larger envelope for my 2012 December Daily album. But they can also hold little cards, plant seeds, or any other small item that needs a special home. Leave them as is or embellish any way you want. 

Have fun with 'em!

Looking for more crafty inspiration? Browse through my blog. I have plenty of other DIY projects. And be sure to check out my "Printables/Templates," "SMASH & PL," and "Crafty Mama" pinboards on Pinterest before you leave. You'll find hundreds of links to DIY's, ideas, inspiration, printables, and templates to satisfy your crafty fix.Wanna stay updated on my recent posts and projects? Be sure to "like" my new fan page on Facebook! 

I really hope you enjoyed my post and feel motivated and inspired to create something beautiful. Feel free to share it! And please let me know if you have any questions, thoughts or comments. Your feedback is always welcome and much appreciated!

Mahalo for stopping by!

DIY: Jewelry Organizer

I love jewelry, anything handmade, and a good DIY project. I didn't realize they could all go hand in hand! This first started out as what I thought was going to be a quick search, both in-store and online, to find a cute holder for my necklaces. Let me tell you... the search wasn't quick (I scoured so many stores and websites), and sturdy jewelry hangers are outrageously priced! I just couldn't see myself paying a ridiculous amount for something so simple. So, my internet search then went to finding inspiration for a handmade piece to hold my costume jewelry.

The internet wielded some great ideas. But I decided to try and create something spending as little money as possible, and at the same time make it look better than all of the expensive jewelry organizers I saw online and in department stores. Believe it or not, this project didn't cost me a thing. It was done using scraps and supplies I already had on hand.

Most of my DIYs are chock full of photos. I apologize that I don't have pictures of the step-by-step process for this project. I actually made these last winter [before I had a blog], and I didn't even think to take pictures while I worked. But it shouldn't be a problem for you. The directions are pretty straight forward.... and I'm here if you need help :)

HANDMADE JEWELRY ORGANIZER

TOOLS & SUPPLIES:

• Board(s) of Wood : Cut to the dimensions you want. Lucky for me, I have a hubby who is a craftsman that works in a woodshop. The pieces I used are top-quality, sturdy hardwood blocks that were actually scraps from one of his projects at work. He cut them to size for me.
• A Power Drill: For drilling pilot holes to screw in your cup hooks. My handy husband did this for me at work in his woodshop.
• Fabric: Scraps work great here, if you have pieces that are large enough. You need just enough to cover the "front" and partially over the 4 sides. Remember, it doesn't need to cover the sides completely, that is what the next item is for...
• Ribbon: It should be wide enough to cover the "edge" of the wood and long enough to completely wrap around all four sides. (Be sure to singe the ends to prevent the ribbon from fraying.) The fat ribbon I had on hand for this project, was the perfect fit to the scrap wood my hubby gave me.
• Mod Podge: To bind the fabric to the wood.
• Cup Hooks: They come in a variety of sizes and finishes, and can be found in the tool and hardware aisle of your local Walmart.
• Sawtooth Picture Mounts: Gives you the ability to hang your organizer on the wall. They come in a variety of sizes and made to hold different weights. Be sure you choose accordingly. I had to purchase heavy-duty ones since I used hardwood which is pretty darn heavy. You can find these in the same aisle you found the cup hooks.
• Picture Hooks/Hangers: Consisting of a "hook-like" piece to be used in conjunction with the accompanied tiny head nails. They also come in a variety of sizes and made to hold different weights. Choose accordingly. You will find these in the same tool and hardware aisle of your local Walmart.
• Xacto Knife
• Hammer
• Sandpaper
• Tape Measure
• Pencil
• Paintbrush
• Scissors

DIRECTIONS:

1. The first thing you need to do, if you haven't already, is cut your piece(s) of wood to the desired size. You may also want to smooth out the rough, raw edges with sandpaper.
2. Decide how many hooks you want on your organizer. Using your tape measure and pencil, find the center (from top to bottom), then line up, measure out, and place evenly spaced "marks" on the piece(s) of wood.
3. With your "marks" as a guide, use your power drill to make pilot holes for your cup hooks. This will make screwing the hooks in so much easier, especially if you're using a hardwood like I did. It's also handy to have these holes once your fabric is adhered to the front of the wood.
4. Using your paintbrush, coat the "front" (the area with the holes you just made) of your wood with a layer of Mod Podge. Lay your fabric print-side down, and place your piece of wood (glue side down)  in the center of your fabric. Once the wood is in the right place, press down on it for a few seconds to give it a good bond.
5. Carefully flip the wood and fabric over to the correct side. Rub the front of the wood to make sure the fabric is nice and smooth removing any air bubbles along the way. Let that part dry before moving on.
6. This next step is best done in sections. Use Mod Podge to adhere the excess fabric to all four sides of the piece(s) of wood. You may need to snip the corners a little with your scissors to get the fabric to lay nice and flat. It's okay to overlap the fabric a bit at the corners.
7. This step is also best done in sections. Once your fabric is dry, use Mod Podge to adhere your long strip of ribbon to the "sides" of the wood, wrapping it from corner to corner. Smooth out the ribbon and be sure it is straight and flush with the back edge of the wood. Allow each side to dry before moving onto the next. (I let it dry with the wet side down on a flat surface, using the weight of the wood as the pressure needed to give it a good bond, as well as keeping the ribbon flat.) At the end of this step, the only wood you should be able to see is on the back.
8. Next, you will add your sawtooth picture mounts to the back of your organizer, one on each end. (I didn't place mine directly at the top. I went down about half an inch so my picture hangers aren't completely visible when my organizer is up on the wall.) Your tape measure will come in handy, along with a pencil. Once you know where your mounts will go, mark the holes of the mounts for easy reference. Use your hammer to nail them to the wood.
9. Flip the holder over to the pretty side. Feel around the fabric for the holes you drilled in Step 3. Once you locate them, use the Xacto knife to poke a hole in the fabric directly over each pilot hole. 
10. Now you should be able to easily screw in your cup hooks without ruining the fabric. The only thing left to do is attach your picture hooks to the wall so you can hang your organizer. And of course, add your jewelry. That's it...you are done! 

I do have to say that the best thing about this jewelry holder is that I made it myself... and for next to nothing! Being able to use my own fabric and ribbon, really customizing it to what I like, makes it that much better than buying something in a store or online. I also know that no one else has it, and what they do have, they spent way too much on something they could have easily made themselves.

As you can see, I made two of them. They look fabulous flanking our cabinet! I just love them and I'm so happy I didn't cave in and purchase something I wasn't completely in love with, especially at those prices!

Wanna stay updated on my recent posts and projects? Be sure to "like" my new fan page on Facebook!

I hope you like this project as much as I loved making it! I also hope to inspire you to take that risk to make something yourself (rather than going out and purchasing it), because in the end, you never know... what you made may be 100 times better, cuter, and cheaper than what you can find in a store.