Thrifty Metal Tags

This past weekend I decided to stop at my local Michael’s and found a great deal on metal stencil looking tags.  I remember looking at them months ago in the dollar section but held off buying them as I just wasn’t sure what I’d use them for.

 

I couldn’t pass them up this time as they were only 25 cents each.  I think I spent a good 15 minutes rummaging through the bins to see what number and letters I could find. 

 

 

I initially thought of numbering storage bins but couldn’t find all the numbers I wanted so I settled on some number and letters for a project for next year with these…..

 

And these numbers for a project for this year….

 

I’m thinking just to framed the tags in a frame on top of some sheet music or holiday paper.  What would you do with these great finds?

 

If you are lucky enough to live near a Michael’s it might be worth a trip there to see if you can pick up a few of these tags for yourself.  I’d love to hear and see what you do with these tags if you find them at your local store.

Glitter cards

I love the champagne glitter paper from Stampin Up and had to make a few holiday cards with it.  I made sure to use almost every scrap of it using both the positive and negative images of snowflakes I cut out.

It was hard to get a  good picture of paper.  It is almost a bronze color.

  The smaller snowflakes on this card were cut out of the paper that the snowflake paper is mounted on.

The card has a secret, the paper moved when I was cutting it out so I ‘hid’ the incomplete portion of the snowflake behind another snowflake and the ribbon.

 

This card has lots of shine with a shimmery white paper behind the negative image from the snowflake die.

 

 

I thought the glittered snowflake and ribbon was all that was needed for a couple striking cards.

 

 

I loved the glitter paper with the Night of Navy cardstock.

 

These are just a few of the cards I was able to make with the glitter paper.  I have about a dozen more  cards made and will have to share a few more of them in a few days.

Have you been thinking of or making Christmas cards yet?

Christmas cards

I’ve been busy making a lot of Christmas cards so I though I’d share a few of them with you today.

 

I had a sheet of glittered accents that made this card quick and easy.

I love the glittered edges of this tag. 

Another quick and easy card with a glittered accent.

I love how just the Christmas and flourishes are glittered.

The pennant was a bit larger than my usual card size would allow so I made a few long cards that will fit in a letter size envelope.

These and other cards are headed to my Etsy store for card assortments.  If you want to send handmade Christmas cards but don’t have time to make your own let me make an assortment just for you. 

Masculine cards

I noticed a few weeks ago that I was almost out of masculine birthday cards so I knew I needed to make a few to have on hand.  Here are a few that I made with a masculine, vintage feel.

I took a few sets of masculine stamps and stamped them onto a few sheets of scrapbook paper. 

I was able to make about two dozen cards with the papers I stamped up.

I don’t think any of the cards were the same layout although they were fairly similar.

Stamping your own background paper is an easy way to make a coordinating set of cards.

Gather your stamps, ink and papers in the colors you want and make yourself a set of cards or check out my Etsy store where these cards are heading.

Halloween cards – day five

Here are the last two cards I made with the Halloween papers and accents I had in my stash.

I have these and other cards available for sale in my Etsy store if you are looking for some handmade cards.

Halloween cards – Day four

Who doesn’t want a magic potion but I don’t think I’d want to find any of these jars in my cupboards.

This whole card screams poison, just perfect for Halloween.

This is a a less scary Halloween card.

Framed garden update

With the cooler weather my framed succulent garden has changed to a lot more red rather than the green it was in the summer.

Many of the plant now match the frame. 

These pictures are from a few weeks ago when the plants were just starting to change colors.  

 

The orange-red plant on the left is now a deep red, almost matching the paint of the frame.

 

I really love the shape of this plant and love that the tips of the plant started to change color.

There was a rush of new growth in one corner of the planter.

 

A few of the plants haven’t changed color and help with the contract of colors in the frame.

Here is the frame in the middle of the summer.

Here it is in the early fall.

I can hardly believe the color changes in the last month. 

Fall Patio and $3 Thursday wreath update

I finally update my patio for fall and thought I’d share a few pictures.

 
I had most of the decorations on hand but did buy a few pumpkins and a few mum plants.

 

The bamboo birdcages I had out all summer are looking a bit worn with chipping paint but I think that fits in perfect for fall.  I managed to catch a few glittered mice in them as well. :)

The mice were after holiday finds last year for a few dollars.  Since they were so inexpensive I won’t mind at all if they they only last a few weeks outside.

 

The air conditioner doesn’t get much use now but it holds a few light items just fine.

The mouse in this picture got a bit frisky today.  He knocked down a few items and broke the pot.

Hanging mum plant with thrifted basket and garland.

You might recognize this wreath faux feather wreath from last year. 

I added a Halloween tray that I picked up at a discount store for $1.19. You can probably find similar trays or plates with Halloween decoration on them at your local discount or dollar store.

I think a tray or plate like this would look great on its own as an unique door or wall display.

Have you found any thrifty ways to decorate for Halloween?