Paper Perfect Halloween

You can pick up crepe paper streamers at your local dollar store two for a dollar! The crinkly paper is perfect for Halloween décor cheap!!!

First off, did you know you can dye crepe paper?  Fill a spray bottle with some water mixed with food coloring. spritz the top edge of a roll of crepe paper until you’ve got the color you want and then let it dry.  Custom crepe paper!

Try a crepe paper wreath, make rows of loops and secure them to a wreath form with some simple pins.  Add a crepe paper bow and flowers and you’ve got a spooky wreath the cost a couple of bucks.

If you’re not into the loops, accordion fold several layers of crepe paper onto itself and cut feather   shapes.  Glue the feathers onto the wreath form for a feathered, fringy look.

You can also use crepe   paper to make a great fringe for a cone or hat. 

Use poster board to make an oversized cone. 

Using a glue stick, secure crepe paper several times around the outside edge of the cone.  Use scissors to cut fringe and add some ribbon trim to mask the raw edges.

Easy and inexpensive crepe paper décor for your Halloween celebration. I’m Mrs. Fixit and it’s just that simple. 

Protecting Electronics

Electronic equipment is an investment, so you want to be careful and keep it safe, I have some ideas to help you out!

If you tend to snack while you’re surfing the internet you know that your mouse pad can get a little gunky from your fingers and food, to protect it, secure a post it note over the pad. 

The post it won’t interfere with the mousepad at all, but the pad with stay clean and grease free.

If you’re cooking or working on a project where your hands will get messy, slip your touch screen device in a plastic zip top bag. 

You will be able to work the phone and see the touch screen devices can get banged up and smashed pretty quickly in your handbag.

Grab a hard shell glasses case and slip those fragile electronics into it.  You can easily slip the case into your bag or a coat pocket and it will protect from unintended bumps and drops.

A few easy ways to protect your electronics from unnecessary roughness!  I’m Mrs. FIXIT and it’s just that simple!

Revamp a Stock Vanity

A lot of times when you buy a house you inherit someone else’s taste and choices. I’ll show you how easy it is to transform this basic stock vanity into a piece you’ll love!

The first step is to remove any hardware that is existing on the cabinetry.

Then, use a sanding sponge to rough up the surface of piece with sandpaper or a sanding sponge. Once you’ve scuffed it up, wipe the entire piece down with a damp cloth and let it dry.

To ensure a nice and lasting finish, prime the piece with a bonding primer and let it dry.

Next, the paint.  For a bathroom, I recommend enamel paint; it has a tougher finish and will hold up nicely to the wear and tear a bathroom sees. 

Finish the cabinet with at least two coats of paint for both coverage and durability. 

Add some fresh hardware that really speaks to your taste and you’ve got a whole new vanity for very little money.I’m Mrs. FIXIT and it’s just that simple!

CHECK IT OUT! Pumpkin Carving Tool from Dremel

We recently got a chance to try out the new Pumpkin Carving Tool  from Dremel - Soooooo cool!
It is battery operated and easy to use - check out the results!

Special Thanks to Carolyn Wallace our Pumpkin Artist

Halloween in a Hurry

If you have no time to make, much less go out and buy Halloween costumes, I have some easy, quick and inexpensive ideas.

Have a square box; think about a jack in the box. Cut some leg holes and decorate it with some brightly colored paper or paints. For the crank, cut and bend a wire coat hanger, slip it in place and duct tape it to the inside of the box. Use a Styrofoam or rubber ball or block as the grip. Dress your child in bright colored clothes; slip a hat on their head and paint their cheeks red.

How about a present. Cut arms, legs and neck holes in a box and scrap it in some birthday paper.

Bath time, splish, splash. Simply pull together a shower cap, a scrubber, a rubber ducky, a bathrobe and some slippers. Cute as a button.

How about a painter. All you have to do is grab some old paint cover-ups and a cap. If you have to buy a cover-up, they only cost a few dollars, and if you just splatter them with some paint, top it off with a cap and a brush and then use a paint can for collecting your candy.

It's just that simple!

Reusing T-Shirts

T-shirts and tank tops are one of those things that just seem to multiply left and right.  I have a few clever ways to clear out the closet and reuse those shirts!

How about wall art? Stretch t-shirts over frames and secure in the back with staples or tacks.  Instant art that your kids can really appreciate!

You could also make a pillow cover. Turn the shirt inside out and fold the sleeves and collar in, securing with pins.  Leave the bottom open. 

Sew a few quick seams to box out the collar and sleeves and then flip the shirt right side out, slip the pillow inside and fold the bottom in place. Then sew a seam across the bottom.

to make this a no sew project, simply place a pillow form inside the shirt and fold away the sleeves and collar and knot off the four corners hiding the “holes.”

Make a tote bag from your tank tops by turning them inside out and pinning the bottom seam together to hold it in place.  Then, run a new seam along the bottom edge. 

Turn the tank inside out and the sleeves make instant handles for your tote!

To embellish any of these projects take strips of an old t-shirt and twist them into simple flowers and sew or glue them into place.

Crayons

Before you toss all of those little crayon slivers – why not make new crayons for the kids – it’s a great project and a cool recycle of something you would have tossed!

Start by preheating the oven to four hundred degrees.

To make the crayons you’re going to want to use a silicone candy or cupcake pan, they are relatively inexpensive to pick up at your local craft or hobby shop.

Place the mold on a baking sheet to make it easier to move.

Remove any paper that is left on the crayons and place them in the molds.  You can break them into smaller pieces as you need to so they will fit.

Once you’ve filled all of the molds, put the tray in the oven for five minutes or so – you just want to be sure that all of your pieces have melted, then remove the pan from the oven and let them cool completely.

Once these are cooled you can easily pop them out of the molds – and presto, new crayons that the kids will love!!

These are especially nice for toddlers because they are easier to grip! 

Keep the mold dedicated for crayon making from here on out! Have fun recycling your crayons!  I’M mrs. fixit and it’s just that simple.