Let the Countdown Begin...

December 1st has arrived!  In my house this means Christmas prep can officially begin.  I did my decorating today.  That's my collection of vintage tree ornaments on the bottom right.  I've been trying to put together a collection of ornaments from the 50s and 60s.  I think they look cute grouped together.  I have a lot of royal blue and teal in my decor this year.  Those are 1950s glass baubles on the bottom left, combined with some Martha Steward garland, tiny lights, and glittery birds from the Dollar Store.

I made this collage using the #ABeautifulMess app on my iPhone.  I just love this app.  I upgraded to iOS7 this morning just so I could get the 2.0 update on the app.  I love it that much.  My next step is to invest in a small photo printer so I can start printing out some photos.

Have you started decorating yet?

♥JessMadeThis

Memo Board DIY

I decided to make a little memo board for myself. It sits on my desk and is the cutest spot for business cards that come in the mail.

You will need: Wooden picture frame, paint (I used Martha Stewart's chalkboard paint 'cause I'm a little obsessed with that right now), fabric, tiny clothespins, glue, and any type of embellishment. My embellishment is a fabric flower that I made last weekend.

Step One: Take apart your frame and paint it. If you're using chalkboard paint, follow the instructions and do two coats. Let dry.

Step Two: Cut your fabric to size. Insert it behind the glass of the frame.

Step Three: Decorate the frame with your pretty embellishment(s).

Step Four: Glue the clothespins to the front of the glass. Use as many or as few as you like.  Imagine having a bigger picture frame...you could glue tons of little clothespins all over and fill it with pictures, posters, shopping lists, anything at all.

That's it!  All done!  Now give your memo board a place of honour and fill it up.

My Top 5 Craft Tools - Number 3

 
Just a quick explanation of my next favourite paper crafting tool...

'Number 3'...
Martha Stewart Glue Stick 

The best glue stick around (in my opinion) is made by Martha.  It's such a pretty shade of blue but dries clear.  I buy the small stick so I can easily & accurately glue my papers together without making a huge mess.  Drying time is fast so you can finish up your paper projects pretty quickly.  For the past year or so, I've been able to buy the glue sticks at Michael's in packs of 3 for about $5 CDN.  I haven't seen them available during my last few trips to Michael's though so I'm hoping they haven't been discontinued!   

♥JessMadeThis