GET CRAFTY: DIY - DECORATIVE SILVER MIRRORED TRAY FOR $10

Happy Friday, Bogland!
While moving a large potted plant indoors, I was suddenly struck with a 'Get Crafty' idea...
Why not turn it into a decorative mirror tray? 
Suddenly, this easy, useful and super affordable DIY project was born, and I wanted to share it with you. The entire project can be done for $10, possibly less by getting things on sale or using coupons.  
The best part is you can customize this to fit any size tray you wish, be it an 8", 10", 16", 24" etc.  Just be sure to get the correct measurements for your planter saucer and round mirror, which I detail below, and you'll be all set.  
Also, because I'm using a plastic planter saucer, made for heavy potted plants, it is very sturdy and durable.  Unlike a simple plastic silver tray from somewhere like Party City or the Dollar store.  Though great for a party or one time use, they crack easily over time once weight is added.
See the below for what you need and how to put it together, and without further ado, let's get started!

Rust-oleum Metallic Silver Spray Paint Home Depot = $3.75*

*(you can also get it at Michaels and use their 40% off coupon to save more.)

12" Pre-Cut Round Mirror JoAnn's = $3.25*

*(you can also get them on Amazon.)

14" Plastic Planter Saucer Home Depot = $2.50*

*(you can get them at Walmart, Home Depot, Amazon or any gardening store, but you can buy a similar one online here for under $2.)

Lay down old cardboard in a garage or out on the lawn before spray painting.

Spray even coat of Metallic Silver Spray Paint to cover the front and sides of saucer.

Once dry, flip the saucer over and place it on top of something* to elevate it and make even coverage on all sides easier.
*(I used a Clorox wipes container, but have used a spray paint can in the past)

This step is not necessary, but to prevent natural 'wear and tear,' and give the tray an overall shiny finish and seal, you can spray a clear top coat over the entire tray before placing the circle mirror in the center. 

Just be sure it is made for plastic, as many are for metal, wood and glass.

I used the above Paint for Plastic Clear Gloss by Rust-oleum and it worked beautifully.

Champagne Bubble Coupes: ACME = $58/per set of 4 (a gift)  /  Martini Shaker: Target = $12.99

GET CRAFTY: DIY TRAVEL MAP FOR $35

Happy Wednesday, Everyone!
I feel very fortunate to have traveled and lived around the world growing up, and for years I wanted to document those places to remember down the road.
After visiting a couple friends' apartments in NYC, I saw they had National Geographic Travel Maps marked with map pins to track the places they had been or hoped to travel to one day.  
I knew I had to have one, but quickly realized they are on the pricey side, starting at $169. Oh my! 
So, since I try to do most things affordably, I decided to make the same map myself.  I was able to make one for $35 by shopping around online and in-stores taking advantage of sales and coupons.  
This project can be customized using any color frame, tacks, map you wish, and only takes about 10 minutes.  Happy Crafting! :) (Project and all images by Liesl Ehardt.)

- In addition to a couple basics like glue/spray adhesive & scissors. 

• National Geographic World Map (I got mine on sale for $6.49 on Amazon)
• Poster Sized (24" x 36") Cork Board (I got mine for $10.49 on Amazon)
• Poster Sized (24" x 36") Frame (I got mine on clearance for $12.99 at Michael's.) - You can also use this 40% Off Coupon in-store or online for Michael's)
• 1/8" Map Tacks (I got gold ones on sale via Amazon for $4.99/box of 100.) - Similar Gold Tacks HERE)  _______________________________________________________________ Total Price (including pins) = $35

⤷ update: using spray adhesive, rather than a glue stick,

holds more evenly over time.

- You will discard the glass, but be careful, the sides of it will be sharp.

- This step is optional and you can type out (in any font/color you wish) what you want your map to say, or simply leave it as is.

- Feel free to use any color(s) tacks you wish, even marking where you have been in a different color than the places you have lived and/or wish to visit/live. 

- Simply add new pins as you continue your world travels and adventures.

GET CRAFTY: TURN PACKAGING INTO A DECORATIVE VINTAGE PARIS BOX FOR UNDER $5

Happy Monday, Lovelies!

I'm here with a Get Crafty, what I call DIY projects, post after being challenged by my younger sister, oh yes, indeedy!
She purchased a flat iron from TJ Maxx over the holidays, and thought the magnetic box it was packaged in could be turned into something chic and decorative by moi. So, I just had to make this happen, and hopefully she approves! ;)
It really is quite simple, and can be done for about $5, spent on supplies, which allows you to make more than one if you so choose without spending more. Here is how I did it, step by step...

Vintage Paris Box Get Crafty DIY by Liesl Ehardt

1. Satin Carmel Latte Spray PaintI purchased mine at Michael's using their 40% off coupon making it about $2.50
2. Eiffel Tower Sticker or ImageI got mine at Michael's during their sticker sale made by Recollections for $1.50
3. Old Product Packaging or BoxI used the box my sister's Cortex mini flat iron was in from TJ Maxx making it free
4. Tissue Paper / Decorative Paper / ScissorsI used a sheet of cream tissue paper with script on it that a gift was wrapped in making it free, but use any light colored tissue paper / I used a sheet of Creative Imaginations scrapbooking paper called cream scroll (#17603) from Michael's for 50 cents / Any pair of scissors or a paper cutter1. Get one sheet of the tissue paper laid out flat and ready.
2. Ater spaying a thin layer of the spray paint, lay one piece of tissue paper down on top.
3. Press the tissue paper down on top of the thin spray paint layer while still wet.
4. Rub your fingers back and forth across the surface to smooth and allow the color to blend with the tissue paper, then, cut off extra tissue paper off edges.
5. Spray another thicker layer of the spray paint on top of smoothed and attached tissue paper and let dry.
6. Spray a thick coat of the spray paint on the interior of your box, no need to add the tissue paper, and let dry.

1. Peel off the Eiffel Tower sticker.
2. Center Eiffel Tower sticker on the box once dry.
3. Measure interior of your box.
4. Draw out measurements on scripted scrapbook paper.
5. Completely cut out around the measurement lines.
6. Place paper cutout into bottom of the box when dry to create a fun lining.

In the daytime using the instagram walden filter.

In the evening in a lovely candlelight glow.

Just my Vintage Paris Box et Moi..."ooh la la!" :)

♦ Get a clear sealant spray and coat the entire box to help protect it.
♦ You can glue the inside liner down or leave it unattached to give you the option of switching it out with different prints/patterns should the mood strike.
♦ Feel free to use your own creativity when designing your box by using different colors or a different main image...the options are endless!
♦ This technique could be used on a canvas or piece of cardboard to create art to hang or display as well.

Have FUN if you give this a try, and please let me know if you do by sharing a link to it via the comments below so everyone can see your creations! Yay!
Thank you for all of the continued support, and let me know if you would like to see more projects like this in the future, or if you have an idea with which you need help! I have some other fun and useful ideas in the works! :)

WEDDING WEDNESDAY AND GET CRAFTY: DIY SAVE-THE-DATE SIGN

Happy Wedding Wednesday all you brides-to-be and wedding inspiration lovers!

Today, I am sharing a little Get Crafty wedding inspiration post for you to show you how I created my own DIY Save-the-Date sign for our engagement pictures, as I promised I would!

After a quick trip to one of my favorite craft stores Michael's, I was ready to get to crafting...hehe...with the few affordable purchases I had made!

Photo Credit: Ryan Garvin Photography from our engagement session.

WHAT YOU NEED:

1 Roll of Satin Ribbon (in color of your choice) - $1.50

1 Bottle of All-Purpose Glue - $1.09

1 Bag of Small Eyelet Screws - $1.29

Wooden Letters to spell SAVE THE DATE - $1.00 each

2 Small Wooden Bird Cut Outs - $0.29 each

1 Pair of Scissors - already own

______________________________________________________

Total Spent = $16.27*

*(all items purchased from Michael's)

STEP 1:

Lay all the letters and bird cut outs onto a table or flat surface along with all the items listed above.

STEP 2:

Arrange the letters to spell out "SAVE THE DATE" and set out a few eyelet screws for easy access.

STEP 3:

Take an eyelet screw and press the point of it into the top center part of the wooden letter "S" and twist until it is screwed in and facing perpendicular to the letter itself and repeat for each of the remaining letters.

STEP 4:

Get satin ribbon ready, and have a pair of scissors nearby to cut the length once determined.

STEP 5:

Lay the letters, with screws already in place, in the correct "SAVE THE DATE" order on a flat surface side by side so each letter is touching, and use the cut out birds as spacers between words.

Then, begin threading the satin ribbon through each eyelet opening while leaving enough ribbon hanging on the outside of the "S" and then after the final "E" for hanging or holding the sign later, and be sure to knot the ribbon around the eyelet opening after threading each screw to keep each letter from sliding.

STEP 6:

After knotting each letter in place, add a dot of all purpose glue to the side of each letter where it touches the letter next to it to glue them together and keep tightly in place until the glue fully dries.

STEP 7:

Once fully dry, I suggest waiting overnight, carefully pick up the strand of letters and hang them somewhere, like above a fireplace on a mantel as I did, to keep them up and out of the way until needed.

This will also allow you to see how it will look visually in pictures once hung or with you and your fiancé holding onto each of the ends of the ribbon, as my fiancé and I did.

SIDE CRAFTING TIP:

If some of your letters don't want to stay glued together, due to little surface area to connect them, you can add a strip of clear tape along the back of them where they overlap for extra support, which is also good to have on hand when transporting the sign.

So, there you have it, a simple, cute and crafty DIY "Save-the-Date" sign for engagement pictures and "Save-the-Date" cards or postcards that you send to family and friends to let them know about your wedding!

Keep in mind, you can use this to create any saying you want such as "Sweet Treats" for your dessert table, "Just Married" for your wedding reception or back of your send off car, "Thank You" to use in some of your wedding pictures for thank you notes later and so much more!

Hope you found that helpful or it at least got your creative juices flowing for your own Get Crafty idea and DIY projects!

Enjoy the rest of your week, and I will be back on Friday with a Look of the Day post!