Binder of Manuals

Do you have so many manuals that you don't know what to do with them all? Are they just thrown in random corners of your house or thrown away? Well, I have a solution for you!!!

Wow that sounds like a info commercial, but this is a really good idea that you should start doing. First, go find a really big binder that you like and buy some transparent sleeves. Or you could buy folders that can go in a three ring binder. Those work too.

Then you just start filling the binder with all of those manuals and random pieces of paper you needed to keep about furniture, electronics, etc. I love this idea because now I know where all of my random little manuals are and any scrap of paper that I need to keep that has important information. I also used Post-Its to write on the outside of the sleeve to tell me what it is.

As part of my command center, I also have a butterfly clip marked as 'File Me'. Then, I can store it in my command center until I have a chance to file it. Its so nice and makes my life a lot more organized!



Happy Organizing Everyone!

You may also be interested in:

Glass Bottle Makeover

Kate Spade-esk Champagne Sign

DIY Key Chain Holder

How To Decorate With Your Graduation Gear

Decorating with Your Graduation Attire

*Please note: this article has been imported from my previous blog, Organized Magnolia*

At college graduations, sometimes it makes sense to decorate your cap. And let me say, my parents new exactly where I was during my graduation ceremony. Even the graduates sitting next to me kept telling their parents "I'm next to the girl with the pink hat!".

After all of that hard work, I wanted to make sure the rest of the world got to see it. I found this shadowbox at Michael's, and now, I have this setup! I tossed my graduation cord in there too. So what do you think? It looks great next to my Grandfather's stitched Georgia Tech logo from when he was their in the fifties.

Kate Spade-esk Champagne Sign

As I said before in this post, I have finally decided on how to design my dining room. My first challenge, the gallery wall. I started with some easy prints to create! The first one is a very popular sign "but first, CHAMPAGNE". Seems perfect for my dining room. I whipped out my gimp program and started creating!

Michael's happened to have a wonderful 40% off sale on frames when I stopped by, and I grabbed this cute and simple frame! 

Put them together and voila!

Isn't it just so cute?

Happy Crafting!

 

Bubba Keg Painting

*Please Note: This post has been imported from my previous blog, Organized Magnolia*

Ah summer time. Makes me love being out by the pool, beach, lake, and the river. In Georgia, you have easy access to all of them. One of my favorite things for summer are bubba kegs. When everyone thinks of a bubba keg, they unfortunately think of an alcohol storage cup. Don't be fooled! This thing is amazing for all kind of drinks that need to be kept cool. I use it for water a lot of the time! If cleaned and cared for correctly, they can last a long time. Unfortunately, they don't always come in the best colors. So here is how I made mine look so cute!

I implemented the method I wrote about here. That includes the spray paint, ModPodge, and MinWax.

My method is awesome. I applied multiple thin coats of the MinWax and it has held together so well!

My friends have even declared that I have to paint them one for their Birthdays. Oh well. I guess the demands will never end.

Happy Crafting!

How to Paint and Seal a Cooler

*Please Note: This post has been imported from my previous blog, Organized Magnolia*

Back in college, all of the sorority girls would paint their formal dates a cooler. Its a really great idea, if you A) really know the guy or B) like to paint and craft. A lot of girls actually hated painting the coolers because it took so much time and effort for something that was probably going to chip off in a day. I, however, have figured out the way to make paint stick to coolers. It takes some commitment and a couple of days. BUT it sticks! 

I have painted three coolers with this method and every single one has the paint still on it with little to no chips. Here are a couple of images from the coolers I did before:

So after seeing all of this, my mom decided I get to make my grandfather's birthday present this year. Mind you, his birthday was in the middle of February, but since this will be intended for football season, I don't think he will mind waiting. 

My list of supplies:

Modpodge

Polyurethren (MinWax)

Acrylic Paint

White Spray Paint

Brushes

Painter's Tape

Sharpies

Paint Pens

The first step is to take off any labels that are on the cooler. Then, use the painter's tape and tape off any spots you don't want to be covered with spray paint. Here is my grandfather's cooler with the handles and wheels covered. I didn't want to hassle with try to paint those areas. 

Next, I spray it with the spray paint. Make sure it is completely white. I don't want to be able to see any color (in my case navy) peeking out. This is kind of like priming your wall when there is a darker color underneath it. It makes a HUGE difference.

After you let that dry, its time to paint! Depending on how detailed you want it to be and what you are doing to it, this can take a couple of days. First start with sketching what you want with a pencil. Don't use a mechanical pencil because they don't work well with shading or light traces. And they can pick off the white paint. If you can't draw very well, you can always try a tracing method. KariAnne from Thistlewood Farms has a wonderful tutorial on how she traced a monogram onto fabric. You can use the same method for tracing onto a cooler. (Find it here) Here are some work in progress images:

*My grandfather is an alumna of the University of Mississippi*

A really nice tip that I have picked up is using sharpies for outlining and paint pens for writing. Sharpie has actually just come out with a paint pen! I really like it. It doesn't clot like normal paint pens do. I was able to outline the below fairly quickly and easily.

After you are done with the painting, put a layer of Modpodge on it. I buy the shiny modpodge because I like the way it looks. Lots of people prefer the matte version though. I normally put a couple of layers on because it makes me feel better, but you should be okay with just one or two.

Then, I put a layer of Min Wax on it. Make sure to coat it really well with this layer, but not too much because it has a yellow tint to it (aka white becomes cream if its too thick). This is the waterproof seal that makes sure it doesn't flake or peel off EVER. I have made three coolers with this method over two years ago and the boys still say it hasn't chipped. Let this dry for a really long time (about a day). Note: when using Min Wax, the brush can't be cleaned with normal soap and water like acrylic paints. You need to use mineral salts to clean it. Or if you are really lazy like me, buy the cheapest brush at The Home Depot, and throw it away once you are done. Go buy another when you need it. They are like $1. You can freeze the brush in the freezer in between coats!

So after you do that, feel the cooler. Does it feel sticky? If it does, add another layer of Modpodge! If not, its ready! I've been interested in trying this with ModPodge Outdoor. I just discovered it, but didn't have time to try it out. Maybe on my next cooler?

Happy Crafting!

You Might Also Be Interested In:

Decorate With Your Graduation Gear

Kate Spade-Esk Champagne Sign

Basics of DIY Blog Designing

Bubba Keg Painting

DIY KeyChain Holder

Growing up, I always had a table right in front of the door when I entered into the house, and I would put my keys on it. At my old apartment, the kitchen was right next to the door. Now, I have nothing near my door! So I need a keychain holder of some sorts. For my first try, I placed some command hooks on my command center. It was nice, but it was kind of far from the door (I know its only two steps, but thats really far when you are carrying a lot of stuff). 

Then, I started thinking about what I really wanted. I knew I needed something to hold my keys, but I really didn't need it to hold much else because I had the command center right around the corner. I went to Michael's for some inspiration. I found a wooden plaque for about $1.00 and I picked up some gold hooks that are perfect for hanging keys for around $1.50. I knew I had some pretty acrylic paint and a picture frame hanger set at home so nothing else was needed. This meant a grand total of $3.00 for my keychain holder! 

Next thing I had to do was paint and build it!
Here are my supplies:

Acrylic Paint

Wooden Plaque

Hooks (Could use Command Hooks instead)

Blue Painter's Tape

Sawtooth Hanger with nails

Hammer

I first began by painting a white base coat. I put two coats down since I wanted white in my pattern. 

Then I painted the border gold. Who doesn't love a little gold?

Then I created the chevron pattern with my blue painters tape. Press down firmly on all edges! I forgot to do that and the paint bled through!

Ewwww paint bleed. I had to clean this up. Not. Fun. 

I attached a Sawtooth Hanger to the back so I could hang it. When I first started hanging stuff, I went to my local Home Depot and bought a picture hanging kit (like the one found here). It is AWESOME. It has all of the basics that I need, including the sawtooth hanger.

Then, I attached the hooks. If you are like me and you need a little help, take a nail and hammer and start a hole. Then, you just screw them in by hand. I chose to do three. Three just sounded like a good number.

 

All that was left to do was to hang it up! Doesn't it look wonderful?

It is just so girly and perfect. I love it so much and I can't believe I only spent $3 for all of it!