How about giving the "Old Shady" one...

                          a brand spanking "New Look"

I am sure somewhere in your attic or basement you got one of those old and ugly lamps stashed away... and that poor ugly lamp is just waiting for you to find it so you can bring it back to live with a little paint and some beautiful fabric...

*****

All you need is.... 

• That "Old Shady Lamp"
• Your favorite Printed Cotton Fabric
• Spray Glue for Fabric
• Black Satin Paint
• Velvet Ribbon 
• Double-Sided Tape  
• Ruler, Fabric Marker, Scissors, Paint Brush, Clothespins  
• Sandpaper (for Metal)  

 >>>>><<<<<

Dress her up...

Place the fabric face down on a table... 
then take the lamp shade using your ruler as guide make several marks where the fabric needs to be cut in order to fit the lamp shade - cut the fabric to size...

Make it stick...

Next... apply your spray glue to the back of your fabric... wait a few seconds, then press the fabric firmly around the shade -
take the clothespins and temporarily secure the fabric to the shade.
Now take the double sided tape and apply it to the back of the velvet ribbon... place the ribbon to the top and bottom edge of the shade...

From Color to finish...

Take the sandpaper and slightly sand down the base of your lamp...
next apply two coats of the black sating paint... let everything dry

Voila... All done

 

For that someone special ....

You know it's almost someone's Super Special Day... 

Well and everyone knows there is NO excuse...

not in this world or any other world...

to not have something special to give on that day!

Sooo, 
here is another neat idea that wont rip a gigantic whole into your wallet!

Check out this gorgeous "Handmade Jewelry Box", isn't it just too cute... 

***

Well and here is how you make it:

• First you have to take a trip to your local Lowe's or Home Depot. Go to the "Lumber department / Picket fence section" to find a couple classic Fence post caps - You will need two Fence post caps per jewelry box.... 
• Next apply the primer to the wooden pieces - let it dry 
• Once the primer has dried take your pain and apply one coat of paint - let that dry as well
• Now take the brass hinges and connect the two post caps by affixing one  pair of hinges to the back side of the box - make sure they are about two (2") inches apart (per the manufacturer’s instructions)
• Next attach the brass box catch to the front side of the box - Make sure you secure the upper portion of the catch flush with the box surface and install the lower portion leaving a small space between it and the box. This will compensate for the curved edge of the post caps. 
• Take a hot glue gun and secure a piece of fleece inside the box (bottom only) 
• Next add your fabric - Again take the hot glue gun and secure the fabric... But be careful some fabric may show stains of the hot glue, so I recommend that you test the fabric first just to be sure. Of course it is your choice to only add fabric to the bottom of the box or if you like to cover the entire inside.... 

                      Voila all finished, 

what a perfect little gift...

________________________________

Shopping list (per jewelry box):

- 2 Fencepost caps

- One pair of 3/4- by 1-inch narrow brass hinges

- Primer

- Paint (so many colors to choose from) 

- One brass box catch

- Small piece of fleece
- Small piece of fabric, velvet or silk would look very pretty

Tools:

- Hot glue gun

- Scissors

- small hammer 

- Paint brush

Most of us have one of these....

 

...who is about to have a extra special day!

So here are a few neat & nifty idea's to make that special Mommy Day even more special....

Hearts & Roses 

One pretty "Mommy Day Centerpiece"
Quick and of course super low budget...

Squeaky Clean Hearts...

All Mommy's like cute smelly things...
but remember it has to smell good not!

                           

            

  

                               Flaming Hearts ...

Just set her heart on fire.... 

    

  Sweet Hearts of Sugar...

Would you like some sugar with your tea.... 

Well like I said... pretty "nifty and neat", don't you agree
What are you waiting for - "Special Mommy Day" is right around the corner, then again it really should be every day... either way here are the instructions and all the things you need ->

***

Hearts & Roses:

• Floral Foam - White & Pink
• Heart shape cookie cutter
• Big Glass Vase
• Small Roses in White and Pink
• Knife

This is how you do it:

1. Take the Pink floral foam and cut them into several 2" inch thick pieces and then with your heart shaped cookie cutter cut out the hearts
2. Out of the White floral foam cut several small 1" x 1" cubes
3. Soak the Pink hearts and the White cubes in water
4. Take the Pink hearts and the White cubes and stack them into your vase, you may want to add a bit more water
5. Then take your pretty small Roses and arrange them neatly in your vase, don't forget to cut the steam with your knife

Squeaky Clean Hearts:

• Glycerin Soap & your favorite smelling left over soap pieces
• Soap perfume (optional)
• Heart shape cookie cutters
• Flat Soap dish

This is how you do it:

1. Take the soap pieces and melt it either in hot water or in the microwave
2. Add about 3-4 drops of your favorite soap perfume
3. Pour the melted soap in a flat dish and let it cool down
4. Then take your cookie cutters and cut out little heart shape soap pieces

Flaming Hearts:

• Old pots or cans
• Heart shaped Cookie Cutter
• Candle Wick
• Toothpicks
• Flower Petals
• Big Glass Bowl or a Etagere with a high edge
• Aluminum foil

This is how you do it:

1. Melt the candle wax in hot water - use separate pots/cans depending on your colors
2. Place your cookie cutter on top of the aluminunm foil, press down hard so the wachs doesn't leak out of the bottom
3. Pour the melted wax into the cookie cutters
4. Let it harden just a little bit then place the candle wick in the center of the cookie cutter - use the toothpick in order to keep the candle wick in place
5. Let everything cool down
6. Push the wax out of the cookie cutter
7. Fill your large glass bowl with water and arrange the heartshaped candles with your flower petals 

Sweet Hearts of Sugar:

• White Sugar
• Green Food color (or Pink ,.... or Red)
• Heart shaped ice cube tray (Silikon**)
• Spoon
• Small Bowl

This is how you do it:

1. Mix the sugar with a small amount of water, just enough so it is sticky but not too much so it will melt the sugar (for 200 g sugar ca. 1 tsp water)  mix throughly
2. Take part of the sugar and add a few drops of the food color, keep stiring until you are happy with the color  - Remember: The color will be lighter once the sugar is dry 
3. Take the Sugar "sauce" and pour it into the Ice cube tray - push everything down really well
4. Let it dry over night

* Happy Super Mommy's Day *

Don't show up without one...

Without a awesome gift that is!
I mean we all like to receive pretty little tokens of appreciation so therefore we also can't show up without one...
But I know times are tough for everyone and no one has any extra cash to spare these days, therefore in order to stay within that tight budget why not make a pretty gift ourselves....
Well and if you ask me - I think there is really nothing more amazing then a handcrafted gift and believe me it will bring so much more joy then a store bought one...
So how about a bottle of some real yummy good smelling...

Bath Oil  

You will need:  

Pretty glass bottles with cork top

Beads - in any colors your heart desires

Wire

Decorative Paper (scrap book paper)  

Hole Punch

**You can find all these things at "Michael's"

Bath Oil: (easy recipe)

2 cups of Olive oil 

3 tea spoon's of shampoo (the more liquid'y kind)

a few drops of your favorite perfume' or any good smelling perfume'

Here is how you do it:

• Take your beats and string them onto decorative wire 

• Take your pretty scrap book paper and either print or hand write i.e. "Relax - take a bath"!

• Cut the label out. If you like your label to have a neat edge you can use one of those zick-zack scissors

• Punch a hole in one side 

• Take your pretty beated string and wrap it around the bottle and place the label on one end. Secure everything by twisting the wire.

Bath oil: 

• Mix everything together real well and fill the individual bottles

• Take the kork and close all bottles tightly....

               ..... as always - 

"Voila, all done"