CLOCK

Once again I have found a new little project from the Wood Connection. I am making a clock for our house. My husband's response to this was that you can buy a finished one at Target. he just doesn't understand.
SUPPLIES
*Unfinished Frame
*clock hands
*clock batteries
*modge podge
*one sheet of scrapbook paper
*numbers
*jewels
*Wood glue
*sandpaper
*craft paint

First sand the edges of your frame. Then paint the frame. At this point you can also paint the numbers at this time. IF you do not want to paint the numbers you can buy vinyl numbers. Once this is dry I modge podged the paper to the to back board. I then glued the wood numbers and the jewels on. Once this is complete all you need to do is add in the hands and clock components. Instructions came with the parts to show me where to lay my numbers and how to put my hands on. Once all of this has dried you have a clock that fits your house. Overall the hardest part was putting the numbers in the correct spot. I however am very happy with the way that the clock turned out.

PHOTO FRAME

A month or two ago we were out as a family and I saw this frame that I really wanted. However I was not willing to pay the $80 that they were asking. I was determined to find a way to make it. A few months later it is finished and up on the walls. It was really simple and fun to make. I owe all of it to my new favorite store in the Salt Lake Valley. This store is called the wood connection. My husband is not happy with my new discovery but I love it.
SUPPLIES
*paint (Michael's or any craft store)
*Paint brushes
*sandpaper
*wood frame of your choice
*pictures (courtesy of CWMOMENTS.COM)
*metal saying if so desired

I sanded the edge of the frame so that it was smooth. Then I painted the frame. I used two coats. Bead board really sucks up the paint. One coat of paint would have worked however I choose to do two coats because I did not want to be able to see the brush strokes. Once the painting was dry I took little tack nails and nailed in my metal saying and the teeth for the back of the picture. Last of all I bought a foam poster board for the backing on the pictures. I used an exacto knife to cut to the size of the opening. Place your pictures in the frame and hang on the wall. Then you have a custom picture frame.

When everything was said and done I think I completed the entire project for about $40. I thought this was a steal and I got to have it a color that looked great in our house.

BOWS

Over the Thanksgiving weekend my daughters grandmother came to town. She saw some bows that I had bought and was outraged at the amount of money that I spent on these two bows. As a result we went to the craft store and know my daughter has tons of bows. I think we ended up spending $20 dollars and ribbon and endless bows. Making them was not that difficult. Hope this helps anyone interested in bow making. Any questions please feel free to ask.


SUPPLIES:
*ribbon (lots of different colors and textures seem to work best)
*alligator clips (I got mine from the local beauty supply store)
*hot glue gun

To start pick your first ribbon and cut the edge at an angel. I choose to not cut the ribbon from the spool. Fold the ribbon over each other to the desired length. Make sure to pinch the bow in the middle. Every time you make a new loop make sure to twist the ribbon and pinch the middle. I choose to make three loops and love the way it turned out. When you have all three loops cut the edge at an angel. Take another ribbon and wrap it over the top and down to the bottom. On the bottom tie it in a knot. Make sure to pull tight. Then place some hot glue on the ribbon and put the alligator clip on top of it. Be careful to not glue your clip closed. Now take the extra piece of fabric and glue it around the bottom of the clip also. Cut off excess ribbon and you have a bow.

I hope this saves you as much money as it has saved me. The camera is dead so I will post pictures soon. Good luck.