Write It Out Project

My blog friend, Alida, from I Make Stuff, is starting an amazing project. It is called the Write It Out Project. She is making cute journals for military widows to write out their thoughts/feelings in. She lost her husband nearly 3 years ago in Iraq and is using this to help herself in the healing process, as well as many other widows. She needs our help too! Check out her blog to find out more details, I know I'm ready to help out!  I am so thankful for the sacrifice of all military wives!

Rooty "TUTE" Tuesday - Mod Podge Ceiling Fan

Thanks to Amy, over at Mod Podge Rocks, for featuring my Mod Podge Ceiling Fan...go check her blog out here!




I can honestly say that, as far as I know, I came up with this idea all on my own! That really is a lot to be said since most of the time I can't take complete credit for anything! Usually I see a cute idea and copy it and make it my own. But, THIS FAN!! I think maybe I might have, could have, hopefully did really come up with this all by myself (notice my still lacking confidence). So, when we were finishing our basement and finishing up projects in my favorite room in the house, my hubby was installing a ceiling fan. As he was about to put the blades on the whole fan base part, a light bulb went off in my head! I asked him "would it hurt the fan or start it on fire if I added some fabric or paper or something to those blades?". He thought I was crazy, but couldn't think of a reason why it should mess anything up. So, I delayed him from finishing his installation so I could snazzy-up those fan blades. Here's what I did:

Materials needed: paper (I used scrapbook paper and needed one 12"x12" piece for each fan blade), mod podge (I used Matte finish), hole punch, sponge brush (the cheap-o ones at Michael's Craft store)

1.) If you are using scrapbook paper (12"x12") cut in in half and tape it together end to end to make it long enough. Make sure whatever the print on the paper is, that you are able to match it up pretty good so you can't see the line. Wrapping paper may work well b/c you won't have to piece it together.

2.) Lay fan blade face-down on back of paper.

3.) Trace around fan blade and also trace inside the holes where it will be attached to the rest of the fan later.

4.) Cut out fan blade shape from paper. Check your fan and see if the edge is curved a little, if so, cut out shape a bit inside the lines.

5.) With paper punch, punch out holes that will be used to screw blades onto fan. I used this scrapbooking punch:
6.) Wipe down surface of fan blade and spread on a thin layer of Mod Podge or watered down white glue.

7.) Lay down paper on fan blade making sure to line up all edges and punched holes just right. Smooth out all bubbles or wrinkles (I did not do this well, you can learn from my mistake :) Let dry 20-30 mins.

8.) If needed, trim excess paper from around fan blade with Exacto knife.

9.) Coat the top of the blade with the paper on it with Mod Podge. Make sure to do the edges and holes too.

10.) Let dry.

11.) Do a few more coats of Mod Podge, making sure to let dry thoroughly in between coats.

12.) Once they're all dry, go attach the blades to your ceiling fan and see how it livens up the room...so fun!

I can only imagine how fun this could be to tie in your ceiling fan with the room decor! It could be spunky or subdued, sparkly or subtle....so many possibilities!

Rooty "TUTE" Tuesday - Pen Holder

Here is a super simple and cheap way to keep all your pens and pencils in one place! The sky's the limit with this, you can make it as simple or fancy as you wish!
Here's how to do it:

Pen Holder TutorialMaterials Needed: juice tub container (like crystal light), Mod Podge, brushes, paper, ribbon

1.) Measure Juice container (or whatever container you want to use) and cut paper to that size.
2.) With brush ( I use these cheap foam ones ), spread thin layer of Mod Podge on back of paper. If you can see the juice label through the paper, either try to remove it or put one more layer of plain white paper on the container first...like this:

3.) Then paint thin layer of Mod Podge on back of decorative paper and carefully wrap paper around container.
4.) Mod Podge one coat over the decorative paper. Let dry 20-30 mins. Coat container 1-2 more times, letting dry in between.
5.) With hot glue gun, glue ribbon on top and bottom of paper. You may want to use Fray Check at the ends to prevent fraying.

6.) Decorate it more if you want...or leave it how it is! Put some pens and pencils in there and put it on your desk to look pretty!

***Stay tuned for next weeks Rooty "TUTE" Tuesday, we will be
featured on a totally amazing blog!