Create Planner Paperclip Bookmarks With Paperclips and Ribbon

Add your favorite ribbon to a paperclip and create a homemade bookmark. This is great to use in your yearly planner to mark important dates. Follow the steps below and you can make your own decorated bookmarks.

You will need:
Your favorite spool of ribbon
Scissors 
Tape measure
Paperclips

Choose your favorite ribbon and cut a strip about 4 inches long. Any strip shorter than 4 inches is difficult to work with. You can always cut the ribbon shorter when your paperclip is created, if you so desire.

Fold the ribbon in half.

Place the ribbon through the end of the paperclip, opposite the end that slips over the book page.

This step is tricky. With one hand hold on to the tail of the folded strip. With your index finger on your other hand, push the folded end open to form a loop. Bring the tail down through the top of the loop and pull up. This will tighten the loop and create the loop around the end of the paperclip.

The front side of the tightened loop.

The back side of the knot.

"Try a thing you haven’t done three times. Once, to get over the fear of doing it. Twice, to learn how to do it. And a third time, to figure out whether you like it or not."
—Virgil Garnett Thomson

Happy accident, this ribbon had an adhesive back. I was able to create clip click bookmarks using the same steps, with the ribbon, on the metal tabs of the clip. Plus, I was able to decorate and attach the ribbon to the metal bases on the clips.

Now to you:

What have you used to create your own, unique bookmarks.

Make Wrapping Bows From Recycled Papers Or Wrapping Paper

When I discovered this technique to make your own bows, I was flustered because I could not figure out how to twist the individual paper strips. But once I figured out how to twist and hold the paper strips, I was on a roll. In the instructions below, I will share with you how I made pretty bows using a recycled ad. A piece of everyday card stock. Also, create a bow that matches the paper you have chosen to wrap the present.

I took some pictures before I started the project. I will explain what worked for me.

For the bows you will need:

A tape measure
A paper cutter (if you do not have a paper cutter, you can definitely do this project with scissors.)
Your desired type of paper- I used a recycled ad, card stock and wrapping paper
Stapler
Double sticky tape or glue dots

(recycled ad)

Cut your strips of paper in the following lengths-

All the strips need to be cut at 3.4 inch width

3 strips need to be 9.5 inches long 
3 strips need to be 8.5 inches long
1 strip of paper needs cut to 6.5 inches long 
1 strip needs to be 2.5 inches long


You can  increase the length of the strips of paper to make a larger bow. But the bow becomes difficult to create when the strips are shortened. To make smaller bows, check out my post on 
How to make a bow using  a fork.

(card stock)

As I stated this will be the most difficult step in creating your bows. I am using the card stock to demonstrate how to hold and twist the strip of paper. 

With the printed side of the card stock facing away from you, bring the top of the strip of paper towards you and twist the paper so that the printed side is touching the blank side.

This is the step that I was stuck on but, once I figured out how to hold the paper it was a snap.

Now, turn the strip so that the tail that is facing towards to bottom of the picture, (or down), will now be facing up. Basically, use two hands for this step and transfer the bow to the top facing position. 

Now you will have another loop to create from the "tail."

This was the aspect of the project that stumped me. I was trying to twist the bow and not move it. I was trying to twist it in one hand. But, once I figured out how to move the bow so that you had 'tails" to work with, the project came together very easily.

As in the first step, bring the tip of the paper down and twist to form the loop. 

Both tips of the paper should be touching one another.

Now move the tips to the back of the bow. (From now on you will bring the strips of paper to meet behind the bow. I just wanted you to have a visual on how the strips should meet.)

Attach the ends to the back of the strips using either double sided tape or glue dots. I remembered the glue dots once I started the project. I liked using the glue dots over the double sided tape. I could work with the glue dots, the tape seemed to stick to everything. But if you have the tape, just use that.

This is how your finished strips of paper should look.

I am missing one twisted strip in this picture. I took the picture and then went back to my computer and there was the lost strip.

Lay the strips of paper on top of one another forming the look of a star.

First, group the 9.5 strips together and staple. In another group, lay together the 8.5 inch strips and staple.

Now arrange the 8.5 inch strips in the 9.5 inch strips, add in the 6.5 inch strip and staple everything together. 

Bend and move the strips to your liking. 

The finished bow. 

As I stated, I had taken the pictures before I started to work on the bows. I had cut a strip at 2.5 inches. The loop made from this strip was too small to fit my stapler. So, I did not use that strip. I bent the loops toward the middle of the bow, this hid the staple. 

Now, you may want to hide the staple altogether. Either staple that strip in the middle of the bow or use the double sided tape and attach to the middle of the bow. 

The finished bow from the recycled ad. This was by far my favorite bow to create. The paper was easy to bend and move. Because the paper was printed on both sides, I did not have to worry about twisting the bow to make sure the printed side was showing.

The recycled paper was also thinner, so I only needed one staple to hold all of the strips together.

The three completed bows. 

"It takes half your life before you discover your life is a do-it-yourself project." Napoleon Hill

Now to you:

Please let us know if you try this do-it-yourself, make your own home made bows. Or, if you have any bows that you make, please share your ideas.

Decorating Gift Jars With Washi Tape

I have shared with you that I am a fan of Washi tape. So much so that I created a card based on the look of Washi tape. After posting, Make Your Own Jars And Lids, I discovered another idea for the use of recycled glass jars. Cover them with Washi tape. With the endless selection of colors and designs of tape, you will be able to add your own personal touch when you decorate your jars. 

To decorate two empty jars, I chose colors of Washi tape that complemented one another. 

You will need:

Clean, empty jars

Any Washi tapes of your choice

Scissors to cut the Washi tape

For the horizontal tape around the jar, I used a tape measure and a marker that would easily wipe off of the glass jar.

These particular jars had a small lip around the top edge. I used that as a guide for the first circle around the jar.

I, then, used the tape measure and measured how for apart I wanted the next row of tape to be from the first row of Washi tape.

I used this same technique on all of the remaining horizontal rows. 

This the finished look of the first jar.

After finishing the first glass jar, I wanted a different look with the second jar. 

I placed the tape diagonally around the jar. I used two strips of light green tape and then I used the pink tape. I continued this same pattern and process until I had the jar completely covered with Washi tape.

A look at both finished jars.

As I stated before the designs for your creations are endless. Also, what you put in the jars offers a personal touch. I thought lighted tealights in the jars at night would put off a nice pink glow. Fill the jars with lotions for a hostess gift. Add homemade candy for a teacher gift. Endless.

Now to you:

What would you place in the decorated jars and who would you gift them to?

Make Your Own Decorative Jars And Lids

We all know that buying glass jars to fill with goodies to give as hostess gifts, teacher gifts, or birthday presents can become quite expensive. Today, I want to share with you how to create your own decorative glass containers from recycled jars. 

I had never before paid much attention to the jars in which food was sold. But when I started painting and decorating the lids of recycled jars, I discovered many glass jars were unique. In fact, the first jar I chose to upcycle resembles a barrel. How interesting.

My number one thing is to recycle everything from newspaper to aluminum cans, and I even use a canvas bag instead of the plastic ones when I go to the grocery store.
Maiara Walsh

Your first step is to find a jar. Wash and clean the jar and the lid. Soak the jar to remove the label. I let the jars soak overnight. Then, I removed the label to the best of my ability. I like the barrel shape of this jar.

This label was difficult to remove. I do have a post on how to remove labels with baking soda and coconut oil. I did use lighter fluid to remove this pesky label. The second jar I chose to use, also, had a very stubborn label to remove.

Gather together your hot glue gun and an object to attach to your lid. I used a wooden ball. But kitchen cabinet handles would be another idea, as well as, a Duplo building block, a pretty button, or any small object to your liking will do. 

I used hot glue to attach the wooden ball to the lid. Allowed the glue to harden and dry.

I chose to use a silver spray paint to cover the metal lids.

I used several coats to thoroughly cover the metal lids and wooden knobs. I cut a piece of newspaper in the shape of a circle and placed in the bottom of the lid to prevent the paint from adhering to the bottom of the lid.

My finished jars. I plan on using one jar for my cat treats and the other filled with candy will be sent as a birthday present to a family member. The ideas for these recycled jars are endless. Fill will candies for hostess gifts. Allow the your children to decorate the jars with stickers, fill with goodies and give as teacher's gifts. Place socks in the jar, a present, then that recipient can fill the jars with their own items. Again the possibilities are endless.

Now to you:

What would you gift in the upcycled jars?

Is Labeling Overrated?

+Pheeby Snow  is back with us this week with a guest post discussing the uses of Post it Notes. Personally, I use little notes to remind myself of important dates. They come in so many cute designs. Pheeby shares with us, her thoughts, on Post it Notes and the pros and cons of using them.

Thank you for sharing with us today, Pheeby

Is Labeling Overrated?

Considering the busy work schedule of a great part of people and the amount of things that they need to remember every single day, there is no wonder that many of them turn to different alternatives that could help them remember important meetings, personal appointments and birthdays of relatives. Nowadays, there are many options that you can use for reminding yourself of your important events, as the technologies have developed very quickly, however there is still one well known method that is used by many people – labeling.

Labeling has always been a secure way in which you can remember for yourself what you need to do, or simply what are your recent duties that you should take up with. People who prefer to rely on this method for not forgetting important details are often more distracted from others, or simply have busier schedules. The question that arises here is the following – is labeling overrated and do we really need to put small pieces of paper everywhere in order to manage with all of our arrangements in a precise way and on time ?

This question could be discussed a lot and that is why TidyCleaning North West London offer you a list of pros and cons that will make the things clear for you.

Pros:

• When you put labels on the fridge, on the bureau or even at the walls it is more likely to see them around your home. There is slight chance to neglect them and to forget about your appointment
• When you write the tiny paper, the chance to remember about the event increases, while you are writing. In this way you start reminding of the event without even paying attention to the label
• When putting labels in your room or at your bureau, you ensure easy access for the eye that finds it easy to capture the information in this way.
• The habit of labeling makes you more organized person that can get used to write down important marks for a variety of events

Cons

• The process of labeling is much slower compared to that of putting the information in your organizer
• You need more materials to do the labeling, while when you use your phone, the only thing that you need is fully charged battery
• All the small papers spread into your home can make a lot of unnecessary garbage that will require extensive cleaning afterwards
• There is a great chance that someone could pick the label and throw it away, whether by accident or on purpose
• Labeling can really destroy the order that has been established at your bureau or even in your room

These are some of the advantages and disadvantages of labeling that you need to consider. After all, the decision depends on you – if you are a fan of the latest technologies then your smart phone will do the same job, thanks to the organizer and applications that it could offer to  you.

As far as cleaning is concerned, labeling can make you provide additional cleaning if you have the habit of throwing away all the tiny papers on the floor. If you a type of person that adores labeling, then make sure that you will clean everything in an appropriate way. If it comes to your bureau, make sure that you will quickly get rid of all the labels that you no longer need unless you want to turn this place into a real mess. Even if you consider yourself an organized person, we advise you not to underestimate the significance of labeling and to use it as an alternative method, apart from the organizers on your phone.

Thank you, again Pheeby for sharing with us today.

Random October Favorites

Last month I started using a new app and beauty items, thus the title, Random October Favorites. I want to share with you what I discovered that worked for me, new on my blog and new in my beauty favorites. 

As I stated, random.

I discovered a new, to me, blogger, BlogPhoto.tv. When you sign up for Thomas E. Hanna's emails, on Mondays, you will receive his latest blog posts, along with beautiful pictures for you to use on your blog or on your social media. The picture above is one example of the beautiful pictures that you will receive. Also, for $4.99 a month, you can become a premium member and receive more pictures and downloads. 

Another beautiful picture from Thomas.

BlogPhoto.tv also wrote a post, The Scatterbrain's Guide To Managing Your Time. Thomas shared a few of his favorite social media sharing apps. One app in particular that he suggested was DoShare. This app works with Google+.

I have been using this app in October. I find it user friendly and simple to navigate. Previously, I had scheduled posts to share on Google+ using the schedule tab in the design page of Blogger. But when I scheduled the posts and they were shared, the date of the post would disappear from your home page. DoShare is an extension of Chrome. Simply download the app, add a link that you want shared and at what time you want it shared, DoShare does the work for you. One side note, your computer must be turned on for this app to work. 

I have been loving the Now vitamin c and sea buckthorn moisturizer. I apply the moisturizer to my face before I put on my foundation. Vitamin C and sea buckthorn work with the skin's natural chemistry to help lock in moisture and other vital fluids needed to improve elasticity, brighten dull or dark areas, and promote healthy tissue. This article stresses the importance of vitamin c and sea buckthorn for it's beneficial anti-aging properties.

I did not notice that my dark spots were any lighter or that it brightened any dark areas, but the moisturizer was not greasy and did not make my foundation feel as though it was "sliding" off of my face later in the day. I will definitely repurchase this product.

This product is gluten free, paraben free, vegan and not tested on animals.

Physicians Formula mascara is a new product that I have been liking. The formula is not too wet or too dry. The wand has a rubber brush that is large enough to coat your lashes with mascara but not too large that it pokes you in the eye. The mascara formula is buildable without being clumpy. Meaning, I did not look as though I had spider leg, eye lashes. 

Physicians Formula is a cruelty fee company. I will repurchase this product, also.

Now to you-

What were your favorites last month?