"Tropical Treatment" Thank You Gift

A Thank You Gift perfect for coming sunny days!

This week was my work agency's Annual Volunteer Recognition Luncheon to recognize our senior volunteers.  We had a blast and they went home with several goodies.  If it weren't for my supporting staff though, I would absolutely not have been able to pull this event off on my own. One of my coordinators is a scrapbookaholic and the other is a whiz at getting whatever  you can dream up donated for raffle prizes.  They both work extra hard, and each of them even had their daughters help out for the event, so this was my way of thanking all four of them.

I wanted a tropical/girly theme to the thank yous and who was the store to come through once again on supplies?  The Dollar Tree.  In total this was about $25 for 4 gifts.  They had hurricane goblets in bright colors, LifeSavers gummies in 2 different flavors, tropical theme stirrers, little drink umbrellas, and flip flop flower clips.  The only item I did not get there was the Crystal Light.  Crystal Light has a brand new line of "adult beverage" flavored mixes.  I grabbed an Appletini package, a Mojito package for my coordinators.  Their daughters are both underage, and not that there is alcohol in these powdery packets, but I didn't want to offend (especially considering one girl is 13) so I snagged Raspberry Lemonade and Strawberry Kiwi for them.

I wanted a fun 'tag' for each of the hurricane goblets, so I came up with the idea of making paper flip flops.  To be honest, I just free handed these.  I had some brown paper for the middle of the flip flop, and then I grabbed from my scrapbook pile colorful papers for the soles.  I used Scrapbook adhesive to adhere the brown paper to the colored paper.  I then poked three tiny holes at the top middle, and the two opposing sides of the flip flop.

Fold a piece of ribbon in half for the straps, and sick through the top middle hole.  This is the start of the flip flop.

You will put the other ends of the ribbon through the two opposing holes, pull through (leaving some ribbon loose for the sandal strap effect) and tie to the back. I added a dab of Tacky Glue to the top piece of ribbon on the back to keep it securely in place.

 I coordinated fun flowers and brads for the top of each sandal that I glued on.  And then I wrote on each one "Tropical Treatment Thank You".  For future gifts like this I might explain the contents inside the goblets.  But I actually just liked these as they were.

I tucked the flower clips for the flip flops in the top of each goblet.  Punched a hole in the flop flop and tied it around the middle of the goblet with fun ribbon.  Inside the goblets: I took the Gummy LifeSavers out of the package as I wanted the contents all inside the glass. I put the Lifesavers on the bottom, then the Crystal Light packages.  Then, I topped off each one with a flamingo stirrer and a coordinating drink umbrella!  I was happy with how these came out and they were fun to make!  You could make many different variations of this project!  Have fun!

April Showers Bring May Flowers - Front Door Decoration

 Without thinking too much about it, I have just now realized my obsession over the past several months with creating new front door decorations.  Part of it is the fact I have a very old door and a very newly painted house, so I want to add something to the door to make it as aesthetically pleasing as the rest of the house.  So until we replace the old door, here's to another front door accessory!

I created this one using solely Dollar Tree items.  In total, this costs $6 to make!  You could get the same materials anywhere, I just like the challenge of finding the most inexpensive items to transform into something fun!  Before I get into the instructions, I must admit - I really hate fake flowers.  And not all fake flowers, as I had them at my wedding (those were high end) but I usually hate the real cheap ones that fall apart as you use them.  This project however, I have overcome much of my hatred!

For this project, you will need:
*3 mini watering cans of your choice (Dollar Tree also had this style in Kelly Green)
*3 bunches of flowers -preferably ones that won't look silly "spilling" from the can.  Smaller flowers work best.
*Hot glue gun (not pictured)
*Small Drill (not shown) - could also use a nail and hammer with frozen water method.  If you don't know what I am talking about with this, just look up online "poke holes in tin/freeze water" and you will get to it.  
*Twine - thin

You will want to poke/drill your holes first.  I just did one hole at the bottom of 2 of my 3 cans.  You could put holes at the top and bottom to have your twine run all the way through the cans.  I didn't feel like getting into that much and liked the idea of running the twine from the inside of the cans, to the handle of the next can.

Next, you will want to run the twine through your first can and make a knot.  This should be a big enough knot to hold inside the can.

Then, you will let out the twine about 9 inches, and tie to your next can, making it about 7-8 inches apart from each other.

You will repeat these steps for the second can, making a knot and tying to the last can so that you have something resembling this:

 Then, the flowers.  I took my bunches and folded them down to where they would fit into the cans, but still look like they were flowing out of it.  I cut off the bottom chunk.

Then, generously fill the bottom of your can (the side where you had that hole and knotted twine) and place the bunch of flowers inside until they are firmly in place.  Do these for all the cans, and you're done!  Hang and enjoy!  A front door decoration for April-May.

Make Your Own Easter Bunny Candy or Dip Dish

 Here's another easy one just in time for Easter!  Show off your creativity with using this as either a candy dish (which I am doing for now) or for a dip container (which I will be doing next weekend).

You will need an hour or two for this project, mostly for drying purposes.  There are smaller projects what can be done while the drying is going on, but a couple hours is much smarter to have enough time for everything.

You will need:

* glass jar (this is a Dollar Tree find)
* Air Dry PermEnamel Surface Conditioner
* Air Dry PermEnamel Ultra White paint
* Krylon Low Odor Matte Sealer (not pictured)
* Paint brushes
* Elmers Paint Marker, Black for eyes & mouth
* White Pom Pom or Cotton Ball
* Pink Button (not pictured) for nose
* Jewelry Wire (not pictured) for whiskers
* Hot Glue Gun
* White & Pink Felt - small pieces & 2  Wide
* Popsicle sticks                                                        

First step:  Turn dish upside down and then apply the surface condition enamel, let dry (this took about 15-20 min).   Then coat with the PermEnamel in  ultra white, cover  in entirety, nice and thick.

While the white paint dried, I worked on the ears.  I cut out felt pieces for the ears and glued them onto wide popsicle sticks.  No need to attach these to the jar!  That way you can clean out the jar inbetween whatever food item you are putting in it.

** Before freaking out that food is going near this paint, it is absolutely safe and cleanable once you have finished everything and can use soap and water on it.  If it weren't for the 3-D items you put on this jar, you could even put it in a dish washer!  That is why you want to use PermEnamel, that is meant for glass and ceramics.

For the ears, I honestly guesstimated on the size because I made this up!  The white part of the ear I made at 4 inches tall, the pink part is 2 inches tall.  I put the ear 3 inches down the popsicle stick so the felt has enough support and doesn't get floppy -ha!

 I just now realized I did not have a picture of his face pre-attachments.  But, you will next want to use the paint marker to apply his eyes and mouth.  And once you are happy with how he looks, spray the sealer all over him outside or in a well vented area.  You do NOT want to spray him when he has his nose, whiskers and tail on, then you would have one sticky mess!

Once dried, stick those ears inside the dish, and fill with whatever you are displaying or serving!  There's your bunny!

Mmmmm....Starburst Jelly Beans