Teacher Gift Idea: Clothespin Photo Holder

Since school is about to start, I thought I'd make a quick teacher gift.

 

It's a large clothespin that can be used as a note holder or as a photo display.

This gift literally took me less than 20 minutes to make.

 

 

I covered the back of the clothespin with the same paper.

That way it looks pretty from either side- especially if it will be sitting on a teacher's desk!

 

If you want to make one, you'll need:

a large clothespin (you can find one here- I've also seen them at Hobby Lobby)

a strip of pattern paper

Mod Podge

foam brush

small piece of ribbon

 

Measure and cut your paper so it will cover the front of the clothespin.

Using the Mod Podge and foam brush, apply Mod Podge to the back of the pattern paper and press it to the clothespin surface.  Make sure you get glue along all the edges of the paper.

If you don't have Mod Podge, you could use a glue stick for this part. Just make sure you are very thorough when applying the glue.

Repeat on the back of the clothespin.

Give it a few minutes to dry, then sand along all the edges. Sand away from the edge of the paper, not towards it- otherwise the paper will start to peel up.

The sanding gets rid of any paper that's hanging over the edge

and also gets your edges good and tight.

To finish it off, tie a ribbon somewhere along the bottom part of the clothespin.

 

How's that for a quick gift?

 

I hand stamped a note, but you could easily print one off from your computer or buy a card.

You know what would really finish it off? A gift card. :)

 

I also have two ideas for teacher themed necklaces: a dictionary definition one here and a tiny chalkboard one here.

 

Thanks for stopping by and God bless.

 

Serve the Lord with gladness; come before His presence with singing.

Psalm 100:2

 

This post is linked to Five Days Five Ways, My Repurposed Life, Tatertots and Jello, and Happy Hour Projects.

Clothespin Necklaces

     I found this delightful necklace idea recently and just had to try it. . .

 

it's a necklace made from clothespins!

Do you see the clothespin springs?

 

If you'd like to make one, here's how to do it.

 

All you need is:

one bead

one clothespin

ball and chain necklace measuring 18"

wire cutters

 

First, take the spring off the clothespin.

Next trim the ends of the wire so there is about 1/4" left on each side.

 

Slide the bead onto the end of the spring. 

 

Then slide the spring onto the necklace.

So easy and so cute. 

 

 

As a matter of fact, I thought they were so easy and cute that I couldn't stop making them.

 

I went through my beads, found coordinating sets, and made triple bead necklaces.

 

Here's a close up of the green one and

here's the blue one.

 

 

 

But this one is my absolute favorite. I love the turquoise flower.

I've been saving this bead to do something special with it and I think this is it.

 

What do you think? Would you wear one?

If you have some cute beads, pull out some clothespins and give this a whirl.

 

 I'm sporting one tonight on date night.:)

 

Thanks for stopping by and God bless.

 

For in it the righteousness of God is revealed from faith to faith,

as it is written, "The just shall live by faith."

Romans 1:17

 

This post is linked to Glitter Glue and Paint, Happy Hour Projects, Five Days Five Ways, Shabby Creek Cottage, 

Tatertots and Jello, Funky Junk Interiors, Be Different Act Normal, and Embracing Change.

Oh, Say Can You See?

     Want a quick patriotic themed project just in time for the Fourth?

How about this paint chip banner?

All you need to make it is:

small rectangle paint chips (I used six)

small flags (I used three)

twine

small clothespins

optional: patriotic stickers

red, white, and blue ribbon

First, you need to determine how long you want your bunting to be. Cut the twine longer than that. You can always trim the twine when you're done, but you can't add extra twine if needed. I have learned this lesson the hard way.

Then all you have to is use the tiny clothespins to attach the flags and paint chips. I wanted a flag at each end, so I started at the far left and placed one flag, then a paint chip in blue, white,and red. Then I did that again and ended with a flag. If you are making yours longer, just keep adding paint chips and flags.

You can stop there if you want to keep it simple.

If you'd like to go a step farther, you could add patriotic stickers to the bottoms of the paint chips. You can also add red, white, and blue ribbon to the twine in between the flags and paint chips.

How's that for simple?!?

I got my paint chips at Home Depot. I love using them in projects.

I got the flags at Michaels.

My ribbon and tiny clothes pins came from the Target dollar section, but you could find both of those items at Michaels or Hobby Lobby.

This would be easy enough to do for any holiday as long as you just choose different color paint chips. It would be really cute to coordinate one for a birthday party!

If you like this project, you may like this project using clothespins or this project featuring a banner made from sheet music.

Thanks for stopping by and God bless.

The Lord shall reign forever and ever.

Exodus 15:18

 This post is linked to Today's Creative Blog, Making the World Cuter, Skip to My Lou, and Craft-O-Maniac.

Darling Altered Clothespins

     Wow- it is hard to believe that we're already in February! Where does the time go?

     I've got a quick and easy project to show you today. . .

 

altered clothespins!

 

All you need to make these are:

clothespins

hot glue gun

a few strips of lace

 

Glue the lace to the top of the clothespins.

That's all.

Aren't they cute?

 

You can use these for lots of things from holding photos on a frame with chicken wire, or to hold bunting onto twine, or even as magnets on your fridge door.

 

 

 

     Come back on Monday and I'll show you what I did with them!

 

     Have a fantastic weekend! Thanks for stopping by and God bless.

 

 

Uphold my steps in Your paths, that my footsteps may not slip.

Psalm 17:5

 

This post is linked to Happy Hour Projects, My Repurposed Life, and Too Much Time On My Hands.

 

 

 

 

 

Embroidery Hoop Photo Display

     I can't believe July is almost over- yipes! This summer is flying by! Speaking of summer, if you have photos from your summer outings, here's a quick and easy display you can make out of an embroidery hoop and some clothes pins.

I got my embroidery hoop at a yard sale. Whenever I see one at a yard sale or thrift store, I pick it up. You just never know when you'll need one:)

Anyway, to make this, you need 10-12 clothespins. I covered mine with decorative scrapbook paper. Then I used a glue gun and spaced them out on the hoop. You need to alternate which direction they are facing- the first one faces out, the second one faces in, the third one faces out, and so on. That way you'll have enough room to place your photos.

I glued flowers to a couple of the clothes pins.

To make a hanger, you just use a long piece of ribbon. Center it over the pin of the hoop.

I made this one for me. I think I'll hang it in the front entry with photos and love notes.

I don't have a spot to show off recent photos. This will work just fine for that.

Here's one I made for a friend's birthday.

This would be a cute way to show off birthday cards or Christmas cards. It would make a wonderful grandparent or teacher gift. It could also be an inspiration board.

What else could you use this for?. . .

Thanks so much for stopping by and God bless.

And we know that all things work together for good to those

who are called according to His purpose.

Romans 9:28

     This post is linked to Craft-o-Maniac, Between Naps on the Porch, Brassy Apple, Today's Creative Blog, Skip to My Lou,  and