Fun project, Family Message Board

Thomas Edison said "To invent, you need a good imagination and a pile of junk"

Well I definitely have the pile of junk, So here's my project.  

Take that pile of junk. Grab anything and everything that might be used to make a family message organization center and start building.

To invent, you need a good imagination and a pile of junk.
Read more at: http://www.brainyquote.com/quotes/quotes/t/thomasaed125362.html

To invent, you need a good imagination and a pile of junk.
Read more at: http://www.brainyquote.com/quotes/quotes/t/thomasaed125362.html

To invent, you need a good imagination and a pile of junk.
Read more at: http://www.brainyquote.com/quotes/quotes/t/thomasaed125362.html

 

 You'll need lots of screws, and a drill and some glue.

Some things you'll need for a family message board are,  A place for magnets to stick to, a chalk board, clips for messages, hooks for keys or whatnot, some sort of container to keep supplies, and a place for a replaceable pad of paper. I'm sure there are more things that could be used, but with that formula here's what I made.

 Clock is the magnet board above, and the metal soap dish piece is the magnet board below.

For chalk tray I used a scrabble tile holder above and a piece of a picture frame below.

 Back board for this is an old ammo crate lid, I kept the hinges and they become the hangers to attach it to the wall.

 This one below is  a bit different. The backing is an old tray, I simply glued the chalk board and chalk holder to it leaving enough exposed on the sides for magnets to be used. Then I added one clip to the front and more if needed can be added at the fluted sides.  This cleans up the refrigerator chaos a little bit.

 If you don't want to build one of your own, two of these are available in my Etsy store here

Hope you enjoy this little project. It's a great way to use up all those little things we junkers have hanging around unused.

The post office is Tricky, how to avoid paying too much and watch out for those upcharges

My Daughter-in-law recently brought me two large envelopes with small items inside, and said the Post office wanted to charge her $15  to mail them, and she thought I might be able to help her get a better rate.  You might wonder why my DIL would ask me such a questions?  Well, part of my "real job" is to ship packages around the world, and I've learned a few things along the way.  

 And I'd like to share them with you, because I get so mad when I see the Post Office "selling" more expensive services to people who don't need them. 

Tips will be in italics and some will be in bold below. See bottom of post for a quick summary of these tips.

First let me say that one can never say they know all there is to know about shipping, because it's impossible. Once you learn something, it changes and you always need an open mind to a better idea. I've learned this the hard way.

As for those packages of her's, I was able to mail them for less than $3 each and I'll reveal my secret if you just read on.

One of the tricks the post office tries to pull is Priority Mail and Flat Rate Envelopes and Boxes.

If you take an item to the post office to mail it. They will immediately ask you to grab one of the PM mail boxes on display.  But watch out, this may  not be the best option. 

Did you know that if a package weighs less than 13oz you can send it by First Class Mail?

That is how I saved her the bucks. I put it in a brown envelope, looked up the rate online here https://postcalc.usps.com/ and slapped some stamps on it.

Once you get to 14 ounces, you have to use Priority Mail UNLESS, you are using a service via Etsy or maybe even Paypal. Sometimes those will let you stay with First Class even above the threshold up to one pound (16 oz).  I'm unsure why, but I've done it several times.

I'm going to do a sample shipment that is 1.5 pounds from Texas to California using the postal calculator linked above.  After entering your package information you'll click to the next screen and see something like this.

Click photo to enlarge it.

Notice that the rate at the top is the only one you actually see, Ignore it, It's for a very expensive service. You have to click the other blue areas to see the better rates.

As you can see, now you are getting the general Priority Mail rates. You can now compare apples to apples and see which box is the best economically for you. The top one is for your own box. As you can see it's the best deal except if you can fit the item into a Small Flat rate box or a  flat rate A box, which you will have to order online, as the Post office does not keep the A box  in stock.

Now click "other options" and you'll see this.

 Retail Ground, is the old Parcel Post service.  In this case, not too much cheaper than the PM service and Media Mail is for Media and Books only.


Flat rate boxes are usually only economical if you are mailing a very heavy item that will fit inside the box. and sometimes even this is not true. Flat rate envelopes are good if you go above that 13oz limit and the item will fit in a flat rate envelope. Use the postage calculator to help you find the best rates for your shipment before heading to the post office. (link above)

Did you know that you can put a small video sized flat rate box, inside a flat rate envelope and save a few cents and give your item some more protection, while still paying for the flat rate ENVELOPE price?

 I've found that once you get about 4 pounds, UPS or Fed Ex can be a better deal . Under 3 or 4 pounds the Post office might still be a better price. Also if the box is large, just go to your UPS store to send it. The amount the price jumps once your box gets over 12" in any one direction, can be astronomical.  Where UPS would charge  me $13, USPS wants to charge me $28.  Also don't forget to check the Parcel Select option for larger boxes. Although Slower, it can sometimes be more economical.   Use the link above to calculate.

 

Sign up for USPS Click N Ship  https://www.usps.com/ for packages, you can print and pay for your label online, and schedule it to be picked up at your door. No more trips to the Post Office.  You'll need to get a click-n-chip account though, but it's not hard. 

 Watch for those upcharges, extras for insurance etc, and be sure to click the down arrows when you are choosing your service, the cheaper options are only visible when clicking that drop down menu arrow. click and ship works great for International shipments too. You can complete your customs forms right there, again, no trip to the post office. But you  cannot ship First Class (under 13 oz) within the US via Click N Ship.  Like I said, they don't really want you to know about this cheaper shipping option.  Get yourself some stamps in various values and you can simply put it in your mail box. 

That's just a few tips I've learned along the way. Dealing with the post office is not fun, but these tips might make it less of a pain for you.  Just be careful, watch every little thing they try to add onto your shipment. And don't pay for something you don't need.

I know this is a lot of information, So here it is in a nutshell

1) Ship light weight items via First Class Mail

2)Avoid Flat Rate boxes, except in special circumstances.

 3) Use the shipping calculator Tool on the USPS site, linked above

4) Be diligent and don't pay for services you do not need

5) If sending a lot of packages, sign up for click-n-ship via USPS.com

6) Click down arrows to reveal cheaper shipping options. 

I hope this helps you save some money and makes your life a little easier.

Projects, Painting, Goodies, and Grandson

This week on Instagram. If you are not following along, you are missing out on the Fun. This week I featured some quick projects, a bedroom makeover painting project, some funky shelf paper spotted at a local Estate Sale A cute photo of my Grand-son and Grand-dog and much more.  So click the link above and follow me on Instagram.

Getting Organized in the New Year with your junking finds

If you don't follow me on Instagram or Facebook you are missing out on most of my posts and ideas. So I thought I'd take a moment to catch you up.

 Every day this month, I'm posting ideas of how to use your fabulous junking finds to get organized in 2016.

 For the home office

 I love taking everyday objects and junk finds and giving them a new purpose. Many  old objects can be creatively used in your home or office to keep you organized, in a fun and interesting way.

Hop over to my Instagram or Facebook page for more ideas daily.
 Link at top of blog

In the Garden, Kitchen or Fireside

 For the studio or craft room

Even in the bathroom

Put your junk to work in 2016

One more Christmas Project

While flipping through an old issue of Flea Market Style magazine I ran across this picture of some old picture frame molds, and it looked like a Christmas tree to me. So I decided to make my own out of some old frames.

I'm happy with the look and it was a pretty quick project.

Hope you are ready for a very Merry Christmas

Lamp shade Christmas Tree, Christmas outside the Box

And now for This year's Tree
Made from old lamp shades, Inspired by Pinterest (of course)

 First an assortment of lamp shades from garage sales, and goodwill.

 

First I skinned them

Then I mounted them to a threaded rod with bolts I purchased both at the hardware store,

and mounted it to a base(this part took the longest)

Now for embellishments. Juno wanted in on the action.

A few shades get some gold trim from my stash

A large stash of vintage ornaments is helpful, and you'll need hooks.

This project could be as small or large as you want, based on size and quantity of lamp shades.

I'm still unsure about the paper bells, but it does give it some dimension

 An old Wool  blanket below.

There is even a version of this idea with covered lamp shades. See my pinterest page

There you have it, My completely vintage Christmas tree made from old lamp shades.
I think this will be a one year tree, because next year I'll have a 1 year old grandchild and this would tip over real easy.  I may make a table top version though.

Alternative Christmas Trees, a Tradition

A few years ago I decided I was going to retire the "traditional" Christmas tree for awhile . My boys are grown and moved out and

the tree is the hardest part for me, First there is the hauling it down, then putting it up and stringing lights. By that time my family has pooped out and abandoned me. Not to mention the putting it away 4 weeks later.

With that in mind, I put up a vintage aluminum tree for a couple of years. These go up real easy and there are no lights to string

Then I went way outside the "box".   with  this small tree from old spindles



As an accent I made this one from a single spindle and some wire. I still bring it out every year. It's a good accent decoration
 

Then I went to Pinterest and got loads of inspiration

 For the last 2 years, I have this one I made with an old screen and lots of vintage glass ornaments. At the end of the season, I wrap it up in an old sheet and just take it to the attic. I'll probably bring it down this season too. Inspired by this original project at Sointovintage.blogspot.com

 

 But when I saw this idea on Pinterest by lucydesignsonline.com I just had to try it.  Vintage frames make up this fun, but heavy accent tree. 

Wait till you see what I have cooked up for my main tree this year.

To see the complete list with links, go to my pinterest page.

Junky Advent Calendar Reason for the Season

Time to redeem the true meaning of the season, in a fun and yes, junky way.

Reason for the season Advent Calendar

I've done this for several years now and it is always so much fun.   I was
Inspired by  Jodi's Jesus Tree project.

Here's how it works, first take a piece of wood and insert 24 nails.

Each Day,  draw an ornament from the basket, talk about it, hang it on the nail or hook.  Below are some examples

Each ornament will have a special meaning that relates back to the Reason for the Season, or names of Jesus etc.

The ornaments illustrate the meaning of the name with vintage items (or even not so vintage)

Have your little ones follow along as well.

You can see examples of each of the 24 tags as well as different ways to make an advent display on my pinterest page here

If you want pre-printed tags  go  here .

  And they are much better than the ones I made.

2015 Christmas Tree Project with Old frames and trim

As you know if you follow my blog, I don't currently put up a traditional Christmas tree. Every year for the past 4 or 5 years, I've put up an alternative to a traditional tree.

 I even have a Pinterest board dedicated to pinning unusual tree ideas.

 

This year I was inspired by a pin from Lucy Designs.  She took trim molding and old frames and makes some fabulous all white trees that have been featured in magazines.

I was inspired by her designs and a pile of old frames to do a similar project for myself.

 

First I gathered and took apart various old frames I had from past projects.  I look for  old frames at garage sales and scoop them up when they are a good price.  I laid them out in my barn until I had the basic design I was looking for. I was going to use frames for the base, but later changed my mind. I used an old ornate hinge for the topper.

Next I pulled out some scrap wood and my screw driver and began drilling from the back to secure the wood in place. This took awhile to get it all just right.  In the end the back looked like this. No pretty but strong.

 And there you have it.  My version of this project involved some moderate woodworking skills. I did use my miter saw on a few pieces and the drill as well.  but if you had enough frames you probably would not need the miter saw.

I like the variation of colors, and in person you can see the dimension that the old and sometimes shabby frames give it. Watch in the next few days for some more  Christmas projects, past and present.

 

I probably won't use this as my substitute tree this year, but It's a fun decoration item. Right now it's on my porch, until I'm ready to start really decorating for Christmas.