Trunk O' Love

One of my dearest friends asked if I could put together a special gift for her parents' anniversary. Of course, I was eager to help! She knew that she wanted something that included photos, so I thought I'd collage. Since her parents love to travel (and have been all over the world!) I thought that a suitcase or trunk would make a cool piece for the collage. Luckily, I found this little trunk at a garage sale:

Travel Trunk - $5.00

Once I had the pictures, I started giving the vision some life...

The most difficult part about the project was getting the photos to fit around the pretty metal hardware on the trunk. I also had to be sure to put certain photos around the brackets (ones that didn't get someone's face split in half by the opening of the trunk). Good think I had my trusty X-acto knife...

 

Once I was done with the collage, I used Mod Podge for protection and sturdiness. If you've never used Mod Podge before, this part can be scary. Makes you wonder if it'll ever look nice again!

I was thinking about keeping the map background, but after looking at it, I didn't like the feel. Too busy, I suppose. I found some pretty neutral paper that I thought looked nice with the brown of the trunk. I also chose a beautiful bible verse that I thought fit perfectly with the gift's theme, as well as the personality of the couple.

 

Next, I wanted to add some "bling." I found some metal hearts and tinted them by rubbing on some pink acrylic paint. I also broke off the pokey part of a key pin I bought from a garage sale a while back. Then, I used wire to attach the bling to the trunk! I chose the best photo for the front so that it could be showcased. Just look at those young love birds...

I also lined the bottom of the trunk with paper that corresponded to the "love" theme I had goin' on...

I was so excited and pleased with the end result. I had fun making this special piece for my dear friends, and hope that they love it, too. Here's to many more years of love and happiness!

Custom creations available! For ordering information, email me at junkdiva37@gmail.com

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Ouchies, Scary Things, and Why I'm Not Yet a Real Adult

I don't think I'm fit to be considered a member of Adult Society. I am the biggest. baby. ever. Something is wrong with me. I decided that I had to share this story of my embarrassing, yet uncontrollable display of childlike dependency at the doctor's office today.

OK, so I'm at the doctor. Yearly checkup. NBD. Out of nowhere, the doctor decides that she wants to give me a blood test since I haven't had one in a while. "OH MY GOSH. ARE YOU SERIOUS?! TODAY?! WITHOUT WARNING?" I mean, this is a monumental event that I usually write on my calendar in order to mentally prepare (and whine, much to Bill's annoyance). I was not ready for this. Not at all.

At this point, I begin to freak out. She assures me that I'll be fine, and even tells me that they'll use the little needle they use for babies. Yeah, because THAT doesn't make me feel like a wuss. Ok...ok...please use the baby needle. The littlest baby needle you have.

So I'm sitting there...alone...thinking about the trauma about to occur. Reflecting. Praying. Worrying. Conjuring up images of bloody torture. Yes, I understand that I'm talking about getting a simple blood test. In my life, this equals catastrophe. While I'm sitting there waiting for the nurse, I can't get the images of scary needles out of my mind. I absolutely HATE that needle box on the wall. It's ugly, and scary, and a bio-hazard, too. I'm swinging my legs back and forth from the edge of the doctor's bench (what...do you think I can keep still at a time like this?!). I take my own neck-pulse to see if I'm really freaking out, or if I just THINK I'm freaking out. Nope. This is real. Pre-panic level. Then.......a knock. It's time.

The nurse looks nice enough, even though I know that she is about to stab me. Another nurse joins her, because apparently my cowardly behavior has caused the doctor to send in a back-up. She tells me she'll talk me through it. I immediately tell her that she's my friend and that I love her. Strangely, she thinks nothing of it, although I'm slightly embarrassed by the terms of endearment I'm using for a complete stranger. After all, we're going to do this together, and because of that - she's my forever friend. Her name is Sue.

The Plan: the first nurse is going to stick me with the needle and take out FIVE tubes of my precious life-source while the other nurse will hold my hand and talk to me. Here's a re-cap of our conversation:

Me: Thank you so much for being my friend

Nurse Sue: No problem!

(awkward silence)

Me: We need to talk about something so I can keep my mind off getting shots

Nurse Sue: Oh, sure! So...where do you work?

Me: No, no. That will not do. We have to talk about something SO happy. Can we please talk about Disney World?

Nurse Sue: Definitely! I love Disney World.

Me: It's the happiest place ever. I love it so much. God, I'm scared.

Nurse Sue: Don't worry! You'll be fine. So...did you get married at Disney World?

Me: No. I wish I did. That would've been a dream come true. Hey...do you think Mickey Mouse ever officiates at Disney World weddings? Wait...that would probably be a little sacrilegious. Forget it.

Nurse Sue: Yeah. Probably. But he would definitely be there in a white tux or something.

Me: Oh my gosh, he would look so cute like that. Do you think that Minnie Mouse would be my bridesmaid? I LOVE HER SO MUCH. She probably wouldn't. She's SO popular and has lots of obligations.

Nurse Sue: Well, I bet she would if you asked her nicely enough.

Me: I suppose. Um, when we're done, do you think I could have a sticker?

Nurse: Sue Well....um....we don't really have stickers here, since this is an OB-GYN office and all.

Me: Oh, yeah. But I did a good job today, right?

Nurse Sue: You were such a little trooper.

This conversation carried on for about TEN MINUTES (I edited-out the parts where we talked about Jake the Gentleman Terrier and Care Bears). Meanwhile, the other nurse proceeded to stick me with a needle not ONCE, not TWICE, but THREE times! Yep. Three times. This always happens. I think when I hear the word "blood" or "needle," my veins close up and disappear. Oh, and remember that baby needle I told you about? That wasn't cutting it. They had to bust out the full-sized dagger.

This is the result:

EXHIBIT A (Attempt 1 - Right Arm)

Attempt 1 - FAILED

EXHIBIT B (Attempt 2 - Right Hand)

Attempt 2 - FAILED

EXHIBIT C (Attempt 3 - Left Arm)

Attempt 3 - SUCCESS!

((cue flowing geysers of pain))

...and this was my traumatic afternoon. I know I'm making a mountain out of a mole-hill...but I am a baby and this stuff TERRIFIES me. God bless doctors and nurses who help people every day, and extra blessings for the ones who have to deal with me. I'm sending the staff a thank-you card.

On the way out, my doctor high-fived me after I showed her my battle wounds.

I am twenty-seven years old.

This, my friends, is why I am still not fit for adult-living. 

Thank you Nurse Sue. Besties for life.

NOTE: All events stated above are completely factual. I only wish I was kidding.

Locker Makeover

I mentioned in a previous post that I found this old locker at a garage sale a few weeks ago:

Metal Locker Tower - $10.00

Do you remember this lil' guy? He's cute, huh? I have a storage obsession (baskets, bins, and now...lockers). I loved this locker as soon as I laid eyes on it! The little cubbies are perfect for storing smaller objects like shoes, candles, or knick knacks. YAY!

The more I looked at it, though, the more I thought it needed a fresh look. I picked up some spray paint, and quickly got to work!

 

Ahhh, nothing like a fresh coat of spray paint to brighten up the day. As you can see, I also decided to spray paint the flower pot stands I picked up at a garage sale for $1.00 last summer (they were originally black). I also sprayed the entire locker with a matte clear top coat to seal it and prevent chipping over time.

Once I got the locker inside, I still thought it needed some work. I loved the new color against my green wall, but it looked like the perfect canvas for some type of....something. But what? After craft talk during pool floating time, my dear aunt and inspiration gave me the perfect idea....MAGNETS! Thanks again, Auntie Terri. Luckily, I purchased a large zip-lock bag FULL of magnets from a garage sale for $1.00 a while back. I dug through my container of pieces, parts, and doo-dads, and hot-glued a magnet to whatever I saw fit! It was a hoot. In the end, I used Scrabble letters, keyboard keys, fabric, buttons, earrings, watches, spools, and keys (to start).

The Finished Product with Homemade Magnets

A Closer Look at the Magnets

Just a little magnet strip glued to the back - so easy!

"Secret" Magnets... MUAHAHAHAHAHA!

I stored extra "secret" magnets on the inside of the door so that I can change them whenever I desire! Eventually, I also hope to make little magnets that coordinate with holidays or events in our lives. That way, I can change them and will never get bored!

The first thing to be stored in my new locker? My candle collection. Oh...did I mention that along with an organizing supply addiction, I also have a bit of a candle obsession? Especially fall scents. Take me away, Autumn Wreath...

Overall, I'm really happy with it! YAY for storage and fun combined!

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Cheap Cards and Bear Biscuits

Hello there! It was a slow weekend for garage sales. I did find a few nice items, though. Here's my favorite find of the week:

 

Hallmark and Assorted Greeting Cards  (50+) - $2.00 for all

Original Retail Prices 

You know how much greeting cards are these days. It's almost a sin! I chose two cards from the stack that I purchased to demonstrate the awesomeness of my deal. I paid less than 4 cents per card. YEP. I now have a stash on hand for just about every occasion imaginable: birthdays, graduations, Christmas, thank you cards...you name it. I was quite excited to find these, and they're all in perfect condition! The nice lady also threw a couple sticker packs into the deal. YAY!

 

Curly Ribbon Bows and Wraphia (NEW) - 50 cents for all

Assorted Gift Bags - 50 cents for all

I know I've said this before, but WHY IN THE WORLD WOULD SOMEONE SELL GIFT BAGS? I just don't know. Then again, I am grateful for their ignorance.

HP LaserJet Printer - $3.00

HP LaserJet Toner Cartridge (NEW) - $3.00

I love laser printers. They end up being so much cheaper than ink printers, PLUS they're great for printing and using Mod Podge. This printer is selling online for a lot more than I paid. YAY AGAIN!

 Purex Complete 3 in 1 Detergent Sheets (1 NEW) - $1.00 each

These bad boys sell for $5-$8 in stores. The lady selling them said she wasn't a fan of the scent, but I love it. They smell fresh and clean, like regular laundry detergent. Here's the cool part - all you have to do is drop the sheet in the washer! The detergent, fabric softener, and anti-static cling agents are all included. Once you're done washing, you put the sheet in the dryer as well. Cool, huh!? Hey, laundry detergent is yet another expensive everyday item, and I will get it for cheap whenever possible!

Vintage Dome Tray - $2.00

Shower Mirror and Radio (NEW) (for the hubs) - $1.50

Scrapbooking Calendar (NEW) - 50 cents

This is pretty cool. Each calendar page is made of scrapbook paper, so you can use it afterwards for whatever you desire! I don't think I'm going to  use the actual calendar. I plan to take all of the pages out and use them for crafting.

Small Fridge Calendar - 25 cents

Bag of Metal Letters - 25 cents

Aveeno Lotion (NEW) - 25 cents

Troll Doll - 25 cents

Bear Biscuits (NEW) (for lil' Jakey Bear) - 50 cents

 My little gentleman waiting patiently for his Bear Biscuit

Old Golden Books (for crafting or reminiscing) - $1.00 for all

 Three Old Keyboards (for crafting) - $2.00 for all

Disney's Beloved Tales Hardcover Book - 25 cents

Vinyl Christmas Table Cloth - 25 cents

Black and Decker Jig Saw - $2.00

Two Cookie Tins - 50 cents

Beading Wire (NEW) - 25 cents

Folding Ruler - 25 cents

Little Boxes - 50 cents

Patriotic Candle Jar Shade - 25 cents

Wooden Pinch Hangers - 25 cents

Coca Cola Santa Coasters - $1.00 for all

Old Baking Sheets - FREE!

Mini Scrapbook Kit (NEW) - 25 cents

Just you wait to see what I'm going to make with those old baking sheets. Just you wait, Henry Higgins, just you wait...

Twin Bed Ruffle (to make bunting) - $1.00

80's Coloring Books - FREE!

I don't know what I'm going to do with Rainbow Brite and She-Ra coloring books, but I know it's going to be grand. Maybe I'll just look at them and smile. Free joy, people. Free joy.

OH! I almost forgot to announce the WINNER of last week's giveaway!

Contestants:

1. Francesca

2. Chris

3. Karla

4. Vanessa

5. Karyn

I used www.random.org to determine the winner:

You rolled 1 die:

Congratulations, Karla! You're the lucky recipient of a Valentine's Day Snoopy Flag! I will personally deliver your prize to you.

Take Time for Lemonade,
Kris