Straw Holder Re-purposed!!!

I have seen the old glass straw holders used for colored pencils and thought...wow! I would love one of those!  You can get the glass ones with Coke Cola on them at different places, but they are not inexpensive.  Then, I got  to thinking about it getting broken if I ever took it to a class with me.  So, as usual, I kept my eyes and mind open to different options.  Low and behold, I found the holders in plastic!!!!  Ok, there are gonna be several pictures with reasons why you should get one of these and not the other.

This is the first one that I got, and took it back!!!  It is from Target for $3.99 plus tax.  But, can you see that there is space around the base of the inside and the outside?  Stuff that you put in the container will get caught in there and you have to pull it all apart to get the loose item out.  Really gets old quick, not much fun!

Next, here is the one from Hobby Lobby, where you can use a coupon!!! and it is also $3.99 plus tax.  This one is snug, no extra wiggle room at all!  I do think that these are a seasonal item, so you better get out to the store pretty soon or they will all be gone.  

Now, there is one other place that I found the plastic straw holder.  I was so blown away by the price that I really can't tell you if it was snug or not.  JoAnn's Fabrics has one in stock for $14.99  lol.  Needless to say that I didn't get that one!!!  Even with a coupon...not gonna happen!!!

Want to see some more pictures of how this works??  Well, you know I am gonna show you anyway.

This is holding 65 of the Prisma brand colored pencils.  Now Sarah, when you read this...I didn't leave them in there, just used it for the photo.  They are back in your room in the case that you keep them in.  But if you want one of these holder you need to let me know ASAP so I can get you one.  For those of you that don't know me, Sarah is my 23 year old daughter that is teaching English in South Korea for a year.  She is very artistic and very inspirational!!!

Can you see how snug the base of the container is?  There in no room for anything to slip through.  I am going to show you a series of pictures that really show you how it works.

I really like how there is no lip at the top of the container for stuff to catch on!  Ok, so I really love, Love, LOVE this little container!!!  So, here is the question...How many of you are now looking for an opportunity to go purchase one of these and what are you gonna use it for??  Please post a comment and let me know!  See ya back here in a couple of weeks.

Patty Cakes in Grapevine, TX

Wanna just share a couple pictures from a very cute little shop over in Grapevine called Patty Cakes.  She and her husband sell cakes, cupcakes, cake balls, muffins, and all sorts of yummy treats!!!  When we were there, they were doing a special flavor of cupcakes each week and folks were standing line to get these things.

Don't those look taste!!!  They are, hubby took me there and there even seat right there in the shop so that you can sit and watch folks shopping outside while you eat!!!  Need a better look??

Bet that you wish you were there now!!!  They also have a few vendors that have set up some displays.  I am one of those vendors!!!  They have my wine glasses, a lazy susan, domed cake plates,...   

 https://www.grapevinetexasusa.com/mainstreetdays/index.html

https://www.grapevinetexasusa.com/mainstreetdays/vendor/ac.html

Be sure to also go in the shops, that is where you are also going to see a lot of cool stuff.  Went shopping at the shops down in Grapevine on the square a few weeks back and had a blast.  There is such a huge variety of product to choose from.  Really quite amazing at the vast number of shops and items crowded into each one.  

Here are a couple pictures of some of the things that I have for sale in Patty's shop.  The wine glasses are a set of four for $30 and each set is hand painted!  Just wash them in soapy water like you would your china.  

Here are the specs for Patty, be sure to tell her that Pam "the wine glass lady" sent you! 

Patty Wilson, Chef/Owner
Patty Cakes Bakery
417 S. Main St. - NOW OPEN
Grapevine, TX  76051
682-223-1471
682-223-1472 Fax

Paint Bottle Rack

Well, I told you that I had designed a rack to hold my bottles of craft paints, well....I got it!!!  SO excited!!  I have already sold four of these and my carpenter is a very happy man.  These are just raw wood, so you can paint or stain or whatever.  Here is a picture of how I used to store my paints...

They were organized by brand and then by color. But, what a mess to try to get to them.  I have stored them in the past on lazy susans, spice racks, tubs, shelving,... Nothing seemed to keep them compact and easy to get to.  So, I got with my carpenter, who is priced very reasonable!  And what you see below is what we ended up with.

This is a picture of just one of the units, I bought two to start with.  Each unit holds 80 bottles of the crafting paints, mine are mostly Folk Art with some American.  I just find that those brands are the thicker ones and I get great coverage.  

You can see in this photo that there is also a carved handle in the top in case you want to move them around, lift and go.  (above photo)

Now in these two photos (above) you can see the front and side views.  I designed it with a slant to each shelf so that the paints are laying forward and the paint comes out a lot better, and I don't have to do as much shaking!

In this picture you can see my two units stacked.  I left a few blank spots in each color area for expansion. See that tub at he bottom?  Yeppers, I still have more paints.  I have ordered one more unit that is just 40 bottles to hold my gems, glitter, and metallic paints.  It will stack on the top and I can still comfortably reach all the yummy rows of paints!!!  How neat is this?  What do you think??  

You have questions??  Oh, the measurements and how do you get one??  Ok, for one unit... $30 plus tax   I know that companies change prices over the months and years, so just know that this is the current price when I am doing this posting, you will need to contact them and see what the going rate is when you are going through my archives and find this posting.  The unit is 4 1/2 inches deep (it might fit behind a door for you!), 29 1/8 inches tall (it might fit under your desk), and just 21 inches across.  It is a nice size to hold so many bottles of paints, we wanted compact as a must in the design!!!  Where do you order yours??  Uncle Bob's Workshop www.unclebobsworkshop.com   214-534-9975    He is out of Garland, TX  so if you are shipping, you might as well pay the shipping for a couple of them!   You can email Bob at unclebobsworkshop@verizon.net  I think that you could have one of these made to hold your spices too!  He can also make them larger if you want, I personally like this size.  The one that I am ordering to hold the remainder bottles of paints would work great for a tabletop display of your paints.  

Ok, I didn't post last week, did anyone even notice??  Any comments to this weeks posting??  Would love to hear from you.  See ya in a week or two. - Pam

Uber Easy Recycled Boxes

Today, I am just doing a short post on a couple of boxes that I recycled.  You know, anytime that you can recycle instead of having to toss it out or purchase new, you are doing a service to not only our environment...but to your wallet!!

Here is a candy box that my son had tossed into the trash.

Just need a couple sheets of scrapbooking paper, scissors, paper glue, pencil, flat ball feet, and some embellishments.  I cut and glued paper all around the outside and the top and just the inside top, oh and on the bottom.  Just anywhere there was writing that I didn't want to show.  I didn't mind some of the inside decorative papers, but the inside top had a layout of the candy...so that had to get covered up.  Oh, and the box still smells yummy!!  You ready to see the after?  Wait for it...

That top pearly piece is all one peel and stick by Prima.  

http://www.primamarketinginc.com/index.php/products/by-category-products.html?cat=21

They have a ton of stuff for scrapbooking and all sorts of altered art.  This would have looked fantastic with some of their large flowers around one corner!  I could have also taken another flat ball that I used for the feet and put on top for a handle knob.  Let your imagination run wild when you do a project like this.

Let's take a look at another box that I did.  This one was purchased at a clothing place and came with a bottle of perfume inside.  My daughter doesn't throw much in the trash, I just find it on my art table.  See on the before how there is a ribbon coming through the slit...that has to be dealt with when covering a box like this.

Now, because it came with a bottle in it, I also had to rip the inside out.  An easy fix to that was to just line it with felt.  I used an exacto knife to cut a slit in my paper to let the ribbon slide through.  Used some more balled feed and stickers to coordinate with my papers.  

Now, before we go...I also have to tell you about the bestest (and yes, that is a word!) glue company around - Helmar.   They have a glue for every project you can think of.  Glue dots for making things dimensional, fabric glues that will grab the fabric really well, paper glues that don't ripple and buckle, glues for jewels, and a glue that is so strong that you can bond most anything!!!  http://www.helmarusa.com/     I just wish that I had more of their product!!! 

Ok, this week I listed two of my favorite folks - Prima and Helmar.  They are also on facebook with all sorts of giveaways all the time, be sure to tell them that Pam sent you!  Please take the time to go take a look around their websites, they are chock-full of ideas and product!  See ya next week, Pam.

Painting Seminar and Craft Show

Well, I don't think that I have caught up on my sleep yet.  What a blast I had painting with Ros Stallcup last week.  I learned a LOT and had a BLAST!!!  What a great lady!!  IF you have NO idea who I am talking about, you can find her at  http://www.gransgarden.com/   Ros is such a spectacular woman and so down to earth!

Ok, here are some pictures of the paintings we did and of the group.  Each morning we started around 9am and we took two breaks and a lunch...finishing up around 4:30pm each evening.  On to the pictures...

Learning the basic rose.

Ros in action, what a great teacher!

Ros and Me!

Our Snowscape.  We didn't use any white in this painting.  There were some light blues and a fleshy color that were combined for the snow.  Amazing.

I was really surprised at how easy Ros made it.  We all followed along at a rather quick pace. There is stucco under the painting, and that really was great for dry brushing techniques.  

Some of the ladies during one of our breaks.

The finished Roses.  There is stucco underneath and some stenciling on the corners.  Really is much more dramatic in person.

Now, on to the craft show at the 18th Annual Kosher Chili Cook-Off.  I don't think that I have ever seen or felt so much wind in one day, and was quickly reminded why I really don't care for outdoor shows.  The shoppers were really kind and I met some interesting folks.  I took pictures of some of my favorite vendors and under each picture I will put their contact information.  So, let's take a look at who my picks were for best of vendors...

Yesteryear Chimes

Hand Crafted From Vintage Plates

Bob & Carolyn Mason

North Richland Hills, Texas 76182

Custom Work Upon Request

817-607-8139

682-365-3757

yesteryearchimes@sbcglobal.net

Colors of the Season

Nancy Friedman

friedman.nancy@att.net

www.colorsoftheseason.com

972-863-7183 home

818-261-1520 cell

Really Great Gifts

for those who have everything!

Jane Christensen

972-620-1270

Addison, TX 75001

Closet Safes

Pink Awareness Items

janeychristensen@yahoo.com

Yes, these are made of golf clubs, balls and tees.

Bill is a REAL recycler! 

Bill Yancy

Garland, Texas

papawbill94@yahoo.com

214-729-8954

All their info is up top on the sign.  You can see that even the older kids where helping out here.  Oh, and their CHILI  WAS  ALARMINGLY  HOT!!!  But oh so yummy!

All the bounce houses were put out by this group.  I don't think the houses were empty once the show started!  The kids flew to these things like magnets.

Her info is right there on her sign.  I had never personally heard of vegan soap.

Jane Todres

phone 972-612-1968

cell 972-529-0658

janestudio@aol.com

Tomorrow's Today

Plano, Texas 75093

This guy was great!!  

Rainbow Entertainment

972-267-8474

www.rainbowentertainment.com

richard@rainbowentertainment.com 

Richard S. Pollak

(I think that this is the agency that the guy on stilts uses.)

And this, is Me at my booth!

One Stroke with Pam

www.picturetrail.com/tinkartist

giftofgabsave@hotmail.com

Well, thank you for stopping by.  Not sure what we will be doing next week.  I am always open to suggestions.  Please leave a comment here before you go, I really enjoy hearing from my readers!