February Itch – Planning A Project

According to the “Mr.” dictionary...

Feb·ru·ary Itch noun \ˈfe-b(y)ə-ˌwer-ē, \ˈich\

the time in which one is beyond stir crazy, is ready to crawl out of his or her skin with boredom, therefore pacifying oneself with reading and planning spring and summer projects. One must be forewarned that graph paper will be used in excess and more money than planned will be spent.

The February Itch can be blamed for many all of the projects around here. No matter the project, it has the same rhythm and mimics my favorite children’s book… If You Give A Mouse A Cookie. The projects go something like this…

“If you give Mr. a new book, he’s going to order another one. When the post office delivers the second book, he’ll probably ask for some graph paper. When he’s finished, he’ll make a list of everything he needs. Then he’ll want to look through all of the most recent building supply sales flyers. When he looks through the sales flyers, he’ll get another idea that could make his project better. So he’ll probably ask for more graph paper. When he’s finished with the second round of graph paper, he’ll want to take a trip the building supply store. He’ll start shopping. He might get carried away and find a new really expensive tool that will make the project that much easier. He may even end up buying a cordless 4-tool combo kit.

When he brings the new tool kit home, he’ll have to put it together and “play” with it immediately. You’ll have to bear with him as he decides to tinker with an already completed project. He’ll get rejuvenated with the original project and might even make it more complicated because after all, he has these new tools that will make these complicated additions possible. He’ll probably place his order for supplies. So you’ll receive the phone call that the massively huge truck is going to deliver several tons of supplies by driving up your narrow driveway tomorrow, (without driving through your yard, your flower beds or getting stuck to the axels in your front yard…right) and he’ll take the day off to wait for the delivery.

When he looks at the piles of new supplies, he’ll get so excited he’ll want to check everything off his list to see what remains. He’ll see he’s still missing a few things and ask if we have received any new sales flyers. He’ll make a new list. When the list is finished, he’ll decide to make another trip to the building supply store. Then he’ll get another idea. Which means he’ll need more graph paper. He’ll stare at his graph paper, his lists and his piles of supplies. Looking at his plan on paper will remind him that there was one technique that he wasn’t quite sure of and needs more research.

So…he’ll ask to see one of his books again. And chances are if he looks at that book, he’s going to want to order another one specific to that technique.”

There you have it…the February Itch. And you’re probably thinking, “It’s October, why does this matter now?” Mr. ordered his first book last week…and then he ordered another one. And you’re right, it’s only October. Be afraid…I know I am.

Homemade Christmas – Project: Origami Boxes

I originally learned how to make these cute little boxes out of Christmas cards when I was in elementary school. They crept back into my head when I was creating my advent calendars and became the perfect container for a little treat.

1. Start with a square piece of paper. I started with a 4” square, which results in a box that is approximately 1 ⅜”.

2. Using a ruler and a pencil, draw lines from corner to corner so that you have an “X”.

3. Fold each of the four points to the center mark. Make sure you crease very well; this will help the box hold its shape later.

4. Now that you have folded each of the points to the middle, you have created new crease marks. I have marked them in red on this picture. Fold each of the points to the opposite crease mark.




5. Unfold square.

6. Fold one of the points to the middle.

7. While holding this down firmly, fold this point along the newest created crease, I have marked this in green.

8. Repeat on the opposite side.



9. Flip the paper over and fold the remaining points to the closest crease.



10. Repeat on opposite side.

11. Flip paper over.

12. Bring two sides up to look like this.



13. While holding one of the newly formed sides, you’ll notice that the side is a rectangle and directly to the left and the right there is a square. You’ll see below that the rectangle is outlined in red and the squares are outlined in black. There is a diagonal line that I’ve drawn inside each of the squares. Fold the paper inward along this line.



14. Repeat on opposite side.

15. Fold flap into box.

16. Repeat steps 13, 14 and 15 to create the remaining side of box.



You now have the top of a box. Create a bottom by following these instructions on a piece of paper that is slightly smaller. I use a square that is 3 ¾” for the box bottoms.



If the flaps of the box don't stay tight within the box, your creases may not be strong enough. Try unfolding and recreasing.

As always, just ask if you have any questions.

Homemade Christmas - Project: What Are Those?

What are those old, ugly, beat up things and how could they possibly play a part in your homemade gift giving this year?

They are old, ugly, beat up, metal tv trays and cookie sheets. And just wait until you see what we're going to do with them. They turn out so cute!!! So go digging around in your cabinets for your old metal cookie sheets, you're gonna need them.

Homemade Christmas – Project: Paper Ball Ornament

This homemade ornament is both simple to make and very pretty.


What You Need:
20 – 2 inch Circles
Glue Stick or Glue Dots
Ribbon
Bead (Optional)

1. Cut out 20 – 2 inch circles. You can use card stock, pictures or old Christmas cards. You can cut the triangles out with scissors, but a 2 inch paper punch sold at craft stores will speed up this project tremendously.
   
   
2. Mark an equilateral triangle on the back of each circle.
   
   a. For a 2 inch circle, each of the three sides will be 1 ¾ inches long.
   
   b. I made my triangle in Word by clicking on insert/shape. I chose the triangle and then drew the triangle while holding the shift key. Holding the shift key will give you an equilateral triangle.
   
   c. After you have a triangle on your page, right click. Click on "Format AutoShape." On the "Size" tab select “Lock Aspect Ratio” (toward the bottom) and then change your width to 1.75 inches. Click "Ok." You can now print and cut out your triangle.
   
   d. I traced my triangle onto an old milk jug and cut it out so that I would have a stiff pattern to fold against and not have to trace onto each circle.
   
   
   e. Questions??? Just ask me in the comments.
   
   
3. Fold each circle along the triangle. Warning: If you choose to use pictures, make sure you fold half of the circles with the point at the top of the picture and half with the point facing down. If you don’t, half of your pictures will be upside down.
   
   
4. Begin with the first five circles, attaching the folded circles together at the flap. When you finish, you will have the dome that will create the top or bottom.
   
   
5. Repeat step 4.
   
   
   
   
6. You now have 10 circles remaining. Attach these the same way as in steps 4 and 5 except you are now creating a tube instead of a dome. To do this, take the first circle and make sure that its triangle point is facing up. Attach to the next circle with the triangle point facing down. Continue to attach the circles in this alternating pattern until you have used all remaining circles and the tube is closed. It will look like this.
   
   
7. Attach top dome to flaps of center tube.
   
   



8. Tie bead to end of ribbon and tie a loop at the other end of the ribbon to be able to hang. Feed the loop end through bottom dome up through the top dome.
   
   



9. Attach the bottom dome to flaps of center tube.

Ta da. You’re finished.

More Ideas:
1. Cut circles out of pictures.
2. Cut circles and then have your children color on them. What Grandma/Grandpa wouldn’t love that?
3. Use cardstock that coordinates with your Christmas tree or home decor.
4. Create several ornaments of different sizes to use as a mobile in a child’s room.
5. Print birth information on 5/10 center tube triangles and give to new parents.
6. Attach mistletoe to ribbon prior to stringing through and hang in the doorway.
7. Use in place of bow on top of a package.

Have more ideas or need some help? Please let me know in the comments below.