older and wisor

how to make a rolled page wreath {for free}

noreply@blogger.com (rebecca @ older and wisor) — Thu, 16 May 2013 23:30:00 +0000

I keep seeing rolled paper everywhere: jewelry beads, adorning picture frames, edging mirrors.
So inspiring. Surely one could use that stack of magazines gathering dust in the corner and come up with something sorta fun, no?

I used catalogs, since they have lots of yummy colors/patterns, and tried to get photos that didn't have words on the edge that was going to show. There are no rules in crafting though -
if you want words, by all means LET THE WORDS BE SEEN.

Pull a cereal box from the recycle bin, and cut a circle.

Using a pencil as your guide, roll each (cut in half) page into a tube, then secure with a line of hot glue.

It's truly brain surgery.

{two random jump rings in the photo = not required}

You can lay it out however you want.

I pretended it was a clock and put a 3, 6, 9 and 12, filling in between those spots.

A cup (or measuring/paying more attention/being more precise) keeps things even-ish.

If things are a little catty wonk in the end, some snipping with scissors will fix it.

My finished wreath ended up with 3 layers:

- the original one

- a staggered (medium/short/medium/short pattern) on top of that

- a layer glued to the back of the circle when I realized the finished wreath was too small

See? Fool proof.

A piece of twine glued in a loop to the back is the "hanger".

I thought perhaps it would be too delicate for the constant opening and closing of the front door by five children and their friends, but it's been over a month and no sign of distress yet.
Not too shabby for free.

Linking up over at Jen's place.

current obsessions

noreply@blogger.com (rebecca @ older and wisor) — Fri, 10 May 2013 02:33:00 +0000

1. THESE GIFT TAGS

printable chalkboard tags from ellinee.

Okay, so hers look all sophisticated and elegant,
whereas mine gets paired with Target Dollar Spot paper and some yarn, but WHO CARES? Everything else is just the Jan Brady to that tag anyhow.

2. THIS SERIES

The Girl of Fire and Thorns by Rae Carson

My daughter insisted I read this book one Saturday afternoon, and by bedtime it was finished.

After that I paced myself and took my time, rationing out to the second book over two days, but
Oh Mylanta.
It's even better than the first one.

Palace scandals, treason, magic, and young love? Sign me up.
If this is not made into a movie then I know nothing about nothing.
If you have an ongoing library hold list (and who doesn't) this needs to be on it.

{on a sidenote, I'm now experiencing reading withdrawals until the third book comes out in August...any suggestions for a can't-put-down-even-to-make-dinner story?}

3. CROSS STITCH PATTERNS

I've been dealing with a wee bit of anxiety lately, and what better way to self medicate than with some embroidery thread and a needle? But how to pick a favorite?? It can't be done.

from nerdylittlestitcher

from BacktoYours

from aliciawatkins

from bananya stand

4. THIS TREAT

from Lick the Bowl Good

Ritz crackers (grains) + Rolos (dairy) = healthy snacking.

The kids will be "testing" out this recipe on me this weekend, because something as important as nutrition should be a family affair.

Speaking of this weekend...

5. THIS SUNDAY IS MOTHERS DAY

which means it's card time.

"...you don't suck as much as I thought you did." (from sweetperversion)

from duvdesigns

from witandwhistle

My hubby already got me flowers and called it a day. And when I say got I mean that I ordered it off of etsy while he was at work. And when I say flowers, I mean the vintage oil kind that never die. Which are the best.

They're currently leaning against the mirror in the bedroom until they get a permanent spot,
but they make me smile and distract from the fact that this room is simultaneously on the "need to finish" and "need to start" list. It's been over 4 years...no reason to rush things.

Happy Weekend.

Like Sunshine in the Morning {a hutch makeover}

noreply@blogger.com (rebecca @ older and wisor) — Thu, 02 May 2013 03:59:00 +0000

I got a text late one night from my bestie saying that a friend of hers was purging

and one of the (free) items up for grabs was a hutch.

"Do I need it?" was my reply.

"I don't know, but it's cute."


(original FB photo)

Smitten. Is what I was. The very next day it was in my garage.

(those little glass doors fit in front of the top two right shelves and slide to open,

but let's pretend it's more bookcase and less china cabinet)

There was nothing wrong with the shabby chic finish, but after getting it in the house it looked plain and drab and not at all like it belonged.

Enter some leftover paint from this "makeover" forever ago.

The pulls seemed a bit too modern for the vibe this guy was giving off, so they got swapped out.

Two pulls and a dingle dangle knob half off at Hobby Lobby = $7.53

Random bits from around the house perch on the shelves for now until I figure out exactly I want to use it for. Not so pretty cookbooks are all in one spot for reference, should I be so inclined to...you know...cook or something. It could happen.

The little peak of sunshine from the dining room makes that {previously empty} corner smile.
A big cheesy grin with dimples, I'd say.

Nothing wrong with it before,

but what a difference a bit o' color makes.

Linking up over at Sarah's before and after party.

$3 gifts: little stuff that girls love

noreply@blogger.com (rebecca @ older and wisor) — Fri, 26 Apr 2013 12:47:00 +0000

A while back our Young Women at church had a gift swap activity.

I *adore* White Elephants, as it's socially acceptable and even encouraged to be absurd, but this time the party had been pooped on: no funny / silly / non-useful items allowed.

via nerdylittlestitcher

Dang.

Did I mention a $3 max? Eek.

We needed two gifts (Sierra and I were both participating), which pumped up the challenge, as I didn't want it to be two of the same thing because that's boring and, more importantly, lame.

Although these were supposed to be little gifts, they turned out fun enough that they could also be used as a cheap we-just-paid-$1000-to-treat-termites-and-don't-have-money-for-anything-extra birthday present too. As usual, it's all in the presentation.

TIP: find something and let it inspire a theme.

In this case, it was socks.

Present #1 : Rainbow Brite

socks and candy - Dollar Tree // polka dot pen - Michaels

The rainbow theme continues on to the wrapping because that's how homie plays it.

A simple construction paper bow gives lots of bang for no buck, and it's finished off with a bottle cap scrapbooking embellishment from Target that was sold, at best, in 2002.

I wish I was joking about that.

Present #2: Black & White & Awesome All Over

socks - Dollar Tree // tape dispenser - Hobby Lobby (2.99, but use your 40% off coupon and enjoy the puzzled look of the cashier when you let out a cowboy yee-haw about saving $1.19)(although they really should be used to it by now)

More ancient, completely uncool scrapbook embellishments, a free printable zebra tag from here, some twine, and a leftover piece of ribbon from the scrap jar.

Three bucks never looked so fancy.

A Batman Boutonniere {comic book flowers go to prom}

noreply@blogger.com (rebecca @ older and wisor) — Fri, 19 Apr 2013 01:33:00 +0000

I remember going to prom when I was 16.

And although it was a century ago during covered wagon days,

I still remember how I detested all the fuss. Not the festivities themselves (we all know I make magic on the dance floor), but all the pomp and circumstance surrounding the event was just ridiculous.

My mom made the dress so it could be just how I wanted it: plain and simple and devoid of anything horrid (pink!) or foofy. Please no shimmer. For heaven's sake no bows.

The one thing that there was no getting around was that stupid "necessity" of corsages. They seemed so showy and so...elderly, and gosh darn it, when it came to the boutonniere,

I couldn't even get the blasted thing to stay on.

Fast forward twenty years, and MY 16 year old is going to prom. Also in black. And pearls.

And Mary Janes. I don't know if it's nature or nuture, but boy howdy is it strong.

Her date got her flowers, but we asked him beforehand if he was game for something a little less traditional for his adornment. Which he was.

So we brainstormed and came up with this.

Batman (his favorite superhero) + paper flower + feathers = Awwwww Yeah.

Pretty easy, although there were 2 "trials" with catalogs before the comic book was busted out.
Don't wanna waste those splendiferous graphics.

Here's what we did:

* printed out the free paper rose template from here

* traced the pattern onto the comic book pages, making sure the coolest parts/faces are on the petals and therefore will be visible

* cut

* hot glued together

(at this point it looked okay from up top, but from the side it was pretty tall, so we took out the middle part and replaced it with a pearl scrapbooking brad with the prongs pulled off)

A few feathers were hot glued behind the flower because a Dark Knight is practically naked without polka dots. A circle cut out of felt is glued to the back to cover it all up, and then a pin back is glued to the back of that so there aren't any I-can't-get-it-to-stay-on issues.
Ain't nobody got time for that.

We also fashioned a wristlet (proper term?) with the same theme, but instead of curled petals, these are just flower shapes, folded into quarters and stacked. It could've attached to a ribbon or elastic, but since he got her REAL flowers, this didn't get used.

{Sierra said it's getting a pin back too, and will funkify her purse.}

Final Total

comic book : 50 cents
feathers : $1.80 (40% off of 2.99)
brad / pin back / felt : already had

= $2.30

Cause for celebration.

And celebrate they did.

on blogging

noreply@blogger.com (rebecca @ older and wisor) — Sun, 07 Apr 2013 20:42:00 +0000

{a few weeks back was my 5 year blog anniversary and this, dear friends, is my 500th post.}

{there should prolly be balloons and a giveaway and such, but instead you get me and my introspective self, sprinkled with random photos}

November 2007

October 2012

My sister Liz had been hounding me for months to start a blog. We had moved so far from our native California and "everyone wants to see what's going on", she argued. In true Rebecca fashion I resisted, knowing that it would just be something that I couldn't keep up. And then our computer crashed and ALL my photos were lost and oh was there crying and wailing and gnashing of teeth. There was no way to get those memories off our hard drive and I felt like a part of my life had been ripped away.

"You know, if you woulda put that stuff on a blog, they'd still be there" was the {not so sympathetic} consolation I got on the phone.

So I did.

Jordan, Camden, Sierra, and a chubby wubby Brendan, 2008

Jordan and Sierra with me right before our church...performance, Jan 2013 {as seen here}

At first it was just a few photos. Snippets. Telling stories so my mom could see the grandkids. It never occurred to me that anyone else could - or WOULD - read it. Ever. I was just a stay at home mama with four kids in school, only one baby left at home, living in a new place without any real friends to help pass the time, and putting stuff out into the world wide web made everyone I had left behind seem so much closer. Within a few months, little projects started to tiptoe in as I was typing. I was getting more comfortable sharing my life, and making stuff -whether a DIY for the house or just something crafty- is part of who I am. It was inevitable.

Photos up our stairway, 2008. They haven't been changed out since.

And then it happened. I discovered that there were blogs DEVOTED to stuff like that. Painting things. Moving furniture around. Hacking knock offs of stuff seen in catalogs. Things I understood. These were my people.

Nesting Place was my first and I was so inspired by her hanging mirror idea, that I tried my own version. I had no idea that she'd feature my sad attempt at using what I had and that people I didn't even know in real life would link over and leave comments. It was weird. Kinda awesome, but definitely weird. That was 2008.

Oh my sweet Mesa. Your nose prints are still smudged on that windowsill.

Because we had just moved into this house, there was plenty of "makeovers" to share. Nothing fancy, as I had no money to fund my dream renos, but when I started getting emails from people who had stumbled across my foolishness and it inspired them to work with what they had, my soul sang. It helped me to feel a little less silly, adding my voice to the hundreds that were already out there. If I look back at things I've posted and ask, "Is that worth talking about?" 99% of the time, my answer would be no. Fifty years from now will any of this matter? Unlikely.

Haydo helping with this Craigslist makeover, 2009

Hayden, who will do anything to get OUT of helping, 2012

When I started blogging I had infinitely more time to devote and still be able to keep up with everything. Within the last year, I've realized how quickly time is flying. These babies aren't babies, and as such, won't be here forever. I've been making it a priority to be "present" after I get off of work and they come home from school. I have enough distractions with just the essentials (attempting to make dinner, running errands, church responsibilities) that keep me occupied, I don't like to add to that list.

I'm sure that my posting reflects that. For that I make no apologies.

I'm not someone that likes to do something half-assed (exception: cleaning)(and cooking), but when it comes to taking time to blog, it's either that or not at all. If I was convinced that I could stop cold turkey, I probably would. But, for now, I don't think I can.

To any of you who have stuck around for awhile, to those who have sent me your inspiring words, or for all my real life friends who give me crap when they come over with the "why haven't you posted about this yet?"...thank you. Fifty years from now, I will remember that.

using what you've got {dated built-ins}

noreply@blogger.com (rebecca @ older and wisor) — Wed, 13 Mar 2013 13:57:00 +0000

It's spring break and I'm elbow deep in (starting) projects, but Emily is having a "working with what you have" party, and I couldn't resist joining in. I'm not much of a preacher, but there is one thing I simply can't say enough:

making do with what you've got isn't really a choice so much as it is a way of life.

You will ALWAYS save money, feel prouder and look thinner (I may have made that part up) when you use what you already have. That's true for getting dressed in the morning, pimping your presents, deciding what to make for dinner

or

dealing with gun-cabinets. Welcome to Texas.

For those of you who have been around for awhile, you'll recognize this beast.

Our beloved 1968 built-in monstrosity.

A million feet across, the focal point of the living room and oh oh OH so brown.

camping on the floor, move-in day 2008

One week later I was priming the paneling, but note that I skipped the built-ins.
No since wasting my time on something I was gonna get rid of anyway, right?

But the reality is that feeding five kids will always come before fancy shmancy new cabinetry,
so the primer and paint came back out and we lived with them like this for awhile.

(Hayden, eating chocolate Teddy Grahams and breaking my heart with his little baby self...he'll be 9 in May)

Eventually the guts got painted a dark terra cotta color,

and although the shelves are constantly evolving, it's always things that sing to my soul:
falling apart vintage books, kids creations, and newer favorites.
Yes, that's a Napoleon Dynamite quote book stacked in the basket. If I love it, it works.

Eventually the TV down below died and we had to get creative about how to fix that problem. Removing the glass doors. Putting some baskets where the old set used to sit. The wood and paint were from the garage, so the only thing purchased was some new drawer pulls.

Total cost: about $25

(or $9 billion less than replacing the whole shebang)

Head on over to Emily's to see more working-around-what-you've-got inspiration.

The End of an Era

noreply@blogger.com (rebecca @ older and wisor) — Wed, 06 Mar 2013 13:42:00 +0000

I've said before how much I love my {daytime} job, and years later, it's still true.

That doesn't mean it's perfect: we are often understaffed, the phones don't stop ringing,

I drive 24 miles round trip to take a delivery that leaves no tip.

Sometimes, it's all I can do to keep it together.

via pennywishes on etsy

But you know what makes it easier? Working with awesome people.
I've been so blessed this last 15 months to have worked under a fabulous manager who doesn't scold me when I make customers blush, cringe when I sing Disney duets with my co-worker Allison while doing prep, or use his face to make characters all in the name of holiday fun.
Two weeks ago he got transferred, and our store's heart was broken.
Although nothing really changes, EVERYTHING changes.

We had a going away party on Saturday and presented him a framed picture that Allison drew.
I dare say he got a little misty eyed.


(Our shirts reflect each person's catch phrase. Is it any wonder that mine says "You're throwing that out?")

And then I thought it would be awesome to put together a "scrapbook" of sorts.
A collection of all the fun and foolishness he's been a part - or had to tolerate - because
who would EVER want to forget all of this?

How to Make a Pom Pom Garland

noreply@blogger.com (rebecca @ older and wisor) — Tue, 26 Feb 2013 13:30:00 +0000

Pom poms are good for more than just adorning knitted hats and wrapping pressies.

They can also add a bit of whimsy to your walls.

{Disclaimer: this is not a 10 minute project, but if you've already got the yarn, it's FREE.

And great as a gift, if you can stand to part with it. More about that in a moment.}

Step 1: Put on a movie and wind and wind and wind until you have all the pom poms you want. Or until you're sick of making them.

There are lots of tutorials for making them out there: with your hands, a fork, circles of cardboard.
I personally have never had much luck with them turning out...how do you say...."even" when using any of these techniques, so I got the Clover Pom Maker from Hobby Lobby last year (use your coupon!)(or get it here on Amazon), and have never looked back.

Step 2: Tie them on

When you tie off the ball, you'll have two long "tails" left. Use these to tie onto a piece of yarn that's as long as you want your garland to be. Don't worry about spacing - you can slide to adjust things once it's hanging.

Step 3: Hang it up.

I just looped this over some push pins for the sake of getting a photo, but 30 seconds later I took the whole thing apart to send to my Birthday Girl niece (hi Kennedy!).

I didn't want the garland "assembled" for two reasons:

1. it'll get tangled like Christmas tree lights if you twist it too much and what kind of gift is that? and

2. she can do whatever pattern - or NO pattern - her little heart desires.

I think something this happy calls for some mail lingerie, no?

{yes, there are 63 total...did I mention obsessed much?)

Grab an empty container of choice,

scrape off the label, and fill 'er up.

The only thing missing from this fuzzy rainbow? A unicorn in flight.

Also a perfect excuse to use up those old alphabet stickers.

{30 second} Rolo Valentine Arrows

noreply@blogger.com (rebecca @ older and wisor) — Mon, 11 Feb 2013 22:15:00 +0000

I'm no Katniss, but I can handle a few arrows. Especially easy ones, 'cuz hard work sucks.

You'll need a piece of triangle-y paper {with some snipped "fringe"}, and a heart.

Hot glue both onto a tube of Rolos, then watch your boys launch them across the room to see if they'll fly. Spoiler alert: they don't.

Need more Valentine shooting stuff inspiration? Okay.

Shot to the Heart from I Heart Sugar Sugar

Edible Arrow Valentines from Coterie

Valentine Krispie Treats from Cookies and Cups

Arrow cupcakes from Luulla

valentine surprises that'll get his motor running {rated PG-13}

noreply@blogger.com (rebecca @ older and wisor) — Fri, 08 Feb 2013 13:30:00 +0000

One of my hubster's love languages is gifts.

It doesn't have to be anything big, just knowing that I got him something

makes his big heart go pitter patter and if it's something he can EAT? I am his queen.

I wanted to spice it up a bit this year with some lil' V-Day sweet nothings that

can be hidden in his drawers (not THOSE drawers)(okay maybe those drawers), but in a world oversaturated with generic "I LUV YOU" junk, I could find nothing that spoke to me.

Or should I say spoke LIKE me?

Cheesy enough that he could hear me saying it, and yet naughty enough that he could...

hear me saying it.

I took matters into my own hands and came up with a winning combination of

silly AND suggestive to remind my beloved that aside from

that one week of the month that I hate everyone, the rest of the time he's my favorite.

And because men appreciate a simple, direct approach the most...

{if you'd like a jpeg of these, shoot me an email @ olderandwisor at gmail.com but remember!

Boys don't care about cute fonts and fancy ribbon. They just want to feel loved.}

{and for you to take your clothes off}

For more Valentine's Day ideas, head over to Jen's later tonight.

The Valentine Decorating Post

noreply@blogger.com (rebecca @ older and wisor) — Fri, 25 Jan 2013 14:00:00 +0000

Even though I don't do diddly squat for my own house (unless stapled heart garlands count), when it comes to work, you'd best believe that Valentine's Day is a season to deck the halls for.

Not only does it makes our customers smile, it's also a great way to use those outdated menus
that were going to be thrown away.

I did my best to keep it as unfrilly and de-pinkified as possible.
Too much of that feminine fluff makes me twitch.

Strips of Christmas wrapping paper (two years old and still going strong) line the glass cabinets,

and since the Christmas spirit was already flowing, I whipped up some L O V E using the same "technique" as that merry banner eons ago. Instead of punching holes to loop ribbon through, little clothespins attach it onto some decorative yarn.

I did branch out (wha wha) and try to use something other than just paper this go round.

My hubby was quick to comment that if he had a dollar for every "tree" that's been made
over the course of our marriage, he'd have at least 10 bucks.

He was reminded that since pruning the trees is under his jurisdiction, that technically I was doing him a favor and therefore? He should shush-y.

{and then I found this photo circa 2004 when I had made a "spooky tree" for a Halloween party

at our house. Even when I had 5 kids under 7 - and there were no such things as blogs
or pinterest - making junk helped me to keep my sanity intact. Relatively speaking.

Jordan is Thomas the Train there on the right and Camden is the Barney sitting next to him,

and I wish I could go back in time and snuggle those little boys again for just five minutes}

{and at the end of five minutes come quickly back to 2013 because no thanks}

Where were we? Toddler parties...time machines...oh yes! Gussying up the tree.

An image search gave me some fab vintage valentines, which got printed up on
white card stock in adorable little wallet sizes.

"I Yam crazy about you."

DYING.

A loop of hot glued ribbon lets them hang amongst hearts (outta more menus).

The silhouette from last year stole my heart - pun intended - so I used the same idea
and just modified it a bit.

A piece of the kids art paper (the stuff that comes on a roll) got traced, painted,

and then cut out and mounted above some fuzzy balls.

The perfect spot for a proposal.

And now we get to what is always my favorite part: the wall.

This month it's full of lovers.

I suppose we just can't help it.

autism, puberty, and Huggies baby shaped diapers for girls

noreply@blogger.com (rebecca @ older and wisor) — Tue, 15 Jan 2013 14:00:00 +0000

Living with autism is so much of our normal, every day life experience that I really don't give it much thought. It's been awhile since Brendan has made an appearance on the ol' blog, and to say that his antics have calmed down would be an understatement. No escapes, no shaving of heads, no violating of animals. He hasn't lit anything on fire for years, and I assure you: we are oh so grateful.

However.

Just like in normally developing kiddos, it's a two steps forward, one step back kind of thing. As soon as certain obsessions fade, new ones develop. For the past year or so, it's been diapers. He loves to look at the cartoon pictures on them (as many are Disney characters), and if he thinks he can get away with it, he'll snatch up that little folded bit of absorbent goodness and slip it on. That supple, crinkly cotton feels so good against certain parts that puberty has made more...sensitive...and, like other 14 year olds, sometimes he just can't help himself. At the church Christmas party last month, suffice it to say that more than one little girl got a nice visual of what a happy (read: aroused) teenage boy looks like, after he had successfully snuck off with a diaper bag. It was the first time that he's dropped his drawers that wasn't at home or school, but apparently? It won't be the last.

Dear God, please do not let "public nudity" be the theme of 2013.

Settling In

noreply@blogger.com (rebecca @ older and wisor) — Tue, 08 Jan 2013 13:41:00 +0000

Goodbye, 2012.

The kids all go back to school today, which is usually something I look forward to. But as this past 2 1/2 weeks of vacation has been a lovely blur of sleeping in, eating way too much, snuggling on the couch watching Netflix with my babies, and living in a general state of slothfulness, I'm really going to miss it.

I've done a word of the year for awhile now, in lieu of a formal set of resolutions, and for 2012 it was "intentional." My mini-challenge of keeping my bathroom counter clean fell under that heading, and didn't end in failure, so...that's something. I listed the stuff I'd like to work on this year, but it doesn't take long until reaching a scroll like length full of nothing but things I need to do MORE of, like

* more meal planning
* more exercise
* more regular meals for me, instead of just an afternoon snack and dinner
* more studying the scriptures
* more following through and making sure kids have done what they say they've done (chores, homework)
* more money in savings
* more cleaning up after I make a mess
* more dates with my husband
* more organizing
* more time doing the little stuff that falls through the cracks with my job at church
* more wearing actual clothes rather than slumming around in sweats and Potbelly tees that smell of ham

Bleh. I'm overwhelmed already just from looking at it, and that's just the tip o' the iceberg. So I'm going to stick with the one theme strategy. The first word that came to mind was "recommit," but after reading Cynthia's thoughts I realized that it could possibly carry too much of a negative vibe. Like

REcommit: because up until now you've really sucked.

Instead, I've decided to go with a more supportive push, knowing that as much as I need to do more, sometimes I also need to do less. 2013 is going to be challenging, but without the force part. I tend to resist anything that hurts or is hard or, as a naturally anxious overachieving type, adds to my list of things to stress over/feel guilty about. This year's word is

DEVELOP

That's seems doable, no? Like practicing the piano. With some Christmas money I got myself a book of medium to hard songs: the easier stuff to encourage me, and the more challenging stuff to DEVELOP me. It's my job to set a good example on what it means to practice, and if I've just got music that I can play with my eyes closed, where's the growth in that?

{if anyone has any favorite stuff to play, tell me about it - I'm still on the hunt for more}

I'd also like to try to branch out and DEVELOP my awareness of those not within my immediate circle of acquaintances. Arianne came with a fantastic idea as a way to help remember those lives that were lost a few weeks ago in the tragedy in Connecticut.

Every month on the 14th, take a moment out of your day and perform a random act of kindness. Go read her post, as she puts it much more eloquently than I ever could (add to list: DEVELOP writing skills), but I love, love, super love this idea and will be participating all year long. If nothing else, that will be checked off in December as something I followed through on.

The project to-do list in 2013 is lengthy as well, and hopefully some of those will 1) be started 2) be finished and 3) be blogged about. I usually lose steam somewhere between steps 1 and 2.

{source: a dead end link on pinterest}

What are you working on this year?

P.S There are some things that I've just accepted as part of my nature and therefore am NOT trying to change. My hubby and I were interviewed about differences in car organization for this article in the Wall Street Journal. I can assure you that "free form mess" is putting it gently.

More Random Gift Wrap and Why Not Decorating Is Totally Coolio

noreply@blogger.com (rebecca @ older and wisor) — Fri, 21 Dec 2012 15:09:00 +0000

The last of the gifts {okay, ALMOST last} have been packaged up and oh what fun it's been.

'Specially those little gifts. Those trinkety, tiny things that get wrapped up in itty boxes,

and something about their itty bitty-ness makes them all the more special.

Even if it's in a plain, 3 pack for $1 container, and what's inside is a gift card.

{free printable gift tag from here}

This square box from Valentines Day works just dandy after a quick coat of black spray paint

to cover up the flying cupid graphics. A wooden candy cane ornament gets plopped on top,

wrapped in twine, and that's it.

Wrapping up gifts for people that have a...fetish? obsession? area of interest?...is kinda my favorite. Thanks to image searches with bazillions of clipart perfect for gift tags, it's also a no-brainer.

"Whaaat time is it?"

{low quality phone photo via my instagram, but flamingo, fuzzy zebra, and leopard all mashed together in one lovely symphony is nothing short of Christmas Magic}

Even if you're using the same paper (red & white from the dollar bin at Michaels)

and embellishments (yarn), just switching out the tag can make each person feel special.

{another tag from here}

'Member how I talked about not wanting to get out all the Christmas junk this year? I stuck to it. Something about decking the halls felt suffocating and not necessary this year so guess what?

I didn't.

Usually it's a pleasure to sprinkle every little surface and turn our abode into a Christmas Casa

(like here)(man do I miss that phone booth), but this year...nope.

We're trying to focus more on the GIVING part of the season. The GRATEFUL part.

The part that doesn't need a tree, or lights, or any of that other stuff and fluff.

Not that there's anything wrong with that.

I do realize the irony of this after all the talk about pimping presents (which, for the record, is also something I would never do if it weren't enjoyable and therefore DO NOT JUDGE those that choose to spend their time elsewhere), and maybe next year it'll be different. But for this December, Christmas "decorating" consisted of 7 nails and a hammer.

I'm going to be taking a break from the computer these next few weeks and spend time with my babies that will be home. From our family to yours: Have a very merry Christmas!

Wrapping Those Gift Cards

noreply@blogger.com (rebecca @ older and wisor) — Thu, 20 Dec 2012 14:00:00 +0000

There is no shame in gift cards. Dare I say that it's one of my favorite things to get? True story.

But.

Sometimes the presentation can be a bit tricky.

How can you add some personality and sparkles and unicorns to a piece of plastic?

Back in the summer MyMagazine Extras, Kroger's online idea publication, asked me for some fun ways for gifting gift cards. And here we are in December and it came out weeks ago and I had forgotten all about it but it's perfect really.

Posting last minute about last minute present ideas?

It's like I was doing it on purpose. You know how I'm a sucker for a great theme.

If you've got an ipad, kindle, or android device, you can download the app.

For the rest of us simple folk, you can check out the ideas online here (scroll down to page 31).

{and check out the bio they wrote up on page 83. I almost look legit.}

The Shop, All Dressed Up For Christmas

noreply@blogger.com (rebecca @ older and wisor) — Mon, 17 Dec 2012 14:00:00 +0000

And, as always, with free projects. Is there any other way?

A lot of the handmade decorations from last December were saved, making the job of holiday-fying the store a little easier this year. The cereal box cardboard / wrapping paper "merry" banner stored like a champ, as did the construction paper leaf wreath.

The paper bag stocking made it's encore as well, and only got two new friends, because I was a grinch and said no to making 11 more. Next year, perhaps?

Because of a certain TV gift wrap segment, there was an abundance of wrapped "presents" that needed to be adopted (after removing any embellishments that I wanted to keep).

Mixed in with some presents a few other employees brought in last year, they give our loft a "Christmas Morning" feel. Minus the hot cocoa.

After seeing this printable reindeer template, I knew we had to have one. But he looked a little plain the way they showed him, so my version got a pair of googly eyes, a coat of brown paint on his antlers, and a pom pom nose.

After hanging him up on the wall, my heart broke. He just blended in (!!), and I wasn't into the garland around the base idea. Solution? Another piece of cardboard, cut into a shield-ish shape, covered with leftover wood grain contact paper, and put in place like a basketball backboard. Swish.

Kraft wrapping paper is a great thing to have on hand, not only for gift giving, but also as an oversized canvas for painting four foot tall toy soldiers. You know - should the need ever arise.
My beloved overhead projector got put to use again (best $25 I ever spent)
to gave me the outline I needed,

and then it was just paint by number.

Yes, those dirty socks on the floor are mine.

Always time to make stuff, never time to clean.

Taped inside our glass cabinets, they look so handsome and majestic I just wanna give them a smooch. The shelves got the ol' wrapping paper treatment, and the pizza box poinsettia bedazzles the cleaning list that hangs on the wall. Nothing is off limits.

A quick google search lead me to this photo tutorial on how to cut snowflakes and then
{after a bit of trial and error}, a monster was created and I couldn't stop.

Disclaimer: when you finish cutting and open up your creation, it will be creased from all the folding. Mine are perfectly flat because it's either spend time ironing paper snowflakes OR pick up dirty socks, and we all know how that decision ends.

And then the part I have the most fun with. The wall.
We've decorated eggs, seen stars, practiced pick up lines, gotten lucky and oodles more, but this time the theme is Santa's Village.

Which means we need Santa and his favorite reindeer,

and Frosty the Snowman {"Happy Birthday!"},

a Gingerbread Fran,

and a whole buncha elves busy in the workshop that's topped with paper bag shingles and chalked on snow. All the "snow" drifts along the bottom are smooshed up wax paper that we use to line cookie sheets, stapled to the wall.

That's gonna be fun to take down December 26th.

Pimp Yo' Presents Tip #7: think outside the box

noreply@blogger.com (rebecca @ older and wisor) — Sun, 09 Dec 2012 14:00:00 +0000

You've got 'em, why not play with them?

Empty boxes, that is.

If you pretend you're making a newspaper poof but use cardboard instead, it'll look like this.

A leftover strip gets wrapped around the middle instead of ribbon, and defines her waist.
This ain't no diet soda.

Okay, so maybe you aren't a soda drinker, but are you cuckoo for cocoa puffs?

Loopy paper bows look merry and bright using a cereal box.

Heaven knows our recycle bin has a least five empty containers tossed in every week, which is certainly enough for Christmas AND a year's worth of birthdays.

Doing a (frozen) pizza night? Then you've got the supplies for the cheesiest gift topper ever.

No - literally. The cheesiest. Same technique as the paper poinsettia, minus the creasing.

If you don't want to SEE the graphics and print {which I think is part of the fun}, you can take the modest is hottest route and cover it all up.

Print out a letter to use as a template, cut it out of your box...

and wrap it with some yarn or twine, hot gluing down the ends.

Happy Gifting.

* * * * *

{Pimp Yo' Presents Inspiration Week Links}

Day 1: paper poinsettia gift topper

Day 2: use what you've got

Day 3: giving your gifts...you know what

Day 4: using letters

Day 5: reusable shopping bags

Day 6: hit the dollar store

Pimp Yo' Presents Tip #6: hit the dollar store

noreply@blogger.com (rebecca @ older and wisor) — Sat, 08 Dec 2012 14:00:00 +0000

It's no secret that Dollar Store Chic is the style I wear most.

My favorite. My precious. My Sancho.

If you've got a plain container, you're 90% of the way there.

The step by step directions are back in this post, but who really even needs instructions?

It's just gluing decorative paper {or plain cardstock, or wrapping paper, or...}

on the plain lid that comes with the tins, and uh...that's it.

They come in 3 or 4 packs, depending on what size you get, and are available at every

dollar store on the planet.

{another tag from here}

And while you're there, pick up a few packs of plain white boxes, because we're gonna hit them with some patterned paper too. Since the lid just comes off, they can be used year after year.

(those acorns and ribbon? Also from Dollar Tree.)

{Pimp Yo' Presents Inspiration Week Links}

Day 1: paper poinsettia gift topper

Day 2: use what you've got

Day 3: giving your gifts...you know what

Day 4: using letters

Day 5: reusable shopping bags

Day 6: hit the dollar store

Day 7: think outside the box

Pimp Yo' Presents Tip #5: use reusable {shopping bags, that is}

noreply@blogger.com (rebecca @ older and wisor) — Fri, 07 Dec 2012 14:00:00 +0000

It's good for the earth, good for your wallet, and good for your schedule, as it only takes .003 seconds. If your default setting is giving a gift bag anyway, why not something they can take to the grocery store to carry home their bread and double stuffed Oreos in later?

Also, if I've said it once I've said it at least two times, it DOESN'T HAVE TO BE RED AND GREEN TO PASS AS CHRISTMAS WRAP. Truly.

Although you can certainly pop it in if you wanna.

Or fine, be like that and keep it all traditional. Target's signature red is your ticket to paradise, and don't those little logos on the tree kinda look like snow? 99 cents, baby.

Guess what else is 99 cents? Big ol' sorta fancy bags from Marshalls.

Come on - even dollar store bags cost more. A green poinsettia gets stuck on a piece of black construction paper for an oversized tag {only stitched around the edges because I can't watch TV without doing something} and hung by a ribbon covered clothespin since the handles were floppy and refused to cooperate.

{Pimp Yo' Presents Inspiration Week Links}

Day 1: paper poinsettia gift topper

Day 2: use what you've got

Day 3: giving your gifts...you know what

Day 4: using letters

Day 5: reusable shopping bags

Day 6: hit the dollar store

Day 7: think outside the box

Pimp Yo' Presents Tip #4: Vanna pick me a letter

noreply@blogger.com (rebecca @ older and wisor) — Thu, 06 Dec 2012 14:00:00 +0000

Remember how we talked about making initial tags before?
I still love doing it, not only for the cuteness factor (which is huge),
but also because you can use that random-bits-of-paper supply (which is also huge).

Plus, if you've got a kiddo or five that's constantly "bored", there's an

endless supply of free labor to do it for you. Yesssss.

An image search will provide all the letters you need, in every style and size imaginable.

OR you can do it with the fonts you already have, but that takes way longer and

I'd rather be doing something else than playing with fonts on the computer.

That's such a lie.

{image search keywords: "letter g"}

* a baby clothespin holds the K on some all purpose twine (Home Depot - like $2 for 1 billion yards that will wrap all your gifts until 2025)(don't have any? come on over - I'll share)

* the M was traced on black cardstock, followed by a line of glue and a plopping of sequins

* that B is a sticker stuck on a frozen juice concentrate lid. See that "ribbon"? More ripped fabric. Paired with Dollar Spot wrapping paper from St. Patrick's Day, it screams Christmas.

I put those bells on everything and sometimes even presents too - Dollar Tree in packs of 9.

They also have alphabet fridge magnets that can be spray painted if you're finicky about colors, but nobody I know would actually do that because it's most definitely crossing the city limits of Crazy Town.

{Pimp Yo' Presents Inspiration Week Links}

Day 1: paper poinsettia gift topper

Day 2: use what you've got

Day 3: giving your gifts...you know what

Day 4: using letters

Day 5: reusable shopping bags

Day 6: hit the dollar store

Day 7: think outside the box

Pimp Yo' Presents Tip #3: Give your gift some balls

noreply@blogger.com (rebecca @ older and wisor) — Wed, 05 Dec 2012 14:00:00 +0000

We've discussed this before, but there is nothing quite like the magic of ornaments to instantly transform everyday into holiday.

It sounds too simple to be true, but watch:

Polka dot kraft paper and black ribbon. What's so jingle jangle about that?

Well, once you give it a pair (plus a lil' pinecone), stars start gleaming, angels start singing, and in 30 seconds flat you're ready for Christmas Eve. Slam bam in a can. This paper was from the Dollar Spot at Target with the Halloween stuff, but the only thing scary about it is that there were 5,273 rolls left because people had holiday wrapping on the brain. Their loss.

More Dollar Spot paper, this time from way back in February with all the Valentines Day paraphernalia. Ornaments are available in ANY hue now, not just the traditional red and green, so Kris Kringle can jingle-lingle-ling on any color palette you've got laying around.

This paper was from Michaels in those dollar bins. When I found Mr. Peacock, it only seemed fitting that they go together like Tango and Cash. Teal, purple and violet for CHRISTMAS? Delicious.

Not only can ornaments festi-fy your package, but they can also sing to the person's interests, making the wrapping part of the gift itself. With just a little kraft paper, and some faux wood grain contact paper (dollar store), you can practically feel the mosquitoes bitin'.

Owls live on trees and trees are made of wood, so this combo is a no-brainer. There's that black ribbon again, perked up with some red and green to {subtly} say Happy Holidays.

Pretty much the only "real" Yuletide paper in the bunch. A few strips of yarn and a dang awesome robot keep it playful and make for a happy Haydo Potato.

This sexy thang got tied with some leftover tulle, only because I didn't have any shag carpet in my stash. Also missing? A phat gold chain and chest hair.

And just because it is not officially December until the Santa Sock Monkey shows his face...

{Pimp Yo' Presents Inspiration Week Links}

Day 1: paper poinsettia gift topper

Day 2: use what you've got

Day 3: giving your gifts...you know what

Day 4: using letters

Day 5: reusable shopping bags

Day 6: hit the dollar store

Day 7: think outside the box

Pimping Yo' Presents Tip #2: Use what you've got gift wrap

noreply@blogger.com (rebecca @ older and wisor) — Tue, 04 Dec 2012 14:00:00 +0000

Who says you have to buy stuff every year to wrap your gifts? Nope.

Pretend you're a hobo and use whatever you can find laying around.
Not only will it be unexpected and unique, but it will also be FREE.

Going clockwise we have:

* dingleball (?) found on the ground (shhh) with a piece of ripped fabric from a shirt the boys outgrew

*freezer ice-pop mesh bag and a punched out sentiment from a scrap of decorative paper glued onto a key tag

* rainbow pom from a skein of multi-colored leftover yarn (and technically ALL yarn in my hoard is "leftover" since I can't knit or crochet without constant supervision)

* patterned duct tape in place of ribbon and topped with a hot-glued-on flower pulled from an old Christmas pick

*shiny metal "paper" that was the OUTSIDE bag of our Thanksgiving turkey. I assure you that the actual meat was sealed within, and although the foil-y stuff has blemishes and imperfections - just like me - I say it adds character and makes me love it even more.

*a map of Texas that's been in our desk drawer since we moved here. In 2007.

*paper poinsettia that we talked about how to make yesterday

And now we have newspaper. What's a hobo without newspaper?

Open the gates and seize the day (anybody else still smitten with that movie 20 years later?) and use it like wrapping paper, taking care to avoid any "convicted in sex scandal" headlines landing smack dab in the middle. Or not, depending on who the gift is for.

You can also make a firework/poof thingy to go on top and give your package some Spartan spirit fingers.

{Who's that girl making fancy trash? It's me! It's me!}

On a rice encrusted table, cut your newspaper into long sections,

and then start snip snip snipping little strips, leaving the last 1/2 inch or so intact.

Grab your glue gun and get your roll on.The first strip will look kinda wimpy, but carry on.

Take your next piece and roll the first little bundle in it....and repeat....and repeat...

It'll look like those tortilla pinwheel sandwich things they serve at weddings on the bottom,

and then it'll start to resemble a super festive happy gift embellishment. If it doesn't look right, just add some more layers.

{Pimp Yo' Presents Inspiration Week Links}

Day 1: paper poinsettia gift topper

Day 2: use what you've got

Day 3: giving your gifts...you know what

Day 4: using letters

Day 5: reusable shopping bags

Day 6: hit the dollar store

Day 7: think outside the box

Pimp Yo' Presents Tip #1: DIY paper poinsettia gift topper

noreply@blogger.com (rebecca @ older and wisor) — Mon, 03 Dec 2012 13:33:00 +0000

All this week we're going to talk about the tips shown on last Wednesday's Texas Living gift wrap segment. It was impossible for me to cover everything in 5 minutes - I KNOW THIS - and more photos are coming. Here's the answer to the first question:

"How do you make that flower thing?"

{printable tag from here}

It's fast, there is no measuring, and you can mix it up with whatever colors/materials your heart desires. The best qualities a project could have.

Cut some petal-ish shapes outta paper. All the pieces for this flower came from one 12 x 12"

sheet of cardstock, but this is a perfect use for scraps.

(I said no measuring and you don't have to, but to get an idea of scale shown here,

the big petal is about 4"x 1.5", medium is 3" x 1", small is 2" x 3/4", and

the circle is 2.5" in diameter.)

Fold your pieces in half and crease, then glue stick/hot glue down each layer,

starting with the largest petals, 'cuz big girls always go on the bottom of the pyramid.

To finish off the middle, the sky is the limit: a button, a blob of glue with some glitter, beads, an old bottlecap, a can of tuna....get the idea? Whatever goes.

In this case, it's a few berries snipped off a spray thingy.

And for the record, you don't even have to use solid colored paper.

You can ditch the cardstock all together and brown bag it.

A few sequins give this doggy bag a little boom boom pow.

(and for the record, I'm a wood-fire kind of girl)

{Pimp Yo' Presents Inspiration Week Links}

Day 2: use what you've got

Day 3: giving your gifts...you know what

Day 4: using letters

Day 5: reusable shopping bags

Day 6: hit the dollar store

Day 7: think outside the box

Texas Living Gift Wrap Segment

noreply@blogger.com (rebecca @ older and wisor) — Wed, 28 Nov 2012 21:44:00 +0000

Wanna see a big ol' dork in action?

{the best accomplice ever, carrying all my crap and putting up with my nonsense}