Monday, January 12, 2015

Clothespin Makeover


I'm having fun with clothespins again.  I might be getting addicted to decorating these ordinary little items. Last year about this time, I used clothespins to make some airplanes for Valentines Day;  I think it gave me a "thing" for clothespins, because I keep finding myself in the craft store looking at them and mulling over ideas of what to do with them.   So now I am decorating them with pretty scrapbook paper, Mod Podge and flowers. Here's a list of ideas that you can use them for:


  1. Clip Valentines or flags on a line for bunting for Valentines day or any occasion.
  2. Glue a magnet onto the backside to hold a picture or message on your refrigerator.
  3. Clip together bags of goodies, or leftover chips and snacks.
  4. Use as a name tag holder for a gift.
  5. Enhance a scrapbook project.
  6. Make a wreath with them by clipping them to a circular wire or cardboard wreath base.
  7. Use them in your laundry room to decorate with.
  8. Why not try hanging out the laundry with your pretty little clips and see if it doesn't add some sort of pizazz to the ordinary everyday mundane tasks.
  9. Put them in a cute jar and give them as a gift to a friend.



Supplies:
  1. Wooden clothespins of various sizes.
  2. Mod Podge.
  3. Glue brush or small sponge brush.
  4. Scrapbook paper.
  5. Pencil
  6. Ruler
  7. Scissors
  8. Paper flowers, ribbons, or buttons for decorating.
Instructions:
  1. Using your clothespins as a template, place a clothespin onto the back of your scrapbooking paper and draw around it.  
  2. Use this drawing to measure and draw as many "paper clothespin covers" as you want.
  3. Cut them out.
  4. Cover the top of the clothespin with Mod Podge glue.
  5. Place the "paper clothespin cover" on top of the glue.
  6. Run your finger over the top to smooth and seal the paper to the clothespin.
  7. Brush Mod Podge glue over the top of the "clothespin cover" to seal the top.
  8. Allow to dry approximately 30 minutes.
  9. Have fun.

I used the standard sized clothespins and also, the next size down… they also make the little bity ones that are irresistible, but those not as easy to decorate. 


Draw your pattern on the back of the scrapbook paper.

 Cut out as many as you want to make.




 Cover a clothespin with glue.


 Top with paper clothespin cover, running your finger over the top to smooth and seal the paper to the clothespin.

 Brush the clothespin with another coat of Mod Podge over the top.


  Allow to dry 30 or more minutes.  
When Mod Podge is dry, add embelishments, such as flowers and buttons, with glue, Mod Podge or glue gun. Allow to dry.



 Have fun!


































Have a great Week Everyone!!!

11 comments:

  1. Wow!!!! Now I need a trip to the craft store for some clothes pins. Love those!!!!!

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  2. You have such great ideas Mom!! These are so CUTE!! I am hooked now too :) You are amazing! I LOVE YOU!!

    P.S. Gorgeous pictures!

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  3. Oooh... they're fun!!

    You know what I have? Unintentionally...
    I have a couple of clothespin that for whatever reason - my kids names have been written on them. So, of course, while using them for real, hanging up clothes on the washline... I'll pull a clothespin with a name... and a prayer escapes my lips for child. MAYBE (you've given me an idea!!) just maybe I should decorate or write on all of my pins - names of family and friend - so as to pray while I work (more often..).

    These are beautiful!! You are so talented...and you keep it coming, too!!

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  4. Nikki, you always inspire me.

    Elizabeth… I love you so much; thanks for coming over and encouraging me.

    Bevy, I love your idea so much… at least what you said about praying while you work; to put a name of your loved ones on each clothespin and use them as your reminders to pray as you work…what a great idea… you could even put a scripture or a one or two word prayer on them. Thanks for sharing your ideas.

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  5. Well, I love the best friend one mostly cause it's got my name on it!
    These were just the sweetest and cutest idea ever! I can't wait to try them!
    Putting Mod Ponge on my list...
    Lovely and such a cute gift idea!
    Yours, Roxy

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  6. We call them pegs and I really do love the wooden ones but find they don't last long enough - the springs break too easily so I use plastic push on pegs for my laundry. There are people selling decorated pegs at the markets. I bought a set of the tiny ones already coated in glitter at the discount store and used them to 'peg out' my Christmas cards at the top of the curtain of fairy lights in our window. Didn't need many this year as we only received 7 cards... yes, I think social media has brought around the demise of the handwritten card. I've left my lights in the window for now, thinking I will also 'peg out' birthday cards and maybe art works produced by the children.

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  7. Hello! I tried to post a comment yesterday and the computer glitched and it didn't go through. Weird! So I'm gonna try this again...

    These are super cute! I'd like to try some of these, but then add a magnet to the back and use them on my fridge for important little notes. Roxy and I just went to Hobby Lobby today to get something crafty to do for Valentine's Day!

    You are going to be missed this year!

    I hope you are doing well. It's going to be in the 50's the next few days. Yay!

    Have a great week!

    Hugs,
    Amy

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  8. Those are too cute! And so easy! I just might attempt them with my 10 yr old.

    Today I was walking around without a jacket for the first time. It was 23* haha!

    Enjoy your sunshine~ Cinnamon

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  9. Beautiful!! You are one creative girl my friend. Hugs to you! Camille

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  10. I love these, such great ideas (and the best part is I think I have most of the materials on hand to make some of these)

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  11. So beautiful! Can't wait to try them!

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