Sprucing Up

Here is a quick little project I did recently.  I purchased the wooden magazine holders from IKEA and covered them with a cute wrapping paper that I found.  When I went to pick out the paper, I really had no idea what I would buy, but I knew I wanted it to be green and blue-green.  I assumed it would be a little more subtle than this, but when I saw this sweet little girl, I knew I would love looking at her.  I cut the pieces very randomly and laid them out this way as well, hoping to get a dreamy quality, just odd snippets of this girl.

I used my Xyron machine loaded with permanent adhesive.  I first experimented with Mod Podge, but decided that it would definitely make me crazy having to decoupage 24 of these.  The first one was bubbling, so I knew I would be bug-eyed by the 5th.  I am definitely a realist when it comes to crafting.  I usually take the time at first to discover the "happy medium," how to achieve the desired results without going batty in the process.  If any of you have considered a Xyron, but didn't know if you would use it, I really recommend it.  I have had mine for maybe 3 years now, and use it all of the time.  And I have never had to buy replacement cartridges yet either.  I love the fact that it doesn't require power.  I usually let Elliot do the "rolling" for me.

After finishing these, I found myself considering cannibalizing my Martha Stewart Living magazines- gasp!- I never thought I'd say that, but I really feel that with 24 holders I've reached my limit, and would like to start keeping a few other magazines, like Selvedge.  I think I find the crafts and good things to be my favorite projects, and don't really need to reference things like "how to hire a mover" so much any more, been there, done that.  But a daunting project it is...

Update: I've had a lot of questins about this, so I'll try and answer them the best I can.  I bought the wrapping paper at Hollander's in Ann Arbor (Kerrytown).  They've updated their website (also on my sidebar) for internet shopping, but I don't see this particular item there right now.  Best to call and describe it--  I'm pretty sure they still have it.  The paper I used for my wall decals was also from there.  In person they allow you to buy half sheets, but I don't know if that is an option online.   They have a really nice selection of paper and offer classes as well.  I still order my solid papers from Paper Source because their prices are much better.  Did I ever mention that I used to be an assistant buyer at Paper Source in Chicago (back when there were only two)-- what a wacky place that was.

My Xyron is the 900, purchased new on ebay.  I think I paid around $80 for it.  For this project I made a cardstock template and traced and cut out the pieces (including the hole) and then ran them through the Xyron two at a time, longways.  They come out with a paper backing and thin plastic on top.  You just peel that stuff off and stick.  Voila!

Comments

[Mama Urchin]

They look great and I love my xyron too. We make stickers for all kinds of things.

[Sarah]

This is so cute - where did you find the wrapping paper?

-Sarah

[Rachel]

I have thought about attacking the MSLs too. Isn't it funny how hard it is to think of cutting them up?

[Amy]

I have a small xyron and I do love it. I was just looking at the larger ones and thinking what could I need this for...hmmm...you inspire

[Alicia]

Those are so cute. I think I would find myself just staring at them all day long.

[Jessica Hood]

these look fabulous! love the girl print!

[Robin]

Wow, that looks so good! I don't have a Xyron but I've been thinking of getting one, can you tell me what model you have?

[Erin]

These look fantastic! I am unfamiliar with the Xyron and clicked on the link. So did you apply the adhesive to all of the paper you used? Did you do it in strips then or do you have the widest machine? I was picturing the holders as being wider than 8.5" and getting confused. Thanks!

[Allison]

Those folders are great. What a beautiful way to spruce up those organizers, and the paper is lovely. I really like the way each peice is cropped and then placed back together on the shelf. Very cheeky!

[Nanette]

This is quite simply the business. I wonder if I can get my hands on one of those machines in Australia?
Love the blog.

[Jessica]

Ooh, I love this! Isn't Ikea great? I bought those green boxes as well, they're a perfect shade of green. I'd never get tired of looking at this display, it's so sweet! Great idea with the Xyron.

[Whatever Dee-Dee wants]

Very cute cute! I just bought the magazine holders and have been wanting to do the same thing!

[sally]

What a great idea. That is the sweetest wrapping paper.

And I'm with you regarding the MSL magazines...good things + crafts are the best sections!

[Sarah]

Cool. I have a bunch of those Ikea mag. boxes to. What a great idea.

[Alicia W]

You've done it again! Looks great! and I NEED some of those green boxes!

[Anina]

Fantastic! I have a couple of IKEA ones that I'm not overly fond of. This is a great idea!

[Lemon Tree Tales]

What a brilliant idea! Quilting Arts magazine is requesting photos of people's studio/studio spaces. Why don't you enter yours?

--Tami

[erin]

courtney!!! love this. love my xyron, too. i have the smaller one, but find that it really is enough for me. also, i started getting rid of MSL - just keeping the parts i like best. it works well for me.

[Jenn]

Great idea!

[Nichole]

Oh wow! What a sweet little cutie pie. I don't blame you for loving her, she is a darling.

I love my xyron too! I only have the X, but I might invest in a larger one. The X is perfect for teeny tiny projects. I find I use it most for thin, long strips of paper that require way too much precision.

[Dana]

Where did you get the wrapping paper? What a great idea.

[sarah]

Lovely idea. I might have to invest in some holders for myself. I too have cut apart my MS Livings, and have a few three ring binders full of all the ideas I liked best. I did save a few intact though- the KIDS that my daughter appears in, and a MSL Baby that has a "Good Thing" that was my idea (my friend used to work for MSL). Beautiful project- you always have the most clever ideas!

[Sarah]

This is awesome! I have an xyron, but only the little bitty one, I'll have to keep my eye out for a sale on a big one, I had no idea they were so useful.

[Penny]

I love these. I had a couple of greeting cards from this range, I had no idea that there was wrapping paper too.

It looks lovely, really lovely.

[cindy]

Those look too cute. The possibilities are endless for this project.

[hillary]

cute! those look great. I've always been intrigued by the xyron.. might be time to take the plunge!

[Mefuza]

brilliant! off to ikea :)

[Anna]

Just gorgeous. Very inspiring!

[myra]

That is so awesome!

[lucykatecrafts]

that wrapping paper is really unusual, looks wonderful used in this way, great idea!

[mimi k]

I am going to have to get myself one of those Xyrons... I can think of about a million uses!

[molly]

these are wonderful courtney. are the green boxes from IKEA, too?
i love your no nonsense approach to crafting.

happy weekend.

[jen b]

i just recently cannibalized my martha stewart magazines and i am feeling really good about it. i too only really use the crafts and good thing section After becoming a mom i am able to know what crafts i really will try and what one i will never ever do.

[Lisa]

This is an absolutely fabulous idea and you did a wonderful job with it. I may have to try this one myself. Thanks for the info. The entire shelf looks fantastic!!!

[Blair]

they are so great! I love projects like this. And truly, Martha would forgive you.

[Natalie]

I love this on so many levels.

[barbara]

i love stephen mackey's artwork and porcelina looks fabulous in that arrangement!
how come you have never bought a replacement cartridge for your xyron if you use it all the time?? i would love a neverending roll of laminate/sticker/magnetic paper!!

[melissa deakin]

oh, these are wonderful.
that paper is just darling.
thanks for sharing!
:)

[stuffed]

Looks absolutely wonderful.

I have the itty bitty Xyron but love it, too.

[kristin]

i'm in awe of your crafty cleverness...and that gift wrap is really something special.

[Laura]

Your magazine holders are lovely, but what I am really interested in is your cannibalizing of the MS Livings. I would love to do the same thing to several magazines that I have, but I haven't devised a good system for storing and easily accessing desired articles. I'd love to hear about your process as you do this.

[Andrea]

Wow. These are soo cute. I used the same paper, for the cover of a couple of idea books/journals. You can actually see them online at www.scrapinstyletv.com under my layouts - mom2bigtom - I love what you did with yours. They are fabulous. I just wish I could find more of that paper. But it was a fluke to find it in one of my fave shops downtown...and now they are out.

[Kristine]

Wow. That looks wonderful. And I love the combination of blue and green. I spied a similar machine to this magical xyron in our local art supply shop and thought of getting it for my 7 year old for his birthday. He and I love that sort of thing. Who am I kidding - he'd never get it away from me.

[Jessica Jones]

I just bought a greeting card from that line with one of those girls on it, too. But seeing multiple girls is even more fun--love the holders! We've got a Xyron at the design studio where I freelance. It's so great. Do you ever have trouble with yours when it's really humid outside? Ours seems to bubble more when cranking things through if it's damp.

[Mandy Sladden]

I love your blog. I have been saving MSL for years now - I bit the bullet and went through and cut out all of the pages I wanted (1/2 - 3/4 is just ads). I put the page in binders organized by categories, which worked for a while. I have 10 binders full of clipped pages. I decided to go one step further ... I scanned in all of my clipped pages and tagged them in iphoto. Now if I want to look back I can quickly collect like items to view.

:)

[Lynne]

Brilliant!! I love it!! Also, I just saw your cute craft ideas in the November Wondertime. Love them, can't wait to try them!

[Zoe]

Oh I love what you have done. It is funny to hear you talk about your magazines. I actually have a rather extensive collection myself that I ended up cutting out all of the ideas/recipes/tips and putting them in a three ring binder in page protecters. My binders are now my favorite go to books!! :)

[dani]

how funny! i used to work at paper source too when it was just 2 stores. i still go to them for stationary.

[Jessica]

Wow! awesome ideas..thank you for sharing!

[Matroskin]

I love, LOVE your blog! So many lovely things. Your baby is supercute! Makes me feel like I want to have another one, I mean a third one. Your magazine containers are pretty!