Wednesday, October 12, 2011

Hanger to Chip Clip

The Pin...

The Project...
I figured that for my first project, I should do something easy that won't require me to buy new materials. That pin fit the bill perfectly.
Most of the time, pant hangers that aren't removed at the store get tossed out (since it doesn't take much for them to break apart, and toddler feet have a homing device for them). Luckily I did still have a couple in my closet.
Next I had to search for something to use to remove the clips on the ends. The original poster used a saw, but after a quick search of the garage, I found we didn't have one. I ended up grabbing what I can only assume to be a pair of wire cutters from my husband's toolbox.
I had to use a bit of pressure, but it gave a nice clean cut.
About 5 minutes later and all the ends were off. Now I know I could have left it at that, but while functional, I was not a fan of the plain plastic. Plus, knowing my hubby, he wouldn't have understood what they were and might have trashed them. So add another 20 or so minutes at the table with 3 Sharpies...
And voila! Bright and cheery chip clips! Hubby might still ask me what they are, but he definitely won't throw them out.
All that work (can it even be called that when it was pretty fun?) worked up my appetite. So I had some salt and vinegar chips, then put my handiwork to work.

Something New...
So now I get to create a new pin board: I did it! I can't wait to add more pins to that board. Remember to follow me on Pinterest to see more of my pins.

Tuesday, October 11, 2011

And so it begins...

Recently a group of friends turned me on to a website known as Pinterest. Technically it's categorized as an online pin board. However, I would classify it as a beautiful black hole that somehow finds a way to suck up your free time. That's not to say it isn't a great site - I find it very inspiring. It really sparks my creativity, and it's easier than creating a million bookmarks of things I want to find again. It's almost like a visual manifestation of my thoughts as they come to be.

How it works...
From what I've found, the easiest way to get onto Pinterest is for someone to invite you. You can request an invite, or if you've got someone who already uses it, they can invite you. Once you set up an account, you can start "pinning." Basically, you have a live newsfeed of people that you follow (just like Twitter) and what they have pinned to their pinboards. You have the option to "like" and comment on their pins, as well as repin their pin to one of your own pinboards. All of this is done with a few simple clicks of the mouse, which makes it so easy to get sucked in.

Eureka! moment...
But I repinned something today that really got me thinking. It said, "I need to stop pinning and start doing." That's when the little lightbulb went off. If I just sit here and keep pinning things that I want to do, when will I ever have the time to do them? I mean sure, some of my pins are just cute pictures I want to save for when I have a bad day, but others are things I want to do with my kids or home organization and decor ideas. When am I going to stop dreaming and start doing?

So come, follow me...
That's why I've started this blog. I want to have a place for me to share the pins that I've actually turned into projects. And I hope that by starting this, I will be able to inspire others to do the same. Follow my blog by clicking on the "Follow" button on the sidebar, and click here to follow me on Pinterest. Let's see how this goes...