My Inexpensive Monogrammed Refridgerator Magnet Craft!

I purchased a magnetic "C" from Target in the $1.00 isle. It was NOT the colors I was doing my kitchen in. My kitchen is black, white, gray and yellow. I wanted a simple pattern since my refridgerator used to be so chaotic with random magnets. I then found some scrapbook paper at Targe... 8 sheets for .99! I actually didn't think that many sheets were in there, as I fell in love with the first pattern I saw and grabbed it specifically for that one piece, so that was a BONUS! I then went to buy Mod Podge, as I had seen everyone use it around Blogspot. I priced it, wasn't too sold on the price, then decided to get the little bottle of Puzzle Mod Podge. I am glad I did! That stuff worked beautifully!

MAGNET SIZE IS: 6" TALL BY 5 1/2" WIDE- It's fairly large.

BEFORE: Preschool-ish ABCs:

AFTER: More Mature Decor:
(PS Usually I recommend clicking on the picture to blow them up and look at the details, I'd rather you not with this one, LOL, as this was my first attempt and I am incredibly rusty! LOL But from far back it looks GREAT! I mean, if you want to, there's no stopping you, LOL)

Supplies and Costs:

Monogram Magnet from Target's Dollar Isle- $1.00
Scrapbook Paper from Target- .99 for 8 pieces!
Mod Podge- $4 ?? from WalMart
Black Perminant Marker- had on hand for mess ups
Exacto Knife- had on hand

Instructions:
Trace around magnet onto the paper and cut with a knife (or scizzors)- it's alright to leave ends hanging off, as you can touch them up later... as a hairstylists rule of thumb: It's better to leave more than to take too much off and not be able to fix it. I FORGOT to go around the ends of the visible side with the black marker (incase I cut to close and exposed the blue--- and boy oh boy do I know myself, as I did just that)!
Rub your Mod Podge onto the colored side of the letter and position the cut out paper. Press on it, and cut around any edges that are hanging off.
I know people use Mod Podge and/ or a glossy sealant to the tops, but I didn't- and it's totally fine without it.

Total price was about $1. 14!
I am very happy with my results!!

One of Several Inexpensive Holiday Decorations! [Thrifty Find]

Balls and bells in a vase.
I know we've all seen them, but this is my first time in many, many years that I've been able to decorate for the holidays. And this was my first time making something so easy, yet truly beautiful.

I bought a vase from Goodwill for .99!
I purchased 1 (15 count) pack of fairly small Christmas balls in velvet red and shiny gold from Dollar Tree.
I put them in the vase.... it filled less than half way up.
So I headed to about 3 other Dollar Trees, rather than the extremely clean and organized Newington, NH Dollar Tree, and the trips in Maine were all a bust.
I mean they didn't even carry the selection like Newington did.
I decided to add bells. I had 2 packages of matte and shiny silver bells. I picked through many packages to find undented, rust free, without many paint chips coming off from a Maine location.
After all that, I put them back. I actually put them back because I was looking and saw they had little stars on them. Well, I'm not really a star person (ever since those large stars have been displayed on everyone's house).
The next day I remembered that the Santa on display on our hutch [right next to the vase] has stars on him.
I went and picked out 2 packages of bells for $2.00

The total cost was $4.00! And it doesn't look "cheap"!!

I couldn't be happier with my results! (TIP: You can click on the pictures to enlarge them).

The hutch has changed in terms of 'decorating', but I wanted to show you what it looked like. I've since purchased a set of olive green scroll curtains which makes the whole area stand out [in a good way]. And took a tip or 2 (for now til I can find a certain element) from Angela Ingo over at Imagine Cozy. She is awfully clever and full of design tips! Her blogs are beautifully written and illustrated!

remember this is my BEFORE picture of Holiday Decorating, a new picture will follow in a few days!

PS Nevermind the unstained window frame in the background. We're working on that!

(The round red & gold scroll tin and the black & white square basket are from Dollar Tree)