Earring Tree

How many times have you gone to pick out the only pair of gold teardrop earrings that match that blouse only to find that they are tangled, bent or broken from sitting jumbled up in your jewelry box...Going to the mall to buy a jewelry chest is out of the question especially when I've seen them priced upwards of $300. Anyway, who wants to buy a jewelry chest when that's at least 3 pairs of shoes...

Try This: You'll need a hammer, thumb tacks, scissors, a picture frame (choose the size according to the number of earrings you have. I suggest 10x13 for about 25-30 pair of earrings), and a roll of screen from Lowes, Home Depot, or any Hardware/Home Improvement store. Make sure the height of the roll is greater than or equal to the size of your frame.

1. Disassemble your picture frame so that only the actual frame remains.

2. Unroll the screen and measure out a piece that overs the opening of the screen. Cut the piece, and trim any access screen that hangs over the edge of the frame.

3. With the Picture frame facedown, place your screen over the frame.

4. Place the thumbtacks around the edge, and secure the screen in place. Be sure to pull the screen taught so that the screen is stiff and unable to be pulled back-and-fourth.

5. Hang your earrings in the openings and enjoy. Feel free to hang the frame for conveince or for a space saving.

Company's Coming....

Have you ever stayed at someone’s home and you forgot something….maybe your toothbrush, Tylenol, lotion, razors, feminine products, etc? The last thing you thought about doing after a long trip in is going back out to the local drug store or nagging your host for every toiletry possible.

Hosts…Every heard your house guests tripping over furniture or fumbling with lights to make their way to the kitchen to quench that midnight thirst or find a late-night snack?

Well here is something inexpensive and thoughtful you can do both for yourself and for your guests. A hospitality basket or bowl, an idea straight out of your local hotel. Every Target, Wal-mart, grocery store, drugstore, etc has a travel toiletry aisle. Or next time you visit the dentist don’t toss that sample size toothpaste.

Stock up on essential items to make any stay comfortable and supplement it with a travel sewing kit, a few bottles of water and snacks that keep well over time like trail-mix bars, crackers, or any variety of packaged nuts and your guests will be just as comfortable in your home as you are.