Using Paper Clips to Hang Lightweight Objects

On one of my last visits to the thrift store just before we moved to Dubai, I dropped by the Salvation Army and was surprised to find they accepted Islam! Islamic goods, that is :-) For those of you who are not aware of the popular thrift store in the States, they are a Christian non-profit organization that uses the money they make from selling used items to sponsor programs helping those in need and on the side try to convert people to Christianity. So I was surprised to find this little beauty...

Transcribed in the plate is a verse from the Quran. Not sure the exact chapter it's from, but will update the post once I find out.

Soapstone and Wood Bowls from Kenya

Hey Debdoozlers! Hope you are all well. I mentioned a couple weeks ago that I had stopped by the Global Village. While I was there I checked out the Africa booth. As if Africa was a single country (it's not). Did you know it's comprised of more than 50 countries? Fun fact for the day.  When I entered the stall, or what I like to call the market since it's much bigger than a stall, I checked out different booths and came upon one with products from Kenya. I wasn't planning on buying anything, but the temptation of the the cute stuff combined with pressuring salesmen left me with two new bowls to bring home. 

The first bowl that caught my eye was sea green in color, small, about about 3 inches in diameter, and ICE COLD to the touch. The hubster and I were really fascinated by its smooth cold texture. We found out it was made of soapstone. It's dug from underground and is a fascinating material. I wish my floors were made of it, then maybe my house would be cool in the summer. :o)) I also love that it has black in it which I've been trying to incorporate more into our home. 

Haute Hijab Inspired Box

Hello Debdoozlers! Happy December and happy project! Seriously, I love todays project. I think out of all the things I've done this project is my favorite. It's simple, really, a wooden box painted in polkadots. The inspiration came from a beautiful scarf designed and sold by Haute Hijab. Before I even thought about a DIY project featuring this signature look, I just wanted the scarf, but living in Dubai causes a lot of shipping issues. You see, we don't really have zip codes out here, shoot, we don't even  have mail boxes! Unless you have a private P.O. box, you'll end up facing companies who cannot ship to your front door, because your front door doesn't have a proper address. While most people can figure out where your home is because you're in between Choithrums and a cell tower, most companies need a real physical address. 

So after thinking about where I could get this scarf shipped to in the US and then have it later shipped to me in the UAE, It was SOLD OUT! ARRRRRRG! Someway, somehow I still had to have it though. 

The Grace Kelly Wrap

I got to thinking and a lightbulb in the form of a wooden box popped up! How about I just paint a box I already have in the pattern of the Grace Kelly Wrap? Sounds like a great idea to me. Off I went collecting my supplies which were: 

A wooden box

Sanding block (medium grade)

Tack cloth or towel to wipe off dust

Painters tape (to tape off hinges)

Primer

Base color plus another color for the dots

Paintbrush for dots

Sealant spray to protect the final coat

Krylon Caramel Latte Brushed Metal in Satan (I could eat that color it's that yummy)

Apple Barrel Antique White.

I taped off the hinges. They were in perfect shape and I didn't want to ruin them with spray paint. 

Storage Baskets From Ikea

Hello all. Hope you have all awakened from your Thanksgiving food coma :o) Well, a couple of weeks ago I was at Ikea and came across a wonderful selection of baskets. I needed a couple in hopes of controlling the flood of balls and flip-slops that were consuming the hallway.

Yes, we live in the land of sand-als :o), and despite having an organized shoe cupboard, the sandals/ flip-flops were just always all over the place. Aside from that issue, we also had balls everywhere. Since it's usually so hot outside, we have to keep most of the balls indoors otherwise the heat just pulverizes them.  The rubber balls and other synthetic materials literally disintegrate from the heat without even being in direct sunlight. Even though the weather is cooler now, it's still better to keep them inside.

Exhibit A and B. FlIp FLoP DrAmA and that embarrassment of a ball basket. :-/ Don't judge.