Guest Blogging + FREE 8x10 Printable

When I first started Dear Wallet, I had huge dreams that included a guest blogger every week sharing amazing projects, ideas and posts with my followers. I put out a request, posted on my facebook pages, and even emailed big and small bloggers hoping someone would say 'sure'! But it never happened. Realistically my blog was just too small and unheard of, and still is. So I put the dream on the back burner and moved on. However in the last couple months I have received countless inquires about people wanting to guest blog on Dear Wallet. 

The interest is amazing, and I would be so honored to allow people to guest blog on Dear Wallet, however I need to make it clear - any guest post theme needs to reflect that of the Dear Wallet interests. I've been submitted some great articles, but of no relevance to DW, and realistically that wont help anyone - you, me, and most importantly - my readers.

So I would like to take the time to officially re-open the opportunity for guest bloggers, perfect timing as I plan my year of blogging now! If you would be interested in doing a guest post now, or even later in the year feel free to contact me with your idea, or just to discuss the possibility! But please take the time to read a few posts on Dear Wallet and familiarize yourself first with what my readers are used to seeing to ensure this is the best place for your guest blogging!
Email Me Now!

And just so you're not completely bored, check out this FREE 8x10 printable available only on facebook! 

LAUGH•LIVE•LEARN•LOVE•LISTEN

[Zip file containing two PDFs, one black background, and one white!]

Click the image to head to facebook, find the download link in the tab! While you're there, please take the time to hit 'like'! More facebook only things coming up!

INSPIRATION [patriotic decor]

Patriotism isn't something that should be celebrated one day a year, it should be every day, something American's should be proudly living and breathing. Yes there are opposing political parties, and they don't always get along. Yes there will always be things in our government we don't agree with. But that's the amazing thing about democracy, we have the right to disagree, the right to fight. Whether we agree or disagree with what our current affairs are, it is our American right. Stepping off of my soapbox, I've found a few ways to bring patriotism back into the home in small ways, ways that may not prove to the world we are proud of our country, but instead offer a simple reminder everyday of who we are and what we are fighting for.

PIGGY BANK: This piggy bank was way too much fun to pass up. A quick way to reinvent your boring childhood piggy bank into something sparkly, fun, and alllllll american! Simply using any paint or nailpolish on hand, paint the basic areas of the bank the preferred color, and bedazzle using scrapbook rhinestones, or cheap bulk rhinestones with a dab of hot glue! Instant beautification!

FRAME: This frame is such a great reminder of who we are, place a family heirloom photo in it, or update with your most recent family photo for a strong reminder every what you have to be thankful for! Using painters tape, tape off the areas, and using any paint on hand, or nail polish color accordingly! Use rhinestone stars to pretty it up, or place stickers on it before painting, and peel off when it dries to leave the shape!

PILLOW: Comfortable and cozy! Find a cheap plain pillow, use tape to create the sections and star stickers for the stars, and dab fabric paint in the areas. When it dries, pull it off, heat seal and wash!

Have another idea, or tried one of these? Send me a link or picture! I'd love to feature it!
•Posted to link parties Thursday, Friday, Saturday, Sunday & Monday!•

To find out information about the products used, please click the image to head to Polyvore!

DIY Project: Ring Display

I heard about the Dollar Tree $5 Challenge from another blog, and was so excited! Partly because I've been itching to craft lately, and have been so uninspired to do so. And partly because I always thought it would be cool to do a project entirely from one store (insert Project Runway addiction). I was so excited, that I ran out to my closest Dollar Tree immediately after reading the rules. Unfortunately I not only came up empty handed, but uninspired as well. Thankfully the boyfriend came up with an idea to check out The Other Dollar Tree the next day. A much larger, much better stocked, and much more inspiring store 30 minutes away. So I went home and scoped out the Dollar Store Crafts site and was shocked and amazed at all the goodies I saw on there. Determined to not only come up with something cute and easy, but functional as well: something that I could use every day I restarted my search the next day. That's when I saw the zen garden and inspiration (finally) struck! A ring display! My rings have found themselves all over my room and bathroom, in various 'trees', jewelry boxes, and plate displays. I needed something large enough to hold all of them, but easy to get them out, and see at the same time. A ring display would be perfect. My mind started going, and after a carrying around $20 worth of goodies, I narrowed it down to four. A set of (3) washcloths in super soft and pretty green microfiber, a plastic frame, a pack of pencils, and a ball of twine. $4. And I got to work. Joining me was a hot glue gun, scissors, and wire cutters (optional)-all on hand. [note that the zen garden didn't make it home with me..]

1. Remove the glass and mat from the frame. I chose a 5x7 because it was a decent enough size to fit a lot on, without being too huge for my dresser. I also chose a frame that had a thicker inset so the ring rolls wouldn't push out past it too far. The first step was to wind the string around the frame, there are many ways to do this, you can glue the front and wrap it messy, or pile it on at random, or layer it neatly as I did by simply holding it tight and wrapping it patiently and gluing occasionally in the back of the frame. I did the sides first, leaving the corners to last. When I got to them I simply wrapped the string left to right slowly covering the corner and creating a neat layering pattern (see pictures). My boyfriend liked it better with black showing through, so really you can wrap it however you prefer it!

2. Next I glued the back of the frame (the part that hangs/easel) to frame. This created a tray basically to glue my rolls onto. I glued the top and bottom first, and the sides after I finished. No real reason other than I forgot. After this I chopped the pencils in half using the wire cutters. You can use anything to cut them, you can even go hulk and break them in your hands. Doesn't have to be perfect, it just creates a stronger roll and gives you something to roll the fabric onto.

3. I took the first washcloth and folded it in half, this way it was just slightly longer/wider than the hole it was going to fit into in the frame. I placed a layer of glue onto the pencil, placed at the edge of the washcloth and started rolling. I only rolled about 1.5 times, gluing at the end. I cut the roll away from the rest of the washcloth, gluing the inner layer to ensure it stays in place. Not entirely necessary but makes it slightly easier to work with.

4. As you can see in the picture below, I basically folded the ends in to place in the frame, and rolled it into position at the edge of it so that the folds went under neath the roll. I glued as close to the bottom of the frame as I could to keep in place on both sides of the roll.

5. Continue steps 3 and 4 until you get to the bottom of the frame. My rolls were about 1.5 cm each. I used 2 washcloths exactly, and 5 pencils to create 10 rolls total. Make sure you push them together when gluing so they tightly packed into place to hold your rings!

What I learned:
-You may not like the towel idea. I chose the washcloths because I loved the color and I swear these are the softest towels ever! Luckily Dollar Tree has a wide assortment of towels, clothes and blankets to choose from!
-5x7 was the perfect size! I can hold all of my rings, with plenty of room for more ;) and it looks great on my dresser!
-If I could do it over, I would cut off the edging on the towels. They didn't like being folded over and give it the messy-ish look in the pictures. Which I don't mind, it just took longer to deal with, and figured I'd mention to the blogsphere so they can get cleaner looking rolls in their own versions =)
-The pencils worked like a charm, the only non-preferable thing about them is they were slightly shorter than the width of the frame, which doesn't seem to affect how it holds the rings, but if you have something longer, or more pencils than I had on hand to cut the correct length I would try it!

Now, your turn! Can't wait to see your versions and suggestions! Have you made your own item for the $5 challenge? I'd love to see it, make sure you link it!
•project may be linked to a party, check the link tab to see which!•

DIY Project: Mail Organizer

Dear Wallet,

I lost the mail today. And then the car keys, and then my shoes. Oops.

Signed, Aria

First ever DIY project on Dear Wallet,! Not to be a killjoy, but it's not a brand new tutorial. In fact it comes from my OLD blog (Lillian Pearl Designs). You can check out the orignal post there, as well as a few others that may or may not eventually make their way over to this blog! I have a long list of to-do's, but wanted to start you out with something that's not only cheap and easy but super helpful as well!

 Insert the Mail Organizer. I know what you're thinking, a DIY project to organize the MALE in my life?!Oh you weren't thinking that? Oh the other thing...that those stacks of unopened mail that you have in every corner is not only cute (hello free decor..!) but also aids in the avoidance of bills (yay...more bills?)..ya..me too. I too have fallen victim to the adorableness that is junk mail, until I realized if I put it somewhere that created an eyesore I tended to do something about it. Like pay the bills and throw away said junk mail.*shockterrorblasphemy*  It sounds crazy, but it works! I tried a basket, which worked just fine. Until I needed the I needed the real estate for my growing vase collection. So I wanted something for the wall. I googled, and goodwilled, and shopped till my head hurt (is that possible?). But then one day I found a frame, and it all fell into place.

Insert old ugly frame lacking glass. For some reason this gem was still sitting in my craft box waiting to bethrown away DIYed into a new life. Here's what you need:

Frame (mine was 11.5"x9.5"-but your's can be whatever works for you)
I needed sand paper, nails and wood glue because it was falling apart
Spray paint (I used white)
Screw hooks (I used four)
Cardboard/mat board
Spray mount
Fabric and scrapbook paper
Hot glue (or guerilla glue, or your favorite strong glue!)

Said frame was made of wood laminate and falling apart. So the first thing I did was sanded it lightly for prepping and used the nails and wood glue to put it back together. After which I reattached the hanging hook so it could hang in the correct format (horizontal). I placed the screw hooks by eyeballing it, however I suggest measuring. After this I took it outside for a coat or two of spray paint.



While the frame was drying I started on the inside of the frame. First measure the opening of the frame and cut a piece of cardboard to fit. I used spray mount to place scrapbook paper on it, folding it over the back and gluing in place. (Like a present!)



Then I cut two more pieces of cardboard half the size of the orignal, height wise. (Mine were 3.5"x9" each), then get your fabric out. Lay it out and spray mount the cardboard on one side, pressing it on the fabric. Then spray the other side and fold the fabric over so it fits tightly on the 'top' edge, and leaves about an inch overlap on the bottom, and side edges.



When everything is dry you can begin assembling. First measure where you want your 'files' to go. I decided since mine were 3.5" high, to measure 3" from the bottom of the frame so the top file would hide slightly in the bottom file-I used a pencil to draw a line. Using the glue, I attached the 1" overlap of fabric to the board above the line (so that the board edge was touching the line, and the fabric was flat above it-see pictures)! The bottom piece will attach on the very  bottom of the bigger board in the same way.



Once the pieces are assembled and dry, place it inside your frame. Carefully pull the files out of the frame through the front, until they are where you want them.  (Mine are no more than an inch away from the board, it creates a tight pocket with plenty of opening to place stuff). Cut the fabric down in the back (if needed) and glue into place. Close the frame up, and attach to the wall!



You could easily add ribbons, buttons, and tabs to further customize this project! The project cost me NOTHING, because I had everything on hand! Now let me see your versions!