DIY UPCYCLING DIY USING A SHOEBOX AND DOLLAR TREE PICTURE FRAMES

 For some time now, I have been making upcycling or trash to treasure projects on my YouTube channel. I have been enjoying transforming ordinary things that would've been thrown away and making them into something beautiful and functional. So, aside from making "decorganizers" that combine home decor and organizer into one giving a dual purpose for practicality, I am also beefing up with upcycling projects as part of what my channel will offer in the coming New Year!

This is my last upload for year 2020 but will be spearheading the year 2021 uploads for my upcycling projects.

For this DIY, I am using the new 3.5" x 5" wooden photo frames from Dollar Tree to upgrade my brother-in-law's empty shoebox and make an organizer for my growing number of pens! I have Infusible Ink pens for my Cricut machine, I also have Cra-Z-Art washable pens, chalk markers, and calligraphy pens. I need to put them where I can easily reach out for them when I need them. 

I love journaling, coloring books, and writing in general. So, this DIY has been long overdue!

Top photo - I used a total of 4 pieces 3.5"x5" picture frames.
Bottom photo - a man's empty shoebox measuring 8.5"14"x5" 

All of my pens in one place. Four cubbies to hold each type of pens. I love the built-in iron label holder where I placed the printed labels. 

I kept the organizer neutral so that the colored pens will pop!

    
The cubbies can also fit blank cards or greeting cards. Other items that I can store in this organizer are ephemeras, journaling cards, small sticker books, recipe cards, stationery, etc. 
By the way, the green wooden cube drawer with faux flowers on top is an example of a decorganizer I made. 

Here is a picture where I used it as pen holder. The drawer contained several rolls of small washi tapes!

To watch the full process video, please click on the video thumbnail below. Enjoy!

3 EASY HOT BEVERAGES STATION IDEAS

 It's that time of the year when we love to drink hot beverages whether they may be hot coffee, hot chocolate, or hot tea! Here are three money saving ideas to create your own hot drinks stations!

DIY1: HOT DRINKS BAR

Set up the hot drinks bar using a microwave stand or baker's rack like this one showing below.

Photo copyright: LifeAt50&Beyond

I love this microwave stand. It's wooden and metal combo finishes add warmth to our kitchen. The wood matches the our dining tabletop, too!

Photo copyright: LifeAt50&Beyond

This 2-tier wooden tray from Hearth and Hand, which are sold at Target is an excellent way to organize cups, creamers, and sugar!

Photo copyright: LifeAt50&Beyond

I made the sign using Dollar Tree 11"x14" picture frame and "It's Good to be Home" vinyl placemat. I added three plastic adhesive hooks from Dollar Tree at the bottom back part of the frame that I adorned with winter faux greenery. 

Photo copyright: LifeAt50&Beyond

My favorite part of this hot drinks station is my DIY mini apothecary storage chest where I kept my hot tea bags of different flavors. 

Photo copyright: LifeAt50&Beyond

I used eight pieces of wooden drawer cubes from Dollar Tree and added iron label pulls from Amazon. I used Apple Barrel's acrylic paint in Nutmeg Brown to paint the boxes inside and out!

Photo copyright: LifeAt50&Beyond

Watch this video for the full tutorial on how I made the apothecary chest. 

DIY2: KITCHEN NOOK HOT DRINKS STATION

This is our current set-up! By using a small corner of our kitchen next to our refrigerator,

I took advantage of the cabinets above and below to hold supplies!

Photo copyright: LifeAt50&Beyond

I also organized the coffee pods and hot cocoa sachets on this DIY caddy that I made using Dollar Tree materials. I also hung this vintage green and white 8-tilt-out-door compartments that I got at Michaels' three years ago using a discount coupon. I paid only $6.99 for this craft organizer turned tea bag organizer. I love that each compartment has a clear tilt-out-door so that my family and I can easily identify the flavors. 

Photo copyright: LifeAt50&Beyond

DIY3: HOT BEVERAGES CART

If you live in a small space and you don't have an extra space for a baker's rack or kitchen counter top nook for your hot drinks, you can use a utility cart and turn it into your hot beverages bar. I love that this is mobile, so you can pretty much place it anywhere in your home!

Photo copyright: LifeAt50&Beyond

This cart is packed with goodies to keep you warm during the cold winter season! Here, I added a roll of paper towel using Dollar Tree wire tray and dowel. 

Photo copyright: LifeAt50&Beyond

Here's the side view of the accessories I added to the side. It can hold the kitchen towel if you don't like to use the roll of paper towel. 

Photo copyright: LifeAt50&Beyond

The top shelf has enough room for the single cup coffee pod dispenser and containers for sugar, creamer, and stirrers. 

Photo copyright: LifeAt50&Beyond

The middle shelf can hold cups, coffee pods, tea bags, hot cocoa sachets, and mini marshmallow bags. 

Photo copyright: LifeAt50&Beyond

The bottom shelf holds the paper cups and lids. The two containers hold the extra supplies!

Photo copyright: LifeAt50&Beyond

Watch the full video on how I set up these three hot drinks stations by clicking on the thumbnail below:

I hope you have fun creating your own hot cocoa, hot coffee, and hot tea drinks in your own hot beverages station!

Until next time! Bye for now! Hugs~ Josie 😀

5+ DOLLAR TREE DIY GIFT IDEAS

 It's that time for holiday gift-giving! Here are some holiday gift ideas that you can make on your own using inexpensive mostly items from Dollar Tree. Below are photos of each project. Scroll at the very bottom for the YouTube video.

DIY1: Wooden Box Sign 

Photo copyright: LifeAt50&Beyond

DIY2: Decorganizer

Using 2 Dollar Tree wooden cubes with drawers attached together and painted in Apple barrel Limeade green acrylic paint. 

Photo copyright: LifeAt50&Beyond

Use as a pen or pencil holder or...

Photo copyright: LifeAt50&Beyond

Use as a silk flower arrangement vase. The drawer can contain small items like paper clips, washis, erasers, or any small items.

DIY3: Recycled Jars with Candies

Here, I used two small empty jars used for jams. I cleaned them up to contain mini candy canes from Dollar Tree. 

Photo copyright: LifeAt50&Beyond

I used labels and chalk marker from Arteza.

DIY4: Edible Gifts

I used small lidded jars that I bought years ago from Michaels. Originally, they were $1.50 each but I got them on sale for 25 cents. I added assorted candies in holiday colors for a festive look. 

Photo copyright: LifeAt50&Beyond

I also used Dollar Tree labels and embellishments to decorate them.

DIY5: Wooden Coasters

Here, I used four pine wood slices from Arteza. I decorated each using Dollar Tree butterfly stickers. 

Photo copyright: LifeAt50&Beyond

They are perfect as gifts all year-round!

Watch my video to learn how to make each project! See you there!

Hugs ~ Josie 😘