Thank you so much folks for your sympathies yesterday. I appreciate it! I'm still sick but in between naps on the couch today I managed to squeeze in a bit of shabby chic home improvement.
I've had a couple of groovy decorative plates sitting around the house patiently waiting to be put up on the wall. Trouble is, I haven't had time or energy to get down to the store. Plus, let's face it, I'm cheap!
A thought was stirring up there in my head, a memory really, of how I could get those plates up there without those metal plate hangers. A few years ago I read about a way to do it in The Complete Tightwad Gazette: Promoting Thrift as a Viable Alternative Lifestyle by Amy Dacyczyn.
I gathered together four small paperclips and a couple of rubber bands.
I twisted open those paperclips.
Then I hooked the small ends on to the plate rim.
I flipped the plate over to make sure that I liked the placement of the four paperclips.
Then I flipped it back over and attached the rubber band. I added an extra one for more security.
Ta da! All finished. Now to hang it on the wall.
Not bad! I doubt anyone can tell that it's paperclips and rubberbands rather than a metal plate hanger. If you try this at home please, please don't hang your favorite heirloom plates with this method. I've hung my ninety-nine cents thrift store plates so no big deal if one crashes.
I'm guest blogging over at Absolutely Small today. You might remember Claire's adorable Chickenpants meeting with one of my creatures a while back. Anyway, I've offered up some super simple organizational tips that will hopefully motivate you to get your abode all spiffed up this year. Hope you get a chance to check it out.
Hey Felicia
Thanks so much for still checking in on my blog. Too much going on in life to blog lately. LOVE your little yellow critter with the ponytails. Too cute. You know I'm all about being frugal, so I love this idea, and the plate is perfecto. Hope all is well in your neck of the woods.
Posted by: Carla | February 17, 2009 at 09:44 PM
How very cool! I'm thinking that it just might solve the problem of not being able to find just the right sized plate hangers for that not so easy to fit plate as well?
Posted by: sadira | February 17, 2009 at 09:45 PM
Wow -- that's pretty darn clever! I hope you're feeling better soon!!!
Posted by: Thimbleanna | February 17, 2009 at 10:33 PM
What a great tip!
Posted by: Julie (Knitsational) | February 17, 2009 at 10:44 PM
I have the Tightwad Gazette! Saving money is a hobby of mine, especially now that my hubs is working lots less!
The plate is quite pretty!
Posted by: Randi | February 17, 2009 at 11:25 PM
What a clever idea, and all it takes are paperclips and a rubberband...thanks!
Posted by: corry | February 18, 2009 at 12:36 AM
Oh that is very clever, what a great idea!
Posted by: shannon | February 18, 2009 at 01:08 AM
What a cool tip! I am definately going to try this one.
Posted by: Katie | February 18, 2009 at 10:50 AM
Felicia,
This really is cool....the 'real' plate hangers don't always work for me, this looks like a better idea!
x..x
Posted by: stephanie | February 18, 2009 at 11:07 AM
I hope you feel better soon! What a great way to hang some of those plates.
Posted by: Chara Michele | February 18, 2009 at 11:45 AM
Hey, that's a great idea!
Thanks for guest blogging over at Ab Small for me, too!
Hope you feel all better soon. ^-^
Posted by: Claire | February 18, 2009 at 11:55 AM
Wow, neat idea!
Posted by: implexus | February 18, 2009 at 12:08 PM
what a clever idea!
Posted by: pam | February 18, 2009 at 02:54 PM
Neat idea. Thanks for stopping by to visit my blog. I'm having fun looking at yours. ~Mandy
Posted by: Amanda | February 18, 2009 at 03:28 PM
Awesome tip! I have a couple of plates I have been wanting to hang -- this gives me the push I needed (since I now have NO excuse!)
Posted by: twistedknitter | February 19, 2009 at 08:50 AM
um, you are a darn genius! thanks!! this will make hanging plates much cheaper, and you can even find paper clips in colors to match the plates.
Posted by: brandeye | February 19, 2009 at 08:53 AM
wow what a great tip! and it looks wonderful!
Posted by: missknits | February 19, 2009 at 10:46 AM
What a fantastic idea and great tutorial.
Hugs Karen
Posted by: Karen Young | February 19, 2009 at 11:24 AM
I love that book. I need to get it out and reread it. I'm sure I could use some money saving tips. One might be to actually use the things I find at estate sales. Two of those things happen to be plate hangers and they're sitting right where I left them when I brought them home a couple weeks ago.
Posted by: Betty @ She's Sew Pretty | February 19, 2009 at 12:04 PM
What a great idea! I'll have to keep that one in mind.
Posted by: Donna | February 19, 2009 at 04:14 PM
funny..yea. i guess that plate needs to be lightweight..it looks like it might be gentle on the plate, too. some of those hangers marr the edges. (How do you spell marr??)
Posted by: Rebecca Salcedo | February 19, 2009 at 09:18 PM
what a versatile way to display art! i can do it so easily! and that save A LOT! thanks!!!
Posted by: est | February 20, 2009 at 12:13 AM
oh my word that is genius!!!!!! i have two plates i need to put up but haven't had a chance to go to michaels. they're cheap enough at michaels but if i can't get over there, it doesn't do me any good. i'm going home tonight and doing this. thanks so much!!! get well too.
Posted by: Norma | February 20, 2009 at 01:30 PM
Genius....that's all I can say about that! Wonderful and thanks for sharing it with everyone!
Posted by: Dottie | February 26, 2009 at 10:15 AM
What a great idea! I love this! I'm going to try it too!
Posted by: Beverly | April 04, 2009 at 03:40 AM