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Tuesday, March 22, 2011

Tool Time Tuesday...Placemat Night Light

Happy Tool Time! Before I show you today's tutorial, don't forget my Sew Darn Crafty Linking Party...a place where you can show off YOUR projects or you can browse all the great projects already there. Definitely go for a visit by clicking here...oh wait, don't go yet, this Tool Time is good one!

Remember all my goodies from the Target clearance rack? Well, the stash included a bunch of plastic place mats. We rarely use place mats, so you know I bought them for Tool Time!

Here is today's project...a place mat night light. Fast, easy, cute and cheap. You know those are my favorite things for a craft project.




This is your supply list.



You'll need a hole punch, but it can either be the big one that punches the 3 holes at the same time or the hand punch.


3 flat screws with the nuts.


A tap light.


and your super cheap clearance place mat...woo hoo 48 cents! Can't beat that with a stick!



See how the place mat is kind of see through. That allows the light to shine through more.



Here are the simple steps.

Find the center of each of the short sides.



If using the stand up hole punch, align the center mark on the place mat with the center mark of the hole punch.



Slide the place mat in...



and press down to punch the holes.



If you are using the hand punch, just space the holes evenly, but make sure they are on the same spots on the other side.





3 holes on each of the short sides.



Now roll up the place mat...



and line up the holes.


Pop in the screws.


and twist on the nut on the inside.



All rolled up and screwed together.





Take your tap light...



and tap it on!



All you do is place the place mat cylinder over the tap light.


and your done!


Perfect for bedtime in any room.



Great by the bed of a little one...or even the bathroom for those late night trips.





Great for any spot in the room, because there isn't a plug. The tap light runs on batteries.





I placed some sea glass out in hopes for warmer weather, but they are predicting snow here in southern New England Wednesday into Thursday. Ahhhh!!! I thought we were done.



Have a great Tuesday and remember to look twice at an item...it always has a different life hiding inside it!
space
~Karen~



Visit thecsiproject.com
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47 comments:

  1. Impera MagnaMarch 22, 2011 at 12:38 AM

    What a cool idea! I'll never look at plastic place mats the same way again....

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  2. PennyMarch 22, 2011 at 12:54 AM

    That is one brilliant idea! Thanks for sharing.

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  3. AmyMarch 22, 2011 at 1:29 AM

    thank you for sharing,Amy

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  4. JeniMarch 22, 2011 at 1:59 AM

    what a super idea like that one for my bathroom

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  5. ShellyMarch 22, 2011 at 3:50 AM

    You are a genius!!!

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  6. MaritzaMarch 22, 2011 at 4:05 AM

    Karen, está maravillosa esta idea y además muy decorativa y útil!!!! Para la habitación de los niños está genial. Un beso

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  7. Amy @ Increasingly DomesticMarch 22, 2011 at 4:08 AM

    Oh my gosh Karen!
    This is so great! I love how cheap it is and yet it looks so expensive. LOVE.

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  8. BarbMarch 22, 2011 at 6:25 AM

    Just fantastic!!!

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  9. QuilthazeMarch 22, 2011 at 6:29 AM

    I like it - simple, practical and very pretty!

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  10. AnonymousMarch 22, 2011 at 7:00 AM

    What a great idea! Thanks for sharing!

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  11. Nancy quiltin' mommaMarch 22, 2011 at 7:10 AM

    So Clever!! I love it! Think I'm gonna have to make one of these! Now to figure out who will get it!! LOL...one of my kids just might claim it....1 out of 5...which one will get it...hmmmm

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  12. GraMarch 22, 2011 at 7:46 AM

    Absolutely amazing!!!!!! What a great idea!!!! Thanks Karen for never letting your brain stop working and coming up with these brilliant ideas!!!

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  13. Tidy Brown WrenMarch 22, 2011 at 8:25 AM

    I'm picturing several of these down the center of a party table, color coordinated with the napkins and plates. Wouldn't that be fun!

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  14. Sharon@Sharon at HomeMarch 22, 2011 at 8:33 AM

    How clever!!!

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  15. TiffanyMarch 22, 2011 at 8:38 AM

    This is so cute! Now I want to go and look for plastic placemats :)

    They are predicting some rain/snow mix for Delaware this week too -booooooo :( Hopefully we will both get lucky and it will stay warmish.

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  16. Janine NiemanMarch 22, 2011 at 8:38 AM

    Such a great idea. I might have to try that for my kid's room. Thanks!!

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  17. Lisa CaronMarch 22, 2011 at 8:42 AM

    That is so great, what a perfect idea for camping too!!! I think this will replace our nightly glow sticks.

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  18. ~*~Leanne~*~March 22, 2011 at 8:59 AM

    What a great idea! It couldn't be easier!
    Enjoy your day,
    Leanne

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  19. Katie Burke - Bella B DesignsMarch 22, 2011 at 10:30 AM

    Now, how stinking cute is that! Love it!

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  20. Jean - OksewnsewMarch 22, 2011 at 10:43 AM

    OH I love it, what an ingenious idea. I keep looking for a cheese board, but no luck yet..great ideas..thanks
    Jean

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  21. UnknownMarch 22, 2011 at 11:14 AM

    So clever!
    This would be super cute outdoors in the summer. Maybe with a mason jar and tealight inside (assuming it wouldnt get too hot)
    Love your Tool Time Tuesday!

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  22. Whiterose Designs by DebraMarch 22, 2011 at 11:26 AM

    Karen, you are so very clever. I can't wait for each day to check out your blog to see what you have come up with next. What a nice way to light up a small corner nook area for night-time little walks to the kitchen or whatever. I too will be looking past the actual usage of normal everyday items.

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  23. SandyMarch 22, 2011 at 11:50 AM

    Very cute, cheap and useful!! Have to look for those clearance placemats. Thanks for another cool TTT!

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  24. krisgrayMarch 22, 2011 at 1:49 PM

    So imaginative! I would never think to use placemats like that.

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  25. JuliaMarch 22, 2011 at 3:00 PM

    What a super fantabulous idea!!!!

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  26. ChrisMarch 22, 2011 at 3:23 PM

    Oh my gosh.......for all the children on my Christmas list! Thanks, Karen.

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  27. AmandaMarch 22, 2011 at 5:21 PM

    This is such a great idea, would be perfect for my boys room, not to bright for a night light!

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  28. Gwen @ Gwenny PennyMarch 22, 2011 at 11:27 PM

    What a fantastic idea, Karen! Safe for little ones, too. This would look great if you had several of them out on a deck railing or to light up a path for a party.

    We better not get any snow. I've had enough!!!

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  29. UnknownMarch 23, 2011 at 1:25 AM

    You could use thsi idea to decorate a garden path for a birthday or special event.

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  30. Alyssa - Live. Love. Craft.March 23, 2011 at 11:54 AM

    Super cool! My target's never put anything on sale!! :( The biggest % off is 15! How lame is that?!!? That's why I like dollar tree! :D I have a few projects from there if you want to check them out!

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  31. katie jeanMarch 23, 2011 at 12:44 PM

    very cute! this would be so great for the guest bathroom. thanks for motivating me to make something fun and crafty :)

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  32. fialka012March 23, 2011 at 3:25 PM

    Skvělé...

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  33. @prilMarch 23, 2011 at 8:11 PM

    Genius! Way Cool!

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  34. @prilMarch 23, 2011 at 9:38 PM

    I just added your Tool Time Tuesday button to my blog's right sidebar! http://koolbeenz-blog.blogspot.com/

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  35. UnknownMarch 23, 2011 at 11:35 PM

    So cute..I just saw that placemat at the thrift too! I could see that in my grandson's room!

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  36. UnknownMarch 24, 2011 at 9:12 PM

    beautiful!

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  37. UnknownMarch 24, 2011 at 9:23 PM

    beautiful!

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  38. UnknownMarch 24, 2011 at 11:58 PM

    What a cute ( and clever ) idea! Love it!

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  39. UnknownMarch 24, 2011 at 11:58 PM

    This is SOOO cute - looks like one of the fancy design companies could have made it (and charged us all $200+ for it)! Thanks for sharing!

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  40. The Grown-Ups TableMarch 25, 2011 at 11:17 AM

    Love this! I think I might try to do a boy theme one for my son's room, We are your newest followers .

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  41. TanyaMarch 25, 2011 at 10:18 PM

    What a cool way to use placemats. Great idea

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  42. ElsieMarch 26, 2011 at 9:46 PM

    Neat idea Karen. Couldn't you use
    those brads you use on a folder instead of screws and nuts. Like those gold ones and it would be
    a nicer head.

    I am trying to catch up on blogging. Sorry I'm late. I
    haven't been to up on things
    lately since I lost my sister.

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  43. GingerMarch 27, 2011 at 8:24 PM

    This is cool!!! Thanks for linking up to Mad Skills Monday!

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  44. Beth@The Stories of A to ZMarch 28, 2011 at 10:35 AM

    This is such a clever idea!

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  45. CindyApril 2, 2011 at 10:34 AM

    very cool. so mod and looks like something from IKEA which I love!!!

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  46. kim westApril 3, 2011 at 10:57 AM

    featured this on my blog today!

    http://kimboscrafts.blogspot.com/2011/04/shout-outs.html

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  47. Uniquely EllaMay 22, 2011 at 9:24 PM

    Love this idea, cute.
    xxx
    Marlene

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Thanks so much for taking the time to leave a comment...I just love hearing from you!