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Vintage Inspired Hearts

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 When we think Valentine’s Day we think hearts, right?

These DIY vintage hearts would also make a sweet gift for a special friend

or they could be used as a decoration in a vintage inspired wedding centerpiece.

Hearts are not just for Valentine’s Day.  

 How to make Vintage Inspired Hearts                    (*affiliate link)

*Disclosure:  This blog uses affiliate links.  If you choose to make a purchase using one of the links, I receive a small commission (at no additional cost to you) that helps offset the costs of maintaining this blog.  Thanks for your support!

 

Directions:

  1. Cover Smoothfoam Heart with Newsprint paper using glue stick.
  2. Apply a thin coat of cream acrylic paint over heart.  Wipe off excess.
  3. Add Fired Brick Ink to heart using the ink applicator.  Accent the edges of the heart with the Vintage Photo Ink.
  4. Stick small word stickers onto center of heart.
  5. Apply mod podge over heart for added shine.

To make the heart an ornament:

  1. Poke a small hole into the top of the heart.
  2. Fold a 6″ piece of twine in half, thread bead onto twine.  Knot on both sides of the bead to keep in place.
  3. Add small dab of craft glue into hole and insert loose ends of twine.

“This is a sponsored post.  As a member of the Smoothfoam Design Team, I have been provided product and compensation in exchange for my creative ideas.  The views and opinions are my own.

 

Living Well Spending Less

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I follow a blog called Living Well Spending Less.

You may have noticed the link on the side of this blog.

The owner of this blog, Ruth Soukup, has written a new book, available Dec. 30th, called:

Living Well, Spending Less: 12 Secrets of the Good Life

Recently, I joined the launch team to help promote Ruth’s new book about the secrets of the Good Life.

In this book, Ruth mixes faith, scriptures and good practical knowledge to make you rethink your

spending habits.  (Check out the video below)

In my marriage, it has always been my job to keep track of our finances and the monthly budget.

Honestly… during the first 25 years, it was more of just making sure everything got paid.

Raising a family is not for the faint of heart.  Kids are expensive.  Life moves fast.

A few years ago, I challenged my husband to a 30 Day Spending Budget.

I asked him to tell me how much he spent each week.  We had to be completely honest.

At first his amount was real low.  (I had to assure him it wasn’t a trick question.)

Because… what ever amount he said was the amount he was going to get.

We were able to save $500 that month.  (that surprised us both)

It was a good exercise that made us rethink our spending habits and priorities.

While we have relaxed from the original 30 day challenge,

we now have a mutual goal of saving towards our retirement.

(Call us cheap or call us old, we love it when we have a good restaurant coupon.)

With the New Year right around the corner, it might be a good time to consider

your own 30 Day Challenge.

Joy Tag with a Cool Metal Foil Technique

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Impress your friends with an Easy and Elegant Metal Foil Tape project.

I love this technique and thought you might as well.

Start with a small piece of matboard or chipboard approx. 2″ x 2 1/2″ and chipboard letters spelling the word “Joy”.

Joy Tag products used:            (*amazon affiliate link)

*Disclosure:  This blog uses affiliate links.  If you choose to make a purchase using one of the links, I receive a small commission (at no additional cost to you) that helps offset the costs of maintaining this blog.  Thanks for your support!

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Directions:

1. Glue letters onto the small chipboard with Beacon Adhesives Zip Dry Paper Glue*.
2. Apply Aluminum Foil Tape* over chipboard. I make the chipboard slightly smaller than the tape so that I don’t have any seams.
3. Using the bone folder, gently go around each letter to bring out the detail.

4. Paint the background with the paint pen. To give it a snowy affect, when
giving a second coat of paint, dot the paint with the tip instead of brushing.
5. Use the pale blue pen to color the letters. Allow both colors to thoroughly
dry.
6. Using a sanding block, lightly sand the letters and edges of the chipboard.
7. For a finishing touch, paint the letters with stickles glitter glue.

The tag also uses:
Prima Flowers (Holiday Celebration Snow Drop)
Vivid Ink: Aqua
Ink Blending Tool*
Scrapbook Paper
Cardstock
Corner Punch, Rounded*
1/8 Inch Round Hole Punch*
Lace, Silver Ribbon and Small Flat Snowflake Ornament
Silver Greenery

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Christmas Ornaments from Old Kitchen Hardware

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Old Kitchen Hardware

I picked up a bag of old kitchen hardware for 50¢ at a Garage Sale.

I can’t resist a good bargain and knew I might even use them someday.

After disassembling and using them on a couple of projects,

I put the rest in a container high on the shelf for another day.

 

I ran across them again the other day and had an idea…

How would they look with cream spray paint?

I knew I was onto something and let the idea marinate in my head for a day or two.

This is what I came up with and I’m pretty happy with the results.

Shabby Chic Orn 86

For my Ornament:

  • Paint the base plate from old kitchen hardware with cream spray paint.
  • I added silver around the edge using my finger tip and paint from a  Chisel Point Pen Tip Calligraphy Paint Marker, Silver*    (affiliate link)
  • Remove the small wooden base from a small bottle brush tree.  With small pliers bend the remaining wire tip up into the tree.
  • Cut the back of the bottle brush tree to make it flat.
  • Glue tree in place with Beacon Adhesives Zip Dry.*
  • For a little extra sparkle, I rubbed clear glitter glue into the bristles of the tree.  Glue pearl beads and place directly into tree.
  • On the top of the ornament I used a piece cream twill ribbon with an inexpensive plastic star ornament on a silver jump ring.  Tied it in place with a piece of burlap twine and small cream button.
  • I added a silver jingle bell that I painted and distressed with sandpaper and tied on with a satin ribbon.
  • Place the word sticker onto a thin piece of chipboard, trim around sticker, lightly sand the edges for a distressed look and glue into place.

Berry Ornament 91

Here’s a simpler idea.  I love this one too.

I bet your going to start rummaging through that junk drawer in the garage and see what you can find.

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*Disclaimer:  This post uses ads and affiliate links.  If you choose to make a purchase using one of the links, I receive a small commission (at no additional cost to you) that helps offset the costs of maintaining this blog.  Thanks for your support!

Holiday Joy

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I love using the word “JOY” in my holiday decorating.
It’s one of my favorite words.  Who doesn’t need a little more “JOY” in their life.
The Joy Frame is a Quick and Easy Holiday Home Décor Project.

 

Supplies Needed:                                           (*affiliate link)

Directions:

  1. Remove the backing and glass from an old frame and spray paint it black.  My frame holds an 8 1/2 x 11 picture.
  2. Cut the scrapbook paper to size and add to frame.
  3. Paint the chipboard letters red.
  4. Stencil Snowflake design onto the red letters with cream paint.
  5. Apply a light coat of red paint over the snowflakes.
  6. Antique the letters with Vintage Photo ink and ink applicator.
  7. Glue inside of frame.
  8. Embellish frame with some greenery and a red and cream gingham bow.
Craft Confession:
My original plan was to have cream snowflakes on red letters.  After I got through with the stenciling, I thought the snowflakes looked too bright so I decided to re-paint the letters.   As soon as I put on the first thin layer of paint, I loved the tone on tone result.  Happy Accident!
This project was created for and sponsored by Clear Scraps.

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Disclaimer:  This blog uses ads and affiliate links.  If you choose to make a purchase using one of the links, I receive a small commission (at no additional cost to you) that helps offset the costs of maintaining this blog.  Thanks for your support!

Updated… A New Look for an Old Snowman

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Updated Sock Snowman

Last year at my Holiday Workshop we made cute little snowmen out of socks.

They were a big hit.

But… one thing, I noticed when I pulled mine out again this year,

was that they looked a little misshapen.  More like a kidney bean than a snowman.

That was because I used rice for the entire body.  (the rice settled)

My updated snowmen still uses rice in the bottom, it now has fiberfill in the top

so that it doesn’t loose its shape.

I also decided my Snowman was cold, so I re-purposed an old sock for his sweater.

For more Making More Sock Snowmen Ideas you can find them here.

Here’s What You’ll Need:                    (*affiliate Links)

Here’s how I made my Snowman:

  1. Tea dye a new white sock, crew length or bigger.  Or if you have boys you could use one of their dingy ones.  (It’s better not to use a sock with the grey toe and heel.)
  2. Cut the top of the sock off, right around the heel.  (save that for the hat.)
  3. Turn the sock inside out and attach a rubber-band tightly around the top of the sock.  Because rubber bands wear out with time, I added a good squirt of Fabri-Tac Permanent Adhesive* (*affiliate link) in and around the rubber band.  (I left the rubber band on)
  4. Turn the sock right side out and fill sock about 1/2 way with rice.
  5. Fill the remaining portion of the sock with Fairfield Poly-Fil Premium Polyester Fiber*
  6. Use an additional rubber-band to close the sock.  Again, I re-enforced the rubber band with glue.
  7. Tie a piece of twine around sock to create the head.
  8. I used mini black square brads for his eyes, the tip of a bamboo skewer colored orange for his nose and a simple sewn black thread for his mouth.
  9. I used some paper craft sprays to add color to the toe of the sock.  I tied the tip with a piece of red and white twine and finished with a bow.  Roll the edge to create a cuff.  I glued my hat to the top of my snowman with Fabri-Tac Permanent Adhesive*(*affiliate link)
  10. Dress with Snowman with part of an old sock.  Add a couple of buttons for added detail.  A  fringed piece of fabric works great for the scarf.

Shop Your Fav Brands at Scrapbook.com

Disclaimer:  This blog uses ads and affiliate links.  If you choose to make a purchase using one of the links, I receive a small commission (at no additional cost to you) that helps offset the costs of maintaining this blog.  Thanks for your support!

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Handmade Holiday: Sew Simple Snowflake Pillow

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One of my favorite things to do during the holidays (besides eating Christmas cookies)

is to make things to decorate my home.  My snowflake pillow is a simple sewing project

that makes a warm and cozy winter accent.

You can leave this pillow out long after the holidays are over.

For my Snowflake Pillow I used:                     (*affiliate link)

Directions:

  1. Cut a 4″ x 12″ wavy piece from the cream felt.
  2. Add a small amount of Fabri Tac Glue on the back of the cream felt to keep it in place before sewing.  Place that piece 1/2″ up from the bottom of the grey 13″ piece of felt.
  3. Glue Snowflakes in place.  Hand sew the red buttons in the center.
  4. Machine sew around outer edges of the large cream piece.
  5. Machine sew between each of the snowflake arms.
  6. Turn felt pieces right sides together and sew with a 1/2″ seam allowance.
  7. Leave a 3″ opening at the bottom to add fiberfill.
  8. Turn pillow back around and stuff with fiberfill.
  9. Hand sew the pillow closed.

FYI…You can find die cut snowflakes in my Etsy Shop.

Thanks to the generous folks at Fairfield World for supplying the Poly-Fil.

*Disclaimer:  This post uses ads and affiliate links.  If you choose to make a purchase using one of the links, I receive a small commission (at no additional cost to you) that helps offset the costs of maintaining this blog.  Thanks for your support!

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Fun & Easy Felt Projects to make her smile.

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Pretty Little Dress Up Purse

Today I’m sharing a couple of Fun & Easy Felt Projects that is sure to make her smile.

Kunin Challenge

I was recently sent a variety of felt from Kunin along with some great glues from

Beacon Adhesives and buttons from Buttons Galore & More

for a Designer Craft Connection September Blog Hop. Pretty little Purse Collage

My First Project is a cute little dress up purse made with just three pieces of felt.

Directions:

  1. Glue the edges of two pieces of felt together with Fabri Tac glue from Beacon Adhesives.
  2. Fold over in thirds and glue sides together.  (see above picture)  Binder clips works great to keep everything secure while drying.
  3. Glue a piece of lace to the underneath side of the felt flap.
  4. Cut a button-hole and sew on a big black button.
  5. Cut 8 small petal shapes from Black Glitterfelt™.
  6. Simply quick stitch the petals together. (see above picture)
  7. Gather both ends of the thread together and tie with a knot.
  8. Glue a Fancy Button from Buttons Galore & More into the center to finish off the flower.  My button was originally gold.  I used a silver paint pen on my button to make it silver.
  9. Glue finished flower onto flap of purse.
  10. Punch a couple of holes on each side of the purse with a Crop-a-dile punch and string black cording for the handle.

Felt Heart

Did you know that you can easily die-cut felt?

The love heart pillow was made using White Classicfelt™ and Princess Hearts Fancifelt™ with a large heart die and alphabet dies.  One side of the heart has the white felt, the other has the Princess Hearts felt.  I cut one of the small hearts from the Princess Hearts felt to use as my “o”.  The pink flower on top was made the same as the above black glitter flower except that I used 6 petals instead of 8.

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*Disclaimer:  This post uses ads and affiliate links.  If you choose to make a purchase using one of the links, I receive a small commission (at no additional cost to you) that helps offset the costs of maintaining this blog.  Thanks for your support!

A is for Alex

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Sue Eldred's Mini Robot made with Smoothfoam July 2014

I recently got the privilege of attending my sweet nephew Alex’s first birthday.

Since the party was a Robot theme…

I decided to make a Mini Robot out of Smoothfoam to decorate his present.

Supplies Used for make the robot:          (*affiliate link)

  1. Trim out 6 pieces from the Smoothfoam block with the wire cutter as shown for a body, head, arms and feet. Paint all pieces silver and let dry.
  2. Paint a wood skewer silver and cut into two pieces for the legs. Insert between the body and feet with a few drops of glue to secure.
  3. Glue the head and arms to the body.
  4. Adhere the eyes to the head, and a letter sticker for the child’s first name to the body. Place the letter “I” sideways on the head to create the robot’s mouth.
  5. Push two pearl-head pins into the top of the head for antennae, each secured with a drop of glue.

My little Robot stands approx. 4″ tall.

This project was created for and sponsored by Smoothfoam.

Disclaimer:  This blog uses ads and affiliate links.  If you choose to make a purchase using one of the links, I receive a small commission (at no additional cost to you) that helps offset the costs of maintaining this blog.  Thanks for your support!

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Make Wedding Place Settings with Smoothfoam

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The Bride and Groom Place setting  is a cute way to identify where the bride and groom will sit for dinner!

To make the Bride and Groom Place Settings you’ll need…            (*affiliate link)

4″ Smoothfoam ball
Smoothfoam sheet (any size)
Stick ‘n Carve*
Hot Wire Foam Cutter*
Sandpaper, paint brush
Craft paints – black and white
Mod Podge Gloss Finish*
Stickles Glitter Glue, Diamond*
2 wood dowels
Gold Paint Marker*
“Story of Us” stickers

  1. Draw, trace or print the outlines of a dress and bow tie on to the transfer paper, then stick the paper to a sheet of Smoothfoam.
  2. Cut out the images with the foam cutter, through the transfer paper.
  3. Remove the transfer paper and sand the edges of the foam as needed. Paint the bow tie black and paint the dress white.
  4. Cut the Smoothfoam ball in half then paint one half black and paint the other half white.
  5. After the paint is dry, coat each piece with Mod Podge (gloss finish).
  6. Embellish the surface of the dress and ball with glitter glue for extra sparkle.
  7. Cut each dowel to the appropriate size so the markers are the same height as shown. Paint the dowels with a gold paint pen and insert into the foam, connecting each piece to its base.
  8. Embellish each marker with stickers and bling.

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Disclaimer:  This blog uses ads and affiliate links.  If you choose to make a purchase using one of the links, I receive a small commission (at no additional cost to you) that helps offset the costs of maintaining this blog.  Thanks for your support!