How to Mist and Stencil a Mixed Media Pillow

August 16, 2016August 16, 20163 Comments

I enjoy making pillows.

Especially when it’s a quick and easy “no sew” pillow with a twist.

How about a little misting and stenciling with Tattered Angels Glimmer Mists?

I started my project off with a 12″ plain canvas pillow cover, versatile check stencil (see end of post),

Tattered Angels Glimmer Mists and large iron-on embroidered letters from Joy.

Using removable painter’s tape, I taped the stencil onto the canvas.

I wanted my pillow to have a subtle background so I lightly sprayed with Tattered Angels

Crushed Shells Glimmer Mist.

Because the pillow is decorative, I’m not worried about the spray being washable.

I used large Iron-on letters from Joy to spell out the word “Home”.

To customize the plain white letters, I sprayed them with Coffee Shop Glimmer Mist for contrast.

Allow the letters to fully dry before arranging onto the pillow. Cover the letters with a cotton cloth

and iron for about 30 seconds. I ironed it again from the back of the fabric for another 30 seconds.

I added an old button to the center of a burlap flower from Canvas Corp Brands

and glued it onto the corner of my pillow with Fabri Tac Glue.

I used a 12″ pillow form from Fairfield World to stuff the pillow.

Deco Art DECADS.20 Americana Decor Stencil Versatile Checks*

This project was created for the Creating with Joy Blog and was sponsored by Canvas Corp Brands, Deco Arts, Fairfield World, Beacon Adhesives and Joy SA.

*This post uses affiliate links.

How to Create a Relaxing Sunset Pillow

July 20, 2016January 8, 20232 Comments

There’s something about a beautiful sunset that always stops me in my tracks.

No matter how many I’ve seen, I still marvel at all the vibrant, beautiful colors.

After all the fun we had making the Patriotic Tied Dyed Shirts for the 4th of July…

I decided to create a color wash dyed pillow with the colors you might see during a beautiful sunset.

With the help of my 2 year old Grandson this is how we made the pillow:

We used the Rainbow Tie Dye Kit from Tulip that comes with pre-measured squirt bottles. All you need to do is add water to the bottles and shake to mix.
Squirt dye onto 12″ canvas pillow square one color at a time starting at the top.
Dip medium/large paintbrush into water and brush the dye to spread the color.
Continue with the others colors until canvas pillow square is covered.
Note: When using a helper who’s only 2 1/2 things can get really wet. (he had fun)
Cover dyed fabric with plastic wrap to keep damp.
Let set for 6-8 hours or longer for intense colors. (we waited around 2 hours)
Rinse well with water until excess dye is removed.
Fill washer to “large load” setting with hottest water suitable for fabric and a small amount of laundry soap. Wash and dry separately. (Wash separately for the first few washes.)
Iron the canvas pillow square to get out excess wrinkles.
To add the word “relax”, I used iron-on embroidered letters from Joy. It’s quick and easy – just preheat your iron to the cotton setting, cover the letters with a cotton cloth and iron for about 30 seconds. I ironed it again from the back of the fabric for another 30 seconds.
Stuff pillow with a 12″ pillow form.

Tulip One-Step 5 Color Tie-Dye Kits Rainbow* (affiliate link)

*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!

Happy Summer Frame

June 3, 2016February 9, 2023Leave a comment

I’m really starting to love this new summer schedule.

Everything seems a little more laid back.

I feel like I’m getting lazier by the minute.

But honestly, I’ve been busier this week than I have in a while.

This week has been full of gardening, cooking out, a couple of really cold dips in the pool,

movies, shopping, a soft ball game and to end out the week…

dance recitals and a retirement party.

And… I don’t want to miss a thing.

Summertime really is Memories just waiting to happen.

In case your wondering…

The Happy Summer Frame was made using clear acrylic frames from Deflecto Craft Solutions

and the “Echo Park Collection Kit 12″”X12″”-Happy Summer”*.

(affiliate link)

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

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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!

A little Americana for your front porch swing

May 30, 2016May 22, 20184 Comments

The quickest way to spruce up the front porch swing for summer is with new pillows.

And if your a little bit handy and have a sewing machine why not try making a few of your own.

When it comes to sewing I’m very simple and it doesn’t get much easier than this.

A simple stenciled and stitched pillow.

Deco Arts has so many 12″ stencils in a variety of patterns, you’re sure to find one you’d love.

DecoArts® Products Used: (*affiliate link)

ADS16 American Tribute Stencil*
Americana® Multi-Surface Satin Acrylics: Dark Scarlet, Cotton Ball, Night Sky
Splendid Gold Dazzling Metallics® Acrylic Paint

Additional Products:

14” x 14” Muslin Fabric
14” x 14” Red and Cream Ticking Fabric
Fairfield Poly-Fil Premium Polyester Fiber, White, 1 Bag, 12-Ounce*
Stencil Brush*
Removal Painters Tape*
X-ACTO Craft Knife*
Scissors
Sewing Machine
Needle and Thread

Directions:

Lay paper under muslin fabric before stenciling.
Center and tape stencil onto muslin with removable painter’s tape so that the stencil won’t move.
Work one color at a time and mask off with painter’s tape the areas that won’t be painted.
Remove the “star section” of the flag using a craft knife and set aside.
Stenciling is a “dry” brush technique. Using a stencil brush, dip just the tip of your brush into the paint. Tap off excess paint before applying to prevent the paint from seeping under the edges of the stencil.
Apply paint with stencil brush in a straight up and down motion called stippling.
Once you’ve added the red, blue and gold colors. Replace the star section of the flag back onto the stencil and stencil the stars with white paint.
Create a simple pillow by sewing the muslin onto the red and cream ticking fabric.
Stuff pillow with Poly-fil®.

This project was sponsored by DecoArts.

Disclosure: 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!

Americana Ribbon Wreath

May 25, 2016May 22, 20186 Comments

How to Create a Americana Ribbon Wreath…

I’ve been concentrating a lot on sprucing up my front porch for Summer.

To complete the look, my front door needed a fresh fun new wreath.

I created a Summer themed Americana Wreath using one of the ruled wreaths* from Smoothfoam. (*affiliate link)

Smoothfoam Ruled Wreaths make design and layout easy.

They molded lines and numbers into the foam to make design and layout simple.

Even on one side, odd on the other.

The wreaths come in several sizes… 8″, 10″, 12″, 14″.

Proudly Made in the USA

How to make the Americana Ribbon Wreath

I used the 14″ ruled wreath.
Glue one end of the ribbon down onto the foam wreath and wrap the ribbon tightly around the first section. Glue second end of the ribbon in place before starting second color. (I used Beacon Fabri-Tac Permanent Adhesive* to glue my ribbon in place.)
Using a thin floral wire, wire the small floral stems onto the base of the wreath.
Glue larger flowers and leaves onto the wreath over the wire.
Add large stemmed butterfly and ribbon to hang.

So many possibilities.

The Americana Wreath was sponsored by Smoothfoam™, the crafter’s foam.

*Disclosure: 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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No. 14 How to age a Terra Cotta Pot with Chalky Finish Paint

May 18, 2016May 7, 20182 Comments

It’s front porch sitting time…

Time for sitting on the porch swing, sipping a glass of iced tea and relaxing the evening away.

But before I can relax, I need to finish putting flowers in containers and I need to give a couple

of old boring terra cotta pots a little sprucing up with a little paint and stencils.

I decided to give this plain terra cotta pot an aged looked with

Americana Décor Chalky Finish Paint from DecoArt.

How to age a Terra Cotta Pot with Chalky Finish Paint

Supplies Used: (*affiliate link)

Terra Cotta Pot
Patio Paint Home and Garden Stencils – Vintage Numbers*
Americana Décor Chalky Finish Paint-* yesteryear, everlasting, new life, relic
Americana Décor Crème Wax- Golden Brown*
Paint Brush, Stencil Brush*
Very Fine Sandpaper*
Clean Lint Free Cloth
Removable Blue Painters Tape*

Directions:

Paint the terra cotta pot with “yesteryear” (gray) chalky finish paint. I gave the pot some white highlights with “everlasting” chalky finish paint.
Wipe the pot with a clean soft damp cloth (or white paper towel) to remove some of the paint.
To give the pot a mossy look… Dry brush “new life” (green) chalky finish paint around the base of the pot, under the ridge and on the top edge. Soften the green paint by wiping with a damp cloth if needed.
Apply reusable stick on stencils to painted pot. Mask around the stencil with removable painter’s tape. Use a stipple brush to apply “relic” Chalky Finish paint inside open stencil area.
Remove stencil.
Lightly sand pot with extra fine sand paper.
Apply Americana® Décor “golden brown” crème wax over pot using a clean lint free cloth. Wipe with cloth to create an aged look.

This post was sponsored by the good folks at DecoArt.

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New Use for an Old Basket

May 16, 2016March 29, 20181 Comment

Need a quick front porch project…

Got any old baskets lying around the house?

I’m a total sucker when it comes to baskets. (a basket case one might say)

I’ve got quite the collection, I use them all over the house.

During my Spring Cleaning…this basket was headed for the trash when I decided to

repurpose it. I love the look of flowers in baskets. I had nothing to lose.

I can always throw it away later if it doesn’t wear well this summer. (look at how rough it is)

I gave the handle of the basket a quick fix with some craft glue held together with a binder clip.

I used a thin grocery store bag to line the basket and keep the dirt in place.

You might want to poke a few small holes in the bag for drainage.

Once you’ve filled the basket with dirt, tuck the remaining bag neatly around the sides

of the basket.

My basket will be on a shaded front porch.

I chose flowers that will grow well in shade.

I started with a couple larger pink geraniums and filled with smaller pink impatiens

and purple violas.

TIP: Don’t pack the basket so full that the flowers don’t have room to grow.

Now that Garage Sale season is upon us.

You may want to keep a look out for a cheap basket or two.

That is… if you don’t have any old baskets lying around waiting to be rescued.

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Mini Floral Wreath

May 13, 2016May 17, 2017Leave a comment

I get some of my best creative inspiration late at night…

I was planning on making a card using these 3-D puffy stickers from Paper House Productions

when a light bulb moment happened and I decided to make a wreath instead.

I’m really happy with the way it turned out, a little different and very easy to make.

Tip: Use a good craft glue to adhere the stickers to the ribbon.

Paper House Productions Stickers Used:

Additional Supplies:

4″ Smoothfoam Wreath
2 yards of sage green satin ribbon
sheer ribbon and button
Beacon Fabri-Tac Permanent Adhesive* (affiliate link)

How to make a Mini Floral Wreath using 3D Puffy Stickers:

Wrap wreath with satin ribbon.
Start with the large pansy flowers and glue evenly around wreath.
Fill in wreath by gluing on the smaller flowers, butterflies and leaves. (The leaves are from the lady bug sticker sheet.)
Tie a thin silver ribbon around wreath to use as a hanger.
Make a bow from the sheer ribbon and glue onto the top of the wreath.

This is a sponsored post. As a member of the Paper House Productions Design Team.

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DIY Up-cycled Jar…a little trash to treasure

May 9, 2016May 17, 2017Leave a comment

I was about to throw away this inexpensive toothbrush holder

(from IKEA) while cleaning my bathroom, when I got the idea. I’m always looking for items

to use as a base on repurposed projects and thought this was perfect for a quick project.

Inspiration and ideas can be found anytime, anywhere…

even while cleaning your bathroom.

Great Storage or Gift Idea. So many ways to customize using items destined for the trash.

How to make an Up-Cycled Jar…

Materials Used: (affiliate links)

Metal Toothbrush Holder
Grated Cheese Jar with Lid
Old Cabinet Knob
Beacon Glass, Metal & More Glue*
Black Semi-Gloss Spray Paint
Decorative Paper
3M Advanced PinkTape Glider*
Black Chalkboard Label

Directions:

Disassemble toothbrush holder. Set aside the top portion of the holder for future projects.
Paint the bottom of the holder, the lid of the jar and the cabinet knob with black semi-gloss spray paint.
Glue the bottom of the jar to the painted base.
Cut a circle from the decorative paper and adhere it to the top of the lid.
Glue knob onto the center of the lid.
Add chalkboard label to front of the jar.

The DIY Up-cycled Jar was featured in 2016 Craft Ideas Garden Issue. (page 72)

This project was created for and sponsored by Craft Ideas Magazine.

Check out Craft Ideas Magazine for Craft Ideas for Every Occasion, Every Skill Level.

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Create a Simple Vase Centerpiece

May 6, 2016January 8, 20234 Comments

Want to make a great impression but don’t have a lot of time?

Here’s a quick and easy centerpiece project for your next party or gathering?

I put together this simple vase using Washi Tape I received from Little B LLC

and an inexpensive dollar store cylinder vase.

TIP: I drew a line with a permanent marker halfway down the vase to use as a starting point to keep everything neat and all my lines straight. Simply wrap the vase with the washi tape. (it’s that easy) It only takes a few minutes to create an elegant look.