A Quick and Easy DIY Gift for Her

May 2, 2016May 17, 20171 Comment

Need a quick and easy gift for Mom or that new Grad in your life?

Deflect-O Photo Frame Pencil Cup* (*affiliate link)

This pretty pink pencil cup from Deflecto is cute all by itself.

But add some decorative washi tape, a couple small pieces of decorative paper and

a few random stickers and you have a special gift ready to give.

♥ Make it extra special and add a couple photos of you and her together. ♥

I wish I could tell you where to find this cute pink rosebud washi tape.

My daughter gave it to me as a mother’s day gift a few years ago.

I’m sure with the huge variety of washi tape available you’ll find one just as nice.

If pink’s not your style?

Here’s a project I did last year using Deflecto’s Black pencil cup. ↓

Quick & Easy Washi Tape Make-Over

“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 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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DIY Seashell Lamp

April 8, 2016June 7, 20189 Comments

Oh…to be by the ocean listening to the waves and picking up shells.

Lately, I’ve been dreaming of summer vacation and relaxing on the beach. (it’s my happy place!)

Like most people, I love to walk the beach and collect shells.

During the summer, I like to display my shells in a large clear vase on the mantle.

It reminds me of fun summer family vacations.

Last month, when I received the Lighten Up Kit from Etchall®, I thought…

“wouldn’t it make a cute Seashell Lamp to put on the patio to use on those

warm summer nights?”

I used shells collected during our trips to South Carolina. (some even from the Isle of Palms)

Here’s what I used to make the DIY Seashell Lamp: (*affiliate link)

etchall® Lighten Up Kit
etchall® Etching Creme (4 oz)*
etchall® Squeegee*
Folk Art 30465 Peel and Stick Painting Stencil, Happy Words*
DecoArt Americana Multi-Surface Satin Acrylics Paint, 2-Ounce, Night Sky*
Elmers E451 Spray Adhesive, 11 oz, Aerosol*
Beacon Fabri-Tac Permanent Adhesive, 4-Ounce*
Mason Jar
Seashells
Burlap, Twine and Spool
Black Spray Paint
Stencil Brush
Removable Painter’s Tape

The shade measures 4″ x 7″.

Directions:

Clean mason the jar to remove all dirt, fingerprints and oil. Dry with a coffee filter, paper towel, or lint-free cloth.
Mask off a 1″ area around the mason jar with removable painters tape.
Apply a heavy coat of etchall® etching crème to the masked area using the etchall® squeegee. Leave etching crème on for 15 minutes. After etching time has elapsed, use the squeegee to return the crème back into the original container for later re-use.
Rinse etched surface with hot water to remove any remaining crème. Remember to keep crème away from porcelain or ceramic tiles.
Dry mason jar and apply the “relax” peel and stick stencil onto the middle of the first side. Mask the sides of the stencil with removable painter’s tape.
Using a stencil brush and the multi surface paint, fill in the open areas of the stencil.
Carefully remove stencil and clean before stenciling on the other three sides of the jar.
Fill Jar with sand and shells.
Using the plastic sleeve template, trace onto a piece of burlap. Cut the burlap leaving a 1/2″ allowance around traced template. Craft Confession: I tried using a “stick it adhesive sheet” on the burlap first before cutting it out. It didn’t work. (see next step)
Use spray adhesive to coat the back of the burlap. Apply onto the lampshade and trim.
Glue twine around edge of lampshade.

Optional: The top of the shade is removable so I spray painted it black.

The Lighten Up Kit is pretty easy to customize. Lots of possibilities.

It comes with a self-illuminating lampshade with LED lights, template and instructions guide.

It uses 3 AA batteries so it’s portable and can be used almost anywhere.

The DIY Seashell Lamp was created for and sponsored by Etchall®.

*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!

Making a place for Dad’s coffee

April 3, 2016March 5, 202029 Comments

Dad comes over every Monday, Wednesday and Thursday evenings for dinner.

It’s our weekly ritual.

He arrives at 5:30, sits in the leather chair closest to the television, in time for the evening news.

While he watches the news, I make dinner. That’s the routine.

Dad sits in that particular chair so he can read the closed captioning.

Unfortunately, that’s the one chair that doesn’t have an end table.

Occasionally… he’ll give me a hard time telling me I need a table so he can put his coffee

cup down. Problem is there’s no room to put one there.

Problem Solved…

I noticed this old stool down in the basement, paint splattered and water stained. (a little ugly)

A make-over was in order and I knew exactly what I wanted to do.

I wish you could of saw the smile when I told him why I did this. (I had to sneak the first picture)

He thought it was perfect.

Easily put away when not in use.

*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!

Old Stool Make-0ver Products Used: (*affiliate link)

*FTC Disclosure… “This is a sponsored post. I have been provided product in exchange for my creative ideas. The views and opinions are my own.”

Directions:

I gave the top of the table a quick sanding with my palm sander to smooth out the paint splatters. (I could of sanded the legs but I was lazy.)
I used Tattered Angels Decor and DIY, Ebony*, I love that you don’t need to do any sanding or priming. I love the smooth matte finish that it gives. I gave the table 2 coats of paint and some touch ups.
Allow the paint to fully dry and cure before starting the stenciling.
I custom mixed Americana Décor Chalky Finish paint relic and everlasting for a light contrast to the ebony black finish.
Center the stencil onto the middle of the stool and tape down the edges with removable painter’s tape to keep the stencil from moving.
Use stipple brush to apply Chalky Finish paint inside open stencil areas.
Remove Stencil.
For the time being, I’ve decided to leave the stool as is. You may want to apply a finishing wax to help protect the paint.

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Stitched Sampler

March 7, 2016September 16, 2021Leave a comment

I hate throwing anything away that might possibly be used on a project later.

In an effort to make room and not become a hoarder,

I actually threw these little scraps of fabric away. (It was hard, I love these prints.)

But…Only minutes later, while I was making a permanent home for my new sewing machine

that I got for Christmas, (thanks Nick and Bonnie) I got the idea to make a stitched sampler.

What a great use for little pieces of fabric.

Now, bear in mind that this is my first real project on my new machine.

I misted the iron-on embroidered letters from Joy SA and the white decorative trim with

Tattered Angels Ruby Slipper Chalkboard Mist Paint and stitched to my hearts desire.

I cut a large die-cut square out of premium gray felt using my Accu-cut machine.

I’m pretty please with the way it turned out.

This project was created for and sponsored by Joy SA.

When your Spring Mantel needs a pop of Red…

March 3, 2016March 3, 2016Leave a comment

With the beautiful days we had in February…

My Spring Fever has set in big time.

Last week-end, I removed any and all remnants of Winter Decorating and re-did my Mantel for Spring.

Inspired by a picture a friend posted online,

I ran upstairs and grabbed my little red racer from my office.

There’s been a lot of serious jelly bean eating out of this old gumballs machine.

I added a second bag this week. This could be a problem 🙂

Any one who knows me even just a little knows my decorating philosophy…

“Every room needs a pop of red.”

Now, I’m wishing and thinking warm thoughts.

Graphic 45… A Time to Celebrate Frame

March 1, 2016Leave a comment

I have a hard time resisting the beautiful patterns of Graphic 45 paper and love using

it in my creations whenever possible. The other day, while I was shopping at my local

Scrapbook Store I picked up a few sheets of the “Time to Celebrate Collection”.

I thought it would be perfect for a Spring Frame I wanted to make. I couldn’t decide on

which way I wanted to go with the frame so I created two looks for the same frame.

For a slightly more contemporary look….

I used a older black and white picture of my daughter. (I love the contract.)

There’s a bit of fussy cutting involved with this frame.

I used the border on the Time to Celebrate paper to create a border around my green frame.

Then, I started cutting out the butterflies and flowers, giving them slight bends with my fingers

before layering them onto the frame with foam mounting squares.

The finished frame is 6″ x 8″ and is made to hold a 4″ x 6″ picture.

Here’s what I used:

Deflecto Craft Frame, Green Border, 4x 6 Inches (69574CR)

I used two sheets of paper from Graphic 45’s “Time to Celebrate” collection.

Graphic 45 Time To Celebrate Paper Pad, 12 by 12-Inch(available on Amazon*)

“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.”

*This post uses Amazon Affiliate links. I am an Amazon Affiliate

How to Make a Mini Rose Topiary

February 24, 2016September 12, 2017Leave a comment

Maybe it has something to do with my short stature, but, I have always had a thing for

miniatures. My momma always told me “Good things come in small packages”.

(which I whole-heartily believed)

The Mini Rose Topiary is a project that can be easily adapted to make larger topiaries.

I just happen to like mine mini.

How to make a Mini Rose Topiary

Here’s what I used: (*affiliate link)

2″ White Smoothfoam Balls*
Mini Paper Roses (I used approx. 60 mini roses)
Glimmer Mist Chalkboard-Ruby Slipper*
4″ wooden dowel (approx. the width of a Tinker Toy stick)
green acrylic paint
paintbrush
fast drying craft glue
small wood spool
red and cream ticking material
crinkle ribbon
small wood heart

Directions:

Spray Roses and small wood heart with the Mistable Paint. Allow plenty of time to dry.
Paint the 2″ Smoothfoam Ball and the wood dowel with the green acrylic paint.
Poke hole into the end of the 2″ ball. Squirt a little glue in the hole and insert the painted dowel.
Starting at the top of the ball. Glue roses, one by one, onto the ball with a fast drying glue until covered. After the rose ball is formed, you may want to go back and re-mist the flowers for additional coverage.
Cover the wood spool with the ticking material and glue the end in place. Tie a small piece of crinkle ribbon around the ticking and glue the wood heart on top.
Insert rose topiary into the small wood spool.

TIP: Try making a topiary using larger Smoothfoam balls and silk flowers inserted into a pail, vase or containers.

The Mini Rose Topiary was created for and sponsored by Smoothfoam™ The Crafter’s Foam.

How to Create a Wedding Memories Card Box

February 18, 2016February 9, 2023Leave a comment

I am honored to have had my Wedding Memories Card Box featured as a special project in

DIY Wedding Magazine’s Holiday Issue.

The Wedding Memories Cards Box is a dual-purpose box to hold cards at the Reception

and then to be used later to store the Wedding Memories to be cherished for years to come.

I started with a plain wood box from Walnut Hollow and Chalky Finish Paint from Deco Art to create a soft timeless finish.

Supplies Used: (*amazon affiliate links)

Walnut Hollow Unfinished Wood Box, Cornice*
DecoArt Americana Decor® Chalky Finish Paint: Vintage, Timeless and Whisper
Deco Art Americana Decor Clear Crème Wax*
DecoArt Americana Decor Stencil 12 x 12 in. Mod Quatrefoil*
Americana Stencil 6″”X18″”-Simple Script Alphabet 3“*
Graphic 45 Deluxe Collector’s Edition Pack, 12 by 12-Inch, Baby 2 Bride*
Offray Ribbon: 7/8” Antique White Double-face Satin Ribbon
Canvas Corp Mini Clothespin 25-Pack: White*
Cream Cardstock
Paintbrush
Sanding Block*
Stipple Brush or Stencil Brush*
Removable Blue Painters Tape*
Soft Clean Rag
Paper Cutter
Scissors
3M Advanced Tape Glider*

Finished Size: 9” x 12” x 3 1/2”

Directions:

Paint the top portion of the cornice box with “Vintage” Chalky Finish paint and the bottom portion of the box with “Timeless” Chalky Finish paint. (Inside and out)
Lightly sand the box to smooth out the finish.
Position “Mod Quatrefoil” stencil over the top of the box. Secure the stencil in place with the painter’s tape to prevent slipping. Use stipple brush to apply “Whisper” Chalky Finish paint inside open stencil areas.
Remove stencil.
Position and stencil “Mod Quatrefoil” pattern onto the sides of box.
Allow paint to dry for a few hours and lightly sand over the stenciled area to give a slightly worn look.
Apply clear crème wax onto the inside and outside of the box.
Wait one hour and buff box using a soft, clean rag.
Measure and apply decorative paper onto the inside of the box.
Tie a long length of Antique White Satin ribbon around the top of the box, tying a bow on the top.
Cut cream cardstock into five 2 1/4” x 3 1/2” pieces.
Stencil the letters to spell “CARDS” onto cream cardstock using the 3” Simple Script Alphabet.
On the inside of the box: Clip the letters onto the ribbon using the mini clothespins.

This project was sponsored by Deco Arts and Walnut Hollow.

Shop Handmade – The Wedding Store

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!

add a little LOVE in the bathroom

February 12, 2016February 10, 2016Leave a comment

When I was little, my Grandma B loved to sing the song “Let me Call You Sweetheart” to us kids.

It’s a sweet song endeared to my heart.

So… while decorating the house for Valentine’s Day, I thought I’d show my family a little love

by adding a cute embellished hand towel in the powder room.

A perfect way to let them how much they’re loved.

It’s easy! Use mini Joy embroidered letters to iron-on your message and then sew on a simple lace trim.

This project was created for and Sponsored by Joy S.A. Inc.

DIY Etching on a Mirror

February 10, 2016June 7, 20181 Comment

It all started with an inexpensive gold mirror that my daughter didn’t want anymore.

I had spray painted it red and left it like that for a couple of years. (it was o.k.)

I took it off the shelf, while cleaning the other day, and decided it needed an immediate update.

Of course, I had to stop cleaning. (when inspiration strikes)

This is how I etched my mirror… (*affiliate links)

I removed the mirror from the frame. I gave the red frame a light sanding and then painted it with Tattered Angels Decor and DIY Paint, Ebony*.
I cut an oval mask using etchall etchmask* vinyl and centered it on the mirror. Make sure to burnish the vinyl to get out air bubbles and to make sure the all edges all down.
Apply a thick coat of etchall Etching Crème* over the sides of the mirror using the squeegee. It’s important to get an even coat of etching crème to achieve a consistent even etch. (remember more is better)
Wait 15 minutes. Scrape excess etching crème from the mirror and return the extra etching crème back into the bottle. (it’s reusable)
Rinse mirror with warm water to clean.
Remove mask and dry.
Return the mirror back into the frame. Apply the gold “love” rub-on onto the mirror.