Grateful for Fall Frame

September 1, 2017August 6, 20214 Comments

Grateful for Fall Frame.

When the days and nights start to get a little cooler… I start looking for simple ways to bring

Fall into my home. One simple way is by adding beautiful graphics found on scrapbook paper

and adding it into a frame.

I made my “Grateful for Fall” frame using the Deflecto 5″ x 7″ Beveled Edge Acrylic Frame*

and beautiful fall paper from Authentique Bountiful Collection*. (*affiliate link)

After cutting and matting the fall graphics from the Authentique Bountiful Collection*,

I added resin acorns to the metal knobs with Zots Adhesive Dots*.

Simple Fall Decorating. (and a simple reminder to be grateful)

“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.”

*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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Sea Glass Milk Bottle Vase

August 28, 2017March 6, 201816 Comments

How to create a Sea Glass Vase…

I love the light and airy look of sea glass.

Inspired by a recent trip to the ocean… I decided to try my hand at making a Sea Glass Vase.

I used these cute Milk Bottles* from LeisureArts* and Krylon Sea Glass Spray Paint, Aqua*.

The Sea Glass Paint is available in several colors like Sea Glass Ruby*. (I’m thinking Christmas!)

I contemplated the best way to paint my bottle. Because I wanted to also paint the bottom of

the Milk Bottle*, I came up with the idea of inserting a paint roller handle into the bottle.

While the idea was good in theory, it was hard to rotate the jar evenly when spraying.

(see first at tempt picture below↓)

After the first attempt… I got a little smarter and wrapped the handle in paper, making a

snugger fit. (that worked great) I was able to rotate the bottle using the handle as I sprayed

the bottle with short thin coats of paint to avoid drips.

The more coats applied the less translucent the finish will be.

Once painted, I was able to use the handle to aid in drying.

To go with the Beachy Sea Glass look, I wrapped twine around the neck of the Milk Bottle*

and added a small seashell I picked up on the beach. (FYI…vase should be hand washed only)

A perfect addition to the dinner table.

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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Saturday Morning Memo Board

August 26, 2017August 6, 2021Leave a comment

Making Saturdays Special..

Make family time more special with this cute memo board.

Now that the kids are starting to head back to school, weekends are more important than ever.

It’s nice just being together.

Whether I post a reminder about a fun event or a special note to say “I love you,”

this memo board helps me remember that Saturdays should be a little more laid back –

just the way I like it.

To make the Memo board I used… (*amazon affiliate link)

12″ x 14″ Frame (I got mine secondhand at the Habitat for Humanity Store)
Joy Iron-on Embroidered Letters
13″ x 15″ Fabric Remnant
Mono Multi Liquid Glue*
Spray Adhesive*
Foam Board*
Tack Nails
X-ACTO Knife* and Cutting Mat*

Directions:

Measure and cut the cork tiles to fit inside the frame.
Because my frame was deep, I cut a piece of foam board the same size. I glued the cork tiles to the foam board using liquid glue.

3. Lay fabric over cork to determine letter placement. Gently slide cork from underneath fabric and iron letters.

4. Spray the cork with adhesive and smooth the fabric over it.

5. Tap in a few tack nails inside the back of the frame to hold everything in place.

This project was created for and sponsored by Joy, SA.

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How to Create Quick and Easy Bows

August 24, 2017August 24, 20175 Comments

This one’s for my “Bow Challenged” friends… (you know who you are)

Learn How to Create Quick and Easy Bows using the DecoFun Bowmaker.

Tying beautiful bows doesn’t have to be a challenge anymore…

Thanks to the DecoFun Bowmaker I received to participate in this month’s

Designer Crafts Connection Blog Hop I can now make big beautiful bows

For my project…I decided to give my plain wreath a seasonal update with a new bow.

Step#1 Place Ribbon in Hoops

Step #2 Bring Ribbon Around Rods

I used approx. 3 yards of ribbon, so keep on wrapping.

Step #3 Pinch Ribbon Center & Tie with Wire

For Seasonal Fun…add berries under wire

Glue a Big Wood Button to the center of the bow with Fabri-Tac Permanent Adhesive*.

A Quick and Easy way to add a Big Beautiful Bow to a simple wreath.

The Bowmaker is adjustable and great for weddings, parties, birthdays, holidays and more.

For more DecoFun Bowmaker projects click here.

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Vintage School Desk Make-Over

August 14, 2017October 8, 202022 Comments

I was looking for a project when I went into the Goodwill that day.

I saw the old desk sitting there in back. I looked it over and left.

It wasn’t until later that night when I envisioned the completed project in my head.

I ran back over the next morning.

The desk was in pretty rough shape from years of use and abuse.

The three holes in the front of the desk intrigued me…

Was it a combination of several kids over the years or one very bored individual.

How long did it take?

The top was screwed onto the base with 4 screws. I contemplated how I was

going to fit my hand in the opening to unscrew it. (I’m including this picture

just in case I’m not the only one. ) Under the desk, were four holes for inserting

an extra long screwdriver into the hole to unscrew the top. Duh!

I picked up some additional supplies at my local home store. (*affiliate link)

Rust-Oleum Premium Fast Dry Wood Stain, Carbon Gray*
Rust-Oleum 271481 Universal All Surface Spray Paint, Forged Hammered Antique Pewter*
Rust-Oleum Varathane Soft Touch Polyurethane

I sanded off the majority of the rust with a Palm Sander*. (hand sanding would work as well)

Spray the base of the metal desk with Forged Hammered Antique Pewter Spray Paint*.

This was the first time I’d used a textured spray paint. I really like the finish.

To keep the project simple, instead of cutting and gluing boards together…

I picked up a large piece of Solid Aspen that was ready to go and just the right length.

I enlisted the help of my brother to help me cut the board.

For those of you that don’t have a circular saw, a regular hand saw could be used instead.

We cut the top 18″ x 24″ and the bottom shelf 15″ x 24″.

If you don’t have any of those fancy corner templates, use the edge of the spray paint can

as a template to mark the rounded corners.

A power sander was used to round the edges of the board.

You could also use a coping saw to cut off the corner and sand smooth with a sanding block.

For a smooth finished edge… I used a router.

Prepare the wood for staining by lightly sanding the surface. Sand in the direction of the grain.

Remove all the sanding dust with a clean damp rag. (read all the directions on the can)

Apply stain on the wood with brush or clean lint free rag. Allow the stain to penetrate

the wood for 3-5 minutes before wiping excess stain off. Allow time for the wood to dry.

Apply a coat of polyurethane over the surface of the wood.

After the polyurethane dries, smooth the surface with a fine steel wool.

Wipe surface and apply a second coat of polyurethane.

After all the pieces were dry…

I screwed the top back onto the base and added the shelf to the bottom bar.

I added a couple of flat rectangle baskets in the desk opening for storage.

I love the vintage industrial feel of this piece.

No longer a desk. It makes a great side piece.

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Sue and Nick’s Deflecto Craft Caddy Challenge

July 30, 2017August 11, 2017Leave a comment

Deflecto Craft Caddy Challenge…

When I worked in the Deflecto Booth last January at the Creativation Show,

each day of the show Deflecto held a Craft Caddy Challenge.

The challenge was to see who could fill their craft caddy the fastest.

It quickly became extremely competitive. (but fun!)

The challenge looked like so much fun, I decided to create one of my own.

Of course, I wanted to race someone closer to my own speed.

Nick enjoyed the caddy challenge so much that when my nieces came over to swim later,

he challenged them. He was a lot faster by then.

Here’s a quick video I made last year showing all the features of the caddy.

The Deflecto Caddy Organizer* is made by Deflecto Craft Solutions are available at Amazon

and now in Target Stores.

“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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Sharing the Adornit Love…

July 22, 2017February 9, 2023Leave a comment

As my time as an Adornit Ambassador comes to a close at the end of this month…

I wanted to make them a card to let them know how I feel.

Working with them the last few months has been a fun and positive experience.

Thanks, Adornit for the opportunity to work with your wonderful products.

FYI…the card was made with Adornit’s Flamingo Fever Collection.)

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Little League Champs

July 21, 2017August 11, 2017Leave a comment

Watching Little League Baseball games are fun…

When they move up from tee ball to coach pitch, it’s a really big jump.

They go from playing in the dirt to actually making some good plays.

Watching the growth from the first games to the last is amazing.

This adorable group of 6 year olds made it all the way to the final championship.

And won 1st place. I couldn’t be prouder.

(FYI…My layout was made using paper and stickers from Paper House Productions.)

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For summer fun…click on Slimer ad below

How to Create an Easy Pickled Finish with Vintage Effect Wash

July 13, 2017July 17, 20175 Comments

How to create an Easy Pickled Finish with Vintage Effect Wash from Deco Arts.

I had this unfinished wood tote that I wanted to use the new Vintage Effect Wash on.

My first thought was to just give the tote a cool white wash using the paint.

But after further thought and a little experimentation, I decided to warm up the look by

staining it with a Walnut Gel Stain first. I love the way it turned out.

This would make a great garden tool holder, picnic caddy, or my favorite…a Craft Tote.

DIY Pickled Crate

Supplies Used: (*affiliate link)

Unfinished Wood Crate
DecoArt Americana Gel Stains Paint, Walnut*
Decoart Vintage Effect Wash Grey*
Decoart Americana Decor Stencil, Live*
DecoArt Americana Multi-Surface Satin Acrylic Paint, White Birch*
Paintbrush, Stencil Brush*
Removable Painter’s Tape
Clean Soft Rag

Directions:

Lightly sand the wood crate if necessary.
Paint or brush crate with DecoArt Americana Walnut Gel Stains Paint*.
Rub off excess stain with soft clean rag. Allow stain to dry.
Apply Decoart Vintage Effect Wash Grey* onto crate with brush allowing the stain to show through. Wipe with clean soft rag if necessary. (It’s that easy!)
If desired, add stenciling onto the crate.
Apply a sealer to protect the finish.

The Love Beyond Words Pickled Crate was sponsored by DecoArts.

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Architextures Vintage Market Collage

July 7, 2017March 6, 2018Leave a comment

Vintage Market Collage

I had so much fun playing around with the 7 Gypsies Architext Paper Pad*

It’s my new favorite. It reminds me of going to the Flea Market with my daughter.

So much Vintage Goodness.

The project was basically put together with paper, glue and chipboard.

To begin…I glued the background paper to a thick piece of chipboard for stability.

I can easily add it to an 8″ x 8″ frame later if I want too.

I added several layers of chipboard on the back of each of the images to give dimension.

I also aged each piece by rubbing Vintage Photo Distress Ink* to the edges using a

Ink Blending Tool*. (*amazon affiliate link)

My favorite piece is the vintage crate. I added the second layer of chipboard with three small

strips, so that I could leave an opening on the top to add dried flowers from last years garden.

So realistic, it looks like a teeny tiny crate. I just love it.

7 Gypsies Architextures Paper Pad

The Architextures™ Paper Collection was inspired by the all the wonder of found objects, displays, signs, sayings, artwork, creative bliss and sheer beauty found at vintage fairs, flea markets, salvage yards, barn sales, antique shops, old book stores, garage sales, market days and more.