Old Frame Make-Over from last Friday’s treasure hunt.

September 9, 2016September 9, 20162 Comments

When I asked what the price was for the old terra pot, she paused and said “a quarter”.

When I asked her how much for the next item, she said “a quarter”.

It didn’t take long for me to realize that this was going to be fun.

By the time I put my pile on the table she said “a dollar……..ummm fifty?”

I love a good treasure hunt.

Especially when it’s ran by an old lady who just wants to get rid of everything.

Honestly, I wasn’t completely sure about these heavy metal frames when I first picked them up.

But…at a quarter how could I go wrong?

Armed with a can of off-white spray paint…

I deconstructed the frames and gave everything a couple coats of paint.

I sprayed the black velvet matting with spray adhesive and applied a piece of a woven tan fabric.

I marked the two holes in the matting where the metal flowers had been previously.

I was able to use the prongs on the back of the metal flowers to line them up exactly where they

had been before. (so easy)

I trimmed the excess fabric from around the matting and re-inserted everything back into the frame.

A super simple project with a modern up-dated look.

How to make a Halloween Hauntings Treat Bag

September 7, 2016September 2, 2016Leave a comment

You can make a Spooky Halloween Treat bag using only one piece of 12″ x 12″ paper.

That is as long as you’re not afraid of a few measurements… it really is pretty easy.

Here’s what you’ll need:

Directions:

Cut All Hallows Moon double sided Halloween paper to 8 1/4″ x 11 3/4″.
Score the long width of the paper at 3/4″, 4 3/4″, 5 1/2″, 6 1/4″, 10 1/4″ and 11″.
Score the top of the paper at 3/4″.
Score the bottom 1 1/2″.
Fold along score lines
Cut away the first 3/4″ corner piece.
Fold over the top 3/4″ and adhere in place. (top diagram)
Fold along lines to create a 4″ x 6″ box.
Tape Side and bottom of the box.
Cut “toad saliva” bottle section from the Apothecary scrapbook paper and adhere to the front of the bag.
Add 3D foam mounting squares to the back of the “raven” and “bottles” stickers and use to embellish the bag.
Punch two holes on the top of the bag.
Fill with goodies (or NOT) and tie with a black cord.

The Halloween Treat Bag was created for and sponsored by Paper House Productions.

How to Create a Birthday Card for the Football Fanatic in your Life…

September 2, 2016October 30, 2020Leave a comment

Everyone has that one family member that really LOVES football. (maybe it’s you?)

Here’s a card I created for Craft Ideas magazine’s Fall Issue. (page 69)

A fun football themed birthday card for young and old.

How to make a Football Birthday Card…

Made with papers and stickers from Paper House Productions sports collections.

Supplies Used:

P-2058 MVP Tags 12” Double Sided Scrapbook Paper (Paper House Productions)
P-2060 All Star 12” Double Sided Scrapbook Paper (Paper House Productions)
P-2056 Footballs 12” Double Sided Scrapbook Paper (Paper House Productions)
STCX-1010 Football 12” Cardstock Stickers
Brown Cardstock
Black Cardstock
3D Foam Mounting Squares
Double Sided Tape Runner

Paper Cutter
Scissors

Directions:

Make a 4 1/4″ x 5 1/2″ top-fold card from brown cardstock.
Cut a 4” strip of the green football sidelines border sticker and adhere to the bottom of the MVP tag. Cut 3 ¾” x 5” panel from “All Star” scrapbook paper and adhere MVP tag off-centered as shown. Adhere All Star panel onto 4″ x 5 1/4″ black cardstock panel. Adhere all layers onto card front.
Embellish card with letters and football stickers as shown. For added dimension, adhere “Go Team Go” sticker with 3D foam mounting squares.

On the inside of the card:

Cut a 3 ¾” x 5” piece of “Footballs” scrapbook paper. Layer it onto a 4” x 5 ¼” piece of black cardstock and adhere it in the inside of the card. Embellish with stickers.

Make sure to check out Craft Ideas Magazine for Craft Ideas for Every Occasion, Every Skill Level.

How to create a cute little Party Ant for your BBQ

August 23, 2016May 23, 20182 Comments

Sometimes in the midst of all my creative endeavors and the business of everyday life,

when I need a break from all the seriousness.

I like to stop and make something fun and a little bit silly.

It’s one of my ways of procrastinating.

Honestly, I would never invite real ants to a BBQ, but, this one is dressed up, too cute and

ready for a party. (a great little conversation starter)

To make a Party Ant you’ll need a few supplies… (*Amazon Affiliate Links)

Three 1″ Smoothfoam Balls*
DecoArt Americana Multi-Surface Satin Acrylics Paint, Black Tie* and Paintbrush
Tacky Glue*
Bamboo Skewers* (or small dowel rods)
Wire and Wire Tools
Self Adh, Pearl Strips Stick on Gems*Adhesive Pearls (and or googly eyes)
Uchida DecoColor Fine Point Black Marker*
1″ Round Piece of Scrapbook Paper
Tiny Black Pom Pom

*Disclosure: 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!

Dip the end of the bamboo skewers into craft glue and insert into the balls.
Paint balls with black acrylic paint.
After the paint has dried, cut the ends of the skewers approx. 3/4″, dip into glue and attach body and head of the ant together.

Cut six 1″ pieces of wire, bend the ends as show, dip in craft glue and insert into body of the ant.
Cut two more 1″ pieces of wire and curl the top of the wire with wire tools before inserting them into the head of the ant for the antennas.

Add two black dots to the center of the adhesive pearls to use as the eyes.
Punch a 1″ circle from decorative scrapbook paper, cut a notch from the circle and glue together to form a party hat. Glue onto the top of the ant. Top off the hat with a teeny tiny pom pom.
Cut a strip of adhesive pearls to use as a necklace.

Mine is fairly small, but, wouldn’t a giant one make a cute centerpiece? (think real big!)

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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!

“I’d rather be thrifting” bag

June 1, 2016May 28, 20163 Comments

My daughter is an expert at shopping the thrift stores

and finding a great deal…

When she asked me to make her a tote bag similar to the ones she’d seen online.

I knew exactly where to start. I used a large canvas bag from Canvas Corp Brands

and ironed on a fun saying using Joy® embroidered letters.

It’s quick and easy – just preheat your iron to the cotton setting, then remove the paper liner

on back of each letter (exposing the temporary adhesive) and press into place on your tote bag

to spell out your quote. 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.

Fast, Quick, Personalized and Ready to Go!

We’re thinking of adding “take me to a flea market” on the other side.

This project was created and sponsored by Joy SA.

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!

Pretty Pink Rose Card

May 27, 2016May 24, 2016Leave a comment

The challenge, this week, for the Paper House Production Design Team

was to create something using their 3D stickers. They have so many beautiful dimensional stickers

it was hard to choose.

The inspiration for this card came from a small picture frame picked up at Michael’s one spot.

The frame spoke to my soft feminine “girly” side.

The pretty pink rose used on my card comes from the Sisters 3D sticker sheet.

Finished Card Size: 4 1/2″ x 4 1/2″

Paper House Productions Products Used on the Card:

Additional Product Used:

Spellbinders S4-414 Nestabilities Captivating Squares Die Templates
White Sheer Ribbon
3 Small Adhesive Pearls
Foam Mounting Squares

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

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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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!

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.