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.

New to Etching? You might want to check out the video on the Etchall getting started page.

The Etched Mirror project 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!

Love You?

February 3, 2016February 9, 202310 Comments

True story…

I occasionally submit cards and projects to various magazines for publication.

In return I sometimes get a small check.

Usually, the check comes several months later after I’ve completely forgotten all about it.

So…when I opened this check and saw the handwritten note on the stub,

I thought (gee) that’s kind of a personal message.

It had me scratching my head…

That was until I remembered the name of the card. (silly me)

My “Love Ya” Card was featured in Crafts Ideas Winter Edition.

“Love Ya” Card…

A sweet card for Valentine’s Day or any day you want to spread a little love.

Materials List:

Waterbrush
AdornIt Art Play Paintables: 22646 Love You Paintable
AdornIt Blender Basics: 22480 Blue Chevron 12 x 12
AdornIt Blender Basics: 22504 Red Chevron 12 x 12
Denim Fabric (Canvas Corp Brands)
Red and White Gingham Ribbon
Tim Holtz Distress Inks: Fired Brick, Victorian Velvet, Stormy Sky
Tombow Markers: #969 Chocolate, #553 Mist Purple, #850 Flesh, #800 Baby Pink
1/8” Score Tape
Mini Glue Dots
Piece of Acetate

On the card, I used a simple watercolor technique that uses ink from markers and inkpads and uses a small piece of acetate as the palette. By scribbling directly onto the piece of acetate with the marker or by applying the ink directly from the pad, I have a variety of rich color to watercolor with. I simply color in the image using the water-brush.

Directions:

Cut “love you” image from the Art Play Paintable Sheet leaving a thin white border. (approx. 2 3/4” x 3 3/4”)
Give the background of the image a light watercolor wash using ink from the Stonewashed Adirondack inkpad and the #553 Mist Purple marker.
Watercolor the girl’s hair using the #969 Chocolate marker. Color in the face with #850 Flesh marker. Highlight the cheeks with #800 Baby Pink marker. Watercolor the leaves with Peeled Paint ink and color the center of the flower with #993 Chrome Orange.
Watercolor the skirt with Victorian Velvet inkpad and the top and hearts with Fired Brick ink.
Adhere image onto a 3 1/4” x 4 1/4” piece of the Red Chevron plain side.
Adhere those layers onto a 3 1/2” x 4 1/2” Blue Chevron layer.
Cut a piece of denim fabric 4” x 5 1/4”, adhere onto a 4 1/2” x 5 3/4” card using scoretape. Adhere layers onto denim using score-tape.
Add four heart buttons to each side of the layers using mini glue dots.
Tie a red gingham bow around the front of the card.

You & Me Valentine’s Frame

January 28, 2016February 18, 2017Leave a comment

With Valentine’s Day right around the corner…

I wanted to share a simple little project that’s really quick and easy to put together.

A Valentine’s Frame using the You & Me Collection from Simple Stories.

This cute little frame, from Canvas Corp Brands, is only 6″ x 6″ and I love how versatile

it is to decorate. The larger section is perfect for a 4″ x 6″ picture and if white’s not your

style it’s available in wood stained. I added dimension to the frame by adding

cubes made from cardstock behind the “love you lots” and “pail of flowers”.

I dressed it up by gluing on metal corners from Tim Holtz.

Click on the pictures below for ordering information. (affiliate links)

Disclaimer: This post uses affiliate links. If you choose to place an order using one of the links, I will get a small commission that helps maintain the cost of running this blog. Thanks!

Snowball Fight

January 25, 2016January 1, 2023Leave a comment

Ready for some good old fashioned fun?

How about a snowball fight?

If you’re not loving the cold…

Here’s a snowball fight you can have while snuggling up inside.

Here’s what’s you’ll need: (*amazon affiliate link)

Smoothfoam Snowman Body
6″ x 1″ Smoothfoam Disc
1″ Smoothfoam Balls (I used 12)
2″ Smoothfoam Ball
DecoArt DAS9-22 Snow-Tex*
DecoArt Craft Twinkles Paint, Crystal*
Tonic Studios Tim Holtz 372 Retractable Craft Pick*
Ranger Tim Holtz Distress Ink Pad, Vintage Photo*
Stipple Brush*
Paintbrush
Palette Knife and Craft Knife
Craft Glue
Beacon Fabri-Tac Permanent Adhesive*
Toothpicks, Bamboo Skewer and Sticks
Fabric Scraps, Micro Brads, Paint Markers
Scissors

Directions:

Cut the 2″ Smoothfoam ball in half. Cut the top off the rounded side of one of the balls.
Poke two holes into the bottom of the Snowman body using the craft pick. Break a toothpick in half, dip ends into craft glue and insert in holes. Attach the sliced ball onto the Snowman body.
Apply Snow-tex with palette knife over the newly formed Snowman and the 6″ disc. Allow both to dry fully.
To Create a Snowball Wall… Poke holes into the 1″ balls with the craft pick. Insert toothpick halves with craft glue on the ends into balls. Build wall by sticking the balls together.
Apply Snow-tex onto wall using the palette knife. (Allow to dry.)
Create scene by attaching snowman and wall onto the disc. Reinforce the pieces with toothpicks and craft glue.
For a shimmery snowy glow…paint all the pieces with Crystal Craft Twinkles paint. (Allow to fully dry.)
Add shadows to the snowman and snowballs by gently applying vintage photo ink using a stipple brush.
To Create the Snowman Hat… Measure and cut fabric to fit around snowman head. Fold over and glue one of the long edges of the fabric to create a brim. Glue fabric ends together to create a tube. Tie top of the tube with a piece of string, cut excess fabric off top of the tube and fray the ends by making small cuts with the scissors. Glue to the top of the Snowman head.
Add arms to the Snowman using small twigs. Warm him up with a fabric scarf and mittens cut from the fabric scraps.
For the Snowman’s Face… Use two small black micro brads inserted into the snowman face for the eyes. Paint the tip of a bamboo skewer with orange paint, cut and insert into the face for the nose. Add a smile to the snowman’s face using a extra fine black paint marker.
Make a small snowball using a small pieced of paper wadded up and covered with Snow-tex. Glue finished and dried snowball onto mitten.

This project was created for and sponsored by Smoothfoam the crafter’s foam.

Shop Amazon Scrapbooking Supplies*

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!

My 2016 Personalized Planner

January 6, 2016January 6, 20162 Comments

Have you noticed how popular Specialized Planners have become?

You can find them all over in stores and online in almost any color or size…

with places to doodle, write scriptures, stay organized, you name it.

I am a planner, a list maker and a person who likes to stay organized.

I’ve used planners for years and I’m picky. I know exactly what I want.

I’m also simple and don’t want or need a big fancy planner.

I need a month at a glance, thin, big enough space for writing, with lines planner.

The last couple of years, I have found this super cheap planner for $1.00 at Walmart.

The color selection was bright, but, I knew that didn’t matter.

It was perfect for decorating.

And… better yet, it came with a clear protective cover.

So armed with my inexpensive planner and a few sheets of scrapbook paper and stickers.

I personalized my planner, just how I want it. I now have the perfect planner.

From Drab to Fab, Cheap to Designer. I love it and I couldn’t be happier!

Plenty of space for notes.

(FYI: I save my planners each year, it’s a handy reference to vacations and special occasions you might want to document in your scrapbooks)

Simple Stories Simple Set Collection Kit 12″X12″-You & Me

Homespun Rag Ball Ornaments

December 20, 2015March 25, 2018Leave a comment

This year, I wanted to do a small little tree for the dining room.

A simple homespun tree with strung cranberries and hand-made ornaments.

I had grand ideas and a galvanized pail.

But reality hit, a long with the cold and flu, which knocked me out for a week.

It took my creativity level down to a one.

And sad to say… My small little tree didn’t get done.

I did string the cranberries… (a first for me)

They were so bright and colorful. I loved the look and took lots of pictures.

After a week or so, the cranberries started getting a mushy.

So… I put them out on the tree in the front yard for the birds to eat.

It looks pretty out there too.

Next time, I’ll make them last minute.

For the Rag Ball Ornaments…

Instead of just wrapping the strips of fabric until it formed a ball,

I made the rag ball using a Smoothfoam 2-Inch ball*.

Supplies used: (*affiliate link)

- Smoothfoam 12-Pack Balls Crafts Foam for Modeling, 2-Inch, White*
- Fabric Scraps
- Mod Podge Waterbase Sealer, Glue*
- Paintbrush
- Twine
- Ribbon
- Sanding Block*
- Craft Glue*

Directions:

Lightly sand the ridge around the ball.
Cut the fabric into 3/4″ strips.
Apply Mod Podge onto the back of the fabric and adhere to the ball.
Continue until the ball is fully covered.
Add an additional coat of Mod Podge over the ball to finish and seal.
Poke a hole on the top of the ball and add a dab or glue into the hole.
Insert twine into the hole to use as the ornament hanger.
Embellish ornament by gluing a bow on top.

Wouldn’t a whole bowl of rag balls would be cute? (maybe next year)

Shop Amazon Scrapbooking Supplies*

*Disclosure: This post is sponsored by Smoothfoam and 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!

Merry Christmas Gift Bag

December 18, 2015December 17, 20151 Comment

Make your Christmas Gift Bags a little more special with iron-on letters from Joy.

Start with a plain drawstring bag. (Mine was from Canvas Corp.)

Replace the drawstring cording on the bag with red and white gingham ribbon and add iron-on

letters in red and neon yellow. (in person the neon yellow looked lime to me)

Glue white lace, rick rack, buttons and a small wreath to the front of the bag.

For a truly personalized gift add a name instead of Merry Christmas.

This project was created for and sponsored by Joy SA.

Simple Felt Christmas Tree Ornament

December 17, 2015December 17, 20151 Comment

Every year I make a new Christmas Ornament or two.

As I was putting up the Christmas Decorations, I ran across this one.

The simple little felt Christmas Tree was one I made several years ago.

Still one of my favorites.

Put together using fabric glue. (with a little stuffing inside)

Simple, Simple, Simple…

Quick and Easy Stenciled Holiday Pillows

December 14, 2015January 11, 20163 Comments

Stenciled Holiday Pillows 2422

Add a little warmth and coziness to your home with Quick and Easy DIY Holiday pillows.

Today’s pillow projects have a couple of unique twists to make these projects super easy.

For the “Believe” pillow I started with a .79 dish towel that I picked up at IKEA.

To give my towel a creamy vintage color… I soaked my towel in a tub of hot tea.

I wanted my towel to stay light so I only left it in a minute or two.

Leave towel in longer for a darker brown color.

Rinse the towel in hot water and then throw in the dryer to set.

Iron the towel to make crisp and stencil the towel using the 12″ Word Xmas Tree stencil from Clear Scraps and dark red acrylic paint.
Fold the towel in half, stenciled side in, stitched the towel together and fill with a soft stuffing.

The Snowflake pillow is a No Sew Pillow. (I really cheated with this pillow.)

I used a plain 14″ x 20″ canvas placemat from Canvas Corp Brands which I stenciled with the Snowflake stencil from Stencil 1 using Tattered Angels Chalkboard Mists. Make sure to cover and mask any areas that you wouldn’t want sprayed.
Glue the ribbon, lace and buttons onto the placemat using Beacon Fabri-Tac Permanent Adhesive, 4-Ounce, tucking ends to backside of the placemat.
Glue place mat together and fill with a soft stuffing.
No Sewing Required. (for decorative use only)