Tag: DIY

Creating a Garden Stepping Stone

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Creating a Garden Stepping Stone 08274

Every one in my family thinks of me when they see Red Toile dishes.

It’s my thing.  (one can never have too many right?)

So… when my daughter saw a set of Red Toile dishes on clearance for $25 at her local thrift store

she immediately called me to see if I wanted them.   (um, yes!)

While packing the car for their visit home, my son in law picked up the box to rearrange the car

and the bottom fell out.  Most of the dishes survived.  Five of the large plates did not.

Broken China 08190

Deciding to turn lemons into Lemonade…

I kept the broken plates to make a few garden stones.

Nick and I making Garden Stones 2

I enlisted the help of my little buddy.  He was eager to lend a hand.  (with gloves of course)

Laying out the pieces in the pan 8187

Creating a Garden Stepping Stone:

  • Cover the sides and bottom of an old cake pan with Petroleum Jelly for easy removal.
  • Arrange the pieces of the broke china pattern side down in the bottom of the pan.  Make sure to use the flattest pieces.
  • Add glass stones in between the pieces for added color and interest.

Smoothing out the cement 8199

  • Mix a quick setting cement according to the directions on the package.
  • Fill pan with cement approx. an 1″ thick.
  • Shake pan a little to fill in the gaps and smooth.
  • Allow a couple hours for the stones to set.
  • Remove stepping stones from the pans and clean excess cement from the top of the stones with a stiff wire brush and water.
  • Allow a few days for the cement to cure before sitting outside in your garden.

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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.

my flowers 8329

Any content on this website is created for inspiration purposed only.  Creating with my suggested methods, products used, and tools is under your own risk.

 

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Shoot for your Goals

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Shoot for your Goals 9260

This is one of my favorite Soccer pictures of Nicholas taken by his daddy last Spring.

Today was a big day for Nicholas…

First Day of Pre-School

First Day in a new Dance Class and…

First Soccer Game of the Fall Season.

He’s one pretty busy boy.

 

I made my Soccer Frame for my Deflecto Design Team Project using:


Deflecto Beveled Frame, Metal Knobs, 5 x 7 Inches (799593CR)*

game on

Kaisercraft’s Game On Collection P1496 First Place

*Disclosure:  I am a Amazon Affiliate.

 

“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.”

The Very Hungry Caterpillar

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The Very Hungry Caterpillar 8205

Have you read the story of the little caterpillar that ate and ate and ate?

And then turned into a beautiful butterfly?  (spoiler alert)

the hungry caterpillar

My project was based off the book The Very Hungry Caterpillarby Eric Carle.

the very hungry caterpillar 08216

Here’s what you’ll need to make the Caterpillar:

  • Six- 2″ Smoothfoam Balls
  • Sanding Block or Very Fine Sanding Paper
  • Deco Art Americana Acrylic Paint:  Olive Green, Sea Aqua, Watermelon Slice, Marigold, Brown
  • Paint Brushes
  • Bamboo Skewers
  • White Craft Glue
  • Craft Knife
  • Mod Podge

Directions:

  1. Lightly Sand the ridge around the middle of the Smoothfoam ball.
  2. To help the caterpillar sit and not roll.  Cut a slightly flat side in two of the balls.  Use them as your first and last green balls.
  3. Paint five balls with Olive Green and Sea Aqua acrylic paint.  For added dimension, stipple or sponge the opposite color on the balls.
  4. Paint the last ball with the Watermelon Slice acrylic paint.  Add a cute little face.
  5. Cut a bamboo skewer into 1″ pieces.  Connect the balls together using the skewers and white craft glue.
  6. Cut the tip off of two skewers and paint brown.  Insert into the top of the caterpillar’s head.
  7. Paint a coat of mod podge to seal the paint and give a shiny finish.

Disclaimer:  This project was created for and sponsored by Smoothfoam.

How to Etch a Mason Jar…

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I love the look of daisies in old blue canning jars.  It just says summertime.

It’s simple, beautiful and it makes me happy.

I recently got the opportunity to work with a new product, etching crème from Etchall®.

While looking around for something to etch, I noticed the daisies sitting on the table.

Hmmm…Wouldn’t that look great with a etched flower and a greeting?

It’s a super simple project.  (just how I like it)

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

Shop Your Fav Brands at Scrapbook.com

Directions:

  1. Clean jar to remove all dirt, fingerprints and oil.  Dry with a coffee filter, paper towel, or lint-free cloth.
  2. Apply Stencils to jar.  Burnish the edges of the stencil.  You’ll want to make sure no edges are coming up.
  3. Mask around the stencil with removable painters tape for extra surface protection.
  4. Apply a heavy coat of etchall® etching crème to the masked area of the stencil.
  5. Leave etching crème on design for 15 minutes.  After etching time has elapsed, use the squeegee to return the crème back into the original container for later re-use.
  6. Rinse etched surface with hot water to remove any remaining crème. Remember to keep crème away from porcelain sinks or ceramic tiles.

Mason Jar with Stencils 8839Mason Jar with Stencils and Masks 08841Mason Jar with Etching Creme 8842

             Step #2                                        Step #3                                      Step #4

The etched flower looks subtle against the water in the blue jar.   

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

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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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Crafting with Office Supplies

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crafting with office supplies 2 07793

When you think of crafting do you ever think office supplies?

Would you believe…

the “be happy” sign, which is now sitting happily on my fireplace mantel,

started out as a office name plate holder

A few stickers, chipboard letters, washi tape and voila a happy little reminder.

There are surfaces everywhere just waiting to be embellished.

Name plate 2

Deflecto Interior Image Sign Holder, 8.5 x 2 Inches, Nameplate (89105) (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!

Craft Ideas Fall 2015

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Craft Ideas Fall 2015 cover

I’m So excited….

I have two projects in the latest issue of Craft Ideas magazine.

A Back to School Announcement Board on page 11 and a simple Back to School Card on page 53.

You can see the instructions for the Back to School Announcement board here on Craft Ideas.

Craft Ideas Fall 2015 8474

Make sure to pick up your copy.

 

Colorful Chalkboard Frame for Kids and grownups

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Funky Pallet Frame 8798

A simple paint and stencil project, fun for kids or grown ups.

I decided to finish painting this colorful Rustic Pallet Frame* that I started working on

yesterday evening.  As the name suggests, the frame is rustic and somewhat rough.

Because I was planning on stenciling on it…  I sanded the front of the frame to make it smoother.

I wasn’t worried about making it completely smooth.

The Colorful Chalkboard Frame would be a great project to make with the kiddos.

Funky Pallet Frame painted 8792

Directions to make the Colorful Chalkboard Frame:

  1. Sand the front of the frame.
  2. Paint the frame with white acrylic paint.
  3. Paint the top of each pallet section with different acrylic colors.  Sort of a modified rainbow.
  4. Because the stencil had four unique patterns, I decided each color needed its own pattern.
  5. Mask off each section of the wood before stenciling.
  6. Stencil using a stipple brush and white acrylic paint.
  7. Allow to dry completely
  8. To mute to colors:  Lightly sand the frame with a sanding block.  (optional)
  9. For an added sheen:  Apply clear crème wax to front of frame, allow to sit for one hour and buff.
  10. I added a small chalkboard to the inside of the frame.

Funky Pallet Frame Supplies

Supplies Used:                                          (*affiliate link)

*Thanks to Walnut Hollow and DecoArt for providing the materials used on this frame.

For more Summer fun with the kids…click on SIime Ad below.

Slimer

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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Getting Creative with Resin

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Getting Creative with Resin 8181

I’ve always wanted to use resin in a project but have always felt somewhat intimidated.

Thanks to an opportunity with Environmental Technology Inc., the makers of

jewelry resin and much more, I finally got my chance.

 

EnviroTex Jewelry Resin

And… after watching this video.  I felt confident to start.

I couldn’t believe how easy it was and how happy I was with the results.

The hardest part was deciding what to make and what to fill.

Halloween before the resin 2880 Creative before the resin 2883

For my Projects:

  • I started with some over-sized bottle caps from Maya Road which I spray painted black.
  • I used a circle punch to make a background from scrapbook paper.
  • I used dimensional stickers, metal pieces, regular stickers and glued everything in place using  white craft glue.
  • I measured and mixed the resin according to the instructions and filled the bottle caps.
  • Then it was time to wait for the resin to cure.

waiting for the resin to cure

The original plan was to add a hanger on the back, and use them as a decoration.

But… I had a better idea and decided to add a magnet to the back instead.

I really, really like them.

Resin Work in Progress 2908

Now that I’ve seen how easy it is, I’ve got a few more things in the works.

Shop Amazon Scrapbooking Supplies*

*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!

Creating a Decorative Display Board for all my Little Pretties

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Smoothfoam Display Board 07114

My project started as a Memo Board and… 

While I was looking for some push pins I stumbled across a collection of little pretties.

Tucked away in a cabinet along with a lot of other embellishments were these little

metal frames.  Something that I’d been hoarding since my K & Company days.

I added those frames along with some other little pretties onto my board.  (Love!)

Memo Board Products

To make my Memo/Display Board I used:            (*amazon affiliate link)

Directions:

  1. Paint wood frame with cream acrylic paint.
  2. Cut the Smoothfoam sheet a 1/4″ larger than the center opening of the frame.
  3. Apply spray adhesive to the front of the Smoothfoam and lay onto the fabric.
  4. Wrap and glue the fabric around the back of the Smoothfoam.
  5. Glue the frame onto the front of the covered Smoothfoam.
  6. Decorate the top and bottom of the frame with dimensional flowers.

*My little pretties are stuck into the display board with decorative garment pins.

A really fast and easy project.

This project was created for and sponsored by Smoothfoam.

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!

DIY: Mini Crate Make-Over

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Red Crate 5878

DIY Mini Crate Make Over…

Because sometimes a girl changes her mind.

crate 4158

It all started with this…  My Sweet Earth Day Tea Party Crate. (←original post)

A cute cream and pink crate with a pretty pink flower.

It was perfect for what I wanted at the time.

But… always resourceful, I decided to reuse the mini crate* (*affiliate link) in my work space.

Because my work space has a vintage vibe… a mini make over was in order.

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I took off the flower embellishment and gave the mini crate* a light sanding.

Then I painted the crate with FOLKART Home Decor Chalk, Imperial*.

Being an impatient crafter, I was tempted to start my next color right away.  Make sure to wait.

Allow a couple of hours for the piece to dry before adding the next color.  (trust me)

Paint a thin coat of black paint 5182

Next, I gave the crate a light coating with Black Home Décor paint.

Use a small paint brush to get into those corners.

With a soft, damp, clean cloth, wipe off the black paint to give it an aged distressed look.

I used Tattered Angels Décor in Ebony*.

extra red highlights5200

If you start to think it looks to dark, just add highlights with the red paint directly over the

ebony paint.  If you like a matte finish, you can stop right here.

I wanted a little more sheen, so I applied FOLKART Plaid Clear Home Decor Wax*.

With the wax, you apply a thin coat, wait one hour and buff with a clean soft cloth.

I’ve always loved furniture with that aged red finish and wanted to give it a try.

Now that I’ve started with something small, (which is always a good idea)

I’ve got my eye on a couple more pieces I’d like to refinish.

FYI:  If you’d like a mini crate like mine you can get it at online at Amazon* or Walnut Hollow.

This project was sponsored by Walnut Hollow, Canvas Corp and Plaid. 

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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!