12.03.2013

Glitter Pine Cone Ornaments

I was at my daughters house and she had all these little pine cones in her yard, so I picked up a few and put them in a mason jar for future projects. I decided I would try some mini glitter pine cone ornaments. They are really easy and quick to make.

Materials:
Pine Cones
Paint Brush

First I screwed in my eye screw to the top of the pine cone. 

With my paint brush I painted a line of glue along the edges of the cone and sprinkled with glass glitter.  When it was completely dry I added my metallic bakers twine.


10.06.2013

Fairy Garden House


Recently I was at Bachman's and they had a darling section of Fairy Garden accessories.  It inspired me to try making a miniature house. 

Supplies:
Wood Bird house from Michaels
Small Rocks
Craft Glue
CelluClay Instant Papier Mache
Paint 
Clear Acrylic Sealer - Mod Podge

First I took the bird house and removed the bottom and cut out the door.
Then I put my papier mache around the bottom half and glued the small rocks in.
Last I papier mached the roof and added a chimney.  

After I let it dry overnight, I sanded the roof and applied my paint.  I used Martha Stewart weather crackle effect on the roof to make it look worn. Once it was done I sprayed on the acrylic sealer.


5.24.2013

Lilacs

The Lilacs are in bloom!  This afternoon I decided I needed a Lilac bouquet and clipped some off of the many plants blooming in the backyard. They needed a little trimming anyways and the house smells wonderful!  

5.21.2013

Burlap Wreath




Finally after a long, long winter I decided it was time to make a summer wreath for the front door.  

I wanted to use up some items that I had a hand to keep the cost down.  

First I wrapped and hot glued the burlap around the wreath.

I took a piece of burlap that was 3-4 times longer than the size of the wreath.  Using my hot glue gun I glued the center burlap string on the end to make sure it was secure and not to pull through when gathering.  Then on the other end I found the center burlap string and gently pulled it to make a gather. I attached the gathered piece to the wreath.

I made little bouquets of dried caspia, lavender and statice around the wreath. Then I glued some greenery under each little bouquet to finish it off. 


5.12.2013

Nubbie Scrubbies and Tawashi

I haven't crocheted in a while, it seems as though I have been choosing knitting projects over crocheting.  I found some quick and easy crochet projects on Ravelry.  I made a few Nubbie Scrubbies and Tawashi's. The Tawashi is great for hand washing dishes.  I was thinking they would also be a nice size for washing my face, I am going to have to try that out.
These were free patterns on Ravelry.  Below are the links.  You may need to set up a account if you don't have one.


4.02.2013

Masterpiece Wall


My daughter purchased her first home a little over a year ago and like any new home owner she has a to do list that doesn't end.  She saw this idea on pinterest and wanted to do one for Jackson and Tanner.

We ordered the 4x24 inch wall decal from a etsy shop madebytheresarenee.  She offered the decal in many colors and we ordered the dark brown. It was exactly what we wanted.
Lindsay decided this was going on a short wall and wanted to do three sections.
As always we butter up to Jon for our wood projects. We had him cut us 3 - 2x23 inch boards.

We painted the boards with an expresso color, added picture hangers to the back and glued on 3 clips to each board.

Lindsay applied the wall decal.

Then we hung the boards.  I had a hard time getting a good picture but you get the idea.



3.16.2013

Paper-Mache Easter Eggs


These are the latest addition to my Easter crafts.  Eventually I will be making green and blue eggs to coordinate with my Easter Tree,  but for now I wanted to make sure I had at least two eggs done before Easter.

Here are a few of the materials I used: 
Assorted lichen, paper flowers, paper-mache eggs, Dresden trim, Caspia and a wood napkin holder.

I found the rabbit clip art at Graphics Fairy.  
I resized the images to around 1 1/2", printed out one regular and one reverse page orientation on to card stock so I could have a front and back. Then with my X-acto knife I carefully cut out the rabbits and glued them together with a small wire inserted at the bottom between the two cut outs.

To get rid of the white edges on the side I used my watercolor pencils and colored it in.  Then I added a few coats of Mod Podge to seal it.

 I cut out a hole in the paper-mache egg, painted and added Dresden trim around the opening.

I added some crafters clay in the bottom of the egg and created the inside of the egg.  To finish it off I added a paper rose to the top.

I painted the napkin rings and used them as my egg holder.





3.10.2013

Felted Easter Bunny

For one of my Easter crafts I decided to needle felt a rabbit.  This is my first attempt at doing a rabbit. It always seems like with making the first of anything there are things I would do different when making the next one. For instance I wasn't exactly thrilled with the shape of the head, but instead of redoing it I just remind myself thats what makes it unique.  
                         

Then I gave her a little home with felted eggs.  

2.28.2013

Easter Tree

When I go to Michaels I sometimes stop at the Dollar Tree next door to see if they have anything interesting to use for crafting.   

This time I found a potted tree there. So I thought I would give making a Easter tree a shot.

I found these cute little wooden hen eggs at Craft Supply House on Etsy.
They are just under a inch long and the perfect size for this tree. I added a eye screw to them and then coated them with glass glitter.

Of course I had to change the pot color!  I had some MS Weather Crackle effect that I had not used before so I experimented.  I painted the base brown. Then painted my weather crackle effect and once that was dry I painted the top with a antique white.  For my first try I was pretty happy with the results.

I cut a organza bag I had into strips and used that to tie the eggs onto the tree.


2.08.2013

Valentines


Last night I started making my Valentines with some heart notecards I had found at Michaels.  I wanted to try to keep them simple.  

First I printed Happy Valentines Day on some clear mailing labels and used some valentine borders I had from last year. Then added the bakers twine along the edge.

Now I am off to to the post office to get them in the mail!

2.02.2013

Recycled Sweater Mittens




While doing my January clean out I discovered this cashmere sweater I had saved to use for felting or mittens. I decided to try the recycled sweater mitten pattern I had.  You can find several free patterns for recycled sweater mittens on the internet.  I washed the sweater in hot water and put it in the dryer to shrink it up.

From the sweater I cut out the mitten pieces and the cuffs which will be used for the cuff portion of the mitten.  The pattern suggests I used fleece for the lining but I chose to use a cotton flannel.

On the cuff I needled punched a wool flower and added a button that was attached to the sweater.


  One less project off my to do list and just in time, the past few days Minnesota has been unbearably cold.

1.12.2013

Adhesive Fabrics


I have been busy reorganizing everything in my office/craft room after the holidays.  January is always the perfect time to get everything back in order and ready for the new year.  Of course mid stream of organizing I have to make some cosmetic changes.  For instance these wood storage boxes needed a major change.  I had some adhesive fabric I have been longing to use and it would be perfect for this project. I also decide to repurpose a empty candy can I had from Christmas.

The adhesive fabrics made a quick and simple change to this can. First, I applied a shipping label to the can so I would start with a white base and then added my adhesive fabric.  I masked off the can and then applied some crackle effect and antiqued. I wanted it to have a old worn feel.

On the wood boxes I used a Ralph Lauren Faux Technique Glaze I had left over from another project.  After I applied and let dry I roughed up the corners and little with some sand paper.  Then I added my adhesive fabric. I used a black Sharpie marker to changed the color of the hardware on the boxes. Then sealed everything with a thin coat of Mod Podge.