Update Your Lamps!

So.....I had an okay lamp on our end table in our bedroom, but I'm never okay with "just okay"
So of course I have to update it! I found some buttons, some straws, spray paint, glue gun.....and forget about it!!!!

Extra Storage for your Stroller

Let's just get it out of the way - my photos aren't terrible, but they're not great either! Clearly I had the wrong settings and didn't pay attention enough to notice. UGH! At any rate, this tutorial is too cute and handy not to share, so I'm sucking it up and letting you all in!

This is a winter coat that was supposed to fit my second son for this winter, however, he's bigger than my first was at this time, so it wouldn't work! Yes, I could donate it, but how in the world would I be able to help Liberate Your Creativity if I did that! With this coat I created two separate projects. The first one was with only the hood. The removable hood has two snaps at the base and buttons along the button to secure itself to the coat.

Buckle Earrings

Topic: Accessories
Time: Less than an Hour

Why do I have an entire muffin tin full of unpaired earrings? Simply put is because I have an unrealistic idea that somehow I will one day find where my 1 year old "hid" mommy's pretties. The day I find the pairs to some of my fav earrings is the day all of my socks find their pairs, so I might as well do something else with the pieces I do have! Rooting around my drawer of randomness tonight drew up a couple funky silver belt buckles! Here's a little scrappy summary of my creations.....

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Chalkboard Wine Glasses

Level: Beginner
Time: Less than an hour
Topic: Painting

Okay, I love wine. I've said it....the secret is out! Since I've shared it with you all, you should know my newest ideas.....let's forget those wine charms and introduce some easy-peasy labels.....no one wants to lose their wine glass at a party for goodness sakes!


Step 1: Gather your wine glasses

Gift Bag Organizer

Here's a simple and fun organization idea for all those gift bags, tissue and ribbons! If you're anything like me I can rarely find tissue paper amongst the millions of gift bags when I'm rushing out of the house to a party (running late as usual!). This organization has helped keep it all more straight and easy to access. (It's also a great thing to do for baby showers, bridal showers, birthdays, etc. - how excited would that person be to have everything all sorted and organized for them directly following their party?!)


Level: Beginner
Time: Less than an hour
Topic: Organization


Supplies Needed:
XL Gift Bag
Clothespins

Happy Friday!

Fabric Coffee Cozy

How to make a fabric coffee cozy...

Instructions by: Rachael Lindsay

Level: Beginner

Time: Less than an hour

Topic: Sewing

These coffee cozies are so fun and unique. These are an absolute favorite in my Etsy store. There are so many types of fabric to use, and they can fit any personality....

Cake Pops and Baby Shower

This past weekend I was thrilled to travel to Annapolis to see my bestie Sage. Sage is expecting her first baby in June and we don't get to see one another as much as we'd both like. I had to bring a much larger suitcase than anyone staying a weekend would need, but of course I had to make her baby a cazillion presents! (More posts and photos later of the projects). At any rate, we threw her a baby shower on Sunday and made some fab cake pops! Cake pops are the big rage right now, due to Bakerella's incredible talent - if you haven't checked her out, you need to. Seriously
....GO NOW!

Wanted to share just a couple of photos. Bakerella has a wonderful site and discloses the recipes, tricks of the trade and all.

Zen Garden

Create your own Zen Garden with House of Hepworths.

Level: Beginner

Time:  Less than an hour, easy!

Topic: Housewares

Materials Needed:Shallow glass dish or bowl
bag of polished stones filler
three 5" white or cream candles
twine

This is such an easy display to put together, but it has such a huge impact! I found my glass dish from goodwill, but I've seen them at Michaels and Hobby Lobby.

Repurposed Frames

Frames have been quite our theme lately, right?! Well, I adore frames and the various projects we can create! Shannon from Bless Our Nest has been gracious to visit us again....just can't get enough Shannon, right?! Seriously, check out this post and then head over to Bless Our Nest...super great content!

I also have been thinking we need another giveaway soon....right????!!! Please include in your comments what kind of giveaway you'd like to see (Dream big, but don't get your hopes up too much!).......AND HERE'S SHANNON....

Re-purposing Old Frames

Level: Beginner

Time: Expect 1 hour or less

Topic: Houseware

How do you like these beautiful pictures from the 1970's that my Grandmother gave me? I'm sure you are very jealous!

I knew I could do something with them, I just didn't know what. I thought about it for a couple of weeks and decided I needed something beside our bed. I had thought about printing out something that said "His" and "Hers" and then hanging them on each side of the bed but that just wasn't working.

Picture Frame Chalkboard

We're thrilled to have Laura & David from We Design Studios here today to let us embrace in some creativity! Let the fun begin!!!!!



Okay, maybe a better idea of what David & Laura look like!

 Picture Frame Chalkboard

Level: Beginner

Time: About one hour (plus 24-hours for drying)

Topic: Home Accessories

Hello! I’m Laura from WE Design Studios, a design and art education company dedicated to bringing out the creative genius in everyone! While recently re-designing my studio work space I repurposed an old mirror into a chalkboard so I could jot down notes and to-do lists. It was super easy to make. Today I will show you how you can make one using old picture frames.

Here’s what you need to get started:

1. A picture frame or mirror with a nice decorative frame (I got this one for $10 at an antique shop!)
2. Painter’s tape

3. Chalk
4. Newspaper
5. Glass cleaner

6. Chalkboard spray paint  (Note: You can also use the kind that comes in a can and is applied by brushing. I find the spray version coats more evenly. Both can be found at a hardware store.)

Step 1: Using glass cleaner and a rag or paper towel, wipe down your picture frame glass or mirror. Make sure the surface is clean and clear of any debris. The surface should be as smo <!--[if !vml]--><!--[endif]-->oth as possible when you apply the chalkboard paint.

Step 2: Apply painter’s tape to the inside edge of the frame. Be sure to cover the entire frame but keep the glass exposed.

Step 3: Find a well-ventilated area to apply the chalkboard paint. Lay down newspaper to protect your frame from scratches and the ground below from the chalkboard paint. Outside is an ideal option.

Step 4: Place your frame or mirror on the newspaper and begin to apply the chalkboard paint. Be sure to read and follow the directions on the paint can. You usually need to shake the can vigorously for two minutes before spraying. Test out the paint by spraying on the newspaper before applying it to the glass.

Step 5: After 15 minutes apply a second coat of chalkboard paint.

Note: It is normal for the chalkboard paint to initially be reflective and glossy. Once it dries it will have the opaque, flat quality of a chalkboard. Just be patient!

Step 6: Allow the chalkboard paint to dry for 24 hours before using. Your particular paint may call for more or less time. Follow the paint label instructions.

Step 7: Once the chalkboard is completely dry prime the surface by rubbing the entire writing area with the broad side of a piece of chalk. Then erase the surface. Doing this will prevent permanent chalk marks from forming on the chalkboard.

Step 8: You now have your very own picture frame/mirror chalkboard. If you have left over chalkboard paint you can get creative and see what else you can make into a chalk board. Enjoy!

Thanks to We Design Studios for visiting....please be sure to check them out often and share with your friends!

Shamrock Button Shirt

Hi, I'm Valerie from Occasionally Crafty!  On my blog, you'll find fun projects for home decor, clothing, accessories, and more.  Today I'm going to show you how to make a cute St. Patrick's day shirt.  I know it's coming up quick, but seriously, this only took me a little over an hour to whip up!  And the great thing is, you can adapt this idea, using different shapes, for any holiday!


Level: Beginner
Time to Complete: Expect less than an hour
Topic: Clothing, Children & Sewing

Materials needed:
Shirt
Shamrock template (see below)
Green buttons- various sizes
Needle and coordinating thread, embroidery floss, or glue (if you don't sew)


Directions:
1.  Cut out your shamrock template to use on your shirt.  I traced a clipart image. You can print out mine by right-clicking on the image below, then save it to your computer, resize as necessary, and print.  Or just trace your own!

2.  Trace your shamrock onto your shirt.  (Shh---I used a pencil because I knew it would be covered up, but if that makes you nervous- go for the disappearing ink fabric marker from the craft store).

3.  Determine placement of your buttons.  I only had two sizes of buttons, so I had to adjust from my template a little.  

4.  Hand stitch each button to the shirt.  This is EASY but a little time consuming.  What worked best for me was to put a tiny dot of hot glue on the back of the button and press it into place.  Then, after all the buttons were adhered where I wanted them, I used a needle and embroidery floss to attach the buttons to the shirt.  Hot glue will not hold up in the wash, so this makes them secure.  Feel free to experiment with fabric glue and such if you don't want to sew!

5.  Put it on your little lass and let her dance around the yard.  Or snuggle by the heater if it's still cold where you live :)

Thanks for having me here today!  Have a happy St. Patrick's Day, and I hope to see you all around my blog soon!

How to Make an Earring Display Card

Julianne, from Made By Jewls has stopped by to offer a great and easy tutorial on how to make cardstock diplay cases for earrings (or any jewelry for that matter!). What a great way to make a gift more personlized or begin selling your pieces! Also, be sure to check out Juilianne's Etsy shop here

Level: Beginner

Time: Less than an hour

Topic: Accessories

Hello, I'm Julianne from Made By Jewls! I've had a lot of people ask me how I make my earring cards and so I've decided to do a tutorial. It's really easy. Here's what you need to get started...

a rubber stamp with your logo on it. (I did my design in Illustrator and then had it made into a stamp at http://www.rubberstamps.net/. There are other companies that make stamps like vistaprint and make sure to check out your local companies because you may get a better deal)

an ink pad. I used black, but you can use whatever color you want

scissors, a paper punch (this will make your cards the shape and size you want), and cardstock (I used an oatmeal color but you can use any color you want or even patterned paper!)

Okay, now I'm going to show you how to make your cards.

Place your stamp on the ink pad

 

Then press the stamp on your paper and repeat the process until your paper is full. Make sure you leave about a 1/4 inch space between each one so it'll be easier to cut them out.

  

Now you're going to cut them out with your paper punch. I turned my punch upside down when I was cutting them so I could see what I was doing.

 

Continue using your punch to cut the rest of your cards out of the paper.

 

Use your scissors to cut away some of the left over paper on the outside so you can get to the ones in the middle of the page.

 

Once they're all cut out, you just need to poke holes in them (if you're using them for earrings) and then you're done! Enjoy you're new cards, I bet they look awesome!

 

You don't have to make your cards look like mine, get creative and make them your own! Of course you can use a circle if you want, but you could also use a rectangle, square, heart, etc.

I've seen some really creative cards out there...

like this one from Allora Handmade

 or these by Emily Sparks

Let me know if you have any questions, would like me to whip up a logo/stamp design for you in Illustrator, or even to show me the cards you made! I really would LOVE to see what you come up with! Have fun!