Moms got a glue gun

Fab Up-cycling for crafters....

I didn't know what else to call this post. I've been inspired by some fab up-cycling that I've seen on Etsy and other sites using things that I never would have thought of for raw materials to use in Scraping or other crafts.  But, I was thinking of that when I went out to some yard sales last weekend and picked up what looked like a big pile of crochet pieces but was actually a queen size bed skirt.  As soon as I picked it up, the man minding the sale said "$1.00 for that".  I grabbed it up, and didn't mention that I was going to cut it up. They also threw in a big box full of patterns for $1.00 too.  I scored.

This is the "before" shot. I cut from the skirt 42 of these round crochet pieces.  I also cut the crochet trim from the bottom.  Of course, these are fine the way they are but I wanted to give them some intense color.  

And this, my friends, is the "after".  I almost can't stand it....they are sooooo cute.  I went with four colors this time and I am anxious to try this again.  I won't lie....I was at the kitchen sink for several hours doing four batches of dyeing but it was fun. 

This is a LO that I'm working on using the trim that I also dyed.

Well, I'm inspired to go out and find more of these types of pieces for future projects.  I might even add the extra to my Etsy shop and see how it goes.

I hope this inspires you to try something new too.  I would love to see some projects from others that have up-cycled for their Scrapbooking needs.  I love the combination of being unique and also making use of items that would otherwise be wasted. 

Send me a link of your projects so we can share.   

Mixing crochet and scrapbooking...

What!! Crochet and Scrapbooking?  How is this possible you say...that's what I was saying when I saw this crocheting genius.  I haven't seen anything this unique in a while and was really excited to try it.  At the time I saw this I only knew one crochet stitch, the double crochet.  I didn't even know what it was called until this year.  But I gave it a go, squealing a little as I went.

These are my first attempts.  I was brave and used the untouched photos.  Right after I saw this project, I found a video on youtube on how to make a scallop crochet edge.  I really do need some more practice with it, but it was fun.   If you want to get the instructions on how this is done, you can go to a little blog called Scrappy Sticky Inky Mess.  Anne Walters demonstrates with a video how she made this edge on a mini album.  I am so excited when I stumble on more talented folks out there in blog land.

If you give it a try, I would love to see yours too.  Send me a link and we can share.
 

A new fun tool...

how did I not know about charcoal pencils?  I guess if I had went to Art School, like my daughter, I would know by now.  He he.  They can be so fun.

It makes a great accent when you use shapes on a LO.  I was inspired by a new blog I found with some artists who use these.  After you make your image, you can smudge the pencil and it makes a great shadow effect.  Even more effect with stitching.  I know, more stitching, but I love the look.

 

This is my full LO.  I played with more glimmer mist too.  I might be using this little pencil a lot more now.  This is my first attempt.

For the hearts mask, I just cut some out from some aluminum foil I had and held it down on the page while I sprayed the glimmer mist.  It's very subtle on its own, but really pops after the charcoal pencil is used.  It was really messy too.  Love that. I find the best things in life are usually a little messy.  The best foods, the best crafts, the best kids.....

A plain old apron...

  that's what I thought when I found it at my local fabric store.  I was getting ready for my class with Donna Downey and it was on the list of items recommended.  I didn't have an apron, maybe thats why I have ink and paint on a lot of my clothes (and bathrobe too, I tend to be crafty when I'm in my PJ's).  I wanted to dress it up a little so I did a really quick pocket on the front.  When I say quick, I usually mean less than about an hour.

For those "real" sewers out there I do apologize for my lack of measuring and other sewing infractions.  But, I tend to get an idea and run with it.  This is just a $4.99 canvas apron, and some scrap fabric I had.  I made a big square with my fabric scrap and ironed down the edges to make the pocket.  Then I found the green fabric and made a little ruffle.  The funny part is that I actually sewed it down backwards.  I meant for it to go down, not up.  But I like it better going in the up direction after all.  Then I just sewed it down, tucking in the edges of the canvas ribbon before sewing.  I used fabric glue to hold it down in the middle.

Then I used a new little canvas trim I had with cute butterflies on it.  (on clearance even)  I have great plans for what may go into this little pocket....we'll see what happens. 

I used the apron when I was playing with the Tattered Angels spray mists too.  Fun.

What can you embellish today???
 

 

Spring welcome banner...

I made a new banner just for spring yesterday with the help of Heidi Swapp.  She had a fantastic (but long) video on Wednesday with a tutorial on how to use Tattered Angels glimmer mist.  I learned a lot from the video.  She has a new one each Wednesdays now directly from her home and completely free.

I put it on my sad blank wall above my TV.  This is just white cardstock with the words printed from a free set offered by House of 3. This is a great set of words, 6" high.  You could also use a Silhouette cuter if you have one of those.  I used the House of 3 one and the glimmer mist that I had already and some little flowers from my stash. So, basically free.  Love that.

 I would like to get the little mini album she used in the video to play with too.  I have to say, the glimmer mist is really fun once you get the basics down on how to use them.

A little closer view.  This was my first attempt, and I will definitely be using these a lot now.

I hope everyone is enjoying this month, it's already half over....where does the time go?
  

My son on the bagpipes...

Here he is, my son Jaron on the bagpipes.  Sorry it's sideways.

A day spent crafting...

 is a good day.  That's what was on the sheet of trims from Cosmo Cricket that I spied last weekend.  That's my mantra in life right now...so why not use it to make a new page in honor of my new sewing space.  This is the new Material Girl line that just came out from Cosmo.

And, I used a new product from Studio Calico which I absolutely love.  Their called Fab Rips, and it's printed, self-adhesive fabric strips.  These are so cool, you just rip them from the sheet and their ready to use.  I used them by both puckering, and folding to make little flower shapes on the page.  

I got the chance to use my other little dress form I had from the Donna Downey class I took last month.  I dressed it with a little strip of fabric from the skirt of the table.

This is my little world right now. 

Thanks for watching.... Bye.
 

My new sewing space...

If you've seen some smoke in the air, it's from my little sewing machine.  We have been working the stitches to make up a new little sewing center.  I am "sew" happy how it turned out. He he.  I wanted to keep it low cost of course, and my idea started when I found a pre-cut piece of pine at Home Depot. It seemed a great size for a small table at 4' x 17 1/2".  It was really inexpensive too, about $12.00 so we (my hubby) added some simple legs to it to make a table.  Then I found some gorgeous Amy Butler fabric too.  This is upholstery weight, so it's perfect for this type of thing.

The fabric skirt was really simple to make, just finishing the edges on a big rectangle shape to fit.  Then I sewed down one side loosely and pulled on the thread to make a ruffle edge. It's held on just with thumb tacks.  I just used the gold ones you can find at any store and painted them blue to blend in.  Then I thrifted the chair for just $5.00, added some leftover wall paint to cover the old beat up finish and upholstered the chair with the same fabric.  This was really easy too and let me play with my staple gun....almost as fun as a glue gun.  If you've never done this before, I'm sure you can find some tutorials out on the web.  I didn't take enough pictures this time.

 
I was having so much fun, that I also made a little sewing machine cozy to match.  This was really simple too, I just made one large piece to cover front to back, then added two squares for the sides and sewed together.  I then cut a long strip, hemmed the edges to make a ruffle for the front to add some pizazz.  I even found a little lamp that was in the closet and painted it to match too.  I know it might be a little too much blue for some, but I wanted to use what I had on hand first.  I think it turned out pretty adorable, especially in real life.  I wish I could reference a pattern, but I didn't use any (remember, I don't like to measure much).  I just won't let you peek under there to see all the imperfections.  He he.

Oh, and I made the little needle holder too some time ago.  It helps to keep all my needles in one place.  Its just all felt, sewed down the middle and some finish stitches on the spine. (just click the image to make it bigger)

And, I guess I made this little bowl too.  I saw something similar on Etsy and was inspired.  It's just a doily shaped over a bowl to make a new little adorable bowl.  The accent is fabric, button and a few french knots. 

I hope this might inspire someone to try to put their own touch to a little place in you home just for you too. 
 
 
 

St Patrick's day and banners...

I wanted to do something with the photos I have of my son, my piper guy.  He is so cool on the pipes when he plays.  He's been playing for a long time and has been in a lot of parades, competitions and personal appearances.  So, we don't do a lot of traditional St. Patrick's day decorating or use those for my craft projects...when you have kilts and bagpipes laying around...I think that's enough.

I wanted to use some banners on a LO, I've been seeing them all over.  So, I hand cut some canvas and did a little sewing for the edges.

I put paper behind the pieces for a little color.  There is a lot you can do with them, but I just left mine pretty plain.  It seemed to busy with anything I tried to add except the cute button.

The accent of woodgrain is just a piece of faux bois tape.  The little ruffle edge is vintage text paper.  I like to have everything a little rough around the edges with my guy pages.

 

I don't know if all of you have heard bagpipers, but it is a special sound.  I love the sound, but it always makes me teary eyed when they play Amazing Grace.  My son had the honor of playing that song at my mothers funeral, and at my step father's funeral.  Mostly, we hear the pipes play at happy times.  I hope my kids play them at their weddings....The next season of life.

(Mom note: I also want to cry when I hear him because he was born very premature, 2 months early.  He had a long list of possible issues but here he is...all 6'1" of him, playing with those lungs.  We are blessed)

What to do with an old window....

Not  a question a lot of people might ask, but I did.  As I stood in front of the window, pondering this question, thoughts of other projects came to mind.  We all have maybe a few of those projects that didn't quite turn out like you liked, maybe now stuck in the back of the closet.... Well, I didn't want that to happen to my little treasure (thrifted for $10).  Here is what I came up with.

 
Sorry for the rubbish photo, but the outside window was creating a glare on my old window.  The finish of the window is just how I found it...perfect.  I added fabric to the panels as a my backdrop for the photos.  The secret I found to this is to lay the window down, add photo, lay down the fabric and back it with a piece of cardboard or heavy cardstock to stabilize and finish on the sides with small nails to hold in place.  I added a little freehand paint to the front too.  I took a picture now but I'm sure I'll be adding more to it later. 

 
I choose to have all the fabric the same, but you could use different fabrics in each panel too. 

I put it up in my craft room for inspiration.  Actually, most everything in my home is new or modern but I like to add in a little touch of rustic here and there to mix things up.  This sure worked for that. 

The moral of the story as always is...just try it, you might like it.  Or, stick it in a closet....either way....

Did I mention that my New Year's Resolution is: try new things and lighten up for goodness sakes.  Life is sometimes short, always an adventure so have some fun while you're in it.

Double Hugs