Flannel Shirt Coasters

Okay, I hear you…enough with the flannel shirt projects already! I have all of these scraps of old flannel shirts from previous craft projects like this one & this one and honestly, I just can’t help myself.  Stick with me crafters…this project is super easy, and fast.

Here’s what you’ll need:

• Scraps of flannel from old shirts
• Blank coasters – I found mine on Etsy and they are made of 100% recycled pulp board paper
• Waterproof shoe spray
• Spray adhesive
• Scissors

Here’s how ya do it:

1. Cut a piece of flannel to cover the coaster and set aside.
2. Spray the coaster with spray adhesive.
3. Place the flannel over the coaster and press firmly to remove any wrinkles.
4. With a scissors, cut away the excess fabric from the coaster.
5. Finally, spray the flannel side of the coaster with waterproof shoe spray.
6. Let dry and your done!

Happy crafting and happy holidays!

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Repurposed Jars for the Holidays

 

As I was cleaning my fridge, I discovered entirely too many spoiled jars of olives, jellies and some other suspicious matter in jars. After cleaning them up and, since I like to recycle in creative ways, I made these holiday jars and filled them with pine scented soy candles. Okay, if you don’t feel like messing with scalding hot wax, you can use the jars for decorative storage or give them as gifts filled with candies or other unique gift items. However, for those brave crafters out there, here’s a link with easy to follow instructions to make candles.

Note to crafters, with the exception of the jars, I purchased all of the project supplies at A.C. Moore (my second home).

Here’s what you’ll need to make the decorative jars.

• The desire to clean out your fridge
• Empty jars
• Craft paint (or spray paint)
• Brushes (if painting the lids by hand)
• Miniature trees
• Adhesive (I used E-6000 Craft Adhesive)

Here’s how ya do it:

1. Paint the lids with craft or spray paint.
2. After the paint is dry, glue the miniature trees to the lid.
3. Your done!

How easy is that!  Probably the most difficult part if this project, for me, was removing the labels from the jars. I found that a good soak in hot soapy water and a little coaxing with a magic eraser, the labels surrendered.

Have fun and happy crafting!

Vintage Book Charging Station

Recycling vintage books into useful and clever ways can be fun and there are countless creative ideas floating around but did you ever think about transitioning a book into a smartphone charging station? Before I show you how, please be sure your device does not heat up while charging. If it does, this project is not for you. If you use the charger issued with the device, you generally won’t have that issue. However if it gets really hot, you should make an appointment to have it checked.

You’ll need:

• A smartphone.
• A book large enough to accommodate your smartphone.
• X-Acto Knife.
• Cardboard.
• Spray adhesive.
• Elmer’s Glue.
• Decorative paper.
• Small foam paint brush.

Here’s how ya do it:

1. Make a template of your smartphone out of cardboard. I used the cardboard from a shoebox. You’ll want the template size to be slightly larger than the smartphone device. Set the template aside for now.
2. Page about 60 pages into the book then on page 61, using an X-Acto knife, start cutting the canal for the charging device cord which will exit the book. Remember to center the cord at the bottom of the book (see my photo above). This page numbering suggestion worked for me with my phone but depending on the paper thickness of your book and your device, you may need to start cutting at a deeper or shallower level into the book.
3. Now close pages 1 – 60, place your template of your smartphone on the top inside page and start cutting the pages with the X-Acto knife. You’ll want the device to have some wiggle room on all four sides when it’s nested inside the book.
4. Continue cutting until you’ve reached the pages where you’ve cut the canal for the charger cord. You’ll want to cut several pages below the canal where the charger cord exits the book so the device sits comfortably with the charger plugged in.
5. When you’ve finished cutting the pages, insert the phone to make sure it fits within the area you’ve carved out of the book. Again, make sure you have some wiggle room within the space.
6. Cut one piece of decorative paper to fit inside the front cover and first page. Using your template, cut an opening in the paper which will cover the first page to accommodate the opening for the smartphone. Then spray the back of the paper with repositionable spray adhesive. Place firmly on the inside cover and first page. This will hide any stray cuts or imperfections on the pages. Place something heavy on these pages and let dry. You’ll also want to paste decorative paper within the nest you’ve created for the device. Simply measure the opening and the interior four sides and cut and paste accordingly.
7. Finally, with the book cover open and using a foam brush, spread glue over the three page-end sides of the book to seal all the book pages. This will prevent the pages from coming apart. Again, placing something heavy on the book while the glue dries is a big help.
8. Your done!

This is a super fun project and despite the steps, was fairly easy to create. My suggestion is to charge your device with the book cover open.

Happy crafting!

Repurposed Mint Tins for Baubles & Treasures

Here’s a super easy and super fun project for the whole family! Transform empty mint tins into stylish little keepsake boxes perfect for storing your favorite beach treasures and special trinkets. Or you can tuck tiny little treasure maps inside for a really fun children’s party game. Their uses are endless!

Here’s how you do it. Paint the lids with Liquitex Glossies high-gloss acrylic enamel.  You can find the paint at your local craft store or on-line at Dick Blick. After the paint dries, glue your favorite beach finds or other special baubles to the lids using non-toxic and waterproof, Gorilla Glue, also found at craft stores.

Happy crafting!

Think Outside the Box

I love the challenge of cooking up unique ways to wrap gifts.  By using ordinary items in extraordinary ways, you too can transform your Father’s Day gifts into something he’ll never forget.

To start, my go-to wrapping paper is all-purpose masking paper which you can buy at the hardware store. It’s inexpensive and you get tons on a roll. And colored twine which I picked up at the craft store.

Use your imagination and your options are endless!  Starting from the top left I used, wine corks, burnt out light bulbs, a vintage pin, an outdoor faucet handle, and coin wrappers.

To finish off the packages, I scanned vintage photos to make gift tags. Happy crafting and happy Father’s Day!

Mason Jar Vases Wrapped in Book Pages

If you’re in need of a quick gift idea for Mother’s Day, a birthday, or just need a cool hostess gift. Then you’ve come to the right blog. Wrap some old book pages around a mason jar, secure it with twine, add grocery store flowers and you’re done! Mind you, I don’t go around destroying books, however, the pages I used were from an out-of-date encyclopedia that I annihilated when I was a child. Naughty, naughty.

Happy Mother’s Day, happy Sunday, AND happy day-after-your birthday Andrew!

Unique Gift Idea for Mother’s Day

Sunday, May 13th is Mother’s Day and I’d like to share a quick and fun gift idea for all those special mommies out there…you know who you are!

Why not buy some unique perennials, wrap them in craft paper and satin ribbon…add a craft paper flower and voila’! You’ve created a special gift that can be enjoyed year after year. The perennials I’m giving to the special moms in my life are Hens & Chicks, Creeping Wirevine and Scotch Moss. I really love the textures and color variations of these beauties.

Here’s the paper flower recipe. Really, it couldn’t be easier.

1. Draw a spiral on a 4″ X 4″ piece of craft paper (or paper of choice). Don’t worry if the spiral is a little wonky like mine…just don’t stare at it too long.
2. Now cut along the wonky line and cut the spiral from the square.
3. Then start rolling the spiral from the outside until the whole spiral is shaped into a flower.
4. Use a bit of hot glue on the last piece of the spiral and place it on a twig or piece of wire.

Happy Mother’s Day!

Orchids

Lately I’ve had this urge to experiment with Orchids. Not anything involving lab beakers, chemistry equations or anything dangerous mind you. More like something creative and classy. Speaking of chemistry, did you hear about the chemist who was reading a book about helium? He just couldn’t put it down. One of my dad’s goofy jokes…sorry.

For this experiment you will find all of the ingredients at your local nursery, craft store, or back yard. You’ll need:

• Orchids
• Large glass container
• Potting soil for orchids
• River rock
• Sheet moss
• Sticks
• Twine

Now for the ‘how to’:

1. Place a layer of river rocks on the bottom of the container then line the sides with sheet moss. Using clothes pins, clip the moss in place at the top rim of the container to keep it in place.
2. Fill the vase with orchid potting soil.
3. Insert the orchids into the soil mixture.
4. Remove the clothes pins and finish off the creation with more moss to hide the soil.
5. Stake the orchid flower stems with sticks (I used curly willow branches) and tie them off with some moss secured with twine. PS: the moss/twine suggestion looks much better than the standard orchid clips usually sold with the plant.

Most orchids come with care instructions but my best bit of advice to keep them gorgeous for weeks on end is to keep them out of direct sunlight but in a well-lit area.  Water them once a week by placing three ice cubes (that’s 3 cubes per plant) on the soil.

Wire Hanger Letters

Okay…really?

Who doesn’t have this mess in their closets? I know, I know, you can eat them, return them to your dry cleaner or if you’re nuts like me, you could transform them into some really cool wire letters.  Here’s what you’ll need:

Wire Hanger – Wire Cutter – Needle Nose Pliers

Start by writing out a few letters on a piece of paper to make a pattern, then cut the hanger using a wire cutter and use the needle nose pliers to bend and twist the hanger until you have the desired shape.  It’s super easy!

Here are mine.  Finished, glittered and on top of gift boxes.

Happy crafting and remember, please don’t eat the hangers.

Burlap Beauties

Recently I was asked to create a collection of flower arrangements for an event hosted by an amazing non-profit called Healing Through The Arts. The organization provides art, information and resources to encourage and support healing to individuals, caregivers and their families. Please do check out their website here!

I wanted my creations to be extra special so I picked up a bunch of potted hydrangea and cineraria but of course they are sold in those nasty plastic pots and foil wrappers.

With a little burlap, twine and moss these girls are all dressed up and ready for the ball!

Happy Friday and happy crafting!