Well, the Valentine/hearts/flowers/love stuff is over. Fun while it lasted.
Everyone was screaming for the earrings I make out of recycled aluminum cans for Valentine's Day. So I was making tons of pink and red heart earrings.
I ran around to the shops that carry my stuff, to make sure they were stocked up on the Valentine/hearts/flowers/love stuff. I sold some, but...
Now, I have a bunch of these pink and red hearts leftover. That's okay, I'll put them away for next Valentine's Day.
And guess what...next holiday is St. Patrick's Day. So I have to get revved up for that.
And now we are all drinking sodas out of cans that have green on them...
Except my husband who opts for beer out of green cans.
We're all trying to get into the shamrock groove.
So while I'm transitioning, this week I'm highlighting my daughters' blogs:
Dana's blog:
http://www.apairofneedles.blogspot.com/
Betsy's blog:
http://melittaberze.blogspot.com/
Please check them out, they are clever crafters/sewers/knitters/artists!
I'll be working on the leprechaun stuff.
tip of the day:
I went shopping today, and bacon was on sale, buy one get one free.
So of course I bought 4! But I know I can't use all that bacon at once. So what I did was cut the package in half, and froze the individual packs in quart size zip loc bags. So now when I need bacon, I can thaw out 1/2 a package, which is just the right size for the two of us. (what we don't use at breakfast, I make BLT's or bacon crumbles for salad.) Plus, the 1/2 pieces fit into the pan a lot easier than larger pieces.
That's all for this week.
:D
Friday, February 24, 2012
Friday, February 17, 2012
Wine Bottle Vases
We had an awesome party to celebrate the twins' 30th birthday last month.
We had great food and wine. And with wine, of course, comes wine bottles.
So with this great collection of different shapes and shades of wine bottles left over, I made some great stone vases. And, of course, we are recycling...
today's project is:
Wine Bottle Vases
You will need:
~an empty wine bottle, with the labels removed
~Granite/Stone textured spray paint
~Painter's tape
~scissors
To get the labels
off, you can put them
in an oven on low heat.
Most glues will come off with heat. Afterward, you might want to use GooGone to get any residue off.
I put my bottles in a pot of boiling water to loosen the glue. It worked pretty well. I put water inside of them, so they would not float.
Still had to use a straight edge razor blade to scrape off some pesky pieces.
Then you will need to 'mask' off a design with the painter's tape (which is blue and easily removed, unlike regular masking tape which can be toooooo sticky).
Take scissors and cut shapes (or use strips if you want stripes) and place on the clean bottle. Remember these masked shapes will show the bottle color through.
I found the lighter green bottles were a bit nicer, because they let the light show through better.
You can find the Stone spray paint at the hardware store. I used the brown color on three of them, and a white color on one. The brown color looks more natural, more grainy------->
After you have the bottle taped off, take it outside and spray. This will take a few coats, with 20 min. in between drying time. To spray this stuff, you have to 'spritz' it on a little bit at a time, moving around the bottle. One thing I found, especially with the darker color, is that if it goes on too thick, you can't see the blue tape under it, and that makes it difficult to peel off later. Because you can't see the tape. So don't put more than 3 coats on.
After it has dried, peel off the tape pieces carefully. The paint will chip off if you pick at it. So no unnecessary scratching.
I used silk flowers in them, but fresh baby's breath or big sunflowers would be stunning in these as well.
tip of the day:
Sometimes I use a recipe that calls for just a bit of lemon or lime zest. And then I have the rest of it leftover. Now, I cut it up into slices, and put them in an ice cube tray, fill up with water and freeze. So when I need an ice cube for water or ice tea or a special drink, I can have ice and a citrus slice all in one. This is great for punches too. (you can find ice cube trays at resale shops, cheap. Handy to have for lots of stuff).
That's all for this week...
:D
We had great food and wine. And with wine, of course, comes wine bottles.
So with this great collection of different shapes and shades of wine bottles left over, I made some great stone vases. And, of course, we are recycling...
today's project is:
 |
| bottles using a flash |
You will need:
~an empty wine bottle, with the labels removed
~Granite/Stone textured spray paint
~Painter's tape
~scissors
 |
| natural light through the bottles |
To get the labels
off, you can put them
in an oven on low heat.
Most glues will come off with heat. Afterward, you might want to use GooGone to get any residue off.
I put my bottles in a pot of boiling water to loosen the glue. It worked pretty well. I put water inside of them, so they would not float.
Still had to use a straight edge razor blade to scrape off some pesky pieces.
Then you will need to 'mask' off a design with the painter's tape (which is blue and easily removed, unlike regular masking tape which can be toooooo sticky).
Take scissors and cut shapes (or use strips if you want stripes) and place on the clean bottle. Remember these masked shapes will show the bottle color through.
I found the lighter green bottles were a bit nicer, because they let the light show through better.
After you have the bottle taped off, take it outside and spray. This will take a few coats, with 20 min. in between drying time. To spray this stuff, you have to 'spritz' it on a little bit at a time, moving around the bottle. One thing I found, especially with the darker color, is that if it goes on too thick, you can't see the blue tape under it, and that makes it difficult to peel off later. Because you can't see the tape. So don't put more than 3 coats on.
After it has dried, peel off the tape pieces carefully. The paint will chip off if you pick at it. So no unnecessary scratching.
I used silk flowers in them, but fresh baby's breath or big sunflowers would be stunning in these as well.
tip of the day:
Sometimes I use a recipe that calls for just a bit of lemon or lime zest. And then I have the rest of it leftover. Now, I cut it up into slices, and put them in an ice cube tray, fill up with water and freeze. So when I need an ice cube for water or ice tea or a special drink, I can have ice and a citrus slice all in one. This is great for punches too. (you can find ice cube trays at resale shops, cheap. Handy to have for lots of stuff).
That's all for this week...
:D
Friday, February 10, 2012
Circle of Hearts
Well that special time of year is here.
Look at the napkin. See the way it's folded? It has an 'open' corner and a 'folded' corner.
You will be folding this napkin into an ice cream cone shape, with the open end always up. Fold 2 times.
Take your scissors and cut two curve shapes (like the top of a heart) off the top. This will cause all the folds to turn into a heart shape, when opened.
Then you need to cut the bottom off so you leave a point.
Open up for your heart ring! If you use large napkins, you can also use the bottom cut out for a coaster. (See photo at top.)
You can scatter these heart rings all over your Valentine table. Under clear plates, under cookies or chocolates, under glass vases, votive candles, etc.
Now if you want to have these delicate napkins a bit stronger ~ iron on some freezer paper (the waxy side to the napkin) BEFORE you cut the heart shapes out. This works with delicate fabric also.
You can use either large or small napkins, or both.
These are real cute and easy, so make a bunch!
IF you don't have napkins, you can use wrapping paper, origami paper, etc.
tip of the day:
My dad gave me this tip a long time ago. If you get something in your eye, such as an eyelash, take a kleenex, fold up a few times to create a pointy end (like the ice cream cone shape we made above).
Gently touch this onto the irritant, and it will be absorbed onto the kleenex. If it doesn't work the first time, refold and use a new, dry end, and try again.
That's all for this week...
:D
Fighting the pounds we put on at Christmas and New Year's parties just in time for another hurdle.
Valentine Chocolates!!! eek...
But this week's project is totally guilt free, and you can have as many of these around to celebrate this heartfelt holiday without gaining an ounce.
Paper Heart Rings
You will need:
~napkins (square)
~scissors
~freezer paper (optional)
Look at the napkin. See the way it's folded? It has an 'open' corner and a 'folded' corner.
Take your scissors and cut two curve shapes (like the top of a heart) off the top. This will cause all the folds to turn into a heart shape, when opened.
Open up for your heart ring! If you use large napkins, you can also use the bottom cut out for a coaster. (See photo at top.)
You can scatter these heart rings all over your Valentine table. Under clear plates, under cookies or chocolates, under glass vases, votive candles, etc.
Now if you want to have these delicate napkins a bit stronger ~ iron on some freezer paper (the waxy side to the napkin) BEFORE you cut the heart shapes out. This works with delicate fabric also.
You can use either large or small napkins, or both.
These are real cute and easy, so make a bunch!
IF you don't have napkins, you can use wrapping paper, origami paper, etc.
tip of the day:
My dad gave me this tip a long time ago. If you get something in your eye, such as an eyelash, take a kleenex, fold up a few times to create a pointy end (like the ice cream cone shape we made above).
Gently touch this onto the irritant, and it will be absorbed onto the kleenex. If it doesn't work the first time, refold and use a new, dry end, and try again.
That's all for this week...
:D
Friday, February 3, 2012
Painting the Roses Red!
My favorite animated movie is Alice in Wonderland.
My kids know this, my friends know this, my fellow crafters know this.
I have A in W ornaments, A in W playing cards and I am quoting this movie all the time.
So when my girls had their 30th birthday, I, of course, had red roses for decorations.
These are paper roses, and easy to make. So NO need to fear the Queen of Hearts...
today's project is:
Paper Roses
You need:
~red tissue paper (or any other color you want)
~scissors
~tape (I used colored Duct Tape)
~skewers
First take your piece of tissue paper and cut it into 6 squares.
Layer 3 pieces on top of one another, and start folding these together at the same time.
You will fold these 4 times into a cone shape.
Then cut a curve in the top, through all layers.
Then do the same with the other 3 layers.
Open all and stack on top of each other.
Take a skewer and place a little piece of tape at the dull end. Stick this through the middle of all 6 layers.
Then you will gather and crimp the pieces up around the skewer and tape the bottom onto the stick. Make sure you get the tissue paper as you wind the tape around the skewer.
Then you will start separating the layers.
Do this gently starting at the bottom layer. Pull it downward.
Go to the next layer pulling it down, but not as far as the bottom layer.
Continue until you have separated all the layers.
Leave the top layer gathered around the skewer resembling a bud.
That's it! I made several of these, added them to toothpicks instead of long skewers and hung them from my dining room chandelier. I added paper sayings for my girls' birthday party. Plus I made a large flower to hang from the center of the lamp. You can make any size flower, just remember to cut the tissue paper into squares (not rectangles). For the large center flower I used 6 full sheets of tissue paper. Then I used the cut off ends to make into the smaller flowers.
I also used pink for the inside 3 layers, and red for the outside 3 layers. I added green construction paper leaves and strung them on fishing wire. A very feminine look.
You can make several and put in vases for centerpieces. Or string them together for a garland. Fast, easy and pretty.
Why not plan a Valentines Day party and make a bunch to decorate your place with. Or better yet, show your guests how to make them and send them home with a heart felt bouquet!
tip of the day:
I bought several boxes of blueberries today from the store, at a buy one, get one free sale. So I had to freeze some of them. And the lesson I learned from picking fresh blackberries and putting them in the freezer in a zip loc bag was: separate them before freezing! Otherwise you end up with a big, squashed clump of berries. So take a cookie sheet, put your berries (or banana slices) on this, making sure they are in a single layer. Put in freezer til set, and THEN take them off and put into another container (ziploc or tupperware) and store in freezer.
That's all for this week!
:D
My kids know this, my friends know this, my fellow crafters know this.
I have A in W ornaments, A in W playing cards and I am quoting this movie all the time.
So when my girls had their 30th birthday, I, of course, had red roses for decorations.
These are paper roses, and easy to make. So NO need to fear the Queen of Hearts...
today's project is:
You need:
~red tissue paper (or any other color you want)
~scissors
~tape (I used colored Duct Tape)
~skewers
First take your piece of tissue paper and cut it into 6 squares.
Layer 3 pieces on top of one another, and start folding these together at the same time.
You will fold these 4 times into a cone shape.
Then cut a curve in the top, through all layers.
Open all and stack on top of each other.
Take a skewer and place a little piece of tape at the dull end. Stick this through the middle of all 6 layers.
Then you will gather and crimp the pieces up around the skewer and tape the bottom onto the stick. Make sure you get the tissue paper as you wind the tape around the skewer.
Do this gently starting at the bottom layer. Pull it downward.
Go to the next layer pulling it down, but not as far as the bottom layer.
Continue until you have separated all the layers.
Leave the top layer gathered around the skewer resembling a bud.
You can make several and put in vases for centerpieces. Or string them together for a garland. Fast, easy and pretty.
Why not plan a Valentines Day party and make a bunch to decorate your place with. Or better yet, show your guests how to make them and send them home with a heart felt bouquet!
tip of the day:
I bought several boxes of blueberries today from the store, at a buy one, get one free sale. So I had to freeze some of them. And the lesson I learned from picking fresh blackberries and putting them in the freezer in a zip loc bag was: separate them before freezing! Otherwise you end up with a big, squashed clump of berries. So take a cookie sheet, put your berries (or banana slices) on this, making sure they are in a single layer. Put in freezer til set, and THEN take them off and put into another container (ziploc or tupperware) and store in freezer.
That's all for this week!
:D
Friday, January 27, 2012
3 Dimensions
This post is a couple of days late, because I didn't want my girls to find out about their party...
Last week my twin daughters had their birthday.
We are planning a big bash for Saturday to celebrate. And, of course, I am happily going crazy making stuff for the party.
Their nicknames are "the Twinkies", given to them from my dad. And so I made some paper wrappers on the computer that say Happy Birthday to the Twinkies. And wrapped and taped them onto...what else...twinkies. Those are the party favors.
The left over paper strips (I cut off from the twinkie wrapper papers) became curly decorations to stick into their cake. Just take thin strips of paper, tape together at the bottom, and using the edge of the scissors, curl the ends. Attach to toothpicks or skewers with tape.
And their cards have to be extra special, too. And this is what today's project is:
3-D greeting cards
You will need:
~paper
~stickers or magazine pictures or recycled cards
~glue
~scissors
First you need to assemble all the parts you are going to use. The pictures or stickers or the fronts of recycled cards you have received (that's why you save all those cards you get).
Cut out the individual pictures.
Then get some card stock for the base of the card, and fold in half. The standard size is 1/2 of an 8 1/2" x 11" piece.
Then get some scrap paper for the 3-D pop outs.
Adjust if need be.
Last week my twin daughters had their birthday.
We are planning a big bash for Saturday to celebrate. And, of course, I am happily going crazy making stuff for the party.
Their nicknames are "the Twinkies", given to them from my dad. And so I made some paper wrappers on the computer that say Happy Birthday to the Twinkies. And wrapped and taped them onto...what else...twinkies. Those are the party favors.
The left over paper strips (I cut off from the twinkie wrapper papers) became curly decorations to stick into their cake. Just take thin strips of paper, tape together at the bottom, and using the edge of the scissors, curl the ends. Attach to toothpicks or skewers with tape.
 |
| curled or not, these cute decorations will go on the cake. |
 |
| city scape |
 |
| garden scene |
You will need:
~paper
~stickers or magazine pictures or recycled cards
~glue
~scissors
First you need to assemble all the parts you are going to use. The pictures or stickers or the fronts of recycled cards you have received (that's why you save all those cards you get).
Cut out the individual pictures.
Then get some card stock for the base of the card, and fold in half. The standard size is 1/2 of an 8 1/2" x 11" piece.
 |
| city scape pieces |
Then get some scrap paper for the 3-D pop outs.
You need 2 pieces smaller than the base, fold in half and then fold up the bottom 1/2" and snip at the fold. These are the tabs that you are going to fasten to the base. I call these 'smaller cards'.
You will glue each one onto the base, by folding it up, put glue on tabs, place next to the fold in the base card - at an angle. Close the base. When you open it up, the 'smaller card' should open easily.
 |
| I used two smaller cards, and 2 boxes |
Then make a couple of small 2 sided 'boxes'. These are rectangles, folded in half, with a tab at each end. Glue this onto the front of one of the 'smaller cards' and also onto the base.
Now you can start adding all the fun pieces to it. Glue them onto the 'smaller cards' and the 'boxes' and scattered around the base.
 |
| I added 'streets' before I glued down the pop up components. |
You may have to glue this whole card down onto a larger piece of card stock if you find that your pop ups stick out beyond the base when it's closed.
You can keep adding little things until you have a look you like.
I made my own envelopes to fit these cards. I used scrapbook paper (12" x 12") and folded in all the sides leaving 1/4" space all around so the card slips in easily. I like to cut off the corners (squares). Glue 3 sides leaving top flap open.
Happy card making. Once you've perfected these simple pop-up shapes, there is no end to the fun cards you can make.
tip of the day:
When you plan a party, a theme is really the thing that ties everything together. The theme for this party is 30. Because that's how old my girls are now. All the guests were requested to make their gifts "30" themed. That is something that has 30 in., or 30 oz., or 30 pieces, or 30 on the package. It's a hoot to see what people come up with. It takes a bit more thought, but oh, so worth it, to see their creativity.
That's all for this week!
:D
Friday, January 20, 2012
Fun Site
Hi there,
In the place of my usual weekly post, I am recommending a fun site to check out.
http://www.pinterest.com/ This has so many handmade, creative, yummy things. I have to warn you though, that this IS the Bermuda Triangle of your time. It will suck you in for hours.
But it has so many great recipes, and crafts, and ideas that it's worth it.
When you scroll through it, and you find something you want to look at, click on the picture. Then click on it again to go to the blogger's site for instructions.
Then exit when finished, and 'back' to the site.
I have found that the pictures change when I stop and check individual sites out, but that's okay. It keeps the variety going.
The reason I'm not putting my usual post up today is that I'm planning a birthday party for my twins, and I'm using a few of the party ideas, and I don't want them to see it. So look for my PARTY POST next Friday as usual.
It will have fun things you could try for YOUR next party, so be sure to check it out. See you next time!....
:D
p.s.
check out my website: http://www.arttowearbydee.etsy.com/ for fun gifts
In the place of my usual weekly post, I am recommending a fun site to check out.
http://www.pinterest.com/ This has so many handmade, creative, yummy things. I have to warn you though, that this IS the Bermuda Triangle of your time. It will suck you in for hours.
But it has so many great recipes, and crafts, and ideas that it's worth it.
When you scroll through it, and you find something you want to look at, click on the picture. Then click on it again to go to the blogger's site for instructions.
Then exit when finished, and 'back' to the site.
I have found that the pictures change when I stop and check individual sites out, but that's okay. It keeps the variety going.
The reason I'm not putting my usual post up today is that I'm planning a birthday party for my twins, and I'm using a few of the party ideas, and I don't want them to see it. So look for my PARTY POST next Friday as usual.
It will have fun things you could try for YOUR next party, so be sure to check it out. See you next time!....
:D
p.s.
check out my website: http://www.arttowearbydee.etsy.com/ for fun gifts
Friday, January 13, 2012
pie crusty
I had a chance to visit Seattle before Christmas. We had a wonderful time with our daughter, Betsy and her husband Justin the week before. And while we were out and about, they were very accommodating and let me seek out a shop that had purchased my pie servers on Etsy.
So we wound around the city after breakfast and finally found Pie Ala Mode. And lo and behold inside were my 5 pie servers (fused glass and wire wrapping) in a cool display area.
We bought a whole pie to go, which was incredibly delicious and took these pictures along the way.
Hi Me! Hopefully they will sell and I will get some more commissions! But it was so fun to visit with the kids and enjoy a super great holiday!
tip of the day:
I was doing some super cleaning, and coming upon my mom's wine glasses that were in the back of my china cabinet, I found several nicks in the rims. My mom passed away in 2006, and I saved many of her things, and among them were these wine glasses. She even kept the little labels on the stem bottoms stating that they were made in Germany. They were precious to her, and so very precious to me.
Anyway...I have decided that I would not just put my special things away for safe keeping - but USE them. So I wanted to pass on this tip.
If you have little nicks in your glasses, put them under the faucet, with running water trickling over them, use sandpaper to sand down the sharp edges. Depending upon the nick, you may have a little dip in the glass, but at least you can still use it. Make sure you sand the inside, top, and outer edge. The thinner the glass, the less you need to sand. It sure beats throwing them away! Cheers!
p.s. HAPPY BIRTHDAY today TO DANA AND BETSY!!! xoxoxoxoxo smh
That's all for this week!
:D
So we wound around the city after breakfast and finally found Pie Ala Mode. And lo and behold inside were my 5 pie servers (fused glass and wire wrapping) in a cool display area.
Hi Me! Hopefully they will sell and I will get some more commissions! But it was so fun to visit with the kids and enjoy a super great holiday!
tip of the day:
I was doing some super cleaning, and coming upon my mom's wine glasses that were in the back of my china cabinet, I found several nicks in the rims. My mom passed away in 2006, and I saved many of her things, and among them were these wine glasses. She even kept the little labels on the stem bottoms stating that they were made in Germany. They were precious to her, and so very precious to me.
Anyway...I have decided that I would not just put my special things away for safe keeping - but USE them. So I wanted to pass on this tip.
If you have little nicks in your glasses, put them under the faucet, with running water trickling over them, use sandpaper to sand down the sharp edges. Depending upon the nick, you may have a little dip in the glass, but at least you can still use it. Make sure you sand the inside, top, and outer edge. The thinner the glass, the less you need to sand. It sure beats throwing them away! Cheers!
p.s. HAPPY BIRTHDAY today TO DANA AND BETSY!!! xoxoxoxoxo smh
That's all for this week!
:D
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