I Finally Get To Participate in a Create With Me!!

Have you guys heard about the monthly Create With Me series over on the blog UCreate?   

Every month they chose a project that is pretty popular in blogland and set up a challenge to create that project during the month and at the end of the month they have a show and tell blog where everyone shows off their project. Such a neat idea!

For both March and April I tried to get my projects finished (technically I did the March one, but at the beginning of April), but I'm a pretty bad procrastinator and didn't get them finished in time. 

I was determined that I would get the May project done in time. 

And I did!!!

I made a picture frame jewelry holder!!!

Awesome, right? 

I found this adorable window picture frame on a venture to Craft Warehouse when they were having 40% off all their unfinished wood frames. I didn't even know what I was going to use it for, but knew that I had to have it. So I brought it home and it sat in no man's land AKA my sewing table, where ideas get lost (according to Amazing Boyfriend.) 

I painted it Sea Breeze blue, then used Staining Antiquing Medium with Warm White to create a whitewashed/aged look. Then stapled the mesh screen onto the back with my new staple gun. (Yay, for using new toys tools) I also decided to add some picture hanging hooks at the bottom under the little window ledge to hang necklaces from. I even unscrewed the two hanging hooks on the back and nailed in a new hanging thingy (great technical term, I know) so that I only had to use one nail to hang it.

Even Amazing Boyfriend had to admit that it looked pretty good, once I explained the look I was going for so he knew it was supposed to be sort of streaky. But he's usually all for projects that organize things so that they have a proper place.

I'm so excited with how it turned out!!!

I am not really excited about how the pictures turned out though. I have to hang this in such a weird spot. Since we live in the basement we have heater vents along the wall my sewing table is against. And we have a little door that goes to the crawl space underneath the house that's right next to my sewing table. And the best part is... nothing is LEVEL so all pictures and things hung on this wall look crooked when the heating vents are crooked.

Oh well, I guess life can't be perfect...

But at least now I have the perfect spot for my favorite jewelry pieces.


This project was featured:

I'm sharing this project at the following link parties:

Thrift Store Score and Fish on the Brain

Since I've moved back to my hometown I haven't had a chance to check out the local thrift store. I drive by ALL the time, but just haven't gotten around to going in. Thrift store trips for me and generally hit and miss... usually miss. 

 

But today must have been my lucky day. 

I went in with three objectives: 

 

1. a small basket for my nieces flower girl basket

2. a colander to wash fish gravel in

3. plates with decorative edges for another wedding project for my niece

 

I found all 3, plus some, in under 20 minutes and all for under $11!!! 

 

(not pictured is the colander because Amazing Boyfriend was already using it)

 

AWESOME!!!

My favorite find has to be the fish plate. 

 

 

 I'm not entirely sure what I'm going to use it for, especially since it won't work for the project I got the other plates for, but I just thought it was so cool.

Maybe the reason I love the fish plate so much is because I have fish on the brain. Amazing Boyfriend decided on Sunday when we went to the pet store to get treats for Luna that he wants to get fish. (Note to self: go to the pet store alone from now on.) He came home and did his research online of what kind of tank he wanted, what he'd have to do to treat the tank, how to clean it, etc. 

 

Last night we went back to the pet store and got EVERYTHING that we could possibly need to set up an aquarium. Today we spent the afternoon setting everything up. 

 

 

The advice we got was to have the tank set up and running for a couple days before introducing fish. Since tomorrow is a chemo day, we decided that next week when ABF is feeling better we'll get our first couple fish for our fish tank. Just in time for ABF's birthday. 

 

All in all, today was a pretty good day. 

You Glued Fabric To What ?!

The baby shower that my Mom and I are throwing for my brother Jonathan and his girlfriend, Sarah is this weekend and I still have a few projects to cross off my to-do list but I wanted to show you guys one of the cool things I made that will add a neat touch to our decor.
 

Mom saw in a magazine a craft project where someone covered tin cans in fabric and ribbon and used them as utensil holders. She told me all about them, showed me the picture in the magazine and said, "You can make these, right?" 
 

Sure I can, because I'm AWESOME! 
 

And because Mom made a trip to Jo-Ann's so that she could buy fabric and ribbon that color coordinated with our colors for the shower. 

So I present to you...

Fabric  Utensil Holders!!!

 
Wanna see how I did it? 

 

Supplies:

clean tin cans

fabric

ribbon

craft glue

scissors

pinking shears

measuring tape
sponge brush




After making sure that the cans were clean and removing the labels, I was ready to start. I first measured the circumference of the can, then added half an inch. 

Then I measured the height of the can and added 1 1/2 inch.

Then I cut out a rectangle of fabric using my measurements. 

I took the can and traced the bottom circle onto the fabric to cut out for the bottom piece.

Once I had all my pieces cut it was time to start gluing. I squirted my craft glue directly on the can and used a sponge brush to get the right amount of coverage I needed. Then I applied the fabric to the can, leaving plenty of fabric on the top and bottom for the next steps.

After gluing the fabric to the can, it's time to deal with the excess at the top and the bottom. At the top, make small even cuts around the top so it will fold nicely into the can. 

Once the slits are cut, apply a ring of glue around the top lip of the can. Then smooth the fabric down inside the can. 

When the top is done, it's time to move on to the bottom, which is pretty much the same. Cut even slits around the fabric at the bottom of the can. Then apply a ring of glue and smooth the fabric down to the bottom of the can.

Once the bottom slits of fabric are glued down, apply a ring of glue and glue the circle of fabric that you traced out to the bottom of the can, which hides all the folds from the side fabric.

When you have all the fabric glued to the sides and bottom of the can, then you can decorate it as you want. Since I made a few cans, I used the pinking shears and used them to cut strips of coordinating fabric that I glued around two of the cans. I also used ribbon to add embellishment. But you could do any sort of embellishment, rosettes, rhinestones, charms, etc. 

I love how these turned out! Even Amazing Boyfriend commented  on how well they turned out. And I'm happy because I know they're going to add that little extra touch to our baby shower. 


I'm sharing this project at the following link parties: