DIY Golden Cork Coasters

How was everyone's weekend? I wish I could have seen all the fun costumes this weekend, but alas, I stayed in and was lazy. SO needed sometimes!!

The hubs and I watched creepy movies and TV shows instead. (Dracula!!!! swoon...)

Anyway, I have to admit that while Halloween is a lot of fun, I am very much looking forward to Christmas! Already went and bought a bunch of colorful Christmas fabric for  some place mats and can't wait to start making them. :D Anyone else itching to get started on Christmas crafts?

But until then, I wanted to share something else I made with you. I bought some pretty scrap book paper the other day and decided to make some coasters with it!

  Supplies:

• Cork sheets
• Scrap book paper
• Clear gloss paint/brush
• Scissors
• Felt

Instructions:

1. Measure your cork and paper to 4" x 4" and cut (4) of these.
2. Measure your felt to 3.5" x 3.5" and cut (4).
3. Apply a layer of gloss to your cork pieces and lay the paper on top. Flip over and do the same with your felt. Place these under a heavy book to dry.
4. Once dry, apply another coat of gloss over the top and sides and allow to dry.

Now you're done! 

~Rachelle

DIY Scrap Necklace

It's almost Friday!!! Can I get an "Amen!"

So I was at World Market the other day and spotted a cute necklace and cowl. However, I could only have one or the other according to the Hubs, so I bought the cowl. (I cannot crochet!)

I went home and decided I would make my own version of the necklace. You can do it too!

This is so so easy to do! I used scrap fabric I already had and added the beads.

Supplies:

• Silky fabric of your choosing that measures around 32" in length and a few inches wide
•  Silver beads ( I found mine at JoAnne's)
• Scissors
• Needle and thread
• Fray stop

Instructions:

1. Lay out your fabric. Cut (3) strips about 1" wide lengthwise.
2. Apply fray stop and wait for it to dry.
3. Using the loop end of your needle, feed the corners of your fabric through the beads. (My package came with 8 beads, so I applied 3/3/2 per strip.) Move them around to your liking.
4. Pulling the strips together at one end, tie a knot about 9" to 10"down on one end only.
5. Secure that end (I clamped it in my sewing box) and create a very loose braid.
6. Tie another knot at the opposite end the same way as before.
7. Collecting all of the ends together and overlapping them a bit, sew them together. (It's okay if it looks a bit "unkempt" since that is the overall look of the necklace.)

Ready to wear!

~

**Just a side note to my readers: I will be out of town starting tomorrow and returning Sunday. Sadly, I will not have an opportunity to create and post. Have a wonderful and blessed weekend!

~Rachelle

DIY Speckled Paint BALL Jar

Okay, I admit it. I go through phases with creativity.

Right now, its a "What-can-I-gloss-over?" phase. I've pretty much emptied my bottle of Triple Thick Gloss within the past couple of days.

The Jar
 

Supplies:

• BALL Jar (Or any kind really.)
• Paint of your choosing
• Yarn
• Gold Leaf (Flaked)
• Triple Thick Gloss
• Brushes 
• Gold paint

Instructions:

1. Paint your jar. Use 2 coats for good measure.
2. Tie your yarn around the rim of the jar. Continue wrapping around the rim until it is covered and start wrapping it down and around the base of the jar until you are satisfied with the appearance. ( Random always seems to come out the best, so switch directions as you are wrapping.)
3. Tuck the end of your yarn under one of the lines.
4. Whip out that Triple Thick Gloss and start gobbing it on! (Avoid the rim.) Use a paint brush to smooth it out.
5. Taking pinches at a time, start sprinkling your gold leaf around the jar.
6. Grab the gloss again and give it a second coat.
7. Use the gold paint to add the final touch to the yarn surrounding the rim of your jar.

GLOSS-TASTIC JAR FINISHED!

Note: If you try this project, send me photos! I would loovvee to see your creations. :)

~Rachelle

Jewelry Box Makeover

Do you ever have moments where you need to make, paint or sew something; but are at a loss as to what?

It's like the creative juices are there and ready to rock 'n roll, but your mind didn't get the memo.

That was me last night. I had no idea what I really wanted to work on, so I grabbed this little raw wood box I bought recently and decided I would do something with it. I had no idea what. I picked up whatever happened to be laying around me and started applying. Here is the end result:

 

Most of the time, I just need to create...even if I don't know what will come of it...

I layered a ton of paint on this, as well as lots of gloss coating before sanding the corners. 

~

The initial result of the border on top wasn't too great, so I scraped off gobs of paint until I stopped with this result. What do you think?

 I could not decide what to do with the photo panel in the center, so I walked around the house thinking. Then it dawned on me that there were some little flowers outside on our porch.  
Note: I don't make a habit of snapping flower heads, but this little flower just fit the bill.

 

I always forget a before shot, so below is a similar photo of what it looked like before I got to it:

I would try to give a tutorial on this for you, but to be honest, I went into a zone where I could not begin to tell you the process. Mostly because I changed it multiple times! I would suggest just going to the craft store and buying the first piece of anything that you think you could have fun with. Use what you have around the house and whatever paints you have laying around and create something inspired by that creative energy! :)

~Rachelle

Twine Candle Holder

Happy Friday!

The past day or two has been a bit busy for me, but I do a have a fun and very easy project to share with you:

Supplies:

• Clear candle holder (I found mine at the $1 store)
• Twine
• Elmers Glue
• Votive

Total cost- $4   
*Note: You can use the ball of twine for many other projects. The votives come in sets, so you can use them in multiple candle holders!

Instructions:

• Start wrapping your twine around the glass until you have your desired amount and cut it. 
• With that twine, completely cover it in Elmers glue and start wrapping it around the glass.
• Allow to dry and you're done!

With this, feel free to add as much twine as you like. I left a lot of spacing for the light to come through, but it's up to your discretion. :)

Have a great weekend!

~Rachelle

DIY Framed "FALL" Letters

Yay! Another fun Do It Yourself project for Fall. :)

What you need:

(4) - 5 x 7 picture frames (I used some I already had, but you can also run to the thrift store and find some for a few dollars. Just spray paint them black!)

(4) Sheets of scrapbook paper (Any color you like, as long as it plays into the Autumn theme.)

Printer

Instructions:
Play with different fonts in Word or any program of your choosing. (I chose different fonts for my letters to make it more playful.) Once you have picked your fonts, make sure you play with font sizing on your computer and print on test sheets of plain paper before you print on your scrapbook paper. (Trust me, each font sizes differently, so you want to make sure it fits into the frame before you print it on your colored paper.)

Cut your colored paper into 8.5" x 11" so you can fit it in your printer. Print your letters!

Line up the glass from each frame over your letters and trace. Go ahead and cut them out and apply to your frame. Now you're finished!

Enjoy your display!

~Rachelle

 

A Lil Southern for Your Sofa

I don't know about you, but I LOVE farms, barns and everything country!
There's something just so wholesome and natural about it all. What I wouldn't give...

 Photo Credit: Captivating Image Photography (aka Dad)

For the moment though, I currently call a condo my home. Mind you, it is a lovely condo and it has been good to my husband, myself and our two little critters.  But like me, I know the pups would love the open air and lots of land. I know when they're running in their sleep, it's through wheat fields, feeling free as a bird and chasing varmints... They told me. 

 

Here they are.

Athena- dreaming of what life would be like on a farm....
                &
 Zeus- well, go ahead and fill in the blank. He's always giving me quizzical looks and I wonder sometimes if there's a little person in there.









                                                                               ~~~

Because very few of us are afforded the luxury of country livin' (moo cows en tow), I thought I'd lasso a lil of that country and bring it home. I'll show you how you can do it too with coffee, fabric and basic sewing skills.

Here's a country pillow I made.

 

Instructions:

To get the rustic look of the pillow, take a cut piece of canvas cloth and drop it in a pot of boiling water complete with coffee grounds and instant coffee.

After you're satisfied with the stain, bake it in the oven on a cookie pan until it is dry.

For the tractor image, Google "free stencils". It doesn't have to be a tractor, so find one you like! Print it out on a piece of clear sheet protector and cut out the center. Once you are ready to apply the image, lay out your canvas cloth and apply a spray adhesive to the back of your stencil to ensure there isn't any "stray sprays" hitting the fabric. Once you center your stencil, spray the image in with brown spray paint.

After it dries, go ahead and sew up the pillow with fabric you chose for the back. That's it! Now you have some southern charm--minus the farm! Eh-hem. :)

 

It's hard to tell, but I think she's a fan.

~Rachelle

Fall Centerpiece - DIY

Okay guys, it doesn't get much easier than this. If you want a snazzy Fall centerpiece for around $10 and want to say you did it yourself- keep reading! Everything about this project I bought at the dollar store, with the exception of the spray paint and glue (Walmart).

Here's what you need:
Spray paint (I used Gold) $2.50
A small package of faux leaves $1
Potpourri $1
Candle $1
1 Dinner plate $1
1 Martini glass $1
1 Bowl $1
Glass glue $3 ( I also hear super glue works, but I have yet to try it out)

Instructions:
Wash and dry your dishes. Apply glue to the top of the martini glass along the rim. Place this upside down in the center of the topside of the dinner plate. Give this a few minutes to dry before applying glue to the bottom edge of the martini glass and centering the bottom of the bowl on top. Let this site for about 30 minutes before spray painting your color in a well ventilated area. Spray your second coat about 30 minutes later. Flip it upside down to get the bottom, as well. Again, wait 30 minutes to allow for dry time. (Here you have the option to spray a layer of clear gloss, but it's not necessary.)

Now just add your faux leaves to the bottom dish and your potpourri and candle to the bowl on top and you're finished. Easy-peasy! Put it on display at the dinner table or coffee table for that warm Autumn touch and admire a job well done. :)

~Rachelle

Pillows for the Fall

Mmmmm, I can smell Fall in the air! Yay! Autumn has quickly become my favorite season (sorry Summer) - The crisp cool air, pumpkin patches, apple pie, football and the COLORS! Thus, in the spirit of the season, I got creative.

These pillows are my first attempt at sewing my own. (Actually they are my first finished sewing project that I am happy with!) Yes, it is very easy to go out and buy some cute pillow covers to switch up your decor, but I knew I wouldn't find what I had envisioned. So here are a few of the ideas I had, and gave them life! Fun fun! ;)

Goldenrod pillows: Microsuede pillow covers, hand-made silk flowers.

Pumpkin pillow: Canvas cloth pillow cover, silk used for the pumpkin and free stitching on the stem. (My comfiest pillow out of the bunch. If I'm not using it, the dog is!)

Plaid front pillow: Canvas cloth, black swirly fabric, plaid & ribbon. (This one is not a pillow cover.) I wanted to try stuffing and sewing up a full pillow.

                                                                    

**I just want to add, that if you are just starting out in the sewing world - Congrats! I tried sewing purses, shirts, you name it.  I always felt unsatisfied with how they were turning out. But pillows- now there is an easy-to-do sewing project and they will give any room a nice new look without having to spend a ton of money! Look for sales at your fabric store and use pillows you already own to save even more!  Happy Sewing!

~ Rachelle

Crafts