Scrap bits

House Update. Before and After

I moved into this new home at the end of July, things are finally getting done and this place is starting to look like me-starting to look like home.

It takes me some time to decide what I want to do in what room. I am not one for immediately decorating the whole house just to get it done. I like to live in it for awhile, and get a feel for each room.

I still have so much to get done. My to-do list is huge, plus I am trying to work on my etsy store and get some holiday things listed in there. I have a bunch of new prints to work on as well. I also hope to get a 2012 calendar in the store... maybe I am taking on more than I can handle? We will see.  Cant believe Christmas is just round the corner! How the heck did that happen?

One of the things I just finished was my hutch (or is it a buffet? I never know). It is pine, and really nice, but I dont like the color. I never liked the "orange" look so common in wood from the 90's.  I was lookiing for a more "Pottery Barn" painted look.

I dont have an actual "before" photo, cuz I didnt think that far ahead, and by the time I remembered I had already taken off the doors and drawers and started with the primer...but you can get a pretty good idea of the orange color from this photo;

I gave the wood a light sand, wiped it off then just put one coat of primer on. Here it is all primed; 

I had planned on getting new knobs and hinges, but first I wanted to paint the ones that were already on there and see how they turned out. I sanded, primed and painted the wood knobs, and sprayed the metal hinges with Tremclad metal paint- didnt prime them at all.  They look great and I am happy that I didn't have to spend any money on new hardware!

After the primer was dry I did one coat of black paint. When it was dry I gave it a light sand. Here it is with the first coat;

You can still see the white primer under the first coat...

After another coat and another light sand in between, it was all done! I am so happy with how it turned out. Like a brand new hutch! And it didnt cost any money- just time (although I dont have an abundance of either! ha!)

There it is! My new and improved hutch. I got lots more before and after to come. Lots to do in the new place. I have some great ideas for art I want to put on the walls so I gotta get to it!

Another version of the starburst mirror

Yes, I love a starburst mirror.  Remeber the one I made here?

Well I just came accross the most fantastic one, which I will be making for sure when I get in my new house.

Come on now! How cool is this? Flamingo Toes has a full step by step tutorial on her blog with great detailed photos.

The NON- Tuturial. Coffee cozy

I made this coffee cozy quite a while ago, and I didn't think to take photos of the process.  Sorry!  Next time I will have the steps for you. Maybe I will make another and take step by step photos for you... would you be interested?

I just took a paper cozy from my morning cup of joe and opened it up to trace it onto my material and went 1/4 inch bigger then the paper template for seam allowance.  I cut the back from plain black, and the front I used suiting flannel. Then I attached some different materials and fibers to the front and free motion stitched all over it.  Sewed a bit of leather lace in a loop, and added a clear button.  Pretty easy & fun. I love how it turned out. I am thinking of making a bunch and selling them in my shop, but that would require me to be organized and I am so NOT organized these days!  We'll see.

Much better than those cardboard sleeves, don't you think?

 

Free Download Friday- Apothecary labels

Check out this free download for Apothacary type labels from wordlabel.com.  The link is here but be warned: they have tons of free downloads and you may get lost on the site for awhile!

Thanks to Cathe Holden for designing the labels and for giving the heads up on her blog! If you havent checked out Just Something I Made, you are in for a treat!

Easy Christmas tree decorations

Here is a really easy and fast tutorial for paper covered Christmas trees. I made these to decorate my table for the craft show I was in a couple of weeks ago. These would be great to make with the kids as well.

You will need:

styrofoam cones in various sizes

hot glue gun

cardstock and/or patterned paper in colors of your choice

scissors

optional trim to decorate your tree

Cut your paper into strips. Mine are approx 1 or 1.5 inches wide, but there is no rule here. 

Then cut snips into the strips, and curl them up slightly with the dull edge of your scissors. here is a close up shot of the curled paper on the cone so you can see what I mean.

 
Starting at the bottom, hot glue the strip around the cone. Continue upwards till the cone is covered. To finish the top, roll a piece of paper into a cone shape and glue to the top.

At this point you can add ribbon or trim to finish the tree if you want.

You can use christmas colored paper or go all white and cream- I think that would look cool. I also tried using torn strips of muslin and I really liked how this one turned out.

I think these took me 15 minutes each. Really easy and fast.

If you try them I would love to know how they turn out!

Baby Shower- A Success!

I had my sister in law's baby shower here on Sunday. We had a great time. Lots of food (too much), lots of presents, lots of games, lots of laughter! We even dragged my brother in to do a game.

I made a diaper cake, which was not as hard as it looks!

(see what I mean about the food?)

I made this pin for the mommy to be to wear,

... and put it on her belly!

She is less than 2 weeks away from her due date and she looks great! 

We handed out these pretty flower favors,( made with folded book pages), and put a magnet on the back.

A close up of the favors

thanks to my other sister in law, Issy for helping ALL DAY Saturday and Sunday- I could not have done it without her! Thanks mom for making all the fantastic squares and desserts- as always they were fantastic, and I ate way too many!

Thanks to Gayle for making the gorgeous tissue paper flowers, and coming early to hang them! Look at these!! Wow!

Congratulations to my brother and his awesome wife! I cant wait to meet my new little niece!! Free babysitting- ANYTIME!!!  xx

tissue paper flowers, made extra large with colorful napkins!

Found this very cool tutorial over at MADE blog. Thinking of decorating my art booth/tent with these flowers along with a strand or two of this banner.

check it out! these are much easier than they look!

no sew fabric banner

How cool is this? Looks so easy? I just found this blog and I may be there all night-it's full og great DIY projects and ideas. I love this banner- I think I will make it for my daughter's room- how fun is that?

Fantastic and easy tutorials on Paper n Stitch blog. Check it out!

Cool ruffle t-shirt tutorial

Came across this today.

 

Check out the tutorial on Tea Rose Home. I think I will give it a try. Lord knows I have enough t-shirts!