Tag Archives: crafts

DIY Photo Jar Vase

By

vazi1
I did an experiment to see if I could make a vase using a photo glued to the inside of a jar.

sealglueI used Mod-Podge Outdoor Exterior Glue to glue the photo on the inside of the jar.
I let the first coat dry for a few hours and then put on a heavy second coat.
I forgot about let the jar sit a few weeks.
I covered the jar with cling wrap and put painters tape around the top.
I took the jar outside away from the house and sprayed the inside of the jar with Flex Seal.
I let the jar sit over night to allow the flex-seal to dry.
The next day I removed the tape and cling wrap.
I tied a gingham ribbon around the rim of the jar, filled it with water and put some flowers in it.
I’m happy to report that this experiment worked out quite well.
vazi2

Here’s hoping all your experiments have positive results.
Have a great week!
🙂
spgrnbgln

Trying to keep from slipping up

By

As fun as growing older is, the part about not healing as quickly or as sufficiently as in my youth has me trying to be safer about avoiding illness and accidents especially avoiding falling. I had never crocheted myself a pair of house-slippers because I knew that they’d have a potential for slipping during a misstep and I’d go crashing down.

I came across a video showing how to skid proof crocheted house-shoes for children. Wow! I was instantly interested because the video’s method can be used on larger shoes as well. I could finally make myself a pair of of house-slippers to wear.

I made some adaptions to fit my. I chose to make a simple pair of house-slippers just to test it out and didn’t even bother with a pattern. I put Silicone on the Soles, let them dry/cure for 24 hours and then tested them out. I really liked them. The silicone works like a charm to keep me from slipping on the linoleum.

I’m going to add here, that the linoleum got super slick after my first few days of wearing my slippers. So if you use this method, be careful and pay attention to if your floors start getting slicker.

I think this method could be used on most any knitted, loom knit, crochet, felt, fabric or even socks.
A person could have a whole wardrobe of different kinds of non slip house shoes.

Here’s a sort of tutorial photo montage of how I made
My Crocheted Slippers that don’t Slip

🙂

Reference:

Video: SILICONE SOLES, how to add non skid soles to knit and crochet slippers

Tutorial on a blog for felt house-shoes: Making Sippers Non-slip tutorial

 

spgrnbgln

 

August Wreath

By

8-2014-cwotm
My August ‘Wreath of the Month 2014’ is dedicated to the new school year.

In my youth, one of my most favorite parts about a new school year was getting all those wonderful new art/office supplies.
Even today, a purchase of art or office supplies gives me a happy smile. I didn’t grow out of my enjoyment of getting new art/office supplies, perhaps I never will.

Here’s wishing all the students a wonderful school
year filled with bright smiles & happy learning.
ec-sunny

~*~
I made the wreath base out of newspaper. I crocheted the wreath base cover out of bright yellow yarn.
I sculpted all of the decorations on the wreath out of polymer clay. I made the labels, for my sculpts of colors and glue, in my PhotoImpact program and printed them off onto sticky paper.
Hopefully my August school wreath brings-to-mind thoughts of sunshine and a bright future.
~*~
spgrnbgln

Tipful Thursday – zippers, hand-fan, picture hook, craft bags

By

hintsHere’s a few things that I’ve found to be helpful.

3-spcbg

IMG_2658In my opinion, most zippers are a bit pricey. I don’t mind so much if I’m buying a specific zipper to match fabric to make a piece of clothing, special projects or home decor type stuff, however,  there’s some craft projects that need a zipper and I’d rather not sink a lot of money in them.  After thinking about the problem awhile, I figured out an inexpensive way to buy zippers . I buy the really cheap zipper bags and take the zippers out of them. When I want to use the zippers, I can cut them to whatever length I need. The bags in the photo were a dollar each. The smaller one has 2 in it, so I got two 16 inch zippers for a dollar. The other 2 bags are of really long and extra long lengths, I don’t know their exact lengths, I haven’t disassembled the bags yet to  measure them. These zippers probably won’t last in a heavy duty project like jeans or sleeping bags… and then again I could be wrong and they might hold up well. This is a relatively new idea of mine and I haven’t used them yet. But even so, I think it’s a good idea anyway. (as for the plastic part of the bags, I fold it neatly and store it away because I hope to find some uses for it too someday)

IMG_3564Here’s an idea for an inexpensive and small heavy duty hand-fan (duel duty if you want). It’s a small cutting board. lol I discovered what a great fan it made, when a hot-flash hit and it was the smallest lightest weight thing in my reach that I could use to wave in the air and help cool me off. lol Seriously, though, you can’t tell it from the photo, but it’s not very big. The handle is a nice advantage; it’s light weight enough to tote around the house or take outside or most anywhere.

0-IMG_6342I bought these ‘Incredible Hooks’ at a dollar store. You may have seen commercials for hooks like them. You may have wondered if they’re as easy to use and handy as the commercials say. I’m here to tell you that they most definitely work for me in drywall (Sheetrock). I love the ease of putting them where I want and removing them if I want too. I was truly surprised these work. These are great. There’s 20 in the pack and I haven’t needed to buy anymore, but I won’t hesitate to buy more if/when I run out.

IMG_7432I usually have several projects going at the same time. I find it’s handy to keep them in 2 gallon Ziploc bags with their supplies. This makes them easy to pick up and take with me to work on them most anywhere. I use much bigger plastic bags for my crochet blanket projects. Keeping the projects in plastic bags helps keep them cleaner too.

I hope one of these ideas may be helpful to you or may spark an idea for you to build on.

Wishing you all a great rest of the week!
🙂

spgrnbgln

Round Squash Fun

By

IMG_3911Normally when I start posting about our squash harvest, I would begin with recipes, but this time I’ve decided to start with a bit of fun with my squash.

Since the larger round squash can keep for a few weeks on the counter, I enjoy using them for decorating.
IMG_3943A bit of netting wrapped around a squash and a bit of shiny ribbon makes the squash a bit fancy or a bit slutty. I haven’t decided yet. lol
I think it makes a cheerful and different piece of decor.
IMG_3927In honor of 4th of July coming soon, I set a squash on a mason jar and dressed it as an Uncle Sam character. I drew his eyes and mouth on sticker paper so i could remove them easily from the squash. I put a hat on it and then put a bit of polyfil under each side of the hat for sideburns. I glued some polyfil to a piece of sticker paper and then stuck it on the squash for a beard. The patriotic bow pulls it all together nicely, I think.
IMG_3913I thought I’d go ahead and waste a squash since I have so many. I made a light out of it. It looks really pretty in real life.  I cut out the top of the squash to use as a cap for it.  I hollowed out the squash and drilled holes in it. I put a piece of plastic on the inside on the bottom so the moisture won’t get in the tea light and short it out. I then put a battery operated tea light in the squash and put the cap on it. It looks charming.
To store it when not in use: I remove the tea light from the squash, then wrapped the squash in plastic wrap and keep it in the refrigerator.  When I’m done with it, after a couple of days, I’ll throw it away.

If you use squash or pumpkins as decor, Be sure to check them every day so you can dispose of them when they go bad.

Why is it with squash, it’s either feast or famine. Just look at the big pile of squash we have picked over the past week and a half.
6-22-2014-weeksharvestWe’ve already given the neighbors so much they won’t take anymore. lol  It’s been a good year for squash so far. Sadly, It could end any day because of weather or pests. So, I’m enjoying them while I can.

Remember to have some fun and play with your food every now and then.

Wishing you all a terrific Tuesday.
🙂


🙂
spgrnbgln