Tuesday, August 20, 2019

Raised Oak Leaf Dish DIY

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I recently made flowers using clay for the first time and really liked working with it! So naturally I looked on Pinterest for inspiration for other projects. I saw lots of ideas including this dish that I really liked, bowls, magnets and jewelry to pin but nothing really peeked my interest to actually make for this month's Pinterest Challenge.   If you aren't familiar with the Pinterest Challenge, it's a monthly event that's hosted by Erlene @ My Pinterventures.  and challenges us to not just be pin hoarders, but to make it happen! 

 I wanted to make a dish that looked different from the usual. And then, while perusing through one of my favorite online sites, I came across a lovely oak leaf dish 

source
and had a light bulb moment! How easy would this be to re-create in clay - at least something similar! In fact, check out how easy it really was!

Materials needed:
  • Oven baked clay
  • Oak leaf template
  • Parchment paper rolling pin
  • Skewer stick 
  • Glass bowl/small glass
  • Acrylic metallic paints
  • Mod Podge 
First, I had to find a picture of a leaf that I thought would make a nice dish shape. I found an oak leaf image online that I copied, printed and cut out!

Next, the clay that I had in my stash was more than a few years old. It was ok for the flowers that I made, but that was just a small piece removed from the corner of the block and was easy to manipulate!   
 But I found the entire clay block very hard to knead. In fact, after trying to pound it with a hammer with no luck,  I had to put it between parchment paper and stomp on it to help get it soft - for crying out loud!  And that worked somewhat!
I was able to then roll it out using my rolling pin - but still, it was hard rolling and I had to ask hubby to help me with that!
Next, I laid the leaf template down on the clay and started cutting it out using a craft knife.
I was pleasantly surprised how easy it was to remove the excess clay from the leaf pattern.
Then I used a wooden skewer to add vein lines to the leaf.
Next, it was time to bake! Since the dish that inspired me was curved with a flat base, I used a small glass to lay the leaf on to curve the clay dish after placing parchment paper down on the glass bowl to prevent sticking.

Following the baking directions on the package, the clay dish was placed in a 275 degree oven for 15 minutes. Once the dish reached the full baked time, I turned the oven off and let the clay dish cool down in the oven (my idea).
I left the dish sit out over night and then used an emery board to help smooth and round out all of the edges. 
As for painting the clay dish, I did a bit of research on how to paint polymer clay and read never to use spray paint or nail polish on clay. The chemicals in the spray can and polish will eventually break down the clay and colors, destroying the item.

 So, I painted the leaf veins a berry metallic color using acrylic craft paint.
Then used a copper metallic to paint the leaf all over. 
I also blended the berry and copper colors together and added the mix around the edge areas for a shaded look. I loved how it was coming together!
And finally, sealed the leaf dish with mod podge.
Don't you just love how this turned out! And it was really that easy!
How's this for a unique clay dish!


I am a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com. This post also contains affiliate links.  I may receive a very small commission.  It does NOT result in additional charges to you or cost you anything extra.  The affiliate money I earn per month helps pay my crafting expenses. Thanks so much for your support!



Let's meet this month's Pinterest Challenge hosts!Pinterest Challenge Blog Hop


To join next month's #pinterestchallenge, click here to sign-up ⇒ September Pinterest Challenge

 Now, let's see what the other hosts have created ⇓⇓

Thursday, August 15, 2019

DIY Fringe Bowl for Fall

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Have you noticed fringe is everywhere for fall in home decor these days - furniture, pillows, rugs, accents and especially wall hangings!  Adding fringe to decorative items is a great way of changing or introducing a new look for the season! 

One way could be to use jute twine to coil into a bowl and then add a cool handmade fringe around the top edge! That would be so cool!

 Here's how:
Start with a plastic bowl for shaping. I got this one at Target for 79 cents!
 And wrap it in strips of parchment paper instead of plastic wrap that will sometimes stick or melt and make the inside finish shiny.
 Then add fabric glue to the end of a large roll of jute twine (don't cut) and begin twirling it in a tight coil circle.
Place the coiled twine circle on top of the parchment covered bowl and continue adding fabric glue as you twirl the twine around.  

Add lines of glue along the twine as you are coiling it around the bowl base,  making sure to keep the twine even and the circle flat.
Continue coiling and gluing the twine around the bowl, holding the twine firmly in place as you are waiting for the glue to dry (a few seconds) until reaching the end of the bowl.
To finish, cut the twine at an angle, adding a bit of glue, while blending and smoothing into the edge. Gently remove plastic bowl from coiled twine bowl.
Seal the bowl with a coat of mod podge to make the fibers stronger and to control the jute twine threads. 
To make the fringe,  wrap a piece of jute twine around the edge of the finished bowl, overlapping the ends and cut off.  Measure the height of the side of the bowl (8") and begin  cutting eight inch strips of twine.  Then take each twine piece and fold in half forming a loop on one end.

Make a lark's head knot by placing the loop over the long piece of twine. 


With the loop hanging down over the twine, pull the two twine strands through the loop around the twine, pulling strands tight into a knot. 
Continue making larks head knots around the twine .  .  .
until twine is completely covered.
Unravel the twine strands and fluff using a comb or stiff brush. Attach fringe to edge of bowl using fabric glue or a strong glue made for fabric. Use clothespins to hold in place until glue is completely dry.

Back View


You can still insert the plastic bowl back in to use with food or wet items. 
It's a perfect fit!

What a fun way to add a decorative look using fringe!
Ideal for showing off my faux figs for Fall! Oh yeah!



 I'm sharing my Fringe Bowl tutorial as part of the Creative Crafter's Group Craft Challenge on Facebook hosted by Janet @Try It, Like It, Create It, where we are challenged to create  themed projects on the 15th of each month.  
Feel free to share your own Fall Crafts posts by linking up below!

You are invited to the Inlinkz link party!
Click here to enter

Monday, August 12, 2019

Decoupage a Thrift Store Frame

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Hey everybody! It's that time again for our 
Monthly Challenge Blog Hop!
I've joined a group of creative bloggers to bring you a monthly challenge blog hop. On the 2nd Monday of each month we share our themed creations for the month. 
 
The theme for August is Thrift Store Find ReMake Challenge where we 
 upcycle/repurpose an item we found at the thrift store, flea market or garage sale for twenty dollars or less!

The last time I was in the thrift store, the pickings were a bit slim for small items that I could give a new look to or a new purpose! But then I knew I could count on a variety of frames they had in stock to find something I could work with! There's usually a good selection in that category! 

 And here it is! A bit ornate for my taste, but it was only three bucks, so I couldn't resist! But you know what? After I finish transfiguring, oops, I mean transforming this baby, you won't even recognize it! 
To begin, there are so many ways to update an old picture frame. And usually you start with cleaning it first - I just needed to wipe it down with a wet rag after taking the backing and mat board off. It was in great shape! 

Then I painted the frame and the wooden border around the mat board (I removed that, too) with a multi-surface white acrylic paint! And I made sure I got the paint into all the crevices with the sponge brush!

Some would just stop at painting this frame for a refreshed look - but not me! For a fun and festive design, I decided to decoupage napkins onto the frame.  I have been using napkins on lots of my projects and I really love the finished look each time! Napkins are so versatile and it's amazing to me what you can do with them! 

 Here, I've cut the napkin into four strips with angle ends (that I eyeballed) - the length of the frame sides. After removing the white layers of the napkins .  .  . 
and applying mod podge to one side of the wood frame, gently smoothed out the napkin on top.
Then, using a plastic baggy, continued smoothing out the napkin into the grooves and crevices of the frame.
Next, continue to decoupage the napkin strips onto each side of the frame - matching the design, until completely covered. Once dry, use sandpaper or emery board to scrape and remove excess napkin paper from edges and sides.

And then add additional mod podge to seal the napkin to the frame.  The inner wood mat border was also decoupage with napkin strips following the same steps.
A  flower graphic that I found online and printed to size was placed on the center mat to compliment the napkin design. And finally, the entire frame was re-assembled for a whimsical decorative piece to hang!
The result is fabulous!
See how the new frame blends in with my decor - especially the curtains!
This post also contains affiliate links.  I may receive a very small commission.  It does NOT result in additional charges to you or cost you anything extra.  The affiliate money I earn per month helps pay my crafting expenses. Thanks so much for your support!

Now meet this month's participants!

Purple Hues & Me | This Autoimmune Life

You will definitely want to check out all of our hosts creations, ideas and inspirations for this month's Thrift Store ReMake Theme!

 And be sure to come back on September 9th for our
Upcycle Challenge using clothing, fiber or material!

You are invited to the Inlinkz link party!
Click here to enter