Monday, April 30, 2018

How To Make Colorful Crepe Paper Flowers


Cinco De Mayo is almost here and in the spirit of celebrating this wonderful event and fiesta, I'm showing you how to make Colorful Crepe Paper Flowers!





Do you know that you can make these beauties using a Bowdabra? How cool is that!  And you won't believe how easy they are to make! 

Please visit me over on Bowdabrablog, to see my full tutorial on making these beautiful, vibrant,  crepe paper flowers!  The possibilities are almost unlimited with what you can do with them! Perfect in a vase or make lots for a wreath or wall backdrop - Just the right touch to liven up your décor and party settings!


Thanks for stopping by
and take a little time to enjoy,

Happy Crafting!

Thursday, April 26, 2018

Thrift Store Candle Holder Sleeve Illumination


It's that time again - the fourth Thursday of the month, where a group of creative bloggers come together to share their lovely transformations of a thrift store item. Who doesn't love thrift store upcycle projects - whether it's actually creating one or admiring how an item from a thrift store was transformed!


This post contains links to products, if you purchase something after clicking on my link I may earn a small commission to help with my craft expenses (at no extra cost to you).Thank you!


The Rules:

  • Upcycle an item(s) from a thrift store, resale store, or garage sale into a new piece of decor.
  • There's no monthly theme.
  • There's no budget to stick to.
Be sure you follow our board on Pinterest for more upcycled decor inspiration!

Here's a fun way to illuminate an area with your favorite colors while dressing up a plain thrift store candleholder! We've all seen those decorative sheets of aluminum used in crafts - I've had one in my stash that I got on clearance a few years ago that I finally get to use for this! Yay! 

And then there's the actual metal candleholder that I found at Goodwill for two bucks that I cleaned up using liquid BarKeeper! I think the trim is real brass and I didn't want to paint over it since everything was matchy, matchy, already! And I think there was more to the candleholder originally since the label said "beaded cup" - perhaps  there was a beaded decorative cup for the candle to sit in .  .  .

and with a nail in the center (I cut it off) - which I guess was to secure the candle.  Anyway, I think it was a great find! I didn't exactly transform it but actually enhanced how it looked.

Altogether, materials used:
Metal candleholder
Decorative aluminum sheet
Cylinder shape can/marker/ruler
4" round LED multi-color base light w/remote control
Tin snips
18 gauge wire
Needle-nose/wire cutter pliers

Let's begin by shaping the aluminum sheet by rolling it around something cylinder shape, like a  spray can and quickly releasing it. Don't roll too tight or the metal might bend.
Stand the rolled sheet on top of the candleholder to measure around base as a guide to fit. Mark bottom at the point where it overlaps to fit base. Use a ruler to draw a straight line from bottom point to top and cut off excess aluminum using tin snips. Re-roll the aluminum sheet over the base light to make sure it fits, too.
I really wanted a smooth connection at the sides and tried gluing the overlapping aluminum edge for the sleeve. First, with E6000 glue and then, Loctite Super Glue Gel  (separately) and even taped the sheet around to hold in place using masking tape and duct tape while the glue dried overnight. But the glue didn't hold and the aluminum sheet sleeve opened.  I then had to scrape all of the glue off and start again.

After gluing failed, I folded 6" strips of 18 gauge wire into "U" shapes and .  .  .

inserted them into the holes where the sheet overlapped and twisting the wire inside by hand. Then twisted the wire tighter using needle-nose pliers .  .  .


along the entire length of sleeve. The excess twisted wires were cut off for a smooth fit.


Next, the 4inch LED remote control multi-color base light was placed on the base of the candle holder (it just happen to fit perfectly) .  .  .

and the aluminum sheet candle holder sleeve was placed over it.

And then, by pushing the remote control button to ON, the candle sleeve and holder was illuminated! That was so cool to see in purple!

Pretty colorful - especially at night!

This is just perfect for setting different lighting moods .  .  .
and comes in handy for different occasions, too!



The decorative aluminum sheet sleeve and base light on top of a candleholder is a great way to enhance the look of any décor including outside!




And now for more thrifty goodness!
Check out what my fellow upcyclers created below!











Related Products:
  
   
 

Monday, April 23, 2018

Welcome Spring Features


Thanks to all who joined us in sharing their wonderful ideas and inspirations to our Welcome Spring Link Party that ended on the 19th!  


Today the co-hosts are featuring a few of their favorites from the party! Be sure to stop by each one to see their awesome selections!

You do realize that all of you will have a forever place in our link ups for this Welcome Spring Link Party?  Folks will be checking the party out for some time online just to get ideas and to be inspired! I think that's pretty cool!  

I really enjoyed seeing all the wonderful creations to welcome Spring and picked out a few projects that I especially love and would like to highlight here:



  I love how Lola @ El Refugio de Lirtea made this adorable birdhouse (House of Birds and Eggs) using cardboard and popsicle or craft sticks!  She also had a wonderful technique on painting eggs but I think I might have to steal her ideas on how to make birdhouses - you wouldn't know she used craft sticks - just look at the picture!



And I have a special place in my heart with how Anne @ OrangeBettie made this lovely muslin pocket wreath to hold pretty floral stems - especially in my favorite colors! There's something about the "Welcome" script on muslin that makes me feel warm and fuzzy!


Lisa @ Fresh Vintage By Lisas gave us an easy to follow tutorial on how to paint buffalo check plaid on mason jars. I think everyone fell in love with this look! And I can't wait to try this out using purple! Be still my heart!


And last, but not least, Kelly Lynn's Sweet & Treats linked an awesome round-up on Spring Dessert Recipes  that are perfect to make for any spring celebration! Don't they look delicious!



A big "THANKS"  again to everyone
for joining the party and for stopping by!
Hope to see you at our next Link Party!