Thursday, July 26, 2018

Update a Wrought Iron Stand



It's that time again - The Thrift Store Upcycle Challenge on 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.

Meet the Hosts

  Gail | Purple Hues and Me - Michelle | Our Crafty Mom 
 Amanda | Domestically Creative - Debra | Shoppe No. 5 

Make sure you follow our board on Pinterest for more upcycled decor inspiration!

 When I picked up this wrought iron stand from the Goodwill, I didn't have a clue what I would do with it. But it was only a dollar so how could I not buy a great piece like this! 


I thought about turning it into a decorative stand to display whatever.  I like the look of black wrought iron and the finish was in pretty good shape, except for the top, so I wasn't interested in painting it another color. First, I considered stenciling a mirror and attaching that, but I couldn't find the size I needed locally. But then I remembered I had a frosted glass candle plate that .  .  .


fit the top perfectly! Woohoo!


And I already had a Martha Stewart stencil in pretty florals that I taped on and then dabbed with my favorite purple paints for glass.  First, in a light purple that didn't show up too well. So I let that dry.  


And then added a deeper shade right over the first.


For a lovely translucent effect!


Quick and easy!


To seal the paint Paint is permanent after air drying 21 days or can be baked to expedite permanence. Bake method: Let project air dry 1 hour, place in cool oven. Set temperature to 350 degrees F and bake for 30 minutes (glass must heat gradually). After 30 minutes, turn oven off and let cool in oven.

What a lovely way to transform a candle plate to adorn a thrift store wrought iron stand! 



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

Thursday, July 19, 2018

Summertime Fun Link Party Features



A huge "THANK YOU" to everyone who participated in our Summertime Fun Link Party!  All of the hosts really enjoyed putting this together!  And we hope you enjoyed joining in on all the fun, too! There were so many amazing ideas, crafts, and recipes shared and we hope you were inspired to try a few!  Today, each of the hostesses are featuring their favorites, so be sure to stop by to see all of their faves too! 




Of course I had a really hard time selecting my favorites - they were so many wonderful ideas shared and I wish I could feature them all! 

 Bev @ Flamingotoes  shared how she painted a globe with beautiful colored flowers. Secretly, that's something I've always wanted to do! The problem I have is, I can't draw or paint a lick - Bev is a wonderful artist and really made a gorgeous looking painted globe! Just perfect in any decor! 





And what a wonderful way to greet guests to your home this summer with a beautiful flower fill planter box! Imagine how you can personalize this beauty for yourself!  Get the complete tutorial from Jenny @Cookies Coffee and Crafts.

I think we all need to take a hint from Lisa @ Fresh Vintage  on where to buy farmhouse decorative items. She found this awesome galvanized tray at a local feed store and turned it into a lovely ice bucket with handles, perfect for those summer get-togethers!! And the best part - it only cost $3.50 to buy! Who knew what bargains you can find at the feed store! And Lisa did an amazing job turning this tray into a party ice bucket!
Wow, wow, wow!



And finally, if you're looking for a refreshing drink for the summer? Check out this tasty treat from Carol @Comfort Springs  It's a peach and ginger smoothie made with fresh peaches that's so refreshing for those warm summer days! I would love one of these right about now! So delicious!


Thanks again for joining us for our Summertime Fun Link Party! And please continue to try out some of those amazing ideas that were shared!
Thanks for stopping by
and take a little time to enjoy,
Happy Crafting!

Tuesday, July 17, 2018

Decorative Film Craft Sticks Lantern


 Welcome to the July Pinterest Challenge Blog Hop, hosted by Erlene @My Pinterventures. The purpose of this Pinterest Challenge is to motivate all the participants of this hop (and you, too) to not just pin, but to make it happen! 

 I have an abundance of craft sticks in my stash and used a few to make a couple of projects that you can see here and here. Did you know you can find just about anything made out of craft sticks. Just look on Pinterest and see all kinds of projects from the very simple to the extremely intricate!  There I saw a few lantern projects that peaked my interest using wax paper, crayons and craft sticks. But I had another idea using clear film that I wanted to try instead.  

I was quite curious to see how it would look if I printed an image in purple onto clear film and attached that to craft stick frames glued together to form a lantern sleeve where I could place different types of lighting for different occasions. 


This type of lantern really didn't take many supplies to create:
  • Clear film sheets
  • Floral pattern
  • Laser printer
  • Jumbo craft sticks
  • DAP RapidFuse adhesive
  • Paper cutting board or scissors
  • LED flame-less candle
And here's how to make one:  First, print an image from here in the style and colors you would like. Download and save the image and then print it out using a laser printer on clear polyester film sheets.


Next, place two craft sticks down vertical on your work surface and glue two more sticks horizontal to form a square shape frame - then, make three more for a total of four frames. Next, measure inside the frame and cut out the printed film sheets slightly larger than the opening.  


Glue film on inside edges of stick squares.


Connect square sides by running a bead of RapidFuse adhesive along the side edge.  Hold in place until sealed together - about 30 seconds.
Make sure the stick placements match on each side when gluing the frames together.



Continue gluing sides together until .  .  .


all four sides are connected. 
Apply additional glue along the inside corners where the sides connect.
 Let dry.


And finally, try out different types of lighting like LED, battery with remote, or flameless candles to highlight the designs.



This looks so cool!




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!

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

Now let's see what other things Pinterest inspired! Head over and visit the other hosts to see what they crafted, cooked, built, or tried!


Beverly - Across the Boulevard • Debra - Shoppe No. 5  
Roseann - This Autoimmune Life • Terri - Our Good Life  
Chelc - Inside The Fox Den • Cherryl - Farm Girl Reformed  
Rebecca - Hello Central Avenue • Marie - DIY Adulation 
 Kristie - Teadoddles • Marie - The Inspiration Vault  
Michelle - Our Crafty Mom • Emily - Domestic Deadline 
Alexandra - Eye Love Knots    Sam - Raggedy Bits

Monday, July 16, 2018

Craft Sticks Container



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!

Some time ago - maybe a year or two, one of the craft stores (I can't remember which) had all of their craft sticks on clearance because the manufacturer was changing the design or logo of the wrapping, so I picked up a huge box of jumbo craft sticks for a couple of dollars. You can never go wrong with having craft sticks in your stash! The problem is what to make with them.  Name just about anything and you can probably find it made out of craft sticks.  Just google "craft stick projects" and BAM!!! Any type of craft sticks project you can imagine!

As for what I made - something simple and really not that creative.  A container of some sort - one to hold things, or a vase for flowers, or maybe a lamp for an evening glow. The best part - it's so versatile! 

Gather:
  • Craft Sticks
  • Hot Glue
  • Wood Balls
  • Utility Scissors

Then lay out the sticks in a square pattern, two vertical and two horizontal - and hot glue them in place. Now, make lots, and lots more - depending on how tall you want it or when you get tired of making them. Your choice!


For the base, glue on more sticks in one direction, between the square.


To assemble:  Place dabs of glue on top of the stick ends, centered, and press down a  new square frame to what's there, layering and .  .  .


alternating between the two positions.


Continue gluing on more .  .  .


until you are satisfied with the height or .  .  .


want to just stop because you are tired of the gluing monotony! Lol!


Make a top the same as the bottom piece, only glue on several sticks together first and then glue to the bottom piece.  


For the handle, cut out a circle from a stick and  .  .  .


glue on wood balls in a circular pattern and then glue it onto the top.


Use this container to store knick-knacks or


as a vase for flowers .  .  .



or as a mood lighting lantern .  .  .



or anything you can think of!


 







Monday, July 9, 2018

Decorative Wire Netting Vase


         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 July is Thrift Store Upcycle Challenge where we upcycle/repurpose an item we found at the thrift store for twenty dollars or less!
   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!


I have to confess that no matter where I shop I'm always on the look out for anything in the purple/plum range. So when I came across this adorable glass vase at the Goodwill, I was going to buy it - no matter what!  Good thing it only cost a dollar! Lol!  


In trying to decide how I might upcycle/repurpose this vase, I thought of a tutorial I recently saw on Youtube by Beadaholique where the instructor shared how to make wire netting around a bottle .  .  .  and for a different look, how to add beads to the wire netting. How cute would it be to dress up a vase with decorative wire netting and stone-like beads. Sort of like a decorative collar! So cool! Here's how I made mine.

Materials used:
  • Vase
  • Gold wire - 18 & 28 gauge
  • Flush wire cutter pliers
  • Round nose pliers
  • Stone-like beads

Instructions:

Cut the 18 gauge wire long enough to wrap around the stem of the vase, criss-crossing in the middle. Make sure the lengths are even on both sides from the overlapping.




Next, take round nose pliers and curl up each end by twirling the wire around. This will be the anchor wire for the netting.


Then, cut  the 28 gauge wire about 3 ft. long - a length you can easily handle -and wrap one end several times behind and over the anchor wire (around) where it criss-crosses to help make it sturdy.  Make sure the coils are nice and tight and pushed together with your fingers. The anchor wire might be a little loose but that'll make it easier to insert the wire behind it. You will then have a short tail on one side and the rest of the 3 ft. or less wire on the other side.


Next, pull the longer wire straight down and make a loop (holding it down with your thumb). Take the end of the longer wire and insert it behind and down under the 18 gauge anchor wire  .  .  .


coming out over the loop wire, and pull to the right, being careful not to kink up the long wire.


Continue to wrap the wire by pulling the wire down to make loop, inserting the  wire end up behind the 18 gauge wire and down over the loop wire. Try to keep all the loops uniform as you make them and being careful with the wire kinking. Gently undo any kinks as you go. 


As you make the loops, hold the previous loops down to stabilize and hold their shapes. You'll get the hang of it after making a few loops.  Just remember to take the wire up and behind the anchor wire, down and over the loop wire and pull. Make sure to look how the wire comes out - sometimes it will end up under the loop instead of over - especially if you're trying to undo a kink.  If that happens, gently pull it out and take the wire over the loop. 


When you reach the spot where you started - and to continue onto the next row, pull the wire behind the anchor wire and pull down, going through the first loop (where you started) - over and behind the anchor wire and over the loop wire and pull. You will then have the beginning of first loop of the second row.


Continue as before, with the same technique - only this time you are taking the end wire behind the above loop wire (in the first row) and down over the new loop wire and pull.



To end the wire and add a new extension wire:  when the wire becomes too short and you want to end it, take the end wire through the last loop you just made and wrap it around 2-3 times, pulling it tight and pushing the coiled wire together - then, use your flush wire cutter to clip off remaining wire to end. 


To add a new extension wire, cut another length of wire 2-3 ft long and thread it through the last loop you made, leaving a tail to wrap around the wire of the last loop 2 or 3 times, pulling tightly and pushing the coils together. 


Trim off the tail.


And then continue wire wrapping .  .  .


as before, looping and wrapping wire around for your second row.



To add a bead: After you've finished making a couple of rows, start another row, as before, but this time add a stone-like bead ( or any type of bead you like) onto the wire, sliding it down to the middle of the loop and continue - taking the wire up and behind the top row loop, down and over the loop wire and pull.  


Continue wire wrapping this row - creating a loop, adding one bead at a time, per loop - looping wire behind and over and pull. Keep going all the way around to the spot where you started with the first bead. If you want to continue adding beads (I didn't) make the next row with plain loops, and add the beads onto the next row after the plain loop row - so it won't look so crowded.



End the wire, as stated before - by taking the wire through the last loop you made 2-3 times pulling tight and clipping off wire to end the row. And finally, adjust and straighten any wire loops and beads for an awesome look!


Now, stand back and admire the pretty decorative effect of  .  .  . 


wire netting!


Imagine decorating your vases or bottles with this cool technique!



Want to see more upcycled, repurposed or enhanced thrift store goodies? Be sure to visit each and every blogger who joined in this month's challenge!