Saturday, September 28, 2019

All Things Fall Link Party

Happy Fall! We're excited to be joining a group of bloggers to bring you a link party for all things fall! Share your crafts, diy projects, decor, recipes, and activities! We're looking forward to seeing fall, Halloween, and Thanksgiving ideas!

11 talented bloggers are co-hosting the party! That means lots of ideas & exposure for your posts!

Meet the Hosts!

As one of the co-hosts joining the all things fall festivities, I'm sharing a tutorial - Add Diy Burlap Leaves to Purple Pumpkins - it's a step by step tute on how I combined purple burlap ribbon and jute twine into lovely dimensional leaves! An adorable way to dress up purple pumpkins or any pumpkins for Fall! And a fun way to bring an exciting autumn atmosphere using purple to your fall decor!


To kick off the party, all of the hosts are sharing a fall post today. You'll find their posts in the first link up below. You're sure to find lots of inspiration! Please visit their links and check out their posts. We would all appreciate your support by pinning our projects.
You are invited to the Inlinkz link party!
Click here to enter

Now it's your turn! By adding your link, you give the co-hosts permission to use one photo with a link to your post on social media or in round up posts, including our featured posts from the party. Posts that are not related to fall will be deleted. The party will be open through October 18. Each co-host will share a features post of their favorites from the party on October 23.

We can't wait to see your Fall, Halloween, & Thanksgiving ideas!

You are invited to the Inlinkz link party!
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Friday, September 27, 2019

Add DIY Burlap Leaves to Purple Pumpkins

Have you noticed that you can find pumpkins in just about any color these days! The variety is almost unlimited! Of course I prefer them in purple and was excited to see different shades of purple available. Oh, you can easily paint the pumpkins purple or any other color for that matter, but for me, it's so exciting to see purple pumpkins in the stores! The sad part is that they are somewhat plain and you have to get a bit creative to dress them up!  But purple really offers endless design possibilities especially for this time of year! It blends so well for Fall with just about any type of decor! 

Did you know pumpkins are a type of squash you can find in all sizes and shapes? Hence, the tall, slim shape of one pictured! But I digress! To dress up some of my pumpkins I'm combining purple burlap ribbon and jute twine into lovely dimensional leaves - adding a touch of pizzazz to the mix!  What a fun way to bring an exciting autumn atmosphere using purple to your fall decor!

DIY Burlap Leaves
Materials Used:
Oak Leaf Pattern
Clear film sheet
Purple Burlap Ribbon
Twine
Tacky Glue/Fabric Glue (quick grab)
Parchment paper
Scissors
Floral Stem Wire



Let's begin with a 5.5 inch wide roll of purple burlap ribbon and a small roll of jute twine in a lighter, complimentary shade!

Some of you may remember this oak leaf template that I used to make a clay leaf dish.  I reduced the size in Word, printed it, and then cut it out. You can also free-hand a leaf design, if you want.

Next, place a clear film sheet on top of the template (so it wouldn't stick as much) and the burlap on top of that. Then, begin tracing the leaf around on the burlap in small increments with a quick grab, tacky glue. Quickly place the jute twine down on top of the glue, following the outline. Use the pointed nose of pliers to press the twine down onto the burlap to prevent too much glue getting on fingers.

Once the twine is in place, cover the leaf with a sheet of parchment paper and press down around the twine outline to smooth out with fingers for better adhesion to the burlap, and then remove.
 Let dry!

Once the glue is dry, time to cut out the leaf following the leaf outline.
Glue on a strip of floral stem wire (I painted mine to match the burlap) to the back of the leaves to make them bendable for dimension.
Have fun decorating for Fall with these unique looking burlap leaves!
Pumpkins are ready to decorate:

Don't you just love these colors!


 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!

I'm sharing this step by step tutorial on DIY Burlap Leaves at our Happy Fall Link Party that starts on September 28th!  Be sure to visit all of the co-hosts to see their fall passions and projects!

We'd love to have you join in and link up your "All Things Fall" ideas and inspirations, too! So be sure to stop by!




Thursday, September 26, 2019

Faux Purple Transferware DIY


Hello and welcome to our Thrift Store Challenge for the month of September Here, a group of creative bloggers come together on the fourth Thursday of each month 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!

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



  Chas | Chas' Crazy Creations  | Angie | Grandma Creates 

Beverly | Across The Blvd  

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

By now, almost everyone who reads my posts knows that I love making things in purple! I was recently inspired by Handan and Greg from The Navage Patch who shared how they created beautiful pumpkins using blue and white flower tattoos. They offered their design tattoos free of charge and I commented that I wished they were in purple.  And surprisingly, Handan sent me a download of the designs in purple! Here's a few of them. Aren't they pretty!
I was so ecstatic! But, as much as I loved their pumpkins, I didn't want to re-create them with the purple flowers - I was inspired to use their tattoo designs to make something else, like faux purple transferware!  

Transferware is an ancient decorative art form of pottery that had a pattern applied to it by the transferring of a design from an inked, hand engraved warmed copper plate to a wet tissue paper and then onto the body of pottery it decorates.  Pretty much like tattoos transference, it seemed!  Since transferware is mostly found on items like earthenware, ironstone, porcelain and bone china, how easy would it be to apply tattoos to painted glassware to mimic purple transferware!  Or so I thought! I did run into a few hiccups along the way, but overall, it was a great idea for this month's thrift store challenge. 

Faux Purple Transferware DIY
Materials:
In my attempt to re-create purple transferware, I started with a glass vase that I found at Goodwill for three dollars. I washed the vase with Dawn dish soap, and after drying, wiped it down with alcohol wipes to remove any left over oils and let dry. 
 Then, I painted on about three layers of white multi-surface acrylic paint and allowed each layer to dry in-between.

Hiccup#1 - The tattoo paper Greg used was not available. It was on back-order at Amazon for 9/26 a few weeks ago, and still is, as of 9/25, for delivery on 10/1. But that will probably change again, too. And I swear, every time I checked on Amazon the price kept going up. Anyway, desperate, I ordered a different tattoo paper brand called Sunnyscopa for inkjet and laser since I have both printers. And it said on the package that it was suitable surface on skin, leather, plastic, candle, wood, glass, metal, ceramic and fabric. And let me just say that I used this brand before for making a waterslide decal so I thought it would be ok to use for this. But I definitely won't recommend using this brand for this type project, ever! 

Next, I thought the designs were a bit too small for the size of the vase, so I enlarged two of my favorite flower designs in Word and printed them out on the tattoo paper for inkjet printers. The directions for this paper said to dry the ink for about an hour - which I did. But I did not use the enclosed adhesive sheet. Going on what Greg said, it wasn't necessary.  And I don't think that mattered anyway.  Then I cut out one of the designs to try out.

Next, I positioned the cut-out tattoo design on the vase  .  .  .
and then turned it over in the same position to begin the wetting process.

Hiccup#2
The directions said "to use wet tissues or cotton to dab on the tattoo for about 10 seconds and once the backing starts to loosen, remove. Your beautiful tattoo is ready!" Yeah, right!  I used a damp cloth - and held in place for about one minute. Then I lifted up a corner and smeared ink stains were there - but no flower design tattoo. YUK! My heart sank and my feelings were hurt! A complete fail!!!!  What was easy for Greg and Handan, turned into a semi-nightmare for me. I didnot have pictures of this! Just take my word.

I quickly washed off the ink and tried two or three more times to get it right.

Then, I discovered that I needed water - dripping wet water! So, I sprayed the spot on the vase where I wanted to place the tattoo with water first, and then I sprayed the tattoo paper to make it pliable and finally covered it with a very wet cloth and waited for about a minute or more.
 After waiting about a minute, I removed the cloth, and use it to help wipe down the design some more.
 And then, slowly removed the paper backing .  .  .
 to reveal the flower tattoo, finally! YAY! I discovered what worked!
So, I started adding more tattoos all around the vase!

HICCUP #3  Some of the colors were off  .  .  .
and some of the flower details were not as sharp!
But, you know what? I can live with that for now. I still like the idea and I'm not giving up! I have the right paper on order, and hopefully this process will turn out perfect next time!

FYI, the finish vase should be sealed with a gloss varnish.  But, what's there now can easily be removed with acetone, soap and water. I'm waiting for the right tattoo paper, so this is staying as is, for now!
In the meantime, I do love how it looks! Imagine finding trays, dishes, vases and the like from the thrift store and having fun adding tattoo designs to create lots of faux purple transferware! 

And now for more thrifty goodness!

Check out what my fellow upcyclers created below!

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Tuesday, September 17, 2019

DIY Buffalo Check Napkin Rings

Welcome to the September Pinterest Challenge Blog Hop hosted by Erlene @ My Pinterventures.  If you aren't familiar with the Pinterest Challenge, it's a monthly event that challenges us to not just be pin hoarders, but to make it happen! 
Pinterest Challenge Blog Hop
There're some trends in home decor that never go out of style and buffalo check is one of them! It's been around forever and keeps on re-inventing itself over and over. Today, it's used mostly as accents - especially in decorative accessories. You can find lots of craft items on Pinterest using buffalo check.

And the best part, you can find ideas to mix it up with whatever suits you! Like these buffalo check flowers (made out of faux leather) and crystal clear napkin rings - Casual + Glam = Classic! 

There're not too many buffalo check napkin rings showing on Pinterest and most of them are quite plain! That's why I was eager to create my own design. And my napkin rings are right at home with the upcoming Thanksgiving and Christmas holiday decor, too! And oh, don't let my using red & black fool you - buffalo check can be found in almost any color, including purple! Stay tuned for that!

Materials:
Faux Leather Buffalo Check Ribbon Fabric
Flower Template/scissors/pencil
Parchment paper/iron/fluffy pillow/round end handle
Super glue or quick grab multi-purpose permanent glue
Clear acrylic napkin rings

Instructions:
Let's start with a roll of buffalo check faux leather ribbon that I found at Hobby Lobby. It's a nice and wide, 24"x 8" roll! Just enough to make four napkin rings.
Next, find a free, flower template you like online, then copy in word. Make a slightly smaller version while in Word and print and cut-out the two sizes.  Next, trace the two patterns on the back of the faux leather .  .  . 
and cut out.
Then, place each of the faux leather flowers between two layers of parchment paper and heat with a medium heat iron for a few seconds to warm up the material. Quickly place the paper and flower on top of a fluffy pillow and use the round handle end to twist down on the faux leather flower to give it curvature, depth and dimension.  
 Also, while the material is still warm and pliable, pinch and twist the tips of the flower to   help shape the petals. 

To make the center, cut a 1/2" strip of faux leather six inches long. 

  Run a bead of glue along the wrong side edge and fold lengthwise in half, sealing edges together. Cut small slits on folded edge along the entire six inch length. Place a dab of glue on one end and begin rolling tightly together. Continue adding dabs of glue while rolling until reaching the end. Add dab of glue at end to seal and secure. Then fluff out the tiny slits.
To assemble the flower, glue the two flower petals together at the center, staggering between petals. Be sure to use either super glue or a quick grab permanent glue to seal. Hot glue will not hold faux leather together! Ask me how I know? I tried it!
Add glue to the decorative piece and apply to center. Let dry.
Measure and cut a strip of faux leather to fit around the center of the acrylic napkin ring. Apply glue to edge and along the middle of the strip.
Wrap fabric around napkin ring, smoothing out and sealing with glue when reaching opposite end.
Glue flower to center of napkin ring where fabric strip ends meet.

How cute is this!

Repeat steps to finish three more napkin rings.
Enjoy using these adorable buffalo check napkin rings in your fall and holiday tablesettings!

 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!

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

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


Monday, September 16, 2019

No Sew Lined Denim Bag

I recently made a denim bowl out of hubby's jeans and had lots of fabric scraps left over. The left over denim fabric was perfect to make a small shoulder bag for our Craft Room De-Stash Challenge. Who doesn't love using up scraps to make a project!
And I had everything else I used to make it in my stash, too!

And it's not just any denim bag, either! But a no-sew lined denim bag with an outside pocket!
Materials:
Denim Scraps
Scissors/Ruler/Clips/Pliers
Fat Quarter Fabric 18"x 22"
Fabri-Tac Glue
Metal or D-rings
Magnetic Snap
Lanyard clips

Instructions:
Measure and cut out an area around one of the jeans back pockets large enough for a small bag. (9" x 9 1/2")


Then line up that piece with part of the pant's leg to cut out for the back.

Next, place both pieces separately on the fat quarter material, edge to edge. 
Run a generous amount of Fabri-Tac fabric glue along the tops of both pieces and seal together.
While the glue is drying, cut off two denim belt loops, smoothing them out .  .  .
then pushing the fabric loop through metal rings, folding over and gluing ends together, in place.

Spread the fabric and denim out, right sides up and glue loops down along edges at top denim side and clip in place until glue dries.

Then place right sides together, and run a generous amount of fabric glue 1/4" around the edges, leaving an opening to turn the fabric inside out. Be sure to smooth-out all of the glued edges and let dry.
Turn the piece inside out once the glue is no longer tacky and is completely dry. Then close the opening used for turning with additional glue and let dry.
Straighten seams and corners of the bag and check for any areas that might need additional glue.
Attach a magnetic snap for closing by inserting prongs into lining fabric and then closing prongs with pliers
I had a couple of old neck lanyards that I removed the end clip-ons and attached them to a cut off pants seam for the shoulder strap for a cool look!
Just perfect to carry an iphone, keys and wallet!

"What crafty creations could you make today from YOUR craft stash?

Every month a group of bloggers are challenged by C'mon Get Crafty to create a new craft or project from their own stash of goodies! Everyone is allowed a $10 allowance for necessities to complete their project, but the bulk of it must be created from their own stash of goodies. 

#CraftRoomDestashChallenge
 #CraftRoomDestashChallenge"! #CraftRoomDestashChallenge"]

If you'd like to join in the Craft Room De-Stash Challenge, you can request to join our Facebook group here!


Every month a group of bloggers are challenged by C'mon Get Crafty to create a new craft or project from their own stash of goodies! Everyone is allowed a $10 allowance for necessities to complete their project (i.e. paint brushes, glue, etc), but the bulk of it must be created from their own stash of goodies.

Let's meet this month's bloggers!!


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Click here to enter