Archives for May 2012

Upcycled: Magazine Page Rose Ring

It was only a matter of time before I combined my Sizzix obsession with magazine pages. I was hesitant because the pages are so easily torn and flimsy if not coated with decoupage medium. I didn’t really want to run that through my machine. It hit me that I could laminate the pages with clear contact paper to give strength and durability. Yay! Now I can fold, twist and rough up magazine pages about as well as I can heavy cardstock. This would work well for fragile old book pages and sheet music too.

I formed the 3 D rose by coiling the cut strip around a toothpick like the Sizziz 3 D Rose die insert instructs, then I added a jewel to the center of the rose with Mod Podge Dimensional Magic. I cut some leaf shapes from an old yellow leather purse, and used E6000 to adhere the rose and leaves to the Plaid Ring Bling ring blank.

Haylie’s Handmade – Crochet Meets Compassion

by Johnnie Collier

This is one of the most exciting features I have been blessed to share with you here at SBLC. My family and I headed out for some Saturday morning garage sales and our very first stop was quite the treat. We happened to spy a sign that said craft sale, so we tracked down the address, and here is what we walked upon…

This bright and energetic young lady is Haylie of Haylie’s Handmade. She is an 18 year old with a passion for crochet, and a drive to help those in need. I am amazed at how many beautiful pieces she had on display as she explained the charity she is contributing to with her earnings. Are you kidding me? Check this out…

At 18, I was not thinking “entrepreneur and charity”. I had to know more about this girl. In Haylie’s words…

I started learning how to crochet when I was twelve. I got interested in it by watching my grandmother do it. She started teaching me then. When I was fourteen I liked crocheting so much that I decided to start my own business. At first I only made blankets but as time when by I learned how to make potholders, scarves, placemats and lots of other things. When I’m not crocheting I spend a lot of time studying. I’m home schooled. I go to Indiana University High School. It is a correspondence program for high school students through Indiana University. I’m currently working on getting my honors diploma. I also enjoy Girl Scouts. I am starting to work on my Girl Scout Gold Award which is the highest award. The way that I got interested in the charity that I am helping which is called Ivory Coast Mothers and Children was because of my friend. I found out about what my friend was trying to do to help suffering mothers and babies that have HIV/AIDS in the Ivory Coast and I was really shocked by it. I couldn’t believe all the suffering and poorness that the villagers of Braffoueby which is the village in the Ivory Coast that I am helping were going through. I don’t think that it is right for pregnant women to have to walk fifty miles down a dirt road to the nearest health center. I was affected by what I heard and I decided to use my skills and business to help raise money for them. I donate 20% of my sales to this charity. I have been raising for Ivory Coast Mothers and Children since October of 2010 and I have already raised over $1000.

What an inspiration! We met Haylie’s mother, who explained that the girl has always wanted to have a business, and fundraising is in her blood. Apparently so is crochet! She has some adorable items, and is happy to make custom items to meet your needs. Contact Haylie at her website, Haylie’s Handmade, and support this amazing young woman as she crochet’s her way to a better world.

Sunshine Printable Subway Art On Canvas

by Johnnie Collier

I needed to bring some summer into my decor, so I created this love and sunshine subway art printable to fit an 11×14 canvas I picked up from a recent garage sale.

I had the print done at Staples; 2 for just over $1.

Canvas $0.75.

I cut the print to fit the canvas, covered the back of the print and the canvas with a light coat of matte gel medium, then placed the print onto the canvas. I smoothed out wrinkles with my hands from the center of the print out to the edges, then went over it with a brayer to make sure there were no bubbles left.

I went over the entire canvas with a layer of matte gel, let dry and that is it!

For less than $2, I am loving it.

The link at the beginning of the post takes you to the printable at Printable Decor.

Enjoy!

50+ Knock Off Designs To Make

by Johnnie Collier

One of my very favorite things is to see a high priced designer item recreated for next to nothing. That is exactly what you will find in this week’s 50+ post. From jewelry to skirts to benches, check out these knock offs and be inspired to create your own!

NEW: 50+ Knock-off Designs to Make ROUND #2

Thrifty Thursday Week 75

by Johnnie Collier

Hello lovelies. I blog this from I75, in the midst of a 20 hour road trip back to Indiana from Ft. Myers Beach. Mobile hotspot is pretty sweet, I must say. Leaving the ocean, not so great. While I am rambling, I want to take the time to let you know about a brand spakin’ new website that promotes your crafts and DIY projects. It is called Decor 2 Adore{able}…

Go check it out when you get a chance, and submit your awesome projects for a chance to be featured for a day. The site will also post a weekly Top 50 themed DIY roundup, like this week’s Top 50+ Outdoor Living Projects!On to the reason we are all here…

Welcome to Thrifty Thursday!!!

If you are new, we are thrilled to have you. Take a look around at the awesome projects, and share your own. If you are back, thank you for visiting again. You are what makes this an inspiring DIY/craft project round-up!

LINKY STUFF:

How it Works: No giveaways, shop or links to your main blog, please. That way we know when we come to Thrifty Thursday, we will only encounter DIY projects and not end up sifting through a bunch of other links. Entries not related, or to main blog pages/shops/giveaways will be deleted.
Other stuff:
*Please add a text link or my button to your post!
*A few projects from the previous week’s linky will be spotlighted, so let them know they ROCK!
*Please visit the at least the 2 blogs above you and shower them with comment love.
*Leave me a comment and let me know you were here. I love hearing from you.
*Have fun and be inspired!
*My friend Nikki knows how to throw a great party too. Be there…

Features:

You all make it difficult to pick just a few entries to highlight. Thank you so much for sharing your talent each week and inspiring me. Love it!

Speaking of talent, how about Suzy’s at Suzy’s Artsy Craftsy Sitcom? Amongst the many things I enjoy about that woman are her paper quilling projects, like these gorgeous topiaries that are on my must make list. Her detailed photo tutorial makes it look like a breeze.

Over at Inspired By Family Magazine, the walls are brought to life with these cheery paper flower decorations. What a fun way and simple way to accessorize this summer.

Did you see Maggie’s Chevron window boxes yet? They add so much to the look of the home. I would love to see them when the flowers she planted are overflowing!

PARTY TIME!!

DIY Dollar Store 3 Tiered Craft Organizer

by Johnnie Collier

Here is another peek at my craft room overhaul. I wanted to be able to see all of my buttons in a way that was cute and vertical, since horizontal space is quite the commodity. I thought of a tiered cake stand, and decided to hit the dollar store for supplies to make my own. With the exception of the glue and spray paint (which I had on hand), I got everything needed to create this organizer for less than $4, and I love it! You could even use extra plates in small, med, large, and a couple of wine glasses or candle sticks if you have them handy.

I found these silvery plates in 3 sizes, and some wine glasses, which I spray painted white with Krylon Dual (already has primer in it). Two coats each with 10 minutes of dry time between did the trick.

Next, I just glued the wine glasses in place on the plates with a line of E6000 around the rim and base. Let dry overnight before using.

I love it! I can see all my buttons, it is adorable, and it cost under $4.

To see how I made the marker storage on the wall, visit this DIY craft marker storage post.

Visit my craft magazine/book storage tutorial for how to convert hardware store boxes to cute, essentially free storage.

More budget friendly organizing for those craft spaces to come.

What are your favorite creative organizing solutions?

Tulip Tye Dye

by Johnnie Collier

Tie dye has come a long way in simplicity and technique over the years. Until this project, I hadn’t played with tie dye since childhood, and I remember it being a huge mess. Wasn’t there something about boiling water, and dying in the washer? Isn’t that only for t-shirts? That is why I was a little skeptical about trying out this product, but I am so glad I participated!

Tulip Tie Dye is a cinch to use, and tie dye is not just for the t-shirt these days. With the “just add water” applicator bottles, protective gloves included in their kits along with the handy surface protector, cleanup was no hassle. In my box were two 3-Color Tie-Dye Kits, one Paradise Punch and one Tropical Fruit. You can see all of the available colors at I Love To Create – One Step Tie Dye Products. If you don’t see the exact shade you have in mind, know that these dyes are mixable so you can create custom colors. I accidentally bled orange and teal together in a hobo purse I dyed, and the effect was a gorgeous burnt sienna agains the vibrant turquoise and orange! It ended up being my favorite finished piece.

If you think you can’t make a gorgeous tie dyed piece because you have no idea what to do to make those funky designs, fear not. The product insert (pictured above) has you covered with detailed step by step photo tutorials of illustrating 8 different techniques. Here are some example techniques you can find over at I Love to Create.

There is something for everyone. Today, I will show you how I made this ombre neck tie, a perfect Father’s Day gift idea.

Following the instructions in the insert, I pre-washed the tie blank (purchased at Michael’s) and let it dry to dampness before beginning.

With gloves on and work surface covered, I filled the bottle with water, shook to mix until the dye powder was dissolved, and applied dye to top 1/3 of damp tie. The instructions say to use half the bottle, but that was way to much for my lil’ tie, so I poured out the extra liquid into a container for later use. Left with half the dye, I filled the applicator bottle full with water to dilute the dye for the next segment of the tie.

Again, I applied the diluted dye to then next middle segment of the tie, discarded extra dye to leave 1/2 bottle remaining, filled the bottle with more water and applied this to the last segment.

To finish, I covered the tie with the plastic and let it sit for about 5 hours. I then washed by itself in a larger load setting, with a small amount of detergent per package insert. Line dry… done.

There were so many techniques I wanted to try that I went a little nuts. Here are some purses I made for graduation gifts this year. I found the blanks at Joann Fabrics, but you could whip one up yourself in no time.

One more shot of the tie…

Tulip Tie Dye Kits are available at Walmart, Walmart Canada, Michaels, JoAnn, A.C. Moore, Hobby Lobby, Hancock Fabrics, Meijer. Tie dye kit contents and colors may vary by store.

For more inspiration and updates, be sure and follow ILTC on facebook, Pinterest and Twitter.

Disclosure: I received product and payment for this post. All opinions expressed in this post are authentically mine.

Check out these great projects using Tulip Tie Dye:

Glass Tile Pendant Tutorial With Tips and Images

by Johnnie Collier

Today, I am happy to share with you a glass tile pendant tutorial from Irina at Irina’s Cute Box. These tutorials are abundant in the creative blog world. Irina shares her version incorporating a bezel setting. She uses the same jewelry component supplier as I do, Sun and Moon Kits on Etsy. Wonderful prices and service make this my go to shop for all of my wholesale needs. In addtion, Irina has available some free printable images you can use for the tiles, and digital collage sheets available for purchase in her Etsy store (see examples and links below).

TUTORIAL:

You will need –

Images
Diamond Glaze or other glaze if you prefer
Bezel is used in this tutorial – You could also just leave the glass tile as is, seal the back (with Mod Podge or resin) and glue on a bail for attaching to chain.
E6000 or superglue

The collage sheet is 4×6 inches, containing twelve 1 inch square images perfect for glass tile pendants, at resolution of 300 dpi. Print on heavy (80-100 lb) using laser printer. Laser images are more vivid and less likely to smear than ink jet.

Supplies shown are from SunAndMoonKits shop on Etsy.

To make the pendant –

First, cut out image with scissors

Apply small amount of glaze on the back side of the glass tile.

Spread glaze evenly and pull out any air bubbles with fingertip or toothpick.
Place the image with face down on the glaze and gently press it from center to the edges, ensuring no air bubbles remain. The paper should slide on the glaze when you touch it. This tells you that the right amount of glaze was applied.
Let glaze harden for a couple of hours and trim extra paper on the sides. Use water and a lint free cloth to wipe away any excess glaze on the glass.

Put a little bit of super glue in the setting.

Place the glass tile with paper side down.

Let dry, add chain and you are finished.

Visit Irina’s blog for other free graphics and her GraphicLand shop on Etsy for more beautiful and affordable digital collage sheets in a variety of shapes and sizes!

Graphic Land on Etsy

Sizzix Die Cut Can Bracelet

by Johnnie Collier

The research put into my recent 60+ Recycled Can Craft Roundup left me collecting all the pretty cans I could find. Here, I used the well known Arizona Tea can for the flower shape and a garage sale tin for the pink circle. Making jewelry with Sizzix is so fun. I am completely obsesses. No material is safe from being die cut around me. These pieces cost next to nothing, so keep your eyes peeled for interesting cans and old tins while you are out thrifting.

Here is how I cut my shapes:

I used the same process for the arizona tea can, and a layered flower Sizzix die. Then I marked the center of each of the 3 layers (silver retangular blank, Arizona can flower and pink tin) with a black sharpie, to know where to punch a hole for my rivet. Using a nail and hammer on a piece of scrap board, I hammered a hole in each piece where the mark was. No pics of this, but I will get some shots of the process next time.

I riveted the pieces together and glued on the pink pearl embellishment using E6000.

I hole punched the bracelet with my crop-a-dile at each end to add the chain for the bracelet. That is that.

I am excited about this book I just ordered on Amazon; Create Colorful Aluminum Jewelry. Looks like I am not the only one obsessed with this concept!

Lose 10 lbs Challenge From Dr. Oz

by Johnnie Collier

Dr. Oz has issued a 10 lb weight loss challenge that is straightforward and doable. The payout for the effort put into these steps will be huge, not just for the waist line, but for overall health and longevity. As always, Dr. Oz channels his medical expertise into an understandable, life enhancing plan we could all stand to incorporate into our daily routines.

THE RULES (or suggestions, if you don’t like to be told what to do):

Bye bye to soda – We are talking the high fructose corn syrup kind here, attributed to tooth decay, diabetes and more.
No food after 3 hours til bed time – Got it?
10 minutes of motion a day – This seems low to me, but that is what he says. Walking, throwing a frisbee, playing with kiddos…
Portion control – No forbidden foods? I like that. His rule of thumb is no snacks larger than your fist… sorry Big Mac.
Get on that scale everyday – accountability is key; track weight = lose weight (ok, not if it is the only thing you do, but it helps)
Take Vitamin B complex everyday – B vitamins are essential in metabolizing food, and in energy production to help you keep going.
Take daily vitamins – This should include Calcium (600 mg, plus 600 mg from food) and Magnesium (400 mg) for bone strength, Vitamin D3 (1,000 IU taken with DHA) for memory and heart health, DHA (900 mg) for memory, vision, heart and prevention of strokes, Probiotics spore form for decreased inflammation and enhanced immunity and a Multivitamin to cover what your diet misses.
Healthy recipe planning – Dr. Oz provides a host of healthy recipes to keep your calories low, many with a budget in mind.
Know serving sizes and how many you can have of each family – There has got to be an app for this, right? This plan allows 10 servings a day as follows; Protein and fats 4 servings daily, Complex carbs 3 servings, Fruits 3 servings and Veggies unlimited. The unlimited veggies help keep you from being hungry (in theory). The important thing to keep in mind here is how much of whatever you are eating = a serving size. Did you know that the 1 serving of cheese is the size of 2 dice? Yikes. I am at least a 5 dice kind of gal. Get informed. There are ample resources available to help you get on the level with serving sizes.
Don’t get too hungry – If you do, you are more likely to binge. Make sure your meals have plenty of protein and fiber (complex carbohydrates), so you stay full longer. Healthy snacks between meals are great too.

Remember holiday and party pitfalls, and take steps to guard against falling off the wagon: Don’t go to parties or shopping hungry, have accountability partners in your life, no snacks/desserts larger than your fist, etc. if the food at an event is going to be too tempting, you can opt out of going . Do what you have to do. Commit.

What has worked for you? What has not?

Archives for May 2012

Upcycled: Magazine Page Rose Ring

Haylie’s Handmade – Crochet Meets Compassion

Sunshine Printable Subway Art On Canvas

50+ Knock Off Designs To Make

NEW: 50+ Knock-off Designs to Make ROUND #2