Archives for August 2012

Painted Glass Vase Tutorial

 Distressed Painted Glass Vase at savedbylovecreations.com by Fox Hollow Cottage

Give a warm welcome to today’s guest poster, Shannon!  Thanks for being here today to share this great, quick fall decor painted vase project.

Hi there SBLC readers!

My name is 
and I blog at

Today I’m going to share a super… 
(and I mean super)
simple craft that will result in a pretty decor accent, perfect for anytime of year!

-Make a Painted, Distressed Vase-

Grab yourself a vase.
You might have a few on hand already. 
The more cut work, (nooks&crannies) the better!
I got mine at Goodwill for 99 cents.

Make sure it’s clean & dry.

Next, you’ll want to use a paint that is suitable for glass surfaces. 
I used a (new to the USA) paint called 
La Craie.
It’s a chalk based paint and it worked beautifully on the glass. 
I decided on Cobblestone.
It’s a perfect neutral and I thought I could get lots of use out of my vase in this shade.

I like to move stuff around. A lot!

After my paint was dry. I grabbed  a sanding sponge and just knocked-off the paint until I liked the look!

Done
Decorate
 
Enjoy
This idea can be utilized to make centerpieces for parties, showers or casual weddings too. Any paint color can be used and embellishments can be added to make them really personal too! 

For Fall… I liked the simple, unadorned vase dressed in paint only. I can really enjoy the texture and cuts in the vase and I liked it paired with the branches, leaves and the natural elements of the wood and jute twine.
If you would like to view some more ideas for dressing up simple items… I have a some fun, 
tin-can crafts you might want to peek at.


Thanks so much for having me today!!
It was a real pleasure 🙂
Photobucket

Fall Washi Tape Sign

Fall Washi Tape Craft

 

Today is Day 1 of a week of guest posts here at SBLC.  Starting the show is Katie, from Sew Woodsy.  This creative friend knows a thing or two about decorating with washi tape.  Today she is sharing an adorable fall sign, with a washi tape underlay.  I can’t wait to try this project.  Take it away, Katie!  Thanks for sharing with us.

Hi everyone! I’m Katie from Sew Woodsy. My husband Jon (dubbed Mr. Woodsy on our blog) and I document our journey of homeownership one tutorial at a time. Sew Woodsy is a place where we share our love for renovating and decorating on a budget.

Thank you Johnnie, for inviting me to guest post for you today!

I don’t know about you, but I’ve fallen head over heals for washi tape this past year. I can’t get enough of this paper tape! I’ve been a cricut user for the past 3 years now and have fallen in love with the Cricut Mini and Cricut Craft Room. I upgraded to a larger machine for my birthday back in April, and just this month started playing around with it. Gah–why did I wait so long? It is amazing. This project utilizes the Cricut and Cricut Craft Room; however, if you have another die-cut machine I’m sure it will work just fine.

Supplies:

Cricut

Cricut Craft Room

Computer

(1) 8×10 sheet of recycled card stock

(1) 8×10 sheet of card stock

variety of washi tape

scissors

spatula

double-sided tape

frame
washi tape sign

First step, design your cut-out for your sign. I wanted to make a sign essentially saying goodbye to summer and greeting fall! This is what my creation looked like in Cricut Craft Room. I used the Designer’s Calendar script font for both “goodbye” and “hello”. I used Designer’s Calendar basic font for “summer” and “fall”. I found shadow of the pumpkin in Designer’s Calendar and grabbed the fish from Life is a Beach cartridge. I scaled my cut-out so that it would fit perfectly on one 8×10 sheet of card stock. washi tape sign

Once your cut-out is designed, it is time to cut it out using your Cricut.

washi tape sign

This is what it looked like while it was being cut out.

washi tape sign

Using a spatula, carefully peel the card stock off the mat.

washi tape sign

This is what it looked like once it was pulled off the mat. I decided to keep the letters since you never know when you might be able to use the letters!

washi tape sign

Next up, time to grab your washi tape and a piece of card stock that you’ll adhere all that washi tape, too.

washi tape sign

I lined up the two pieces of card stock and light traced around the bottom layer. This will act as a guide when I begin to apply the washi tape to the piece of paper.

washi tape sign

I started at the top with the fish.
washi tape sign

All three fish are complete. It might not look like much, but once you put the top layer over the tape it will look fantastic!

washi tape sign

washi tape sign

After completing the fish I realized I should probably erase the pencil marks as I go. Some of the tapes can be transparent and the last thing I wan to see is pencil markings.
washi tape sign

Added the red and white striped to the “goodbye”.

washi tape sign

Next up, add another layer of washi tape to the bottom card stock. This will be for the word “summer”.

washi tape sign

You’ll notice that the yellow and red polka dot tape started to go into the “L’s” from “hello”.

washi tape sign

Time to do intricate cutting so that the yellow and red polka dot tape doesn’t show through.
washi tape sign

Add a few rows of purple patterned washi tape!

washi tape sign

On to another layer…

washi tape sign

Last up the pumpkin!

washi tape sign

This is what my sheet looked like after I was done. If the top layer wasn’t over it you would think someone was just having fun with washi tape.
washi tape sign

Double check to make sure everything lines up.

washi tape sign

I then placed a few pieces of double sided tape on to the blank areas of the bottom card stock. This will help keep the two pieces of card stock together.

washi tape sign

Place your washi tape sign in a frame, display, and enjoy!

I hope you enjoyed our tutorial and visit us over at Sew Woodsy. Don’t forget you can always follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Pinterest! Thanks again Johnnie, for having me over!

Mason Jar To Go Cup

Mason Jar Repurpose Idea from Fine and Feathered featured at savedbylovecreations.com

It is no secret that I love a good mason jar repurpose.  Here is a new one to me.  Josie at Fine and Feathered went ahead and transformed her mason jar into a to go cup, straw and everything!  Go see how she did it with her detailed photo tutorial.  It is genius, I tell you.

For more mason jar crafts:

Ombre Frosted Wine Bottle Tutorial

Frosted glass paint ombre wine bottle DIY at savedbylovecreations.com #decoartglass

The fun with Deco Art glass paint is nowhere near finished.  Check out how you can create this ombre frosted glass look on an empty wine bottle.  The frost paint is super fun to work with, and I am loving the look.

Supplies:

Empty wine bottle

Rubbing alcohol

Lint free cloth

Frosted glass paint in Turquoise and white

Cosmetic sponge

Tutorial:

Frosted glass paint ombre wine bottle DIY at savedbylovecreations.com #decoartglass

Start at the bottom of the glass with turquoise and apply lightly with cosmetic sponge.  At the point you want to shift to a lighter shade of turquoise, mix white frost with turquoise and continue up the glass.  Use white on the top segment.  Let that dry for 30 minutes or more.

Frosted glass paint ombre wine bottle DIY at savedbylovecreations.com #decoartglass

Go over entire bottle with light layer of white frost.  This ties the layers in together better, making for a more subtle gradient effect.

Frosted glass paint ombre wine bottle DIY at savedbylovecreations.com #decoartglass

Frosted glass paint ombre wine bottle DIY at savedbylovecreations.com #decoartglass 5

For another quick, easy wine bottle upcycle with Deco Art glass paint visit the link and check out my new site, Totally Green Crafts!!  This is my first mention of it, but you will be hearing more in the coming days.  Take a look around and hook up with us on FB and Twitter.  Stay tuned for Totally Green Craft Contests and more!

75+ Chalkboard Paint Projects to Make

75+ Chalkboard Paint Projects to Make from savedbylovecreations.com #chalkboard paint #DIY #crafts

Chalkboard paint is all  the rage for a reason.  There are so many cool things to do with it, from home decor, to jewelry and more.  Get your creative wheels spinning with this roundup of over 75 (and growing) projects to make with this fun, versatile paint.



Make Easy Wire Rosette Rings

DIY rosette wire ring from Handmadeology

Learn to make this beautiful, simple rosette wire ring from Handmadeology.  With just a few supplies, you will be on your way!

Deco Art Glass Paint; Upcycle Wine Bottles

#decoartglasspaint Cut Wine Bottle Address Lanters by savedbylovecreations.com

Remember the Deco Art glass paint I showed you not long ago?  Well today is the project reveal.  I focused on the glitter paint, and decided to use the opportunity to bring some warm colors to my porch for fall.  You will see how I used the sparkle filled colors and stencils to create wine bottle address lanterns.  This project does not require experience, but patience is helpful.  You will be cutting wine bottles, and painting several light layers of gloss enamel glitter.  There is some waiting involved, so plan on doing a little each day over several days.  The result is well worth the wait.

Cutting the Bottles

 First step is to cut the wine bottles.  This is accomplished with yarn and acetone in a quick, simple process I showed you in this video:

I cut mine at 3 different heights to have a tiered display.    We are working only with the upper piece of bottle in this tutorial, but the lower part makes a great dish, glass or candle holder.  To get the edges smooth, dear husband and I teamed up and used the sander drill attachment with low grit sand paper:

Before you being painting, clean the bottle well.  Use warm, soapy water, pat dry with lent free cloth, then clean entire surface with alcohol.  If you skip this step, oils in fingerprints remain and prevent your paint from grabbing onto the slick surface.  Keep the alcohol nearby to correct any mistakes.

Painting the Glass

NOTES:  I was going for an ombre red-yellow from bottle opening to cut edge.  The effect was created with several layers of Gloss enamel glitter, applied lightly with a cosmetic sponge.  This was after a big, streaky craft fail that I found myself in from applying too heavily with a brush.  The good news is that you can wipe mistakes away easily with damp sponge if paint hasn’t dried.  Even if it has dried some, you should be able to scrape it off if you do so before the 4 days of curing.  Also keep in mind that if it looks a little streaky, this could diminish significantly with overnight drying.

You will see in the photos, I added a segment of gloss enamel frost to the top of my red to yellow gradient for a contrast with the glittery awesomeness.  Always let paint dry between each step.  Put your finger in the mouth of the bottle to avoid touching outside and leaving fingerprints.

#decoartglass painted wine bottle lanter tutorial at savedbylovecreations.com #upcycle #repurpose #recycledcrafts

*NOTE:  When stenciling, work on one side of the glass and let that dry before moving around the glass.  It is super frustrating to mess up your stenciled design, which is  easy to do while positioning stencil/painting in another area.

Cure time is 4 days for these paints.  After that time, you can bake per instructions if the piece needs to be dishwasher safe.  Not the case here.  I built my shelf (see photos) and had my sparkly new address lantern display up 24 hours later.

Making the Shelf/Holder

Deco Art Glass Paint

So, what do you think?  I had a blast with these paints.  My project centered on the glitter finish, but I have been all over the stain and the frost paints, and love them.  There are some stunning projects by my creative cohorts.  See the list below for more inspiration.  You will be tempted to jump in your car and drive to the nearest Michaels Store, where you will find it near the glass products.

**I wrote this post as a part of a paid campaign with DecoArt. All opinions are my own.


Upcycle a Suitcase into a Table

Easy and quick tutorial for turning old suitcase into table at savedbylovecreations.com #upcycle #DIY #crafts #repurpose

This project is one of my favorites so far.  It was free, fast, and the outcome is super cool.  The suitcase was given to me by a friend, the table a curbside find.  Check out how I combined them in a repurpose taking less than 20 minutes.

SUPPLIES

Old Suitcase

Table with surface area that fits under suitcase (this only matters if you are using the legs in the same position as they are in the original table)

Pen

2 inch Construction Screws

Drill

Scrap wood cut small enough to fit inside suitcase, big enough to reach all leg contact points (you will put this in the suitcase and screw through it, the suitcase bottom and into the legs)

TUTORIAL

Easy and quick tutorial for turning old suitcase into table at savedbylovecreations.com #upcycle #DIY #crafts #repurpose

The details of your table may vary how you have to go about this, but you can do it.  Had my tabletop fit inside of my suitcase, I would have just put int in there and screwed the tabletop through the bottom of the suitcase into the legs.  Since it didn’t, I used scrap wood I had on hand that happened to fit inside and still cover the leg holes.  If you have a miter saw, a more precise (involved) version of the process can be found in this suitcase to table  tutorial from Stacie at Stars for Streetlights (who planted the idea in my head with her fantastic project).  I am satisfied with my 20 minute version!

Easy and quick tutorial for turning old suitcase into table at savedbylovecreations.com #upcycle #DIY #crafts #repurpose

Do you have any suitcase repurpose ideas or projects to share?  I still have 2 left and would love to hear from you.

Easy and quick tutorial for turning old suitcase into table at savedbylovecreations.com #upcycle #DIY #crafts #repurpose

100+ Ways to Decorate Your Place for Cheap

100+ Ways to decorate dorm rooms, or any room, creatively on a budget from savedbylovecreations.com #crafts #decorating #DIYAs a college student, I was always decorating my place with nice art and accessories that I could have made for way less than the purchase price. That was back when I thought only science mattered, and creativity was for those who didn’t know that. Can you imagine? Ask me how many of those expensive pieces I still have? Don’t let it happen to you. Why spend your precious resources on items you will move from place to place, lose or damage?  There are tons of ways to create amazing room designs with handmade, budget friendly home decor projects. Many of them use materials you will see in recycle bins everywhere. Go to your local recycling center and ask if you can raid their goods.  They may look at you funny, but probably won’t object.

Recycling Bin Craft Supplies

Stop the insanity. Save your cash and your planet. Impress your friends with decor you made by hand, from junk. Here are over 100 ways to do so!


Washi Tape Neon Flower Wreath DIY

Neon Fabric Flower Washi Tape Wreath Tutorial at savedbylovecreations.com

Washi tape + flowers die cut from burlap, a neon t-shirt, neon posterboard and socks… now that is one super trendy wreath!  I found a pack of neon washi tape rolls at Target and snatched them up right away.  This project is super easy and cheap.  I love it on my front door, especially with the neon planters.  So cute.  Grab some Goodwill t-shirts and do what I did.

Supplies:

Washi tape

Beacon Fabri-Tac glue

Pearlized ball pins (optional)

Mod Podge Super Hi-Shine

Die cut or hand cut flowers from burlap and old t-shirts

Sizzix 3-D Flower Wrapped Die

Sizzix 3D Wrapped Flower Layers Die

Tutorial:

To see how I put the die cut layers together to form the finished 3-D flower, see my quick video:

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