DIY Handpainted Sign + Free Printable Template

[pinit]DIY Hand-painted #reclaimed Wood Sign tutorial and printable cut file or traceable template @savedbyloves #verseprintable #Love #valentinesday [pinit]

I am loving making signs these days.  With Valentine’s Day coming up, I decided to go with this love Corinthians verse, which is great all year round, but particularly so now.  For the detailed tutorial on how to make this sign, see our Rustic DIY Wooden Sign Tutorial.   Below you will find the Photoshop file I used.  The tutorial just linked  shows how to transfer the file to wood and hand paint it.  I used my cricut with the file below to make a stencil.  You can do either with the download.

Corinthians love verse printable template from @savedbyloves

Click the image to bring up the full size version and either print to transfer like I showed you in the tutorial linked above, or use as a cut file.  I use Sure Cuts A Lot for this.  Not sure if that is still available, but I do know that it doesn’t work with newer Cricut machines.  Good luck!

Corinthians Love Verse Sign DIY

Saori Technique; How to Weave a Coaster

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how to loom weave a coaster

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I am thrilled to introduce the first of SBLC’s weekly contributor posts!  Welcome Cyn from Creative Cynchronicity.  She is sharing a great cardboard loom weaving technique that you can use to creative beautiful fiber are.  Make unique gifts, and teach your children the technique for an inexpensive and fun kid’s craft.  Cyn shows you how!

Hi! My name is Cyn and I’m so excited to be here today sharing one of my favorite forms of crafting with you. Saori is a modern type of hand weaving that was developed by Misao Jo, a Japanese woman, about 40 years ago. It’s an inexpensive and simple method of weaving that can be done by children and adults alike. It is easily transportable and requires few materials, making it an ideal craft to take along on trips or to appointments. I became aware of it a few years ago and have been experimenting with it ever since. Here are the basics in Saori weaving:

Materials needed: remnants of yarn, a couple pieces of cardboard (one of these will form your loom), a pair of scissors. Optional: You may want a large eyed blunt needle (plastic ones work great for this especially with children), a few pieces of tape to hold loose strands of yarn out of your way, a ruler, and a rotary cutter with cutting mat.

 photo loomcollage1_zps86f69dc1.jpgYou’ll want your piece of cardboard for the loom to be roughly the same size as your finished project. I’m making a mug rug so I made mine about 6-7 inches square. For my next project, I plan to try something a bit bigger and I’m going to make some place-mats. Make little snips along the top and bottom edges of the loom – about 1/8 to 1/4 inch apart. The closer together the little slits are, the tighter the weave will be (and therefore, the more stable it will be!)

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Left: front of loom, Right: back of loom

Begin at one corner of the loom and create your “warp” threads by leaving a bit of a tail about half the width of your loom (you might want to use a little piece of tape to secure it to the loom and get it out of your way). Then hook the yarn through a slit at the top of the loom, down through the slit directly across from it at the bottom of the loom, wrapping the yarn all the way around the back of the loom, and going back up to the next slit at the top of the loom to repeat the process again. When you have gone all the way across the loom, be sure to leave another “tail” of yarn, again about half the width of your loom. A hint: don’t use a yarn that stretches for the warp threads. Also, be careful with very fibrous yarns as some of them are a bit on the delicate side and aren’t strong enough to hold up as warp threads.

 photo loom11_zpsf848cffe.jpgNow, you want to cut a length of yarn to begin weaving with. Saori is considered a very intuitive, “go with the flow” kind of weaving. Just grab whichever yarn strikes your fancy and use it! Some people even use this as a sort of meditative process – it IS very relaxing! Now, start weaving. Under, over, under, over – just like you did with paper weaving as a kid. The big difference here is that in standard weaving, when you get to the end of a row, you just turn around and start heading back in the opposite direction. In Saori weaving, when you get to the end of a row, just wrap the yarn right around the back of the loom and then start your next row directly above where the previous one began. Remember that if you started the first row by going over, under, over, under, you’ll want to start the next one under, over, under, over.

 photo loom12_zps9f698e8d.jpgYou can simply weave using your fingers but you may find that using a needle or creating a shuttle will make it easier. You can fashion a shuttle out of a scrap of cardboard that you wrap your yarn around but my personal preference are the large eyed plastic needles. They’re safe and simple to use for both children and adults. When you get near the end of your weaving, the needle is also better able to make it through the increasingly tighter space. Once you’ve completed all of the weaving, you’ll once again want to leave a tail of yarn that is at least half the width of your loom.

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Flip your loom over so that the back of the loom is face up. This is where you use another piece of cardboard. Carefully slide a piece of it under the “weft” threads (the ones you were weaving with) to provide a bit of a barrier between them and your warp threads. This will keep you from accidentally cutting the warp threads! Cut right down through the middle of your weft yarns, using that cardboard to keep your scissors away from the warp threads.

 photo IMG_3092_zpsa71b2fb7.jpgTake 2-4 (depending on how thick they are) of your cut yarns and tie them off using an overhand knot as close to the weaving as you can to secure them. Next you want to cut the warp threads right down the center just as you did with the weft. Leave them hooked onto the loom though and only take a couple off at a time to tie them off.

 photo loom24_zpsb0fd3281.jpgTrim the tied off threads so they are even and at the desired length. This makes a really pretty fringe all around the edges of your mug rug (or other project).

 photo loom25_zps9f9b19a7.jpgOf course, once you get the basics down, it can be a lot of fun to experiment with Saori weaving. Add in some beads to the weaving or the fringe, weave in some non-traditional materials like feathers or wool roving, or try a variety of weaving patterns beyond the typical over-under!

If you enjoyed this project, I’d love to have you visit me over on my blog Creative Cynchronicity. You can also find me on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Pinterest, and Google+.

Build Your Own Butcher Block Kitchen Island

[pinit]DIY Butcher Block Island

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My sister needed a kitchen island, giving me a great Christmas gift idea, and an excuse to tackle another Ana White woodworking plan.  I used Ana’s Easy Kitchen Island plan, adjusting the dimensions to fit in Amber’s kitchen.  Instead of 54 inches wide, we made our version 36 inches.  This was a quick and easy build.  I have some tips to share that  I wish I had known before this build, but we learn by making mistakes, right?!

DIY Kitchen Island Woodworking Plan

I highly recommend staining the “planks” before attaching them for the bottom and middle shelves.  Ana attached the planks with Kreg joins.  This seemed like a ton of work and I couldn’t think of a reason that using my nail gun and wood glue wouldn’t suffice, so that is what I did.  Super quick and easy with my Ryobi AirStrike Nailer.

Also, I used a 5 gallon bucket paint stirrer to space the planks, which worked out well.

Furniture plans

Other than those few changes, I followed Ana’s plan linked in the first paragraph.

DIY Distressed Starburst Mirror for $5

[pinit]Distressed Starburst Mirror DIY #upcycle #paintstickcrafts #diy #repurpose #reclaimedwood @savedbyloves
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This project has been on my to do list for months and months.  I finally got around to making a distressed, chippy starburst mirror from recycled paint stirrers and other reclaimed wood I have collected from various discard piles.  The hold up was finding a circle mirror, which I ended up finding at Joann Fabrics for just a few dollars.  This piece took about an hour to make start to finish and cost under $5!

Knock off decor

 Pretty amazing when you consider this similar mirror at Iron Accents is $410!  If you are considering paying that price for something like this… don’t!  Make your own version for way cheaper, and feel awesome about it.

SUPPLIES:

*** NOTE:  I used a cordless Ryobi AirStrike Nailer which is not a must have, but makes this project (and most of my woodworking projects) go smoothly and quickly.  Work smarter, not harder!

***Oh yeah, and also:  The wreath form on top of the mirror is optional.  I preferred the project with it, but it looks cool without as well.

10 inch diameter round mirror

E6000

Scrap wood about 12×12 inches

Ryobi Airstrike nailer

Wood Glue

Paint stirrers or other wood scraps painted with your favorite colors (I used Chalky finish paint from Americana) – I cut mine to about the same length with my chop saw.  You can have them random lengths or create your own pattern of rays.  Lay out your pieces and play with the design until you love it.

10 inch chipboard wreath form or other circle to place over mirror for a more finished look

Wire or other picture hanger hardware

TUTORIAL:

How to make a starburst mirror

Paint Stirrer Craft

Use E6000 on the back of the mirror to attach it to the 12×12 inch wood scrap.  It doesn’t have to be exactly 12×12, but there needs to be enough wood all the way around the circle mirror for nailing paint stirrers to.

DIY Mirror

Lay out “rays” to determine placement.  I did two layers.  I applied wood glue and nailed the bottom rays into the 12×12 inch wood with 18 gauge 1/2 inch brad nails in my nailer.

How to make an upcycled starburst mirror

I placed the second layer or rays using the nailer, no glue.  I painted the wreath form with “lace” Chalky Finish Americana paint and nailed it to the underlying rays to frame the mirror.

Upcycled Home Decor Starburst Mirror @savedbyloves

Staple craft wire to the back for hanging and enjoy!

Want more?  Visit our 50+ Paint Stick Projects:

 

DIY 5 Minute Button Ring

[pinit]Make an easy DIY button ring @savedbyloves[pinit]

This may be the easiest project I have ever done or shared!  Make an adorable button ring in 5 minutes.  What a great way to use the gorgeous buttons available in thrift stores and flea markets.  If you can use glue, you can do this.

DIY Ring from old buttons #buttoncrafts

SUPPLIES:

Ring blank

E6000

Vintage Buttons – I used three in varying diameters

DIY Ring from old buttons #buttoncrafts

TUTORIAL:

DIY Button Ring

To stabilize ring in upright position for gluing, push the base of it (where your finger goes) into a piece of styrofoam.  Glue buttons on in a stack with e6000 and let it dry overnight.  Told you it was easy and fast!

For more button craft ideas:

Button Crafts

Make a Button Bracelet

[pinit]DIY Button Bracelet[pinit]

Make a button bracelet in 10 minutes

 

I found some beautiful wooden buttons in the scrapbook supplies at Joann’s recently and knew I wanted to make a bracelet using them.  This project is super quick and easy.  If you can open jump rings with pliers and use glue, you are well on your way to a cool piece of button bling!

 

SUPPLIES:

Vintage wood button bracelet tutorial

 

Jewelry Pliers

Jump rings

Metal connector pieces – These are the base for my bracelet.  I found them at Joann’s on clearance in a pack of 6 (pictured above), perfect for the length of a bracelet.

Wooden buttons

Toggle clasp

E6000

TUTORIAL:

How to make a button bracelet

 

Attach metal connectors together using jump rings.  Attach toggle clasp bar and ring the same way.

Glue buttons on with e6000

Glue the buttons onto the connectors as shown and let dry overnight.

Make an easy vintage button Bracelet

For more button craft ideas:

Button Crafts

Easy Kid’s Christmas Ornaments Craft

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Make a Kids Christmas Craft

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Easy DIY Kids Christmas Craft Popsicle Stick Snowmen, puzzle piece snowflakes and reindeer #christmas #kidscraft #handmadeornaments @savedbyloves

We were asked to host the kid’s craft table at a recent Christmas party with 50 kids expected!  You can make adorable snowmen from craft sticks and use puzzle pieces to make reindeer and snowflakes.  The kids loved this project, and so will you!

Just use acrylic paint in white for the snowmen and brown for the reindeer.  We got the puzzles at the Dollar Tree, but you could use one you have on hand, or hit Goodwill.

SNOWMAN:

For the hats, we used black cardstock.  The noses are orange foam.  The eyes and buttons are made with Sharpies, after the paint dries.  Glue one the hat, nose and string for hanging with Tacky Glue and tie yarn or ribbon for the scarf.

SNOWFLAKES:

Paint six puzzle pieces and a round wooden disc (1.5 inch diameter, available at Michaels)  white.  When dry, glue pieces onto circle and attach twine for hanging.

REINDEER:

Paint 3 puzzle pieces brown and glue as shown.  Glue on eyes and nose.  Tie on ribbon and add twine for hanging.

Kids Craft

 

 

 

ALPO® Wet Dog Food #HappyStartsHere

This is a Sponsored post written by me on behalf of ALPO® Brand Dog Food    for SocialSpark. All opinions are 100% mine.

Do your dogs wiggle with excitement when they see you coming with their meal?  If not, you may not be feeding them ALPO®  Wet Dog Food.  My dogs love the stuff.  Seriously.  I am not using that word for dramatic effect.  They freak out when they are treated to it, which is why they are loving the ALPO® wet dog food campaign!  I am loving it because I can rest assured my boys are getting what they need good nutrtition for a healthy coat, strong bones and a happy life!

Do you remember when I shared the video of my dogs going to town on this stuff?  The bigger one straight up booted the smaller one out of the way to get to his food.  The funniest part is when my overweight beagle is in total denial that the food is gone and is licking the bowls with frantic urgency!  You can view it for a quick chuckle here.

Watch more blog dog videos and get inspired to share photos and videos of your dog with #HappyStartsHere

 

These videos are super fun to watch.  If you are a dog lover like me, you will want to check out ALPO® Instagram page for seriously adorable dog photos that will have your spirits high in no time!

Think that's funny? See what else our focus group has to say about our favorite blogger dogs

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How to make Christmas Stockings from Recycled Tea Towels

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Sew Stockings Burlap[pinit]
Bringing you back a blast from the past.  I am not a seamstress, it’s no secret.  You will be able to whip up these adorable burlap, lace, tea towel stockings even if you are scared of your sewing machine!  Enjoy.

These Christmas stockings are made from canvas tea towels from Target, the same towels I used to make this stenciled pillow a few posts ago.   Two of the towels made all seven.  If you are looking for a quick, easy, inexpensive sewing machine project for your stockings this year, you are in luck.

Supplies:

  • Tea towels or canvas drop cloth
  • Fabric Scissors
  • Stocking Template (click here for the one I used)
  • Pencil for marking fabric
  • Straight Pins
  • Jute or twine
  • Embellishments of your choice

Burlap Christmas Stocking Pattern

Instructions:

  • Print stocking on to heavy paper and cut out
  • Iron fabric and trace stocking onto towel folded in half.  I used the seams already in the towels as the top of my stockings.  Cut shape from front and back halves at same time.

Christmas Stockings Pattern

Christmas Stockings tutorial

  • With right sides together, pin in place.  Loop a 2 inch piece of jute on the top at the heel side for hanging your stocking and pin in place.  Double back over the twine while sewing to make it extra sturdy.

DIY burlap stockings

  • Turn stockings right side out and embellish as desired.  I printed on burlap for the text, pieces of scrap towel and lace on mine.

Christmas Stockings Pattern

Handmade Christmas Decorations

Christmas Stocking Pattern

50+ Delicious Things to Make With Peanut Butter

[pinit]over 50 things to make with Peanut Butter @savedbyloves #peanutbutter #recipes[pinit]

Peanut butter is my absolute favorite food.  I prefer crunchy over smooth, but smooth over none for sure.  While it is high in fat and carbs, I try to focus on the protein content!  That is high too, so it all balances out, right?!  Here are 50+ delicious peanut butter recipes you can make.  If you have a favorite that you don’t see here, leave us a comment with the link!  Enjoy.


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