To-Do da Doodle Do...

So, first I would like to say that I am sorry for leaving you hanging.  As most of you know, because you are also teachers, we are started back to work today.  Needless to say the last week, I have been preparing my classroom for a new bunch of munchkins.  I did get my furniture in place and painted one of my walls, "blue dart." This has completely given my classroom a cozy and refreshing feeling for under 30 bucks! 

I also knew I wanted to welcome the kindergarten team with something special that would not only be cute, but also practical. Check it out below!

You will need:

• Scrapbook paper
• 8x10 frame (I bought mine at the dollar store)
• Ribbon
• Small piece of felt
• Hot glue gun
• Permanent marker or sharpie
• Any other accessories (felt flowers, rosettes, buttons, ect.)

If you have never check out the girls at eighteen25 you must! They are simply amazing, so inspiring and always have awesome printables that are free. This is where I found the "things to-do" list.  You can also just click here. Go ahead and download it to your computer.

You will need to decide on the scrapbook paper or any other paper you can print on. Of course you will have to cut your scrapbook paper into the right size to fit into your printer.  Print the "things to-do" list and insert into your frame. Wow! That was easy.  You could let this be your finished project or you could...

If you want an extra touch, you can add felt flowers, buttons, bows, anything you want to personalize your frame. Another option is to add a place to hold the permanent marker. Yes, use permanent, then you just use any cleaner or rubbing alcohol to wipe it clean. If you use dry erase maker it doesn't adhere and will wipe off really easy. 

Take about 15 inches of ribbon and lay it in the middle of your frame, front side facing down.  Hot glue it in place. Cut a strip of felt the width of your frame and glue it on top of the ribbon to hold it on. It also acts as a place for the pen to sit.  Tie your marker on and look how cute, easy and inexpensive this little gift is!

Did you catch this one??...A Dog-Earred Inspiration

This was my guest post over at Paper Wings. If you didn't get a chance to stop by over there, here is your second chance!

So, I typically will flip through magazines, catalogs or even look on-line to get inspired or to challenge myself on some "re-creations."  The tutorial below was inspired by an on-line jewelry company that was offering a necklace very similar to mine for $162.00! See Orginial Here. I decided to see if I could re-create his little piece for under ten bucks. You can decide for yourself if I was successful! Enjoy...

 I started by rummaging through the old jewelry box.  I found a bracelet that was a little heavy to begin with and decided it could do without a third row.  I plan on re-stringing this at some point in the near future. I bought 3 yards of leather roping from a fabric store. If I were to do another one of these I would probably buy a little bit more. 

 Once I cut three equal strands, I used a needle and clear elastic thread to stitch the three cords together.  I then did a simple tight braid, making sure the leather stayed flat. I left about ten inches of the leather un-braided. I cut two of the three cords off and stitched the cords at the end of the braid to hold them in place. I pulled the elastic thread through so that I could string the beads. The needle of elastic thread then alternated between a bead and the leather. The leather followed an under, over pattern until the last bead was threaded.

Stitch the remaining leather to the other end of the necklace where the braid started. Now, you should have a circle. Tie the elastic thread off tight. Use the extra leather cord that was cut off from the braid and tie it around where the braid meets the beads. This will reinforce the necklace and hide the elastic thread knots.

 And here is the finished piece!

P.S. And here is the $162.00 version!

Awesome Guest Post from Paper Wings!

So, I'm so excited to introduce you to my very good friend and talented DIYer, Tracy at Paper Wings. Sticking with the jewelry theme, she is going to share a super cute necklace tutorial.  You can head over to her blog to see my first guest post... also a necklace, but a totally different look. I hope you try out both!

Hello everyone! I am Tracy from Paper Wings, and (YAY!) I am super psyched that Kristy has started this blog cause, let's face it...she's stink'n GOOD at this crafting/DIY biz. :) Hope you all like what I am sharing today, and by all means....come on by Paper Wings to sit for a spell..... :)

Ok, so on to today's post. I have been eying these types of necklaces since last summer/fall. It's about time I take action. :) Here we go.

What you need:
* Strips of material, about 2 inches wide. Fold in half and iron, so it's about 1 inch. (Or 1 inch ribbon.)
* beads (need to be about the width of your folded fabric.) I had this old necklace I picked up at a yard sale years ago. I took it apart, and used the creamy beads.
*string/ needle
*scissors

What to do:
Ok, so you have your fabric cut into a long strip, folded, and ironed. ( You may need to have a second strip to attach later if your original fabric strip isn't super long....I did.)

*Leaving a few inches at the end, fold strip into two pleats and stitch through.
*Feed bead onto needle, and stitch through.

*Add two more pleats to the other end of the bead and stitch through. Then stitch back through both sets of pleats and the bead.

*Continue until you have the length you desire.

*If you have a super long strip, then you just tie off your ends. I had to cut another strip in half, then use those two pieces to knot my ends.

Thanks again, Kristy for having me. It's been fun in the Pocket. :)

Loads of love- Tracy

One more "Hardware" Edition

Another inspiration from Pinterest, this bracelet is made with braiding cord and #6S flat brass washers from Lowe's.  I cut six cords at about 2 feet each.  I knotted them all together and separated them into three parts.  I did a fishtail braid for about 1 inch before I started adding the washers. I wish I could explain this better, but unless you can fishtail braid it isn't going to make sense just reading it.  I promise to work on a diagram to show this better.  Anyway, use all 12 washers, finish off with another inch of fishtail braiding and knot. 

the Handy-Man Necklace

 I actually do enjoy going to Lowe's and Home Depot. However, it is usually to purchase flowers, outdoor cushions or to drool over the appliances.  I now have a new found love of being my husband's companion at these stores and it's not to help with home improvement projects! All you have to do is venture down the "Hardware" aisle to find fun ideas for jewelry making!

If you haven't discovered Pinterest yet, leave your email  in a comment below or shoot me an email and I'll send you an invite. I will warn you that it can be addicting, but it has an infinite number of crafting ideas among other things.

Cue Tiny Sparkly Things. I found her necklace on Pinterest and thought it would be fun to make.  I will spare you with the tutorial because she does an amazing job explaining how to create this piece with impressive hand drawn instructions.  Just click on the link above.

 Here is how mine turned out:

Thanks to Paper Wings  for joining me on this project. I'm sure she'll post her creation soon enough. She has a slight variation using fabric.  Stay tuned for more quick jewelry tutorials and a guest posting!

Voi·là Votives

For this little project, it was important to allow adequate dry time as well as light these babies at the perfect time for maximum effect. Therefore, this is a late night post. This is so easy and cheap; two of my favorite things when it comes to crafting. You might even be able to scrounge these supplies up from around your house. Enjoy!

For this project you need the following:

• Spray paint (I used an ivory and a champagne metallic)
• Baby food jars
• Doily
• Mod Podge or Elmers Glue
• Paint brush

I have three different techniques. Pick your favorite or try all three.  Leave a comment below if you have a favorite because I can't decide.

Option 1:  For this technique, you will simply tape the doily on the jar and use the spray paint to cover the holes. Once you remove the doily, the candle will illuminate through the clear glass.

Option 2:  For this votive, I applied a base color first. I used the ivory, sprayed the jar and waited for it to dry completely.  Again, gently tape the doily on and spray with your second color. I'm sure you have figured out this option has no clear glass and when lit the whole jar illuminates.

Option 3: Using the doily, that you have been spraying, cut into smaller pieces.  Paint a layer of Mod Podge on the jar and layer your doily pieces, covering the jar. Apply another layer of mod podge on top of the doily and let it dry. This will take several hours to dry.

And there you have three very different looks, but all very simple!  You can also buy wire to hang these like mini lanterns. That tutorial will have to be on another day because the wire at Lowe's was seven dollars!

~Now go illuminate your favorite space!~

Buttons and... Bow Holder

This is something I have wanted to make for Jaxson's girlfriend all summer. I went thrift store shopping a few weeks ago. I was actually on the hunt to find blue mason jars for my friend Jennifer; which I have found a way to make, but that will have to be for another day.  Anyway, I stumbled upon this small cheese cutting board for only .99!  As soon as I saw it, I knew it would be a great way to assemble Miss Lilly's bow holder.

Here is what you will need:                                                 

Cutting board or piece of sturdy wood

Spray paint

Felt flowers

Large and small ribbon

Paint

Staple gun

Once you have gathered your materials, it is really quite easy. Using the spray paint, apply several coats to the wood.  Once it is dry, stencil or hand paint what ever you want.  Add felt flowers, buttons, ribbon, etc. for decorations. Flip the board over, staple your large ribbon to the back.  Don't forget that your board will need a way to hang. That is one of the reasons I loved the cutting board because it already had a hole in the perfect place for hanging. I will have to post of picture of it once it is in full use in Lilly's room. 

~ Happy Crafting ~