Saturday, May 31, 2014

Vintage Door Shelf DIY

Not long ago I was coming home and noticed a beautiful wooden door on the side of the street, so I hauled it up 3 flights of stairs to my house.  I live on a stair street, not a regular car street.  I wasn't quite sure what to do with the door, but I knew that it had great potential.  After a few weeks of trying to figure it out, I finally came up with this outdoor shelf for my starter plants.  You could just as easily use this inside your home for books or bric-a-brac.  The best thing about this project is that it was practically free.  I aged the door even more with Americana Decor Chalky Finish Paints and Crème Wax in Golden Brown.  Next time you see a door on the street, bring it home! 
My lovely outdoor plant shelf
Flower Market in French

Watch the video tutorial
YOU'LL NEED
Old beat up door
Five 1"x12"x24" pine boards
Drill
10 "L" brackets
Sanding block or sander
Paintbrushes
 1.  Paint large patches of Lace and Heritage all over the door and shelves.  Don’t worry about being neat or creating a pattern, just go crazy and be random.  Leave some of the original color of the door showing if you like the original color.  If not, cover everything with the large patches of paint.
 2.  Rub wax over the details of the door and over the patches you just painted. 
3.  Paint over the entire door in Delicate and let dry for 30 minutes.
4.  Sand the door with a sanding block to reveal the areas where you applied the wax.  The base colors will start to show through and the door will start to look more aged.
5. Hit and scratch the door with a hammer to age it some more.
6.  Paint the creme wax over the door and then rub it off with a cloth.
* This will highlight the scratches and dents and give it more character.
7.  Screw your "L" brackets to each of the shelves (2 each should be fine).
8.  Apply the shelves to the door.
9.  Stencil across the very top of the door and you're done!


Thursday, May 29, 2014

Happy Thurs-DIY!

It's time for my weekly Thurs-DIY update!  See what my amazing friends have been up to this past week and make sure to pop in and send them a big hello from me, OK.  Now load up that glue gun and get going.......Happy Thurs-DIY!

The marvelous Margot Potter is inspired by Elvis Costello for this "My aim is true" necklace!  She rocks!  http://icanmakemetalstampedjewelry.com/stamped-metal-necklace/
Embellish a t-shirt or cardigan without a single stitch with washable E-6000 Fabri-Fuse glue!   https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DYqTBYbxvWU
Give anything a weathered look with this wax resist technique!  Use a regular candle and American Decor Chalky Finish paints for an amazing look that works wonderfully on furniture, too!  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8A_N1m6_DZQ&list=UUt4zycubX8BJZ8pZhZ4w8ow
Cathie Filian makes a charming piece of art that's worth chirping about!  http://youtu.be/u1LkESq5VWo
Kathy (aka Crafty Chica) makes a spray dyed tote that is super 80s!  This girl just wants to have fun!  http://www.craftychica.com/site/2014/04/spray-dyed-tote/
Heather Mann makes a terrific teacher gift with super size crayons!  http://dollarstorecrafts.com/2014/05/make-a-colorful-crayon-shaped-chalkboard/
Cathy Attix gets you ready for summer with this starfish spray dyed scarf!  She's so chic!  http://ilovetocreateblog.blogspot.com/2014/05/spray-dyed-scarf-diy.html
Debi Beard makes a starfish chandelier that any merman would flip for! I want this for my house! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9viSfZL_Szc&list=PL2E39DC4AF9F2A10F

Wednesday, May 28, 2014

Simple No-Sew Bow Cardigan DIY

You don't always have to know how to sew to UP-style your garments!  Today I'm taking a basic black cardigan and embellishing it with bows without a single stitch.  I'm using washable 
E-6000 Fabri-Fuse and simple mini Ribbon Bows.  It's so easy.......Or should I say no-sew easy?  
  Danielle wearing a bow embellished cardigan

 Here's a simple video tutorial
A Rockettes row of E-6000 Fabri-Fuse
 YOU'LL NEED
E-6000 Fabri-Fuse
Cardigan or t-shirt
1.  Add a dab of E-6000 Fabri-Fuse to the cardigan
 2.  Gently place the ribbon bow on the cardigan.
 3.  Figure out your pattern and continue.
4.  Mirror on both sides
 5.  Place bows halfway down each sleeve on the front.
6.  Turn over the sweater and continue on the back.
You're done!

Saturday, May 24, 2014

Weathered Wood Bangles DIY

I love the look of painted, aged and weathered wood and thought it might be fun to try to get the same effect on wood bangles.  It was easier than I thought and I have to say, I had a blast making these!  As you can see, I made 5 of them and I still wanted to paint more.  This is a terrific technique for furniture, too.  I used Americana Decor Chalky Finish paints (beautiful colors, BTW) and regular household wax.  You could even use a candle if you wanted.  Have fun!
Danielle wearing the Weathered Wood Bangles

Watch the tutorial here
YOU'LL NEED
Wood Bangles (www.diybangles.com)
Sanding block or sandpaper
Paintbrushes
 1.  Paint your accessories with a base color and let dry.
2.  Rub with wax.  Don't cover the entire piece with wax, just here and there and along the edges.
3.  Paint your top coat of paint and let dry. 
4.  Sand your pieces to expose the paint underneath.
5.  Add more wax and more paint for more layers of color.



Thursday, May 22, 2014

Thurs-DIY......My weekly round-up of crafty goodness!

My favorite day of the week is here........THURS-DIY........The day I get to share what my creative friends have been up to all week long. Just like me, they toil away creating something new to share with you so that you can discover new ways to decorate, accessorize and spend some quality time.  Hop around and say hello to the gang, OK!

The marvelous Margot Potter makes stamped Charm Bangle Bracelets.  Margot is a stamped metal genius!  http://icanmakemetalstampedjewelry.com/diy-stamped-charm-bangle-bracelets/
Debi Beard shows you how to make weathered boat wood........
This gal is amazing!  Make sure to check out her YouTube channel, too.  She'll have you in stitches. http://debisdesigndiary.com/chair-makeover-with-weathered-boat-paint-finish-and-pallet-wood/
This week I made boho style lampshades with Rit liquid dye and Dazzling Metallics painted lace....Here's how:  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G8ZMT1mMHu0
This project is for your Frozen obsessed kiddos!  Make Queen Elsa's Jewels from the movie Frozen!  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VD0c0oL7JmE&list=UUt4zycubX8BJZ8pZhZ4w8ow
Who knew you could get foam core at the 99c store?  Well, Heather did!  This week she shows you how to make a lamp with it.  Now that has endless possibilities!  http://dollarstorecrafts.com/2014/05/tutorial-lamp-from-foam-core-board/
Kathy Cano-Murillo (aka Crafty Chica) shows you how to make a Loteria pillow!  I actually want the entire set of these now.   I also want to have enchiladas with Kathy soon and talk about beads.  I love this girl! http://ilovetocreateblog.blogspot.com/2014/05/make-your-own-loteria-pillow.html
Cathie Filian makes a beautiful statement necklace that looks good enough to eat! She always makes such terrific color choices and gets it just right.  Talent in spades, this girl has!   http://youtu.be/aBhcj7aR9FI
Cathy Attix rocks a paracord belt.  I love that she wears and uses the things she makes.  They're always up to the minute fashion statements that everyone can wear and enjoy.  Go Cathy!   http://www.trinketsinbloom.com/paracord-belt-diy/

Wednesday, May 21, 2014

Boho Rit Dyed and Painted Lace Lampshades

A few weeks ago I started experimenting with Rit Liquid Dye and now I'm completely hooked!  I've dyed everything in my house that can possibly be dyed and I'm still looking for more.  This week I tackled some lampshades for my patio chandelier.  I know!  Doesn't everyone have a chandelier on their patio?  It couldn't have been easier, too.  Another thing I learned is that you can paint lace metallic gold with DecoArt's Dazzling Metallics and it looks amazing.  Make sure to use the E-6000 Fabri-Fuse to glue on the lace because hot glue will melt if it's too close to the lightbulbs.  Check out the video tutorial below and leave a comment.  I'd love to hear from you.
My boho lampshades
A view to my backyard

Watch the video tutorial here
YOU'LL NEED
Rit Liquid Dye in Tangerine & Golden Yellow
Lampshades
Cotton Lace
Pie plate
Spray bottle
 1.  Wet your lampshade with a spray bottle (or put it under the sink)
2.  Fill a pie plate about 1/2" with hot water and add 2 cupfuls of Rit Liquid Dye in Golden Yellow
3.  Stir thoroughly and then rest the base of the lampshade in the dye for about five minutes.
 4. Fill your pie plate with hot water and 2 cupfuls of Tangerine Rit Liquid Dye.
5.  Stir and then dip the top of your lampshade in the dye for about 5 minutes.  
*Let it bleed upward to give an ombre effect.
6.  Cut your lace in different sized pieces.
7. Paint them with Dazzling Metallic Paint in Glorious Gold
8.  When they're dry, glue the lace to the lamp shade with E-6000 Fabri-Fuse and tape the pieces in place until they dry.