Saturday, February 28, 2015

Rhinestone Boho Cuffs DIY

A few weeks ago I was getting my sparkle fix on the Beadaholique website and found beautiful cup chain in a ton of different colors...... I was immediately inspired to order some up and make these glamorous Rhinestone Boho Cuffs. I have a feeling Wonder Woman would love these for a night on the town! My favorite thing about this project is the mix of colors and textures. I used extra bits of chain, cabochons and small jewelry pieces to get this high end look. Enjoy!
The perfect way to spice up a simple dress!
I think they look amazing on Danielle!
Watch the short video tutorial here!
YOU'LL NEED
Wire cutters
Jewelry pieces
Cabochons
Flat back rhinestones
Chain
Flat metal cuff
Tape
Toothpicks
Check out www.Beadaholique.com for all of your jewelry making needs! 
(I got amazing cup chain cut by the foot and cabochons from them for this project.)
Glue on cabochons and jewelry pieces with E-6000 
Tape them in place while they dry so they don't shift
Measure and cut cup chain to wrap around a cabochon
Using a toothpick, add glue around the cabochon and add the cup chain
Continue circling the cabochon with different colors of cup chain to create your design
Add small pieces of chain and flat back rhinestones to break up the cup chain pattern
Cover the entire metal cuff with stones for the full effect
Let everything dry for at least 3 hours






Saturday, February 21, 2015

Fabulous Fabric Plants!

I have a black thumb....You wouldn't know it by my yard because everything just grows in California.  Whenever I intentionally plant something, it dies.  My mom, however, can grow an avocado tree from a seed.  For this reason, I've decided to make all of my plants out of fabric.  This way they're green all year long and I don't have to remember to water them. 
Perfect!
Paint them in any color to match your decor!
 They do very well outside, too!
They won't leak on your books!
Watch the short video tutorial here!
YOU'LL NEED
Iron
White cotton fabric
18 gage wire
Paintbrushes
Decorative pot
Styrofoam block
Wire cutters 
 Cut several different sizes of long triangles that are 3'' at the base
Press them in half
Add E-6000 Stitchless to the inner edge and press closed
*Make sure not to close the base of the triangle
You will need about 30 triangles depending on the size of the plant you want
Paint the center of each leaf on both sides with the color of your choice
*I used Turf Green and lightened it with white
Paint the edges in another color
*I used Chick
Cut wire pieces 3" longer than each leaf and insert into the leaves
Shape the Styrofoam block to the size of your pot
Add the leaves to the block and create your plant



Wednesday, February 18, 2015

Pretty Poppy Pillows!

It's been a dull gray winter and I've decided to make some colorful, graphic pillows for my patio furniture. There's something exciting about mixing bold colors with black and white stripes...... It seems to make them POP even more, don't you think? The awesome thing about these pillows is that they're practically NO-SEW since the poppies are appliquéd with E-6000 Stitchless Glue. Just add a little glue along the edges and press into place. It's that easy!
Mix and match your prints!
Make two or three!
 Watch the short video tutorial here!
YOU'LL NEED
Iron
Sewing Machine
Scissors
Red, black, orange, and black and white striped cotton fabrics
Pillow stuffing
 Cut out 3 poppies per pillow
*One 8" and two 6" in diameter
Figure out their placement on a 19" x 19" square of striped fabric
Add E-6000 Stitchless glue around the edges of the poppy pieces
Assemble and iron in place until the glue disappears
 Add another 19" x 19" piece of striped fabric on top of the pressed poppies
Pin and stitch around the edges using 1/2" seam allowance
Turn right side out and outline the poppies in orange and black gloss Allure
When dry, stuff the pillows and stitch closed
Hello summer!

Saturday, February 14, 2015

Party Balls 2!

Two years ago I figured out how to make party balls from old magazines.  It took tons of trial and error to get them just right!  Well, I've figured out another design for you and it's the perfect way to get rid of that stack of magazines that has been cluttering up your living room.  Now, I know these really look like wheels or disks, but I'm just going to call them Party Balls 2....I think it just sounds more fun, don't you?!
Hang them in the trees!
Might even fool the bees!

The original Party Balls video
Watch the short Party Balls 2 video tutorial here!
YOU'LL NEED
Magazines
Hot glue gun
Ribbon
Scissors
Printout of pattern (below)
 Print and cut the pattern in thin cardboard
*I like to use cereal box cardboard
Trace it on a stack of magazines
Cut out 56 pieces per party ball
On the first piece, add a dot of glue in the 4 areas  pointed out with the red arrows
Place another cut out on top of the glue
Next, add glue in the 3 areas pointed out with the red arrows
Continue alternating 4 dots of glue and 3 dots of glue until you've use all 56 pieces
Glue the cardboard on the top of the stack
Open the pages and glue the cardboard to the other side
Punch a hole in the cardboard and hang from ribbon
Print on regular 8 1/2 x 11 copy paper.