Antique Radio from Shabby to Shabby Chic!

I am SO excited about this week's blog becuase I am so proud of the way it turned out! I spent this past weekend in LBI and found the most incredible store in Beach Haven's Bay Village, Walker Trading Co. The owners find neglected furiture and restore them into the most beautiful pieces! While I was browwsing through their shop, I found an antique radio which was restored and immeditaly was inspired. This week's inspiration goes to them, and their great eye for diamonds in the rough! Like Walker Trading Co. on Facebook!

I found this radio at an estate sale this past Sunday, and saw it's potential immediately! Take a look at the before and after.

I'll take you step by step how to do this yourself!

For this project you will need:

1. primer

2. color paint of your choice

3. 2 good quality paint brushes- one medium size and one smaller brush for details

4. sand paper

First, you'll need to thrououghly sand down all surfaces of the piece. Depending upon how many layers of paint or stain are already on the piece will determine the grit of sand paper you will need. I chose fine becuase  my rule of thumb is you can always take more off, but can't put more on!

Next, you will need to get a slighly damp paper towel to wipe off the dust and prepare the surface for painting. Do not dampen your towel too much, as you want to make sure the surface is completely dry when you paint. 

 

Now, you are ready to paint. Two important things to know about painting furniture!

1. You will want to prime your surface for a couple of reasons. Priming prior to painting allows you to use less coats of the color paint (which is more expensive) and priming also allows for a layering look when you sand at the end. The primer you purchase should be the SAME finish as the paint finish you choose. (For example, if you choose semi-gloss paint, you should purchase semi-gloss primer.) 

2. You want to make sure you purchase interior or exterior paint, depening upon where the furniture will live.

I chose an eggshell base for my color and primer. Pantone Universe paints (available at Lowe's) has fantastic and trendy colors to choose from. The one I used is called Bay.







Tape off any surfaces that you want to protect from paint. I also removed the knobs to allow for easy painting. Apply one coat of the primer. Let it completely dry before moving on. When the primer is dry, apply one or two coats of your color paint. Also, allow it to completely dry. 
             Primer                                                                         Paint

 

 In my opinion, sanding in the best part because you can not mess it up, and this is where the project really starts to take form. Sand all over the piece, applying different pressures so that you have some areas that are sanded down to the wood and some that are sanded down to the white primer layer.

Once you are happy with the sanding, take another slightly damp paper towel and wipe down the piece to clean off the dust. And that's it! Now get painting!!

"The Best Of Times" Frame

This week's inspiration comes, yet again, from a post on Pinterest. My sister-in-law sent me this idea and I knew I wanted to make it for my mother. So, what better than making it for a Mother's Day present! "The Best Of Times" meaning the times when her children were born. So cute!

I felt that using three separate frames and three separate clocks was a little over kill and would take up too much space on my Mom's living room wall, so I condensed it down to this...

Here is how it's done!

I am always looking for a way to easily copy computer prints over to crafts. I came up with such an easy and useful way. First, I typed up the title on the computer, and found a font that I liked. This one is called Great Vibes (free download here) 

Then I printed it out on tracing paper. 

Next, flip the tracing paper over and with a pencil, trace over the lettering. Be sure to do this forcefully and completely. 

 Then, with the pencil drawing side touching the frame, use your pencil to forcefully rub the paper. This will transfer the pencil markings from the tracing paper onto the frame. 

 Do this with all the words of your title, then use a paint pen or a very fine paint brush to cover the pencil marking. 

Repeat this process with the times that the children were born. Once it is dry, you are ready to put in the pictures. I love this project because it is cost effective, doesn't use many materials, yet is so sentimental. Enjoy!!

Picture Frame Dry Erase Board

So, I have posted some pretty easy projects in the past, but this one takes the cake. This useful and adorable project is SO easy and super cheap. This week's inspiration was found on Pinterest. Follow these few easy steps to create your own reminder dry erase board!

 and my take on the project...

All you need for this project is a frame, paint color of your choice, brush, pretty patterned or decorated paper, and some stickers- 

preferably 3D ones.

Use the glass from the frame to trace out the size of paper you will need.

Paint the frame any color you like. I needed to use about 3 coats.

Hot glue the stickers on, especially if you have glitter paper. This will just ensure that your stickers don't slide around inside the frame.

Assemble the frame, and that's it!! Now you're ready to use your very own dry erase reminder board!

:)

Happy Creating!

Recycled T-Shirt Bracelet

So, my husband and I sold our condo, thus I am beginning to pack! I decided to go through and donate a bunch of clothes that I don't need and realized that I have a ton of t-shirts that either don't fit or are totally worn out. I checked on Pinterest to see if there were any cool projects that I can do with an old t-shirt, and found this...

and created my own which look like this...

Here's how you can do it, too!

First, you are going to need a t-shirt or piece of fabric, scissors, jewelry pliers, jewelry clamps and chains, and a charm if you want. 

Next, you need to cut the three strips from your t-shirt. Mine were about the length of the bottom of the shirt to the collar. Tape those three pieces down, braid it all the way to the bottom, and then tape the bottom of the braid to the table as well.

Then, take one of your clamps and wrap it around the top of your braid. Slide the chain loop through both of the holes of the clamp, and use your tool to press down hard on the clamp, making sure it's tight. If you want to add a charm, do it at this time. Use the tool to close the chain loop.

Now, at the bottom of your braid, fasten another clamp with a chain loop. This time, add the clasp instead of the charm. Again, use the tool to secure the clamp and tighten the chain loop. Use the scissors to cut off any excess fabric.

And there you have it! Super easy and looks great. 

This would also look really interesting with three different colored t-shirts, 

or pattern t-shirts, or with leather instead of t-shirts like I did below. 

Enjoy!!

Crochet Flower Bookmark

I don't know about you, but I am done with this Winter! I have a case of Spring fever and have been searching the web for some fun springy crafts, when I came across these adorable crochet flower bookmarks from duitang.com.

Of course, I had to make them! Here is what I came up with...

To make this bookmark, first you have to create the flower. There are dozens of ways to make a variety of crochet flowers. I'll show you how I made this one, but you can visit YouTube.com and watch many different videos on the variety of ways.

To start, make a chain of 45.

Then you are going to work a double crochet into the 44th chain. Then skip a chain, work a double crochet into the 42nd chain. Continue to skip one chain, and work a double crochet into every other chain. When you make it to the end of your chain, you will realize that the flower will begin to take on a curly cue effect. You should now have 22 double crochets.

Next, you are going to make the petals. In the 22nd double crochet, make a slip stitch. Chain 2. Then, in the 21st double crochet, you are going to make 3 double crochet in that same stitch. Then make a slip stitch in the 20th double crochet and chain 2. Then work 3 double crochet into the 19th double crochet. Continue this pattern of 3 double crochet, one slip stitch-chain 2 until you reach the end.




<--- Showing the slip stitch

<-- Showing the chain 2

When you are done, arrange the spiral into the flower petal how you like it.

Then, create a series of slip stitches to sow the flower petals together. This is kind of just trial and error, making sure you are securing the petals to each other. If you want, you could tie off the crochet yarn and sow the petals together with a needle and thread.

Leave the left over thread attached, and there you have your flower!

Now, you have to change over to the green thread. The way I do it, is I make a loop with the new thread and tie that loop down with the remaining pink thread. There are many ways to do this, and I am sure there is a way easier than how I do it, so do what you like here. 

Once the green thread is fastened, chain 20. Now you are going to create the first leaf. I actually had never crocheted leaves before, so I found this tutorial on YouTube that helped me create it. Rather than explain the steps, it's probably just easier to show you the video!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3sK9a6mDy9A

After the leaf is created, (picture on right) you will need to make a series of slip stitched to get back to the main chain. Then, I chained 20 again, and made another leaf. The amount of leaves is up to you. I also made the second leaf smaller by only making one treble crochet instead of three. Then make as many chains as you wish to get the desired length of the bookmark.

When your bookmark is at the length you like, cut the yarn about 2 inches longer. Then take that remaining yarn and thread it though the last loop. This will tie the bookmark off. Then create the fringe at the bottom by pulling apart the string of yarn.

And there you have it! Enjoy

Crochet Loufa

Although I love crafts of all kinds, crocheting is my favorite  I am always thinking of fun, new ways to use crochet. I came across this post on Pinterest.com from whimsy-love.com.

Then I put on my crochet thinking cap, and came up with these!

This craft is really easy and works as a fabulous exfoliator!

 FYI: You need to use 100% cotton yarn for this project. First, make a simple rectangle. I chained 15, then made 14 rows using the double crochet stitch. I used a sherbert multi-color yarn which I think adds some flare!

Then, to create the pouch, wrap the rectangle into a circle. You want to have about a half an inch overlap so that when you put the soap into the pouch, you can completely cover the soap, kind of like a pillowcase. 

Next, simply close up both sides of the pouch. Use a single crochet stitch to thread the top to the bottom. When you have completely sealed one side of the pouch, tie a knot and cut the string. Then do the same thing on the other side of the pouch. Make sure when you start this new stitch, you somehow secure the new stitch with a knot. If you don't, this stitch can come loose.

Then, turn the pouch inside-out and you are ready to loufa!

Enjoy!