"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!

Convert Your Refrigerator Cabinet to a Wine Rack!

My husband and I are trying to sell our condo, and in an effort to get a quick sell, we decided to spend a weekend de-cluttering. When we got to the kitchen, I noticed the unsightly, clutter-covered top of the refrigerator like I had never noticed before. I remembered back to a pin that I found on Pinterest.com of a wine rack above the refrigerator. This seemed like the perfect solution, so my husband and I got to work.

DIYer FYI: To create this wine rack, you are going to need a table saw. If you don't have a handy husband, recruit a neighbor! If you feel uneasy asking a neighbor, the guys at Loews or Home Depot can cut wood for you as long as you give them measurements.

First, clear off anything from on top of the refrigerator and remove the cabinet doors. Then, you are going to want to prep your surface by cleaning off any grease or dust.

Then, begin painting the inside of the cabinet with acrylic paint. You want to try your best to match the paint color. I am using "Bittersweet Chocolate." The good thing is that this cabinet is high enough that you wont be able to notice if the color isn't matched perfectly.






Let the paint dry completely, and then do two more coats. If you don't let the paint completely dry, when you brush on more paint the brush will actually just remove the layer you just painted on.











The following measurements are based on a standard 36" by 12" cabinet. If your refrigerator cabinet is not 36" wide, you will have to adjust these measurements. 

For the shelves, you are going to have to purchase a pine board that is 12" wide, 48" long and 3/4" thick. 

Then, you are going to need the table saw to cut one-inch off the width of the board, so that it is 11" wide. 

Then cut a piece that is 10" long (because inside the cabinet is 10" high). This 10" x 11" piece will go in between the two cabinets so that the bottles will not roll from one side of the cabinet to the other. Screw this board in place by screwing from the bottom of the cabinet, into this piece. You will now have two boxes inside the cabinet. (P.S.- If your cabinet is already split into two boxes, skip this step!)

Now, you are going to need the table saw again. This next step was totally trial and error for my husband and me because we had a hard time figuring out the angles, but here is what we finally did.

We cut two board, each 17.5" long. Then, we marked one board R (right box) and the other L (left box). Set your saw at 63 degrees and cut each board in ONE CORNER at 63 degrees holding the wood horizontally. (See picture to the LEFT) Then, on the other side cut a 27 degree angle holding the wood vertically. (See picture BELOW)

The outside trim of the cabinet covers up the corners of the wood, so if those angles really confuse you, just cut your plank of wood a little bit shorter than 17.5" and hope that the trim covers it up. Then, you'll be able to just slide the left and right boards into place. They wont slide down because we have secured that wood piece in the middle of the cabinet. 

Ta-da, that's it! And now that it's all done, I'm kind of upset that 

I didn't think of this sooner so that I could enjoy it more before I move!

Coat Hanger Turned Scarf Hanger!

In my opinion, the best crafts are the ones that cost you close to nothing. This Scarf Hanger is a quick and easy craft you can do with simple household items.  This week's inspiration comes from Pinterest.com. Let's get started!

To Begin, you'll need a plastic hanger (wire won't hold), a pack of shower curtain rings, and a glue gun. (with lots of glue sticks!) I spray painted my hanger brown, which is optional. If you would like to do this, the kind I purchased is Rust-Oleum American Accents, Espresso color. The can only costs $1.99 and you can use it on many more projects to come!

FYI- Before you start. Do this whole project on top of a layer of wax paper...

Just saying, I learned the hard way  :)

First, you need to arrange the shower rings how you would like them on your coat hanger.

You'll notice the difference between the ring placement of my hanger and the Inspiration hanger. You actually don't want to hang all your scarfs across the bottom bar of the hanger because then the hanger will eventually start to sag from the weight, and possibly crack.

You should definitely place two rings inside the hanger as far left and right as possible, like in the picture. My husband is an Engineer and briefed me on the best way to displace the weight of the scarves!

Once you have set up the rings how you like, start gluing. You want to glue the rings not only to the hanger, but also to any other touching rings as well. To do this, you will need to put the hot glue on the top of the rings and on any sides touching.

Once you're done gluing, your hanger will look like this.

<--------

Next, you want to place another layer of glue on top of any glue that has oozed out when you pushed the ring to the hanger.

Make sure this layer of glue touches both the plastic hanger and the rings. This will create a nice solid seal.

Do this on all ring and hanger connections on one side. Then wait a few minutes for the glue to dry, flip the hanger over, and do the same thing on all connections on that side.

P.S.- Don't be afraid to use "too much" glue. The more, the better!

Then, you're ready for the fun part! You'll need a garbage bag or plastic bag to spray on, so that you keep the grass spray-free. To ensure that your bag won't blow away, take 4 nails or screws and push them through the bag into the grass.

Then, shake the can real good and begin to spray about 10-16" from the hanger. Apply a thin coat by moving side to side. Turn the angle of the can for a few strokes and by the edges of the hanger to ensure you are covering all surfaces. Wait for it to dry, then apply 1-2 more coats. Give that side about 10 minutes to totally dry, and then flip the hanger over and repeat.

My husband sprayed this for me outside and it was about 40 degrees, which took the paint a little longer to dry. Just make sure the paint is completely dry and not tacky to the touch before you start hanging up your scarves.

And there you have it! Super easy, practical, and cute!