Super Easy Painted Glass Jars (Dollar Store Craft)

I have spring fever.  I am so ready for warmer days, sunshine and color.  Until then, I am making due with bringing some life inside and adding some spring touches here and there around the house.  I have a super easy diy for you today for adding some color to your homes - using chalk paint on glass!  Have you guys used chalk paint yet?  I absolutely love it..and now there are so many options available.  I know there is sometimes confusion about this...so to clarify this isn't chalkboard paint but chalk paint - two different things.  Chalk paint adheres really well to surfaces without the need of primer and leaves a very matte/flat almost chalky finish.  Recently I came across some craft chalk paint and wanted to give it a try.

At first I was going to use mason jars for this project but then I found these glass milk bottles at the dollar store...yes! --at the dollar store and had to grab them.  If you can't find them at your local dollar store (specifically these were at the Dollar Tree) then I have seen them also at crafts stores like AC Moore or Michaels for a few dollars each.  How cute are these? Honestly I like them even unpainted as well to use for little parties.  Just think of how cute a little paper striped straw would be with these.

Here is the chalk paint I used...I found this at AC Moore for $8...plus a coupon for 50%.  I love those coupons, don't ever enter a craft store without scoping those out first. They have other colors as well..not a huge selection but I think a pretty selection.  If you haven't used chalk paint yet this paint is a great way to try it out without investing $$ on some of the fancier brands and supplies.

When you use chalk paint the best approach is several thin layers.  Your first layer will feel like its not going to cover and will look awful.  I did 3 thin layers on these bottles to get the coverage I liked. I just used a craft sponge brush to apply it...it worked well for this project. And leftover birthday plates :)

After the paint has dried completely you can add some distressing if you want...I waited a good 24 hours before doing this step.  I just lightly sanded with a sanding block to give it a little character. That's really it!  I didn't need to prime or use any kind of sealer on this project. Super easy.

These are so cute for greenery or florals, I love using unexpected things.  And this minty color is one of my favorites..I love the vintage feel of it.

I also used these for candle holders as well!  One thing though I would never use these for drinking out of now that they are painted..just decoration haha. 

Are you guys feeling the spring fever too?  What are some ways you like to add pops of spring to your home?  And...what do you think of chalk paint?  I'd love to hear!

Make something new this week!

Simple Spring Wreath Tutorial

Today I'm sharing with you a super simple wreath tutorial!  It involves cutting, tying knots and using mostly items you probably already have- so anyone can do this.  I needed some spring color to brighten up our home so yellow is what I went for, I love the bright pop of color!  Ok, let's get started..

The first thing you need to do is gather your supplies.  I used an embroidery hoop for my wreath base.  If you don't have one already they are super easy to find - either at your local craft store, walmart and even target now has them and they are usually under $2.  Next you need to decide on fabric.  I used all scarp items like an old table cloth, sheet and t shirt.  I also used some yellow felt I already had on hand.  Just use what you have!

It really is just as simple as cutting strips of fabric...and they don't have to be perfect (obviously from my photo) and tying the strips in knots around your hoop.  After you have it all tired I usually grab my scissors and trim around the wreath to make it a little more even.

So easy and sweet!  I love using things I already have on hand to make something new.  If you didn't have fabric you could also use ribbon or burlap...or old t-shirts like I did.

The most difficult thing about this wreath is probably the time but I got mine done in under an hour and all while watching HGTV of course...not too bad.  

An Easy DIY Reindeer Silhouette

Am I the only one who wishes the rain was snow?....thought so.  But the rain is a beautiful reminder of God's grace, it falls on the righteous and unrighteous and no one really deserves it, but God provides even so.  Its always something we usually take for granted and complain about when it ruins our plans but what a simple yet complex way for God to continuously reveal Himself through his creation.  And since its raining, its a great time to write a blog post, think about God and make reindeer silhouettes.  It all goes together somehow in my head, so let's make a reindeer...

I had so much fun making this little guy.  I don't know if I haven't really sat down and made something from scratch in a while or what but it was enjoyable.  I made this in under an hour and with things I already had.  That's always my favorite kind of craft anyway.  Using items on hand forces you to think a little bit more creatively.  Here are the supplies I used:

- an embroidery hoop (you can find these in any craft store and they are inexpensive)
- felt
-paper
-fabric (I used an old sheet)
-pencil, sharpie and scissors
- hot glue

To start off this project you need a reindeer template.  I decided to just free hand draw a simple silhouette to use.  But, if the thought of free hand drawing freaks you out then calm down, take a deep breath, I have some great news - you can find many places online that offer free printables you can use like here or here!  Bloggers are awesome like that.  Thank you awesome bloggers!  After you have your deer template ready you just need to trace it on your felt, I used a sharpie because it was just easier that way and then finally cut it out.  Simple!

Now its time to get the embroidery hoop ready for your awesomely easy ready to go reindeer.

You don't have to sew things to have available fabric to use for this.  I couldn't find anything I liked in my stash so I opted to use an old sheet I really didn't use anymore.  I've used sheets, tablecloths, shower curtains, t shirts...you get the point.  Fabric is everywhere in your house and if its not being used on a regular basis then its fair game for me to cut up.  So, I cut out a piece the right size, pulled it tight around the hoop frame and trimmed off some of the excess.  Then just for a nice clean and neat finish, add a little hot glue to the hoop backside and fold over the fabric ends to finish the back.

Now all that is left is hot glueing your sweet little deer right onto your fabric hoop.  Done.

You can make this!  I know it!

And then you can admire your reindeer from near or from afar.

I used one of those removable hanging strips to secure him to the wall since I'm feeling he is more of a festive Christmas deer that will be up only during this the holidays...although I'm kind of growing an attachment to him so I'm either going to have to make a new replacement or just keep him.  We shall see.

Thanks for stopping by and have a wonderful day...whether its rain, snow, ice or shine!

Spring Wreath DIY

I always love this time of year.  Things start warming up, the days start getting longer, you see little buds and blooms pop up, the grass turns greener, the air is fresh - its just wonderful.  Then the pollen comes and the humidity is quick to follow...but we won't talk about that.  Today is all about feeling springy and cheery.  I have a little wreath/embroidery to share with you today.  It meets my three criteria for projects- easy, simple and cheap.  For projects like this, just use what you have already and be creative.  No need to spend a bunch of money on seasonal decor.  I used pretty much leftover supplies from other projects to make this one.

For this project I used:

- Embroidery Hoops  (4"&12")

- Scrap Fabric

- Scrap lace ribbon & felt

- Embroidery Thread

You will also need a hot glue gun and needle

First step is getting your fabric framed inside your small hoop and then you just cut your felt and ribbon to the size you want and lightly hot glue it down to your fabric.  Cut a longer strip of fabric for the bigger hoop and wrap it around the entire hoop.  I used a little hot glue and the beginning and end to secure it.  I kind of love the frayed ends and shabby chic feeling of this so no need to fret over frays or fringe.  This fabric is actually a leftover kitchen towel from my luggage rack redo and the shower curtain I used when we built our fabric ottoman.  Both are from Target in case you are wondering.

Ok, don't let the next part scare you.  I simply stitched a little "happy" into my embroidery.  I was going for a vintage/shabby chic feel so its just a quick free-handed embroidery.  Really, really easy.  I don't sew at all and I can do this - so can you!

I also made a few rosettes out of my scrap fabric/kitchen towel for the larger hoop.  I used the same technique as I did with these felt no sew flowers.  They are super easy to make.  

Finish it off with a little lace ribbon and you are done!  Now my little faux mantel is starting to look all springy and bright.  

This milk glass vase and turquoise ball jar are two of my favorite things.  Now I just need some of our flowers to spring up so I have something to put in them.

Aren't you guys ready for pretty spring days?  What kind of springy projects are you working on?  Share with me!

Have a great Wednesday!

Linking Up Here:

Hop to it Link Party

 

DIY Fabric Pendants

This weekend we had some yucky weather so we were indoors more than usual - which equaled me needing a new craft to try, but not able to get out to purchase any new craft items (seriously though, I should have plenty of craft items by now).  So I of course went to the best crafting source out there - pinterest, and found an easy and fun project to try.  So lets break out our scrap fabric and make something.

Oh but first, let me share with you our major winter storm of 2013.  We were hoping for snow but received ice instead - Silas had no idea the difference since he's never seen either.  This was a huge deal around these parts.  I know some of my blogging buddies are used to much more wintry weather than this but to us- this was like total lockdown.  Not everyone loves snow, but I do- so this was a little disappointment but we still made it fun nonetheless.   

Silas even made "snowballs" aka ice balls haha.  He had such a blast running around outside through the icy grass, I wonder what he would do in a real snow event.

Ok, back to our crafty project - the fabric pendants.  So like I mentioned earlier, I first found these on pinterest via darling dexter.  After falling in love with them I immediately started to think of how to make something similar.  I wanted to use things I already had and for it to be easy - So here's my tutorial:

Supplies Needed:

- scrap fabric

- cardboard or small balsa wood shapes

- two pendant shaped stencils: one big and one small (I just freehanded mine)

- pencil

-scissors

-glue gun

-ribbon

- needle & thread

Alright, so the first thing you need to do is trace out the shapes you will need. 

*Take your smaller pendant shape stencil and trace on your scrap piece of cardboard - this will be used inside of your pendant.  

*Next, take your larger pendant shaped stencil and trace two shapes on your fabric.  I just flipped over my fabric and used a pencil. 

*Cut out your shapes.

*You also need to cut a small piece of ribbon for the loop for your pendant.

--side note - I found some small balsa wood shapes I just had laying around so I used them as well (they are the circle and rectangle).  But you don't need those to do this project.

Now its time for hot glue!  

*Glue your ribbon ends together to form a loop. 

*Next, lay one of your cut fabric pieces down (pattern side facing down) and layer in the ribbon loop on the top and use a tiny bit of glue to keep it down.  

*Then, use a tiny bit of glue to secure your smaller cardboard piece, followed by a tiny bit of glue to hold together the last fabric piece. 

Now you are ready for a little needle and thread.  Don't worry, this is easy and it doesn't have to be perfect.  I just quickly stitched around my cardboard piece that's inside my fabric pendant.  This really makes it much sturdier and finishes it off nicely.

Now, from here you can totally use a chain you already have to slip it on and off to wear it.  I decided to make a few necklace chains with some supplies I had.  You just need some craft chain, clasps and jump rings (all found at any craft store - even walmart) .  I use wire cutters (to cut my chain), flat nose and round nose pliers to open my jump rings and secure the clasp - its pretty simple.

I love these sweet little fabric pendants and all three took me less than an hour to make - more like 45 minutes.  I love that I used supplies I already owned so there was no money spent to make these - my kind of craft.  I think the possibilities are endless with this, so many variations running through my head!

So any of you guys face the winter storm this weekend?  Do you have any crafty things you are working on?  Share with me!

Having a wonderful week!

Linking Up Here:

Make-It Link Party

DIY Boxwood Square Wreath

This was one of those projects that I got excited about - but first some backstory.  One day I went browsing around West Elm and saw a square boxwood wreath that I just loved.  I passed by it several times debating on whether or not I really wanted it.  Then I checked the price to confirm that I really didn't need it.  That baby was $59 - for a little square wreath.  After thinking a few days on it I realized that I could totally make one myself.  So here's is my easy diy boxwood square wreath that cost me......$12 to make!!!  Now you can feel my excitement.  It was also super easy!

So my first step was to make a trip to the craft store.  The closest one to my house is AC Moore, so that's where I went.  Before I could even get into the store there was a huge bin sitting outside the door with boxwood garland - on sale for 50% off.  I couldn't believe how easy this was.  So I grabbed two boxwood garlands for $6 a piece and I was good to go.

Next I needed a square frame so I grabbed a diaper box and cut out four equal pieces to assemble my wreath frame.

It was as easy as hot glueing them together.

After I had my frame I decided the best way to make my wreath was to pull off all of the little boxwood  stems off of the garland.  Silas loved this part and he was a great help with this project.  

Then I simply glued and glued and glued.  Not going to lie, it was a little tedious at times - not hard just monotonous.  I first wanted to achieve a base of boxwood so I slathered a bunch of hot glue on the cardboard frame and laid down my boxwood on the glue.  I did this until I had a good base.

You can see in this picture below what I'm talking about with the base.  Then I took little pieces at a time and glued and filled in until I had a nice full wreath of boxwood.

It took me a few hours -  probably about 3 hours total.  I didn't do it all in one day and at one sitting.  I did a little at a time when I had a few minutes.  There was a point when I thought I would never get all the holes filled in but then it all of sudden seemed to be finished.

I love it and I love that it cost me way less to make.  I think I will totally leave it out after Christmas too.  This is definitely a year round wreath.

Don't you just love those projects where you make something you totally love for way less than you could have bought?  Share with me your success stories!!  I would love to know!

Hope you guys are having a wonderful Thursday!

Looking for another garland option? Check out these (Affiliate Links):

-Boxwood and Eucalyptus Garland

-Eucalyptus Garland

Linking Up Here: