Glitter Deer Tutorial

     Okay, so we've all seen this on Pinterest, and we've all admired the idea... so, I finally buckled down and tried it - adding my own flare... and I LOVE IT! (Okay, I'd probably love it more on a white background so it would have more "pop"... but this is more Christmas like)

Supplies:

• Canvas
• Paint choice (unless you are going to stick with white canvas)
• Mod Podge
• Glitter
• Paint Brushes
• Scissors
• Marker/Pen

Paint your canvas - I used 2 layers for this --- If you are sticking with white canvas, you can skip this step!

Find the silhouette you like best (I just used Google)... I then re-sized it in Photoshop to be 8X13 for my canvas... in order for it to print, I had to cut the image in half and print both.

I then cut out the image and taped it together... so that I could have 1 deer 

I then outlined the deer with a marker on the canvas... I would recommend doing it in a light color, or a color that is similar to the glitter you are using! 

I mixed my glitter with Mod Podge and painted it on. I did this for 2 reasons: 1. So there wasn't glitter everywhere, 2. So that the glitter didn't flake off later - it's stuck on there pretty good now.

I decided to make this an "Ombré" deer using 3 different shades of green glitter. You could always just use one color if that's more your fancy.

But I urge you to try this with what ever shape or critter you want, because it's fun to do and turns out awesome!

The "Man-Torial" Man Friendly Wreath

So last month I shared this tutorial over at Houtz-House Party... and thought I'd post it again so that ya'll get the chance to read about this fun, easy project.

Anywhoo--- today I am sharing a "Man-Torial"... which is a man friendly tutorial... see, the deal is that I currently live with my dad and doing all of my crafts at his house has proven frustrating (he did not find my pink cactus nearly as cute as I did) - so I decided to make a craft that he would not mind as much - the Man Wreath!

Supplies:

• Wreath form (Styrofoam is the cheapest) 
• **You can also use a pool noodle that you duct-tape into a circle - this seems to be the cheapest option out there.
• Man friendly fabric - I used burlap (You'll need about 1/2 yard if using a medium sized wreath)
• Wreath additions - I used feathers and blue poly-satin flowers
• Hot glue and glue gun
• Scissors

1. Cut fabric strips (about 1-2 inches wide)... plug in your gun - you won't really know how much fabric you need until you start gluing...

Next glue/wrap the fabric around the wreath form... you now have the blank canvas on which to work... so now what? You have to figure out what you want it to look like.

1. Do you want a family initial? (I picked up a cheap 1.00 wooden "E" and painted it with some left over paint... it's tied into the center of the wreath)

2. What kind of manly-man do you live with? For example, my dad hunts birds and thus I chose pheasant feathers... if you had a golfer you could use tees and balls, a fisherman - bobbins and old flies?

See, there's my letter... my feathers, I also added some flowers because I needed to jazz up the feathers... I'm thinking my next version will be a blue/green wreath with some flies and bobbins - since dad is also a fisherman and how cute does that sound? I'm pretty excited for that one! Who knows, before then I might go  with a girly option ;)

Hope this was a fun little insight into the male psyche... also, my dad walked by the wreath (on the front door) for several hours before I finally pointed it out... to which he chuckled, said it was nice, and continued to eat his dinner ;) Best of luck with the man-torial!

Squishy Top Mason Jar with Chalkboard Labels!!!

So the other day I guest posted this tutorial over at C Squared W, and I decided to share it here too - so those of you that missed it can still get your craft on!

This tutorial is for fun craft storage - the squishy top mason jar with a chalkboard label...

Supplies:

• Mason Jar (for larger label, get one without writing)
• Chalkboard paint, paint brush
• Masking/painter's tape
• Fabric (about 10 sq. inches)
• Stuffing (I took apart an old pillow...)
• Hot glue gun and scissors

(You will need to do about 3 layers... for prepping the paint, read the directions for your particular paint)

You need a large circle about 2 times larger than the pop-out section of your jar's lid

You also need a small circle just smaller than the pop-out section

You need to glue the large piece almost all the way around (see below) and then stuff in the stuffing... then finish gluing.

Then you glue the smaller piece on to finish up...

Stuff the pop-off part back into the jar lid and that part is finished!

Then fill your jar, label it with the contents and be happy with your next project... Clearly I have a few of these... in which I store: glue sticks, "Bitty Bow" pieces, buttons, bobby-pins and feathers.

Hope you all have fun trying this at home! I'd love to see what you come up with!

Terrarium Tutorial

Who doesn't love a good Terrarium Tutorial?  I have seen these little gems all over the place, blogs, Pinterest, my mind... so I finally decided to jump on the band-wagon, and I'm going to help you do it too!

You need little pebbles or glass rocks (Lowe's, Joann, etc)

Decorative sand (mine was tan)

Glass Container (anything with an opening big enough to work with is good)

Succulents (mix and match your sizes/colors)

Succulent potting soil

Layer your little rocks and sand at the bottom for a few layers, do what ever you want to make it "pretty"... but make sure you have an inch or 2 of this dry base to allow water to drain into it and not drown your plants.

After a few layers, you can add a layer of potting soil if you want to change it up - entirely up to you.

You then put about 1-2 inches of the potting soil down, and take your plants out of their little containers, shake of excess dirt, loosen the roots and arrange them in the potting soil.

Add some more potting soil on top to secure things. I also added another layer of the sand to make it look like a desert. 

Then, love what you have created!

These little things are so simple, and how cute is my pink cactus?! I mean, really (they also had red and yellow).

Oops, it didn't all fit - so I went ahead and put my left over bitty plant into a candle votive with sand at the bottom to soak up water... sand at the top to make the desert - and I have a mini-pot of succulents!

I would love to see what you all go out and make - the whole thing is like a 15.00 project, and it's so cute and pretty - if you buy your supplies in bulk these would make for fun little gifts, party center pieces, plant pets, what ever!

Tutorial Tuesday: Sunglasses Case

Welcome to the first Tutorial Tuesday over at ArtsyAnthropology!  Today's tutorial is super quick, and turns out pretty darn cute!  You can use scraps for it as well, so it makes a great use out of what you have lying around.

What you will need to make a Sunglasses Case:

You will need: 

2 pieces of fusible lining 9X5 inches (yes it's spelled wrong in the picture...)

2 lining pieces 9X5 (if using scraps, just has to be 9X5 finishes)

2 outer pieces measuring a total of 9X5...

I used 2 outer pieces: 3.5X5 and 6.5X5

Place the lining pieces, right side together, sew along the long sides. You will leave 1 end completely open, and sew the corners of the "bottom" edge, stopping where I left the red lines (squint to see them), so that you will be able to turn the whole piece right-side out when you're done.

Sew your two front pieces together so that you end up with 2 pieces that are 9X5, then iron flat. Then iron on fusible lining.

I sewed along either side of my fabric seam, this not only adds flair, but helps to secure the lining. It's entirely up to you how fancy you get with this... I do not have "mad skills" and thus made it simple.

Turn your outside pieces, right-side together and sew all the way around 3 sides, leaving the "top" completely open.

Now, turn your lining piece right-side out, and stuff into your outside pieces - you should have the printed side of both fabrics facing each other.

Perfect. Now, if you can get this to somehow fit in your machine, you're golden. You will sew all the way around the top of your case to stick the lining to the outer fabric. 

Now it will look like this...

Pull the whole piece right-side out using the hole you left in the bottom of the lining... once this is done, sew the bottom of the lining shut.

Stuff the lining down into the bag, and sew a final edge around the top (this helps everything stay put).

And, drum roll, you now have your completed sunglasses case. It's cute, practical and super easy to make!

See they just plop right on in there. If you want to get all fancy you can secure the top with a button, snap or even Velcro

I would love you see what you all make - leave links to your photos in the comments! Hope to see you next Tuesday...and if you have a tutorial you would like to share, please feel free to do so!

Mini-Magnets

So this is one of my favorite projects!  I love magnets, I get one for every trip I go on... because they are fun, and usually open beer bottles ;)  Jk. But really, magnets are a great way to show your personality on your boring white fridge. With this new fabric button craze that is happening, it's easy to find the covers you need to make magnets... all it takes after that is your favorite fabric scraps, hot glue and craft magnets!

Supplies:
* Fabric button kit
* Scissors
* Hot glue gun
* Fabric
* Small craft magnets
** Wire cutters or pliers (to remove button attachment)

Supplies

Step 1: Remove the little button loops from the backing piece.

Step 2: Cut out the circles of fabric 

(the packaging usually comes with a small template for the circle size you will need)

*To finish the buttons follow the directions on the box, it involves putting your fabric into a plastic bobble and then pushing the back over that with another plastic bobble...

Step 3: Hot glue the magnets to the back of the buttons... then wrap them up all cute and give them away to all your friends... 

OR... keep them on your fridge to hold up that wonderful picture of your dad... because he's that cool. 

Hope you all enjoyed this little tutorial!  Please go and try it!! It's lots of fun and you will never run out of magnets again!

DIY Mason Jar Pin Cushions

I saw these pin cushion mason jars the other day - and just couldn't help but make them in advance for my craft area re-do I am hoping to tackle this weekend!  These are the ones that I made to hold my buttons, glue sticks and hair accessories backers. Too fun!

Check out the original tutorial by Emily over at her blog, The Anderson Crew. She has some amazing DIY tutorials!

http://andersonfamilycrew.blogspot.com/2011/11/made-with-love-diy-cute-mason-jars.html

Scratch & Save - DYI

I ran across this tutorial by Dana over at Wonder Forest and just had to do it, literally not even 24 hours passed before my little fingers were thumbing though my scrapbook stash for a light colored card-stock. I then spent a ridiculous amount of time designing the scratch off base card.

Then I gathered my required packing tape, paint (metallic teal) and dish soap... following Dana's directions I was able to make these adorable little cards - which I will include in the gift for each new blog follower - it's a quite nice game, I will try to refrain from scratching them all myself.

Print off your desired cards, in this case 3.5X2 inch cards that I printed onto thick cardstock

Cover the portion that contains the coupon code with a piece of the packing tape. Then take your paint, mixed 2 parts paint to 1 point soap and paint it all over the tape. This will most likely take multiple layers.

Are these just too cute?! Did I mention fun? I won't scratch them all off, I won't scratch them all off... 

Thank you so much to Dana for this amazing tutorial. Go check out her original here:

http://www.thewonderforest.com/2011/11/how-to-make-your-own-scratch-off-cards.html