Pinterest DIY Fringe Scarf

So I've not been feeling well lately, which has been a blast, and so was looking for something fun to do while chilling in bed today. And recently, as I mentioned in my last post, I discovered Pinterest, where I've been carefully pinning different things I want to try! And today I knocked one off the list - booyah! So here we go! You need an old t-shirt (could be really fun with a multicoloured fun pattern... this orange one I had, and love, has an expanding hole) and a good pair of scissors (I used fabric scissors).

Then, start cutting!

First, start by cutting off the top of the shirt - lose the sleeves & neck.

First cut!

Ta da!

Then, from the bottom, start cutting strips to make the fringe.

I felt very 80s doing this part hahaha

This used to be a t-shirt!

Neat, eh?

Okay, then pull a few of the fringes - I thought this was a weird step until I did it and it actually makes the fringes...I dunno...just better. hahaha So do it!

Pulling! 

Then I tied a few knots, some at the very ends, some in the middles, some part way between.... I didn't tie them all, but a few throughout.

Knotting!

And then, voila!  This is a horrid picture - I'm lounging in my bed taking my own torso shot hahaha - but you get the idea.

Ta da!

If you DON'T get the idea, see the original, with her instructions here:

http://www.lakelandlocal.com/2011/08/diy-fringe-scarf/

So, if you're like me and hanging on to your favourites full of holes, turn them into fabulous scarves and make it even MORE favourites!

Happy crafting, folks! :-) 

Repurpose and Upcycle Things in Your Home

With the end of the winter season for those of us in the northern hemisphere in sight, our minds naturally turn to spring. As we open the blinds and pull back the draperies in our home, that's when we see it-- Dust! Clutter! Disorganization! Everything in our home now tells the story how we hunkered-down this past winter and were too cold to do anything.

Then we get a brilliant idea-- SPRING CLEANING. And that, my friends, is when we go crazy trying to make-up for lost time by cleaning and organizing every nook-and-cranny. We pull out the garbage bags or boxes for trips to the local thrift store, and we open up garbage and recycling cans for everything else. Although I can write an entire post about where our thrift store items actually go, instead I'll let you read this March 8th article found on GOOD, and write about repurposing and upcycling items already in your home: egg cartons, aluminum cans and glass jars.

The words REPURPOSE and UPCYCLE may not be found in the dictionary, but they are becoming commonly used in the English language. To repurpose or to upcycle something is to give an item new life other than its original intended purpose. To recycle is good, but most products in the marketplace that claim to be made of post-consumer waste are still made with 70% new materials. To repurpose an item reuses 50- 100% of the original item--much better than the average 30% used in recycled goods.

Let's Begin! 

Simple and yet oh-so-helpful!

Egg Carton.
Original Purpose: Place to safely hold eggs to prevent cracking.
Upcycled Purpose: Organizer.

We like to craft. We like to decorate. We like to build. Isn't it nice when our beads, needles, piping tools or screws aren't mixed up? Next time you begin working on a project, use an egg carton to keep you organized!

PS- Muffin tins are also great organizing tools too!

Step four: Can, towel, nail and hammer.

Aluminum Can.
Original Purpose: Preserve your vegetables and fruit for consumption.
Upcycled Purpose: Lantern.

Did I mention we like to craft? Here is a fun craft that only requires:
an aluminum can
water (ice, actually)
towel
hammer
one nail
tea light

1. Remove paper wrapper from can and thoroughly wash inside and out.

Step 6: finished product.

2. Fill can 3/4 full with water.
3. Freeze overnight.
4. Lay towel down on kitchen counter or table. Use nail and hammer to make holes in frozen can, starting from the bottom to the top.
5. If there is still ice in the can when all holes have been made, melt ice and dry.
6. Place tea light in bottom of can and enjoy!

Glass Jar.
Original Purpose: Preserving sauce or other condiment.
Upcycled Purpose: Fancy storage container for dried pasta, sugar, powder laundry detergent, etc.

Although not as messy as the activity above, this is still a fun crafty project that looks oh-so-pretty when complete. This upcycle requires:
one jar (I used a glass spaghetti sauce jar) with lid

Step six: finished product.

sand paper
drill
screw & cabinet know/ fixture
vinyl sticker labels (optional)

1. Remove paper wrapper from jar and thoroughly wash inside and out. Don't forget to wash the lid!
2. Remove the stamped label/ wording on the lid top with sandpaper. We want this to look pretty, right?
3. Using drill, make hole in center of the lid.
4. Attach decorative knob to top of lid using screw.
5. Apply vinyl sticker label to outside of jar.
6. Fill jar with desired dried item, attach lid and enjoy!

Happy Birthday Dr. Seuss

"Do you know where I found him? You know where he was? He was eating a cake in the tub! Yes he was!"

-from The Cat in the Hat Comes Back

Theodor Seuss Geisel (March 2, 1904 – September 24, 1991) was an American writer, poet, and cartoonist most widely known for his children's books written under the pen names Dr. Seuss, Theo LeSieg and, in one case, Rosetta Stone
 
This Crafty Bettie post is devoted to providing a number of different activities you can do together as a family in celebration of Dr. Suess's birthday on FRIDAY, March 2nd.

Why celebrate Dr. Suess's birthday, you ask? 

Well, Dr. Suess showed us that reading and learning can be fun. By using rhymes, children are able to develop foundational tools needed to sound out words, then make sentences, and eventually create stories of their own.

So... Let the Celebration Begin!

• "You're never too old, too wacky, too wild, to pick up a book and read to a child."

• Here are four (4) FREE printable lesson plans for your kids from Seussville.

• FREE Dr. Suess Read-n-Color Word Search from Read Across America.

• Make simple gold stars to wear on your belly, like the Sneeches'! 

• Give children a variety of cratf supplies and recycling items (ie: glue, toilet paper rolls, egg cartons, pipe cleaners, felt, yarn, pom-poms, wiggle eyes, etc.) and challenge them to create their own unique character or creature like those found in Dr. Suess's books. Then encourage them to write a story about their creature.

• Make cupcakes with red, white or aqua/ turquoise frosting.

• FREE Cat In the Hate Birthday Cake Maze from Suessville.

DIY Restoration Hardware Mercury Glass Short Table Lamp

19th C. Vintage Mercury Glass Lamp from Restoration Hardware

Mercury glass was first created during the mid- 19th century for those who could not afford Sterling Silver. Known as "poor man's silver" for its inexpensive artistic value, mercury glass was made more for display purposes and not for utilitarian uses, like tableware.

Mercury glass has reemerged as a popular home decor item over the last few years by companies like Pottery Barn, Williams-Sonoma and Restoration Hardware. My inspiration today comes from a Vintage Short Table Lamp sold at Restoration Hardware for $225 (not counting the $25- $100 lamp shade). Never being one willing to pay even 50% of retail pricing, I've done the research to learn how to make this at home for a very small fraction of the price. I suppose one can say my "poor man's silver" is really cheap!

Many DIY-ers out there (including Martha Stewart) will say that a DIY-er should 1.) spray water on the interior of a glass vase and then, before the water dries, 2.) spray Krylon Looking Glass Mirror Spray Paint (found at hardware store for $3.98) over the water droplets on the interior of the vase. Though this does mimic the look of mercury glass, I found the vase looks "new" and not "vintage". To recreate the Restoration Hardware inspiration lamp, I would need to spend time chipping/ flaking the paint off to give it the worn look I wanted.

After trial and error, here is what I found that worked, and you tell me if you think the look is similar:


Craft Ingredients:

Glass Vase/ Hurricane from Thrift Store (upcycle/ recycle if you can!!)
Silver Leaf Adhesive
Sand Paper (optional)
Spray-On Leaf Sealer
Krylon Looking Glass Mirror Spray Paint (was still useful!)
Lighting Kit (hardware store)
Drum Lamp Shade of your choice (any store)

Craft Instructions:


1.) Clean your hurricane or vase thoroughly with warm soapy water and allow plenty of time to air dry.

2.) Cover the inner surface of vase with Silver Leaf Adhesive. Let it sit for 10- 15 minutes.

3.) Apply rub-on silver leaf sheets in patches to the glass, making sure to leave plenty of uncovered areas for a vintage, flaky look.

4.) Optional Step: For a more "roughed up" look, use sand paper and strategically scratch off some of the silver leaf.

5.) When silver leaf looks they way you want it, then coat the inner surface with spray-on leaf sealer. Allow to dry for 30 minutes.
 

Step 6. Allow to Dry.

6.) Lastly, spray 2 or 3 light coats of Krylon Looking Glass Mirror Paint over the silver leafing to smooth out the mercury glass look. Allow to dry over night.

7.) Assemble lighting kit following manufacture's directions and insert into dry vase.

Step 8. Assemble Lamp.

8.) Apply shade and add light bulb to your inserted light kit/ vase and viola! You have a new custom made lamp!

When I added the receipt totals together for this project, I spent about $32 instead of the Restoration Hardware Mercury Lamp price of $225 + shade. Why pay $250- $325 for a chic lamp if it can be made for pennies of the actual price?

My Mercury Lamp: 1/10 the price of the inspirational lamp.

I LOVE the lamp but want to know what YOU think! Please comment on anything... mimic; technique; difficulty; other projects you suggest to create using mercury glass; etc.


Thanks for reading and happy DIYing! :) Kristen

iPad, Nook, or Kindle Handmade Cover

Finished Product with "Real Book" as an Example.

Although I do not own an iPad, a Nook or a Kindle (I'm a little old-school when it comes to my method of reading), many of my friends do. When one such friend went out of her way to do something special for my family, I wanted to return kindness with kindness by making something specifically for her. This post will teach you how to create a handmade cover for any electronic device.

Craft Ingredients:

old hardcover book
craft knife
1/2 " wide elastic 
scissors
fabric
ribbon
hot glue gun
cardboard
scissors
fabric

Craft Directions:


1. Cut the pages out of the book with a craft knife.
2. Iron the fabric.

Step 3. Elastic Inserted into Back Cover.

3. Cut two (2) openings in back cover. Insert elastic and hot glue to book cover. Turn elastic to inside of book cover. This elastic will be used to keep your iPad, Nook or Kindle in place and keep the electronic screen protected.
3. Measure the book's height and width, add 1" to each, then cut the main lining piece (should be shaped like a rectangle).
4. Using the same book measurements, cut two (2) cardboard pieces the size of both book covers.

Step 5. Glue Fabric to Cardboard.

5. Glue 1/2" edge of wrong side of the main lining to one (1) cardboard side piece. Turn fabric over, right side out.
6. Glue the main lining and cardboard into the back of the book.The ends of the elastic should be hidden by the fabric covered cardboard. Glue lining in place along spine of book.
7. Glue lining in place along spine of book. Repeat directions in STEP 5 and STEP 6

Steps 8 and 9. Glue Lining to Cardboard and Book.

8. Repeat directions in STEP 5 and STEP 6 for the second piece of cardboard/ front cover of book.
9. Now that the book lining is place, glue any gaps or puckered fabric to the hardcover of the book.

Step 10. Glue Ribbon to Book Lining.

10. Cut ribbon to the size of the book lining perimeter. Glue ribbon to cover gap between lining and book cover. This ribbon will be used to create a seamless edge and give your lining a polished look. Just because something is handmade does not mean it needs to look cheap.

Christmas Penguin Ornament

We set up our Christmas tree today and i have to say that my penguin was a success and the middle of so many sparkling balls :)

It's as easy as you can see, and great for the environment. You only need:

an old light  bulb and suitable paint for glass!

You can start painting the white part and finish with the black, for the yes an nose you can use a pencil to help you.

I"m not a great painter buy i enjoyed doing that just like a child!!!!

Hope you enjoy too and find a way to recycle old items , helping our planet. I'm sure the kids will love to make that.



Halloween Spider Craft for Kids

Spider Craft for Kids using Recycled Egg Carton

Kids love to make crafts as much as their parents do. This craft especially draws out the giggles because children are making a creep-crawling spider from a recycled material everyone is familiar with: the cardboard egg carton!

Although good for all ages, my children (all 5 years-of-age and younger) had some difficulty with scissors and the whole punch. I made notes of when a particular step should be done by an adult... hopefully to make your life easier while making this otherwise kid-friendly craft.

Spider Craft for Kids Ingredients

Craft Ingredients (See Picture):

* (1) 12-count (or HIGHER!) cardboard Egg Carton
* (1) Tube of water-based Black Paint
* (1) Paint Brush for each child
* (4) Black fuzzy Pipe Cleaners for each spider
* (1) Pair of Scissors
* (1) Hole Punch or other paper-piercing tool
* (1) Pair of Wire Cutters (optional)


Directions:

 1.) Cut out each individual egg-holding shell from your recycled cardboard egg carton. This can be tricky, so if you kids still have difficulty with their fine motor skills, this should be done by an adult. Once every shell is cut out, trim the bottom of the shell so that it sits evenly on a flat surface.

Punched Leg Openings

2.) Using a hole punch (another prep-work item for an adult with strong hands) or other sharp paper piercing tool, make four openings on two opposite sides of the egg shell for the legs of your future creep-crawling black spider.

3.) Paint your favorite shade of color, though I most certainly recommend BLACK paint... makes the craft project for kids (and adults!) more entertaining and creepy. Wait 30 minutes to 1 hour to dry.

The Belly of the Beast

4.) Time to make the legs! Take four black fuzzy pipe cleaners and, using your scissors or wire cutters, cut the pipe cleaners in half. Now you should have eight black fuzzy pipe cleaners for the eight spider legs. Bend each leg in half making an upside down letter "V". For a little bit of fun,  make a "foot" on one side of each letter "V"  by bending a small amount of pipe cleaner to the side.

5.) Insert all black fuzzy pipe cleaners into each leg opening. Twist two side-by-side pipe cleaners together on the inside of the shell of the recycled egg carton to hold the legs in place. Turn your new spider right-side-up and adjust legs. Place in any nook in your home that needs a little more creepiness this Halloween holiday season. If the kids didn't have enough enjoyment from making the spiders, this step can be particularly fun as they prepare to scar their family and friends.

Finished Spider Craft for Kids