Christmas (don't kill me) crocheted-ribbed-dishcloths for beginners

I am getting ready for Christmas!

Every year I say I will start early, and I don't.

When you want to  make some things for friends,

you have to get

going

early!

so proud of myself

The first three are for me - It took me a minute and a dish cloth or two to figure out what I was doing.  The first one I made was a mess, so it wasn't picture worthy. (still works, just a little crooked!)




The tutorial is found here: Aesthetic Nest!  I am so grateful for those creative crafty people who share their talents.

I made mine a little bigger than this tutorial - I started with 30 stitches - personal preference!

Confession- I received a crocheted dish cloth a few years ago, and I thought - Weird.  Then I tried it and it is my FAVORITE. They wash up so good.

The yarn has to be 100% cotton.  Peaches and Cream brand has some luscious colors and it is at Walmart.  The cost is $1.77 and it will make two dishcloths (small skein of yarn).

 My sister Chris who can crochet anything is going to laugh at me. . .

How to Spray Paint knobs/pulls

I am working on a Hutch, yet to be revealed.  It needed some updated knobs.  My first instinct is to go find some new ones, but since I hoard collect knobs, I went to my stash and pulled these ones out - Perfect!

They just needed to be a different color.

They were originally $6.99.  On clearance for $1.49 - a steal.

I used these supplies to update these knobs:
Rust-O-leum gray spray primer
Rust-O-leum metallic spray paint

I wiped them off with a baby wipe, turned them upside down and primed them. I let them dry for about 10 minutes (it's hot outside)
then turned them over and primed the tops.

The next step is the same, only I used the metallic spray.  I turned them upside down, sprayed them, let them dry.  I turned them over and sprayed the tops with the metallic spray paint.

The fun part is next!

Putting them on the furniture you have painted and giving it that finishing touch!

These knobs cost $12.00 and the spray paint is about $4.00 a can, but I used about $2.00 worth.  I can spray a whole lot more knobs with what is left.

Tip:  If you are changing the knobs to a light color, such as white or pink, etc. use white spray primer.

Vintage Paper Flowers

Do you love pinterest as much as I do? 

I love vintage paper flowers, and I spyed these cute ones on pinterest. It took me to Sew Inspired, and there was a tutorial.  Yahoo!

So on one of my trips to the Thrift Store I bought an old Readers Digest Book.  I made the mistake of reading one of the stories, and it was so good, I read all 4 stories.  It delayed me a day taking the book apart for the old pages.

This book cost $1.00 and has 520 pages - That is A LOT of flowers.

My first attempt, not bad - could be better.

These flowers all were cut the same size but came out different. . .

I added some small clothespins bought at JoAnn's.

Love!

Are you pinning pinning pinning are making?

How to back a picture or chalkbord - Before and After!

I bought a quart of Valspar chalkboard paint,

and I could do a thousand chalkboards with it.

so I just might!

I have gone a little chalkboard mad,

but it's addicting.

I love to buy old vintage frames, but they are old vintage frames.

They look really really good from the front painted.

Stinkin cute Spencer!

So Many possiblilites with chalk board frames!

Not so lovley from the back. . .
So here is how to make the back pretty!

First you find some cute paper - this is what I had on hand,
but the dollar store has come cute paper too.

You will need, scissors, Elmer's glue, a spray bottle, a pencil and a blow dryer.

measure the back, and cut a piece to fit.

Put a line of Elmer's glue all around the frame.

Once the glue is dry, spray the back with water,

don't be to heavy handed but don't be shy either.

sometimes I take a rag and go over it and then I use the blow dryer.

When the paper gets wet and then blown dry,

it shrinks the paper, so it is tight.

 Better!

Just a few more chalk board frames. I am loving the gold frames, so vintage.  I love spray paint too - but sometimes original is Good.

I bought this paper at the dollar store.

I am not kidding when I say I am addicted to chalkboard paint.

I used Rust-oleum Lagoon on this frame

I broke the glass on this frame, but chicken wire is in

the running with the chalkboard for favorite!

I like that I can add some cute flowers to the chicken wire frame.

I will leave you with a randomness.

A wire basket from the thrift store for $1.00

It has a new home on my white craft room shelf!

How to Paint a Brass Lamp

Brass Lamps
a simple update

 Not so Bad, but as my decor has changed, they don't fit in. So here are the steps to painting a brass lamp:

I use a painters canvas.  If you don't have one, use a shower curtain from the dollar store.

I have wipes on hand at all times, It comes in handy for drips, to clean things before I paint, and to wipe the paint off my hands!

I taped off the bulb socket and the cord. I wrapped the cord in an elastic and put it in a baggie. I also put a baggie on the bulb socket.

 I wiped the lamp down with a wipe. It cleans, doesn't leave a residue and it drys fast.

I Glazed it with Valspar Asphaltum Antiquing glaze    [it's black]  I used a brush to get into all the nooks and crannies.

I had a dry and a wet rag on hand.  After I brushed the glaze on in sections.  I would wipe it off with a dry rag, and then take more off with a wet rag.  This glaze gives you some time to decide if you want to take some more off.  On this lamp, at first I only left the glaze only in the nooks and crannies. Then I decided I wanted to add a little more.

  Added a new lamps shade from Lowe's

I used Valspar baby blue spray paint.

Doesn't look like the same Lamp!

Here are the steps again:

1. Taped off the bulb socket and the cord. I wrapped the cord in an elastic and put it in a baggie. I also put a baggie on the bulb socket.

2. I wiped the lamp down with a wipe. It cleans, doesn't leave a residue and it drys fast.

3. Sprayed the lamp with  Valspar Gray primer.

4. Let the primer dry and then wiped down with a dry cloth. [to make sure there was no dust or overspray.]

5. Sprayed the lamp with a Valspar Baby blue. I turned the lamps upside down and then upright. I wanted to get all the nooks and crannies.

6. Glazed it with Valspar Asphaltum Antiquing glaze    [it's black] 

7. Added a new lamps shade from Lowes

Linked to:

The Brambleberry Cottage
The Shabby Creek Cottage
House of Hepworths
Let Birdz Fly
Coastal Charm
Miss Mustard Seed

How to Spray paint furniture!

Spray painting furniture is an easy and fast way to transform a piece to fit in with your home decor. The most difficult part is often finding a space to do the spraying. 


Many people have the mistaken impression that spray painting furniture won't result in a long lasting finish, that it will chip, scratch or flake off easily. It isn't true! If you take the time to prep and use the right paint for the job your finish will be just as hardy as any coat of paint. Plus, with a sprayed finish it is much, much easier to get a smooth, flawless finish. No brush stroke marks! And did I mention it is faster?



Spray paint is any home decorators friend, especially those of us on a budget. However, there are a couple of downsides. First, spray paint color choices are limited. This is a bummer when you have a very specific shade of color in mind. Second, it is messy and should never be done indoors and you have to take care to not breathe in the fumes.



The dresser below started  a creamy color with gold trim. Then it was a glossy black and then it was painted flat brown for a few years. Finally, the glossy turquoise face lift did the trick and the dresser is as good as new...























TIPS:
The first step in spray painting furniture is always sanding. Many people skip this step and this is why their paint doesn't adhere as well. Scuff up your surface (especially if it is glossy) to give your primer a better chance to stick. Yes, I know primer will say works on "any surface" and even glossy, but trust me on this, you'll have the best results if you do a quick sanding. I use a medium grit sandpaper most of the time.

Next step is priming. Again, shortcutters will skip this step. Don't. Priming with a quality primer is key to a professional looking job and will make the final color coats stick. For this project (already painted wood) I like Rust-Oleum Ultra Cover 2X Primer, especially since I was covering a dark color. This kind is a bit thicker and so you'll need less.


After the primer is dry, add your color! (We used Rust-Oleum Painter's Touch 2X in satin). Spray about 10 inches from the surface and sweep back and forth with smooth, even strokes. Be sure to coat all the crevices and undersides. When finished, let dry completely before moving or putting back together.


 For added durability for your finish, use a spray on poly coating or a wipe on poly coating.

Happy painting!

Brought to you by Home Decorating Ideas

Felt Flower Tutorial and Flower Ball

I had bought red felt to make a felt flower Christmas tree.

I never got around to it, and thought I would save it for next year.

But with all the Christmas decorations down, my house is feeling very cold and empty.

I mean really cold and empty,

Blah, Blah Blah!

And hey, Valentines is just around the corner and red felt can still be used.

I decided to make a red felt flower ball.

I wasn't happy with the cost of a big Styrofoam ball, so I hit the local D.I.

Nothing!

I ran into a good friend, Marie.

She was buying a frame to make a winter wreath.

I hope I can talk her into sending me a picture so I can share it with you!

While visiting with her, the workers brought out a cart of new things,

and I spotted 2 of these balls.

Perfect!

I will attempt to share with you how I made a Felt Flower ball!

 Each Flower takes 5 circles 3- 4 inches in circumference.  These are the flower petals.

 Then you will need one, 1 to 2 in. red felt circle to glue the flower petals to.

 
To make the flower, you will fold each circle  in half,

Then in half again.

 Staple it at the bottom on both sides.

  This is just a few of the bazillion it took to make this flower ball.

                                                 

You will then hot glue the stapled petals to the smaller circle.  I  put the hot glue on the circle, and then put the 4 petals on.

Put hot glue on the center of the 4 petals, and add the 5th petal in the center

It will look like this.  So Cute!

I had to show you the ball as I started to glue the flowers on!  It looked like a person with hair!  I was tempted to put eyes and a mouth on it and give her a name.  I didn't, I was anxious to finish it. 

                                                                                                    bad picture!

It took 46 flowers to cover this ball.  That means I cut 230 large circles and 46 small circles. I used over a yard of felt.

Awe, another fun project.  I love felt flowers and want to make one in White, and in Pink.  A yellow one for Easter too!  Don't you think this would be cute with a ribbon attached and hang it in a little girls room!  Or a wedding, at the book table.

Oh, and while at the D.I.  Marie encouraged me to buy a coffee table, and turn it into a bench.  She bought a coffee table too!  It's a sickness!

cost breakdown
ball                            .75
felt                           4.00
glue                           .50  - I already had glue.
candle stick -           2.00
Total                        7.25 

linked to
These Creative Juices
Blue Cricket Design
Beyond the Picket Fence
Tales from Bloggeritaville
Tootsiewootsie
Less than Perfect Life of Bliss
A Glimpse Inside