Running With Sisters

A Little Birdy Sold Me

2012-02-15T12:03:00.000-08:00

Spring is the perfect season for birdwatching at the flea market, so our latest Flea Market Gold column in Create and Decorate magazine is for the birds!

We love the Treasure Island Flea Market in the middle of San Francisco Bay because it combines our two favorite activities: birdwatching and shopping. When you’re into birding like we are, you can’t help but I.D. every bird you see, even when they’re collectibles! Click here to see what we found!

A Home With Real Heart

2012-02-02T11:48:00.000-08:00

Bring a little romance into your home with these heartfelt decorating ideas.

Get A Little Soft-hearted: Inspire romance in the bedroom with a simple but luxurious pillow embellishment. Just twist ribbons of raspberry and purple silk into a heart. Scrunch the ribbons as you tack them to the pillow cover with matching thread. Who knew ribbon embroidery could be so easy and look so good? (See more of this Valentine's Day inspired piece we did for Ladies' Home Journal by clicking here.)

Can The Clutter

2012-01-18T12:42:00.000-08:00

New year, new resolution! For us it's time to can the clutter. Tin cans are tiny containers just waiting to be put to use.To recycle them into versatile storage, all you need is your imagination and aclean-edge can opener.

Chef’s Special

Turn pretty pie-fillingcans into a piece of folk art that doubles as a cooking utensil holder. Boltthree eye-catching blueberry cans to a wooden cutting board with a frame hangeron the back. Display your clever work on the wall near the stove, and you’llnever search for your favorite spatula again. Bon appétit!

The Great Dividers

No matter how hard you try to keep drawers from collectingjunk, they seem to be the vortex of miscellany. Get control over the odds andends by cleaning a dozen tuna cans and nestling them into a drawer. Each littlecompartment can store thumbtacks, rubberbands, clips or twist ties. Junk drawerno more!

Clutter Cups

Corral the clutter in thekids’ room with magnetic tin cans. Hot glue heavy-duty magnets to ten soup cansand stick them to a steel cookie sheet. Hang it within kids’ reach using aplate hanger. Use the cups to hold crayons, chalk, markers and even Legos.Label the cans for easy clean up.

Closet Can Do

Organize your accessorieswith a scarf display made of sleek silver cans. Arrange seven soup cans tocreate a tight circle with one can in the center. Tightly wrap a long sasharound the bundle of cans, secure it with a knot at the top, then hang your neworganizer on the wall. Each cubby stores a colorful scarf and adds stylishorganization to your closet.

Cannery Row

Keep the weeds out of the seeds by organizing yourpotting bench with bright vegetable cans. Choose a brand with gorgeous graphicsof tomatoes, corn and green beans, or whatever you plan to plant. Theclean-edge can opener creates nice fitting lids, too, so your seeds will stayhigh and dry.

Decorate Your Bathroom With Thrift Store Finds

2012-01-04T11:05:00.000-08:00

Drawer Buster: Create art that doubles as storage and storage that doubles as art. Find a mini dresser and a few old black-and-white snapshots. Mount the drawers on the wall and tack a picture in each one using photo corners. Use the drawers as shelves, or hang earrings from looped pieces of wire. (See more of this fun piece we did for HGTV by clicking here.)

Tiny Winter Wonderland

2011-12-02T11:27:00.001-08:00

Create a little Christmas cheer with a snowscape and a miniature reindeer.

YOU'LLNEED

Materials

* Glasscloche, 6" tall.

*Teacup saucer, approx. 6" diameter.

* 2gold foil pipe cleaners, 12".

* Peatmoss, 5" circle.

*Crushed velvet flock (Doodlebug): Lily White, 5.5 g.

*Styrofoam disc, 3" diameter, 1" thick.

* Redsatin ribbon, 1/8" wide, 3" length.

* 8mini jingle bells.

* Redmetallic bead, 1/4" diameter.

*Miniature reindeer, about 2" tall.

*Wire-stem bottle brush, white.

* Snowyblue organdy ribbon, 1/2" wide, 18" length.

Tools& Supplies

* Sprayadhesive.

* Metalcutting snips.

*Goggles.

* Redthread.

*Sewing needle.

* Hotglue gun and glue sticks.

WHAT TODO

1. Tocreate the base for the winterscape, cut a 5" diameter circle of peat mossand glue it onto the Styrofoam disc using the spray adhesive. Trim the edges ofthe peat moss with scissors. Hot glue the Styrofoam disc onto the center of theteacup saucer.

2. Donyour goggles and cut the wire handle of the bottle brush with the metal cuttingsnips, leaving a 1" trunk. Make the bottle brush into a tree by trimmingthe bristles into a tree shape with scissors. Press the wire "trunk"into the peat-moss-covered Styrofoam so the tree is standing towards the backof the scene.

3. Dustthe surface of the peat moss and the tree with the spray adhesive and sprinklewith white flock to create a snowy look. Hot glue the red metallic bead to thetop of the tree.

4. Sew7 mini jingle bells onto the red ribbon. Hang the jingle bell necklace aroundthe deer's neck and crisscross the ends. Sew the last jingle bell over thecrisscrossed ends to hold the necklace together. Hot glue the reindeer onto thepeat moss in front of the tree.

5.Place the cloche over the winterscape and hot glue the bottom edge to thesaucer. Hot glue the gold foil pipe cleaners around the base of the cloche andtrim the ends. Tie the snowy blue organdy ribbon into a bow around the knob atthe top of the bell jar.

SavedBy The Bell: Bell jars or cloches are used to protect tiny plants from coldweather. Look for them at garden centers or Google the words "glasscloche." Or repurpose a glass-domed cheese plate. We see them at thrift stores all the time!

Deck The Halls With Flea Market Finds

2011-11-28T12:40:00.001-08:00

The flea market is our go-to place for bargain holiday decorating. Although Christmas items pop up year-round, vendors bring out the bulk of their decorations in September. On this trip to the flea market, we were on the hunt for Shiny Brites and other colorful ball ornaments to display in a glass bowl on a coffee table. Jennifer was on the lookout for pinecone elves to add to her growing collection, and Kitty was hoping to get a deal on a few Mercury glass ornaments (the heavy ones with mirroring inside) to showcase on ornament hangers on a bookcase.

Although the Mercury glass was too spendy for our pocketbooks, we did find two-dozen Shiny Brites for $9. (They wanted $5 a box, but since we bought two boxes, we got a dollar off.) We found three pinecone pixies for Jennifer ($3 each!), and the vendor threw in a tiny bottlebrush tree that we admired.

We also stumbled upon a bunch of hilarious old Christmas cookbooks. We think it’ll be a kick to set them out at our annual cookie party––we might even make some of the kooky cookie recipes. (What are Molasses Crinkles?!)

Crafters’ Delight

As crafters, we like to snatch up old craft books at the flea market. The methods are timeless, so we update the looks with modern materials and embellishments. This visit, we wanted holiday books with retro projects that are back in style, such as felt appliqué Christmas stockings. Jennifer found instructions for an old-fashioned pom-pom wreath that she plans to make in trendy teal blue with a lime silk shantung bow on top.

We were thrilled to find a shoebox filled with vintage Christmas cards. We picked out a few with gold embossing, die cuts, and glitter accents. Kitty had the idea to cut the fronts off with pinking shears, punch two holes in the top for a ribbon, then tie them to wrapped presents. Jennifer thinks the cards will look great strung on a satin ribbon as a garland for her tree.

Hark! The Bargain Hunters Sing

We’re always looking for a big, unique item to turn into a conversation piece, and on this trip, Kitty was in search of some spectacular holiday find for her living room. We spotted a vintage store sign for Bennett’s Egg Nog Ice Cream that had a great holiday feel. And when we saw a neighborhood’s worth of lawn ornaments, from toy soldiers to reindeer, Jennifer toyed with the idea of placing one by the hearth as a focal point.

But the find of the day was a charming old wooden sled. We thought it would look festive leaning by the front door tied with a red velvet bow, or would make a great display for wrapped Christmas gifts. Kitty was careful to hide her enthusiasm for the sled before she knew how much it cost. (If they know you love it, the price will go up.) A cheerful gal in a cowboy hat said she was asking $38 for it, saying it was an authentic, vintage Flexible Flyer. We carefully looked it over and noticed the steering bar was broken and got the price down to $30. The sled didn’t quite fit in our cart, especially since Jennifer had just purchased a pair of giant illuminated plastic lawn candles (only $5 each!), but it was worth the extra trip back to the car!

Thanksgiving Finger Puppets

2011-11-23T08:00:00.000-08:00

Make pipe cleaner finger puppets and put on aThanksgiving show! Make the finger puppet body by wrapping your finger with apipe cleaner. Glue a pompom onto the top for a head and decorate it with twogoogly eyes. For the pilgrim, spiral a black pipe cleaner into a hat. Give theIndian a headband with a bent pipe cleaner feather in the back. For the turkey,bend striped pipe cleaners in half to look like feathers and glue them into afan-shaped tail.

Pie, Oh My!

2011-11-21T11:37:00.001-08:00

The fall harvest isupon us and suddenly we have a hankering for pie. Pie collectibles, that is!

The flea market isthe place for all things pie—from bake-off cookbooks to painted pie safes.Right off the bat, we found a pile of old pie crimpers, perfect for makingdecorative edges. Vintage pie crimpers can run upwards of $100 if the handle ismade of Bakelite, but Kitty picked out a wooden-handled one and got the pricedown from $18 to $12. We also saw rolling pins by the dozens. Kitty fell in lovewith a marble one with red handles. It set her back $15, but it comes with thegood blessing of every pastry it has ever rolled out!

Along the way, wesaw some larger “pie” pieces, including a rustic sign that read “Mom’s HomemadePies Baked To Perfection.” But the find of the day was a lemon-yellow pie safewith a wonderful weathered look. Pie safes are cabinets with chicken wire orpunched-tin doors that keep the varmints out while the pies cool. The vendorwas asking $325 for the antique one we found, but Jennifer bargained her way to$275. Easy as pie!

Four and Twenty Blackbirds
Since Victorian times, professional bakers (and grandmas!) have usedceramic pie birds to funnel steam out of pies and prevent them frombubbling over. Blackbirds are the most common pie vents, but if you keep an eyeout you might be lucky enough to spot a blue bird, a rooster, or eventhe elusive red cardinal. These little birds are bursting with personalityso get yourself a classic crow for about $15 and place it in a niche as awhimsical objet d’art. But be warned, pie birds are so cute you may wind upwith a whole flock!

Flying Saucers

No country kitchenis complete without pie tins, especially ones embossed with phrases like “MelloRich Pie” and “Flaky Crust.” Back in the day, bakeries had their names embossedin the bottoms of their pie tins. A homemaker who reused the pan would bereminded how much easier it would be to buy a fresh pie from “Mrs. Smith’s.”Legend has it that college students used to play toss with tins that read“Frisbie’s Pies”—a game that led to the invention of the Frisbee! These days,Frisbie pie tins can sell for $50 apiece, but we found a “Py-O-My Ice Box Pie”pan for just $3!

Decorating A La Mode

Ice cream scoopslook cheerful even when they’re not serving up sundaes, so why not add a scoopof fun to your pie décor with a few of these old-fashioned dippers? Collect icecream scoops in turquoise, green, and yellow, then hang them on a narrow wall,one over the other. You can get scoops for as little as $1 at the flea marketso pick up an extra one for your gadget drawer, and you’ll be ready to serveanything a la mode!

Expect To Pay

Ice Cream Scoops $1 to $20

Embossed Pie Tins $3 to $50

Rolling Pins $5 to $20

Recipe Pie Plates $5 to $25

Silver-plated Pie Servers $7 to $25

Wooden-handled Dough Crimpers $12 to $40

Pie Carriers $15 to $35

Pie Birds $15 to $75

Pie Safes $250 to $2500

Get Jiggy With It!

2011-11-16T10:27:00.001-08:00

When we went to The Southern Women's Show in Orlando, we met the folks from Purple Cows and got to see their CraftGeek Wind It. What a cool tool! We just used it to make napkin rings for Thanksgiving. It's a wire jig with templates so you can easily bend wire into smooth spirals and swirls. (If you've done any wire bending with round-nose pliers, you know this is tricky!) We embellished the wire loops with fall leaves, but we couldn't help adding a little steampunk touch--a skeleton key charm!

The Thankstionary!

2011-11-03T14:36:00.000-07:00

Recycle a children’s picture book by gluing a different color piece of paper over each page. Pick something you are thankful for like mom, kittens, and ice cream to feature on each page. Decorate the pages with pictures cut out of old magazines, rubberstamps, and magic markers. Try to do one for each letter of the alphabet.

What You'll Need:

children’s picture book

different color pieces of paper

gluestick

magazine pictures cut out: mom, kittens, and ice cream

old magazines

rubberstamps

magic markers

8 Things To Do Now To Get That Cozy Fall Feeling

2011-11-01T13:43:00.000-07:00

With Halloween behind us and Thanksgiving around the corner, it's the perfect time to get in the fall mood!

Spring Into Fall

Welcome the season with a harvesty display on your frontporch. Just load up an urn with a bundle of late summer sunflowers and wrap itin a bonny plaid ribbon. Complete the scene with a pile of painted pumpkins anda woodsy pinecone owl. What a hoot!

Dress It Up

Swap out casual summery throw pillows for more dressy onesembellished with embroidery, gems, and sumptuous trims. Silky sari fabrics inspicy hues like cinnamon, ginger, and clove lend an air of exotic elegancewithout being too formal or fussy.

Make A Little Switch

With a small space like the bathroom, changing seasons isall in the details. Guest towels in terra cotta and Turkish blue add a dash ofwarm color. Earthy accessories like a cast twig dish topped with verbena leafsoap will harmonize with your bath no matter what your décor.

Get Back To Nature

Capture an autumn moment with a bouquet of birdy branches.Gather sticks and give them a metallic patina with copper and silver spraypaint, then tie on organdy ribbons to echo the last-to-fall leaves. Finish withfeathery faux birds perched on the ends to look like a flock stopping over onits way south.

Turn Over A New Leaf

Fall is a little bit country and a little bit rock and rollwhen you set a rustic farm table with modern style. Die-cut leaf placemats inbold red let the beauty of the weathered wood shine through. And withcosmopolitan black-and-white plates and brushed silver napkin rings, you can take Manhattan to the countryside!

Savor Fall Colors

Adding an appetizing autumn palette to the kitchen is aseasy as pie! Go for dishtowels and mixing bowls in colors like marigold,persimmon, and green apple. A red fluted pie plate with a recipe printed insidegives the look a vintage twist. Setting out your wooden spoons and cuttingboards reveals them as handcrafted decorator pieces––that you already own!

Get Glowing

Put the whole house in the mood with an aromatic candlescapeinspired by the great outdoors. Have the family collect acorns, pinecones, andseedpods from the yard. Place these natural materials in mismatched mason jars,then light them up with flameless candles in scents like mulled cider, spicedorange, and chai latte. Autumn aromatherapy!

Blanket The Room WithTexture

Starting to feel a chill in the air? Then snuggle up with awarm throw. Hunt for fabrics that fit the season as comfortably as a favoritesweater. Plush wovens and faux fur in espresso and teal will inspire you tocurl up and get cozy.

My Candy Corn Cups Runneth Over!

2011-10-29T10:00:00.000-07:00

Candy Corn Cupcake Cups

These Halloween party favors are super-easy to make. Just punch a hole on either side of silver cupcake cups. Twist two black pipe cleaners together and feed the ends through the holes. Curl one end up and one end down to make a kooky handle. Fill with...what else? Candy corn!

To The Bat Mobile! Let's Go!

2011-10-28T09:31:00.000-07:00

Haunt your house with a bevvy of bats!

Make a spooky mobile for Halloween! Cut the bat shapes out of black craft foam. Stick on self-adhesive rhinestone eyes. (We chose green and lime!) Spray a big stick with Krylon Glitter Blast Bronze Glaze, then string the bats up with fishing line!

Witchy Pinecone Owl

2011-10-27T09:00:00.000-07:00

Who's scary? Who! Who!

Here's a fun Halloween craft for kids. Collect pinecones from the yard and dress them up as witches! Make the hat and eyes from craft foam or felt.

Set one by the front door to greet guests. Line up a row of them on your mantle. Or use them as placecard holders for your Halloween party!

How To Make a Witch's Hat

2011-10-27T08:31:00.000-07:00

Click to enlarge.

Bring old bottles back from the dead!

2011-10-26T09:45:00.000-07:00

Cast a spell with these bewitching candlesticks! Start by cleaning glass bottles inside and out. Give them a thrilling finish with Krylon Glitter Blast in Starry Night Sky, Citrus Dream, and Twilight Sky. Use sparkly stickers to label each bottle’s "hazardous contents." Top the bottles with candles and give your haunted house a ghoulish glow.

Instant Halloween!

2011-10-25T13:24:00.000-07:00

Oh no, Halloween has snuck up on us! No worries. Jennifer took her gorgeous fall wreath and gave it an instant frightfully-fun makeover. She took a drugstore spider and wrapped his legs around the edge of the wreath. Enter if you dare!

Spider Attack! Instant Halloween Wreath!

Make 'n Takes Now Online!

2011-10-21T09:30:00.000-07:00

We did a different Make 'n Take every day at the Southern Women's Show in Orlando. If you didn't get a chance to craft with us, we've put the How-Tos on our Web site. Just click on the pictures below to see each project.

Stamped Metal Jewelry

Resin Ring

Riveted Metal Pendant

Vintage Monogram Pendant

Good Times and Goodie Bags!

2011-10-20T11:18:00.000-07:00

Our little Kia Soul stuffed with goodie bags!

We just got back from the Southern Women's Show in Orlando. So fun! We did Make 'n Takes every day with 50 Southern gals and gave away over 200 goodie bags! Krylon donated 50 Glitter Blast travel alarm clocks. Good swag! Here's a tip, though. Next time we'll stash that box in the car and not in our hotel room. We're started hearing tiny muffled alarms at 2 a.m! It took a few minutes for us to figure out what it was! Hilarious!

The Southern Women's Show Orlando!

2011-10-11T13:15:00.000-07:00

We are on our way to Orlando for The Southern Women's Show! We will be doing Make 'n Takes each and every day in the Craft Pavilion.

Make this Resin Ring with us Saturday at 1pm

Thursday 6pm Vintage Monogrammed Pendants!
Friday 5pm Super Simple Stamped Metal Jewelry!
Saturday 1pm Magically Easy Resin Rings!
Sunday 4pm Riveting Metal Pendants In A Flash!

Come craft with us!! We'll be selling our new book Steampunk Chic right after!

Steampunk Chic is here!

2011-10-05T14:34:00.000-07:00

It's here! It's here! Our new book just arrived! Hot off the press. The UPS guy just dropped off 2 big cartons full of Steampunk Chic: Vintage Flair From Recycled Finds. Whooo hooo! So exciting!

Our wonderful editor Pam Mostek would want us to tell you it's loaded with fun and funky steampunk crafts and step-by-step how-tos. Kitty's favorite is the mantel clock made out of a cigar box and Jennifer's favorite is the cupcake stand. Take a sneak peek!

Stunning Runner

2011-10-03T16:10:00.000-07:00

Give your dining room a mini-makeover with a sumptuous hand-appliquéd table runner. Start with felt for the appliqués––it's easy to cut, has body, and doesn't fray. Then embellish with a whipstitch by simply looping embroidery thread around the edges of the felt in evenly spaced stitches. Attach the chiffon to the linen with just a few beads to give the appliqués a light and airy look. When you’re finished, your table will be dressed to the nines!

To make the runner, you will need:
2 pieces of icy blue linen fabric, 17"x72"
(fits a four-foot long table)
3 pieces of brown wool felt, 6"x6"
3 pieces of sheer gold chiffon, 8"x8"
3 pieces of sheer gold net, 8"x8"
Icy blue thread
Black embroidery thread
12 square black glass beads
12 icy blue glass beads
8 golden brown glass beads
12 black glass beads
Sewing needle
Embroidery needle
Straight pins
Scissors
Iron
Sewing machine
Photocopies of leaf patterns
Tape measure

How To Make the Appliqués:
Step 1
Cut out the leaf patterns from the photocopies. Pin one pattern to each felt square.

Step 2

Cut out the felt leaves to serve as appliqués.

Step 3
Pin one leaf appliqué to the center of each square of gold chiffon.

Step 4
Using the embroidery thread and needle, whipstitch the leaf appliqués to the chiffon squares.

Step 5
Center one chiffon square on one piece of blue fabric and pin (to find the center of the fabric, fold it in half and mark with a pin). Pin the other chiffon squares on either side of the center one, leaving a four-inch space between each square.

Step 6

Pin a square of gold net on top of each chiffon square. Attach the squares to the blue fabric by sewing a square black bead to each corner.

How To Finish The Runner:
Step 1
With the right side of the blue fabric face down, fold the raw edges one-half inch all the way around and iron the edges down. Repeat for the other piece of blue fabric.

Step 2
Pin the appliquéd fabric to the other piece of blue fabric with the good sides facing out.

Step 3
Using a sewing machine and the icy blue thread, stitch the front and back of the runner together one-quarter inch from the edge. Sew all the way around.

Step 4
Using the icy blue thread and a sewing needle, string together three icy blue beads, two golden brown beads, and three black beads. Sew one bead-strand onto each corner of the runner.

Tailored Tip: For a custom-fit runner, measure the length of your dining room table before you head to the fabric store. Your runner should be long enough to hang twelve inches over each end of the table.

Right Turn
To turn a square corner while machine sewing, keep the needle in the down position, raise the presser foot, and turn the fabric ninety degrees.

Shaker Style

2011-09-20T16:20:00.000-07:00

Give your décor a dash of fun and flavor with playful saltand pepper shakers!

Highly Collectible Campbell Soup Kids

Smiling California Oranges...Only $13!

For our Aunt Kay’s birthday, we wanted to add somethingspecial to her salt and pepper shaker collection. Our opera-singing aunt likesshakers with big personality, so we headed to our favorite gift emporium, theflea market. Once we started looking, we were amazed at what we discovered.Those whimsical figurines were everywhere! And they had themes ranging frompixie-faced vegetables to kooky zoo animals. This was going to be a hoot!

Our first contender was a pair of Campbell’s Soup Kids, butJennifer noticed that one was missing some paint and its stopper. The vendor droppedthe price to $12, but we knew Kay actually uses her salt and peppers when shehas company, so that wouldn’t do. We stepped into a booth that had souvenirlobster shakers from Maine, flamingos from Florida, and cowboy boots fromTexas. Kitty haggled her way to a couple of smiling California oranges for only$13. We could see why Kay loves these collectibles––they’re cute, practical, and affordable!

Treasure Craft Salt 'n Peppers

One dealer showed us a cabinet of salt and pepper sets hedescribed as “nodders, huggers, hangers, and stackers.” He suggested somebobble-head pandas, but they weren’t quite right. Jennifer priced a palm treewith hanging coconuts that would fit in perfectly with her Hawaiiana. Only $15for a mint Treasure Craft set? Yes, please.

Diva Kitties!

As he wrapped it up, Kitty spottedsome dramatic black cat shakers with gold details, and we had our winner. Thecats didn’t have any identifying marks or stickers, but we didn’t care. Thosefelines were divine! The price tag was a steep $38, but we asked the seller fora deal, and he came down to $30. We can’t wait for our diva aunt to use them ather next cast party!

The Cat’s Meow

Holt-Howard Cozy Kitchen Kitties

We must have a thing for cats! When we see Holt-Howard cat salt and pepper shakers, we always smile. Maybe it’s the way these white kitties lean into each other with a sideways flirty glance, or knowing that each one had a noisemaker inside that meowed when you shook it upside down. These Cozy Kitchen Kitties were made in the late 50s and early 60s. The design was so delightful, Holt-Howard made a whole series of housewares featuring these Siamese cats. So if you’re smitten, be prepared to collect a matching cheese crock, jam jar, wall caddy, memo minder, napkin holder, and a string dispenser with the twine coming out of the kitten’s mouth!

Make a crafty tassel from an unpaired salt shaker!

Shake It Up

Have you ever found a salt or pepper that’s lost its match?We ran across a display of tassels made out of these widowed shakers. Genius!We took a closer look, and it seems you pinch ribbon with wire then run it upthrough the holes, and finish with beads on top. We see a craft night in our future!

Mind Your Ss and Ps

If your shakers don’t have “S” and “P” on them, here’s atip. According to the Salt and Pepper Shaker Museum in Tennessee, the one withfewer holes is for salt and the one with more holes is for pepper. Good toknow!

Prices We’ve Seen:

Treasure Craft “Hawaii” Fish $10

Campbell’s Soup Kids $10 to $30

Smiling California Oranges $13 to $15

Bonzo Pup I’m Salt and I’m Pepper $14 to $20

Denton China Flower Pot Minis $15

Treasure Craft “Hawaii” Coconut Tree $15

Holt-Howard Merry Mice Noisemakers $20 to $40

Holt-Howard Cozy Kitten Noisemakers $20 to $60

Come Craft With Us In Florida!

2011-09-07T14:20:00.000-07:00

We'll be crafting on the main stage at Orlando's Southern Women's Show and Craft Super Show! The dates of the show are October 13-October 16, and we'll post our showtimes as soon as we have them nailed down. We'll be doing a different Make-n-Take each day and plan on doing riveting, stamped metal jewelry, metal embossing, and resin rings!

Who knew half the fun would be contacting companies like Darice, EKSuccess, and Plaid to get materials donated!? Not only did we get tools and supplies from over fifteen companies, they are also sending us all kinds of free stuff to give away! Craft schwag! Tape measures from Beaducation! Craft kits from Cousin! Krylon is even sending travel clocks! Hope to see you there.

Email us if you have any questions!

Make Me Over!

2011-09-03T11:21:00.000-07:00

Kitty found a set of these chairs for $10 at the flea market! Irresistible! We featured them in this article we wrote for Decorating Spaces. It's sort of a Chair Makeover 101.

Cheers, J&K

Before: A Chair In the Rough

It’s rusty. It’s filthy. It’s fabulous! If you know what to look for, a ratty old wrought iron chair can become a delightful addition to your little garden oasis. Just take these tips picked up from the pros and get thee to a flea market to find that diamond in the rough.

After: Sweet Little Seat

A Chair In The Rough

This chair passes all the tests with flying colors: the rust is minimal, the seat pops right off, it has no real damage, and it’s loaded with personality. All it needs now is a little TLC. Start by picking a fun fabric for the seat and use a swatch to select your spray paint. Remove the seat and smooth the rough areas and rusty parts of the frame using medium, then fine sandpaper. Clean thoroughly, then spray paint the chair with primer and your chosen color. (To avoid runs, do several light coats.)

What To Do:

1. Disassemble the seat by removing the old vinyl, foam, and rusty staples.

2. Recover the seat with two-inch thick foam and your chosen fabric, folding carefully at the corners and stapling the fabric underneath.

3. Then finish your new treasure by reattaching the seat to the chair. Now you’re sitting pretty!

Tips:

You don't have to use oilcloth to make your outdoor chair waterproof—just cover the fabric seat with a layer of clear plastic.

When selecting a fabric for your outdoor chair, you don't have to stick to florals. Consider decorator fabrics with stripes, dots, or plaids, as long as the pattern matches the mood of the chair.

If you want to spruce up a plain chair with more than just color, try a spray-on finish like metallic copper, hammered bronze, or even natural rust. Yes! You can buy rust in a can!

Crate Awakening Storage Ottoman

2011-09-02T12:58:00.000-07:00

We did this cute crate craft for Create and Decorate. Kitty has it in her studio and she uses it to keep bird seed for her feeder!

J&K

Turn a rustic wooden crate into a lovely footstool with storage to boot!

Materials
Medium-sized wooden crate (flea market find)
Plywood, ¾" thick, cut to fit on top of crate
Printed decorator fabric, measure plywood and add 3" to each side
Grosgrain ribbon, 1½" wide, twice the length plus twice the width of the plywood
2 Pieces of high loft batting, measure plywood and add 2" to each side
4 Medium duty swivel plate casters, 2" with mounting plates
16 Wood screws, #8 size, ½" length
Beacon Adhesives Fabri-Tac
Staple gun and staples
Drill and 1/8" drill bit
Screwdriver
Iron
Scissors
Ruler
Pencil

Instructions
1. To find a suitable crate, look for a medium-sized wooden crate large enough to prop your feet up on, but not so big you can't carry it to the car. Inspect the crate for wood rot and insect damage. A little wear and tear is charming, but the crate should be sturdy.

2. To create a padded lid, layer the two pieces of batting. Lay the plywood on the batting and wrap the edges up around the lid. Staple the edges of the batting to the wood. At the corners, fold the batting around the edges until they meet in a mitered corner. Trim the excess triangle of batting then staple down the edges.

3. Iron the printed fabric, then use it to cover the padded lid. Fold the edges up and staple in place. To make tidy corners, fold the fabric in like you are wrapping a present.

4. Cover the rough edge of the fabric and the staples with the grosgrain ribbon. At each corner, fold the ribbon over itself. Use Fabri-Tac to glue the ribbon in place.

5. Before you attach the casters, mark the holes using the mounting plate as a guide, then pre-drill the holes. Screw on the mounting plates with the #8 wood screws.

Liner Notes: If the bottom of your crate is thinner than your mounting screws, you might wind up with screws poking through. Hide them by covering a piece of foam core with fabric and using it to line the bottom of the crate.

Shadowboxing

2011-08-31T14:10:00.000-07:00

Soda crates are a flea market favorite and have dozens of uses. When we found this weathered 7-Up crate, we thought it would make a charming shadowbox. Then we took that idea a step further by turning it into a shadowbox table. The crate only cost $3, but the table looks like a million bucks!

Materials:
Flea market soda pop crate
Glass tabletop, 1/4" thick, cut to fit inside crate
4 wooden legs, 22" with mounting plates
Basswood stick, ½"x½"x24" (in the dowel aisle)
4 black self-adhesive rubber feet, ½"x½"
Foam core board, ¼" thick, enough to fit inside crate
Dark green velvet, enough to cover foam core board
Plaid Folk Art acrylic paint, Napthol Crimson, 2 oz.
Amazing Goop all-purpose contact adhesive
Foam paintbrush
Handsaw
Electric screwdriver
X-Acto craft knife
Masking tape
Metal yardstick
Straight pins
Scissors
Pencil

Instructions:
1. Mask the brass foot of each leg with the masking tape. Paint the wooden legs Napthol Crimson red and let dry.

2. Measure the inside of the crate. Using the metal yardstick and the X-Acto craft knife, cut the foam core board to fit inside the crate. Watch your fingers! Cover the foam core board with the velvet. Secure the velvet to the back by sliding straight pins through the fabric and into the foam core board at an angle. Cut off any excess fabric. Place the velvet-covered foam core board in the bottom the crate.

3. To make a support for the glass top, stick the piece of basswood inside the crate at the corner. Mark it with the pencil ¼" from the top of the crate. Cut the basswood with the handsaw, then use that piece to measure and cut 3 more identical pieces. Glue the 4 pieces of basswood into the corners of the crate using the Goop adhesive. Attach a self-adhesive rubber foot onto the top of each piece of basswood.

4. When the glue is dry, flip the crate over onto a stack of books, so the foam core insert is resting on the books. Attach the mounting plates to each corner of the crate with the screwdriver. Screw in the red legs. Flip the crate table over onto its new legs.

5. Arrange a collection of items inside the shadowbox. Place the glass tabletop inside the top of the crate so it rests on the 4 rubber feet.

Shopping Tip: Getting a piece of glass cut is cheaper than you think, even for odd sizes. Our 9 5/8"x14 3/8" glass with polished edges cost less than $10!

The Art of Display
To create your shadowbox showcase, start with a theme such as travel, wedding, or holiday. Arrange flat items like vintage postcards and photos in the bottom of the crate to create a colorful background. Then overlap the images with a few meaningful objects. To remember a wedding, you might include the bride’s garter and dried flowers from the bouquet. For a holiday theme like autumn, choose a glass pumpkin paperweight and ears of Indian corn. Don't worry about making the perfect display—this shadowbox is easy to open, and museums change their exhibits regularly, so why can't you?!

Crystal Pie Server

2011-08-29T09:00:00.000-07:00

Embellish a silver pie server with sparkling crystal beads and fancy monogram charm.

YOU'LL NEED
Materials & Embellishments
Sterling silver or plated pie server.
Copper wire, 20 gauge, 48" long.
2 crystal bicone beads, 10mm, pink.
3 round faceted crystal beads, 8mm, red.
4 round faceted crystal beads, 5mm, clear.
12 crystal faceted rondells, 4mm, red.
2 crystal faceted rondells, 5mm, peach.
1 crystal faceted rondells, 5mm, red.
2 faceted crystal oval beads, 4mm, orange.
Large rose-shaped glass bead, 15 mm.
Metal letter charm.
Copper jumpring, 5mm.

Tools & Supplies
Needle-nose pliers.
Wire snips.

WHAT TO DO
1. Twist a swirl into one end of the copper wire using the needle-nose pliers. Press the swirl flat onto the handle of the pie server at the triangular serving end.

2. Feed an orange oval bead onto the wire at the base of the swirl, then wrap the copper wire tightly around the handle. Feed an 8mm red crystal bead onto the wire so it rests on top of the handle and wrap the wire around the handle again.

3. Continue feeding beads onto the wire and wrapping the wire around the handle. For the smaller beads, feed two or three on the wire at a time to match the width of the larger beads. Alternate the beads so the colors are distributed evenly down the handle. Stop one inch from the end of the handle.

4. Finish the end by feeding the red rose bead onto the wire followed by an orange oval bead. Bend the wire 90° above the rose bead so the wire runs vertically to the end of the handle. Twist a swirl into the end of the wire at the base of the orange oval bead and trim the end with the wire snips.

5. To personalize it, attach the metal letter charm to the swirl using the copper jumpring.

Easy As Pie: Want to give the hostess something more personal than a bottle of wine? Give her this beaded pie server along with your family recipe for apple pie.

Smashing Glass Tray

2011-08-26T10:28:00.001-07:00

Make crime pay with a cool dresser valet made of recycled car window glass.

Give an ordinary wooden tray an edge with shattered green glass from a broken car window. Simple high-gloss resin lets you embed the glass safely while creating an ultra-modern mosaic.

WHAT YOU'LL NEED
Wooden or bamboo tray, 6"x6"x2"
Shattered glass from a car window, 2 cups
EnviroTex Lite Pour-On High Gloss Finish, 8-ounce kit
Disposable cups, 2
Wooden chopsticks, 2
White Con-Tact paper
Household silicone sealant, clear
Medium-sized cardboard box
Scissors
Ruler
Level

WHAT TO DO
Step One
Measure the inside bottom of the wooden tray and cut a piece of contact paper to fit. Stick the Con-Tact paper to the bottom inside of the tray. Seal the inside corners and bottom edges of the tray with the silicone sealant and let cure for 45 minutes. Pour the shattered glass into the tray and shake the tray until the glass creates an even layer. The glass should be about three-quarters of an inch deep.

Step Two
Following the directions on the EnviroTex Lite box, pour the entire contents of the resin and hardener into one cup. Mix thoroughly with a chopstick for one minute. Then pour the mixture into a second cup and mix with a new chopstick for one minute.

Step Three

Immediately pour the resin mixture evenly over the layer of shattered glass until it is completely covered. Place the tray on a completely level surface and cover with a dust-free box. Let the tray cure undisturbed for 48 hours.

Tiny Bubbles: Don't worry if you whip bubbles into the resin as you stir it. Once you have poured the resin, most of the bubbles will de-gas on their own within five minutes. If any bubbles remain, gently exhale over the surface and the bubbles will rise and pop.

Don't Get Busted: Be a law-abiding crafter and put away the hammer! Instead, call an auto shop that specializes in window repair and ask them to save you some glass.

Light Up Your Life Candlestick Lamp

2011-08-24T16:17:00.000-07:00

You don't need to be a professional electrician to make your own candlestick lamp. With a bottle adapter lamp kit from the hardware store, all that's left for you to do is find the perfect flea market candlestick and follow these simple instructions. In minutes, you'll have a working candlestick lamp. To embellish the lampshade for your boudoir, choose an ornate rubber stamp, a paint color that complements your candlestick, and glitzy beaded fringe. With the flick of a switch, you'll be reading by "candle light."

To make the lamp, you will need:
candlestick, 8 inches tall (made for a taper candle with a 5/8-inch to one-inch diameter)
bottle adapter "Make-a-Lamp" kit
light bulb
screwdriver
rubber bands

To embellish the lampshade, you will need:
white clip lampshade (clip attaches to the bulb), 7 inches tall, 9-inch diameter at bottom
metallic silver acrylic paint, 2 fl. oz.
squeeze bottle of iridescent glitter paint, 2 fl. oz.
rubberstamp, 4 inches across
crystal beaded fringe, 29 inches long
hot glue gun
hot glue

How To Assemble The Lamp:
Step 1
Select the rubber adapter from the bottle adapter "Make-a-Lamp" kit that fits the candlestick opening. Slide the adapter all the way onto one end of the threaded pipe.

Step 2
Screw the socket bottom onto the threaded pipe.

Step 3
Tighten the side screw with a screwdriver.

Step 4
Feed the loose-wire end of the electrical cord through the hole in the side of the socket bottom.

Step 5
Pull the cord apart to create some slack, then tie the ends in a knot. This will keep the cord from pulling out of the socket cap.

Step 6
Connect the neutral wire to the silver screw (the rubber insulation on the neutral wire is ribbed) and tighten with a screwdriver.

Step 7
Connect the other wire to the brass screw and tighten with a screwdriver. Make sure the brass tips of the wires are secured under the screw heads.

Step 8
Slide the brass shell with the paper liner over the lamp socket. Snap the brass shell onto the socket bottom and rock it into place until it clicks.

Tight Light: If the rubber adapter feels a little loose in the candlestick, make a tighter fit by wrapping the adapter with a rubber band or two.

How To Embellish The Lampshade:
Step 1
Using the rubber stamp and the silver acrylic paint, stamp the image four times around the bottom edge of the lampshade. (For even spacing, stamp on one side, then turn the shade 180 degrees, and stamp again opposite the first image. Then repeat between the two stamped images.) Turn the rubber stamp upside-down and stamp around the top edge of the lampshade four times between the bottom stamped images.

Step 2
When the paint is dry, trace the edges of each stamped image with the squeeze bottle of iridescent glitter paint.

Step 3
When the glitter paint is dry, hot glue the beaded fringe around the bottom edge of the lampshade. To finish off your lamp, insert the lamp fixture into the candlestick, screw in a light bulb and attach the lampshade to the bulb. Then light up the night!

Keep It Clean: For a cleaner stamped image, dab the paint directly onto the rubber stamp. Try a few test stamps on a scrap piece of paper until you get the hang of it.

Perfect Pair
For twice the fun, buy a pair of candlesticks and turn them into matching lamps for your bedside tables.

Altered Crates

2011-08-22T09:00:00.000-07:00

Turn a wooden crate into a cool footstool complete with classic casters.

To make this stylish storage ottoman, first you'll need to find a great crate. Check out your local flea market for wooden boxes that once carried whiskey, wine, or soda bottles. They should cost between $5 and $20. More-in-demand ammo and dynamite crates can be found on eBay for $20 to $50, and their amusing text makes them worth it. For example, a Trojan Powder crate stamped "High Explosives Dangerous" would make a killer footstool.

For this project, look for a medium-sized crate, at least twelve inches tall, with no splits or stains (and it wouldn't hurt to give it the old sniff-test, too). Once you get your perfect crate home, it's a few simple steps to ottoman. Just cut a lid out of plywood and cover it with batting and fabric. Then add big industrial casters and wheel it into the living room to store your magazines (or whiskey, or ammo). Slide it next to your reading chair or let it house your current craft project and take it into any room of the house.

WHAT YOU'LL NEED
wooden storage crate

4 casters
screws for casters
plywood rectangle for lid, 1" thick (cut to fit crate)
fabric (enough to wrap around top of lid)
polyfill batting (enough to wrap around top of lid)
staple gun & staples
screwdriver
iron
ruler

Step 1
To pad the lid, place the plywood on top of the batting. Measure and cut the batting so there are two extra inches all the way around the lid. Wrap the batting around the edges of the lid and staple.

Step 2
To cover the top, place the padded lid (batting-side down) on the fabric (wrong-side up). Measure and cut the fabric so there are three extra inches all the way around the lid. To "hem" the fabric, fold the rough edges over about half an inch and iron. Wrap the fabric around the edges of the lid and staple neatly.

Step 3
To attach the casters, turn the crate over and screw the plates to the bottom four corners. (Make sure the screws are short enough not to poke through the bottom.) Now flip your crate back over, set the lovely lid on top, and put your feet up!

Above & Beyond: If you're feeling inspired, don't stop now. Try lining the inside of your storage ottoman with felt or velvet. You can also hinge the lid and even add ball fringe around the top edge. For an upholstered look, make a tufted lid with decorative furniture tacks. Now that's one fancy footstool!

Wrapper's Delight: To create tidy corners while covering your lid, just pretend you're wrapping a present. Simply fold the corners in, then up and over.

Art Supplies Chest

2011-08-18T13:37:00.000-07:00

Turn a boring chest of drawers into a celebration of arts and crafts!

YOU'LL NEED
Materials & Embellishments:
Flea market chest of drawers.
Well-worn pencils.
Shabby old paintbrushes.
Dinged-up rulers & yardsticks.

Tools & Supplies:
Wooden knobs with screws.
Screwdriver.
Drop cloth.
Sandpaper, fine-grit.
Paintbrush.
Primer.
Semi-gloss latex enamel, Brick Red.
Pencil sharpener.
Liquid Nails glue.
Dremel rotary tool with cutting wheel.
Safety glasses.

WHAT TO DO
1. Place the chest on a drop cloth and remove all the drawers and hardware. Lay out the wooden knobs. Lightly sand the surface of the chest, the drawer fronts, and the knobs. Then clean with a damp cloth.

2. Apply 2 coats of primer to all the surfaces. Let dry, then paint the chest, drawer fronts, and knobs Brick Red. When the paint is dry, attach the new red knobs to the drawers.

3. Arrange the pencils on one of the drawer fronts so the ends line up straight along the edges. If any need a little resizing, just sharpen them. Glue the pencils onto the drawer front with the Liquid Nails.

4. Position the paintbrushes on one of the drawer fronts so they overlap the edges. Mark the overlap and saw the paintbrushes to fit with the Dremel tool. (Don't forget to don your safety glasses!) Glue the paintbrushes onto the drawer front with the Liquid Nails.

5. Lay out the rulers and yardsticks on one of the drawer fronts and mark where to cut them into pieces. Use the Dremel tool to saw the rulers into segments, then glue them to the drawer front with Liquid Nails.

6. Repeat steps 3 through 5 to cover any remaining drawer fronts. For variety, consider using buttons, erasers, and squeezed out watercolor tubes.

Buy In Bulk: Don't get nickeled-and-dimed buying one old pencil at a time. Look for boxes filled with junk drawer dregs and offer a flat price for the whole thing. You might even discover a hidden treasure!

Back To School Storage

2011-08-15T15:52:00.000-07:00

Lunchboxes are a playful and portable way to keep the little things in your life organized. Think outside the box and use these clever containers in the car, kitchen and bathroom.

A lunchbox is the perfect size for note cards, postcards and envelopes, and it can hold your address book too. Look for a funky vintage lunchbox that suits your personality, whether you're Wonder Woman, Blondie or The Six Million Dollar Man. (Blondie © 1969 KING FEATURES SYNDICATE. Blondie created by Murat B. "Chic" Young.)

Today's recipes come in all shapes and sizes, from computer printouts to index cards. Update the old recipe box with modern silver lunchboxes. Use magnetic labels to separate the main dishes from the desserts, then stash your favorite recipes inside. That's a recipe for success!

If technology is supposed to make our lives simpler, why does it come with so many cords, cables and accessories? Get a handle on high-tech hodgepodge with classic printed lunchboxes. Use one for each gadget, and you'll never forget where your memory card is again.

Make houseguests feel at home with a charming display of travel amenities. Fill a sleek silver lunchbox with sample-size shampoos, lotions and soaps. Welcome your visitors with a note that says "Enjoy your stay." So cute, your friends might want it as a souvenir!

Keep idle hands busy in waiting rooms, on road trips and when you're stuck in traffic by packing a fun-to-go box for each member of the family. Think crayons for the kiddo, a Game Boy for the tween and Sudoku puzzles for Mom. Just grab the boxes as you head out the door, and turn cranky time into fun time.

Tin Can Critter Drink Markers

2011-08-12T16:59:00.000-07:00

Sip someone else's margarita? No way, Jose! Your margarita glasses need drink markers, but for this Fiesta del Crafto they need a little cha cha cha. Your margaritas need Tin Can Critter Drink Markers! Have your guests make their own, then hang them off the margarita glasses (don't worry, they won't drink much!). Your amigos will go loco for these tin can creatures!

Materials
12 oz can of Mexican beer
3 10" strands of 18 gauge silver wire
8" strand of 18 gauge silver wire
2 googly eyes

Tools
needlenose pliers
scissors
ruler
dry erase marker
hot glue gun & glue sticks

Steps:
1. Open a beer can and empty out contents (down the hatch!).

2. Rinse can and shake out excess water.

3. Using scissors, carefully cut the top and bottom off, and slit the cylinder down the middle. Flatten the rectangle of tin, then trim off any jagged edges so you don't cut yourself (no craftastrophes allowed!).

4. Using The Tin Can Critter Template and a dry erase marker, draw the outline of the bug top and bottom onto the blank side of your tin.

5. Cut out the bug shapes and place them back-to-back, aligning the narrow bug torso. Make sure the printed sides of the tin are facing out. Pinch the top piece of the torso so it fits around the bottom piece.

6. Using one 10" piece of wire and the pliers, bend one back leg and wrap the wire around the narrow torso of the bug tightly three times. Then bend the leftover wire into the other leg.

7. Repeat to make another set of legs. For the front legs, make sure they curve down like a praying mantis (that's how he'll hang off the glass!).

8. With the last piece of wire, bend his antennae into shape.

9. Hot glue googly eyes onto his head and you've got a Tin Can Critter that's muy loco!

Alternacraft: Don't feel limited to making a praying mantis. Why not try a classic cucaracha or a giant mosquito? Then hang a bunch together with fishing line for a mobile that's a swarm of fun!

A Novel Keepsake Box

2011-08-10T00:07:00.000-07:00

Turn a vintage book into a beautiful memory box perfect for your tiny treasures.

YOU'LL NEED
Materials & Embellishments:
Vintage book, at least 1½" thick.
Black velvet, approximately the size of the book's cover.
Gold leaf sheets.
Upholstery tacks, four.
Black craft paper.
Gold photo corners, four.
Heirloom photograph.
Satin ribbon, 1½" wide, 4 feet long.
Embellishments, such as decorative papers, old maps, postage stamps, antique watch faces, skeleton keys, foreign coins, broken jewelry, and old buttons.

Tools & Supplies:
Mod Podge decoupage medium.
Small paintbrush.
Pencil.
Ruler.
Large binder clips, three.
Craft knife.
White chalk.
Scissors.
Double-stick tape.
Gold leaf liquid adhesive.
Gold leaf seal.
Hammer.
Rubber cement.
Hot glue gun and sticks.
Decorative edge scissors.
Adhesive foam squares.

WHAT TO DO
1. To glue all the pages of the book together, open the front cover and press down on the book's pages, creating a tight stack. Paint a coat of Mod Podge on the outside edge of the stack of pages. Clamp the stack of pages to the back of the book with binder clips and let dry.

2. To create a niche inside the book, use the ruler and pencil to draw a rectangle on the first page of the book, 1" from the sides. Using the craft knife and ruler, cut through several pages of the book along the guidelines. Remove the cutouts, then cut through the next layer of pages. Repeat until you reach the back of the book.

3. Coat the insides of the niche with Mod Podge and let dry. Press the velvet into the niche face-side-down and mark where to trim it using white chalk. Cut the velvet along the chalk lines. To make the velvet fit neatly into the corners, cut a square the depth of the niche off each corner. Use double-stick tape to line the inside of the niche with the velvet.

4. Remove the binder clips and close the book's cover. To gold leaf the edges of the block of pages, coat with gold leaf adhesive (be careful not to get the adhesive on the book's back or front covers). Let the adhesive dry until it is tacky (about 60 minutes), then tear off a piece of gold leaf and lay it on the page edges. Use a dry paintbrush to push the gold leaf onto the adhesive. Continue until all the edges are covered in gold leaf. Seal with gold leaf sealer.

5. To add feet to the bottom of the box, turn the book face-down and place one upholstery tack at each corner, ½" from the edge. Hammer into place.

6. Embellish the inside by cutting decorative papers to cover the first page around the niche. Adhere with rubber cement. Use hot glue and ribbon to hide the rough edges. To add a featured photograph to the inside of the lid, attach the photo to black craft paper with gold photo corners. Trim the black paper with decorative edge scissors, leaving ½" around the photo. Glue it to the center of the lid with rubber cement.

7. To embellish the outside of the book, cut out a piece of a map ½" smaller than the book cover, and attach it to the center of the book cover with rubber cement. Cover the edge with silk ribbon using hot glue. Add a smaller piece of decorative paper, such as an old postcard or pretty wrapping paper, to the center of the map with rubber cement. Continue adding embellishments such as postage stamps, foreign coins, broken jewelry, and old buttons. Find the center of the wide satin ribbon and glue it to the back of the book with hot glue. Finally, place your precious mementoes inside and tie your Novel Keepsake Box closed with the ribbon.

CRAFTY SHOPPING TIPS
*For just a few dollars on eBay, you can buy interesting postage stamps ranging from Guinea's lovely orchids to Tanzania's colorful butterflies.
*For decorative papers and metal embellishments, check out your local scrapbooking store.
*The flea market is a great place to find old books, watch faces, and skeleton keys. And, if you don't have an old family photo for the lid, the flea market has those too, by the hundreds. Meet your new Aunt Gertrude!

A Flair For Chairs!

2011-08-08T16:15:00.000-07:00

Chairs are super fun and super easy to makeover. You just need to start with a good makeover candidate.

1. Check for Rust
A little rust is okay, but unless you're a big fan of sanding, skip a chair that is completely corroded. Look for a chair with only minor rust spots—no bigger than a quarter.

2. Check the Seat
Recovering a seat is a cinch, but only if it's easy to remove and reattach. Don't worry if it's decayed; the wood, the foam, and the fabric are all replaceable. Plus you can drive the price down by pointing out every flaw.

3. Check for Damage
Inspect the frame for serious damage. Watch out for broken legs, weak joints, or shoddy fixes (like duct tape!). Some repairs aren't worth the effort unless you like welding!

Give Your Bath The Spa Treatment

2011-08-05T09:00:00.000-07:00

Turn your bathroom into a retreat with simple, chic accessories.

A spa bathroom lets you pamper yourself with little indulgences for a fraction of what you'd spend at the spa. To create your own spa bathroom, just think "relaxing" with calming candlelight, soothing scents, and big, fluffy towels. Then just add a few personal touches to create your own retreat in the middle of a bustling household.

Decorating Scents
The spa experience always starts with the aroma—when you walk through the doors, the calming scents help you transition from traffic to tranquility. Get the same effect in your own home with personal aromatherapy blends. Add aromatic essential oils to drugstore Epsom salts for a professional mineral bath that is a treat for the senses. To refresh and revitalize, try scents like tea tree and eucalyptus. Ylang ylang and neroli are perfect before bedtime. For a relaxing mini-facial for puffy eyes, use Victorian Trading Company’s Eyes Tea, filled with fennel, chamomile, and rose petals.

Lighten The Mood
A spa should make you feel good and look good! So do like the spas do and lower your lighting. Turn off the overhead and place small jar candles on the counter and candle tins around the tub. Candlelight flatters every skin tone. And in this room you see a lot of your own skin, so why not make it look its best!? Don't be afraid to mix large and small pillars with votives and tea lights, just choose a single scent to keep the aromas from clashing. Specialty candles, like Victorian Trading Company's Soybean Beauty Candle, melt into a smoothing emollient you can massage into your skin to make it velvety. Talk about soft lighting.

Keep It Simple To get a refined spa look, clear your counters by stashing less attractive products in linen-lined baskets. Then dress your counter with elegant glass jars like The Container Store's Vibe Canisters. Fill them with lovely bath products like Organic Bath Company's flower-shaped Bath Petals. They not only please the eye, the lavender vanilla scent soothes the soul. Personalize the containers with scrapbooking tags tied with twine. Then add a glass vase of blooming lavender to your countertop, nature’s own aromatherapy!

Sound Effects

When it comes to setting a spa mood, don't forget the acoustic music and soothing nature sounds. Spa music is designed to transport you to a tranquil place of inner peace, and you can have all of that for the price of a few CDs! Get a small CD player and store a selection of CDs in a tidy wooden box. Then with just the touch of a button, you can close your eyes and listen your way to inner calm.

Put Yourself On a Pedestal
The finest spas have a serene space where guests can relax while they leave the stresses of the day behind them. Create your own relaxation zone with a sleek Teak Stool from Smith & Hawken—the perfect perch for a foot soak. To make an authentic footbath, fill a large bowl with warm water and your own aromatherapy salts. Now you can give your feet a pampering pedicure without teetering on the side of the tub!

Wrap Yourself in Luxury

Nothing says "ooh la la spa" like fluffy cotton towels. When it comes to these bathroom necessities, a little splurge can make a big splash. Instead of regular bath towels, go for oversized bath sheets, like 100% Turkish Cotton LuxeSPA Allure Towels from Bed Bath & Beyond. At 40 inches by 70 inches, these ultra-soft towels are so big they'll warm you from head to toe--literally. To complete the spa effect, hang a natural cotton shower curtain from simple chrome hooks. Then add a matching bath rug, the plushest you can find. Your tootsies will thank you.

Tray Chic
What's the best reason to have a spa bathroom at home? You can soak in the tub to your heart's content whenever you want. With a wooden tub tray from IKEA, your bath essentials will always be at your fingertips. Fill your tub caddy with exfoliating oatmeal soap, a pumice stone, and a natural loofah sponge. An organized space is a relaxing space, and that's what a spa bath is all about.

Now that your bathroom has been transformed into a spa retreat, celebrate by easing yourself into a bubbling whirlpool. You don’t have to replace your standard tub with a Jacuzzi to have the ultimate in relaxation. Conair's Dual-Jet Spa Bath fits over the side of the tub and whips your water into hydrotherapy whirlpools. HoMedics Massaging Bubble Mat fills the water with thousands of bubbles. So put on that mud mask, close your eyes, and let your new spa bathroom give you the spa treatment.

Uncaged Melody Lamp

2011-08-03T09:00:00.000-07:00

Let your creativity take flight by turning a vintage birdcage into a lamp any songbird would love.

Flea Market Finds:
Medium-sized wooden birdcage*
Vintage sheet music (have color laser copies made)
Vintage buttons, 8 large and 8 small
Lamp finial

Materials:
Craft bird
White or cream lampshade
Westinghouse Make-A-Lamp Kit, 18 gauge cord
Westinghouse All-Thread Lamp Pipe Kit, 1/8-IP pipe, 12" length
Westinghouse Brass Lamp Harp, to fit lampshade
Glitz scrapbook paper, Vintage Love Velvet, 12" square, 2 sheets
K&Company scrapbook paper, Mira Chocolate Rose, 12" square, 2 sheets
Grosgrain ribbon, Olive Drab, 5/8" wide, 18 feet
Drill and 3/8" drill bit
Phillips-head screwdriver
Hacksaw (if needed)
Mod Podge Gloss-Lustre decoupage medium
Hot glue gun and glue
Water spritzer
Ruler
Chalk
Pencil
Scissors
Foam paintbrush

*Cage Gauge: Before you buy a birdcage, make sure it is made of wood. Also check the top and bottom to make sure the surfaces are sturdy enough to drill through.

Instructions:
1. If your birdcage has a finial on top, carefully remove it. Using the drill and 3/8-inch drill bit, create a hole in the top center of the birdcage. Flip the birdcage over and find the center of the bottom and mark with chalk. Then drill a hole in the bottom of the birdcage.

2. Measure the height of your birdcage. Your lamp pipe needs to be the height of your birdcage plus ½". You may need to cut a second piece of lamp pipe using a hacksaw and connect it to the first 12" piece using the brass coupler that comes in the Make-A-Lamp Kit. The lamp pipe should stick ¼" out of the top and the bottom of your birdcage. Secure each end of the pipe with a washer and a locknut.

3. Feed the loose end of the electrical cord up through the pipe in the birdcage, then through the hole in the bottom of the lamp harp. Next slide the socket cap from the lamp kit onto the cord and screw the end onto the lamp pipe. Pull the ends of the cord apart and tie them in an underwriter's knot to keep the cord in place. (See detail photo or follow directions on the Make-A-Lamp Kit.)

4. Feel the ends of the cord to determine which one is ribbed. Connect the wire from the ribbed cord to the silver screw on the socket from the lamp kit. Connect the other wire to the brass screw on the socket. Tighten with a screwdriver. Cover the socket with the shell from the lamp kit, then snap the shell onto the cap by rocking it back and forth.

5. To cover the lampshade, have color laser copies made of the sheet music. (It'd be fun to use the actual sheet music, but if it is two-sided, the back side will show through when the lamp is on.) Cut the sheet music copies to fit onto the lampshade. Decoupage the sheet music paper to the lampshade using the Mod Podge and a foam paintbrush.

6. To cover the vertical ribs of the lampshade or hide the seams where the sheet music meets, cut strips of ribbon a few inches longer than needed. Hot glue the ribbon onto the shade and tie the ends of the ribbon in knots. Hot glue a piece of ribbon around the top and bottom of the shade over the vertical trim.

7. To make the rosettes, cut a sheet of Vintage Love scrapbook paper into fourths. Cut the corners off to make the squares into circles. Dampen a circle with the water spritzer and crumple to soften. Accordion pleat the circle to make the back of the flower. Cut a sheet of Mira Chocolate Rose scrapbook paper into fourths. Dampen a piece with the water spritzer and crumple to soften. Shape into a rose and hot glue to the pleated back of the flower. Hot glue a large button in the center of the flower, then glue a smaller button on top of the first. Repeat to make a total of 8 rosettes. Decorate the lampshade by hot gluing the rosettes around the center.

8. Screw a light bulb into the socket and plug in the lamp. Attach the lampshade to the harp. Top it off with the original finial from the birdcage if it fits or one you found at the flea market. Finish your beautiful lamp with an uncaged craft bird. Just hot glue the little guy to the top edge of the lampshade. Tweet tweet!

Tippy Tip: If the bottom of your birdcage is flat, the cord might make your lamp tip a little. Either raise the lamp up by adding cork feet or carve a notch in the base to fit the cord.

Glitzy Cake Stand

2011-08-01T09:00:00.000-07:00

There's nothing like a glamorous cake stand to make a party perfect. Just start with a fancy china plate from the flea market. Add a few chandelier prisms and a crystal candlestick, and you'll have a glitzy plate stand that takes the cake!

Directions:

Step 1. Cut a piece of wire 1½ inches long. Use round-nose pliers to bend the wire into a "U" shape. Feed the wire through the buttonholes of a small, white shirt button. Use round-nose pliers to twist the two ends of the wire into loops. Repeat to make 12 wired buttons.

Step 2. Mark the back of a china dinner plate one-half inch from the edge with a dry erase marker, creating 12 evenly spaced dots (like the numbers on a clock). Use clear silicone adhesive to glue the flat side of each wired button to one of the marks on the back of the plate.

Step 3. Apply clear silicone adhesive to the top of a short crystal candlestick. Press the glued end of the candlestick to the center of the back of the plate.

Step 4. Hook one chandelier crystal through each of the wire loops on the back of the plate. Ta-da! A pretty plate perfect for any party.

A Chair To Remember

2011-07-29T11:00:00.000-07:00

Turn an old wooden chair into an instant antique. The secret is to use amazing resin appliques that are exact copies of woodcarvings from the 1800s. Heirloom chic!

Materials:

Wooden flea market chair with removable seat
Posh by Chez Moi for Moda 100% cotton fabric, Posh Floral Seaweed, 30"x30"
3" thick batting, 16"x16"
Bella Cottage resin appliques: one #A1013, four #A1025
Krylon spray paint, Indoor/Outdoor White Primer #51315
Krylon spray paint, Satin Hunter Green #3502
Amazing Goop all-purpose contact adhesive
Masking tape
Screwdriver
Chalk
Yardstick
Staple gun and staples
Scissors
Toothpicks

Before: Choose a wooden flea market chair with removable seat.

Instructions:
1. Flip the chair over and remove the seat. (Ours was held on by 4 screws.) Be sure to save the screws!

2. Center the large applique on the back of the chair so the ends of the swag curve down. Mark the location on the chair with the chalk.

3. Apply a generous amount of Goop over the back of the applique. Press the applique into place on the back of the chair. To hold the applique in place while the glue dries, secure it with masking tape. Remove any excess glue with a toothpick.

4. Repeat this process to attach the four smaller appliques around the seat frame. Again secure the glued appliques with masking tape. Let the glue cure for 1 hour.

5. Sand the wooden frame of the chair, then brush off any dust. Paint the chair and appliques with the Krylon White Primer. Let dry for 10 minutes, then paint the chair with the Hunter Green spray paint. Let dry for 1 hour.

6. Remove any old fabric and foam from the seat. Lay the wooden seat on top of the batting and trim the batting to fit.

7. Iron the fabric. Lay the fabric over the chair seat and batting. Line up the pattern so the prettiest part is showing on the seat. Flip the batting, fabric, and seat over, keeping the fabric centered where you want it. Measure 4" from the seat edge and cut all the way around the fabric. (Our final fabric measurement was 25"x27".)

8. Pull the edge of the fabric up and over the batting and seat and staple it to the underside of the seat. Repeat for the opposite side, then the remaining sides. To make the corners neat and tidy, fold the fabric at the corners like you are wrapping a present.

9. Set the cushion on the chair frame and screw it into place. Then sit on another chair so you can admire your handiwork!

Apply Yourself: These shabby chic appliques work so well on any wooden furniture you can dress up a dresser, spruce up a sideboard, and even embellish an armoire!

Moving Pictures Photo Blocks

2011-07-28T09:35:00.000-07:00

Create a clever conversation piece with family photo blocks.

Turn six favorite photos into infinite fun! Simply cut pictures into squares and mount them onto wooden cubes. Then rearrange them to create a coffee table puzzle that's also an interactive scrapbook.

WHAT YOU'LL NEED
6 family photos
9 wooden blocks, 2 inches by 2 inches each
Sandpaper, fine grit
Red spray paint
Tack cloth
Mod Podge decoupage glue
Foam paintbrush
Ruler
X-Acto knife
Cutting mat
Computer and laser printer

DIRECTIONS
Step One
To smooth the raw wooden blocks, rub the edges with fine grit sandpaper. Remove any dust with the tack cloth, then spray paint the blocks red on all sides. When the cubes have dried, clean them once again with the tack cloth to remove any paint dust.

Step Two Crop a favorite photo so it is square, then enlarge it to 6 inches by 6 inches. Print the photo in black and white on a laser printer (inkjet prints will run). Using the X-Acto knife, ruler, and cutting mat, cut the enlarged photo into three 2-inch wide strips. Then cut each strip into 2-inch squares. You should end up with nine 2-inch squares.

Step Three

Glue one 2-inch photo square onto one side of a wooden block using the Mod Podge decoupage glue and the foam paintbrush. Apply a coat of Mod Podge on top of the photo as well (it dries clear). Glue the next 2-inch photo square onto a different wooden cube. Repeat until each wooden cube has one segment of the photo mounted on one side. Repeat steps two and three until all six family photos are cut and mounted to the cubes. When you are done, every cube will have one square of each photo. Arrange the photo blocks three-by-three on your coffee table, then flip and turn each cube to recreate the original photos.

Chroma Zones: To give your puzzle an artsy touch, use your computer to tint the black and white photos in different colors so one picture ends up red, another blue, and so on.

Makin' Copies: Don't have a laser printer in your home office? Just take your images on a CD to Kinko's and they'll print them for you! And by the way, black and white pictures print best on the color printer. Who knew?

Big Little Tip: You can make this puzzle big or small depending on the cubes you choose. Createforless.com offers wood blocks ranging from ½ inches to 3½ inches. (Just think how cute a set of ½-inch cubes would be on your desk!)

A Room With A View Etched Window

2011-07-27T09:08:00.000-07:00

Fashion a stylish room divider out of an old weathered window.

Junk windows are available everywhere, from salvage yards to flea markets. (You might even have one under your house!) These architectural castoffs are do-it-yourself projects just waiting to happen. And why wait when you can turn any old window into a fabulous etched room divider in no time? Armour Etch, available at craft stores, actually etches glass with just one application. So you can put away your sand blaster!

Creating a beautiful design for your etched window is simple when you use spectacular stencils. Large templates, often used for decorative wall painting, are the perfect size for panes of glass. But for artier designs with bold graphics, look for scrapbooking stencils. We found 12" by 12" doodling templates from TheCraftersWorkshop.com that feature stylish swirls and paisleys. Gorgeous!

YOU'LL NEED:
Old wooden window
Con-Tact paper
Large stencil
10 oz Armour Etch cream
Steel chain
4 Screw hooks
Drop cloth
Window cleaner
Paper towels
Sharpie marker
Craft knife
Sponge paintbrush
Protective gloves

WHAT TO DO:
Step 1

To create the design, trace the stencils onto the Con-Tact paper with the Sharpie. Cut out the Con-Tact paper with the craft knife. Wipe the window thoroughly with window cleaner, then stick the Con-Tact paper cutouts to the glass and rub the edges down carefully. (Positioning the cutouts on the glass is much easier if you tape the stencil to the other side of the window.) Clean the exposed glass one more time to ensure the best results.

Step 2

To etch the glass, apply the Armour Etch cream with the sponge brush, painting a thick layer of etch cream over the glass and the Con-Tact paper cutouts (don't forget to don your gloves first!). Let the etch cream set for 5 minutes, then rinse the window in the bathtub with lukewarm water, peel off the cut-outs, and continue rinsing until clean. As the window dries, the pattern will reveal itself. Amazing!

Step 3

To hang the etched window room divider, attach 2 hooks to the top of the window and 2 hooks to the ceiling the same distance apart. Hang with equal lengths of steel chain.

Brushstroke of Genius: With this technique, the brushstrokes tend to show, so use it to your advantage. Apply the etch cream with a swirling motion and any brush marks will look like part of the design.

Souvenir Style

2011-07-26T09:35:00.000-07:00

Little treasures -- from antique spoons to unique flea-market finds -- can be a decorating windfall.

Global chic is everywhere. Walk through your local home decorating store and you're bound to see motifs with international roots. Accessories like hand-carved bowls from Thailand, hand-woven kilims from Morocco, and hand-hammered tin mirrors from the Mayan Riviera infuse your decor with texture and color. But why buy the same picture frames and candleholders as your neighbors when you can add spice from your own personal travels? As you hit the road this summer, keep an eye out for decorator touches posing as souvenirs. Look for items your destination is famous for, such as linen from Ireland, pottery from Portugal, and baskets from the Bahamas. Then give those mementos a place of honor in your home and every time you see them, you'll think of your trip to another country, not your trip to Pier One.

Fabrics from exotic locales pack well in your suitcase and pack a big punch in your decor. Look for locally crafted textiles like French country tablecloths in Provence, batik bedspreads in Bali, and raw-silk runners in India. Reverse applique Molas from Panama make bright and beautiful wall hangings. A cushion cover from Peru adds a touch of South America to any room. If your trip doesn't take you abroad, you can still bring home fabulous fabric furnishings. Think quilts from the Amish country and wool from Pendleton, or visit a sidewalk art show for one-of-a kind pieces by local fiber artists. With such striking fabric accents, even your home will feel refreshed after your holiday.

To get a taste of jet-set style, seek out exciting objets d'art while you explore your destination. Don't be daunted by large items or breakable pieces--many places will ship the item to your home. Taking a voyage to Venice? A hand-blown glass vase will look stunning on your credenza. Exploring Kenya? Hand-carved wooden animals will remind you of your wildlife safari (and seeing the Big Five!). How about a matte black rice bowl from Hong Kong? It will look like a modern work of art on your coffee table, and the prices in the markets are so good, why not get three? Get a Chinese Chop with a hand-carved puppy and you'll never forget you went to China in the Year of the Dog.

For more global flair, mix color and character into your decor with folk art. You can buy original works right from the source while you're on vacation. Visit the Huichol Indians in Mexico, learn about their culture, then bring home a colorful yarn painting made by the very same artists. Headed to the big city? You can buy "local folk" art there, too. Just watch for street artists selling watercolors of scenic hotspots. What exemplifies a trip to the Big Apple better than a painting of The Brooklyn Bridge? Once you decorate your home with real art from your travels, you'll never hang mass-produced art on your walls again.

Smaller souvenirs can make a big statement when arranged into travel vignettes. Russian Matryoshka dolls look like priceless collectibles when you showcase them with handpainted lacquer boxes. Buy postcards or take photos to serve as backdrops for your displays. Show petrified wood from Arizona in front of a postcard of the Grand Canyon. Exhibit evil eyes from Istanbul with a picture of you buying them at the bazaar. These vignettes are ideal if you already have lots of little mementos from past trips. On their own they might be hodgepodge, but displayed with your best snapshots, they become a three-dimensional vacation scrapbook that is a custom decorator touch.

Kitschy keepsakes are inexpensive and irresistible! And if you love this look but think it isn't decorator-chic, think again. Vintage state map fabrics are showing up in decorator showrooms, and you can get your own as tea towels on your next trip to a roadside Stuckey's! Other classic souvenirs, like snow globes, floaty pens, and magnets, can make a big statement grouped together in a big collection. Thirty snow globes side-by-side make a whimsical conversation piece. One hundred matchbooks from around the world add spark to a plain vase. State spoons, teacups, and plates look charming together--and these silly souvenirs are practical, too. Next time you have the book club over, break out the teacups and lighten the mood with Key Lime Pie served on a Florida state plate. Now that's souvenir style!

Diamond Jubilee

2011-07-25T09:35:00.000-07:00

Who knew forgotten earrings and mismatched buttons could make such a glamorous opera necklace?

YOU'LL NEED

Flea Market Finds

Pearls, 8 mm, 21.

Vintage rhinestone and crystal clip-on earrings, 18.

Gold and silver metal shank buttons, 18.

Materials

Silver-plated filigree findings, round, 15 mm, 9.

Silver-plated filigree findings, round, 22 mm, 9.

Silver-plated wire, 24 gauge, 84".

Clear crystal bicone beads, 4 mm, 42.

Crystazzi crystal floral clasp, silver, 12 mm, 1.

Tools & Supplies

Wire cutters.

Round-nosed pliers.

Chain-nosed pliers or wire straightener.

Beacon Adhesives Quick Grip glue.

WHAT TO DO

1. If your filigree findings have a curved surface, flatten them with the wire straightener or chain-nosed pliers. Using the wire cutters, snip the shanks and clips off the backs of the buttons and earrings.

2. Cut a 4" piece of silver-plated wire and feed it through one end of the clasp. Secure with a wrapped loop. Slide one crystal bicone, a pearl, and another crystal bicone onto the wire. Feed the end of the wire through a hole in a small filigree finding and secure with a wrapped loop.

3. Use the same technique to make a bicone and pearl component to connect the small filigree finding to a large one. Continue in this fashion alternating between large and small filigree findings until you have 9 large and 9 small connected by bicone and pearl components.

4. After the last filigree finding, use a bicone and pearl component to connect the necklace to the other end of the clasp.

5. Cover your work surface with newspaper and stretch the necklace out on the paper. Before you start gluing, lay out the earrings and buttons in the order you want them on your necklace. Keep in mind you will use two for each finding, one for the front and one for the back. Use the larger findings for the larger earrings and buttons.

6. Glue the earrings and buttons to the findings using Quick Grip. It is helpful to glue both sides of the filigree finding at the same time, sandwiching the finding between an earring and a button. Let dry. Now put on your little black dress and take your glitzy revamp out for a night on the town!

Bijou Bonanza: Look for grab bags of broken jewelry at the flea market. For just a few dollars you can get all the earrings for this project and some inspiration for your next!

Fashionista Flip-Flops

2011-07-22T09:50:00.000-07:00

Wanna hit the beach in high style? Then gather the girls together for a night of sparkling Swarovskis and trendy flip-flops!

YOU'LL NEED
Flip-flops, turquoise.
Swarovski Flat Back rhinestones, Hyacinth Orange, 2.6mm, 86.
Swarovski Flat Back rhinestones, Light Topaz, 2.6mm, 96.
Beacon Adhesives Flip-Flop glue.
Sticky putty or clay, pea-sized ball.
Toothpick.

WHAT TO DO
1. Stick a pea-sized ball of putty on the end of the toothpick to create a tool for picking up the rhinestones.

2. Using the pick-up tool, tap the glitzy side of a Hyacinth Orange rhinestone and pick it up. Place a drop of flip-flop glue on the back of the rhinestone, then center the rhinestone on the point of the flip-flop thong. Surround the orange rhinestone with 6 Light Topaz rhinestones to create a flower.

3. Repeat the process to create a flower on each side of the first one, but use the Light Topaz for the center and the Hyacinth Orange for the petals.

4. Continue on, alternating the colors of the flowers, until you have 6 flowers on each strap.

5. Repeat steps 2-4 to embellish the second flip-flop.

Beachy Brights: Flip-flops come in dozens of colors, so try these crystal combos for a little bit of fun.

Orange flip-flops: blue & lime rhinestones
Yellow flip-flops: fuchsia & orange rhinestones
Fuchsia flip-flops: lime & yellow rhinestones
Red flip-flops: blue & yellow rhinestones
Lime flip-flops: fuchsia & red rhinestones

Something Old Something New Keepsake Box

2011-07-21T09:55:00.000-07:00

Dress up a cigar box with flea market gems like an old strand of pearls and a swatch from a beaded gown.

When we are looking for creative inspiration, we just head to the flea market! On a recent trip, all it took was seeing a booth filled with scraps and appliques from old wedding dresses to get the ideas flowing. One cigar box, a broken necklace, and dozens of vintage beads later, we found ourselves creating a jewelry box featuring something old, something new, something borrowed, and something blue.

Flea Market Materials
1 Wooden cigar box
1 Dupioni wedding dress scrap
1 Beaded lace wedding veil scrap
44 Pearl beads from broken necklace
1 Broken necklace (Ours had pearls and chain.)
1 Murano glass heart charm, white and silver
4 15mm Resin beads, peach
5 6mm Vintage faceted beads, blue and gold
8 5mm Faceted glass beads, peach

Supplies
8½ in. x 11 in. Heavy cardstock
10 Straight pins
1/3 yd. 6 oz poly batting
1/3 yd. Silk dupioni, blue
1 yd. Rosebud trim, pink and blue
4 ft. Wrights velvet ribbon, 5/8 in. wide, celadon
4 ft. 1/8 in. Polyester ribbon, olive
40 5mm Freshwater pearl nugget beads, light blue
2 spools Thread, pink, celadon
20 in. 28-ga. Wire, copper
7 4mm Bicone crystals, peach
6 4mm Bicone crystals, crystal
60 Seed beads, gold
3 5½ in. x 5½ in. Gold leafing sheets
Gold leaf adhesive
Gold leaf sealer

Tools & Supplies
4¾ in. Flat head nails
Beacon Adhesives Quick Grip glue
4 Binder clips
Wire cutters
Chain-nose pliers
Scotch tape
Scissors
Ruler
X-Acto knife
Pencil
Sewing needle (thin enough to go through the pearls)
Craft paintbrush
Hammer

Instructions:
1. Start by making a pillow to line the jewelry box. To do this, cut a piece of the cardstock to fit inside the bottom of the box using the X-Acto knife and ruler. Use the scissors to cut a piece of poly batting the same size as the cardstock. Sandwich the batting between the wedding dress fabric and the cardstock. Cut the wedding dress fabric one inch larger on each side. Wrap the fabric up and around the batting and cardstock, folding the corners like a wrapped present. Use the Quick Grip glue to adhere the fabric to the cardstock. Set the pillow insert in the box.

2. To pad the lid, create a tufted pillow top on a piece of cardstock. Use the same technique as the pillow insert to cover the cardstock with batting and the blue silk dupioni (but don't glue yet). Lay the wedding veil scrap over the padded blue lid so the lace lies in an interesting way. Trim the lace 1½ inches larger on each side and fold the ends under. Secure the fabric and lace to the cardstock with a binder clip on each side.

3. To tuft the pillow top, draw a grid of nine equally spaced dots on the underside of the cardstock. Feed one bicone and one vintage gold bead onto a straight pin and, starting from the lace side of the pillow top and using the grid on the other side as a guide, push the pin through the padding into the center dot of the grid. Use the chain-nose pliers to grab the pointy end of the pin from the underside of the pillow top. Pull the beaded pinhead tight so the fabric tufts. Bend the pin 90 degrees flat against the underside of the pillow top and secure to the cardstock with tape.

4. Repeat to tuft the four outer corners of the grid. For the four remaining dots of the grid, use the same technique, but feed one crystal bicone and one peach faceted bead onto each straight pin. Next, remove the binder clips from the pillow top and use the Quick Grip glue to adhere the fabric to the underside of the cardstock. Glue the tufted pillow top to the lid of the cigar box with a generous amount of Quick Grip. Hold in place for a few minutes while the glue dries. Glue a strip of thin olive ribbon under the tufted lid around the top of the box.

5. To gold leaf the sides of the box, paint them with the gold leaf adhesive and the craft paintbrush. Let the adhesive set for one hour. It will remain tacky. Apply the gold leaf sheets and brush away the excess with a dry paintbrush. If any spots remain uncovered, place a scrap of gold leaf sheet onto them and press, then brush away any excess. Finish it with a coat of gold leaf sealer. Let dry for 30 minutes.
6. To make feet for the jewelry box, use the hammer and nails to attach the four large peach resin beads to the bottom of the box at each corner.

7. To create the beaded ribbon embellishment, lay the rose bud trim over the celadon ribbon and pin one end into place. Using the pink thread and thin sewing needle, sew up through a rose on the trim, add one pearl, and then one gold seed bead. Go around the seed bead and sew back through the pearl, the rose, and the ribbon. When you come back up, go between the roses and add a blue freshwater nugget, then sew back through the ribbon. Repeat until you have beaded 24 inches of ribbon or enough to go around the cigar box. Glue the beaded ribbon around the box with the seam in the back.

8. Use the wire cutters to cut a piece of the broken pearl and chain necklace the length of the box plus 2 inches. Sew the ends to the beaded trim at the front corners of the box using the pink thread. Sew the center of the chain to the center of the ribbon to create swags. Use the chain-nose pliers to hook the heart charm through a center link in the chain between the swags.

9. To craft a white flower for the top of the jewelry box, lay the wedding dress scrap over the lace wedding veil scrap and cut them into a 5-inch diameter circle. To create the beaded stamens, cut an 8-inch piece of copper wire and fold it in half. Feed five gold seed beads onto the wire, then one peach faceted bead, one pearl, and one bicone bead. Bend the wire around the bicone and feed it back through the pearl, then snip the end. Repeat on the other end of the wire. Then make a second set of beaded stamens. Twist the folded ends together and place in the center of the layered fabric circle. Pinch the fabric around the wire to form a flower shape, then tie the pinched end tightly with a piece of thin olive ribbon. Tie a pretty bow with the velvet celadon ribbon around the pinched end. Finally, sew the flower onto the lid with the celadon thread.

Big Box Store: If you can't find the right cigar box at the flea market, try your local tobacconist. They usually sell empty boxes for a dollar or two. And they smell great!

Midas Touch: If a gold leafing kit is just outside your budget, use gold spray paint instead. Just do it as the first step.

Personalized Photo Plate

2011-07-18T10:52:00.000-07:00

Create the purrfect set of dessert plates using images of your pet!

YOU WILL NEED

4 glass dessert plates, 8" diameter
4 photographs, 3"x3"
2 Lazertran waterslide decal transfer sheets (for laser color copier/printers), 8.5"x11"
Paper cutter
Casserole dish, 9"x12"
Squeegee
Paper towels
Oven mitts

Step 1
To create the art for the plates, have your pet's photos copied onto the Lazertran sheets using one of the Lazertran-approved printer/copiers listed on the package.

Step 2
Skip the package instruction to pre-bake the Lazertran sheet. Instead, remove the Lazertran decal from the backing paper by soaking it in a casserole dish filled with water. Slide the backing off, being careful not to rip the decal.

Step 3
Carefully apply the Lazertran decal to the back of the plate with the toner-side touching the plate. Squeegee out all the air bubbles and water from under the decal. (Use a paper towel to keep the water from seeping back under the decal.) Sprinkle more water on top of the decal to keep the squeegee moving. Smooth out any wrinkles. Finally, clean the decal and the edges of plate with a damp cloth so no slimy adhesive residue remains. Repeat steps 2 and 3 to transfer the images onto the rest of the glass plates.

Step 4
To fuse the image to the surface, heat each plate decal-side-up in the oven at 200 degrees for 15 minutes, then increase the temperature to 250 degrees for 15 minutes. Finally, raise the temperature to 300 degrees and watch the decal closely. If a few bubbles appear on the surface, continue baking until they disappear. Remove the plate when the image "melts" and the finish has a hard, glazed appearance. Let the platter cool and wash it with warm soapy water.

Tableware Tip:
While it's tempting to place the photo-decal on the front of the plate, it could get worn down after use. So make your hard work last by putting the image on the back. That way you can clearly see the photo through the plate, but your fork and knife won’t scratch your cute pet pic!

Extreme Makeover

2011-07-16T14:20:00.000-07:00

Take a flea market vase from dull to dazzling!

WHAT YOU'LL NEED
Materials:
Flea market vase with a porous surface, like pottery.
Plaid Folk Art acrylic paint,
Wicker White #901.
Plaid Folk Art acrylic paint,
Fresh Foliage #954.
Plaid Folk Art acrylic paint,
Azure Blue #643.
Plaid Folk Art Extreme Glitter,
Peridot #2776.
Plaid Folk Art Extreme Glitter,
Turquoise #2778.
Lasercut stickers, leaves and bees.

Tools & Supplies:
Fine sandpaper.
Foam paintbrush.
Stir stick.

Before: Choose a flea market vase with a porous surface, like pottery.

WHAT TO DO
1. Rough up the surface of the vase with fine sandpaper. Be sure to sand any raised or glossy areas. Wash and dry the vase.

2. Prime the vase with a coat of Wicker White paint. Paint inside the mouth of the vase where it will show. Let dry. Apply a second coat if needed.

3. When the vase is dry, paint it with the Fresh Foliage paint. Be sure to paint inside the mouth of the vase. Let dry. Apply a second coat if needed.

4. Stir the Peridot Extreme Glitter thoroughly. Using the foam paintbrush, paint the vase with a coat of Peridot Extreme Glitter, leaving the inside of the mouth unglittered for contrast. Let dry for one hour.

5. Some stickers curl when wet, so test a sticker by painting it with the Extreme Glitter. Only use stickers that will not curl up. Arrange the stickers on the surface of the vase to create an all over pattern. Rub the edges of the stickers to keep the paint from seeping under the edges.

6. Using the foam paintbrush, paint the vase Azure Blue. Use a dabbing motion rather than a brushing technique over the stickers so the edges don't pull up. Cover the entire vase, including inside the mouth. Be sure to get paint into all the open areas of the stickers. Let dry.

7. Stir the Turquoise Extreme Glitter thoroughly. Using the same dabbing technique as before, apply a coat of Turquoise Extreme Glitter to the vase. Do not paint the glitter inside the mouth. Let the vase dry for one hour.

8. Carefully peel the stickers off the vase to reveal your makeover magic!

Stylish Silhouette: This project is all about masking, so when picking out stickers, consider their silhouette and do not focus on the printed designs.

Ephemeral Beauty Brooch

2011-07-15T13:21:00.000-07:00

Flea market treasures, like a tiny elephant charm, make this brooch unforgettable.

YOU'LL NEED

Materials

Wooden craft circle, 1" to 2" diameter.

Silver-plated wire, 20 gauge.

Silver-plated jump ring.

Swarovski flatback rhinestones.

Pin back.

From The Flea Market

Old maps.

Watch faces.

Postage stamps.

Pages from a book.

Buttons.

Snaps.

Small springs.

Broken rhinestone necklaces.

Flat charms.

Plastic animal charms.

Tools & Supplies

Wire cutters.

Round-nose pliers.

Chain-nose pliers.

Jeweler's bench block.

Hammer.

Hole punch pliers.

Amazing Goop contact adhesive.

WHAT TO DO

1. To make a background for your brooch, find an interesting section of a map and cut out a circle using the wooden craft circle as a template. Glue the map piece to the wooden craft circle with Amazing Goop.

2. Use the wire cutters to snip off any metal pegs from the back of a large watch face. Glue a postage stamp to the watch face so it sits slightly off-center.

3. Glue a button to the large watch face. If your button has a shank on the back, snip it off with the wire cutters. Center a flat charm on top of the button and glue it into place.

4. Use the wire cutters to cut off any metal pegs from the back of a small watch face and glue it on the large watch face. Glue a rhinestone in the center of the small watch face.

5. Using the hole punch pliers, punch a hole at the bottom of the large watch face (ours already had one there). Take a snap apart and flatten the socket side of the snap using a hammer and a jeweler's bench block. Glue it over the hole you just made in the large watch face.

6. Create a wrapped-loop link with the silver-plated wire by forming a simple loop with the round-nose pliers ½" from the end. Wrap the tail twice around the base of the loop. Trim the end with the wire cutters. Feed the straight end of the wire through the hole in the snap and large watch face. Then finish the link with a second wrapped loop.

7. Open a jump ring with the chain-nose pliers, and use it to attach an animal charm to the bottom loop of the wrapped-loop link.

8. Glue a small spring just below the snap on the large watch face. Scan a book page for a three-word phrase you like and cut it out, leaving 1" above and below the phrase. Roll the top and bottom edges of the clipping back like a scroll with the phrase facing out, then slide it into the spring.

9. Glue the embellished watch face to the bottom center of the wooden craft circle.

10. Wrap a broken rhinestone necklace around the edge of the brooch with the rhinestones facing up. Use the wire cutters to snip the necklace to fit, then glue it into place.

11. Glue the pin back to the reverse side of the brooch a little above the center.

Hammer Time: Don't have a jeweler's bench block? You can hammer on a brick instead.

Magic Touch: To give your brooch a glossy finish, coat it with Lisa Pavelka's Magic-Glos. It's a pour-on resin that cures in the sunlight in just five minutes! (Remove the paper scroll from the spring first, so it doesn't get wet.)

Creative Spaces

2011-07-14T15:38:00.000-07:00

10 Tricks To Make Your Studio Inspiring On The Cheap

Flip Your Lids
Put papercrafting embellishments in little containers like recycled baby food jars. They're not only the perfect size for rhinestones, sequins, and watch faces, but they're also free! Label the tops with circle-punched paper and drop them in a drawer for easy access.

Foxy Boxes
If you're the kind of crafter who dabbles in everything, try photo storage boxes to get your interests in order. Buy boxes with a pattern that's pleasing, or decorate plain ones with a rubberstamp design. Neatly label each bin on the end, and add a number system so each box will have a permanent address.

Ribbon Round-Up
If rolls of ribbon have you unraveled, rein them in with a ribbon crate. Drill two holes big enough for a dowel in the sides of a wine crate, then skewer your organdy and grosgrain. Attach a ruler and a pair of scissors, and you'll always be ribbon-ready!

Through The Looking Glass
Colorful balls of yarn are too pretty to keep in a cabinet, so showcase their beauty in glass containers. Stash skeins in apothecary canisters and classic candy jars. You'll be able to see your yarn at a glance and keep the kittens out!

Budding Artist
Cultivate ideas by setting up your studio as a creativity garden. Start by bringing in a potting bench to use as a counter-height worktable complete with shelves. Then plant your art supplies in terra cotta pots with scientific-sounding labels, like "paintus acrylicana" and "colorica pencilaria."

Memory Baker
Cook up a scrapboooking station with some handy kitchen helpers. Make a paper sorter by stacking cookie sheets on 1½-inch hex nuts and securing them with Amazing Goop. Sort brads and die-cuts into a mini-muffin pan and store Souffle pens in kitchen canisters. You'll be ready to cook up something good!

Moodboard Masterpiece
Turn sewing-table clutter into a fancy mood board with a gilded flea market frame. Hang notions and trims from ornate hooks on a velvet-covered board. Use it to display your prettiest buttons and a rainbow of thread. Sew chic!

The Quicker Clipper-Upper
Don't save magazine clippings in a folder where you can't see them! Clip them up in your studio to make idea streamers. Use clothespins to attach pictures and swatches onto strands of ribbon. Then hang them all over your studio until it's overflowing with inspiration!

Space Case
Even if you live in a tiny apartment, no artist should be without a studio. So carve out a creative nook with the help of a thrift-store suitcase. Open it up and arrange your bead bins, tools, and findings in the bottom. Then display finished pieces and works-in-progress inside the lid. To make your mini-studio complete, hang up a sign to remind yourself that a studio is a studio no matter how small.

Crafting-A-Go-Go
Make projects portable by stowing them in crafty carriers. Look for paperboard boxes in funky shapes like a tubular wine box. Dress it up with scrapbook paper and add a loop of ribbon for a handle. Then tuck the materials you need inside, and you can craft anywhere!

La-di-da Looking Glass

2011-07-13T14:02:00.000-07:00

Who's the fairest of them all? This haute hat rack made from flea market finds!

From the Flea Market

11" x 16" Oval mirrored vanity tray

13½" x 18" Tin serving tray

17¼" x 26½" Wood cabinet door

8 Hat hooks, various sizes

2 Wooden drawer knobs

12 Gold shank buttons

Materials

12 oz. Krylon Indoor/Outdoor Primer spray paint, 1315 White

12 oz. Krylon Indoor/Outdoor Gloss spray paint, 1512 Blue Ocean Breeze

8 oz. Krylon Premium Metallic spray paint, 1000 18kt. Gold Plate

2 Wooden craft circles, 2½" diameter

White organza ribbon, 1½" wide, 2 yards

Gold leaf adhesive size

Gold leafing sheets

2 Heavy-duty D-ring picture hangers

Screws to mount flea market hat hooks and knobs

2 Machine screws, size #10, 1" long with nuts

Drill and drill bits to match hat hook screws and machine screws

1 16-penny nail

Liquid Nails adhesive

Spray Cleaner

Tools

Hammer

Phillips-head screwdriver

Heavy-duty wire cutters

Tarp

Ruler

Chalk

Paintbrush

Instructions

Before you begin, clean everything with spray cleaner. Remove any hardware (hinges and pulls) from the cabinet door and any hardware or feet from the underside of the vanity tray. Set the vanity tray aside for later.

1. Apply a coat of Krylon Indoor/Outdoor Primer to the cabinet door, serving tray, hooks, knobs, and craft circles. Let dry. Spray paint the door with Krylon Indoor/Outdoor Gloss in Blue Ocean Breeze. Then spray paint the serving tray, hooks, knobs, and wooden craft circles with the Krylon Premium Metallic spray paint in 18kt. Gold. Let dry.

2. Gold leaf the outside edge of the door by painting the edge with the adhesive size. Let dry for 60 minutes. Lay sheets of gold leaf onto the tacky surface. Brush away any excess with a dry paintbrush.

3. Turn the door sideways and draw a vertical line through the center with chalk. Make two chalk marks 5" from the top and 5" up from the bottom. Using a drill bit that is the same diameter as the machine screws, drill a hole at each mark. Center the serving tray on the door, then shift it up enough vertically to reveal the lower cabinet trim. While holding the tray in place, flip the door and tray over. Create guide marks on the tray by tapping the 16-penny nail through both holes in the door. Remove the door. Punch a hole at each mark in the tray with the hammer and nail. Attach the serving tray to the door with the machine screws and secure with nuts.

4. Pre-drill, and then screw your two largest hooks into the bottom corners of the door. Arrange the rest of the hooks equally spaced along the bottom edge. Pre-drill, then attach the hooks.

5. Drill a hole in the center of the craft circles using a drill bit the same diameter as the knob screws. Pre-drill, then attach the knobs on either side of the mirror by feeding the screws through the back of the door, through the craft circles, and into the knobs.

6. Snip the backs off the shank buttons using the wire cutters. Lay the hat rack flat and glue the buttons evenly spaced around the outside door trim with the Liquid Nails. Attach the mirrored vanity tray to the serving tray using a generous amount of Liquid Nails. Let cure for 24 hours.

7. Attach the picture hangers to the back. Cut the ribbon in half and tie a piece to each hanger. Tie the other ends of the ribbon together in a knot, finish with a bow, and hang your new hat rack in your entryway. Ooh la la!

Get Hooked: If you can't find enough hat hooks at the flea market, buy some chandelier swag hooks at the hardware store. They are often ornate, and they come with their own hardware!

Snip Tip: Don't worry if the hat hook screws come through the back of the cabinet door. You can cut off the ends using a hacksaw.

Before: This haute hat rack started life as a cast-off

tin serving tray, a cabinet door, and a vanity mirror.

Bedazzled Jean Jacket

2011-07-12T14:01:00.000-07:00

Turn a blue jean jacket into a mighty-fine one-of-a-kind with rubber stamps, acrylic paint, and rhinestones galore!

YOU'LL NEED:
Blue jean jacket
Rubberstamp alphabet
Heart stamps in 3 sizes
Acrylic paints: red, lime, and yellow
Red rhinestones, 8mm, approximately 150
Gold rhinestones, 8mm, approximately 45
Gold rhinestones, 6mm, approximately 60
Blue rhinestones, 6mm, 20
Clear rhinestones, 6mm, 18
Tacky craft glue
Paper plates
Cardboard
Cups
Foam brushes
Tarp

WHAT TO DO:
Step One
Lay out your blue jean jacket on a tarp with the back facing up. Place a piece of cardboard underneath the jacket in case the paint bleeds through.

Step Two
Squeeze the lime acrylic paint onto a paper plate, dampen a foam brush, and carefully dab the paint onto the largest heart rubberstamp. Stamp the heart in the center of the jacket and let dry. Use the same technique to stamp the medium-sized heart in yellow and the smallest heart in red. Be sure to let the paint dry completely before stamping the next image.

Step Three
Dab the red paint onto the letter "A" and stamp it above the center of the heart. Then dab and stamp the rest of the letters on either side of the "A" to spell out H-E-A-R-T. Repeat to stamp the word B-R-E-A-K-E-R underneath the heart.

Step Four
When all the paint is dry, apply the red rhinestones to the letters with little dabs of tacky craft glue. (The glue will dry clear.) Then embellish the concentric hearts by outlining the lime heart with the 8mm gold rhinestones, the yellow heart with the 6mm gold rhinestones, and the red heart with the rest of the red rhinestones. For extra bling, outline the outside edge of the lime heart with the blue rhinestones, and finish it off with a scattering of clear rhinestones.

Sharp Shooter: It's no fun watching paint dry, so use a blow dryer to speed up the drying process.

Bird By Bird Bureau

2011-07-11T13:14:00.002-07:00

Why not dress up a dresser with a flock of folk art birds? You can get a second-hand chest of drawers for a song, and you don't need a degree in art to paint these fanciful feathered friends!

Materials

Plaid FolkArt Acrylic Paint:

French Blue #874, 8 oz.

Navy Blue #403, 2 oz.

Holly Leaf #228, 2 oz.

Lemon Custard #735, 2 oz.

Autumn Leaves #920, 2 oz.

Licorice #938, 2 oz.

Raw Sienna #452, 2 oz.

Teddy Bear Tan #419, 2 oz.

Engine Red #436, 2 oz.

Wicker White #901, 2 oz.*

Plaid FolkArt Waterbase Varnish,

Satin Finish #792, 8 oz.

Plaid Glaze, Neutral #53001, 2 oz.

8 bronze knobs, 1¼" diameter

60 & 100 grit sandpaper

1½" sponge brush

cellulose sponge

round acrylic paintbrushes, sizes 1, 3, 5

ruler

chalk

screwdriver

Popsicle stick

*Get larger 8 oz. size if dresser needs priming.

Instructions

1. Remove the drawers and unscrew the knobs. Rough the surface of the dresser and drawer fronts with 60 grit sandpaper. Wipe clean.

2. If your dresser is not white to begin with, prime it with a coat of Wicker White using the foam brush. Let dry. Paint the dresser and drawer fronts French Blue. Let dry and apply a second coat if needed. Paint the dresser top Navy Blue.

3. To create the look of a panel on each drawer, draw a rectangle one inch from the edge of the drawer front using the chalk and ruler. To curve the corners, set a coffee cup on each corner two inches from the drawer edge and trace a semi-circle. Paint the panel Navy Blue, starting with the outline and the large paintbrush, filling in with the sponge brush.

4. Draw two simple birds between the knobs with the chalk (see detail photo). Paint the birds with Autumn Leaves paint using the large paintbrush. Let dry. Use the medium paintbrush to paint the bill Lemon Custard. Add wing and tail feathers in Teddy Bear Tan with the small paintbrush. For the eyes, use the small paintbrush to add a Wicker White circle with a dot of Licorice black in the center. Create a Raw Sienna branch, then with the same small brush give the bird Engine Red legs.

5. To decorate the borders, use the medium paintbrush and paint a yellow flower in each corner with Lemon Custard. Let dry. Add leaves in Holly Leaf green and dot the center of each flower with the Autumn Leaves orange. Paint mini Lemon Custard flowers in the center of the top and bottom borders. Then add leafy vines on either side in Holly Leaf green. Let dry.

6. Create an antique-looking glaze by blending 10 parts glaze to 1 part Raw Sienna. Mix well with the Popsicle stick. Apply a thin layer of glaze to the dresser and drawer fronts. Let dry.

7. Sand all the surfaces and edges lightly with 100 grit sandpaper to give a weathered and worn look. Rub extra hard on the drawer corners and dresser corners to mimic real world wear. Apply a second coat of the antique-looking glaze and let dry.

8. Attach the new knobs to the drawers with a screwdriver, then slide the drawers back into the dresser.

Smooth Move: If the drawers of your dresser don't slide smoothly, rub a bar of soap along the runners.

Before: This dresser cost only $10!

Bottlecap Magnets

2011-07-10T10:50:00.000-07:00

Make your own bottlecap magnets, and you can crack open the fun each time you crack open the fridge!

WHAT YOU NEED:
Bottlecaps
Button magnets, ½" size
Hot glue gun and glue sticks

WHAT TO DO:
Step One
Wash your bottlecaps thoroughly and let them dry.

Step Two
Dab hot glue onto one side of the button magnet and place it inside the back of the bottlecap.

Step Three
Attach the magnets to your refrigerator!

Pop Toppers: For added funky flair, use vintage bottlecaps from old-school sodas like Orange Kist, Grape Nehi, and Lemon Jic Jac.

Enchanting Chai Sachet

2011-07-09T15:24:00.000-07:00

Blend black tea leaves with spicy essential oils for a sweet sachet steeped in love.

YOU'LL NEED
Fabrics & Embellishments
Turquoise silk sari fabric, 6"x6" square, 2 pieces.
Thread to match sari fabric.
Black rose iron-on applique, 3½"x 3½".
Orange satin ribbon, 7/8" wide, 24" length.
Gold ribbon, ½" wide, 24" length.
Inkadinkado Clear Stamps, Bold Damasks, scroll rubber stamp.
Acrylic stamp block.
Black pigment ink stamp pad.
Self-adhesive metal nailheads, 3mm, turquoise.

Scented Herbs & Essences
Loose black tea leaves, ½ cup.
Whole cloves, ¼ cup.
Dried orange peel, ¼ cup.
Whole flax seeds, 1 cup.
Cinnamon essential oil.
Vanilla essential oil.

Tools & Supplies
Iron.
Pressing cloth.
Sewing machine.
Straight pins.
Sewing needle.
Measuring cup.
Mixing bowl.
Spoon.
Kitchen funnel.

WHAT TO DO
1. To attach the applique, place one piece of sari fabric face up, then center the applique on top. Cover with the pressing cloth and iron using the "cotton" setting. (Test a corner first to make sure the iron is not too hot.)

2. Pin the two pieces of fabric together with the good sides facing in. Using the sewing machine and a straight stitch, sew the pillow all the way around with a ¼" seam allowance. Leave a 2" opening on one side. Turn the pillow right side out.

3. To make the scented filling, stir the tea leaves, cloves, orange peel, and flax seeds together in a mixing bowl. Scent the mixture with ten drops of each essential oil and stir well. Let the mixture air dry for one hour to prevent the oil from staining the silk. Use the funnel to pour the scented filling into the opening of the pillow.

4. Hand stitch the pillow closed using a hidden ladder stitch.

5. To embellish the ribbon, stamp the scroll design repeatedly onto the orange ribbon using the black pigment ink pad. Let dry. Embellish the design with the metal nail head stickers.

6. Gather the orange and gold ribbons together, wrap around the pillow, then tie in a knot. Trim the ends at an angle leaving 3" tails.

Instant Tea: If mixing herbs and essences is not your cup of tea, use aromatic chai tea instead. Blend 1 cup of chai tea and 1 cup of flax seeds as the filling.

Orange You Clever: Before you get out a bag of oranges and start drying the peels, look for dried orange peel in the spice section of your grocery store! Ours came in a spice jar labeled "Orange Peel." Who knew?

Barefoot Sandals

2011-07-07T08:00:00.000-07:00

Check out our cute "Barefoot Sandals" in this week's Woman's World Magazine!

Smashing Tile Table

2011-07-06T16:17:00.000-07:00

Accent your entryway with a colorful glass-tile table. Mosaics are traditionally finished with opaque grout, but clear resin lets the beauty of the vitreous glass tiles shine through. A simple wood veneer edge gives the table a clean outline and creates a bed for the poured resin. For a table this size, three legs are plenty and add a playful touch. This delightful modern mosaic piece will add a splash of color to your decor.

You Will Need
plywood disc (17 ¾" diameter, ¾" thick)
adhesive wood veneer edging tape (13/16" wide, 56" long)
3 unfinished wood table legs (16" tall for a side table, 28" tall for a pedestal table)
3 mounting plates for legs (with 5/8" screws)
16 finishing nails (1" long)
spray primer
spray paint, Larkspur Blue
UHU all-purpose glue
vitreous glass mosaic tiles (¾" size):
200 Pacific Blue tiles
100 Lemon Yellow tiles
100 Lime Green tiles
Envirotex Lite Pour-On High Gloss Finish, 8 oz. kit
chalk
pencil
ruler
screwdriver
hammer
scissors
plastic cups
disposable stirring stick
protective gloves
safety glasses

Directions

Step 1
To create a bed for the mosaic tiles and resin, attach the wood veneer tape to the edge of the plywood disc, making a lip the height of one tile. To keep the resin from seeping through, make sure the tape is tightly pressed to the edge of the wood with no gaps. Secure with evenly spaced finishing nails.

Step 2
Prime the plywood disc and the three wooden legs, then spray paint Larkspur Blue.

Step 3
To transfer the design onto the plywood disc, enlarge and photocopy the template onto an 8 ½-inch by 11-inch piece of paper. Draw a 16-square grid on the template (3 horizontal lines and 3 vertical lines). Draw a scaled-up 16-square grid on the plywood disc using chalk. The grid on the plywood disc will be larger, but will have 3 horizontal lines and 3 vertical lines just like the template.

Step 4
Copy the image from the template to the plywood disc, square by square. Look at each square in the template grid and draw the lines you see onto the same square on the plywood disc using chalk. When the entire image is transferred, remove the grid lines using a cotton swab and water. (Leave the image lines!)

Step 5
Break about half of the green, blue, and yellow tiles by tapping the tiles gently with a nail and hammer on top of a very hard surface like a sidewalk. Protect your eyes please!

Step 6
Glue the blue, yellow, and green tiles to the disc surface, filling in the design as you go. Leave about a 1/8-inch gap between the tiles. Select triangle-shaped or curved broken tiles to use along the curved edges of the design. (Wear protective gloves when handling the broken tiles.) Use unbroken tiles to fill in large spaces. Smaller broken pieces can fill in the gaps. Let the glue dry thoroughly, then clean any remaining chalk lines with a damp cotton swab.

Step 7
Mix the Pour-On Finish resin according to the directions on the box. Resin is persnickety, so follow the directions exactly! Pour the resin, slowly covering the entire tiled surface. Use the mixing stick to push the resin into unfilled areas. Let dry for at least 48 hours on a level surface in a dust-free area.

Step 8
When the resin has cured, gently turn the plywood disc over. Attach the three mounting plates to the underside of the plywood disc one inch from the outside edge at twelve o'clock, four o'clock, and eight o'clock. Screw the legs into the mounting plates. Flip your new mosaic table over and feast your eyes!

Mind the Gaps
Tip the disc slightly to evenly distribute the resin to the edge of the wood veneer tape.

Italian Vitreous Glass Mosaic Tile furnished by Mosaic Mercantile, (877) 9-MOSAIC, www.MosaicMercantile.com.

Chic Tole Candelabra

2011-07-05T12:30:00.000-07:00

You don't have to call the electrician if a chandelier has bad wiring. We found a pretty floral pendant that had seen better days--the wiring was frayed and the glass globe was missing. But it was such a deal at $25 that we couldn't resist. And when we saw we could flip it over and stand it on a table, we decided to turn that broken castoff into a kooky candelier!

Directions

Step 1

Once you've found a chandelier with a level base, remove the bulbs.

Step 2

Unscrew the hanger and remove any light bulb sockets. Loosen and remove all the electrical wires, using snips to cut them out if necessary.

Step 3

Clean the entire chandelier with Formula 409.

Step 4

Take your chandelier with you to shop for the right size pillar candle for the center. (If your chandelier has multiple arms with smaller sockets, look for tapers instead.)

Step 5

Set your chandelier on the center of your dining table, fit it with your candle(s), and let there be light!

Before: A Pendant Lamp Missing Its Globe

Color Me Beautiful

If your bargain light fixture has a horrible paint job, simply spray-paint the whole thing! The shape of the flowers and leaves will really pop when they're all one color. Try a stylish hue, like Krylon's Blue Ocean Breeze or Totally Tangerine.

Star-Spangled Placemats

2011-07-04T16:46:00.000-07:00

This Fourth of July set a stellar table with star-stamped placemats.

Jazz up simple bamboo placemats with handmade cork stamps. Just cut large stars out of cork wall tiles and mount them on scraps of plywood. Then start stamping! Whether you need four or forty, these placemats are fast and fabulous.

WHAT YOU'LL NEED
(to make 4 placemats)
4 bamboo placemats
2 cork wall tiles, 12"x12" (available at office supply stores)
¼" thick plywood square, 10"x10"
¼" thick plywood square, 6"x6"
Wood glue
White chalk
X-Acto knife
Masking tape
FolkArt craft paint, Cardinal Red, 2 fluid ounces
Small foam paintbrush
Paper plate
Newspaper

Step One
To make the large star stamp, draw a 9-inch star on a cork tile with chalk. For the small star stamp, draw a 5-inch star on a cork tile with chalk. Carefully cut the stars with the X-Acto knife. Glue each cork star rough-side down onto the corresponding plywood square with the wood glue. Weigh down the stamps with books and let cure for 30 minutes.

Step Two
If the bamboo placemats have fabric trim on the edges, cover the fabric with masking tape. Protect your work surface with newspaper and squeeze the red craft paint onto a paper plate. Use the foam brush to dab the paint onto the surface of the large star stamp.

Step Three
Immediately stamp the bamboo placemat with the large star stamp over the lower right-hand corner, so part of the design runs off the edge. Repeat with the small and large stamps to create the three-star design. Use the same technique to stamp all four placemats, alternating the stars for an artsy look.

Land of the Free: For small pieces of plywood, find the scrap pile at your home improvement store. Be sure to ask, but usually the little pieces are free!

We Love American Style

2011-07-03T15:00:00.000-07:00

Check out the flea market in the summertime and you'll see so much Americana your heart will burst with pride. From an authentic 48-star American Flag to a red, white, and blue vintage barber pole, flea markets feature an abundance of "star-spangled" accents.

Many decorator touches that celebrate our nation are dandy for a cottage that's country chic, but you can add a little patriotic punch to any design style. And don't worry about your color scheme, on an Americana accent, red, white, and blue stands on its own. A classic George Washington nutcracker makes a handsome addition to an Arts and Crafts Style living room. A Union Pacific Railroad sign makes a bold artistic statement in a room decorated in Mid-Century Modern. With so much freedom, infusing your home with a touch of American Style is as easy as apple pie.

United Crates of America

Fruit crate labels are widely available and are inexpensive enough to build a large collection. These bold graphics were used from the 1880s to the 1960s as mini mobile billboards on fruit and vegetable crates. Many from the 30s and 40s were patriotic in theme, featuring stars and stripes and names like "Union Asparagus," "Uncle Sam Apples," and "All American Northwest Pears." Frame them in a style that complements your decor. Then arrange the pieces on your mantel, overlapping the edges to add depth. Since many fruit crate labels cost less than $10, you can get a high-art look for a low price.

Lunchbox All-Stars

Lunchboxes make delectable collectibles and several from the late 60s and early 70s featured patriotic designs. Look for the domed classic by Aladdin Industries called Stars and Stripes. Both the box and the Thermos inside are festooned with Betsy Ross' famous flag design. The kitschy U.S. Mail lunchbox from 1969 introduces Mr. Zip and includes a spot to write your "new" zip code. Complete the lunchbox line up with the super stars and stripes of Captain America and Wonder Woman. Then display them all atop the cabinets in the kitchen for a funky way to show your pride.

LIFE, Liberty, and The Pursuit of Happiness

Nothing better illustrates life in America and Americana in general than the original LIFE magazine. Vintage copies of LIFE magazine range in price from $3 to $100 and can be found at flea markets everywhere. Collect a few for your coffee table and, in addition to seeing what America looked like the year you were born, you can browse the beginning of the automotive age and revisit a time when people dressed up for air travel. Display them on your coffee table for a fresh conversation piece. Retro accents like a mini Texaco gas pump and die-cast model airplanes almost bring the images to life.

Red, White & Blue Plate Special

You never know what you'll find when you dig through the kitchenware bins at the swap meet! The boxes are loaded with stacks of mismatched china and flatware from stainless to sterling. It may be a challenge to find a rare gem like a 1969 limited edition Moon Landing Plate, but Bicentennial plates abound and make great accent pieces. You can place one on your coffee table, display one on a plate stand, or hang a grouping of them on a wall. Fenton's Patriot Red Bicentennial Eagle Plate is a beauty, and a steal, if you can find it for under $25. Press-molded carnival glass plates featuring images like the Liberty Bell and the Bald Eagle can often be found for less than $10. A glorious "Blue Plate Special" by Homer Laughlin may have lost its mates, but it is a treasure by itself on an entry table. This starry-edged plate will make a first-class homestead for incoming mail.

Major League Americana

There's nothing more American than baseball, and you only need one piece of nostalgic sports memorabilia to add a touch of America's favorite pastime to a room. While a felt Yankees pennant from the 1920s will set you back more than $200, a 1970s version at the flea market costs less than $20. A vintage popcorn megaphone featuring the Washington Senators' red, white, and blue logo adds a splash of color to an ordinary bookcase. You can pick up a well-worn catcher's mitt for around $5 and let it hold your keys and the remote, or more obviously, an autographed baseball!

Home of the Free

Common American folk art forms like whirligigs and birdhouses often have patriotic motifs. Whirligigs first appeared in the Appalachians in the late 1880s and continue to be popular today. A true vintage Uncle Sam whirligig with swinging paddle arms probably won't show up at the swap meet, but more recent handcrafted versions are available and still desirable. A hand-painted birdhouse is another affordable piece of folk art and would make a fine home for a family of American Robins. And don't forget to raise Old Glory herself! After all, that Star-Spangled Banner will bring more than just a little color to your home.

Bon Voyage

2011-07-02T13:32:00.000-07:00

Discover French flea market finds without ever pulling out your passport!

Tour de France
Every summer we talk about taking a trip to the granddaddy of all flea markets, Les Puces ("The Fleas") in Paris. But so far it's just been talk! So here we were at our local antique fair, when it dawned on us just how many French collectibles we could find right here in the good old USA!

We started our virtual tour at shabby chic booth loaded with French country antiques. Kitty found an ornate mirror with a milk-paint finish, a steal at $18. (It would have been a lot more in Euros!!) And Jennifer just had to have a weathered window with "Jardin de Paris" stenciled on it. We suspected the Garden of Paris wasn't really painted in France, but we thought it would look "ooh-la-la" hanging on a porch.

In no time, we were experts at spotting French objets d'art. We found dozens of items featuring the classic symbol of France, the fleur-de-lis, including a gilded jewelry box with a fleur-de-lis medallion on top. Another eye catcher was a row of pink and blue seltzer bottles etched in French. They cost more than $100 each, so we moved on to more affordable souvenirs. We bought French flash cards to turn into greeting cards and handmade soap from Provence. And no visit to Les Puces would be complete without a mini Eiffel Tower, which we found for just $10 each. Magnifique!

Kitchen Couture
To bring a little French flavor into your kitchen, look for vintage farmhouse finds. Copper pots are a must for that certain je ne sais quoi. Hang them over the stove along with colanders, kettles, and mousse molds. Replace regular cutting boards with wooden saucisson chopboards traditionally used for preserved meats. Add printed linens from Provence in olive, gold, and blue--reminiscent of the colorful countryside. An enamelware towel rack labeled in French is perfect for hanging utensils (who cares what the words mean!). And nothing says ooh la la like a set of coffee and sugar canisters with French labels.

Champagne Wishes
We'd like to propose a toast to Champagne! Not only does this region of France fill our glasses with bubbly, it also fills our homes with rustic treasures. Tools once used in the champagne-making process add the kind of unique touches to a home that interior decorators dream of. A vineyard ladder makes a wonderful display for decorative quilts. And a grape harvest basket is a natural caddy for magazines or kindling.

For a dramatic statement piece, be on the lookout for an A-frame riddling rack imported from the caves of France. Riddling racks are over five-feet tall and have rows of angled holes to help in the fermentation process. A rare find like this could go for as much as $800, but if you buy it here instead of Paris, just think what you'll save on shipping!

What To Pay
French Flash Cards $1 each
Handmade Soap From Provence $6
French Enamelware Towel Rack $35 to $70
Saucisson Chopboard $40 to $60
Tablecloth from Provence $55 to $95
French Advertising Poster $100 and up
19th Century Grape Harvest Basket $145 and up
Champagne Riddling Rack $650 to $800

Patio Rodeo Placemats

2011-07-01T14:26:00.000-07:00

Set the table for a funky Fourth of July!

This Independence Day, round up your best buckaroos for a good old-fashioned Patio Rodeo. Set the scene with denim "back pocket" invites, mini hay bales, and rusty horseshoe candleholders. To make this get-together as American as apple pie, plan on serving barbecued spareribs, corn on the cob, and baked beans. (And a punchbowl spiked with Spirits of 76!) Sew it all up by making these one-of-a-kind fringed cowboy placemats. What better way to celebrate your independence!

For each placemat, you will need:
Cowboy fabric, 20 inches x 14 inches
Cream color fabric, 20 inches x 14 inches
2 pieces brown synthetic suede fringe, 13 inches long (4-inch width)
Cream color craft thread or embroidery floss
1 pair of second-hand blue jeans with 2 ½ inch belt loops
1 white bandana
Thread to match cowboy fabric
Gold thread
1 embroidery needle
1 sewing needle
Straight pins
Scissors
Tape measure
Spray starch
Sewing machine
Iron

Directions
Step 1
With the right side of the cowboy fabric face down, iron and starch the fabric. Fold the raw edges in ½ inch all the way around and iron the edges down. Repeat for the cream fabric backing.

Step 2
To make the blue jean napkin holder, cut a 2½ inch by 8½ inch piece of denim from the jeans. Remove three belt loops from the jeans and attach to the denim piece with gold thread.

Step 3
Whipstitch the blue jean napkin holder to the cowboy fabric with the craft thread.

Step 4
Pin the cowboy fabric to the cream backing with the good side facing out, sandwiching the fringe on the right and the left sides.

Step 5
Using a sewing machine and the matching thread, stitch the front and back of the placemat together ¼ inch from the edge. (A simple straight stitch will do.) Sew all the way around. Then roll the bandana and insert into the belt loops.

Guest Wrangling Tip: Show your favorite cowpokes to their seats with Sheriff’s Badge Place Cards. Just write each guest’s name on a party-store badge and pin it to the placemat. They’ll know where to git along little dogie!

No Stick Tip: If you want your placemats to be washable, pre-wash the fabric and attach the fringe with snaps. Or, the day before the stampede to the chuck wagon begins, spray them with Scotchgard.

Sew Easy Tip
To turn a square corner, keep the needle in the down position, raise the presser foot, and turn the fabric ninety degrees. Then giddy up and start sewing again.

Shelltastic Beach Tote

2011-06-30T09:03:00.000-07:00

Glam up a canvas tote with shell stamps and rhinestones and hit the sand in style!

YOU'LL NEED
Loew-Cornell "Totally You" small canvas tote, 11"x9".
Plaid "Simply" large foam stamp, Clamshell.
Plaid "Simply" double-sided foam mini stamp set, Sea Adventure: clamshell, starfish, seahorse.
Plaid "Simply" double-sided foam stamps, Fancy Alphabet.
Rubberstamp, scroll, 3½".
Jacquard Textile Color fabric paint, Turquoise.
Jacquard Lumiere fabric paint, Pearl Turquoise.
Swarovski Flat Back rhinestones, Crystal, 5mm, 5.
G-S Hypo cement.
Light aqua 2" satin ribbon, 12" length.
Sponge paintbrush.

WHAT TO DO
1. Slide a piece of cardboard inside the canvas bag so you have a nice flat surface to stamp on. Using the sponge paintbrush, dab the Turquoise fabric paint onto the clamshell stamp. Stamp the shell in the center of the canvas bag.

2. Using the same technique and color, stamp a scroll on either side of the clamshell. Then stamp a seahorse and a starfish on the right side of the clamshell. Repeat for the left side, turning the seahorse upside-down.

3. Use the Pearl Turquoise fabric paint to re-stamp the clamshell creating a pearly sheen. To make the design washable, let the paint dry, turn the tote inside out, and iron on the cotton setting for 30 seconds.

4. Attach the Crystal rhinestones along the bottom edge of the clamshell using the G-S Hypo cement.

5. Using the Turquoise paint, stamp the first initial of the kit recipient onto the end of the aqua ribbon. Let dry.

6. Tie the ribbon onto one of the handles with the monogram facing out.

Flea Bitten Birdhouse

2011-06-29T14:14:00.000-07:00

Turn a plain birdhouse into a steampunk treasure with skeleton keys, a bicycle gear, a rusty keyhole, and more!

WHAT TO DO
Step One
Water down acrylic paint by mixing 1 part paint to 10 parts water. Paint a wooden birdhouse with the watered-down acrylic paint and a foam paintbrush.

Step Two
Bend a license plate in half and slide it onto the roof of the birdhouse to get the right shape. Glue it into place with flexible permanent glue like Beacon Adhesive's Quick Grip.

Step Three
Remove the perching post with pliers and replace it with the eraser end of a pencil, glued into place.

Step Four
Using the glue, embellish the front of the birdhouse with flea market finds and hardware such as ball chain, watch faces, vintage keys, bike gears, and a keyhole.

Steampunk Stepping Stone

2011-06-28T09:51:00.000-07:00

Take your garden one step beyond with mosaic stepping stones the whole family can make.

Mosaic stepping stones are a perfect summer craft, so why not round up the whole gang for an afternoon of creative fun? Quikcrete from the hardware store makes the project a cinch, and found objects like keys and coins give each stone a little funky flair. Get enough materials for each member of your clan, and you’ll have a garden path as unique as your family.

WHAT TO DO
Step One
Spread out the tarp and put on your gloves. Measure 12 cups of Quikcrete into the bucket. Pour in 2 cups of water and mix with the paint stirrer. Add more water a little at a time until the mixture is the consistency of brownie mix.

Step Two
Pour the mixture into the stepping stone mold and smooth it with the paint stirrer until the surface is level.

Step Three
Create an artsy composition with keys, coins, and washers. Press each item into the mixture, wiggling it down into the concrete about 1/8th inch deep. Sprinkle the surface with sand for a decorative finish. Let cure for 48 hours before moving the stone, and wait at least a week or two before use.

On The Beaten Path: If your stepping stones will see a lot of foot traffic, you might want to reinforce them. Fill the mold half way, lay in a piece of wire mesh slightly smaller than the mold, then cover with concrete.

Glove Love: Remember to always wear gloves when working with concrete. Direct contact with the skin can cause irritation and who needs that!?

Mosaic Madness: You can decorate your stepping stones with all kinds of found objects as long as they are flat and weatherproof. Try sea glass, flat marbles, broken china, river rocks, vintage buttons, and even old typewriter keys!

Timeless Travel Treasures

2011-06-27T11:03:00.000-07:00

Treat your decor to a fabulous vacation with vintage souvenirs.

Ah, Florida! The Sunshine State! We recently took a trip to see our folks in Tampa and couldn't resist popping over to Renninger's Antique Center and Flea Market in the quaint central Florida town of Mount Dora (about 30 miles north of Orlando). On the third weekend of every month, Renninger's fills its sandy parking lot with antiques vendors, attracting shoppers from far and wide in search of one-of-a-kind finds at bargain prices.

What did we find at Florida's largest antiques flea market? Floridiana, of course! We found a vintage Gatorland pennant, a Miami Beach license plate topper, and a Weeki Wachee vase promoting the famous mermaid city. But when we spotted nostalgic, souvenir linens, we fell in love. Vintage travel linens have made a big comeback, and we found tablecloths printed with maps of the Sunshine State and graphics of dolphins and mermaids from $20 to $50. This look is so popular we've seen new pillows embroidered with old state maps at boutiques for over $100. Jennifer preferred the $12 price of the "real thing" and took home two tea towels to turn into throw pillows.

Although there are travel collectibles at every flea market, when in Florida shop for Florida souvenirs! They will be the most abundant, and you might even find something rare. For example, on this trip one vendor had pink flamingo lawn ornaments, but not the bright pink, brand new ones sold on the Internet. These were authentic vintage lawn flamingos with a weatherworn pink patina. Kitty had to have those beautiful birds and plans to perch them on a guestroom chair. Kitschy chic!

Local Color
Whether you visit a flea market in Maine or Mississippi, you are sure to find keepsakes from all over the country. To add just a little souvenir style to your home, keep an eye out for one colorful piece to accent your decor. A large porcelain flamingo would bring a splash of fuchsia to a mantle. And a classic flower bouquet made from shells painted yellow would make a whimsical home accent.

If you are more of a collector at heart, focus on several versions of one type of souvenir and display them together in one room. A group of spoon rests with sea horses, pelicans, and palm trees would make a playful arrangement on a kitchen wall. A dozen decorative trivets can be hung in a row around a doorway. No matter what your obsession--Floridiana, Hawaiiana, or Indianaiana--grouping your collection will add visual impact and transform old souvenirs into great conversation pieces.

Prints Charming
Vintage travel posters make for gorgeous works of art with their idyllic scenes meant to entice mid-century travelers to take an exotic vacation. On our trip, we saw large prints featuring Florida attractions like Coral Gables, Bok Tower Gardens, and Key West. These posters can cost as much as $500, so when we discovered one for less than $50, we knew we had the find of the day!

Photo Op: When visiting far-away flea markets, don't forget to bring your camera. While a life-size, aluminum alligator may be the ultimate tropical souvenir, a snapshot is much easier to pack!

Serve With Style Mosaic Tray

2011-06-25T13:32:00.000-07:00

A handcrafted tile tray looks like a million bucks (and it's easier than you think)!

A colorful tray is just the thing for serving those Lime Sparklers at your next summer soiree. To make your own, start with a circle of wood (available at home improvement stores) and a funky flower pattern. Mosaic with glass tiles in poppy red, tangerine, and lime. Then resin the surface for a glossy finish. Tray chic!

YOU WILL NEED:
particleboard disc (11 3/4" diameter, 5/8" thick)
wood veneer edging tape (13/16" wide, 39" long)
12 finishing nails (1 1/2" long)
2 screen door pulls with hardware (4 7/8" long)
1 can apple red spray paint
Elmer’s Craft Bond Tacky Glue
vitreous glass mini mosaic tiles (3/8" size):
100 poppy red tiles
200 tangerine tiles
300 lime tiles
Envirotex Lite Pour-On Finish (8 oz. kit)
chalk
screwdriver
hammer
scissors

WHAT TO DO:

Step 1
Prepare the particleboard disc by taping the wood veneer tape around the edge of the disc. Secure with finishing nails. (Make sure the wood veneer tape is flush with bottom of the disc to create a 1/8-inch lip on top.) Spray paint the wood-edged disc red on all sides.

Step 2
Attach the handles to the sides of the disc.

Step 3
Copy the pattern onto the tray with chalk. Glue each tile to the tray surface following the pattern. Let the glue dry thoroughly. (Clean any remaining chalk lines with a damp cotton swab.)

Step 4
Mix the Pour-On Finish according to the directions on the box and pour the resin over the tiled surface. Tip the tray slightly to evenly distribute the resin to the edge of the wood veneer tape. Let dry for at least 48 hours.

Bubble Buster
Don’t be afraid of stirring bubbles into the resin. Five minutes after you pour it, the bubbles will rise to the surface. To release them, gently exhale over the surface and those bubbles will pop!

Transfer Tip
To transfer the pattern onto the tray, follow these steps.
1. Enlarge the pattern so the diameter is 11 3/4 inches across. Cut out the enlarged pattern into a circle.
2. Trace the outline with a piece of colored chalk.
3. Flip the pattern over and set inside the tray. Rub the back of the pattern to transfer the chalk onto the wooden disc.

Objects Of Our Affection
Now that you are a mosaic master, why not try these tile alternatives?
broken china
marbles
stained glass
keys
coins
seashells
river rocks
sea glass