Coffee Filter Gift Bag

I seriously LOVE coffee.
Not just any coffee; french press coffee made by my husband. For some reason I have stacks of coffee filters, and we my sweet husband does not use coffee filters when making french press coffee. I decided to recycle/upcycle those filters on gift bags.

For this DIY project, I started with plain Jane brown gift bags.

I  used oven safe paper bakeware for the base of the flower, (pic. below). One side of the paper is shiny, the other is matte.  

I crumpled up each paper tin, and flattened it out again.  I positioned the paper shiny side up, matte side down. 

For the next flower layer, I used a coffee filter. I decided to dye them green. I put a stack of filters (abt.25) into a glass bowl, added a few drops of food coloring, and a couple of tablespoons of water.  I waited a a minute or two, drained the water, and squeezed the remaining moisture out of the filters with my hands. Then, I dabbed the stack with a paper towel, to remove any remaining moisture.

I didn't wait for them to dry because the bottom layer (white paper tin), is coated with the shiny wax finish, so it won't absorb the wetness of the coffee filter. Then, I pinched the center of the fiter, turned it into a point, and used tacky glue to secure it to the paper tin. 

Ideas for center embellishments are endless such as: fabric yo yos, rhinestones, flower petals, and jewelry pieces. 

 

Need gift bags for all of your Black Friday purchases? Add a Christmas themed center, (from your local craft store), to the flower. 

linking to:
The Empowered Momma (t)
Learning the Frugal Life (t)
Sensational Creations (t)
Todays Creative Blog (t)
My Uncommon Slice of Suburbia (t)
Sugar Bee Crafts (t)
Not Just a Housewife (t)

It is now time for my coffee,
Ele

Grandma's Doily Bracelet DIY

A bracelet made from Grandma's doilies?

Is it wrong to have a soft spot in your heart for grandma's doilies?

 

Is it fashionable to wear grandma's doilies?

 When designed correctly, I believe so. Why? Because lace/crochet with a vintage feel is not only timeless and elegant, but modern at the same time. I recently saw this beautiful wedding dress in person, and it is absolutely breathtaking. Justin Alexander rocks.

 

 (credits: Justin Alexander Bridal).

 

So, I present to you, my latest DIY project: The Doily Bracelet.

 

 

1. BUY THIS LACE BRACELET BASE AT HOBBY LOBBY, (it comes with chain link ends already attached!).

• Did you hear me? Did I shout loud enough? It's that easy! 
• You do not need to use a jewelry tool unless the bracelet is too big and you need to make the bracelet smaller. Then, you can remove a link or two with a round nose jewelry pliers. 
• If you want to use a special piece of your own lace, (such as grandma's), you can purchase the silver flat ends, chain link, and hook separately. If you choose to do this, you will need to purchase a round nose jewelry pliers. I would also suggest some fabric glue to secure crocheted lace inside flat silver ends.
   



2. Buy  three  pieces of decorative jewelry that have holes or loops on each end. Search the pendant and charm area of the jewelry section.

 

3. Sew the jewelry pieces onto the lace, (through the holes), with a needle and thread. See picture above.

• instead of adding 3 jewelry pieces, you could add 1 large piece, or 5 small, but don't get carried away as it will look tacky. 

  

 

 

TaDa! Grandma's doily is not for just grandma, anymore!

 

 

Hope you are having a blessed week,

Ele

Be fabulous and classy. (Coco Chanel)

 

Check out these great linky parties:

http://www.thebrambleberrycottage.blogspot.com (th)

http://www.domesblissity.blogspot.com (th)

http://www.primpjunction.com (th)

http://www.katherinescorner.com (th)

http://www.aruraljournal.com (th)

http://www.thecraftyblogstalker.com (th)

http://www.theshabbycreekcottage.com (th)

http://www.thenymelrosefamily.com (w)

http://www.freeprettythingsforyou.com (w)

http://www.somedaycrafts.blogspot.com (w)

http://www.acreativeprincess.blogspot.com (w)

 

Silhouette (2)

Silhouettes, such a lovely decor topic, that I just couldn't stop at one post. Yes, silhouettes have been around for centuries, and they can have a vintage classical feel, sometimes stuffy, but this next picture shows silhouettes with a modern, colorful twist. 

 

 

Black, white, and blue with splashes of vivid pink, orange, and one unexpected pop of red. Oh. how I love this. I can't tell for sure, but I imagine the black chaise in black velvet for luxurious texture.

 

Silhouettes can made by you for a personal touch, or can be purchased ready to stick, or hang on the wall.

Some basic instructions for making your own silhouette:

*Position child, cat, dog, etc. in profile position, in front of a white wall, (the finished silhouette will face in the opposite direction),
*Take photos , but make sure you are at the same eye level as your subject. You don't want it to look as if you are looking down or up at animal or child. Take several photos.
*Load camera photos to computer and print out an 8x10, or smaller size. You can enlarge photos on a copy machine if you want. Remember graininess of the picture does not matter. The actual picture will not be seen. 
*Use a LIGHT layer of spray glue and attach the back side of the actual picture to a heavy black card stock.
*With a sharp scissors, (smaller the better). Cut along the outline of the picture. Sometimes it helps to draw with a narrow Sharpee marker. Extend any eyelashes, or wisps of hair to add interest. 
*Turn picture over so the black card stock side is face up and check your cutting skills.
*Glue finished silhouette to a white (or even colored), background. Use a light layer of paper glue, or spray glue. 
*Frame, and if you are putting up more than two pictures add a little visual interest with dfferent frames, or frame widths. 

 

If you don't want to make your own silhouette, many styles are available from etsy. 

Remember stickers can easily be framed!

 

above pictures taken from

http://www.redcandy.co.uk

http://www.countryliving.com

http://www.decorartsnow.com

http://www.paperclips&playpens.com

 

 

Have a blessed end of the week,

Ele

 

RePurpose and ReUse Shopping Bags

Step by step instructions on how to create this:

from this:

Don't throw away shopping bags just because they have the store name on them. Repurpose and Reuse! This bag has great colors of Red and Hot Pink. I picked out scrapbook paper that had similar shades, only a different design. I like to pair a large print (stripe), with a smaller print.

Cut a strip wide enough to cover the store logo.

Turn the paper to it's back side, lay bag on top, and trace down the excess paper using the bag as your template. 

Trim off excess, by cutting along the inside of the line. 

Glue the paper to the bag by laying a thin strip of glue around the edge of the paper, and a few dots in the center. The key is not to use a lot of glue as the front side will look bumpy. If you do get a little too much glue, don't worry, it will dry flatter then it not wet. Stick glue will work, but over time, can detach from glossy paper. 

Next, you are going to pick trims to cover the edges of the scrapbook paper.  You can buy narrow foot long stickers, or sticker backed ribbon from the scrapbook department, or venture into the sewing department for a variety of trims that can be glued down.  

  

I chose a strip of hot pink rhinestone stickers, and rose colored velvet ribbon. Just about anything can be glued down, except satin ribbon, as the glue will show through.

Next, dip into your old, hardly every used jewelry, or take a trip to the second hand store and find an accent piece for your gift bag. Repurposing old jewelry will literally cost quarters. I chose a lavender colored drop, and some faux pearls, added them to a snippet of velvet ribbon, and glued it on.

If the store logo is on both sides of the bag, don't forget to cover it! However, you don't have to use jewelry accents on both sides, unless you want.

Voila, a bag for you to ReUse for gift giving.

 

Blessings, Ele  

Hearts

Hang your heart(s), literally.

I LOVE Valentines Day, and it's only three weeks away, (I know, I know, you just took down Christmas!).

A little bit of old,  a little bit of new, Paris inspired, and a whole lot of heart makes for a banner you can hang anywhere!  

Sealed with a Kiss:)

DIY TIPS: Lately, I've had a thing for pinking sheers. Not the lightweight decorative trim scissors, but the heavy duty scissors like your grandmother used. They cut more then one paper at a time.  Also, if you want the crinkled seam binding look, I have found that it is easiest to lightly spritz with water and then scrunch it up.

I've started to add a few things to my etsy shop, so stop by.

Have a blessed week,

Ele

Change Those Drawer Pulls

What a week this has been, We have a really sick dog, and on the morning of her already scheduled vet appointment, our beloved chocolate lab got sprayed by a skunk. Poor baby, Isabel. In case you are wondering, you bathe skunk ridden loved ones in hydrogen peroxide, baking soda, and a little soap, and you give them benedryl for swollen eyes.  As for the original illness,we are hoping she doesn't have to have surgery. 
...along with the sick dog, I am having to say goodbye to all my babies, (the human ones who smell better). They are going back to their lives far, far away. Again, my house will be quiet, sigh.....(that's a sad sigh, not a good one).

So, lets move on to happy thoughts and decorating.

Want an easy way to change the look of a desk, dresser, cabinet, sofa table, or anything that has drawer pulls? Change the knobs! 

I shudder to even say that changing knobs is a DIY project, because it is shamefully easy. Can you unscrew a bolt with your fingers, or if it is tight, use a plyers to hold the bolt and twist the knob, if necessary? If you are trying to impress someone with your skill ability, I'd say that your toddler did it, but the design eye for picking out the knobs, was all yours! People will say your furniture is chic, fashionable. and even a little avant guard.

 I find that the best drawer pulls are found at craft stores, or specialty stores. Hardware stores do have them, but designs are limited. Also, wait for sales, glass pulls can run up to $10 a piece. 

In case, you are wondering, this desk was originally stained and highly varnished. I applied an oil based primer, and an oil based black paint. Yes, oil based is hard to work with as it doesn't wash off, but I wanted a high gloss look that doesn't chip. Unless you have worked with oil based products before, I don't recommend it. Use a glossy latex paint and primer for a similar look. Certain paints come with the primer already added. If your furniture piece has any sheen to it, lightly sand with a low grit sand paper and wipe off any dust. Apply a couple of coats of primer, then paint, (or use the paint and primer in one).  For information on the gold writing go here http://abitofpinkheaven.blogspot.com/2009/03/my-favorite-table.html

Blessings,

Ele

Cupcake toppers

I have been making cupcake toppers. They are not only fun to make, but FUN TO USE! Stick these picks into pieces of cake, cupcakes, or brownies.


DIY PROJECT: CUPCAKE TOPPERS

CRAFT TIP:  Use a craft punch or machine to cut out the two large scalloped shapes, also use cocktail toothpicks as they are longer the regular toothpicks.

Supplies:

• cardstock, or heavy glitter paper
• computer images, images from cards, decorative scrapbook paper, stickers,
• craft glue (I like liquid)
• cocktail toothpicks
• two scalloped medallion craft punches; lrg. and med.

Instructions:

1. Cut out two large scalloped medallions of glitter paper or heavy cardstock
2. Cut out one medium scalloped medallion of printed images or decorative scrapbook paper, (for the center of your pick). 
3. Insert a toothpick between the two lrg. medallions and glue medallions together.
4. Glue med. medallion in the center of one lrg. medallion, or simply place a sticker in the middle. 
5. Let dry, or

purchase from me.....gag, barf, gag!!!

Really.....have fun making your cupcake toppers and please share pictures! 

Check out the adorable baby scrubs on http://www.hannahbananababy.com