Monday, May 23, 2011

Fabric Box Tutorial - Sorta

 Some time last year, I got an idea that I wanted a box for the boys to put their Wii games in instead of just stacked on the floor by the TV.  I had a basket but that quickly filled up with videos instead.  I found the perfect heavy duty box that I wanted to use.  For the past few months, this box and fabric was sitting in my bedroom floor waiting for me.  It was moved from corner to corner.  The box was filled up with miscellaneous objects and it had reached the place that either I do something with it or throw it out.  So, since I am totally stressed at work, instead of cleaning house, I just decided to cover this box - finally.  No need to clean my bedroom since I had this box that needed to be covered! 

This is by no means a tutorial since there are wonderful tutorials out there on the web.  This is how a stressed out crafty person does something while tending to boys, cats, a dog, and a husband (not necessarily in that order!)
Step 1:  Gather your materials - cloth, scissors, spray glue.  I laid the material out on my kitchen table.  Notice that I did not even iron the material.  This is a really durable, heavy material.  I drew the outline of the box bottom and then laid the box on it's side and drew those lines.  I then cut the material out leaving an inch or so on each side.

Step 2:  Go outside where it's 90 degrees in the hot sun!  Cover your table with newspapers - you don't want glue on your tabletop.  I sprayed the glue on the bottom on the box and spread the fabric out making sure to get out all the wrinkles.  You continue doing this all the way around your box.  Wrap it like a present and don't be afraid of getting a LOT little glue on your hands.  BTW, hand sanitizer works really well in getting the glue off your finger tips.  I assume it's the alcohol content in the sanitizer. 


Step 3:  There you have it!  All ready to be used.  I did put a piece in the very bottom of the box because I thought it would look nice.  
Step 4:  Fill with Wii games, listen to praise from your family at how clever and talented you are, and enjoy your box.  If your family does not praise you, pat yourself on the back and say all those nice things!  That's what I did!!

I don't expect the box to last forever.  But, since I have a whole $3 invested in it, it had better last at least a little while!  I suppose I could glitz it up with trim and wooden feet and I might still yet.  I haven't decided.  For right now, it's fine.

I am linking to my friend, Heidi's, Make Do and Mend.

and,




and
<br>http://www.thethriftyhome.com


Saturday, May 14, 2011

Newest Old Project

 I went to a Habitat for Humanity Resale store this morning and found this treasured buried in the craft bin.  I paid a grand total of $3 for him.  (I saw on this web site that it rare and selling for $19.99)  He's designed by Anna Krajewski.  I haven't been cross stitching lately but this just spoke to me.  Why would someone abandon him?  Did his previous owner die and  it was donated with her things?  (This particular Habitat store gets LOTS of estate items.)  Did someone realize they would never finish him and just wanted to get rid of him?  It made me sad for him.

I was pleasantly surprised when I peeked inside the package and it was already started.  This does not bother me at all since I always dread making that first stitch.  I rather like finishing him up for someone.  I think he must have come from the 1990's?  Seems like Teddy Bears were big then.  I will finish him and then gift them to someone who loves teddy bears.  Or, maybe I will make him into wall hanging.  We will just have to wait and see.

Happy stitching everyone!






Monday, May 9, 2011

My Son's Woodwork



When you are the mother of boys, you have to take crafts anyway you can get them.  This includes making slingshots.  I don't know why the sudden interest in slingshots.  He ventured down into the woods and found this perfect branch,  Then he skinned the bark - do you skin a tree?  Oh well, he found some skinny elastic in my craft basket and now he has a super duper sling shot.  He is thinking of selling them online.....

Please do not look at the closet behind him.  I didn't realize the closet door was open until I uploaded the picture.  By then, he was outside again.  It's hard to keep him inside during the warmer weather.


Friday, April 22, 2011

A Basket Full of Eggs


I "mod-podged" these eggs several years ago.  Today, I got them out just in time for Easter.  I love my eggs!  And, they are so simple to do.  Take a plastic egg, put a thin layer of mod podge and then layer a single ply napkin or tissue paper on top.  Cover this with a layer of mod podge and allow to dry!  Very easy.  Best of all, you can use these year to year.



I'm linking to these parties:


















Stuff and Nonsense





Funky Junk's Saturday Nite Special





Saturday, March 26, 2011

Easter Pillow

Remember this placemat from Big Lots that I bought a few weeks ago? 

It has now become this...


A sweet little pillow just in time for Easter!

Thursday, March 24, 2011

Lost my crafting mojo

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 I have lost my crafting mojo!  Seems like I always lose it this time of year.  I enter a melancholy state of mind and just can't seem to get going with crafting (or much else).  I don't know if it is because I am just physically tired or if the time change messes up my whole system.  I wish they would leave the time alone and quit changing it back and forth.  Just pick one way and leave it! 

If you see my mojo out there, will you please send it home to me?  I miss it!

Saturday, March 12, 2011

Jilly's Happy Quilts Giveaway

source
Just look at his beautiful bundle of cloth.  It just makes my heart smile - I love fabric!  Jilly @ Jilly's Happy Quilts is hosting a very generous giveaway!  It ends March 17th so hop on over there and check it out!