Just Add Glue..........

A couple of weeks ago I was wandering around in a little local "junk" shoppe and came across this great old wooden window frame.  I have always loved the look of old windows and the price was right, so I picked it up.  It has been sitting around just waiting for me to get inspired and do something with it.  This is what I finally decided on:

I love the fact that I can change out the wreaths for the season ( I am already in Easter mode) and even the letters for special occasions!

I forgot to take a "before" picture, but the frame was a weathered gray color.  I wanted to dress it up to match my room but keep the vintage appearance.  I love the appearance of crackle paint, but honestly I was too cheap to go out and buy some for one project.  I remembered back in elementary school our art teacher (we had an amazing artist as our art teacher, we even got to make pottery in his studio!) taught us to make things look old with a common school supply--so after a little experimenting I got just the look I wanted.

Close up of frame

Shhhh....here is the secret:

Yep, that is plain ole school glue!  You can pick this stuff for a quarter at back-to-school sales.  I always buy a few bottles to have around the house for projects.

To get a crackle finish, basecoat your project in desired color.

Squeeze glue out on your project.  If you have a big project, you might want to work in smaller sections.

 

Use a brush to spread glue out covering your desired area.

Allow glue to set for a minute or two.  You want the glue to still be tacky.  Paint your top color over the glue. I used inexpensive acrylic craft paint.

Let project dry.  You can speed the drying with a hair dryer or heat gun, just don't get too close or you will end up with bubbles in your paint.

I got a different crackle pattern on this sample.  I think it has to do with the kind of wood and how you brush on your glue.  Experiment on a scrap piece of wood or an inconspicuous corner of your project.  You can paint over the crackle paint if you are not satisfied.

Now you can get an "old" looking piece in a matter of minutes without breaking the bank!

If you are using this finish on a piece of furniture I would seal it with a spray sealer or polyurethane to help protect the finish.

Homemade Flavored Extracts (Vanilla, Lemon, etc....)

Five minutes and two ingredients per extract and you are on your way to a cupboard full of flavored extracts for all your baking needs!

Homemade extracts are simple, inexpensive and there are no artificial ingredients.

Homemade Extract

Ingredient of choice for extract (vanilla beans, lemons, oranges,limes, fresh mint, raspberry,etc.....)
Vodka (inexpensive, plain vodka)



Extract ingredients (note: this is NOT inexpensive vodka (I had to borrow a bottle for pictures))

 If you are using vanilla beans, split 3 or 4 beans in half down the center and place in a jar.  For lemons, limes or oranges, zest the outer rind of 2 fruit.  For mint, coarsely chop 1/4 cup of mint leaves. For fruit (raspberry, strawberry, etc...) crush 1/4 C. of ripe fruit.

slice vanilla beans down the center to release the seeds

zest of 2 lemons in jar

Place your prepared ingredient in a pint jar and add 1 cup of vodka.  Cap tightly and shake.

lemon extract in progress

Let jars sit for 3-6 weeks, shaking occasionally.  The extracts will darken (especially the vanilla) and will have a nice scent of their main ingredient.  If you used fresh fruit, strain your extract.  You can leave the vanilla beans and citrus rinds in the jar.  As you use up your extract, you can add more vodka to replenish.  I have had the same jar of vanilla beans for 2 years now and they are just getting to the point of needing to be replaced.  You could also occasionally add more citrus rind or mint leaves to your jar to increase the flavor.  Fruit extracts should always be made in smaller batches and not replenished, the flavor tends to break down over time.

Use your homemade extracts just like you would store bought extracts. Add a splash to cake batter or cookies for a yummy twist. I especially like chocolate cake with mint extract or sugar cookies with lemon extract.

*There is alcohol in these extracts, so if this is of concern for you be sure to only use the extracts in cooked items (the alcohol will cook off).


*Extracts make great gifts!  I once made vanilla extract for all my friends for Christmas and gave it to them with my favorite cookie recipe. How about a basket of different extracts for a friend who loves to cook or a couple just getting started on their new life together?

vanilla extract for gift giving

Floral Candle Party Favors

We are in full party planning mode around here, we have SIX big parties that we are hosting over the next several months.  Parties mean lots of decorations and party favors!

Here is one I am considering:

Floral Candle Party Favors

Supplies:

~Candles (in your choice of size)
~Assorted flower petals or silk flowers to take apart
~Mini brads (from the scrapbooking section)
~Ribbon (optional)

Use the brads to hold the flower petals in place on the candle.  It helps to push slowly or sometimes they start to bend. 

You can layer many petals for a single flower, or use tiny flowers to rim the bottom of the candle. 

Cut circles of paper or cardstock and glue to the bottom of candle with a special message.



~These make great last minute hostess gifts (just keep the supplies on hand and you can put one together in less than five minutes!)

~Give to a friend who needs a little encouragement.

~A great wedding favor with the names and dates on the bottom.

Rose Soap Leaves

A little mid-winter pick-me-up to remind us that spring is around the corner.

Rose Soap Petals

~Rose petals from silk roses (You can buy them already cut, or cut the petals off from the flowers yourself)
~Melt and Pour clear glycerine soap (available at most craft stores)
~Fragrance oil (optional)

Cut 6 ounces of soap into 1" chunks.

Place soap chunks into microwave safe container and melt according to package instructions.  Mine took about 1 minute. Stir in a few drops of fragrance oil, if desired.

Use tweezers to dip rose petals into melted soap.

Let soap drip off petal and then place on waxed paper or parchment paper to dry.

When leaves are cool, peel off from paper. 

To Use:
Use one petal to wash hands.  There is just enough soap on each petal to get your hands nice and clean.  Dispose of used petal or save to be coated and re-used again.

*These make a great favor for baby or bridal showers.

*Keep a few leaves in a baggie in your purse to have on hand in case someplace is out ( many public restrooms never seem to have soap).

*Tuck a package of these in a gift basket for a new mom or sick friend.



Antiquing Paper Tutorial

Sometimes you just know what you want, but you don't have it, and it's snowing like crazy, so you just have to figure out how to use what you have on hand or you just might go crazy!  Sound familiar????

Yep, this is one of those projects, super simple, but with just the right results.

I have been working on a little "wall art" project for my entryway, and I needed a piece of parchment looking paper, which of course, I didn't have on hand.  I really wanted to finish and there just happened to be a major snow storm going on outside.  So as I was sitting there, sipping my tea,when the answer came to me---my tea bag!

I printed out what I wanted on a regular old piece of printer paper and then just dabbed my tea bag (wring out most of the liquid) right on the paper--don't try to swipe it around, it makes the ink smear.  In less than a minute I had a piece of paper that looked like it had been sitting around for 100 yrs!





Super fast and simple! Taking pictures was a last minute thought and the lighting was horrible, but hopefully you can see the difference!

If your paper starts to curl as it dries you can place it under a book, or iron it with a warm iron-no steam.

Tomorrow I will show you the finished wall and how I used the "antique" paper.

Rose Kissing Ball Tutorial

Finally!  I know I have been promising this tutorial for a while now. 

I was inspired by many different versions of kissing balls that I had seen, but my favorites have been the ones covered in roses.  All of the directions I found for making the roses involved using hot glue to make the roses, and after a nasty burn, I decided to find a better way to make them.
 



All you need is some crepe paper streamers (I used two rolls (approx. 100 ft. each)).  Glue sticks (I used 4 glue sticks for this project).  A stryrofoam ball (your choice of size) and a hot glue gun (for attaching the flowers).

Cut or tear your crepe paper into strips about 20"-24" long.  I varied my strips a bit so I would have bigger and smaller roses.

Crumple your strips up, this makes them more flexible and life-like.  (This would be a great job for the kids to help with!)

Unroll the strips and fold over the top edge 1/4"-1/2".  I wasn't very exact with this, you just want a folded edge to make the petals look softer.

Now comes the sticky part.  Use your glue stick to apply a line of glue along the bottom edge.  I found it helpful to work on a piece of wax paper.  Be careful not to push to hard or the crepe paper will rip.  You want to get enough glue that the paper will stick to itself as you are rolling.

Starting at one end, roll the strip to form the center of the rose.



Keep rolling and gathering the crepe paper around the center.  Be sure to pinch the bottom edge together.  It helps to have a damp towel nearby to wipe your fingers on when they get too sticky. The more you gather the flower the fuller it will look.



Roll and gather the whole strip, pinching the bottom to keep it together.

Make a pile of roses.  To attach to the ball, I folded the bottom edge over, added hot glue, and glued onto the styrofoam.  Nestle the roses up close to each other.

You can add a ribbon for hanging.



More uses for the crepe paper roses HERE.

Car Registration Tutorial

This would make a great gift for a new driver!


We recently switched our car insurance when we had to add our teenage son, so we could afford for him to be able to drive.  While I was hunting through all the junk in the glove box for the old insurance, I decided it needed a special holder to make it easier to find and keep it from getting all wrinkled.  The bonus, if I ever get pulled over, maybe I can distract the officer with my well presented paperwork (hey, a girl can hope!).



Supplies:
1 Fat quarter  (cut 2-9 1/2″ x 5 1/2″ pieces and 2-2″ x 18″ strips)
1 piece timtex or other heavy weight interfacing 9 1/2″ x 5 1/2″
2 pieces clear vinyl 5 1/2″ x 4 “  (I used a clear viny tablecloth remnant)
1/2″ wide double fold bias tape
1 piece industrial strength velcro

supplies

Step one:  Sew bias tape onto 5 1/2″ side of clear vinyl.  Set aside.

vinyl with binding

Step 2:  Sew the 18″ strips together on short end, iron seam open, then iron strip in half longways with wrong sides facing.

sewn and ironed strip

Step 3: Place one rectangle of fabric face down, place timtex on top, then place other rectangle fabric right side up.  Position vinyl pockets on each end with binding towards the center.  Using binder clamps, clamp all the layers together.  Round corners using spool of thread as guide.  DO NOT use pins–you put holes in the vinyl!



Step 4: Using folded strip, sew strip  on side with pockets around the outside edge using 1/4″ seam.




Step 5:  Flip binding to back side of holder, using binder clamps to hold into place.



 Step 6:  Sew binding in place.



Step 7:  Sew a straight seam down the center for the fold and apply velcro.




All Finished!  Insert registation and proof of insurance.