DIY Holiday String Art

14 November, 2012 2:40 pm / Leave a Comment / My So Called Crafty Life

everybody! Today I have a super fun craft for you all! I have been in love with string art for quite some time now! I have been so inspired by the beautiful and fun pieces on pinterest, so I decided to try my hand at it. The basic idea behind it all is that you take a picture, or a word and nail around the outlines onto a piece of wood, tear the paper off, and commence with the long, but fun, process of stringing. You can find some wonderful tutorials for different types of string art from The Harpster Home, Que Linda, Green Wedding Shoes, and Creative in Chicago. Here is my version:

What You Need:

*Nice Plywood

*A jigsaw

*Sandpaper

*Paint

*A box of nails- I used #18 3/4″ nails

*Hammer

*Fun Christmas font printed word on paper to fit your board

*Yarn, twine, string

*Scissors

Step 1: Make your board- Draw your funky shape onto your plywood. Have fun with it, it can be any shape you like. I went for a fancy frame like shape. Once you have it drawn out to your liking, carefully cut around the outline with a jigsaw. Then, sand the edges all around your shape until it’s nice and smooth. Paint your board in your desired color. I used a fun holiday green.

Step 2: Nail- To get your letters the right size measure your board and divide the width into the number of letters adding extra space for spacing. Set your word to be the size you need in your photo editing program and print. Lay out your paper on your board centering it to where you need it. You can tape it down if you choose to. Now you are ready to nail. Starting at the edge of your first letter nail in a nail on the outline of the letter and into your board leaving about 1/2 inch or so sticking out of the board. Grab another nail and nail into the board about 3/8 inch away from the first nail and sticking out of the board the same height. Continue nailing around the outline of your letters spacing about 3/8 apart until you have outlined your whole word. Next, carefully tear off the paper from the board. Mine came off pretty easily. Starting at one corner and tearing at an angle seemed to help me.

Step 3: String- I used divine twine for my string, but you could use embroidery floss or thin yarn, whatever you like best. Tie a knot around your starting nail on your first letter, snip excess thread. Now you can start stringing. Start stringing back and forth around your letter, then go the opposite way, and then go willy nilly around how you like until you are satisfied with the pattern of the string and your letter looks full and clear. I made sure to close the gaps on the outside of my letters here and there while stringing so my letters would have a sharper outline. When you are happy with the design snip a tail of twine and tie off the end of your twine around a nail and snip of excess twine tail. Repeat with your other letters. This part does take a while but it is easy and kinda therapeutic at the same time. Once you tie off your final letter you are finished. You can add a sawtooth hanger to the back or just sit it on a shelf or table.

I had a really fun time making this “Believe” string art sign for Christmas! I think I will definitely do more in the future. These fun little signs can spell out anything you wish. You could make one for every season, or to say something special. They would also make fantastic gifts for loved ones. And it is a pretty inexpensive DIY too. I bought my plywood in the scrap section at Home Depot for $4.00 and although divine twine is pricey, I only used a bit of it. Embroidery floss would definitely be a more economical choice. To see more string art ideas check out my links above, and check out my DIY Pinterest Board. I hope I have inspired some of you to try one of these yourself. They are so fun! Be sure to tune in tomorrow for more Holiday fun!

Happy Crafting!

Posted in: Crafting, DIY, Tutorials / Tagged: believe, christmas, christmas decor, christmas diy, craft, devine twine, diy, fun, holiday, red and green, red and white, retro, santa, string art, tutorial, word

DIY Vintage Ornament Mobile

9 November, 2012 1:08 pm / Leave a Comment / My So Called Crafty Life

Today I have a super easy holiday DIY project for you, a vintage ornament mobile. This craft is a great way to showcase some of your favorite ornaments! I have so many ornaments sometimes things get a little lost in my tree. One of my favorite sets is my vintage plastic ornaments I picked up at the flea market last year! They are so kitschy and cute, I just love them! This is so easy to do as well, and all you need is your ornaments, some twine or string, and an embroidery hoop.

The first thing you need to do is paint your embroidery hoop. Next, cut various lengths of string for your ornaments to hang down on, and cut four equal lengths of string to hang your mobile. Tie your ornaments onto one end of ornament string. Then you want to tie the other end to your inside hoop of your embroidery hoop at equal distances. I had five ornaments so I tied four of them onto the hoop and I left one to tie in the middle. Next, tie your 4 equal length strings to your hoop an equal distance apart. Gather up the four strings to meet in the middle of the hoop. You can add a middle string ornament to the four strings at this point if you wish. Tie a knot at the top of your strings for hanging. Clip any excess thread above the knot and hang. Easy right!

I really love how this little mobile turned out! I love how it adds a fun element to my holiday decorating! You can hang it wherever you like. I think it would be really cute over a bed, or maybe my favorite chair. We’ll see. You can really change the look with these too by using different color paints for your hoop and different ornaments. There are so many possibilities! I hope you all enjoy this super simple DIY! I’ll be back next week with more holiday fun! Be sure to tune in later today for a fun craft round up!

Happy Crafting!

Posted in: Crafting, DIY, Tutorials / Tagged: christmas, cottage, craft, diy, fun, hanging, holiday decorating, holidays, kitchy, mobile, ornaments, retro, shabby chic, style, tutorial, vintage, vintage christmas, vintage ornaments

DIY Haunted House Bell Jar

22 October, 2012 11:14 pm / 2 Comments / My So Called Crafty Life

Hello everyone! Welcome to day 6 of my 13 Days of Halloween! Today I have something super fun to make, a mini haunted house bell jar. I love bell jars! Sometimes they can be hard to find, or really pricey. I was at the thrift store the other day and found an old plastic clock in a glass dome, and thought it might work for a bell jar. All you have to do is remove the clock. And at three dollars for the clock, it’s a great substitute!

Here’s What You Need:

*Template

*Exacto knife and self healing mat

*Cardstock

*Modge Podge

*Glitter

*Old domed glass clock

*Styrofoam Ball

*Knife

*Moss

*Hot Glue

*Little Branch

*Paint

*Spray Paint

Step 1: Form House- Print out template for the house. Cut out the template. I used an exacto to cut out the door and windows. Fold the tabs on the front and back and roof lines. Glue the front and back to the sides, and then glue on the roof. You can use black cardstock, or if you don’t have any like me, you can paint the cardstock black.

Step 2: Glitter House- Starting on one side of the house, paint a layer of modge podge onto the cardstock. Sprinkle the glitter over the wet glue, and then tap off. Repeat with the rest of the house.

Step 3: Make Hill- First cut your styrofoam ball in half so you have a small dome. Next, glue moss to the dome little bits at a time until you have covered your dome and there are no bald or thin spots. Then, take your painted little branch and insert it into the foam. Then glue the house on top of the hill.

Step 4: Finish Bell Jar- Remove the clock from the base. I cut the clips off with a dremel from the underside. Spray paint the base. When the paint is completely dry, place the hill with your house on top of the base and cover with the glass domed lid. And that’s it. Pretty easy right!

I really love how this little house turned out! It was really easy to make and it cost me around $10 for all of the supplies. I think it adds a spooky and cute vibe to the fireplace mantel. I am already on the lookout for more glass clocks to make some christmas themed domes. I hope you all enjoyed my DIY, and I hope I have inspired some of you to go out and make your own. Tune in tomorrow for more fun Halloween crafts! Until then…

Happy Crafting!

Posted in: Crafting, DIY, Tutorials / Tagged: bell jar, craft, crafts, creepy, diy, domed glass, easy, fun, glitter, glitter house, halloween, haunted house, moss, spooky cute, terarium, tutorial

DIY Sweet Hankie Bracelets

4 September, 2012 9:06 am / 21 Comments / My So Called Crafty Life

Today I have a sweet and shabby chic DIY for you! I am going to teach you how to make a braided bracelet from an old handkerchief. These are easy to make and a great way to repurpose your stained and tattered vintage hanky stash. You can customize the design to your liking as well. What I like best about them is that they are fast to whip up.

Here’s What You Need:

*Vintage Hankies

*Scissors

*Twine or Thread

*Chain(optional)

*Metal End Caps

*Jewelry findings (jump rings, clasps)

*Beads and Charms

*E6000

*Jewelry Pliers

Step 1: Cut your hankies- Gather up your tattered hankies. Cut them lengthwise into strips that are about 1.5-2″ wide.

Step 2: Braid- Gather up three hanky strips. At the very top of the gathered strips tie them with a piece of twine and snip the ends of the twine off after you knot. Then braid your strip, and secure with another piece of twine at the end. If you wish to add chain, replace one strip of hanky with a couple of lengths of chain and braid it in. Once you have tied off your braid, clip off the chain ends close to the twine.

Step 3: Glue- Carefully snip off the ends of the hanky braids close to the twine as possible. Place a little E6000 into your bead cap and mush in one end of your braid wiping off excess glue if you have some push out. Let dry overnight or at least for a few hours.

Step 4: Add Clasp and charms- Using your jewelry pliers add your clasp to your end caps with jump rings. Make bead charms or add ready-made charms and add to your clasp with jump rings. And there you have it!

I love these little bracelets! I think they are a great way to repurpose less than perfect hankies! They look so sweet by themselves or stacked together. I made a batch of them for my shop, but I think I will be making some of these for holiday gifts as well. You can make a whole batch of them in under an hour. And the best part is that you can have so much fun customizing them in your own way. One of a kind wearables! Hope you enjoy!

Happy Crafting!

Posted in: Crafting, DIY, Tutorials / Tagged: braided bracelet, cottage, craft, diy, diy bracelet, diy jewelry, easy, friendship bracelet, green, handkerchief, hankie, hanky, recycled crafts, repurposed, shabby chic, sweet, tutorial, upcycled

DIY Vintage Vinyl Card Holders

21 August, 2012 12:15 pm / 4 Comments / My So Called Crafty Life

Today I have a super simple and fun DIY for you, vinyl card holders. These little pouches can hold business cards, gift cards, or rewards cards. I use mine as a cute little extra to hold a few business cards. I add one to every order I get from my shop. I like to use pages from vintage magazines for my card holders, but you could use scrapbook paper or even fabric if you wanted to.

Here’s What You Need:

*Iron On Vinyl

*Magazines, paper, etc.

*Scissors

*Iron

*Sewing machine and bright thread.

Step 1: Measure and cut- Measure how large you want your card holders to be using a business card or reward card as a guide. I made mine to be 3×4″. Then Cut your paper to size. You’ll need two pieces for each holder, a front and a back.

Step 2: Iron on Vinyl- Press and smooth out your papers onto the sticky side of your iron on vinyl, then cut out around the edges. Lay the pieces vinyl side up on your ironing board. Cover the pieces with the protective backing paper that came on your vinyl. Iron and press for 8 seconds on the front per piece. Then flip the piece over and iron the paper side for 4 seconds.

Step 3: Sew- Place your front and back pieces together vinyl sides out, matching up your lines. Carefully sew a zigzag stitch around the side bottom and other side of your holders. Trim threads. And you’re finished! Easy and Fun right!

I love to make these for my business, but I also think they’d be fantastic gift card holders for the holidays! I just need to find a holiday mag that I would be ok cutting up. Iron on vinyl is really fun and versatile to use! You can make all kinds of pouches, coasters, and covers with it. I hope you all enjoyed my little tutorial! Until next time….

Happy Crafting!

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Posted in: Crafting, DIY, Tutorials / Tagged: business cards, card holder, craft, crafting, diy, holiday ideas, how to, iron on vinyl, magazine crafts, paper craft, tutorial, vintage, vintage magazine

DIY Sweet Vintage Doily Bunting

14 August, 2012 7:30 pm / 1 Comment / My So Called Crafty Life

Today I have a fabulous and really simple craft for you all, doily buntings! These shabby buntings are great to decorate with! It’s a great use for your doily collection, and if you don’t already have your own, you can pick them up at the flea market or on Etsy for a dollar or less a piece sometimes. All you need are doilies, bias tape, thread, scissors, and a sewing machine. Let’s get crafty!

First take your doilies and fold them in half. Then, you are going to cut them up the middle where you folded so you have two identical halves.

Next you want to carefully sandwich the cut end of the doily into the bias tape, and stitch down the bias tape together carefully, checking that the doily is still sandwiched inside the tape at all times. You can leave a couple of inches in between doilies or sew them all right next to each other. I like both ways. And there you have it! Easy Peasy!

Buntings are one of my favorite things to decorate with. You can make them any length you wish. Short and small ones look great hanging on a fireplace mantle! I love to hang them over beds, or string them across a footboard. You can also make a bunch of these sweet little buntings for a wedding or party. There are so many ways you can use buntings. Anyone can put their own style into them, and that’s what makes them so fantastic!

Happy Crafting!

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Posted in: Crafting, DIY, Tutorials / Tagged: cottage, craft, decorating, diy, diy bunting, diy doily bunting, diy wedding decorations, doily, doily craft, garland, how to, party, shabby chic, tutorial, vintage doily, weddings

14 Days of Love- “Love” Chalkboard Vase

7 February, 2012 5:22 pm / Leave a Comment / My So Called Crafty Life

Well I can’t believe I did this, but somehow I lost the pictures of the steps to making this project, so, I will do my best to explain it to you. DIY magazine had a very similar project in their latest issue as well, without the chalkboard paint.

Supplies:

*Vase

*Glass paint, make sure it’s at least hand washable

*Sharpie paint pen

*Chalkboard paint

*Stencil(optional)

Step 1: Make sure your glass is clean and dry before you paint. Squeeze a small amount of paint into the inside bottom of your vase. Now, swirl the vase in your hand coating the inside of the vase with paint. I put mine upside down over a paper plate for a few minutes to coat it a little more evenly, then I wiped the excess off the rim with a damp paper towel. Let dry…

Step 2: You can either free hand or use a stencil for the “frame” area for the chalkboard paint. I used a stencil and just taped it to the front where I wanted it. Follow the instructions on your chalkboard paint. Mine said to paint one coat horizontally, let dry for an hour, and then paint the second coat vertically. Let dry…

Step 3: Decorate with the sharpie. This was my first time using a sharpie paint pen, and I have to say, it’s fantastic! I plan on getting more. Freestyle decorate on the outside of your vase with your sharpie paint pen. I used scalloped designs on the top and bottom of the vase and outlined my chalkboard area. Have fun with it!

Step 4: Get your chalk out and write your own messege for your sweetie. Add your choice of flowers, and your done.

My hubbie and I always make a really nice dinner at home for valentine’s day, since we don’t like crowded restaurants. This year I’m using this sweet little vase for the centerpiece for our Valentine’s dinner table. A+D= Love……, Cheesy, but oh so true!

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Posted in: Crafting, DIY / Tagged: centerpiece, chalkboard paint, crafts, diy, diy gift, love, painting on glass, sweet, tutorial, valentine, vase

14 Days of Love- “Bubble” Bracelet Tutorial

6 February, 2012 10:05 pm / 4 Comments / My So Called Crafty Life

Supplies:

*Fabric 1/8th of a yard would be fine

*Sewing machine

*Wooden beads

*Jewlery End Caps (I got mine here: http://www.etsy.com/listing/71683704/silver-finish-8mm-end-caps-6-pcs)

*Ribbon

*Safety pin or turning tool

*Scissors or rotary cutter

Step 1: Cut the fabric. My beads were around an inch, so I made my strips 3 inches for ease and seam allowance. Cut the strips perpendicular to the selvedge.

Step 2: Sew. Fold strip in half lengthwise with right sides together and sew with a 1/4″ seam allowance

Step 3: Turn rightside out using a turning tool if you have one, or you can use a safety pin. You can attach the pin to the end of the fabric and scooch it down through to the other end pulling the fabric through as you go to get it right side out.

Step 4: Tie a knot at the end of your sewn strip. You can leave a long tail if you wish to have self ties for fastening, or knot at the end if you are going to add and endcap and ribbon.

Step 5: assemble bracelet. Slide a bead into the tube of fabric until it reaches the knot. Twist the fabric to make it tought around the bead and then tie another secure knot. Continue loading and knotting between beads until you have the length you want and make sure to knot the end when finished. I used six beads per bracelet on mine.

Step 6: Glue end caps. You can use hot glue, but my favorite glue is e-6000, but it takes a while to dry, so it’s up to you what you wish to use. Twist the end fabric very tightly where the last knots are. Snip fabric close, leave about 1/4″ or so after the know, keeping the twisted fabric in between your fingers. Load a bit of glue into the end cap and then twist the cap onto the twisted end of your fabric. Do this for both sides.

Step 7: Add ribbon. Once your end caps are completely dried, you are ready to add ribbon. I start with a strand of ribbon much larger than I think I need. If you have thicher ribbon, snip the end of the ribbon into a fine point. Thread the ribbon through both eyes of the end caps. Tie a loose bow, and snip off tails where it looks good to you.

Step 8: Pile them on and enjoy.

These bracelets are super chunky. I love them because they look like yummy patterned gumballs, and I love bracelets that tie with a ribbon. I hope you enjoy making them as much as I did. Happy crafting!

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Posted in: Crafting, DIY, Tutorials / Tagged: chunky, crafts, diy, diy gift, gingham, girly, jewelry, love, red, shabby chic, tutorial, valentine

14 Days of Love- Love Birds

2 February, 2012 5:57 pm / 2 Comments / My So Called Crafty Life

Supplies:

*Wood Beads

*Pipe Cleaners (regular and extra fuzzy)

*Acrylic paint to match the color of the birds body

*Fine tip sharpie or other fine tip pen

*Colored jewelry wire

*Thin ribbon or string

*Hot glue gun and hot glue

*Wire snips

Step 1: Paint the wooden bead to match the color of the pipe cleaner you are using for the bird’s body. I found it helpful to string the beads through a pipe cleaner to paint.

Step 2: Place pipe cleaner with painted beads on it on top of two tin cans to dry

Step 3: Shape the pipe cleaner for the body of the bird. Start with a little straight bit to use for gluing the head on later, then shape into a kinda crecent shape, and wrap end around the neck.

Step 4: Start to wrap pipe cleaner around the form of the body starting at the neck and continue down to the end leaving a tiny end up to wrap the tail around.

Step 5: Make the tail, twist the fuzzy pipe cleaner for the tail around the but end. Make a small loop for the top, wrap around, then make a larger loop for the bottom, and finish by wrapping around the base one or two times and then snip off excess with wire cutters.

Step 6: Make legs. Snip off a long bit of wire. Make two loop bends for the feet. Push other end of the wire through the body and bend wire to make other foot. Snip off excess.

Step 7: Draw the eyes on the bird’s head with an extra fine tip sharpie.

Step 8: Cut a small piece of wire for the beak. Bend wire in half and insert into the hole on the beak end of the wooden bead.

Step 9: Glue all the pieces together with hot glue. Put glue down into hole in bead and insert head to body and beak to head. Pull up on legs and put some glue at top and squish legs into place. Now, tie bow on boy’s neck and make a bow and glue on girl’s head. And Voila! You are fini!

These birds make a sweet valentines decoration. You could display them on a shelf or they would be really cute to top your valentine’s cake. Enjoy!

Posted in: Crafting, DIY, Tutorials / Tagged: aqua, bird, birds, crafts, diy, love, love birds, pink, pipe cleaners, red, retro crafts, sweet, tutorial, valentine, valentines craft

14 Days of Love- Valentine’s Wreath

30 January, 2012 5:46 pm / 5 Comments / mysocalledcraftylife

Supplies Needed:

*Grapevine wreath

*Spray paint

*Felt Flowers from previous tutorial

*Mini bunting from previous tutorial

*Any added decoration you wish(I used a vintage flocked deer)

*Ribbon

*Hot Glue

Step 1: Spray paint grapevine wreath in desired color. I started out with pink, and ended up going with white because I didn’t like how the pink turned out. Let dry for at least a day until you start gluing anything to it.

Step 2: Lay out bunting where you want it and then use a few drops of hot glue to secure. I used a couple small felt roses to hide the string where I wasn’t going to have patches of flowers.

Step 3: Glue flowers to wreath. Put a generous amount of hot glue on the beck side of the rose. You can lay out flowers on the wreath before you glue or you can glue and lay out one by one. Continue gluing flowers down until you are satified with the design.

Step 4: String ribbon around wreath and either tie in a bow, or knot and wrap and tie another bow around the top. I added a different ribbon to the top of mine.