Category Archives: DIY

DIY: paper christmas garland …

December 7, 2010

so, i finally am getting a chance around here to make a few fun christmas crafts.  i’ll be sharing a few of my fun projects over the next little bit.

my first christmas craft i decided to make was some fun paper garland.  here’s a little tutorial / DIY on how i made the christmas paper garland.

i was able to use a great new die cut machine from lifestyle crafts.  i used their basic nesting circles from their new basic shapes release to cut out my paper.

i used part of my huge supply of vintage music sheets, and i also used gold and silver shiny poster board i picked up at the craft store.

the process was really simple.  after i cut out my paper circles,  i just feed each circle through my sewing machine one after the other.  for the gold and silver, i double them up, so they would show the color on the front and back.
i didn’t really have a pattern in mind, i just feed through whatever color i thought looked good.

and, that’s pretty much it.
just make it as short or as long as you need it!
let me know if you make one, i’d love to see it!

now, i’m off to make norah’s sweater stocking to match the rest of ours…. i never got around to making her one last year.

magnetic chalkboard frame …

November 30, 2010

i have had big plans to make a magnetic chalkboard for my studio for a long time.
i’ve had the frame forever, and actually started the whole process over the summer.   so, over thanksgiving weekend, i finally got a minute to finish it!  so, here it is!  with a cute note from the husband i found today!

here’s a little run down of how i did it.

DIY / how to make a magnetic chalkboard frame:
what you need:

  • frame
  • sheet metal, cut to frame size with tin snips. {all found at a hardware store}
  • spray paint {if painting frame}
  • primer paint
  • sponge paint brush
  • chalkboard paint
  • small nails or industrial strength glue
instructions:
  • spray paint your frame the color of your choice.
  • cut sheet metal to size of the inside of the frame using tin snips.  
  • wipe off sheet metal with a cloth and let it dry.
  • paint one coat of primer onto sheet metal.
  • let dry for at least two hours or overnight.
  • paint one coat of chalkboard paint.  let dry overnight
  • paint one more coat of chalkboard paint, and let it dry for 24 hours.
  • rub chalk all over the chalkboard painted sheet metal and rub off all the chalk to set the chalkboard.
  • place sheet metal in frame, and set it in with small nails, or you can use industrial strength glue.
  • hang up and go crazy with your new chalkboard / magnet board!
  • voila!
it’s great that it is not only a chalkboard, but also you can use magnets to hang whatever you want on there!  {i even hung up my chalk with a little glue and a magnet!}
let me know if you have any questions!   

DIY: freezer paper stencil shirts …

September 14, 2010

Photobucketwow! i can’t believe it’s been two and half years since i’ve made any freezer paper stencil shirts. they really are so easy to make, and fun! i actually found myself in my studio with some free time on my hands. sadly, this hasn’t been the case around my house lately. so, i decided to take advantage and make a few shirts for ezra that i’ve had planned to make him for a while.doesn’t my little ezra look handsome in his new shirt we made? he was thrilled to help paint his new shirts, and has been proudly showing them to everyone.here’s a little DIY, in case you aren’t familiar with making freezer paper stencils.Photobucketwhat you will need:
-freezer paper
-plain shirt
-exacto knife
-cutting board
-pattern or picture you would like on your shirt
-fabric paint, found at any local craft store
-cardboard- to put inside the shirt when paintingPhotobucketstep one: place/tape pattern you would like to cut out on top of freezer paper, make sure the shiny smooth side is down [that will be ironed to the shirt later]. or, you can just draw your image on the paper side of the freezer paper.
cut the image out with an exacto knife on a cutting board. note: the parts that will be painted is what you cut out.PhotobucketPhotobucketstep two: using an iron on a medium setting, iron your freezer paper to your shirt where you would like your image to appear. next, paint in the open areas with paint colors of your choice. note: i liked using the foamy paint brushes the best. it is best to go up and down in a nice even coat.Photobucketstep three: this is the hardest part. don’t touch it after you’ve painted it. as much as you would like to see the finished product, you have to let it dry over night. at least 12 hours to be sure it has completely dried. next, carefully peel off the freezer paper, and voila! you have a new fun shirt!PhotobucketPhotobucketlet me know if you try this, and if you have any questions!