Make Your Own Bunting

Bunting

12 Nov 2012

I have seen some adorable bunting on Pinterest, and I decided it would work for just about any kind of party or event. It seems to add flavor to any decorations, and seemed to be quite versatile, so I decided to give it a whirl.

What you'll need:

- Scrapbook paper                                    - Sewing Machine

- Card stock                                                - Sharpie Marker

- Ribbon                                                      - Printer

Here's how I made a bunting sign for my Jewelry show table. 

First I picked my font from Dafont.com. 

Then I printed it out at size 200.

Then I cut it out using a box cutter.

I used my opening in the paper as a stencil to fill in my damask cardstock. At first I thought, "I need spraypaint!" Then I realized that a Sharpie marker would probably work just as well.

I loaded up the old sewing machine with some thread, and I chained stitched the cardstock on top of some ribbon. This sign came out really cute. 

This bunting says, "JoyfulSparkle" which is my jewelry store name. I made this bunting in 3 afternoon naps, for my show last weekend. 

I liked the way the first bunting came out, I made a second one for Thanksgiving. It only took one afternoon, so I think that the length of the bunting accounts for how long it takes to make. Note the change in font! Remember that when picking your font, you should pick one that looks, well, pretty, but also is relatively easy to read.

So if you're crafty and want to make a sign for your craft show, or you just want to add a little fanfare to your decorating, this project could be right for you.

Another Notebook Method

A Better Way (Scrapbook Notebook)

2 Oct 2012

After about a dozen notebook covers made of the scrapbook paper, I figured out a better way to tuck in the corners. 

Glue on the scrapbook paper. Fold over the edges to make nice guide lines.

Cut a diagonal corner of the paper into the corner of the cardboard notebook. 

Now, cut the guide lines that you folded earlier. You should have cute little triangles floating to the floor. 

Once you fold over the edges now, you will see nice sharp corners develop. 

A much more reliable method to set the covers on the notebook. 

So pretty!

Fabric Cover for a Notebook

Fabric Covered Notebook

9 Oct 2012

When you put together a gorgeous notebook, it's possible you may not want to use it, since it will get used up, and then you can't carry it with you again. Well, we can now avoid that problem! A re-useable cover, just refill with another composition notebook. 

How cute is that? Let's get started!

1) I made a template, by tracing the outside of a composition notebook, and I added 1/2 inch around for the seam allowance.

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2) I trimmed off a 6 inch piece of the template. 

3) Cut one piece of the skinny template, and 2 pieces of fabric from the thick template. 

4) Pin right sides together and sew the 3 pieces together. 

5) I sewed a seam on the two outside pieces of fabric.

6) Pin the ribbon bookmark in place, and sew.

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7) Iron a seam on top and bottom across all 3 fabrics.

8) Place the notebook in the middle, fold the fabric over the edges, and pin.

9)*Mine shows the right-side of the fabric, learn from my mistake :) You actually will save time if you pin the wrong side of the fabric, instead.

10) Fold the notebook all the way back and carefully slip the notebook off, and sew. I ironed the seams flat, but you might not have to. It's possible that the cover will be flush with out ironing the seams. 

11)   Sew across all 3 pieces of fabric. on the top and the bottom of your fabric cover.

12) Flip the cloth cover inside out. 

13) Slip your composition notebook into your spiffy new notebook cover!

Ta-Da!! How cute is that? 

*Just a note- the first time I made a notebook cover, it took me 3 1/2 hours to make. But, the good news, the second one only took me about 1 1/2 hours from cutting fabric, all the way to sliding in the composition notebook. 

Butterfly Manicure

Spongy Manicure

13 Oct 2012

This spongy technique is easy to pull off, and is a great base for a lot of cute manicures. Today I'm working on a butterfly wing, mostly because I like butterflies. Yeah, I think that's the only reason actually!  

1) Choose your materials first, running around with wet nails usually makes something messy! In case you're wondering, Left to Right: OPI Peach-A-Boo, China Glaze VI, OPI Take The Stage, OPI DS Jewel. On the right: Seche Vite Top Coat, Orly Nailtrtion, NYC 134 French Tip White. 

2) Base Coat, I used Nailtrition

3) Pick out 3 shades in the same color family. Paint the middle shade on the whole nail.

 

4) Dip the sponges in Water, you'll use less paint!            

5)Paint your makeup sponge with the three colors,

in order from darkest to lightest

6) Dab the sponge across the nail, darkest color at the top.

7) Use Q-tips dipped in nail polish remover to clean up the cuticles.

8) Striping brushes have a long bristle, it helps make straight lines, even when you're free-handing. This particular brand is So Easy, Stripe Rite.

9) Free-hand the small half circle at the bottom. Pull stripes from the bottom towards the tips. Stripe across the tip with the black polish. 

10) Using the top of a pin, or a toothpick dip in white polish, and then lightly tap on the black portion of the manicure. 

11) Finish off with your favorite top coat! And you're done! 

There you have it! Butterfly wings on your fingernails! And remember, no butterflies were harmed in the making of this manicure! 

Inspired 10/17/12

Inspired

17 Oct 2012

Psalm 19:1-6: The heavens declare the glory of God; the skies proclaim the work of his hands.

Check out that sky! I loved seeing the clouds change as they moved down the mountains and across the valley.  Mt. Sugarloaf, MA 

Where will you find inspiration to renew the well of creativity?

The Garment 10/21/2012

The Garment

21 Oct 2012

We get comfortable in our daily drudgery, the routine of our emotions keeping us from being as free as we are meant to be. Like wearing a bathrobe and fuzzy slippers. This is fine when we are trying to get over a cold, maybe a day or two. What is your "bathrobe" made of? Depression, Doubt, Anxiety, Self-conscience, Abuse, Despair, Broken-hearted, Mourning,  you fill in your personal obstacles here.

We can wear those bathrobes to tatters, but the Lord wants to dress His children a different way.

Isaiah 61:3,  To appoint unto them that mourn in Zion, to give unto them beauty for ashes, the oil of joy for mourning, the garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness; that they might be called trees of righteousness, the planting of the LORD, that he might be glorified 

The Lord's gifts for His children are Beauty for their ashes, Joy for Mourning, and Praise for the spirit of heaviness.

These gifts all begin with the Garment of Salvation. I think of the Garment of Salvation as a beautifully tailored suit. It's is lovingly made to be very comfortable for the wearer. Every stitch is made with Love. 

Isaiah 61:10 I will greatly rejoice in the LORD, my soul shall be joyful in my God; for He hath clothed me with the garments of salvation, he hath covered me with the robe of righteousness, as a bridegroom decketh himself with ornaments, and as a bride adorneth herself with her jewels. 

Isaiah 61:11 For as the earth bringeth forth her bud, and as the garden causeth the things that are sown in it to spring forth ; so the Lord GOD will cause righteousness and praise to spring forth before all the nations.

God will prepare us for what is coming. The wiles of the devil, is what the Bible says in Ephesians. 

 Eph 6:11 Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil.

Eph6:14 Stand therefore,having your loins girt about with truth, and having on the breastplate of righteousness; 15 And your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace; 16 Above all, taking the shield of faith,wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked. 17 And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God: 18 Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication

When we repent of our sins, we make a choice. We use the gift of free-will to accept the garments of Salvation that God offers us. He will help us have the faith neccessary to overcome anything holding us back.

In the morning, as part of your routine, keep a verse ready to be read. I reccomend a verse that is applicable to your situation. I have a few suggestions, just to get you started! 

Are you properly dressed today?

-it all starts with the Garments of Salvation. John 3:16

-Have you checked in with God today? Lam. 3:22-24

-Wearing Anxiety Pants? Change them to Confident Trousers. Phil. 4:6,13

-Depression Duds? Change them to Joyful Jeans. Ps. 28:7; Neh. 8:10; Ps 90:14

-Self-Conscience Coat? Robe of Righteousness Phil 4:13

-Feeling Weak? Eph. 6:14 Wear your Truth, Righteousness, Gospel of peace,

shield of Faith.

-Brassiere feeling droopy? Wear your Breastplate of Righteousness Eph. 6:14

-Feeling Lonely? Prov. 27:17 fellowship; Ps. 34:18 the Lord is there with you; Ecc. 4:7-12

Amethyst Earrings

Amethyst Earrings

31 Oct 2012

The amethysts have arrived! I'm so excited, I made these earrings right out of the box! They are so shiny and sparkly in real life. 

My jewelry show is over and these little beauties are now available in my online store! Go check it out: https://www.etsy.com/listing/114680515/amethyst-stud-earrings 

Organizing the Cabinets in the Castle

Organizing the Cabinets in the Castle

14 Sep 2012

I loved the beautiful cabinets and pantries on Pinterest. So I thought I would give it a chance. It took a little bit of shopping around. 

I was fortunate to find 3L jars at Christmas Tree Shops. I really wanted to organize the cabinets, make everything more streamlined and matching. I've read on other blogs that you can also find similar glass jars at Dollar Stores, I checked my local stores, but I didn't find them.  

3L Jar

You can also find these jars at http://www.jarstore.com/ , or here http://www.sks-bottle.com/Glass.html , and here http://www.containerandpackaging.com/catalog/glass-jars/14/ . 

I edited some labels that I found here: http://blog.worldlabel.com/2009/free-fillable-suzee-que-vintage-labels.html .    and I printed off labels that I found here, already made up: http://thesocialhome.blogspot.com.au/2012/02/pantry-pretty-dollar-store-pantry.html , and here http://limeshot.com/2012/free-printable-mason-jar-labels . 

I washed this jar in the dishwasher. I slipped the lid off and washed it by hand. I pinched the two metal parts together and slipped it back on. 

Using Mod Podge, I covered the back of my label on a scrap piece of paper, make sure to get all of the corners. 

Quickly set the label on your jar, before the Modge Podge starts to get dry.  Next, I used a paper funnel from some computer paper to make it easier to fill this jar with Whole Wheat Flour.

One Cabinet down, four to go!

This gives me joy everyday as I work in the kitchen. These cute jars help the kitchen feel even more homemade. 

Happy Organizing!

Freehand French Manicure

Freehand French Manicure

17 Sep 2012

An Easy Manicure You Can Do Yourself

Manicures can be expensive. I remember a time when I would spend $25 every other week to keep a beautiful set of nails. I do enjoy a professional manicure, every now and then, as a nice way to reward myself. But, with practice, I have been able to paint my own nails, complete with special effects, for a while now. 

1. Get the old polish off, I use dollar store nail polish remover and cotton pads, make sure that it has glycerin, it helps with moisterizing. If I used a sparkle nail polish, it will take longer! Just let them soak a bit. 

2. Wash your hands, soap and water, if there's a bit of remover left behind, it will make bubbles in your paint. 

3. Use a nice Base coat, This prevent staining and makes it easier to remove the polish later on. I use a Orly Nailtrition on my broken short nail, helps it catch up with it's friends. I used Barielle Professional Advanced as a Base coat on the other nails.

Nailtrition on the pinky finger, and Barielle Pro on the rest. 

4. Moisturize the cuticles, lotions work, as well as cuticle oils. 

5. Choose your colors, What will you be wearing this week? Any special events? Or are you just cheering yourself up, with a lovely mani pedi? I like a dark color for the first color and a lighter color for the tips. I have made a few reverse French Manicures, but find I prefer the lighter on top. This time I used Orly's Mysterious Curse for the first color, and China Glaze's Liquid Crystal for the tips. 

Left hand is two coats of Orly's Mysterious Curse, and the right hand is one coat. 

6. Let the base color dry. If you are in a hurry, use your top coat Seche Vite to get the drying started faster, usually a 5 minute drying time.  

7. Using the top color, use the width of the brush and follow the shape of the nail. Sometimes, I will go half way and come back from the other direction. If there are any bare spots, paint from the "smile" line towards the tip, like finishing a regular manicure. I use a paper towel to protect my surface. 

Painting the Liquid Crystal half across the tip, and came back from the other side to meet in the middle. 

Fill in the gaps by painting the end, add more polish to the brush. Pull from the smile line to the tip. 

8. Clean up your edges with a Q-tip dipped in a little nail polish remover. 

9. Top coat of Seche Vite. It is a more expensive top coat, but it will increase the time of your manicure by a few days. With out it, I get 2 days to a manicure, and with the Seche Vite, my manicure will last 5-7 days. best price I found is Amazon.com. 

There you have it! A great manicure that you did yourself. Now, have a nice cup of cocoa to tip the manicurist ;-)

Elegant Fruit Stand 9/19/2012

Elegant Fruit Stand

19 Sep 2012

I've seen a few three tiered stands on Pinterest, like this one: http://thecraftingchicks.com/2011/05/6955.html . I think they are useful, and full of personality.  I started shopping around to see what I could find, just keeping an eye out for something that would make this sweet new centerpiece for the table

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It's so sweet, now that it's put together. Let's see how I did it.

My original storage solution for the fruit. It's a sturdy green bowl, it does the job, but it's not quite fit for a Queen, is it?

I found these resin plates and pasta bowl at Target on Clearance for 2.67, $.88, and $2.07. I found the glass candle sticks at the Dollar store. 

I sent the dishes through the dishwasher, since I will put fruit in my bowl, I wanted it to start out clean. I set up the plates in order, making sure I had enough room in between them. 

I used Gorilla Glue to connect the pieces together. 

I let it set over night before adding any weight to the stand.

 

"Here it is the next morning, loaded up with fruit. So, Cheerful! 

Let it set, then enjoy!