Monday, December 29, 2014

Easy Coffee Can Bird Feeders



This is one of the coolest homemade birdfeeders I've ever seen!

One of the best ways to observe nature close up is to put up a bird feeder, sit back and watch the birds in action.  They can be very entertaining!

Here is a recycle crafty project that will take something you usually toss away and use it for an awesome purpose.  Colorful birdfeeders hanging from the trees in the garden add so much color and great for the dormant season when there is a scarcity of color outdoors.

The birds will thank you!

Click here for the tutorial.



Monday, December 15, 2014

Fabulous No-Sew Pillows and Blankets



What an awesome and easy project with fabulous results!

This project is not just for the holidays and not just for new fabric.  

My mind is always on recycling every bit of clothing rather than tossing them away.

Great project for a non-sewer!

Click here to go to the tutorial.





Sunday, September 7, 2014

DIY Painted Concrete Porch


For the longest time I've wanted to paint the concrete floors in the carport. The project keeps losing its place on the priority list, but after seeing this porch . . . that may change.

This porch was all done with paint and stencils.  How easy is that?  For me, the hardest part would be getting the floors clean since it is outside.

I'm totally impressed!

Click here to go to the tutorial.




Friday, August 29, 2014

DIY Mod Podge Paper Mache Lampshade



Yet another technique using Mod Podge!

I've loved the craft of paper mache since I was a little girl and still do!

My imagination is running wild with ideas for making jewelry components and all kinds of embellishments. The lampshade is very cool and opens up so many ideas for home decor.

Click here to go to the tutorial by Lakshmi!  Awesome tutorial and technique :)



Thursday, August 28, 2014

Anthropologie Cenote Layered Necklace DIY Knockoff




Awesome inspiration!

If you make your own jewelry for personal use or professionally, you will love to make this awesome layered necklace.

You can make it out of components from vintage or used jewelry that is broken or just needs repurposing or purchase new components.

What I love about this design is that you can make a number of earring and bracelet combinations to match this necklace!  They would make a very cool jewelry collection . . . don't you think?

Click here for the tutorial from one of my favorite blogs, Flamingo Toes!


DIY Glitter Lips T-Shirt



Fabric paint can transform a plain t-shirt into a work of art even if you don't have the gift of painting freehand with the use of stencils.  

Simple fabric embellishment!

Anne of WobiSobi comes up with the coolest creations!  Her latest is fabric painting using a stencil and glitter paint.  Awesome technique!

Click here to go to Anne's tutorial which includes a template for the stencil.





Wednesday, August 13, 2014

DIY Printed Jeans



Fabric embellishment . . . one of my favorite things!

You would not believe how simple it is to create your own printed jeans.  

What awesome inspiration!  This method is not just for jeans . . . you can embellish t-shirts, fabric for purses, notebooks, canvas or tennis shoes . . . there are unlimited projects this technique can be used for.  

Click here for the tutorial.



Monday, August 11, 2014

No Sew Tie Dye Kimono



Look at what you can do with an XL t-shirt!

Of course you don't have to do the tie dye since the design of the shirt is so awesome :)  Love this design!!

Anne from WobiSobi.com shared her tutorial for this awesome Kimono on ILoveToCreate.com.

Check out her blog for more inspirational designs and techniques . . .

WobiSobi

I have also included this button on my listing of favorite blogs for future reference!





Friday, August 8, 2014

Floral or Citrus Ice Bowl




If you are into unique food presentations, this one is for you!

I've never seen anything like this . . . very cool and unique.

The tutorial has a list of suggested uses for the ice bowls.

Click here for the tutorial!



Monday, July 28, 2014

Upcycled decorated storage bin



Look at what you can do with an old unused storage bin!

This is what it looked like before . . . 



It is amazing that with a little imagination, hardware, scrap cloth and trims or whatever else you come up with, you can turn something plain like an old storage bin into something like a piece of furniture.

See how Becca transformed her storage bin . . . click here.





Thursday, July 17, 2014

Recycle old candles


Candle lovers out there know how expensive it can be to burn candles every day as we love to do.

This is a little trick that I had forgotten about since my candle making supplies are buried in my craft room, but I plan on digging them out soon!

Back in the day when my yard was my Paradise, I bought candle holders on sticks and lined them down the pathways and placed here and there for effect at night.  It took lots of candles to do this and I would recycle them regularly.

What I used were old juice glasses and custard dishes as well as my trusty decorated recycled glass jars.  They looked gorgeous out there at night!

The tutorial will show you how to do it and what supplies you will need from the craft store.  It is relatively inexpensive to recycle your old candles.  Safety is always first, don't go wandering around the house while melting candle wax . . . I use a dedicated pot just for melting candle wax.

You will look at glass items with different eyes when you go shopping as you can find some very interesting glass pieces that are appropriate for candles at yard sales, dollar stores and thrift stores.  Go through your collection of glass items at home . . . you never know what treasures you will come across that you forgot you even had!

Click here for the tutorial!


Wednesday, July 16, 2014

Denim Jeans Mini Purse



What a cute little mini purse or belt pouch made from denim jeans legs!

Click on the link at the end of this post to go to the tutorial, which can be used as a guide.  I love the techniques used in the construction of the purse. 

The purse itself can be made fancier by using fabric embellishments, jewelry and buttons.

Let your imagination be your guide :)

Click here to go to the tutorial!




Monday, July 7, 2014

Denim Flip Flops


How cute are these denim flip flops to wear around the house?

The construction of these flip flops do not use shoe soles as a base, but it should not be too difficult to use an old pair of flip flops as a base.  You can use some of the other tutorials I have listed on this blog to see how to use recycle old flip flops.

Love this idea!  It has given me inspiration for many designs :)

Click here to go to the tutorial.


Thursday, July 3, 2014

DIY Button Pendant Light




Just when I had a small lampshade in the big bag headed for the trash, I saw this project.

Look at what you can do with buttons and a lampshade frame!  Of course you have to learn how to wire a lamp if you want to use it as a lamp, but I was also thinking it would make great bones for very fancy windchimes.

Whatever project you have in mind for this creative inspiration, it is an ingenious use of an old lampshade frame!

Click here for the tutorial and don't forget to check out the awesome website!








Tuesday, July 1, 2014

Paper clip & junk mail bracelet



This bracelet takes recycling to another level!

It is made with paper clips and junk mail. 

Of course you could use colorful gift wrapping paper,
 magazine pages, etc.

What an excellent project for little girls!!

Click here for the tutorial :)



Wednesday, June 25, 2014

Watch Face Rhinestone Pendant


Love this simple, yet elegant design!

The photo is for inspiration only . . . it was found on Pinterest which led to an Etsy store that is now closed. The piece sold as a necklace for $22.

What a great use for those old watches too worn for sale and an orphan earring . . . genius idea!

Wouldn't it look awesome as a closure for a purse?

Happy designing!


Saturday, June 21, 2014

Summer Mason Jars



Here's more inspiration for decorating glass jars!

I love the theme . . . great idea and so cute for a summer picnic.

Click here for instructions on how Dee make them.

Thanks for the inspiration!


Tuesday, June 17, 2014

Awesome decorated glass jar



Love this jar which has given me so much inspiration!

This post is for inspiration only.  I found this photo on Pinterest that led to an Etsy page that no long exists, so there is no tutorial to go with the jar.  However, use your imagination with some old jewelry and the appropriate glue and you can create a jar just as pretty.

I'm still gathering up glass jars for future projects . . . I love recycling glass items!


Monday, June 9, 2014

Olive Oil for your Beauty Regiment

Did you know that olive oil has been used by women for their beauty regiments since ancient times?  I wonder how they knew that olive oil contains anti-aging antioxidants and hydrating qualities that make it perfect for hair, skin and nails.

Here are some uses for olive oil for your beauty regiment . . .


Preshampoo Hair Treatment
Yep, since ancient Egyptian times, olive oil has been used as a hair treatment. Warm the olive oil in the microwave or in hot water, apply it generously to the ends of hair and scalp, leave it in for up to 10 to 20 minutes, and shampoo it out.  How much do you pay for similar hair treatments from the department store?

Lip Scrub
Combine coarse sugar with a teaspoon of olive oil for chapped lips or the whole body.

Eye-Makeup Remover
No explanation needed!  It really works!

Cuticle Conditioner
Actually, I use olive oil on my nails and hands as I cook, especially when making bread.

This is a small list . . . do a search and you will be surprised at all of the recipes you will find using olive oil as the base ingredient.   Put it in a pretty decanter and proudly display it! 
Why spend so much money on department store items when you don't have to?




Tuesday, May 20, 2014

French Mood Purse


The fabric embellishment on this "French Mood" purse is so beautiful, I had to feature it for future inspiration for myself and other sewers who love to create new fabric from scraps and those who love to create unique purses.

The link to the original article does not include a tutorial, just lots of inspiration through photos.

Click here to go to the article!