Wine cork bath mat Inspired by CB2's bamboo bath mat I’m evidently on a hot-glue kick lately. This bath mat requires just three materials: shelf liner, hot glue, and 175 wine corks. It was inspired by CB2’s bamboo bath mat, which is perfectly lovely and affordable but too big for my tiny bathroom, hence this equally eco-friendly version. Yeah, but how durable is it, you say? How to make a wine cork bath mat Supplies 175 wine corks (plus a few extra to allow for mistakes)hot glue sticksnon-adhesive shelf liner (I used Duck brand Smooth Top Easy Liner in taupe, found at Walmart. Tools pocket knife (sharpened)cutting board (one that you won’t mind if it gets slightly damaged)rotary cutter and mat (or scissors)long ruler or yardstickhot glue guncoarse sand paper 1. 2. 3. 4. 5.
Ideas for Quilting 10 Christmas Gifts in a Jar Do you need some inexpensive Christmas gifts? Of course you do. Don't we all? I'm always on the lookout for gifts that are easy and quick to make. Quart and pint size jars are easy-to-find, but I love these different shapes and sizes. Chocolate Chip Oatmeal Bread from Sunset Peppermint Stick Cocoa from Sunset Downloadable labels are included with this cookie recipe. Here are two great ways to bottle homemade vanilla. This uses the same recipe as the Cowgirl Cookies, but just changes the M&M colors. Not all gifts that come in jars are food-related. Three different fun gifts along with labels. Here is a great gift for someone who crafts or paints. I decided...I may make them all. Linked to:
DIY Glitter Vases Inspired by many reader requests for a DIY tutorial to recreate the glittery mason jar vases from this New Year’s Eve party, today we’re playing with glitter. A whole lot of glitter! I whipped up two different versions of these glitter vasses, both of which are quick and easy. They’re perfect for parties, weddings or just to add a touch of sparkle to your dining room table. I seriously love how they turned out! Supplies - Glass containers (preferably with smooth, straight sides)Glitter (I used Martha Stewart Crafts glitter in Wintermint and Bronze from Michaels)Foam brushPainter’s tapeModPodge For the first vase I used a small cylindrical vase and using the foam brush, applied a thin and even coat of ModPodge on the interior walls of the vase. Then I just let the vase dry. For the second version, I used a mason jar and went for a glitter-dipped look. Next up, I used a copper glitter and coated the outside of the vase. Many thanks to my lovely friend Alice G.
Plastic bag Yarn - gooseflesh Since I posted my crochet Sea Creatures on Flickr in November, 2006, many people have asked me how I make the plastic bag yarn. So here is a How to lesson. There are many different techniques, but I found this one worked best for me. ** I have added an alternative technique tutorial at the end. 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9. This technique has been around for decades. Mmmmmm....... Method 2: Red Pepper Quilts Dyed Buttons | Rit Dye Dyeing buttons and beads is fun and easy to do, enabling you to get the exact color you want whether using the buttons and beads on a coat, a pillow cover or in a necklace. They also look beautiful in a vase as part of a flower arrangement, helping the flowers to stand tall. Most buttons and beads are made out of nylon and Rit is one of the few dyes that will color these materials (it also dyes wood buttons!). That means you can transform plain buttons and beads into colorful accents that match or coordinate with whatever you are making. Prep, dye and rinse time: 30 minutes You’ll Need White nylon-based plastic buttons or beadsRit Dye, liquid or powderMeasuring cupMeasuring spoonsPlastic containersSpoonRubber glovesPlastic table coverPaper towels Step by Step Cover work surface with a plastic table cover.
MAGIC Decal Tutorial with Free Printables! Some of you may remember, a little while back I posted a tutorial for DIY waterslide decals. Among other things, I mentioned how awesome they are for creating custom embellishments without the need for any fancy-pants equipment. Yep, waterslide decal paper is a truly fab product, though as great as it is, there is one drawback – although it’s somewhat tough it’s not especially durable. So, whilst it’s perfect for ornamental purposes, it’s not ideal for more practical applications…until now that is! Magic decal coating paper is a product designed to be used in conjunction with standard decal paper to make the finished transfers super durable – yes, even dishwasher resistant! If you’re already familiar with magic decal coating paper then please excuse my tardy excitement, though for everyone else who is just getting to the party now too, feel free to start throwing the streamers! 1 Image to transfer. Use anything you like. 2 Printer. You can use either a laser or an inkjet printer. 6 Scissors.
How to Crochet with Pop-Tops Crochet a Flower With Pull Tabs For crafters who want to know how to crochet with pull tabs, we've come up with this free crochet pattern that will teach you how to crochet a flower. This is our first DIY project and it's a good introduction to recycled crafts. This crochet flower can be made into a Christmas tree ornament, a brooch or incorporated into a larger project. To download a printable version, click here » Step 1: Materials & Tools 6 pull tabs Crochet thread (1 or 2 colors). Step 2: Prepare Your Pull Tabs Choose tabs that are in good condition. Step 3: Start Crocheting Begin crocheting the center of the flower using a single stitch to cover the 'thin side' of the tab (top figure) (the side that's pulled when a can is opened). Step 4: Connect the Circle Pull the line of tabs into a circle and crochet them together (top figure). Step 5: Add Color to the 'Petals' Cover the outer ring of the pull-tab using a double stitch with different colored thread. Step 6: Cover and Connect
How to Quilt: Scrap Quilts How to Quilt>Scrap Quilts Bonnie Hunter is a quilter who specializes in scrap quilts using fabric from thrift shops or donations from friends' closets. Recently she visited with us for our Eavesdrop on a Telephone Conversation, and the specific topic was how to choose the garments at a thrift shop that will make great fabric for a quilt. Here is a sampling of her answers: Penny: How do you know whether a particular garment would make a good fabric for a quilt? Bonnie: I look for garments the same way I look for fabric. If it says 100% cotton, then that’s the first thing I’ll look for. The next thing I check is how the fabric feels in my hand. I look for the same kinds of things when I look for articles of clothing to cut up for fabric. Penny: You don’t use polyester? Bonnie: No, I don’t. Men’s shirts, so far, have not incorporated spandex. Penny: How do you estimate how much fabric you’ll be able to get from a particular garment? Bonnie: The size of the garment will give you an idea.
DIY - Off The Wall Suspended Gardens I just might attempt to create this. Looks simple enough, right? A couple of 9" terra-cotta pots, spray paint, flower pot hangers and some wood screws...boom, a suspended garden. P.S. {Images via DIY Ideas} How To Mix Chalkboard Paint in Any Color We love using chalkboards as backdrops for displays and parties (like this one here!). So we were super excited to learn that you can create your own custom colors-and it's really easy! We first learned how from Martha Stewart whose tutorial you can read here. She recommends that you use latex paint, but we tried it out with acrylic paints with much success. Supplies: 1/2 cup acrylic paint (choose any color you like, or mix colors together to make the perfect shade!) 1. 2. Once your chalkboard has fully dried be sure to slate the surface before using it for the first time. Have fun creating any color combination you like!!
Newspaper Bags Recycled into Plarn | My Recycled Bags.com Posted on March 6, 2011 This tutorial shows how you can recycle plastic newspaper bags into plastic bag yarn or plarn. Converting these narrow plastic bag sleeves into yarn is very similar to cutting retail bags to make plastic bag yarn. I have create a picture tutorial outlining the steps below. This method can be used for any narrow plastic bags like newspaper sleeves, English muffin bags, packing pillows and any other skinny plastic bags. First step is to take the newspaper bag which measures 7-1/2″ wide x 21″ long and flatten it out. Click on any photo to supersize Step 2 is to fold it in half lengthwise. Step 3 is to fold it once more lengthwise. Step 4 you cut strips 1 inch wide across the short length of the bag. Step 5 is closeup of the 1 inch wide plarn loops. Step 6 shows how you interconnect the loops and then pull the knot tight. If you cut the strips about 1 inch wide, it will result in about 19 loops per newspaper bag.