Boho Beaded Bracelet

I don't know about you, friends, but my summer wardrobe consists of a variety of different colors.  I've got some coral, some yellow, lots of turquoise, some pink, various shades of blue, and even some black and white.  So, I decided to make myself a bracelet that would match just about anything so that I can grab it and go, knowing it will look great no matter what I'm wearing for the day.  In the end, it actually ended up being two bracelets that I can either wear individually or stacked.  Here's how I made them, and you can too!

Patriotic Washi Tape Coasters

 Friends, I don't know about you, but the Artsy Family loves us a good holiday!  We like to be festive all year round, which means we often have decorative holiday touches around the house.  So, when I got some adorable patriotic washi tape last week, I immediately wanted to use it to create some 4th of July coasters!

Hand Sewing an Invisible Hem

Hey, friends!  I know that today is typically "crochet day" around here, but I had a different type of sewing project I had to complete and I thought some of you might be interested in a little "how-to" for that.  It starts with Little Crafter's karate pants.

You are my Sunshine Framed Art

Today I have a project to share with you that came about a little differently than most of my projects do.  Usually, I have a vision for something I want to make...either something I saw on Pinterest or a blog, or something I imagined on my own.  But this time, the project happened sort of backwards and came together  after the parts of it were already made.  Let me explain...

Recently, I got a pack of Sketch Pens to use with "Cammie," my Silhouette Cameo.  Little Crafter and I were both anxious to test them out {I'm honestly not sure which of us was more excited}, so I let him choose a color and a design.  He picked a turquoise-blue and a chevron pattern...I'm training him well, aren't I?  Then, we watched Cammie draw it onto a piece of cardstock.

Burlap Rosette Wreath for Spring

A few weeks ago, as I took the shamrock down from my front door, I found myself  in need of  really wanting a new Spring wreath!  My last several wreaths have involved yarn or ribbon wrapping, but this time I wanted something more rustic and natural.  I started browsing Pinterest, found some inspiration, and ended up with this: 

Here's how I made it:

Handstamped Ring

Friends, I am so excited to be a part of "Spring Bling Week"!  Some of my favorite blogger friends who also make jewelry have teamed up to bring you a week full of tutorials, which will wrap up with four great giveaways!  Today, it's my turn to share a tutorial with you...here goes:

Do you remember the great giveaway my friend Blythe from Desperate Craftwives sponsored for us at a Shine on Fridays party a few months ago?  She was giving away gorgeous handstamped rings, and she was sweet enough to send me one too!  I fell in love with it immediately and have worn it every. single. day. since it arrived, so when I saw a pack of flat ring blanks in Michaels, I couldn't resist picking it up and trying to make a few myself...I'm thinking they'll make great gifts!  If you're so inspired, here's how you can try it too:

Materials

- steel stamping block

- alphabet stamp set

- hammer

- painters' tape

- ring mandrel

- ring blanks

- permanent black marker

- silver jewelry polishing cloth

Before you begin, determine what word or phrase you want to stamp on your ring.  I chose, "oh how he loves us," which is a line from one of my all-time favorite songs by the David Crowder Band.  Write it out on a piece of paper and find the center. 

STEP 1: Tape your blank to the steel block on top of a hard, flat, and stable surface.  Make sure the tape is straight because you'll be using it as a guide for your letters.

STEP 2: Stamp your letters.  To do this, I mark a line on the tape for the center.  I begin with the center letter, then work outward in both directions.  Place your stamp where you want each letter to be and give it a very firm tap with your hammer.

This is how your ring will look when the stamping is complete.  You can choose to leave it this way, or you can darken the letters for an oxidized look.

STEP 3: To get an oxidized look, the easiest trick is to color over your letters with a black permanent marker.  Yes, this will eventually wear off, but the good news is that you can retouch it anytime by repeating this process and coloring them in again.

STEP 4: Use a polishing cloth to rub off the excess marker.  All that remains will be the marker in the crevices of each letter.

STEP 5: Form ring shape by wrapping blank around a steel mandrel.  You'll need to use your hammer to tap down the ends.

The great thing is that these rings are adjustable, so you can give them to friends knowing that they won't be too small, unlike a wire wrapped ring.

I want to try some of the thinner blanks too, now that I know how well the DIY process works, but I like how I can fit two lines of text on these which allows for longer phrases like this one.

What about you?  Do you think you'll try your hand at ring making?  What would you stamp on yours?

Be sure to visit my friends and check out the fabulous jewelry tutorials they've been sharing all week long!

Woven Ankle Bracelet by Adrianne, Color Block Earrings by Kara, DIY Amber & Gold Dangle Necklace,Simple Statement Necklace by Natalie, Mixed Media Bracelet by Adrianne, Bingo Marker Spoon Pendant by Holly, Dangle Earrings by Kate

Hugs & Glitter,

Springtime Thumbprint Mug

Hey, friends!  I don't know about you, but I am so glad it's finally Spring!  Now, if only someone would tell the weather it's time to warm up...

In honor of the season and the upcoming Easter holiday, Little Crafter and I decided to break out the paint and make a cute springtime mug using his adorable little thumbprints {which are getting bigger by the day!}.

Take a look...

Materials:

- plain white coffee mug {you can get these for less than $3 at Walmart or the Dollar store}

- glass paint {we used Martha Stewart brand: yellow, orange, blue, black, white, and purple}

- small paintbrush

- thumb :)

- rubbing alcohol and paper towel or cotton swab

STEP 1: Clean the mug surface with rubbing alcohol.  Little Crafter said he was "giving it a bath."

STEP 2: Dip child's thumb into the yellow paint and press onto the mug.  We left space in between for the bunnies.  On our mug, we got four chicks and four bunnies.

STEP 3: Repeat process using whatever color{s} you want for the bunnies.

STEP 4: Add details using a small paintbrush.  For the chicks, I added an orange beak and feet and two black eyes.  For the bunnies, I drew ears and added little tails.

All that's left is to let it dry completely and cure.  It will air cure in 21 days, or you can bake it for 30 minutes at 350 degrees.  It's best to place the mug on a cookie sheet in the oven without preheating so it can heat gradually rather than suddenly.  Also, let it cool in the oven before you remove it.  These paints are non-toxic, but not necessarily "food safe," so be sure you keep your design 0.8" from the top of the mug.

I think the finished product is simply adorable!!

...but not as adorable as the Little Crafter who made it!

If you like this project, there's another one you should check out.  Last year we did the same basic process, but used stamping ink instead and made framed art, which made a really cute piece of home decor!  These kinds of things are not only fun do make, they're great gifts for doting grandparents!

Hugs & Glitter,

Silhouette Sketch Pens and Promo Codes!

Friends, I have some incredibly exciting news to share with you!  Today through March 31, Silhouette is running a special promotion!  Which means, if you weren't the lucky winner of the Silhouette giveaway {Audrey Dawkins}, you might want to pay special attention!

Did you know that not only can you cut with your Silhouette machine, you can draw too!  This particular promotion features the sketch pen starter kit, which gives you 24 colors of pens to play with.  If you purchase a "Cammie" of your own during the promo period, you save $30, plus you get the sketch pen starter kit too!  Or you can get a Silhouette Portrait for $60 off the regular price, plus the sketch pen starter kit.  If you already have your cutting machine, you can order just the pens for $12.99 {a $7 savings}.

To order, just go to the special promotion page and use this code when you check out!

PROMO CODE: ARTSY

I have a confession to make...even though I've had my beloved Cameo {"Cammie"} since Christmas, I had never played with the sketch pen option before, so I thought if I'm going to be promoting it, I better try it out to show you what these pens can do!  I decided for my first attempt to something festive and spring-y since Easter is right around the corner.  I'm also currently obsessed with the chalkboard effect {who isn't, right?}, so I decided to make and Easter gift tag using the white sketch pen...check it out!

Easy Easter Gift Tags

Materials:

- black cardstock

- white Sketch pen

- glue/Mod Podge

- white glitter

- washi tape

- white pom-pom

- ribbon

- Silhouette Cameo

- Silhouette Studio software

STEP 1: Remove the cap from your Sketch Pen and place it where your blade normally goes.  Lock it into place, just like you usually do.  Then, feed your cardstock into the machine.

STEP 2: Create your design in Silhouette Studio.  I chose to write "happy easter" in a chalkboard font and I used the cute bunny that came as part of last week's free shape of the week in the Silhouette online store.  

STEP 3: Time to draw!  Send the design to your Silhouette as usual, but first make sure you change your cut settings to show you're using the Sketch Pen rather than the blade. 

Here's how my happy little bunny looked when Cammie finished sketching.  *cute!!*

STEP 4: Create and cut your tag.  I grabbed a tag shape from my library, and first I put it around my created image to make sure it was the right size and page position for what I drew.  Then, I moved the bunny and the words off of the page {otherwise Cammie would cut them out} and I switched back to Blade mode before cutting.

STEP 5: Add washi tape and glitter!  I spread Mod Podge using a small paintbrush inside the bunny outline, then covered it with glitter.  

STEP 6: Finish it up using ribbon and a pom-pom tail!

Now it's all ready to decorate your packages!

The Sketch Pens are so easy to use, and I'm excited about all the possibilities now that I have 24 colors to play with and can choose whether Cammie draws, cuts, or both!  Be sure to stay tuned for more Sketch Pen projects, because I'm sure I'll have more for you soon!

In the meantime, if you'd like some Sketch Pens of your own and maybe even a Cameo or a Portrait to go with them, be sure to head on over to the promotion page and claim the deal before March 31!  This deal won't be visible on the regular website, and can only be claimed with a special code, so be sure to enter ARTSY when you get to the designated page.  Enjoy the discounts!!

Hugs & Glitter,

P.S. In the spirit of full disclosure, I received a free set of Sketch Pens for this promotion.  However, as you know, my opinions about these Silhouette products are entirely my own.  It's long been a goal of mine to one day be a Silhouette affiliate, and I couldn't be happier to have the opportunity to share this deal and these products with you, as you know I love them!!

Burlap and Button Flowers

When I got married eleven and a half years ago, there was {sadly} no such thing as Pinterest!  My mom and I did make our centerpieces and our favors, and we did a lot of the decorating ourselves, but there's so much more I could do now with the vast wealth of inspiration out there in Pinterest-land and the blogosphere! 

Luckily, as you may recall, I have a friend getting married in October, which gives me a chance to wedding-craft vicariously through her!  My friend Sara and her fiancee Michael chose red and silver as their colors, and they are going for a country/rustic feel.   After making her some Mr. and Mrs. signs and a sweetheart table centerpiece, I decided to try making some table numbers to go along with her colors and theme.  My favorite part of the project is the Burlap &  Button flowers, which can also be used on a wreath, as napkin holders, or as a pin {even if you're not a bride-to-be}!

Here's what you need:

For the flowers: 

- burlap 

- felt 

- scissors 

- hot glue 

- buttons 

- pearls 

- clips or pins

For the rest of the table numbers:
- David Tutera table number stands and cards
- adhesive vinyl

Specific button type I used: 

"Marybeth" {10 mm}

STEP 1: Find a circular object that's the size you want your finished flower to be.  Trace it on paper to create a pattern, then use it to cut out one felt circle and eight burlap circles.

STEP 2: Fold each circle in half, then in half again to form a triangle.  Glue four of the triangles to the felt circle, as shown.

STEP 3: Repeat, gluing the other four circles on top, staggering them so that they cover the seams between the bottom four triangles.

STEP 4: Fancy it up by adding your button{s} and pearls to the center of the flower.  At this point, you can also glue a clip or a pin to the back.

To create my table number, I covered the existing black number with adhesive vinyl that matches Sara's colors.  Then, I inserted the number into the stand, and clipped my burlap flower to the wire on the stand.  You could also glue the flower on, but this way the flower is reusable and so are the rest of the pieces.

To coordinate with Sara's colors and the theme even more, I glued a row of the Marybeth buttons around the base of the table number stand.

I really love the way it turned out!  Formal and elegant, but with a rustic feel too.

Not planning a wedding?  Me neither.  So you and I can just make up these flower clips/pins and wear them!  They look great on a denim jacket or shirt, and I'd be they're cute clipped on a headband too!  Or, glue a few onto a wreath and you have some shabby chic door decor, all made with some burlap and buttons!

What do you think?  Where would you use a burlap and button flower {or two or ten}?

Hugs & Glitter,