Tame That Mane!

It seems the hair accessories took over ye olde craft room this week. I had a major score the other day when I came across the annual delivery of animal print dahlias at one of the neighborhood retail stores, plus a bonus worded rose bush! Armed with these beauties, my already purchased hair clips and a few bundles of elastic headbands, I quickly went to work!

Of course I disassembled the flower bushes, removing all of the greenery, then used the bling-bling I already had to sparkle them up. 

 Half went on hair clips and half on headbands.

I wore one of the word rose clips, "BELIEVE" "FAITH" "JOY", to show it off and received rave reviews. These take just a few minutes to make and all turn out so lovely!

Enjoy, and keep your eyes open for uniquely printed faux flowers to make your own hair accessories!

Hairy Situation

It got a little hairy up in the craft room today! Flowers, ric rac and bias tape from the dresser stash made for some cutesy little accessories, especially when I added in a few sparkly rhinestones here and there.

I used a few different methods, including the ric rac idea I'd found online yesterday that I thought would be fun to try. I am very glad I decided to give the bias tape a try because those are, by far, my favorite. They almost look like miniature knotted rag rugs and I love the look of a nicely constructed knotted rag rug.

The blue flower was ready-made, but I removed the stems that were in it, shot some hot glue between the petals to keep them together, then layered a yellow button and rhinestone. 

Next I used the ric rac to make rose clips. I took all of the material off the cardboard and cut the whole length in half, matched up the two pieces and stitched them together down the center with ye olde Singer Sew Mate. From there, the ric rac was rolled from one end to the other, held in place with hot glue, and voila...ric rac rose!

Finally I worked on the bias tape flowers. For all but the yellow, I had cut out black felt circles, approximately 2" in diameter, because black felt is what I had on hand. I simply tacked the bias tape around the outer edge of the felt and worked my way toward the center, gathering and layering as I went. Once I reached the center, I folded the end under and secured the fabric. I will likely add something decorative to the centers of a few of these and randomly place smaller rhinestones around the "petals" on others. You know, for funsies. :) Oh, most importantly I guess since these are hair accessories, is the fact that I hot glued metal hair clips to the backs of each!!! 

P.S. - The secret behind the yellow is a double layer of John Deere "Nothing Runs Like A Deere" fabric instead of black felt!

In Stitches

Ok, so from start to finish, I actually created an entire garment. It even has a working zipper. Whew!!! It is far from perfect and doesn't fit perfectly, but all of the seams line up and the pattern is good. I am happy with this first completed piece. But not thrilled. And to be honest, neither is dear daughter. I think we both had much higher hopes and expectations for old mama, the inexperienced wanna-be seamstress.

The good news is this...a dressmaker's form has been ordered and should be arriving next week to aid in garment making, since I find that I really enjoy it. Now I can finally put my small collection of patterns to good use. And soon. I have a list of pieces I want to finish and deadlines for each one so that I can, perhaps, begin making a few for other people.

My sincere goal is to learn to design and make affordable horse show clothing for 4-H kids for families like ours who can't afford to spend hundreds of dollars each year on new outfits but still want to stay up with current trends in the show ring. I aim to achieve that goal by this time next year, too.

Twinkly Tuesday

I'm feeling sparkly and twinkly today, which can really mean only one thing - it's time to bejewel some clothing!!! Unfortunately my new stones and heat fix gun haven't arrived yet. So, what comes in a close second in the buh-bling category? JEWELRY!

Before 7:00 AM and way before my first cup of coffee, I laid out this little beauty. We're not big on brown and pink in this household, so this piece may just be for sale. Oooh-la-la!

 

Actually, as I look over my jewelry collection, several of my pieces will be priced for sale today and posted on the Through The Cupboard Door Facebook page. Yes, yes, indeed that is now on the agenda. A few may even be deconstructed and reworked before that happens.

The rest of this morning's new jewelry design includes these pieces. Look for all of these and more on Facebook if you're interested in purchasing.

 

 

 

This very last piece, well I'm not too sure about it yet. The beads are intended for a double-strand bracelet but I really like the way they compliment the pendant. Now that everything is strung together, though, I don't think they will lay on the neck how I envisioned them. I have to think more on this one.

I only do one-of-a-kind, so if you see something you like, I would strongly recommend jumping on it. Shipping & handling will be approximately $5.00 per piece to the continental U.S. only and will vary for combined pieces. PayPal payment is preferred.

I feel like that was one big commercial. Praying nobody has been offended and that someone is inspired, either to purchase or create!!! Have a blessed day.

Out of Focus

My mind is all over the place today. I woke up in tears this morning and have been praying for my friend's little girl, who is undergoing brain surgery to remove as much of a tumor as can safely be removed. I went to the barn to spend quiet, peaceful time with the animals and just prayed. As of 2:30 PM EST, she was being prepped for surgery. Please join me in lifting up this precious 5 year old girl and her family.

As I attempted to focus on other work today, I connected with a young man seeking a church to call his own. He is on a new mission, stating "I used to be close to Jesus, but then..." I reached out to him yesterday, knowing that he has been hurting, and he openly stated on Facebook today that he wants to change his life, become part of a church family and know Jesus more. So I spent time talking to him this morning and afternoon, listening to him and learning more about him. I can't wait to see where his journey takes him.

Then I began piddling around the craft room. I've finished yet another paper-to-canvas piece, painted a picture frame, cut out another fabric pattern and stared at the pyrography designs that have been waiting on me since last week. See, yesterday I purchased fabric, rhinestones, jewelry trinkets and the like because horse show season for dear daughter is rapidly approaching and I really don't want to be down to the wire getting clothes sewn and bedazzled and jewels crafted. We all know that's not how it's really gonna happen and that I'll be up til 4am before a 7am show gluing rhinestones on a shirt! But a girl can dream, right???

Now I have an evening planned with my family to celebrate dear daughter's FFA achievements. After, of course, completing a conference call, publishing a Hub on the aforementioned paper-to-canvas art, completing an online training session and submitting two writing assignments. Well, one of those assignments may have to wait until later for the "submit" button to be pressed, but that's ok. A woman's work is never done. :)

Mending Day

Yesterday we were out enjoying the sunshine, riding our long-eared critters around in short-sleeved shirts and today I'm watching the snow fly from the warmth of the craft room once again. Oh, who doesn't love some fantastic Ohio weather?!

It's not so bad being stuck in the craft room, though. I spent the morning mending a horse blanket. Well, strike that. It's a mule blanket. :) One of the back leg straps had mysteriously become removed, but it was still a rather clean and simple stitching repair.I also had the privilege of rebuilding a bling necklace this morning. Both of these will be leaving for Houston later this week to accompany their owner to a mule show, and personally, I couldn't be more excited. I rather enjoy knowing that my craftsmanship is going on the road.

In other news, we have a new precious baby boy in our family!!! I have an awesome surprise in the works for him that will be revealed only after I present it to his parents on their arrival home from the hospital tomorrow. He is a very miraculous gift from God, that is certain, and he will be cherished.

Paper to Canvas

About 16-1/2 years ago, shortly after dear daughter was born, my sister presented me with the poem "A Hundred Years From Now..." in a bright yellow frame. I cherish that gift and read the poem often.

Then a few weeks ago I was making a purchase at a local shop and my items were delicately wrapped in gorgeous printed tissue paper. Me, being a bit of a crafty hoarder, held onto the paper because I just knew there was more life left in it than merely transporting my new trinkets home safely. How I decided to put that paper with that poem, well I honestly never question myself. Craft projects either work or they don't. This one, in my humble opinion, happens to have turned out pretty sharp looking.

I started with the usual suspects and a few of their friends: both matte and glossy Mod Podge, my Pampered Chef scraper for smoothing things over, a painting sponge, one wet wash cloth, an 11"x14" canvas and a frame to fit around it. I also printed a different copy of the poem to better compliment the tissue paper and frame.

I measured from each edge of the canvas so that my printed transfer would be centered. Speaking of that transfer, it was printed in reverse on standard copy paper with my regular old wireless Canon printer using Microsoft Publisher (my very favorite software for creating the majority of my printed work), so no fancy equipment was required for this project. A thin layer of matte Mod Podge went on the canvas and the transfer was laid down immediately.

I smoothed the paper using my handy little scraper (remember that an old credit card or a plastic knife would work here, too) from the center to the edges to help remove air bubbles. I was not as concerned on this project about the paper laying completely flat because texture adds a little character to the piece, I think.

I let this dry for several hours, and I mean that this time! I actually squeezed in a workout, ran errands, cooked lunch... I really, honestly did not touch it again until the whole thing was dry. And then I wet it again so that the top layer of paper could be peeled away. What this left was a cloudy, mottled, old looking piece of paper. Next came the torn pieces of tissue paper to help frame my poem before the whole piece was covered with a thorough coating of glossy Mod Podge.

 

Framed, hung and loved!!!

Donkoupage

Donkoupage. Yep, it's a thing now. I made it happen today. When we moved into this house a little over 4 years ago, I was into the grapes and wine theme so it infected the dining room and kitchen. I'm slowly transforming both to reflect the true "us" because, though we frequently whine, we don't often wine.

I started with this wastebasket which was once perfect for our decor. Now, not so much. I remember how giddy I was when I found it at one of my favorite local consignment shops. And now I'll forever remember the day I closed up the winery for good. Tisk tisk.

 

I gathered up all of the necessaries... scissors, matte finish Mod Podge, glossy finish Mod Podge, small painting sponges, Pampered Chef dish scraper (yes, you read that right) and a 2013 Jackasses calendar that I'm fairly certain every American household has on hand. No? Just mine?

I chose the four pictures I liked the best that would fit appropriately, folded the edges down firmly and removed the excess. The rest of the process was easy, but took some time, as I let each side dry before moving on to the next. I applied matte Mod Podge to the entire surface of whichever side I was working on, then carefully laid on the picture for that side. Using the Pampered Chef scraper (an old credit card works well here, too), I smoothed out the air bubbles. After all four sides were dried, I used the scraper to distress the pictures around the edges and scraped up the Mod Podge surface to add a little texture. Then a final layer of glossy Mod Podge was added and, voila, Donkoupage!!!

Marching On

Wow, I literally dusted off the entire craft room over the weekend and reorganized everything today. Working out in the world once again sucked the life out of this place, so it's time to breathe something new into it... again!

Yesterday I measured, cut and sewed the absolute ugliest vacuum cleaner cover ever created in the history of vacuum cleaner covers. This thing is crafted out of the (ahem) finest royal blue polyester and shaped like some sort of conehead demon from outer space. The dogs were a little concerned they'd been taken captive but soon realized it was totally harmless and went back to holding down the floor in the downward-puppy-sleeping-labrador position they've come to master.

So here's what I have on the agenda for the upcoming weeks to attempt and tell you all about, whether the projects are successful or less than successful. I figure that way at the very least, we're all entertained!

• Horse saddle blankets - I have one to use as a pattern and, if I can find the right fabric in my stash, I'll attempt a few with appliques. 
• Western showmanship vests - I have a new pattern coming in the mail!!!
• English/Hunt ratcatchers and dickies - I have another new pattern coming in the mail!!!
• 5 woodworking projects - Already sanded, just need the vision to complete them. There will likely be some pyrography involved.

Until next time.............