Spring Memory Jar

First I would like to say THANK YOU to my friend Elise who asked why I hadn't posted in a while. I had no idea that I had any regular followers because blogger doesn't show me people who signed up to get the blog post as an e-mail?? So, I'm sorry to anyone else! The news is that I have been so busy creating samples for the classes I will be teaching at Michaels this April, and I'm not allowed to post pictures of those.
However, I did make time to do a little home decor for Easter. This project has a sweet memory and story included. The memory jar idea was inspired by an episode of My Craft Channel click here for link to show

Meet "Mr. Peeps".    This adorable little stuffed bird in the jar has magnetic feet, and was given to my son when he was about 5 years old.   He would stick him on something, and who ever found him would move him and stick him on something else.   This game has been going on now for over 14 years!   It's a sweet family memory that I wanted to display for our Easter get together.   "Chickie" is a hopping chick that joined in the game a couple of years after Mr. Peeps' arrival.

To make a memory jar like this, I used a jar that I purchased for a couple of dollars at Goodwill. I added paper grass, made from shredding green paper in a paper shredder. 

I added One artificial flower from the Dollar Store.

I decorated  two standard tags, and  tied them together like a card so that I could write the whole story on the inside of the tags. 

The ribbon is actually white seam binding colored with (click here for link to Heidi Swapp )Color Shone spray (can't get enough of the stuff!) then it's scrunched and dried crinkly. Of course I had to add a bit of bling to the bow as well. 

Thanks again for following me, and leave a comment if you are able.  I'll work on posting more often! -Sheila

Glass Paint on Recycled Jelly Jar

Wow! I've been a social media butterfly since I posted last, and it's been a blast! So far, I really enjoy being a My Craft Channel Superfan! I have virtually/digitally connected with 14  wonderful, funny and creative ladies in the group. I'm pinning and posting and tweeting my passion for creative thinking and crafts, and receiving so much inspiration in return.
While internet surfing (a great thing to do in Chicago when it's only 6 degrees outside) I saw a beautiful post on the Plaid Crafts web site and wanted to try it for myself. This is the first attempt using . Gallery Glass Window by Plaid (The makers of Mod Podge).
I was holding on to a couple of really cute jelly jars, and now I know how I want to up-cycle them.
Best thing is this takes about 10 minutes, and dries over night.

1) Plaid's Gallery Glass Paint In Blue Diamond $3.49 ( They have a Martha Stewart version out now, I will try that next)
2) Rinsed out jelly jar
3) Crepe paper trim and blue bird of happiness purchased at Michael's  90% off after Christmas sale (85 cents), fabric flower on hand and hot glue to stick it all onto the lid.
4) Paint Brush

Step One- squeeze paint onto jar in pattern desired. The paint is about the consistency of white school glue and will drip very slowly.
Please check out the blog Something Turquoise  where I was inspired, for directions on covering entire jar.


I wasn't sure how transparent it would dry, and I wanted a little texture, so I thinned it out with a paint brush.
I won't thin it out next time because when dry, it is very sheer and I really like the color.

I did not "cure" the paint in the oven, because I'm not using this for food, and won't be putting in the dishwasher.
The color is just lovely, and even better when on a window ledge in the sun. It's stuffed with tissue for the photo, but I think I'll keep tiny buttons in this sweet little blue jar.

Anniversary or Valentine Wreath

I was watching "My Craft Channel" online the other day (as I do every morning with coffee) and Lori Allred was demonstrating some beautiful after-Christmas wreaths. Link to episode here.That got me thinking, my wedding anniversary is in January, and my husband often forgets the date, or the year. I decided to make an Anniversary Wreath to serve as a "subtle" reminder. It's so over the top with glitter and bling, I just love the way it sparkles. Total cost: $12. Total time to make: under 30 Min

Anniversary/Valentine Wreath

Items used;
Purchased at the Dollar store; (Dollar Store Crafts page here) wicker wreath, 24 yards of white tulle, wired ribbon, pink die cut foam hearts
Purchased at an after-holiday %75 off sale at craft store, love birds, white roses, lazer cut wood frame
On-hand, chip board letters and phrase, silver Stickles, silver spray paint, 3in1 glue, hot glue

I wrapped the wicker wreath with 8 yards of tulle, the 2 yards of this white sparkly net stuff (don't know what it's called) the cut and tied the rest of the 16 yards of tulle on one by one. Tied the bows on.

The lazer cut wood frame (spray painted silver) was a lucky find because it's very light weight, and I simply stung it on to the wreath with tulle through the cut-out sections.

I chalked the edges of hearts and letters, and hot glued with foam dots one on top of another.
Hot glued everything else in place.

Do you think my dear husband will notice the date?

Scrabble Tile Door Hanger or Ornament

I saw this cute idea on an episode of My Craft Channel which I watch EVERY morning, really. (I have applied to become a My Craft Channel SuperFan and I'm crossing  my fingers they pick me!)  
This was a Xyron sponsored video. I took it a step or two further by turning the ornament idea into a door hanger and adding a bell (12 for $1 at Dollar Store) to the bottom. Call it a "Green" personal door alarm!

I used goop glue instead of Xyron's sticker machine because I knew that hanging on a door would take a lot of bouncing around, and Goop or E6000 hold the best.
I also inked the edges of the scrabble tiles, and added a spray mist for *sparkle*.

DIY Gifts

It's that time of year! Actually, for me, it's gift giving time all year! I love making gifts for family, friends and students. These are examples of gifts or "extras" that make a gift special.

Scented Key chain

It's SEW easy to make these key chains. I have made them with lavender, but for this season I've stuffed them with crushed cinnamon scented pine cones.
Pine cones (Purchase at any craft store, one bag fills tons of key chains. I chose not to make the pine cones myself due to lack of time)
Scrap 2 inch wide, 8 inch long ribbon
Eyelet
Key ring
Tool needed- Crop-a-dile or an eyelet setter.


Fold ribbon in half and sew all the way down the sides. I prefer grosgrain ribbon because it doesn't slip in the machine. Stuff with lavender or other scented stuffing, sew closed about 1/2 inch from the top. Punch hole , set eyelet, add key ring. I added an ice skate charm to this because it is for one of my skating students.
They look really cute on packages and give it thet extra special something.

Skating Students' Gifts

Iv'e been teaching figure skating for a very long time. Every spring and winter I give a little something to all of my girls(ages 9-14) for working so hard. because I have to give to so many girls, it could get expensive so I have become very creative. This year I am giving a "mini-spa treat" which includes a little bottle of lavender oil, a lavender filled sachet and a battery powered tea light. The sheer sachet bags, the gift box/bags, and the tea lights are all from The Dollar Tree.  The white boxes are found in the wedding section. I used Heidi Swapp's AWESOME "Color Magic Spray" in mint green and chartreuse to add a little sparkle and shine to the boxes and the ribbon. (This is the first time I have used Color Magic and I think I'm addicted. I ordered a starter kit from "My Craft Channel" and I can't wait to play with it more!)
I used some silver washi-type tape with inspiring words around the candles. I hope the girls will enjoy them.

These photos look a little funny because the acrylic reflects back, and the paper is ModPodged to the back. They awill be a gift that was inspired by both a Theresa Collins and a Lori Allred (Inspired by Pinterest) demo on "My Craft Channel". If you haven't checked out that daily web-show yet, you are really missing out!  I found a huge box of these acrylic 7"x 9"clip-boards at a local rummage sale for a few bucks. You can purchase then at office supply stores, I just got lucky. I used ModPodge to glue double sided paper to the back side of the board. Then addded assorted ribbon and bling on-hand. I'm lucky to have a crafty husband who made stands for them so that they can be used as a display for a picture calendar, or notes. I used hot glue to attach the ribbon and bling.

 We are going to give them with a 2013 calendar (free printable on-line at calendarlab) and a photo greeting.

For these I used  Graphic45 "Bird Song" papers. 

DIY Angel Candle Decoration

Here is one more quick and easy Dollar Store Craft.

Supplies; 5 glitter Angel ornaments
One large led pillar candle and 2 led tea light candles
One small piece of transparency film or velum.
Alcohol markers (sharpies would work as well)
Hot glue, and E6000
With utility scissors, cut off hanging loop on plastic ornaments. Trace around one on to a piece of transparency/velum. Color on the velum however you want to. Cut out, and glue with Goop or E6000 to the back of one ornament, then make a sandwich and glue another on top.
Hot glue the other 3 ornaments at wing tips all the way around.
Take bottom off, and guts out of the large pillar. Replace with a  tea light in the base, and a tea light on top. This gives it a luminous glow all over.

Miniature Christmas Scene

This is a variation on the "Winter Under Glass" decoration. I added a little mood lighting on the inside with a blue led light from a craft store. It gives it a nice glow.

Winter Under Glass

I really had a lot of fun with this month's Dollar Store Crafts Challenge. I have always loved miniatures, so these two projects were a joy to make.
Supplies: Large glass bowls/jars
A few miniature figures and trees
A mirror
An Ornament
A battery powered tea light
A glass tea light holder
Snow felt fabric
Foam square
Artificial flower
Artificial Bird :)
On Hand- Goop, E6000, Tacky Glue, hot glue.

Trace around mirror on to snow felt then cut and glue to mirror. I use Tacky Glue. Then add your figures as you like, I use Goop. While setting to dry, place bowl upside down and use E6000 to glue tea light holder to top, and hot glue for plastic ornament to glass tea light. (It is so important to use the right adhesive for the right material! I'm thinking about adding a blog that;s just about which adhesive to use for what.)
Glue top to base with E6000. (Open a window when you use E6000, it has a strong odor.) If this is a gift, left it air out a couple of days before gifting.

Fall Rose Bouquet made from Leaves

So, here I am Sunday morning waiting for the Turkey to finish cooking (we do Thanksgiving early) and updating this post so that you (dear reader) can add to your fall decor for Thanksgiving. I saw the idea on Pinterest, and updated it a bit. These are leaves found outside, rolled into roses, and hot-glued to Dollar Store Flower stems. This turned out so well, I wish I had saved more time to make a few dozen.

Items used;
Leaves
Hot Glue
Dollar Store plastic flower stems and leaves (flowers stripped off)
Dollar Store Turkey Vase

Step one, pick up leaves in the colors you like. They are best if just of, or picked off of a tree, because they get too dry to work with.
Fold top of a leave over and add a dab of hot glue to edge, then alternately roll leaf, and add hot glue, repeat. I used 5-6 leaves per flower.

Paint each finished flower with Mod Podge gloss to seal and preserve color.

Flower Costume

Dollar Store Crafts costume challenge, number two. Yes! I had so much fun with this challenge I made this costume as well as the Mother Nature costume. The items I purchased from Dollar Tree were; Green T-shirt, 8 pairs of Fairy wings, green scrubby mitts, green ribbon, witch hat, fun foam squares, hair scrunchies, and a green curtain/valance.

SKIRT Pin a piece of elastic (cut off of fairy wings) to one side of the valance, and pull the other end through the casing in the top of valance to gather up skirt. Tie elastic ends together.

 Cut top (smaller) part of fairy wings apart from bottom (larger) part and re-shape into petals. Sew each set of two petals at top, onto skirt.Cut fun foam pieces into petal shapes and sew at top, overlapping larger petals.

The top "layer" of the skirt is made of fairy wings re-shaped and tacked/sewn onto green ribbon, tied over t-shirt at hip.

MITTS Cut thumbs off of washing mitts, slip pink scrunchies over cuff. 

HAT Cut point off of witch's hat, sew opening shut. Sew ribbon to inside, underside of brim for tying under chin. Cut apart small portion of with wire cutters. fairy wings and re-shape into petals. Sew petals on by sewing where the wire of the petal meets the wire of the brim of the witch hat. Sew fun foam petals to fabric part of witch hat in between the other petals.

I tucked a spray of pink flowers into the waistband to finish off the look.

Mother Nature Costume

This challenge was really fun! Sponsored by Dollar Tree, this  Dollar Store Crafts  challenge was to create a costume from this purchased at the Dollar Store. I purchased the following; T-shirt, Orange laundry bag, black "creepy cloth" mesh, flower fly swatter, witch hat, green ribbon, fake gourds, black bird, 1 round piece of floral foam and assorted leaves, and flowers. On hand- needle and thread, E6000 glue.
SKIRT Cut the bottom of the laundry bag off, and cut bottom into a decorative petal edge. Use the pull cord to tighten onto waist. (You can see the cord in top of picture below.)Sew or glue on floral vines, leaves and flowers. I recommend sewing if this is to be worn for a while. 

WRAP Put the fabric on and decide where the shoulder will be.  Sew on a large leaf and flowers to the shoulder.

HAT Cut top point off of witches hat. keep about 4 inches to pull up inside the floral foam circle, and glue down. I recommend E6000 or Goop glue. Try on hat and pin ribbon wear needed underneath the brim, then sew on. Use glue to attach leaves and any other florals desired. I drilled holes in the fake gourds and pulled thread through to attach. My favorite addition, the little black bird had wires in it's feet, so I just poked it into the foam.

WAND Use fly swatter as base. Glue on leaves and flowers.

Total cost- only  $15!

I am looking forward to wearing this to my dear friend's 50th Birthday party on Halloween.

Butterfly and Ribbon Flower T-Shirt

Dollar Store Crafts fashion challenge, sponsored by Dollar Tree.

I cut a slit from the stop of the shoulder to 2 inches from the bottom of the extra cuff on sleeve to make the "peek-a-boo" sleeve. Leaving the cut edge un-hemmed  worked fine with this shirt, the fabric just rolls in. 

At the Dollar Tree store, I purchased a very large plain blue t-shirt, some ribbon, and a foam butterfly shape. I purchased the larger size because I wanted to re-fashion my shirt so that it would  drape, and I wanted a little longer sleeve. I wear a 10, this is a 5X, cut down and re-fashioned. The pink butterflies are the result of using gel bleach on a foam stamp, and stamping the image. The flowers are hand sewn ribbons. I just love how the bleach faded into a pink color with the periwinkle blue.

Lay your shirt down flat. Decide how much you want to take it in. If it fits the way you want, skip this step. 

I pinned where I wanted to cut before cutting.  

I cut a 3inch strip off around the bottom , to make the extra length in the sleeves.  

The store sells a huge assortment of foam shapes, but this one was actually the lid of a finger paint pot. I just used the lid for stamping.
If you want to  stamp with gel bleach, apply the gel bleach onto the stamp with a brush. When your image has faded to the shade you like, heat set it with an iron, or toss it in the dryer.
There are hundreds of posts (by other creative and talented people) on how to make a ribbon flower, so I will leave that part out of this post.