❥ Why Not Add Lace?

I seem to be adding embellishments to all sorts of things in my home decor at the moment.

And when I saw this cute little pot for $2 at The Warehouse,

I thought I could make it a little bit more me by adding some lace.

If you have not used modpodge friends then DO try it.

It is so good for gluing and sealing and just has a myriad of craft and diy uses.

For this quick DIY embellishment project

all I needed was: A ceramic container, lace, scissors and some Modpodge.

 The best lace to use is a cotton type.

 If the lace you use has a raw edge, 
use an iron to press it under.

 I'm gluing the lace around the grey edge as this container has a flaw on the white edge.

Glue the lace trim on to the container using the Modpodge.

 Set aside to dry.

Paint a thick layer of Modpodge over the lace. 
 This seals and starches it.

Now it's a pretty hold all for jewellery in my guest bedroom.

Green bead necklace and earrings from Jewelz By Jodie
https://www.jewelsbyjodie.co.nz/

You might like to also visit:

My store at Fine Art America & Redbubble :)

#diy #lace #embellishments #style

DIY Secret Book Storage....❥

How cool is this?

Old books turned into secret storage.

It's actually quite easy to make - here's how...

You will need:

A strong cardboard box with or without a lid. (mine has a lid)

6 old books (or as many books to hide front and sides of the box)

A strong glue or a glue gun (I ended up using the glue gun)

Scissors

Step One:  Dismantle enough books to cover the front of the box with the spines.


Step Two:  Use a cover page to cut to the shape of the row of books for the front of the box.

Glue the spines onto this.
Try to maintain the curvature of the book spine.


Step Three: Glue this front piece to the box.

Step Four: Glue the last two books to each side of the box.


Place it high up on a shelf.
You now have a very funky 'set of old books' that actually has secret storage behind it.


#DIY #oldbooks #secretstorage

You might like to also visit:

My store at Fine Art America & Redbubble   :)

❥ Update that pot with a PLAIT!

I have added a little cosy fashion hip to this old planter with a plaited wool design...

For those who are wondering what a plait is, it's also called a braid.

Why don't you DIY one too?

You will need:

 a pot

Chunky weight acrylic wool in your choice of colour

(I used Craft wise wool from The Warehouse)

A glue gun and glue sticks

Scissors

The first step was to measure six three-and-a-half metres (about 11.5 feet) lengths of wool.

The wool lengths will vary on pot size, 

but this amount was ample for the pot I used which was 13 x 15cm  (about 5 by 11 inches) round.

The plait was made with 6 lengths of wool to give added thickness.

Knot one end and proceed to make a flat plait.

As you can see from the first photo, I initially thought to use a terracotta-style pot, but as I was plaiting thought - I would have to seal it to stop moisture from leaching into the wool.  So I changed it to a white plastic pot of a similar size, where this won't be an issue.  

This pot has no drainage hole and the plant sits inside it in another pot.

Once you have a decent length of plait, begin at the top of the pot with the tassel end from the start (tassel facing down) and glue it in place and around the rim of the pot.

Once you get to the tassel, drop the plait down and under it leaving a space to add another tassel later.

Continue to glue and plait more if required.

Once at the bottom cut the plait and quickly using a glue gun glue the end into position.

Now make another tassel which is a looped knot using the 6 strands of wool.

Glue the second tassel into place at the top of the pot.

Place your plant of choice inside.
I popped a miniature white flowering cyclamen in mine.

Grab a cuppa, and visit

 my Fine Art America gift store

#diyplanter #potplants #woolcraft

DIY Jar Of Fairy Wishes...❥

A 'Jar Of Fairy Wishes'...

Isn't this the most special idea.

And what a wonderful gift for a fairy lover!

You can make the jar of fairy wishes any size you like...

but I opted for a cute mini hexagonal style jar.

These wee jars come in a range of sizes and you'll find them at Briscoes.

I chose it because of the blue gingham print lid, 

knowing that this jar of fairy wishes would be on a shelf with my blue and white pieces.

To make your own 'Jar Of Fairy Wishes' you'll need:

*Dried dandelion seed heads

(whole and in pieces - I just picked them whenever I saw them and popped them into a large glass in my china cabinet and left the for about three weeks to dry out.)

*A jar with a lid or cork top.

(remember the bigger the jar the more dried dandelion you will need)

*Cord, ribbon or string to tie a bow at neck of jar.

*Scrapbook embellishments to decorate the lid or cork of the jar.

To Make:

Carefully fill your jar with whole and pieces of dandelion seed-heads.

Embellish the lid to pretty it up and to hide the writing on it.

I used a pre cut flower shape

I glued this in place.

Then I topped that shape with another sequined flower shape that was a little smaller.

Using blue and white twisted cord I tied a bow at the neck of the jar,

 and knotted the cut ends.

Then I added a couple of pretty paper flowers to each side of the bow.

I love fairies and I'm loving this Jar Of Fairy Wishes...

And I think I will be making more of these to gift!

#dandelion #crafts #fairy 

You might like to also visit:

My store at Fine Art America & Redbubble 

DIY Stamped Lampshade...❥

This post is about my DIY Stamped Lightshade, 

 

So read on...

I found this little light shade in the bargain bin at Bed Bath & Beyond.

Only $18!

I've always wanted a lamp for my built in shelving in the Red Lounge,

but have never found one that fitted the width of the shelf.

But this little lamp was the perfect fit!

Plain white base with a cream linen type shade, I decided to add some stamped images to it.

This is how I did it...

For the first row of stamps I taped one inch spaces using a 2 inch wide sellotape.

The stamp I used was a simple poppy design by Stampin' Up.

The first ink colour was a red by Dewdrop Inks.

Press the ink over the stamp...

test on a similar type fabric as the shade first if you like as you want just the right amount of ink to avoid bleed.  

Carefully press stamps onto the fabric spaces between the sellotape.

Leave to dry 10 minutes.

Remove the tape and the stamp the design again in a different colour ink. This time I used a dark grey.  The pattern was red - upside down - Grey - right way up.

Leave 10 minutes to dry.

Then I used a cream white ink to colour in the internal parts of the poppy stamp.

Place the light shade onto the base, connect a light bulb, and put in place on the shelf.

So this is how it turned out...  

in traditional Japanese aesthetics, 

wabi sabi is a view that is centred on the acceptance of transience and imperfection.

The aesthetic is sometimes described as one of beauty that is imperfect, flawed impermanent or incomplete'.

I'm telling you this story because the lampshade is not perfect - I was a little heavy handed with the red dye. So there is some imperfection with bleeding into the fabric on a couple of the stamp impressions.  

Regardless -  I think it is still beautiful.

And when I decide to change the shade...

I already have a vision of another DIY project!

#homedecor #diy #lightshades #stamping

You might like to also visit:

My store at Fine Art America & Redbubble