Hurricane Lamps – DIY

I just had to make the easy DIY hurricane lamps that are making it across craft blogs everywhere.  They are so easy and inexpensive to make.  It cost $10.00 to make all three of these hurricane lamps.  I went to the Ole Time Pottery store for the glassware, they had tons of choices in barware but not so much in vases.  Here is what I came home with, a shot glass, a martini glass, plain glasses,  and a candlestick. 

 

  

A little glue and dry time is all it takes. 

 

These will be so great to decorate for all seasons and will make a great gift. 

 

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Spooky Halloween Clay Pots

These pots were too fun to make and I will be making more just as soon as I can get to the pottery store for more pots.  I think I will get some larger pots, for the next ones.  These are so easy to make and take very little time.  Here are the instructions.

Supplies needed
Clay Pots – I used 5”
Chalkboard paint
Chalk pencils
Graphic printed to correct size – I used graphics from The Graphics Fairy.  

Instructions
Paint your clay pots with chalkboard paint it will take 2 coats.  Dry completely.


Take your image and trace it using a chalk pencil.  Remember you are doing a reverse image so anywhere you want to see color, you will need to go over it in chalk. 


Place the image chalk side down on the clay pot.  Burnish the image onto the pot.  Take a credit card, plastic knife or in my case the edge of a Lego and rub it over the image to transfer the chalk to the pot.  I added the phrase “Bits & Pieces and Spare Parts” to the band of the pot. 
That is it!  I will eventually add Halloween candy to the pots, but it is too early for that.  For now I have some of our favorite K-cups in the pots. 

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Get Your Craft On Tuesday



Crystal's Craft Spot

Wine Cork Wreath

Wine Cork Wreath

I suffered for this project, I burnt myself so many times with the hot glue.  I actually put it up for a couple of days before I finished because of the burns.  I learned cork slides and when you don’t pay close attention sinking your finger into the hot glue equals a big Ouch!  It came out beautifully in spite of my clumsy behavior. 
You don’t need many supplies and it doesn’t take to long to make(injury break not withstanding).   I bought a box lot of 250 wine corks from EBay for $10.00.  The straw wreath was $3.00 at the craft store and a package of glue sticks were $4.00.  It took about 2 hours to make and it was a bit messy, straw went everywhere.  I used every last cork I had and I wish I had another 25 or so to fill in a little more. 

Supplies Needed
Wine corks 250 to 300
Straw Wreath 18”
Lots of Hot Glue Sticks

 
      Box of 250 Wine Corks                                 Straw Wreath

 
  Base Layer of Corks                                               Top Layer of Cork on Wreath     Finished Wreath

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Post It Note Tuesday - Thank You

French Letter Wall Hanging – Ballard Inspired

French Letter Wall Hanging

I saw this wall hanging on Ballard Design web page and just fell in love with it. I thought it would look great in our bedroom above the nightstand. I however did not like the price, I believe it was $349.

I wondered how could I make that with the same feel. The first problem was finding a print that look similar. I recently discovered The Graphics Fairy Blog, she is so talented her graphics are amazing. As I was looking at all the wonderful graphics she has I saw this French letter and thought it would be perfect for my wall hanging.

I resize the file in Photoshop in order to have it enlarged to a 16 x 20. I then ordered a print in matte finish. I ordered the print from Snapfish for $14.99. It came a bit darker than I was expecting but I could work with that.

Next I cut a scrap piece of plywood just a little larger than the print. I cut it 17.5 x 21.5. I then stained the edges and a couple of inches of the plywood Chestnut a dark brown stain.

The next step was the fun part, I got to make the print look old. The first thing I did was burn the edges off. I scared my husband a little with how much fun I had with this. I think he was worried about me burning the house down. I also burned a couple of holes through the print. I then tore the paper in a few places. Destruction can be fun sometimes.

Next I took Tim Holtz distressing ink and inked the edges, where I had torn the paper and white was showing.

I then used Mod Podge in matte to adhere the print to the plywood. Before I used the Mod Podge to the front of the print, I took a bit of stain on a paper towel and rubbed it all over the print to age it further. I left it heavier in some areas. I let this dry overnight before sealing it. I used 3 coats of Mod Podge to seal the print.

This was an easy to do project and the only cost to me was the print itself for $14.99. If you do not have wood or would rather you could use a canvas that could be purchased at your local craft or art supply store. I might try that for a Christmas themed one.

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