Ruffled Camera Strap

 

Char at Crap I've Made has posted a great tutorial on how to make these adorable ruffled camera straps. I am putting this on my to do list. So adorable! Thanks for sharing!

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One of a Kind Hand Stamped Washer Necklaces

Customized washer necklaces are all the craze these days in the crafting community. I made some of these for myself and for some family members and friends for the holiday season and I love them! It is nice to wear something that has your spouse and your name on it, or your kids and their birthdays. It helps me to remember them all the time throughout the day. These would be great wedding, anniversary, valentine's day, or birthday gifts! Is a new baby coming? Show up to the baby shower with one of these babies and you'll be sure to get "ooos" and "ahs." They are so versatile. You can wear one washer, or several at a time. With beads, with charms, or alone for a more simple look.These necklaces or pendants can range in quality and price to make due to the metals used, size of washers, designs, and font styles. However, if you just want to dip your toes in and try them out, you can do so very easily and for way cheap. Here's how:

1/2" (1" in diameter) washer

Tutorial & Tips 
Materials Needed:

-washers

-hammer

-steel lettered stamps

-chain necklace

-black sharpie

-baby wipe

-drill (optional)

-jump rings (optional)

-beads or charms (optional)

-pin heads for beads (optional)
-polishing supplies (optional) 

1. Gather your supplies. 

Purchase the size of washer you wish to use at your local Lowe's or Home Depot. 

Important Tip: Note that the size on the package refers to the size of the hole in the center of the washer, not the diameter of the washer itself. You may find washers marked the same that are different sizes because the whole in the middle is the same, but the entire width varies. 

I have tried a variety of sizes and found that the best size for adults is a 1/2" washer which measures about 1" in diameter. This both looks the best and is the easiest for stamping on. You can purchase about 5 of them for a dollar, but plan on it being a learning process with a lot of messups until you get the hang of it, so you may consider 3 washers for every successful one you finish. 5/16" washers are a good size for necklaces with multiple washers, or for smaller sizes for kids, but they are harder to work with.

You'll need some steel lettered stamps to apply your message. Nice fonts usually run for about $165 big ones at jewelery stores, however if you are okay with the font shown in these pictures, you can purchase them at Harbor Freight for about $8.99 plus shipping when all is said and done. Make sure you select the 1/8th size of 40 stamps so you get all the punctuations you need. 

If you don't have a drill to drill holes into the washer, you can just wrap the chain around in a slip not as shown in the picture with the message "Be Still."

If you do have a drill you can use to drill holes in, than you will also want to purchase some jump rings (I use 6mm ones for the chain, and 4mm ones for adding beads and charms). These will run you about $1-$2 dollars a bag for about 60 jump rings.

Any accessories you want- beads, charms, a chain, etc. If you want to add beads, you will also need pinheads to attach them as well.  

If you are going all out with the drilled holes, jump rings, charms, and beads, you may want to pick up some pliers you can use to open the jump rings and twist the pinhead wires.

Finally, grab a hammer, a black sharpie, any polishing supplies you may have, and a baby wipe or two.

2. Stamp it Up!
Find a concrete surface such as your garage or basement floor. Do not attempt this on a table or tiled floors. Decide on the message you want to apply to the washer. Find all of the stamps you need to create the message so you can get a flow going without having to stop each time to look for the next letter or number.

Place your washer face up on the concrete floor and place your stamp on the washer. Hold the washer as tight as you can so that it won't slip. If using the Harbor Freight stamps, I have found that depending on the letter, you will want to hit the stamp several times very hard with the hammer.  If the letters are made of straight lines such as "L" "I" "T" for example, you will only need to hit the stamp 1-3 times. These letters tend to leave a deeper impression than rounded ones. Rounded letters like "O" "C" "R" need to be hit up to ten times. Also, instead of using their "W" use the "M" instead, just upside down. It's easier to work with. 

3. Oxidize Your Letters
After your message is complete, take a black sharpie and fill in the letters pressing down into the grooves very hard. Don't worry about getting marker on top of the washer. This is a cheap way to oxidize the washer, and it makes the letters stand out more.

4. Clean and polish
After the letters are filled in, wipe the excess ink off with the baby wipe. You may find depending on the washer you are using, that it is better to wipe it off right away (if using a 5/16 washer), or to wait a little while first to let it dry. If you have stubborn ink that won't come off, I have found polishing (with a dremel) the necklace helps take it off. You can use a dremel tool with a polishing kit like I do, but that can get pricey if you don't already have it. If power tools aren't your thing, the cheaper route is to use a wipe designed for polishing metals. 

If you aren't drilling a hole into the washer, than you put the chain on and you are done!

5. Drill Hole and Attach Jump Rings and Accessories (optional)

If you have a drill, go ahead and drill a hole in the top of your washer. Attach a jump ring (6mm) by pulling it apart and sliding it through the hole. Attach another jump ring (6mm) to the first one. This second jump ring will be used to slip the pendant onto the chain. 

If you have any beads or charms to attach, you will want to apply another jump ring (4mm) to the first one that is wrapped around the washer hole, and attach the accessory to that. 

Beads need to have a pinhead slid into the holes, and a loop formed at the top so it can be slid onto the jump ring. The picture to the left should give you an idea of how it should look.


Purchase Your Own Customized Necklace
Do you like the idea of customized washer necklaces but don't have the time or desire to make them?!? I have placed some in our Etsy shop where you can purchase a custom necklace just for you. The names in the pictures are only examples of what you can do. Just let me know the name(s), date(s), or message you want and I can make it for you!

We participated in:

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Decorative Soap Dispensers

In need of some great and extremely useful teacher gifts? Have a germ-a-phobic friend? or a friend with a new baby trying to keep germs away from well-wishers? Try making some personalized hand sanitizing dispensers. With all the buzz about the flu (and it is the season) these are great gift ideas to help keep everyone safe.


I found two really cool tutorials from different sites that you can adjust for whatever the season (fall, Christmas, Valentine's Day, etc).
 

This cool bottle tutorial is from The Idea Room

And you can learn how to make these from the tutorial at Just a Girl.

Besides gift giving, how cool would one of these look in your guest bathroom?

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Scrabble Pendant Necklaces

This idea is so cute I can't get over it. Over at Trey and Lucy there is a really great tutorial on how to make these babies:

Believe it or not, these necklaces are made using scrapbook paper and scrabble game pieces! Think of the possibilities! These would make awesome Christmas gifts for sisters, mothers, and daughters. I definitely want to try to make some.  Her site has all the links needed for the chains, scrabble pieces, and all the other supplies you will need.

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Fabric Luggage Tags For Travelers

Is there someone you know that travels alot, maybe for business? If so, here is a fun gift idea you can make to help them spot their luggage easily from baggage claim:

 

Here is the tutorial on how to make this fabric luggage tag over at Skip to My Lou. Enjoy!

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Totally Terrific Tins!!

   A good friend of mine made these cute little tins for all of her friends for Christmas this year.  They fit perfectly in your purse and keep the pad of paper from getting destroyed.  She bought the pads of paper, the pens, and magnets all from the dollar store and covered them with scrapbook paper.  The tin and small envelopes were bought from Michael's.  She covered the top of the tin with scrapbook paper and added the persons name in chipboard.  I think they turned out really cute!  Here are a few more tin ideas... 




www.gems4donna.blogspot.com                                                                                                                                                                              









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Recycling Sweaters for Cozy Gifting!

Martha (who needs no last name) has a cute idea at her blog right now about recycling your sweaters that are too old to wear but too sentimental or cool to throw away. She suggests making mittens or throw pillows out of them.

 

I hate being cold in the winter and getting some mittens or comfy pillow covers would really comfy cozy me right up!

She says, "...incorporate the stitch patterns and designs commonly found on sweaters. To begin, machine-wash a woolen garment in hot water, and toss it in a dryer set to a high temperature. (You may need to wash and dry it more than once. If you can snip the fabric with scissors and it doesn't fray, it's felted.) Then it's a matter of cutting out shapes and stitching pieces together. Get started now, and you'll have plenty of presents at the ready for holiday giving."

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Silk Flowers vs. Real Ones

I just had a week where I spent money on two floral arrangements. One was real, and one was fake. I have always had the attitude that fake flowers were tacky, but I have to admit that over the years they have come a long way. They look so real and after all the real plants I haven't been able to keep alive, it became an alternative worth looking into. 


Depending on the sales (a local craft store near me called Hobby Lobby often sells their floral stuff 50% off) and the size of the arrangement, you can create something beautiful that you never have to water and it will never die, for the same price you would pay for the real deal, especially if you are dealing with shipping costs.


Here is what I made for my kitchen table (to go on top of the table runner I stenciled last week)

After putting in rocks I added fake water and then the plants. After 8 hours the water cured and it is now helping to hold the flowers in place. I am thinking of adding another box of fake water since the one I did only covers the rocks, but you get the idea. The flowers are Alliums and Hydrangea's, and Lavender. I can't remember the name of the little white flowers.



Here are some ideas for smaller, easier versions that you could make as a gift:

So next time I am thinking about getting someone flowers, I may consider making them some instead. Of course you always need to remember to plan it around the decorating style of their home.

Also, if you don't want to make a floral arrangement, you can purchase them at any craft store but Target also sells a lot of cool ones.

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Bookmarks for Book Lovers

Got a book lover in your circle of friends? They may really enjoy one of these homemade bookmarks for their next birthday of gift giving occasion.

These are some of my favorites from Little Birdie Secrets which is a cool craft blog that I am diggin'. 

Corner Page Holder

Paper Clip Bookmark

Ribbon Book Mark

For more bookmark ideas you can visit their site here.

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A Lotta Stenciling!

When I think of stenciling, kitchens filled with bright borders of watermellons and baskets filled with flowers comes to mind. 


I was doing some research on tablerunners (since I hate my kitchen table and it is in need of a serious makeover) and came across one that I loved.

 

I decided it was too expensive to purchase so I would try to make it myself. I couldn't figure out how to get that image on the end, so I started out with fabric thinking I could applique it on. Woe is my sewing skills. It was a nightmare. So I did more research about the designer, Lotta Jansdotter, and found that she stencils, alot!


The lightbulb went off and I was inspired! So I tried to make my own stencil and here is how it turned out:

My stencil is smaller because I had only an 8.5X11 page to work with. But I am still happy with how it turned out. I liked it so much and I had some extra fabric left over I decided to make a matching pillow for my couch which is just several feet away from the table:

Since I had my stencil designed already, this pillow took me about two hours from start to finish. Not bad! So I started looking around for other things to stencil. I tried stenciling a plate and a bar stool but the design I used was a little too detailed and they didn't turn out very well. I think since I am a beginner I need a simpler design. But there are so many things you can stencil and use as gifts. 

Tote bags, journals, cards, purses, bookbags, shirts, you name it, you can probably stencil on it.

These are all designs by Lotta Jansdotter. For a tutorial on how to stencil, you can use this one that I used here. But there are many out there.


If you do try this out I would love to see how your projects turned out. Happy stenciling!

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Featuring - Frame the [Date]

Two Sisters...

preserving a moment...

From birthdays to anniversaries, from engagements to graduations, our time on this earth is punctuated with special events of life - altering significance. Frame the [Date] provides a unique way of celebrating a moment that helped define your life or helps create a gift that will last forever as a reminder of a special day.

Frame the [Date] makes a special gift for any special occasion.

A wedding anniversary...the birth of a baby...a big graduation...a first hole-in-one or even the day a business is started. A special date is the start of a new chapter in someone's life, so why not help hold that memory close?

Turn a cherished event into a giftable work of art.

Frame the [Date]

http://www.framethedate.com/

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