Skeleton Magnets {Mini Tutorial}

Some of you might know this, but my craft room is non-existant right now. Our guest bedroom has turned into craft room storage, and frankly, looks like an episode of Hoarders {minus the dead cats}. My husband has been working on custom shelving and table top for quite some time now, and unfortunately, it's no where near complete. Since we had friends over our house last weekend I had to pack all my craft stuff up {again} since it was residing on top of our pool table, and that was not practical for entertaining! 

Let me just say that I'm so glad I had the energy to pull a few items out of this hoarders type room! I managed to find my glass stones (large bag for $1 at the dollar store), magnets (18 round magnetic buttons for $2 at walmart), remnants of skeleton scrapbook paper (.55 at Michaels), a foam brush (used), and mod podge ($10). All the items you would need to make some cool skeleton like magnets! 

Once you have all of your supplies gathered you'll want to place a glass stone over the portion of the image you want to cut out and cut around it. As you can tell from the photo below I don't cut circles well (thankfully you won't see this with the end product)! Once you've cut out all of your circles you'll want to dab a little bit of mod podge onto the glass stone and carefully secure the paper to it. You'll want to push on the paper and stone so that all the excess mod podge goes to the outside of the paper (look at the front of the stone you'll see the glue move to the outside). Once this happens you'll use your finger and pat the glue around the edge of the paper. Repeat this step until all of your stones are complete. Once these have dried {about 30 minutes} you can place your magnetic button on the back of the paper stone!

Here's your finished product! 

Creepy-cool skeleton magnets to put on your refrigerator! 

Disclaimer: I classified this as a $1 project because you won't use all the materials purchased. Since the $1 bag of glass stones contained about 50 stones: the cost per stone is 2 cents. You are only using but maybe a teaspoon of mod podge. The foam brush is one that I reuse time and time again. The scrapbook paper was 55 cents at Michaels and I literally used a remnant of paper. Depending on how many magnets you make will depend on how much your project will cost. 

I entered: 

Blog Award

Within the past week I was given the same award not once but twice! First by Ashley at Life After the Aisle, and secondly by Ginger at Support Blog for Moms of BOYS!

5 other bloggers I admire?  

Quite a few of these are recent finds that I can't get enough of!

Anngela's Pretty Little Things

Sawdust and Paper Scraps

Everybody Loves Raymond... and Kat

Fireflies and Jellybeans

The Answer Is Chocolate

Thank the person who sent it and send it to 5 other blogs you adore!

Now it's your turn to tag 5 amazing bloggers!  

How to make the world's easiest banner!

This past Saturday I hosted a Thai Kitchen House Party. Some of you may ask... "what's a House Party"? It's a brilliant way to create buzz around a product for your family and friends try! If you want to read in-depth about our recent Thai Kitchen House Party feel free to visit Katie's Cucina. This was our fourth time hosting a house party, and each time I've managed to create my own decorations to personalize each event.

All week both of us were busy with crazy projects and other personal business to attend to that I (as in the Mrs.) never got around to making any decorations for our House Party. A few hours prior to the party I started brainstorming on quick party decorations. That's when I remembered that House Party provided me with the Thai Kitchen logo.

So here is the trick to making the world's easiest banner: I printed out six logo's on 67lb cover stock, cut them, and quickly ran them through my sewing machine. That's it!

I soon had an ultra personalized and very unique Thai Kitchen banner to help set the mood! Don't fret the next time you have a party and need decor. Think out of the box and challenge yourself to make something that will stand out at your next party!

Disclaimer: I classified this project as "free" being that I did not have to run out to the store and purchase anything. Yes, I do realize that I had to use ink from my printer; paper and thread once purchased as well. If you tried to caluclate the price I think it would come out to pennies.

Linked to: CraftGawker

Halloween Coasters

Here is an awesome twist to the monogramed tile coasters; perfect for Halloween! Check out my tile coaster tutorial to make your own. *I used the Happy Hauntings Cricut Cartridge for the "J" cut out in the Vampire Font option, travertine 4x4 tiles, and one sheet of spooky halloween scrapbook paper!

Halloween Table Runner

Last week I stumbled across a post "Adventures of ONE CrAzY LaDy" about making a reversible table runner. I've only owned one table runner in my life time and recently have been wanting to change it out. As soon as I saw this AWESOME tutorial I figured I'd give it a try {and of course} make a Halloween one!

Below you'll find a few pictures of my new creepy table runner! I bought a 1/4 yard of fabric for both sides {knowing it was going on my hutch and not my actual table made my need for excess fabric less}. The cool spider print is from Wal*Mart for $2, and I used a very thick black velvet for the other side {also $2 from a Home Fabric Decor outlet}. Not sure if I will ever really showcase the black velvet side, but I wanted to keep one side neutral. I found the beaded spiders on ribbon at JoAnn Fabrics for $5 for a 1/2 yard {that cost me more than both pieces of fabric}. It took me a bit longer to sew it than I had planned, and I learned a lot about sewing with a very thick fabric and a very thin/transparent/stretchy fabric. Not sure if I will ever sew with that fabric combo again! Needless to say I'm pleased with how it came out {minus my mishaps}, and am happy I was able to learn a lot in the process.

 

{Tutorial} Painting Stripes

When we first moved into our house a little over a year ago we choose to go with a neutral paint color throughout the house; BEHR's Tuscan Beige. We both agreed that once we were living in the house and if we wanted to add color we could do so then. Well it's been a year now, and I'm not going to lie. I'm ready to really change up the colors in our house! So one Sunday morning I some how convinced my husband to go to the hardware store and pick up the supplies (this was prior to looking at all sorts of examples and tips online. Some websites suggested using a matte and satin or semi-gloss paint of the same color. Other's suggested a few shades up or down of the same color, some did two totally different colors. I don't think there is a right or wrong way to do this project. We choose to go two shades darker than the Tuscan Beige> Indulgent Mocha. Since the Tuscan Beige was an eggshell we decided to go one sheen higher and used a satin. This gives a little extra gloss to the darker portion of the walls.

I honestly can say I had every intention of painting. I just needed him to tape out everything since I knew I would not do a good job of that! After he spent 3 hours taping out the stripes I was ready to start painting... Well not so fast. He refused to let me pick up a paint roller. He didn't want me to "ruin" his hard work. Fine by me! Instead I just managed the project (and I think I did a satisfactory job doing so)! The walls turned out exactly how I wanted them too!

First you will want to measure out the walls you will be striping. In our case. I wanted the darker color to end on each of the two walls. For us it was simply 18 stripes 12inches wide. We choose to run the stripes like it was one consistent wall instead of two walls. 

Supplies Needed:

- Paint brush & roller 

- Blue painters tape (we bought two rolls but only needed one)

- paint of your choice (We used BEHR's Satin Indulgent Mocha)

- measuring tape

- Pencil

- calculator

- ladder

You will want to start by measuring the walls and adding "guide" tape. This will help you dictate your width between stripes. You will want to measure at the bottom, middle, and top of your walls. This takes time and lots of patience!!!

Next, you will start using your pencil markings and taping your walls. Not only do you have to be very precise (and patient), but you need to make sure that the tap sits in the inner stripes that will not be painted. In our case the Tuscan Beige that already exist on the walls. You will also want to use a credit card to smooth out any and all bubbles from the tape. You want to make sure that the tape has absolutely no air pockets!

This is what it will look like once your done taping the room. *Excuse the mess* 

Now you can begin to start painting your stripes! 

 

Last panel to paint!

We scoured the internet trying to find the "right" answer as to when to remove the tape. Some forums said 24 hours others said 30 minutes after painting. By the time Jon was finished painting it had definitely been past 30 minutes from where he started, so he slowly and carefully started removing the tape off. Making sure that if there was still wet paint on the tape that he would not get it on the walls. 

Here is the finished product! *view from our kitchen*

*view from the foyer walking in*

As seen on: 

Craft Gawker

Tutorial: Monogramed Tile Coasters

I've scene this tutorial on mutltiple blogs--so many that I think it would take up my whole post to name all the tutorials. I figured I would host my own tutorial; to add to the hundreds of others out there! This is a pretty simple project, and makes for a great inexpensive gift (or simply to just spice up a boring coffee table)! The first time I made these was for a house warming gift (see the picture in our header). *I labeled this as $10 project giving the cost of all the supplies involved. Once you own the supplies this comes out to less than $5 for the set of 4 coasters.

Supplies Needed:

- 4 Ceramic 4.25” x 4.25” inch tiles

- 4 (4x4 inch) pieces of foam (or cork)

- Mod Podge, Matte

- Spray Adhesive & super glue

- Old gift card (for spreading glue)

- Sponge brush

- 1 piece of 12x12 scrapbook paper (cut into four, 4x4 pieces)

- 4 letter cut outs of choice

- Crystal clear acrylic spray

First you will want to adhere the foam onto the bottom of the tile using spray adhesive. (This will help protect the surface the coaster will reside on.) You will also want to add a drop of super glue to each corner of the foam. This will guarantee that the foam will not come off the tile. 

Next you will want to apply a generous layer of mod podge to the top of the tile. Then add a single layer of 4x4 scrapbook paper to the top of the tile that has modge podge on it. You will want to use an old gift card to gently move the bubbles from underneath the paper. Once you've done this you will want to place mod podge on the edges of the title and seal the edges. I like the wrapped look, so I typically have a smidge of overage that I need to wrap around the tile. Once this is done apply a generous coat of mod podge to the top layer. Let it dry before continuing onto the next step. 

Next, you will apply another layer of modge podge onto the top of the scrapbook paper, then add your cut out letter of choice. I used the Happy Hauntings "spooky font" (can't remember the exact size) and cut it out with my cricut.  Make sure you modge podge over the letter as well, and then let it dry.

 Add two more layers of mod podge to the tile (letting it dry in between the two additional layers). This will ensure that the coaster is sealed and will prevent any future water damage. *You'll notice that the mod podge goes on white. It will dry clear. Don't worry! 

Lastly, you will want to spray a thin layer of crystal clear acrylic to each coaster top to ensure that no moisture gets into the coaster. This will also give a nice shine.  

Here is the finished product! 

As seen on: Craft Gawker

{Tutorial} Mummy Head on a Platter

 

*My Version $18*

*Inspiration picture from Grandin Road*

The month of September is half way over, and that means that Halloween projects in our household have kicked up into full gear! Earlier this month I wrote an entry about some of the Halloween projects I'd like to take on before Halloween this year. All of the projects were based off of expensive decorations from Grandin Road. One of these projects was the Mummy Head on a Platter. It retails for $70. I knew I could recreate this project for way less and still acheive the look and feel. I'm so glad I gave this project a try! Super easy and it's going to look great with all my other decorations. Above you'll see the look I was trying to achieve from Grandin Road.

Materials Needed:

- 1 Styrofoam head  ($4 at beauty supply store)

-Platter of your choice ($1 at Dollar Store)

-Spray paint (if needed to spray platter) ($7 at Lowes)

-Spray Adhesive,

Drop Cloths, Scissors, & Exacto Knife (owned)

-Saw (to cut part of the head off) (owned)

-3 packages of cheese cloth ($2/each at Lowes)

-2 tea bags & water (to dye cheesecloth) (owned)

Total Cost of Project: $18

1. You will want to dye your cheese cloth using tea bags. This will give the bright white cheese cloth an aged effect. I simply brought 3 cups of water to a boil then seeped 2 tea bags. Let the tea come to room temperature, and then start putting a package at a time of cheese cloth into the tea mixture. Letting each package sit in the tea for about 2-3 minutes. Then I would quickly run it under cold water, ring it out, and then set it to the side. I did this technique 2 to 3 times with each package of cheese cloth. When you start to rinse the tea out of the cloth the color will start to come off. This is why I repeated this process multiple times. After the color was to my liking I let it air dry over night. 

2. Next you will want to spray paint your platter. I found this awesome platter at the dollar store for $1! I knew it would be perfect for what I needed it for, but I knew I would need to change the color. I applied a few coats of a crackle silver spray paint until I was happy with the color/texture. 

3. Next you will want to saw off a small portion of the head, so that the head sits lower to the plate. I let my husband handle this part. {I'm not fond of sharp objects!}

4. You will also want to carve out a portion of the mouth. I worked on some of this, but my husband felt the mouth needed a little extra help! Now it's already to be wrapped up! 

5. Next you will want to lay down some drop cloths either in your garage or outside (since you'll be using spray adhesive). You will also want to start cutting your cheese cloth into small pieces (this makes it much easier to adhere onto the head). 

6. Now you will want to start adhering one package of cheese cloth to the head. Lightly spray one portion of the head and start applying small pieces of cloth (there is really no precise way to do this). *Remember spray adhesive is very sticky, so be careful not to get it on your hands. If your hands start instantly sticking to the cloth. Go wash your hands and start working on the head again. Keep applying layers of the spray adhesive and cloth to the head. Once your done with the first pack you'll want to apply the second and half of the third package to the head, but without any spray adhesive. You will want the head to start having a more organic look. 

7. Your almost done. Place the mummy head on the platter. Take the last half of the cheese cloth and cut 3-4 inch wide strips. Wrap these around the neck of the mummy.

You now have a mummy head on a platter!

Here are a few more photo's of this delectable creature:

 

As seen on:Craft Gawker

I made the cut! The CSI Project: