DIY Burlap Flower

Posted on June 18, 2013 by Linda



Related Posts Plugin for WordPress, Blogger...

I have seen a lot of crafty things made from burlap over the past year or so, from pillows, chair cushions, lamp shades, wreaths, etc. Lately I have been running across ways to embellish tin cans, glass mason jars, and more.

burlap flower

Burlap Embellishment

The other day I ran across a tutorial for making a flower out of burlap. I found this wonderful tutorial at “The Happy Housie”. Krista of The Happy Housie walks you through the steps for making one of these beautiful burlap flowers.

These gorgeous flowers would make great addition to all kinds of different crafts. Krista says that they are fast and simple to make. That is my kind of craft, fast, simple and oh so cute!

While you are there you might want to check out some of Krista's other crafts, like the Twine wrapped picture frame wreath. Very creative!

Do you have an easy burlap or fabric flower that you make? If so please share, I would love to see it. I am always looking for simple to make things, to be use in embellishing other crafts.

Share
Posted in Crafts, Tutorials | Tagged , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

New Handmade Bracelet Designs With Sari Silk

Posted on June 9, 2013 by Linda



Related Posts Plugin for WordPress, Blogger...

handcrafted boho bracelet

Unakite Gemstone and sari silk bracelet

A while back I finally got me some sari silk, to use in my jewelry designs. Since the sari silk that I ordered wasn’t quite what I had expected to get, these bracelets have a shabby chic bohemian style to them. Next time I know to make sure I order the sari silk that has the surge edge stitching.

The first bracelet is made using Unakite gemstone nuggets, smoke colored glass pearls, two different antique brass chains, orange and pink shabby sari silk, and one antique mini bird charm. The closure is an antique brass lobster clasp.

Handcrafted bracelet with sari silk

Unakite Shabby Multi Strand Bracelet

bohemian style bracelet

Multi strand unakite and sari silk bracelet

My second bracelet is made using turquoise magnesite gemstones, antique silver chain, green glass seed beads, brown leather cord, and shabby blue/green sari silk. The closure is an antique silver plated heart lobster clasp.

shabby chic boho bracelet

Turquoise Colored Boho Bracelet

handmade bracelet

Magnesite and sari silk bracelet

Shabby chic boho bracelet

Turquoise colored magensite multi strand bohemian

At first I was really disappointed in the sari silk that I had ordered. Because it was not what I had thought I was getting. (But for these bracelets, I think it works). I wanted some to make wrap around charm bracelets, and I don’t think that the shabby sari silk would really look that good as a wrap around. What do you think?

If you would like to receive new post – be sure to sign up to follow me on bloglovin, NetworkBlogs, “like me on Facebook, or follow me on Twitter.

Share
Posted in Jewelry | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Freezable Pasta Sauce

Posted on June 6, 2013 by Linda



Related Posts Plugin for WordPress, Blogger...
When I do my cooking, I usually cook up enough food for several days (to take to work for our lunches), or something I can freeze and use as needed. That’s when I came up with my homemade pasta sauce, I make a large batch, then freeze some for another day. We try to eat fairly healthy so I use a lot of ground turkey instead of beef, and I mostly buy whole wheat pasta.

Freezable pasta sauce

Freezable pasta sauce


1 lb. of ground turkey
½ onions chopped
1 bell pepper chopped
1 can of Rotel (I like the hot) or can tomatoes
2 24oz. cans of Hunts Pasta Sauce
1-2 cans of mushrooms
1 can of sliced black olives
Zucchini (optional) chopped
¼ t. Basil
¼ t. Parsley
¼ t. Oregano
¼ t. Garlic Powder
Salt & Pepper to taste
Whole grain pasta

First brown your meat, and then stir in your spices. Now add your onion, bell pepper and zucchini, sauté for about 5 minutes. Now add your pasta sauce, rotel, mushrooms and black olives, simmer for about 30 minutes. Cool and pour into freezable containers and take out as needed.

Serve over whole grain pasta.

Do you have a flavor recipe that you would like to share?

If you would like to receive new post – be sure to sign up to follow me on bloglovin, NetworkBlogs, “like me on Facebook, or follow me on Twitter.

Share
Posted in Recipes | Tagged , , , | Leave a comment

New Life To Old Roll-Top Desk

Posted on May 29, 2013 by Linda



Related Posts Plugin for WordPress, Blogger...

vintage distressed desk

Shabby Chic Roll Top Desk

Well back to work tomorrow )-; I was really enjoyed my six weeks off. Since I wasn’t able to do anything strenuous, no vacuuming, no heavy lifting, etc. (My hubby made sure of that). So I was able to play on my computer, craft, and sit and paint till my heart was content. It was like a long vacation.

This is one of the projects that I just recently finished, a roll top desk that I picked up at a garage sale last summer for $5. I couldn’t pass it up; I have always wanted a roll top desk. The only thing wrong with it was on the bottom right side the trim was broke. That was no problem to fix.

old desk before

old roll top before

this old desk is getting a redo

Before new life

Once the trim was fixed, and the desk was cleaned up, and sanded, I used Annie Sloan antique white chalk paint. Once dry I applied a light distressing technique to give it an old, slightly worn appearance. Then I used Annie Sloan antiquing wax for protection and to give it a beautiful mellow antiquing matted finish.

vintage roll top

Old Roll Top Gets A Redo

distressed desk

Lightly distressed roll top desk

I really love how it turned out. I thought about painting it a darker color, but decided to go for the light. What do you think?

If you would like to receive new post – be sure to sign up to follow me on bloglovin, NetworkBlogs, “like me on Facebook, or follow me on Twitter.

Share
Posted in Crafts, Just Life, Woodcrafts | Tagged , , , , , | Leave a comment

Mini Book Charm Tutorial

Posted on May 25, 2013 by Linda



Related Posts Plugin for WordPress, Blogger...

mini book charm (700x523)

supplies for mini book (700x523) (700x523)

Supplies Needed

Piece of leather 1 1/2" x 2 3/4"
Yarn or string of your choice
Two pages from an old book
Mod Podge
Paint Brush
Mini key charm
Jump ring
Small hole punch
Scissors

mini book pages (700x523)

First cut your mini book pages a little bit smaller than the actually book size.

mini book page (523x700)

Apply Mod Podge to the first page and stack another on top.

stack of mini book pages (523x700)

Repeat this step until you get your mini book to the thickness that you desire.

pages for mini book (523x700)

hole for leather book charm (523x700)

Punch the hole for your jump ring.

making mini book (700x523)

Add Mod Podge to both sides of your page stack and to the edge that will be your binding. Center page stack on your leather, and close the leather book. Sit something on top of it to hold it close while it dries, 30 minutes or so.

Supplies for mini book charm (700x523)

Now your ready to put your mini book together

Add jump ring

Add jump ring

Add your jump ring

adding key to mini book (700x523)

I ran the yarn through my jump ring just to hold it on so that it wouldn't slide off. Then add your key charm and wrap the yarn around the mini book a couple times.

tying key on mini book (700x523)

Tie a knot in the yarn, and trim the ends.

mini book charms (700x523)

These little charms are cute and so easy to make. What do you think?

If you would like to receive new post – be sure to sign up to follow me on bloglovin, NetworkBlogs, “like me on Facebook, or follow me on Twitter.

You can find me at these linky parties.
Thrifty Thursday
Project Inspired Linky Party #17
Setting For Four Linky Party #18
Dukes & Duchesses Linky Party
Artsy Chicks Rule Linky Party Week 18
Yesterday On Tuesday Linky Party Week #18

Share
Posted in Crafts, Jewelry, Tutorials | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 2 Comments

DIY Scrappy Braided Fabric Bracelet

Posted on May 21, 2013 by Linda

braided fabric bracelet

Scrappy Fabric Braided Bracelet



Related Posts Plugin for WordPress, Blogger...

Do you have any scrape fabric lying around? If so I found the perfect way to use it up at "Leslie's Art and Sew" Blog, a lovely scrappy braided fabric bracelet. Leslie has shared her wonderful tutorial on how to make these scrape fabric bracelets. Her tutorial walks you through step by step, with pictures on how to make these fabric bracelets.

My favor piece of jewelry is the bracelet (if you couldn’t tell my looking in my shop, it’s mostly bracelets), but beads, chain, and wire have always been more my style. But I guess my taste is growing, because I really love these bracelets, and I have seen more and more bracelets made using fabric that I really like. I have even started using some fabric/sari silk in my designs.

These bracelets have one thing different than most fabric bracelets that I’ve seen, and that is the charm. I think embellishing the bracelet with the charm really makes the piece stand out.

You know how the layering of bracelets is really hot right now, well if you look in the picture you will see that Leslie has added a simple single strand of seed beads alongside the bracelet with matching colors, and they look great together. You could add as many as you wanted for your layered look or stick with just one, or even without. The bracelet looks great any way you wear it.

While you are there checking out the scrappy braided fabric bracelet tutorial, you might want to check out the fabulous fabric flower tutorial too.

Have you designed any jewelry using fabric lately? If so please tell me about it.

If you would like to receive new post – be sure to sign up to follow me on bloglovin, NetworkBlogs, “like me on Facebook, or follow me on Twitter.

Share
Posted in Featured Artist, Jewelry, Tutorials | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Winner Of The Spring Time Bracelet Giveaway

Posted on May 20, 2013 by Linda



Related Posts Plugin for WordPress, Blogger...

Spring time giveaway

Spring time giveaway


First I want to thank everyone for participating in my first time ever giveaway of the spring time bracelet. There was a little confusion at first, but for never having a giveaway before I think all went well. I learned a few things that will help me in my next giveaway.

Now for the winner……Congratulations Laurie Emerson you won the lovely handcrafted copper bracelet. I hope you enjoy the bracelet as much as I enjoyed making it.

Thanks again everyone. Watch for my next giveaway for your chance to win. In the meantime have a wonderful day.

I would love to hear any tips that you might have on giving a giveaway.

If you would like to receive new post – be sure to sign up to follow me on bloglovin, NetworkBlogs, “like me on Facebook, or follow me on Twitter.

Share
Posted in Giveaways and Contest | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Handcrafted Paper and Wire Wrapped Bead Bracelet

Posted on May 18, 2013 by Linda



Related Posts Plugin for WordPress, Blogger...

handmade copper and paper bracelet

copper and paper bead bracelet


Here is a bracelet that I made a while back that I found while going through my post. I thought that I had published it, but I guess not. So here it is now.

You can find this handcrafted one of a kind bracelet made from paper wire wrapped beads at my handmade artists shop.

copper & paper wrapped bead bracelet

copper and paper bead bracelet


My wire wrapped paper bead tutorial.
copper & paper wrapped bead bracelet

handmade copper and paper bracelet


For tips, article, and more, visit Mixed Kreations.

If you would like to receive new post – be sure to sign up to follow me on bloglovin, NetworkBlogs, “like me on Facebook, or follow me on Twitter.

Share
Posted in Jewelry | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment