Shopping Our Stash - Challenge #212 - Diamonds Are A Girl's Best Friend

Hello, Crafty Peeps!

Well, I decided to sleep in this morning (Tuesday) and when I finally made it out of bed and to my studio, I found that I failed to create a post for the Shopping Our Stash challenge.  The project has been done for weeks.  I don't usually work ahead...I love that last minute pressure!  

Anyway, here is an upcycled Quaker Oats container that hubby uses to store bird seed.   I used my leftover scraps from my bird feeder project!  We keep it on the Breakfront in our Kitchen, so I had to pretty it up, just a bit!

Thanks for stopping by!

Hugz,

Chana

Shopping Our Stash - Challenge #212 - Don't Get Stressed, Get De-Stressed

Hello, Crafty Peeps!

Simple challenge  this week at Shopping Our Stash - How Do You De-Stress?

For some it is a walk on the beach, or rock climbing, or vegging out in front of the TV!  Maybe playing online games!  Whatever your de-stressing passion, we would like to see you attempt to capture that in a project.

Creating mixed media projects is my great de-stresser!  I love playing with paint, and the excitement of not really knowing how the final project will look is an elixer for me! For my canvas panel, I incorporated one or two of my favorite crafting techniques (Vintage and Decoupage) and then added some other de-stressors, such as listening to music, watching the sunset with my hubby, reading, and dancing!  When I stress eat, I eat fruit, so I figured a big grapefruit would be appropriate.  The word at the bottom of the panel is "Transform."  I think I put just a wee bit too much crackle!

1. Apply a coat of Mod Podge to the front of panel and allow to dry

2. Position Cocktail Napkin  (single ply) as desired, cover with Parchment Paper.

3. Use craft iron to apply even heat to the napkin.  Do not leave iron in one place too long.

4. Wait for surface to cool, then apply 1-2 coats of Mod Podge.  Allow to dry completely.

5. Paint and collage as desired.

Supplies:

Cocktail Napkin:  Fruit Expressions by Elise

Stencil:  Dina Wakley for Ranger - You Can

Distress Spray Stains: Cracked Pistachio, Abandoned Coral, Picket Fence

Ranger Tissue Paper - Musical

Stash:  Designer Paper Scraps, drywall tape, flower

Misc.:  Gesso, Mod Podge, Varnish, Parchment Paper, Craft Iron.

Wren Inn - Decoupaged Bird Feeder

Hello, Crafty Peeps!

Here is a quick post to show off the bird feeder that hubby and I did as a joint venture! :D)   I love animals!  I mostly love them outside and not inside my house, so bird watching is a good hobby for me.  I don't do the serious climbing mountains, staring through binoculars bird watching.   I like to watch from my kitchen or bedroom as the birds eat and bathe, and play.  

Birds, squirrels, ground squirrels, and deer, visit our backyard on a regularly.  It is amazing how they all respect each other's territory.  I am glad that we can provide a safe place for them. We put up one regular feeder and one Humming Bird Feeder.  The regular feeder has to be refilled daily and the Humming Birds are happier when they have their own space , so hubby went to Goodwill and found two birdhouses. He transformed one into a feeder and then asked me to "make it pretty!"   

We had visitors while we were photographing.  

The sunshade is a regular light fixture cover that we purchased at Home Depot,  I painted the inside and outside edge to match the color of the house.  I also decoupaged a piece of napkin onto a square of kraft paper and used that for the center of the sunshade.  I die cut the Bird Branch and glued it to the front.  We purchased the serving tray at the Goodwill Store for ninety-nine cents.

I enjoyed this decoupage project!  The only change I would make was my decision to add a varnish coat.  The varnish was not needed because this is exterior house paint.  Adding the varnish darkened the color so that it does not match the benches on our terrace which is what I was wanted.  The transformation from plain birdhouse to a beautiful feeder was amazing.  

STEPS TO CREATE BIRDHOUSE FEEDER

1.  Remove the front of the birdhouse!  Cut a piece of plexiglass to the desired size.  Leave enough clearance so that your bird seed will flow freely into the feeder tray.   We created a slope using a piece of aluminum. ( You can use a regular coffee can cut to the correct size.)  We added electric tape to the sides because we had a small gap.  

I don't know if this will work for other styles of bird houses.  You will have to decide.  We found our birdhouses at our local Goodwill.  $3.00 each.

2.   Cover the entire house with two coats of  Gesso.

3.   Applied two coats of  "Exterior" house paint to the roof and back: I used Sherwin Williams' Woodscape Exterior House Stain - Pine Needle.   I did not paint the sides because the white spaces on your napkin, will become the color of the paint beneath it.  If you want the color to show through, then paint the entire house.
4.  Apply Mod Podge to the sides of the birdhouse and allow to dry.
5.  Separate your napkin and cut the design to fit the portions of your birdhouse you want to decoupage.  Place the napkin piece on the area to be covered.  Cover with parchment paper and use craft iron to apply heat.  Keep the iron moving, do not allow it to rest in one place too long. Repeat on all sides you wish to cover
6.  Apply 2-3 coats of Mod Podge and 1 coat of varnish to the decoupaged areas    

Thanks for stopping by!  

Chana

Shopping Our Stash Challenge # 210 - Thanks Tag/Paper Piecing

Hello, Crafty Peeples!

Time for another fun challenge at Shopping Our Stash!  

Remember, let us know your stash items!

Our theme, Paper Piecing, a technique I love, but seldom use.  

Not only did I get a chance to revisit paper piecing, but also, I was able to use quite a few stash items and to create a tag Using one of the Prima Julia Nutting Stamps.   I have all the stamps and I have never used one of them in a project!   I love being on the SOS DT because it forces me to close my wallet and to open my STASH drawers, boxes and bags!  Thanks to my teammie, Leslie, for inspiring me!  She used drop shadows on her sentiments and I decided to give it a whir1!  Not as good as hers, but it's my first attempt!

Paper Pieced Items:

Hair Bow, Dress, Socks, Shoes, Bird, and Wagon

Stash Items:

Tag, Papers, Die

Supplies

Stamp: Prima "Julia Nutting" Doll Stamp

Die: Memory Box "THANKS"

Tag:  Graphic 45 Regular Tag Album 

Papers: We R Memory Keepers - Country Livin', Teresa Collins - Vintage Finds

Cover Stock: Bazzil Textured Paper

Distress Ink: Vinage Photo and Tea Dye

Pearls: Want2Scrap

Misc:  Copic Markers, Elmer's School Glue, Helmar 450 Quick Dry Adhesive, Mod Podge

Thanks for stopping by!  Look forward to seeing your entry in the challenge!

Hugz,

Chana

             

Not All Who Wander Are Lost 613 Avenue Create : Create Your Own Challenge

Hello, Crafty Peeps!

We have another Create Your Own Challenge Twist this week at 613 Avenue Create!

I used a brown paper bag to create my pocket card.

Chart Items:  Pocket, encouragement, Burlap

I forgot to photograph the back.  Hope to have it posted here tomorrow!

Papers by 7 Gypsies from the American Vintage Collection

Thanks, very much, for stopping by!

Hugz,

Chana

Shopping Our Stash Challenge #209 - Country Gingham

Hello, Crafty Peeps!

This week, at Shopping Our Stash, we want you to

 show us your GINGHAM STYLE!  

Create the project of your choice, we only ask that you follow two simple rules:

1.  Use items from your stash and let us know what those items are.

2.   Use checkers/checks or squares. 

Here is my "Country" Gingham Style

Last year, I took advantage of Crafty Steals "Bundle Sales."  One of my favorite 6"x6" pads was WRMK's Country Livin', I think the designs are super cute.  I have been hoarding this pad, but this challenge was the perfect vehicle for these fabulous papers. The sentiment image is from one of the cut-apart pages which have a lot of ephemera.  (If you like these designs, Crafty Steals has the pads for $2.99.) 

  I give most of my cards to my SIL for her church,  so I usually leave the inside blank.

Although, I think, I may keep this one for my stash.  Selfish me!

Supply List:

We R Memory Keepers -  Country Livin' 6"x6" Paper Pad (36 Sheets- 2 of each design)

Neenah Linen Card Stock - Natural White

Burnt Sienna Cardstock - From my stash (I think I ordered it from Cards and Pockets)

Gingham Ribbon - Really Reasonable Ribbon

Distress Inks: Vintage Photo, Bundled Sage

Pearls - Want2Scrap

Clock Charm - Want2Scrap

Misc.: Double-sided foam tape, Elmer's School Glue, Distressing Tool

Thanks for stopping by!  Hope to see an entry from you in the challenge!

Hugz,

Chana

Check Out My Teammates' fabulous designs
Leslie

Alica

Deena

Lauren

Donna

Chris

Barb

Earth Safe Finishes - Chalk Paint on Glass

Hello, Crafty Peeples!

I'm here with a new technique for me, painting on glass with chalk.   This Oil and Vinegar Cruet Set was a father's day gift to my Chef Hubby!  

Today,  I noticed they were missing from the counter and he told me that he put them in the kitchen breakfront because they were too nice to "use."

The tutorial for the project can be found at the Earth Safe Finishes' Artist's Blog.   Please take time to check out the line of Earth Safe Finishes Paints and Sealants.  These earth friendly, chemical free paints, varnishes, and sealers are great to use and will increase the fun of each project.

I was inspired by the home decor products of The McKenzie-Childs company.

Thanks for stopping by and I look forward to your visit to

Earth Safe Finishes Artist's Blog