Sunday, November 25, 2012

Pinterest Project




This weekend I decided to put Pinterest to good use. I chose a project from my To Do List board.

I've seen the tile coasters all over Pinterest and blogland and I love them. I sent Michael to Lowes to buy the tiles. Then Ireland and I spent part of the day Saturday working on these.


I used a mix of materials for mine. Ireland used thick scrapbook paper for her coasters, the blue and red multi-flowery ones. I used a Puffs tissue box. I couldn't find the right pattern in the box of scrapbook paper so I decided to look around the house to see what I could find. 


Most of the tutorials online use thin paper, but I really like the design of the Puffs box.


I really love the orange coaster with the cloud. It's an American Spirit cigarette ad found in a magazine. See...you can use anything. 


So this tutorial is to describe my experience with thicker materials and materials found around the house...anything other than scrapbook paper.

Materials

4 inch ceramic tiles (16 cents each)
Mod Podge (gloss)
sponge brushes
any paper material 
spray to seal (I haven't sprayed mine yet) Michael told me he already has something I can use.

When using thicker paper use a thicker base coat of Mod Podge. You won't have to worry about bubbles. If you put a light coat of Mod Podge on the tile, it won't hold thicker paper. 

Cut your paper to the desired size. I used a paper cutter that had measurements...I cut my squares to measure about 3.75 inches so it wouldn't completely cover the tile. I wanted to leave the edges to create a border.


Place the paper on the tile and press in place for a few seconds. Make sure the edges are down...thicker paper tends to come up around the edges.


I then put a thin layer of Mod Podge on top and waited about 15 minutes for it to dry. I put a total of 5 thin coats on. Use straight strokes from top edge to bottom of the tile. These brush strokes can be seen after drying so make sure you don't glob the Mod Podge.


This striped coaster is going to be a set for Michael's sister. I don't think she reads this blog...so maybe she'll be surprised.

I know the photo quality is not the best...sorry about that. All of the photos were taken with my phone. I couldn't find my Nikon charger. 

This is a really fast and easy project. It's neat to re-purpose all kinds of things found around the house.

Today I'm weaving ends on my ripple and patchwork blankets. 


I hope you all have a great week:)

Tuesday, November 20, 2012

Tuesday Tallies

I missed last week's One A Day Tuesday Tallies post... I came home after dark and didn't take a picture of my progress on the patchwork granny. Today I came home after dark again. I took a photo anyway



I hate taking photos with the flash and this one is just horrible. I didn't want to miss this week's Tuesday Tallies, so a bad photo is better than no photo. I haven't made a whole lot of progress this week. I think I did manage one a day...so that's ok.

Last night Ireland started gymnastics, so I thought I would share a couple more bad photos. Next Monday I'll take a better camera with a lens so I can get some better shots.


Ireland had a great time...and I did too:D




She was so tired when we came home and slept like a baby last night. I love it...hehe

I know we will definitely be going back next Monday.

I need to go link up over at Gingerbread Girl

Have a great week!


Saturday, November 17, 2012

Lazy Day

I love to be lazy on the weekends. I have to force myself to clean and be productive on my days off. This is what we're doing...


We decided to break out the instant camera and play around with it. Ireland loves it, but the film is so expensive...I don't let her go wild with it.


I love instant gratification and this camera is pretty cool. I just hate the price of the film. We played around with it for a little while taking pictures of my blankets and each other.

Smashing is another reason I bought the camera. I'm loving these books. I have two and they are so much fun. 


I like to introduce Ireland to new things and she is learning to write her name and other words. I thought journaling would be a good thing to do with her. She always tries to crochet and gets frustrated because she just can't get it...yet;)

So junk journals or smashbooks are perfect for us to do together. She brings artwork home everyday and I decided to show her how to make journal pages with her drawings. 


Her journal is homemade, but she wants one like mine...only because it comes with a pen and glue


I think I'll spend the rest of the day working on this page of us being goofy.

I may do a row or two on my ripple...or a couple of squares for the patchwork



Have a great weekend!

Oh yeah...I have a little giveaway to get ready for, so I'm finishing up on that too. Come back soon to see what you can win:D


Saturday, November 10, 2012

Minnie Mouse Ears

I thought I would share the Minnie Mouse headband that I made for Ireland's Mickey Mouse day at school last week.



I followed the pattern exactly...for the ears and bow.  You can find it here at All About Ami. The only change was with the headband. I did not crochet around the band. I used a black band and just sewed the ears right to it. I used a narrow band, but the weight of the ears would work better with a wider band.


The ears really are circles. The left ear above was touched or mashed a little making it look a little bit wonky.

Don't you love all of the boxes in the background? They are everywhere. I tried to crop them out of the pictures. That leads me into the whole house buying/ moving ordeal. It truly has been an ordeal. 

This is not our first time buying. The first time was so easy. This time has been no where near as easy. Our original closing date has come and gone (around October 15th). There were a few minor issues with the inspections that have been fixed...except for the not so minor Radon fix. We then had to extend the contract. Now we are just waiting on the lender to rewrite the loan and then set a new closing date. They are super slow. I just hope we can move at least a couple of weeks before Christmas. 

Michael is going crazy (and tempted to go lender shopping again) and I'm tired of all of the boxes. I've had to unpack my winter clothes. I am beginning to lose my patience. While we wait, at least I can occupy my mind with more crochet projects. Maybe I can finish the ripple in time to use on our new couch:)

I'll keep you updated:)

Have a great weekend!

Wednesday, November 7, 2012

Tuesday Tallies...A Day Late

I intended to blog about my One A Day project yesterday...but I came home from work after dark. So I'll blame daylight savings time for being late with this post


This is my One A Day project inspired by Carole over at Gingerbread Girl. I only made 5 squares this week and crocheted only one row on my ripple. I did start a new Hello Kitty Hat for Ireland.


Tonight I am making a Minnie Mouse headband for Ireland. Tomorrow is Mickey Mouse day at school, so she needs something related to Mickey or Minnie to wear. She asked me to crochet a Minnie Mouse dress...yeah right. A headband is all I have time to make.

I'm off for now. I need to link up at Gingerbread Girl and get started on the Minnie/Mickey ears.

Have a great week:)

Saturday, November 3, 2012

Hello Kitty Inspiration

Earlier this year I posted the Hello Kitty hat pattern. It has become a favorite and I continue to receive emails and messages about this pattern. So, I thought I would share some of the hats that you guys have made with this pattern.


These are so cute. They were made by Wilma over at Lutje Crochet and More

Here is a very cute version in red and white


Here is another cute pink one posted on Ravelry


Ireland has requested another one, but made in white and purple. I guess this is what I'll be doing this weekend.

Keep sending me your photos...I love to share:D