Totally Tubular Vase

Are you lacking a fall essence to your home decore this season? Does your dog pee on the floor causing you to go through paper towels rather quickly? Well, if you're like me then you can answer yes to both of those questions!! Luckily there is something we can do!

Step 1: Acquire a paper towel tube, hemp or yarn, and a hot glue gun.

Step 2: Hot glue glue your yarn or hemp to one end of the tube.

Step 3: Begin wrapping the hemp or yarn around the tube. Your first time around the tube you'll have to glue everything down after that periodically glue down the hemp or yarn, just to make sure everything is secure.

Step 4: When you get to the end you'll have to glue the entire final ring down to make sure no parts will slide off.

Step 5: Buy some fake flowers to stick in it. You could put dried flowers in it too, but refrain from putting live ones in there. Watering those would most likely ruin your vase.

Happy Crafting!!

My Friend Elmer

In elementary school I learned that Elmer's Glue could be used to do more than help you stick paper together, it could also adhere a fourth grader's hands together. I know this because I witnessed it first hand (well, not my hands). Fast forward thirteen years later and I have found yet another use for Elmer's Glue. It can be easily used to create beautiful pieces of wall art.

Step 1: Buy a canvas or two and a bottle of Elmer's Glue.

Step 2: On your empty canvas begin creating a design or picture with your glue. You could even write inspirational words.

Step 3: Once finished with your design let the glue dry as long as needed.

Step 4: Pick a color of paint (I used acrylic) and paint over the entire canvas.

Step 5: When finished let the canvas dry.

Step 6: Hang up on your wall however you chose, I made a series of three of these.

Happy Crafting!!

Rebirth of the Hair Comb

Who of us raised in the 80's and 90's did not see their mother's scrunchie drawer full of hair combs? Whoever thought that those hair combs are dead are very wrong. So, dig in the back of those drawers and wipe of the dust  and learn how to revamp those hair combs.

Step 1: If you can't find any left-over hair combs at home you can visit your local Target or Walmart, they sell two packs for about $1-2.

Step 2: Pick out a couple colors of thread, string, yarn, embroidery floss, or whatever else you may chose. Tie the first one to the end of the comb.

Step 3: Begin wrapping the string, weaving between the teeth of the comb.

Step 4: When you end a color, just tie it off or tightly wrap the next color over it and cut the remaining thread off.

Step 5: Rotate as many colors as you choose. I decided to only do peach and gray.

Step 6: Tie of the end of your thread and cut off whatever remains.

Now I tried to take a picture of it in my hair, but found that I was not so talented at holding the camera at the necessary angle. So instead I'll show you a picture from where I got the inspiration for this project: http://lemonjitters.blogspot.com/2011/09/diy-hair-comb.html

Happy Hair Combing!!

The Ring(s) to Rule Them All

If you're anything like me you know that rings are not only a fashion accessory, but also a fashion necessity. On most days you would prefer to wear a ring on most every finger. Many people (especially those of the male gender) do not realize the functionality that rings provide to a person. Rings look good and also aid you in the unlikely case of an attack, like brass knuckles. What mugger would want to be hit in the face by a hand with all kinds of rings on it.

Well, the good news is that after reading this post you will not only have good looking fingers, but also protection against the evil in this world. Here's what you do:

Step 1: Visit your local Hobby Lobby, Michaels, Walmart, or whatever store you can find that sells these. Buy as many as you like, I got mine for less than a $1.50 a piece.

Step 2: Pick out whatever you'd like for the flat suface of the ring. I used old clip on earrings, buttons, and adhesive pearls. (If you use old clip on earrings, remove the backs before attaching them to the ring.)

Step 3: Hot glue them into place.

Step 4: Wear them and enjoy!!

Jewelry Stand

If  you are anything like  me you have ridiculous amounts of jewelry, probably more than necessary. Well, fortunately there is a way to display your jewelry and possibly free up some space for more.

Step 1: Go to your local thrift store, buy three plates and two vases.

Step 2: Pull out your hottest glue gun and glue the pieces together as follows:

Step 3: Pick out whatever color of paint you want. Spray paint would work the best, but crafters paint works just fine too.

Step 4 (optional): Take out your handy piece of sandpaper and rough up the edges a little.

Step 5: Place your jewelry on it. (also, it turns out that this also makes a wonderful cupcake stand)

Enjoy!!

Bottled Bracelet Bangles

It is often stated that drinking water is essential to be alive. What is not often stated is that drinking water can add to your jewelry collection. Well, bottled water anyway, if you are drinking water from a glass, nalgene, fountain, or doggie dish it will not add to your jewelry collection. Check it out:

Step 1: Drink your water and peel off the label.

Step 2: Use an exacto knife to cut rings out of your bottle. The thickness of your ring is determined by how thick you want your bangle to be. You can use a scissors for this, but I do not recommend it.

Step 3: Cut a strip of fabric.

Step 4: Pull out your ever trusted hot glue gun and glue the tip of the strip on the bottle.

Step 5: Begin wrapping the fabric.

Step 6: After you have wrapped it all glue the strip into place and cut off any remaining fabric.

 

There your have your bottled bangle bracelet. I made another with hemp!

Happy Bangling!!! 

Stickin' Sticks

Do you have a lot of sticks in your yard and no campfire pit to put them in? Are you at a loss of what to do with them? Well, I have a craft for you! And all you need is a tin can, sticks, and (of course) a hot glue gun.

Step 1: Gather your items. I used an empty can of corn and peeled off the label.

Step 2: Break your sticks to size and begin glueing them to the can.

Step 3: Keep glueing your sticks till they cover the entire surface of your can.

Step 4: If you choose you can stop there, or you can do like me and give it a little touch of femininity. I used fabric and hemp.

Step 5: Put a candle (be careful as the sticks can be a fire hazard) or some flowers in it.

Happy Crafting!!

T-Shirt Necklace

We've all been there. You're wearing your favorite Tee out to dinner with friends when low and behold the ketchup falls out of your burger and on to your shirt. You try to hold back the tears. Don't cry! There is something you can do to keep your shirt. Hears how to turn that Tee into a beautiful necklace (and you don't even need a hot glue gun)!

Step 1: Cut off a little less than half of your shirt.

Step 2: Cut horizontal strips in your Tee, but make sure you don't cut all the way through.

Step 3: Stick your hand in between all the strip and stretch it out a little.

Step 4: Divide the strips into three sections and begin braiding. You'll notice that while you are braiding it will seem like the strips are getting all twisted. Push the other side up and it will automatically form a braid on the other end.

Step 4: Cut one strip at the bottom and use it to tie each side of the braid into place.

Step 5: If you want you can tie one side into a little bow.

Step 6: Continue wearing the Tee you thought was ruined.

Who knows you may end up staining your Tee's on purpose! Happy Crafting!!