Upcycled Chalkboard

I found a framed restaurant brunch menu at an antique store and decided that it would make an awesome chalkboard. In addition to a reflective background, the frame also has very useful hooks and a sheet of metal sitting behind the glass part (making the surface magnetic as well). I picked up a can of Rustoleum spray chalkboard paint for less than 6 bucks at the hardware store and gave the sheet of metal a couple of coats. You can use this idea for various types of material, making any surface a chalkboard. 

SNAG THIS IDEA from: Apartment Therapy, A Love for All Things Branches, Holiday Centerpieces

http://www.apartmenttherapy.com/dc/dining-room/5-low-cost-big-impact-diy-branch-centerpieces--132223

Fall Knits: Inexpensive Gift Ideas That Keep Everyone Warm

Earwarmer Headbands: keep your ears warm without getting hat hair from a full beanie, and they're super CUTE!

I just finished this children's watermelon beanie I crocheted for my goddaughter.

For the main hat portion, I used this video: http://www.videojug.com/webvideo/how-to-crochet-a-baby-beanie-using-a-single-crochet-stitch

For the scalloped brim, http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=japGIpp4p5I

I experimented with some black buttons for the "seeds", but ended up hand stitching them instead using black yarn.

I am so excited to gift this to the little kiddies in my life. I want to make a similar beanie that resembles a strawberry.

Another project I just finished is this cowl neckwarmer:
I used circuluar needles to create a tube using the simple knit stitch, and then created the flower by using a scallop pattern. I then took the scalloped lace and configured into a flower. To attach the flower onto the cowl I simply sewed the whole flower onto the cowl using the same yarn and and embroidery needle.

Many prefer a cowl to a scarf because it consists of one looped piece; ie: no wrapping. This cowl can easily be pulled over your head, sit nicely around your neck and chest, and under your zipped up winter coat.

Framed Jewelry Stand

I like taking walks around my new Southie Boston neighborhood, you'll never know what you'll run into. I often pass by some old brownstone homes filled with ornate mid century pieces. I found this old crusty frame during one of my daily walks to the grocery store. To think, it was just laying there on the curb with a pile of junk ready for the garbage pick up date. I had to snatch it up! Yes, if you might ask, I did end up carry it around the grocery store, but the final result of the project paid off!  I wanted to convert it into a jewelry stand to display some of my accessories. 

Here are the supplies I used:

-chicken wire

-wire cutters

-staple gun

-framing wire

-eye screws (to attached framing wire so you can hang the darn thing on the wall)

Easy Instructions:

1. Lay the frame face down on the ground or table top. 

2. Use the wire cutters to trim a sheet of the chicken wire to fit the backside insert of the frame. Make sure to leave a 1/4 inch in excess 

3. Start from one corner of the frame and tuck the excess wire to the inside of the frame

4. With a staple gun, attached chicken wire to the inside of the frame. 

5. After stapling around the whole inner frame, make sure all the excess wire has been tucked in.

6. Attach eye screws and twist framing wire around firmly, wrapping several times around the whole wire itself as well as through loops.

Teacup Candles

Glad I didn't burn the house down with this project;) Due to unemployment freedom and boredom (mostly curiosity), decided to venture into a homemade candle project using teacups. I picked up some old school bone china teacups from a local thrift store ($0.98/each) and their saucers, and some candle making supplies from the crafts store. For an added touch I mixed in some designer perfume samples I found while cleaning out my drawers. Other than that all you need is a mixer (I used a wooden chopstick), a double boiler and some oven mits. Not owning a double boiler I created a makeshift, placing a tin can in some boiling pot of water. Be careful, always watch the melting wax, and enjoy!

Inspired by: http://www.designspongeonline.com/2008/11/diy-project-kates-teacup-candles.html

Inspiring Article of a Woman Who Compares Her Love of Crafts to Running A Company

http://whipup.net/2010/09/13/2010-guest-blogger-series-journey-from-crafter-to-business-entrepreneur/

Headbands Galore

I made some awesome headbands out of ribbons and vintage buttons. I was able to order the metal headbands from Hair Hardware. Here are some of my creations. I will post more later. PS: That's my mom in the pic, already sporting accessories as a little girl.