Upcycled Jewelry Inside the Studio- Video

Watch the video:
Upcycled Jewelry Inside the Studio

DIY Flower Burst Paper Straw Wreath

DIY Paper Straw Wreath.  I first saw this gorgeous red and white candy stick like Christmas wreath  (click here for detailed instructions) on Pinterest but I never got around to getting the paper straws.  Finally, I found some yellow straws (you need the 144 or 150 pack!) from Making Memories Fun on Etsy and made my version; a bright yellow flower burst! Perfect for brightening up my boring front porch!

I first cut a  6" circle out of 2 layers of cardboard and then cut about a 2" hole; I  hot glued these together and sealed them with a clear acrylic spray since I planned to hang it outside. Note: I sandwiched a wire  between the pieces of cardboard for hanging.

I then hot glued 4 full sized straws in a cross then kept adding them evenly around. I then added some shorter straws. By pinching the ends, you can jam the straws around the circle until no cardboard shows. I added a little touch of spray paint and sealed the entire wreath on both sides with clear acrylic spray.

                

     These would be gorgeous for a party or wall art too!

I ♥ Handmade

I  ♥  Handmade! What  creative things are you making with your hands?  Please feel free to share & post your link to your project and pass my artwork along!

A Great Art Quote...

               This is one of my favorite art quotes! Feel free to pass my artwork along!
                                       If you have a favorite quote, please share it here: )

DIY Sweater Pillow Tutorials

DIY Sweater Pillows. Check out the links to the tutorials below!

Make your own comfy colorful pillows out of old sweaters. I love the textures and colors you can get from using old sweaters. The green and orange pillows were made from thrift store sweaters.

My mom made this red pillow for me years ago; I like the swirl she sewed in.

Some others I made;  I used the arm for my memory foam  "peanut" neck pillow and just tied a knot.

Not even a sweater but my ruched silk top upcycled into decorative pillow for our bedroom! I can't wait to get a hold of some ruffled tops!

Here is a tutorial for beautiful embellished sweater pillows from the

Brassy Apple

       For a lined sweater pillow here is a great tutorial from make it and love it




My tips:

1) Even if your sweater is a tight weave the white pillow cover may show through so make a darker cover out of some scrap fabric.

2) Remember it will stretch so don't be afraid of it being too small!

3) Have a small sweater and want two pillows? Just use some scrap fabric for the back panels; I used some darker green flannel for the green pillows above.

4) I rounded the tips of my pillow; it helps it look more finished and neater.

Sweater pillows are super easy and fun to make! Feel free to post links to your sweater projects here!

DIY Scrap Fabric Bow Pasta Tutorial

DIY scrap fabric bow pasta tutorial

 This would be a fun thing for kids but I have none so I made them to add color to my new kitchen!  I saw a few tutorials, including this cool fabric bow pasta tutorial at V and Co. and decided to use Stitch Witchery fusible bonding instead of sewing because I hate to sew!

First, cut  5" squares out of  scrap fabric ( you need two squares of each color for front and back)  Then  cut  5" squares of the Stitch Witchery and sandwich it between the two fabric squares and iron to fuse them together. 

(use package instructions)

Next,  cut the squares in half with regular scissors and then cut in half again with pinking sheers ( you now should have four 2 1/2" squares) and trim one edge with the pinking sheers so opposite sides have the zig zags.

Last, you just sew down the middle;  pull the thread so the fabric crimps and tie a knot and you have a pasta bow!

DIY Decorative Upcycled Garden Stakes

DIY Decorative Upcycled Garden Stakes. Make your own fun & funky decorative garden stakes with cheap vases, teapots, plates, do-dads and other junky finds! First you need a long skinny vase that will fit over a garden stake; this one is a cheap florist vase.

For the glue  I used Amazing Goop - Household but I have read GE Silicone II for Windows and Doors works well too.

As you can see I propped my vase upside down with some paper stuffed inside a jar. Use lots of glue; make sure all holes are filled so water can't get inside; let dry 48 hours before putting outside in the rain. I turned my plates and teapot upside down so water couldn't collect or get inside.  I want to be able to leave these outside in our mild Seattle climate year round and not have the water freeze and crack everything in the winter! For the stakes you can use old broomsticks or go to the plumbing department  and get 12' of 1/2" plastic tubing for $2 and spray paint it.

Right now I have these scattered all over my tiny yard but I think they would look best in groups. I love how they add color to my shady garden! These upcycled garden stakes are so easy and fun to make.  For another garden project,  I am collecting colorful plates to make "flower plates" to hang on my fence.

Feel free to post links to your projects; I would love to see them!