Tissue Box Makeover

I finally got on the chalk paint bandwagon.

I made my own.

Got the recipe on You Tube here.

I had a stockpile of thrifty finds that were patiently waiting for their makeover.

I spent an entire day painting.

Whew!

These will each have their own makeover story eventually. (Smile)

I wanted to start small when using the clear and dark wax.

I figured the tissue box was small enough.

This is a heavy oak box purchased at a thrift shop.

Painted in China White purchased at Lowes.

I applied a coat of clear wax purchased at Lowes and then applied Annie Sloan's dark wax purchased at a local shop, The Dandelion, that just started stocking Annie Sloan products.

I should have gone a bit lighter but this was my first time.

I was thinking of how I could add some pizzazz to this tissue box

 and I thought of the words "Bless You" after someone sneezes.

I used the tutorial here at Confessions of a serial diyer

on how to transfer letters so I thought I'd give it a whirl (on something small!)





I went to PicMonkey and clicked on "Design" and then clicked on "8x10".

I clicked on Text and chose a font that would be easy to trace and colour in.

I used the font called Emily's Candy.

In picture one I used sidewalk chalk that the kids play with and coloured the back of the words.

In picture two I trimmed the paper and taped it to have it centred on the side of the box.

In picture three I used a sharp pencil to trace the letters.

In picture four you can see how the tracing came out.

In picture five I used a fine tip sharpie to trace the outside

 and then in both picture 5 and 6 I used a medium and larger tip to colour in the letters.

I may not have traced completely perfect but the end result looked pretty good!

Not bad for my first time.

I had no problems tracing over the wax.

 

Blends in quite nice.

Well that's one "small" project done.

More to follow.

 

"Blessings"

 

To see where I like to party, click on the page above.

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Framing Inspiration

I love old frames.

I found this one at an antique shop a few years ago.

It's been sitting empty the whole time.

It's a smaller frame measuring about 4"x6".

I have many projects lined up to be done and this was one of them.

But what to put inside it???

My problem is I think too much about things

 and then of course nothing gets done. (...Sigh...)

I've been thinking about the hymn. "It is Well with my Soul",

and I need to see that reminder everyday.

So today I made it. Yeah!!

I used Pic Monkey and went to the Design and chose 4x6.

 I then cropped it to 4x5 under "no fixed proportions".

I went to the Text for my letter styling.

I chose a thinner font because I would be copying it onto fabric to stitch.

I saved it and then printed it.

 

I chose a piece of cardstock that I thought would look nice

 as a background for the stitchery.

It is almost the right size.

 I love these booklets of cardstock because there are

 so many projects you can do with these.

This is what it looks like inside the frame.

I found a scrap piece of osnaburg to stitch on (could use muslin)

and flannel as a backing. (I did iron them!)

I taped the osnaburg over the words, held it up to a window

and traced the letters with an erasable or dissolving marker.

It helps to put the fabric in an embroidery hoop for stability but you don't have to.



I used the backstitch to stitch the words.

 You can find out how to do that by googling it,

 but you come up from the bottom side of the fabric and then down again.

When you get to the curves of your letters your stitches will be a bit smaller.

This is what the back will look like when you are done.

 I like to have a backing so that I can weave the ends of my threads

 in and out and you don't see the line of threads on the front side.

Now to decide on a piece of lace. I love lace! This looks OK, but not too sure.

This looks cute too. It kinda matches the design on the cardstock

and it lightens things up a bit.

A piece on the top as well as the bottom.

I just used a thin line of glue to the cardstock.

Here is the finished product. What do you think?

The edges of the fabric were pulled apart to give it an unfinished look.

It's a reminder to me that in life there will always be rough patches,

but in the midst of everything

we can say as the writer of this hymn did,

"It is well with My Soul".



The colours work well here. I was going to put in on my dresser.

Is it well with your soul?

I'm going to be sharing the story behind this hymn with the ladies tomorrow night.

I made cards for each of the ladies using Pic Monkey

 and printed out four at a time on perforated cardstock

 and wrote out the hymn for them on the backside.

I wanted them to know that while they are struggling to deal with their addictions,

 that whenever they saw this card

they would be reminded that, "It is Well with My Soul".

I also made Banana Chocolate Chip Muffins for snack time

 while I have devotions with them. But I'll share the recipe another day!

 

Blessings, Diane 

 

Sharing this at:

Project Inspire(d) at An Extraordinary Day, Cupcakes & Crinoline,

Yesterday on Tuesday, The Silly Pearl

 Make it Pretty Monday at The Dedicated House

 Give Me the Goods Monday at Maison de Pax

Inspire me Tuesday at A Stroll Thru Life

Nifty Thrifty Tuesday at Coastal Charm

 You're Gonna Love it Tuesday at Kathe with an E

We call it Junkin

Treasure Box Tuesday at Memories by the Mile and Yesterfood

 Adorned from Above

Work it Wednesday at Savy Southern Style

Wow Us Wednesday

Create it Thursday at Lamberts Lately

Thursday Favorite Things Blog Hop

Beyond the Picket Fence

 Embracing Change

The Charm of Home

Jennifer Rizzo

 

25 Days of Christmas Day 13

No Sew Christmas Runner

 

This is a remake of a post I did last year.

A no sew runner with just a bit of hand stitching.

Just rip a piece of muslin or osnaburg to the size that you need for the spot that you want to display it.

Rip all four sides so the edges will be straight and unravelled.

If you like the stained look just keep some leftover coffee or tea and soak it evenly, rinse it, and let it dry on a rack or on low heat in the oven on an old cookie sheet.

Cut a piece of flannel 1/2 an inch smaller than the muslin for a backing for your hand stitching.

I need a line to guide me or my letters would be everywhere.

I used my 40% off coupon at Michaels to get these stamped letters.

I chose "Silent Night Holy Night".

Using an embroidery hoop stitch some white stars or snowflakes to add that light touch.

 

 

 

 

A simple Christmas touch to my bobbin display.

 

Blessings, Diane

Linking up to The Charm Of Home
               Common Ground
                                       Chic on a Shoestring Decorating
                  The Thrifty Groove
              The Shabby Nest
                    My Romantic Home
                         French Country Cottage

No Sew Christmas Runner

I've been wanting to make something "crafty" for Christmas, but as usual time is always a factor (and energy). I was in the stamping section at Michael's and saw a nice set of alphabet stamps. Then it occurred to me. I could stamp a runner or pillow instead of stitching them and be done a lot quicker! Instead of sewing I would just rip the edges which would give it the "rustic" look. And that's what I did and it turned out quite nice.

Used my 40% off coupon for these!

I attached a piece of flannel about one inch smaller than the runner. I did that because I wanted to stitch white stars or snowflakes on the runner and this makes it easier to hide the stitching on the backside.

I used osnaburg but you could use muslin or any type of cotton.  I coffee stained the fabric and baked it in the oven on a low temp and then ironed it.. I tore all four sides which made all the edges even and "ragged". I chose the phrase "Silent Night Holy Night" to stamp on the runner.

 

I used white thread and randomly stiched white flakes above the phrase. I used a dissolvable pen to draw a line for the letters and to make the stars.

This is the finished product. Little work and a good feeling of accomplishment!

A little vignette that I put together. I've already changed it a bit but am too lazy to take a picture.