A $2 picture

It's not just any $2 picture.

Last week I went to a local thrift store that I need to frequent more often and found this $2 picture with a project in mind. Well, that one project turned into three.

That's right.. I took that picture and turned it into 3 different functional projects.



1. (left) a handmade print for my derby wife
2. (right) a picture for my fall table decor
3. (bottom) a ribbon holder for W



The ribbon holder is the real reason why I bought the picture in the first place. So, I took the picture apart and really only wanted the frame. I sanded it and added the hooks on the bottom for headbands. Than sprayed it teal. I took some ribbon, I had, and stapled it to back. Super easy and functional. Now that W wants ribbons and bows in her hair, she will carry them around until you put them in, this is a great way to see what we have.


Do to unfortunate circumstances I did not have access to my money, but still wanted to decorate for fall. I found this printable on pinterest. I glued it to the cardboard that came with the picture. I added teal paper as a frame and added an extra piece of cardboard with some yarn as a leg to keep it upright



I really love how it came out .. FOR FREE!!

So, thats the frame and the cardboard keeping the picture in place.
Lastly I used the back side of the picture which was done on wood or particle board so it was thicker than a piece of paper. I knew I had been wanting to do this for awhile, than the idea hit me. My derby wife and I always say love your guts. Awhile ago Mandi over at Vintage Revivals posted this printable and tutorial for christmas. The problem is it is intended for a silhouette, which I do not have. So, I free handed in onto contact paper. I spray painted the picture gold (bottom color) and once that was dry I placed my cut out of the contact paper onto the picture. I smoothed all the creases and than sprayed in navy blue x2. While still a little wet I removed the contact paper. I was not sure how it would come out, but I love the result and so did my derby wife.



What do you think? Have you made anything fun recently?

Baby fever

 So is it me or has everyone seriously been pregnant this year?

I feel like I have made a ton of blankets since March (thats only 6 months ago).
So for your viewing pleasure, here they are
They are all a little different .. I need variety in my life

It started when one of my really close friends adoption went through
1. Aqua and teal shell pattern

That got me started on the everyone else.. And my creative juices going
Next was a friend having her second boy and me getting a little ambitious,
so ambitious it took me an extra 6 months to finish.
2. Ombré blue apache pattern

Than my sis in law who was having her first child (boy)
3. Forrest green popcorn stitch (on top of that pile)

heres a better picture

a friend in chicago with her first (boy)
4. Raindow yarn V stitch with a twist blanket

Its a funny story because my sis in law, this friend in chicago and I were all at my bro in laws wedding 2 and half years ago and now having all our children in the same year

a good friend having her second, a girl
5. Flowers in the garden
Grey and pink single crochet with crocheted tulips added



a friend having twins (boys), I made two blankets using the same yarn but two different patterns and borders
6. A blue popcorn and green shell

 a friend had a premie baby (girl) she was just able to take home.
7. Purple wave pattern


and one for my baby
8. a color block single crocheted blanket

 

I still have 4 more to make this year and one I can't show you yet since it has not been sent out yet.
What is your go to gift for new babies?

~ Steph ~

Summer Handmade Gift Exchange

So, its been awhile since I entered in a gift exchange and was hoping that would get my creative juices flowing. Well, it did to an extent. It took me the whole month prior to think of something to make for my partner who has a baby on the way and a toddler. 

This is what I came up with.. 

I wanted to make something for everyone and they live in colorado which made the decision a little easier. I know its summer, but winter things can be so cute. 

For little brother.. two little beanies. 

One simple teal and grey and the other is a little bear

For big brother.. an owl beanie

and for mama.. two headbands

This post will link up here:

~ Steph ~

Christmas cards

Big ones, little ones, bright, ones, snowflakes, houses, santa, reindeers, ornaments, lights, and trees

Yup, christmas cards have so many varieties and say so much about your personality and your year.

In the crafting world your christmas cards are admired by so many through all the media services. 

I know that I start looking for inspiration in August, I usually use Pinterest (duh!) but there are plenty of other sources such as the the paper source catalog

(source)

These were this years contestants..

(source)

(source)

So as you know from my previous post here that I got inspiration from the latter 

and.. here it is. 

I love the simplicity and cuteness of this card. It was pretty simple. Just cut out the house and glue to a background. I used card stock for the house so it was a little thicker and than a gray background. I like gray and I like neutral holidays. I used a red envelope and it is a good card no matter what you believe. 

Are you making your christmas cards this year?

Ipad this and Ipad that

                  After a poll on facebook, I was convinced to run not walk to go get an ipad

mainly for traveling, well I soon discovered that its small size is so convenient for much more that that.

Well, I have been busy DIYing as much as I can as I prepare to move into a new (to me) apartment. 

As I was perusing Pinterest I found a lot of inspiration for christmas gifts and gifts for myself.

I found this Ipad stand/chalkboard

(source)

I fell in love with it instantaneously and convinced my Dad to help me make it 

along with some other gifts.. which I can't spill just yet.

We took some extra wood he had laying around and cut it to size. 

We used the exact measurements in the tutorial except added a ledge on the back for easy moving of the stand. The ledge was created by nailing a piece of rounded trim to the back. 

I love it and I am not as worried about spilling something on the counter and it ruining my lovely ipad. 

It is also great for baking and following recipes easier.

Do you something like this? Do you just love your ipad?

roller derby trophies part 1

So last year (I know, I am catching up at a snail's pace) I was asked to make our teams end of the year party trophies for derby after seeing these halloween trophies

The halloween trophies were spontaneous and the dollar store and pinterest were to blame.

The trophies I decided to make were along the same lines, just using barbies instead of skeletons. I took the barbie and shaped her using a heat gun and attached her to a wooden stand. We did use some wire to keep her upright that spray painted her gold.

Once she was standing I added skates on her feet using clay and mini poly beads for the wheels. I had found these packs of miniature barbie accessories which included a helmet that i painted blue and glittered.

What do you think? I love these little things. Stay tuned for whats coming this season. 

Feeling petri?

 So, today after a small absence I went to my favorite thrift store, The I.D.E.A. store

I found all of this for $13.00! 

Pretty impressive I thought. In the container, 10 petri dishes.

I found some inspiration from the army men and just went with it. 

How about some coasters?

I love coasters and am always looking for a new way to make them interesting. 

So, I took my different items and put them in the petri dishes

hot glued the sides

Placed felt on the bottom 

and WAH-LA! That's it. So easy. 

I love the way they came out. 

This post will be linking up to these blogs

Project Pals: March

So, I have talked about how one of my favorite bloggers Jamie at C.R.A.F.T hosts Project pals every couple months. It is limited to 100 people

Well, this month I was in the lucky 100 

My pal was a girl named Catherine who likes black, pink and gold and loves day of the dead

So, I got to thinking and for some reason I am obsessed with ipad/kindle covers

So that is what I crocheted her a cover for her kindle fire

(sure it is a risk, but I love the way it came out)

I used her favorite colors (black, pink and gold)

Found a skull and flower pattern and went from there.

What do you think? I personally love it.

This post is linking up to these blogs

Not your grandma's crochet

For christmas (yes, I know that was awhile ago) I was in charge of making/buying the girly gifts

which included one of our good friends, Tara.

Who plays derby on my league.

(source)

I found this grid pattern and could not resist. She is on the boneyard bombshells and they have this thing with skulls and it was perfect.

I immediately thought of a bag/tote or something similar would be perfect, so I got working.

On the sides I did a checkerboard pattern, the bottom is double layered

The back I put her derby name. I single crocheted it all together and wah-la! 

What do you think?

This post is linking up here