painted bottle

i love getting inspired by the things that i see on the internet.  i am always looking at other peoples blogs in search for inspiration for my next project.  this project, as it turns out, was super simple.

all you need is:

> a plain glass bottle
> a hot glue gun
> paint

step 1:  clean the bottle with rubbing alcohol, and don’t get any oils on it thereafter.

step 2: draw the word you want on the bottle with hot glue.  luckily hot glue is very forgiving and if you make a mistake, let it dry and simply peel it off until you get it just right.

step 3:  paint the bottle.  some people choose to use spray paint for this.  i think spray paint has a nicer, smoother, more even finish, but i was unable to use spray paint.  i also prefer a satin finish over a gloss finish, but your choice.  i used martha stewart paint for this project, in satin finish.  sure you can see the brushstrokes, but i think that the texture just adds to the charm.

then just let it dry, and you have a gorgeous custom vase!

valentines decorations

so i hung up a branch on my wall for christmas, and then hung christmas ornaments on it to decorate.  i liked it so much that i left it up (the ornaments were silver, so it kind of worked – at least that’s what i told myself).  decided it was about time to take down the ornaments so i supplemented with some paper hears made out of dictionary pages.  it came out so cute!!

then it was time to update the picture frames that hang just above the fire place.

and lastly, some more paper hearts hanging from the mantel, this time covered in paint splatters!!  so cute!

birds nest pendant

ever since i stumbled upon the “birds nest” pendant on the interwebs through some crafty blog, i’ve wanted to make my own.  finally got around to it today.  it was pretty fun to make, and fairly simple too.

i had tried my hand at wire wrapping over a year ago but it turned out to be harder than i had anticipated, so i put it on the backburner for a day when i had the patience to try it out again!  must say, quite pleased with the result. :)

just kidding!!

my IGS* got the best of me, i couldn’t wait.  except it was taking too long to make a necklace, so i stuck with a bracelet.   also, i used ribbon instead of string.  and then i used a button with a prong-type hole for a clasp!  super cute!

*instant gratification syndrome  (no, it is not a real syndrome.  rather, an alternate way of calling myself impatient!!!)

totally loving this idea

i feel a new project coming on!!!  it’s really too bad though, because currently i’m having difficulty finishing anything i start.  i may have to bring this idea to work simply so i can have a finished project!!

happy spring!

so happy that it is finally starting to warm up in new england.   it’s a little bit rainy, but the warmer weather makes up for it. :)  lucky for me, with the warmer weather has come a bit of inspiration!  and lucky for you with inspiration comes a new blog post!  i’m so excited to share my newest creation with you.  one late thursday evening (night really) i was trying to think up a nifty idea to run for a group the following day.  i wanted to use something recycled (or upcycled, you choose) so that it’s not just a neat looking product, but it reuses everyday items that we all have a ton of.

the idea from that late thursday night turned into the idea for my latest card.  to begin, grab some old white grocery bags lying around the house.

then, add some alcohol inks for color…

plus a little old fashioned ingenuity…

and out pops a wonderfully bright and beautiful spring card!!

the card structure is pretty simple, your basic 4 1/4 x 5 1/2, A2 card.  kraft cardstock for the base, basic grey papers and stickers, a polka spot stamp and rosette flowers made out of plastic bag!

the rosettes follow the same structure as a ribbon rosette, however i just used strings of plastic bag that were colored with bright alcohol inks!  it’s really quite a beautiful look, i think!  hope you enjoyed!