Mixed Media Play

 I had a free afternoon today and this "thing" that is hard to describe (I am sure there is an actual name for it)-

Recycled Package Padding

This compressed padding thingy came as cushion for a package we received a few months ago. It looks like chipboard, newspaper and magazines chopped and pressed together. I sealed it with some Mod Podge to make sure it would hold together before I started. Then I randomly applied some white gesso. 

background layers

I used the tissue paper from an old sewing pattern, a deli sheet that picked up leftover paint from my recent Gelli prints, and more Mod Podge to make a base layer.

Adding some detail and shape

I then used some torn telephone directory pages, both white and yellow with red, blue and black highlights. I add some acrylic paint to give a basic outline for my idea.

Sponging on Mixed Media Color Box colors for more detail

After letting things dry, I sponged on some more color to make the shirt for the girl in my project. I used a stamp I got from an artist happy mail swap, of a girl's face. I have actually never used it yet, so this was a good reason to bring it out! I stamped the image with Staz-On ink.

You can still see the telephone pages in close up photos

More acrylic pain was smeared on using my fingers to give the background more color. Then, I used some stencils with paint and stamps with black ink to add some shapes and words.

Close-up of background and details

I used my Cray-Pas oil pastels for the first time to color her face, skin, hair and flowers. Let's just say it didn't work too well with all the lumpy texture and grooves, so I definitely colored outside the lines!

Close up of my bad coloring job haha

I had fun playing and trying new things. It doesn't always go like I plan, but I learn soemthing every time!  The finished mixed media piece:

* Dream * Hope * Create * Be Brave *

What are you creating this week?

Until Next Time

~Shari

Instagram Reel Attempt

You may have seen my first ever (awkward and embarrassing) Instagram reel. Well, you should definitely go check out one of my favorite crafters, Sandy Allnock, and see her challenge that started this all!

Okay, so now that you saw the reel, where I blind-picked 3 random colors, you will also see that I made some gelli prints. The colors were a deep pink, bright orange, and very dark brown. I added titanium white with a fluid matte medium to the Gelli plate before adding the 3 chosen colors. Here is a close up of some of the texture I got from my first print. 

I also grabbed a few more colors while I was playing and tried a different batch of prints. After drying, I was ready to make some cards.

I usually struggle to design masculine cards, but something about these colors made me think I could use some of my Tim Holtz stash and make a birthday card. I also thought that lovely texture would be good leaves or animal fur. Since it isn't summer, but I have these dies I have never used, I decided on a bear and trees.

The final products are two masculine cards that will both be used for birthday.

Consider trying the challenge, and let us see what you are inspired to create!

Until Next Time

~Shari

DIY Leftover Wood Sign Project

Once you have done a few household projects, you end up with a stock of leftover wood scraps, opened cans of stain and other goodies like that. Back in 2018, we added a much needed elevator to our home. (needed due to my physical disability). I had stain left over from that, as well as other projects in our home, like these walnut stained crate shelves in our bathroom:

Not the best photo! Walnut stained crates.

Anyways, I had plenty of wood and stain, and a problem! The elevator I mentioned, has a door that looks just like all the other interior doors in our home, so people often pull on the handle to go in. Unfortunately, the door locks (to keep people from walking into the elevator pit), and when people try to open it, they usually yank harder trying to get in, when it doesn't immediately open. I decided to make a sign so that people might see it, and ask what door they should open, before the door or hinges get damaged. (we have some strong friends!)

My elevator with cherry stained cabin.

I tried my hand at gluing and clamping my wall plaque while Chad was working.

While the glue was drying, I tested all the colors of stain I have on the yellow birch wood scrap pieces, and tried to figure out with one I wanted to use.

Treated the wood with wood conditioner, and then alternately wiped all the stain colors across the sign.

I used 5 of the 6 stain colors I tested. Everything but the ebony stain. I just wiped with the grain and let dry briefly before using the next color, lightest to darkest. I finish with three coats of topcoat.

Next, I gathered all my vinyl sign supplies for my Silhouette (had to buy these because it is my first time using vinyl). I also bought the hubby a keyhole bit for his router to make the groove on the back to hang the sign up, but he is working a lot right now, so this will be finished and hung this weekend.

Ready to design and cut.

I used transfer paper to get the vinyl image from the Silhouette page to the wood sign. It was easier than expected! Now that I have some vinyl, I will definitely be making some more things 😃

I am happy with the way it turned out!

The letters are slightly crooked, which I knew almost instantly when the vinyl hit the sign, but it doesn't readjust well. Any tips you can share on making sure you get it lined up right on the first try?

If you follow me on Instagram, you may have seen this project. I worked on two wood projects this week. This scrap of wood with a lot of grain and a knot, has been sitting in my craft room for a few years, since my daughter made beer carriers, and thought I could use this.

Having some rubbing alcohol on the brush and wood made the ink spread smoothly.

I used alcohol inks to stain the wood. It dries quickly! You have to spread it fast, using the rubbing alcohol to keep it moving, and then wipe off the excess. The ink stains the wood nicely though!

Share your tips or projects in the comments!

Until Next Time

~Shari

Chaise Lounge Chair Made Into A Tool Belt?!?

 Yep, you read that right! A few years ago, I solved a problem we had with a chaise lounge chair (shared that recently here). I stored away the leather and planned to do something with it it one day. Well, that day is finally here!

Pinterest is full of ideas, and when I saw a DIY handmade leather tool belt, I knew what I would make with my leftover leather from our chair. 

Pile of leather scraps

Rotary Cutter to trim leather scraps

I drew up a sketch of what I had in mind, and took my measurements. Then I realized I didn't have enough big pieces of leather, so I would need to sew together some smaller pieces. I came up with a plan to make the tool belt pouches with a belt. I cut the sections and assembled them with a few drops of glue, to hold it together before stitching.

Supplies: Leather cord, needles, awl, and Liquid Glass glue

I hand sewed the tool belt

I measured each stitch and marked the spot with the awl. It was HARD work getting it through two layers of leather just by forcing the awl through, but I got it done. (I am no quitter haha) It took three days to get all the stitching done because my hands needed a rest in between sections.

Leather Tool Belt Detail View

Hand Stitched Leather Tool Belt Details

I had a very small piece of black leather left over from a craft projects ages ago and it was the perfect coordinating accent color. It was a much thicker leather piece, and thus even more difficult to sew through!

All done!

It fits great, and holds a few things, which is all I needed it for. Sometimes, especially when doing mosaic projects, you just need several tools handy, and this keeps them close without taking up counter space.

Complete DIY Leather Tool Belt

That is all for today! Off to the vet to get my doggy a check-up. What are you doing today? It is beautiful weather in Chicagoland, so we will be chilling outside for a while after the doggy doc. Enjoy your day, and be crafty!

Until Next Time

~Shari

DIY Wood Project Part 2 - Wall Shelf

If you missed part 1 of our DIY project, you might want to go check out the Silhouette storage shelf my husband, Chad, built. This wall shelf was another idea I got since we had some lumber leftover. I wanted to store my printer paper and supplies on the wall above the printer, to save the coveted closet shelf space for crafting supplies!

This post will be short, and I encourage you to revisit the link above for more details and see the products used.

I took matter into my own (impatient) hands, and sanded the shelf while the hubby was working.

After wiping it off, I added the wood conditioner, and stained the yellow birch wood shelf with the pickled stain, to match my Silhouette Cameo storage shelf. (The smaller wood item behind the wall shelf is another little project I came up with, and will be a different post soon. I HATE to waste the expensive wood!)

Just needed to wait MANY hours and do all the topcoat layers, and have Chad hang it on my wall. I asked him to use the metal wall shelf brackets we had, partly because I like metal and wood together, but mostly because I am cheap and want to repurpose old stuff we had on hand.

Craft Room Organization

I still have to fill up the new shelf with office supplies, and reorganize my craft closets (yes, I have more than one!) I attempted to share a few storage ideas form my craft room a couple year ago. I recently added a new shelf unit that my husband made for my Silhouette.

I thought I'd share a few of my organization units along with the finished shelf today.

New matching shelf for office paper and supplies

Below is a sampling from my craft room storage solutions. Stamps, punches and mixed media supplies are tucked out of the way in the closet. My craft room was a bedroom, so I just removed the doors and added shelves.

Working on reorganizing craft closet shelves with office supplies gone.

I keep my Big Shot cart next to my craft work table. I can easily grab it, or just use it right where it is located.

Sizzix Big Shot Die Storage Cart

I made organization/dividers for my dies from old plastic notebook covers!

All of my markers and papers are within reach of my desk area.

DIY Wood Marker Storage Unit

Paper Storage Cubes

$1 Shoe Bins from Home Depot for Embellishment Storage!

Lastly, I have a binder that I stamp the images from every set of stamps I buy. First, it makes me get them inky right after buying them so I fight the regret urge to return them! Secondly, I categorize them with binder tabs to quickly find a category, instead of aimlessly flipping through all of my stamps when looking for inspiration. I add the brand, stamp set name, and the storage box they are in, so I can locate them easily.

3-Ring Binder with Simple Tabs for Stamp Organization

I would love to hear your helpful storage ideas! Share a tip that helps you find your crafty stash in a hurry.

Until Next Time

~Shari

Honey-Do List DIY Wood Crafting Project (Part 1)

Another One of My Diabolical Plans

When your very old laptop starts to have problems, and you finally decide to upgrade to something new, and then choose a CPU tower rather than another laptop, you may have a problem like I did. My desk is made with a keyboard pull-out shelf, but has filing cabinets on both sides, so there really isn't room to stick a desktop computer tower. My timing is not great, with computer chip delays and very high prices on lumber, but I dreamt up a new DIY project for my honey-do list! 

My office/craft room space is full, since I try to not waste any space that could hold more of my crafty stash. 😉  I shoved furniture around a little, and made a 18-inch wide opening between my desk and wood stamp storage unit. I drew up a very rough sketch of my idea for a DIY wood shelf unit that would hold the new tower, plus have a space for the old laptop and my Silhouette Cameo. I will keep using that laptop as long as it lasts, to operate my Silhouette.

With the 3-day weekend Memorial Day quickly approaching, I got my husband to head to Menards with me and find the cheapest variety of hardwood we could buy. He was opposed to this method of wood choosing, but I am cheap. The grain, color and such didn't matter enough to me to spend a lot more. So, we found their selection of "random yellow birch" which came in varied and uneven cuts. This wasn't a problem for the hubby and all his DeWalt woodworking tools. woot woot

We crammed all the lumber into my van and headed home. As a side note, we really miss the work truck. A wheelchair accessible van is great for the purpose it was created, but not so good for long boards of lumber. By this time Chad had drawn more official "blueprints" with correct measurements, and I (not very patiently) waited for the weekend to come.

Memorial Day Weekend Is Finally Here

Chad spent most of Saturday cutting and gluing. I was hopeful that 3 days was long enough to get this project done (BOY, was I wrong!!)! We had our "kids" (28 and 30 years old) and his parents come for lunch and games on Monday. Chad and I always joke about carpenter time. He gives me an estimate of how long a job will take (at home DIY or concrete construction at work). Basically, whatever he says I can just double to get a better estimate! He told me this project wasn't going to be finished this weekend. Aww shucks!

Sunday, after church, I shoved Chad back into the garage to get to work. (Who cares if the grass needs cutting, right!??) Shelves are glued and ready for more sanding.

The hubby says he needs more tools! (Weird how this always happens) Guess a router table is on the wish list before the next project. He says doing it this way is much harder. 

....and we need some more clamps and other things too!

Starting to come together-

End of day 2, and it is about 75% done. Just the top shelf for the Silhouette left to add!

Monday marks the beginning of day 3, and I am hoping there is enough time to get it finished today. A little more to assemble, then stain and poly. I'm super impatient! More cutting, gluing and sanding today. He is working on the top, slightly wider, shelf that will be where the Silhouette Cameo sits. It needed enough clearance for the 12x12" mat that is cutting to freely travel in one side and out the other as the machine cuts the design.

Going To Take A Little LOT Longer

In the meantime, I choose a color of Minwax (Pickled Oak) stain that we didn't already have and bought a small container. Dug out previously used wood pre-stain conditioner and some poly/topcoat, along with rags and gloves to be ready to work on the finished shelving unit asap. Chad was on a job site that was going to start working 10-hour days, and Saturdays, which was really going to interfere with getting my honey-do list done, but he is awesome! He said he would work on it in the evenings, and get it done by the following weekend.

Tuesday evening he finished cutting and sanding the top shelf.  Wednesday was a day off, and Thursday was just a little more glue and sanding. 

Finally Time For Some Staining

Friday was the day I got to use the wood conditioner, and then apply the stain. I did want the wood to stay a natural, light color, but this stain didn't seem to do much. I like it though!

Board without stain (left) and stained shelf top (right)

Saturday morning I was able to add the topcoat, and that is when I read all the directions hahaha

Recommended 3 topcoat applications, with 12-24 hours of drying time between. Now, I expect we will finish putting it all together next weekend, since my annual family game day was Sunday, (June 3rd if you are counting). I came up with an idea for a matching wall shelf too, which will take a couple more days to glue, and sand, and stain, but the finished project will be amazing (I promise). (Keep an eye out for DIY Part 2)

Week Two (or is it really 3??)

Monday was spent doing some light sanding, and finishing the topcoat. I am hoping at this point, that the new unit will be finally assembled, and up in my craft room by Tuesday evening, assuming Chad isn't working too much. The matching wall shelf will be a few more days, because you really can't rush the staining process (Believe me, I would have, if I could have!)

Look at that nice satin shine!

Chad was able to finish the gluing, with Willow's help.  We got the unit upstairs late Monday evening, and I plugged everything in. 

Still need a little cord management, but here is the final project-

I happen to LOVE wood of all colors and varieties, but I needed a light color between my walnut cabinet with cherry stain, and the weathered grey desk. I am to create!

Look for Part 2 with the wall shelf soon, and I will be completely done with my craft room storage (for now haha). You can see other craft room storage solutions we did a couple years ago. Have a great week!

Until Next Time

~Shari