Monogrammed Door Hanger

Supplies:

cardboard, pencil, string, tape, glue stick, permanent markers, wrapping paper (any craft store)

First, tie a piece of string around a pencil, then tape that string to the center of a piece of cardboard. Without pulling too hard, and keeping the string taught the entire time, draw a circle. Remove the string and pencil from the cardboard.

Next, cut out the circle. Use that circle to trace another circle of the same size on to the wrapping paper (or any other craft paper). Glue the paper to the cardboard, and draw your desired initials lightly in pencil. Use permanent markers to color in the letters, and you're done!

Black and Turquoise Beaded Necklace - 

Supplies:

assorted beads, circular links, various chains, closure (Michael's)

This type of necklace is very simple. Make three strings of assorted beads and attach them both to two circular links. Next, attach two different types of chains to the links at varying heights. Lastly, attach another chain that has a closure to each link.

This necklace can be made with any beads, any number of strands, and any size links. Experiment!

Knitted Circle Scarf -

Supplies:

2 skeins of bulky yarn, 2 needles size 12, sewing needle (any knitting store)

If you do not know how to knit, I suggest looking on YouTube for some video tutorials (learn the Knit and Purl stitches).

I chose to knit a row, then purl a row, for the entire scarf. This combination makes the edges of the scarf roll up which is not usually desired, but for this scarf I love the way it looks. I chose to use a bulky yarn so the scarf wraps around the neck only once. With a thinner yarn, you could make the scarf double and length and then wrap it around the neck twice.

Once the scarf is the desire length, in my case long enough to go around the neck once, cast off. Thread a sewing needle with a piece of the yarn. Before sewing the two ends together, I twisted the scarf once. This way when you wear it you can see both the knitted and the purled sides. Sew the two ends together and you're done!

TrinColl 1823 Framed Poster - 

Supplies:

internet and printer

frame (Michael's)

sheet of solid colored construction paper, paper cutter, glue stick (any craft store)

I started this project by going to Leo Reynolds Flickr page and chose what letters and numbers I wanted to use. He is a very talented photographer and has an truly unbelievable selection. I printed them out on matte photo paper, then cut them out with a paper cutter to make sure everything was even. Then I measured the inside of the frame, and cut a rectangle out of the sheet of construction paper to fit. Next, I carefully measured out where each letter should go, and glued them in place. Now just close the frame and you're done!

Decoupaged Tray - 

Supplies:

unfinished wooden tray, Mod Podge, paintbrush (Michael's)

various printed images of vintage housewives (online)

(I used Mod Podge with a glossy finish so it was very difficult to take a picture of)

First I printed and cut out all of the images I wanted to use. Next I started to work in small sections. I painted a section with Mod Podge, put an image on the tray, then painted over the image with more Mod Podge. When the entire tray was covered, I put another layer of Mod Podge over the entire thing.

Button Necklace - 

Supplies:

four chains of different colors, closure (Michael's)

assortment of buttons and pins (combination of thrift stores, Etsy, and various craft stores)

Start by choosing a desired length for the necklace. Make each chain 2-4 inches longer than that length. Braid all of the chains together, then attach to each side of the closure.

From this point, be creative! Choose an assortment of buttons and pins that all fall in the same color scheme (I chose black and gold). Next, just open up different links on the various chains and attach the charms!

Note: Use buttons that have a ring on the back rather than holes going through it. The charms look less like buttons that way, and the final product will look more expensive!

 Fabric covered bins for Anthropologie -

Supplies:

white sweaters (Salvation Army)

hot glue gun, cardboard, scissors (any craft store)

cardboard tube meant for concrete, saw (Home Depot)

I made many of these fabric covered bins for Anthropologie in Farmington, CT. First cut the the tube to a desire height. Next, use the tube to trace a circle onto the cardboard. Cut that circle out of the cardboard and hot glue to the base of the tube. Now you have your bin. 

Cut the sweater into a strip of fabric that is slightly larger than the outside of the tube. Wrap the fabric around, then hot glue into place. Be careful not to burn your fingers because hot glue will go right through the sweater.

Hot glue the excess fabric to the outside base of the bin and around the top rim. Use another piece of fabric for the sides of the inside of the bin. You can fold the edges of the fabric to make a straight line. Lastly, hot glue a circle of fabric onto the bottom of the bin.

You can do this with any fabric. Try adding to an indoor flower pot!

Framed Buffalo Poster - 

Supplies:

frame with mat, various pieces of patterned paper (Michael's)

glue stick (any craft store)

First I found a picture of a buffalo online. I cut it out and traced it onto a four pieces of patterned paper. I measured the inside of the mat and cut out four equal sized rectangles. I then glued each buffalo onto a rectangle and fastened it in the frame. Try this with different sized shapes, frames, and patterned papers!

Black Rhinestone necklaces - 

Supplies:

chains, closures, backed rhinestones (Michael's)

These are as simple as they look. I attached the backed rhinestones to the chain and added a clasp. I love these smaller necklaces because they are great for layering!

Turquoise Ribbon Beaded Necklace-

Supplies:

beads, metal circles, string, ribbon (Michael's)

Beads are strung then tied to metal circles. Ribbon is tied on the opposite side of the circle. Ribbon is meant to be tied for closure. Small bows are tied at the base of the ribbon for extra detail.

Photo Slide Tree for Anthropologie - 

Supplies:

wood for tree frame, nail gun (Home Depot)

photo slides

holiday lights for inside of tree, clear tape (Target)

I have made a lot of the visual displays for Anthropologie in Farmington, CT. This tree started with a triangular wooden frame that was put together using a nail gun. Start at the top with the photo slides and attach them in pre-taped rows. String holiday lights on the inside of the wooden frame before the second side of photo slides is attached. 

Black, Pearl and Gold braided necklace -

Supplies:

beads, clasps, string (Michael's)

Make four strands of beads, one in each color. Each strand should be 2-3 inches longer than you want the actual necklace to be. Attach one end of each of the strands to one side of a closure. Now start braiding the strands. The tighter you braid them, the shorter the necklace is going to become. Attach the braided strands to the other side of the closure.

Lamp Shades for Anthropologie - 

Supplies:

chicken wire, wire cutters, pliers, plastic zip ties (Home Depot)

These hanging lamp shades look complicated but they are so simple! Use wire cutters to cut a piece of chicken wire to a desired size. The ones shown in the picture are on 12x30 pieces of wire. The smaller you make it, the faster and cheaper the project will be. Use pliers to wrap the ends of one side of the chicken wire around the other side to make a cylindrical shape. If you buy small zip ties, put two in each rectangular opening on the chicken wire. If you buy large zip ties you only need one. This could take some time but its worth it!

Decoupaged Bottle - 

Supplies include:

glass bottle

decorative paper (Hyatt's)

Mod Podge, paint brush (and craft store)

I love finding cool bottles to decoupage. If I like the top, I leave them plain; if not, I fill them with fake flowers. Mod Podge is thinned down version of glue but gives better results. Using a paint brush, coat a small area with the Mod Podge, then put the colored paper in place. Then paint more Mod Podge on the top of the paper to  give it a finished look. I like Mod Podge that has a matte finish but glossy finish is nice, too. 

Jewelry hanger for dresser or wall - 

Supplies inclue:

wooden frame (Marshalls)

chicken wire, wire cutters (Home Depot)

striped paper (Hyatt's)

metal hooks (Home Depot)

I made this for my sister for Christmas! Cut a piece of chicken wire and a piece of colored paper to fit in the frame. Put the chicken wire into the frame first, then the colored paper, then the back of the frame. Now screw in the metal hooks, and you're done! 

Decoupaged bottles filled with fake flowers

I love finding cool bottles to decoupage. Mod Podge is thinned down version of glue but works much better. Using a paint brush, coat a small area with the Mod Podge, then put the colored paper in place. Then paint more Mod Podge on the top of the paper to give it a finished look. I like Mod Podge that has a matte finish but glossy finish is nice, too. 

If the bottle has more of an angular shape I use one piece of paper per side. If the bottle is completely round I do use a collaging technique. I cut the paper into small pieces and have them overlap. 

The bottles on the far left and right use the collaging technique, while the inside two bottles use the larger pieces of paper.

Silver and black chain necklace with flower charm accents-

all supplies from Michael's

This necklace looks complicated but it's easy! The messier the better. I bought pre-made chains of different sizes. I made one strand of small black beads and one strand with several flower charms on it. I chose the largest chain to be the one that I attached to the closures. 

Then, using pliers, I attached smaller chains several inches away from the closure. In that same location I tied the other two strands as well. Now simply braid and intertwine all of the different strands. Attach all of the strands the same distance away from the other closure.

Decoupaged switch plate cover - 

Mod Podge (Michael's)

wrapping paper or colored paper, paint brush, scissors, tape (any craft store)

Cut your desired piece of paper to a size that is slightly larger than the switch plate cover. Paint Mod Podge on the entire front, then put down the paper. Wrap the excess paper over the side of the switch plate, and tape in place. While the front of the switch plate it face down, use scissor to cut the light switch openings. Pull the paper around to make clean sides, and tape in place. 

Lastly, paint another coat of Mod Podge over the whole switch plate. I like to use the kind with the matte finish, but the glossy works great too.

Painted Adirondack Chair -

Supplies include:

Unfinished Adirondack Chair (Amazon.com)

Outdoor paint, finishing spray (Home Depot)

Ski maps (collected from various ski resorts or found online)

Mod Podge (Michael's)

Old ski boots, hats, etc. for creativity

I first started by drawing the outlines of the different ski faces. I researched what old versions of each ski looked like before I started, then copied those designs. After that dried, I painted the rest of the chair. I then covered each arm and the back with Mod Podge, and cut ski maps to fit their locations. 

Lastly, I sprayed the entire chair with a finishing spray that would make it suitable for wear and tear. My finishing touches were to put ski boots on each of the front two legs, and a hat on the back. There is so much room for creativity here. Have fun!