Wednesday, August 29, 2012

Em's Wicked Witch of the East Bookmark


I have posted about these awesome bookmarks before and had to make them myself! The Wicked Witch of the East is such a great idea for a bookmark. I got the idea from 'My Bookmark' Etsy page. I used white polymer clay and painted it and added glitter to the shoes. The hardest thing was getting both legs the same. I just didn't know what to put on the bookmark part. When I came across the death certificate I knew it was perfect so printed it and used tea bags to discolour it! Done! I am so going to make these for everyone for Christmas! I want to have a go at some of the ideas at 'My Bookmark' and tailor each one to personality! I have already started making firemen boots for my cousin who's a firefighter.








Saturday, August 25, 2012

Em's Frayed Denim Patchwork Picnic Rug


I have seen a lot of versions of denim rugs and love the one from 'This crazy blessed life'. I had this on the to-do list for a while waiting to get my hands on some jeans. Then the op shop (thrift store) Life Line had a $2 clothing sale so I bought 7 pairs, spending $14. I cut out as many squares as I could with the 7 pairs of jeans. The size was determined from the size of the biggest back pockets. Then after working out the maximum size I could get from the amount of squares I had I lay them out making a front and back and pinned them together. I didn't bother sewing an x across the squares and I think it looks better. It still holds together fine. The next step was to sew it all together leaving about 1.5cm seams, which turned out to be the hardest part. I broke so many denim needles I lost count. I think 4 packets or about 20 needles. This was because I had to sew through 4 layers of denim most of the time and more when going over seams and pockets etc. The corners were the worst and I had to go over all my seams again to make sure it was all held together, especially at the corners. The next step was to snip the seams about 1/2cm apart. It would be handy with spring loaded scissors but I made do, even with a few blisters. My biggest mistake was snipping too close to the thread and cutting it. I therefore had to go over all the seams again for any holes and sew them. The next part was the most exciting, washing and drying. Bits of denim were all over the house while I was making this so I thought I would take the blanket to the laundrymat to wash it so I didn't clog my washing machine up. At this stage (sorry no photos) I was thinking it looked a bit ordinary but after just the wash it frayed and looked fantastic! I gave it a tumble in the dryer too and then went on a picnic!


7 pairs of second hand jeans
Laying out the front and back


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Tea Bag Fun

Tea Bags are so cute to base craft ideas around. These are some cute and clever ideas that I would love to try.. The cookies would be a cute idea at a tea party and I will definitely be making the soaps!

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Tea Bag soap!!- I will definitely be making these as gifts! Use different flavours and scents. Earl Grey, Chai etc..
Butterfly teabags
Peg teabag- add weights, trinkets or mini pegs to the teabag tag to glamourise teabags!
Tea Bag Gift Tags
Tea Bag Cookies- good tutorial and recipe
Fabric Teabags for kids tea parties!
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Monday, August 20, 2012

Em's Bowling Ball Garden Lady Bug

I saw these lady bugs made from bowling balls on Pinterest and thought they were really cute. So ever since I have had my eye out for a bowling ball. I saw one at the tip at one stage but didn't get it and regretted it. Then picked one up at the op shop for $7!! So I finally made it! I love it and think it turned out awesomely!! 
I used Fresh Home Ideas tutorial and painted the bowling ball with house paint I had lying around masking areas to create the spots etc with tape/contact. I then used black silicone caulking to fill the finger holes and set wire from a coat-hanger for the antenna in it. Finally I used the silicone to glue on black beads to the end of the antenna. He now sits half hidden in the garden.


Bouquet inspiration

I love the colours in these bouquets. I'm not much of a flower fan but the autumn-y colours in these look great! Even if for inspiration for fabric bouquets.

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I also really like these Australian native bouquets..

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