Sunday, April 28, 2013

Tick Tock Faux Vintage Clock From a Ceiling Medallion

Vinyl Face Faux Vintage Clock

I’ve wanted a vintage “clock” for a while but have not wanted to pay the prices I’ve seen. I was wandering through the hardware store one day and found these ceiling medallions in the lighting section and had an aha moment.

Of course this also meant I had to try and “craftsplain” this to the lighting department guy. “No it’s not for a light fixture. I’m going to make a faux clock” . “Oh sure that was obvious!” said lighting department guy walking away looking back at the weird lady.

Portfolio Ceiling Medallion

For this project you will need:
  • 16 inch Ceiling Medallion ( I got mine at Lowes )
  • Ceiling Medallion Canopy Kit
  • Acrylic Craft paint ( I used Craftsmart black and Martha Stewart Pearl)
  • Vinyl ( I used Expressions Vinyl beige)
  • Cutting tool ( I used my Silhouette Cameo)
I started by painting my medallion black.  Since I usually go for an aged / distressed look I wasn’t particularly careful about brush strokes.

Ceiling Medallion Painted Black

Then I dry brushed it with the pearl paint. Again, not particularly careful. I changed from a foam to bristle brush for this.
Dry Brushed Ceiling Medallion

While this was drying, I laid out and cut my numbers using CoCo, my Silhouette Cameo. I did these in two rows and then once I’d applied the transfer paper, cut the numbers into separate pieces to make them easier to apply.
Faux Vintage Clock Vinyl

Positioned them where I wanted them and then went over them with a burnishing tool to apply them.

Celing Medallion Canopy

This is the canopy that usually covers the guts of the light fixture. I just glued it through the hole in the medallion. It came with a piece to plug the middle hole and I used some scrapbooking brads to plug the other two. It also came with some other pieces that will likely end up being used in jewelry. I did not attempt to craftsplain this to the Lowe’s guy.

Vintage Faux Clock Closeup

And now I have my brand new vintage faux clock!







Thursday, April 25, 2013

BFF Open House Link Party #102

The Answer Is Chocolate

Happy Friday eve all! Welcome back to another link party here at The Answer Is Chocolate. Can you believe Mother's Day is in just over two weeks? 

Before we get to this week's features, I did a little spontaneous giveaway going for some tags I made. The winner is: Michelle! I've emailed Michelle to let her know. Thanks to all who participated. 


I love things that are pretty and practical. Like these magnetic bookmarks from Crafty Cravings. If you're giving Mom a book by her favorite author for Mother's Day, why not whip up one of these to go with? 

With Mother's Day upon us, that means it's also graduation season. Jewelry Making Journal has some fun and inexpensive graduation jewelry ideas. 


These could also work to mark a special anniversary, birthday or other milestone. 


DIY wall art is the way to go and Rebecca from Dear Beautiful You has a great statement piece using three different canvases for one continuous piece. 

Finally, this week's chocolate feature. Oh My. I wanted to lick the screen. Check out these incredible Mocha Toffee Fudge Cupcakes from Stephanie at Back for Seconds. Want. NOW.



Now, for this week's party. If you're a first time linker upper, welcome. If you're a regular, thanks for once again hanging out in my chocolate covered corner of the blogosphere! Following's not required but I love meeting new Crafty Peeps.





Wednesday, April 24, 2013

Gold Silver and Black Jewelry Set: Party Like a Rockstar

Gold Black and Silver Set

Sharing the rest of what was tucked into The Mumster’s keepsake box. Mom may be retired, but she’s constantly on the go and she’s always been a fashionista.

I was totally jealous when she told me she’ll be going to a Rolling Stones concert. The Rolling Stones. In Las Vegas. Isn’t this what all moms and grandmas do?

I thought she needed to have some fun and special jewelry for the occasion.

Antique Gold Chain Loops

I started with a chunky gold loop necklace portion from Styled by Tori Spelling that I picked up at JoAnn’s. I combined it with some antique gold Blue Moon Bead chain and connectors. I was mixing gold and silver so I used silver jump rings to connect the pieces.

Gold and Silver Dangle

I’d also picked up a mixed bead pack from JoAnns in golds, dark purple and black. I used it , along with a black crystal beads and some silver findings, and gold head pins to make the pendant.

Black Gold Silver Earrings

The earrings I made are basically the same construction as the pendant. LIke me, mom wears clips so I used this black faceted connector pieces as the earring bases.

Gold and Black Mixed Bead Bracelet

And last but not least, I made a coordinating bracelet with the rest of the bead mix, just strung on stretchy cord.

Have fun mom! Not too much though lol.

Sharing At:



Tuesday, April 23, 2013

Silkscreened Box and Votive with Martha Stewart Crafts

Silkscreened Box and Votive

What better occasion is there than Mother’s Day  to make a handmade gift? I’m sharing a project I made using supplies from Martha Stewart Crafts. This was actually made for The Mumster’s Birthday but would work great for Mother’s Day too.

Martha Stewart Crafts

For this project I used High Gloss Acrylic Paints (Hydrangea Purple and Gray Wolf) Silk Screens, and Glass Etching Cream from Martha Stewart Crafts by Plaid.

Other supplies you’ll need:
  • Box to cover (I used a cigar box)
  • Glass votive holder
  • Embellishments
  • Paper
I painted my box with the Gray Wolf  and then decoupaged my paper onto it. The real fun began with the paisley silk screen stencils. These are super thin and have a sticky backing that help keep them in place.

Martha Stewart Paisley Silkscreen

Silkscreened Box Side

I used the spouncers to apply the Hydrangea Purple paint, going evenly over the surface. Since the silkscreens are so flexible, I was able to angle and position them any way I wanted.

Martha Stewart Foam Pouncers



I  covered each side, the top and bottom of the box using the large paisley silkscreen. Once the paint was dry, I embellished with self adhesive pearls.

Silkscreened Box 1

Now for the votive!

Etched Votive Supplies

I have been wanting to ( but afraid ) play with glass etching cream for a while. It was so easy I was kicking myself for not doing it sooner. I used a votive holder from the dollar store. Clean it up and make sure to wipe down with rubbing alcohol.

Martha Stewart Silkscreen Glass Etching

I used a smaller silkscreen for the votive and again since they’re flexible and have a sticky side, they’re easy to use on curved surfaces. Laid this on my surface and then using the brush that comes with the etching cream, applied an even coat. Wait 15 minutes and rinse! I repeated two more times.

Martha Stewart Glass Etching Cream Votive

To finish, I wrapped plain twine around the top and added a dragonfly charm.

Silkscreened Box Votive Collage

The Mother’s Day gift possibilities are endless.

To find out more about these and  more fun products from the Martha Stewart Crafts by Plaid line  be sure to check out the Plaid blog, Facebook, Twitter, and Pinterest pages.

I picked this day to share my post because today is The Mumster’s birthday and I knew I wanted to make something special for her with these products. Happy Birthday Mom. Love you.

This post was sponsored by Plaid and The Blueprint Social. Project ideas and opinions are my own.

Sharing At: 





Monday, April 22, 2013

Happy Earth Day: The Tale of the Upcycled Scarf Ring Tree of Life Bangle Bracelet

Tree of Life Bangle Bracelet

I’m starting a new meme. “Craftsplaining”. Like when you get an idea in your head to use something for a completely unrelated purpose ( eg I have "craftsplained" my way through Home Depot, Lowes, Dollar Tree, Target…) I've had conversations like : ”oh how old is your baby” because I’m buying baby wipes. “20 but these aren’t for him. I use them to clean up after my Mod Podge projects

Or when someone says “what made you think of that”. OK sometimes there’s not even a “craftsplanation” for that. Like this project. I received a scarf for Christmas and it came with his big acrylic ring that you could use to tie it different ways. HA! It’s a bangle bracelet DUH!

For this project you will need:
  • Plastic or acrylic bangle type device
  • Mod Podge
  • Paper Scrap
  • Metal leaf adhesive
  • Metal leafing
  • Charm(s)
Scarf Ring Bangle

Since this was an Earth Day project, everything I used came from my stash.

Scarf Ring Bangle 1

Trace around your bangle on your scrapbook paper scraps. I hadn’t decided yet which paper I was going to use so I cut two paper “bangles”. I also hummed the Olympics theme song.

Rough up your bangle. I just used an emery board. Apply Mod Podge (I used Matte finish, my go to) apply paper, smooth, apply coat on top of paper. Go make dinner or surf our favorite blogs.

Metal Leaf Adhesive

Now, once your MP side is dry you’ll want to apply your metal leaf. If you’re not familiar with metal leafing, supplies are available at fine art stores or I know Michaels carries them. Metal leaf is not the same as FOIL. Foil has a dull side and a bright side. If you use foil ( which you could for this project) makes sure to keep the shiny side up. Also, the label is not green and Mona Lisa doesn’t usually look seasick on it. I spilled a green alcohol re-inker on my bottle.

Silver Leafing

Unlike foil, when you apply metal leafing entire portions of it stick to the adhesive. Lay your foil over your sticky surface ( adhesive takes about 20-30 min to set up before you apply your leafing) and then I just use a stiff stencil brush to pounce on the leafing. Go all over your surface.

P4229137

As you go around your surface, the portions with nothing to stick to will tear away. If you are a neat freak can’t stand any uncontrolled mess, this is NOT for you. The leafing is very light weight and pieces will fly away. HINT: I lay down a piece of wax paper to help control things and then I can just toss it. You should also save your scrap pieces for other projects.

Tree of Life Charm

Once I had my leafing on, I attached a “Tree of Life” pendant from Blue Moon Beads to my bangle using a large jump ring. I thought this was perfect for Earth Day.  I like big clunky jewelry but of course you could use something smaller. You’ll just need a big enough jump ring to hold your bangle. I also used up some little charms from my stash. Yay stashbusting!

Silver Leaf Mod Podge Bangle

Tree of Life Bangle 2

I would love to hear some of the "craftsplanations" you've had to give. Share in the comments!

Sharing At: