DIY Prints With Picnik

The other night I was browsing on ETSY (my guilty pleasure) and I came across some cute prints perfect for a child's room.

I then got to thinking "hey I could make those....I once saw a great tutorial over at 
I Am Momma Hear Me Roar,
that explains how to make your own printables easy peasily using the free program PICNIK"!! 

Before you head on over there to become inspired  check out the prints I made for my soon to arrive son's nursery.

If your looking for some inspiration for your own prints head on over to Etsy.

I printed these Picnik creations on my printer using best print quality and glossy or matte photo paper.

Once you've printed them add them to a cheap frame found at Walmart or Ikea and voila, instant art!!

I'll show off the real thing once I get them framed.

Have Fun!!

Psst I'm linking this to...
I Heart Naptime
Tatertots and Jello
Run with Glitter
The Creative Crate

CHEAP DIY VINYL ART

Two weeks ago we were delighted to find out that we are adding a baby boy to our family. With that confirmed I got down to creating some decorations for his nursery.

We've decided on a friendly monster theme for our little dude and so far it's turning out to be a fun theme.

Using canvas from the dollar store and some vinyl I created these wall hangings...

Wanna make some too??? The possibilites are endless and did I mention they are cheap to make??

Grab yourself some canvas from the dollar store and paint it with acrylic paint. I chose this metallic teal colour which seemed kinda space/monsterish.

Draw your designs on paper, or better yet use your Cricut or Silhouette machine to cut them out.

I couldn't find any monsters I liked so I just freehanded them.

Cut out your paper shapes and trace onto the back of your vinyl if your doing the freehand method. Be sure to flip them so they turn out the right way once you cut them out.  

Use a scalpel for fine cuts and a punch for perfect circles...

Once your design is cut out on your vinyl use some transfer tape to stick your designs onto the canvas. To save money I use cheap old clear contact paper from walmart. It does the exact same thing for half the price.

Peel the backing off the contact paper and stick to the front of your vinyl design. This will now allow you to peel off the backing from your vinyl exposing the stickiness so it can be placed onto your canvas.

Stick your design onto the canvas and smooth out any bubbles using a popsicle stick or credit card.

Don't press down too hard or you will stretch out the canvas.

Gently pull back the contact paper slowly making sure the canvas is adhering as you go. If it starts to pull up just press down with your finger and try again.

Here is all three together....my husband thinks the middle one looks kinda like a frog....it's a monster frog ok!!

Psst I'm linking this to...

I Heart Naptime

Tatertots and Jello

Run with Glitter

The Creative Crate

CUSTOM BLOG LINK BUTTON FOR iPHONE/iPAD/iPOD

Last week I said to my husband " I wish I had my own custom link button on my iphone that with one click would take me directly to my blog....

Then bam this morning MISS CRAFTY PANTS

posts this wonderful tutorial on how to do just that.

It took me less than 10 minutes to make my custom button and install it on my iphone.

This tutorial also works on the ipad and ipod too!

Have fun!!

GLASS VINYL SIGN KNOCKOFF

I've seen these beauties in a few gift stores around town with a hefty price tag attached to them. 

Purchasing one at $100 would mean my family wouldn't eat for a week so I decided to make my own....the cost you ask??

Under 10 BUCKS!!

I purchased an unfinished poster frame from the dollar store for $5 and painted it black.

I roughed up the edges with my sander

then stained it with my Mini Wax dark walnut stain.

I printed my vinyl letters on my Cricut machine and stuck them onto the front of my piece of plexi glass (this was the hardest part, getting them centred and straight).

Ok so it's not glass like the the big ticket frames but once you get it on your wall you could never tell the difference.

Psst I'm linking this to..

I Heart Naptime

Tatertots and Jello

The Creative Crate

FELT CAR MAT

This project has been on my "to craft list" for a very long time. When my daughter showed an obsession for matchbox cars it gave me the nudge I needed to start working on her felt car mat.

My husband and I thought of all the places a town needed like a Tim Hortons Coffee shop and a Target..haha.  

I made a sketch on paper of how I wanted Ashtyn's town to look.

I used inkjet cotton sheets (from Michaels) to print off each business logo so Ashtyn could recognize each business.

This project was definitely a labour of love and it was sometimes tricky sewing the smaller pieces of felt. But all in all I'm happy with how it turned out and best of all Ashtyn is one happy customer.

TIP: if your pressed for time use a glue gun to affix your pieces onto your mat.

Psst I'm linking this to...

I Heart Naptime

Tatertots and Jello

The Creative Crate

I'm BAAAACK

Hello my friends....no I didn't fall off the face of the earth. I've been working on a big project that is set to make an appearance in October. Lets just say that this project has taken all the life and energy out of me. I wont' keep you waiting much longer....here is a sneak peak of what I've been working on...

I've got a few great "craft" projects that I'll be posting in the coming days. Thanks for your patience while I dragged my butt through my first trimester!!

Camera Strap Cover Tutorials

Last week I whipped up these cute DSLR camera strap covers for myself and a girlfriend. They just slip right over the Canon and Nikon strap that comes with your camera. They are super handy since they have a little pocket to hold your lense cap and are padded for extra comfort on your neck. Ok so we havent really learned to use our cameras yet but at least they look cute.

Wanna make your own??

Here are some great camera strap tuToRiALs

 LENS CAP STRAP @ LGB STUDIO

(this is the one I used)

SIMPLE STRAP @ MAKE IT DO IT

GATHERED STRAP @ THE COTTAGE HOME

Easy To Make Coat Hook

Not too long ago this is where my daughters coats could often be found. 

To nip the mess in the you know what, I made this coat hook for her belongings.

Like many other projects of mine it was cheap and easy.

{You will need}

* a piece of wood cut to desired length

(dont have tools to cut? Places like home depot will cut wood for you)

* hooks

* paint

* stain (optional)

* vinyl letters or numbers to personalize

Lets get to work

1. Paint your wood and let it dry completely

2. Sand the edges if you want the distressed look and

stain if you desire. I always do, it gives it more of a finished look and protects.

3. Screw on your hooks. I used 4.

4. Add your vinyl whether it be your children's names or numbers or symbols.

5. Hang your new coat hook on the wall and give yourself a pat on the back because you no longer have coats on the floor.

I'm linking this project to...

SHANTY 2 CHIC

{CUTE} BURLAP PILLOW

I had an urge to stamp and sew something so I whipped me up a burlap throw pillow for my bed. The only problem is I don't have a picture tutorial to go along with my darling pillows. 

I couldn't just leave you hanging so I have a few great links for you in case you want to make some of your own pillows.

WAIT....

Before you click on my links just wanted to say that I  purchased my pillow at Walmart for $2....they are considered travel pillows for on the plane. Jo Anns also have their pillows on for half price a lot.

Also I stamped my "Sweetdreams"using regular old stamps purchased at Michaels

Here are some great tutorials...

Burlap Flower Tutorial 

Pottery Barn Inspired Pillow Tutorial

Burlap Fringed Pillow Tutorial

Psst I'm linking up this project to these fabulous blogs
TATERTOTS AND JELLO
BE DIFFERENT ACT NORMAL
I HEART NAPTIME
SHANTY 2 CHIC

VALENTINE BOWL STUFFERS

Valentines Day is not too far off so I've been slowly adding decorative touches to my house. Last weekend I whipped up these little stamped stuffed hearts.

Wanna make some???

Gather your material....felt, burlap, drop cloth material.

Using your stamps and ink, stamp your words onto the drop cloth material....what is that stuff really called anyways...I guess canvas??

Cut out your felt hearts.

Sew your stamped canvas onto the front of your heart. Add any emblelisments...buttons, burlap etc.

Hand stitch or sew your two pieces of heart together leaving a small hole big enough to stuff with polyfill or cotton balls.

Sew the hole shut.

I also made some mini burlap pillows to throw in the mix.

{Happy Valentines Day}

Psst...Im linking this to these fabulous link parties
BLUE CRICKET DESIGN
TATERTOTS AND JELLO
BE DIFFERENT ACT NORMAL
I HEART NAP TIME
SHANTY 2 CHIC

DIY BARN DOOR

When I came across these two great barn door tutorials below, I knew I had to take matters into my own crafty hands and make one for above my fireplace.

Here was the inspiration behind my project..thanks Kierste and Donna!!

BROWN PAPER PACKAGES

FUNKY JUNK INTERIORS

Both crafty ladies have tutorials on their blog however, I thought I would post how I made mine.

First measure your space and determine how tall and wide your barn door needs to be. Cut wood to size, and sand the edges a bit, we are going for the worn rough look so don't go sanding crazy.

I used the following wood for my barn door.

Lay your wood on a flat surface where you can hammer or nail. I used pieces of cardboard to space the 2 x 6's apart nicely to look fencelike. 

Cut your sides and cross piece of wood to fit on your

2 x 6's. These pieces will be your braces on your barn door. Then start hammering away or use a nail gun.

Next comes the fun part...paint or stain.

I used Behr Cozy Cottage Satin to paint the entire surface and good old Mini Wax Dark Walnut stain to make it look "worn" looking.

I'm happy with how my barn door turned out and better yet it cost me less than 10 bucks...waaahooo!

I'm linking this project to Funky Junk Donna's...

AND....

SHANTY 2 CHIC