I just removed these polymer clay beads from the oven. They look a little sad. Just wait until you see the finished necklace in a few days. The beads will be sanded with 3 grits of sandpaper – up to 1200 grit – and buffed to bring out the depth of the color and then strung.
The beads are all variations on a mix of blue and red pearl clay. The largest bead is a 1:1 ratio. I tend to like the mixes where I use mostly blue and add some red to bring it closer to purple.
A lot of the DIY blogs that I spend way too much time on each day have lots of items revitalized with paint. White is a particular favorite. I love the look but with winter approaching I do not have as much desire for a lot of white in my house. When I found Santa looking a little dirty and sad at the Salvation Army last week I knew he fit the bill for a white experiment. I cleaned him up and spray painted him white. At first I used as flat paint – that didn’t work. When I repainted with gloss – success. I really like the way he looks and white accents like this will add sparkle around the holidays.
I know the total color wash is not something that everyone embraces but I think it can rescue items that were not finely crafted and disguise a lot of flaws. It can also bring others to your attention such as a few stray “fur” pieces on Santa’s coat so prep carefully.
Something I found out by experimenting after a friend’s warning – Only use a battery candle in a repainted item. I used a regular tealtight and Santa’s hat and face turned brown (I repainted him). Unless you are using a paint specified for high heat stick to the battery candles.
A few weeks ago I bought this linen/rayon tunic top because I liked the simple lines. 
I wasn’t as thrilled with the black/white/gray color scheme once I tried it on. I decided to dye the white areas lime green using Tulip dye and a warm water process. I did not want to boil the tunic as I had some others because the size did not give me much shrink allowance. The color turned out quite bright.
I also had this silk scarf that I bought because a) it is silk and b) an animal print. I love both. However, in several months I have not worn the scarf because it was so dull. 
Once I finished the tunic, all of the green dye was still in the pan. It somehow seemed a waste to pour it down the drain. I decided to perk up the scarf and left it in the dye overnight.
As you can see the results were remarkably different for the two garments. The scarf is greener than the picture shows – almost a mint green. More attractive than it sounds.
I do not know if that is due to the fabric or the fact I started with cold water for the scarf. And could the tunic have absorbed all of the pigment even though the dye seemed as vibrant as ever. I don’t know the answer.
I received the book, Ancient Modern by Ronna Sarvas Weltman for Christmas last year. It was on my list, underlined and with three exclamation marks. I have read it cover to cover several times and made several pins, pendants and rings based on the concepts in the book. I have not copied anything directly but interpreted the ideas to suit me. This is my latest creation. The color combination was inspired by the Ad Libs jacket I found in Goodwill early last winter and wrote about here.
Most of the larger beads have an aluminum foil core to reduce the weight. It is comfortable and fun to wear and gets lots of compliments – which I must say I enjoy.
Be inspired by something you see today.
About a week ago I saw this post on Vintage Revivals with instructions on how to make Junkins – Pumpkins except with Junk. I often see simple glass vessels in the thrift stores for less than $1. Some of the shapes are interesting but I always pass on them because I have no real use for them. Now something fun. On Sunday I made this cheerful cat-o-lantern. 
I found a picture I liked, enlarged it to fit the bowl and then followed the directions on the Vintage Revivals blog. I love it!! Next one I will put on 3-4 coats of paint but other than that, no changes. Here are some in process pics. I am going to make a few more and am thinking of ways to adapt for Christmas decor too.
Bowl with taped cat face ready for paint
Painted bowl before taped face removed
Once again time for On Purpose Networking meeting. And I am a featured member which means I get to talk about my business for five minutes! Tomorrow I am giving away these mugs from Pfaltzgraff. I don’t think they have ever been used. They are each tri-color (blue, green and periwinkle) but in different combinations. 
An online search determines that most Pfaltzgraff new mugs are about $15, with a lot of $10 sales.
Thrifted Treasure – $0.75 each
I made an infrequent stop at a dollar store. As I was leaving this treat bag caught my eye. It is about 7.5″ tall and very light. It is a fun decoration but I am not sure it would carry anything heavy.
An inspiration from the way the handle folds above the rim in the picture - cut off the handle and fashion some kitty ears? If I do I’ll let you know.
And, below, the reason I chose this particular bag.
Ember.
A few weeks ago I found this wonderful beaded and sequined sweater. 
I enjoyed the feel of it. Did a quick analysis that it would fit and put it in my yes pile. I did not see the big ink stain camouflaged as part of the design until I had it home.
I was a little miffed at myself for missing the stain but after I washed it (even though it says dry clean only – what did I have to lose?) and tried it on I was determined to salvage it. Did I mention how wonderful it feels? The knit is viscose, nylon and spandex and feels like pure luxury on my skin.
Since it already had sequins I decided to cover the offending ink with black sequins. I also added a couple more rows to make them look more like part of the original design rather than an after thought. Here is the ‘after’ and a close up of the sequins.
I am very glad I missed the stain when I bought this. I played in my closet and already have 5 new outfits based on this sweater.
Look in your own closet and reexamine clothes that you love to see if there is a way you can refurbish them. If you don’t love them though, get rid of them. They are not worth the work or the space they are taking.
I saw this post about remaking give away bags on Design Sponge this week and said – I have done that and I can post about it. The bags in the post are a little too cute for me and a little too small for most things I carry when I need a tote.
A few years ago I attended a local conference where a very nice tote was given to the participants. The tote is a heavy black vinyl about 15 X 18 X 5 – a good size for a day trip or packing notebooks, snacks, socks and shawls for an all day meeting in cold hotel conference rooms.
To cover the logo I used a large stamp to create a red polymer clay plate. I ‘antiqued’ the image with dark acrylic paint and highlighted the butterfly with silver paint. 
I added four polymer clay beads that I used to guide/hide the thread when I sewed on the plate. (Originally I used dental floss because I thought I needed the strength. After using the tote for a few years I know that regular thread will work just as well.)
The next step was to create a stable bottom in the tote. Most giveaways do not have anything in the bottom to maintain the shape of the bag. I measured the bag and cut a heavy piece of cardboard and placed it in the bottom. If you want it to look very finished, create a cover for the cardboard like you would a pillow case.
There are many ways to personalize the give away bags in your closet.
Sew embellishments/pockets as in the Design Sponge post.
Create your own iron on appliques with your fabric, applique papers with adhesive on both sides and your iron. Google ‘how to applique’ to find instructions.
Opaque Tshirt transfers you create with your printer.
Use fabric paints to paint over the logo and then create your own masterpiece on the front, back, handles – go wild
Create your own work of art using your preferred method and hand sew it over the logo like I did with my polymer plate.
The bags are plentiful and the possibilities are endless – be creative and have fun.
I have been looking for for something to bring a little color to my guest bath. I found this picture at the Salvation Army a couple of months ago. It is unusual in that the frame is 1 inch thick and the print is placed at the back of the frame for a shadow box effect. I loved the print but the black plastic frame was just too stark. I decided to paint it. 
First step was to tape off the glass and spray with plastic primer. Ooops…. I forgot to take the before picture until I had most of the tape on.
Next I painted the base color using some green latex paint left over from the experiments to find the perfect living room paint.
Then it was bland and not enough contrast with the green (different color) paint on the bathroom walls.
Next step was to do a blue wash over the green to mimic some of the colors in the print. This took a few tries and I finally settled on using Cobalt Blue Hue Liquitex Acrylic from my polymer clay tool chest. I applied it with a foam brush and then wiped off with a damp paper towel.
The after version is pretty close to what I envisioned. One last step may be to apply a glossy clear finish. Not sure about that yet, I will live with it for awhile.
