DIY Lampshade Makeover

**I would like to note that I won't be very active this week because I will be busy at work and then doing whatever I can for my sister and her wedding that is THIS Saturday! SO I have some projects to share -- be ready for a week of crafts and 'how-to' posts. **

I worked my butt off trying to get this project together.  I first got the idea from here. I LOVED it. She did a beautiful job painting a stencil and making it look amazing. I didn't trust the way it would look on my lampshade and I can be heavy handed when it comes to painting PLUS I am impatient lol. SO I decided to paint a stencil onto some fabric and recovering the lampshade. It looked OK...

but it was kind of treacherous. ......

I hate to even share this with you because it is pretty bad BUT I think it is important to share the mis-haps in projects along with all the success.

So here we go...

This is what I started with:

 

This is the painted Fabric...

 

And how it would look with the light on...ICK!

Yeah -- so it is pretty bad and like I said, I hate to share it. BUT bad projects happen to good people haha!

Back to the drawing board I went....

I had another brilliant idea. I would cut out some fabric with my cricut and then re-cover the shade using the silhouette as the design.

Then I would use the cut-outs for the OTHER lamp shade and decorate a second lamp.

 

WELL the problem I ran into with the first design idea from round two was that the shade is tapered and NOT perfectly round.

Apparently with this silly project, third time was a charm for me. I went with the latter of the two ideas from the second round.

I cut out a bunch of the damask prints. Then, using the spray adhesive from this project in October, I sprayed the back of the cut outs and adhered them to the shade.

 

I am really happy with the outcome, even though it was not the look I was hoping to get. J really loves the way they look and I think it gives it a nice touch versus the lame boring lamp shade haha. Now to finish the other. =)

Have you ever had a brilliant idea that did NOT look like you envisioned??

From the Couch {Tutorial}: Etched Mug

This project was kind of done all over the place BUT it's a 'From the Couch' project.  Since discovering a coffee I will drink, I have had aspirations of using a cute and CUSTOMIZED mug.  I thought about painting one but didn't think that would be the safest route to take.  Then I remembered that I have Glass Etching Solution!!! WOOO!! Now to find that perfect glass mug....
WalMart was the winner in this scavenger hunt.  AND for $2.50 how could I pass it up?!?
I took my new treasure home and thought about what I would etch into the glass...the letter "W" for sure -- since it IS the first initial of OUR last name (for those who are close to me, you know it was also the first initial of my maiden name lol). 
I looked through my cricut cartridge books {Sorry Tami -- this is another project with my Cricut ;)} to try to figure out what design I wanted on the other side.  I thought a hibiscus would suit very nicely. 
I cut out the shapes with my cricut on VINYL.  This is important, as the vinyl sticks to the glass...which is necessary when applying the etching solution.

I put the vinyl on my mug.  Be sure to use the the 'scrap' cut -- as in not the MAIN cut out piece you would NORMALLY use.  You want to use the outline of it.  Here, a picture can explain better =)

Then, I covered the exposed glass with the etching solution using a paint brush.

I left it on for about an hour: which is WAY longer than needed but HEY too long can't hurt it =)

 Rinse the dried solution off the glass and remove the vinyl. VIOLA!!!

Enjoy your personalized etched mug =)
The best part is since the glass was chemically etched, it won't rub off or wash off or anything! SCORE! =)

 

From the Couch: DIY Subway Art

OK, so I AM calling it from the couch but it's only SEMI-From the couch.
This subway art is really fun and I just love the look of it!!  I have wanted to do this for some time but wasn't sure WHAT I would use to pull words from.  I decided I would use my and J's relationship/wedding/marriage.  I want to make some for the different seasons BUT that will wait until I have some place to store all the different seasonal decor.
I cheated from a lot of the tutorials.  I used the Design Studio for my Cricut.  Once I figured out the words, I designed what and how I wanted the cuts to be in the program. 

Then I cut out the words -- well I didn't, the Bug did! =)

I spent the next half hour removing the letters, gluing everything down and then framing it.  The part that took the most time was doing the like cut outs for like the B, A, D, R, etc. I used a frame that I had stored in my craft room but nothing to put in it. =)

The swirly mess is our last name -- sorry I'm paranoid like that. Like I said, I just LOVE the look.  I'm not sure where it will hang, but that's OK.  It's still very pretty =)

DIY Candy Jar

I have seen many apothecary-type candy jars that are super cute.  I wanted one for work BUT I didn't need 3 like the tutorials I have seen.  I also wanted the jar to be big enough that you could put your hand in it to get the candy out.

So I browsed the Dollar Tree and Hobby Lobby and here is what I found:

Vase: $1 @ Dollar Tree

Base -- 2 (1 for base & 1 for lid): $1 each

Smaller Base (for lid): $0.50

Wooden Candlestick (for base): $2.99

Wooden Knob: $0.25 (left over from Leash Hanger project)

Ribbon: $0.50 per roll

Paint: Had at the house

Project Total: $8.75

I used my Cricut to cut out "Happy Halloween" and free hand cut out the 'shadow' portion.  I used silver paint thinking I will be able to use this candy jar throughout the year by changing the ribbons and phrase. =)  I am going to eventually make one (or two) for the house =)

  

Vows On Display

I have been threatening to display our wedding vows, even if only for our eyes and I finally did it this weekend!!
AND with today being 6 months of wedded bliss, what better time to show you than now?!
I can't take credit for the design, yes I did it, but I was inspired by an etsy seller -- gracehesterdesigns. 
I didn't want to spend that much cash on a project I knew I could DIY  =)

I bought the shadowbox frame at Michael's for $5

I used my Cricut, Design Studio Software, and the Storybook Cartridge. 

There is a light design on the paper, it's very faint but I love the accent of it!

Super simple and I just LOVE the way it turned out! I haven't figured out where I am going to hang it but I'm super thrilled with the way it looks!

Cricut Imagine

For many of us, the Cricut is amazing. The follow-up Cricut Expression is fabulous. PC is really attempting to out-do themselves. They unveiled the Cricut Imagine -- a machine for cutting AND printing. It's a bit larger than the Cricut Expressions and comes with a larger price tag (talk about sticker shock!). You can see in these pictures that PC partnered up with HP for this newest addition to the Cricut line.

I was over at Creative Critters Cricut Club, and saw videos of the Cricut Imagine! She posted some videos from the CHA (Craft and Hobby Association) conference she is currently attending. Thanks Tammy, for sharing this with us!!

I don't know how sold I am on the new machine -- simply based on the fact that I have the Cricut E and LOVE it!
Nevertheless, here are some of the details of the Cricut Imagine:
- HP makes the inkjet print element and then sends it to PC to install in the Imagine.
- Dual ink cartridges: Black ($34.99 MSRP) and Tricolor ($39.99 MSRP).
- Cartridges should print 150 full pages.
- Machine ships with full-size ink cartridges.
- Imagine uses the same blades as the current Cricuts.
- Available 9/14 on HSN.
- MSRP is $599
- Weighs 28lbs
- Gypsy update to be released on 9/13 that will let the Gypsy work with the Imagine.
- Works with current Cricut cartridges.
- They will be releasing cartridges if colors and textures that can be used as “fill” in existing shape cartridges.
- Blade and print head do not ride on same carriage like patent filing detailed.
**additional info found at Scrapbook Update

I think what pulls me FROM this is mostly the cost. With the current machines you have the cost of the cartridges already. This new machine, you have the additional cost of the ink cartridges. I feel that unless you are a crafting machine and that's pretty much all you do (make cards/tags/scrapbook/etc 24/7) sticking with the Cricut Personal or E will definitely fulfill your needs. Then again, some people adore having the latest and greatest! =) I would LOVE to hear from anyone who is going to purchase it or when it's released, your review of the product.

Finally Friday!

So this week has pretty much been the longest week of my life…ok that may be an exaggeration but it HAS been a REALLY long and stressful week! Due to this fact, I am just burnt out on the week. All I want to do is go home and either curl up on the couch with my husband OR hide away in my craft room! But alas, it IS a work day.
I spent a good part of the morning going through EVERY Cricut cartridge in existence. AND I made a list…it’s a VERY extensive list which surprised me! I am so tempted to list them all out so that I have a saved copy of a “wish list” some where….ok I will (alphabetically ;) )….Beyond Birthdays, Cindy Loo, Doodlecharms, Graphically Speaking, Home Decor, Just Because, Life is a Beach, Love Struck, Mothers Day, Picturesque, Sentimentals, Serenade, Song Bird, Stamped, Stamping, Straight from the Nest, Teardrop, and Wall Decor. Shocking, I know!On top of these AMAZING cartridges I am SO tempted to purchase the Make the Cut! program. It is one of the coolest programs I have seen. I am a little wary of it simply based on the fact that SUPPOSEDLY if you have MTC or SCAL (Sure Cuts a Lot) it voids the warranty of your cricut and I don’t know that I am ready to take that risk. =/ But on the other hand, I am still trying to figure out how they could prove that you have the program -- maybe through registration? SO in the mean time, I will just enjoy my Design Studio and my carts =)