a date 2 create: gift

8.26.2011

Chalk board paint - mason jars

CREATE stylish & functional organization

Use chalkboard paint to create a write-upon label on Mason jars to use as storage!

Mason jars are available in various sizes & can be purchased by the case, making them very affordable.
Find them in your grocery store or here.

Tape off the area you'd like to paint. I wanted to use my blue paint tape as it is so easy to peel off but masking tape worked just as well.

I used a small foam roller available here & chalkboard paint available here.

You can see how they look very transparent after the first coat. I just let them dry in the sunshine for a few minutes before applying another coat. I think I did a total of 3 or 4 coats.
FYI - The instructions tell you to let them sit for 3 days before conditioning & writing on them. Just keep this in mind if you were planning on giving them as a gift or needed them right away. Then it's a total of 7 days from when you painted them before you can wipe them with a wet cloth.

Pretty!
I am using them in my cupboards for cereal, crackers, snacks, beans, dog treats, etc.
They really clean up the space & I love that I can easily change them as I change the contents inside the containers.

7.26.2011

Sewing Project #2 - cute little bag

Inspired by Amanda Blake Soule in her book, Handmade Home: Simple Ways to Repurpose Old Materials into New Family Treasures, I chose her pattern for the "Treasure Bag".

Gathering my materials

After cutting several strips of muslin 2"x5", I used the stamps to measure out the space.

To prevent the stamp from getting all goopy with fabric paint, instead of painting the paint directly onto the stamp I decided to use a small paint brush to brush on a small layer of fabric paint onto a plastic lid.

This allowed a reasonable amount of paint to sit on the stamp.

You can see how clearly the letters came out

I couldn't resist making a few more. I had a feeling I was going to love this little project & want to make more than just one bag.

I just love burlap, don't you?

I couldn't resist making my first little bag out of it. Somewhere I had read about a great way to help cut a straight line out of burlap (If I find the link I will post it).

You find one string of the burlap & pull it out. This will leave a straight line to cut along.

I'll admit, it was a little more of a project than I expected (it doesn't just pull right out), but look at the amazing results!

A very straight line indeed!

A straight line is created by pulling a thread from the burlap.

I sewed the "read" stamped fabric to a piece of 7"x7" scrap fabric.

Then I sewed this piece to the burlap, folded it - right sides together, & sewed the sides of the burlap.

After turning it right side out again, I added bias tape to the top with a zig-zag stitch.
A couple things here, (1) I have never used bias tape, (2) tricky, hmmm..., (3) I didn't measure correctly so I ended up with a inch on the back of the bag with no bias tape, (4) next time I cut the bias tape only after I was finished adding it :) Much better results!

I used ribbon for the handle. You can see how amateur my zig-zag is - there is no denying that this is a handmade product!

Voila! I love it, my kids love it, and we are all so proud of mama! I love that they got to see their mom through the whole process of setting a goal, getting an idea, learning, & creating a finished product/project!
{f.y.i. - Nearly everyday since I finished this they've been talking about their own "projects", what they are creating next, and the types of materials they need. Love it!}