Baking Sheet Repurpose

For all of you who woke up this morning thinking, "What else can I do with my baking sheet?" This tutorial is for you! 

Materials:
       1 Old baking sheet
       Spray paint
       pretty scrapbook paper
       Mod Podge
       Scrap material for handles (I used an old bandanna)


First I spray painted the outer part of the pan.  Don't worry about the middle because it'll be covered.

Then I cut a piece of scrapbook paper to fit the size of the pan.  I had to piece together two sheets.

 Next I glued the paper down with Mod Podge ... and realized I had huge air bubbles... whoops!

 So, I had to add another sheet to cover them up.  After that I put a couple coats of Podge down on top of the paper to seal it.

 I liked it, but thought it needed something to cover the holes on the side.  So I cut a couple of strips off an old bandanna like so...

 knotted them in the middle...

 and strung them through the holes and tied a bow.

 And wha-lah! A serving tray from a baking sheet!

Don't entertain much?  Hang it on the wall and use it as a magnetic message board! 
Oh, the possibilities!  So don't fret, there is life after baking for your pans!

Ciao,
Lucia

Inspiration and Guilt, all in 3 photos

Well I've been stumped for quite some time as to what to do with my kitchen, namely, that dreaded space between the top of my cabinets and the ceiling.  Correct me if I'm wrong, but unless you have fancy cabinetry that reaches the roof, I don't think I'm alone in this debacle.  So then, what do you do?  Fill the space with a collection of teapots (as I attempted to do and quickly got bored with)?  Line up the bottles of all the cheap wine you've consumed over the past year (classy!)?  Or heaven forbid you cry out "uncle,"  give up and leave it empty!  (Have you caught on that these have all been my solutions at some point?)
Well, I can't say that I've got a definitive solution yet, but I have stumbled across a little inspiration on Apartment Therapy to give me something to think about...

These are from a Chicago house tour.  It's a simple kitchen, nothing showy, and I love it!  I like how they just put up random vintage kitchen finds; the  lights are a cute touch too!  Seems so simple, why didn't I think of that?  Now I just need a boat load of cute, vintage, kitchen-y things.  Hmm... might take some time.  For now I'll just work on keeping that space dusted!
 Now for the guilt part:  their kitchen is so tidy!  Excuse me, but I've got to go clean something.

Ciao,
Lucia

Lucia's list: Goals

 As I begin my journey to waking Lucia, I feel the need to be very goal oriented and to publish these goals for accountability.  As my husband can attest, I tend to be quite the procrastinator as well as one who likes to begin things and then drop them at the sight of something shiny.  Perhaps you can imagine, this habit leaves me feeling very unfulfilled and unaccomplished.  Well the time has come to reverse this pattern.
Now I know everyone says you should make goals that are reasonable, and for the most part I do, but it's important for me that I also include ones that are a bit more far-fetched (it keeps me driven).  So in the spirit of "you can do it," and if you're the least bit interested, here are my goals for Lucia:

1.  Start a blog (come on, you know you add things to your list that have already been accomplished, it's          
                        good for the soul!)
2.  Sew something ... correctly  see Lucia Sews: Nursing Cover
3.  Get at least one follower that isn't a family member
                      (Hey I like the way this list is going...)
4.  Create my own tutorial
5.  Refashion something
6.  Refinish a piece of furniture
7.  Attract 50 followers
8.  Attract 100 followers
9.  Attract a sponsor
10.  Open an etsy shop

So there you go.  Can you can relate to my struggle?  Wouldn't it be fun to create your own list?!  If you'd like publish it here, and we can keep each other on track!  Now lets go meet some goals!!

What I'm working on...

I thought I'd let you in on my current project just for proof that I actually am working on something.  It's a Land of Nod inspired floor cushion.  I got the idea from Susan over at Living with Punks.  Here's what she made:

Cute, right?  They're for little hineys as they're only about 17" round.  I'm making 2 for my friend's girls.  Here's what I have so far...

 

Don't let the awful lighting and the fact that the pictures were taken with an iphone fool you; the fabric is super cute and the piping is a much prettier pink in person. 

I'm quite excited!  You can make them too, just go here for the tutorial!  And of course, send pictures.

Ciao,
Lucia

Decorating with Keys?

Another fun idea for unique wall art?  Keys, and the older the better!  Take a look at these creative displays:

Here's a great before and after project via Design Sponge:

 Also from Design Sponge.  They were actually showcasing the pillow, but I couldn't stop looking at those keys!

Via Country Living

Frame them pretty or just nail them to the wall dirty, either way your room will look very designy-ish with no effort at all!

Ciao,
Lucia

Geeky Crafts

Want to make something for your geeky self, I mean friend? Here are a few random
(yet fun) ideas...

Turn signal jackets (my personal favorite)

Darth Vader Cupcakes 

A totally geeky NES controller coffee table that actually works (not for the faint of heart!)

A pumpkin carved in code

 

 An uber nerdy clock

 DIY Tetris magnets

 

 Your very own bat lamp

Or perhaps an old phone-inspired iphone case.

Craft nerds eat your heart out!

Hello, my name is Lucia...

... and I'm addicted to ruffles.  I just found this amazing tutorial on how to make ruffles here, and now I'm in love!  Seriously, anyone can learn!   And what potential; now everywhere I look I see something that absolutely, without question must have a ruffle.  Try it out and tell me you don't become an addict as well.

Ciao,
Lucia

Geeky Trends

Being a geek isn't what it used to be.  Whereas once it meant donning suspenders and a pair of taped up glasses while doing your best to avoid the next swirly, now connotates a sort of laid back cool guy persona who will happily show you how to sync your iphone with your laptop.  I guess you could say that "geek" is the new sexy.  (I admit my slight bias as I am married to a programmer.)

So what, then, do we buy for our geeks?   Thinkgeek.com will hook you up.  You wouldn't believe the possibilities out there...


For the Music Geek:  T-shirts you can play!

For the Sci-Fi Geek:
Yes, you can actually buy a Stargate!  Or, a more reasonably priced Enterprise pizza cutter.

Stargate Auction

And for the computer geek:

The PEBKAC shirt (ask any support guy and he'll tell you), and the Etch A Sketch ipad case.

via Headcase

 

Coming up next... Geeky crafts... stay tuned!

A little birdie told me...

...that you can now follow WakingLucia on Twitter!  Find me at Twitter.com/wakinglucia
See you there!

Wallpaper makes a comeback

Well folks, it's happened.  We have come full circle and wallpaper is cool again; only this time it's available in shades and patterns other than pink and floral! 

Scared of committment?  Don't paper the whole room.  There's a trend now of only covering one wall or area in the wallpaper.  

Still too soon?  Ease into it by trying out some wall decals.  Those are big business these days!

Not even ready for decals?  Then Paint it is!   

Ciao,
Lucia

Lucia Sews: Nursing Cover

Dear friends, although I have not posted in a couple of days, that does not mean I haven't still been crafting!  No, my journey to becoming Lucia continues, and I am happy to announce that I have been making some progress!  

I give you ...  the Nursing Cover!  

Don't you love this Vera Bradley look-alike?  Thank you Joanne!    

I used the pattern mentioned in my earlier post, "DIY baby gifts".  What I love about this cover is that it is extra wide for great coverage, and it has boning sewed into the top hem to allow for air flow and the ability to actually see your little one.

I would call my first project a success, but it was definitely not without its struggles.  Virtually every step I did, I had to do twice.  And because I don't have the right equipment that every sewer should have, it took A LOT of time to measure and cut even somewhat accurately.

This is a great project for a beginner.  Basically all you have to do is cut out a big square and two rectangles and sew!  If you're new to sewing, here are a few nuggets of wisdom I've gleaned from the process.  I hope they help!

1.  If you are planning on sewing for any length of time, get a tall work table.  You're back will thank you later!

2.  Measure twice, cut once.  The Golden Rule of sewing!  (Or if you're like me, measure once, cut twice, and try again.)

3.  Move over Fido, there's a new best friend in town, and his name is the SEAM RIPPER!  It allows you to go back and take out your sewing boo-boos.  It's a must.  Buy it and love it!

4.  If you plan to make sewing a hobby, there are 3 tools you should really invest in (aside from the seam ripper) to keep your cuts clean and accurate:  a rotary mat, rotary cutter, and ruler.    

5.  When pinning your fabric use a pin cushion!  If not, your pins will end up on the floor... twice if you're me.

6.  Whenever you find your next project, read the directions all the way through... 4 times!  You can never be too familiar with the steps.  If not you end up with an uh-oh like this:  

7.  And finally, Relax!  There's nothing that can't either be undone or redone.  Have fun and take you're time.  Stuck on a term?  Google it.  Scared of your sewing machine?  Break out the manual and wear it out with use.  When all else fails and you just don't know what to do, kidnap the nearest grandma (she doesn't even have to be yours, they're all innate sewers!)

Now go out and get sewing!

Ciao,

Lucia

Need a pick-me-up?

Sara Bareillas has come out with yet another great song! It's a guaranteed toe tapper; perhaps even a head bopper?

Gizmodo Shooting Challenge

Gizmodo has a great challenge for anyone out there with a camera, extra time, a little know-how, and a can-do attitude.  It's called Single Space Composites, and it's based off a piece from photographer Peter Funch's Babel Tales collection.  Check out the article for specifics, but basically what Funch did was set up his camera in a public square and take shots repetatively in the same position.  After that, he superimposed images that shared a common theme on top of each other.  Check it...

Here he incorporated all of the shots with balloons

Does anyone else see Abraham Lincoln in this one?

So back to the challenge.  It's simple; find a really public place and set up camp.  Then use an editing program, such as photoshop, and work some magic (that's where the know-how comes in).  Enteries are due Sept. 20th and there are other details you need to know.  Go here for more info.

If I ever get a decent camera this will definitely be on my to-do list.  What could be better than people watching but taking pictures while people watching!

Ciao,
Lucia

oh, and check back tomorrow as I'll have an update on Lucia Sews!