The DIY "I'm not going to pay full price" Tombstone

My husband's favorite holiday is Halloween, so I'm really wanting to put some effort into decorating our house this year for him.  The only problem is I can't bring myself to pay the going rate (an arm and a leg) for silly decorations I'd only use once a year.  So, I decided I would make my own.  I got this idea after seeing a ridiculously expensive styrofoam tombstone at the store.
Remember, I've only just begun waking Lucia, so I have to admit I'm a bit proud of my little tutorial.  Hope you like it too!

Materials:
         (1)sheet of styrofoam
         black paint
         sponge brush
         exacto knife


Step 1: CUT!
         Cut out the shape you want for your tombstone with your exacto knife.  I used a plate to help with the curved edges.

Step 2:  CARVE!

 Next you're going to carve out your design.  I "drew" (carved) my skull and bones free hand, but I bet you could print a basic image out and trace around it too.  It sounds silly, but I used a mechanical pencil without the lead to carve because the exacto wasn't all that easy to maneuver.  Also, when you're carving your design, be sure to carve an outline of at least 1/2" wide around your intended image.  That outline will remain white and really define your image.

Step 3:  PAINT!
 Squirt paint onto your brush and start dabbing.  Remember not to paint the carved out part.  Ttry to get the edges of your image dark so the white really stands out.

Step 4:  DECORATE! 

I think it turned out pretty cute, and it was cheap and fun to make!  

Happy Early Halloween!

Ciao,

Lucia

Smooth.

One of my former students recently had a birthday, and I was invited to his party.  I wanted to make him something cool because he's a cool little dude.  But what is a 10 year old going to like that his teacher gives him?  Well...  five months ago my darling husband bought me the coolest gift ever - a Yudu screen printing machine. This was a perfect opportunity to take it for a test drive! So I scoured my list of "to-do" projects and came across this great idea for a shirt from I am Momma.  I tweaked it a little by changing the font and added a slice falling down, just to make sure everyone understood it was butter and ...

Wah-lah!

A smooth shirt for a smooth kid!

If you don't have a screen printing machine, don't fret!  I am Momma did hers by freezer paper stenciling and has a great "how-to"!  

Pincushion Ring Tutorial

What do you get when you mix fashion and sewing?  A pin cushion ring, of course!  I can't tell you how many times I drop my pins on the floor as I'm learning to sew.  I knew I needed a pin cushion but didn't like the idea of wearing a bulky pillow on my wrist, so I decided to make one into a ring!  With my tutorial, you too can feel pretty while you craft!

Materials:

pretty fabric
(1) ring pop
poly-fil
(1) 1-gallon water cap
hot glue gun

Step 1:

Cut off (or eat!) the candy part of the ring pop.  (It comes off easily if you take a knife to it.)
You'll be left with this:

Step 2:  Cut off the peg part of the ring so that you're left with a flat base.  I sawed mine off with a knife - be careful!

Step 3:  Cut out a circle of your fabric with about a 6" diameter.  I used a little plate as a guide.

Step 4:  Next you're going to create the cushion. 

Wrap your fabric around a chunk of fiber-fil and the water cap so that you have a cushiony ball.  Then hot glue the ends of the fabric to the bottom (flat side) of the cap.  This part takes a little patience to get the shape you want; but don't worry, you'll get it!

It should look like this on top.

Step 5:  I'm sorry I don't have a picture for this, but I think you'll understand.  Glue the bottom of the cushion you just made onto the base of the ring.  Let dry.

          Step 6:  Next, cut a strip of fabric about 3/4" x 7"

Step 7:  The base of your ring won't look so pretty, so glue the strip of fabric around to cover it up.

Ta-dah!  You're ring is complete.  Just add pins!

Ciao,
Lucia

Computer Victory and Fall Felt Belt

The all mighty computer has finally allowed me to post my pictures!  Yeah!  Ok, on to bigger and better things.
One of my daily reads is I am Momma Hear me Roar, and yesterday she gave a tutorial on making the cutest belt for fall.  Naturally I had to make it right away.  Here was the result...

My dog Conan decided he wanted some attention too...

I'm really excited about this because I'm lacking a bit in the accessories department, and all you need is one cute piece to turn an outfit from blah to fabulous!  I really think you should try it; it's cheap and easy... but be careful when using a glue gun, I'm down to only 4 fingerprints on my right hand!

Stay tuned... I have some fun tutorials of my own coming soon that you won't want to miss!

Ciao,
Lucia

Computer Woes and a Great Blog!

Well, for some reason my computer isn't letting me post any of my pictures right now, so the cute belt I made from I am Momma Hear me Roar's tutorial cannot be revealed yet.

But, on a happier note, I found an awesome new blog for any of you out there who enjoy wardrobe refashioning!  It's called Welcome to the Good Life, and it's so inspiring!  In it, Sarah shows you how to make your own designer clothes from things laying around in your closet.  Like this Antho-inspired dress and sweater...

After seeing how easy she makes it look, you'll never want to pay full price again (if you ever did in the first place)!  So hop on over and have fun!

Ciao,
Lucia