NOT Crafts | less cake {more frosting}

Simple Bottle Becomes Decor

Authored By: ellie g Author/Writer
March 6, 2012 --8:54 AM

Well good morning. This was supposed to be a post for yesterday….but I spent the day trying to find the SD card that had all the “before” pictures on it. ARGH! Those are so stinking tiny. And let’s face it, my house isn’t exactly sparkling in the clean department.

I finally gave up and decided that you’ll have to use your imagination. After all….if we’ve learned anything from the fabulous Mr. Willy Wonka….it’s the power of imagination. Right? (I mean…a chocolate river? A. CHOCOLATE. RIVER. It’s pure genius in a sugar form.)

But I digress…Back to the task at hand.

At holiday time, my husband was given a bottle of sparkling grape juice. It was the biggest bottle I’d ever seen. And I made him swear not to throw it out.

(it kinda looked like this…and it’s actual picture is on an SD card….hiding somewhere in my house….and laughing at me)

So I took that bottle and washed it well with soap and water.
Then I soaked it in some citrus label remover.
Next I used my arm muscles and scrubbed that label off. (and it was STUCK. That took some work)
Then I counted that as my exercise for the day….because that’s how I roll.

Next I took a fine grit piece of sandpaper to the glass. Just a titch so it was roughed up.
Then I put 2 fine coats of primer spray paint on it.
After that I did 3 thin coats of a semi-gloss white. Making sure to let it dry in between coats.

Let me tell you, I have no patience. And waiting was hard. But these bottles LOOK like they came white. AND that they were expensive. So….promise you want to do these kinda tedious steps. You’ll be glad.

Ahhh….back to the picture portion…..YAY!!!

This project uses vinyl. But NO CUTTING MACHINE! I know some of you have expressed frustration with all the projects that need expensive digital cutting machines. This one is all manual baby. You just need a paper cutter.

I got a hot pink vinyl (that matches our upcoming Easter/Spring decor) And cut it in about 1/8″ strips. I’m talking TINY THIN. You’ll need to make sure your cutting blade is sharp.

Then, once I had the strips cut, starting at the bottom of the bottle I wrapped the vinyl around in uneven circles. I crossed over a couple times, and when one strip ends, just match up the next one and keep going.

Make sure that you pull your strip tight and don’t move too drastically in one direction or the other..or it won’t lay flat.

Now I have a super modern piece that matches our Spring decor. And if I feel like changing it, the vinyl peels right off, and I can add another color. It literally cost me pennies.

I think it’s about time to start pulling out all the Spring decor. I’m gettin’ itchy for some sun and flowers. (and maybe it’s time for a Spring printable poster too? Hmmm….is that a hint of something to come later this week? )

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Filed Under: decor diva, Easter n' Spring, NOT crafts

The Cameo Gets a Name

Authored By: ellie g Author/Writer
February 23, 2012 --11:34 PM

Hi everyone.
First off….I’m BACK!

That is probably the longest blog break I’ve taken in almost 2 years! And it certainly wasn’t planned.

Last week I got a “migraine cluster”. Which is pretty much one headache on top of another. And they’re not real fond of responding to medicine.

I haven’t had one since High School, and it kicked my butt!

So after so much love from my husband, kids, lovely friends…and such nice messages by text and Facebook….some IV meds…rest…and crying.

We’re all good here.

Today was the first day in a week that I’ve felt like I could accomplish something.

It ought to be laundry, or something productive.

Instead…..
I needed a project to rejuvenate.

My project is 90% done and I’ll be sharing it here tomorrow. Until then…

I realized a tragedy has occurred.

I never decided what to name my Silhouette Cameo machine.

I KNOW!

The previous SD was named “Scarlett” (because all my electronics are named after powerful and awesome girls! Like my camera…Rachel Berry. Or my iPhone Aretha iDiva) and I considered just transferring that name.

But today…..it dawned on me……A TRIBUTE!

And so, the new Cameo has been dubbed “Whitney”. In honor of the diva herself. And what’s better than a name tag? (PS…I love you turquoise vinyl. You make my heart skip a beat!)

I used to dance my days away in the basement to this CD. I thought “Love is a Contact Sport” was the most rockin-est song ever. I believe my mother called my actions “gyrating”. I am so sad that such a talent is gone. It’s only fitting that the newest member of the “Ellie G Diva Electronics” family…is named “Whitney”.

Is this crucial? No.
Was it worth it to weed out that tiny vinyl to have a negative space label? YOU BETCHA!
Because it’s the little things that make us happy.

I’m finishing up my project in the morning. And “Whitney” is gonna help. I’ll be back to share!

In the meantime, find something frivolous that makes you smile.

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Filed Under: frosting, NOT crafts

Vintage Photo Pillow-With a Twist

Authored By: ellie g Author/Writer
February 7, 2012 --8:33 PM

There’s kind of no way to have too many awesome photos in your house. Right? I mean, pictures….they bring back so many AMAZING memories. I love to be surrounded with memories.

I am constantly on the look-out for ideas. I adore Pinterest for the plain reason that I often think “that would be fantastic…” but then I forget.

When I saw this idea on Pocket Full of Whimsy I pinned it immediately. It’s pretty much amazing.

It was so much fun taking a spin on this idea. (And even more fun seeing my Mom’s face when I gave it to her!)

I started by scanning an old picture of my Mom and her sisters sledding. It doesn’t need to be a very big picture, because we’re going to want it to look weathered.
After opening the picture in my editing program (I use Photoshop…but ANY program can do this simple edit) turn up the “contrast” on your picture. This makes the white’s whiter…and the darks…darker.
I also threw some “aging” on the picture by brushing a grunge graphic on the top. Totally optional.

Next I cut a piece of medium weight canvas fabric to be a 8.5 x 11 size. Same size as a regular size of paper.

Then I cut a piece of freezer paper to the same size. I talk a lot more in depth about freezer paper on this T-Shirt painting tutorial and also on this one where I painted a sweater.
After cutting the piece of freezer paper, I ironed it onto the piece of fabric, and set it in my printer. (I have an Epson Artisan 800 Inkjet printer….because I know you’ll ask)
And then….yep….I sent it right through. (and yes…I was scared…but it was so easy breezy. You wouldn’t even believe it!)

After catching my breath, from the sheer FANTASTIC-NESS of the outcome of my experiment…

I removed the freezer paper and found some fabric to add.

The image was only 8.5 x 11…I wanted a pillow that was larger. The fantastic part is that you can do it however you want! I wanted a 2″ border around 3 sides and a 6″ border on the right side. (to make a nice rectangle pillow)

Whatever you choose…add up the total and make a back piece to match the total area. (freak! Did I just ask you to do math? My SINCERE apologies. I HATE math!)

I also decided I wanted to add some fun feminine ruffles…since this is for my super cute Mommy….so I sewed those right onto the front panel.

Next sew the two pieces (your patched piece with the print, and the back that should be the same size) right sides together, leaving about a 4″ or 5″ hole to turn it inside out.

Then flip it around…shove a ton of stuffing in there…and hand sew up the opening.

Tah-Dah!!! A super personalized gift, or fun way to accessorize for different seasons. And isn’t the vintage-ee feel of the black and white photo SOOOOO amazing? Almost any photo, no matter the decade it was taken, could be fun and vintage feeling when it’s turned black & white. I pretty much need 15 of these. Pronto. Don’t you?

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Filed Under: NOT crafts, sew what?