Quickies: Trinket Box & Small Vase

Still catching up on completed past projects. Here are a couple that don't take up a huge amount of your time. Perfect for those moods when you just don't want to spend the day crafting.

In case you're curious, the doily appearing in these project phots is the Gift Doily made in Aunt Lydia's size 10 thread in white and ocean. You'll find the link to the pattern under Crochet Freebies in the sidebar.

Quickie #1: Trinket Box

What you need for this project:

• 1 small wood box with lid
• Scrap piece of scrapbooking paper
• Chalk paint in coordinating color
• Matte Finish Mod Podge
• Sandpaper
• Scissors
• Paint brush

I had purchased a small item as a Christmas gift (yes, I'm already there) and didn't want to put it into a plain gift box. I found small wood boxes at Dollar Tree and decided it would do with a touch here and there. After removing the plastic wrapping, I saw that the wood was quite rough in spots. What do you want for $1 anyway? I remedied that by taking the sandpaper to it and that took care of it. There. Smooth and good to go.

STEP 1: APPLY PAPER

Cut a strip of scrapbooking paper to go around the bottom of the box, ensuring the paper will extend slightly beyond the top and bottom edges. Apply a coat of Mod Podge all around the sides. Starting in the back, apply paper making sure it extends beyond the top and bottom edges. Apply Mod Podge to the inside of the paper to glue it down at the seam. Finish by applying another coat of Mod Podge all round covering the paper entirely. Set aside to dry.

STEP 2: PAINT LID

Apply 1-2 coats to the lid, allowing to dry completely between coats. Set aside to dry.

STEP 3: FINISH BOX BOTTOM

Holding bottom edge of box toward you, sand along edges to remove excess paper. Not only will this give you a clean edge, it's a cool way to avoid having to cut your paper exactly to size. No need to fret about that from now on!

STEP 4: FINISH LID

You can either leave the lid painted as-is or Mod Podge a piece of scrapbooking paper to the top as I did. Up to you. In hindsight, I think I would have just left the lid painted. Again, up to you. Either way, finish off with a coat of Mod Podge so the finish on both pieces is the same. Let dry.

DONE!

If you're using the box as a gift box, you can wrap twine or ribbon around the box. Otherwise, your box is ready to store your favorite trinkets.

TOTAL PROJECT COST - $1 for the box. I had everything else.

Quickie #2: Small Vase

Yes, it says "Monkey Farts".
And no, I don't know what monkey farts smell like (rotten bananas maybe?),
so I have no way of knowing if the smell is accurate.

What you'll need for this project:

• 1 set Dollar Tree salt and pepper shakers
• Chalk paint in desired color
• Wax
• Small amount of jute twine or ribbon
• Scrap pieces of greenery or florals
• Paint brush
• Sand paper
• Scissors

Most of us have collections of some sort. Collections can get boring to look at if all you have are different styles of the same thing displayed. To make your collections more interesting to look at, you need to inject other items into the vignette. This sweet little vase can definitely fit that bill. And since the shakers come in a set, you can make 2!

You should know the routine by now, but here we go:

STEP 1: PREPARE BOTTLE

Wash and dry thoroughly. Toss the lids or save them for some other project. You never know.

STEP 2: PAINT BOTTLE

Apply 1-2 coats of paint, as needed for coverage, allowing to dry between coats. End with applying a coat of wax. Allow to dry overnight, then sand raised edges to distress.

STEP 3: FINISH

Wrap some jute twine or ribbon around base of threaded area of bottle and tie with a square knot. Insert pieces of greenery and flowers.

DONE!

Your sweet little vase is ready for display.

TOTAL PROJECT COST - $1 for the salt and pepper shakers. I had everything else.

And there you go. Have a wonderful Sunday!

Our Fearless Moron Speaks

Our Idiot Governor Gavin Newsom, (yes, that's his official title), has evidently decided that things were going too well in CA and he just couldn't have that. He announced on the 18th that the wearing of masks in all public places - both indoors and out - is now mandatory. This flies in the face of even the Evil Dr. Fauci who indicated that the wearing of masks is mostly symbolic.

Just watch until you hear the Pat Screech - about 8 minutes in

You can read / download the new conditions here.

I did manage to find some humor in the exceptions area. If you have a medical condition that makes wearing a mask difficult or impossible, they indicate that you should wear a face shield. So let's all dress up like we're extras in Demolition Man, shall we?

I went to the doctor last week for my bi-annual lab work that I have to do. I was accosted by several people as I was about to enter the building. One person stopped me to take my temperature and slapped a sticker on my sleeve indicating that I was 'OK'. Another person stopped me because I wasn't wearing a mask and made me wait while another person gave me one to put on. All through the area were huge, tall signs posted informing me of the virus and what I could do to keep from catching it or spreading it. (Like we haven't been inundated with this news 24/7 for the past several months.) I, of course didn't read any of them. Needless to say, it was a long gauntlet to run through before I actually got to the door.

Diversion: Learn About Gauntlets

When I went to check in, I had to answer a series of questions. 'Have you had the virus?', 'Have you been around anyone who has the virus?', (How would I know?), 'Do you have difficulty breathing?', 'Have you had a fever?', etc. Confess, proletariat! I was sooo tempted to respond with "2+2=5" and "I love Big Brother", but got control of myself. Instead, I just rolled my eyes and told her anything I've experienced was not associated with any virus. The girl sitting next to her giggled.

While I was sitting in the waiting area, a young girl sat across from me who was wearing both a cloth mask and an acrylic face shield. The mechanism used on the face shield for keeping it on her head was an elastic band. The shield itself was wide open at the top, bottom and sides, so it would only protect her from a direct spew-blast to the face. Plus her mask and shield were color-coordinated in a pretty pink pattern. Quite stylish, (I guess).

This song ran through my brain as I was looking at her

Anyone taller than her or standing to her side could spew down / over and still infect her through her eyes. She was not a tall person and I had to really work hard to not laugh out loud at her overreactive silliness. But that's just me. I have a habit of seeing silly and / or irrational human behavior everywhere I go. Then I have to stop and ask God for forgiveness as I repent and continue to work on my cynical and sarcastic view of the world.

Some of My Original Crochet Patterns

These are some of the patterns that I used to sell on Ravelry until they got stupid. A couple of them were posted before, but they weren't made available as downloadable PDF files. To download, just click on the download icon under each document.

I have more patterns, but they were originally on my old Mac and I copied them to CDs before I cleared it for recycling, so more later!

Bottle Strap Holder

I can't begin to tell you how many of these I have made over the years. They are so good for carrying a bottle around any outdoor venue. Keep this one handy!

Better Poop Bag Holder

Cuter than the last one I posted, but still easy to make : )

Travel Cloth

A simple cloth to make, but quite handy to take on camping trips or wherever you need both a cloth and a bar of soap!

Retro Dish Mop

This was rewritten in modern terminology from a vintage pattern. Since it's made with cotton thread, it's a great mop to use for those kitchen dishes.

Puff Flower Spa Cloth

Easy, but pretty, ample-sized washcloth. Can be made up in an afternoon!

Earrings - No Tut, Just Pics

A while back I got on an earring making binge. I do this. I'm all into one type of craft for a while, get bored and switch to another. That was the case here. So here are pics of my earring binge. I did make the earring tree that appears in the last pic. If you're interested, I'll post the tut - just let me know in the comments below.

All jewelry supplies were purchased at Joann's.

2-Fer!

Last post for the day!

Because I do the layout for our mobile home park magazine, I spend a lot of time on Pinterest looking for craft projects to include. Because we've been locked up due to WuFlu, I've also spent a lot of time on YouTube watching crafting videos - so you had to know a lot of crafting posts were coming.

Here are 2 new projects for you!

Click to enlarge

PROJECT #1: FRAMED FLORAL DECOR
For this project you will need:

• One 8"x10" artist canvas
• One plastic sink mat
• White chalk paint
• 1 Flower pick
• A small amount of jute twine
• Flat head screwdriver
• Paint brush
• Staple gun and staples
• Scissors
• Wire Cutters, as needed

       

I found this small light-duty staple gun at Hobby Lobby in the art / paint section of the store. The regular price was $10.99, but because I always travel with my craft store apps on my phone, I was able to use the 40% off coupon and scored it for $6.60. Since it's light-duty, it's perfect for crafting use and I don't have to drag out the mondo staple gun, (that hurts my wrist), that is better suited to household use or re-upholstering furniture. I'm sure you can find a light-duty staple gun at Home Depot or Lowe's, but they never have coupons and you may get real old waiting for them to go on sale. Anyway, I was anxious to try it out and this project seemed perfect for that. This particular staple gun uses #3 staples. I purchased 5/16" long staples and they worked fine.

Click to enlarge

Chalk paint comes in either brush-on or spray paint forms. If you're really bored, you can try making your own. I'm way too lazy for that. If you either don't have a Walmart near you or you despise shopping at that store as I do, all craft stores sell chalk paint. But be forewarned, their selections are usually quite picked over. Home Depot also sells it in spray form, as I'm sure does Lowe's. But again, no coupons.

Hobby Lobby Tidbit: If it's not on sale for 50% off this week, it will be on sale for 50% off next week.

Coupon Phone Apps: All craft stores have apps that you can download to your smartphone that include a menu selection for all of their current coupons. If you don't use a smartphone, you can always print out the coupons from their websites before you go. Never ever pay full price unless you just can't wait.

OK - enough yapping. Let's get started.

STEP 1 - PREPARE CANVAS FRAME

Remove the canvas from the frame. The frame is made of pretty soft wood, so some of the staples were a bit embedded. I used a flathead screwdriver to pry them up and out. Toss the canvas unless you have some other use for it.

STEP 2 - PAINT THE FRAME AND SINK MAT

I applied 2 coats to the frame and 3 coats to the sink mat, letting the paint dry completely between coats. No need to paint the back of either unless you are more anal retentive than I am.

STEP 3 - ATTACH THE SINK MAT TO THE FRAME

Turn the frame upside down and staple the mat to the frame (painted side down). I recommend starting at the top center, then bottom center, followed by side centers. Then corners and fill in until the entire mat is taut and evenly stapled all around. End with trimming off the excess mat.

STEP 4 - ATTACH THE FLORAL PICK

Position the floral pick on the sink mat, trimming the stem as needed, until you are happy with the placement. Wrap jute around stem a few times and finish off with a cute little bow. Hot glue the pick to the sink mat.

DONE

Hang or place your new masterpiece!

Note: If I were to make this again, I think I'd use spray paint instead. Painting the sink mat was kind of a pain in the butt trying to keep the paint strokes from [obviously] showing.

TOTAL PROJECT COST (not including tools and paint supplies) - $3.99

Canvas Frame - $1

Sink Mat - $1

Floral Pick - $1.99

PURCHASING GUIDE

Artist Canvas, Sink Mat = Dollar Tree

Waverly Chalk Paint = Walmart

Flower Pick = Hobby Lobby

PROJECT #2: TEA BOTTLE VASES

For this project you will need:

• New Leaf 'Tea House' or 'Organic' Collection bottle(s)
• Mineral spirits or Goo Gone
• Chalk paint in desired color (I used Folk Art Home Decor Chalk Paint in Sheepskin, French Linen and English Lavender)

• Paint brush
• Cardboard from a cereal box
• Jute twine, scrapbooking paper or whatever you want to finish the top
• Assorted greenery picks
• Hot glue
• Scissors

    

   

I have a shelving unit in my master bath that needed some sprucing up. I've recently become a bit addicted to the specialty New Leaf teas which happen to come in tall glass bottles. I liked the shape of the bottles and decided they would make cute (and cheap) vases to suit my purpose. You don't have to run out and buy any tea just to get your hands on this bottle, (although I'm very fond of the Black Tea with Lemon and Honeysuckle). Any tall or pretty shaped bottle that strikes your fancy will do just fine.

The labels were easy to peel off in one piece, however removing the adhesive that was left behind was a wee bit challenging. I tried soaking in soapy hot water - nope. Acetone - nope, that just smeared it around. I didn't have any Goo Gone handy, but I did have some mineral spirits and Bingo! I don't know what adhesive they use, but I want some!

OK - let's go.

STEP 1 - PREPARE BOTTLE(S)

Remove labels and adhesive, then wash and dry.

STEP 2 - PAINT BOTTLE(S)

Apply 2-3 coats for complete coverage. Let dry completely between coats. No need to paint the screw top area as you will be covering it up in Step 3.

STEP 3 - CREATE BOTTLE TOP COVER

Measure screw top area of bottle and cut a strip of cardboard to cover. Wrap strip tightly around the screw top and glue closed. Remove cover and finish with your embellishment of choice. Slide finished cover onto bottle.

STEP 4 - INSERT GREENERY

Plop your greenery into the vase and display.

DONE!

How easy was that?

TOTAL PROJECT COST

This project was free for me to make as I already had all of the items, tools and supplies. Can't beat free!

PURCHASING GUIDE

New Leaf Tea bottle = Walgreens

Folk Art Home Decor Chalk Paint = Joann's, Hobby Lobby or purchase online at plaidonline.com

Now that I've taken this picture, I realize I need to paint the shelves. Oh well, another day...