Ready for a Weekend Getaway... DIY Bloghop with Expo International Trims

 

Hello Friends! Are you ready for a weekend getaway?! I know I am! Today I am proud and grateful to be participating in a special DIY Spring Bloghop with Expo International Trims. I have a couple makes using Expo International trims: a pencil case turned Chic clutch and a wintery felt phone holder.

With some scissors, double-sided adhesive and Fabri-Tac ~
making a seasonal quick change is quick and EASY.

Expo International sent me this selection of items to create with. Keep an eye out here on Cinco de Mayo as to what becomes of the festive fringe and red trims. TRIMS USED in this project: Shell Beaded Denim Trim - Black Multi; AnnaLie Jute Trim {natural burlap background with cotton lace overlay}; Evelyn Black Lace; and striking Flower Brooch.



I shopped my closet and gathered some canvas, white, black and khaki - my travel go-tos and grabbed some items that need some travel ready flair.

 

First up - my not so girly yet functional fishing hat. I removed the leather straps and measured a section of the lacy jute trim and lined with double-sided adhesive. Remove the backing, wrap around and VOILA ~ instant transformation!



My canvas tote has a stain that won't wash out. What's a girl to do?! Camouflage it by adding some Expo International Trims of course!



Adding lace trim is quick and easy with Fabric-Tac.


 
I love to double layer contrasting trims... 
and it makes the trim look like it's all-in-one.

How did I get these great boho roses?!

 
 
I made them out of Expo International Trims!



I had a small section leftover of the lacey jute trim. It's not going to waste. I gently peeled back the lace to expose the threads and gently cut apart.



Now I have two separate pieces! I wrapped these wonkily into a rose shape, added a pearl to the center, and secured with Fabri-Tac.



I cut the burlap into strips, added a strip of double-sided adhesive tape, then backed onto this beautiful distressed denim trim with shells and wound it up into another boho rose.



Again - secured with strategically placed dollops of Fabri-Tac.



I added a broken clip-on earring to the center of this one.
A little more Fabri-Tac adheres them to the jute trim band.



An easy-peasy transformation from stuff I had around the house. AND I can easily remove and re-attach my leather strap for the pop-up fishing excursion.

But there's one more....

This natural woven purse is beautiful as it is... but it needs a little something.

After the addition of Expo International Black Lace trim and this gorgeous Adornments Clip-on Brooch!!! 

Instant STYLE!

What would you transform
for your travel getaway with
Expo International Trims?

CLICK HERE to POP over to the Expo International BLOG for other projects in this special Spring Bloghop with Expo International! For more information on Expo International and products to dress up anything please visit website HERE.

Visit Expo International on FB www.facebook.com/expointl to enter for this great giveaway of trims.

For more inspiration on creating with Expo International please visit www.expointl.com/blog/. Share your creations #expotrims #diyhomedecor #embellishwithexpo 

Thanks so much for visiting! Sb :)

** This is a paid sponsored post. Expo International has provided trims for use in this project in exchange for my creative ideas, views and opinions. My ideas and opinions are my own.

Deck the #Cre8time Halls with ColoriQue...

 

Hello Friends! Are you ready for some holiday inspiration?! Today I am part of a Designer Crafts Connection Bloghop featuring ColorBox® ColoriQue paints and U-Paint metal Blanks... and we have been challenged to create holiday decor! 

For this challenge I was provided two U-Paint Acanthus Leaf Ornaments (6″ W x 1 1/4″ H) along with three colors of ColorBox® ColoriQue: Moss Landing, Ruby Slippers, and Verdigris.

ColoriQue brings artistic color to metal and more!

ColoriQue is an ink based product developed by Clearsnap® and jewelry artist Lisa Marie Jimenez. Colors are blendable and can be layered for unique effects. Easily applies to a variety of metals, working on both raw and plated. Not just for metal, ColoriQue can also be used on clay, ceramic, glass, wood and leather. Dries quickly and is studio safe. 

I love recycling and repurposing items and I have a box of "alterables" containing items from around the house and thrift store finds. I have grabbed some ribbon, Glue Dots® and holiday floral picks from my stash to accompany the U-Paint Leaf Ornament embellishments and ColoriQue paints. 

For today's project I selected a three-panel curved frame that was a thrift store score for 75 cents. With some paint, embellishments and some photos... I can transform this into some lovely holiday decor that will make a perfect keepsake gift too! I remove the backing and glass and give frame a rub-down with a damp towel to clean off any dust and dirt to prepare for it's transformation.

Using a cosmetic sponge, I daub on "Ruby Slippers" ColoriQue. I am more interested in quick coverage and getting color into all the nooks and crannies, and the sponge does the job and gives a streak-free finish.

The ColoriQue goes on bright with a slight shimmer that is a bit translucent. As the color dries, the red color dulls back. If the base of this frame was white instead of black, I would have a totally different look -- very bright. I don't know if this frame is wood or particle-pressed, but I love how with only one layer of color, it now looks like mahoghany.

When dry the "Ruby Slippers" ColoriQue looks like a deep cranberry over the matte black wood frame. I sponge along, daubing on the color, completely covering all edges. I wait a few minutes to let layer dry before applying a second coat to build up richness of color. I didn't have to wait long. I was painting in sections, so where I began was dry by the time I got all the way around the frame.

Now to paint the U-Paint Acanthus Leaf Ornaments. Using a cosmetic sponge I applied a layer of "Ruby Slippers" ColoriQue, then followed with "Verdigris", and finally with the "Moss Landing".

I repeated each color a second time, this time just on the high points -- building up depth and interest of colors in the intricate details.

I went back and lightly rubbed the high points with a little more "Ruby Slippers" to marry the color with the matching painted frame. I love how the color and sheen of the ColoriQue has quickly and easily transformed both of these items... and it dries in a snap! 

I gently bent the painted Leaf Ornament back and forth in the center to break apart into two sections. I trimmed away one sharp edge with heavy duty scissors. I'll be covering up these with some faux floral items, so I'm not concerned about the edges matching.

The detail is equally beautiful on both sides of the U-Paint Leaf Ornament. I took an extra step of adding color to the largest portion of the backside as portions will be overhanging the frame edges.

After bending each piece slightly to match arch of the frame, I used 3/16" multi-use Glue Dots® squares to attach in place flanking the outer squares and leaving space between to add some faux foilage.

I finished off the center with sections of holiday floral picks - reassembling bits and pieces to make a garland-like swag and join the center of the flanked painted Leaf Ornaments. 

So Merry and Bright!

This 75 cent thrift store frame has been transformed into a beautiful holiday display piece. I'm waiting on some new photos of my toddler nephews to replace Santa wrapping paper and this keepsake will be on it's merry way to my Grandmother for Christmas.

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For more information on ColoriQue by Lisa Marie Jiminez or to purchase products please visit website HERE.

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Thanks so much for visiting! CLICK HERE to pop over to the beginning of the Designer Crafts Connection "ColoriQue" Bloghop and enjoy more holiday decor inspiration.   Sb :)

** This is a sponsored post. Clearsnap® has provided Lisa Marie Jimenez ColoriQue paints, and U-Paint provided the metal blanks for use in this project in exchange for my creative ideas, views and opinions. My ideas and opinions are my own.

Keeping It Sharp... Quick and Easy DIY Teacher Gift with Etchall®

Hello friends! I have great news!! I am officially part of the Etchall® Ambassador Design Team. I am excited to be a part of this team and to share my etching adventure with you today with my first project!

Etchall® tickles my GREENcrafting heart as it makes customizing everyday items quick, easy and fun -- and it's not just for glass... Etchall® etches on glass, mirror, ceramic, porcelain, marble and slate! Of course, I will be trying out all of these surfaces.

Today I'm sharing a quick and easy DIY Teacher gift using Etchall®... a custom etched vase filled with sharpened pencils and some extra rulers {for good measure - LOL}! 

You can use a vase or recycled jar around the house - for my project today I've picked up one for $1 at the Dollar Tree. Add Etchall® a surplus of pencils, a couple rulers and pink erasers and this I will have a fabulous teacher gift for the new school year ahead... all for under $10. 

Supplies needed:

• Etchall® Glass Etching BEE-Ginner Kit
• Alphabet stickers {from Dollar Tree}
• scissors
• recycled plastic fork
• Cyclindrical vase {from Dollar Tree}
• lots of pencils
• a few rulers and some pink erasers
• plastic palette knife

Etchall® is a REUSABLE, easy to use etching créme that creates permanent etched designs on large or small areas of glass, mirror, ceramic, porcelain, marble and slate. No curing, or drying required... it just takes 15 minutes! CLICK HERE to read more about this fantastic ACMI Certified product.

For my project today I have used items from the Etchall® Glass Etching BEE-Ginner Kit. It has everything you need to get started... and in just 15 minutes will have you hooked on etching everything under the sun! 

First I cut a real thin strip of the transfer paper to use as a straight guideline to place my sticker letters upon the vase. There is a nice grid pattern on the back that helps with measuring and cutting.

I've selected some chunky foil letter stickers that are in my stash that are from the Dollar Tree. Since these stickers are a metallic foil and not paper stickers, I'm confident that the Etchall® Etching Creme will not be able to penetrate and work as a perfect letter mask. I used the detail pick tool to pick up the letters from the sticker sheet and place them onto the glass. Using the tool helps with application and keeping your fingers from dulling all the stickiness.

I place the letters spelling out backwards "SHARP!", then remove the guideline and reapply just above to spell out the remaining words "KEEP IT".

 

I use the squeegee tool to burnish down the sticker letters real good to ensure the etching creme doesn't seep under the edges. 

After all the letters are placed and burnished down, I add a couple of vinyl stripes to mimmick the six sides of a pencil; alternating etched and unetched areas; and then I am ready to etch! 

Using a recycled plastic fork, I scoop out and apply the Etchall® Etching Créme to the vase like I'm icing a cake - making sure a nice even layer is applied, then repeat to each section of the vase. 

I set this aside for 15 minutes while I sharpen three boxes of pencils. Sharpening that many pencils by hand actually took longer than 15 minutes... no worries -  the Etchall® Etching Creme stops itself so if you run a little longer everything is A-OK.

After 15 minutes {or more like 30 minutes} I return to remove the Etchall®. Nothing goes to waste here... this is totally recyclable!!! Using the squeegee tool I scrape the I scrape away the Etchall® Etching Créme and what's leftover goes back in the bottle.

Gently scrape away and drop the Etchall® Etching Creme right back into the container! This little bottle of créme can be used over and over again.

Once all of the Etchall® Etching Creme is removed, wash the remaining residue completely from the glass with just plain water. Gently pat dry with a soft cloth. 

Now peel away the transfer sheet...

and use the detail pick tool to peel off the sticker letters {which worked perfect as a resist mask with the Etchall® Etching Creme}.

LOOK AT THIS ETCHING!!!

Now to embellish this stylish and beautiful etched design with some pencils, rulers and erasers. 

A perfect compliment for the teacher's desk
with an inspirational message!

The best part... I did it myself. While I waited 15 minutes for the Etchall to do it's magic - I sharpened all the pencils {by hand} which took longer than the whole etching process. I love how this turned out and I have to admit it looks pretty sharp, too!

What DIY gifts do you make for teachers?

You have the Etchall® Etching Creme, but you need some "odds n' ends" {lights, tools, etchmask, etc}... This month Etchall® has a special coupon to pick up your odds n' ends at Etchall® -- this includes the designer tipkit, resist gel, bottlelight, etchmask, tools, and accessories! Use coupon code ODDSNENDS for 20% off select items.

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Stay tuned for more ideas on transforming items with Etchall®! :) Sb

** This is a sponsored post. Etchall® has provided products for use in this project in exchange for my creative ideas, views and opinions. My ideas and opinions are my own.