Easy Image Transfer

In preparation for our Hallowe'en Party, I wanted to make some fun Halloween-themed tags for labeling the different foods.

I searched online for ways to transfer laser-printed images, but all of the tutorials either used items I didn't have on hand, or just didn't work. I first tried using nail polish remover, since acetone is supposed to be able to transfer ink. However, it just made the paper too soggy and the image that transferred was really spotty and just didn't look right.

Well, my brilliant husband finally suggested that I try using 100% acetone instead, which we happened to have in the garage. It worked SOOO well! I couldn't believe how easy it was, and how well the image transferred onto the tags. I would highly recommend this method, since 100% acetone also evaporates so quickly that it doesn't make the paper soggy or wrinkly!

So without further ado, here's what you need to do:

Supplies-

• Laser printed image (I found mine on the Graphics Fairy website)
• Paper or fabric or some other porous surface to transfer onto
• 100% acetone
• Rubber gloves- IMPORTANT! Acetone can be really harmful to your skin, so you should take proper precautions.
• Q-tip
• Masking tape

Using the masking tape, tape your image, printed side down, onto the surface you want to transfer it to. I used some blank tags that I purchased from Jo-Anne fabrics a few years ago.

Wet the Q-tip in the acetone, and gently swipe it over the surface. As the acetone seeps into the paper, you will see the image come through more clearly on the back side. After applying the acetone once, re-apply using the same steps.

Gently peel off the paper and tape, and you will see your beautiful image transferred! Set it aside for about 10 minutes to ensure it is completely dry. Fabric may take longer to dry completely. After it's dry, you are done!  Please make sure to follow the directions for safety on the Acetone container. It's a dangerous substance if not used correctly!

I haven't tried using this on fabric yet, but I think it would work really well. You could also try this on wood, cardboard, or some other porous surface. I am just giddy thinking of all the possibilities, I think I will be using this method for years to come!

 

Super-Easy Jewelery Tutorial

One of my little secrets for saving loads of $$ and still keeping up with the trends is making my own jewelery! If you've never made jewelery before, this post is for you! I think some people may be surprised to learn how easy it is to make simple jewelery and how inexpensive it can be in the long run. After buying the basic supplies (it varies what "basic" means, but for me it was a plastic box for storage, a couple of wire cutters, a wire-bender, some clasps and earring studs, and beads), you will have a way to make really affordable statement pieces, like those turquoise earrings I made above! 

 

I found these beads at JoAnne fabrics on MAJOR sale. They were $0.97 for all three! I love turquoise and had been wanting some turquoise jewelery for a long time, so I snatched them up. Granted, these are faux but really, at $0.97 who cares? =)

From those 3 beads, I was able to make a pair of earrings and a necklace. Since I used things I already had on hand, all 3 cost me only the price of the beads. Now that's what I'm talkin' about!

So if you are inclined to start off on your own jewelery making adventure, here's a quick tutorial about how to get started! 

As I mentioned earlier, it varies a lot what the "basic" supplies are. But if you have a hobby lobby/ Jo Anne Fabrics/ Michaels near you, chances are you will be able to find a kit with basic wire trimmers, wire wrapper, small pliers and a few other necessities. Here's what I used to make a pair of earrings: wire wrapper, wire cutter, jewelery pin for the base, and beads. Not pictured is a smaller pair of pliers and the ear wires.  

Once I had everything together, I assembled the beads how I wanted them on the earring:

Next, using the wire bender I gently looped the wire at the top:

And then used the wire trimmer to cut off any excess. 

Finally, I slipped the newly created loop onto the loop of a silver ear wire and used a small pliers to clamp it shut.

And that's it! So easy, right?

Here's a couple tips if you are looking to get started making your own jewelery without breaking the bank:

• Use your weekly ad coupon to buy a basic kit (they run anywhere from $9-$20, mine was on the cheaper side!)
• Only buy the beads that you know you will use! Sometimes it gets a little crazy in the bead aisle, with all the amazing products. But it can really add up fast! I try to only buy beads on sale, and have a really specific use for them so they don't just sit in my craft drawer.
• Stock up on some basics like silver ear wires, gold ear wires, jewelery pins, chains, and links. That way you won't have to go out and buy those things every time you want to make something.
• Jewelery makes great gifts! I made necklaces and earrings as gifts for all the bridesmaids in my wedding, and it saved me a lot of money. Plus, I was able to match them to the colors that I wanted instead of searching all over the place for the right accessories!

Happy Jewelery Making!

A New Throw Pillow, with Tutorial!

Well, the sewing of the throw pillows for our bedroom makeover is underway! I started with this lovely pile of fabrics that you see above. Using the floral fabric, I covered a round pillow to make this adorable little accent pillow.

Are you ready for some cuteness? =)


Thankfully, my hubby doesn't even care that this looks like something that belongs in a little girl's room. I just HAD to have some pink in there somehow.

So, I also took step-by-step pictures to show you exactly how to create a cute pillow for yourself! It's a very picture-heavy post, but hopefully it will be helpful to someone who maybe wants to try sewing for the first time!

I started out by purchasing a pillow form from JoAnne's. You can make a pillow cover and just stuff it with batting, but pillow forms really help them keep their shape. Plus, if you're like me and enjoy changing things up all the time, they are easy to re-cover with new fabric!


Next, I laid the pillow form out on the fabric and traced a line around it for the pattern. I've done this 2 ways- by measuring and cutting an exact pattern and by tracing, and I've found that just tracing it out works just as well. And saves tons of time. No brainer!

Just leave about 1/2 inch of space. You want the pillow form to fit inside snugly, but not too tight!


After cutting out your pattern, you will end up with 2 identical circles of fabric.


Next comes the trim!


Leaving the trim on the spool, attach it with pins to ONE of the pieces of fabric, like so:

Here's a close up:


You will want to slightly overlap the trim before you make the final cut. Then comes the fun part! Start sewing! Keep your sewing line close to the edge of the fabric and trim, pulling out the pins as you go. One pin can break the needle on your sewing machine if it hits it at the wrong angle, so that's why you don't want to leave them in.


When you're done, you will have one circle with the trim attached.


Next, lay the other circle of fabric over the one you just sewed. The "bad" side should be facing out. Carefully pin the fabric pieces together, making sure to keep the outer edges together as much as possible.


That part's a little tricky. Be careful to not poke yourself with those pins! =)

Next, sew these two pieces of fabric together. As you are sewing, feel through the fabric to make sure you are sewing as close to the edge of the trim as possible. It's hard to explain, but basically you want the pom-poms to show through, and not the binding of the trim! It should look like individual pom-poms attached to the edge of the pillow when you are done.


As you are sewing, leave a space open that's about 4-5 inches wide. This will be used to stuff in the pillow form. On both sides of the gap, you will want to go forward and back up the thread a few times to make sure it is really stable!

When you turn the pillow cover right-side out, it should look like this:


Then, grab your pillow form and stuff, stuff, stuff until it's all inside!


You will end up with a little hole on one side, like this:


So you need to grab a hand-sewing needle and make some little stitches to bring it all together:


And voila! You have a decorative pillow!


I decided to add some covered buttons to mine to make it a little more polished. These can be found in any craft/sewing store in the "notions" section. They are super easy to make, and a little more challenging to attach. I haven't figured out the best way to attach them yet so you are on your own for that!



This project takes about an hour to complete! Not bad for a fun accessory!


Linking up to some fabulous parties here:

New Scarf...

I've been seeing this pattern all over the internet, and I finally decided to try my hand at making one. I decided to use fleece because it is so easy to just cut and use without hemming. I have also seen them made out of old sweaters and lighter fabrics like silk.


This took me a whole half hour yesterday.


If anyone is looking for a fun, simple, rewarding project you should try it out! Although I am sure there are many tutorials out there that are better, I drew up a little diagram to show how I made it! You can click on the picture to see it bigger.




So there you have it, easy and fun and you can wear it to ward off those wintry winds!