Jacquie's Up-Cycle Nation: Coasting Along

I love kitschy coasters!  They make the perfect house-warming gift, entertaining accessory, or self-treat! This quickie up-cycle saves on both time and money while allowing for that extra personal touch!

I scored this set of 6 cork-backed coasters for $1 at a local charity shop.  They were good quality and in mint condition but the style just wasn't what I wanted.  With my favorite scrapbook papers and some Mod-Podge, this make-over is up-cycling simplicity.

Wooooo-Hooo for the short Supply List!!

*Coasters *Sand paper *Gesso

*Paint brush *Scrapbook Paper *Mod Podge

Sand picture surface of the coasters, wipe away sanding residue.

Apply a thick coat of Gesso to surface and sides of coaster.

While Gesso is 

drying, trace (or measure) coasters onto scrap paper.

I am using Lost and Found papers by My Mind's Eye.

 Once the Gesso has dried, apply a thin layer of Mod-Podge to the surface and adhere scrapbook paper to the coaster.

If embellishing with additional stickers, wait for the Mod-Podge to dry before applying embellishments.  

Sand around edges and corners, for a fluid look.

Once the initial layer of Mod-Podge is dry, add two more layers as sealer and topcoat.

And wallah!  
Easy-peasey simple up-cycled coatsers!

LOVE & UP-CYCLE NATION!



Jacquie Wheeler

Hand of Bela Peck

 

Blog Party Sunday -- Share Your Handmades

Welcome to our Blog Party Sunday.    We would love to have you show us what you are crafting.

You are allowed to add 3 links each week to your shops or your blog.

The rules are simple:

1. Follow our blog

2. Handmade items only.

3. You may list up to 3 items each week.

4. Family friendly items only.

The success of this link party depends on the participants so spread the word to your friends, visit the shops,  post about it on your  blog, in a forum or on your favorite social networking site, grab the button and put it on your blog or website.

Just click on the Add Your Link button below and add your items.

And if you would like to add a link to the party you can grab this button below.

<a href="http://www.byyourhands.com" target="_blank"><img src="http://i782.photobucket.com/albums/yy110/ByYourHands/blogparty.jpg">, </a>

Recipe - Layered Taco Dip

This is a  favorite recipes that I like to take to family dinners/gatherings. Everyone seems to like it and there usually isn't very much of it left over.

This recipe fills a 9x13 pan so it makes a lot.

LAYERED TACO DIP
Ingredients:
2 - 15 oz. cans of fat free refried beans
1 pkg. taco seasoning mix
8 oz. pkg. of light cream cheese
16 oz. light sour cream
16 oz. jar of mild salsa (we don't like things too spicy here)
1 cup iceberg lettuce finely chopped
2 roma tomatoes
1/3 c. sliced black olives
3 or 4 green onions
1 c. finely shredded cheddar cheese


Directions:
Mix taco seasoning mix with beans, then spread into the bottom of a 13x9 pan. (I use a clear glass dish)

Soften cream cheese and add sour cream, blend well and spread on top of refried beans.

Pour Salsa over the cream cheese layer and set in refrigerator for a while as you prepare the other items.

Chop lettuce, tomatoes, black olives and green onions. Add to the top of dip just before serving, then top with cheddar cheese.

Serve with tortilla chips.

_______
Enjoy Your Weekend!
Deena Davis
www.byyourhands.com

Today's Featured Shop -- Needles-N-Pins Stitcheries

Today's featured shop is  Needles-N-Pins Stitcheries.   Colleen offers a variety of handmades but specializes in stitcheries, quilts and totes.

She is also a new writer on our blog.
You can find her column "Needles-N-Pins" on Tuesdays where she will be teaching you all about sewing and home arts.

Enjoy the sampling of Colleen's work below.

Messenger Shoulder Bag, IPad, Nook, Kindle

Pillow Stitchery Primitive Folk Art Original Design Welcome Hand Stitched

Wall Hanging Shabby Chic Quilt Springtime Flower Basket Mini

Mug Rug Coaster Quilted Stars Stripes Red White Blue

Be sure and visit Colleens's shop to see all she has to offer.   http://www.etsy.com/shop/NeedlesnPinsStichery

Witches Stitches - Quick Pincushion

Quick Pincushion

When in antique and collectable shops I see so many great tarnished silver plate pieces. The small sugar pots some times have no lid and can be bought at a reduced price.  I have always liked them but could  never figure out what to do with them. I bought one the other day with a nice worn look and thought it would make a great base for a pincushion.

I found a piece of an old cutter quilt I then I placed the sugar bowl in the center of the piece and drew a circle around the bowl about 4” out around the entire thing.  Cut out your circle of fabric. If you want an older look for your chosen fabric tea dye it. (I had instructions on how to do this in my past posts). If you choose this step wait till the fabric dries before you move on to the next step. 

Thread a needle with a strong thread, button thread works well. Hand sew a running stitch around the outside edge of the circle. Take a handful of fiberfill and place it in the middle of the fabric. Pull the thread tight so the fabric gathers. You will have a ball. If you need to add more fiber fill loosen the thread a bit and add as much as you need.  Now take your ball of fabric and sit it on the base. If you are happy with how it looks it is time to secure it to the base. You can do this with a line of white glue right inside the rim. Now place your ball of fabric in and let it set until dry.

After it is dry you can add little touches. A few old buttons stuck on with an old hatpin. A thimble attached with an old ribbon. Anything you choose. This is something that looks great on a shelf but it also very usable.

If you have any questions please give me a shout. Thanks for reading, Faith