Monday, September 16, 2013

Jacquie's Up-Cycle Nation: Pick Your Poison

 Old-timey poison labels add vintage pizazz to any Halloween décor!  But crafter beware!! These creepy cheapies are so easy to make you could easily get carried away!  (Oh who am I kidding!!? Crafters can never have TOO much of anything!)
 Using cast-off glass bottles, a standard printer and Mod-podge, these spooky pieces can be made in minutes from the recycle bin.
Finding awesome vintage labels on-line is half the fun! Popular graphics sites like The Graphics Fairy  offer copyright-free labels ready for download. Simply save the image to the computer and print out on everyday white copy paper.
After cutting out the labels use sepia toned stamping ink to add splotchy aging to the labels and darken the edges.
Apply Mod-podge to the back of the label and adhere to the glass bottle.  Once the Mod-podge has dried, brush another small amount of matte Mod-podge to the label surface for protection.
Larger bottles can be turned into candle lanterns using decorative grass, wire, and battery operated tea lights.  (I found these black tea lights in Target's $1 section.)
Wrap wire around bottle neck making at least 5 rounds for extra stability.  Use a smaller cut of wire to create a handle.   Drop in the decorative grass and tea light and ENJOY!  The poison bottles are now ready for all your creepy decorating plans! 
LOVE  &  UP-CYCLE NATION!
Jacquie Wheeler
Hand of Bela Peck

Sunday, September 15, 2013

Blog Party Sunday -- Show Off 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 to your shops or your blog each week.

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.






Saturday, September 14, 2013

It's Time For Another Giveaway!!

Welcome to another Handmade Giveaway.
Today's giveaway is sponsored by Bette Shaw of Handmade By Bette.

Bette is a crafter and designer. Today's giveaway is one of her multi-use, cross-body totes.   Your kindle, Mini Ipad, or nook will fit perfectly in this bag or use it when you only want to carry a few things with you.  Perfect for flea market shopping.



 
You can earn up to three entries by doing the following...

1. Visit Bette's Etsy shop, http://www.handmadebybette.com and come back here and post a comment with your favorite item in her shop. Be sure and leave your email address so we can contact you if you win.

2. Earn one extra entry by becoming a follower of this blog thru Google Friend Connect or Linky Followers.. Already a follower? Just let us know so we can give you credit.

3. Earn an extra entry by sharing the link to this giveaway on your Blog, Facebook, Pinterest or Twitter. Be sure and let us know you have done this and where.

(USA and Canada entries only, please)

The giveaway will start today, Saturday, September 14. The last day to enter will be Sept. 27, 2013 and the winner will be announced on Sept. 28, 2013. We will announce it here and contact you by the email address you have left. 

Have fun and good luck!

Would you like to sponsor a giveaway? Are you interested in promoting your store or blog. If so, just email us.
We would be happy to send you the details. byyourhandsblog@gmail.com

Friday, September 13, 2013

Today's Featured Shop -- Polly's Creations

Today's featured shop is Polly's Creations.    Pauline designs and makes one of a kind jewelry and fabric Ipad cases.

Amethyst necklace set with matching bracelet and earrings


Copper and pearl 16 inch necklace



Blue lapis necklace and earring set


Dogs and Cats IPad Case


Be sure and visit Pauline's shop to see all that she has available.  https://www.etsy.com/shop/PollysCreations

Thursday, September 12, 2013

Witches Stitches -Fabric Christmas Sheep


The holidays are right around the corner and one of the things I enjoy decorating with is anything that looks antique.  I like the prints that are out there that are from the late 1800’s. I especially like sheep.  You can use any animal or item you like, I just like using an image of sheep. I have several small feather trees that I like to put in a display and I like having a few sheep with them. The ones I made are very easy and look like they are 100 years old.
All you have to do is print a few images of sheep onto cotton fabric. The process is very easy. Cut a piece of fabric and a piece of freezer paper the same size as a standard piece of printer paper. Then iron the freezer paper onto the fabric. Now you can feed this through the printer and print whatever you choose onto your fabric. I choose some antique images of sheep. I made the images different sizes and then printed them onto my fabric. After I have done this I peel the freezer paper off the back of my sheep images. I then sew around the image with a backing piece of the same fabric, leaving the bottom open.  I cut around the image. I can now stuff the piece with sawdust. After I do this I sew the bottom together and then use a box pleat to make it stand up. I now have a fabric sheep that looks great with my antique holiday display. You can make these sheep any size up to 8” x 11”. I make 3, making one larger than the rest. This then looks like a sheep and 2 lambs.  As I said you can use any image you want. By stuffing it with sawdust, gives it an antique feel and makes it weighted enough to stand on its own.
As always if you have any questions please give me a shout. Have a great day.

Faith