Handmade Spotlight - Handbags

Check out this great selection of Handbags. You can view this entire treasury by Clicking Here, or you can click on each item to see it in greater detail.

Generated using Treasury HTML code generator by Whale Shark Websites.

Tutorial Tuesday -- Sunflower Make-Do

Today I am sharing my Primitive Sunflower Make-do epattern with you. It is a large sunflower with a lady bug sitting on top of it.   It attaches to a rusty bed spring.  

To download the pdf pattern click HERE.


Enjoy,   Bette

http://www.bettestomorrowstreasures.com

Jacquie's Up-Cycle Nation: Behind The Closet Door

I just love the unexpected find!  For $0, I turned ultra-drab into an ultra-fab shabby chic treasure!

Some trash to treasure inspirations strike suddenly, without warning, under cloak of night; becoming a covert rescue operation.  Stranded on a curbside trash pile is a discarded bi-fold closet door. I drive by slowly, eye-balling the scene: looks clean. I use my shifty senses to survey the neighborhood (don't want to get caught in the act, pride goeth before the score...), not a soul in sight!  I put the car in reverse and load up my find!

The  key to good closet doors for up-cycle projects is solid wood.  Hollow core, pre-fab cheapies don't hold paint and won't withstand rehab abuse. To save time in the search for good doors, check your local RE-Store, a building supply store benefitting Habitat for Humanity.

The doors I picked up need very little work before the embellishing fun.  The outside of the doors are just the right patina of vintage white oil paint.  I will leave the "out" side as-is for days when I want a blank palette.  But the "in" side of the doors are smoothly finished with one coat of primer.  I want some 'pop' so I am going to give these doors a color wash.

 

Three cheers for short supply lists!!

*Sandpaper *Paint *Paintbrush *Rag *Embellishments

Using a wet rag, clean away any dirt and grime on the door. Lightly sand the "in" side of the door, wipe away sanding residue.

To apply a wash of color, not a thick coat, dilute paint with water. 

1/4 cup paint + 1/8 cup water is plenty for this project.

Apply paint one panel section at a time.

After each panel, use a damp rag to wipe away 75% of the paint.

Now the door is ready for embellishments.  (I know!  That was SUPER fast!)  Lay the door flat to attach hardware.  I know this seems like common sense- but believe me, I learned the hard way! 

  I never have enough places to hang stuff- so I am going to add vintage hooks and upholstery tacks to aid in my display needs.

My embellishments include a bevy of trinkets including vintage lamp crystals, cut glass salt shakers, and some wire tea light candle holders.

 Get creative with placing embellishments.  Put elements in unexpected places.  Use this screen as a place to display architectural finds that have been hiding in a drawer.  Display your collection of off beat knobs!  Go hog-wild!  It's your screen and it's just so happy not to be headed to the dump it will proudly wear whatever you choose!

The screen is now free to move about the home and patio!

 

LOVE  &  UP-CYCLE NATION!

Jacquie Wheeler

Hand of Bela Peck

http://www.etsy.com/shop/Handofbelapeck?ref=si_shop

http://handofbelapeck1759.blogspot.com/

http://www.facebook.com/pages/Hand-of-Bela-Peck/294397987277061?ref=hl

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>

Summer Side Dish Recipes

I've been looking for some "different" summer side dish recipes, and since I have a few saved to my favorites that I'd like to try, I thought I'd share them with you as well.


First up, is a Black Bean Salad, all the ingredients just sound so yummy and "summery". The recipe is from www.simplyrecipes.com

Next is a Cucumber Salad. I found this recipe at www.foodnetwork.com Yes, I'd like some more, PLEASE!

This one looks absolutely delicious. I think I'd eliminate the hot pepper... but that's just me. I found this recipe for Mexican Succotash at www.myrecipes.com

This last one is a Martha Stewart recipe and it sounds sooo good. I want this RIGHT NOW! You can find the recipe at www.yummly.com

Are you hungry yet? I am!

Thanks for joining us today!
Deena Davis
www.byyourhands.blogspot.com