Guest Post: Blissful Bucket List

So happy to have Sarah here today! What a cute craft she's sharing! Thanks for guest posting!


Hi Everyone!!! I'm Sarah, the gal behind Blissful Bucket List.  

I am trying to contain my excitement, but I am not sure how well that will work.

I am so thrilled that Just Jaime asked me to do a guest post here at Wayward Girls Crafts.

(Love them by the way. How can you not?!)

Jaime and I have known each other for a long time.
When she did a guest post on my blog she threatened to pull out old pictures of us
However, she couldn't find them.
And lucky for her...I can't find them either. Haha!

Over at my blog, Blissful Bucket List,

I share many Pinterest Projects that I have successfully conquered (er...sometimes failed)

as I cross them off my creative 'bucket list'.

We are talking crafts, photography, recipes, fashion... a little bit of everything!

For the month of December I am doing a series called

25 Pinterest Posts/Projects Til Christmas

So, it is only natural that my post today will be centered around a Christmas idea.

My goal this Christmas has been to try out DIY Ornaments.

Last week I shared a super cute DIY Snowman Ornament

and I specifically saved this awesome Grinch one to share with y'all....

In The Making:

Supplies - green glitter, yellow, red, and black paint pens, green fluff, and Pledge Floor Care Finishing, clear plastic ornament

1. Take the plain ornament and pour the Pledge into the ornament - just enough to swirl around the inside. Swirl liquid so that the entire inside gets covered. Pour extra liquid into sink.

*Do not shake the liquid in the ornament because it will cause bubbles.

2. QUICKLY pour green glitter into ornament and shake. You want to do this fast before the Pledge dries.  Continue to shake green glitter in ornament until the entire inside is coated.

3. Let ornaments dry for a day before you begin to decorate.

4. Draw Grinch face onto ornament with paint pens.

5. Use a hot glue gun to stick the green fluff into the top of the ornament.

6. Hang on tree and Enjoy!

Short and Simple crafts...thats what I do!

It was such a pleasure to be here with you and The Wayward Girls!
Hope to share with you again sometime soon!!
And Happy Holidays!
  

Guest Post: Shades of Blue Interiors

Rachel and I met our freshman year of college. She is a fun, spunky, and positive person. I've always been impressed by her art. Now she's doing furniture redos and they're amazing! I'm so glad to have her here! Take it away Rachel! 

First of all, I am so thankful for this opportunity! Jaime and I became friends in college and years later, after we are married, moved and settled into our lives, she's a big "dot com" blogger and I'm just a start-up blogger! I feel so honored that she asked me to share a little about myself and my successes!

My name is Rachel. I'm a midwest transplant (who loves it here!) and I am a full-time mama to 3 sweet kids (2 boys, 1 girl). I have always been an artist, doing painting, drawing, sculpture, crafting, you name it (art related), I've done it.  

About a year ago I caught on to the Annie Sloan Chalk Paint craze and started re-doing my own personal furniture. After a short time, I started selling my work on Craigslist and fast forward to a month ago, when I started selling my furniture in a retail store in the mall! I absolutely love working around my schedule, using my artistic skills, and creating something beautiful and loved from something ugly and rejected! Several months ago I brainstormed what I would call my store if I ever opened one and came up with Shades of Blue Interiors because I'm pretty much obsessed with all shades of blue (especially anything teal or turquoise). So, it was just a matter of making it (somewhat) official when I started my blog a little over a month ago with the intention of connecting with other talented people for inspiration, recognition, and so I could have a place to direct my clients when they ask to see my work!

I am going to share with you some of my favorite projects that I've done and sold, then share some tips for those of you who are thinking about starting to re-paint your own furniture or to make it possibly into something more!

I had been painting mostly white & blue pieces (because they sell the fastest) for months before I finally took the plunge and painted this gorgeous coffee table RED! The color is called Emperor's Silk and I used Annie Sloan Dark Wax on top of it, to add depth. It is probably my favorite coffee table to date. I loved the claw-foot legs, the two huge drawers, and of course the color.

Another one of my favorite pieces was the Gray Union Jack dresser I did. After my very first entry into Miss Mustard Seed's Furniture Feature Friday, it got picked! I love the simple lines, the solid wood, and the neutral colors, while still making a statement with the British flag design. I also love how original this color combination is. I seriously looked everywhere, because I was nervous that the French Linen, Country Grey, and Old White, wouldn't look good together. I ended up getting on the old-school Paint app and drawing a dresser, and coloring it in with the colors I wanted, to make sure it looked good, before I actually plunged in.

I have a thing for Union Jack dressers actually. Another favorite is the traditional Union Jack dresser I did. It just has a rich, regal look about it, I can't help but love it! This was the 3rd time I did the same design (different colors each time) and I often get asked how I do it. I use a trace-projector! I have a mini one that I put over a picture of the British flag and move it around till the size and placement is just right and centered on the dresser-front. Then I use chalk to draw on the lines, then tape over the chalk lines (with frog-tape). I can't even believe people will measure it out and go through all the painstaking math to get it right! I hate math! The mini projectors are less than $50 and they can be used for all kinds of projects.

The last favorite that I'm going to share is the Blue Bird Dresser I did a couple weeks ago. It was by far the most fun I've had painting furniture. I wish I could have kept this one! I saw the same bird and branch design online and after painting the dresser, just sketched it on with some chalk. Because it was free-hand, I didn't have to worry about it being perfect, which is part of what made it so much fun. It was fast too! I think people are too intimidated by free-hand sketching on furniture, so they rely on stencils. But free-hand allows you to make it your own, unique, one-of-a-kind, which is also what will make you stand out as an artist, and what, coincidently, people pay the most money for!  

Ok, now on to some tips. If you are a beginner and are debating whether to fork out around $40 for a quart of paint, let me offer you my advice. First, if looking at it for a value standpoint, Chalk Paint is the best value IF you have several pieces of furniture you want to paint, using the same color (ie: 1 quart could easily paint 5-7 small pieces, each with 2 coats), AND/OR you like the distressed, textured, or layered look. 

Chalk Paint is an artistic paint, but you don't have to be an artist to appreciate it's potential!  For example, when you distress it, the paint comes off in a fine chalky powder... no chips, ever! This makes the piece look authentic. I always try to imagine where the furniture was, how it was used, and where it would naturally show wear as I'm sanding off corners and edges. 

You can also layer colors (like a lighter color over a darker color) and lightly distress to reveal the color dimension. [View full project here]

 Another technique is to paint unevenly and in all different directions, to add texture, then use dark wax to highlight the texture. This look reminds me of old french plaster walls. It also is more visually interesting to look at. [View Full Project Here]

If you are planning on possibly selling the furniture you paint, I'd say it is definitely worth the investment, because you save time, more than anything, and time is money. No sanding or stripping is required beforehand or afterward and you are left with a completely smooth painted piece, ready for whatever kind of protective top coat you want (if any)!

So, for you beginners, I hope I have given some useful information to get you inspired to paint that old dresser you have or that dated night stand. Don't be afraid! Just do it!

____________________________________________________________________________

Thank you Rachel! Please check out Shades of Blue Interiors for tons of inspiration and tips!

Guest Posts Wanted!

Hello WGC readers! Have you ever wanted to guest post here? Well we're looking for some posts to go up right around the holidays. The types of posts we'd like to feature are new tutorials. We want to learn how to make something so we need pictures of the process. We're looking for recipes, crafts, home decor projects, sewing projects, etc! So please share what ya got!

Email us if you're interested with your idea at waywardgirlscrafts@gmail.com 

Bedazzled Onesie Guest Post

Hey everyone! The Mrs. here from "Like Mom And Apple Pie" I was super excited and completely honored when the lovely and talented ladies of WGC asked me to do a guest post. So here is a simple Onesie makeover craft that is sure to make your little snuggler absolutely scrumptious!

 Darling Right?! All you need is: 1 Onesie in any color/size you prefer. A roll of tulle in the color of your choice Coordinating lace or other trim 1 disappearing ink fabric pen Step 1: I start by figuring out the length of trim I need by measuring, where the waist would be, on the front of the Onesie from seam to seam and then double it.

Now Onesies are stretchy, and we need to keep that stretch to squeeze around those big baby bellies, so I add 4-6" to the length. (remember in sewing, you can always cut away excess, but you won't be able to add more.)

 

Step 2. Now we need to sew the tulle to the trim to make the little tutu. I like the rolls of tulle because it is already the perfect size for this. Start by lining up the edge of the tulle with the edge of the wrong side of the lace. Place together, lace side down, under your presser foot. Sew 1/8 of an inch in. Gather the tulle in even folds on top of the lace as it guides through the presser foot, keeping the lace straight, to create a cute ruffle with the tulle.

 

 When you come to the end of the lace, cut the tulle from the roll and you should have a length that looks a little something like this:

 

 If you aren't confident in your sewing skills to eye it this way, Here is a tutorial on gathering by hand, or another sewing machine technique for ruffling. I use this for fabrics, but find if you aren't careful it can rip the diamonds of the tulle, so I suggest you practice on a smaller piece first. Step 3. Now it's time to attach our tutu to our Onesie. Tulle can be a little scratchy, so I like to attach it no lower than the little leg openings on the Onesie so it doesn't rub on that deliciously soft baby skin.  

 Once I have found the right placing, I measure the distance from the bottom seam of the sleeve (armpit)  to the top of the trim, then I pin it at that spot. (measurements will differ depending on the size of your Onesie and length of tulle...mine was at exactly 3" using a 0-3 month Gerber Onesie) Now we can't just pin the whole thing, we have to make room for that baby belly. Place a little mark with your disappearing fabric pen at 3" (or whatever your measurement was) on the opposite side of the Onesie. Now stretch the fabric, and then pin your tutu to the spot you marked.  

 Make sure your tutu is straight and pin in the center on the front and the back. Now sew, making sure to stretch the Onesie as you move along. If you think it sounds a bit tricky to just pull and stretch as you go, feel free to stretch the Onesie and pin the tutu to it every couple of inches, and then sew. I'm just too impatient for proper pinning. When you get to the end, fold over the raw edge like so and stitch on, making sure the beginning and end of the tutu line up.  

 Now your blah Onesie has become adorable! You don't have to stop there though ... let's make plain old adorable into absolutely delicious! Step 4: This is my favorite part because there are soooo many things you can do to add to the fanciness. I had some cute flower trim leftover from another one of these I made for my darling sister in law (sadly not enough for another Onesie trim though).  

 I cut out 2 complete rosettes from the trim And snipped off the excess tulle it was attached to Then I pinned the rosettes in the center of the front of the tutu along the top of the lace trim. Next I hand stitched the rosettes on, making sure the stitching was hidden inside the folds of the rosette. What? You don't sew while sitting in the school carpool lane and photo document it? Weird. Finished... Adorable...but not quiet delicious just yet... Step 5: Let's take some of that lace trim and sew it to fancy up the collar. For this measure out a length of lace, following along the bottom of the stitched folded collar of the Onesie, from under the overlapped shoulder piece of each side You don't want to sew over the overlapped shoulder pieces or else you won't be able to get it over baby's sweet smelling head, so make sure it's under. Now,  hand stitch the lace on, following the bottom of the collar line of the Onesie Add a little extra stitch to the bottom of the lace under the overlapped shoulder piece so it lays flat underneath. And voila! 

 

 There are many other ideas you could do instead of the rosettes center, and lace collar, these I just happened to have around the house, but one item that any of even the least craftiest of lady's probably has around their house is Ribbons- You could tie one big bow for the middle, and two matching little ones on each of those overlapping shoulder pieces. You could even bedazzle it with some hot glued gems. Get creative, go crazy with it! Now, I am a sucker for matching accessories, And what would a fancy baby girl outfit be without a matching headpiece? So I couldn't possibly leave this delicious Tutu Onesie in it's non-matching accessorized state. It's just unacceptable. So I cut out 3 of the Rosettes from that leftover trim, and snipped off the excess tulle from the back of each. Then I scrounged through my ribbon box, finding the perfect pink frilly stretchy elastic one. I cut the elastic ribbon 10" long (according to an elastic baby headband I just so happened to have handy because it is used at least once a day in my home as a slingshot), and stitched the ends together. Then I sewed the rosettes by hand, onto the elastic, directly over the seam I just sewed. Making a completely adorable headband to match our absolutely delicious Onesie Tutu.  

 And for our final step? Swoon. 

 

(Model- Baby Julianna) Happy Creating!!

Thanks so much, The Mrs. for posting today! She just so happens to be my sister-in-law and we get the fruits of her wonderful crafting skills over here too. Look at this PB in a similar outfit she made her last year.

We enjoyed having you today, The Mrs. We would love to have you back soon!

Guest Posting

Hello! As you may have noticed, Mom/Diana posted on my regular day and I am posting today! The reason: I'm guest posting at Keeping It Simple today. You want to see what I'm sharing, just in time for Easter? Here's one clue:

I'm basically a hand model now.

Go already! Kaysi's waiting: Keeping It Simple

Guest post: Vintage Dressed Up Bottle from The ArtsyGirl Connection

Hello lovely friends.. I am Super EXCITED to have an opportunity to be

sharing with you today from my space next door via The ArtsyGirl Connection.

......................

I am Marilyn, the heart and creator of The

ArtsyGirl Connection and really thankful 

to be a guest here at the INCREDIBLY 

Creative and Inspirational Space 

Wayward Girls Crafts.. I am very excited 

to get to know you all and hope to

stop in your blogs sometime ;))

....................................

I'm a mother to two beautiful mini Moon's,

 engaged to my very best friend, craft

addict, pixel lover, upcycling junkie and a

 DIY trial and error chef in my own world!!

I love indulging in creative outlets from

crafting to enhancing our home over the

season's and creating unique items for my children.

I craft for cause and totally light up at any opportunity to help bring awareness where needed to various issues close to my heart.  I will LOVE to get to know you all and an opportunity to indulge in more future blog shenanigans sometime.. Hope you can all stop in and say hello..

...................................
I came across this beautiful burlap lace dressed up bottle that TOTALLY inspired my

featured item here today.. Hope you enjoy.. I had fun playing dress up.. Join in...

*Vintage Dressed Up Bottle*

Pin It

This dress up was FUN and very easy..I Love the way the bottle turned out.. I think

it'll be great to bottle up wine or some sort of fun cocktail for a nice spring picnic..

*What YOU Need*

Fabric Of Choice (Strip)

Lace Strip

Glue

Rope (I used a natural twine/rope with metal rod in it)

....................................................

*Lets Play Dress Up*

To begin, I cut a strip of the cloth I wanted and measured it up to where I wanted to 

fit the bottle. I glued the fabric to the bottle carefully. Afterwards, I did the same with the 

lace. I cut it smaller than the fabric for an added vintage feel to the fabric (cut lace
about half the size of the actual fabric.). I glued that on as well accordingly.. 

After the fabric was in place, I decided to add a natural feel to the bottle by decorating

it with some natural tone rope/twine. I started at the top and worked my way around to
the bottom. I used a pair of pliers to tighten the end in a little hidden loop at the bottom
to keep the rope in place. (This was the hardest part of this creative piece! The twine is
a bit hard to keep in tact so hold on tight as you wrap around until you are at the bottom!)
Really ---lt;<<<<<<<<<< YES, THAT'S IT!!!!! 

I LOVE The New Look Of The Bottle.. 

Pin It

I created another and hope to use them sometime soon to serve around 

the house.. What a fun way to decorate and jazz up a bottle! Will certainly 

add a fun touch to any dinning table..My family LOVED It!!! 

...........................................

Thanks SO much for having me here today ladies.. Wishing you a great week..

Hope you can all stop in sometime! I have a great linky party I would LOVE
for you to share in every Thursday ~ Pin'Inspirational Thursday's {For the 
LOVE of Pinterest!}.  Would LOVE to join you on facebook, twitter
and hop along your linky tool's as well. Lets follow each other!
~STAY ARTSY!~