Black Bird

Showing posts with label Valentine Crafts. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Valentine Crafts. Show all posts

Thursday, January 19, 2012

Mercury-Style Glass

I LOVE mercury style glass- lamps, vases, candlesticks, you name it!  However, I do not like the price tag that comes with it.  So, after checking out the internet I found a great way to create the mercury glass look at a fraction of the price. 



Here is what you will need:
  • Krylon "Looking Glass" Spray Paint (I got mine at Hobby Lobby for $11.99)
  • Spray bottle filled with water
  • Any type of clear glass.  (I got all of mine from Target for $12.95)
  1. Start by cleaning and drying your glass, removing any stickers
  2. Work individually with each piece of glass- Start by misting with water from a spray bottle.
  3. Spray the piece with the Looking Glass Spray Paint, getting all sides.  You may need a couple of passes to cover.  It will look drippy and uneven- don't worry, that is the effect you want!

Allow to dry, about 1 hour.

Display and enjoy!

I added mine to my mantle with my Valentine Banner- Check it out!

Sunday, January 8, 2012

Valentine "Be Mine" Banner


Want to learn how to create this cute banner for Valentine's Day?  I am including instructions for both sewers and crafters- here you go!

You will need:
  • Scissors (regular and pinking)
  • One package of coordinating bias tape
  • 1/2 yard of heavy duty fabric for the pendants (I used a twill, but burlap would be cute too)
  • 7 scraps of fabric that are at least 6x6"
  • Sewers- thread and light weight interfacing
  • Crafters- 1/2 yard of heavy duty Heat & Bond, as well as a roll of Heat & Bond that is 5/8"
1. Print and cut out the letters that you will use for your banner.  I got mine from http://www.skiptomylou.org/2009/02/16/simple-applique-monograms/
2. Cut out the pendants.  I made a pattern from a paper bag.  I started by drawing a line that was 9 1/2 inches across the bottom.  I then found the center of that line, and measured up 10 inches to create a mark.  Lastly, I joined this into a triangle by connecting each end of my first line to the 10 inch point.  I traced my pattern onto my twill fabric, and then cut it out with pinking scissors so it won't fray.

3. Cut your fabric scraps to 6x6 squares.  Then, apply either the interfacing (if you are a sewer) or the Heat & Bond (if you are a crafter).
4. Trace each letter backwards on the interfacing/heat & bond side of each of your squares.  It is important that you flip them backwards, or your letters won't be right.

5. Cut each letter out of your fabric, and pin to your pendants.  I centered mine 1" from the top of each pendant.
6. Sew around each letter, staying as close as you can to the edge.  If you are a crafter, you can now iron the letters onto your pendants.
7. Measure how long you want your banner to be, and add 6".  (Mine is 58")
8. Lay out your banner, and pin the pendants together. 

9. Baste along the top if you are a sewer- if you are a crafter skip this step.
10. Measure the bias tape to leave a 12" tail at each end of your banner. (mine was 82")
11.  Iron the bias tape flat, removing the folds that were originally done for the packaging.  (If you are a crafter, iron your 5/8" strip of Heat & Bond on one side.)  Then, fold in half and iron again. 
12.  Sewers- fold the bias tape over the edge of your banner and sew the width of your presser foot down the entire length of your bias tape.  Crafters- remove the backing of the Heat & Bond, and then fold over the top of your pendants and iron on. 

Hang and Enjoy!