X is for X Marks the Spot

The name of my website...X marks the spot. My son went through a pirate stage when he was around 3 years old. All he thought about was gold, ships, and pirate hooks. So let's focus on treasure maps!

As I've already mentioned, I ran myself short on time for the a-z challenge. I wanted to do this project more than any of the others on my list. It's one of the most creative things I've came across for children of all ages to enjoy. Maggie Muggins Designs did such an excellent job writing a tutorial for a fabric treasure map. She listed step by step instructions and clear pictures. The tutorial can be found here. While you're there, check out the rest of the blog. There is ALOT of creativity going on over there. :)

(Photo By Maggie Muggins Desgins)

W is for Wreath

We all love having a beautiful wreath hanging on our front door or one of the main living space walls. But wreaths can be outrageously expensive. Below I have listed some great links for DIY wreaths for a small cost.



DIY Spring Rosette Wreath By Dreamsicle Sisters

DIY Burlap Wreath By Bunglaow

DIY Tulle Wreath By It's a Muegge Life

V is for Velcro

Velcro has been around for over 60 years!! Every home needs to have a stash of Velcro on hand. It has tons of household uses and a wide array of craft uses. Below I have listed links for some crafty ways to use Velcro.

Velcro-Embellished Wreath By Home Made Modern

Velcro Ribbon Belts By Lil Blue Boo

Velcro Craft Stick Builders By Living Life Intentionally

No-Slip Velcro Loop Dish Towel By Martha Stewart Blog

T is for Tin Can

I'm not a recycler at heart. I know it's wrong but you will find me throwing away all the metals from my kitchen, straight into the trash can. Recently though, I've been on a recycling while crafting kick. There are so many great things you can do with a tin can, just as an example.

Here are some really great ideas from other crafters out there who have turned a simple tin can into something really wonderful.

 

Tin Can Caddy By Shabby Chic Inspired

Tin Can Birthday Table Centerpiece By 100 Layer Cake

Tin Can Herb Garden By NTKids

 

Q is for Quilting

When I was growing up my Mom had a tradition every year in the month of October. She always made my sister and I homemade Halloween costumes. This tradition brings back so many wonderful memories for me. So when I had my son I tried to carry this tradition on. I've made him a costume almost every Halloween since he was born, minus a couple years. This year he will be turning 7 and he has decided that a store bought costume is much more cool. Although it hurt my pride just a touch when he made this announcement to me, I have to say I was also somewhat relieved.

I can crochet anything you put in front of me but when it comes to sewing, I have yet to master the skill. You will find me with a pair of scissors and a seam ripper anytime I'm in front of a sewing machine. I have always wanted to master sewing simply because the art of quilting is a huge part of my family history. Maybe some day I'll improve. For now here are some great links from other crafters who have far more experience with sewing and quilting than me. :)

Quilting Terms & Lingo

Machine Quilting

Hand Quilting

Free Beginner Quilt Patterns

N is for Newspaper

I have simply ran myself short on time this week and have fallen behind on my crafting for the A-Z challenge. Baseball season has started up again for my 6 year old. Between work, moving, baseball practice, and crochet orders I feel a little ragged. Hopefully things slow down soon. I'm 20 weeks pregnant this week...half way!!! So for the next few posts I will featuring a few other blogs that have some super talented crafters behind them.

Some of us receive a newspaper in our mailbox or at our doorstep 2-3 times a week. Generally, we spend 10-15 minutes reading the paper and then it hits the trash can. Below I have found some talented artists who have given a new life to their morning paper.

Newspaper Roses

I love the look of these newspaper roses from the Michele Made Me blog. She offers a step by step tutorial Here. There are so many things you could use these beautiful roses for. You could even add a touch of pink and gold color to give them an antique look.

(Photo by Michele Made Me Blog)

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Newspaper Reeds
Check out this neat tutorial on newspaper reeds from the Craft Stylish Blog. Diane Gilleland offers a step by step tutorial here http://www.craftstylish.com/item/45111/how-to-make-a-magazine-reed-box/page/all You can use these reeds to cover boxes, picture frames, tissue boxes and much more.

(Photo By Diane Gilleland)

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L is for Lantern

This simple tutorial on making a homemade lantern would be an excellent idea for an outside wedding being planned on a low budget.

Supplies:
Tin Can
Drill
Wire or Twine (Handle)
Sand
Tea Candle
Paint if desired

STEP 1: Clean your tin can thoroughly.
STEP 2: If you choose to paint your can, like I did, be sure to do that now. Otherwise you will be painting over your holes.
STEP 3: Drill out tiny holes all around your can. If you want to do a pattern, take a sharpie and draw the pattern dots before drilling. Leave 1 inch of undrilled space around the bottom section of the can.
STEP 4: Create a handle with wire or twine. You can use the holes you drilled in the previous step to pull your wire/twine through.
STEP 5: Place a small amount of sand in the bottom if your can. Place candle on top of sand and light when ready to use.

CAUTION: THESE LANTERNS MAY CREATE A FIRE HAZARD. USE ONLY WITH DIRECT SUPERVISION. DO NOT HANG OUTSIDE ON A WINDY DAY WHILE CANDLES ARE BURNING.

K is for Kid Craft

If you didn't have a pet rock when you were young, you missed out! Pet rocks are fun and easy crafts to do with your kids.

Supplies:
Rocks
Paint
Paint Brushes
Bowl

STEP 1- Collect rocks. Wash rocks until free of loose dirt.
STEP 2- Paint as desired and allow to dry.

 

J is for Jar

Mason jars can be super handy in a craft room or a garage. They are able to hold lots of tiny items that otherwise look messy when strewn across a table top or thrown in a drawer. But filling a mason jar with hundreds of tiny screws and placing it on a shelf isn't all that attractive. Below is an easy tutorial on "dressing up" a mason jar so that it becomes a decoration rather than an eye sore.

Supplies:
Mason Jar(s)
White Craft Glue
Food Coloring
Paint Brush
Mixing Bowl

STEP 1- Mix 1/2 cup of glue with 1 teaspoon of gel food coloring per jar. Blend until uniform color.
STEP 2- Paint mixture onto outside of jar with brush.
STEP 3- Allow to dry for 6 hours before use.

Note: You will notice that initially the color of the mixture looks too dense once painted onto the jars. The color WILL become transparent after drying.

 

F is for Felt

This is such an adorable idea from Sew Mama Sew! This little piece of artwork would look excellent hanging in a craft room.

You can find the tutorial here- Little Pink House Tutorial (Wool Felt Applique in Hoop Frame)