August 15


CONCOURS ON THE AVENUE CARMEL BY THE SEA

AUGUST 2 2012

Pinterest did it again...got me going on a project last night...

...it was as simple as the Pinner described...

  Step #1 design your motif on computer

  Step #2 print the design

  Step #3 trace with a Sharpie onto a cotton towel

July 27 2012


okay...finally got this project all COMPLETED....so will share...

it all starts at the thrift store 

...these paddles seem to be hanging out there ..always a couple of them...

you will need

PADDLES

a piece of SANDPAPER or abrasive pad....(or not..I could have just painted without) 

CHALKBOARD PAINT

paint both sides of paddles 3-4 coats ..dries fast

ACRYLIC PAINT (for handle...or leave as is)

ERASER (ordered from office supply store)

STICK ON VELCRO

STICK ON LETTERS (if you want to personalize and can't freehand it)

BODDA BING

very cool portable individual chalk/drawing board

P.S.  include a box of chalk

There you have it .....individual chalk board..portable entertainment...

stay tuned ...I've got a million more ideas

july 11 -12

PUZZLE BLOCKS

I have been making these for years for kids using photos.

These pictured below are using pics from internet and the 

names were created with Photoshop.

The pics are of the child's favorite thing

and then their name is on reverse side.

You could create puzzles using all the sides of the blocks

for a total of 6 puzzles per....but 2 sides are plenty!

INGREDIENTS

blocks

Xacto knife

photos or pics

Mod Modge

TIME (for drying)

STEPS

Rubber band the set of blocks together.

 Place the picture on the bound set of blocks.

 Mod Podge it in place....the WHOLE UNCUT  pic. 

If you are putting pics on two sides, place second pic on back side at this time.

so...now you have the bound set of blocks with a pic 'glued'

 to each side.

...place something heavy on this and leave to dry.

Here comes the tricky part...

when the pics are secure... glued and dry...

take the Xacto knife and using a straight edge 

cut between the blocks. 

You have to do this carefully

it is not an exact science.

Surely someone will find an easier way 

but this works for me.

Once the cuts are made, remove the rubber bands.

VOILA! 

PUZZLE PIECES

Trim the edges with scissors.

Now Mod Podge the heck out of these blocks.

I do all the sides with many coats.

(...this is where the time comes in...

drying time)

When all dry I put the puzzle in box (I hand make these to exact size of puzzle)

making boxes is a WHOLE OTHER STORY

of a WHOLE OTHER CRAFT...

anyhow....I make the boxes and glue a pic of the puzzle to the lid (just like the 'real' puzzles  you buy in store )

....if it is two sided puzzle I place the second puzzle pic on inside of lid...

This is a very personal gift.

I especially like the ones using a photo of the child

but these with their favorite thing...

will be well received.

Blocks can be a simple a 4 pieces 

I also make a Tic Tac Toe version with 9 pieces

...possibilities are endless

CRAFTILIOUS!

JUNE 30


Chalkboard paint!  Somebody stop me!  soon everything will be covered in the stuff..why does it so delight me?...I am hooked...

VERBAL GUEST ROOM ART

INGREDIENTS:

#1  two canvas paintings...purchased at Goodwill for $4.99 each ( this might be the toughest step of  this project..standing in line with these horrible pieces of someone's original art and hoping no one thinks you actually like 'em..)

#2  paint canvas with few coats of chalkboard paint ..dries fast and doesn't take much to quickly erase the 'picassos'

#3  with chalk write your 'message' ..you could include your guests' name for a personal touch....or list the house rules...ie...NO SMOKING ...no room service available.... breakfast at noon....

CLEVER CLEAVER MENU 'BOARD'

..chalkboard paint works on metal stuff too...I didn't have any primer for this project...so     painted on a layer of white glue (is there any task too big for white glue??) then the paint ....then the message ...

Gotta go...the side of the refrigerator looks like it could use some ...

CHALKBOARD PAINT

JUNE 25

....I am cranking out these potholder/trivets...somebody stop me...found the pattern here http://sewtakeahike.typepad.com/sewtakeahike/2008/05/not-your-mums-h.html...enjoy 

JUNE 26
A month of Sundays...since I did the blog blab....meanwhile

ORCA'S PACIFIC GROVE?

..seems the orcas are making an appearance in the bay...these looking playful but in reality were cornering a whale, ultimately killing it.  Law of the jungle and all that...


..ta ta for now...