What Happens Next

Glittery Shamrock Tutorial

 

A few years ago, I was so inspired by my friend Vanessa Valencia's blog, A Fanciful Twist, and a darling glitter shamrock tutorial that she had posted. We emailed back and forth about it, but I never got the chance to actually make it that year. It was layered and sparkly, and it has been in the back of my mind ever since...

I don't see the tutorial one her blog any longer, so this is my version of what she inspired. It is not a replica, just an homage to a wonderfully creative soul. Thanks, Vanessa!! xoxo

 

It always surprises me what can be done with just some paper and a little bit of glitter!

 

Here are the materials I used. After I took this photo I realised that the tiny bottle of Tacky Glue had wandered off, so just pretend that it is there also. :)

The paper is a very lightweight chipboard. This piece was actually from a stack of scrapbook paper. It is the cardboard they use between every 20-25 pieces when they are packaged. You could also use a file folder, a cereal box... anything about that same weight.

You will also need the pieces cut from the PDF provided at the bottom of this post, small scissors or a craft knife, small paintbrush, green glitter (this is German glass glitter), a lightweight white glue for glittering, a heavyweight glue for attaching the pieces and the "bling".

You will also need a small amount of craft paint. You can either match the color of the glitter or use a metallic, as I did. This is "Glorious Gold" from Deco Art, which is definitely my go-to paint.

Finally, we will be using a small rhinestone button or jewelry piece. The one I used is an old earring.

 

Trace and cut out your 4-leaf clover pieces. On the smaller one, I cut off and discarded the stem. Using my craft knife very gently, I made a shallow "score" line across all petals to create dimension. Be careful not to cut all the way through!

Paint your pieces front and back and allow to dry. (I used a small desktop fan to speed up the process.)

Glitter only the front side of the larger clover. (I plan to use this as a pin, so I don't want glitter on the side that comes in contact with clothing.)

 

It will look like this in the back.

 

Glitter both sides of the smaller clover.

As you are working with the paint and glue on the carboard, there will be moments when it  seems too "soft", especially when you are treating both sides at once. This is why it is important to let it dry a bit between steps. When the glitter is applied and it cures completely, it will really stiffen up nicely. So be patient! :)

 

When completely dry, stack the two pieces and use your heavy-duty glue to attach. You can use a glue gun for this step if you wish.

It appears at this point that there are two different colors of glitter. It is simply a shadow being cast on the bottom layer.

 

Finally, attach your bling!! Almost finished........ just one last touch.

I will be attaching a pin back to this and proudly wearing it tomorrow for St. Patrick's Day!

Get the PDF for this project here.

Happy St. Patrick's Day!! Let me know if you make this project!!

xoxo

 

 

Cuttlebug Winner!!

 

We have a winner for our giveaway of the Cuttlebug by Provo Craft™!!

 

Chosen by the ever-helpful Random Number Generator.............

 

Congratulations, Kelly, and thank you!! Please send your mailing address to:

customerservice@agildedlife.com, and we will send your machine right out to you!

Thanks so much everyone for your helpful hints and tool reccommendations. We love the same things all of you love (especially the Tim Holtz scissors!)...

Lots more good stuff happening this week. Check back in for fun updates and perhaps another giveaway!

xoxo Debbie & Shea

 

"Gilded Valentines" ~ A Mini-Workshop

 

There are friendships, and then there are soul-sisters. We all know the difference, and we recognize it almost immediately, don't we?

Christy Tomlinson is a soul-sister. A forever. A true.

We love being involved with her creatively. Her style is so different from ours, and yet it resonates with us somewhere deep in the place where happiness and joy flutter and take hold. She is a pioneer and a visionary, and we love her dearly.

We are so happy to have teamed up with Christy again this month for a "mini-workshop" with a romantic, Valentine-y twist. Things to give yourself, or one of your "trues".

 

First up will be this stunning three-strand charm bracelet. Darling charms, pearls and blown-glass flower beads. Use your own materials or purchase a complete kit.

*Due to the vintage nature of some of these components, slight variations in charms may occur.

SOLD OUT!!    

 

Next we will make a gorgeous soft wool felt "sachet", strung with pink rosary chain. This can be fashioned completely from the scraps in your sewing basket. Sew it or glue it... your choice. Make it any size your "heart" desires!

 

**If you are in need of the best set of basic jewelry tools available, look no further! This is the set that we use in our studio and classes, and they are truly life-changing!

$32.00 per set.

 

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Sign up for class here! (This is a different Paypal gateway, and therefore will not go into a shopping cart with our items. It will be a separate transaction.)

We have a third project for this class in the works, and some darling mini-tags to share, and Christy herself will be adding projects to the mix!! This is going to be seriously fun!

But right this minute, we have to film the bracelet tutorial!! Hope to see you in the classroom!!

Annnd.... thanks, Christy! You are loved!

xoxo Debbie & Shea

 

Twelve Artsy Ornaments of Christmas

 

The Holiday Season just keeps getting better and better! This Thanksgiving week, we are so very grateful for the incredible friends we have made and the doors that have opened for us in our creative lives.

When Christy Tomlinson asked us to participate in her "12 Artsy Ornaments of Christmas" video workshop, we were overjoyed. Christy is one of our very favorite people and an amazing artist, so we knew she would put together something fun and fabulous!

Below is the project that  we Shea will be teaching on video. :) A lovely, sparkly winterland cloche... perfect for your mantel or a gift for someone special. We think they will make the perfect teacher gifts. Shhhhh....

Here are the details:

***The 12 Artsy Ornaments of Christmas.. a five day mini workshop***
 
Introducing a new holiday mini workshop! We are so excited to be participating in a new workshop by Christy Tomlinson, "12 Artsy Ornaments of Christmas"... just in time to get your creative juices flowing for the Holidays! We have teamed up with 10 artsy designers to participate in a 5 day workshop that begins on December 5th.  This class will be featured on Christy’s private website and each day 3 new artsy ornaments and home décor projects will be posted by 3 new designers! We will dive into all sorts of creative play including fabric, clay, glitter, metal, glass and more! Day 5 of the workshop will include bonus projects as well as a few fun PDF downloads for you to use as well! Come join us and our creative friends for some artsy fun to celebrate the Season!

Click on the link below to register! We hope you can join us!!

12 Artsy Ornaments of Christmas ~ a five day mini workshop
$19.95

Ruffled Lamp Tutorial

 

I have had this project on my mind for awhile now. There is something so satisfying about embellishing a lampshade, and I have been patiently waiting for that magical moment where a few hours, inspiration and the necessary materials all converge.

That moment was yesterday!

 

And this is what emerged.

 

Remember this fabric? A frothy fairytale of ruffled organza on tulle. So beautiful as yardage, just crying out to be a curtain or a fantasy skirt.

It just didn't know yet that it also wanted to be a lampshade.

 

This darling burlap shade was purchased at Target a few weeks ago, with a totally different project in mind. At $9.99, it is the perfect blank canvas. This project could also be done on a plain white or cream shade, but I loved the idea of the sheer ruffles over a warm and rustic base.

 

I began with one yard of fabric, and as it turned out I used only about one-third of it. I wanted a full yard so that the lengths of ruffle would not be too short and require too much "piecing". Start by carefully cutting each row of ruffle from the base. On the original fabric, the ruffles are about 2" apart, and I wanted them closer together on the lamp for a very lush and full look.

This is the most time consuming part of the project. Just go slowly so as not to cut through the stitching. My shade required 10 rows of ruffles at 36" each.

 

Beginning at the bottom edge, I used Tacky Glue to adhere the fabric to the shade. Any full-bodied glue that sets up quickly and dries clear will work fine. You could also use a glue gun, but take care as the fabric is very sheer and pressing it down with your fingers while hot would be tricky.

As you can see in the above photo, I placed my rows about 5/8" apart, to keep a very full look.

 

One thing I discovered is that each row of ruffle can be a different width. Some upper rows may actually overlap the one below. Don't worry. It all adds to the fullness of the look, and in the end won't even be noticeable.

Continue making your rounds, working towards the top. Don't stop until you reach the end of your length, then slightly overlap and continue. You want the ends to be at random places throughout the shade, not in the same place each row.

 

As I neared the top, I carefully removed the gimp trim that was attached to the edge. It was originally put on with double-sided tape so it was fairly easy to take off. Just use some extra care at the ends where it joins, so that you do not unravel it.

When you reach the top with your ruffled fabric, re-attach the gimp for a finished look.

 

That's all there is to it! So simple and beautiful.

This lamp would be especially lovely in a bedroom or studio space, but for now I think I will keep it by the couch so that I can "love on it" from my desk across the room. It puts out a soft and dreamy glow, just perfect for the cooler weather.

I hope you try one of these shades. The process is so easy and the results are amazing!

(If you need some ruffled organza fabric of your very own, there is a limited quantity still available.)

Fabric Rose Tutorial

 

If you are anything like us, your stash of beautiful fabric "scraps" may occasionally get completely out-of-hand. Too small to make much of anything, but too precious to toss out.

 

Here is a VERY easy way to make a fabric flower, and we think this technique lends itself especially well to soft, velvety fabrics. Super quick, and requires NO SEWING!

We have used a pale silk velvet on this rose, but any fabric, from muslin to printed cotton to silk, will work beautifully. Think about re-purposing old clothing to make these, as well!

 

You Will Need:

3" x 30" Pink Velvet (or fabric of choice)

3 Large Pearl Buttons 

Fabritac™ Glue

3" Felt Circle

Cut your fabric across the width, approximately 3" x 30".

This size fabric piece will produce a flower 3-4" in diameter, depending on how tightly you roll.

 

Fold your fabric in half lengthwise, and fold one end down at a 45 degree angle.

 

Make two tight turns in the fabric. This forms the center of the rose.

 

Now begin "rolling" your fabric as you circle around the center. By rolling, you are changing the raw edge of the fabric from top to bottom. Make about a half-turn around your rose shape each time.

 

Continue circling around, rolling at each half-turn. Gently cup the flower in your opposite hand as you go.

 

You will end up with a beautiful, cabbage-style rose!

 

Using your Fabritac™ glue, attach the felt circle to the back. It is easiest to apply the glue to the back of your flower while still holding it, and then gently press it into the felt. You can adjust it slightly from the front while the glue sets up.

Attach a pin back or hair clip (or both)! You may also choose to attach it to a headband.

 

Finally, glue your pearl buttons (or embellishment of your choice) to the center for a romantic, vintage look. Gorgeous!!

 

Be sure to visit our friend, the fabulous and adorable Laurie Turk at Tip Junkie, for a head-spinning variety of  tips, tutorials, giveaways, and just plain awesomeness! And check out the astonishing variety of DIY projects from other bloggers!

Amazing.