Paper Bag Coffee Table

Hey Guys

So this weekend i finally got around to redoing our coffee table.  I've been wanting to do something with our coffee table for a while but never really knew what i wanted to do.  Until i was browsing on pinterest one day and saw this flooring technique using those brown paper bags.  And i thought what better way of testing it than to redecorate our coffee table.

So this was our coffee table before, a very worn green table.

So first things first, you need to go pick up some brown paper bags, i got mine at Dollarama for $1.25 i actually picked up two packets and only ended up using about half of one, so lots left over.

• I used Mod Podge, i did a 50/50 split with water.
• You also need a stain, we had some left over from a speaker box my fiance was painting, its in a deep red.
• And i also used some left over paint my sister had lying around in the basement.

To get that worn leather look make sure you crinkle up the paper and rough it up a little

Then your going to mix your water and mod podge, i just used an old Tupperware container.  I then took a piece of crumpled paper flattened it out in my hand, dipped my fingers in the glue and evenly distributed onto the paper on both sides, then just paste it onto the table, or what ever surface your doing.

This is how it looks once its dried, i had to do the table in two days as i ran out of glue the first day...all in all you will use a whole bottle of mod podge if you buy the smallest size.

This is the stain i used its called Bordeaux, its a really nice deep red.

This is after the first coat

And a close up after the second coating.

This is the color paint i decided to do the legs in.

It comes out as a creamy kind of beige white.  It went really well with the red.

Does't that look so much better!!! I was so happy with the results,  It took two days to complete with waiting in between coats and gluing all the paper down.  But well worth it!!

I used this Polyurethane gloss to finish it all off.  To add some shine and a protective coating.  I did two coats as there wont be to much wear and tear on it, it's not like its a floor people are walking on daily.  It said for maximum durability do three coats, so with the two i think it should stay nice and shiny for a while.

And here is the before and after look...What do you think?? i think its a huge improvement!!! so much better than that green haha.

xoxo Amber

Scrapbook Art

Hey Guys!

Whats everyone's plans for the Easter Break?  I have 5 days off and i'm so excited to have a little stay-cation  We have a couple Easter dinners with family then i'm going to try and get through some of our packed up boxes and sort through them, i want to make a keep, throw and give away boxes so that way when we get into our own home we will fingers crossed not have as much stuff.

So i finished up my Scrap book art project, it turned out well i'm pretty pleased with it.  I still need to get a frame for it so i can actually hang it up, its currently leaning on a window sill just waiting for a cat to knock it over haha.

So this is the finished product, like i said it just needs a frame, i'm pretty happy with the results its colorful and cute and adds a nice touch to our very artless basement.  And it was really easy to make.

1.  Like i said in a previous post first you cut your strips about 2 inches wide
2. Then cut your strips into squares about 4 per strip.
3. Then cut each corner into a curved angle to form the leaf.

4.I brought a plain white canvas from a Dollar Tree actually and black paint from there also,  i was going to go to Micheal's but i figured as this was a first time project i didn't want to spend big bucks on my supplies.

5. I did two coats of the black and watched a tv show while it dried.

Once you have painted your canvas, and cut out your petals you then plan out your flower.

After that you just go through and pick up a leaf, glue it and go on until all the petals are glued down.

I then just used Mod Podge to go over the whole canvas to seal everything in.

Th e Mod Podge also gives it a glossy look.

So thats my finished art project.  If your looking for something fun and easy to do that adds a little fun to a room try this one, its super cheap to do, this project maybe cost me $5 to make.

Do you guys have any fun cheap crafts you like to make?  If so leave a comment down below..i love learning about new crafts 

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xx Amber

My knitting adventures

My First Scarf

by: A.M

Now as a beginner knitter i'm going to say the best way to start is with a scarf its a great way to perfect your stitches, i have found it to be an amazing help as all you do is knit or purl. f you can knit and perfect your scarf moving on to other projects will be a breeze.....i'm not saying its always easy as sometimes i forget whether i just did a knit stitch or a purl as my mind often wonders to other places!  But like anything, practice makes perfect....here is my journey as i perfect my knitting abilities first a couple scarves until i perfect my knit and purl stitches....then my next project is a nice cozy comfy pair of slippers like these....

                                                                

  Here is how i do my scarves

I like to make big chunky warm cozy scarves, i like the infinity look and being able to just wrap it around and not have to worry about the ends always falling out, and if you make your scarf big enough you can use it as a hood also

just like this....

it will keep you so warm in the winter!!!!!

this is what your going to use:

• 8mm or US 11 knitting needles

• bulky yarn any color

what your going to do:

• Cast on 26 to 30 stitches depending on how wide you want it

• for this green scarf i just did knit stitch

• i knitted until my scarf reached 60 inches in length

• the width is 11 inches
• once you have reached your length cast off
• then sew each end together
• wrap and enjoy!!!

here's a sneak peek on my new scarf project:

Hope you enjoyed xx now go knit!!!!

Wine Bottle Gift Bag Tutorial

Recycled Sweater

Wine Bottle Gift Bag Tutorial 

by J.S

When i had finished making my cozy Sweater throw pillow, and had managed to tear myself aware from staring at its cuteness. I went to clean up the mighty mess i had made in my craft room ( i am not a tidy crafter) But in my defense cutting up an old sweater does lead to a lot of fluff.
I looked at the arms of the old sweater and just couldn't throw them away, I am definitively a material hoarder, ok just a general craft supply hoarder. You just never know when you are going to need that little piece of material or paper scrap.

Anyhoo, this sweater gift bag is perfect to give as a hostess gift with a nice bottle of wine tucked away inside its cozy home.

Step 1: Take your Sweater sleeve and place it over the bottle you will be gifting. Cut where you think would be a good place.

Step 1

Step 2: You are going to want to turn the sleeve inside out. Now go find yourself a piece of scrap fabric and cut it into a circle the size of the bottom of your sleeve. I just used an old tin and traced around it.

Step 3:  Now go ahead and pin this circle to the bottom of your sleeve. (Wrong side of the fabric facing you) Stitch all the way around it.

step 3

Step 4: You are basically done. Turn the bag right side out. For the tie, i just took another scrap of sweater, rolled it up, gave it a quick stitch down the middle to kind of hold it together, and then tied it round my bottle. Yay. You could also use some ribbon, or the same fabric you used for the base. Its up to you.

The hardest part is giving it away.

Recycled Sweater Throw Pillow Tutorial

Sweater Throw Pillow Tutorial

By. J.S

I just finished making my new throw pillow. I love it!! So warm and cozy. All i need now is a hot chocolate to go with it...mmmm chocolate. 

My mum and i were spending a wonderful Saturday together going round thrift stores to see what treasures we could find. This jumped out at me, a large cozy sweater and only $1.00!! What a steal of a deal, how could i possible say no to that. So i bought it, its new purpose was to become another cozy couch pillow.

As you can tell from the picture, my dog Chewie also agrees that it is indeed cozy. lol.

So all you need to make this is a Size Large or Extra large sweater, depending on your desired finished pillowcase size. 

Cut the sweater into two equal size squares just a bit bigger than your pillow form. Iron some interfacing on the wrong side of your sweater. This really helps hold it all together.

Sew around the edges to seal in the ripped seams.

Now just place the right sides together and sew around all 3 sides. Turn right sides out. 

Now put the pillow form in and slip stitch the edge shut. Easy Peasy!!

Purse Organiser Tutorial

My New Purse Organiser

by J.S

My bag is a mess! The bigger my bag the more stuff i collect inside it. Sometimes i have everything but the kitchen sink in my handbag. Well not anymore, this year is my year to become organised, well at least try. lol.
So i made myself a purse organiser now everything has a home, and i will be able to find my phone before it stops ringing.

Step 1:

You will need to cut out your fabric and interfacing. I like to have coordinating fabrics but you could use the same.

2 pieces of fabric : 8 inches x 26 inches
2 pieces of Interfacing: 8 inches x 26 inches


Step 2: Iron the interfacing to the WRONG side of each piece of fabric

Step 3: After you have the interfacing ironed on good. Place each piece RIGHT sides together, pin in place and stitch 1/2inch seam around all edges, leaving about 2-3 inch gap so you can turn it right side out.

Now very carefully (you don't want to rip your nicely stitched edges, turn you piece right sides out

Step 4: Give your organiser a nice iron. Now you will want to edge stitch all the way round the 4 edges.

Step 5: Turn the bottom edge up about 3 inches. And pin in place. Stitch along each short edge.

Step 6: Now this is where you have to look through your handbag and pick all the items you want to be able to find quick and easy. measure the width of each item and add 1 inch. So my cell phone is 2 1/2 inches wide, i would want to measure out 3 1/2 inches, and i just placed a pin in the place to mark it. Do this to every item.
Stitch up every pocket you made.

You now have a COMPLETED purse organiser. And it took about 30 minutes.YAY YOU!!