Under The Sea: Little Mermaid Inspired Glitter Shoes

Did you like my long title?  Alright.  As part of my etsy team, Blogging Business Artisans, I'm challenged to create a project on theme each month.  This month's theme was "under the sea."  I channeled my inner Ariel and made some green glitter shoes.  I might not have a flipper, but I can have green shoes, right?

I started with a pair of black shoes I've had for several years.  They are getting nice and worn away in the front.  Aren't I so stylish?

I then used Mod Podge and several different green glitters to cover the shoes.  I started by Mod Podging in patches and dumping on green glitter.  I tried to use my lighter glitter towards the front and my darker glitter in back. 

I also added on some glitter paint I had to give it an extra dimension of glitterocity (the technical term for it). 

I kept adding glitter until everything was covered and then I sealed it with another layer of Mod Podge.

The overall effect is a splotchy-ombre effect.  What did I learn while making this project?  That I missed my calling as a foot model.

Forget Me Not

I forgot to post on my blog yesterday, so today here is a brooch with forget me nots.

Forget me not brooch.

Hiking!

Yesterday I went on a hike to Lake Serene.  It was stunning and tiring.  We are getting ready for a big hike up Mt. St. Helens next week.  So, today's theme is hiking!!!  I searched hiking on etsy and found some cute things.

Hiking Bunny Calendar

Follow Your Heart Compass Necklace

Hiker Screen Print

Hiking Man Tote

Hiking Booties

Oilcloth Luggage Tag

Yesterday I was searching for inspiration on my "Projects to Try" pinterest board and found this tutorial for a luggage tag.  My husband and I have said we need something to make our luggage stand out more, so this seemed like a great project.  I had some leftover oilcloth from a previous project, so I used that.  I didn't follow the tutorial exactly, but used it as an inspiration point.

What do you think?  I put in a little card with a C on the front and our info on the back.  The C is looking a little like a G so I may redo it.

ICC#35- Don't Judge a Book By Its Cover

This week's Iron Craft Challenge was to create something using a book.  I struggled with this all week and then had a burst of inspiration on Monday night.  I always carry a book with me in my purse.  I had also seen many purses made from book covers.  So I thought, why not make a purse from a book, but leave the book?  And that's what I did.  It's a Book Clutch!

I spent about 30 minutes at the thrift store trying to find the right book for this.  I finally found a copy of Anne of Green Gables that included three of the books from the series.  I felt alright cutting out the last book because 1.) I have the entire series already and 2.) It was out of order- they included Anne of Green Gables, Anne of Avonlea, and Anne's House of Dreams.  Come on now.

I started by cutting out a section of the back part of the book.  Think of it like making a book safe, but with only a third of the book.

Next, I covered this section with fabric.  I just mod podged it in there.  I used green fabric because green is my favorite color and it is Anne of GREEN Gables, but in the future I would choose a lighter shade; the green stood out too much.

During this whole time, it felt like a big, ugly mess.  You just have to push through it.  Keep trimming and gluing and you can do it.

Next, I drilled a hole in the front and back cover and attached ribbon and a button.  This created the closing mechanism.

I put in a little wallet, but you can do whatever you like.  I think in the future it would be neat to sew little matching pockets and make the whole thing look prettier.  It's a bit messy as is the case with first tries :)

Want to see more Iron Craft pieces?  Check out the flickr group here.  Want to join in the fun?  Check out the blog here.

New Clutch, Complete with Goofy Photo Session

I painted another clutch.  This time it has a song sparrow and says "make a joyful noise."  I was inspired by both Psalm 100 and a song by The String Cheese Incident.  Random I know.  My husband helped me take pictures this time and we had some fun.

I Won! I Won!

Ladies and gentlemen, last week I won not one, but TWO giveaways.  How awesome is that?  Amazing!!

First, I won a really cool necklace kit from Annie Howes.  It comes in an adorable little tin box and includes enough materials to make 6 necklaces (or rings, magnets, whatever you want to turn them into).  I have made one necklace so far and it was easy and fun!  Here it is:

Second, I won this awesome apron from Drapes of Wrath.  I haven't used it for real yet, so here I am posing in it.  I'm not actually pouring tea, I'm just that good of an actress.

Finished Clutch

Remember my work in progress?  Well, it is no longer in progress.  Check out the finished piece.

I thought the cardinals were in love so I added the phrase "Love is in the air."  It is listed on etsy and you can view it here.

Dinosaurs are Cute

Well, I'm still sleeping as much as my cat, but I did have the energy to write this blog post.  Yay!  Enjoy a few cute dinosaur finds.

Plush Stegosaurus

Triceratop Planter

Dinosaur Necklace

Dinosaur Onesie

Dinosaur Card

Work In Progress

Remember awhile ago when I made this business card holder?  Well I enjoyed it so much that I decided to make a clutch.  I covered it with fabric and now I'm painting some cardinals in it.  I think I may list it in my shop when I'm done.  What do you think?

Vendor Apron from Pillowcase Tutorial

This project started because I am cheap and lazy.  I have seen other craft vendors wearing these cute little half aprons at shows and have been wanting one.  But I didn't want to pay a lot for it nor spend hours creating one.  After some thrift store wanderings, I came up with this pillowcase apron.  See below for the tutorial.

Start by cutting the bottom 10" or so off the bottom (closed end). 

Next, fold up the cut end twice so that the folded end lines up with the hemmed edge of the open side.  If this is confusing, you can look at the diagram I included at the end.  The reason I folded over twice rather than just folding up once was because it allowed me to skip hemming that edge as well as give the apron a little extra thickness.

Folded Over Once- Need to fold over again.

Now, sew along the two edges as well as two times in the middle; this will give you three pockets.  Just measure your pillowcase to know where the seams should go; I had to measure in about 7" from each side.

For the ties, I used thick ribbon but this is also open to your own interpretation.  I ran the ribbon lightly through a match to seal the ends and prevent fraying.   Then I folded down the edge and sewed it to the front of the apron.

That's it!  I liked this project because it was SUPER short and easy.  It also is open to lots of tweaks and personalization.  Fabric appliques, extra pockets, contrasting edging, etc.  If anyone makes one, I would love to see it, so please share the link in the comments.

Summary Diagram

Pretty Finds

A few more of my recent handmade favorites.  And in answer to a recent question, no I have not bought any of these favorites I've been showing off recently but yes, I really want to.

Nerd Necklace

Vintage Style Clutch

Paper Airplane Cuff

Hand Painted Brooch

WAIT! HOLD THE PRESSES!  I DID JUST BUY SOMETHING! I fell in love with this shirt and when she started selling them I jumped on the chance.  I can't wait till it gets here.

Harry Potter T-Shirt

Whew.  That was a close one.  I would hate to slander myself.

Aqua Dreams

Just a few pretty finds for a beautiful Friday.  Aqua is one of my favorite colors and my birthstone is aquamarine.  Enjoy!

Sea Green and Aqua Brooch

Flower Pin

Earrings

Aqua Dress

Aqua Clutch