Monday, March 18, 2024

Faux Tin Tile Bunny

Hello My Friends! 

Most of the Craft and Dollar Stores have

some chunky cut outs for Spring!

There are so many ways to decorate these.

I used this bunny cut out because

he can stand on his own-

I also needed one of these tiles from the Dollar Tree.


Have you seen these SELF- ADHESIVE WALL TILES ?

They are made of plastic with a raised 3D design.

They are 12'' x 12'' and  $1.25 each




Easily cut with scissors or utility knife.

I removed the backing adhesive sheet. 

I will not be using it.



I traced the area needed

with a pencil.



Save the scraps-



I used white glue to attach tile to the wood piece.

After the glue dried I cut around the bunny shape.




Then painted the entire bunny with white acrylic paint.

I used a damp cloth to wipe paint off on some areas.

The gray raised areas show through.



I put the bunny on a shelf along with a gingham jar 

that I painted a few years ago.



Here's a tutorial on my Jars, in just about any color!


Gingham Jars


With some of the scrap pieces I was able to

cover a wooden heart-

to hang



and to display in my bathroom



and the roof of a small birdhouse.



These tiles are so easy to use!

I recommend you give them a try.




Thank you for visiting!

xo Lisa S


Tuesday, March 12, 2024

Wood Spindle Carrots

Hi Friend,

These wood spindles were from a couple of broken chairs 

left out for the trash.

We took them home and used a rubber mallet

to take the chairs apart.

It was easy and a little bit fun!



I have seen so many people

 making these carrots- I had to give it a try.


I had three spindles




that were pretty long, so I cut

them in half.


Now I have 6 pieces.



I left one end flat and used sandpaper to round the other end.

I drilled a hole in the wide end.

I wanted to add some greenery.



I was able to divide this piece into 6 sections.

I will trim the stems short to resemble real carrots.



but first I need to paint-

I used a little brown mixed with Harvest Orange


They needed a couple coats of paint



   After they dried I glued on the greenery

and trimmed the tops of the carrots.



and done!








I had some Raffia in my gift wrapping stash.


I tied 3 together to make a little bundle.

 











I moved the scale back were it belongs then

I tucked them inside a tool box

with some German Paper Mache Eggs.





I may leave them on the table for now,










Thanks for visiting today!


HAPPY SPRING!

xo Lisa S





These spindles were made into flags!




Monday, March 4, 2024

Barn Wood Tool Caddy


Hi friend!

My neighbor was working on a project and asked if I wanted a piece

of plywood that was leftover.


I told Mr. Fresh Vintage it would be a good bottom for a Tool Caddy!

....and of course we jumped right in!

I love him for that!!!


We got together what we planned to use-

One long piece of rough barn wood, I 've been saving for years !

A large scrap piece of plywood from my neighbor.


One wood spindle from an old chair.


The dark pine scraps were left over from my kitchen shelves.

The wood was already stained and ready to go-



To make the handle-

We drilled a hole in the pine pieces with the spindle 

connecting each piece and then set it aside.




Stood the handle piece up and measured around

the outside and cut the box pieces.

To decide on the size of the box.

I measured my barn wood length and divided in half.

Then cut the width pieces off of those-

there was no waste.







We had a scrap of plywood to use for the bottom.

I put the painted side down.



Then nailed the handle piece inside the box.














I loaded up the box with my paint brushes.













I watered down some acrylic paint I had on hand.

It was a good match.

I put some wood stain on the handle ends.








I love how it turned out!

The whole box was made from scraps-

It's a keeper-

xo Lisa S



Sunday, February 25, 2024

Make a Faux Leather Book Cover

 Hello my Friends!

I want to share with you how I made this

Faux Leather Book.





You will need a brown paper bag-

or Kraft paper will work.




A book cover

You could even make your own from cardboard.





Matte Mod Podge and a brush

I like the matte for this project.

You can use the other but your 'leather' will have more shine.







Cut a piece from your bag about an inch larger

all the way around your entire book cover.


Crinkle your paper, open and crinkle again.


This breaks up the wood fibers in the paper.


The paper will become soft and pliable .






The side without any printing is the side we want to use.

Smooth out with your hands.



Use a paint brush and Mod Podge on cover.

Start with one section at a time.






Cover with your paper.

Leave edges for now do not trim.

Press paper into spine crease.





Continue gluing as you go with the Mod Podge.

Press paper down and smooth as you go.




When dry flip cover over.

Now you can trim edges if needed.

Fold over edges and glue down with Mod Podge.







Smooth out with your hands to 

remove any air bubbles.

 Burnish the spine creases.

As your cover is drying-

open and close cover 

to make sure it everything

is working !


At this point you can even use acrylic paint

to color your leather then seal with Mod Podge!

You can even use ink to distress your cover even more.



Another coat of Matte Mod Podge.









I measured a piece of cardstock 1/4'' thinner

than the spine.

Then covered the piece with cloth on all sides.


Give a coat of Mod Podge to the inside edges.


Allow for drying time, it doesn't take long.


I sewed the signatures to the cloth.

then glued the cloth to the inside spine.

Then the stitches are hidden.




I have a lot of scratch paper.

When  I  have enough I use coffee to dye

the paper for projects like these-



Then covered the inside flap with cardstock.

The back matches the front.





This technique could be used

to repair a favorite book that has a week spine.










Feels nice and soft like leather.




Tell me what you think-




Here's an antique bookplate from

the Graphic Fairy to

add to your notebook!





Thank you for hanging out with me!

I appreciate it so much.

xo Lisa S

Faux Tin Tile Bunny

Hello My Friends!  Most of the Craft and Dollar Stores have some chunky cut outs for Spring! There are so many ways to decorate these. I use...