It's not as Tuft as you think it is!

Tufted buttons! This was my first attempt using these little guys, but they are surprisingly easy to make. Installation, on the other hand, is not as easy. But that will come into a different post. For now we will be focusing on just making the buttons.

Get your self to the fabric store (Not Michael's, they do not carry them) and look in the button section. They come in packs of 3 or 4 depending on the size you want. Packages run about 3 to 4 dollars, so budget about $1 per button. You also have the option of flat or bubble shaped.
There are two pieces to each button - the top that has little teeth on the inside (to hold the fabric in) and the flat bottom that snaps into place.

Once you have your packages (in the sizes that you want) flip them over and check out the pattern on the back. Cut out the pattern and place on the fold of your fabric and cut out your circles.

Place your fabric circle pretty side down and the top of your button on top. Working in your cardinal directions (North, South, East, then West) tuck the fabric across the teeth. The work in a circle tucking all of the fabric under the teeth.

 
Then use your fingernail or pencil eraser to push the fabric under the teeth, until you get a tight fit.

Then take the back and snap on, making sure that all fabric is under the back of the button.

 

 And you have a beautiful and UNIQUE button to use with your upholstery, sewing, or anything projects!

Happy Tufting!!!!

"Wood"n't you like a sign?

When you have scraps from your left over pallets, what do you do with them? Well... you stick them together, paint them and hang it up in your house, of course!

Start first by sanding down all of your pieces. You can do it after you put them together, but it makes it more difficult to get the splinters out of the crevices. If you want to cut the boards to the same length, that is your option, or it can look just as good with different lengths. Stagger them a little bit, and they still look great!

Use two smaller pieces to cross the boards on the back and screw the planks into them. 

HLT(Handy Little Tip): You will need to measure the depth of your boards to make sure you have the correct screws. I have found that 1 1/4" screws work for most pallet boards, unless your have REALLY thick planks.

Paint your boards with a base primer. If you want your sign to go outside: then make sure to use exterior paint. Indoor signs can use either. Or if you want the knots and coloring to show through, then skip the primer step.

I painted this one with a dark red acrylic craft paint for the back ground color. Once it was dry, I started dry-brushing on a Mediterranean Blue.
To Dry Brush: Use a wide bristled paint brush (or chip brush). Dip just the tips barely into your paint and then blot the majority of that paint onto a paper towel (or washable towel for a recyclable alternative). Then brush on in the same direction as the grain of wood. Slowly at first then you can layer on until you are happy with the result.

Next, you can add your lettering.
Print off your words in the size that you want to fit your sign. You may need to play around with font size and type to get it just right. Lay them out and check to see if they fit.

Then flip them over and trace your lettering with a charcoal pencil. Once you have them all traced, flipped each one over and use a pencil to color over the outline of the letters. This transfers the charcoal onto the board for a nice outline.

Then paint in.
I hand drew in a heart instead of the "O" and filled it in with a layer of Modge Podge, Glitter, and another layer of Modge Podge on top to seal it in.

Top coat the sign using clear top coat spray paint.

Install your picture hangers on the back. Use a level to place your hangers. That way even if your boards are wonky or half there - your sign can still be level on the wall.

HLT: Use needle nose pliers to hold those tiny little nails while hammering to avoid smashed fingers.

String a Little String for Me.....

Christmas ornament garland.

So.... It may be late for Christmas, but it is a really great time for this project now that ornaments are on sale. You will need a bunch of them for this project so grab a few of those 30 packs (at least 4 of them depending on the size you want). I used plastic shatterproof because I am unsure how glass ornaments would hold up during storage.

Remove all of the plastic holders

 Break out your hot glue gun and glue all of the caps back on. This is not a fast process. But it is important so that they do not start popping off once they are side by side on line.

 Line out your colors so that you won't group the same colors when you string them.
Make sure you pay attention to your pup or he will come lie in the middle of your project.

 I used nylon cord since it was strong and wouldn't break easily. Make sure your cord is small enough to go through the ornaments eye.

HLT(Handy Little Tip): Wrap a piece of tape around your cord then cut the end off next to the tape edge to keep the strands together and make it easier to thread through the eyes.

 And done! Total Time to make was around 4 hours ( but that was also with Netflix on, so yours could take less time).

 
Head to your local store to get those half-priced ornaments while they are on sale.

Saw you last year!

Happy New Years!!!

While I could totally use another year's worth of sleep, there are projects to be done, decorations to be taken down, and my new saw to be played with!
Check it out- Thanks to my awesome Sis-in-law, Kristin who pulled my name for Christmas. :)

I have had fun using this! Many more projects to come. :)