Put A Little Heart Into It

I don't typically post twice in 1 day but I saw an idea on Pinterest this morning and I had to try it. It was quick, easy, and I had everything I needed on-hand. The original blog post can be found HERE and is a very cute idea! I did basically the same thing, but put my own little spin on it.

Here is a picture of the original idea that I saw.



I liked the idea well enough but the thought of putting paper inside the jar made me really nervous. Also, the jar I wanted to use already had a candle in it and there was no room on the inside to fit paper in.

I followed the instructions as she had laid them out to start with. I cut a heart out in 2 pieces of paper taken from an old paperback novel.

This is the candle that I started with.

Since I wanted the paper to be on the outside of the jar, I decided to use Mod Podge to glue it down. I knew that it would be a heat resistant glue that would hold on even when the jar gets warm and I knew that it would act as a sealant over the top as well. I used "Paper Mod Podge" to attach the paper to the jar, on the back side and over the tops of the side edges.

(If you're not familiar with using Mod Podge, I suggest you go HERE to learn all about it!)

I then attached the 2nd piece of paper on the opposite side of the jar in the same manner.

I then flipped the jar over and used the Paper Mod Podge to create a ruffled look and glue the bottom edge down around the curve of the jar.

I then flipped it back upright and put a coat of "Sparkle Mod Podge" over the top of the entire thing. I left the top edge of the paper sticking up, not affixed down. I also used the rough edge of the paper (where it was torn out of the book) as the top edge of the paper.

Last, I took one of the hearts that had been cut out and used the Sparkle Mod Podge to affix it to the lid.

This is what it looked like when it was finished. All in all, I was pretty pleased.

Something Old, Something New...

... it's not borrowed but it's blue! (I know, I'm a total nerd.) I have been going through all the things that I brought home from my Grandparent's estate lately. I came across this kitsch recipe holder:

I loved the idea of a counter top recipe holder that would stand there and let me read my recipe as I am cooking. But it was really beat up and.. well... ugly. So I decided it needed a makeover. I knew I wanted blue and silver/gray to go with my kitchen. My first attempt was good but not quite what I was looking for:

So I decided to tape it off and go for another look...

I was very happy with the final result. I love this it is still kitsch a throwback to the 1950's/1960's in design but with a more modern take in appearance. 

I took it apart. I painted the pedestal gray and the flat board blue. I did a couple of coats. After the last coat was sufficiently dry, I made a checkerboard with painters tape. I then painted it all gray, with just 1 coat. I wanted some of the blue to show through the gray. I wasn't overly specific about the way I cut the painters tape. I wanted to edges to be a little rough. I pulled the tape up as soon as I was done painting, which also helped with the "rough-edges" look. I painted the hooks gray by hand also although, were I to do it again, I would probably spray them. After it was all dry, I sprayed the whole thing with acrylic clear coat for a little bit of a shiny appearance. All in all, I am very pleased with it.

So what about you? What things do you have lying around that house that you can give a little makeover to? I love making old things new again!

The Beauty God Made

This is not really needle-craft, nor fiber-art related but I felt the need to post. I have developed a slight addiction to Pinterest. Recently, I have been pinning photos of gorgeous places around the world that I have either been to or would love to some day visit. They are extremely varied in climate, scenery, location, terrain, etc., but they are all breathtaking. I want to share of few of them with you.

Bali

The British Countryside

Boundary Waters Canoe Area, Minnesota

Chile

Durango, Colorado

French Coast

Irish Coast

Mount Roraimo, Venezuela

Nepal

New River Gorge, West Virginia

Scottish Highlands

Svalbard

Rural China

Thailand

Morocco



 I guess the point of this quaint post is to say that I am stunned by the beauty that God has surrounded us with. There is nowhere you can go on this planet and not find something of inexplicable, natural beauty. Seasons change, people are born and die each day, and yet Earth never stops shining with beauty. Take sometime to be thankful for nature and the awesome creation that is life.

New Project

I started a new project this week. It is my father's Christmas gift. It's an afghan (crocheted). I got the pattern from the Lion Brand free pattern data base (I LOVE them!) So far, so good. It's coming along rather quickly. I am in hopes that he will like it. He requested a small throw that I made for myself and my mother earlier this year but, after making it twice, I really didn't want to make it again. Also, it did not match the room he wants to put it in (though he aparently can not see that) and this one that I am making will. :) I love my daddy so I am sure he will love it. I will post pics and updates as I move forward. This is the tiny bit I got started a day or so ago. I have more done now but I haven't taken new pics yet.

The other colors involved are burgundy and chocolate brown. I think it will be really nice once it all comes together. Let's hope so!