Week 3 - Dollar Store tutorial

I was really happy with how this project turned out, and it was really easy to do, too! Here's a step-by-step description of what I did:
1. First, I used the nail polish to add some small dots and lines to the glass candle holders. I chose nail polish for 2 reasons; first - because I could find it at the Dollar Store and didn't have to make a separate trip for paint, and second - because if I made a mistake on the glass, a quick swipe with polish remover takes it all off.

I used it on all the glass pieces in some way or another but you could just leave them plain if you like it better.
2. I put the glue (E-6000) around the edges of the candle holder and glued it to the bottom of the smallest plate. Tip: Glue every piece upside down so that there's not a balance problem while it's drying. It's hard enough to get the glue to set without the plate falling off the top repeatedly. Firmly press the holder onto the plate until a tiny bead of glue squeezes out around the rim. This makes sure that there are no air bubbles along the rim. Repeat this step with the middle plate and candle holder (at the end of this step, you should have three items: the smallest plate and holder, the middle plate and holder, and the bottom plate by itself.)3. Once the holders were attached to the two upper plates - and DRY - I put glue around the bottom rim of the middle holder. Because E-6000 bonds better when both pieces to be attached have glue on them, I used the holder to "stamp" a ring of glue onto the center of the bottom plate. This also helped mark where the center was so it wouldn't be cocky-waller.Reapply glue to the bottom of the middle holder and press onto the glue ring "stamp". Press hard to squeeze out any air bubbles.4. When step 3 is completely DRY, repeat step 3 with the smaller top plate and holder. Allow to dry completely - usually at least 24 hours.

5. Glue the bases onto the smaller dip bowls in the same way -- upside down, apply glue to rim of glass, press hard to squeeze out air bubbles, let dry.

That's it! Now it's time to try them out. Enjoy!

tutorial tuesday - make a messenger bag from a pair of cargo pants!

Wanna make one of these? I did, so I looked all over for a pattern to use. I stumbled across a tutorial over at http://www.noodle-head.com/ for an upcycled messenger bag about a year ago but hadn't had a chance to try it. . . I've got to admit I'm still a little timid when it comes to trying sewing patterns. Finally I decided I'd better get over myself and try it out -- and I loved it from the start! I followed the pattern as best I could, but since the fabric I wanted to use was in fat quarters, I had to alter the instructions a little.

All in all, the tute was really easy to follow and well written. (She has a whole library of tutes on her blog and since this one went together so well, I might just have to try out some of her others!) And I loved the idea of using cargo pants I already had -- but it turns out we didn't have any old ones in the house! So, I made a bee-line to the thrift store to see if they had anything that would work. I made this one for a friend as part of a Pay It Forward challenge on Facebook -- she'll be getting it soon, and I'll post about that challenge when all my projects are complete. And of course, since I loved how this one turned out, I had to make one for myself.

Head on over and check out her tutorials! She's great!

tutorial tuesday - DIY sew-in labels

Welcome to Tutorial Tuesday! I've decided to make one day a week special and post a tutorial for you -- either one of my own tutorials or one I found in Blogland that I have tried or want to try -- hopefully to give you some inspiration and encouragement to try new things! And so, without further ado, here's our first tutorial: Do-It-Yourself Sew-In Labels!

First, I should say that I thoroughly searched online for instructions for this one. I know that many, many places sell custom labels that you can order, but I wanted to save some $$ by making them myself Several of the sites I found suggested getting this special fabric that you run through your printer, but I didn't like that idea because my poor old printer doesn't like anything that doesn't "feel" like paper and rewards my attempts with giant bursts of ink in the most unfortunate places. I did find one tutorial over at http://www.patchworkpottery.blogspot.com/ that I really liked, mostly because the labels could be washed without losing the image and made with materials you can find almost anywhere. This tutorial is based on my trials and errors, and tips I found helpful along the way. Enjoy!

Materials:
Computer, image editing software (I use Adobe Photoshop CS4), printer
Printable iron-on fabric transfer paper
Cotton twill tape (or ribbon) 1/2-inch wide or 1-inch wide (depending on your preference)
Scissors, rotary cutter & ruler
Iron & ironing board
Dritz Fray-Check (available at fabric stores or Walmart)

Step 1: Create your design for your label. I made my image larger than I planned to print it so the resolution would be good when it was reduced in size. Also, the image had to be "mirrored" so it would show up correctly on the iron-on paper.

Once I got the design to look exactly how I wanted it, I created a layout page in Adobe Pagemaker (I know, a really old program but it still works for what I need it for) and repeated the design. I was able to fit 100 separate labels on one sheet of the transfer paper, and each design is just under 1/2 inch tall.

Step 2: Follow the instructions on the transfer paper to make sure the images will show up properly.

I used these Light Fabric Transfers specifically because the transfer material is clear. Avery also makes another type called Dark Fabric Transfers which is great for printing iron-on photos, but the transfer material for those is white. This is great for the photos because the colors show up really nicely, but it doesn't work for making labels because the area around the letters in the design comes out white and the ribbon/twill tape gets covered up completely. Also, it may help to print the layout of the designs on a plain sheet of white paper to make sure you like the way it all looks before you print on the transfer paper. Just a thought -- like I said, trial and error.

Step 3: When your layout looks good and you've printed it on the transfer paper, cut them apart into strips. I used my rotary cutter and a ruler to get the strips straight and only 1/2 inch tall.

Step 4: Unroll a stretch of the twill tape and iron on one of the label strips. Again, follow the directions on the fabric transfer package. I found it to take about 30 seconds of heat to get the label to stick properly. Cut off the piece of the twill tape you just ironed so you only have one strip to work with at a time. DO NOT TAKE OFF THE PAPER BACKING UNTIL THE STRIP HAS COOLED COMPLETELY! I can't stress this enough -- if you try to peel the paper backing off while the twill tape is still warm, it will take the design off with it!

I found it better to do only one strip at a time so it was easier to line up the strip onto the twill tape. I wanted my designs to sit straight so working in smaller pieces helped. Also, the strips I cut were almost exactly the same length as my iron so I didn't have to move the iron around too much, thus keeping the design from sliding around on the tape.Step 5: When all the strips have been ironed onto the twill tape, and are COOLED COMPLETELY, peel off the backing paper. You can then either leave them as a roll on the twill tape spool and cut them off one at a time or cut them apart into individual labels and store them in a jar or cup. Before sewing the labels into your projects, use the Dritz Fray-Check to keep them from unraveling at the cut edges.
Apply a thin line of the Fray-Check along both of the cut edges and allow to dry completely.
Step 6: Sit back and admire your new little labels! Then sew them into your projects:

This little guy happens to be a coffee cup cozy for an upcoming post. Stay tuned!The labels pictured in this tutorial are made with the 1/2 inch wide twill tape. I also made some with 1 inch wide labels using the same instructions and 1 inch wide twill tape, and was able to fit 40 of that size onto one transfer sheet.

Give it a try, and let me know if you have questions!