A Daily Dose of Glitter

Sometimes you find a gift idea for someone that is perfection.  This DIY is for a gift that was perfection for my sister :-)

I saw the idea for glitter capsules on Pinterest and just knew that I had to make them for my sister.

Source: theglitterguide.tumblr.com via Melany on Pinterest

They are little capsules filled with glitter. When you have a bad day and need some sparkle, you just open it up and sprinkle away :-)  It's an instant party!!

This is how I did it.  It's actually very easy:

Buy some empty capsules.  I got mine from Amazon.

Choose your glitter (I liked using glitter with a top that twisted off and had a pretty wide opening).  Gold is pretty much the only option for my sister.

Filling the capsules is super simple.

They actually split into two pieces:

All you have to do is split it apart ... open up your glitter ... 

and fill the smaller portion of the capsule with glitter:

Then replace the cap and viola:

A Daily Dose of Glitter :-)

Little touches

40+ hours of my life are spent at work each week ... so I might as well make my desk a space that I enjoy.

I previously posted a tutorial on my mason jar snowglobe.  That was the first little step towards make my desk at work reflect a little more of me.

I recently purchased a little something that provides a little pop of color that makes me happy.

You can get these little latte bowls at Anthropologie for $2.50.  I definitely prefer it over the boring black plastic container that I was storing my paper clips in.  Even a little bit of washi tape wrapped around the top did not spruce it up enough.

I also decided to create my own planner this year.  Many attempts of not finding the design that I like paved the way to a creative project.

I have 6 months done and plan on finishing this weekend.  Tutorial coming once I have a completed project in hand :-)

Sprucing up a boring notepad makes a pretty place to track my task items:

I just put some washi tape along the top and used a pen to write "to do".  

Sometimes a few little things can make a huge difference.  My next step is to get this little basket to hold my post-its:

Source: anthropologie.com via Melany on Pinterest

"I invented post-its" - Who knows what movie that is from?  

Photo a Day recap (Days 21 - 27)

Day 21

January 21

"Reflection"

I was tired.  Could not think of anything creative.  Saw sparkly little Christmas tree (that is now a permanent fixture on top of my bookcase).  Thought, "I guess the light reflects off the little crystals".  Took picture.  Done :-)

Day 22

January 22

"Shoes"

Oh my geez!!!  This was the day before I went to see Alice's Adventures in Wonderland at the Kennedy Center.  It was magical.  I love ballet!  I got to go with two of my favorite people, Karisse and Carol.  I was so happy and excited I almost cried.  I just sat there watching this fabulous production and thought, "Thank you God for this moment."  I felt very blessed to have been able to do something that brings so much joy and happiness to my heart :-)

Day 23 

January 23
"Something old"

My grandmother gave me a big box of family silver.  I love having this family heirloom.  What I don't love is having it sitting in a box not being enjoyed.  I have been thinking recently about this box of silver and how we pack away silver and china only to bring it out on special occasions, but life is a special occasion.  Every day is special.  So I pulled this little tray out of the box and am using it to sit in my bathroom and hold all my poo-pouri (this product cracks me up - love it).  And as soon as I get some silver polish I will pull out the silverware to use, because I want to enjoy it :-)

Day 24

January 24

"Guilty Pleasure"

A guilty pleasure for me is Anthropologie.  When I feel blue or have a bad day, sometimes I will go get something - usually from the sale corner - usually a plate or a mug.  The store just makes me happy.  I have also recently discovered Modcloth.  Oh goodness.  I can waste a good amount of time perusing that sight.  Last week I received my first Modcloth purchase.  That yellow duck umbrella had been on my wish list for awhile.  It's such a happy item to have on a gloomy rainy day :-)

Day 25

January 25

"Something you made"

I made this huge infinity scarf a few years ago.  It is called the GAP-tastic cowl and I followed a pattern created by Jen Geigley.  I didn't really like it very much when I finished it.  It is so big and bulky that I felt like a football player when I wore it.  At least, what I thought a football player would feel like :-)  But, I'll tell you what - this winter season I have grown to loooooove this scarf.  It's so warm and cozy. It also serves as a pillow when I ride the bus.  All I have to do is lean my head to the side and it instantly meets some cushion.  Oh, but there's more!!  This scarf is so thick that I can also flip it up to cover my head.  So basically, this is the best scarf ever!!!

Day 26

January 26

"Colour"

I got crafty and finished two projects over the weekend - ponytail holders and some plaques to hang in bathroom.  It all turned out great.  Perhaps I will share more later :-)

Day 27

January 27

"Lunch"

I also made some chicken and dumplings over the weekend.  A batch of delicious comfort food that I sadly finished yesterday.  I don't eat much meat.  I consider myself to be a flexitarian.  While I do adhere to a primarily vegetarian diet, there are some foods that I don't ever plan on giving up - like chicken and dumplings ... and proscuitto ... and barbecue. 

Photo a Day recap (Days 7 - 13)

Day 7

January 7, 2013

"Favorite"

I like to watch sports - especially football - especially SEC football.  Any guesses on my favorite team ... only the best college football team there is.  And it was proven Monday night when Alabama blew Notre Dame off the field.  It was good for Bama - bad for Notre Dame.  Roll Tide!!  Go Amabala.  I mean Go Alabama - I took the pic in the mirror, thus the backwards lettering :-)

Day 8

January 8, 2013

"Your Sky"

This is the view that I saw when I stepped off the bus Tuesday morning.  Completely perfect for the photo prompt :-)  My friend Dianne wrote a blog post that pretty much sums up the wonders of a pretty sky.  Check it out HERE.

Day 9

January 9, 2013

"Daily Routine"

I wake up  open my eyes,  roll out of bed, shower, start coffee, and drink coffee while I put on make up.  And then I am awake enough to function :-)

Day 10

January 10, 2013

"Childhood"

Do you remember these glasses?  They are from Pizza Hut.  These are not the ones from my childhood, but I have been collecting them over the years and it makes me happy to see them in my pantry.  The most recent addition is the Funshine Bear glass that I found at Goodwill a few weeks ago for $1 - thrift store score!!

Day 11

January 11, 2013

"Where you sleep"

I sleep on a bed that has these really cool ruffle pillow shams.  I happen to have designed and created those awesome ruffle pillow shams all by myself :-)  I actually took a bunch of pictures to post a tutorial. Hmmm, maybe I should write that tutorial someday :-)

Day 12

January 12, 2013

"Close - up"

I pulled out my colored pencils to start my current work in progress project.  I am making a planner because I can't find the design that I like anywhere.  I was inspired by this post by Alisa Burke and set about making my own.  It's about half way done.  Here's a little sneak peak :-)

Day 13

January 13, 2013

"In your bag"

I carry lots of stuff and these are the things that I always have with me:

1.  Kindle:  I love that I can have tons of books with me at all times.  Before my Kindle, I would always carry at least one (usually more) book in my bag.  I love love love that I can have multiple books on one device and it saves my back from carrying around all the weight of a book.  I do miss actual pages sometimes, so I tend to have my Kindle that I read during my commute and a book on my bed stand that I read at night.  Reading is fun :-)

2. Watercolor field kit:  I love this thing.  One of the best buys that I have made.  It has vibrant shades and the brush has a water reservoir that it attaches to, so you don't have to have a cup of water in your possession.  The paint dries pretty quickly too.  I love that I have the option to paint whenever I want to. 

3. Make up bag: pretty self explanatory :-)

4.  iPod:  I like to always have some tunes with me.

5.  Journal:  My journal is not just a place where I write down thoughts.  I paint in my journal and stick random things (like the sticker I got for voting and post its where a cute 4 year old wrote his name for me) in my journal.  I like my journal to be think from paper crinkled with paint and bulk from random items.  So, there is also a rubber band that holds my journal shut tight :-)

Wrap it up - washi style

I love wrapping presents .  It's one of my favorite holiday activities.  It's actually even possible that I dream of someday working at the gift wrapping center in a department store (sigh).

I have a definite process that I go about in wrapping my gifts (more on that here).  The paper must always meet on an edge - none of this tape down the middle business.  Every crease has to be perfect.  And watch out if I have paper with lines - I will spend the extra time making sure that the lines are perfectly straight and all line up.  I might have a slight problem :-)

I always do something a little different with my gifts each year.  Last year it was yarn pom poms in lieu of bows.  This year it was washi tape and embroidery thread.  My friend Karisse and I got some cute Christmas washi tape at Michaels for wrapping - cause we looooove it and we neeeeeded it :-)

Washi tape is pretty paper tape  - think masking tape, only CUTE :-)

Here is a pic of my wrapped presents:

See the cute red tape with deers and herringbone.  That's washi tape.  I love how it gave me so many options for placement.  A great thing about washi tape is it can also be easily removed and replaced.  

If you are wondering about the gift tags, they are made out of clay.  Yes, I roll out clay, bake it, and decorate it.  Crazy me can't just slap a sticker on a present.  Nope, I have to spend an hour creating gift tags.  That's just how I roll :-)

This year for my gift tags, I gathered inspiration from Anthropologie - of course :-)

Source: anthropologie.com via Melany on Pinterest

The fact that I have to ship my presents home means that I need to do simple wrapping - no big pretty bows that will get smooshed in a box.  So the washi tape works well.  

If you want to find your own washi tape, there are many options on Etsy.  I love the birds on a wire tape below:

Source: etsy.com via Melany on Pinterest

Now all my presents are wrapped and at their destinations far away.  I was sitting here earlier feeling sad about not having anything else to wrap.  I might start searching for empty boxes.  See, if I had a job wrapping presents at a big department store this would not be a problem :-)

DIY - Mason jar snow globe

I love mason jars.  They are just so functional.  

There is their primary function - canning (which is something I want to try).  

You can use them to store food (I love the way they look in my pantry).  

You can drink out of them (a friend of mine got me the cutest mason jar mug for Christmas).  

There is also a world of crafting possibility offered by the little mason jar.  This past week I made a mason jar snow globe.  I love it!!!

This is an Anthropologie inspired craft - because Anthropologie is amazing.  It's my inspiration place.

I did not want to spend money on one of these when I knew I could make one.  This is a super easy craft and does not take a lot of time.

Here's what you need (all my supplies were bought at Michaels):

Mason jar:  Mine was about $2

Glue gun:  This was given to me by a friend

Itty bitty Christmas tree:  These can be found with the accessories for Christmas Village figures.  My tree was about $7, but I had a 40% off coupon.  I rarely buy anything full price at Michaels.

Fake snow:  This was also found in the Christmas Village section.  It was $3.50.

A word about the fake snow:  This stuff is messy.  I think there are other fake snow products (I have even seen some at Target) that are not as messy.  However, I have to say that I do recommend the one that I used (picture below).  It is almost like shredded styrofoam.  You probably can't tell by the pictures, but it has a slight sheen to it like real snow.  I also like the way that it sticks to the side of the mason jar.  So, the mess is definitely worth it.

I tested my tree to make sure it would fit in the jar before I pulled out the glue gun.  I realized that I wanted my tree to be a little bit taller to provide more room for snow.  So I began searching for things to put a little height to my tree.  I tried a tea light candle, but that was too tall.  Then I realized that I had a cardboard box in my closet so I pulled it out and cut out some circles.

Two cardboard circles made the tree to tall, so I just glued one to the lid of the mason jar:

Then I glued the tree to the cardboard circle:

I forgot to take a picture of the next step - sorry.  I poured snow into the mason jar.  Then (after making sure the glue is dry), I turned the lid with the tree upside down and screwed the lid onto the jar.  

After assembling the snow globe, just turn it up right and shake the snow into place.  You might also need to tap the side of the jar to sift things into place.  If you find that you need more or less snow, you can take the lid back off and adjust the snow.  (Note: if you need to take the lid off, do it over a trash can.  Like I said, the snow is messy)

And there you have it.  One super fabulous - I made it myself - little piece of handmade Anthro inspired goodness - mason jar snow globe.

I love mine so much that I had to take it to work so I can enjoy it all day long.  I put it with "Anthro the seal" a little desk mascot that I bought at Anthropologie a few weeks ago.  You can get your own here. I love her and I am sure that she feels more at home now that she has a snow covered tree nearby :-)

It's been awhile

I felt the need to post something on my blog.

Since I don't really know what to say, I thought that I would share a project that I am working on.

I am making one of these:

Source: blog.craftzine.com via Melany on Pinterest

I am really excited because:
A.  I just really like to cross stitch
but
B.  I don't really care for how it looks in the end
so
C.  I was thrilled to find something that I actually think I might like

I am going with a chevron pattern for my necklace.  Updates coming soon.

I also want to make this:

Source: etsy.com via Melany on Pinterest

I think it kinda looks like granny squares and I love granny squares.

Yeah, fun projects!!

Wrap it up - fabric style

A few weeks ago, I had a gift to give to a friend.

I had no wrapping paper - boo.

But here's the thing about being a super creative crafty person ...

... in the boxes and boxes of supplies that you have there is always something that makes pretty packaging.

Grab some fabric and wrap it around the present.

Then grab another strip of fabric and make a bow.

Cutesy cute :-)

It's been a long time

Lots of new happenings in life and lots of good change.  A new job and new home have definitely kept life interesting.

I am really appreciating the space that my new home has given to craft, cook, and garden.  Good times :-)

I like using dry erase markers to write encouraging things on my mirror.  Have two huge closet door mirrors is awesome :-)

I started a painting.  Still trying to figure out what I want to write on it:

I am excited to see if I have a green thumb.  Rosemary, and basil, and lavendar ... oh my :-)

I finally have some succulents.  They are so cute!

Christmas gift - Photo transfer onto wood

Now that Christmas is over and everyone is enjoying their gifts, I can share some of the gifts that I made for Christmas.

I made a photo transfer onto to wood for my parents.  I used the following video as a guide and I really enjoyed my first time using gesso.

Source: youtube.com via Melany on Pinterest

I did not have any pictures of myself so I took my camera into the bathroom, used a shelf to put my camera on, and the shower curtain as the backdrop.  It made me laugh, but since I was doing black and white, I figured that it would not matter :-)

I started with this:

After a few minor adjustments, I wound up printing off this:

And then there was my sister's photo.  I emailed her and asked her to send me some pictures.  The following is what she sent me:

Are you laughing?  

Because I am :-)  

While these photos are completely representative of my sister, they were not exactly what I was looking for to make a Christmas gift for my parents.  

PS - isn't it funny what complete opposites my sister and I are :-)  I love her so much!!!!!!

So, with not much to select from, I knew that I had to take matters into my own hands :-) and luckily Facebook saved the day.  I just looked through the pics of my sis that others had posted and found this nice one from my mom:

After some cropping and minor tweaks, I had this:

Much more like what I was asking for :-)  

I love you Demi ;-)

I followed the video and came up with this:

Not so bad for my first time doing a photo transfer - and my parents LOVED it.  Yeah!  Merry Christmas Mom and Dad.