Sea Glass/Aquarium Pebble Owl Mosaic Canvas

 Today's post is going to be another DIY craft project of mine:  a mosaic owl on canvas, made with sea glass & aquarium pebbles.

(Image by Etsy on their website {https://img0.etsystatic.com/020/0/7786111/il_340x270.483537702_1pgr.jpg}.)

In order to complete this project, you will need:

• Any Size Canvas You Like
• Flat-Sided Aquarium Marbles
• Assorted Aquarium Gravel/Stones
• Mod Podge Craft Glue
• A Sponge Brush
• A Pencil
  
  Canvases can cost about $3 or $4, depending on where you purchase them.  Mine is from Ollie's Bargain Outlet.
  
  
  Flat-Sided Aquarium Marbles and Aquarium Gravel/Stones can be found at a variety of retailers such as, craft stores, pet stores, Walmart, etc.  Bags of each are usually about $2-$3 apiece.
  
  
  Mod Podge comes in a variety of sizes, but for a project this size, the bottle you need is only about $4.  You can find this at Walmart or any craft retailer.
  
  
  Sponge Brushes are easy to find at just about any retailer.  I purchased mine in a package of about 10 at Dollar Tree for $1. 



I first made a rough sketch on my canvas of what I wanted my image to look like.

Next, I used my sponge brush & Mod Podge craft glue to dab along my sketch.  I then took randomly chosen pebbles for the body, flat-sided marbles for the wings, and sea glass for the face & tail and adhered them to the  canvas.

I repeated this process until my owl's entire body was covered with the various stones & pebbles.


Then, I used my sponge brush & Mod Podge to paint a layer of craft glue all over the entire project & canvas.  As with several of my other canvases, this not only helps to set and secure all the pebbles andstones , but it leaves the piece with a nice, glossy shine once it's dried.








Voila!  You Have a Sea Glass/Aquarium Pebble Owl Mosaic Canvas!
Thank You & Enjoy!

Fancy Stencil Carved Pumpkins

In honor of the Halloween season, I thought it might be a nice idea to post some tips & tricks for DIY stencil carved jack-o-lantern pumpkins.

(Image by Indian Country on their website {http://d1jrw5jterzxwu.cloudfront.net/sites/default/files/uploads/2011/10/Pumpkin-Patch-.jpg}.)

You'll first need to choose your desired stencil design for your jack-o-lantern.  You can find a large selection of free, printable stencils online just by googling.  In addition to online patterns, most retailers now sell stencil books, paired with pumpkin carving/stenciling tools for $1-$2, all the way up to $10, depending on how fancy or intricate you want your design to be.

(Image by Cartoon Jr. on their website {http://www.cartoonjr.com/hello-kitty-pumpkin-stencils/hello-kitty-halloween-pumpk/}.)

Next You'll Need:

• A Pumpkin
• A Pencil (preferable mechanical)
• Scotch Tape
• A Carving Tool
• A Spoon or Pumpkin Scoop 
• A Candle, LED Light, or Glow Sticks
  
  
  Pumpkins are easy enough to find this time of year at grocery stores, home improvement stores, and various retailers.  Depending upon the size of your pumpkin, they can range in price from approximately $3-$5
  
  Carving Tools & Scoops can be found at any retailer or grocer with a seasonal aisle.  They usually come in a package of 2 or 3 tools for about $2-$3.  A lot of times I'll stock up on these items after they've gone on clearance following Halloween, because they usually get marked down to $1 or less.
  
  

• First, you'll want to lay some newspaper or a tablecloth on your carving surface.  Then you can begin cutting around the top of your pumpkin until you're able to pull the stem off like a lid.
• Next, you'll want to begin scooping out the insides of the pumpkin & its seeds.  It's important to scoop out as much of the insides as possible, because leftover moisture inside the pumpkin can allow it to mold & rot.  You're welcome to keep the pumpkin seeds to season & bake later, or just toss them in the garbage with the other pumpkin innards.
• Once you've scooped out the insides of your pumpkin you're ready to begin poking your stencil design into it.  Now, center your stencil on your pumpkin, keeping it as flat and close to the pumpkin as possible.  While holding the stencil in place with one hand, tape it onto the pumpkin with the other.
• Some pumpkin carving kits come with small, plastic stencil punchers (like 2 of the items in the above picture), but these aren't my favorite items to use when transferring the stencil onto my pumpkin.  I prefer a mechanical pencil, and even more specifically, an old metal one with a longer, thinner tip than the plastic kind.  Once you have your pencil, begin pressing it along the dotted lines of your stencil into the pumpkin.  It is important that you only press along the dotted lines, to ensure that you're cutting where you're supposed to be in the next step.
  
  
  
• Next, take your carving tool, and carefully begin cutting along the dotted lines you made when transferring your stencil onto the pumpkin.  Continue this process until you've cut out of of the transferred stencil.  Once you've completed your cutting, your stenciled jack o' lantern is just about complete!
  
  
• Lastly, place your candle, LED light, or glow sticks into your pumpkin to illuminate your design.
  
  
  Voila!  You've created your own Fancy Stencil Carved Pumpkin!
  Thank You & Enjoy!

Decoden Customized Cell Phone Cases

This summer I wandered upon the magical world of Japanese-style decorated phone cases, better known as Decoden (loosely translated as decorated phone.)  I became mesmerized by all of the different styles, characters, colors, & accessories that decorate these phone cases. 

(Image by Etsy on their website {https://www.etsy.com/search/handmade?q=decoden+phone+case&order=most_relevant&page=2}.)

Just to illustrate that I'm not the only person obsessed with these wacky creations, the image below shows that Etsy currently has 3,412 search results for the terms, "decoden phone case."

(Image by Etsy on their website {https://www.etsy.com/search/handmade?q=decoden+phone+case}.)

Shortly after I ordered myself one from the website, Etsy, I became curious if I would be able to make my own, customized just how I'd like them.  After reading a couple of blogs & watching some YouTube tutorials, I began making them myself.  Over the past few months I've made close to 35 cases for friends & myself.  Here is a glimpse of some of them:

You Will Need:

• A Hard, Plastic Phone Case
• DAP Brand Acrylic Silicone Latex Caulk
• Any Color of Acrylic Paint (for your icing)
• Cabochons (the fun, assorted accessories to decorate your case)
• A Piping Bag or Similar Icing Tool with Piping Tip
• A Bowl & Spoon
• Sandpaper
  
  
  Depending on the phone you're buying your case for, you can find them very cheap.  This case is for an iPhone 5, & was purchased at Dollar Tree for just $1.
  
  Caulking material can be found almost anywhere, from places like Walmart, Kmart, & Target, to hardware stores like Lowe's, Home Depot, Ace Hardware, etc.  If you're going to be making a colored icing yourself, white caulk is usually between $2-$3 per tube.
  
  Likewise, small bottles of acrylic paint can be found at just about any retailer or craft store for less than a dollar, up to $2 per bottle, depending on the brand.
  
  Cabochons can be found  in an assortment of places if you use your imagination.  You can find fun, unique pieces to use at yard sales, thrift stores, flea markets, etc.  I find most of my pieces at dollar stores & craft stores, like JoAnn's, Michael's, Pat Catan's, & Hobby Lobby.  Etsy is also an amazing place to find different accessories & pieces that you might not find in a store.
  
  Piping Bags, Tools, & Tips can be found in craft stores with baking sections, online, or even your local grocery & dollar stores.  I found this icing syringe on a clip strip in the baking aisle at Walmart for $2.97. 
  • First, you'll want to roughen the surface of your phone case with the sandpaper.  This creates a scratchy, more porous surface for our "icing" to adhere to later
    
  • Next, you will need to cut the tip off of the tube of your caulking material & squeeze enough of it into your bowl to cover the bottom of the bowl.  Then, squeeze in just a couple squirts of your desired paint color.  Too much paint will cause the caulk to become soupy; it won't hold its shape when piped & won't dry well
  •  Once your caulk has been colored with acrylic paint, spoon it into your piping bag or icing syringe & secure your piping tip
  • Begin piping your icing mixture onto the phone case
  • As you pipe your icing, begin placing your cabochons in the desired locations on your case, pressing slightly to set them, but not enough to cause the icing to ooze out from underneath them.
  • Once you've placed all your cabochons, you're basically done with your case!  Now it'll just need to sit for approximately 3 days or so, to make sure that the caulking material has fully dried
  • Voila! You've Made Your Own Custom, Homemade, Japanese-Style Decoden Phone Case. Thank You & Enjoy!

You Can Also Refer to my Facebook Decoden Page to Check Out All my Cases:
www.facebook.com/briesdecodent

Yarn & Button Tree Canvas

Keeping with my "crafty" theme, today's post is going to detail another canvas project I did between January & February of this year: a yarn & button tree!  As per usual with my DIY & craft projects, this was relatively inexpensive and easy to make.  Some of the detailing & minutia took a little bit of time to complete, along with finding time in my schedule to work on it.  If you were completing this project all at once, you could probably do so within a couple of days.

You Will Need:

• Any Size Canvas You Like
• A Pencil
• Mod Podge Craft Glue
• School Glue
• Scissors
• Yarn
• A Sponge Brush
• Buttons of Assorted Colors, Shapes, & Sizes

Canvases can cost about $3 or $4, depending on where you purchase them.  Mine is from Ollie's Bargain Outlet.

Mod Podge comes in a variety of sizes, but for a project this size, the bottle you need is only about $4.  You can find this at Walmart or any craft retailer.

Sponge Brushes are easy to find at just about any retailer.  I purchased mine in a package of about 10 at Dollar Tree for $1.  

Jars & Pouches of assorted buttons can easily be found at any craft retailer, or stores like Walmart & Tuesday Morning.  These jars and pouches are about $3-$4 for around 100+ buttons.  

I first made a rough sketch on my canvas of what I wanted my image to look like.

I then cut different lengths of yarn and began gluing them along the sketch with the school glue.

I continued this process until the entire sketch was covered in different lengths of the glued yarn.

Next, I used my sponge brush & Mod Podge craft glue to dab along my yarn branches.  I then took randomly chosen buttons and adhered them to the  canvas.

I repeated this process until all of my branches were sufficiently filled with button leaves.

Then, I used my sponge brush & Mod Podge to paint a layer of craft glue all over the entire project & canvas.  As with my puzzle piece mosaic tree, this not only helps to set and secure all the buttons and features, but it leaves the piece with a nice, glossy shine once it's dried.

Voila! You Have a Yarn & Button Tree Canvas!
Thank You & Enjoy!

Jigsaw Puzzle Mosaic Canvas

This week I'll be changing directions & posting some of my DIY crafts that I've done.

This is a jigsaw puzzle piece mosaic I did on canvas. Like my other projects, this was easier to do than one might expect, & only required a few, inexpensive items.

You Will Need:

• Any Size Canvas You Like
• Mod Podge Craft Glue
• A Sponge Brush
• A Pencil
• Assorted Jigsaw Puzzle Pieces

(Image by Kylie Keene on her blog {http://www.youngfreemaine.com/blog/diy-canvas-photograph.html}).

Canvases can cost about $3 or $4, depending on where you purchase them.  Mine is from Ollie's Bargain Outlet.

Mod Podge comes in a variety of sizes, but for a project this size, the bottle you need is only about $4.  You can find this at Walmart or any craft retailer.

Sponge Brushes are easy to find at just about any retailer.  I purchased mine in a package of about 10 at Dollar Tree for $1. 

(Image by Dollar Tree on their website {http://www.dollartree.com/toys/puzzles-games/Puzzlebug-500-Piece-Puzzles/629c623c623p305149/index.pro}).

You can find cheap, jigsaw puzzles at a variety of retail stores as well.  I bought 3 at $1 each at Dollar Tree.

• I first made a rough sketch of what I wanted my image to look like on the canvas.  
• I then used my sponge brush, dipped into the Mod Podge craft glue, and dabbed the glue along a portion of the lines of the sketch.  
• Next, I chose the appropriately colored puzzle pieces from the 3 boxes I had (licorice candy, jelly beans, & a field of tulips) & placed them onto the glue outline. 
• I simply repeated this process until I had filled in my sketch with the desired colors of puzzle pieces.  
• Once all my pieces were placed along the sketch, I used my sponge brush & Mod Podge to paint a layer of glue over top of the entire canvas.  This, not only helps to further secure and set the pieces, but it also give the canvas a glossy shine when it is dried. 

Thank You & Enjoy!

Homemade Forever Fabric Softener Dryer Sheets!

Sticking with a similar topic, today's post is going to be about making your own fabric softener sheets, which will last virtually forever, and cost about $3, depending on your personal preferences.

All you'll need for this project is a plastic container with a lid, 2 sponges, a bottle of your favorite fabric softener, & water.

 

(I purchased each of these items at the dollar store, costing me only $3!)

• Cut Your Sponges Lengthwise into Thirds
• Mix Fabric Softener & Water Together in Your Plastic Container with a 1:2 Ratio (Approximately 2 Cups of Softener & 4 Cups of Water). You Can Adjust Accordingly per the Size of Your Container
• Drop Your Sponge Strips into Your Container, so they Absorb the Mixture
• When You're Ready to Dry a Load of Laundry, Squeeze the Excess Liquid from the Strips Back into Your Container, Leaving Them a Little Damp
• Toss the Strips into Your Dryer, Followed by Your Wet Clothes
• Dry Your Clothes as You Normally Would.  Once Dried, Remove Your Clothes & Throw Your Dried Sponge Strips Back into Your Plastic Container For Next Time

 Voila! You Have "Forever" Dryer Sheets! Enjoy :)

Homemade Laundry Detergent on a Budget!

If you're like me, you're a working student with a lot on your plate, but probably not a lot of money to spend.  Over the last couple of years I've been trying out some homemade household cleaners and laundry detergents as a way to save money & stretch my products out over a longer period of time.  This is the second time I've made a batch of this detergent, and I think it's amazing.  A lot of my friends have asked for the "recipe," & have begun making it for themselves & their families also.  Depending on the frequency and amount of your clothes-washing, in my own experience, one batch of this can last you anywhere from 9 months to a year.

1 (4lb. 12 oz.) Box of Borax
1 (3lb.7 oz.) Box of Arm & Hammer Super Washing Soda (found in the laundry aisle)
1 (3lb) Container of Oxi Clean (or comparable oxi stain fighter)
2 (14.1 oz.) Bars of Zote Soap (I found this in the laundry aisle at Walmart. You can also use a soap    called Fels Naptha)
1 (4lb.) Box of Arm & Hammer Baking Soda
1-2 (55 oz.) Purex Crystals (or Downy Unstoppables)



*I mix everything in a big bucket I got from Lowe's.

It's easiest to grate the Zote Soap with a cheese grater. I bought one especially for this so I don't have to worry about having soapy cheese in the future. Other than that, all you really have to do is dump everything in the bucket & mix it. I mixed mine with my hands, and just kept folding it over until everything felt pretty well distributed. Due to the super concentration of the ingredients, you really only need a few tablespoons per load, not nearly as much as you would normally use with a powder detergent laundry scoop.  My supplies usually cost me about $30, but considering that one batch will last you nearly a year, it roughly breaks down to about $2.50 per month.