One hour kindle case

Using slip stitch to seam the top. Perfect little case for my new toy

Oak and Lime on Pinterest

Check out my Pinterest board of crafts and hacks I have tried and completed. Comments, repins welcome!
http://www.pinterest.com/oakandlime/oak-and-lime/

Well I failed

 I only made it 7 days on my September pinterest challenge. Life kind of got in the way and  I wasnt able to keep my commitment. I hope in the next months=, things will cool down and I will be able to add more to this blog. Any suggestion  of a cute blog name are welcome!

September Pinterest challenge - day 7 - folding fitted sheets

I'm sure you have seen it everywhere on Pinterest but I had to search on YouTube for a demo on how to fold. 

I am more of a visual learner and couldn't     Figure out the pins. Here was my first attempt. 

Ok but not anything they showed on Pinterest. I have it another try and went a bit slower and was happier with the results. 

Happy pinning!

September Pinterest challenge - day 6 - double pony

I have the hardest time growing my curly hair and found a pin to fake a longer pony tail. It tells you to make a high pony with about 75 % of your hair and make another pony with the remaining hair about 2-3 inches below the top pony. Here is my before and after, you decide.

September Pinterest challenge - day 5 - stain remover

I've seen this post all over Pinterest about using dawn soap and hydrogen peroxide as a stain remover. I was skeptical about it until I gave it a try. Use 2 parts hydrogen peroxide to one part dawn soap, mix them together in a spray bottle. Spray the affected area and let sit for about 10 minutes and then wipe the area with a cloth and voila!

September Pinterest Challenge - Day 3 - Easy tote

 As throw back to my first sewing project I decided to make an everyday tote from some pretty sweet fabric I found at Beverley's. Here is a simple tutorial for this bag I got off Pinterest: http://schwurlie.blogspot.com/2011/07/tutorial-super-easy-tote-bag.html

 Below see my inspiration and then my new bag.

September Pinterest Challenge - Day 2 - Borax tub scrub

 I have seen many post talking about Borax as this miracle cleaner. I happen to have some Borax and decided to try a few on the  uses for it from this blog, http://www.cleanmama.net/2013/07/cleaning-with-borax-11-simple-recipes-free-printable.html

 My first attempt was to clean my toilet bowl with a 1/4 cup of borax in the bowl. Let it sit for 30 minutes and then scrub away. Granted it worked, but I didn't see a difference between using that and a regular toilet bowl cleaner.

 The other Borax recipe I tried was to clean my bath tub. The box/blog said to sprinkle Borax and then scrub away with a bit of water. I was really hoping this would work, since I haven't been able to get my tub totally clean before.  Unfortunately I didn't see much of a difference after my scrub. I plan to use another Borax recipe with the addition of white vinegar and soap. Check out my before and after of my tub scrub!

Before Borax Scrub

After Borax Scrub

Septemebr Pinterest Challenge - Day 1 - Cheap Jewlery Tarnish

 I quick pin to start the mont of right. I got the inspiration for this pin from my life cheats board. It said that if you spray your cheap jewelry with clear acrylic it will help it from tarnishing quickly.  I used modge podge clear acrylic spray a a new piece of cheapy jewelry. I put a layer on each side and let it dry. I dont know if it will tarnish quick or not, but I will update the status by the end of the month. Happy pinning!

September Pinterest challenge

This month I am going to attempt to make or do one of my Pinterest pins. I will post pictures here and on my Pinterest board. 

State Sting Art

The inspiration

Materials - Less that $10

• scrap wood
• paint ( I used spray paint I had on hand)
• embrodery floss
• 1 inch nails (100 pack is an easy find)
• Hammer 
• Printout of the state you wish to use

I had been seeing this all over pinterest lately. Taking a cut out of your home state and  creating a nail outline and linking the  sting to each other. Originally I planned to make a heart around the bay area (where I am from) and attach all the sting to there.

Unfortunately I decided to hammer that part in last after I did the outline. I could not get a good angle with the hammer so I eventually gave up and decided to take a more abstract direction. My only advice to someone who planst to do this, start witht he heart first.

So here is the final project.  It was a fun project I was able to finish in one evening and I think it would make a wonderful gift.

 California Sting Art

Oilcloth clutch

Mini wine cork board

Materials needed
- corks (about 15)
- ruler
- push pins

iPad case

I have an iPad for work but it has this huge bulky case, I needed something smaller to hold the iPad when I go out for event. This tutorial work for  and tablet, just make sure you measure it correctly

Here is the materials I used:

• Felt 2 sheets : $0.29 each
• Fabric: $4/yrd
• Self adhesive Velcro: $1

Total cost: $5.58

Thanks so much cheaper than one yo get in the store!

I place the ipad on my main fabric and cut  the width of the ipad plus 1 inch on each side. For the length  I cut the height of the ipad times 2 plus about 6 inches for the hem and the flap.

I cut a second smaller piece to make the backing to the flap. I curved the edges for that envelope type feel. I first sewed the flap and then iron on the Velcro  Be sure to check that the Velcro lines up.

Next pined the felt to the inside of the main fabric  (doing all this inside out to hide the sewing) I sewed the body of the  case with a zig-zag pattern for extra cuteness. Aft the body was sewn I sewed all the way around the opening to secure the felt.  For next time I would sew this first since it was a pain in the butt to do it after the body was already put together.

Bottle Cap Magnets

This is a project I have done quite a few times. So this time I taught my friend Serenity how to make them. This is a a great craft that takes about and hour to make and about 24 to set.

Materials used

• Bottle caps $0 ( I used ones I had saved)
• Maps and scrapbook paper for the images $.25-1 ( found the maps at a thrift store and had the paper on hand from a previous project)
• Modge Podge;  On hand or $8ish from a craft store
• Diamond Glaze by Modge Podge; on hand or about $6 at Michaels
• 1" circular punch or sciccors to cut images; on hand or $9 at a craft store. (I purchased a Fiskars circular punch from Amazon for $7.50
• Small magnets; on hand or at Michaels $2
• Gorilla glue or super glue; on hand or $2-7
• paint brush; on hand

Total cost between $ 1-26 

Once you have all the materials you can make a whole punch of these as gifts

How to

Once you have picked out the images you would like to use, CUT IT UP with the 1" circular punch or scissor. Beware of you use scissors, check that you are able to fit the image inside the cap, the circular punch is a perfect fit.

Using the modge podge paint the back of your image and place firmly into the bottle cap, let dry.

Once it is dry, add a generous layer of modge podge to the top of the image, sealing it in the cap. IMPORTANT: make sure the image is covered in Modge podge or the Diamond glaze may ruin the image when dry.

Let the second layer completely dry. Using the diamond glaze pour one continuous stream of glaze into the cap, trying not to create bubbles. Use a sharp need to pop and bubbles that may occur. Once you have pour, lay caps on a flat surface and allow them to dry for 24 hours

You will know when they are dry when the image is clearly seen through the glaze. Glue the magnet on the back with a small amount of gorilla glue or super glue. Let dry and Voila, cute and personal magnets to share with friends and family.

Big Score at the Fabric Store

This weekend, I went on a hunt for affordable fabric to do some projects. We headed to a not so glamourous side Oakland, looking for some deals. The first place was an interesting experience, all the fabric was pre cut and very random. After talking to the shop owner, I found out they get all their product from factory floors as let over scrap. For $6 I got enough jersey knit to make some super comfy pjs and a few yards of random spandex for who knows what. 

The second place was a gold mind. I got fabric to make pjs for my dad (this will be my first attempt at pjs) I also go fabric to finally make pillows for my couch. I also got some more fabric to make another infinity scarf!

I havent started any projects yet but here are the links to what I am thinking.  Hope they turn out!

Happy crafting!

• Napkin Folded Pillowcase
• PJ Pants
• Floral Infinity!

Flats that really sparkle

A while back I was cleaning out my closet and found an old pair of flats, instead of tossing them into the donation pile, I decided to pinch some pennies and reup  these flats into sparklers. It may look like it costs alot but once you have all the materials,  you can make more for friends and family!

Materials needed:

Plain flats ( I got mine from Target) $14.99 or less

Glitter: $3.00
Matte Modge Podge $5.99 
Foam Paint Brush $1.00
Paper plate: $0
Clear Glaze Spray (on hand or an extra layer of modge podge will do) $0
Newspaper to keep things tidy

Total Cost: $24.98 or less!

1. Using the plate, modge podge, gliter and brush;  With the brush, mix the equal parts of modge podge and glitter. 

2. Once you have a good mix going (use your best judgement, a little extra glitter never hurt) paint a layer of you glitter mix on your flats.

3. Do the same to the other shoes

4. Let dry. You know when it is dry when the modge podge turns clear

5. Repeat sets 2 and 3 until you have successfully covered the flats.

6. Once it is completely dry at a few sprays of Clear glaze (I used Mod Podge ® Acrylic Sealer - Super Gloss, 11 oz.) 

Voila, turn head when you struct in style!

Before:                                                                           After: 

RickRack Ring

I got the tutorial  for this fun little gem at theribbonretreat

Material needed

1 yard of Rick Rac Ribbon (I used 3/4) $1.50 for 2 yard
Hot Glue (on hand) $0
Ring, Pendant or Pin to attach flower: $0.50-3.00
Scissors  (on hand)

Total cost to bling a ring: $2.00

One Hour Infinity Scarf

I got the inspiration  for this quick thifty craft from killthemwithcraftiness.


Materials needed:

2 yards of fabric (on hand or from the fabric store)
Scissors (on hand )
Pins (on hand)
Iron (on hand)
Sewing Machine or needle and thread (on hand)

Total Cost: $0

Check out the tutorial for this fun, fashionably scarf here: killthemwithcraftiness.


In the future I hope to start adding my own tutorials! Just have to remember to take pictures of my progress!

Happy Crafting

To craft or not to craft

I have been toying with this idea of starting a craft blog. I love crafts, do them almost every day. I want to share my projects, triumphs and misadventures with fellow crafters.

I may not be a fashionista but I am proud of the things I make and want to share them with you all.

A little background on me:

I great up in the San Francisco Bay Area and currently reside in in Oakland, with my sewing machine and glitter collection. I have been knitting  and crafting since high school. I received my first sewing machine last month and have been obsessed.

I hope  you enjoy this, feel inspired, give honest opinions and learn to appreciate the art of handmade crafts

lovelove
Jessi