DIY French Label Towel

Hello everyone!

Today I am sharing a DIY French Label Towel.  I love French decor!  Do you?

 

DIY Glossy White Vase

Hello everyone!

Do you have a clear vase at home that's in need of a facelift?  Here's an idea of how you can turn it from bleak to chic with some paint!



This vase sits on my desk in my office.  Behind the vase is my inspiration board where I keep pictures of my family, magazine pics, fabric clippings ect.

Supplies:

- Clear vase

- 1 small can of white oil paint - Wallmart.  The reason I used oil paint is because it's more durable than latex.  I used paint in a can, not spray paint, since it's easier to get to the bottom of my tall vase and covers better than spray paint does.

- The cherry blossom branches were purchased at Michaels. 

- You can find similar vases to mine at TJ Maxx or Target.


Tutorial:

- Wash and dry the inside and outside of vase.

- In a ventilated area, pour white oil paint into vase: pour paint down the inside of the vase in several places to cover the vase. 

- Once paint pools at the bottom (this won't take long) turn vase upside down and allow the paint to run back towards you to cover the areas that were missed, so that the entire vase is covered. 

- Place vase upside down on several paper towels in a ventilated area.  Leave vase like this until the paint stops running out of the vase. This took about 1 day.

- When the paint is no longer running down the sides, turn the vase right side up and let dry.  This took 2 days.

- When the vase is dry you can insert branches or flowers as desired. 

I love how this vase has a glossy white appearance, which really makes the color of the cherry blossom branches pop.  Since the paint is on the inside, the glass itself makes it look super glossy!

Thanks for coming by for a visit! I'd love to hear your comments! And please, become a follower!

Linking to these fabulous parties here.

Link Party Websites

{M}* Between Naps On The Porch * Thrifty Decor Chick *  Skip To My Lou *  Home Stories A to Z * 3 Mango Seeds * How to nest for less * Ivy and Elephants * Inspired By Felicity *   Cherished Bliss *

{T}  * Night Owl Crafting *  Coastal Charm * My Uncommon Slice Of Suburbia *  Mommy By Day Crafter by Night * Tip Junkie * Trophy Wife *
Measured By The Heart * Blue Cricket Design *  Our Delightful Home * Savvy Southern Style * A Bowl Full of Lemons * The DIY Dreamer * Organize an Decorate Everything * Cheap Crafty Mama *

{W}  * Blue Cricket Design  * Fireflies and Jellybeans * Shabby Creek Cottage * Beyond the Picket Fence *   Bear Rabbit Bear *   Home Happy Home * Someday crafts *  Fireflies and Jellybeans * The 36th Avenue * http://somedaycrafts.blogspot.com/  * Newlyweds * Savvy Southern Style * Night Owl Crafting * Grits and Giggles *

{TH}* Delightful Order* A Glimpse Inside  *  The Crafty Blogstalker * Made In a Day  * Somewhat Simple* A Little Knick Knack* House of Hepworth's
 * Chic on a Shoestring * 52 Mantels * The Taylor House * Kitchen Fun with my 3 Sons *

{F}*  French Country Cottage *  At the Picket Fence * Serenity Now * The Shabby Nest * Tatertots and Jello * Chic On A Shoestring Decorating *
Nutmeg Place * Lolly Jane Boutique * Too Much Time * Addicted 2 Decorating * The Grant Life * The Rooster and The Hen * Classy Clutter * Craft Envy * 504 Main *

{Sat}* Be Different Act Normal * Nifty Thrifty Things * I heart naptime * The Sweet Talk Shop * Funky Junk Interiors *  Twigg Studios *  A Rosie Sweet Home *Its Overflowing *

{Sun}* DIY Showoff * The girl creative * By Stephanie Lynn * My 1929 Charmer Blog * Embellishing Life Everyday * Alderberry Hill *
Homemaker On A Dime * Delectable Home * Everything Under The Moon *  Addicted to Recipes * Vintage Mauve *

Bloggosphere Inspirational DIY Projects #1

Hello everyone!

Here  are some of the amazing DIY's and makeovers I found in blogland this week:

Furniture DIY's:

Blue dresser via Primitive and Proper

Painted and Stained Dresser via Designing Domesticity

Restoration Hardware Inspired End Table via From Gardeners Two Bergers

  

Modernized Dixie Nighstand via Fab Rehab Creations

French Provincial Table Painted and Glazed via Vintage Farmhouse

Painted Dresser at Emily's Upcycled Furniture

Union Jack Coffee Table via Domestic Imperfection

Room Transformations:

Office Reveal via Creatively Living

 

Kitchen makeover via Note Songs

Kitchen makeover via Decorating Cents

Other Inspiration:

Alternative ways to use wallpaper via Mom Of All Trades

Lavender Bath Salts via Carolyn's Homework

Thanks for coming by for a visit! I'd love to hear your comments! And please, become a follower!

Linking to these fabulous parties here.

Link Party Websites

{M}* Between Naps On The Porch * Thrifty Decor Chick *  Skip To My Lou *  Home Stories A to Z * 3 Mango Seeds * How to nest for less * Ivy and Elephants * Inspired By Felicity *   Cherished Bliss *

{T}  * Night Owl Crafting *  Coastal Charm * My Uncommon Slice Of Suburbia *  Mommy By Day Crafter by Night * Tip Junkie * Trophy Wife *
Measured By The Heart * Blue Cricket Design *  Our Delightful Home * Savvy Southern Style * A Bowl Full of Lemons * The DIY Dreamer * Organize an Decorate Everything * Cheap Crafty Mama *

{W}  * Blue Cricket Design  * Fireflies and Jellybeans * Shabby Creek Cottage * Beyond the Picket Fence *   Bear Rabbit Bear *   Home Happy Home * Someday crafts *  Fireflies and Jellybeans * The 36th Avenue * http://somedaycrafts.blogspot.com/  * Newlyweds * Savvy Southern Style *

{TH}* Delightful Order* A Glimpse Inside  *  The Crafty Blogstalker * Made In a Day  * Somewhat Simple* A Little Knick Knack* House of Hepworth's
 * Chic on a Shoestring * 52 Mantels * The Taylor House * Kitchen Fun with my 3 Sons *

{F}*  French Country Cottage *  At the Picket Fence * Serenity Now * The Shabby Nest * Tatertots and Jello * Chic On A Shoestring Decorating *
Nutmeg Place * Lolly Jane Boutique * Too Much Time * Addicted 2 Decorating * The Grant Life * The Rooster and The Hen * Classy Clutter * Craft Envy * 504 Main *

{Sat}* Be Different Act Normal * Nifty Thrifty Things * I heart naptime * The Sweet Talk Shop * Funky Junk Interiors *  Twigg Studios *  A Rosie Sweet Home *

{Sun}* DIY Showoff * The girl creative * By Stephanie Lynn * My 1929 Charmer Blog * Embellishing Life Everyday * Alderberry Hill *
Homemaker On A Dime * Delectable Home * Everything Under The Moon *  Addicted to Recipes * Vintage Mauve *

DIY Beaded Sunburst Mirror

 

Do you love Sunburst Mirrors as much as I do?

I repurposed a ceiling medallion and made my own:

DIY Beaded Sunburst Mirror!



DIY Cup Cozy

Thank you for all of the wonderful compliments on my DIY Cup Cozy that I blogged about here!  As promised today I am sharing the tutorial with you.

 

 

 

My coffee mug is sitting on these easy DIY Coasters I made recently too!

 

DIY Coaster tutorial here.

 

If you love this paper as much as I do you may want to take a peak at how I used it to make this DIY Beaded Starburst Mirror!

 

…..now back to the Cup Cozy Tutorial!

 

I really love how this cozy turned out and I just adore these beautiful vintagy buttons!  I think they really look gorgeous paired with the taupe color of this yarn.

 

 

I purchased 4 of the Latte mugs at Target last week.  I love the tall Latte size and the raised white beaded pattern too!

 

This Cup Cozy uses a knitting stitch called the ‘Seed Stitch’.  You can find many videos on the internet and Youtube for help.  To learn to knit and to learn knitting stitches I recommend you check out these sites:  Youtube,  Knitting Help, and The Knitting Site.  I taught myself how to knit a number of years ago from reading a beginner's knitting book since I am a picture person.  There are many great books available at the bookstore today or check your local library.

 

Supplies for Mug Cozy:

 

Vanna's Choice Yarn, made by Lion Brand, color is 'Linen' – Michaels
                 Find other Vanna White yarn colors here.
Buttons Crystal/Silver - Michaels
Two Knitting needles size 4.5 mm (which is equal to US Size 7)
Embroidery needle
Thread to match yarn color

Tutorial:

 

Here are a few pictures to show you how to start this project and how to knit.

1.  Two Needle Cast On Method:

Take one end of the yarn about 12 inches from the end and form a pretzel shape like this.

 

 

 

Pull the yarn through the pretzel shape to form a loop like this:

 

Keep pulling until there is a tight loop.

 

 

 

 

Take the end that is attached to the ball of yarn and pull to shorten the loop.

 

Place one Knitting Needle into the loop.  Pull the loop so that it is snug onto the needle. 

 

 

Take your other needle and place it into the loop as well like this:

 

With the yarn that is attached to the ball, wrap the yarn around the needle on the right hand side like this:

 

 

Take the needle on the right hand side and use it to pull the wrapped yarn downward into a loop which you will place back on the left hand needle.  Continue until you have 14 stitches onto the needle.  This is called 'Casting On'.  You have just 'Cast On' 14 stitches! 

The reason I used 14 stitches is because 14 stitches produces a width that fits within the handle nicely....if your mug handle is smaller or wider just decrease your stitches or increase your stitches to get the correct width.

For more help to learn how to 'Cast On', go to this great website called The Knitting Site.  View the pictures and video showing each step here for the "Two Needle Cast On Method".  As well, there are many great demos of knitting stitches on the web and youtube!

 

2.  Now begin the seed stitch:

This seed stitch is: one knit stitch followed by one purl stitch. 

These two knitting stitches are continued like this: knit 1, purl 1, knit 1 purl 1 ect until you have completed all 14 stitches.

To learn the knit stitch go to this link.

To learn the purl stitch go to this link.

 

Continue knitting the seed stitch for each row until it is long enough for your mug.  To determine the right length, just place the knitted strip onto the mug and make it long enough so the ends meet. 

 

Now keep knitting rows of seed stitch until you have added an extra half inch to the length of your cozy (to create the overlap part).

3.  Buttonholes:

In the next row and still using the seed stitch, create two buttonholes for your buttons.  Here is a Youtube video on how to make a 3 stitch buttonhole.  Knit the buttonholes so that they are evenly spaced across the row.

4.  Now knit three more rows of seed stitch.

5.  Cast Off all the stitches:

To complete your cozy you need to remove and fasten off the stitches from the needle.  This is called 'Casting Off'.  To learn how to 'Cast Off' your yarn go to this link.

6.  Cut the yarn 6 inches form the endo foyour cozy to leave a tail.

7.   Attach the 2 buttons.  With thread the same color as the yarn, sew on the buttons so they line up with the button holes.

8.  Now all you have to do is weave in the beginning tail of yarn and the end tail of yarn with the embroidery needle.  Watch this Youtube video to learn how.

9.  You are done – give yourself a big pat yourself on the back! 

If these instructions just sound like crazy nonsense to you (I apologize!), I suggest you buy or borrow a knitting book and just start practicing.  As well you might be able to find a knitting class at your local yarn shop or college/highschool.  Some cities/towns have informal knitting groups that meet at the library or at coffee shops, which would be a great resource for help.  Check your newspapers for advertisements.  Hope this helps!

 

I think I will make some more for my sisters and girlfriends! 

 

 

Psst!!  Check out my Mother’s Day Project Gallery  - 16 fun projects to make for Mom (that she'll love!)

 

 

This Project was featured here:

 

 

 

 

                                                                    Cherished Bliss

 

 

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* Thank you SO much for coming by for a visit! I love to hear all of your comments! *

Heather

Written by Heather at Setting for Four

Setting for Four is a home design, décor and lifestyle blog. Focus is on home renovations, crafts, DIYs, tutorials, recipes, as well as family friendly design and decorating ideas that won't break the bank or sacrifice style.

You can find Setting for Four on Google+

Technorati Tags: diy,Tutorial,Knitting projects,Craft,Mirror,Coasters,Cup Cozy

 

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