Tutoral: Altered Trinket Box with Faux Wood Grain

This Altered Trinket Box is a great (inexpensive) project for those that what to learn how to "alter" things.  I've made sure to add in many small details that will help you obtain this great vintage look!!

Let's get to the tutorial!!

SUPPLIES

Paper Mache Trinket Box

Hymnal Pages or Sheet Music

Acrylic Craft Paints (browns, black, & gold)

Gloss Decoupauge Medium

Lace (optional)

Miscellaneous decorations (optional)

Step 1: DECOUPAGE & AGE OUTSIDE TOP

Cover the box top's outside using thin pages of music, such as old hymnal pages.

Note: If you don't have old hymnals or sheet music available, another great option would be old sewing pattern paper.

Using a fine mist bottle, spray the decoupauged top with an aging/distressing ink.

Gently wipe away the excess and cover any missed areas and let dry.

Step 2: DECORATE INSIDE THE TOP

Cut a piece of music to fit inside the top.  If you're anything like me, this will come out sorta "wonky".

To cover any cutting mishaps and to hide the paper mache, paint the inside rim with dark brown acrylic craft paint.

Using a strong tacky glue, glue lace to the inside edge of the box top.  Set aside to dry completely.

Step 3: PAINT A FAUX WOOD GRAIN

I didn't care for the paper mache's appearance so I decided to create a faux wood grain on the bottom part of the box.

Paint a coat of light/medium brown over your entire surface.

Add a tiny bit of gold onto a foam brush, dab off the excess until the bruss is almost dry, then gently dry brush the gold paint onto the surface very sparingly and always in the same direction..

Repeat the dry brush technique using a medium/dark brown, then black, then light/medium brown again.

To finish the look and to seal the outside of the box, just add a couple coats of glossy decoupage medium.  In my opinion this gives the faux wood grain a varnished type of look!!

Note: I chose to add little wooden feet to my trinket box, but this is totally optional.

Step 4: PAINT THE INSIDE OF THE BOX

Paint a couple coats of gold (or other color) acrylic craft paint over the inside of the box. Seal with decoupage medium.

I think the trinket box looks great at this stage, so you may choose to leave it as is.

However, I chose to decorate the top so I've included those instructions as well - just keep reading!

Step 5: FOWER WITH MUSIC LEAVES

(optional)

Find a paper flower with a realitively long stem.

Cut the flower's stem to the desired length, but do not throw away the extra stem!

Cut 2 leaf shapes out of sheet music and glue them back to back over one end of the excess stem.

Using a strong tacky glue, attach the flower stem to the leaf stem.

Decoupauge over the attachment point to seal.

Step 6: DECORATE TOP

Gather up miscellaneous items to use on your top.  I used cheesecloth, my paper flower, buttons, a decorated puzzle piece, old stamps, an old key, and a filigree finding.

If you choose to add cheesecloth, just decoupauge it to the top before you add your other embellishments.

Layout your items before gluing them down to make sure you're happy with their placement.

Once you find a layout you like, simply glue them down using a strong non-yellowing tacky glue.

FINISHED!!

Thanks for reading!! Until next time...

Version: Quick Fabric Covered Magnets

Talk about a super quick, really rewarding craft project!!  Today I'm going to show you how to make these Quick Fabric Covered Magnets in under 5 minutes!!

When using another blog's tutorial as inspiration, I always want to take a moment to tell you about that blog and the original tutorial. I just think that's the right thing to do, don't you?

Today's project was created based on the

Fabric Magnet Tutorial over at The Life of Jennifer Dawn.

Jennifer is a super sweet woman whose blog, The Life of Jennifer Dawn, is super family friendly!!  She has a bunch of great tutorials and inspirational projects for you to browse through.

If you don' t have time to make many crafts, you should check out her Etsy shop, Bluebird Cottage Designs.  

I thought that Jennifer's Fabric Magnet Tutorial was such a great idea, I just had to come up with my own version!!  The two biggest changes you'll see in my version is that I sewed my fabric around the wooden shapes, rather than glue them.  Also, I used super cheap wooden shapes that I purchased at Michael's in a bag of a few hundred pieces for just $5!!

At the end of the tutorial, I will explain the adjustments you'll need to make in order to cover square/rectangle and heart shapes with fabric.  They can be a bit tricky so be sure to read these "adjustments".

Here's the Quick Fabric Covered Magnets Tutorial...

SUPPLIES

Wood Shapes

Fabric

Felt

Magnets

Glue

Hot glue & glue gun

Step 1: PREP FABRICS

Cut Fabric: Cut pieces of  fabric about 1/2"-3/4" larger than the wooden shape.

Cut Felt Backing: Trace your wooden shape onto felt in coordinating colors and cut out.

Step 2: COVER WOODEN SHAPE

Stitch Edges: Sew a loose running stitch around the edge of the shape.

Cinch Fabric:  Place the wooden shape in the center of the fabric and cinch the fabric around the shape.

Tie a knot to hold the fabric tight around the wooden shape.

Step 3: GLUE FELT BACKING

Using tacky glue, attach the felt to the back of the fabric-covered wood piece.

Step 4: ADD MAGNETS

With a hot glue gun, attach a magnet to the felt side of the shape.

FINISHED!!

SQUARE SHAPE ADJUSTMENTS

Trim the corners of the fabric squares so that they are a bit rounded.

Follow the rest of the steps described above.

HEART SHAPE ADJUSTMENTS

Trim the bottom point of the fabric heart so that it is rounded.

Sew a running stitch around the edge of the fabric and then cinch it around the wooden heart.

Add a stitch from the bottom of the heart to the top indent and back to the bottom; pull the thread tight so the fabric fits tightly into the top indent.

Follow the rest of the steps described above.

Be sure to check out Jennifer's original Fabric Magnet Tutorial too for more great ideas!!

Thanks for reading!!  Until next time...

Version: Framed Heart Button Art

It's not too early to start working on Valentine's Day projects is it?!?  If it is, oh well!! I went ahead and did it anyway!! hehehe

In this post, I'll show you how I made this Framed Heart Button Art!!  Pretty nifty, huh?!?

When using another blog's tutorial, I always want to take a moment to tell you about that blog and the original tutorial. I just think that's the right thing to do, don't you?

Today's project was created by following the 

Button Ghost and Pumpkin tutorial over at A Pumpkin and a Princess.

Crystal is super creative and does a great job with her blog, A Pumpkin and a Princess!!  Her blog is packed full of crafty tutorials, delicious recipes, decorating ideas, storage & organizational tips, and much more!!  You gotta see this blog!!

When I found the Button Ghost and Pumpkin tutorial at A Pumpkin and a Princess, I knew I had to give it a try!!  Here's what Crystal's button art looked like...

I'd never made button art before, but Crystal made it look so easy!!  Since Halloween was long gone, I decided to use a heart as my button art image.  I also decided to decorate my frame a bit!!  Here's the tutorial for my version...

SUPPLIES

$1 Wooden frame

Old book pages & sheet music

Acrylic craft paint

Burlap

Cardstock (matches burlap)

Various sized buttons

Glue

Decoupage medium

Paint brush

Step 1: PREP FRAME

Remove the frame backing, glass, and anything else that came inside. You can get rid of the glass, but keep the backing.

Step 2: COVER FRAME

Cover Frame: Decoupage torn pieces of old book pages onto the frame, covering the entire front side and overlapping onto the inside and outside edges.

Note: You do not need to completely cover the inside and outside edges of the frame because you'll be painting over them shortly.

Add Accents: Add torn strips of sheet music to accent the frame.

Step 3: PAINT FRAME EDGES

Paint the inside and outside edges of the frame with two coats of acrylic craft paint.

Step 4: PREP BACKGROUND MATERIALS

Trace & Cut: Trace the frame's backing onto your burlap and a coordinating sheet of cardstock.  Cut them out. 

Glue Together: Glue the burlap onto the cardstock, making sure to line up your edges.

Place in Frame: Put the burlap/cardstock sheet in the frame with the burlap side facing out and replace the frame's backing.

Step 5: TRACE SHAPE

Trace your desired shape onto the burlap using a pencil.

Note: Make sure you choose an image that is very basic!  Choosing a complex image will be hard to make out when it's covered in buttons.

Step 6: ADD BUTTONS

Before gluing any buttons down, you will want to plan them in advance.

Place 5-8 buttons onto your shape, making sure there are no large gaps in the image.

Once you have figured out where they're going to go, glue them in place.

Cover your entire shape with buttons.

FINISHED!!

Real quick, I want to show you the first image I tried turning into button art.

This was supposed to be two hearts side by side, but ended up looking like an upside-down bikini top!!  Since it was so hard to see, I decided to re-do it as just the one heart.  So when I said, "Choosing a complex image will be hard to make out when it's covered in buttons.", I knew what I was talking about!!

Anyway, I hope you like this tutorial!!  Be sure to look at the original tutorial,  Button Ghost and Pumpkin tutorial, over at A Pumpkin and a Princess!!  There are a few differences in our tutorials, not to mention Crystal's blog just rocks and you need to check it out!!

Thanks for reading!! Until next time...

Version: Cell Phone Pocket

I have a fun and easy Cell Phone Pocket tutorial for you today that I think you're going to enjoy!!

When using another blog's tutorial, I always want to take a moment to tell you about that blog and the original tutorial.  I just think that's the right thing to do, don't you?

Today's project was created based on the original

Cell Phone Pocket Tutorial over at Fireflies and Jellybeans.

I must say that I have a great respect for Fawnda and Jeannine, the bloggers behind Fireflies and Jellybeans.   They've put together such a great craft blog that's packed full of great crafty ideas!!  I love to browse their collection over 140 tutorials!!

If you're addicted to linky parties like me, you need to add Show Off Your Stuff to your list of parties to link up to on Wednesdays!!  Each week, there are 3 categories to add your post links to - Sewing & Crafts, DIY & Home Decor, and Recipes.


When  I first saw the Cell Phone Pocket Tutorial on Fireflies and Jellybeans, I knew I had to make one!!  I just loved the simplicity of the project and the different ways you could "wear" it.  I mean, seriously, take a look at the image below and tell me that doesn't inspire you to make one!!

The original tutorial calls for a sewing machine and pinking sheers, which meant it was a no-go for me.  Then I thought of different ways I could tweak the project into a hand-sewn version that didn't require the pinking sheers!!  Here's the tutorial for my hand-sewn version...

SUPPLIES

Felt in desired colors

Velcro

Lace fabric

Lace Trim

Button

Embroidery floss

Fabric glue

Step 1: PREP POCKET FORM

Here are the original instructions on the dimensions for your felt pocket pieces:

1 rectangle of main color (about an inch wider and longer than your cell phone or Ipod)

1 rectangle + strap of main color (the rectangle is the same size as the other one - the strap is 1.5 inches by 5 inches - it should be all one piece)

Sew or stick-on your Velcro pieces to the top of both pieces (as shown above).

Step 2: CUT OUT APPLIQUE PIECES

Trace and cut out your pattern in both felt and the lace fabric.

Note: I used the template found HERE.

 Step 3: SEW APPLIQUE

Cut a 3rd piece of felt in your main color that is about 1" shorter and narrower than the smaller pocket form felt piece.

Place your lace piece on top of the felt applique and then using a blanket stitch, sew both pieces at once onto the center of the 3rd piece of felt.

Step 4: ADD LACE TRIM

Using your fabric glue, attach your lace trim under the entire edge of the appliqued felt piece.

Step 5: ATTACH TO POCKET FRONT 

Using a back-stitch, sew the lace-trimmed, appliqued piece to the front of the pocket form (smaller felt pocket piece).

Step 6: BLANKET STITCH POCKET

Blanket stitch around the bottom and two sides of your pocket form.  Do not sew the top, because you won't be able to put your cell phone in it!!

Step 7: ADD BUTTON (optional)

If you want disguise your Velcro closure to look like a button one, just sew a button on the front of the strap.

 FINISHED!!

Be sure to check out the Cell Phone Pocket tutorial over at Fireflies and Jellybeans so you can see how they made the original!!

Thanks for reading!! Until next time...