Scully's Bumper Wall

We would find Scully in the garden.

She was actually falling off the porch.

Scully 12" tall and it was a 9' drop.

So, I built Scully a bumper wall.
The wall sits on the porch.
Scully is now safe.

Thoughts

I looked at different options for blocking off the porch. Most options had some type of decorative holes. I didn't want to take a chance that Scully would get her leg caught through the holes, and
cause injury. As I walked through the super store, I saw the pool noodles, and the idea was born.

Things I Purchased From the Dollar Store

• Pool Noddles
• Brooms (Mops could also be used)
• Zip Ties

Extra Things You'll Need

• Spray Paint 
• I used RUST-OLEUN 2X Ultra Cover Paint-Primer
• Hack Saw
• Hammer
• Surface/Ground Covering

Remove Broom Sweeps and Plastic Tops,
Keep the Plastic Tops

Process - Painting

• Remove Broom sweeps and plastic tops
• Paint Pool Noodles
• Paint the metal handles of the broom
• Paint broom plastic top caps
• Paint Zip Ties

The sticker area didn't paint well                   Paint the broom poles                            Paint broom tops & zip ties         I just placed these spots down                                                                                                                                                 

Cut & paint wedges, squeeze and insert into end of pool noodle
This will keep garden visitors from building nests in there.

Process - Assemble

• I pounded the broom handles into the ground, next to porch/patio
• Loosely tie each pool noodle with the zip ties to the broom handles
• When I reached the height I want, I marked the top of the broom handles.
• Cut the broom handles with the hack saw
• Place the last pool noodle and loosely zip tie
• Replace the the plastic broom cap to the handle
• Tighten the zip ties from the bottom up

After Thoughts - 02AUG2015

I created Scully's bumper wall on 06JUN2015. It turns out the paint, even though it contains a primer, the paint is coming off the pool noodles. The garden side of the pool noodles is perfect, the paint is still intact. I am sure that people's legs and shoes are causing the paint to scrap off.  Fortunately, I have paint left over, and I just touch it up. I may in the  future try a different paint process.

Garden side paint is intact 

Porch side the paint is missing.
I think it's from legs & shoes.

Bike Pack from Fanny Pack

Bike Pack from Fanny Pack

            Bike Packs are expensive to purchase, 

then I realized they were fanny packs with Velcro straps.   

               I can make that!!

I kept the waist straps on, in case I needed to sling it over my shoulder or around my waist (cringe).

This fanny pack flimsy, so the straps are on the top.

This packs construction was sturdier so the straps were able to go lower.

Things You'll Need

• Bike
• Fanny Pack (You can pick them up at second hand shop cheap)
• Velcro
• Measure/Tape/Pins/Marking Chalk or pen
• Sewing Machine or Needle & Thread

Process

• Measure the flattest part of the handle bars, my handlebar was 5". 
• This measurement is the handle bars between the curve of the handle bars.
• Measure the circumference of the handle bars, and double it for your Velcro length.
• Measure out where the Velcro will go on pack
• Measure and cut the Velcro
• Sew the loop facing the fanny pack. (See Tips on Velcro below)
• The hook part should be facing away from the pack. (See Tips on Velcro below)
• This way the hook is folded over and will not catch on your clothing.
• Sew Velcro on pack
• Go for a bike ride with your new bike pack!!

Measure between the handle bars curves, mine is 5 inches.
This is where your fanny pack will hang. 

Measure inside of pack to find                  Fold pack in half                                 Pin center point       
the right placement for Velcro                                                                                                   

I cut 4" strips of Velcro

My Velcro strips were 2" wide, so I cut them in half.
I know they say NOT to cut Velcro lengthwise, 
but it's just a Pack for my bike. No big deal. 

Mark the each side of fanny pack from 

from your handle bar measurement.

Mine was 2 1/2" from center pin.

Mark how far into the Velcro you're going to sew, this is your stop line. This will depend on the construction of your pack and how much Velcro you need to secure it.
I did about one inch

From the outside edge marks made previously,
now marked the inside placement of the Velcro.
Pin the Velcro and sew it on.

Hook facing away from pack 

Loop facing the pack.

Sewing on the Velcro

• The placement of the Velcro depends on fanny pack structure, and how it will hang.
• You can put either the hook or loop on top or bottom, your choice.
• Use the marks on the Pack to align up the Velcro.
• Place the Hook, on the Pack with the hook laying away from the pack. Right side of pack and the wrong side of hook tape together.
• Place the Loop, opposite of the hook, with the loop facing on the pack. Right side of pack and the right side of loop tape together.
• I sewed the border of the Velcro, and then an X in the middle of the Velcro for extra security.

(I used blue and white, because it's hard to see black on black)

Tips on Velcro

In this example:

White is the Hook side.
Blue is the Loop side.

The Hook (white) should face way from the fabric.

The Loop {blue) should face the fabric.

When the ends are attached, the Hook is on the inside and the Loop is outside.
This way the Hook will not catch on your clothes, if you sling it over your shoulder or wear it around your waist, (cringe).

Adult Clothes Protector

Adult Clothes Protector

This is NOT my pattern, I found this free pattern and instructions at:

*===>   http://outonthetownbibs.com/pinkplaid.html  <===*

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The pattern is easy to lay out and tape together. What I like about the pattern, it has 2" squares printed on the pieces. This makes it easy to line on your cutting mat and fabric. You need 1 yd. fabrich for the project.

The bib yoke, I didn't want to use bias tape and I wanted to use Velcro. I choose D Yoke and added 1/2" seam allowance. I use cotton material and a light fleece backing. Yes, my process took a little more time, because I chose to line it and I sewed the Yoke and Body togetther.

Added Seam Allowance

I sewed the Main Body between the Bib Yoke material

I top stitched every seam..

Alternating Velcro direction,
increases the chances of connecting the two pieces.

Decorating Wooden Boxes

My Wedding Box

I didn't want to use a guest signature book, no one fills them out completely and then it sits on a shelf. So I created my own box and my own forms. I used acrylic paint, spray glue, and hot glue. With the forms I created, I recorded the gifts received, and the thank you cards were sent out.

I used stiff board as the base, cutting folder style tabs, glued decorative paper to it

and painted & glued wooden letters to the tabs.

I over sized the tabs, so they would be easy to flip thru.

I have since trimmed them down so the box will now close.

 

Starfish Hurricane Candle

Starfish Hurricane

Things You'll Need

• Hurricane  candle holder (or other candle holder)
• E6000 Glue
• Seed Beads
• Twine
• Glue Spreader (I used a broken Q-tip stick)
• Starfish
• Marking tool
• I used Sewing Waster Soluble Pencil
• A Dry Erase Mark would also work 
• Blue Painters Tape and marks
• Paper Plate or bowl, to catch falling seed beads
• Tea Candle

Process

Mark Seed Bead Area

• Set the hurricane cylinder on the base
• Mark above the base onto the cylinder, 
• If using a candle holder, mark 1/4" - 1/2",
• to create a clean line and keep seed beads off surface
• Mark from bottom mark of cylinder to top. 
• how far you want your seed beads, between about 1/3 of height
• Place tape on outside of marks, to keep glue inside the area/lines

Glue on Seed Beads

• Repeat 1 - 3 until bottom section is covered with seed beads

1. Apply & spread E6000 glue, in sections, between marked lines
2. Sprinkle seed beads onto the glue
3. Press the seed bead into glue with your finger, to make sure its into the glue 
4. Remove tape
5. Let dry 24 hours
6. Gently brush over the seed bead, to remove any loose beads
7. Fill in any open spots, if desired

Glue on Twine

• Spread some glue in a spot, above seed beads
• Press the end of the twine into the glue and wrap twine around cylinder, above the seed bead
• Apply glue in various spots to keep twine in place
• Wrap as high as you want and press into glue
• Let glue dry for 24 hours

Glue on StarFish

• Spread on the twine, and let it soak into twine, build a small mound of glue
• Spread glue on underside of starfish, build up a little mound
• Let glue set for a couple minutes
• Place starfish in the middle of the twine
• Let glue dry for 24 hours

Light 

candle

and

enjoy

Black & White Photo TerraCotta Pot

Things You Need

• TerraCotta Pot & Saucer
• Plastic Pot Insert
• Paper to design on
• Scissors
• Tape 
• Black & White Photographs
• Black & White Ribbon
• Sealer: outdoor or terracotta Polyacrylic [See A]
• Foam Brush
• Spray Glue
• Marbles or Small Rocks
• Hot Glue Gun
• Sand Paper [See A]

[A]: 11Jan2015: I have come to realize that Polyacrylic being water soluble, the finish maybe come cloudy. If you use Polyacrylic,  using a plastic liner for the pot.
Use oil based Polyurethane, exterior, or terracotta sealer.


Process - Water Proof TerraCotta Pot & Saucer

• Coat the whole terracotta pot with thin coats of the sealer Polyacrylic [See A] using the foam brush. 
• Let dry in between coats.
• I set the pot on marbles so it has air flow to dry
• Lightly rough up the outside of the terracotta pot to help the glue grab to the pot.

Process - Pictures

• Select pictures you want to use
• Do a test run, with the initial of last name in place marked & cut out pieces of paper, if needed

• Crop and/or format pictures
• Print pictures off in black and white.
• Make sure pictures are placed 1/2 to 1 inch above bottom of pot. This way pictures will not sit in drain water in bottom dish.
• Using the spray glue, adhere pictures to the exterior of the pot 
• Over lapping the pictures is ok
• It is ok if the pot shows between the pictures

Process - Finishing Pot

• Measure and cut the ribbon to fit around the top lip of the pot, including bow length.
• Adhere ribbon to top lip of pot using the spray glue and tie ribbon in a double knot.
• Once ribbon is dry on top lip, tie bow and secure with hot glue gun. I placed hot glue in between knot and bow, and the bow knot.
• Apply sealer [See A] Polyacrylic over pictures, ribbon, and bow.  
• Let dry and repeat.
• Hot glue marble to the bottom of pot. This raises the pot when its sitting in drain water.
• If a gift, sign and date bottom of pot
• [See A] If you use Polyacrylic, put the plant in plastic pot, the plastic pot keeps water off the terracotta pot prevents the Polyacrylic from clouding/dissolving.

Detroit Red Wings Night Light

Playing With My Marbles

I made this for my niece, a huge Detroit Red Wings Fan.

Things You'll Need

• Glass Container with screw top, I bought mine at Hobby Lobby
• Marbles, Red & Clear
• Glue, I used Zig 2-way glue, when used dry it temporary and when wet it's permanent.
• Non-Permanent Marker
• Velum Paper
• Computer & Printer
• Scissors
• Hot Glue Gun
• Ribbon or String
• Craft Christmas Lights, white wire, 20-35 lights
• Glass & Tile Drill Bit, I used 5/8" Glass & Tile Drill Quad Tip
• Drill
• Fine Grit Sandpaper, I used 220
• Safety Glasses & Leather Gloves
• WD-40, I spray it on the drill bit & glass - as needed.

Process - Drill Hole

• Drill Hole in Jar, using 5/8" Glass & Tile Drill Quad Tip
• Remember your Safety Glasses & Leather Gloves

Process -Placing design inside Jar

• Print your design on velum, one in black & white and one in color.
• Tape the black & white design on the outside of the container, where you want it.
• Put glue on the color design and line it up with the black & white design on inside the container.
• Remove black & white design.
• I used a dry erase marker on the inside of container draw a line around the design, as guide for the marble placement.

Process - Adding Printed Velum under Marbles

Cut out around Marble

Print Design on Velum
Make sure it fits under the Marble

Glue Marble over Design

Trim paper to Marble size                   Put Glue on back of Velum                                      Glue Marble to Jar

Process - Placing Lights inside Jar

• Feed the lights thru the hole, into the Jar.
• The lights will settle into the bottom of the Jar.
• Tie the ribbon around the lights, to hold them up.
• Glue the edges of the ribbon to the top of the Jar.
• Screw the Lid on, plug it in and enjoy.