Mod Podge Saucer Frames

Not sure where I saw this. I think it must have been a blog, because that is how I spend my time: reading other people’s craft blogs. Anyway, this is a really great idea if you have a Grandmother, who goes by the name of Mum. This “Mum” of yours loves to have tea. She also loves to collect tons of random shit. Then, she likes to move into a retirement home and leave all of the random shit that she doesn't want behind in the house that you are going to move into. This creates various problems, including about 50 tea saucers with no cups. What is a girl to do? Smash them up and make a mosaic? Nope, make picture frames so that the integrity of the saucer is intact. So here you have it: Mod Podge saucer picture frames!
What you need:
Saucers (if you don’t have a Mum, they are $0.99 at Goodwill)
Mod Podge (I used gloss)
Paint brush
Photos
Scissors
Hot glue gun
Picture hanging brackets

What you do:
(Thank you camera phone for yet another excellent photo!)
Trace the shape of the inner part of the saucer onto something that you can see through. I used an overhead transparency because…I’m a teacher and that’s what I have on hand.

Place that over your photo and trace pushing down hard enough to leave an indent in your photo. Cut it out!
Take your Mod Podge and a paint brush and paint the center of the saucer. Place your newly trimmed photo of your brother trying to ride on the seat of a bike in the center. Quietly laugh to yourself as you remember that the bike was picked up from the side of the road by your Dad because it had a “free” sign on it and he is from Ballard, so he just couldn’t resist. Continue to laugh as you think of your brother falling off of the bike and landing on the road right after the photo was taken. (I don’t know if that’s what really happened but it’s my memory so I get to choose.)
Paint another coat of Mod Podge over the top and wait about 20 minutes. Make sure to wipe off any excess Mod Podge. If it looks like it’s not going to fall off, move on. If not, put on another coat and wait another 20 minutes.
Now, you need to hang this bad mofo.
Take a glue gun or crazy glue and attach a picture hanger to the back of the saucer. Make sure it is straight or it will drive you INSANE.
Now, repeat for various other photos then hang them up on your wall!
Yep, this stuff is amazing.

Apron or tool belt or whatever

This is the “Oh shit! I need a gift” solution: a great little apron or tool belt for your domestic diva friend. It’s pretty quick. Here is what you need:

Trusty measuring stick
Magic pen (invisible ink)
Good scissors
Cotton fabric
Sewing machine
Ribbon, bias tape, or twill tape (for the tie)
An Iron

Okie dokie. So, first pick out a good fabric. I like to shop in the fabric section of thrift stores. You can get really great vintage fabric, and every once in a while you will find a vacuum seal cast cover that you can give to a friend who broke their hand. Win win, you get fabric, they can shower, and they don't smell bad!
Wash, iron, and cut the fabric to a rectangle that is 17”w by 23”long. Don’t use janky scissors. You are giving this as a gift so try to keep it classy. I used my lovely yardstick and a fabric pen. Fabric pens are great. You write with it and the ink disappears in about 3-4 hours…perfect for giving your number out at the bar.
Next, move your computer and all other “office” stuff to the floor of your apartment, and drag your sewing machine out from the bookshelf that it lives on. Be sure to leave the computer on Pandora, and move your speaker wires so that you don’t trip on them and hit your head on the door.
Note: If you are using a fabric that has a pattern or design, cut two pieces the same size. Put right sides together and sew along all 4 edges, leaving just enough room on one side to turn right side out (pretend you are making a pillow).
IRON.
Sew around all for corners again (only on the right side this time).
IRON.
Fold up the bottom portion about 7”.
IRON.
Sew along the edges with a zigzag stitch so that it looks “fancy”. Or if you are from Ballard, just get out the stitch witch and screw sewing all-together.
IRON.
Now you need to make little sections for your big pocket. The sizes are up to you. I like to pick sizes that line up with the foot of my sewing machine so that I get a straight stitch line.
IRON.
Now it is time to sew on the tie. I attach the tie to the front because it looks better and makes a nice flat front for the apron. Sew a little rectangle, then go back over and do a zigzag stitch in both directions. This should be strong enough to hold.

Now, go fill it up with some crap and it’s the perfect gift!

Days off mean more projects

After a month of 11 hour days and attending 3 of the 6 weddings planned for this summer, I have a week of nothing. This inevitably means I should do all the laundry that is piled high in my closet, but instead I went to three thrift stores and spent an hour at Artists & Craftsman Supply.
I now have more textile paint than is logical, and a seersucker pencil skirt to wear to the next wedding. Anyway, here is what I’ve been up to: (I will only do a tutorial for the canvas because I didn’t take pictures along the way for any other projects.)

I made this garter for Alexis to wear at her BEAUTIFUL wedding at the Artic Club on 3rd & Cherry. That place is amazing. And the Midwest can bring it..my liver is in a bad place right now.

Brian asked me to make him an anchor hoodie. I asked him to make me a wooden cutting board. This was in December. Where is my cutting board?

This is how my apartment is looking these days…I have two bikes and tons of art supplies. And a skateboard. It’s crowded.

I scored this seersucker pencil skirt with matching blazer today at Goodwill. Blue tag special? Yes please! It was $1.29. I win.
Now for the project that left me covered in paint and sticky stencil letters. I got it from this great blog http://abeautifulmess.typepad.com/my_weblog/2011/08/song-lyric-wall-art-diy-project.html
So, basically follow her directions, except if you are doing something with more letters. Then do this:

because you will need extra letters which a pretty easy to make out of electrical tape. Also, give up on designing your own tattoo and reuse the paper for this letter counting part. I am also very impatient so I just used my hairdryer to dry the paint. You need something sharp to lift the sides of the letters, I used some scissors.
Then….viola! you get a great little canvas to hang in your tiny ass kitchen.

I’ve been listening to The Knife a lot. Like, a lot. So there you have it.