Elle Michelle and Eliza Belle: March 2010

Wednesday, March 31, 2010

Not your everyday Pizza

This pizza was a successful experiment, and looked so pretty! Here's what I did:
Used a premade pizza crust and brushed it with olive oil.
Added spinach, feta, capers, grape tomatoes, and artichokes
(sundried tomatoes and olives are also delightful).
Bake for 20 minutes at 350, or until crust has browned and spinach has withered.
It's a Mediterranean delight. Enjoy!

Tuesday, March 30, 2010

Quick last-minute project for Easter

Easter is almost here! I came across this darling little project idea on flikr. The artist has made these buttons into a circle.. but I think you could easily rearrange it into the shape of an egg, for Easter. Or possibly a flower, for spring. I'm thinking to make an egg shape, you could layer different colors of buttons to look like a decorated Easter egg.

Monday, March 29, 2010

Burlap Bracelets

Love this idea from Tatertots and Jello.
I think I'll mix it up a little and instead of using burlap I'm going to combine it with this little diddy. A big black broach and voila!
I'll post results later.

My craft area is almost set back up after our move, so hopefully I'll have some fun things to post soon.

xo,

Saturday, March 27, 2010

Birdhouses {in the house}

Aren't these birdhouses beautiful?!? Caitlin's picture tutorial will teach you how to make this yourself! I'm thinking it would be perfect for a little girls' nursery. Who knew you could buy these birdhouses in craft stores? I sure didn't.

Thursday, March 25, 2010

Soap Distressed

I LOVE this peeled paint technique over at the Brassy Apple. When we've finally moved and I have a second, I'm going to try it out. Megan has tons of fun ideas and really great photos.

Wednesday, March 24, 2010

Wall hangings

Remember this post?? I finally re-created the idea for my little boy's room:

Here's how I did it (the skyscraper wall hanging)

First, I sewed 2 pieces of fabric together using a zig-zag stitch. Make sure you cut the fabric pieces large enough to wrap around whatever size frame you will be stapling the fabric to. My frames measured 18" by 24". Next, I cut out my three skyscrapers and used wonder under/steam-a-seam to adhere the white fabric squares. I then stitched them onto the skyscrapers using a zig-zag stitch.

Next, I zig-zagged around the skyscrapers applique onto my fabric backing. I also added a moon in the night sky.

Finally, I used my staple gun to secure the fabric around the back of my wooden frame. (I bought the wood at Home Depot and cut it at 45 degree angles to fit together in a frame). Done!

Tuesday, March 23, 2010

Coasteriffic

I got the idea for these coasters from Becky at Christmas time and decided to make them for all of my friends as gifts.

1. Joanns sells the raw wood already beveled and cut. (I bought the 4"x4")
2. Paint the wood whatever color you want. Don't worry about painting the top or bottom as they'll both be covered.
3. Cut a piece of cardstock paper or fabric (I tried both) to cover the top.
4. Mod Podge the cardstock on and paint it around the sides. Try to keep the Mod Podge pretty even, and try not to let your fingers get too sticky or the Mod Podge will dry on your fingers, then flake and the whole thing looks bad. Let dry.
5. Coat with a clear shiny spray paint and let dry.
6. Cut adhesive felt to cover the back. (you can find it at Joanns as well.)

Also I'm loving these hemp coasters from Make it and Love it.

Hope you're having a great day!

Monday, March 22, 2010

Simple Denim Pocket Project

I loved these jeans until the day they died (seriously, even the patched-up holes were wearing thin). They served me well through many a college class and I just haven't been able to throw them out. Good news, Brenan (husband): they no longer just take up space in the closet, I've found a new purpose for them! A card/pen holder.

First, I cut the pocket out (with the leg of the jean still attached to the back of the pocket).

Then, I mod-podged the back of a piece of fabric to cardboard (cereal boxes work great) size 8 1/2 x 11 inches (to fit in a frame).

Glue-gunned the pocket to the fabric-covered cardboard.

Stuck it in the frame: now I can finally keep track of my scrapbooking pens!

.. or my scrapbooked cards..

I'm sure you can find something else to put in this cute little pocket!

Friday, March 19, 2010

Hanging Rose Spheres {Paper Craft}

I am posting this so I don't forget where the link is to make these at some point. Maybe cute decorations for a baby shower/bridal shower in the future? I found the tutorial at Shelly's House of Smith blog. She is fantastico. You could hang these with ribbon, put them on candlesticks, stick them in a tray as decorative balls. Think of the possibilities!

And they only require:

1. streamers

2. styrofoam ball

3. hot glue

Done.

Photobucket

Thursday, March 18, 2010

Party Hats with Some Bling

For the same party I made these fun party hats inspired by the girls at pink paislee. Again, each one was individual and unique with their first initial as the center focus. There was some serious bling going on. {Lots of rhinestones and jewels}. They were a huge hit with one girl even wearing hers to school the next week. I love making girly things!

Wednesday, March 17, 2010

Nursery Make-Over Part 3

Since we are renting right now, I don't want to put a million holes in the wall... I've been struggling to find the right way to decorate my little boy's room. I found this simple picture tutorial on how to make a fabric baby ball. I made a few and decided to tack them into the ceiling and hang with ribbon to take up some wall space. I made some regular sized, some long, some chubby. Obviously they're not perfect, but I think they add a fun splash of color.

p.s. Happy St. Patty's Day!

Tuesday, March 16, 2010

Uniquely You {Composition Book Cover}

I hosted a weekend event for a youth group (girls 12&13 years old) and one of the focuses of the weekend was celebrating each girl's uniqueness and individuality. To help get the point across I decided to make them each an individual journal that they could keep as a reminder of our weekend.
I found this tutorial on the fabulous V&Co blog and man did I master the art of book covering. I think I ended up making 11 total. Whew. The best part about it was using up all my old scraps (can you believe I didn't buy ANY fabric for these??) Here are a few ideas of design & color scheme.

Monday, March 15, 2010

Coffee Filter Wall Art

If I could pull this look off on my living room wall, I would. Maybe I'll try. It is so beautiful. And it's just made out of orange tacks and coffee filters! Who would ever see this design in their stack of coffee filters?

image via d esignfabulous.com

Friday, March 12, 2010

Ruffles with Grosgrain Ribbon

I came across this idea from Blue Cricket Design {one of my favorite blogs} and decided to see how easy it really was.
This project took no time at all, and I love the result. If you're more of an audio learner here's the link to the Studio 5 episode where she talks you through it.

Then last night I was working on the title page for my new scrapbook project {more about that later} and I used this same technique on my page.

Thursday, March 11, 2010

Amy Butler Leaf Pattern {for free}

One of my favorite fabric stores is Corn Wagon Quilts. Their website has a link to some of Amy Butler's free patterns and I found a fabric leaf pattern I had to try (scroll down on the linked page about half way to see this pattern). So darling... Love Amy Butler!

And ps... I purchased the vase from the dollar secion at Target. Fab look, fab price.