NinjaDiva

Happy #MayTheFourth and #CincoDeMayo RiIight?

2013-05-03T20:24:00.000-07:00

Back to back celebratory T-Shirts:

Start your May with a fun filled May-the-Fourth T-Shirt.

Throw that one on the ground and get punny with a Cinco de Mayo party T-Shirt!

DIY - Bandana Blanket

2013-04-16T15:42:00.001-07:00

Summer is on its way and I'm looking forward to naps under trees and afternoons at the beach. This Bandana Blanket is going to come in handy!

To Make your own you will need the following:

9 Bandanas - In whatever colours you like (Hello Dollar Store!)
3 1/2 yards of fabric for the back
3 1/2 yards of quilt batting (45inches wide)
13 buttons
thread
needle
pins
iron

1. Lay out the bandanas in 3 rows of 3.
2. Stitch he bandanas together to make 3 strips
3. use the iron to press the seams flat.
4. Then stick the seams together to complete the front side.
5. Cut the quilt batting to the same size as the bandana blanket. If you are using a solid fabric for the back cut that to size as well.
6. Place the bandana front face up, then put the batting on top and finally the backing layer.
7. Pin the layers together and sew around the edges. Leave a 20inch or so opening.
8. Turn the quilt right side out by rolling it though the opening.
9. Turn the raw edges if the opening into the quilt and finish sewing shut.
10. Pin the layers together in the centre of each bandana and where their corners meet. Sew a button through all the thicknesses and then remove the pins.

_____-____________________________-_____

Party Links

@PJHDesigns

Stencil - Alice in Wonderland Mushroom

2013-04-05T14:49:00.003-07:00

Wall stencils are really cool, but can be pricey, and never seem to be for sale in the same city that I live in (Blah! Shipping Charges!!). So I got to thinking.... I betcha I am not the only one that longs for some Pizazz! So how can I make this happen? A little brainstorming and this is what I came up with. Do you want to make your own wall stencils? Read on Brotha!

HI started by creating this 34inch by 22inch poster that you can download from the PDF Link at the bottom of the post. Once you've grabbed it, print it out on regular 8.5" x 11" paper and assemble it to look like this:

Ta Da!

But wait, there's more...

Cool right?

Get some carbon paper from your local art store. (Opus framing sells it in sheets, and I have come across it in pads at office supply stores.) Put the carbon paper on the back of the stencil you've masterfully printed and assembled ;) and use it to draw in the lines of the image. Once complete, remove the paper and you are ready to paint it in. Not handy with a brush? Give markers a try.

If you are a tenant like so many of us are, you can't be coloring or painting on the walls without someone getting grumpy about it. In that case you have other options. Here's a few surfaces that would work:

A piece of Hardboard from the local hardwre store. (Places like Home Depot will cut your board to size for you for a small fee.) In this case you'd also need to pick up some light colored paint to prime the hardboard as it comes in a dark brown color.
Art Store Pre-Stretched canvas. Get one big one, or 8 small ones and draw the outline on there and hang on the wall.
Pick up an old picture from a garage sale or thrift store and reuse the canvas, even the great renaissance painters reused thier canvases!
Raw canvas. Think old school tapestry. Paint right onto the canvas and hang.

I wanna see your finished products! Send me a link or post in the comments. Lets have a painting party! :)

PDF Download

Starting Over

2013-03-05T08:31:00.001-08:00

It's good to remember you always have the option to say: Fuck It, I'm out!

DIY - Pallet Bench

2013-03-03T14:51:00.002-08:00

Spring is in the air. With the snow finally melting it has me thinking of backyard bbq's and sunny afternoon get togethers, which means I'm going to need some seating.

Step 1. Find some free wood: I looked in the local classifieds and found a place giving away pallets.
Step 2: Stop by the hardware store and pick up some screws, sandpaper and paint.
You'll also need something to cut the pallets with (we used a saws-all or reciprocating saw), a drill, a hammer (for demolition and nail removal) and a paint brush.

First thing we did was cut the pallet in half (See top picture). Then we used the hammer to take apart the piece of the pallet we cut off. (See top left of the 1st picture, that's the pile of wood that will make your legs)

Once you have the pallet dissasembled the pallet to look like the above picture figure out the pieces that will become your legs. With the pallet upside down use the drill to attach the legs with a few screws. If the legs feel wobbly screw a length of wood to each legs to act as a cross brace.

Now get that sand paper out and take off any rough edges along the top of the seat. (I used an 80Grit heavy duty paper)

Once that is all done its time to paint! Yay! Finally!

I used a product called Painters Touch Satin Brush On (A product I have used before and liked) Espresso color, available at Home Depot and Rona and possibly other local hardware shops.

Link Party: @PJH Designs

Preschool Crafts for Kids*: Summer Handprint Crab Craft

2013-02-27T11:51:00.001-08:00

Preschool Crafts for Kids*: Summer Handprint Crab Craft: This cute little Summer hand print crab craft is perfect for summer camps or a trip to the beach. You just need red pain, hands, paper ...

NinjaDiva: Jacques Fresco - Futurist Designer

2013-02-25T19:10:00.001-08:00

NinjaDiva: Jacques Fresco - Futurist Designer

Baby Skeleton Painting

2013-02-21T10:27:00.000-08:00

This little bugger was pretty easy to pull off. I got a few small wooden cradle panels (sold at your local art shop, and are usually pretty inexpensive) I painted a wash of baby blue on the whole thing. Let it dry and then sketched on the image.

Painted in everything that was background, when it was dry I painted the sides and put some small highlights on the eyes and nose. Aaaand Done!

I also tried my hand at creating a "Day of the Dead" style Skull, I'm not ecstatic about how it turned out, maybe I'll have better luck next time. :)

DIY - Modern Art

2013-02-14T15:19:00.005-08:00

So you say you have some blank walls in the house in need of artwork? Try out this easy this easy idea from "The Weekend Artist" by Gerard Smith

You can make your own art easily with a mug/jar/glass/bowl and some paint.

Squish out a generous amount of paint on to a flat surface large enough for you to dip the mouth of your glass in. Tupperware lids work good for this. If you can't fish something out of your recycling, some clear cello wrap over a cookie sheet will do the trick.

Dab and stamp away until you have a design you like. If you find you've gone overboard, you can always paint the entire canvas and start again when the background color is dry.

If you are the paranoid sort, you can always cut a sheet of paper the size of your canvas and do a few trial runs until you come up with a layout you like.

Try it out, upload a pic and send me a link, I always want to see how it turned out!

Happy Stamping!

Ma Famillia

2013-02-02T23:23:00.000-08:00

A quirky take on the traditional family tree silhouettes. Make your own with a dim room, bright light and tracing paper, or foam sheets from the dollar store.

Once you have the silhouette cut out mount on a contrasting color and hang for maximum amusement :)

Share links in the comments, I'd love to see what you come up with!

Easy Family Tree Artwork

2013-01-11T11:34:00.002-08:00

Start by painting the cardboard backing that came with the frame.
Add a chunky tree shape cut from brown paper.

3. Cut birds from different patterned papers to represent each family member.
4. Adhere digital labels to add the vital stats.
5. Perch the birds on a nest of paisley-stamped leaves.
6. Connect birds with thin strips of black tape.

DIY Gift Idea: Baked Goods

2012-12-24T22:24:00.000-08:00

Wrap those cookies in a Doily, excellent last minute gifts for the hostess!!

Meringues in a paper cone topped with clear cellophane.

Really simple way to dress up a cookie swap or hostess gift.

Make Your Own Xmas Ornaments - Owls

2012-12-03T10:39:00.003-08:00

DIY Owl Ornaments

How CUTE are these Owl Ornaments? A definite DIY for my Christmas season. I think they would make a great "Small Gift" as well. For the teacher, hairdresser or distant relative these would fit into envelopes and could be sent along with that Christmas card you are sending anyway. Maybe use a bit of glitter glue to write "Christmas 2012" on the back? Or some other short message.

Complete Pattern and How to

The complete Step-by-Step instructions are available at Craftster.

DIY Coffee Sleeve

2012-11-18T19:54:00.001-08:00

Looking for easy and inexpensive Christmas gifts you can make yourself?

These reusable sleeve for coffee can be made out of a cute Christmas sock or small sweater. (Hello Dollar store!)

Cut a 3-inch section from the top of your clothing

Embellish with buttons or snowflake cutouts for added winter charm, then roll the ends to hide the frays. Its that easy.

Greeting Cards Wreath

2012-11-06T12:31:00.000-08:00

Select a palette of coordinating hues to create a whimsical wreath. Cut greeting cards into different-size circles. Arrange the circles into a wreath shape, overlapping as desired. Secure with crafts glue. Machine-stitch over the top using coordinating or contrasting thread. Attach a ribbon to the wreath with a coloured paper clip and hang.

Monogram Dresser Makeover

2012-11-05T12:49:00.000-08:00

Personalize your next furniture makeover with a stylish monogram.

Prep for upcycle by removing all hardware and giving the dresser a quick sanding, making sure to get rid of any loose or flaky paint. Give the dresser an even coat of primer and then once dry, paint. 2 Coats if necessary.

Use a stencil, (or make our own using thicker paper and an Exacto knife), to apply the monogram. Once dry put all of the hardware back on and admire your handiwork.

Dresser makeover just for you!

Turquoise Chair Makeover

2012-10-30T13:18:00.000-07:00

HOW. FREAKING. GORGEOUS?!!?

A Big bold patterned wallpaper on the wall and on the chair, Delicious! Use a chunk of the wallpaper to make a stencil, t-shirt paint, and a stiff bristle brush from the local art store will work well to transfer the pattern via stencil onto the fabric. Once dry, Iron to set the paint and reupholster that chair bay-bee.

Sit back and think about how sexy your new space is.

Beautiful Hutch Makeover

2012-10-24T19:20:00.000-07:00

A little TLC and this hutch is creamy and delicious.

Start by giving the whole thing a light sanding to help the paint stick on. Take off any hardware and tape off the glass to protect it from paint.Take your time and give the entire hutch 2 coats of paint, waiting for it to dry completely between coats.

Apply wallpaper to the back of the shelves, put the hardware back on and you're done.

Ghost Gourds Entry Decoration

2012-10-16T08:45:00.000-07:00

Get yourself a few Gourds to paint white, trim a few trees and you've got the main supplies to create this halloween themed entry way. Use household paint or acrylics to paint the gourds stark white, once dry add a ghostly face and hang from the eaves. The branches mask the gourds strings for a spooky floating effect.

Spooktacular Entry Way

Pretty Pumpkins

2012-10-15T17:28:00.001-07:00

Put down the knife - painted pumpkins look twice as nice with half the work. You'll never carve again!

Painted Pumpkin Display

Painted Pattern: Paint the pumpkin with the lightest color first, then create your vertical stripes by following its natural indents. For your horizontal lines, slowly spin on a Lazy Susan.

Tip! Don't use masking tape as a guide; it will remove your base coat.

Precious Metal: Give your pumpkin the royal treatment with gold leaf and spray adhesive. Wash and dry the pumpkin and spray with adhesive. Lay foil over the top, one piece at a time, smoothing down into creases with a paintbrush as you go. Work your way around the pumpkin and don't worry about crinkles; they add to the effect.

Pretty Pedestal Pumpkins

Hot Hues: Use a hardware-store paint chip as your palette, and for contrast pick colors a few shades apart. Experiment with texture, too: A matte finish has a contemporary feel, while a gloss is more showy.

Tip! Make it for less with tester-size paints.

6Pack Room Divider Screen

2012-10-06T09:11:00.000-07:00

This project comes from the book: Eco-Craft by Susan Wasinger, and is one of 30 projects in the book.

You will need:

40 plastic 6 pk holders
6 boards of 1"x2" pine, 6 feet long
4 pieces of 3/4" trim, 8 feet long
12 wood screws 2 1/4" long
four 2" hinges
1/4" brads or tacks
1" finish nails
Water Based wood stain
Baking Parchment
An Iron
Saw and Miter box
Drill
Power Screwdriver
Paintbrush
Hammer

Steps:

Sandwich a 6 pack holder between 2 pieces of baking parchment. Move the hot iron over the surface for about 30 seconds. Let the parchment cool until it pulls away from the plastic. Then gently peel the parchment apart.
Overlap the bottom edge of one holder with the top edge of the next. Cover with parchment and repeat as you did in step 1. Repeat until you have 3 sheets of plastic, with each being one plastic holder wide by 13 holders long. The "fabric" pieces should be about 8"x45" to fit into the wood panels.
Cut the wood for the panel frames using the saw and miter box. You will need 6 pieces of 1" x 2" pine for the side frames, each about 58" long. Then cut 6 more 7" cross pieces.
Drill two holes in the sides of the long pieces: one 3 3/4" from the top and the other 48 5/8" from the top. Drill a hole in the centre of each end of the cross-braces.
Line up the pre-drilled holes of the side frame pieces and the cross pieces. Drive the screws into place. Hold the wood flat so the panels are square. Once you have assembled the panels, measure the opening and cut your trim pieces to fit. Be sure to mitre the corner pieces at a 45Degree angle for a tidy fit.
Apply the water based stain to the wood pieces and let dry completely.
Lay the plastic sheets in the opening of the wood panels, it should overlap the edge about 1/2" on all sides. Hammer the tiny tacks through the plastic into the wood to secure. One tack every 4-6 inches should do the trick.
Nail the trim into place to cover the plastic edges.
Measure, mark and screw the hinges into place, with two hinges along each adjacent side. For the 3 fold Screen to stand up properly, each set should hinge in opposite directions.

Stacked Pumpkin Message

2012-10-03T11:25:00.000-07:00

Create a no-carve pumpkin decoration for trick-or-treaters this year.

Pick three short, wide pumpkins for your display. Sketch with transfer paper one word per pumpkin, and use black acrylic paint to fill in the outline. Stack pumpkins on an urn laced with creepy vines or spooky spiderwebs for a festive entryway.

Nature Inspired Artwork

2012-09-27T19:54:00.001-07:00

Buy a wood slice for your background, hot-glue a few twigs in place in a nice arrangement. Use acorn parts and mini pinecones in a flower-type arrangement and do-deedah-DOoooo, you got yourself a good looking plaque. You could lacquer it up or stain the whole thing if that's your huckleberry.

Lacy Table Runner

2012-09-12T12:04:00.000-07:00

Find yourself an old A book with soft, worn pages (they work the best). Arrange a few of the pages flat on the floor in the length and width you want your runner. Then, carefully tape the pages together on the back. Use a crafts decorative-edge punch to create a pretty border that suits your style. Super Simple.

DIY - Crayon-o-Saurus

2012-08-30T13:52:00.002-07:00

When I was a kid we would take all of the broken crayons we had and peel off the paper put them into hot water and mash them together to make Multi-Colored Crayon balls. I thought it was Genius! and then, I came across the Crayon-O-Saurus tutorial on Craftster.

Its a pretty simple tutorial.

Peel a bunch of crayons bust em up and throw them in an interesting baking tin.

Put it in the oven and let it cool and Tah-Freakin DAH. You got yourself a Dinosaur Crayon.