The Simple Craft Diaries

Recycling an old phone case

2020-05-08T04:04:00.002-07:00

Hi Everyone!!

A simple recycling craft !

A thrifted cell phone case + cheap felt + hot glue ======> "new" needle case

Ta-Dah!

💕Andréa

Bible Covering - I like to be different :o)

2020-05-04T10:55:00.002-07:00

Hi Everyone!

Disclaimer: This is not a "new" craft, but I made it during the ( long ) period I was not blogging due to busy life :)
Isolation times allowed me to blog again :).......

I have always putting my personal touch in everything I own, being clothes, accessories, home decor etc. I repaint ,refinish , undo seams do it again, etc.

Not different with my Bibles. I have lots of them, but I have two special ones which I use all the time My ESV Journaling Bible, and because it us all written , marked, with drawings etc, it is of course very personal and looks like me:). The other one that I love and use daily, it is an ESV Large Print which I have had for the last 7 years . I love specially the large print ( I have a very bad eye sight).I knew, from the moment I got it, that I needed to personalize it, but didn't know how. Two years ago I found a fabric paper at Dollarama (from all places) and I loved it!

I like that it looks old,"boho", used and colourful :) I love colour!
I'm an ex "hippie":0)

So I just made a cover for my Bible, using just hot glue. It is looking old now, but I like this look more and more, I call it my hippie Bible. :)

💕Andréa

Cheap way to have unique wall decor

2020-04-29T05:34:00.006-07:00

Hi everyone!

I love art and I love unique stuff that we can't find at any other household:) But I am also thrifty, and try to find ways to have both :)

One nice way to have unique stuff on your walls is to frame things like nice fabric, old cloths, old linen, etc. But framing them at professional places is usually costly, unfortunately.

So, one thrift way to do this is what I did here, and keep doing to this day!

All you need is cheap canvas from dollar store and a upholstery staple.

Cute little bag I found at Vallue Village and cut up. ( It was once used in this household as a vase cover! here)

Old coffee sac my husband brought from Guatemala

Old canvas my husband bought in Guatemala but never framed , and I found in our basement !

Up cycling a thrift store painting

2020-04-24T07:32:00.002-07:00

Hi Everyone!

For those we follow my blog and craft adventures over the years, you know I LOVE chalkboard paint and using it in the most diverse way possible. These are a few I have done before, here, here, here, here , here , and here :)

I had this huge painting , not original of course, ( the base was wooden board) I had got a while ago from Vallue Village, tried to funky it up with oil pen and it was a faaaaaaail! lol

So it had been getting dust in my basement ever since. Now that I am blogging again I decided to make something so I made this Bible verse frame. I plan to change the verse every week.

Materials:

Chalkboard paint

Foam brush

Small brush for corners

Sand paper

Spray paint

Chalk

I spray painted the frame and the painting itself, then used the chalkboard paint with the foam roller

Sanded for a distressed look

Picked this week's verse

And ready!

💕Andréa

Bible Journaling

2020-04-20T14:20:00.001-07:00

Hi Everyone!

As I mentioned in my first post here after 3 years ( wow!), it has been a long tome since I haven't blogged, and I also mentioned that I was being kept busy :) Well, apart from being a mom, wife, working and my craft markets with my little business, the best thing that has kept me a bit away from blogging and crafts in general, has been digging into God's word. The Holy Spirit has been working in me for a while now, and has giving me a never ending love for God's word and for knowing Him more and more. Despite being a Christian for more than 40 years now , I have never had such a thirst for His wordl ike these last couple of years! And knowing God means to dive in HIS word, that reveals his character, his plans , his will and his love.

Recently, I added a creative way to spend even more time in God's word, together with to reading, doing devotionals, praying and studying.

Bible Journalling!

I use an ESV leather journaling Bible and the more I use it , the more I love it.

I basically read, write, draw and paint, whichever I feel appropriate .

Things I do:

- When listening to my favorite pastors online ( I LOVE listening to styles and sermons online) I take note of the most important points and write them on my Bible. ( My main sources are John MacArthur, John Piper, Steve Lawson, David Platt, Paul Washer, RC Sproul, Augusts Nicodemus Lopes, Alistair Begg and their ministries)

- I write my Pastor's sermons main points on my Bible

- I highlight :

--------- My favourite verses

----------The most significant verses

----------Verses with an important systematic theology connecting them

----------Because I LOVE the Handel's Messiah I marked all the Libreto verses

---------- Most Important passages

- I draw and colour in the margins ( sometimes pages ) with leads, acrylic paint, watercolour you name it

- I do calligraphy lettering ( very very basic, as I don't know how to do it perfectly)

- I write verses of old hymns I love and more contemporary worship songs I also love

- When the amount of things I need to write let's say a study I watched with so much " solid food" that I want to see in my Bible, I do "tip ins" - pages that I add with glue and voila! space to write - these can be fine letter paper, vellum paper, scrapbook paper , whatever!

Here some pages. Some drawing are mine, some are inspired by Pinterest pages.

This highlight method is from Coffee and Bible Time channel, I have it glued in my front page, but actually don't use it :(

I use scrapbook tabs to tab important doctrines and theologic landmarks

Acrylic Paint ( but I still can read, I never cover the words )

Mod Podge

Tip ins

Highlighting my favourite Psalms and verses

Lettering verses on the side

Marking Dates when the books were written

I hope this blesses you and inspires you to spend more and more time digging into God's word and its never ending riches !

💕Andréa

Re-using lids!

2020-04-19T14:36:00.000-07:00

Hi Everyone!

Hey, don't throw these useful lids in the garbage! They fit mason jars like a glove:)

Tah-dah!

2020-04-18T05:42:00.002-07:00

Hi Everyone !

It ‘s been a long time since I last posted here ! Oh my !!! Life got amazingly busy and hectic, I started a part time job and all the craft markets kept me busy but at the same time away
from here. Now , during these weird times we are all living, I saw the perfect opportunity to be back!
I’ve been painting a lot, so here it goes some of my work!!
Hope you enjoy !

💕Andréa

Merry Christmas!!!

2017-12-24T06:39:00.001-08:00

Hi Everyone!

Wishing all my friends and readers a very Merry Christmas!

Celebrating the baby that was born to die for you and me! May we all not take this lightly or foolishly , and ponder and be amazed by the incarnation and the love lavished on us in the form of a humble baby💕🙏🏽

Feliz Natal!!!
💕Andréa

Christmas Decor in our home

2017-12-24T06:39:00.000-08:00

HI!

A bit of our home this Christmas!

💕Andréa

Cauliflower Margheritta Low Carb Low Guilt Pizza

2017-09-17T13:45:00.000-07:00

Hi!

Summer was great but as ALWAYS I manage to pack some pounds thanks to: rarely going to the gym (school holidays gals!), too many backyard barbecues and fast camping food...s'mores anyone?

Well, after 2 months of bliss, I have to go back to reality and I go back chubbier 😂

I started a Ketogenic diet , that basically allows you to eat lots of protein and fat but cuts carbs to almost ZERO!😐😯😳

Have I told you lately that I love you...I love LOOOVE you, pizza? So, how will I survive?

Well, everybody talks about cauliflower pizza, I had done it before and I did it again , now with photos and a big YUMMY at the end!

MARGHERITA CAULIFLOWER PIZZA

Ingredients:

-1 cauliflower floret

- 2 eggs

- 1 cup of grated mozzarela

- 1 cup of grated parmesan ( real one)

- 1 tsp salt and 1 tsp garlic powder

- Black olives

- One tomato sliced

- Basil, oregano (leaves-fresh)

- Olive oil

Preparation:

- Steam the cauliflower, when ready, drain and dry with a paper towel. Use a potato masher (?) to mash it a bit...in a separate bowl whisk 2 whole eggs and throw in the cauliflower, half the cheese, salt , garlic powder. make sure they are all combined to for a mass. ( PIZZA DOUGH HUMMM!)

Cover a pizza sheet with parchment paper and spread the dough. Use the rest of cheese, sliced tomato, sprinkle with olive oil. Bake 400 F for 20 minutes. Add the olives, basil, oregano and bake 10 minutes more.

EAT with no guilt!!

Delicious ....!!!!💕💕💕💕

PS: Another useful Ketogenic Diet resource you might find informative:
at Better Health Organization

💕Andréa

Eye Shadow Colored Hair

2017-09-17T13:23:00.001-07:00

Hi!

My sweet little girl loves coloured hair but neither me or her want to : spend money and /or have something permanent or even semi permanent on her hair so..we saw this on Facebook and tried to replicate ...for fun ....and it kinda worked!

All you need:

- Dollar store or old eye shadows

- Drop of water

Just wet the pigment a tiny bit and with your hand spread on your strip of hair..

Green hair! lol

"Voila"!!!! And it lasts one day if you child loves to shower lol

💕Andréa

Thrifty canvas framing that doesn't break the bank

2017-08-18T06:52:00.001-07:00

Hi!

I had this gorgeous oil painting that I had brought from Brazil 2 years ago, but because professional framing is so so so expensive , I had it rolled up in my closet waiting for a solution. What made it comolicated is that the size and shape ( long and narrow) of teh painting was a retty unsual one.

Well, I had a light bubb moment and came up with a pretty good and cheap one:

I found a framed canvas at Michael's with my 50% cupon that had the same length I needed , but was too wide.

DARN!

Not so..I cut it to size, reglued it and voila!! Profesional framing for my oil painting for $15!

Length was perfect but too tall

measured and cut

Reglued wood parts

Staple gun to work

Sugar loaf and Lagoa in the eyes of a talented street artist in Rio!

💕Andréa

Warm Summer Moments....sigh 💕

2017-08-16T16:24:00.001-07:00

Hi!

Summer on the ROCK has been unbelievable, and we are enjoying it to the fullest!

It has been filled with: soccer, camping, nature hikes, beaches, campfires, dog walks and barbecue with friends, warm nights in the garden, always in awe of the wonderful world almighty God has created !!!

Hope your Summer is being amazing too!

Oh....fake tattoos as well!

S'mores in a cone!!L.O.V.E!

SUMMER BLISS!

💕Andréa

From thrifted bag to pretty flower vase cover

2017-08-16T15:42:00.003-07:00

Hi!

I have a weak spot for handmade and embroidered things, so when I saw this small sac bag at my local thrift store I just bought it on a whim.

Getting home , suddenly I had no idea what to do with it, as it was too small for a bag.

But soon I found a cute little use for it:

I covered the ugly jug I had some flowers in...

LOVE LOVE LOVE!

💕Andréa

Revamping table and chairs: New Breakfast Nook

2017-08-16T15:25:00.001-07:00

Hi!

We are just through the paintaking process of painting our entire house in the best DIY style.

My sunroom has now a camling, almost white blue colour that depending on the light is acqua or green ( love it!), and the dark table I had in a corner was just not belongung any longer.

I decided to revamp it with gray chalk paint, distress it and revamp the chairs as well.

So here it goes:

Firts I primed with my TO GO primer , Kilnz

After 2 coats of chalk paint

Distress.....

snazzy!

Now to chairs...Despite loving the fabric I had not far long ago used to refurbish the cushions, it didnt belong anymore as well

I used two differenr fabrics.. jsut to be different and because I couldn't pick...love both!

Distress...

I love my new corner !

💕Andréa

Linking up to:

The Life of Jennifer Dawn

Fabric Scrap Letter Decor

2017-08-11T18:55:00.002-07:00

Hi!

Adding some personnal touches to my sunroom/family room...what is better than the family letter?:)

I got a canvas B at Michael's ( cupon of course!!) , some strips of scrap fabric and this super cute "B" was born!

Scraps...

As I covered the B I used hot glue to secure the fabric

Linking up to:

Tatertots and Jello

Cofffe with us 3

"Tacky" Foam Head

2017-08-11T18:24:00.002-07:00

Hi!

I love foam heads and love even more revamping them. ( see them here)

This time, I was in teh mood for tacks...lots of them!

I will not lie, it is A LOOOOOOT of work, took me weeks, little by little, but the final result is to my liking...what do you thnk?:)

Linking up to:

Tatertots and Jello
Cofffe with us 3

Pre K Fun Activity: Learn the Colors While Having Fun!

2017-08-02T08:58:00.002-07:00

Hi!

Despite (me) being still on vacation mode, school is just around the corner, and I thought I could share a fun PreK level activity wth you guys!
It's a super cute activity that would be fun to have on hand for a car activity or while waiting at the doctor's office. I hope you like it!
You can find more of these fun and educational material in at Education.com I love peeking tehre for interesting stuff!

So, let's get started!!!!

Color Names

Help your child learn colors in a bright, engaging game using craft sticks and markers! The sticks are separated into two groups. One group has the name of a color written on it in black marker, the other group of sticks will have a variety of designs or patterns created in individual colors. Your child will have to pair them up, and she'll learn the colors while she makes her matches. How fun is this??!!

What You Need

14 craft sticks
Markers, colors of the rainbow plus black

What You Do:

Separate the sticks into two piles, seven sticks in each group.
With the first group of sticks, assign one color to each stick and encourage your child to create a different design or pattern on each stick using that one color. Some example of patterns you could use are zigzags, stripes, and circles.
On the second group of sticks, have her write the name of each color with a black marker. You may have to help her spell the color names correctly.
Mix the sticks up and ask her to pair the colors names up with the appropriate colored designs.
When she's finished, have her read the names of the colors on the sticks while she looks at the color patterns.

If your child is just starting the process of recognizing color names, you may want to provide a chart for her to use as a reference. Just write out the color names and draw a box with the matching color beside it. Using a reference tool will help increase her confidence as she's doing the activity, and the more she plays the quicker she'll be able to recognize the color names.
I am sure this will be an awesome fun , engaging and bonding moment with any PreK little one!
Enjoy!

Back to Blog!

2017-08-02T08:46:00.000-07:00

Hi Everyone!

I miss being active in my blog, being away for such a loooong time is not fit for my brain, I need " here"!

I will start posting every week now, I have projects galore in my Iphone that I have been ding since I last posted and will start dumping here asap !

Keep Tunned and Thank you eveyone who keeps coming here ( I have an average of 1,200 visitors a day!), even when posts were scarce!

ps: this is how I have been..vacation mode:)

Andréa

Kokar in Guide for the Good

2017-01-27T09:31:00.002-08:00

Hi!

Kokar/Wooca hats featured today at our local Guide for the Good, that features environmentally friendly local business/artists.

Fabric Slouchy Hat Tutorial

2017-01-26T09:52:00.002-08:00

Hi!

Many of you know, I have a small hat business - KOKAR- and I love my craft!

Sharing with you gals how I make them, not hard at all, just time consuming, but this is fun too!

Relaxing too!

I make colorful and funky crochet hats, but people seem to love my fabric slouches.

I usually work with warm and cozy fabric with a stretch and I use my serger, but you can use a regular sewing machine too!

Fold your stretchy fabric in two (lengthwise)

Cut a rectangle measuring 23 in width and 11 in height.

Using a serger or a zig zag stitch sew sides together leaving 3 or 4 cm without sewing

. Turn inside out and sew this part. It will be the fold on the bottom

Final measure will be 22 inches x 10 inches for a hat that fits most adults and teens and has a small slouch.

Fold the fabric in two and cut this shape

open. Sew the sides and leave the middle open

Now bring the sewing sides together so they face each other.

It will turn to this shape

Sew the open part ( looks like a half moon)

Done!

Another one , this time I cut a more round shape on top

The girl and her Kokar hat :)

from : Kokar/Wooca hats

You can also add a fur pompom...how cuuute?

Linking up to:
Sew Can Do
The Life of Jennifer Dawn
Hope Studios
The DIY Dreamer
Sugar Bee Crafts
Coffee with us 3

From phone case to needle case

2017-01-26T09:23:00.004-08:00

Hi!

Sorry all, I have been so busy with work and business that I hardly have time to come here , oh nooooo, so bad :(

But I decoded that I will save one day a week to post my crafty makings.

Today: My new needle case from an iphone case that I love and won't use any longer, as I have an iphone 6 for a while now.

Very easy, you all!

Just cut some felt to fit and use hot glue...well, this is it!
Linking up to:
Sew Can Do
The Life of Jennifer Dawn
Hope Studios
The DIY Dreamer
Sugar Bee Crafts
Coffee with Us 3

Reflections on daily Bible reading

2017-01-07T08:58:00.008-08:00

Hi!!

Hey!! A shout out for everyone who loves to read God's word and would enjoy some food for thought!

My husband has just started blogging his daily Bible reading and sharing his reflections on God's word!

Link here or on the icon on side bar!

An excerpt:

Discipline and reading

1/7/2017

0 Comments

..."We don’t accomplish much in life apart from self-discipline."

That, from pastor/author/blogger Tim Challies, who blogs at www.challies.com.
(Click here for his take on the joy of self-discipline.)

Discipline is key to 'much in life,' to our productivity at work, home
and everything in between, whether we recognize our accomplishments
as stemming from it or not.

When it comes to reading our bibles, it can be easier to surf the internet,
perhaps the greatest distraction of the modern age. But the reward in life from surfing
the internet is hardly comparable to the way our minds and hearts are changed by
reading the bible. We know that in our heads, but we default to other
distractions - like the internet - so easily...."

Reflections 2017 weebly.com

Snapshots

2017-01-02T11:07:00.001-08:00

Hi! We are loving our snowy season!

Practical and Thrifty Crochet Hooks Storage

2017-01-02T10:47:00.002-08:00

Hi!

I love crochet and making hat it is my small craft business, but I have always struggled on how to store and carry all my needles and hooks.

I think I finnaly found my way..a cheap pencil case from Dollarama!

Small and compact when closed

When open , has 3 tiers

So perfect!