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Elephant Applique Embroidery Mixed Media

Elephant Applique Embroidery Mixed Media

Hello Everyone!

An appliqued elephant makes the perfect focal point on any mixed media

Embroidery, when I think of embroidery I think of my grandmother or of delicate items, gifts to be given or received. It is not something that I have every really tried. I have little patience and embroidery tends to stretch my patience to the limit. But I like to try new things, so I signed up to take a year long embroidery class at my local fabric shop, the Loopy Ewe. I love this place, they have everything and they are so friendly and helpful.

Every month we have a class and we learn new stitches then we apply what we learn at home and bring in our finished pieces. Well, I tend not to do what everyone else is doing, lol.

This month we were supposed to create an embroidered piece (I did that part) but we were also supposed to sew a binder cover on. I don’t always get along with my sewing machine and this month I didn’t want to fight with it. So I did a mixed media binder instead. I have to say, I really love how it turned out. It is perfect for me and now it is cut and ready for me to store my patterns.

Materials

Binder- I was proved a 2″ binder. This is one of the shorter binders
Embroidery- need applique item, thread, needle
For the mixed media- fabric, paper, lace and trims, beads, ink sprays.

Instructions

The first thing you do is cut your hex shape and elephant and paisley pattern. Then stitch the elephant together. I won’t go into detail about applique embroidery because there are far better tutorials out there but I can tell you what stitches I used. I did a running stitch to secure the paisleys, a blanket stitch around the edge, colonial knots, and a lazy daisy for the flowers.

Once my embroidery was complete it was time to start on the binder. I covered the binder in this great fabric.

Then I sprayed ti with some ink sprays to give it interest. To add even more interest I stenciled this scrolling pattern on the cover and spine

Then I started playing around with textures and fabrics to try and get a focal point that worked for me

Then I added some paper to the inside, no boring inside for me. Everything must be decorated.

The completed outside of the binder has fabric, beads, Prima flowers, lace, and of course the Elephant Applique Embroidery.

I think this turned out so cute, and I am glad that I made it something that I will use and I made it in my own way, lol.

What have you created instead of following all the instructions? How did you make it your own?

The post Elephant Applique Embroidery Mixed Media appeared first on Take Time To Create.

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year

December 22, 2016 / TakeTimetoCreate / 1 Comment

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year

Merry Christmas and Happy new year to all my wonderful followers. Because of you I have had a wonderful, fun year and I am excited for next year!

Hello Everyone!

As this year comes to a close I wanted to take a moment and say thank you for making this year pretty great. I had so much fun creating new thing and making tutorials for you enjoy.

I think every blogger says this, but in my case it is true, but I have the best followers! You guys are fun and supportive! Whether you follow me here on the blog or on my other social platforms you guys are just the best!

I will close this year with a pic of a collage that I have on my desk. I love this quote from Curly Girl (if you don’t know who that is you have to follow her. Her designs are wonderful, I love them! You can find her here: Curly Girl Designs)

I took this quote from a planner, “We must take every opportunity to make the most of our very remarkable life,” and made a quick collage. I love having it near my work area as a perfect reminder that this is all pretty remarkable.

Have a safe holiday season and I will see you in the new year with new projects, ideas, and tutorials, and a You Tube Channel! Yikes, yes I am going to start a You Tube Channel to help demo even more things. (I will admit I am a little nervous about this, but it will be fun!)

So many new things for the new year! It is going to be amazing!

See you in 2017!

Linda

Santa Mixed Media Canvas

December 15, 2016 / TakeTimetoCreate / 0 Comments

Santa Mixed Media Canvas

Christmas is almost here, and this Santa mixed media canvas is perfect for your holiday decor.

Hello Everyone!

Lately I have been inspired to make mixed media canvases, and with Christmas fast approaching I have the perfect subject for my art.

I had this beautiful paper and glittery star that became the focal point, the rest was just details.

Now I will be honest, I didn’t take any pictures of me actually doing the mixed media, but I think I can explain well enough and as always please ask if you have questions.

I really enjoy making mixed media canvases, all inspired by Finnabair.

Materials:

12x 12 canvas (I got mine at Michaels, but you can always get one on Amazon here: Canvas)
Paper (I don’t remember where I got this beautiful paper by KaiserCraft, St Nicholas Collection, Papa Noel, but you can find great paper just about anywhere)
Large star (I found mine at the Dollar Store. It was just so beautiful that I couldn’t pass it up. )
Large letter, glitter, beads, and other do-dads, stickles, acrylic paint, stencil
Mod Podge, modeling paste, Mica Powder, clear gesso, clear spray sealer

Instructions:

Trim your paper to fit your canvas and spread Mod Podge on the canvas. Place your paper on the canvas, smooth out. I turned my canvas over and let it dry overnight.

Starting with santa paper on canvas

The next day I covered my paper with clear gesso to give it some tooth. Then I applied modeling paste with a swirl stencil to add some detail (you can’t really see it, but it is there.)

Then I sprinkled on mica powered and spread it around. (I am in love with these Prima Marketing mica Powders. You can find the colors I used here: Gold, Copper, Pale Silver)

I am in love with these Prima Marketing mica Powders

Once that was all dry I went to town. I added modeling paste to the star and glued it to the center.

I highlighted the stencil with painted and I painted around the edges with a shimmery white color.

Then I added the letters (they were pink, but I painted them and added glitter)

I added the large gems and small beads and micro beads with globs of modeling paste. Then I poured on lots of glitter to stick the the modeling paste (I figured that Christmas decor needs a lot of glitter)

Our santa mixed media canvis is coming together

I added rows of pearl beads, and key metal elements, and I added stick details to the star. Once everything is dry I sprayed it with a clear sealer, the mica powder is not adhered to anything and it will wipe away, so the sealer is necessary.

a close-up of our Christmas star

I really like how this turned out. I think it is an interesting piece.

Close-up of our Christmas star

finished santa mixed media canvas

What holiday should I make a mixed media for next? New Years? Easter? Valentine Day?

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diy-pillows-burlap-coffee-sacks

December 8, 2016 / TakeTimetoCreate / 0 Comments

Sewing Craft Project Burlap Pillows

Used burlap coffee sacks make for a great sewing craft project… they also make make great pillows. They are fun and unique and perfect for any decor.

Hello Everyone!

Finished burlap pillow case

Today is a cold, wintry day and I am inclined to stay inside all day (I do have to go to work, but when I get home I am going to snuggle down and say warm) anyway, as I think about staying home I am reminded of this sewing craft project I did where I made pillows from Burlap sacks. I did this a while ago, but I still love them so much. I think they are perfect for my decor.

Materials:

You will need the used burlap sacks that is used for coffee. I originally purchased mine on eBay, but I did find some on Amazon. You can use this link: Burlap Coffee Sacks. There are a lot of vendors for these sacks so you have your pick! But they usually come with random patterns, I don’t think you are able to pick your pattern. So keep that in mind when purchasing.
Pillow form. I found mine at Ikea, they have the best prices for pillow forms
Needle and thread, or sewing machine.

This sewing craft project starts with burlap bags

Instructions:

Cut your sack to the dimensions of your pillow form. If you want the pillow to look more full then cut the sack a bit smaller. (I have to be honest here, I didn’t actually sew these pillows. My fabulous mom sewed them for me. haha, I don’t know what I would do without her.)

Once it is cut, pin the right sides together and sew the right sides together. Leave a little hole so you have room to put your pillow form in.

Stuff your pillow and stitch the hole.

Here is another finished pillow

That is it, very easy to make a custom pillow for your home. You can use this technique for almost any fabric. I love how easy it is to update your decor, and reusing items that might otherwise land in the landfill is a double awesome!

BTW if you are wondering how I painted my couch green you can check out this old post: Painted Couch

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Painted Christmas Houses

December 6, 2016 / TakeTimetoCreate / 0 Comments

Painted Christmas Houses

You can find these really cute ceramic houses just about anywhere, with just a little paint and glitter they are ready to be put on display.

My finished Christmas houses on display

Hello Everyone!

December is rolling along and it is time for me to think about decorating. The tree is up, and if you follow me on Instagram you probably have seen our tree by now. (@taketimetocreate).

With any holiday I always feel the need to create some new items. This year I made some painted Christmas houses. I found the unfinished ceramic houses at our creative reuse center Who Gives A Scrap (I love that place!) With a little paint and glitter they were ready to go.

Materials:

Ceramic House (You can get these at a creative reuse center, craft stores, and sometimes the thrift stores will have some unfortunutally painted ones that need an update)
Paint and glitter found at the craft store. I really liked this paint, it was white with a little pearl look to it. Perfect for Christmas.

paint-and-glitter

Instructions:

Take your plain ceramic house and paint on a layer of white paint. You can always spray paint the houses, but I just decided to hand paint instead. This is what it looks like before the paint.

(btw, The houses did come with detailed instructions to paint the house in all the colors, but I did not want to take the time to do any detailed painting. haha. So white paint here I come. )

My Painted Christmas houses before glitter

Add the paint. This is what it looks like with the paint. Go over everything, all the little details. Don’t forget the inside of the windows. Touch up where ever you forgot.

My Painted Christmas houses before glitter

Then I decided to add some glitter detail to the snow and trees. Just pick a clear holographic glitter that goes with your paint. I put a layer of mod podge on then sprinkled it with glitter.

Adding Glitter to the painted Christmas houses

Once they are dry they are ready to be put on display.

I think they turned out really cute. You can put lights in the bottom, but I didn’t have any. So this weekend I will pick up some and then they will look even better!

Close-up of the painted Christmas houses on the mantle

Here are the finished painted Christmas houses

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Guest Post-DIY Sugar Scrub

November 17, 2016 / TakeTimetoCreate / 0 Comments

Guest Post By Kim- DIY Sugar Scrub

Today we have a great DIY for your dry skin. This is a great way to replenish the moisture and exfoliate at the same time.

Once again I have my sister, Kim, doing a guest post, which I love!! She is sharing a diy Sugar scrub, which is awesome. When I read this post I giggled because it is similar to the recipe that I use all the time. You can tell that we are sisters, haha. I will post my version at the end.

It has been a while since I have done a guest post, you can read my last guest post here. I have a few in progress but this is one that is a great gift idea for the holidays. Also with so much focus on politics something to pamper ourselves is good.

This is what it will look like when all is said and done.

First let me give you a little background on beauty products. Many exfoliating skin care products contain microbeads for the abrasive properties. These are plastic spheres that are less than 5mm in diameter. These are rinsed down the drain and cannot be captured by water treatment plants thereby they make it into waterways and interfere with fish and other wildlife. President Obama did sign a ban on these but it will not take effect until at least mid 2017 and only covers beauty products You can read about that here. They can also be found in cleaning products but that is another post.

I wanted to share with you one way that you can stop using micro beads right now and have great skin.

Disclaimer: I am not a dermatologist and have no skin care training. I just know this works great for me and I love how it leaves my skin.

About a year ago I started to switch out some of my beauty products for more natural versions. I wanted good results but to be friendly to my skin and the environment. I have some issues with skin sensitivity so I am careful what I use.

Here is what I started doing for an exfoliate.

A sugar scrub with coconut oil. I love it and it leaves my skin hydrated and soft. I use it 1-2 times a week I like to rub it on my face and neck right before my shower and then rinse it off in the shower. If you use this route you need to be careful because some of the oil can stay on the floor of the shower and be a little slippery. I have also used this as a full body scrub and it is great on feet and elbows.

I have used to different recipes and I have provided links to them here. Also I have pinned a bunch more on my “Go Natural” and “Skin Deep Beauty” boards on Pinterest.

The first one I tried was very basic as I wanted to see how it would work. Just 2 parts regular sugar and 1 part Coconut Oil. You can read about it here.

I don’t have any pictures but it was great and now I am excited to try different scents and combinations. Maybe a salt scrub also.

Next I tried another recipe for vanilla scented. You can read about it here.

This was a good recipe but I found The ratio to be off and I needed to add more sugar. I do love the vanilla scent when I use it. A better quality vanilla would probably have a stronger scent but I wasn’t going to use my good vanilla for a scrub and this was plenty for me.

These are the materials you will need.

Be sure that you melt the coconut oil before mixing with the sugar but you don’t want the oil too hot. I live in a warm area of the country so I only needed 10 seconds in the microwave to completely melt the coconut oil.

After mixing your ingredients it might look like this.

Then mixed together you can see that there is a lot of oil. So I added more sugar and the vanilla.

A less oily mixture.

Next time I will be using the first recipe but adding vanilla or whatever oil or extract i am in the mood for. Also Coconut Oil is great as it doesn’t go rancid quickly. I had my last jar in the shower for a couple of months and it was still fresh and great to use to the last bit I could scrape out of the jar.

As we approach the holidays and the craziness of the end of the year remember to take time for you.

Linda’s version:

I love doing sugar scrubs. Here is how my version is slightly different than Kim’s

I don’t use any vanilla, I like the scent the way it is
I don’t even melt it, lol. (I try and stay out of the kitchen as much as possible, lol)
I just dump equal amounts of coconut oil (I don’t melt it before hand because coconut oil melts in your hand and I am lazy as well, haha) and granulated sugar and brown sugar. I used brown sugar as well because if I use too much granulated sugar it is too rough on my skin. (I usually make up my scrub as I wait for the water in my shower to warm up)
Then in the shower I just take a scoop and smear it all over, but be careful it does make the shower slippery.

Enjoy!

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Gift Idea- Mini Canvas Photo Magnets

November 15, 2016 / TakeTimetoCreate / 0 Comments

Gift Idea- Mini Canvas Photo Magnets

Hello Everyone!

Can you believe that Christmas is right around the corner? With Christmas so close I thought I would start showing you some easy DIY gifts.

Today I am going to show you how to make these really easy, really cute, mini canvas magnets. These are perfect for Grandparents, aunts and uncles, friends, and even for your self, lol.

Materials:

Mini canvases
Mod Podge, brushes, scrap paper, magnet, glue
Paint, photo

Instructions:

First pick up some of these adorable mini canvases. I couldn’t resist, they are so cute. At just 2″ x 2″ they are perfect for magnets.

After you are finished admiring the cuteness of the canvas paint is all in a neutral color, including the sides.

paint-canvas

Now it is time to cut out your picture. To help with this make a template by cutting out a square in some scrap paper the size of your canvas. Then use that template to find the best image for your magnet. You may even discover that the picture you chose won’t work because it is too big or too many details get lost. (on a funny side note when my teenage son saw me doing these magnets the other day he laughed and said that he was freshly dented in that pic. He still has the scar to this day. ahhh kids, they do keep us on our toes)

Then glue the picture down using Mod Podge. You can add a layer of Mod Podge to the top if you wish. Then I sponged some of the same paint color I used previously to add a nice boarder. Glue a magnet to the back an you are done. A great gift that can be done in 10 min.

Are there any gifts that you would like me to do a tutorial for? Let’s make this a DIY holiday season!

This post Gift Idea- Mini Canvas Photo Magnets appeared first on Take Time To Create.

Mixed Media Canvas Celebrating Family

November 8, 2016 / TakeTimetoCreate / 0 Comments

Mixed Media Canvas Celebrating Family

Hello Everyone!

Today I have another mixed media tutorial. I love making mixed media art, it relaxes me and soothes my soul. This is another Finnibair inspired canvas. I love her work, she inspires me so much and I learn a ton from her techniques.

This canvas celebrates family. Family is so important and I wanted that to be the focus of this canvas.

I have made other mixed media canvas and you can visit them here:

Frozen Mixed Media

Dragon Mixed Media

Angel Mixed Media

Materials:

Canvas, black gesso, brushes
Mica powder, spray bottles, stencils, modeling paste, acrylic paint, spray clear coat
Flowers, letters, beads, cheese cloth and anything else you want to put on your canvas.

Instructions:

First you add all your flowers and letters and doo-dad on a canvas. I put black gesso on my canvas before I started. Then I went to town. Add stencils, cheese cloth, flowers, letters, beads, buttons, and broken jewelry. Anything to add interest and texture. I didn’t really care about the colors, just texture because I knew it would all be covered up.

Once you have everything secured with modeling paste then cover it all with black gesso. Cover all the ins and outs and little spots, you want it all black with nothing showing. This will take a while, but it is worth it to take your time and do it right.

Once it is all dried it is time for the fun part. I added piles of mica powder all over the canvas. Then I took a spray bottle and sprayed water to spread the mica powder and create a shimmery, metallic look. I did this a few times and once I was done with how it looked I dry brushed acrylic paint on the canvas. I just highlighted the tips of the flowers and the Family letters, The dry brushing was just to add some more detail to the canvas.

After the paints dried I added some metal flowers to add detail. It was the missing piece to bring it all together.

I really like how it turned out, what do you think? These are so much fun, I can’t wait to show you the next mixed media project I am working on.

DIY Skeleton Jewelry and Hair Clips

October 20, 2016 / TakeTimetoCreate / 0 Comments

Hello Everyone!

Another day in Oct and another Halloween Craft. This time it is some DIY jewelry. This is perfect for people who want to celebrate Halloween without going for the full blown costume. You can wear this at work or school without going over the top and it is easy to take off if needed.

Skeleton Jewerly

This is an easy project that looks so cute when you are done. First find some plastic Skeleton Garland. I found mine at the Dollar Store.

Skeleton garland

Then take it apart. I used different piece for different types jewelry and hair clips.

take the garland apart

I used the arms and legs from 1 skeleton to make hair clips. Just cut off the arms and legs and hot glue them to an alligator clip.

hair clips

arm bones hair clip

For the bracelet cut off some arms and legs, then punch a hole near the top. I used a needle punch, then I added jump rings to connect the pieces. Add a clasp and you are done.

punch a hole

bracelet

I make a pair of skull earrings by adding jump rings and a french hook. Easy to do, and so cute when completed.

skull earrings

For the necklace I just added a jump ring to the top of a whole skeleton. I also made a necklace out of just the head.

skeleton necklace

I also made a hair clip out of a whole skeleton. This one was fun to wear.

skeleton hair clip

The skeletons made great jewelry and hair clips, they were fun to take apart and reassemble in new ways. And since they are light weight they are easy to wear for long periods of time. These are great for almost anyone to celebrate Halloween or for anytime when they want to wear skulls and skeletons.

The post DIY Skeleton Jewelry and Hair Clips appeared first on Take Time To Create

DIY Painted Halloween Village

October 11, 2016 / TakeTimetoCreate / 0 Comments

Hello Everyone!

Halloween is fast approaching, and of course I get it in my head that I want to do some new Halloween decor. At least this year I am getting it done before Halloween and not after, haha.

I saw a Halloween Village at the Dollar Store and thought it would be perfect to paint for Halloween

finished-village

Materials:

Ceramic houses (I found mine at the Dollar Store, but there are a lot of options out there. You could even use Christmas houses)
Metallic Paint
Gesso
Brushes, Stucco, Beads

Instructions:

When I saw these houses I thought that they were very cute, but the colors were not great. I didn’t think that they went together very well and the figurines were terrible.

before-house-2

before-houses

Before the painting fun I had to prep the houses. I cleaned them then added a layer of Stucco to the roofs and anywhere there needed to be a rough detail. Then I added some beads to the grass area.

stucco-and-beads

add-stucco-and-micro-beads

After the texture was dry I added a layer of black gesso. This gave me a blank canvas to work on. I did have to go back and touch up areas that I missed.

add-gesso

After the gesso was dry it was time for the fun painting! I used metallic acrylic paint and I mixed some Mica Powder with soft gloss gel for the green. I just dry brushed the colors onto the housed, adding and blending as I went. Once I was happy with the look I went on to the next house, until I was finished with the project.

paint-colors

keep-painting

start-painting

Here is an up close picture of the detail of one of the houses and the bridge.

And here it is on display in my home. I really liked this project, it was fun to watch the housed change right before my eyes. Good thing I bought more houses from the Dollar Store, now I can create even more villages, haha

finished-houses-in-my-home

Tag: homemade (page 4 of 5)

Elephant Applique Embroidery Mixed Media

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Merry Christmas and Happy New Year

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Santa Mixed Media Canvas

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diy-pillows-burlap-coffee-sacks

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Painted Christmas Houses

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Guest Post-DIY Sugar Scrub

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Gift Idea- Mini Canvas Photo Magnets

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Mixed Media Canvas Celebrating Family

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DIY Painted Halloween Village

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