DIY Sparkle Watches

June 30, 2016 / TakeTimetoCreate / Leave a comment

Hello Everyone!

it has been a while since I did a sparkle project. But when I found these watches in my costume jewelry stash I just knew they needed some sparkle to make them so much better Smile

I love projects like this, so easy to do, but when they are done they look like a million bucks. They are fun and you can be as creative as you want.

Materials

All you need is a watch (or any piece of jewelry)

glue and Rhinestones.

Instructions

~ Find the rhinestones you want to use and glue them on using metal glue. That is it. I know, not too hard but really fun!

The first watch I wanted to do a red one. I wear a lot of red and I thought I needed a watch to go with my outfits.

So I took this great bangle watch and added red rhinestones around the edge of the watch face. Be careful not to get glue on the watch face (like me, lol) but some acetone took care of the mess

Then I added some circle and flower rhinestones around the band. I love how this turned out!

The other watch is more of a minimal look (for me at least, lol) It still does have a lot of bling going on.

I just glued clear rhinestones on the band since the face had some sparkle going on anyway.

I just glued the rhinestone in between the joint on the band, just be careful not to glue the joints together.

So much fun! What do you have that you are going to bling?

DIY laptop cover

June 21, 2016 / TakeTimetoCreate / 3 Comments

Hello everyone!

The other day I was working on my laptop and just kept getting distracted about how boring it is. I mean, the laptop is just black, no color at all. And you all know me by now, so you know that this just won’t do. I had to fix it!

See much better!

Materials:

~ Laptop or any electronic

~ contact paper (I found mine on Amazon)

~ Letter stickers (I found mine on Amazon)

~ Exacto knife and scissors

Instructions

~ Cut your contact paper a little bigger than the laptop

~ Slowly and carefully peal the back off the contact paper and adhere to your laptop. Try to keep it straight and try and keep the bubbles out. I still ended up with bubbles, but that is ok. I think it adds to the creativity

~ Once the contact paper is on then carefully trim the edges with an Exacto knife. Smooth it all down and make sure it is secure

~ I love the chevron pattern, but I felt like it needed more so I added the purple, glitter letters. I think that was the right touch.

That is it! It is a great way to add character and personality to you electronics, and I already feel more productive!

And the best part is this was easy enough that you can change your design often. I have seen some really cute contact paper designs at the dollar store.

Re-purpose an old window into a shabby chic message board

June 2, 2016 / TakeTimetoCreate / 2 Comments

If you follow my Instagram (taketimetocreate) then I am sure you have already seen the reveal of this repurposed window. For those of you who don’t follow me there here the shabby chic message board!

I have to say I do love the way it turned out! This all started when my friend asked me to paint a window for a silent auction for mental health awareness. At first I wasn’t too interested, not because I didn’t believe in the cause (because this is one cause I totally support) it was because I wasn’t sure I had a design that would work. Most everyone else did a more traditional painted window with flowers on the glass and things like that. Well of course I didn’t follow the crowd. So I did my own thing and hopefully it will bring in a lot of money for the charity!

Here is how I did the repurposing.

Materials:
~ old window (for this to work you for magnets you will need one with a metal screen)
~ sandpaper, tape, cleaning supplies
~ paint and brush
~ cork
~ flowers, magnets, tacks, and clothes pins
~ ribbon and burlap

Instructions:
~ The first thing you will need to do is sand down all the rough edges and smooth it out. Once you like the feel of the window then give it a good cleaning.

~ Now you are ready to paint. I taped around the edges to help cut down on how much paint went on the screen, and this seemed to help.
Paint a couple coats until you get it to how you like it. I used this white acrylic paint that I had on hand.

~ Cut your cork down to size and glue it on to the screen. I just glued the edges with a metal glue and that seems to hold it pretty well.

~Then I went to work decorating the edge. Shabby chic is all about layers so that is what I did. I put down a layer of burlap, the layered on a layer of crochet ribbon that I had in my stash.

That looked good, but I felt like it was missing something, so I added a ribbon on top and flowers in the corners.

Then I added ribbon to the bottom of the screen and to the bottom of the window. Once that was done it was time to add the flower decorations.

~ For the flowers add a magnet the back of some and tack to the others. For the clothes pins I just added ribbon to a plain clothes pin I got from the dollar store.

And that is it. This is a very fun project that is easy to do and I loved using what I had on hand. I can’t wait for the auction and hopefully they will make a lot of money for their cause!

What I am working on

April 12, 2016 / TakeTimetoCreate / Leave a comment

Hello everyone!

I thought I would add a new segment to my blog, it is all about what I am currently working on. With all crafting going on, things take time and I usually get started on a project and get sidetracked to some new and shinier. But I want to show you what I have going on in my craft room. (well, just a few of the things going on, because let’s be honest, there are always tons of projects that have been started and not finished.)

The first item is the Crochet Temperature blanket. Here is the link to the original post about it: 2016 Temperature Blanket

If you follow me in Instagram you probably have already seen this (if you don’t follow me you can find me @taketimetocreate) As you can see, I am still working away. It is fun to see all the new colors and a pattern is starting to emerge. But, I am still waaaaay behind (I am still working on February) but I just keep plugging away.

A few weeks ago I learned how to do a Finnabair inspired mixed media art (You can see the Finnabair blog here: Finnabair). I took the class from Tanya with Free Heart at a retreat called Mojito Creek. (click on the name to follow the link to their websites)

Tanya is amazing and wonderfully patient. I loved creating new things and learning new techniques. And the retreat is beautiful, and relaxing, and I would say just about perfect!

Here is one of my completed items that I made in the class:

Here is an item that I made using a puzzle I found at the dollar store (I just couldn’t resist), and stencils, and mica powder and all kinds of things. I still need to do some final touchups, but when it is done I will list it in my Etsy shop.

The last item I am working on is another mixed media that says “Beautiful” This on will take a while because of all the nooks and crannies, but I think it will turn out great in the end.

So what are you working on?

No affiliate links in this post. All opinions are my own.

DIY Repurposing a Sweater to a Hat

March 9, 2016 / TakeTimetoCreate / Leave a comment

Have you ever seen a sweater that is just not in style anymore and you know that it could be something else? I had that thought when I saw this sweater my mom was donating. It was wonderful with the embroidery detail, but a little dated.

I mean, check out this detail! pretty great.

So I decided to repurpose it into a hat!

This is a very easy tutorial.

Here is what you do:

Materials:

~Sweater

~A hat that fits you

~needle and thread or sewing machine.

Instructions:

I lined up a hat that fit me (I love this hat but since it is wool I itch every time I wear it. But I got it in Iceland and it fits perfectly so I keep it. I just need to sew a lining in the hat then I can wear it all the time. That is a project for another time…)

Cut around the hat (make sure you don’t cut your hat) and add a seam allowance

Turn inside out and pin and sew around the edge. If you line up your new hat with the bottom of the sweater you won’t need to worry about hemming a bottom edge!

Turn right side out and you are done. I decided to cut off some of the really cool flowers and add them to the hat with fabric glue.

All done! Nice and easy repurposing and now you have a cute hat to rock. Good thing March is typically a snowy month for us, I might be able to wear it this year.

Paint a Plastic Dollar Store Vase with Nail Polish

September 29, 2015 / TakeTimetoCreate / Leave a comment

First I have to tell you about the free arm knitting class I took last night at Michael’s. It was awesome.

I am was excited to finally learn how to arm knit and check out the infinity scarf that I made!

So much fun, and the instructor was wonderful and very patient! Once I got the hang of it, it was easy to do and very fast. I can’t wait to make other things with arm knitting. You can be sure I will feature arm knitting projects in the future Smile

Anyway, on to the other project I did this weekend….

I was wandering around the Dollar Store this weekend and I saw this plastic vase. It looks like it could be a cut crystal vase from a distance, I am talking about way distant, like a mile or so. But up close you can really tell that it is plastic. So I thought I would help the vase out and give it sparkles and color.

Here is the vase in all its glory.

And here is an up close to of the “cut crystal” part of the vase. I like the design and it is pretty enough to use.

Materials:

~ Vase you want to paint

~ Nail Polish. Any color will do. I used this copper color called DS Glow from OPI, I thought it was perfect for fall and the holidays. This vase will work for a variety of holidays, which is a good thing. But at a dollar for each vase you can make a new one for each holiday.

Instructions:

1. Paint a first coat over the parts you want colored.

2. Add a second coat, more if needed. I just added color in a few strategic parts on the vase. Now I know that my painting is not perfect, but I am convinced that it adds to the charm of the vase. Perfection can be overrated Smile

3. Let dry then add flowers, candy, marbles,or anything else you thing would look good in your new vase.

I put mums in the vase for the fall.

Here is the vase with poinsettias in it rather than the mums. Ready for Christmas.

Update your handbags, purses, and clutches!

September 22, 2015 / TakeTimetoCreate / 6 Comments

So I bought these really cheap handbags. It came in a set of 3 bags. There was a clutch, cross body bag and a handbag. They are fine on their own, but a little boring, so I decided to fix that.

With a little help from my clearance statement necklaces that I found at Walmart and a little glue I was able to update my purses and create a whole new look.

Here is the clutch. Love.

Here is the cross body bag. So cute!

And here is the handbag. Perfect!

It is easy to do, here is what you need

Materials:

~ handbag or purse that needs a little updating

~ glue that will work on metal (I used Aleene’s jewelry and metal glue)

~ Statement necklaces that you can take apart or jewelry or bling that you want to add to your purse.

Clutch instructions:

Here is the clutch looking all boring and sad because it didn’t have any embellishments on it.

Whoa! Too many embellishments! This statement necklace is certainly making a statement. I am not sure what that statement is, but it is making it. I decided to take it apart and only use 1 rose. I will use the rest in another project.

Much better. I think it looks great! BTW, don’t you love my red couch as a background color Smile I think it adds awesomeness to the pictures.

Cross body bag instructions:

Once again a sad, boring cross body bag.

I added this necklace to the bag. Much better, I think. If you can’t find a necklace like this on it is easy to make with a jewel and different lengths of chain.

I think it looks ok, but I think it can look better.

Ah yes, this is it! If you can believe it I think it was looking a little plain towards the top

Hooray! This is what I am talking about! Perfect!

Handbag instructions:

Boring handbag.

Add a cute flower statement necklace

And tada you have a new hand bag!

As you can see this project is pretty easy, but it adds so much to your purses and handbags. Just make sure you glue on everything really well and let it dry completely before you use it.

Turn an old pin into a hair barrette

August 13, 2015August 12, 2015 / TakeTimetoCreate / Leave a comment

Now I know this is a super easy project. It is one I did in a few minutes and I love how it turned out.

This is all about seeing the world in a new light, and changing the things that are almost right but not quite.

So this is where this pin transformation comes in to place. I had this pin that was a little bold for my taste as a pin (I bought it on super clearance and couldn’t pass up the deal), but as a barrette it was perfect.

Materials

~ Pin

~ Barrett

~ glue

Instructions

1. Pull off the old pin back, you can see the glue that the pin left behind but don’t worry you can’t see it when you are wearing your new barrette. This design had felt as the backing so it was super easy to pull the pin off, if you are working with metal this step is much harder. I don’t have pictures of this step, but you can visualize how it is done.

2. Glue the barrette on to the design.

3. Rock your new barrette (I even took a bathroom selfie so I could show you what it looks like in my hair Smile )

That is it! I know this may sound too easy but I just wanted to post about how you can turn something that you really don’t care for into something that you absolutely love. I am constantly looking at how I can change things to better suit me and I would love to know more about what you do to change thing to suit you.

Transform old jewelry into something new with this easy DIY

July 10, 2015 / TakeTimetoCreate / Leave a comment

So a few weeks ago I won an old costume jewelry lot auction on eBay. I won a huge box of old costume jewelry, it was filed with tons of goodies. Some pieces were broken, others were still in good condition just ugly, and some were wonderful as is.

So I took a pair of earrings that were not to my taste and updated them with a little bit of nail polish. The original yellow is a color I don’t wear because I don’t like the color and it doesn’t look good on me at all.

Here is the before and after pictures so you can see what I did.

It is a very easy project one that would be fun to do with kids.

Materials:

Jewelry. Not all jewelry will work, but these earrings worked great.

sand paper, or emery board

nail polish (I used a base colors, sparkles, and a top coat)

And that is it, you really don’t need much for this project.

Instructions:

First I roughed up the surface of the earrings. This is to prep the surface so that the nail polish will have something to adhere to.

Then I painted the red solid color on the earrings. don’t forget to paint the edges, I didn’t want any of the yellow showing through. I stuck the earrings in a shoe box lid to dry so I didn’t mess them up by touching them all the time.

I used N.Y.C. nail polish in Big Apple Red Crème. I painted on 3 coats, letting it dry in between coats.

Once I was happy with the base color I added the sparkles. I am a big fan of anything glittery and this was a no brainer for me to add sparkles. Of course it is up to you if you want to add sparkles or not. I used Deborah Lippmann’s 99 Luftballons