Copics + Ikea = Nifty Storage

I love my Copics. I love Ikea (although I’ve only been once since I just moved near one).

I needed some storage for the said “Copics” and Ikea was just the place. I love to think outside the box when coming up with custom storage ideas. Some of you may remember how I build my own stamping shelf (check it out here).

While meandering around Ikea, I found some white metal bins for plants…and I just knew they would be a good size for my markers.

These little darlings are only $2.99 each. I love the lacy edge on top and I thought it just might work for hanging on a rod. So I looked for something to make that possible. Of course, that item was upstairs at the other side of the Ikea universe…lol. Check it out.

Hang bar (Large is $2.99)

S Hooks ($.99)

My craft room in our new house is configured differently (of course) than my last. In the new one, I usually work in the corner with a window on the left. Just below the sill, I screwed two rods into the wood frame. Attached the “S” hooks to the pots and hung them on the rod.

It’s awesome sitting next to this and seeing all of my markers, ready to color at any time. And the whole thing only cost about $25 bucks…So worth it.

Have an excellent and creative weekend.

Cheers, Eli

Wedding Season is Upon Us

I guess wedding season is really all year but it does seem to go into overdrive in the Spring and continue through the summer. So I created a fun wedding card with Copic Markers featuring coloring and airbrushing and, of course, my favorite, Spellbinders die templates.

Go over to CutCardStock.com to see the products I used but you can also check out their blog for some how-to instructions.

Thanks for checking it out and see you soon. Eli

Goodwill Goodies!

I love Goodwill. I go there to peruse the aisles of kitchen gadgets, china, storage items and so much more. I’m always looking for interesting things to alter. This week, I stumbled upon a couple of blue bins that I knew would be fun for my craft room. A crafter can always use more cute storage bins, right? The one on the left is the before.

This is a super simple project. I used patterned papers from one stack to be sure that they all coordinated. I traced each shape I needed onto the paper and hand trimmed. I wanted it to look hand made. If you want it to be more polished, use a paper trimmer. I inked the edges to give them some depth and then adhered them with PVA glue (my favorite).

Here are a couple more images:

I embellished each with a couple of stamped images. I put the 2 bins up on a shelf and added tags to them for a quick grab. They make me smile. I hope they do you as well.

Happy Crafting!! Eli

Tea Cup Pin Cushion Tutorial

I have been a fan of tea all my life. And now, it seems that it is somewhat fashionable. Yeah me!

I’ve been seeing a lot of tea cup crafts lately and had to get in on the fun. Plus, I was invited to a ladies Valentine’s tea and my friend asked me to share a craft with the guests. So I created a tea cup pin cushion. Too cute, if you ask me.

This is really so simple but I did learn a few things along the way so I thought I’d pass them along.

First off, I went to the thrift store to get white tea cups. Since they don’t need to match each other this was perfect. I found plenty for $.49 each so it was not expensive. I bought a yard of fabric, beads, yellow ribbon, flower head pins and cotton balls, all for about $15 to outfit 12 people with kits. I had plenty of left overs. Finally, I scrounged some rubber bands, plastic grocery bags and adhesives for the project.

Here is how you can make your own:

1. Cut a plastic grocery bag in half and scrunch it down into the bottom of your cup. Make a small hole in the center to allow the “stem” of the pin cushion.
2. Take 5-7 cotton balls and pull them apart to fluff them. I found that before I did this, I had a hard time getting the pins to stick into the cushion.
3. Trim a piece of fabric about 7×7″ and lay the cotton fluff in the middle. Gather up the four corners and secure with a rubber band. Set aside.
4. Cut 6″ of 1/8″ ribbon or bakers twine. Add a glue dot to one end and secure on the inside of the cup. Tie a small knot in the other end.
5. Cut a piece of fabric 1×2″ and fold it in half. Open the fabric “label” and secure it with a tiny safety pin, around the ribbon.
6. Add 3D adhesive around the upper edge of the cup and insert the pin cushion. Fluff it so that it fits and covers the adhesive.
7. Cut a 1×12″ piece of fabric (larger if you have a cup with a wide diameter). Fray the edges a bit for a shabby chic look. Use super sticky dots to adhere it around the middle of the tea cup.
8. Cut a longer section of ribbon and tie it around the middle of the fabric sash. Make sure to have enough to tie a bow with the ribbon. You may want to use a glue dot to secure the back so it doesn’t slip from the fabric sash.
9. Add 3-5 beads to one of your long pins and push it into the bow’s center. Voila!!!

I think this is perfect for a party favor, mother’s day gift or as a craft at a party, like I did. Super fun, easy and inexpensive…what more could a girl want?

Happy Creating, Eli