Spring Centerpiece with @scribbletown

I was asked to participate in a challenge from The Scribble Shop.  I was sent a box of random craft supplies and asked to complete a project trying to use ALL the supplies in the box.  I am happy to report I was successful!  If you want to see even more scribble shop participants, check out the linky at the bottom of this post.  For my project, I made a spring centerpiece...

First of all, who is The Scribble Shop?  They are an online one stop shop for craft supplies.  Seriously, use the search bar on their site, they have TONS of craft supplies that are all a mouse click away.  It is like having a Hobby Lobby in your living room.  They sent me a coupon code to share with all of YOU!
Use code CHICCOTT -- valid from March 1^st until April 30^th and offers you 15% off your entire order. 
 Onto my project....
Want to see a video of me opening my box?  (And hear a southern accent?)  Click the link below to see me and my helper opening the box.



My first thought when opening the box....oh boy what am I going to do with this??  In my box I had:

• Glitter Brads
• Martha Stewart Glitter
• Chalkboard Paint
• Feathers
• Blue/green Fabric
• Wool Roving

Additional items I also used for my project:

• White Foam Board
• Styrofoam Balls
• Pipe Cleaners
• Foam Sheets
• Green Scrapbook Paper
• Mod Podge

My first problem was I had no clue what to do with those feathers.  I  tackled that problem first.  I finally came up with the idea for a baby chick for spring.  Then the idea of a spring centerpiece took shape.  First, how I made my little chick...

Okay just looking at that pic makes me say "awwww".  He is ugly but in a cute way don't ya think?  I used the feathers, styrofoam balls, pipe cleaners, foam sheets, and hot glue for this one.

Connect the two styrofoam balls together using a pipe cleaner and some hot glue...

I added little pipe cleaner legs to give him something to stand on....

I then COVERED him in white and yellow feathers.  I cut some of the feathers into pieces, pulled some of them completely apart, and hot glued the heck out of em.  I then added a foam beak and sharpie eyes.....

Next came the idea for a fence to put all of this on.  I cut my foam board into fence shapes....

Then my trusty glue gun held it all together...

I added some green scrapbook paper on the bottom...

Then cause I had no clue how to properly craft with wool roving, I made "grass" with it....

I painstakingly cut the fabric into pieces.  The butterflies, flowers, leaves, everything is from the fabric pack.  I mod podged each piece onto the fence.  This by far took the longest amount of time.  I had to carefully cut each piece.

I added the brads to the centers of some of the flowers before putting them on the fence with Mod Podge...

The more pieces I cut out the more I loved this fence.  The color combo is perfect for me.  It is like they picked the perfect colors when the picked my box...

I still had to use the chalkboard paint and glitter plus my centerpiece needed a little something.

I made a sign out of my foam board...

Include a little leg to hold your sign up.  And you guessed it....hot glue it together...

I used the glitter to make a faux wood effect on the sign "post".  

Of course, the top of the sign got covered in chalkboard paint...

All in all I was successful in my project and the use of all of the materials.  The most interesting part of this challenge was seeing what others made out of the exact same box of materials.  You get such a wide variety.  

I had a blast taking the Scribble Shop Challenge.

The Scribble Shop provided me with crafting supplies and are compensating me for this post.  The ideas, thoughts, and opinions are all my own.  HINT:  If you follow them on facebook, twitter, and/or google plus -- they give out coupon codes!  
Visit some of the lovely ladies in the linky below!  

 Posted at Get Your Craft On on Today's Creative Blog.

Posted at Take a Look Tuesday on Sugar Bee Craft Edition.

Posted at Tip Me Tuesday on Tip Junkie.

Posted at Tutorials and Tips on The Stories of A to Z.
~Thanks for stopping by!~
~Angie~
The Country Chic Cottage  

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Drawstring Camera Bag Tutorial

My project last week for So You Think You're Crafty was my Blog Conference Tote Bag.  I am back to give you all the details and a step by step tutorial for the drawstring camera bag. 

I started with a tote bag I owned from Nest of Posies -- love her!  On a side note, I received so many compliments on the bag at Blissdom.  Everyone will notice your blog name if you are wearing it on your shoulder at a conference.  This bag was with me at all times during the conference.  My next step was to make a laptop sleeve.  I used this tutorial over at Crap I've Made to make my laptop sleeve.  I also added a Nest of Posies posy to the laptop sleeve.  I made a smaller version of the laptop sleeve for all of the cords that come with the computer.  

Now for my drawstring camera bag.  I wanted something super simple for my new DSLR camera.  Something that could be thrown into my purse for a softball game or I could carry on a trip to the zoo.  This little bag is perfect.

You will need two coordinating materials and some quilt batting.  I used my largest round tray as a round template.  Mine is 16 inches in diameter (if you measure across the circle).  Cut the circle out of each fabric and the batting.

Next you will need a long strip of material.  It needs to be 7 inches wide.  For the length, take your circle diameter (measuring straight across the circle) and multiply by 3.14.  Add 2 inches to the length for seams.

Press the entire long strip in half.  Also, press over your ends about a 1/4 of an inch.

Now this part is tricky.  Put the ends together so you are forming a large circle with your strip.  Starting from the fold, sew about 2 inches going through all of the layers.  For the next 1 inch, only sew the front sides (repeat for front and back).  Then continue on sewing through all of the layers until you are about 1/2 inch from the raw edge.  I made a little graphic for y'all.  Basically you want that opening where my scissors are for your ribbon drawstring.

Now we are going to sew all the way around this strip.  Two inches from the fold and one inch below that.  Yes you are making a pocket for your drawstring to go through.  

Now press the raw edges of your long strip under about 1/4 inch on both sides.

Now pin that strip all the way around your circles.  Circles should be stacked with bag material (right side down), batting, then liner material (right side up).  

I sewed all the way around once just catching the edge that was on the liner side.  Then sewed again just catching the edge that is on the outside.  That way the outside was neat and I did not miss the strip on either side.  Now you just have to thread in your ribbon drawstring.  

Tip:  Put a safety pin through one end of your ribbon.  Thread that end through the bag first.  The safety pin will help you guide the ribbon around the bag.  After you get your ribbon through, tie it and pull it to close.  

A quick and easy bag that will protect your camera when you are out and about.

I also made a matching camera strap cover.  There are so many tutorials for how to make one of these that I did not take step by step pictures.  Here is a link with a tutorial round up.  I am sure you can find one that you will love!

Enjoy this sewing tutorial!  And let me know if you make one of your own!

 Posted at Transformation Thursday on The Shabby Chic Cottage.

Posted at Show off your Stuff Party at Fireflies and Jellybeans.

Posted at the under $100 party on Beyond the Picket Fence.

Posted at the Open House Party on No Minimalist Here.
Posted at SNS on Funky Junk Interiors.
Posted at the Weekend Wrapup on Tatertots and Jello.
Posted at Sunday Showcase on Under the Table and Dreaming.
~Thanks for stopping by!~

~Angie~
The Country Chic Cottage

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Sewing Notions Art with ROYGBIV week

Well I got eliminated from SYTYC this week.  I am actually fine with it.  Life is getting busy around here and I was having a hard time keeping up with those awesome ladies.  Y'all should head on over and vote for the ROYGBIV projects cause there are some amazing ones!  Of course, my ROYGBIV project was done and ready to be posted so I thought I would let y'all see it tonight.  I am not a rainbow type of gal.  But I received a huge box of vintage sewing supplies that I bought from a reader.  Well...inspiration struck!  My vintage sewing notions art....

First I gathered up two shadow boxes from the thrift store and painted them white.  My first art piece is a collection of vintage buttons laid out in a ROYGBIV configuration.  Oh so interesting!  You can look at all of those buttons for hours!  My second piece of art is actually wooden thread spools wrapped with ric-rac.  They almost appear to be rosettes....with a wood thread spool center of course!

I set them up with some other colorful vintage pieces for a little vignette.  You know this rainbow coloring really lends itself to spring!  I am ready for warmer weather now, aren't you?

I hope you enjoy!  Maybe it will inspire you to get your ROYGBIV on! 

 Posted at Get Your Craft On on Today's Creative Blog.

Posted at Take a Look Tuesday on Sugar Bee Craft Edition.

Posted at Tip Me Tuesday on Tip Junkie.

Posted at Tutorials and Tips on The Stories of A to Z.
Linking up on the party at The Nester
~Thanks for stopping by!~
~Angie~
The Country Chic Cottage  

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Love Sign Knock Off -- How to paint letters on a sign

Voting is still open this week on So You Think You're Crafty -- head on over and vote for my conference tote bag!

  Are y'all ready for all the details on my Love Sign Knock Off?  I am oh so happy with this project.  I searched pinterest for some love project inspiration.  I found a sign on pinterest I fell in love with but...$300!!  YIKES!  My love project became an attempt to knock off that sign on a pint size budget.  I made mine completely with things I had on hand.  Yes free to me.  My love sign knock off...

Here is the original and my version side by side.  My version is almost exactly the same size as the original.  However, mine is three boards versus two.  By using three boards, mine is made with standard size lumber so that anyone can make one for themselves at home.  All you need for the letters is a printer, a pen, a ruler, some paint (I used Folk Art), and some patience.

I started with a little help from hubby.  We used some leftover lumber from building a barn.  Cut it to size where it would be approximately square.  My version is about 28 inches by 30 inches.  Very close to being square but not quite.  :)

We added runners on the back.  So it basically is assembled like a pallet would be.

I then painted it white.  It took about 5 coats as the lumber absorbed A LOT and bled through like this....

But I eventually got a nice even white coat.  Now for those letters.  This tip came from this source via pinterest and I heart it!!  Print out your words with any old printer the size you want them.  Lay them on your wood sign and trace around them.  For this sign, for example, I would trace the "H" measure and move my paper and trace the "E" measure and move my paper and trace the next letter, etc.

That will leave a slight indent where you want to paint.  Genius I tell you!  I wanted rustic letters.  So I used a very dry brush and left all of those natural imperfections....

Each letter is unique.  No sanding required. 

To me it looks more worn and less "forced" than sanding...

I loved how on the original the letters landed on the middle of the separations between the boards.  So I measure carefully and had mine come out the same way.  The measuring for the letter placement was the hardest part.

I am so happy this one got me through one more week of SYTYC!  Plus I am beyond thrilled with how this one turned out!

After some thought, I will be selling this sign -- just one time no duplicates will be made.  If you are interested drop me an email!  

Posted at Show and Tell on Blue Cricket Design.

Posted at Whatever Goes Wednesday on Someday Crafts.
Posted at What I Whipped Up Wednesday on Sugar and Dots.
Posted at Good Life Wednesdays on A Beach Cottage.
Posted at the party on Organize and Decorate Everything. 
Posted at the Pinterest Party on Young House Love.

~Thanks for stopping by!~

~Angie~
The Country Chic Cottage

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