Quick and Easy

It starts with a plain wooden frame.

I think my frames came from Oriental Trading Company.  I've had them laying around for a bit because I thought they would make a great project.  Turns out they can be a super quick project too.

All that's needed for this project is a plain frame (which can probably be picked up anywhere from the Dollar Tree to your local craft store), paint, paintbrushes and a sponge.  If you would like to make a bunch of these as gifts for the other students in your child's classroom, or if you would like to do this as a classroom art project, frames similar to this one can be bought in increments of three dozen here: http://www.discountofficeitems.com/office-supplies/teaching-art/arts-crafts/craft-supplies/creativity-street-wood-frame-ornaments-frames/p65192.html?ref=bizrate&source=bizrate&utm_medium=shopping_engine&utm_source=bizrate.  With shipping, they will end up being more than a dollar a piece though.

Once you have your frame and other materials ready, it's time to get decorating! I chose to paint the entire frame white.  Then, using the sponge, I layered some color over the white layer.  I used acrylic paint since I already had some at the house.  It's very easy to clean off of the photo plastic in the center if your paint gets messy.  It's also very quick and easy to clean up if it gets on your hands or clothes.

My frame turned out like this.  I think these would make fantastic Christmas or birthday presents.  Just put a picture in to finish it off.  The best part? Even with assembling all of the materials together, it takes less than ten minutes!

Thrifting for a good cause

I'm a big fan of thrift stores. There are always treasures hidden on their shelves that you can bring home for under a dollar. It's even better when your dollar (or cents) goes to a great cause.  This local Fredericksburg thrift store is run by Hospice Support Care. When you shop here, your money goes to providing care for the seriously ill and bereaved.  You can find more information about Hospice here: www.hospicesupportcare.org.

pillowcase, scissors, seam ripper, stitch witchery

  

I ventured to this little gem to find myself a pillowcase. Why, you ask? For my next thrifty craft project.  Goal: one drawstring skirt.  I managed to pick up a pillowcase for a quarter.  Then, I gathered the necessary materials together.  In addition to what's pictured, you may want some fabric pins to help keep your seams straight.  You will also need an iron.

If you are like me, then you are not so handy at the hand-stitching or use of a sewing machine.  Don't be discouraged! You can still do this project.  At your local craft store, for $2.99, you will find a miraculous thing called Stitch Witchery.  This will allow you and your iron to create a hem instead of fighting with a needle and thread.  My skirt's hem took me less than 15 minutes.  If I had hand-stitched it (since I do not own a sewing machine) this same hem probably would have taken me hours--and been considerably more crooked.

For your drawstring waistband, you have a variety of options. You can use string, yarn, or shoelaces.  You could also use leftover fabric from the pillowcase if you choose to shorten it to get your skirt to your desired length.  I chose to use some ribbon I had in my craft room.  I cut three pieces and braided them together to make a thicker cord so it would be a bit more durable.

The skirt itself can be made in just a few steps.
1. Use that seam ripper to open the top end of your pillowcase.
2. Try the pillowcase on.  Feel a bit ridiculous? It's okay. This will help you gauge how much fabric needs to be cut off, if any.  If your pillowcase is thin, like mine, you may want to line it with a slip or another pillowcase to avoid any accidental indecent exposure :) I'm pretty short, so I chose to fold the excess length over and use it as a second layer.  My pillowcase was basically folded in half.  Once you've got your length figured out, mark the top edge with fabric pins or a pencil/fabric chalk.
3. Turn your skirt inside out. Fold over that top edge and press it with an iron.  Break out your Stitch Witchery (or your thread) and fuse or sew along the bottom edge of the seam you created.
4. Cut a hold in the front center of your hemmed waistband.  Thread through the drawstring you made.  It helps to tie a knot at the end.  I used a pencil to help push the drawstring through. 

Voila! A cute little skirt.

Beach-Combing

Materials: wire cutters, rounded pliers, wire in gauge of your choice and sea glass

So, recently I have been haunting local beaches for some inexpensive project materials.  While you may be thinking sea shells or pretty rocks, I've actually been scouting for some trash. Glass, to be more specific.  Any shoreline that has a good supply of pebbles or shells, will most likely also have a supply of glass that has been tumbled in the water.  The best pieces for jewelry are those that are frosty looking and have rounded edges.  The more rough pieces can still be used though.  Sea glass can also make for some gorgeous mosaics.

If you'd like to go the jewelry route, pendants can be made with very few materials (you know it's four if you looked at the photo above :) You may already have a pair of wire cutters around the house.  If you opt for thin wire (which I don't recommend for larger pieces of glass), you may also be able to use a pair of scissors.  Rounded pliers can be picked up at your local craft store for a few bucks.  A.C. Moore has a kit that includes three pairs of pliers for less than five dollars: http://www.acmoore.com/p-29076-pliers-mini-tool-set-3-pieces.aspx.Wire can also be found at your local craft store, and depending on gauge and color, can also be very affordable: http://www.acmoore.com/p-30531-stringing-wire-7-strand-01538mm-diameter-30ftspool-craft-seriesblack.aspx.

More patience and determination will be required to get the last material, the sea glass.  Be prepared for a few hours of finding nothing or only mosaic-quality pieces before you come across a piece that will work for jewelry.  Once you have your coveted piece, use the wire to create a design of your choice.  There are many good tutorials available if you aren't familiar with pendant-making.  http://www.deviantart.com has galleries filled by very talented jewelers and also has a few tutorials for the novice.

Some wire wrapping tutorials:
http://szilviabead.deviantart.com/art/wirewrapped-pendant-tutorial-120970398
http://glitterglowbeading.com/?page_id=382

For some more info on sea glass and collection, as well as some links to purchase sea glass if you are not big on collecting it yourself, visit The North American Sea Glass Association:
http://www.seaglassassociation.org/index.html

My first sea glass pendant

glass mosaic