Tablescape: Sushi and Seafood Smorgasbord

Welcome...please come in and have a seat.

All kinds of delectable treats await you...

My master chef was busy all afternoon preparing this feast for my guests.

I hope you brought an appetite...

We have sushi...and seafood...tropical fruit...a veritable smorgasbord feast!

Perhaps I can interest you in a glass of white wine?

I so enjoyed our visit.

Thank you for stopping by!

Happy Crafting!!

Stephiejo

Barbie Craft Project: Farmhouse Table

Super simple craft project. Inspired by a recent trip to a fabulous little craft store where I found some fun little 3-D letters made out of MDF. This cute little table popped into my head and I knew I had to have them. 


A little nod to Pottery Barn farmhouse style.

Supplies:

3-D Letter X (2 of them)

Wooden Dowel

Pine Craft Wood

Wood Glue

Paint

Stain

Wood sealer

Craft knife

Drill / Drill bits

Step 1: Find the center of the X.

Step 2: Drill a hole in the center of the X large enough to allow the dowel to pass through.

Step 3: Determine the length your dowel needs to be to support the two x's. To figure the length out I set up the x's and set the pine board on top. I left about a quarter inch overhang on each side, marked the dowel and cut to length.

Step 4: {Optional} I wanted my table top to look like boards rather than a solid piece of wood. I divided my wood into three sections with a pencil. Then score over the pencil lines with a craft knife be careful not to cut all the way through.

Step 5: Stain the tabletop (both sides so it doesn't warp). Or if you prefer you can paint it or leave it natural.

Step 6: Glue the dowel in place. Allow to dry thoroughly and paint the entire table base.

Step 7: Seal the tabletop.

I left my tabletop separate from the table base for ease of storage. You could attach yours if you wish. This particular table is just a smidge taller than an actual Barbie table so if you do not have any chairs that fit it you could use it as a kitchen island.

Here's my new Barbie kitchen. A tutorial on that project in the near future.

Linking to Transformation Thursday @ The Shabby Chic Cottage


Thanks for stopping by!

Happy Crafting!

Stephiejo ♥

Barbie Craft Project: Tile

Quick and easy project that has a multitude of possible applications. There are a variety of ways to create scale tile, this is one method that I use frequently.

Supplies:

Thin cardboard (scrap from a notebook, cereal box, or scrapbook tablet)

Xacto knife or scissors

Ruler

Mod Podge

Paint Brush

Pencil

Scrapbook paper,  contact  paper or wallpaper in suitable pattern (example: granite, marble, solid, wood, stone)

Step #1: Lay your scrap of cardboard on top of your piece of patterned paper. Trim paper just slightly larger than the cardboard.

Step #2: Apply a thin layer of Mod Podge to the cardboard. **Note-Mod Podge is waterbased and will cause the cardboard to warp slightly. This is ok.

Step #3: Lay your patterned paper face down on your work surface. Place the cardboard on top of the paper-glue side down.  Press down firmly with your hands. Start in the center and work your way to the edges to remove most of the air bubbles.

Step #4: Place a stack of magazines or heavy books on top until the glue dries. This will flatten out the cardboard.

Step #5: Trim the excess paper to the edge of the cardboard using a straight edge & sharp xacto knife or scissors if you can cut really straight.

Step #6: Draw a grid on the back side of the cardboard the size you want your tiles. I made mine 2 inches by 2 inches. This will equal a real life 12 inch square tile.  **Hint-look at websites that sell tile for size & design ideas.  1" x 1" = 6" RL tile, 2.5" x 2.5" = 18" RL tile

Step #7: Cut along your grid lines. Voila you have tiles!

This will make a fantastic backsplash for a kitchen, a great floor or fabulous surround for a fireplace. 

Here is one example of this tile used in a Barbie sized setting. I customized a vintage Sears kitchen fashion doll playset and added my own backsplash:

Thanks for stopping by!

Happy Crafting!

Stephiejo

Barbie Craft Project: Toilet Paper Holder and Towel Holder

Super fast-super easy-craft project for the crafting impaired. Scouts honor. Actually I am sharing TWO. You will be done with both in less than 30 minutes.

Project #1: Toilet paper holder

Supplies- small paper clips- bead caps or rounded earring backs, super glue, wire cutter and real toilet paper (can you spare a square?)

Step 1: Open your paperclip into a U shape

Step 2: Trim the paper clip so that it is the appropriate depth (about half inch)

Step 3: Glue small end of bead caps or earring backs to each end of the paperclip - let dry

**(I do this step on top of wax paper to avoid gluing my tp holder to my work surface)

Step 4: After the glue dries cut a strip of toilet paper just slightly narrower than the width of the holder and wrap around to create a miniature roll.

Step 5: Glue the tp holder to the wall

Now for the big question..does your roll fall over or under? That is such a hotly debated issue in my house...for realz...like it's serious or something...but inquiring minds want to know!

Project #2: Towel Bar

Supplies: Wooden skewer, variety of plastic beads, 2 cup hooks or similar product for hanging, craft knife, craft paint, spray paint or paint pens, matte sealer (optional)

Step 1: Determine the length of your towel holder and trim skewer (mine is 3 inches)

Step 2: Glue beads to each end of the skewer. It doesn't matter what color they are as you will paint the entire piece.

Step 3: When beads are thoroughly dry-paint with craft paints, spray paint or paint pens in desired finish.

Step 4: Seal paint (optional)

Step 5: Hang in your space with appropriate sized cup hooks. (paint to match if necessary)

Step 6: Add towel-finished! (I use felt trimmed with coordinating ribbon. Fold felt in half & iron so it hangs flat on rod)

A few more pics of my Silkstone bathroom...

If you are going for a more realistic approach you could just crumple up the towel and leave it on the floor underneath the towel bar...but that's only if you have men in the house....just saying....

Sweet and simple! Enjoy your handiwork~

Stephiejo ♥

Freedom Isn't Free

Happy Memorial Day everyone!

Remember those who made the ultimate sacrifice serving in our armed forces.




Until next time...

Happy Crafting!
Stephiejo

Celebrating Summer

Welcome to the cottage.

Summer is just around the corner. Won't you join me for a quick snack in the garden?

Just a light snack on such a warm spring day.

I spent the entire morning weeding the garden and picking some fresh strawberries.

The roses are in full bloom already. Don't they smell divine?

So sorry you have to leave so soon. Thanks for the visit. You'll have to come back and I will make you a wonderful treat with all the lovely strawberries from my garden.

Until next time, Happy Crafting!

Stephiejo

A little equestrian fun

What little girl doesn't wish for her very own pony??



One that she promises she will look after and care for...



A pet of her very own...



How could I say no?

Happy Crafting!
Stephiejo