DIY: Yarn Tins and Jars

"Have nothing in your houses that you do not know to be useful or believe to be beautiful." 

-William Morris

Well, with that said... My craft space is out of  control.  It is quite possibly overflowing with items that are not useful or not beautiful-- and quite possibly both.  I'm working hard this week to organize my craft space.  Once it's looking good I will post a before and after picture.  

I first saw this craft on Pinterest-- but it's popping up everywhere!  This is a great project for organizing my space because the vintage drawer set that I keep my pens and markers would much better hold something else.  Plus, the colorful jars will now add an extra pop of color to my desk!  

 source

You will need:
Recyclables-- tins, jars, cans, etc.
Yarn-- You could also use rope or string
Glue-- I used Tacky Glue but you could use about any kind I'm sure...

Turn your item upside down and draw a line of glue around the bottom.  Then run your yarn around the glue.

 Continue wrapping the yarn around your container.

 Keep wrapping until you completely cover your container.

When you're finished use a drop of glue at the top to attach the end of your yarn to the container.  I used a little extra to smooth it down and make sure it stayed.

Hope you had a great weekend!

xoxo,
Ashley and Mister G

Old Journal Face Lift

I always get so excited when I buy a new notebook.  I usually write in it for a few pages, forget about it entirely, and buy another new and exciting notebook.  In an attempt to be green (and frugal), I have decided to not buy anymore notebooks until I use up my old ones.

I've been having the itch lately for new notebooks-- but I'm sticking to my resolution.  Maybe if I give my journals a pretty facelift I won't be so tempted to go buy a new one.

Here is a tutorial for a fun way to jazz up your notebook!

You will need:

Journal

Fabric

Glue, Mod Podge, or Golden Gel Medium

Paint
Paint Brush

Stencil
Sponge or pouncer

Scissors

Ribbon

1. Cut your fabric to fit the cover of your journal.  I added an inch on each side to wrap the fabric around to the inside of the cover.

2.  Paint your adhesive medium to the cover.  Lay your fabric on top and smooth it down.  If you are wrapping the fabric to the inside, paint a strip of adhesive medium to the inside cover as well.  Let it dry completely.

3.  Cut out space for the binding.  Then use your adhesive to adhere your fabric to the back of your journal, and tuck the edges inside against the back cover-- just like you did on the front.  

4.  If you like the look of your fabric covered journal-- you're done!  

5.  If not, keep working!  Pick out a stencil.  Remember my Martha Hurricane Holiday Vase project?  I used the rose stencil from the Four Seasons stencil kit and layered the rose pattern.  Then I used my gel medium to adhere a ribbon to the bottom.  

6.  Wait for it to dry.  My ribbon was white and looked funny after being glued so I painted it a light blue.  Your old journal is new and beautiful and you can love it once more, filling its pages with your best ideas!  

Thanks for stopping by my blog today!  I would love to see your fancy new journals!  Post pictures of your work on Mister G's Facebook page or on Twitter @MisterGandMe.  Be sure to check out my Etsy Shop too! :)