Oil Rubbed Bronze Door Knobs

Welp, it may have been 3.5 years since I have posted to my craft blog, but who cares right?  I have SOOO many crafts/projects I have done since my last post.  I have even taken step-by-step pictures, just never getting around to posting it.  Today is the day!  I pinned this project over 2 years ago; I even bought the spray paint around the same time.  Poor little guy sat in my craft room all this time just waiting to spice up our brassy doorknobs.  And spice them up he did!  This project only took a few hours spanned over 2 days.  The main reason I am posting this is because I have quite a few tips the original blogger did not add.  Enjoy!

 Start by going around and unscrewing every doorknob.  I used a drill to speed up the process.  My first "make it easier" tip is carry around a bucket with a small bowl for the screws.  This way you don't lose those bad boys!

 I then threw them into the dishwasher.  I was a little concerned about this, but they all came out perfectly fine.  If you don't want to do it this way, you at least need to hand wash them all--you don't want any oils or dirt from your hands to effect the stay-on power of the spray paint.

 My next handy tip is to use toilet paper rolls.  I cut mine in half since I didn't have quite enough for all my knobs.  Use these as a stand to prevent any paint pooling.  I put these on top of a big piece of cardboard to protect my deck.

                                                  All lined up and ready to be bronzified!

 I highly recommend starting with a primer.  It is an extra step, but it also makes all the difference in the world! I used Rustoleum Ultra Cover. Another helpful tip--cut a slit into your cardboard and stick all your screws in it.  I only spray painted the tops; no need to get the threads of the screw painted.

Always use multiple light layers of paint.  Again, this takes a little more time, but the results are well worth it!

 Look how beautiful those babies look!  This knob was painted and reinstalled over a month ago.  It shows no wear or scuffs!  It has actually even had a child safety cover on it, which I was afraid would leave scuffs marks.  As you can see, it still looks brand new!

 I used Krylon Brushed Metallic "Oil Rubbed Bronze"  It has held up so well!  I have even hung my purse on them with no issues!

Permanent Chalk Board

I came home from Girl's Camp last year to a nice surprise from my hubby.  He had painted/installed a chalk board in our kitchen.  He went out and bought the chalk board paint, measured it out and added a trim.  The trim was left over from when our house was built, so it matched-but I just had to add my own personal touch.  I started by taping off the trim and adding newspaper for any over spray.

I used a nice off-white spray paint I got at a garage sale for 50 cents.  Gotta love garage sales.  I think it took 2-3 light coats.  Once it was nice and dry, I sanded it around the edges to give it a nice worn look.  Then I took some brown Ralph Lauren glaze and dry brushed it on.  Before it dried, I wiped away the glaze with a different dry cloth.

   Now, don't you think it went from drab to fab?

 Before & After

 

Ruffled Bracelet/Cuff

Here is a fun, cheap and easy way to make a bracelet.  It incorporates all the trends right now-ruffles, yo-yo flowers and fabric.  I even had everything I needed at home-no need to go out and buy anything.  Here are the needed supplies:

Fabric

Ribbon

Thread

Velcro (optional)

Hot Glue Gun

Step One:

*Note-the sizing for these instructions are for a 7" wrist. You may need to adjust to accommodate your wrist.

Cut out a strip of fabric 2" by 16".  You can sew pieces together to get 16".  The seam will be hidden by the ruffles.  Believe it or not, I got my fabric for free from one of those design swatch books.

Step Two:

You can either fold your ruffles and pin, or just eye it like I did.  Sew a straight stitch all the way down the middle  to secure the ruffles.

Step Three:

Measure your sewed bracelet, and 1", and cut your ribbon this length if you are going the velcro route.  If you are going the tied-bow route, you will want to make your ribbon 3 times the length of your sewed bracelet.  Sew this down the middle again.  I used zig zag on some, and a straight stitch on others.  If you are using velcro, use the extra 1/2" on each of the ribbon ends to tuck under  the ends of the bracelet. (sorry, did not get a picture to show what I mean)

Step Four: 

Next you will need to make any kind of flower that is out there.  Or you can add whatever else you want to the middle.  I just hot glued mine right to the ribbon.  If want to use velcro, go ahead and add this, one to each end.  Make sure you add one to the top, and one to the bottom.  I tried just using the stick on, but after taking it on and off and few times, it started coming loose.  So, just sew it on with a few stitches.

I also made a few cuffs.  I did this by sewing the ends together.  Make sure you make it big enough to fit over your hand/wrist, but not too big to fall off.

That's it!  I made 7 of these in about 2 hours.  This included designing and figuring out the measurements.  Here are some more pictures of the finished product!

Another Ruffled Shirt Re-Do

Here is another shirt I turned from plain to ruffled.  I don't love how it turned out, but the shirt was only a couple of bucks and the fabric was clearanced, so not much lost.  I got the idea here.  She used a long sleeve shirt, but I just used fabric.  I think I will try it again.  Always turns out better the 2nd time.

Before

After

Up Close

"Sweet" Baby Shower Gift

My neighbor across the street had a baby shower this past weekend.  I have not bought a baby gift for the last 5 years, and I don't plan on starting now.  I found this idea on Cute as a Fox.  I think she bought her blanket and burp clothes, but I wanted to try making my own.  I didn't have a pattern, so I just made one for both of them.  I forgot to take a picture after I had sewed the blanket and burp clothes, so sorry.  The lollipop is made out of the blanket, the cupcakes are made out of the burp clothes and socks and the hard candy is made out of wash clothes.  The baby is a surprise, so I had to stick with neutral colors.  I am so excited how this turned out.  I even threw in some real candy for the mom-to-be!  Oh so sweet ;)

Cupcakes & Hard Candy

Lollipop

Plain Jane to Shabby-Chic

I found this great skirt at Kohl's on sale this weekend, but I didn't have a shirt I thought did it justice...so I made one!  I bought the plain t-shirt at Kohl's  for $5.  Picked up some clearance fabric at Jo-Ann's (always shop the clearance aisles), snagged a few buttons and lace and turned a plain-jane shirt in this fabulous shabby-chic shirt.  Total cost, including the shirt is $10!  Normally, you can't buy a plain t-shirt for that price!  Sorry, no tutorial this time, but I do have a link to where I got the idea and she put up some very minimal tips here.

Anthro Necklace

Another craft-lifted idea, this time from Tatertots & Jello.  I have been into the whole Nautical thing lately, so I just had to make this necklace to wear with some of my Nautical clothing.  Thanks, Anthro for giving such great ideas.  BTW, theirs cost $42, mine cost $2.50!!!  I got my cording in the clearance aisle of Jo-Ann's and the buttons there, as well.  Who doesn't love a cheap, easy craft that you can wear again and again?
Here is the link to the original and the knock-off