Hack it to me!

Mmmmmmm Bop!

After reading that title, I hope that god awful song isn't stuck in your head like it is in mine. If you don't know what song I'm referring to, consider yourself lucky! 

So why did I pick that as the title of my post?  I'm running out of creative ways to describe my 'M' obsession!

This time I tackled a project using Washi tape.  What is Washi, you ask?  It's a wonderful piece of colorful paper that has an adhesive backing, almost like fabric tape but thinner and easy to tear.  I've used it in so many different ways and most creatively, as a cheap alternative to a Band-Aid on all of Peaches McGee's dolls' "boo-boos."  

My only supplies were: 

1. Cardboard 'M' that I picked up at JoAnn's or Michael's or Hobby Lobby (can't remember, and all of them carry them) 
2. Washi tape (I used four different patterns)
3. Sharp scissors or an Exacto knife
4. Acrylic paint and paintbrush (optional)
5. Two eye hooks for hanging (optional).

Washi tape that I used

Cardboard letter

I then alternated strips of Washi tape across the letter trying really hard to keep everything straight. 

Washi tape in place

Once I had the letter covered, I first took some sharp scissors and cut off the excess tape and then painted the sides white with acrylic craft paint.

Here you can see the white edges

Finally, to hang it, I screwed in two eye hooks to the top of the letter and then threaded some ribbon and hung it up on Peaches McGee's wall! 

Now some new pics of Peaches McGee's bedroom.  And there's actually one more 'M' hiding behind the pink hanging lamp!

Business is Booming!

Okay, that may be a bit of an exaggeration, but I've had several orders in the past month on Etsy and I couldn't be happier.  Does that mean I'm quitting my job? Unfortunately, no.  It just means I'm actually making some money doing something that I love.  Scratch that.  Making money is one thing, breaking even is another.  Let's just say I'm probably breaking even after all the materials I've purchased.

While the customized, monogrammed pennant is my favorite product on my site, it appears that it's not everyone else's favorite   Bummer.  Perhaps it's the price?  Dunno, but I'll keep making them for my friends and family :)

Check out some of my new products and support a small business!

Square Pennant Flag - $5/letter

Miniature Pennant Flag - $3/letter

Personalized Bow-Tie Onesie - $20

My Etsy Store is Up and Running!

I'm still working on listing everything, so if you've seen something I've made and would like to order it, message me and I will create a custom listing! 

To find me, search for Reiderses; that's my shop name (Peaches McGee was taken)!

Happy shopping!!!

"M" I Missing Something?

I have an obsession and it's with the letter 'M' because that's the first letter of Peaches McGee's real name (Milla).  I have a few that I've purchased, but haven't hung yet, so I decided to get at least one of them up.  My first attempt was punching out paper flowers and gluing them on.  It was ugly so I decided to try something else!

I had a canvas board that had been sitting in my craft room for a while.  I decided to wrap it with fabric and then staple gun it nice and tightly around the canvas.  I then painted green dots on the 'M' (after removing the glued flowers) and when it dried, I used regular craft glue and mounted it to the fabric-covered canvas.  I liked it enough to hang in her room and she liked it enough to say, "Oooooh, Mommy! Thank you for my pretty decoration!"

UGLY

Canvas

Clearance craft paint (I love a deal!)

Back of the canvas with the fabric stapled to it

Front of the canvas

Dots on my 'M' - I just used a pencil eraser dipped in paint to get the "perfect" dots

Project (almost) complete!

I wasn't 100% satisfied because I realized that all of the other 'M's were hanging, so I took two pieces of ribbon, stapled it to the back of the canvas and tied a bow.  Much better!

Spotty Dotty Paper

Last year I made my own Chevron wrapping paper and I loved it.  But my lungs did not... I inhaled more spray paint than any person should.  Therefore, I decided to do something different.

I wanted to include Peaches McGee, but wasn't ready to give up complete control and let her have free reign on the paper.  My solution: give her a pouncer paintbrush where she could put simple dots on the paper.  It turned out so well and I can't wait to wrap all the presents in it.

Things you need:

• Contractors Paper (I bought mine at Lowe's last year - see this post)
• Red, White, and Green Acrylic Paint (or whichever colors you want)
• "Pouncer" Paintbrush (similar to these, but I bought mine at JoAnn's near the stenciling items)

I placed a squirt of each paint on a different paper plate (can't mix those colors), and then let Milla "pounce" away with her paintbrush.  She didn't really understand spreading it out, so our dialogue kind of went like this:

Me, "No, honey.  You need to spreeeeeaaaaadddd around the dots like this." Trying to do a good example and not become the controlling OCD mother that I am.

She places a million dots over one other.

Me, "Like this honey.  No.  Like this."  

Peaches, "Like dis?" Putting multiple dots in the same one inch diameter again....

"Oh forget it; it'll be extra special now." *sigh* 

Can you spot Peaches' spots?

Finished product!

Clutch Shot

Life has been busy (but hasn't everyone's)?  Well, when my life gets out of control, I like to craft.  Do I have time to do it?  Probably not.  Should I do other things?  Maybe.  But, it’s my form of therapy and Lord knows I need a lot!

I realized that I neglect my blog because I don’t have the time (or rather, I don’t want to give the time) to writing instructions, etc.  Then I realized that the reason I created the blog was to journal my journey while experimenting with crafts.  It was originally for Martha Stewart crafts, but she bored me and I moved on to Pinterest.  Below is a kickoff to many more posts to come... I have almost ten projects that I plan to document!

But first... my proudest accomplishment... the clutch, the coin purse and the iPhone case (sorry, can't find this instructions for the iPhone case (besides, it wasn't all that cool)).  If you like them, give them a shot.  I'm going to make a bunch of the coin purses for Peaches' little girl friends for Christmas along with a little trinket inside them :)

Front of clutch

Back of clutch

Coin Purse

iPhone case