Eightymillion

A DIY craft and photography blog. Dogs included.

A Simple (DIY) Gardening Tip

I found another great use for an IKEA shopping bag.  It’s works great when your collecting rubbish around the yard.
I’ve been busy cleaning out the flower beds and random leaves that were left over from last Fall.  The handles make it easy to carry around the yard and then to the burn pile.
I will definitely be getting another bag on my next visit.

DIY Inspiration: Make Your Own Band T-Shirt (For Concerts)

I’ve taken my creative ideas to a whole new level.  A handmade t-shirt designed by me!  And yes, I did wear this to the show last September.  Which reminds me, I never shared my pics, did I?  I promise a post this week.
Back to the shirt!  I went to see Motley Crue and KISS at Alpine Valley with a group of friends.  Knowing I was going to purchase a band shirt from the merchandise booth didn’t help me decide on what to wear to the show.  I really wished I had all of those in which I purchased from previous shows that I attended back in the 90’s.  I had looked around locally for one with no luck.  Online venue were selling out.  What’s a girl to do?
Make my own t-shirt!

Here’s what you need:
*Black t-shirt (I got mine at Michaels craft store for $2.00-it was on sale)
*White fabric spray paint (Michaels again.  Used a coupon so it cost me $6.)
*Stencils (I already had these on hand, but check your local Dollar Stores)
*Masking tape
**You may use any color you wish.  I’m just sharing what I used for this project.
The How To:
First wash the t-shirt.  This was my first time using fabric spray paint, so I followed the directions as stated. 
Using the ironing board I spread the t-shirt out flat.  Any flat surface will work.  I have a couple of t-shirts that have the stripes on the sleeves, so I thought I would create my own with this one.  I used six pieces of masking tape on each sleeve.  Three on the front and three on the back.  I simply eyeballed it when it comes to lining the tape up.  I don’t worry about perfection with stuff like this.  So, you may use a ruler if you want to make sure the stripes are evenly spaced.
I picked out the stencils that I needed to spell out the band name.  Using the masking tape I placed them on the front of the shirt where I thought they looked okay.  Repeat, I’m not picky with accurate placing.    

I applied the fabric paint to give it a blotchy look.  Make sure to shake the bottle well before using.  I let it dry overnight and then removed the masking tape. 
Both Motley Crue and KISS were using the hashtag #TheTour on Twitter, so I thought it was only proper to promote that on the back of the shirt.  I used a fabric pen for the wording. 
That’s it!  A simple project that cost me $6.  I was surprised at the quality of the t-shirt given the fact that I only paid $2. for it.  It’s still in great condition and I wear it a lot.
When you wash the t-shirt I recommend that you turn it inside out first.  And I only dry it for a couple of minutes in the dryer.  Enough to pull the wrinkles out.  
I have more shows planned this year.  Might just have to make another one.
Until the next word…
~Jennifer  

DIY: Smash Book Covers (Update-Completion)

This post is so overdue that I almost didn’t want to share it now.  Why?  Because I was up until 3AM on Christmas Eve finishing these three books.  And I’m still working on three more for my other niece and nephews who live out of town. {bad girl}  I told myself that it was too late to share because the holiday is over.
But, what made me decide to go ahead and share is that this is the type of project that you can make anytime of the year, not just Christmas.  Birthdays, Easter, Just Because, etc.  
They turned out awesome.  Exactly like I visioned them.
Book lovers please close your eyes for this part.  I found six old books at an antique store all the same size (somewhere close to 5 x 7).  I cut the front and back covers off leaving the pages attached to the spine.  They’ll get used later for some handmade cards.  The ring binder clips were purchased from Hobby Lobby.  Much cheaper than what the local office supply store was selling them for.  It pays to price check before buying. 
I love working with chipboard.  Any shape or color, I love it all.  It’s the first thing I look for when entering the craft store.  Even if I don’t need any.  
Spelling out my niece and nephews names I positioned the letters on the front covers.  Aubrie’s already had a design so no color was needed for hers.  For the boys I used spray inks.  Use an empty shoe box, it helps control the mess of ink from spreading on the counter.
Using hot glue and a few other coordinating chipboard shapes I put together the covers. Rubberstamps filled in the empty spaces (refer to the opening image).
Sorry, I forgot to take an image of the inside of the book covers.  You can see them in the photos below.  It’s real simple.  I covered the inside with a piece of patterned paper.  They were signed and dated on this portion.
Remember my earlier posts when I was doing the prep work for the pages?  Click here and here if you missed those.  Eight pages (of recycled boxes) is what I decided on for each book.  Front and back that makes 16.  Doesn’t seem like a lot at first, but trust me it’s enough for one book.  Truthfully, these books take time.  But in the end they are SO worth it.  An adorable keepsake they’ll have documenting a part of their life.
The rest of the book is up to you.  Be creative.  I was fortunate enough that my sister visited over the summer {sigh} so I was able to accumulate a lot of photographs of the kids.  Not sure what to use when putting the books together.  Some ideas are right here.  The possibilities are endless.  I’m simply sharing a sample of what I used.
My Dad used his drill to create the three holes that bind the pages together with the covers.  It worked awesome.  I held the book together tight and he lowered the drill press to put the holes in. Recommendation:  These books have three ring clips in each.  And that works great, but for the other three that I’m making four ring binder clips will be used.  It’ll give the book just a little bit more stability.  Again, three work, but I’m going to try four.  Ribbon is another option in place of the clips.
Along the edge of each sheet a strip of sticker paper about an inch wide was attached for extra reinforcement.  I’m speaking of the side that you will be drilling the holes into.  For Cooper’s book (above) The letter C (rubberstamp) was used for his name.  I alternated the C with other stamps.  You could also use patterned paper cut into one inch strips.  Again, be creative.
This was a good project for me because I was able to use all the scrapbook paper that I’ve been collecting over the years.  I say collecting because when a buy all the pretty paper I store it in a nice container for safe keeping.  Fellow craft geeks can relate with this statement.
Stickers?  I like to collect them as well.  Dig your stash out and use them throughout the pages.
I waited until the last minute to put them together.  Why?  Because I work better under pressure. Seriously, why do we wait until the last minute?  I have no answer. The photos were sitting on my table for months and all of the prep work was done as I posted each update. 
I’ll be working on the other three this weekend.  It’s fun making six of them because it allows me to try different techniques with each one.
Now that most of my nieces and nephews are using pencils and crayons perhaps I’ll make them journals using this same concept.  We’ll see what I come up with.  I’m still saving all of my boxes and my stash is quite large.  From time to time my sister sends me a box of her recycled boxes to add to the pile.  Most grateful for those as well.  Along with the boxes of Trader Joes cookies she includes in the package.
Leave me a comment below if you ever made a smash book.  Would love to hear what tools and supplies you used.

DIY Inspiration-The Polaroid Project: Part Two

Alright DIY Craft Geeks! This handmade project was FUN! I made them for four of my nieces and nephews. The older two already know their ABCs. If you missed part one click here.
When I was in the planning stage of this project I was going to out source the printing to a local store in town. The further along that I got I decided to put a little more work into it. It’s handmade so why not have it 100% “hand-made”~

I LOVE THESE PHOTO BOOKS! They are the same ones that I used in the recipe book tutorial I post earlier this week. Another added bonus of using them is that the photos will stay clean and protected. The photo albums can be purchased at Michaels and if you catch them on sale you’ll pay $1. per book.
I always make templates for every project. Makes it easier if I go back and make more later. In this case I’m creating four Polaroid ABC books so the templates are a great time saver.
I first measured a 4×6 piece of black cardstock. This is the base of each photo that will slide into the sleeves of the album. Next, I measured a white piece of glossy photo paper (to give it the shiny effect).
One additional piece of black cardstock was cut to give the Polaroid effect. I used double faced tape to attach everything. Didn’t want to use anything shiny like staples or brads that the kids could potentially pull off and put in their mouth.
Okay, that’s the time consuming part. Twenty six pieces of three different sizes of paper.
I used all of my photography to match each corresponding letter of the alphabet. After sizing each photo to fit into the space a sticker was added. Some photos were printed to big so I utilized Walgreens online print services and ordered wallet sizes for a few. For example you can see the photo of our family below. I couldn’t fit it in the space so I ordered wallet size version. Worked just fine. If you’re into graphics you can easily adjust each photo to be the same size. 
I used the same image that I shared with you in part one of this project for the book cover.  You can see the cover in the image above.  Adding some color cardstock and scalloped edges with the scissors.
I added the “is for…” myself.  
The album holds 36 photos so obviously I had extra openings.  After searching through my incredibly large supply of scrapbook paper I found one that went with the theme of the book.  I scanned the whole sheet and then cropped a 4×6 section to create the print.  I liked the shine of the gloss paper to accent well with the others.  Again, you can do whatever you want here.  
On the back cover I add my own little message for the recipients.
Hardy decided to hang out with me throughout the entire process of assembling the books.
It was a late night and included a lot of paper cutting.
But so worth the final product!

Make your own using photos that the child will recognize. Learning their ABCs will be so much fun.
Did you enjoy this project? Feel free to “pin” it and share the love.

DIY Last Minute Holiday Gift Giving: Handmade Recipe Book

For the past couple of weeks I’ve been spending a lot of time in the kitchen baking all my Holiday goodies. In between watching what’s in the oven an idea came to mind. This is so simple and inexpensive (under $3.) that you can create your own in less than 10 minutes. They make great gifts for those who love to cook/bake. Need a last minute gift? Attending a holiday dinner? The hostess would love one. Family reunion? Collect favorite recipes from everyone and combine in one book. You can also give the book without any recipes inside, but it would add a nice touch if you shared some of your favorites.
Here’s what I did.  

You can pick up these mini brag books (photo albums) just about anywhere but I find that the ones Michaels sell hold up better.  The Recollections brand holds 36 – 4×6 photos.  They cost $1.99.  I was fortunate enough to catch a sale at Michaels and got them for $1.00.  

I customized my cover with a photo that I took at my Mom’s Vintage Store of an old mixer that was admired by many. It had since sold, so I’m glad I have the photo. Adds a nice touch for this project. If your giving this gift to someone who’s spends most of their time in the kitchen (maybe their a professional chef) you could use a photo of them in action. How about cataloging the gift?  Give a set of three or more. One for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. Oh, and one for desserts. My muse is coming in loud and clear with ideas right now. Back to the tutorial.
I removed the cover from the album and measured a piece of black cardstock the same size. You may use whatever color you wish. Match it with the recipients kitchen color for a more customized look.

I took a piece of white cardstock (cut smaller than the black piece) and used a scalloped scissors to the edges.

This book is mine so I added the text Recipes to the photo. Again, personalize here as you wish. Using double faced tape I attached the photo to the white cardstock and then to the black. I recycled the previous cover by attaching it to the new cover (design facing the black paper). That way I have a empty white page when the book opens to add notes. Or a personal message to the recipient.

Insert back into the photo album and guess what? Your done! I told you it was simple.
If I was to gift this I would add some recipes of my own using 4×6 index cards. Add a nice writing pen and the remaining index cards and your gift is ready. 
What’s nice about using these photo albums for recipe books is that when you accidentally hold the beaters up and dough flies everywhere it wipes off easily. Yes, I’ve done that several times.
Okay, one more idea. My sister shared these adorable photos of my niece Maggie cooking in the kitchen.
Alternate the recipes with adorable photos such as these.  
I’m completely obsessed with these photo album books. So much that I’ve decided to utilize them for another DIY project, titled The Polaroid Project. Check out that post here.  
Check back tomorrow for the weekly Top 10 List.  I’ve sharing DIY wrapping inspiration and quick appetizer recipes.  And I’ve got a couple more simple last minute gift ideas to share before the big day arrives.

DIY Inspiration-The Polaroid Project: Part One

©JenniferSchultingPhotography2012
I have friends on Facebook doing a countdown until Christmas. Every time I come across their post I have a minor meltdown. I have so many projects that need to be completed. Serious discipline and dedication is needed right now. Once I get a project going I’m good. It’s the “starting” is where I struggle. Permission to kick! Perhaps this post will be the “start” that I’m looking for.
I’ll be outsourcing the printing portion, so to avoid the holiday rush of locals at the Copy & Print Center, I need to get this one going. If it sounds like I’m repeating myself it’s because I am. The more I hear it the more motivated I become. It’s working…
Did you know?
The Polaroid Corporation was founded in 1937 by Edwin Land. He developed the first Polaroid Land Camera. Seventy five years later we are still enjoying the cameras. Read more history here.  
When’s the last time you used a Polaroid camera? I came across these two photos of Taz and 2Pac (previous fur-kids) when I was cleaning my office. Doing the math in my head I come up with the number eight. Eight years ago I took these with my Polaroid Camera. They were found tucked away in a box for safe keeping. *sigh*
It was discovering these two photos that got the wheels spinning in my brain.  
Therefore, I present to you…The Polaroid Project.

I’m putting together a collection of my photography that correspond with each letter of the alphabet. You know, A is for Apple, D is for Dog. Get it? I’m creating each page to look like a Polaroid.
My target audience?

I have six nieces and nephews who will love this. They all love books and plus they will recognize a lot of the photos that I’m using. A creative way to make learning fun.
Want a camera for yourself? Here’s a couple of sources for ya.
JuniperHome on Etsy has an awesome collection of cameras. Here’s one of their Polaroids.
Film? No problem. The Impossible Project has plenty. Beware! If your a “photography geek” such as myself, you will get easily distracted on their website, and their blog, and in their shop…You were warned!  
How about this one? FalconandFinch’s Etsy shop also offers the film for this camera.
Okay, gotta go, I’ve got a book to put together. And the countdown to Christmas continues (silent scream).
P.S.  I also have a new product that will be making an appearance in the Vintage shop in Galena, IL. Do you see them somewhere in this post? My first batch turned out so cute that I’m keeping them. So, I’ll be making more.  
P.S.S.  Smash books are moving along as well. I’ll be posting an update soon. Finally figured out what I wanted to use for the covers. 
Read Part Two of The Polaroid Project here.

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