TUTORIAL: Lace covered Candle holders

Theres nothing like sitting by candle light but fancy holders are always expensive, however pretty they are!
This tutorial will show you how to create your own using items you have in your craft box or just around the house.

SUPPLIES:

Glass jar (large with a wide neck or a small one would work to perfectly)
Ribbon/lace/fabric
mod podge (or homemade which is just half pva glue and half water, and mix)
and a small paint brush

Step 1: Wash your glass jar making sure you remove all/any label that may be stuck to it.

Step 2: Dry thoroughly

Step 3: Measure your glass jar and cut your prefered fabric of choice to the right length, making sure the ends touch and only just over lap, or not at all if possible and this will give you a better finish.

Step 4: Coat your jar with the pva and water mixure.

Step 5:Carefully lay the fabric youve chosen (i chose a pale pink lace trim as i had plenty spare to make a few with and i have a huge thing for lace at the mo!) onto the pva/water mix and line it up with the bottom on the jar, pressing down and making sure its level all the way round

step 6: Cut another piece of your chosen fabric and repeat the process. I used the natural curve of the lace to match the pieces together for a unified look.

Step 7: Apply more strips until the glass is completely covered from top to bottom and you are happy with how it looks. Now cover entirely over the top with the pva/water mix to ensure every part of the fabric is covered, the fabric may shift slightly at this point so be careful not to twist or upset your design.

Step 8: Now leave to dry for a few hours then turn over, otherwise all the glue will run down to the end its stood on, this allows the glue to distribute evenly giving and smooth look at the end. Now leave over night to fully dry.

Step 9: Insert your tea light and enjoy!! (you could also use the wide church candles in a lovely wide jar)

I hope to see you all creating these beauties!! They would be great outside in the summer at BBQ's or for center pieces at weddings etc.

L x

TUTORIAL: DIY Vintage Necklace

We all like something a little different when it comes to jewellery so why not give this really easy Ribbon Necklace Tutorial a go and create your own one off piece...

Recycle Vintage chocker tutorial

Tools and equipment:

2 meters of 2cm wide satin ribbon
Ribbon ends with a hoop
Pliers
Cutters or another pair of pliers
Broken piece of vintage jewellery
(i used a large ornate bracelet that was missing some stones that i could get replacements for but any charm with side hoops will work)
2 jump rings and a matching clasp
A short piece of chain and a single bead or charm of your choice
1 head pin

1:  Cut your satin ribbon into two equal lengths and press so smooth out any kinks you may have. Mine was taken for an old item of clothing so needed ironing before use.

2:  I used my pliers and cutters to pry the smaller of the charm off the bracelet. You may simply just need to use the cutters or pliers to cut off or open a jump ring.

3:  Thread the ribbon around the open side bars and pull through so they are of equal lengths on both sides.

4:  Neaten the edges of the ribbon if required and pop the end caps on and close tight with your pliers and pull the ribbon to ensure it doesn't slip through, use super glue or hot glue gun to secure the ribbon in place if required.

5:  Attach your jump rings to either hook at the end of your ribbon and attach the clasp to one side.

6:  On the opposite side attach your short length of chain.

7:  Pop your head pin through your bead, if using a charm just attach a smaller jump ring to the top and attach to your chain,  hoop it round and attach to the stretch of chain.

8:  Fasten and wear with pride!!!

TUTORIAL : Dorothy Inspired Shoes

We all like a touch of glamour in our wardrobe and its even better when you can wear it everyday!! And this is possible for ANY kind of shoe so grab the glitter and an old pair of shoes, the comfier the better, and get creative!!

Dorothy inspired Up cycled Glitter shoes

As my nothing new for a year challenge restricted me on my epic date night with my hubby outfit i had to improvise… and quick!
Armed with a few quid, some charity shop found fabric and an old pair of white brogues i created a vintage inspired outfit to die for!!
However my shoes got talked about more than my dress!!
So heres a quick tutorial on how to up cycle yours or your little ones shoes to sparkle!!

An old pair of shoes/pumps/trainers/heels… WHATEVER!
Glitter colour of your choice, though do make sure you have a few tubs. I bought mine from the £1 shop.
Mod podge or pva glue. if you do use pva glue make sure you have some spray adhesive hanging about or you will leave a trial of glitter wherever you go!
A paint brush
Shoe laces, ribbon or tulle to match your glitter choice.
Masking tape

1: clean the shoes of any loose dirt and dry.

2: Remove the laces, you could dye them if you have some matching colour dye hanging around.

3: Place masking tape in any areas you don't want the glitter to cover, i just did around the soul but you could use stickers to leave a pattern or shape unglittered.

4: Now for the fun part!! Apply the glue of your choice, liberally all over the shoe or work in sections, whichever suits you.

5: Sprinkle your chosen glitter of choice all over the shoes making sure a lovely deep coverage.

6: Tap gently to remove any excess after a short drying time.

7: if your happy with the coverage leave over night to dry. if not wait to dry then apply another layer.

8: once the glue is fully dried use your ribbon etc as shoe laces, tie and wear with pride!!!

i used tulle as my laces as it was all i had on hand and i made them the night before we went out. i was however very happy with the look as it gives a really full bow and they where my birthday shoes!!

Tutorial - tights into leggings

Last sunday i had a major making day and recycled some pieces for the girls. Apart from the swirly skirts these where their favourite as they had something they can continue to wear even tho they where originally to small.

Tools:
Sewing machine or hand sewing needles and thread.
Cotton any colour you want
tights that are outgrown length wise


Select your tights, most probably they will be the ones that have been loved the most, dont worry if there are marks or stains these can be covered or patched for a more funky effect

Carefully cut the feet out of the tights ensuring a straight edge but as low as possible on the tight.

Next you want to turn them inside out if you havent already and turn up a hem of about 1/4 of an inch. dont double fold or they will be to bulky around the ankle and will look 'homemade'.

Now turn back the right way and voila!! your old tights are now leggings to be enjoyed for that little while longer.

I then went and added a 'skirt' to a pair using the botton of an old tshirt of mine then flared out. this looks so cute on and a perfect layering look for your trendy minis!

now go forth and refashion those old tights!!

L xx

Recycled Notice Boards

Ive had these lovely cupcake canvases on my kitchen wall for almost a year now and to be honest they don't really go with my 'feature wall' and i couldn't bring myself to throw them out so after a spark of inspiration i thought id make some cute little notice boards from them.

All i used was some card making brads, some satin ribbon and some super glue. This one was my first attempt and I'm pleasantly surprised it looks as good as it does.

Im planning on selling them in varying sizes from old canvases i have stored away, suitable for any room. So keep your eyes peeled on mychicunique.etsy.com for our up cycled canvases. You could also send me a canvas of your own and have it transformed into a notice board for a very low fee.

Thanks for reading and i hope its fired up your imagination to create something new from something old or unwanted.

L x