Silhouette SD Giveaway

The crafty ladies over at Craft Critique are giving away a Silhouette SD today.

I can’t enter to win, even though I want one more than a puppy. But you can go enter and read some great reviews while you’re at it!

You’re Welcome! 

Stuck

STUCK from Joe Ayala on Vimeo.

I came across this, and thought it was so funny.  The things people do when they're bored and nobody is watching!

Tutorial: Silver Sea Creatures

Photo Source: Pottery Barn

While wandering around my local HomeGoods, I noticed a ton of “silver” sea themed home decor items.  I fell in love, but not with the price tags… even at HomeGoods.  What can I say, I’m cheap!  Pottery Barn has a silver sea creature theme, too – but OH MY GRAVY those prices are REDICULOUS.

What’s a girl to do?!

Simple.  Go to Michael’s and buy a $2 giant Sugar Starfish and a $1 Lions Paw scallop shell with coupons, of course!

Pretty Sugar Starfish!

Lion's Paw Scallop

$1.75 total so far.  Now what?

Stop into Home Depot for a $3 can of Rustoleum “Bright Coat” Metallic Finish.  You can see in the above photo that I gave the creatures a quick blast with some leftover spray primer I had around the house.  I figured it would help the “metal” shine more.

Now attack them with the silver spray paint.  Go with very light coats, allowing them to dry about an hour between.  I have 3 coats on my creatures and I am pleased with the finish.  I only coated the outside of the Lions Paw because I loved the natural colors of the scallops’ insides. I have plans to polish it up somehow, but I haven’t figured that out yet.

Let dry and put where everyone will see it!  I mounted my starfish on the wall by using a small 3M Velcro picture hanger.

You can see the scallop on the vanity.  It doesn’t have quite the impact the starfish does, but I love it all the same!

My favorite picture of Xiris and the kids.

VIOLA!  Pottery Barn Knockoffs for about $4... even less if you have the spraypaint on hand!

Seeing Stars Blanket

*formerly known as the “Monster Blanket”
Spud & Chloë just announced a new selection on patterns making their debut at TNNA today.   I had the opportunity to test and hook up this beauty:

My husband wants to know why there is a bed in a bowling alley...

SEEING STARS BLANKET
Designed by Lindsay Ingram
Published in Spud & Chloë Leaflet no 9518
DESCRIPTION
• With instructions for three sizes, this snuggly stunner features a total of 16 shades of Sweater! The crocheted hexagons are joined as you go, and every motif has its own unique color combination.
EXPERIENCE LEVEL
• Advanced Beginner
MATERIALS
• Spud & Chloë Sweater (100 g/160 yds)  2 (3, 3, 4) hanks (A), 2 (3, 3, 4) hanks (B), 2 (3, 3, 4) hanks (C), 2 (3, 3, 4) hanks (D), 2 (3, 4, 4) hanks (E), 2 (3, 3, 4) hanks (F), 2 (4, 4, 4) hanks (G), 2 (3, 3, 4) hanks (H), 2 (3, 3, 4) hanks (I), 2 (3, 3, 4) hanks (J), 2 (3, 4, 4) hanks (K), 2 (3, 4, 5) hanks (L), 2 (3, 3, 4) hanks (M), 2 (3, 3, 4) hanks (N), 2 (3, 3, 4) hanks (O), 2 (3, 3, 4) hanks (P), 2 (3, 3, 4) hanks (Q)
• Crochet Hook; Size G (4.0 mm)
SIZES
• Lap (Twin, Full, Queen)
FINISHED MEASUREMENTS
• Width: 55 (70, 75, 85)”
• Length: 56½ (90½, 90½, 90½)”

The pattern is awesome!  While not my style at all, I had a hard time putting it in the box and sending her off.  The version I did is currently off wow-ing the crowd at TNNA and will be making a fashion show catwalk, even!
A quick snuggle before sending her off into the world…
So very colorful…
 
The stars/hexies go together  so quickly, and attach without seams.  There are lots and lots of ends to weave in and trim, but if you do it as you attach each star, it’s not that bad at all!