Scrapbook Altered Vintage Lunch Trays

A while back I picked up about 50 of these square metal lunch trays.  I didn't have an special plan for them, but I figured that I would be able to do something with them.  I came up with this little scrapbook project.   

First, I painted the trays because some were a little rusty.  Then, I used clear varnish to seal the paint on.  Next, I cut down the scrapbook paper to fit and cut a couple of mats.  Finally, I used prima flowers attached to magnetic strips to hold down the photos or notes.  If you wanted to make this for a locker organizer, which would make a great teen/tween gift, you could also add the self adhesive magnet strip to the back.  I actually just clipped binder clips onto the top of the frame so that it could hang on the wall. 

A Play Little Kitchen Makeover

I took a little break from sewing this weekend to redo my daughter's play kitchen.  Previously, she had a plastic princess kitchen.  It went into the garage to be played with in the yard next summer.  Totally useless is how I would describe it.  The door fell off every time she opened it.  For the first few days, the novelty of the singing stove was great, but after that there just wasn't enough to do.  It was ultimately a waste of $100.00.  So, my mom found this little wooden kitchen set for $15 at a thrift store. 

It was white and getting pretty beat up.  I decided to give it a restyle with some paint.  I had a gallon of blue and a gallon of pink in the basement.  I started with that.  Then, I used cheap craft paint to create a simple design.  It's not my best paint job.  I could only find foam paint brushes.  I just don't know where all of my good brushes went off to.  Anyway, I really covered up how warped the doors were with this busy paint scheme.  I made the polka dots with the brush handle.    I finished it off with some marine varnish.  I want to wash it without the paint coming off.  I actually let Kamille roll on most of the pink with a mini roller.  She was thrilled.  I think that she still has paint in her hair, but she was so excited to get to use the paint roller like a "big mamma".  I still need to put the handles back on, but it's about 95% finished.

Great Recycled Cabinet Redo

This is a really inspiring project made from 2 cabinets purchased from a salvage yard.  Click here for the full play kitchen project.

You really could use any old cabinets to make up a little play kitchen.  Even a couple of those built it yourself closet organizers would work so well with a little paint and some wooden shapes and knobs. 

 Here is another really cute idea for a DIY kitchen with what you have.  This would be a great kitchen for a really little toddler or for outdoors.  You could bring it into the garage in the winter. 

This is from www.ohdeedoh.com/.../020910-mia-play-kitchen.jpg

Wood Working Plans 

I also found these great plans, available for $9.00 to make your own set. 

Family Fun had another great idea for a play kitchen that uses a laminated shelf and 2 shoe racks. 

Click here for the free tutorial and play kitchen plans.

Felt Food

Don't forget to go green and safe and make some great felt food for the kitchen. 

C is for Chenille - Roundup and Tutorials

Making Your Own Chenille

This is a great tutorial on making your own chenille fabric from freshvintage.typepad.com.

She does a wonderful job of explaining exactly how to create the traditional chenille fabric.  I actually thought that the piece of fabric she created and then used to make the doll body would have made a beautiful chenille baby blanket.  Click here for her full free tutorial on chenille.

Over at the Happy Things blog, she has a wonderful tutorial on making simple baby bibs backed with commercial chenille. 

Click here for her free chenille tutorial and to take a look at her beautiful blog.  

I have long loved vintage chenille and I always see vintage chenille bedspreads at really affordable prices at flea markets, garage sales, and antique stores. 

Here are some of my ideas to making things out of old chenille:

Bibs

Diaper Bag

Pajamas

Pillow cases

Baby/Toddler Jacket

Baby toys

Dolls

Monsters

Slippers

Nursing Pillow Cover

Window Valance

Bunting for baby room

You could cover those huge cardboard letter in chenille. 

You could also use chenille to upholster a chair for a child's room or to create a sweet cushion cover for a rocking chair.

Basically, you can look at a vintage chenille bedspread as a huge piece of fabric.  I know some people don't like the idea of cutting up vintage linens, but what good is it just sitting in a closet somewhere.

I would love to see a vintage chenille bedspread made into a whole gift set for a baby shower: burp cloths, bibs, a small crib blanket, baby booties, diaper bag, diaper organizers, mommy journal or photo album cover.  How sweet would that be to present at a shower?

  HAPPY CRAFTING!



A Fun Little Recycling Project for Old Records

Somehow, I managed to acquire about 200 old records that were warped in a fire, but still in good condition for crafting.  So, I started using them up making all sorts of crafts: records purses, bowls, bracelets, necklaces, etc.

But, then I had all of the covers left over.  I saw an idea for making a tote bag with the covers.  I tried a few versions, but I wasn't really into it. 

So, I came up with another idea.  I used my 2 hole punch  to make a songbook/notebook/sketch book out of the records.  On the right of the paper, because of the big space that is left over, I stitched down a strip of elastic to hold pens/charcoals, etc. 

I did another version where I punched through the side multiple time and laced it up with ribbon. 

Just thought I would share this little idea.  I know it isn't really my normal sewing patterns and tutorials, but like any true crafter, I cannot be pinned down to just one medium.