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Jazz up a Jacket with Expo International Trim

I am so happy to be hopping... blog hopping that is! This month's Designer Crafts Connection blog hop is featuring Expo International trim. Expo International makes some of the most beautiful ribbon, trims, and appliques on the market. Follow me as I show you how I used some amazing appliques to take a plain black blazer from "blah" to "WOW", all with absolutely no sewing!

First, let's talk a little about my inspiration for this project. I love classic country music. I was raised on those old country songs and even went to college in Nashville, TN. One of the things that I love from the old days of country are the highly decorated "Nudie suits" that were worn back in the day by Porter Wagner and Dolly Parton (the suits were made by a famous tailor named Nudie Cohn). The suits featured lots of sequins and embroidery.

I wanted to make my own version of the Nudie suit, but a little more contemporary and a little more subtle, but still with lots of flair... and that's where Expo International comes in!

Materials used:

• black jacket
• Expo International Trina Iron On Embroidered Roses Applique
• Expo International Olowin Iron On Trim (white multi)
• fabric glue
• iron on embroidered letters 1 small and 1 large for front and back)
• iron
• scissors

How to create:

1. Cut beaded trim to fit length of all pocket openings. This trim is so cool because you can cut it with scissors! It has a really neat, rubbery back to it that holds all those beads together.
   
2. Attach beaded trim to all pocket openings (breast pocket and 2 lower pockets) with fabric glue. I used Fabri-Tac from Beacon Adhesives.
3. Iron on embroidered letters on front and back. I placed the front letter right on the breast pocket, directly under the beaded trim.
   
4. Iron on rose applique and embroidered letter onto the back of the jacket.
   

And that's it! It was so easy and I didn't have to sew one single thing! Now I have an updated take on the classic country suit jacket with just enough flair that will make everyone take notice.

If you want to see more gorgeous projects using Expo International trims and appliques, click HERE for all of the other designers' blogs in the hop. We are also giving away a prize pack full of Expo goodies -- just comment on the DCC blog post and tell us what projects you loved!

Happy crafting!

Mixing It Up with Marabu!

Today here on Forty11 Designs, I am mixing it up with Marabu and the Designer Crafts Connection! I'll show you how you can make totally cute painted spring vases using Marabu Porcelain and Glass Paint.

Marabu makes amazing color products for fabrics, mixed media, and more, but our blog hop is focusing on their porcelain and glass paints. These paints are highly pigmented, come in bottles and markers, and (the best part) are dishwasher-safe!

For this project, I picked up these colored vases at the dollar store (y'all know that is my favorite place for crafting materials). They had a lot of great colors, but I went with yellow, pink, and purple for a springtime feel.

I made sure to wash them thoroughly so that the paint would have a clean surface to adhere to. I then used an adhesive stencil on two of the vases (a chevron pattern on one and a flower pattern on the other), and applied the paint with a sponge paintbrush with a pouncing motion.

For the other vase, I went with a more free-hand approach. I made polka dots in white, blue, and green just using a round sponge pouncer. Now, I'm gonna admit something here... I totally forgot to take a photo of that process, but you can basically figure it out from the final photo!

How awesome and easy is that? Just think of all the plain glassware from the dollar store that you can turn into cool custom pieces!

There are so many other ways to use Marabu Porcelain and Glass Paints and Markers -- just follow these links to the other DCC blogs in this hop!

Anita Scroggins

Trish Cortez

Erin Reed

Nadine Carlier

Susan Brown

Susie Bentz

Maria Chuy Soto

Steph Ackerman

Candy Rosenberg

Marabu Creative

But that's not all! Marabu is giving away an assortment of their products (retail value $75)! 

Just click here and comment on the Marabu post on the Designer Crafts Connection Facebook page to enter. (This giveaway is open to U.S. residents only.) Good luck and stay crafty!

Handmade with Love Super Bundle On Sale Now!

Snow’s about ready to fall in the Northern hemisphere, and what will you be doing when it does?

Sitting by a crackling fire…

Hot cup of tea nearby…

Soft yarn and smooth needles in your lap…

Sounds like you’re ready for colder weather :).

If you’ve been on the run all summer and fall, it’s about time for your schedule to slow down just a bit… which means you’ll be reaching for your next handmade project.

I can’t think of a better way to welcome winter than to tell you about a collection of digital resources you’re going to be starry-eyed over.

It’s called the Handmade with Love Super Bundle.

Before I tell you what’s in it, can we talk about that name? It’s almost like this was created with you in mind. 🙂

Everything you make, every stitch you count, knit, sew, crochet, quilt… you do them all with love, don’t you?

I feel exactly the same way.

That’s why I’m so excited to tell you all this bundle, so you can soak up more of the joy and relaxation that comes with handcrafting.

Okay, let’s talk about what’s inside :-).

With over 200 patterns, projects, and step-by-step tutorials, you’ll find dreamy projects to create, new ways to sharpen your skills, or even a whole new technique to play with (quilting! fabric dyeing! rug making! weaving!).

This bundle covers: quilting, sewing, crochet, knitting, applique, embroidery, cross-stitch, dyeing, fiber arts, and crafting in general.

It’s basically a crafter’s dream collection. Swoon.

And even better? You’ll get all these projects and fresh patterns – created by hip, modern designers like Allison Glass, Elise Blaha-Cripe, Anne Weil, Rebecca Langford, and Liat Gat (plus 47 others)…

…for just $29.97. (They’re worth over $1,000!)

Curious how it’s possible to get all of this so inexpensively?

The creators of these patterns, tutorials, courses and more joined forces to offer this incredibly special bundle, but just for a super short period of time. Once the sale’s over, they’ll go back to selling their products and patterns at full price.

I really can’t speak highly enough about the quality and value of what’s inside, especially for this price!

Want to check it out and get your own Handmade with Love Super Bundle?

This is how it works:

1. Visit the website https://us154.isrefer.com/go/HWLSB2017/a1386/, take a quick look at all the delightful projects you’ll be able to create with this package, then click the pink “Get my copy now!” button to go through their simple and secure 3-step checkout process.
2. You’ll receive an email with a login to their online access portal, where you’ll begin downloading your eBooks and patterns, signing up for your online courses, and redeeming your free bonus offers.
3. Use their Getting Started Guide to pick the project or technique you want to try your hand at first and start creating!

The most important detail, though, is that this bundle is available for just 8 days! (I told you it was short!)

After Monday night, December 4th, the sale ends and you’d have to buy all of these products individually.

It’s even backed by a 30 day full money-back happiness guarantee, so you can make sure it’s right for you.

Their customer service is amazing, and they truly want to make sure you’re taken care of and that you love your bundle.

If you’re ready to spend more time making and unplugging from technology this season, this is just what you need.

Create one-of-a-kind items to wear, gift, decorate with, and simply enjoy, with this curated, convenient, and super affordable library of patterns and projects.

Learn more or get your bundle here href=”https://us154.isrefer.com/go/HWLSB2017/a1386/”>https://us154.isrefer.com/go/HWLSB2017/a1386/

DCC Blog Hop: Colorique and U-Paint Metal Crafts

Today, I am blog hopping with the Designer Crafts Connection, ColorBox Colorique by Lisa Marie Jimenez, and U-Paint Metal Crafts!

U-Paint Metal Crafts are the perfect addition to any of your holiday decor projects. I took this plain wire basket from drab to fab with the Holiday Horn metal piece and ColoriQue ink. ColoriQue is amazing -- it's so easy to create a verdigris patina effect in just a couple of steps!

I started by washing the metal piece with soap and water. This removes any grease or metal dust that may be on the piece from the manufacturing process. After drying, I painted the piece with a light coat of white acrylic paint to serve as a primer as well as a base color for my patina effect.

Once the primer coat was dry, I then applied Clearsnap ColorBox ColoriQue by Lisa Marie Jimenez in Verdigris using a foam sponge paint brush. I applied it lightly using a tapping technique so that some of the white paint can still be seen.

Lastly, I applied Clearsnap ColorBox ColoriQue by Lisa Marie Jimenez in Black Diamond using the same sponging technique. This really helped to give the piece an antiqued look!

I finished the piece by sealing the color with a heat tool. Just make sure to protect your fingers -- this piece is metal so it will be hot! I then took a wire basket that I picked up at my local big box store and attached a velvet Christmas bow. Using hot glue, I attached the Holiday Horn to the bow.

Imagine how pretty this would be in your bathroom holding hand towels for guests or as a beautiful gift basket filled with kitchen items!

Now go check out all of the other beautiful holiday pieces from U-Paint Metal Crafts and ColoriQue over at the Designer Crafts Connection blog -- you are sure to find something that will inspire you to make something beautiful!

Hopping with Buttons Galore and Poppystamps -- Holiday Card

Are you hopping with us today?  If you are you should have reached me from Jeanne Jachna's blog.  If you’d like to start at the beginning and get all the details, you can find them at the Buttons Galore and More blog!

My project is a holiday card using an awesome die from Poppystamps and buttons and sequins from Buttons Galore and More!

Materials used:

• "Open Hillside" die from Poppystamps
• 28 Lilac Lane "Winter Whites" Sequin and Bead Mix from Buttons Galore and More
• 28 Lilac Lane "Festival of Lights" Premium Sequin Tin from Buttons Galore and More
• "I Love Snow" buttons from Buttons Galore and More
• light blue card base
• white cardstock
• ThermoWeb 1/4" Super Tape
• ThermoWeb Memory Tape Runner
• letter stickers from NRN Designs
• Sizzix Big Shot
• button shank remover

Instructions:

1. Using a Sizzix Big Shot machine and the Poppystamps "Open Hillside" die, die cut one card front from white cardstock. Ink edges of die cut if desired. Attach the die cut to the blue card using a tape runner.
2. Remove shanks from backs of snowflake buttons. Attach buttons to card using small pieces of Supertape.
3. Using tape runner, attach stars from "Festival of Lights" sequin mix to card front (interspersed among snowflakes).
4. Line all 4 edges of the white die cut with Supertape. Sprinkle with "Winter White" sequin mix.
5. Place letter stickers at top of die cut directly under the sequins. 

This card is easy to make, but looks like you spent tons of time!

Ready to see more designs made with products from both Poppystamps and Buttons Galore and More? The next stop on this shop is Marybeth Lopez. 

But before you go, please leave me a comment!  There’s some blog candy up for grabs and you have to comment to win!   Winners will be selected randomly from comments on blogs on this hop. You have until 11:00 PM (US EST) on October 1 to leave a comment to enter to win.  Winners will be announced on October 2.

Here’s a complete hop list for your convenience:

Buttons Galore and More Blog http://buttonsgaloreandmore.net/

Michele K. Henderson  https://crimsonowlcreations.wordpress.com/category/poppystamps/

May Flaum:  http://mayflaum.com/

Jeanne Jachna  http://akeptlife.blogspot.com/search/label/Poppystamps

Lorrie McCullers: http://lorriemccullers.blogspot.com/

Marybeth Lopez  http://marybethstimeforpaper.blogspot.com/search/label/Poppystamps

Anaya Whye: http://yanadesigns.com/blog/

Nancy Penir  http://artful-notions.blogspot.com/search/label/Poppystamps/

Connie Mercer: http://www.craftygoodies.com/

Jennifer Svare  http://www.jenscraftroom.com/home?category=Poppystamps

Kelli Stradling: http://www.craftshackchronicles.com/

Robin Tharaldson  https://www.stamptress.com/

Rebecca Keppel  http://www.myclutteredcorner.com/search/label/Poppystamps

Poppystamps Blog   http://poppystamps.typepad.com/

"Love is Love" Metal Bookmark

Love is such a powerful subject matter because it comes in so many different shapes and sizes. It's about timing, fate, failure, redemption. -- Jim Sturgess

To honor those lost last year in the Pulse nightclub massacre, I decided to create a "love is love" bookmark using the Linked Hearts Bookmark by U‐Paint® Metal Crafts. I used some amazing acrylic paints from DecoArt and beautiful glitter from Tonic Studios. This bookmark celebrates love in all of its forms and reminds me that we are all in this together!

Personalized Keychain Using JOY Embroidered Letters

Disclosure: As a member of the JOY design team, I received the embroidered letters for free in exchange for my design ideas. The other products used in this project were purchased by me.

You won't lose your keys again... well, ok, you might still misplace them, but when you find them, you will know they are yours with this fun keychain!

"Let Freedom Ring" Mini-Album

Disclosure: As a member of the Deflecto Crafts design team, I received the Deflecto products for free in exchange for my design ideas. 

The July 4th holiday may be over, but now you have to get all of the photos that you took at the cookouts, parades, and fireworks displays scrapped! Why not create a mini-album using Deflecto flexible pouches and pear clips?

Materials:

• White and blue cardstock
• patterned paper in patriotic colors 
• July 4th-themed stickers (I used American Crafts stickers)
• Buttons Galore Patriotic Mix buttons
• tape runner
• adhesive dots
• adhesive foam squares
• scissors
• paper trimmer
• ribbon
• Deflecto large flexible pouches 
• Deflecto pear clip

How to:

1. Using a paper trimmer, cut 5 pieces of white cardstock to 5" x 7".
2. Using patterned paper and blue cardstock, create layouts on both the front and back of each piece of white cardstock. 
3. Embellish each page with stickers and buttons. Use foam squares to "pop up' some of the stickers to give your page dimension. Attach buttons using adhesive dots.
4. Once all pages have been completed, place each page into the pouches.
5. Use a pear clip as a ring to hold the pouches together in an album.
6. Cut 6" lengths of ribbon. Tie around the pear clip. 

Now you have a simple mini-album that you can easily carry to show off those favorite holiday moments!

Patriotic Metal Star Wreath

Disclosure: As a member of the U‐Paint® Metal Crafts Creative Team, I received products for free in exchange for my designs. 

This mini wreath might be small but it packs a large patriotic punch!

I used a star from U‐Paint® Metal Crafts and painted it using Americana® Multi-Surface Satin Acrylic Paint™ by DecoArt® to give it a distressed, rustic look. 

Summer Fun-Glasses

Who cares if you can’t make it to the beach this summer? Bring the beach to you every single day with these super cute crafty sunglasses (that look and feel like they are covered in sand) featuring summer-themed buttons from Buttons Galore!

"Maine Squeeze" Scrapbook Page featuring U-Paint Metal Crafts

Disclosure: I am a member of the U-Paint Metal Crafts design team. I received free products in exchange for my designs. This post also contains affiliate links; I receive a small percentage of sales through those links.

As I mentioned in an earlier post, I am now a member of the U-Paint Metal Crafts Creative Team! I am so excited to show y'all just how cool and versatile these metal embellishments are. For my first project, I decided to go back to my first crafting love -- scrapbooking!

Father's Day Baseball Stand

Disclosure: As a member of Deflecto Crafts and Buttons Galore design teams, I received products used in this post fore free in exchange for my ideas and creativity. 

Is your dad or husband a baseball fan? If he is, then I have the perfect project for a Father's Day gift that will "knock it out of the park" -- a place to display his best souvenirs!

Deflecto's Acrylic Display Block is such a cool way to show off your treasures. It's a solid piece of acrylic that is just the right size for displaying smaller items: a baseball fits perfectly on it!

In keeping with the baseball theme, I decorated the display block with these adorable buttons from Buttons Galore. They are so easy to attach to the block -- just put a little dot of hot glue on the back of each button!

I placed a baseball stand on top of the display block to hold the baseball. I actually made it myself using my 3D printer! But if you don't have a 3D printer, you can always keep the ball from rolling off the stand by placing a large metal washer on top of the block (attach with hot glue) and then placing the ball on top of the washer -- the hole in the washer will hold the ball so it won't roll.

Now, Dad has a fun way to display his favorite ballpark memories, either at home or at work!

For even more fun projects using Deflecto products, check out the Deflecto Crafts blog. We have such a talented team of designers that make awesome things every month!

DIY Recipe Box

When I got married, I went from eating cold cereal for dinner to actually having to cook meals! I was at a loss for food ideas so I went on a search for easy family recipes. Oh how I wish someone had given me a set of recipes for a bridal shower gift!

So instead of buying the newlyweds something that they will never use, what about giving them a handmade recipe box filled with your family's favorite recipes?!

Exciting news -- New DT's

It's been a busy time over here at Forty11 Designs, and it's just getting busier... and better. I have been named as a brand ambassador for U-Paint Metal Crafts and Buttons Galore!

U-Paint Metal Crafts is an arm of the Frank Morrow Company, designed expressly for DIY craft market. After eleven months of effort, the all-new crafts division features three unique lines for the craft industry and individual DIY crafters.  

I am part of their very first design team and I can't wait to show y'all all the cool uses for these awesome products.

I am also a new member of the brand-new Buttons Galore team! Buttons Galore was established in 1998 primarily as a wholesale distributor of craft supplies. Since inception, the company has evolved into a designer and manufacturer of novelty buttons and other embellishments. 

So be sure to check back here often to see all of the new things that I will be sharing with y'all. Lots of fun and exciting crafts are just around the corner!

Mother's Day Floral Desk Set

The month of May is here, and we know that May brings two things: flowers and Mother's Day! I decided that I would combine those two lovely things into one beautiful desk set just for Mom.


For the frame, I started with Deflecto's purple border slanted 4x6 sign holder. The gorgeous purple color just lends itself to decorating with flowers! I found this wonderful family quote from Keller's Creations, and I attached it to a piece of patterned paper from the Recollections "Boho" collection and placed inside the frame.

For the outside of the frame, I took 2 doilies (also from the "Boho" collections from Recollections) and folded them into quarters. I attached them to two corners of the frame.

I then took paper flowers and added a little color and shimmer to them with some spray ink and shimmer spray, both from the same collection as the paper and doilies! Once those flowers were dry, I attached them on top of the folded doilies using adhesive dots. I finished them with buttons from Buttons Galore.

For the other half of my project, I used the Deflecto Stackable Cube Organizer. Using the same patterned papers that I used for the frame, I placed 4 pieces of paper inside the cube and attached them to the sides using adhesive dots. I then placed doilies on the outside of each side of the cube, and finished them off with a paper flower and button to match the frame.

Mom will love this set -- it can be used to brighten up her desk at work, hold her makeup brushes in the bathroom, or hold cooking utensils in the kitchen! She will think of you every time she sees it!

"Home" DIY Wooden Plaque

As most of y'all know, I am a Georgia girl, born and bred, so this little wooden plaque just speaks to my heart!

I made this adorable sign at the Pinners Conference here in Atlanta (if you haven't heard of it, you have to go check it out -- it's amazing). A company called Unfinished Wood Co. (based here in GA) had these wonderful wood pieces that we then finished using paints from Plaid Crafts (also based here in GA -- are you seeing a pattern here?).

The paints from Plaid are seriously fantastic. I mean, these people just know what they are doing when it comes to all sorts of finishes for crafting. For the background wood, I used FolkArt Home Decor Chalk Paint and then scraped the paint with a plastic spatula to remove some of the paint and give it a more distressed look. Then I painted the Georgia portion with more FolkArt Home Decor Chalk Paint and the new Folk Art Pickling Wash (love that stuff!), again using a scraper to remove some of the paint so that the wood grain could be seen. I distressed the edges with chalk paint and splattered the whole plaque to give it a more rustic look.

I wanted to give the sign a little more texture so I added embroidered letters from JOY, spelling out the word "home". I love the extra little bit of depth that the fabric letters give that I wouldn't have gotten from paint or vinyl.

I simply adore this little sign and I can't wait to hang it up and show everyone my state pride!

A big thanks to Unfinished Wood Co. and Plaid for this fun and adorable sign and awesome paint products!

Mother's Day Card featuring Rinea Foil

Show your mom just how much you love her with a beautiful handmade card using Rinea double sided foil paper!

Happy Spring Pencil Cup

This spring flowers are in bloom, and so is this adorable little pencil cup! With some buttons, a few flowers, and a little washi tape, a regular pencil holder brings a little of the outside straight to your desk.

"Eggstravagant" Easter Door Decor

Your front door will be hopping with this cute Easter egg!