Junkyard Diary

Shoutout to the Entrepeneurs and Businesses

Mon, 09 Apr 2012 10:25:39 -0600

In this new day and age, businesses take a proactive approach in being environmentally friendly. What this does is enforce the moral standards of a corporation and ultimately boosts sales. Consumers now demand that businesses take this approach.

This blog is dedicated to the businesses that try to make our world a greener place. Also, to the artists who inspire innovation and creativity in this place we call Earth. There is no limitation to the uses of these ideas once the reader grasps the concepts posted. With a sturdy foundation, one can eventually draw insight from the internal and materialize to the external. Combining elements of art and environmentally friendly practices are vital as well.

How to Make a Crochet Monster Hat I started by following Alli...

Mon, 09 Apr 2012 10:20:00 -0600

How to Make a Crochet Monster Hat

I started by following Alli Crafts Earflap Hat pattern. This is one of my go-to patterns because it works up quickly and ranges from preemie-toddler sizes. The blue hat is toddler size and the green hat is 9-12 month size. I left off the earflaps on the blue toddler hat and ended with two rows of red. One thing I always change when following her directions is instead of chaining 3 at the beginning of each round, I chain 2 (do not count it as a dc), start my round in the same stitch as my ch 2 and then join my round to the first dc. It hides the seam much better this way.

For the spikes and the eye I followed The Boy Trifecta’s Monster Hat Pattern. For the eye I added in a 3rd color and made it larger. And the spikes I made shorter.

The mouth is just a series of chains. Just stop at desired length.

And the Tooth pattern is as follows:
Chain 6.
Sl st into second chain from hook then sc, hdc, dc, dc.
Fasten off leaving long tail to sew on.

I hope you were able to follow all of that. Let me know if you have any questions!

How to Make a Rainbow Art Scrapbook

Mon, 09 Apr 2012 10:12:00 -0600

How to Make a Rainbow Art Scrapbook

DIY: Papercut Lamp

Mon, 09 Apr 2012 10:10:00 -0600

DIY: Papercut Lamp

Pebble Paintings It’s a blast from the past with...

Mon, 09 Apr 2012 10:08:23 -0600

Pebble Paintings

It’s a blast from the past with ’70s-style rock art that combines color, shape and texture. Cathie Filian and Steve Piacenza are full of crafty ideas guaranteed to rock your world! Planet Earth is the inspiration for amazing pebble paintings, stepping stones receive a personal touch, and paperweights and lucky bamboo bring a Zen presence to any desk.

Materials and Tools:

1/4” thick plywood (cut to desired size)
3/4” thick molding (enough to go around the plywood)
saw
miter box
wood putty
putty knife
wood embroidery hoops (different sizes to fit the design)
small aquarium pebbles (different colors)
natural pebbles
E6000 glue
large amount of Mod-Podge or other découpage medium
craft paint
paintbrushes
finishing nails and hammer
picture hanger

Steps:

1. Using a saw and miter box, cut mitered edges into the molding to create a frame for the plywood. Attach the molding to the outside edges of the plywood with finishing nails.

2. Fill any gaps between the plywood and the frame with wood putty. Next, apply a small amount of putty around the perimeter of the plywood where it meets the molding frame and let dry.

3. Paint the frame and plywood interior a color that will match the rocks. Based on the design pattern, paint each of the inside hoops with craft paint and let dry.

4. Place the hoops on the plywood according to the pattern and glue in place. If desired, cut the hoops apart, remove a section and place the hoops in an interlocking pattern with another hoop.

5. Fill the hoops with colored aquarium rocks. Fill the remainder of the plywood base with natural pebbles.

6. Pour découpage medium over the surface of the artwork. Brush the medium evenly over the frame to create a uniform sheen.

7. Let the découpage medium dry flat for 2 weeks. Attach a picture hanger to the back to hang or use flat as table decor. If hanging on the wall, use an anchor to support the weight.

How to Make Recycled Planters Materials and Tools: new paint...

Mon, 09 Apr 2012 10:06:00 -0600

How to Make Recycled Planters

Materials and Tools:

new paint cans
awl
hammer
gravel
potting soil
plants

Note: Always use new paint cans for this project. They’re inexpensive and, unlike used cans, you don’t have to worry about paint residue on the inside harming your plants.

Turn the paint can upside down and punch some drainage holes in the bottom with an awl.
With the can right side up, decorate the outside by dribbling paint down from the lip of the can. Use whatever colors you like; you can use a toothpick or wooden skewer to spread the paint down the side of the can, mixing colors as you go.
Once the paint is dry, put a layer of gravel in the bottom of the can. Add your potting soil and plants. Michele Beschen recommends watering plantings in metal containers like these daily because metal containers retain more heat than those made of other materials.

"Never let someone else prevent you from doing what you truly love"

Mon, 09 Apr 2012 09:47:00 -0600

““Never let someone else prevent you from doing what you truly love””

- Don

Photo

Sat, 25 Feb 2012 20:15:58 -0600

WHAT IS YOUR EARLIEST HUMAN MEMORY?

Sat, 25 Feb 2012 19:48:26 -0600

That which I cannot remember

"Open your mind and you will see a new world #brighteaststar"

Sat, 25 Feb 2012 18:30:00 -0600

“Open your mind and you will see a new world #brighteaststar”

Jigsaw Puzzle from Magazine Pictures

Sat, 25 Feb 2012 18:28:15 -0600

Look through old magazines for colored pictures—landscapes or any other scenes you like. Cut one out and paste it on thin cardboard. Put it between thick books and press overnight. Then, with a sharp pair of scissors or a carving knife, cut the picture in many pieces, varying the shapes. Try to put the puzzle back together, or put the pieces in a flat box and give it to a friend. If you make one for a younger sister or brother, cut the picture into fairly large pieces so it will be easier to assemble.

Make Snowman Container from Jar

Sat, 25 Feb 2012 18:26:40 -0600

If you have an empty jar just hanging around then how about turning it into an awesome snowman…and this one doesn’t have to be kept cold. Just tape paper all over the jar until it is in the basic shape of a snowman with 2 snowballs. After that is done then cover the outside of the paper with cotton balls by gluing them on top of the paper. Next use pipe cleaners for the wood arms by twisting them into ‘Y’s. Then glue them on to the snowmen. Make the hat from a cardboard tube and 2 paper circles, one bigger than the other. Paint or color them black. Use a ribbon for a scarf, and cut the other pieces, such as the nose, and buttons with paper glue on as well.You can twist the head off to store things inside of the snowman. It doesn’t get much cooler than that.

Make Waste Baskets Using Cardboard and Lace

Sat, 25 Feb 2012 18:20:00 -0600

Gather the following items: Corrugated cardboard (enough for four sides 9” x 12” x 7” and 1 bottom 7” square), paper punch, scissor, pictures or paint and brush, 36” of adhesive cloth tape, some sort of sealer or shellac; and 19 feet of plastic lacing. Cut cardboard for bottom of wastebasket. Punch holes around edge 1” apart and 1/4” in from edge. (Start 1/2” from corners.) Cut 4 sides like pattern above. Start 1/2” from corners and punch holes 1” apart along 12” and sides (1/4” from edge). Decorate with pictures from magazines or from the Internet (ask Mom or Dad to help you find images) or paint. Bind 9” sides with adhesive cloth Use Sealer or Shellac to protect the waste basket. Cut four 3 foot 6” strips of lacing to lace sides together. Begin at bottom and lace like a shoe; tie at top. Use a large needle to lace bottom to sides.

Button Stringing Jewelry

Sat, 25 Feb 2012 18:14:00 -0600

You can make many pretty things by stringing buttons onto string. 1. To make a necklace, slide your string through several buttons and tie the ends of the string. 2. To make a bracelet, use a shorter piece of string that will go around the wrist. 3. You can make a flatter necklace by slipping the string through one button hole and bringing it back through another. 4. To make a play wrist-watch, slip string through two holes of a large button and tie it around your wrist. 5. To make a ring, do the same with a smaller button and tie it around your finger.