Sunday, July 26, 2015

Gazebo Make-Over - DIY Curtains


Being outdoors is one of my favorite things, and we've been doing a gazebo make-over all summer that is giving me the perfect spot to chill out in the evenings.  Scott has done a remarkable job because if you've been to our house, you know that in the middle of the floor there used to be a sunken heart shaped hot tub... (!!) ...yes, a hot tub shaped like a heart. 
Not cool, right?...


Yikes!  Talk about throw-back to the 70's ..plus the hot tub had a hole in it.  Ugh.  But Scott managed to cut the edge off and build a floor over it that looks amazing.  


He painted the new hexagon patterned floor, added the corrugated steel around the outside. Plus, he built this lazy swing out of wooden pallets for relaxing and pretty much turned our sad gazebo into our mini Taj Mahal right in the backyard.  


We gathered twigs from old shrubs and I built the chandelier around a thrift store rack and an Edison bulb that makes some cool shadows on the roof at night. 


 Today we decided to add curtains on the back to muffle the neighborhood noise and just make it look more finished.  He installed a rope with eye-hooks so that I could string the loops of the curtains through it.


Then I grabbed this cool decorative trim that I found a few weeks ago at JoAnn Fabrics.  It looks like measuring tape, sort of.  I didn't know what in the world I was going to do with it when I bought it, but I knew it would come in handy sometime, and this was the perfect solution for tie-backs.


I wrapped the taped around the gazebo poles and bunched up the curtains so that they would be a little wind and noise break when the neighbors are outside at the same time we are trying to relax:)


All I did was tie the tape into a square knot and that was it.  Super fast and easy.  And I like how the 'measuring tape' looked rustic like the gazebo.


I'm so happy with the way it turned out!
So tonight you can bet this is where you'll find us with a cold refreshment and a little bit of laziness.  

This summer while we were doing all of our gazebo make-overs, I was snapping pics the whole time.  You can bet I'll be putting some how-to's on the blog soon, so you can check out just how simple it is to do your own gazebo make-over!


I hope you are enjoying my DIY journey and keep coming back for more ideas, tips, how-to's, and projects to craft, create, and decorate.

See you in the next post! 

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Friday, July 24, 2015

Aleene's Ultimate Crafter!



Lookie what I got today!

I guess it's official when you get a trophy, right?  Imagine my surprise to get this box of goodies from iLoveToCreate with my favorite brand of adhesives, but also a trophy with my name on it with a big bright red heart! 

So, I want to say "THANK YOU" to my iLoveToCreate family, for their nice little trophy love..... XOXO 

Now, you know I recently posted the video about Aleene's® The Ultimate Multi-Surface Adhesive from the famous Aleene's® Tacky family, and it's just the cutest thing ever.  But just in case you missed it, here you go:




And now I have some great new glues to add to my stash, and create some fun and amazing projects to share with you.... my crafty, gluey family.  You've heard my motto before..."if you don't glue, I don't do it" and so away I go, on to another mission to find that perfect thing to glue....because it's what I do!

Till next time....


See you in the next post! 

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Sunday, July 19, 2015

DIY Pom-Pom Frame - "Forever and Always"


I have just been dying to make a frame with pompoms, and when I saw this adorable canvas quote art in the Michael's store, that was it.  I grabbed it up the minute I saw it.  Plus, my daughter Tricia always signs her cards with "Forever and Always" so it was the perfect gift for her new home in Iowa. 
When you make this pompom frame, just know that the Aleene's® Super Fabric Adhesive™ is truly one of my favorite glues, and it has been for a very long time.  I always keep it in my designer tote when I go to trade shows, do television spots, and go on photography shoots because it doesn't run, it sets up fast, and it's dependable.  

You'll also need lots of yarn in matching colors and my Mini PattieWack® Pom-Pom Maker or pieces of cardboard to make a plethora of pompoms.    (I love to use the word "plethora" because it always reminds me of that scene in The Three Amigos when they were hanging a "plethora of pinatas!")  

Now let's get started.
Check out the photos to see how to make the pompoms.  You'll want to make them in all different sizes for that cute lumpy look.


All you do is wind, tie, cut, and fluff every little pompom.  It's a no-brainer and very meditative.  I thought about Tricia and how much I hoped she would like it as I wound pompoms and listened to some Pandora.

Grab the Aleene's® Super Fabric Adhesive™ and squeeze a generous squiggly line of glue all the way around the frame.  

I had my pompoms all lined up and ready to go, so all I had to do was press them into the adhesive and hold each one on for a few seconds.  Easy-peasy!  


It was totally dry in about an hour and ready to ship to Iowa to hopefully put a bright spot in my daughter's house and remind her of how much she is loved and missed.
Check out my DIY Pompom Frame 
How-To Vine:




See you in the next post! 
Meanwhile, come see me... PattieWack

 on 



Sunday, July 12, 2015

DIY Pom-Pom Party Banner



This adorable little felt banner at Michael's store was just sitting on a shelf waiting for me last week and I grabbed it up immediately.  (Click here for a link to the banner)  I didn't know where I was going to put it, but it didn't matter at the moment because I was in love!  I mean, it is such a great color combo, it's that rich thick wooly felt, and such a cute size, I knew I could find a place for it somewhere.

Here's all you need:


I wasted no time getting to my yarn stash to make the perfect pom-poms for my banner.  It was fast and easy to make them on the 1-1/2" step of the PattieWack™ Mini Pom-Pom Maker.  


As you can see, I matched every single color of the banner with yarn to make a pom-pom for each pennant, and then I moved them all over to the NEXT pennant to contrast with the color, yet continue the color story.  What can I say...it worked!


And here's a tip.  The Aleene's Adhesive Tabs you'll see me using in the video made the whole thing soooo easy and no mess.  That's what I love, love, love about dry adhesives.


Watch the HOW-TO Video


Here's how to make quick and easy pompoms for a DIY PomPom Banner with felt, yarn and the PattieWack™Mini Pom-Pom Maker.  Add a little pom-pom pizzazz to your front door or next party for a dose of double-goodness.  I hope it inspires you to start a new creative adventure with pompoms.

Enjoy!
Pattiewack


See you in the next post! 
Meanwhile, come see me... PattieWack

 on 

Sunday, July 5, 2015

DIY - Home Sweet Birdhouse




Have you heard about the NEW Aleene's Ultimate Multi-Surface Adhesive™ and watched the darling video?
It's a story about love, glue and, well…

find out what happens on Day 395....
Watch it now....


After watching, I was inspired to make this super cute birdhouse your little birdies will call
"Home Sweet Home"
as soon as you hang it on a fence in your backyard!


Here's what you'll need:



Aleene's Ultimate Multi-Surface Adhesive™
Wood Faux Fence
Birdhouse
Wood Bird Cut-out
Wood "Home" Cut-out
2 Wood Clothespins
Pencil



Step 1:
Place items where you want them on the wood faux fence, 
and trace around them with a pencil.



Step 2:
Apply glue inside traced lines, and on each item.
Let glue set up for 2 minutes and then press together.



Step 3:
Mark where you want to put clothespins to hold treats for your birds.  Apply glue to both the clothespins and the faux fence.
Let glue set up for 2 minutes and then press together.



Here's a tip:
Place books or other heavy items on pieces if possible, while the set.  I use plastic bags filled with feed corn that I use to hold things down.  For maximum-strength bond, allow 24 hours for cure time.  This glue is exceptional on wood, stone, metal, ceramic, craft foam, glass and more!


Like the video says, 
"The only thing Aleene's Ultimate can't fix, 
is a broken heart."

—See you in the next post! 
Visit me, PattieWack...



Friday, July 3, 2015

4th of July - DIY Pom-Pom Fireworks Centerpiece and Swizzle Sticks


Here it is almost the 4th of July, and we certainly can't have a holiday without a cute centerpiece, now can we?  

I'm that girl who simply must have a centerpiece with fresh flowers on holidays.  Don't hate me!  I used to work in fresh flower shops back in the day, and it's just the best thing in the world to come home to that sweet smell of freshness.

So, I ran to the Trader Joe's and grabbed a bundle of fresh flowers and plopped them in a vase.  Don't worry, because you'll fill in the gaps with....you guessed it... Pom-poms!

I even threw some cute little swizzle sticks together so that we would feel all fancy when we have a little cocktails later to celebrate Independence Day!

Here's what you'll need, and the easy-peasy steps to make it:

Everybody have a happy and safe celebration.....Happy 4th!!
To find your PattieWack Pompom Tools, go to:


—See you in the next post! 

Visit me, 
PattieWack...