DIY Blue and White Luggage Tags and Handle Wraps

August 31, 2016

DIY LUGGAGE TAGS & HANDLE WRAPS

When I worked in the corporate world and traveled frequently, I had more luggage tags than I knew what to do with. Over the years I’ve tossed them or they’ve found their way to the same mysterious location that single socks disappear to. Since we’ll be traveling later this week and I had some scrap fabric lying around, I decided to craft a few handmade luggage tags and handle wraps.

This is a really quick and easy project and only requires a few supplies.

Supplies needed:

Kraft tags

Vinyl Fabric Scrap–an 18″ x 18″ square **(Fabric.com has a great selection of decorative vinyl)

Fabric Glue

Fabric Mod Podge

Mod Podge Clear Acrylic Spray Sealer

Industrial Strength Velcro–4″ x 1″ (available from Wal-Mart)

Metal Grommets and Grommet Tool

Ball Chain Key Chains

***

How-to DIY Luggage Wraps:

To make the luggage wraps, cut a piece of vinyl into a 5″ x 4 1/2″ rectangle. Turn each edge under 1/4″ and glue the fold down using fabric glue. This will create a clean, finished edge on each side of the vinyl.

Next, turn the fabric right side up and attached a piece of velcro on the right side of one edge and the underside of the other. And your luggage wrap is done.

**I used adhesive velcro but a sew-on velcro would also work.

How-to DIY Luggage Tags:

Cut a piece of vinyl large enough to wrap completely around the yardstick tag with an overlap of about 1/2″ on the back side.

Use Mod Podge to glue the vinyl onto the tag. Once dry, cut away the excess fabric, following the outline of the tag.

Use a hole punch to punch a hole at the top of the tag. (you should be able to feel the original hole in the tag under the vinyl).

Before you attach your grommet, coat both sides of the tag with Mod Podge and then seal the entire tag with a clear acrylic sealer. This will give you tag a durable finish.

And the final step is to add the grommet and ball chains.

tip: if you want to include contact info on your tag, hand-write or print your name and phone number on a piece of paper to fit the back of the tag. Seal the contact info to the back of the tag with Mod Podge.

DIY Luggage Wraps & Handle Wraps

I’m thrilled with how cute my tags and handle wraps turned out. In a sea of black luggage, these blue and white luggage accessories will really stand out.

Happy crafting friends!

*this post contains some affiliate links

DIY Toile Tablecloth (and a Giveaway)

June 7, 2016

I saw it…I admired it…and then I decided to make it!

One day when I was surfing through the Neiman Marcus website, I spotted a beautiful green and white toile tablecloth. It had everything going for it except the price ($$$). I continued to search for more budget friendly options but the only color I found at the price I wanted to pay was blue and white.

Well, the universe must have been hearing my cries because just about the time I was going to settle for a blue and white tablecloth, Cutting Edge Stencils contacted me and asked if I wanted to review one of their stencil designs. A quick review of their collection and I said YES. They had the perfect toile stencil so I could make my own toile tablecloth and save lots of money. Plus I always love a good craft challenge.

♦ DIY Toile Tablecloth ♦

white tablecloth with a vibrant green paint color

you know I love chinoiserie

of course I had to style the table using some of my blue and white pieces

a fun accent color makes it even merrier

lots of vintage, thrifted and budget friendly treasure to give the table even more personality

So what do you think? Pretty darn cute if I may say so myself.

*****

If you’ve never given stenciling a try, I urge you to do it. It’s easy and a great way to create custom decor for your home. Making my tablecloth took just a couple of hours and a few supplies. Here’s how…

Supply list:

White Tablecloth –It’s best to get a 100% cotton or cotton blend which will allow the paint to absorb better

Secret Garden Toile Stencil (if toile isn’t your look, there are tons of designs to choose from)

Foam paint roller

Acrylic Paint –I used Anita’s acrylic paint in Christmas Green and purchased 2 of the large size bottles

Textile Medium–creates a soft, flexible and washable paint surface

Painters Tape, Spray Adhesive, Plastic paint tray or disposable paper plate

Gather your supplies and lay the tablecloth out on a smooth, firm surface. I used my dining room table and placed a plastic drop cloth under the white tablecloth to protect the table surface.
To ensure a clean paint application, use spray adhesive on the back of your stencil to prevent any paint bleeding. Spray the back of the stencil, let it sit for a few minutes and then place the stencil onto the tablecloth, starting in the upper right corner.
Mix 2 parts paint with 1 part textile medium and pour paint onto the disposable plate.
Coat your roller with paint and then roll the roller on the paper towel to remove most of the paint. You want the roller to have very little paint on it when you begin to reduce paint bleed.
Paint over the stencil–you may need to go over the stencil 2 or 3 times to get the depth of color you want.
Let the stencil sit for just a minute and then remove it. Move your stencil and repeat the process until you’ve covered the entire tablecloth.

Once my tablecloth was painted, I decided to add a decorative trim along the edge and added a canary yellow woven gimp I purchased on clearance at Hobby Lobby. I love the pop of color!

I’m thrilled with how my Toile Tablecloth turned out and will definitely to enjoy using it year round.

Now it’s your turn to get in on the stencil fun. Cutting Edge Stencils is giving away a $50 gift certificate to one of my readers. Enter below for your chance to win!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Disclaimer : This is a sponsored post but all ideas and opinions are 100% my own.

Product + Inspiration: Bamboo Flatware

March 4, 2016

With spring knocking at the door and Easter just a few weeks away, my latest Product + Inspiration post is dedicated to pretty tables capes and a key component that makes each one great, Bamboo Flatware!

I’ve been on the hunt for vintage bamboo flatware for over a year and haven’t lucked upon any yet but have it on my shopping list for my big trip at the end of the month. When I reviewed my list with my husband he asked me what the big deal was. Well, let me tell you and remind him.

…

Read the Post

DIY Bathtub Tray {the little luxuries in life}

September 3, 2015

I love taking baths and have used one of those inexpensive big-box store metal bathtub trays over the years. I threw the last one I had away because it start falling apart.

About a month ago I had the idea of making a new bathtub tray in anticipation of fall and winter which is when I enjoy a soak the most. After purchasing all the supplies I took everything with me when we headed to Alabama a couple weeks ago to visit my husband’s brother. I love visiting my brother in-law because he lives on a farm, has horses and an awesome 4-wheeler which I could spend hours on. He also happens have every wood working tool known to man so I knew I’d have everything I needed to make my tray. Here are some simple steps to make your own:

Supplies you’ll need:

1″ x 3″ Pine Wood Boards ($1.35)

1″ wide decorative cabinet trim ($7.00)

2″ x 2″ x 36″ wood square end baluster ($.97)

Wood Glue

Nail Gun (courtesy of brother-in-law)

Drawer Pulls (optional). I added some to make taking the tray on and off the tub easier. ($2.47 ea)

Stainable wood filler to fill any seams and nail holes.

Wood Stain in your desired finish. A small can is all you need.

Measure the width of your tub and cut the 1 x 3 board into three pieces at that width. Next, cut your baluster into three pieces that are 3″ shorter than the combined width of the pine boards.

Once the boards and baluster are cut, place the boards together side by side. Glue the three baluster pieces onto the long wood pieces (see below), one piece in the center and a piece about 8 inches to the left and right of the center piece. Let the glue dry. Once the glue is dry, flip the board over and reinforce the baluster with nails using your nail gun.

Once I had the tray assembled, I decided to add a hole to hold a wine glass. I measured the base of a standard wine glass and my brother-in-law drilled the hole for me.

Next you add trim. We cut it to size, mitered the corners and attached it around the edge of the tray edge using the nail gun (boy did I love that nail gun).

The last step before staining was to add the handles.

A then a few coats of stain and your tray will be complete and ready for you to enjoy.

upclose detail of tray edge

tip: add rubber bumpers along the tray sides to prevent any scratching on the edge of the tub

I am thrilled to pieces at how my tub tray turned out. I’m hoping to get some R & R this weekend and it just might involve a soak in the tub.