Recycled Cake/Cupcake Stands Design*Sponge

Kate’s Recycled Cake/Cupcake Stands
What You’ll Need:
- old plates (any size)- old candlesticks or vases (look for anything that is wider at the bottom, with a sturdy base and a flat top)- epoxy (from a hardware store)- masking tape- popsicle stick or q-tips without their fluff (something to apply the epoxy with)- paper plate or scrap cardboard (something to mix the epoxy on that you can throw out)- rags and cleaning solution
For the variation:
- template of silhouette (or you can free hand)- contact paper- scissors- spray paint
Directions:
1. Pick out which pieces you want to put together and test it out. They should be able to balance on each other without the glue. If not, you may want to rethink your choices..is your plate too uneven or does your base have a flat enough top?
2. Clean all plates and vases/candlesticks thoroughly. Dry completely.
3. Measure the back of the plate and mark a dot in the center with a pen or marker.
4. Squeeze out a little epoxy and follow its directions for use. After it’s mixed, apply it to the top of the candlestick/vase and gently place your base upside down onto the plate, using your dot as a guide to help you center it.
5. Let it sit for a few minutes, then gently press down on it to hold it in place and get rid of any excess epoxy with a q-tip. Apple tape on four sides to anchor it while it dries.

6. Let it dry overnight.

VOILA!
Note: While these are sturdier than you would expect, they are not dishwasher safe. I recommend gently cleaning by hand.

Silhouette version:
After the cakestand is glued together and dried overnight, you can pretty much do whatever you want with it: paint, decoupage, etc. I really love Sarah Cihat’s graphic patterns so I decided to do something similar on one of my less attractive plate/vase combos.
1. Trace and cut out your pattern on contact paper. Make sure contact paper still has its paper backing on it when you do this.
2. Gently peel contact paper away from its backing and place the sticky side on your plate where you want the design to go. Press down evenly and smooth out any and all air bubbles. Make sure all edges are firmly pressed down.

3. Prime the entire plate and base with primer spray paint and let dry (you will need to flip it over a couple times, make sure the top is dry before you flip it to spray the bottom).
4. Paint it whatever color you wish. Let dry completely.
5. When dry, use an exacto to carefully lift the contact paper.
Note: This plate is not meant to have your bare food placed on it. Usually I place cupcakes or pies in their pans on cakestands. If you want to be able to put food directly on it, I recommend sealing it with a varnish or sealant.
*if you’d prefer to buy rather than craft, you can pick up these exact cake stands from kate at her etsy shop right here!

Mason Jar Lights from Whitney Design*Sponge

mason jar lights
what you’ll need:-vintage mason jars-hanging lamp kit with low wattage bulbs (try your local lighting store, home depot or lowes)-ceiling light plate
1. punch holes in each mason jar lid, large enough to fit the light bulb cords through (appx. 1 inch). as always, be safe and use gloves and a steady hand when punching holes. to punch the hole you can use either a hammer and nails (which you’ll need to then widen for the cords) or a larger tool that you can tap through.
2. unscrew the lid, insert the bulbs into each jar, feeding the cord through the holes in the lid. whitney suggests using a lamp kit that includes tension clasps to keep the bulb from sliding.
3. tighten the lid back on the jar and adjust the bulb to its desired height (using the tension clasps).
4. using a store-bought ceiling light plate- drill holes into the plate to pull all of your cords through (depending on how many jar-lights you will be hanging). pull the lights through, allowing enough cord to hang the lights at your desired height, and then tie a knot at the top to keep them from falling back through the ceiling plate.
5. contact your local electrician to install the lights into your ceiling- we do not suggest trying to install these yourself unless you’re a trained electrician.

Just Tutes Wrap Pants -Fantastically Comfortable

double-tie wrap pants

Simplest, comfiest pants ever.

Your basic pattern shape:

The crotch notch is 12" x 3" (with the curvy bit). This should fit almost any body, unless very large or small.

For the rest of the dimensions, you want to figure out how long you want them (full length, capri, etc) and then add an inch or two for the bottom hem.

To figure out how wide, measure you waist and divide that by 4. Then add 3-6 inches to that number to get how wide your pattern piece should be.

(You want to add enough length to wrap it around yourself enough to be discreet plus a hem allowance. Since everyone's waist size is different, it is prudent for me not to give a absolute number. However, I will say that I use my waist measurement/4, and then add 2/3 of that number. If you want to go ahead and figure yours out that way, please do. If you have math aversion, just wing it).

The pattern piece above is only half of one leg. Place pattern piece on folded fabric, the fold being the side with the crotch notch (the top edge in the picture). Cut 2.

Open up both cut piece and place right sides together. Sew along crotch notch.

Open up pants and find the waist because it's all hemming from here on out. I highly recommend marking the two waist pieces and bringing them together often while hemming because it is frighteningly easy to get confused and hem the wrong piece or attach a tie to the leg bottom. Or at least I've done it, so it happens anyway. Use some chalk or do a quick baste on the waist to keep it all in order.

First, hem the side of the legs. Good time for funky embellishments or decorative stitches.
Then the bottom cuffs.

Last fold over and hem the waist. For the ties, I usually use bias tape, mostly because I have a goofy amount of it and I'm a little lazy. But you can use anything - make your own, ribbons, whatever will be strong enough. I suggest it be at least a half inch wide, however, to give the ties a firm hold which won't distort the hang of the pants. Reinforce the seams holding the ties.

Oh, and I know you know, but make sure they are long enough! My husband likes to wrap both ties around to his front (he thinks someone may try to untie him from the back - maybe a repressed childhood trauma?).

I'm fine with the back tie, but there are occasions when you may want to double knot. Too long is better than too short (general life rule).
And that's it! All that's left to do is figure out how to get them on :)

Miniature Potted Pond by Canadian Living

Create a miniature potted pond
Add an aquatic accent to your backyard, balcony or deck.
By Alyne Samson

Supplies:

• Watertight glazed-ceramic or plastic pot, at least 50 to 60 cm tall and 45 cm in diameter

• 3 or 4 bricks

• Pebbles or gravel

• 3 or 4 aquatic plants

• Goldfish (optional)

Choosing the plants

• To make a pleasing multilevel arrangement and help keep the water clear, choose from three types of aquatic plants:

1. An immersible oxygenating plant to help keep the water clear;

2. A floating plant; and

3. A tall plant with leaves that will extend upward out of the water.

• In this arrangement (shown, top left) are:

1. Immersible Bacopa caroliniana, or water hyssop;

2. Hybrid pink-flowered Nymphaea, or water lily 'Firecrest' (the leaves float, but the roots are potted), and purple-flowered Eichhornia crassipes, or water hyacinth (the whole plant floats); and

3. Tall Acorus calamus 'Variegatus,' or variegated sweet flag.• Ask nursery staff to help you choose a good mix of plants.

Instructions:

1. Thoroughly rinse the pot, bricks and pebbles. Set the pot in a sunny spot, ensuring that it is level. Fill it with water. Let stand until water reaches air temperature.
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2. Stacking bricks to make small platforms to raise the pots and using pebbles to weigh them down, add the plants, immersing the oxygenating plant. If you've purchased a goldfish to add, let it float inside its water-filled bag in the pot for about 30 minutes to acclimatize it to the water temperature, then release it.

Care and maintenance:

• Check the water level regularly, particularly in hot weather, and add water when necessary (make sure to match the temperature to that of the water already in the pot to avoid shocking the fish).
• Feed the fish with floating granulated fish food, following manufacturer's instructions.
• In June and July, add fish-safe fertilizer for the aquatic plants, following manufacturer's instructions.
• In September, protect the pot with a plastic cover overnight if it's chilly.
• As soon as there is a risk of frost, bring the pot indoors and place it near a sunny window. Alternatively, empty the pot, storing the plants in a bucket indoors and the fish in an aquarium for the winter. Don't leave the pot outside; if water collects inside it and freezes, the pot may break.

One Hour Crafts Sexy String Knickers

How to Make Sexy String Panties for V-Day!

Em and I were on the phone talking when I was on holiday last week. We were chatting about Valentines Day craft tutorials to put on this site. We both decided, after not very long, that we would not recommend anyone make a mushy card for their boyfriend. A loveheart cake may have him bolting out the door. A romantic framed photo and you may just never see him again (Though marrieds may very well indulge in this sort of present-giving). We realised a while back that men are funny creatures (especially in the first few years - and before they have put a ring on your finger) who like to chase. Who are we to get in the way?So, we decided to steer away from the how-to-turn-your-guy-off-in-two-seconds presents and present him with something that is much more likely to please him on this special day. Ta-da. This tutorial was born. These panties took such a small amount of time to make and were great fun. So, leave it to the men to present YOU with chocolates, mushy cards, stupid teddy bears holding hearts that say “I wuv you” and hit them where it hurts……You Will Need

The Pattern (Step 1)

Fabric - your choice - tshirt material, leather, vinyl, lace fabric, bright pink fur, whatever you like. If you are a die-hard recycler like we are, cut up your love’s old tshirt and use it for the material. He won’t be angry, we promise.Underwear elastic - we bought it in bright pink

Ribbon for the ties

Thread for the sewing machine

Scisssors, pins

Sewing machine, overlocker

Step 1
Download the pattern below. Enlarge it to A3 size on a photocopier. This is a size ten Australian pattern. Size ten in Australia is a small. If you are larger, just take a pair of panties you already have and work out the size you need from that.Click here to download Sexy Panties Pattern

Step 2

When you have printed out the pattern and enlarged it to the correct size, pin the whole pattern piece to the fabric you have chosen. There is no need to leave a seam allowance with this pattern.
Step 3
Cut out the main piece, then cut piece 2 of the pattern from the same fabric.

Step 4

Pin the crotch lining (unless you are making these crotchless of course ) to the inside of the panties fabric. Sew this with an overlocking stitch onto the panties piece. We sewed two straight lines across (as in photo above).

Step 5

Change your machine to the stitch which is a zig-zag with a broken line. This stitch will allow some stretch.

Place the underwear elastic on the edge of the panties and sew it on using the broken zig-zag stitch. Hold the end of the fabric which is furthest away from you and this will help you guide the fabric through. We didn’t bother to pin it all, deciding instead to live on the edge! When you are sewing the elastic you can stretch it a little with the hand which is closest to you, giving the pants more elasticity and a little more power to grip to your cheeks.

HOT TIP: If it is too difficult to grip the fabric with your hand while sewing you can grip the thread ends with your left hand and gently pull the fabric through - a great little sewing trick.

When you come to the corner of the fabric, fold the elastic around the corners and continue to sew until you have edged the whole piece with elastic.

Step 6
Cut the ribbon into four lengths about 30cm (12 inches long).
With the panties right side facing down, sew the ribbon onto each of the four corners. We just used the same stitch for this and went slowly over them a few times, forward then reversing. It is pretty important that these stay, especially if wearing a skirt (unless of course Britney is more your style. In which case, why are you reading this tutorial? huh?)

Step 7

Add a litte something to the panties by cutting out a pink love heart and sewing it to the front of the panties. We just used a straight stitch for this. We were about to sew the heart on, when one husband (who shall remain nameless) returned home and repositioned it a little lower for us!

You like? Trust me these are a WHOLE LOT skimpier on than the photo here. Unfortunately neither Em nor me wanted to model them and display our bottoms to the world, so you will have to make some and see!
Enjoy! Why not get together with a bunch of girlfriends and have a panty making afternoon? We had a lot of fun and a lot of laughs. These took us about ten minutes to make at the most. Hmm maybe there will be more underwear making around here….Mia and Em
xxx