'Gumball Machine' Candy Dish

I made many of my gifts for Christmas this year. Some of the recipients actually find time to read the nonsense I write on my blog. So now that Christmas is over I can finally get those posted on here.

So this post will deal with something that is very popular on Pinterest, in which I get many of my ideas from. I actually received one of these as a birthday gift last year from a friend. So I used that as my inspiration.

'Gumball Machine' Candy Dish

As per usual, I got so involved in the project that I forgot to take pictures. Sorry. I'll try to make up for that with detailed instructions...but it really is just painting and glueing, for the most part.

The most difficult part of this project was finding the glass bowl, flower pot and base that fit together properly. Once you've got that, you're golden.

You'll need:
clay flower pot
2 flower pot  bases, different sizes
glass bowl
wooden decorative knob
paint and paintbrush
epoxy glue
clear sealant spray
ribbon (optional)
silicone (optional)


As I said earlier, the hardest part is getting the pieces that are the proper sizes to fit and enable you to achieve the look you're going for. It's easier to do this in a store that sells all these items (craft supply stores, dollar stores, etc.) so you can try them together before you buy.
Paint the flower pot, both bases and the knob. I ended up doing three coats of paint. Next, add a coat or two of clear sealant spray to all of these pieces.

Now you can start assembling. Using your epoxy glue, follow the directions on the package carefully. Apply it on the bottom of the flower pot and lay the glass bowl on top of that. If the bowl doesn't seem to be touching the pot, you can just add more glue until it does. Just make sure to keep the glue spread evenly across the surface. Now apply some pressure for a few seconds to ensure the pot and the bowl bond together.

Using the same glue, attach the knob to the center of the smallest flower pot base. Attach that base onto the center of the larger base. The only problem I ran into with this project was getting the lid (the bases you just glued together) to stop slipping over the glass. So I applied a layer of clear silicone inside the lid. When it dries it is very non slip and has a sort of cushioning effect. This is just regular silicone that you would use around the bathroom or kitchen. Be sure to get the clear and not the white though...unless of course you want to see the silicone. :P

Next, I added a ribbon. But you could do whatever you like with it now. I originally wanted to etch the glass but decided on the ribbon instead.

And that's it, you're done. ;)

Pillow Talk ;)

Got an old body pillow ya don't use or don't have room for? Don't have enough regular pillows? Cut the sucker in half!

OK I got ahead of myself on this project and I apologize. I forgot to take a before picture. But if you don't know what a body pillow looks like, chances are you don't already have one and therefore are not going to cut it in half. So, that said...let's carry on with the project shall we?

This one happened to be filled (and I do mean filled) with feathers. A whole lovin' shitload of feathers. 
For a minute my craft room was looking like a pillow fight scene from a movie. Maybe yours will be filled with polyester...or anything else that, once cut into, your cat doesn't try to leap in thinking you're making lunch and it's fair game. In that case, congratulations! Your job will be much easier. That or you don't have a cat in which case, just ignore my ranting.

So to start, I folded the pillow in half and shook the bejebuz out of it. This helped to settle the feathers into either side and away from the center which I would be cutting. Less mess, I thought, until the cat found me. Anyway, shake it...a lot. Then, if you need to (I needed to) draw a straight line where you want to cut, to keep you on track. Feathery pillows tend to move and frustrate you as you cut and you spend more time poking feathers back in than actually watching where you're cutting. If your pillow is kinda flat and lifeless, you can always make one really nice, plush pillow out of it by letting it all sink to one end and cut off the excess.

Once you get it cut and poke the 3 million feathers safely back inside of the pillow, you will want to fold the cut ends in, making sure to allow enough for the seam. I left about an inch or so, to be safe. Stick a bunch of pins in it to hold the fabric in place. Oh and I forgot to take a photo of that too...my bad! This is also about the time where I realized I do not have a pin cushion (*gasp* who doesn't have one of these delightfully useful things?? Me!).

Clear off lots of space to start sewing. I used my machine (which is a useless box of plastic and metal, hopefully you have a better one) or you could also sew it by hand. In hindsight, sewing by hand probably would have taken me less time and made straighter lines than my machine. Ahh well! C'est la vie! Last thing...if yours has feathers, take the finished product outside and beat the life out of 'em. Against the side of the house, a tree or with a broom...whatever works for you. But get all those loose feathers off the pillow and out of your house!

Now you have two new-ish pillows! Or a bunch of feathers with a cat laying in it! Either way...happy weekend! Now go take a nap on your loverly, squishy new pillows...or snuggle with the cat. :)

The sandals, that were no more...

So, I'm moving in a month and it's summer. So I thought I had better have a yard sale and clear out some stuff so I don't have to pack it up and drag it with me or have to put it in storage. Besides I have way too much 'stuff'.

Anyways, I was cleaning out my hall closet and there they were. The sandals that I have been hanging onto for the last 3 years in hopes of, well...I don't really know. They were my favorite pair, so comfortable and super cute. They went well with nearly everything. And then my dog ate them. :(

I like to reuse and re-purpose as much as the next person, but I know my limits. And they weren't overly pricey to start with so I wouldn't want to spend much in repairing them (if even possible). So, I finally got the scissors to them and chopped off the tops, which was the only part that wasn't chewed or eaten. ANd now they will go to the garbage and the tops will sit in my craft supplies cupboard until I figure out my next move.

And so, with no further adieu and for your viewing pleasure this is what remains of the lovely sandals that were.