Vintage Tennis Racquet Makeover - Jewelry Organizer!

This is a great project for all you tennis lovers out there.  Especially, the younger players that never had to swing the old wooden ones!!!

I have been finding and buying old wooden rackets (racquets?) the past year.  I love old vintage sports equipment like these rackets, as well as, the old wooden persimmon golf clubs from my great grandfather.  Most of them are beautiful and I wouldn't want to change a thing about them!  But, some are just right for transformation!

First, I make sure the racket isn't too warped (it's okay if it is just slightly warped)  

Clean it up as well as you can - it might need some light sanding for those areas that might have taken a little frustrated abuse (say, hit the net a few times or, like my husband did, toss it into some trees)

Prime it.  Just because it has been held and tossed a bunch.  Keep in mind this sweet racket could have lots of sweat and tears that you don't want showing up later.  I primed this racket in our old company painting room.   It looks yucky but there is a huge ventilation draw and I can paint no matter the weather!

I like to add large cup hooks to the handle for necklace/bracelet storage.  Most rackets hold 5 easily but, you could add more or less.  I think 5 is a good number - it's not too crowded and not too sparse.

Then, I spray paint the racket with 2 coats of whatever color I want.  Follow that up with a few coats of poly sealer for a long life.   (Note: spray is best for this project)

And now you have a unique one of a kind piece for that tennis star in your life! Or, maybe keep it for yourself?

Thank you for being here!  

Messy

Warm Hands make Warm Hearts

Just another quick tute on making rice hand warmers.  I'm sure you have seen these around for a good while and, I have to confess I have made quite a few as well as larger ones for soothing backaches and sore shoulders.  This set is a small gift for my daughter on Valentine's.  She is an assistant Div. I golf coach and they use hand warmers quite a bit.  This set was made from scraps from my latest pillows.  I keep saving scraps and finally made myself make something with some!  I have another project using scraps for my other daughter that I hope to share soon!

So, it's for Valentine's Day, right?  Why not a heart hand warmer?  

Make a template.  Remember how you cut out hearts as a kid?  Fold the paper and cut out half a heart so it is symmetrical.  But, it doesn't have to be perfect.  No, not at all!  I think next time I will   get a little more dramatic and have fun with it

Materials used:

100% cotton fabric. pre-washed

100% cotton thread

dry rice

You need to use 100% cotton fabric and thread because these babies are gong into the microwave to heat.  You don't want your fabric and thread to have a meltdown in there - trust me on this.

Trace the template onto the wrong side of the fabric.  I took a shortcut and pinned all 4 pieces together to cut.  Oh, I forgot to mention you need 4 fabric heart pieces.  But, you probably already figured that out :)  Pin 2 heart pieces together with right side of fabric facing each other.

I started sewing (back stitching at the start)  on one side of the heart

Sew all around the heart leaving a 1-1/2" or so opening.  Back stitch again to keep this from unraveling when you turn it right side out.

Turn them right sides out, then press.

Now, it's time for the rice (or other dry bean, lentil, or grain filling you choose.  I used rice this time but I have also used lentils.  I think they seem to hold heat longer.

I rolled up my template to use as a funnel.  Sorry, I didn't measure it out- just filled until I thought it was a good amount to hold in your hand.

Did I mention that I often "wing" it?  I'm bad about taking some shortcuts.

You could stitch the opening up by hand but I was too lazy to go search for my needle so, I stitched very closely around the edge of the hearts.

NOW A NOTE BEFORE YOU HEAT THESE:

Please test for 15 seconds carefully.  Microwaves vary and you don't want to burn anyone or anything!  Heating time can also vary if you are using a different filler. 

Thanks for stopping by!

Mimi  

Peat Pots and Gesso Love - To the Moon & Back!

Short and simple post here.  Take some 5" peat pots.  They are popping up everywhere in anticipation of Spring!  I used Jiffy Pots for this project.  These came in a pack of six

   Paint one layer of Gesso over the pot.  Let dry.

Design your text (I used Microsoft 2010)   Use different fonts and sizes to make your quote interesting.  Or make it all the same - it is all up to you and what you want and love!

Then, print it on regular copy paper but, be sure to make it a mirror image.  Most printers have that option in the advanced settings for printing.  For my printer, I go to advanced settings and where it has the option for mirrored image, I choose ON.

Print image.

I then cut out each line just because I didn't want the large space my printer used between each line.

I started with the top line - added a liberal layer of Gesso to pot 

and thin layer to printed side of text. 

Applied  the text where I wanted and rubbed it a few times to stick to pot.  This is where it is a little touch and go and you really should test this on something first.  I tested this on a peat pot that had a tear in the back side.

I found that using the back of a spoon to burnish for a bit was good.  But it didn't stop there.  It actually seemed that the transfer started to really happen once the paper was a little more moist from soaking up the Gesso. I burnished with the spoon then carefully used the edge of the spoon to rub more.   Once the image looks darker it means it is starting to transfer.

 At this point,  you can gently peel back the paper to see if it is starting to transfer.  I had no problem laying the paper back down if it needed more help to transfer.  You can work with this as much as you want as long as it doesn't start drying on your peat pot.  And REMEMBER - this is NOT going to be a PERFECT transfer.  It is going to look distressed, antiqued, shabby, or whatever you like to call it.  But, it will have lots of charm that you can't buy in a store!  If needed, if really needed, you can touch this up with a fabric paint pen or Sharpie pen.

Once you have your text on the pot, paint the rest of it with Gesso, if you want, to keep it more consistent with 2 layers all over. 

Enjoy!

Well, as you know I love some Anthropology creativeness.  A few months ago, I was enjoying a look/see in our local Anthropologie store.  Their creations never cease to WOW!    And yes, please, I want one of e.v.e.r.t.h.i.n.g!   But... as much as I love their dreamy products, I have so much fun checking out their window fronts and other displays.   I will go so far to say that in my next life, that is my dream job! 

I was inspired by their fabric cactus.  Here is my small effort!

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After washing my dropcloth I watered down some Leaf Green Acrylic and painted it.  Added a few other green paints with dry brush to give it a little more depth.

Made a pattern out of an old cereal box.  Folded the fabric over (painted sides facing) and traced the pattern with chalk.  Cut it out - ending up with 2 pieces.

stitched them together with right sides facing out.  Sort of the opposite of what you would normally do.......

a little gesso on some peat pots.  (Any of you that have followed this far - well thanks for being here!  You are so special and I hope you will leave a comment so I can follow you too - if I'm not already following you!)

Okay - back to the next step.......I've had this project stuck in my head ever since I saw the fabric cacti all over our Anthropologie store.  How to put this all together?  I decided to reuse paper grocery bags.  Cut it into strips, crush them up and use them to support my fabric cactus. 

Cute - but I also tried topping it off with some pebble stones leftover from another project

Love it either way!   

Thanks so much for being here!!