Vagabond Couture - Re-dyeing Leather

photo via

I've had a lifelong vagabond love affair.  No, not with their dirty, traveling lifestyle but with their worn leather bags!  Let me preface all this by saying that I am not a handbag person.  If I could shove everything into my jeans pockets, I would.

But a couple weeks ago I came across a purse style that I liked.  Really liked.  The only problem - it was from a line that was a couple years old and couldn't be purchased new (not that I could've afforded it new anyhow - holycows!).  So after a bit of searching, I found a used one on ebay!  But it was the wrong color.

The color was called "Straw", and it wasn't horrid.  Just not what I wanted.  I knew that I may not get another chance to own that style so I bought it - in the wrong color.  Then I went to Feibings Leather and bought the products I needed to dye the leather.  First, let me tell you that it wasn't as hard as I thought it would be but it wasn't instant gratification either.

I followed directions that I found online (here).  Deglazer first to remove the finish.  Then dark brown oil dye,  letting it dry over night between coats, then Resolene to seal it and Mink Oil to protect it.  I did two coats of the dye and even used a Q-Tip to get into the seams and crevices.  After the first coat, I text my husband and said, "I'm crying - the dye totally ruined the bag".  But I held my breath and applied a second coat the next day.

I'm the first to admit that I'm not a runway couture kind of girl but I love the vintage, worn look of how it turned out.
Hmmm... Vagabond Couture -who knew?!

Linking up with The Vintage Farmhouse

Wax Paper Transfers

I have an odd thing about buckets.  Zinc, enamel, tin... I'm not picky.  Pretty much, if it's an old bucket, I'm drawn to it.  I know, I'm weird.  Don't even get me started on farm tables. 

Well, I decided that it's time to do something with all these cute buckets.  I ran across a wax paper transfer tutorial HERE not long ago and thought I'd give it a try.

I grabbed an image from Graphics Fairy, used some double-stick tape to attach it to a piece of paper and ran it through the printer.

The tutorial that I was using says to mist the surface with water.  I misted more than I probably should have because the ink ran a bit. But overall it worked pretty well.

 I did find however that the ink rubs off easily so I sprayed on a clear glaze finish and that did the trick.  After a few buckets, I found myself wondering if the tutorial was right and the same process would work on fabric.

As it turns out, the process does indeed work on fabric.  BUT the ink easily smudges after it's dry.  Since I was using very old grain sacks and not a fabric that would be worn or touching skin, I just gave it a light spray of the same glaze and voila, no more smudges.  In the past, when I have printed directly on fabric the ink runs if it gets wet.  I've heard that there really isn't a good way to prepare fabric for non-pigment ink.  

I know it's lame to admit how uninformed I am but I have to ask you... Do you know a better way to print directly on fabric (not using fabric transfers)?  And are there pigment ink cartridges for regular inkjet printers?

Paper Garland Tutorial

(View this tutorial in the Spring issue of Romantic Country)
Although some might consider it a sacrilege to tear apart books, we did just that to make our window valances.   It may not be politically correct but, trust me, these were books headed to recycling bin.  Our valances were a hit when friends would visit so we began making paper garlands that we offer in our shop.   It's such an easy project!  The hardest thing is finding a place to sit after you crumple all the pages.  

Step 1:  Select your Books.  The number of books you'll use will depend on the size you want the garland to be and what types of books you are working with.  Paperback books are a nice size for smaller garlands, like for draping over a mirror or a doorway.  Hardback books have thicker heavier pages that are good for larger garlands, like for window treatments for a fireplace mantle.  Vintage books have yellowed pages that are lovely against a white backdrop and most resale shops have an inexpensive selection of used books.  But they can be brittle and may fall to pieces when crumpled.  You should do a test on one or two pages before tearing all the pages out of the book.  Newer books are easier to work with and can be purchased at the dollar store.  You can always age the edges of newer books using a damp tea bag.   No matter the books you choose you should plan to use about 400-500 pages for a 4 footgarland and about 800 pages for an 8 foot garland.

Step 2:  After you've torn the pages out of your book (take them completely off the binding so you have individual pages), then taking small sections fold the pages in half and cut about a 1" slit in the center of the pages.  Be sure to do this step before crumpling the pages.  It's easier to cut a few pages at a time when they are not crumpled up.

Step 3:  Loosely crumple your pages - individually.  Believe me, trying to separate groups of crumpled pages without tearing them is not fun.

We incorporate the kids' help, put in a movie and let the paper fly.  

Step 4:  Un-crumple the pages.  I know, like you couldn't have guessed, right?!

Step 5:  Cut a length of twine as long as you want your garland, adding about a foot.  Then tie a large looping knot in one end.

Step 6:  Begin stringing the twine through the holes in the pages. 

When the garland is the length and fullness that you want, tie the other end with the same looping type knot.  Use the loops for hanging your garland.  You can add ribbons or lace if you like.

If you're the kind of person that's always looking for a fun crafty project, you've got to hop over to RandomTutorial!     It's a new site that directs you to simply click a red button and each time you do, it brings up a tutorial of a project from within the blogging community (you can search for specific projects if you want too but I personally like the little red button!). Seriously, you might be there all day so bring sustenance.

And don't forget to check out all the great handmade items at French Cupboard!

Homemade Chalk-y Paint

 Did you know that you can make any color paint chalky?  Makes a great chalk paint for furniture or chalkboard paint.  I discovered this some time ago and I use this very unofficial recipe all the time.  It's so much cheaper than buying chalk (or chalkboard) paint. 

This is my junker's recipe...

  Simply mix 3/4 cup of flat latex paint in the color of your choice...

 Two tablespoons of pre-mixed spackle (Martha Stewart's recipe calls for powdered grout but I didn't have any on hand the first time I made it so I tried Mr. Blessing's spackle that was already mixed and it worked so terrifically that I've made it this way ever since).  Note: add more spackle or grout for a thicker chalk type furniture paint until it's something like cake batter...

And one tablespoon of clear glaze (again, I didn't have exactly that so I used a satin finish varnish and it works just fine).  Mix it all up really well.

And you have chalky paint for a fraction of the price!  

I think it is a better quality chalkboard than the store bought chalkboard paint.  I'm new to chalk paint but this gives a similar finish to some of the pricey paints.

Paper Rosebud Tutorial

 Making these paper roses has become a tradition around Valentines Day at our house.  They go on top of presents (my son's birthday is Valentines Day), get sent along as thank-you gifts with orders, and are a table decoration for parties.  Since it's a few days before Valentines, I thought I'd share this super easy project...

 Usually I have the kids gather up sticks from the yard to use as the stems.  This year, with all the snow, I am fortunate that I had some left over in my bag of supplies.  Generally, I try to find sticks that have the same diameter as a stem and then break them down to about 12" or less, depending on the vase they will live in.

 You'll also need some paper twist in green & the rose color of your choice and about a 6" length of string or twine.  I like to add some lace too.

Cut appx 6" of the green paper twist and 12" of your rose color.  Then untwist the full length.

 I put a glob of glue stick type glue on the end of the "stem" and then begin wrapping the rose color twist around the stem.  Folding it a bit as you go will help create an unopened bud effect. (pardon my messy work area... and old lady hands)

You'll have a short end of the rose color twist left.  Glue that down with glue stick and then wrap the green, leaving the ends hanging out. 

I lay out the twine with about 4" of lace on top of it, then lay the rose down on top of the two, pulling the twine up and tying everything nice and tight.

I print my Valentine message, using the Old Rubber Stamp font and then tear them close to the words.  Short messages work best.  Then just glue them onto your stem.

It's a super inexpensive, handmade gift.  And no matter if you give one or a dozen, your message of love won't wilt.

For the mountains may depart and the hills be removed, but my steadfast love shall not depart from you, and my covenant of peace shall not be removed," says the LORD, who has compassion on you.(Isaiah 54:10)