Etched Casserole Dishes Tutorial

Are you ready for another gift I made for my friend's wedding shower?  Here's a sneak peak.

Ever since I saw the etched glass on the Silhouette site, I have wanted to do it.  What better excuse than for wedding gifts?  I wanted to make my friend, Laura some personalized dishes.  The next time she goes to someone's home or to a potluck, no one can claim her dish, as it will have her initial or name on it!

If you don't have a Silhouette, don't quit reading! I will share ways you can do this without the Silhouette and without vinyl.

Here are the supplies you will need:

• Contact paper or vinyl
• Exacto Knife or Silhouette (or cricut)
• Printed word, letter or shape OR Design what you want on the Silhouette software
• Glass to etch (this can work on just about any surface) -I used two Pyrex dishes
• Foam Paint brush (one time use)
• Plastic gloves to protect your skin and Safety goggles would be good to protect your eyes as the Armour Etch is heavy duty stuff.
• Armour Etch-(see picture below) I bought mine at Hobby Lobby with my 40%off coupon, but you can get it at any craft store.  This is an expensive bottle, but you will get a ton of uses out of this.  I didn't use a fourth of it and I did four large dishes.

Now, if you are using the Silhouette, design your shape, letter or words.  Before you cut it, you will want to transform it to be backwards (180 degree turn).  Then cut it on vinyl.   This will let you etch the bottom of a dish.  You don't need to do the turn if you are doing the outside of a dish.  I did the bottom and wanted it to be read through the dish.

If you aren't using a cutter, you can print out any shape, letter or word on a normal piece of paper.  Make sure your object is backwards for the bottom of your dish. Then trace it onto your contact paper (white or clear would probably work best).  Use your exacto knife and cut out the object. 

Then take your contact paper or vinyl and adhere it to the bottom of your dish.  Make sure that it is firmly adhered and that there aren't bubbles near the interior as it will distort the shape.  I practiced on my own dishes first.  I didn't take the time to firmly adhere and watch for bubbles.  My name didn't go on perfectly as the creme leaked under the vinyl.  Learn from my mistake and take the extra care to begin with.  Once you've done this there isn't any turning back.  It's permanent!

Below is the "S" I did for a square dish. 

The next one I did her new last name "Starling."  Make sure to put on the inner parts of your letters or they will look funny.  Notice that her "a" and "g" have inner parts that could be overlooked if you don't pay attention to this detail.

Now following the directions on the Armour Etch, generously lather the etching creme onto the letters or shape. (This would be a good time to use your plastic gloves and protective glasses too). Brush up and down and from side to side.  Then I also dabbed it really well to make sure there was a thick coating.  If you notice, on the bottle of the Armour Etch it says that it won't work on Pyrex.  It will.  You just need to let it sit longer.  I think it said to leave the etching creme on for 5 minutes.  I did 15 to 20 minutes, which worked great.

Once your have given the etching creme enough time to work properly.  Put your gloves back on (and glasses) and rinse all the etching creme off.  I rinsed and then took off my vinyl (or contact paper) and then rinsed again.  You can even wash the bottom now with some soap.  I wouldn't scrub it, but a light washing is fine.  Let it sit overnight to settle in.

There you have it.  Personalized dishes that make a great gift!  It is dishwasher safe too, after all, it's permanent!

Here are the her final dishes.

If you are wondering what the dishes are laying on, you'll have to be patient.  That will be my next wedding gift tutorial to share with you.

If you try etching glass, I would love to see your finished item!  I hope this tutorial was helpful.  Let me know if you have any questions!

Happy Crafting!

Subway Art-A Personalized Sign

Teacher's Appreciation Week is coming!  Here's an idea for a gift.

My daughter has two very wonderful teachers.  One of them has been teaching for nearly fifty years. She has seven children, and believes in all things wonderful. For her birthday, I asked one of her daughters to help me find words to create a subway art for her. 

I love having the opportunity to so easily personalize a gift!

If you'd like to see a tutorial on how to make subway art, here's one I've done before:  http://www.oursevendwarfs.com/2010/11/making-subway-art-tutorial-2.html

 

A Few Wedding Gifts

I promised to share with you some of the wedding gifts I made for my best friend's shower.  This is just 3 of them.  I have more to show you with tutorials and I am making some for the wedding this weekend!

The first one I made was a Menu Frame.  I love the scrapbook paper that I found for the background.  In case you missed how to make this Menu Frame, you can find the tutorial here.

I tried a new coaster for her (I have over 300 to use up).  This time I used some nice scrapbook paper and cut out a fancy S using the Silhouette.  You can easily print out a letter and cut it with an exacto knife.  If you want to learn how to make inexpensive coasters out of tiles, here is the tutorial.

I also gave her the Couple Mugs.  Here is the tutorial on how to make these.

These were all a hit with the ladies at the shower.  The other gifts were as well.  I can't wait to share each one with you!

Happy Crafting!

A Subway Art Horoscope Sign

For my daughter's teacher's birthday, I told her I'd make her a piece of subway art.  I thought she'd want something with her children's names, adjectives describing her, etc.  Instead she asked for a Pisces piece.  She wanted "positive" Pisces adjectives.  So, I did a little research and this is what I came up with.

If you'd like to make something similar, here's a link to a tutorial: http://www.oursevendwarfs.com/2010/11/making-subway-art-tutorial-2.html

Great Things-RAKJ Crochet Patterns & Giveaway

It's Great Things Monday and we are very excited to tell you about RAKJ Crochet Patterns! Kristi has an amazing store filled with adorable crochet patterns.  Here are a few favorites:

This one is on Jill's to do list for sweet little Anna!

Isn't Kristi one talented lady!  She crochets, makes patterns and much more, all while caring for four children (ages 13, 10 and almost 2 year old twins).  She has her hands full!  We are amazed at her talent and time management!

If you want to learn to crochet, head to her shop right now!  Kristi created a video to teach you all the basics of crocheting.  A book is great, but pictures and video are even better!  Plus, it is $5.49!

Kristi is awesome about helping you with her patterns as well.  Jill is in the middle of making her Triple Stitch blanket for a friend having a baby.  She wasn't able to find the exact hook or yarn and Kristi quickly responded with some other options.  That is an amazing plus to great pattern writing!

Shhhhhhhhh!  Let us share a little secret! Kristi rocks some awesome deals and giveaways on her Facebook page.  (This has gotten Jill in trouble many times as she has over 35 of Kristi's patterns.  Hopefully, Jill can work up a few to share with you this week). 

Back to the secret, today (Monday April 25) is a big day for Kristi as she is having a big 2000 celebration!  There will be freebies, giveaways and specials from 10am to 9pm (CST).  That's in addition to our great giveaway!  You won't want to miss it!  Head on over and like her page so you don't miss out on anything!  Please tell her we sent you.

In addition to all the great deals RAKJ patterns has to offer, Kristi is giving 5 free crochet patterns to one of our lucky followers!  Here is how you enter to win:

*Leave a separate comment below for each entry*

{Mandatory Entry} 1. Like us on Facebook.  We have a ton of great things to share with you!
2.  Browse RAKJ Patterns on Etsy and tell us what your top picks would be.
3. Share some love to RAKJ Patterns Facebook page.  Tell her we sent you!  Let's help her get well over 2000 fans!
4.  Follow us via Google Friend Connect.  (See sidebar)
5.  Subscribe to our blog by email (see sidebar and note that you must be verified to be a valid entry).

That is 5 chances to win 5 free patterns!  (One of those 5 can be the video tutorial too!) Remember, you don't have to do all 5 entries, but it sure would make us happy and increase your chances of winning.  Make sure you leave a separate comment for each entry! The giveaway closes at 11:59 pm (EST) on Saturday, April 30. We'll announce the winner on Sunday, May 1.

Good luck to you all! 

Felt Jar Giveaway Winner

Sorry this is late!  Shannon is out of town and I(Jill) am very sick with an upper respiratory infection.  I am hoping I don't miss all the Easter festivities as I am already missing church!  I guess it is my body's way of saying "slow down!"  Oh well, on to the giveaway!

Thank you so much to the Felt Jar for hosting this week's giveaway!  What adorable things she has to offer in her shop!  If you haven't checked it out, make sure you do!

The winner of the felted bunny is. . .

#28. Frances said... Love the felted ladybug!!

Congratulations Frances!  I completely agree the ladybug is super cute!  Here is a picture of it.

Frances, please email us at oursevendwarfs@gmail.com to claim your felted bunny!  Thanks again to the Felt Jar!

We have another great giveaway set for tomorrow, you won't want to miss it!

Happy Easter to all!

Easter to do list finished!

Well, we can finally say that we finished most of our Easter to do list.  We didn't get to making the sweets, but those will be on our future lists.

We've been busy making all the crafts on our list.  We have a true crafting partnership.  On many of these projects we split the work to make it easier on both of us!

The first project we worked on was the Peep Bunting.  We got the tutorial from Dana Made it.  These turned out super cute, but were a ton of work.  Shannon spent hours cutting out all the peeps.  Then my sewing machine decided to die, but thankfully Shannon let me borrow hers.  I sewed the first layer of bunnies to the ribbon (for 3 different banners), then sewed another bunny on top and sewed around the exterior.  This was a labor of love, but now we have adorable buntings that will last for years to come.  My bunting is on my fireplace.  Shannon joined two buntings and has them going up her stairway.  Don't they look great?

Shannon found a great new blog called Auntie Lolo Crafts.  She has some great craft ideas.  Shannon did her button egg, which is just precious.

Shannon cut out these adorable bunnies from felt and made them for me!  I added the pink ribbon and I think they are a great addition to my Easter decorations.

Here's the family of Chocolate Bunnies at Shannon's house.

We highlighted this DIY Paint Chip Easter Garland on our Facebook page from Modern Parents Messy Kids.  This was super easy and makes quite the statement.  Shannon was nice enough to give me her template and leftover paint chips.  Here is my garland hanging from my mirror (ignore the baseball game going on in the background).

Shannon also hung her from her mirror as well.  (She was smart enough to turn off the television).

The last project we completed was this beautiful yarn wreath from The Sweet Survival.  Shannon wrapped our small foam wreath with yarn while I worked on the eggs.  We want to do it just like the tutorial, but we found the intricately wrapped eggs were too time consuming.  Instead, we opted for the messy wrapped plastic eggs.  These were easier to do quicker.  We ran out of time making the wreaths so I finished wrapping the eggs and glued them on the wreath for both of us.  My glue gun died on me, only after giving me two major burns.  I went out an purchased a new glue gun and I am loving not getting burned!

The first picture is of Shannon's wreath hanging on her beautiful mantle.

I added some yellow ribbon and hung it from a door hanger and tied on a bow for added decoration.

There you go, all of our finished Easter projects!  We hope that you enjoyed them all.

We both want to wish all our wonderful readers a very Happy Easter!