Collage of Crafts

Here are some pictures of random crafts from over the months. Enjoy! 

Homemade Birthday cards are the best! 

Painted Dresser

It's been entirely too long since a blog post, but this one is worth the wait! Blair and her mom presented us with a beat-up dresser a couple weeks ago. It was a yard-sale steal, but the drawers had fallen apart and the wood was worn and faded. When we pulled it out of the car, it crumbled even more. But the characteristics of this dresser - made of pine with a cedar backing, dove tailed drawers, and hand-crafted - wouldn't allow us to throw this piece out. Nothing that a little sanding, paint, and stain couldn't fix!

Tassel! Tassel! Tassel!

Leather tassel key chains can be found everywhere. But for a pretty penny.

Here is a cheap and creative way to make your own!

Painted Wine Glasses

In need of a housewarming gift? On a tight budget? This is the craft for you!

You can find wine glasses anywhere for cheap (Marshalls, Target, Walmart) and if you are a true crafter, you already have a whole bin of acrylic paints. Just add in some paint brushes and an oven, and you're all set!

What you need:
- Clear, plain wine glasses
- Acyrlic paints (I have heard that paint pens work too)
- Paint brush
- Foil
- Cookie sheet
- Oven

Re-do of Old Metal Chair

Hello my fellow crafters! It has been quite awhile since my last post, but I have a lot coming your way.

I would like to share my most recent project. This old, rusty, worn metal chair has spent many days hiding in the ivy of my grandparents' backyard. I decided to give it a new life. Here's how...

Hats Off To The Graduates!

With JMU graduation only five days away, I decided to jump on the bandwagon and decorate my cap. I will spare you and skip sharing my sappy graduation memories. I decided to use one of my favorite quotes, "How lucky I am to have something so hard to say goodbye to". The supplies and instructions are simple!

Revamping Furniture

I discovered this vintage stool in my grandmother's basement (seems to be the origin of all my crafts). I adored the worn painting on the stool, but it did not match the vibrant colors in my room. I desired a look that was bold, but not offensive. Despite this vision, I did not really plan out the process for this craft. It seemed to just fall together.

Hand Printed Design on Reclaimed Wood

Since I have several pieces of wood left over from my dad's old ping-pong table (check out Don't Toss That Old Ping-Pong Table), I discovered another use for the reclaimed wood...a painting of the profile of an elephant. Why not! It fits right in with the hundreds of other elephant-themed crafts that fill my room. Make the craft your own! You can mix and match - the wood does not have to be the same and you don't have to paint an elephant (or an animal).

Mason Jar Galore

Mason jars are no longer used to store our grandmother's food. These molded glass jars are taking over the crafting world. The classic look and endless possibilities make the mason jar a go-to item for crafters. In this post, I will show you one cheap and easy (two of my favorite words) way to utilize a mason jar. 

Bye, Bye Streamers!

Streamers are the classic party decoration. But in the crafting world, streamers are dull and now a more embellished look is taking over my Pinterest page. I introduce to you, the tissue tassel garland! The frilly look gives some "umph" to your party decorations. In with the new and out with the old! I made the garland for a birthday party, but I intend on leaving it up until... well until there is a good enough reason. I hope you enjoy this cheap and easy craft as much as I did!

Don't Toss That Old Ping-Pong Table

Once part of a ping-pong table!

My father found what was left of his old ping-pong table hidden in the basement of my grandparent's home. Oh great, a giant piece of green wood, thanks dad. However, I did love the faded green color. It possessed a worn look that I could spend hours sanding and trying to achieve. With the help of a saw (and the strength of my father and brother), I suddenly had a collection of smaller pieces of wood and a developing idea of what to do with all of it. My cheapest project was soon invented. The wood would serve as signs with a painted quote, design, monogram, etc. The possibilities (and wood) were endless.

Utilizing Childhood Toys

Lending me a trunk

For Christmas, my sister found her "crafty" thumb and handmade my gift. I love the present for many reasons: I am obsessed with elephants, I can actually use it, it was inexpensive to make, she made use of a childhood toy, and she made it herself (THANKS KATE!!!). Plastic animals are a classic children's toy. But did you ever think they could be used to hold your keys? Here's how...

From Video Cassettes to Running Shorts

Before

About 20 years ago, my grandmother stubbled upon a sea foam green dresser at a garage sale for $20. This "lovely" colored chest of drawers was painted over with a shiny red, a color similar to the lipstick worn in the 90's. For years it served as storage to Barney In Concert, Snow White And The Seven Dwarfs, and countless other classics. The drawers never smoothly opened or closed, so we usually just let them hang out, which once resulted in a busted lip for the boy down the street (the blood blended in perfectly with the color of the chest).

Welcome to my new blog, The Crafty Farmer!

I've always had a "crafty" thumb, if you will. However, my attention span and budget always get the best of me. My projects get pushed to "tomorrow", which turns into a collection under my bed of half-painted frames and empty bottles of Mod Podge. Eventually, I forget my original visualization. 

I'm determined to break this habit of mine and utilize my enjoyment for crafting. The catch is that I'm a college student. Not only do I have a lack of time, but also a lack of funds. I hope you appreciate my journey! I will do my best to provide simple directions and plenty of pictures.

Whether it's a Mason jar hidden in your grandmother's kitchen or a piece of wood from your dad's old ping-pong table, you never know what potential crafts are sitting around your home. 

Enjoy! 

Beth