here...fishy fishy fishy

Hello Lovies!! I wanted to share one of my favorite EVER Upcycle Projects! This was actually very simple, you can do this too!  This is easy enough for the kiddos to help with!!
Here's what you will need:
Gumball Machine {I got mine on ebay mine was a vintage 1985 carousel desk top gumball machine} E6000 Glue Glass Bowl Marbles
{possibly a wooden circle if your original lid doesn't fit and red paint}
Water Fishy & Fishy Food

{here is the original}

 

First step is disassembling the original.  Like this....

 

Next you will use the new glass bowl that you have for the fish bowl and attach the rubber seal that came with the original and glue it to the bottom of the glass bowl like this.

{I didn't glue it to the actual metal machine, for cleaning purposes this will be easier}

It will just sit on the top of the gumball machine and not wiggle around with the rubber seal glued to the bottom.  Now, you are ready to add marbles or rocks whichever you'd like.  I chose marbles because they look like gumballs :)

I bought mine at the hob lob, but you can get them anywhere!

 

Add them to the bowl.  Then add water that is prepped for your fishy!

Add the FISHY to his or her new digs!!

 

On my gumball machine, the original metal top didn't fit on my new glass bowl, so I simply got a wooden round from the hob lob and painted it red like this:

Then simply glue the original metal top to the wooden round like this:

There you have it!  A fun new upcycled project and one very happy new FISHY!!!

 

 

Thanks for visiting!! 
Happy Creating!

XOXO, Heather

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Let's Have An Adventure

Do you love turning something bland into something beautiful?  Do you love giving something new life and purpose?  I do......In fact {I LOVE IT}  This is a couple simple projects that I recently did.  My Dad recently sold my childhood home and is moving to be closer to us.  I got to pick the things that I would like to keep for myself.  One of these globes has been in my Dad's office for as long as I can remember.  I recently started collecting globes and giving them new life in several different ways.  (I can't say the inspiration was all mine)  That Pinterest thing-a-ma-jig might just be the best thing since sliced bread for those of us who love to glean new interesting ideas without leafing through tons of magazine tear outs....{or is that just me?!}  Any way..... moving on..  Here are a few different options that I recently completed to make an interesting vignette on the top of our TV armoire in our family room.


The globe on the far left was broken and left for dead....I rescued him from my local thrift store.  I just knew he had more life in him than his previous owner gave him credit for.  So.....just because its broken does not mean it can't still be beautiful.  In fact it worked perfectly for this project.

 

For this sweet little guy, I simply taped off the metal ring (i'm sure there is a technical name for this "thingy", but i'm just a craft girl here) I then gave it 2 good coats of this stuff.  FolkArt Chalkboard Multi-Surface Paint.  I just used a sponge brush. For my globe 2 coats was necessary.  Let it dry overnight.  I bought mine at my local craft supply store "the hob lob" its also available here

 

http://www.amazon.com/FolkArt-2517-8-Ounce-Chalkboard-Paint/dp/B001DCTH2G/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1407182769&sr=8-1&keywords=folkart+chalkboard+paint+8+ounces+black+color

 

 

After your globe has dried it is essential to take a piece of chalk, turn it on its side and rub all over...really make a mess.  That's what gives it that real looking chalkboard finish. For the writing I used a Chalk Marker on mine because its a little brighter. If you don't have one of those....its ok.  Use a regular piece of chalk  ****Tip of the day   To write pretty with a piece of regular chalk sharpen it with a pencil sharpener, you may have to re-sharpen several times if your writing a novel, but it works fantastically!!  (eyeliner sharpeners work too if your lacking a regular one...I know from experience ;)

 

Here is the chalk marker I used available online here:

 

http://www.amazon.com/Uchida-480-C-0-Regular-Bistro-Marker/dp/B003360RFG/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1407182811&sr=8-1&keywords=bistro+chalk+marker

 

 

I chose the phrase: "A Good Deed Makes A Dark World Brighter"

but I'm sure there are many out there to choose from.  The best part is you can change it very easily for the seasons or if you just get bored!

 

Supplies:  Globe, brush, chalkboard paint, tape, Chalk marker

 

 

Next Up My Dad's Globe

 

This was a simple one.  I simply used one of the vinyl decals in my Etsy Shop to adorn this lovie with.  Of course, you could hand paint, or use a marker too if your handwriting is spectacular.  For mine I wanted to be able to remove and change the phrase and not damage this globe since its meaningful to me.  If you'd like this decal you can find it in my G.O. Etsy Shop here:

 

https://www.etsy.com/listing/198738732/decal-only-lets-have-an-adventure-decal

It comes in many different colors.

 

So...here are just a few simple and Easy ideas for you to create a single globe or a beautiful and fun eclectic vignette like I did.

 

Until next time....

 

Happy Creating,

 

XOXO, Heather

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Welcome!!



Welcome!!!  I'm so glad you're here!  I'm so excited to get this blog up and running.  I hope you'll come back from time to time to see what I've been up to.  I plan to show DIY's and tutorials, Up cycling Projects, trash to treasure etc.  I might even venture out and do a few video tutorials.....we'll see!  I'd love your feedback and your ideas also.  This week, I'll probably just post a couple of projects that I've done recently.  Be watching for a super cute gumball machine up cycle and a dining room table re-do. Complete instruction on how to achieve the look yourself, and supplies that I used also. 

I'm pretty pumped about this! It'll be a journey and I hope you'll come along!


P.S.  Be sure to follow me on Facebook here:  www.facebook.com/gracefulofferings
My Etsy Shop is here: www.etsy.com/shop/gracefulofferings
Here is my Pinterest:  http://www.pinterest.com/htisserand/graceful-offerings-etsy-shop/