This week is all about Red, White and Blue!  It started this weekend and has continued on through the week.  Tuesday, I showed off my Patriotic Wreath for the Pinterest Challenge. You should check it out here. Did you prefer the wreath layered on the wicker wreath or alone? Leave me a comment and let me know as I’d love to know.

I’ve been pulling out old signs, and wreaths and getting ready for the Patriotic Season. Do you like to decorate for the season?

Patriotic Decorations!

May, June, July and August make me think of Flags, Stars and Stripes, Let Freedom Ring, Est. 1776 and USA sprinkled with everything Red, White and Blue. If you’ve been following me for more than a minute you know I love decorating for the seasons.

Last year I made these super simple signs using Chalk Art and Stencils.

We are half way through June and the 4th of July will be here before you know it.  School is out and summer has began and it’s time to start the party!  

Last year I made a video on You Tube creating these Patriotic decorations.   I hope you enjoy the video here.

You can purchase the products I used on this project here.

A Maker’s Studio carries a ton of products and for this project I chose to use Chalk Art. The Rescue and Restore paint would also work fine.

Essential Stencils has a huge collection of Patriotic Themed Stencils. I love the mini sign stencils that I am using on this project. The stencils wash well and hold up great after numerous uses.

Don’t forget to shop online and use code CWC at checkout for 10% off.

To recreate this project here are a variety of items that you can use.

Enjoy and don’t forget to subscribe to my You Tube Channel here.

Make it a great day!

Cynthia

The post Easy to Make Patriotic Decorations! appeared first on Create With Cynthia.

The Traveling Teacup arrived at my home! Coffee or tea, it’s always a toss up for me, Sweet Friends. What is your preferred morning beverage? If you’re not following along on the Traveling Teacup Journey, you can start by reading my Sweet Friend Barbara’s post, “The Exciting Beginnings of the Traveling Teacup.”

Three Tips for a Simple Tea Party!

You might be wondering what is the traveling teacup? My Sweet friend Barbara gathered a few friends to participate and the teacup is traveling to each of our homes. Do you love sharing tea with friends? My sweet friend Barbara has a likeness to sharing tea with friends. Since many of her friends are far away, she decided to send a teacup on a journey.

Last week the teacup arrived coming from a Farm in Oregon. I was the second stop on the Traveling Teacups journey. I created an unboxing video, “Watch Me Wednesday, Episode #5 and the Traveling Teacup!” I hope you enjoy the video.

When I saw the opportunity to join the teacup party, I knew I wanted in. I’m not a BIG tea drinker, but I do enjoy drinking tea and reminiscing about old and new friends. So that is exactly what I did when the Traveling Teacup arrived.

Don’t forget to get caught up on stop #1 at Martha’s farm here. Tea with cows, why not? Martha took some beautiful photos of the tea cup on her farm. You really don’t want to miss that picture of her cows trying to get a taste of her tea. It’s so cute.

Tea party’s are so much fun, whether you’re enjoying tea with friends near or far. For this tea party, it was just me and my pups. Oreo and Sofy hanging out whilst I enjoyed my cup of tea over a journal. It was such the perfect opportunity to reminisce over friends new and old.

Although I usually start my morning with a cup of coffee and a journal, writing in my morning pages, today was different. I decided to sit at my old sewing cabinet turned desk, with pups in tow, and enjoy a cup of tea. My journal pages became filled with thoughts of friends old and friends new.

You’re probably thinking, a tea party with pups? WHHHHAAAATTTT? I remember when I was a little girl, setting all of my dolls around the table and having a tea party. I guess this morning was no different.

Tea Parties are really simple. Of course, they can be elaborate if that’s what you choose, but I prefer simple. So, here are my Three Tips for the Perfect Tea Party!

Three Tips for the Perfect Tea Party!

Tip #1

The perfect tea party needs pretty tea cups!

Tip #2

The perfect tea party needs friends. Dolls, pups, cows or real humans all qualify.

Tips #3

The perfect tea party needs to include a tasty type of tea.

Three Tips for a Simple Tea Party!

Tea party’s are so simple yet so much fun! Just remember that the time you spend with your tea is what’s important. Whether you are enjoying your tea with dolls, pups, cows or humans, savor the time.

I hope I’ve inspired you to take a moment and reminisce about your friend old and friends new. Tea parties are so perfect for that.

I’m so baffled by the internet these days and how it has allowed me to meet so many new friends. It’s truly amazing the friendships I have created with people I have never seen in person. Of course, I see them virtually, but it’s really not the same.

Now go out there and Create Something.

Cynthia

The post Three Tips for a Simple Tea Party! appeared first on Create With Cynthia.

Have you ever wondered what to do with an old sewing cabinet, Sweet Friends?  Old Furniture, like sewing cabinets, record cabinets, old chests intrigue me.  I love taking something old and repurposing it into something new.  Today on the blog I am sharing with you about my “Sewing Cabinet Turned Desk Transformation!”  I shared a video on the transformation months back, but I thought i’d give you the full tutorial here today.

Watch the video here on You Tube:

Although I really loved the look of the Sewing Cabinet, in order to turn it into a desk it need to be painted.  My sewing cabinet did not come with a machine, so when I opened up the cabinet there was a big hole.  I used a piece of wood and some Dixie Belle Mud to fill in the whole.  Unfortunately, I was not able to stain the wood to match the cabinet and that’s when I turned to paint.

If you’ve been following me for more than a minute, you know I’m kind of a paint fanatic anyways. 

Pinterest Inspiration

I created a Pinterest Board when I was deciding on the transformation of the sewing cabinet that you can check out here.  Pinterest shows many ideas for a Sewing Cabinet Transformation.  A few  ideas are: beverages bars, ice chests, plant stands, and bedside tables.  Those were all great ideas but, I needed a new desk for our home.

Sewing Cabinet Transformation

The video shows the struggles I encountered painting the sewing cabinet.  I ran into the stain bleeding through my paint which is never a fun scenario on a makeover.  In the video I also tell a silly story.  

I’m recently divorced and enjoy dating every so often.  Sometimes the date plans don’t go as you expect and that’s what happened when I was working on the Sewing Cabinet Turned Desk Transformation.  Kinda coincidental, huh!

If you like my dating stories, you should check out the “Bad Date Furniture Make-over!’ That’s another one of my silly dating stories.

Here is the tutorial on how to transform a Vintage Sewing Cabinet into a Desk.

Materials needed for the Vintage Sewing Cabinet turned Desk Transformation.

• Old Sewing Cabinet
• DIY Paint and Brushes
• Dixie Belle Mud
• Dixies Belle Boss Stain Blocker
• Plywood

Links to the products used can be found at the bottom of the post.

Instructions for the Vintage Sewing Cabinet turned Desk Transformation.

Step one: Remove the sewing machine from the cabinet, if it’s not already missing.

Step two: Put a piece of plywood where the sewing machine sat – you may need to drill or glue this into the space.

Step three: Use Dixie Belle Mud around the edges of the plywood if there are gaps.

Step four: Use a stain blocker on the wood surfaces if needed.

Step five: Paint the wood surfaces. I used DIY Paint in the colors of White Swan, Crinolin and Sandy Blonde to create a one of a kind look.

Step six: Seal the wood surfaces. I used DIY Paint Big Top and applied two coats. It is a matte sealer and provides a durable finish.

A side observation: On this transformation, I struggled with bleed through. The stains from the cabinet bleed through my paint to create a splotchy look. I used Dixie Belle Boss Stain Blocker over and over to eliminate the bleed through. Watch my video and learn more about preventing bleed through.

The Sewing Cabinet Turned Desk Transformation provides a great space for writing, computer work or as bedside table. I’m sure you’ve noticed it’s been all over my home.

Do you have any dating stories???

I hope I’ve inspired you to take an old piece of furniture and make it functional again. Now go out there and Create Something.

Cynthia

DISCLOSURE

Many of the links on this blog are affiliate links. CreateWithCynthia.com receives a small commission when certain items are purchased, but the price is the same for you. Thank you for your help in supporting my little space on the internet.

The post Ideas for an Old Sewing Cabinet? appeared first on Create With Cynthia.

I love flowers, Sweet Friends. In fact, if I could wear flowers in my hair every day I probably would. I love having flowers in my home, so much so, I do at times, settle for faux. Are you a flower lover?

I love real flowers and faux flowers and I love incorporating them into my home decor. In today’s post I am going to show you one way to add flowers into your home decor.

Trash to Treasure Furniture Makeover!

Trash to treasure furniture makeover’s are my favorite and this dresser was such a mess. The picture above really doesn’t give the mess justice, but if you can imagine an old wood dresser that has been alive for probably 50 years, I am sure you understand what I mean.

Incorporating painted flowers on a dresser is the perfect way to include flowers in your home. Bringing flowers in from the garden is always bliss but if you don’t have a garden you may need to find other solutions.

Now, in years past when our home had a huge garden I spent most of my time out there. I’d plant sunflowers and peonies and dahlia’s and iris’s and morning glories and flowers in every color of the rainbow. I really love planting bulbs, as watching them emerge from the ground is always a fun and surprising thing.

With this furniture makeover, I originally painted it a two toned look where I left the drawers the wood color. I loved how it looked but then.

Then I got inspired by Josie and Sally, the Iron Orchid Designs Sisters to take it a step further.

You can watch how I completed this project on my You Tube Channel here.

Sallie and Josie inspired me with a project that they worked on. I thought that the dresser would look so beautiful with a vase full of flowers on the front of it.

On this project I used Iron Orchid Designs Air Dry Clay, Decor Stamps and Decor Transfers to create an image that looked like a vase full of flowers. I also used DIY Paint on the project. Here is the dresser at TreasureFest last year.

I hope this project has inspired you to go out and create something you love. Make it a Great Week!

The post Trash to Treasure Furniture Makeover and Adding Flowers into your Home Decor! appeared first on Create With Cynthia.

This post contains Amazon Affiliate links and product listings. If you don’t see our recommended products listed in this post, you may need to disable your browser’s add blocker.

My Favorite Products for Craft Projects!

I have been creating ALOT of projects and making ALOT of You Tube videos and I’m loving it.  I hope you are able to follow along and enjoy!  If you don’t have time to create at home, consider joining me on a Thursday night at 7pm in Redwood City for my Craft Workshops.  You can read about that here or you can view my calendar here.

You Tube Videos – Create With Cynthia

In the meantime, I’ll catch you up on the videos and products with links that I’m using.

1. DIY Kitchen Towels and Gel Art Inks with Essential Stencils!

In the video, DIY Kitchen Towels and Gel Art Inks with Essential Stencils, I used the following products which can be purchased on Amazon. All other products can be purchased at CreateWithCynthiaShop.com.

Cotton Craft 8 pack of towels

2. Handmade Bag with Ink and Stencil

In the video, Handmade Bag with Ink and Stencil, I used the following products which can purchase on Amazon. All other products can be purchased at CreateWithCynthiaShop.com.

Smart Green Canvas Bag

3. Handmade Baby Gifts with A Maker’s Studio products.

In the video, Handmade Baby Gifts with A Maker’s Studio products, I used the following products which can purchase on Amazon. All other products can be purchased at CreateWithCynthiaShop.com.

Gerber Unisex Baby Onesies

Neat Solutions Baby Bibs

4. Handmade DIY Handmade T-Shirts using A Maker’s Studio products!

In the video, Handmade Baby Gifts with A Maker’s Studio products, I used the following products which can purchase on Amazon. All other products can be purchased at CreateWithCynthiaShop.com.

Amazon Essentials T-Shirts

I hope you enjoyed the recap of my recent videos.  Don’t forget to Subscribe to my You Tube Channel and Hit the Notifications button.

Make it a great day!

Cynthia

The post My Favorite Products for Craft Projects! appeared first on Create With Cynthia.

Craft Workshops in Redwood City, California!

I’ve partnered with a website called http://www.hellorevel.com to bring you a unique month full of Craft Workshops.  I hope you’ll consider joining me and don’t forget to rsvp.

Art Classes at the “Create With Cynthia Store” in Redwood City, California!

Here is what’s happening!  Date, Project and Cost below:

Date: August 8, 2019 at 7pm
Craft Project: DIY American Flag Pillow Bundle
Cost: $45.00
RSVP by 8/1/19

In this class you’ll learn how to use your collection of old buttons to DIY this darling Americana Chic pillow!  This carefully curated bundle comes with everything you need to complete this project! Just bring some old buttons.

Bundle Includes:

o   Pillow Sleeve
o   Well I Declare Gel Art Ink
o   Bless His Heart Gel Art Ink
o   Sample Hush Your Mouth Gel Art Ink
o   Spreader

Date: August 15, 2019 at 7pm
Craft Project: Sweet Tea and Jesus Tote Bundle
Cost: $45.00
RSVP by 8/8/19

This exclusive Sweet Tea & Jesus Tote Bundle includes all the supplies you need to make a tote bag packed with Southern style for all your shopping outings.

Bundle includes:

• Sweet Tea & Jesus Stencil
• Hold Your Horses Gel Art Ink
• Canvas Tote
• Spreader

Date: August 22, 2019 at 7pm
Craft Project: Queen Bee Coasters Bundle
Cost: $45.00
RSVP 8/15/19

In this class you will make Queen Bee Coasters – a set of four.  This exclusive Queen Bee Coasters Bundle includes all the supplies you need to make coasters fit for the Queen Bee you are!

Bundle includes:

o   Clear Stamp Vintage Icons
o   2oz Little Black Dress Rescue Restore Paint
o   Sponge Brush
o   Foam Dome
o   Matte Sealer Sample

Date: August 29, 2019 at 7pm
Craft Project: Watercolor Wash Sample Bundle
Cost $45.00
RSVP by 8/15/19

In this class, you will get hands-on as you learn new DIY skills using a carefully curated workshop kit. You’ll leave with your own set of beautifully illustrated quotes with a watercolor wash background.  Bring an old 8×10 frame if you’d like.

Bundle Includes: 

o   Believe In Your Dreams Stencil
o   Gel Art Ink Sample in If the Creek Don’t Rise, Hey Y’all and Bless His Hearto   Metallic Gold ChalkArt Sample
o   Spreader
o   Artist Brush
o   Sheet of Watercolor Paper

You can go to HelloRevel.com to sign up for the class or email me at createwithcynthia@gmail.com.  In addition the classes are posted here.

Have a great day!
Cynthia

The post Craft Workshops in Redwood City, California appeared first on Create With Cynthia.