Treasury Tuesday: Summer Delight

Hello treasury lovers! I hope you're all finding ways to stay cool in the summer heat! I'm loving the colors in this summery treasury featuring Buenahelena! It's summery, yet cool... like a hot summer's day offset with a cool breeze...

Summer Delight featuring Buenahelena

Be sure you click on the links below and go see more treasuries that feature some of our other awesome RNEST members! (if you don't, you're missing out!)

Featuring RNEST Members:

• Cooler In The Shade featuring aDifferentView
• The Softer Side of Christmas in July featuring Missrie
• Repurposed featuring Buenahelena
• Summer Delight featuring Buenahelena
• In The Bag! featuring KarenSwimmer
• Trust the Mustache featuring KarenSwimmer
• Hang On Little Tomato! featuring KarenSwimmer
• Black and White and Red All Over featuring sarahgortiz
• A Colorful Christmas In July featuring sarahgortiz
• Last Chance Etsymom Christmas in July Sale! featuring sarahgortiz
• I Love Brown featuring JiBabu
• All things vintage, upcycled, recycled, re-purposed and made to look that way! featuring JiBabu
• Monday madness sales: Home decor featuring JiBabu

Featuring and curated by RNEST Members:

• Green With Envy by Missrie featuring an all-RNEST cast!

* If you make or find a treasury that features an RNEST member, or if you are an RNEST Member who makes a treasury, post the link on the wall at RNEST's Facebook Page. Your treasury could be featured on the next Treasury Tuesday!

Make-it Mondays: DIY Button Stamp

Recently our teammate, Kira of KiraArts, shared a button stamp project on her blog, made from an empty thread spool and craft foam. Now she is ready to share how she made these DIY stamps in 10 easy steps. Check these out!

Materials:

• Empty plastic spools (you could also use old prescription bottles)
• Craft foam (the kind you find in the kids' craft section)

Tools:

• Hot glue gun
• Scissors
• Hole punch
• Marker, pen, or pencil

Step 1: Use the spool you want to use for your stamp to trace 4 circles onto the craft foam (I did 2 circles on blue and 2 circles on red.)

Step 2: Cut the circles out.

Step 3: Take one circle and punch 4 holes in it to look like button holes (or you can do 2 holes if you'd like).

Step 4: Use the hot glue to attach one of the blank circles to the top of the spool. (You could also use chipboard if you'd like. It might even work better. The first circle is just a base to glue the other part to.)

Step 5: Glue on the "button" foam circle.

And there's the first stamp!

Step 6: Take the second red circle and use a smaller spool to trace a circle.

Step 7: Cut the circle out so you have a hole in the middle. The circle should now look like an "O".

Step 8:Glue the blue foam circle onto the other side of the spool, then glue the "O" on top of it.

Step 9: Remember when you used the hole punch earlier? Salvage those little foam dots from your hole punch. These will be the "button holes" for this side of the stamp.

Step 10: Carefully glue the dots in the middle of the "O" to look like button holes. And now the second side is done!

One stamp...two designs!

Note: Be sure to clean your stamp off after using it!...especially if you plan on using the other side right away. Failure to do so will result in inked-up hands! I usually use cheap baby wipes from the dollar store.

I did a smaller one with a two-hole button design.

Happy Stamping! :) For more great stamp designs, check our other teammate's, John of Jackbear Stamps, Etsy shop.

Treasury Tuesday: Matchbook Minis!

One of the great summer night pastimes is having a campfire. And what do you need to start that fire?...matches! (okay, you could use a lighter, but bear with me here!) And what do you do with those matchbooks when you've used all the matches?...recycle them into cute little crafty things! This week, our own vintage vixen, Buenahelena, has been featured in a treasury focusing on matchbooks!

Matchbook Minis! featuring Buenahelena

Be sure you click on the links below and go see more treasuries that feature some of our other awesome RNEST members! (if you don't, you're missing out!)

Featuring RNEST Members:

• Amazing Finds on our Road Trip featuring Buenahelena
• *\0/* featuring Buenahelena
• Earthy featuring JiBabu
• Christmas in July! Buy! Buy! Buy! featuring JiBabu
• Etsy Mom Christmas in July featuring JiBabu
• Miscellaneous featuring JiBabu
• It's Christmas in July but Still Hot and Sunny! featuring sarahgortiz
• Colorful July featuring sarahgortiz
• Christmas in July featuring sarahgortiz
• Peace, Love, and Music featuring KarenSwimmer
• Killer Tomatoes featuring KarenSwimmer
• First of the Season Tomatoes featuring KarenSwimmer
• You Can't Beat The Motion Beneath The Ocean featuring KarenSwimmer
• Food, Glorious Food! featuring KarenSwimmer

Curated by RNEST Members:

• Birthday Celebration by BeadworkByAmanda
• If 10 Million Fireflies by KiraArts

* If you make or find a treasury that features an RNEST member, or if you are an RNEST Member who makes a treasury, post the link on the wall at RNEST's Facebook Page. Your treasury could be featured on the next Treasury Tuesday!

Make-it Mondays: Ink Blot T-Shirts

Every summer I counsel at a Senior High camp on Lake Erie. This year for crafts I wanted to take a new spin on the tried and true tie-dye craft project. I found a really cool tutorial on Instructables, based on Rorschach ink blot tests. These are super easy and give you pretty stunning results.

You will need:

• A pre washed cotton t-shirt
• Fabric paint (I used speedball silkscreen ink, found at most craft stores)
• Craft/Popsicle Sticks
  
• A large piece of cardboard
• Flat thumbtacks
• Ruler (preferably a yard or longer)
• X-acto or utility knife
• Iron

Step 1: Score a line down the middle of the back of your cardboard, using a ruler and x-acto knife. Don't go all the way through. Just enough so the cardboard can fold in half.


Step 2: Push the cardboard inside the shirt. Center it by lining up the crease in the card board with the care tag. Smooth the shirt out against the board, but be careful not to stretch it. Place 8 tacks to secure the top and bottom of the crease as well is the sides of the shirt.


Step 3: Add random paint splatters on one side. I used three colors, you can use as many or as few as you like. I also like to drizzle the paint on with small craft sticks. Be careful not to go too thin (design won't transfer) or too thick (design will crack).


Step 4: Fold the cardboard from the blank side of the shirt over your wet paint design.


Step 5: Open it up and you have a great ink blot design! Remove cardboard and tacks. Heat set with an iron, following the settings suggested for the particular fabric paint you are using.


Here is an example of one I made for myself. Enjoy as others interpret the psychological implicatons of your t-shirt design :)

July Team Challenge: Christmas in July Promotions

Welcome to a very special edition of the RNEST Team challenge: Christmas in July!! For this challenge, RNESTers have chosen the best of the best from their shops for you to vote on. And, since this is Christmas in July, each seller has a special deal running for your shopping pleasure!

Cast your vote for your favorite on the poll in the upper, right corner of the blog, and check out each shop's fabulous Christmas in July promotion!

Upcycled Decopauged Jewelry Box by JIBabu

Christmas in July promotion: July 14th - 25th: Free shipping on any item & a free gift for all orders over $20!
Use coupon code RNESTCIJ

5 x 7 Photo Print - Rose in Granada by Sarah G. Ortiz Photography

Christmas in July promotion: July 14th - 25th Free shipping on any item in shop! AND a surprise in each order! Use coupon code RNESTCIJ

Turquoise and Hematite Necklace by Designs by Missrie

Christmas in July promotion: July 15 - July 31 25% off storewide!
Use coupon code RNESTCIJ

Matchstick Flower Painting by Buenahelena

Christmas in July promotion: July 14th- 25th, 25% off any item in store + some free vintage silliness.
Use coupon code RNESTCIJ

Custom Artwork by Merv and Dolores

Christmas in July promotion: July 14th-25th: FREE small card of your choice when you spend $20 or more.

Ingrid the Sweater Monster by Kira Arts

Christmas in July promotion: July 14th-25th, Free Nubbin for every $20 you spend!

Green and Magenta Magatama Beadwoven Bracelet by Beauty in the Eye

Christmas in July promotion: July 14 -25: 20% off any item in the shop!
Use coupon code RNESTCIJ


Cast your vote for your favorite on the upper right of the sidebar and don't forget to check out each promotion! 

Treasury Tuesday: Think Pink!

Pink. Not being a super girly-girl, I used to be quite adverse to pink. But the color has grown on me in more recent years. Here's a lovely rosy-hued treasury featuring a piece from aDifferentView.

Think Pink!!! featuring aDifferentView

Be sure you click on the links below and go see more treasuries that feature some of our other awesome RNEST members! (if you don't, you're missing out!)

Featuring RNEST Members:

• Somewhere Over The Rainbow featuring KarenSwimmer
• Give A HOOT!!! featuring KarenSwimmer
• Baby on Board featuring KarenSwimmer
• The Grass Is Always Greener... featuring aDifferentView
• Nature Turns To Beauty featuring aDifferentView
• Island Treasures and Pleasures featuring Missrie
• A Cup of Tea featuring GoldhawkPottery
• "It's 10pm... Do You Know Where YOUR Children Are?" featuring sarahgortiz
• Luftballons featuring MervAndDolores

Curated by RNEST Members:

• Splash In The Tide Pool by KarenSwimmer

* If you make or find a treasury that features an RNEST member, or if you are an RNEST Member who makes a treasury, post the link on the wall at RNEST's Facebook Page. Your treasury could be featured on the next Treasury Tuesday!

Make-it Mondays: Garbage Plate Update

The plate has been passed around yet again! For those who are thinking "Whaaaaa?": Our team has been building a handcrafted Garbage Plate for the ultimate local giveaway in the unforeseen future. It's been a year or so, but this plate's still fresh. Here's what we've got so far:

The whole shebang


The plate itself by The Quilted House


A (veggie) burger by Duncan Creative


Nasty meat sauce with beaded fat gobules by Buenahelena


Mac salad by Jack Bear Stamps


Hash browns by Peaches Products


A ferocious Red Hot by Kira Arts

Dill Pickles by Goldhawk Pottery (not pictured)

We are still in need of other items, handcrafted by you teamies! Check out the official garbage plate ingredients list and see what you might be able to make in your medium or skill area! Don't forget that we might also want some utensils to go with this and an ice cold Genny to wash it all down...(hint, hint).

Fashion Friday: A Day at the Beach!

My friend Karen has been working her magic on some great new items! This fabulous No Droop Cotton Beach Bag is made of cotton yarn with a cd in the base for added stability. The perfect tote for all of your beach essentials: book, snack, water and a towel. When summer is over (and it doesn't take long around here) take it with you to the market for all of your harvest fresh veggies. It is always nice to dress up your day at the market with a stylish and practical accessory! Check out this and some of her other fun new creations at Duncancreative.

Wednesday Wellspring: June Challenge Winner: Designs by Missrie

Congratulations to Designs by Missrie for winning this month's team challenge!! Way to go! You can check out some of her beautiful creations in her Etsy mini, front and center at the top of the blog.

Treasury Tuesday: Independance

I really enjoyed this creative take on a treasury theme celebrating Independence Day by our own SunshyneSilverwear. Hope you all had a happy 4th of July!

Happy 4th!

Be sure you click on the links below and go see more treasuries that feature some of our other awesome RNEST members! (if you don't, you're missing out!)

Featuring RNEST Members:

• Emotions Are Natural featuring KiraArts
• Somewhere Over The Rainbow featuring KiraArts
• Rainbow featuring KiraArts
• Love Comes In Many Colors featuring KarenSwimmer and KiraArts
• Baby on Board featuring KarenSwimmer
• A Trip To The Farmer's Market featuring KarenSwimmer
• Orange............ featuring KarenSwimmer

Curated by RNEST Members:

• Blue Sky and Lemonade by Sunshynesilverwear
• Staycation by KarenSwimmer

* If you make or find a treasury that features an RNEST member, or if you are an RNEST Member who makes a treasury, post the link on the wall at RNEST's Facebook Page. Your treasury could be featured on the next Treasury Tuesday!