Water Bottle Turned Halloween Potion Bottle

I've seen so many potion bottles in stores and online,

 I wondered if I could make one of my own.

Turns out I can!

I started with a tall plastic water bottle....

...and ended up with THIS!

This was a fun project and really easy to do. The end product really 

looks like it was complicated, but it is not.

I gave the slick plastic some texture by using white glue to attach pieces of crumpled tissue paper. I kept the wrinkles intact as I glued to make it look like a vintage glass bottle.

Then I painted it in three shades of green craft paint and blended them together randomly.

I crashed my stash for Halloween print napkins and tissues and used white glue to attach them.

Then I added black cut outs in a spooky vintage theme including the raven, owl, climbing roses, curlicues and an old lamp post plus iron fences.

I used the cork stopper from a champagne bottle and added jute twine and torn black chiffon at the neck. Also in my stash I found the random lace trims, beads, charms and a skeleton key, which I painted to look old and vintage.

For a final finishing touch I added bright glitter in black and green in random places and sealed the whole bottle with clear acrylic sealer.

Finally I called it done and took a step back.

Look! You'd never know this started out as a plastic water bottle. This was fun to do and the final result is awesome!

Now I'm looking at all sorts of drink bottles with a new eye...including those cobalt blue beer bottles.

I'll post with new ones as I finish them!

Make a 3 Dimensional Skeleton Key Design in Fabric

My name is Ann and I'm a pillow-holic.

I have a bit of a pillow obsession with over a dozen on two couches in my living room and half a dozen on my master bed. Then more on a little love set. And maybe a few more on those wing chairs... 

Plus, I make LOADS of shabby chic pillows from muslin and burlap for my shop, JangoJB on Etsy. Here are a few as photo props for a local photographer. So pretty!

I love the muted colors of the mixed fabrics and the wonderful textures of canvas, muslin and burlap, plus the pretty crocheted pieces. 

I recently discovered a way to add a three dimensional design to a pillow using an old technique called trapunto, which is Italian for "to embroider." This easy stitched and stuffed process makes wonderful stand out, dimensional designs and here's how I did it.

I chose this simplified skeleton key because I love their vintage look PLUS they seem to go with any decor style. Just check Pottery Barn, Anthropologie, Pier One and West Elm. You'll see skeleton keys  everywhere!

I used muslin for this project since it's my favorite fabric for home decor. It's inexpensive, easy to work with, a nice neutral color and works up beautifully. For the front of your pillow cut two matching pieces of fabric in  a size that will fit your pillow form. Be sure to add a 1/2" seam allowance to each edge.

I use a blue ink quilting pen because the marks disappear when you spray the fabric with water. I outlined a simple skeleton key shape (this one is grunge board from Tim Holtz). You could also use a number 2 pencil but draw lightly, since the pencil marks will not wash out.

I simplified the detail within the key head to make it easier to stitch.

 Set your sewing machine stitch length to 3 or 2, since you want small stitches for this project. Sew around the shape and use your judgement, going slowly, turning each angle with the needle DOWN to make sharp corners. Feel free to simplify your design as you sew, this technique is very forgiving and looks better with a simple shape. For example, I eliminated the little bumps in the shaft when I stitched this key.

Sorry for the poor contrast in this pic, but if you look you can see I've stitched the outline of the key in matching thread with small stitches.

Next you will clip several small openings in the backside of the design thru ONE LAYER OF FABRIC ONLY. This will give you the openings for stuffing your shape. I used the blunt end of a crochet hook to get the small pieces of stuffing into all the small areas. You can also use a needle to "wheedle" the stuffing into place smoothly. Stuff your shape evenly until it is softly plump.

Here you can see the small slits in the backside of the fabric with the stuffing showing through. Once your stuffing is in place, hand sew each slit closed. Your stitches do not have to be pretty, just as long as they work. Do not draw too tightly or you will distort your stuffed shape.

If you used the disappearing ink quilting pen, spray your design with water to erase the ink. Once it is dry you can iron your pillow top around the stuffed shape. 

I finished my pillow with a simple envelope style back then put it on a prestuffed pillow form. This whole project took me about an hour to complete. Sweet and simple and I LOVE how this came out! The color and texture and 3D key are right in my design sweet spot. This cool skeleton key pillow is PERFECT for my bedroom. I'll call that a win win!

And now I have some other design ideas...like a simple branch with leaves and a bird for springtime, Halloween bats, pumpkins or skulls...and how about 3D initials? Or a shamrock for St. Patrick's Day? And what about Thanksgiving and Christmas? I'm excited now to make them all. They'll be totally unique, I can guarantee it.

Skeleton Key Trapunto Pillow Tute

This was my guest post for Craft Envy this past week. I'm reposting here for all my friends who may have missed it. Thanks for stopping by!

I've been creating and crafting for a long time. A long, long time, lol! Here's a pic of my high school I.D. card from way back...way, way back. Let me just say, Class of 1970 RULES!!!

Back then embroidered denim cut offs were hot, because we could keep them from tearing and fraying with some cool embroidery. Now they're being sold at Old Navy. Back then crocheted ponchos, vests and ripple afghans were all the rage and now there are Etsy shops dedicated to crochet. And Danish Modern furniture was in (now there's Ikea) and wonderfully wild floral print hip hugger mini skirts were in style, which I and all my friends sewed ourselves because BACK THEN all the girls took sewing in Home Ec!

They say that everything old is new again and this little project I'm posting is no exception. Back then we discovered trapunto, the dimensional quilting technique, for our way cool embroidered vests and skirts. It's the perfect craft for making some unique home decor and especially that favorite project, couch pillows! So here we go, a trapunto skeleton key couch pillow just for you.


Skeleton keys are hot right now. Their vintage charm and character really bring personality to otherwise modern decor and they fit in with any number of styles, including shabby chic, farmhouse style and an eclectic mix. The dimensional look of the skeleton key on this pillow would fit in with all those styles. Annnnd, it's easy to get this look!

I used muslin for this project. It's my favorite fabric for home decor. It's inexpensive, easy to work with, a nice neutral color and works up beautifully. For the front of your pillow cut two matching pieces of fabric.

Using a quilting pen, whose ink disappears when you spray the fabric with water, I outlined a simple skeleton key shape (this one is grungeboard from Tim Holtz).

I simplified the detail within the key head to make it easier to stitch. Set your sewing machine stitch length to 3 or 2, since you want small stitches for this project. Sew around the shape and use your judgement, going slowly, turning each angle with the needle DOWN to make sharp corners. Feel free to simplify your design as you sew, this technique is very forgiving and looks better with a simple shape. For example, I eliminated the little bumps in the shaft when I stitched this key.

Sorry for the poor contrast in this pic, but if you look you can see I've stitched the outline of the key in matching thread with small stitches.


Next you will clip several small openings in the backside of the design thru ONE LAYER OF FABRIC ONLY. This will give you the openings for stuffing your shape. I used the blunt end of a crochet hook to get the small pieces of stuffing into all the small areas. You can also use a needle to "wheedle" the stuffing into place smoothly. Stuff your shape evenly until it is softly plump.

Here you can see the small slits in the backside of the fabric with the stuffing showing through. Once your stuffing is in place, handsew each slit closed. Your stitches do not have to be pretty, just as long as they work. Do not draw too tightly or you will distort your stuffed shape. Spray your design with water to erase the ink and at this point you can iron your pillow top around the stuffed shape if you wish. I put a simple envelope closure on back and put my new pillow cover on a 12" stuffed form and there you have it, a trapunto skeleton key cushion for your couch or bedroom. I like the way this came out. I like it alot! I'll be posting more projects using this technique, so if you have questions, drop me a line.



I'll be visiting the parties in my sidebar to share some linky goodness, so please come and visit. You'll love the creative projects and great bloggers you will find there!

And Someday Crafts is having a pillow party, come join the fun...