Hi there! Earlier this week I had a guest post up on the fabulous Mod Podge Rocks blog. (Thanks again Amy!)

I realized I’d never posted this technique here on my own blog so I thought I’d put it up here also ~ for all you Minaudiere fans out there! Instead of just covering your clutch with fabric, you will “seal” the fabric for a shiny, more durable finish.

DIY Fabric Covered Clutch Purse Tutorial:

Today we will show you how to make a fabric covered clutch purse using Mod Podge (Love it!) and my DIY Minaudiere Set. The best part of this project is that the actual crafting time is quick and easy, but produces a professional looking clutch!

To get started, choose your set – The Classic Minaudiere or The Heart Minaudiere. Today we will be working with the Heart set.

The sets include the front & back shells, a cutting pattern, instructions, and the metal clutch frame.

You will also need the following:

Step 1.  Cut your fabric per pattern into a heart shape. You can use the same fabric on the front and back or switch it up with a coordinating fabric on either side. I am using 2 coordinating fabrics from my first line of fabric, Enchanted Damask.

Step 2.  The Minaudiere shells in my kit are made from a sturdy black molded plastic. We suggest using the optional white primer spray paint (I prefer Kilz Spray Primer) to spray the shells white due to the fact that quilting weight cotton fabrics tend to appear bright and crisp on top of the white background.

Be sure to account for drying time if you plan to spray your shells white. I let mine dry for around an hour – drying time varies per brand.

Step 3.  Set out a sheet of wax paper for your work surface. Apply a thin coat of Mod Podge to one shell. Try to keep this first layer as thin and smooth as possible while leaving no bare spots on the shell – we want to avoid Mod Podge seeping through the fabric, but also avoid any loose spots. 

Step 4.  Gently lay the fabric over the coated shell. Starting in the center and working towards the edges, smooth and press the fabric onto the shell. Take care to smooth out any air pockets that form.

When you get to the edges there will be a few creases and small folds in the fabric. This is normal and can’t be completely avoided, however, you can minimize the appearance of these creases in your finished bag by manipulating the fabric so that the creases start as close to the edge as possible. By the time your bag is in its frame the creases will be mostly hidden.

Repeat Step 4 on with the second shell. Allow both shells 10-15 minutes to “set” so the fabric doesn’t move around in Step 5.

Step 5. Carefully trim the edges of the fabric covered shells using your scissors. Take care when cutting the “creased” portions that you don’t overcut. These creased areas and small folds might need a small touch up with the Mod Podge so that they are totally stuck down.

Notice that one of the shells has a small indent near the top. Trim carefully around the indent. Go ahead and touch up any spots that need to be secured around the edges with the Mod Podge.

Step 6. Apply a second coat of Mod Podge to the fabric covered shells. This coat can be a little thicker than the first coat. Allow to dry completely.

Step 7.  Once totally dry, spray the finished shells with the clear acrylic spray and again dry completely according to spray acrylic’s directions. 

Step 8.   Almost finished!  Locate the shell with the indent. This shell will fit over the locking mechanism – the indent allows room for the bag to open and close properly.

It is a good idea to take the time to do a pre-fit of the shells into the frame and get comfortable with popping the shells in and out, before you add the glue. The shells will fit snugly.

After a pre-fit, place a line of Beacon 527 glue inside the channel of the metal frame. Do not put glue into any area where it might seep thru, such as the hinged areas. Also, do not put any glue near the locking mechanism.

Step 9. Working quickly, add the shells into the frame – double checking again that the indented shell goes into the side with the locking mechanism.  Once the shells are in the frame, weigh the whole clutch down with a book or other object to ensure that the shells are fully immersed in the glue filled channel. Allow to dry overnight if possible.

Add an optional purse chain and get ready for compliments on your darling new Minaudiere!

The possibilities are endless!

Many thanks!

~Ellen

Using just a few other fabrics in the Natural Graffiti group, I designed a Wall Hanging that uses the 42″ wide Collage Panel as its center. It can be sewn  in either of the other two colorways in the Natural Graffiti fabric collection – Fuchsia or Lavender. The Turquoise colorway is depicted above.

The finished dimensions of the Wall Hanging are 58″ x 44″.  Fabric used to frame the inner Collage Panel include  the black and white classic “Floral Flourish” ,  and “Natural Selection” with the tiny framed specimens- all in the Turquoise colorway.

I am so happy to have the expert help of  my friend Elsie  Ridgely in writing the instructions for it! 

Be on the watch for my ”Natural Graffiti”  to arrive in your local Quilt Shop early next Spring….and please ask your favorite Quilt Shops to look for me at Quilt Market!

Thank you,

ellen

I wanted to share this “recipe” so to speak for a custom finish that works so well on my DIY Heart and Classic Minaudiere’s!

Follow these easy steps to totally seal and protect the fabric that covers the Minaudiere!

1. Cover  the plastic shells that form the body of the Minaudiere per the instructions that accompany each Set. Allow the glue on the  fabric covered shells to dry.

2.  Before inserting the shells into the Minaudiere’s metal frame permanently- brush each shell with a generous coating of Gloss Finish      Mod Podge.

3. Once the Mod Podge is completely dry to the touch, spray the shells with a Gloss Finish Clear Acrylic Spray sealant. (this basically seals the Mod Podge which can become tacky in humid conditions!)

When dry, return to the instruction that came with your Minaudiere Set. You are now ready to glue the shells into the metal frame to finish your darling DIY mini-purse project!

~ ellen

Copyright 2011, Ellen Medlock, LLC.

An easy and lovely way to surround yourself with your favorite colors and collected trims!
Coordinate your ribbon/trim choices to accent your room~

Supplies Needed:

10 inch diameter metal craft ring,
thin clear line,
small metal craft ring for hanging,
a mix of colorful coordinating 17″ lengths of ribbon & trim,
clear drying craft glue such as Beacon’s “3 in 1″

Directions:

1.  Cut 3 equal lenghts of the clear line.

2.  Tie each lenght of clear line securely around the 10″ metal craft ring at equal intervals. Dot each knot with a  tiny bit of craft glue to
      keep it tight.

3. Gather up all 3 lines evenly above the 10″ ring, making sure it is hanging level. Tie a knot with the 3 lines.

4.  Tie another knot around the small hanging ring to aid when hanging  later.

5. Cut your ribbons and rick rack approximately 17″ long. Don’t worry about accuracy-  it is better if they are all a tiny bit different!

6.  Apply the craft glue to the tip of your ribbon end. Wrap the glued end around the inside edge of the ring allowing the ribbon to hang
     over it, and down along the outside of the ring.

7.  Continue gluing each ribbon/trim piece one by one, designing your mobile exactly as you like. I used basically 3 colors (purple, pink,
     & lime green, plus black and white.)

8.  When all the 10″ metal ring is covered, hang by the small ring on top.

I hope you will enjoy your custom ribbon mobile every day as it greets you with happy color and gently movement!

-ellen

Just an idea not to forget to take a second look at older handbags  that might be ready and waiting for a second life!
Whether they come from the back of the closet, or a flea market- take a fresh look for signs of re-do potential.
You can easily find one that offers a chance to create  a one of a kind fashion statement  with just a tiny bit of  imagination & embellishment. 

The biggest problem I usually come across with a flea market find, is the ruined interior. Luckily this interior is in pretty good shape, and the exterior unmarred which made it a good candidate for a quick cutesy  update.
(If you are in the mood, some interiors can be removed- a pattern made from it,  coordinating fabric chosen and sewn to yield a clean perky interior lining ready to be reinstalled with glue.)

This was a quick project really, using  bits and pieces from my stash. Working with a Valentine theme, I wrapped check ribbon around the handle, clipped on my Love-O-Meter charm attached by jump-ring to a Swivel Snap Hook (adorned with tied snippets of coordinate ribbon). The “L’Amour” tag was an applique scrapbook sticker waiting for the right spot! If you love this bag it is now for sale in my studio store.

By the way, check out  Project Restyle to see all the fun creative restyling that is going on! Join us!

xoxo

~ ellen

I know I am not the only one out there who is sooo attracted to chandeliers! They are everywhere these days, and a super popular  home accent.

Almost a year ago, I bought the frame of a  black iron candle chandelier at a nearby second hand store. It was basically clean, but missing all crystal prisms. 

It was tucked away in a closet until the day it came back to life as a customized “DIY Butterfly Chandelier”  featuring butterfly motifs cut and crafted from my upcoming, “Flight Pattern”  fabric group! We hung it happily  at the back of my Fall Quilt Market booth!

Of course each found chandelier will be different, so tailor these ideas to fit your situation.
My chandelier uses candles and will only be used as a decoration only,  to stay on the safe side!

Here are the steps to make your own!

You will need :
one cheap chandelier base,
Flight Pattern butterfly fabric,
Hippie Flowers mini-print fabric (for the back of the butterfly),
2 sided fusible interfacing (place between the butterfly and the Hippie Flower back),
small thin jump rings (to attach the fabric butterfly motifs to the chandelier),
3/8″  dot ribbon (for embellishment bows),
check ribbon (for candle bases), 
cut-outs of the daisy motif in the fabric (glue to the base of each candle),
1 -1/2″ w. black & white harlequin print ribbon (to hang your chandelier with a bow),
found objects such as the ovesized ceramic beads, one for each candle base,
clear drying heavy duty craft glue

1.   This in my opinion, is the most fun part! Go shopping! Search your favorite second hand/junk store/flea market/antique mall for a CHEAP chandelier base that will lend itself to this project.

2.  Roughly cut-out  the number of butterfly motifs needed for your particular chandelier. 

3. Layer from top to bottom the butterflies, fusible interfacing, and Hippie Flower fabric.  Using a small rotary cutter, cut through all layers closely around each butterfly.

4.  Iron to fuse the three layers together.

5. Using the craft glue, adhere a jump ring to the back of each fused butterfly motif, and allow to dry.

6. Hang your butterflies on your chandelier, and embellish as desired with the dot ribbon, daisies, as well as any found object such as the large beads!

Oh what fun we have had with these fun conversation piece valentine heart charms!
Spin the red arrow to find out what the Love-O-Meter says! LOL!

I have these up in my Studio’s Store now-
Choose either a Silver or Antique Brass Heart Charm.

To Create Your “Love-O-Meter Ring”:

Add a bit of heavy duty clear drying craft glue (Beacon’s 527 or Weldbond work well )  to the tray area of your Ring Blank, then apply  to the back of the Love-O-Meter.
Allow the ring and charm to ahere completely by  drying overnight.
Wear and enjoy!

~ellen

If you visited my booth at Quilt Festival in Houston, you might have seen this in the back of the booth!
It’s easy to turn your no-sew  Heart Minaudiere purse into a unique home accessory! or at least give it a special storage spot!

My favorite “junk store” was the source for this perfect vintage bird cage which was spray painted bright yellow.
Next, I chose a  darling piece of fabric from my stash by Dena Designs with a birdie theme. In no time at all,  I covered my Heart Minaudiere with the fabric swatch, and attached a matching 16″ Antique Brass clip-on purse chain- looping it through the top rung of the bird cage.  For a finishing touch, a pretty ribbon is tied to the cage door to hold it open, and a tassel hung on the doors edge. Cover the bottom of the bird cage with a coordinating piece of fabric (about the size of a dinner napkin), and set it in just the right spot to accessorize your room!

~ ellen

Introducing our new weekly blog series - We ♥ it!

Every Thursday we’ll show you what’s been inspiring us here at Ellen Medlock Studio ~ and hopefully pass on some of that inspiration to you as well! Things from around the web, around town, the local junk shop… you never know what we’ll find or where we’ll find it!

This week we’re loving all things chalkboard. Take a peek at what we found… 

a whimsical tabletop from  design sponge

A bright and fun DIY chalkboard - started with a  tray at the dollar store! Can’t you just imagine the statement a fun grouping would make across a large wall!?  All you need is a little chalkboard paint!

An entire playroom (or studio!) covered with doodles via Project Nursery 

 shaped chalkboards such as this adorable poodle

 unexpected labels

 and last but not least…

an entire kitchen redo!

In fact ~ we love the chalkboard trend so much that I couldn’t help but paint a few items of my own!

 Enter a chalkboard version of the Wood Bagette! :

DIY Chalkboard Clutch info on the Studio’s Project Pages! 

Inquiring minds want to know ~ What would you turn into a chalkboard?

~ellen

…these Bangle Bracelets that is! These were posted recently by the Franklin Mills Store  to my facebook group “Show Off Your Ellen Medlock Bags,Etc! .”  An inspiring collection of projects created with my company’s products~ bag oriented or crafty!
 And each time someone posts I find myself thinking… “they just keep getting cuter!”

What a great idea to use Batik strips, and what a statement they make in muliples!

We love to see what you create with The Bangle Bracelet Sets,  so please don’t hesitate to “ show it off” right  here!