EcoHeidi is Creativity Recycling on Earth Day and Every Day!

In celebration of the 40th Anniversary of Earth Day, I want to shine the spotlight on my sister Heidi’s eco-work today!

Heidi has been decorating discards, trimming trash and glittering garbage way before the world starting celebrating Earth Day.  And true to her eco-focus, today she is volunteering to teach 75 kids from ages 2 – 6 how to create her EcoHeidi Green Bling Bracelets.

We love Heidi’s passion for raising awareness for creative recycling so I wanted to let you know that you can support her cause by purchasing one of her cool Green Bling Bracelet kits at the Cool2Craft Marketplace. It’s cool!

Visit Heidi at her website!

Creating Away… at the East coast… Inspired at Home Studio

Heidi in Inspired at Home East Coast Studio

GRASONVILLE, MD – Saturday night – Oh my gosh, I’ve already been here over a week in Maryland, visiting the east coast Inspired at Home studio!!!!

We’ve been busy with all of our projects and creating away.  Lots to do and so little time! I’ve already taught a class on making Fairy Houses, Tiffany and I worked on videos for Faster Plaster this week (now I can’t even remember which days that was), we’ve had hair done, makeup, and photos done, we went to Annapolis shopping and to lunch last Monday. Whew!

Candace and I have been taking  ‘inventory’  to see what needs to be done or made for the studio.  We often get side tracked on our creative projects…..”oh look, what do you think if I put this together on a box”  or “that is so cool lets try it this way”.  What’s lovely is we can stop anytime and have a fabulous cup of tea from Candace’s special Herban Living Tea blends yummy!!!

Candace's Herban Living at the Inspired at Home East Coast Studio

Today was real cute! (Sorry I missed the photo op for this one.) A mother brought her two year old and the playpen (she called it a stack ‘n play and she did call and ask before she arrived) into the studio. She  sat and beaded while the little one played in the playpen.  It was a great concept but the little one didn’t like it too long. I think it was cool that she wasn’t going to let anything stop her from being creative — at least for a few minutes! (She eventually purchased all of her supplies and took them home with her.)  She came back for the studio evening hours and created by herself…Mommy time!!!

Tiffany working on Faster Plaster at the Inspired at Home East Coast Studio

More video taping on the calendar to finish up 3 more short videos on Faster Plaster. I’m really loving the Faster Plaster….. you did see the eBook.. right? I will be here ten more days . So if you are in the area please stop by and visit. Or better yet come be creative with us. We’ll even make you a cup of yummy tea! >> Love, Heidi

Aleene and Heidi’s Cambria Adventure

LOS OSOS, CA – Sunday afternoon – For the past couple of days, my mother Aleene has been visiting me before I leave this next week for a visit in Maryland with my sisters Candace and Tiffany.

Mom and I love to go to all of our favorite hang outs when she visits.  We have a kind of ritual we follow when mom visits. First we both love The Tea Cozy in Cambria, California (on the Central Coast). It’s a lovely British tea house that has wonderful tea sandwiches, always an incredible soup and they have their own blends of amazing teas.  Barry ‘ the Tea Master’ and his wife LeeAnne ‘the chef’ are absolutely amazing!!!  I’m sorry we missed getting a photo of having tea, we were so ready to indulge we just missed the photo op. But we did manage to photo the shop.

Second we always like to go to all the gardens and nurseries in the area. Our first stop after our tea time was Cambria Pines Nursery, a wonderful space with all kinds of different gardens and delights! Second stop is The Garden Shed – a cute and whimsical garden area with lots of garden gadgets and decor for the garden. Right next door is the quaint Birds of a Feather shoppe. They have amazing little collections of vintage collectibles and do-dads. (Mom and I laughed when we saw a sprig of velvet leaves for sale for $10.00 when she used to sell them in her store for 39 cents). I bought a few vintage ribbons shaped liked leaves that I thought I would use on my newest Spirit Balls (featured in a new eBook that is launching this next week). I just had to show you how they packaged my purchase. (I only bought a couple of yards of each). It’s always so special when a shop makes the extra effort to embellish your purchase. I just love that!!!

Next stop Heart’s Ease (formerly owned by author Sharon Lovejoy.)  It’s a delightful herb garden and store that Candace and I discovered over 20 years ago.  The little cottage has herbal soaps, lotions, potpourri and a wonderful herb garden with garden statues sitting amongst the wonderful blooming hollyhocks and other gorgeous flowers. Mom enjoyed the hollyhock photo op!

Mom and I finished the day by parking our car by the ocean and watching the waves crash onto the rocks and had a glimpse of a dolphin, sea otters and sea lions frolicking in the waves.

We came back home to home-cooked spaghetti with yummy meatballs made by my hubby Harold.

Yes, it was a great visit!!! Thanks for visiting Mom! Next time, we will have to do our other favorite – Nepenthe Restaurant in Big Sur. Love Ya!  >>Heidi

Terrorific Tuesday!

GRASONVILLE, MD – Late Tuesday night – Here’s our spooky project for Terrorific Tuesday hosted by our friend and recent Inspired at Home Radio guest Alexa Westerfield.

Halloween Treat Bowl
by Heidi Borchers for www.inspiredathome.com

Transform a plain bowl into a Halloween treat bowl!

Materials
Aleene’s® Paper Applique Glue®
Tissue paper: white, yellow, orange, light green
Clear glass bowl
Paint brush – flat
Orange paper shreds
Metallic star confetti

Instructions

Transfer patterns to tissue paper and cut 1 white tip, 1 yellow center, and 1 orange base for each piece of candy corn. Working over small area at a time, brush coat of glue on inside of bowl in desired position. Press tissue paper pieces into glue to form 1 piece of candy corn. Brush coat of glue on top of tissue paper pieces, pressing out any air bubbles with fingers or wet brush. Repeat to apply tissue paper pieces for additional candy corn designs. Apply glue to  inside of bowl and press paper shreds and star confetti into glue.

Tear light green tissue paper into random pieces. Crumple each paper piece and then flatten it, leaving some wrinkles. Working over small area at a time, brush coat of glue on inside of bowl in desired area. Press 1 tissue paper piece into glue-coered area. Brush coat of glue on top of paper, wrinkling paper to add texture. In same manner, apply additional paper pieces, overlapping them for added dimension, until you reach desired effect. Let dry.

Heidi’s designer tip: This tissue paper layering technique works best when you keep the surface moist with glue. Any time the brush starts to tear the tissue or feels like it’s sticking, just dip it in and apply more glue. Don’t overdo it with the glue, just keep the surface moist until the final piece of tissue is applied.

Challenge Heidi – Plastic Food Containers

LOS OSOS, CA – Monday morning – Our Inspired at Home Radio listeners love to Challenge Heidi with all sorts of design ideas. This month’s Challenge was submitted by Jean Mardus from Vancouver, BC, Canada. Jean asked Heidi what she would make from the plastic containers with attached lids that the organic greens come in from the grocery store. You know, like organic spinach.

So Heidi took on the challenge and went from this…..

to this . . .

[Read how she did it - GO>> or listen to podcast interview - GO>>]

Packaging Tape… not just for Taping!

LOS OSOS, CA – Saturday afternoon – Eileen Eisele of Tape Swell was a recent guest on our Inspired At Home radio show. If you haven’t checked out this product – go now! WOW!!!  These are the coolest printed tapes ever! “Printed tapes? ” you ask. This is one of those fabulous ideas that you say to yourself  ” I should have thought of that!!!”  Eileen has a line of  packaging type tapes that have really “swell” designs printed on them. So instead of sending out a package with just plain old clear tape, you use  one of  TapeSwell’s designer tapes and viola! instant inspired package. I LOVE it!!!

Of course I didn’t want to stop at putting tape just on my outgoing packages…. I wanted to design with it!  I took some inexpensive paper mache boxes and made them into designer boxes by using the black printed design.   I suggest making lots up… cause you never know when you might need a small gift box. And what could be easier that just putting tape onto a box. So super swell and simple!!!

Oh no, I didn’t stop there!!! You know me, I just have to create more!!  Jewelry was my next design challenge with this amazing product.  The EcoHeidi in me thought it would be great to create with a recycle item. I love plastic drinking straws. These are great because they are a bit thicker than most plastic straws. (I’m pretty sure I got these at Subway.) I painted the plastic drinking straws black  (Krylon’s Fusion Paint for Plastic works great!) Let them dry. Cut the painted straws into different lengths. I then put pieces of  the plastic tape (I used the tape that looks like lace) over the prepared drinking straws.  I then threaded glass beads and the straw beads onto a strand of silk cording. I tied a knot in between each cluster.  At the end I crimped a metal cording bead, then attached a closure.  Fabulous look!!

I just can’t rave enough about TapeSwell!!! And thanks, Eileen, for your creative product! I Love It!! Just being creative!! EcoHeidi- That’s me!!

What to do with Dryer Sheets

LOS OSOS, CA – Monday morning – Dryer sheet sachets have to be one of my top ten favorite designs! I actually made these sachets years ago for the Aleene’s Creative Living television show.  (And yes, these were tucked away in storage in  ‘the Shed’). I have made many since these originals, as they make a great gift for just pennies, and you get great comments.

I love the delicate look these have.  By using the dryer sheets and the white paint they kind of have a lacey look.  AND they are recycling (or is this upcycling?) something that normally gets thrown away. (That is if you can find them in dryer – usually stuck to the sheets and towels!)  So, start saving your used dryer sheets or if you want to make some right away… grab some right from the box. Either way you’ll make a great creative project. Creatively yours…. Heidi

DRYER SHEET SACHETS
by Heidi Borchers for www.inspiredathome.com

Materials

Dryer Sheets (You can use new or ‘used’ dryer sheets. If they are wrinkled, iron flat with low to medium heat on iron. Test first as some dryer sheets tend to melt from hear of the iron. If this happens, iron dryer sheet in between two thicknesses of paper towels.)
Acrylic paint  - white
Sewing machine (If you don’t sew, you can glue with Aleene’s® Fast Grab Tacky Glue®)
Craft foam – any color
Foamboard
Aleene’s® FunCraft™ Foam Glue
Tulip 3D Dimensional Paint – Liquid Pearl
Brush – ½” wide flat
Lavender flowers, potpourri or aromatic herbs
Waxed paper (to protect work surface)
Iron
Scissors (and craft knife for foam board)
Paper towels
Wet wipes

Instructions:

Transfer patterns (see below) to craft foam and cut out. Cut foamboard slightly larger than designs. Glue craft foam design to foamboard using Aleene’s® FunCraft™ Foam Glue. Let glue dry.

To stamp designs, place prepared dryer sheet onto waxed paper on a flat surface.  Plan placement of your design so you can make use of the entire dryer sheet, making sure you have enough space around design to stitch on the sewing machine. Carefully and quickly, brush an even coat of acrylic paint onto foam design. Immediately while paint is still wet, press onto dryer sheet and lift. Wipe paint from stamp with wet wipe or damp paper towel.  Let paint dry. On the heart design, I placed dots of Tulip paint along edge of hearts. Let dimensional paint dry.

SEW TOGETHER
When paint is dry, place a piece of dryer sheet (same size as painted one) to back of painted one and stitch three sides. Fill with potpourri, lavender or your choice of herbs. Stitch remaining side closed. Clip off any threads.  If necessary, trim edges with scissors or pinking shears.

-OR- GLUE TOGETHER

If gluing edges together, place a thin line of the Aleene’s® Fast Grab Tacky Glue® onto three sides of a plain sheet of the dryer sheet. Place painted side up in the glue. Let glue dry. Fill with potpourri or lavender. Carefully glue remaining side closed. Let glue dry. Trim edges as above.

Heidi’s Designer Tip:  I always test the stamp design first. Just apply the paint as instructed and then stamp onto clean piece of paper or waxed paper. This will help to give you an idea of just how much paint to use and how much pressure to put on the stamp. Then to ahead and stamp the dryer sheet!

Back to School – Pretty Bookmarks!

LOS OSOS, CA – Monday afternoon – One of my all-time favorite techniques is the look of embossing with glue and I LOVE my Aleene’s Super Thick Tacky Glue for this project. It’s thick which is perfect for the dimension you need, but can easily be squeezed into a small line to create adorable projects like these bookmarks.  I thought since it was back-to-school time, a bookmark theme would be perfect for today, but of course this project can be made and enjoyed any time of the year. A perfect gift for your book club friends! Get Creative! Get Inspired!  >>Heidi

Embossing with Glue Bookmarks
by Heidi Borchers

Materials:
Cardstock or lightweight cardboard – cut into 1½” x 7” strips
Hole punch
Pencil
Aleene’s® Super Thick Tacky Glue
Scotch tape – ¾” to 1” wide
Spray paint – flat white (I use Rustoleum Flat white)
Decorator craft chalk – assorted colors
Brush – hard bristle (stencil type brush works great)
Paper towels
Spray fixative
Cording or tassel on cording

Instructions

Using photo as guide, lightly trace your designs onto the bookmarks. Punch hole in corner.

Place a tape nozzle onto the bottle of glue. (see techniques)

(It is suggested that you practice this next step on waxed paper first.) Draw with glue along the pencil lines. Let dry completely.

Spray paint the bookmarks. Let paint dry.

To apply the chalk to the prepared (sprayed) surface, rub the hard bristle brush over the chalk. Then immediately brush chalk onto an embossed area. To change colors, carefully tap off excess chalk and wipe brush on dry paper towel before changing colors. Refill brush with next color and repeat until entire design is colored with the chalk.

Spray bookmark with fixative to protect/preserve the chalk coloring.

Heidi’s Designer Tip: Instead of flat white spray paint, acrylic paints can be used for a similar look. Just brush on two even coats of paint letting dry completely between coats and dry completely before applying chalk colors.

More Design Treasures

LOS OSOS, CA – Monday morning – Last week, I promised I would share some more design treasures I recently found from inside my storage building  ‘The Shed’. Not long ago we would say ‘The Shed’ with an eerriee frightening voice… “it’s in the SHED!!!! Errrr! Help me! Don’t make me go in there” … a black hole where lots of our stuff is being stored.

Even some of my long-lost designs from the Aleene’s Creative Living Television show were in this space…… until a recent intervention of organizing. It was a huge undertaking ….. but so worth it!!

You’re probably wondering what a photo of a glove has to do with anything! Well, here are a couple of cute designs I made for TV (air date unknown but it was a long time ago!) using work gloves or garden type gloves.

I actually remember designing these ‘play’ gloves with the family in mind.  My thought process at the time was “wouldn’t it be cool to make a glove with a family…Mom.. Dad… Kids… Pets.” (Of course if you have a bigger family you will need to use more gloves!)

Why not start a Family Craft Night where everyone can join in, craft together and just have fun? If Dad has a mustache and glasses, go for it….. the cat is striped… use the marking pen.

I didn’t make any patterns for these…they are just to spark your family’s imagination! Don’t forget to use what you have around the house…. just scraps of fabric, floss, felt…glued into place with my favorite – Aleene’s Super Thick Tacky Glue … a little paint for the faces and a fine line marking pen for the detail. It’s fun for all ages. Even the teens will enjoy creating their own look.

Keep in mind you don’t even need to stick with making just family gloves. Get creative! How about making your own family story book. The important thing is getting the kids away from the computer, the tv….and in to bonding in a fun creative way… Enjoy creating with your family! Love, Heidi

P.S.  Don’t forget to share your project photos with us from crafting with the family. We’ll post them right here on our blog!

Inspired at Home Marketplace

GRASONVILLE, MD – Saturday morning – Eco-artist Heidi Borchers has the cutest collection of SodaPoppy jewelry available for purchase at the Inspired at Home Marketplace.

This adorable top-selling angel pin will get a lot of notice as admirers take a closer peek at the design which they will readily be able to identify as one of their favorite soda cans.

Each one is hand-made one-of-a-kind so patterns and design will vary. Custom colors include Arizona Tea, Pepsi, Cherry Coke, 7 Up, Tab, Welch’s Strawberry, grape soda, orange soda, Squirt, Monster Energy Drink, Coke Zero or whatever your favorite! Each pin is hand-made one-of-a-kind. Measures approximately 3-1/4″ x 2″.

They are cute as can be! Check them out – GO>>