Video: I need help!

Dear Readers and DIY-ers,

This is a short video that I made for my friends and family to help out with my other project which is the wine bottle recreation project. I thought I would just share this with you all.

Best,

Bertii

Technical Problems with the Perch

Dear Readers and DIY-ers,

I quick update. I have been meaning to do more sewing projects, but my PERCH (machine) ran into a couple of problems and it took me two days to fix. Actually my good friends mom helped me fix my machines insistence in breaking the top thread every time I sewed.

My next project will be an owl plush pillow. I have so far sketched out my game plan and the fabrics that I ordered have arrived. I will soon post the sketches out. I have also been getting some help from friends and family on a recreating wine bottle project that is soon to come once I sketch out some great ideas to turn that empty bottle into an adorable item to keep around the house as part of decor.

Lastly, HAPPY HOLIDAYS!

Best,
Bertii

The Gift of Imagination

Dear Reader and DIY-er,

My good friend was in need of a craft idea for a secret santa exchange. My friend had a limit of $10. His dilemma was not the money. He really wanted to make his gift a little extra special by personalizing it, so I gave him a great idea to find a neat alternative way to gift wrap his gift. I gave him these simple steps to the perfect gift from the heart. This is a fun reusable gift package that has a multiplicity of uses. I call it the Imagination Jar. This is what you will need:

Time: 35 minutes

Materials:
-jar (you can reuse those sauce and jam jars that most people throw away)
-medium (depending on the size of your jar) size sauce pot
-water
-tongs (optional)
-markers
-a sheet of paper
-ribbon/yarn
-stickers or your own decorative creations for decor
-the gift your buying or small items/inside jokes that relate to the giftee

First, take your jar and try to peel off as much of the paper label as you can. Then take your sauce pot and fill it with water halfway. Then place the jar and lid in the pot of water. You may notice that the jar is going to take in some of the water originally in the pot, because of this you can then add more water making sure you fill it until most of the jar is submerged, if not it is totally fine.

Peel paper label off

 You then boil the jar and lid for about 3-5 minutes after the water boils

Before removing the jar from water, please allow it to cool. You can quicken this process by slowly adding cool water to the pot away from the glass jar. Glass is most likely to shatter in rapid temperature changes which is why you should be careful during the cooling process. Safety first.

After the jar has cooled the remaining paper label and adhesive should come right off. Using a scrubber for this part really gave it a nice clean finish.

This is how your jar will look like and now you can run wild and decorate it with anything you would like such as ribbon, yarn, and paper. Here are a couple of ideas for you all to try. I called the jars I will be giving away this year, Imagination Jars

The two pictures above are what my friend did for his secret santa gift which was really neat.

Here is my Imagination Jar and below is the note that explains what an Imagination Jar could be. All you have to do is take your sheet of paper and markers and write this neat idea below, after writing the note just place in the jar with the rest of the goodies you have placed inside to continue the reusing of the Imagination Jar:

Reusable Ideas for your Multi-Purpose Imagination Jar:

-Pen & Pencil holder

-Grow a plant!

Grab some dirt from your backyard and buy some seeds from your local store or home and gardening store and help the world by tending to life. Pebbles are included

-Cookie Jar!

Make cookies

-Candy Jar

Put in your favorite candy

-PiggyBank Jar

Use a permanent marker and draw a pig face on it and drop some change once in a while, walla!

-Jar Globe

Get a small water proof item that means something and using a hot glue gun attach to the inside side of the lid. Get colorful glitter and dump into jar. Add water and close shut and you will have hours of globe shaking fun

-Inspirational Message Jar

Put in random inspirational quotes from the internet, and when finals or life is keeping you down, reach in for words of wisdom. And you don’t even have to go to a shrink to tell you how special and strong you are J

-Pass On the Imagination Jar

Regift your jar and place some of these ideas or any other ideas you can think of for the next giftee to be creative!!!

As always be Imaginative. Fun. Creative

Who knew that one could so much with a simple jar…

Best,

Your Name Here

"Perchs" to look out for:

1. Be safe when boiling your jar, I would suggest thongs but you don't really need them. 

2. Make sure you clean your jar of any food that it had in it before to have a better finish.

I hope that this project gave you some creative ideas on how a normal jar can become a planter, candy jar, a reusable tool, and so much more. As always keep DIY-ing!

Best,

Bertii

Where does the magic happen? Let's see...

Dear Reader & DIY-er,

Here are some pictures of where I do my work. One's work space should inspire them and always replenish their creative juices. I decided to decorate my workspace with things I like and that can inspire new projects for the future.

Above you will see that I put pictures, patterns, and favorite things that say a bit of who I am. It is always nice to be surrounded things that scream YOU! My favorite being the Robot postcard

This is how I set up my station. I put fabrics, old clothe (never throw out worn-out clothe, RECREATE IT), and Books (never hurts to keep up to date on DIY, sewing, and crafting revolution) on top shelf. Then my inspiration collage and finally my sewing machine and supplies.

This is my sewing machine, guess what "ze" is called? PERCH! of course, get it BERTII ON A PERCH. yeah yeah I know not funny :)

Thanks for looking!

Best,

Bertii

Life is like a box of what...?

Dear Reader and DIY-er,

While I was on Duty. I had to call on my back-ups to take care of a messy situation. Because they were quite determined and responsive, I took on a small project to thank two of my co-workers. I decided to bake them cookies which is simple in its self. I went to Albertson's to buy some cookie dough and on my way home decided that cookies themselves would do no justice. I decide to add a little Bertii creativity and make a cute little package box for the cookies to go into. This project will hopefully show you how to turn a nice gift into a personalized one of a kind present for any occassion. Here is what you will need:

Time: 1 hour

Materials:
-manilla folder or card stock paper
-scissors
-glue
-colorful construction paper
-tape
-markers
-pencil
-ruler
-stickers (or you can get more crafty and create your own decorations to glue on the box)
-ribbon


First, look online for box templates (type box template) and print it out. This is one I found, but I cannot tell you where I found it because of copyright, but any template you find will do as long as it can fit within the dimensions of the manilla folder like so:

After finding your template, go ahead and start cutting the outline of the box template separately from the manilla folder. After you cut out the shape from the online template print-out, then you can tape it onto your manilla folder (or card stock paper) and repeat the same process by cutting as close as you can to the solid lines. 

Next, you place the same markings found on your template so you know where to fold, cut, and glue parts together to create the box. Use your ruler as a guide to make straight lines where needed. My template did not come with instructions other than the meanings of the markings which are DOTS being glue, BROKEN LINES being fold, and SOLID LINES being cut. If your template comes with instructions then lucky you, but if you do not, do not panic. Most templates are simple and easy to figure out and I had no problem putting this box together.

Go on and start folding the cut out where needed or instructed like so:

Then glue where needed. This part can be quite tricky when trying to keep the box in its appropriate shape for the glue to dry.

This is how your final product should look like

Finally go on ahead and get creative and personalize the package box by adding decorations with the construction paper, stickers, ribbon, etc. These are some ways you can decorate your box. It is sure to bring a smile to the person you give this personalized gift box with whatever goody you decide to give them. Please feel free to give me tips, critique, drop a comment, or just say hi! Until next time, Keep DIY-ing!

"Perchs" to watch out for:

1. My box was too small, try to find templates that are bigger and maybe using larger card stock would have been better.

2. It was hard glueing certain parts together. Be patient.

3. Please keep in mind what item will go into the box because this can really determine what size box you will need. I luckily made cookies and was able to fit just enough for a small treat.

Best,

Bertii

What is Bertii On A Perch?

Hi! My name is Alberto, but most people know me by Bertii (long story). The goal of this blog is to record most of my DIY and Craft projects for readers and fellow beginning DIY-ers and Crafters like myself, furthermore to take in some of my projects and feel inspired to create something new and manifest one's own creativity. Lastly to also get critique on some of my projects of what I can do. 

Please feel free to:

-Critique

-Give me tips

-suggest projects to take on

-post your thoughts and ideas

-and just learn from each other from novice to novice or even novice (me) to expert 

Hope you enjoy with what I have in store :)

Best,

Bertii