Spring Bling for your Garden

March 18, 2015February 9, 20234 Comments

Add a little Spring Bling to plain boring terra cotta pots.

With Spring Fever setting in, I decided I needed a new flower to perk up the place.

I chose a pretty little African Violet that reminds me of my grandma.

Grandma loved African Violets.

In no time at all, armed with a few simple products, I transformed a boring terra cotta pot into

something sparkly and fun. Just what I needed.

To make my Spring Bling Pot you’ll need: (*affiliate links)

Crystal Sheet (Black)
4 1/2″ Terra Cotta Pot
Black Acrylic Paint and Paint Brush
Black Damask Tissue
Mod Podge CS11202 Original 16-Ounce Glue, Gloss Finish*
Beacon Quick Grip All-Purpose Permanent Adhesive, 2-Ounce*
Vintage Button

Start with a 4 1/2″ Terra Cotta Pot painted with black acrylic paint.
Cut Black Damask tissue paper the width of the lower portion of the pot. Cut the strip into smaller sections. (my sections were 2 3/4″ x 1 1/2″)
Apply a thin layer of Mod Podge to a small section of the pot, add tissue paper and apply another layer of Mod Podge over tissue.
Continue adding tissue sections until the bottom of the pot is covered.
Apply a thin layer of Mod Podge over the top of the pot to give it a nice shiny finish.
Cut a strip from the Black Crystal Sheet to fit around the rim of the pot.
Glue crystal sheet onto rim of the pot.
Glue vintage button over seam for added sparkle.

FYI: I could have used the Weldbond glue shown in the picture above which is a good permanent glue. But, because of the weight of the crystals I decided to use my Quick Grip glue instead.

My Spring Bling Pot was created for and sponsored by Connie Crystal.

Disclosure: I am an Amazon Affiliate. If you chose to make a purchase using one of the links, I receive a small commission that helps offset the cost of running this blog. Thanks for your support!

Mini Desk Calendar

March 6, 2015January 8, 20236 Comments

Today’s project is one of those quick & easy projects that just make me smile.

You can put together this Mini Desk Calendar in just a few minutes.

I started with a 3″ x 4″ clear acrylic frame from Deflecto Craft Solutions

and a Mini Tear Off Calendar from Taylored Expressions.

Along with some left over scrapbook paper from a class I was working on.

And… because the paper is inserted inside the frame you can easily change

it out with the seasons. You can make the mini desk calendar with the acrylic

frame upright or laying down. Either one is cute.

“This is a sponsored post. As a member of the Deflecto Design Team I have been provided product in exchange for my creative ideas, views and opinions.”

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*Disclaimer: This post uses ads and affiliate links. If you choose to make a purchase using one of the links, I receive a small commission (at no additional cost to you) that helps offset the costs of maintaining this blog. Thanks for your support!

Make a Lucky Hat for St. Patrick’s Day

February 25, 2015February 20, 2019Leave a comment

Feeling a little Irish?

Need a Lucky Hat for St. Paddy’s Day?

Using only a few Smoothfoam shapes you can make yourself a Lucky Hat centerpiece

in no time. A fun centerpiece for all your “GREEN” celebrations.

Here’s what you’ll need: (*affiliate link)

Smoothfoam Half Ball Pastel, 8-Inch, White*
*SmoothFoam Disc-8″X1″
Smooth Foam Disc 10″x1″*
Apple Barrel Acrylic Paint: English Ivy*, Kelly Green* and Black*
Paintbrush
Adhesive Chipboard Letters
Marvy Chisel Point Pen Tip Calligraphy Paint Marker, Gold*
Craft Glue*
Mod Podge Waterbase Sealer, Glue and Finish*

Directions:

Paint 8″ Half Ball and 10″ Disc with English Ivy paint.
Repaint Disc and Half Ball with Kelly Green paint, allowing some of the darker paint to show through.
Paint sides of 8″ Disc with Black paint.
Glue 8″ Disc onto the 8″ Half Ball.
Center and glue onto the 10″ Disc.
For a shiny finish, paint the entire piece with Mod Podge.
To create gold letters, paint the chipboard letters with a gold paint pen.

Have a great day and may the “Luck of the Irish” be with you!

Click on the pictures for product ordering through Amazon*.

Disclosure: This post uses affiliate links. If you choose to make a purchase using one of the links, I receive a small commission that helps offset the cost of maintain this site. Thanks for your Support!

This project was created for and sponsored by Smoothfoam.

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Cigar Box Washi Tape Holder

February 20, 2015February 9, 20235 Comments

Making Creative Storage for my ever-growing collection of Washi Tape.

I have a small, growing collection of Washi Tape.

In addition to all its many uses, I find that they are just pretty to look at.

Previously, I had all my washi tape gathered in a canning jar, although pretty…

I found myself dumping the jar every time I wanted to use one.

Being on a “old drawer” kick, I decided to make a small washi tape holder using an old cigar box.

I used two sheets of scrapbook paper from Carta Bella’s “Warm & Cozy” collection.

basic supplies: craft knife, cutting mat, craft glue, double stick tape roller and a metal label holder, black marker.

To Make a Cigar Washi Tape Holder:

Cut the lid off the cigar box. Measure and cut the lid into two strips to fit inside your box as dividers.
Remove excess loose paper from box.
TIP: Use a black permanent marker to color the inside corners of your box. This will help keep any white from the box from showing.
Cover box with scrapbook paper.
Adhere paper over both dividers.
Apply craft glue onto bottom and sides of dividers and put into place.

Add metal label holder and fill with your favorite washi tape.

Joy Tag with a Cool Metal Foil Technique

December 11, 2014November 22, 2018Leave a comment

Impress your friends with an Easy and Elegant Metal Foil Tape project.

I love this technique and thought you might as well.

Start with a small piece of matboard or chipboard approx. 2″ x 2 1/2″ and chipboard letters spelling the word “Joy”.

Joy Tag products used: (*amazon affiliate link)

Beacon Adhesives Zip Dry Paper Glue*
Marvy Deco Color White Paint Marker* and Pale Blue*
Aluminum Foil Tape* (found in the hardware store, used to seal duct work seams)
Bone Folder*
Chipboard
Chipboard letters

*Disclosure: This blog uses affiliate links. If you choose to make a purchase using one of the links, I receive a small commission (at no additional cost to you) that helps offset the costs of maintaining this blog. Thanks for your support!

Directions:

1. Glue letters onto the small chipboard with Beacon Adhesives Zip Dry Paper Glue*.
2. Apply Aluminum Foil Tape* over chipboard. I make the chipboard slightly smaller than the tape so that I don’t have any seams.
3. Using the bone folder, gently go around each letter to bring out the detail.

4. Paint the background with the paint pen. To give it a snowy affect, when
giving a second coat of paint, dot the paint with the tip instead of brushing.
5. Use the pale blue pen to color the letters. Allow both colors to thoroughly
dry.
6. Using a sanding block, lightly sand the letters and edges of the chipboard.
7. For a finishing touch, paint the letters with stickles glitter glue.

The tag also uses:
Prima Flowers (Holiday Celebration Snow Drop)
Vivid Ink: Aqua
Ink Blending Tool*
Scrapbook Paper
Cardstock
Corner Punch, Rounded*
1/8 Inch Round Hole Punch*
Lace, Silver Ribbon and Small Flat Snowflake Ornament
Silver Greenery

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Christmas Ornaments from Old Kitchen Hardware

December 10, 2014August 6, 20215 Comments

I picked up a bag of old kitchen hardware for 50¢ at a Garage Sale.

I can’t resist a good bargain and knew I might even use them someday.

After disassembling and using them on a couple of projects,

I put the rest in a container high on the shelf for another day.

I ran across them again the other day and had an idea…

How would they look with cream spray paint?

I knew I was onto something and let the idea marinate in my head for a day or two.

This is what I came up with and I’m pretty happy with the results.

For my Ornament:

Paint the base plate from old kitchen hardware with cream spray paint.
I added silver around the edge using my finger tip and paint from a Chisel Point Pen Tip Calligraphy Paint Marker, Silver* (affiliate link)
Remove the small wooden base from a small bottle brush tree. With small pliers bend the remaining wire tip up into the tree.
Cut the back of the bottle brush tree to make it flat.
Glue tree in place with Beacon Adhesives Zip Dry.*
For a little extra sparkle, I rubbed clear glitter glue into the bristles of the tree. Glue pearl beads and place directly into tree.
On the top of the ornament I used a piece cream twill ribbon with an inexpensive plastic star ornament on a silver jump ring. Tied it in place with a piece of burlap twine and small cream button.
I added a silver jingle bell that I painted and distressed with sandpaper and tied on with a satin ribbon.
Place the word sticker onto a thin piece of chipboard, trim around sticker, lightly sand the edges for a distressed look and glue into place.

Here’s a simpler idea. I love this one too.

I bet your going to start rummaging through that junk drawer in the garage and see what you can find.

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Updated… A New Look for an Old Snowman

December 1, 2014December 9, 20194 Comments

Last year at my Holiday Workshop we made cute little snowmen out of socks.

They were a big hit.

But… one thing, I noticed when I pulled mine out again this year,

was that they looked a little misshapen. More like a kidney bean than a snowman.

That was because I used rice for the entire body. (the rice settled)

My updated snowmen still uses rice in the bottom, it now has fiberfill in the top

so that it doesn’t loose its shape.

I also decided my Snowman was cold, so I re-purposed an old sock for his sweater.

For more Making More Sock Snowmen Ideas you can find them here.

Here’s how I made my Snowman:

Tea dye a new white sock, crew length or bigger. Or if you have boys you could use one of their dingy ones. (It’s better not to use a sock with the grey toe and heel.)
Cut the top of the sock off, right around the heel. (save that for the hat.)
Turn the sock inside out and attach a rubber-band tightly around the top of the sock. Because rubber bands wear out with time, I added a good squirt of Fabri-Tac Permanent Adhesive* (*affiliate link) in and around the rubber band. (I left the rubber band on)
Turn the sock right side out and fill sock about 1/2 way with rice.
Fill the remaining portion of the sock with Fairfield Poly-Fil Premium Polyester Fiber*
Use an additional rubber-band to close the sock. Again, I re-enforced the rubber band with glue.
Tie a piece of twine around sock to create the head.
I used mini black square brads for his eyes, the tip of a bamboo skewer colored orange for his nose and a simple sewn black thread for his mouth.
I used some paper craft sprays to add color to the toe of the sock. I tied the tip with a piece of red and white twine and finished with a bow. Roll the edge to create a cuff. I glued my hat to the top of my snowman with Fabri-Tac Permanent Adhesive*(*affiliate link)
Dress with Snowman with part of an old sock. Add a couple of buttons for added detail. A fringed piece of fabric works great for the scarf.

Disclaimer: This blog uses ads and affiliate links. If you choose to make a purchase using one of the links, I receive a small commission (at no additional cost to you) that helps offset the costs of maintaining this blog. Thanks for your support!

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Grandkids are Blessings

September 17, 2014February 9, 2023Leave a comment

I have two adorable grandsons who are just the sweetest little guys.

I just love being around these two. So many smiles, hugs and lots and lots of love.

Being a grandma is Wonderful. (Although I’m sure I don’t look old enough to be a grandma)

My Grandkids are definitely a Blessing.

The “Grandkids are Blessings” Layout was made with: (*affiliate link)

Expressions Small Blessings
Medium Rectangle Deco Frame
Echo Park Paper Simple Life Collection Scrapbooking Kits*
Irresistible Texture Sprays: Bahama Blue, Wedding Dress
Imagine Crafts GlazOn*

Tip: I sprayed the Irresistible Texture sprays fairly thick on the front of the word “blessings” and allowed a couple of hours to dry before adhering to my page with Glaz On.

This project was created for and sponsored by Clear Scraps.

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Fun & Easy Felt Projects to make her smile.

September 7, 2014September 21, 20171 Comment

Today I’m sharing a couple of Fun & Easy Felt Projects that is sure to make her smile.

I was recently sent a variety of felt from Kunin along with some great glues from

Beacon Adhesives and buttons from Buttons Galore & More

for a Designer Craft Connection September Blog Hop.

My First Project is a cute little dress up purse made with just three pieces of felt.

Directions:

Glue the edges of two pieces of felt together with Fabri Tac glue from Beacon Adhesives.
Fold over in thirds and glue sides together. (see above picture) Binder clips works great to keep everything secure while drying.
Glue a piece of lace to the underneath side of the felt flap.
Cut a button-hole and sew on a big black button.
Cut 8 small petal shapes from Black Glitterfelt™.
Simply quick stitch the petals together. (see above picture)
Gather both ends of the thread together and tie with a knot.
Glue a Fancy Button from Buttons Galore & More into the center to finish off the flower. My button was originally gold. I used a silver paint pen on my button to make it silver.
Glue finished flower onto flap of purse.
Punch a couple of holes on each side of the purse with a Crop-a-dile punch and string black cording for the handle.

Did you know that you can easily die-cut felt?

The love heart pillow was made using White Classicfelt™ and Princess Hearts Fancifelt™ with a large heart die and alphabet dies. One side of the heart has the white felt, the other has the Princess Hearts felt. I cut one of the small hearts from the Princess Hearts felt to use as my “o”. The pink flower on top was made the same as the above black glitter flower except that I used 6 petals instead of 8.

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Make Wedding Place Settings with Smoothfoam

June 16, 2014February 9, 2023Leave a comment

The Bride and Groom Place setting is a cute way to identify where the bride and groom will sit for dinner!

To make the Bride and Groom Place Settings you’ll need… (*affiliate link)

4″ Smoothfoam ball
Smoothfoam sheet (any size)
Stick ‘n Carve*
Hot Wire Foam Cutter*
Sandpaper, paint brush
Craft paints – black and white
Mod Podge Gloss Finish*
Stickles Glitter Glue, Diamond*
2 wood dowels
Gold Paint Marker*
“Story of Us” stickers

Draw, trace or print the outlines of a dress and bow tie on to the transfer paper, then stick the paper to a sheet of Smoothfoam.
Cut out the images with the foam cutter, through the transfer paper.
Remove the transfer paper and sand the edges of the foam as needed. Paint the bow tie black and paint the dress white.
Cut the Smoothfoam ball in half then paint one half black and paint the other half white.
After the paint is dry, coat each piece with Mod Podge (gloss finish).
Embellish the surface of the dress and ball with glitter glue for extra sparkle.
Cut each dowel to the appropriate size so the markers are the same height as shown. Paint the dowels with a gold paint pen and insert into the foam, connecting each piece to its base.
Embellish each marker with stickers and bling.