Category: Techniques

DCC: Simple Little Valentine…

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Little B Valentine's Card 1607

I really love this new border punch that I received last month from Little B LLC.

This Little B 100366 Trim Punch, Honeycomb,punches both sides of the paper at one

time leaving you with a great border strip to uses on all sorts of projects.

For my “Simple Little Valentine”, I punched four border strips from white cardstock.

I glued the strips onto another piece of white cardstock, butting up the ends to create

a continuous pattern.  An easy way to create a simple and elegant background.

Another great thing I love about this punch is it’s locking feature.

It has a button on the side of the punch so that you can lock it in the closed position for easy storage.

How great is that?

Disclosure:  This project was created for me and was sponsored by Little B.  The post uses Amazon Affiliate links.  I am a Amazon Affiliate.

Vintage Inspired Hearts

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 When we think Valentine’s Day we think hearts, right?

These DIY vintage hearts would also make a sweet gift for a special friend

or they could be used as a decoration in a vintage inspired wedding centerpiece.

Hearts are not just for Valentine’s Day.  

 How to make Vintage Inspired Hearts                    (*affiliate link)

*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. Cover Smoothfoam Heart with Newsprint paper using glue stick.
  2. Apply a thin coat of cream acrylic paint over heart.  Wipe off excess.
  3. Add Fired Brick Ink to heart using the ink applicator.  Accent the edges of the heart with the Vintage Photo Ink.
  4. Stick small word stickers onto center of heart.
  5. Apply mod podge over heart for added shine.

To make the heart an ornament:

  1. Poke a small hole into the top of the heart.
  2. Fold a 6″ piece of twine in half, thread bead onto twine.  Knot on both sides of the bead to keep in place.
  3. Add small dab of craft glue into hole and insert loose ends of twine.

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

 

Joy Tag with a Cool Metal Foil Technique

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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)

*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!

Shop Your Fav Brands at Scrapbook.com

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

Shop Amazon Scrapbooking Supplies*

Christmas Ornaments from Old Kitchen Hardware

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Old Kitchen Hardware

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.

Shabby Chic Orn 86

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.

Berry Ornament 91

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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*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!

Holiday Joy

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I love using the word “JOY” in my holiday decorating.
It’s one of my favorite words.  Who doesn’t need a little more “JOY” in their life.
The Joy Frame is a Quick and Easy Holiday Home Décor Project.

 

Supplies Needed:                                           (*affiliate link)

Directions:

  1. Remove the backing and glass from an old frame and spray paint it black.  My frame holds an 8 1/2 x 11 picture.
  2. Cut the scrapbook paper to size and add to frame.
  3. Paint the chipboard letters red.
  4. Stencil Snowflake design onto the red letters with cream paint.
  5. Apply a light coat of red paint over the snowflakes.
  6. Antique the letters with Vintage Photo ink and ink applicator.
  7. Glue inside of frame.
  8. Embellish frame with some greenery and a red and cream gingham bow.
Craft Confession:
My original plan was to have cream snowflakes on red letters.  After I got through with the stenciling, I thought the snowflakes looked too bright so I decided to re-paint the letters.   As soon as I put on the first thin layer of paint, I loved the tone on tone result.  Happy Accident!
This project was created for and sponsored by Clear Scraps.

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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!

Updated… A New Look for an Old Snowman

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Updated Sock Snowman

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 What You’ll Need:                    (*affiliate Links)

Here’s how I made my Snowman:

  1. 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.)
  2. Cut the top of the sock off, right around the heel.  (save that for the hat.)
  3. 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)
  4. Turn the sock right side out and fill sock about 1/2 way with rice.
  5. Fill the remaining portion of the sock with Fairfield Poly-Fil Premium Polyester Fiber*
  6. Use an additional rubber-band to close the sock.  Again, I re-enforced the rubber band with glue.
  7. Tie a piece of twine around sock to create the head.
  8. 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.
  9. 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)
  10. 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.

Shop Your Fav Brands at Scrapbook.com

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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Handmade Holiday: Sew Simple Snowflake Pillow

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One of my favorite things to do during the holidays (besides eating Christmas cookies)

is to make things to decorate my home.  My snowflake pillow is a simple sewing project

that makes a warm and cozy winter accent.

You can leave this pillow out long after the holidays are over.

For my Snowflake Pillow I used:                     (*affiliate link)

Directions:

  1. Cut a 4″ x 12″ wavy piece from the cream felt.
  2. Add a small amount of Fabri Tac Glue on the back of the cream felt to keep it in place before sewing.  Place that piece 1/2″ up from the bottom of the grey 13″ piece of felt.
  3. Glue Snowflakes in place.  Hand sew the red buttons in the center.
  4. Machine sew around outer edges of the large cream piece.
  5. Machine sew between each of the snowflake arms.
  6. Turn felt pieces right sides together and sew with a 1/2″ seam allowance.
  7. Leave a 3″ opening at the bottom to add fiberfill.
  8. Turn pillow back around and stuff with fiberfill.
  9. Hand sew the pillow closed.

FYI…You can find die cut snowflakes in my Etsy Shop.

Thanks to the generous folks at Fairfield World for supplying the Poly-Fil.

*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!

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Decoupage Halloween Treat Bowl

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Smoothfoam Halloween Treat Bowl with Watermark

I made this decoupage Halloween Treat Bowl with the help of my 4-year-old grandson, Nick.  (It may or may not have gone a little quicker without his help.)  Since Halloween is for the kids anyway, it didn’t matter if the paper was perfectly smooth.

Confession:  I’m a little bit of a craft hoarder.  (neatly contained though)  I have been hanging onto this Martha Stewart Halloween tissue paper for a few years.  I guess I’ve been waiting for just the perfect project like this one.

Smoothfoam Halloween Treat Bowl Products with Watermark

To make the project you’re going to need a few simple ingredients:

  • 12″ Smoothfoam half-ball
  • Mod Podge Gloss Lustre
  • Halloween-themed tissue paper
  • Foam Brush or Small Paintbrush
  • Eager 4-year-old  (optional)

Cut the tissue paper into small squares.  I started with 3″ squares and added some random sizes. Decoupage the tissue paper onto the half ball with Mod Podge

Smoothfoam Halloween Treat Bowl Bottom

Tip:  For my bowl, I started on the bottom and worked my way up.  At the time, I thought it was a good idea. By the time I got to the top of the bowl I was getting a little more random in how I placed my tissue paper. Next time I think I’ll start at the top of the bowl and work my way down. I really like the way the bottom turned out.

Smoothfoam Halloween Treat Bowl with Watermark 2

Fill with treats and enjoy.  (don’t forget to buy an extra bag or two for yourself)

Disclosure:  This project was created for and sponsored by Smoothfoam.

Castle Fit for a Princess

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Ice Castle 3

With the song “Let it Go, Let it Go…” stuck in my head,

I channeled my inner princess to make this “Frozen” inspired album.

Making the album is easy.  Getting the song out of your head, not so easy.

Ice Castle

Supplies Used:

  • Sandcastle Chipboard Album 7″X9″-5-Pages/No Rings
  • White and China Blue Apple Barrel acrylic Paint
  • Diamond Stickles Glitter Glue
  • Felt Snowflakes
  • White Liquid Applique
  • Heat Tool
  • Blue Adhesive Rhinestones
  • Paintbrush
  • Washi Tape
  • Trinket Pin
  • Post It Notes
  • Craft Glue
  • Silver Book Rings

Directions:

  1. Coat the entire album with two coats of White acrylic paint.
  2. Mask off sections of the castle with post it notes to create crisp lines and paint with China Blue acrylic paint.
  3. Apply Liquid Applique around tops of the roof and around windows to replicate snow.
  4. Heat Liquid Applique with heat tool.
  5. Paint entire album with Diamond Stickles Glitter Glue.
  6. Glue snowflakes onto front of album.
  7. Make flags from washi tape and stick directly into the chipboard.

Ice Castle Close Up

Now you’ve got that song stuck in your head!  (Don’t you?)

 

Ask for the Sandlecastle Album from Clear Scraps at your Local Scrapbook Store.

Also Available on amazon.com*

 

“Dream Big, the Sky is the Limit” …with Clear Scraps and Imagine Crafts

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Clearscrap Stazon Butterfly Tag 2

All this week on the Clear Scraps and Imagine Crafts Blogs we are combining efforts with one Big Creative Blog Hop.

My “Dream Big… the sky is the limit”  tag features a clear acrylic butterfly from Clear Scraps along with a variety of StazOn Inks for a wonderful effect.  I love how the ink works so well with acrylic.  And… that Wedding Dress irrRESISTible colored textured spray, LOVE!!!

Products Used:

  • Butterflies Embellishments  (Clear Scraps)
  • Stazon Inks:  Orange Zest, St. Valentine, Spiced Chai, Jet Black, Blue Hawaii  (Imagine Crafts)
  • Wedding Dress irRESISTible colored textured spray  (Imagine Crafts)
  • GlazOn   (Imagine Crafts)
  • L751 Marbled Background  (Serendipity Stamps)
  • “Hello Sunshine”  6 1/2″ Paper Pad  (Kaisercraft)
  • Alpha & Word Stickers Teal  (My Minds Eye)
  • 2″ circle punch
  • Kraft cardstock tag
  • white acrylic paint and paintbrush
  • ribbon and trim
  • sponge
  • black cardstock
  • adhesive tape runner

Directions:

  1. Dab with a sponge, Orange Zest and St. Valentine’s inks onto the clear butterfly.  (allow to dry)
  2. Ink marble background with jet black ink and stamp directly onto the butterfly.
  3. Paint the center of the kraft cardstock tag with white acrylic paint.
  4. Gently rub with a soft craft sponge Spiced Chai ink around the edges of the tag.
  5. Spray surface of the tag with Wedding Dress irRESISTible colored textured spray.  (allow to dry)
  6. Lay circle onto tag to use as a mask.  Gently sponge Blue Hawaii ink around circle.
  7. Layer and adhere tag onto a piece of black cardstock.
  8. Add strips of scrapbook paper with the edges inked onto bottom of tag.
  9. Glue butterfly onto tag using GlazOn.
  10. Finish embellishing tag with ribbon, trim and word stickers.

Clearscrap Stazon Butterfly Close Up