Category: Tutorial

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.

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Frosty Winter Wonderland

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Smoothfoam Snowman and Tree

Create your own Frosty Winter Wonderland using Smoothfoam’s Snowman and Tree Shapes and a 6″ Smoothfoam Disc.

Supplies Used:

  • Snowman Body
  • 2″ x 3 1/2″ Tree
  • 6″ x 1″ Disc
  • Textured Embossing Paste
  • Acrylic Paints:  White, Green and Brown
  • Paintbrush
  • Stickles Glitter Glues:  Frosted Lace, Diamond
  • Micro Brads:  Black, Red
  • Bamboo Skewer
  • Orange Marker
  • Brown Ink-pad
  • Ribbon, Buttons and Christmas Embellishments
  • Small Red Doll Sock
  • Craft Glue
  • Old Toothbrush

Directions:

  1. Cover the Snowman, Tree and Disc with the textured embossing paste using your finger.  Allow to thoroughly dry.
  2. Gently dust the Snowman and Disc with brown ink using the paintbrush to accent the texture of the paste.
  3. Paint the Snowman with Frosted Lace Glitter Glue.
  4. Paint the Tree with Green Acrylic Paint, speckle white paint onto tree using an old toothbrush.
  5. Paint the Tree and Disc with Diamond Glitter Glue.
  6. Decorate the Snowman with Small Micro Brads for the eyes, the tip of a bamboo skewer colored orange for the nose, small red doll sock with the tip tied with twine for his hat, teeny tiny red buttons and a red and cream gingham bow.
  7. Insert Red Micro Brads into the tree for the Christmas Lights.
  8. Assemble onto 6″ base and glue into place.

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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Fun & Easy Felt Projects to make her smile.

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Pretty Little Dress Up Purse

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

Kunin Challenge

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. Pretty little Purse Collage

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

Directions:

  1. Glue the edges of two pieces of felt together with Fabri Tac glue from Beacon Adhesives.
  2. Fold over in thirds and glue sides together.  (see above picture)  Binder clips works great to keep everything secure while drying.
  3. Glue a piece of lace to the underneath side of the felt flap.
  4. Cut a button-hole and sew on a big black button.
  5. Cut 8 small petal shapes from Black Glitterfelt™.
  6. Simply quick stitch the petals together. (see above picture)
  7. Gather both ends of the thread together and tie with a knot.
  8. 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.
  9. Glue finished flower onto flap of purse.
  10. Punch a couple of holes on each side of the purse with a Crop-a-dile punch and string black cording for the handle.

Felt Heart

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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*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!

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

 

 

Simple Decorated Linen Bag and Burlap Utensil Holder

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Burlap Pouches

I recently got the opportunity to play along with a group of Designers using some fun burlap products.

I really love working with burlap.  So many ideas, too little time.  Here’s a few of the many things you can make using burlap.

Decorated Muslin Bag w vase

My first project is a simple and elegant idea for decorating a plain muslin bag.

muslin pouch and stencil tools

  1. Start with a plain muslin bag.
  2. Lay diamond stencil over the bag and secure in place with removable tape.
  3. Stipple over the stencil with white acrylic paint.
  4. Adhere a 1 1/2″ strip of burlap around center of bag.
  5. Glue a thin piece of white lace around the bottom of the burlap strip.
  6. For the heart:  Paint a small piece of red burlap with several coats of white acrylic paint, creating the nice soft pink color.
  7. Cut burlap with heart die.
  8. Adhere sheer pink rosette ribbon onto pink heart and glue onto front of muslin bag.
  9. Cut and Decorate a small tag.

Burlap Utensil Holder 2

The Burlap Utensil Holder uses the 3 1/2″ navy striped burlap ribbon.

  1. Cut a 12″ strip of burlap ribbon.
  2. Fold over one end of the ribbon approx. 1/2 end and glue using a good Fabri Tac glue.  I used small metal binder clips to secure the ribbon in place while drying.
  3. Create a 4″ pouch by folding and gluing ribbon.  (love those binder clips)Glue a piece of 1 1/2″ burlap ribbon around pouch.
  4. Glue lace over burlap ribbon and tie with a piece of cream crinkle ribbon.
  5. Embellish with a flower and stick pin.
  6. Add a napkin and utensil and your ready to go.

Craft Ideas Magazine

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Craft ideas magazine cover

The other day I received this magazine in the mail.

At first, it stumped me.  Why am I getting this magazine?

When I finally got the chance to sit down and look at it I noticed the name had changed.

Craft Ideas was formerly Crafts n’ Things.

Fall Addition!!!  I immediately knew what I was looking for.

Craft ideas Magazine Everyday Moments

Ta Da!!!  Here I am on pages 56 & 57.

My “Everyday Moments” accordion album with all the instructions so you can make one too.

Another thing that makes me happy:   they used the photographs I took for the article.

Quick & Easy Washi Tape Vase

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Today’s the first Monday of the month time for the Designer Craft Connection Blog Hop.

The Theme this month is Handmade Gift Ideas.  (don’t forget to hop)

Quick & Easy Washi Tape Vase

My project today is a fun, quick & easy project that you can make in minutes.

This would make a great last minute gift.

Washi Tape Vase Close Up  Washi Tape Vase Details

I started with a narrow glass bottle that has a fairly long straight section.

Wrap the bottle with Washi Tape.  Choose two patterns or more.

Having a straight section is important to getting the washi tape on evenly.

You can smooth out any wrinkles in the tape with your thumb nail or a bone folder.

I added a little more detail around the neck of the bottle with some ribbon and a button.

I picked up the ribbon this Spring at The Paper Source in Indianapolis.  (I’ll be hoarding this)

I glued the button onto a Memo Pin* from Tim Holtz and stuck into the ribbon.

Grab a flower from the garden and your ready to go.  It really is that easy.

Just a note in case you’re wondering:

The tape on the vase, just like the flower won’t last for ever.  It’s just pretty.

*Disclosure:  I am a Amazon Affiliate.

Reverse Glass Painting Technique with Decocolor Markers

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I learned the Reverse Glass Technique, a long time ago,  from my Mom who loved to paint.

I believe, when did the reverse glass technique, she used Acrylic Paint on her painting.

For mine, I’m using Deco Color Paint Markers* (affiliate link) from Marvy Uchida.

I use these paint markers all the time on a variety of surfaces.

First thing you’ll want to do is to pick out the image.

For me, the simpler the better.

I picked a free graphic from Coloring Hub. (link below)

Stained Glass Clip Art from Coloring Hub

Reverse Glass Paint #1

1.  Lay Clip Art under glass and trace around image with black Decocolor marker.

Reverse Glass Paint #2

2. Use ruler for outside areas to get those lines straight.  Make sure to leave time for the ink to dry before laying ruler on top the previous line.

Here is the design outlined.  I like using the fine point marker better than the extra fine marker.

Reverse Glass Paint #3

3.  Flip the glass over and do your coloring on the reverse side of the glass.  Make sure to color all the way to the edge of the lines.

Reverse Glass Paint #4

4.  Color in the remaining sections.  Make sure to get the colors as close as possible.  Here is the back of the glass with the full design colored in.

Marvy Uchida also makes a DecoColor Paint Marker Remover* which I absolutely love.  It has saved me on more than one occasion.  It works wonderful to correct any mistakes you make.  I recommend you pick one of those up also.  (FYI:  it also removes alcohol ink from non porous surfaces)

Here’s some interesting history on Reversed Glass Painting.  (it’s been around for a long time)

Reverse Glass with Scrapbook Paper

Here’s another possible way to do a background.  (a more updated version)

Color/Paint only a portion of the image and leave the rest unfinished.

Add a piece of scrapbook paper to the back of the glass before framing.

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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!