Tag: crafts

Christmas in a Pickle Jar

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Christmas in a Pickle Jar 1127

Christmas Crafting with Repurposed and Recycled Items…

Sometimes you have to find and save something for awhile before their purpose is revealed.

Like the base used on my Christmas in a pickle jar.  (the inspiration for this project)

This past summer we had a new ceiling fan installed in my son’s room.

It was flush mounted to the ceiling, so, they didn’t use all of the parts that came with the kit.

I came across the unused parts in the garbage and decided to save them.

FYI…It’s not hoarding if you use them.  (I’m just saying.)

Because I wanted to be informative when writing this post,

I emailed my brother for the correct name of the part.  I am told it is called a canopy.

I glued the canopy onto the jar using Beacon Glass, Metal & More Premium Glue*.

Here’s what I used for my Christmas in a Pickle Jar:  

*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!

I painted the pickle jar lid and the old knob with semi gloss black spray paint.

I added a circle cut from a decorative scrapbooking paper and glued it onto my lid before

gluing on the knob.  (I could have added a hole and screwed on the knob, this was easier.)

I spruced up the plain little wreath by adding a new bow and jingle bell and a small holly

berry embellishment.  I added the ribbon to the neck of the jar before gluing on the wreath.

The little wood deer would of looked fine just as it came.

Instead, I decided to rub brown ink onto the deer to give it a stained look.

I used Vintage Photo Distress Inkpad* with a Ink Applicator & Blending Tool* (*affiliate link)

To make installing the deer a little easier, I glued the finished deer onto the front of one

of the trees before I placed it in the jar.

The Cream Bottle Brush Trees* come with a little wood base.

I added a super sticky craft glue dot under the base of each Cream Bottle Brush Tree*

before adding to my jar.

You can use a liquid glue instead of the sticky glue dots.  (this was just faster and easier for me)

Next, I added Epson Salts into my jar for snow.

A great Holiday Gift Idea.   

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Countdown to Christmas

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Hello December Christmas Countdown

I had this idea to make a Countdown to Christmas using a small wood clipboard.

I’d been thinking about it and planning it in my head for a while.

When I went to the store all I could find were bright colored acrylic ones.

I knew if I kept searching I could find a wood one…

But, I really didn’t want to go running around to more stores so I picked one up

and decided I would change my plan.

Christmas Countdown Clipboard

The more I looked at this neon clipboard, I knew I wasn’t happy.

So… I decided to improvise.

I lightly sanded both sides of the clipboard with a fine grit sanding block.

Next, I gave the clipboard a couple of coats of Red Chalky Finish Paint.

After it was completely dried, I masked off an area with removable painter’s tape

and painted the inside of the masked area with black chalkboard paint.

Christmas Countdown Close Up

 “Hello December” is from a sheet of scrapbook paper from Simple Stories “Claus & Co.” Collection.

I embellished the clipboard with a silver ribbon, jingle bell and sparkly red berries.

Christmas Countdown 2

I’m never satisfied with my own handwriting on these things…

so I added letter stickers on the bottom.  (now I’m happy!)

 

Here’s what I used:

These products available at your local craft stores or online on amazon.com*

*Disclosure:  I am a Amazon Affliate.

Mini Ribbon Wreath Ornaments

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Mini Ribbon Wreath Ornaments

No matter how you decorate for the Holidays…Shabby, Homespun, Country or Cute.

You can easily customize these Mini Ribbon Wreath Ornaments to fit your personal style.

Easy to make and sure to impress.

How To make Mini Ribbon Wreath Ornaments

Finished Size : 3”

Materials Used:

*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!

Directions:

  1. Apply a strip of 1/8″ adhesive around the outside edge of the Smoothfoam wreath. This keeps the ribbon securely in place while wrapping.
  2. Wrap ribbon tightly around wreath. When you’ve wrapped the ribbon half way around wreath add the jump ring with jingle bell to ribbon so that it hangs on the bottom of the wreath and continue wrapping. When finished wrapping the ribbon, glue ribbon end onto back of wreath.
  3. Add metallic ribbon trim on top of the wreath as the ornament hanger.
  4. Glue mini bottle brush tree inside wreath.
  5. Glue a piece of burlap or scrapbook paper onto a piece of chipboard and cut into a circle that will cover the inside of the wreath and glue to the back of the wreath.
  6. Print a computer generated greeting on to a piece of cream card-stock. Cut down to size and notch out both ends to create a banner.
  7. Give the banner a quick wave using your fingers and glue onto the bottom of the wreath.
  8. Add adhesive pearls on to the wreath.
  9. Add bow on the top of the wreath to finish it off.

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How to make a Frosted Pinecone Wreath

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Frosted Pinecone Wreath

Autumn has come to the Midwest bringing with it crisp air and colorful leaves. 

I’ve even given up my flip flops for socks and shoes…

I like Autumn.

Really I do.  (If only it’d turn right back into Summer.)

Now that I’ve given up on Summer, I thought I’d better start with my Fall Decorations.

I like making projects that serve more than one purpose.

Like this Pinecone wreath.   After I’m done with my Fall Decorations…

I plan on adding red berries and re-making it into a Christmas Wreath.

How to Make a Frosted Pine Cone Wreath…

You’ll need:

  • 14″ Smoothfoam Wreath
  • Assortment of Pinecones
  • White Spray Paint
  • Craft Moss
  • Craft Glue
  • Hot Melt Gun and Glue
  • Ribbon and Raffia
  • Thin Wire

Directions:

  1. Gather an assortment of various sizes of pinecones.
  2. Spray one side of the pinecones with white spray paint.
  3. Glue Moss onto Smoothfoam Wreath.   (leave the outside of the wreath bare)
  4. Hot Glue and wire larger pinecones onto the wreath first.
  5. Fill in the Wreath with the smaller pinecones.
  6. Tie Ribbon around the outside of the wreath.
  7. Add raffia bow.

*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!

This project was created for and sponsored by Smoothfoam.

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Post It Note Holder

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Post It Note Holder 9236

Do you like Post It Notes?   (I mean really like them.)

Are you one of those people that have post it notes stuck all over the place?

I stick notes in my planner, on my calendar, on the cabinet doors in my office, on the door leading out

to the garage and sometimes even on my lists.  (it can be a problem)

So… it should come to no surprise that this is one of my favorite quick and easy projects to make.

Simple to Make.  Easy to Personalize.  Makes a Great Gift. (what’s not to love?)

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Here’s what I used:

  • 4″ x 6″ Clear Acrylic Frame
  • a couple sheets of decorative scrapbook paper
  • 3″ x 3″ Sticky Notes
  • 18″ Ribbon
  • Paper Flower
  • Paper Cutter
  • Scissors
  • Craft Glue

Directions:

  1. Cut a piece of scrapbook paper 4″ x 6″.
  2. Cut a small strip of a coordinating scrapbook paper 3/4″ x 4″.  Adhere the strip to the bottom of the 4″ x 6″ paper.
  3. Insert paper into the clear acrylic frame.
  4. Tie ribbon around the top of the frame and trim ends.
  5. Glue small paper flower to bottom right corner of the frame.
  6. Add post it notes to front of the frame.

Etching for Fall

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I picked up this very old bottle at a yard sale…

The story with this bottle is that the guy bought a collection of old medicine bottles from the

early 1900’s that came from the old Bartonville State Mental Hospital.

If your not from around here, rumor is, the old State Hospital is haunted.

I believe the show “Ghost Hunters” did an episode there.

So… that and the fact that it was only $2.00 had me intrigued.

The old bottle was in rough shape.

When I tried removing the cork, it pretty much disintegrated on the spot.

tape bottle and etchall creme 9950 Etched Bottle 9970

To breath new life into the old bottle… 

I masked the top and the bottom of the bottle with removable painters tape and added

a thick coat of etchall Etching Creme*.  (*affiliate link)

After waiting 15 minutes, I removed the excess etching crème and put the excess back

in the container.  I rinsed the bottle with warm water and let dry.

(make sure to read the instructions on the bottle of etching crème.)

To give the bottle a little Fall color…

I used a StazOn Ink Pad, Orange Zest* and rubbed the ink over the bottle.

The ink only adheres to the etched area.

To finish the look, I added a rub-on decoration to the front of the bottle with

a little raffia and key around the neck.

A new look for a very old bottle.

This project was created for and sponsored by Etchall®.

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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Creating a Garden Stepping Stone

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Creating a Garden Stepping Stone 08274

Every one in my family thinks of me when they see Red Toile dishes.

It’s my thing.  (one can never have too many right?)

So… when my daughter saw a set of Red Toile dishes on clearance for $25 at her local thrift store

she immediately called me to see if I wanted them.   (um, yes!)

While packing the car for their visit home, my son in law picked up the box to rearrange the car

and the bottom fell out.  Most of the dishes survived.  Five of the large plates did not.

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Deciding to turn lemons into Lemonade…

I kept the broken plates to make a few garden stones.

Nick and I making Garden Stones 2

I enlisted the help of my little buddy.  He was eager to lend a hand.  (with gloves of course)

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Creating a Garden Stepping Stone:

  • Cover the sides and bottom of an old cake pan with Petroleum Jelly for easy removal.
  • Arrange the pieces of the broke china pattern side down in the bottom of the pan.  Make sure to use the flattest pieces.
  • Add glass stones in between the pieces for added color and interest.

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  • Mix a quick setting cement according to the directions on the package.
  • Fill pan with cement approx. an 1″ thick.
  • Shake pan a little to fill in the gaps and smooth.
  • Allow a couple hours for the stones to set.
  • Remove stepping stones from the pans and clean excess cement from the top of the stones with a stiff wire brush and water.
  • Allow a few days for the cement to cure before sitting outside in your garden.

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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.

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Any content on this website is created for inspiration purposed only.  Creating with my suggested methods, products used, and tools is under your own risk.

 

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Shoot for your Goals

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Shoot for your Goals 9260

This is one of my favorite Soccer pictures of Nicholas taken by his daddy last Spring.

Today was a big day for Nicholas…

First Day of Pre-School

First Day in a new Dance Class and…

First Soccer Game of the Fall Season.

He’s one pretty busy boy.

 

I made my Soccer Frame for my Deflecto Design Team Project using:


Deflecto Beveled Frame, Metal Knobs, 5 x 7 Inches (799593CR)*

game on

Kaisercraft’s Game On Collection P1496 First Place

*Disclosure:  I am a Amazon Affiliate.

 

“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.”

The Very Hungry Caterpillar

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The Very Hungry Caterpillar 8205

Have you read the story of the little caterpillar that ate and ate and ate?

And then turned into a beautiful butterfly?  (spoiler alert)

the hungry caterpillar

My project was based off the book The Very Hungry Caterpillarby Eric Carle.

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Here’s what you’ll need to make the Caterpillar:

  • Six- 2″ Smoothfoam Balls
  • Sanding Block or Very Fine Sanding Paper
  • Deco Art Americana Acrylic Paint:  Olive Green, Sea Aqua, Watermelon Slice, Marigold, Brown
  • Paint Brushes
  • Bamboo Skewers
  • White Craft Glue
  • Craft Knife
  • Mod Podge

Directions:

  1. Lightly Sand the ridge around the middle of the Smoothfoam ball.
  2. To help the caterpillar sit and not roll.  Cut a slightly flat side in two of the balls.  Use them as your first and last green balls.
  3. Paint five balls with Olive Green and Sea Aqua acrylic paint.  For added dimension, stipple or sponge the opposite color on the balls.
  4. Paint the last ball with the Watermelon Slice acrylic paint.  Add a cute little face.
  5. Cut a bamboo skewer into 1″ pieces.  Connect the balls together using the skewers and white craft glue.
  6. Cut the tip off of two skewers and paint brown.  Insert into the top of the caterpillar’s head.
  7. Paint a coat of mod podge to seal the paint and give a shiny finish.

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