Think Crafts Blog - Craft Ideas and Projects - CreateForLess

By General Crafts Contributor Amy, from the Blog “Mod Podge Rocks!”

I love all sorts of woodland creatures right now, including frogs.  I decided recently that I wanted to find a way to fit them into home décor, especially as it applies to children.  What resulted was this wood name plaque celebrating cute amphibians and in bright colors.  I made it with my own name for this round, but I have a friend that’s having a baby and I’m going to make one for her new little one.  If you want to make it too, gather these supplies:

Mod Podge Gloss

Demis Wood Plaque

Wood letters spelling the name of your choice

Wood frog embellishment

FolkArt Paint - Wicker White, Licorice, Yellow Citron, Metallic Green     

K&Company Paper Pad 12×12 Actopus to Zelephant

Beacon 3 in 1 Glue

Flat paint brushes of various sizes

Piece of scrap paper to cover the plaque

Scissors

Tape

The first thing I did was make a template for the plaque background.  I just took a piece of computer paper (old and printed on one side) and pressed it around the edges.  I know it seems very rudimentary, but it really works!  Grab a sheet of scrapbook paper you want to use and some tape - tape this down and then cut around the edge of your template with the scissors.  There’s your background!  Set it aside.

Paint your plaque with white paint.  Completely coat the front and the back.  Allow to dry.

Paint the letters of your name with several coats of the metallic green paint.  Allow to dry.  Use the end of your paint brush to make yellow citron dots on the letters.  Allow to dry.

Paint your wood froggie piece with yellow citron paint.  You are going to use several coats.  Allow to dry.  Go back with a smaller brush to paint the spots metallic green and then the eyes black.  Let the entire piece dry.

Tip: Use a medium flat brush to paint the frog piece and don’t worry about getting paint on the spots.  When you paint the spots, use a smaller detail flat brush and this time take great care painting.

I went back to my white plaque and decided to dress it up a little bit.  I first painted one layer of metallic green on the top edges - this was for when I put my paper down - in case the edges of the paper didn’t exactly meet the edges of the plaque, there would be some green there.

The next step was to use a medium flat brush to add the stripes around the edge of the plaque.  I did this freeform - no planning, no taping.  That’s the look I wanted!  I did one pass first and then went back to tidy up the edges.  It was really easy.  Just go for it!  Allow the plaque to dry.

When it’s time to Mod Podge is when I get really excited!  Use your flat brush to apply a medium layer of Mod Podge to the top of the plaque.

Place the paper piece that has been sitting around for awhile down on the plaque and SMOOTH, SMOOTH, SMOOTH!  I use a brayer, but you can use your fingers or even an old gift card.  Smooth until the paper is flat, and if Mod Podge comes out the side, wipe it away with a brush.  Allow to dry for 15 - 20 minutes.

You’re almost done!  Mod Podge everything to seal it - the entire plaque, the letters and the frog.  Give it all at least two coats and then let it dry.

Finally, use your Beacon glue to attach the wood pieces to the plaque.  You’ll see I glued my letters down a little funky - choose smaller letters and make them “dance” for large names.  Now you’ve got a name plaque for yourself or someone as a gift.

By Recycled Crafts Contributor, Anitra from the blog “Coffee Pot People”. 

I’ve enjoyed, and still wear, my fingerless mitts, but spring is coming. Can you feel it? The candytuft in the front yard is already blooming, and the bulbs are up. There’s a fragrant narcissus next to the deck already perfuming the air, and March is, after all the month of spring romances.

That definitely calls for feminine touches of flowers, lace, and all things delicate. Let’s dress our hands in fairy gauntlets for spring!

You’ll need:

• A pretty handkerchief
• Two flower appliques, or flowers cut from lace
• Needle and thread
• Elastic string
• Fabric glue

To begin, make a pattern like the one shown below:

Fold a square of paper the same size as the handkerchief on the diagonal, and measure 4 inches from the point, on the fold. Draw a line straight down from that point. It will be four inches, too. Now measure from the point to about the length of the gauntlet you’re making. (Fold your handkerchief in half on the diagonal, and measure to the center to get that measurement.) Draw a line straight down from there, that’s about 4 1/2 inches long. Now “connect the dots”–draw a straight line from the 4″ line to the line you just drew.

That pattern fits my hand. To be sure it fits yours, open out the pattern and fold it around your hand. It should fit, but not too snugly, but we’re cutting the handkerchief on the diagonal (bias), which will lend stretchiness to it.

You’re done with the hardest part!

Fold your hanky into quarters, on the diagonal, and pin your pattern to it, with the long side on the fold, and cut. On the short side, the opposite end of the points, there will be another fold. Split that, which creates the two pieces you need:

On the short sides, away from the point, iron a narrow hem, but don’t stitch it yet.

Now, with the right sides of each gauntlet folded together, stitch the long sides, using a narrow seam, and then stitch the hem. 

You now have two tubes, with a pretty point on one end, and a straight hem on the other. All you need now is a way to keep them in place on your hands. To do that, thread a darning needle with a length of elastic string/thread. (I’ve chain crocheted mine, to make it heavier, but it isn’t strictly necessary to do that.)

Insert the point of the needle in the right side of one of the flowers and pull through, leaving a loop that will comfortably fit around your middle finger. Take a single stitch to secure it, tie a knot, and cut the thread. Repeat with the other flower.

On the wrong side of each flower, spread a thin coat of fabric glue. (I used Aleene’s Okay to Wash It.) Glue the flowers to the inside of the gauntlet, just below the points. Let dry, and you’re done!

One last thing: You still have two corners of your hanky left. If the hankerchief is a fair sized one, they’re actually large enough to make sweet little gauntlets for a child of age 3 to 6 or so.

Congratulations to Sheri K. who was randomly chosen as the winner of Free Stuff Friday and the CreateForLess Craft Grab Bag!

Sheri’s winning answer to “What’s your favorite pizza toppings” was…

Pepperoni and black olive. Don’t forget the cold beer for a really great meal!

Sheri’s prize includes a sturdy, canvas tote with the saying “I Craft, therefore I am”. Use this tote bag to cut back on plastic bag usage, and to stay stylish! In addition the CreateForLess Craft Bag includes a pack of each of the following:

• Sticky back Velcro
• Making Memories Jigsaw Frames and Flourishes
• Bo Bunny Buttons & Bling
• Making Memories mini tags
• Zig Painty Pens (2)
• Dill Thimbles Jelly Fingers (1)

By Guest Blogger, Sparkle E. Glitter from the blog “Sparkle Studio”.

Recently, I saw a very expensive set of glass pitcher and 4 glasses in a nice specialty store.  It made me want to have a picnic right then.  The glass was fused and had many colors decorating it.  I knew that I could make something I would like just as much.  Target had inexpensive blanks, I bought 4 glasses in a set for $1.99.  Can’t beat that!

I sat at my work table for a couple hours, put in a DVD movie and started glittering.  There is no pattern to follow.  Just make circles.  So easy and so pretty!

You Need:

Sparkle 21: 2 bottles each Vintage Sparkle, Ocean Sparkle, Jungle Sparkle (or other colors of your choice)

Clear pitcher and glasses

Try This:

Clean outside of pitcher and try not to touch the clean surface.

On surface of pitcher, randomly using three colors, make circles of Sparkle 21.

Make them close together.  Some circles will have one color, some two, some three.   Make circles travel up the sides of the pitcher as high as you desire.  Let dry completely before using.

Glasses: Repeat same process for glasses.

TIP: Sparkle 21 is permanent on glass.  Let it cure at least 48 hours before using.  It can be washed by hand.  Do not submerge in sink for extended period or put in the dishwasher.

Use colors that match your dishes, or wedding colors, or school colors.

Glitter on!

Sparkle

TGIF! Thank goodness it’s Friday! It’s Free Stuff Friday!

Every Friday we’ll post a giveaway on Think Crafts and all you have to do is comment on the blog post answering the question of the week. We’ll pick the winner and contact them via email. Deadline is midnight tonight and the winner will be announced Monday. One entry per person please.

Enter to win the CreateForLess Craft Grab Bag. Prize includes a sturdy, canvas tote with the saying “I Craft, therefore I am”. Use this tote bag to cut back on plastic bag usage, and to stay stylish! In addition the CreateForLess Craft Bag includes a pack of each of the following:

• Sticky back Velcro
• Making Memories Jigsaw Frames and Flourishes
• Bo Bunny Buttons & Bling
• Making Memories mini tags
• Zig Painty Pens (2)
• Dill Thimbles Jelly Fingers (1)

Question of the Week: What are your favorite pizza toppings?

If the comment box is not below, scroll to the top and click “comments”.

Congratulations to Glenda H. from Warrenton, OR who was randomly chosen as the winner of our 2010 Crafties Drawing and will receive a $100 shopping spree!

Glenda’s nominations for the best craft supplies are…

“The Best all around craft tool has to be a pair of Fiskars scissors. The Best organizer has to be Cropper Hopper. Best adhesive is Tombow for sure. Best scrapbooking supply is hands down the Coredinations Paper. Best New Craft Supply is the Cricut Expression, Best scissors is Fiskars hands down!”

Thanks to all who entered!

Make sure to check out the 2010 Crafties nominations. The votes are in!  It’s time to announce the winners of the 2010 Crafties Awards.  And to celebrate, they’re all on sale this week at CreateForLess!  Save on our Best Quilting Supply and Best All Around Craft Tool, this week only.  Plus see who took home the Golden Glue Gun Award…

By General Crafts Contributor Amy, from the Blog “Mod Podge Rocks!”

I love fixing up old items that I find!  This tray above was a thrift store treasure - perfect and in good condition, great for organizing my art supplies.  The only problem was that it was kind of boring and need a little pizzazz.  Nothing boring for my shelves!  This revamp is so easy, you won’t believe it.  First, gather these supplies:

Wood tray

Scrapbook paper - I used Anna Griffin’s Riley Collection, 2 sheets each of 2 corresponding papers

Mod Podge Gloss

Flat paint brush

Craft knife and mat or scissors

Pen or pencil

Here’s the tray beforehand - do you see why I enhanced it?  It just needed something.

I measured the compartments to make sure that I cut the paper correctly.

Turn your paper with the print side facing down, measure and cut to fit the compartments.  I used two different (yet complimentary) patterns from the same scrapbook paper collection, which I think added a nice touch.

Grab your Mod Podge and brush and put a medium layer on the inside of each compartment.

Place the paper down and smooth, smooth smooth!  You’ll see I used an old gift card to do the smoothing.  It worked really well!  Continue to smooth and wipe away Mod Podge that comes out the sides (and it will).  Do all of the compartments and allow to dry for 15 - 20 minutes.

Paint a medium layer of Mod Podge over the paper in each compartment, being careful not to get it on the sides.  Wipe away if it does.  Allow to dry and you’re done.

Organizing has really never been this easy, or this cute!  Not only was this craft simple to make, but it was inexpensive.  With the Mod Podge I had on hand and the thrifted tray, I spent less than $5 making something I will use for a long time.  Yay!