Think Crafts Blog – Craft Ideas and Projects – CreateForLess

By Paper Crafts Contributor, Lauren Romano.

Valentine’s Day flowers are lovely, but they’re also expensive and they die shortly after you buy them. A better option is to make paper flowers for yourself or to give as a gift. However, make small centerpieces instead of making a bouquet. It may sound complicated, but all you need is a little patience and a handful of inexpensive items.

What you’ll need:

• Tissue paper
• Mod Podge
• Scissors
• Ruler
• Short glass jar candle

Step 1. Cut tissue paper into squares. The smaller the squares the smaller the flowers. I cut each square into 5 inch pieces and alternated between using red tissue paper and one that’s heart-patterned.

Step 2. Take each square and fold it into a triangle. Follow that up by folding each triangle in half, then in half again.

Step 3. Hold each triangle so the fold faces to the left, then cut off the top of the triangle so you form a curve at the top.

Step 4. Next, cut off the lower point at a curve.

Step 5. Open up the triangles; each piece should look like a flower that’s missing the center.

Step 6. Make a cut in each piece from the top of the petal to the center so they are no longer solid pieces.

Step 7. You’ll notice the pieces have creased sections which is going to help with gluing the flowers together. Take one section and overlap the two ends until it’s the size you want for the outer layer. Don’t glue the ends down; instead, glue down the second or third section in.

Step 8. Repeat Step 7 for each layer until you get to the center. As you go along, make the layers smaller and put a small drop of glue on the bottom of each layer so they stick together.

Step 9. To make the center piece, roll one of the layers into a cone shape. Put a small drop of glue on the sides of the point, then stick it through the center of the flower layers. Pinch the layers around the point so they curve in.

Step 10. After the flower dries, place it on top of a glass candle holder. Opt for a candle whose coloring complements the colors of the flower.

Congratulations to cindy harris who was randomly selected as our Free Stuff Friday winner and will receive Dry Cleaner’s Secret, Stain be Gone pens, Wrinkle Releaser Plus Spray, Lint Brush and Simplicity Fix it Fast!

Safely clean and freshen your dry-clean-only clothes and fabrics right in your home dryer with Dry Cleaner’s Secret. Removes odors such as smoke and perspiration, leaving your clothes with a nice light scent. Safe to use on acetate, cashmere, cotton, linen, nylon, polyester, ramie, rayon, silk and wool. Wrinkle Releaser Plus Spray 24oz easily removes wrinkles, freshens clothing and eliminates static cling. Safe on ALL fabrics. Great for home, office, dorm or travel. Use on household items like curtains and drapes. Use with iron or steamer instead of starch. Whether it’s on your clothes or in your sewing machine, lint gets everywhere, and trying to control it is quite a feat. Care & Repair Roller 60 Sheets are ideal to use for clothing, upholstery, auto and pet hair.

cindy harris’ winning answer to “What is your favorite day of the week?” was…

“I love Saturdays. Thats the day I can spend with my family.”

By Paper Crafts Contributor, Lauren Romano.

Valentine’s Day turns out so many pretty decorations. If you’d like to create some of your own, make hanging heart garland to hang on your walls or in your windows. The great thing about them is that they add decor without taking up too much space or blocking your view if you’re hanging them in windows.

What you’ll need:

• Scissors
• Patterned paper
• Bows
• Mod Podge
• Ruler
• Ribbon
• Large heart punch

Step 1. Decide how long you want each strand of garland, then cut a ribbon for each strand you want to make.

Step 2. Punch out one large heart for every three inches of space on the ribbon.

Step 3. Place the heart about 3″ down from the top of the ribbon, place it over the ribbon, then use a dot of Mod Podge to attach the two together. Keep attaching hearts every three inches until you get to the end.

Step 4. Put one small bow in between each heart. Use a dot of Mod Podge to attach it to the ribbon, then press it down to ensure it sticks.

Step 5. Tie a loop at the very top of the ribbon so it can easily hang from a hook or tack.

Step 6. Continue to repeat Steps 1-5 until you have all the garland pieces you need.

By General Crafts Contributor Melissa, from the blog MeloMomma.

What do you do with all the tons of Valentine Cards your child brings home from school? Normally they get tossed after being looked at for a day. Or they get strung through the house making a frightful mess.

Well, I have come up with a fun solution. Not only will you have a place to display your favorite Valentine cards, but you and your child can have fun making this card holder!

Oh, yes, if you were wondering… the clothes pins do still work after being attached to the cookie cutter! This Valentine card holder is adorable, pretty, and 100% functional!

What you will need:

• Clothes pins
• Heart shaped cookie cutter
• Ribbon
• Lace
• Hot glue gun and glue sticks

Directions:

Place the clothes pins in a circular shape. Before gluing them, place the cookie cutter on top to assure that they all fit (as shown in photo).

Using a hot glue gun, glue the cookie cutter to the clothes pins.

For added hold glue around the cookie cutter on both the inside and outside.

Cut lace to fit both the inside and outside of the cookie cutter.

Secure the lace with the hot glue gun.

(A close up of the lace)

(A view of the backside)

By Paper Crafts Contributor, Lauren Romano.

There’s something about a beautiful gift tag; it can make even the most boring gift bag or box seem perfectly decorated. With a few materials, you can make a French heart tag that’s ideal for attaching to almost any present. It adds a sweet touch whether the gift is for your love or one of your friends.

What you’ll need:

• French book pages
• Ribbon
• Scissors
• Mod Podge
• Cardstock
• Hole punch
• Heart embellishment

Step 1. Cut a rectangle out of any color cardstock you wish, just make sure it’s proportionate to the heart embellishment you chose.

Step 2. Use a very thin layer of Mod Podge to adhere the French book pages to the cardstock. I used antique French dictionary pages from a book that was broken and going to get thrown out. Quickly and carefully use your finger to smooth out all the bubbles. Give it at least an hour to dry before moving onto the next step.

Step 3. Punch a hole in the top of the tag.

Step 4. Choose any type of heart embellishment you prefer, then use Mod Podge to attach it onto the center of the tag.

Step 5. Choose a color of ribbon that matches the heart embellishment. Use Mod Podge to attach the ribbon onto all four edges of the tag, then cut another piece and tie it through the hole. Trim off any excess only after the ribbon is already dry.

If the tag starts to curl while it’s drying, place a piece of wax paper over it and put a book on top for a few hours so it dries flat.

By Guest Blogger Diane, from the blog Charmingly Creative.

This is another adorable Valentine’s Day card for a loved one that is quick and easy to make. Time to complete: 5 minutes.

What you’ll need:

• Your favorite die cutting machine ( I used Spellbinders Grand Calibur)
• Spellbinders Nestabilities Classic Scalloped Heart Dies
• Your favorite embossing folder (I used Cuttlebug Textile)
• Any Fiskars 3-in-1 Corner or 4-in-1 Corner punch
• Two Red – Rhinestone Hearts
• White cardstock
• Two different Valentine patterned cardstock. (I used a Polka Dot and small hearts cardstock)
• Self-healing cutting mat
• Bone folder
• Rotary cutter
• Glue Dots & Ranger Inkssentials Wonder Tape Roll 1/8″

Instructions:

Trim white card stock with Rotary cutter to 8″x10″. Score the card stock in the middle at the 5″ line and use a bone folder to crease the edge of paper to form 5″ x 8″card.

Using Rotary cutter trim Polka Dot cardstock to 4¾” x 7 ¾” and use Wonder Tape to adhere to front of card.

The Heart dies come in 6 sizes:

1: 1″ x 1⅛”

2: 1½” x 1⅝”

3: 2⅛” x 2¼”

4: 2¾” x 3″ (Not Using)

5: 3¼” x 3¾”

6: 4″ x 4½”

For the Pink Hearts you will need a #6, 3 and two #2′s. Die cut and emboss each Pink Heart through Spellbinder machine according to manufactures direction. For the White Hearts you will need a #5, 2 and two #1s. For White Hearts die cut and then emboss with Cuttlebug Textile folder.

Adhere large #6 Pink Heart in corner of card with white #5 on top, then pink #3 and white #2 on top. Repeat for the remaining hearts and glue in place. Trim a piece of Pink patterned cardstock to about 4″ x 1 ½” for label, use corner punch on edges. Run the words “Happy Valentine’s Day” through your printer and trim to fit Pink label, punch corners glue in place and attach to card. Attach Red Rhinestone Hearts to corners.

By Guest Blogger Diane, from the blog Charmingly Creative.

Remember your sweetie for Valentine’s Day on February 14th!

Time to Complete: 10 minutes

What You’ll need:

• Any Cuttlebug 5″ X 7″ embossing folder ( I used Kassie’s Brocade)
• Any Martha Stewart Edge Punch – (I used Embossed Trefoil Hearts)
• Any Fiskars 4-in-1 or 3-in-1 corner punch
• Spellbinders Nestabilities Classic Scalloped Hearts Die (Use #4 & #3)
• Spellbinders Heartfelt Creations- Layered Elegant Swirl Die
• Dark Pink, Black, Polka Dot and White cardstock
• Cuttlebug machine
• Spellbinders Grand Calibur
• Bone folder
• Rotary cutter
• Judikins Diamond Glaze or Sakura 3-D Crystal Lacquer Glaze
• Art Institute Transparent Glitter ( I used Pink)
• Art Institute Glitter Designer Dries Clear Glue, Ranger Inkssentials Wonder Tape Roll 1/8 or glue dots
• 3D glue dots
• Wax paper

Instructions:

Trim white cardstock with Rotary cutter to 8″x10″. Score the cardstock in the middle at the 5″ line and use a bone folder to crease the edge of paper to form card 5″ x 8″.

Trim Dark Pink cardstock 4 ¾” x 7 ¾” and Trim Polka cardstock 4 ½” x 7 ½” then attach Polka on top of Dark Pink and attach to front of card with Wonder Tape. Run Black cardstock with Layered Elegant Swirl die through Grand Calibur machine according to manufactures directions. (I place a small piece of wax paper down first, then die and finally cardstock so it does not stick to intricate details).

Trim a piece of Dark Pink cardstock to 4 ¾” X 2 ½” use edge punch on one side only. Place punched cardstock in embossing folder and run through machine.

The Heart dies come in 6 sizes: You only need the following two:

• 3: 2⅛” x 2¼”
• 4: 2¾” x 3″

Use Black cardstock for the largest Scalloped Heart die and run through machine using the Spellbinders instructions to cut & emboss the detail into the die shape. Take Dark Pink cardstock and remaining heart die and run through machine. Place Pink heart into Cuttlebug embossing folder and run through machine. Coat Dark Pink heart with Sakura 3-D Crystal Lacquer Glaze and sprinkle on Pink glitter set aside to dry.

Trim a piece of Pink cardstock to about 2 ¼” x 1 ½” for label, use corner punch on edges. Run the words Happy Valentine’s Day through your printer and trim to fit Pink label, punch corners glue in place. Glue Elegant Swirl piece slightly under Dark Pink embossed cardstock, center and glue on card. Use 3 D dots to attach Pink heart to front of Black heart. Attach to card. To complete card attach label to bottom right corner.