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

It was not so very long ago that I created a bird pencil holder - now we’re ready for the tray!

Go ahead and gather these supplies:

Wood desk tray, shape and size of your choice
FolkArt Acrylic Paint, coordinating colors
Mod Podge Gloss, 8 oz.
Scrapbook paper, 1 sheet - I used K&Co Carolyn Gavin’s Greenhouse papers
Embellishments for the ends of the tray - I used K&Co Carolyn Gavin Greenhouse Craft Flowers
EK Paper Shapers® Punch Medium Slim Scallop Circle
All Night Media Pop Dots - ½”
Craft Glue
Flat Paint Brush

Grab your tray and craft paint and begin covering!  I love color blocking, so I painted the inside of the tray light blue, the outside ends soft apple and the outside sides pink.  Paint several coats until everything is covered, and then allow to dry.

Grab your punch and start punching out scalloped circles to go onto the bottom of the tray.  I was doing another project at the same time, so I punched over the frame.  I always punch on the BOTTOM side of the paper - I can’t tell you why, just a funny habit!  I used paper from the same collection as I did my pencil holder, so they were coordinating but not exactly the same.  I think it gives my desk set a special touch.

Now for the fun part - start spreading the Mod Podge over the bottom of the tray.  Spread a medium coat.

Place your scalloped circles into the Mod Podge randomly.  Continue spreading Mod Podge and laying down circles until you’ve covered the bottom of the tray.  Use your brush to spread Mod Podge over the top of the circles and remove excess Mod Podge from the edges.  Allow to dry for 15 - 20 minutes.

After drying, coat the entire tray with at least two coats of Mod Podge.  Allow to dry and then add embellishments (I added paper flowers) to the ends with Pop Dots.  I layered some of the flowers using craft glue.  Now that you are done, put together with the pencil holder you also created for a very special gift desk set.  Happy Holidays!

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

I love desk supplies in bright colors, and I love birds.  The two come together in one project and I am a happy camper.  As we move into the gift season, I encourage you to create something personalized for a family member or friend.  It doesn’t always have to be personalized with a name either - sometimes it can be favorite colors or shapes.  I’ll first show you how to make the pencil holder, and then in my next entry will do a coordinating tray.  You’ll want to make one for everyone you know.  At least everyone with a desk.

Go ahead and gather these supplies:

Wood Pencil Holder, shape of your choice

FolkArt Acrylic Paint, coordinating colors

Mod Podge Gloss, 8 oz.

Scrapbook paper, 1 sheet - I used K&Co Carolyn Gavin’s Greenhouse papers

Buttons - 13 (12 for the cup and one for the eye on the front)

Sandpaper

Craft Glue

Flat Paint Brush

Scissors

Pencil or Pen

Place the pencil holder face down on the BACK of the paper you are planning to use (so the shape comes out right).  Cut out the shape and set aside.

This is really, really easy - probably the easiest painting you’ll ever do!  I painted the entire bird pencil holder pink and allowed to dry.  Then I painted over the cup part of the holder with one coat of turquoise and allowed to dry.  Follow these steps and then grab your sandpaper, sanding away at random portions until some of the pink paint shows through.  This is the fastest distressing technique ever.

Tip: you don’t need to paint the entire front of the pencil holder since you are covering it with paper - just make sure to get well around the edges or any part that’s showing!

Now for the fun part - spread Mod Podge all over the front of the pencil holder.  Spread a medium layer and get the edges well.

Once you have the Mod Podge spread, lay your paper piece down and smooth with your fingers (or use a brayer like I did).  Smooth, smooth, smooth until there are no bubbles left.  Allow to dry for 15 - 20 minutes.

After drying, coat the entire pencil holder with at least two coats of Mod Podge.  Allow to dry and then add embellishments. I added buttons with craft glue.  This took me less than two hours to make, including painting and dry time. 

Come back soon to see my coordinating tray!

Kid’s and General Craft Contributor, Gillian from the blog “Dried Figs and Wooden Spools”.

Every year, as we get ready to host our annual pumpkin carving party, I promise myself that I am going to carve or decorate some really cool pumpkins to have on display before the party. But between menu planning, crafts-for-the-kids planning and all the inevitable last minute details that come when you have your entire neighborhood over for an afternoon, the pumpkins get pushed to the bottom of the list. 

Generally I look around after the party and realize that every family on the block has a newly carved pumpkin except ours. Next year! I tell myself!

Well, next year has come.

I’m making an early start with the pumpkins by venturing into the realms of fake gourds. I’ve seen them for years, heard the craft pundits rave about their versatility, but somehow have never broken down and bought one. But when I got the idea for this pumpkin I decided that the time had come. I was not going to spend all that time decorating a pumpkin that would rot away in a few weeks time.

The inspiration for this came from a magazine I flipped though while in line at the grocery store one day. The pumpkin on the glossy pages was covered in tiny rhinestones which looked great but probably cost more than I was willing to spend. Instead I opted for glossy black puff paint and a few rhinestones accents.

After sketching out the swirls and loops with a pencil, I went to work with the paint, dotting carefully along the lines. It was often easier to start at the end of the swirl and work backwards toward the stem and I did stop at the halfway point to allow the paint to dry before proceeding with the rest. And although the project was definitely time consuming, it was also fairly easy once I got into the dot dot dot rhythm.

Once the entire pumpkin was covered I went back and glued a handful of rhinestone in strategic places. Such as the spot where my son decided to “see if the paint was dry”. The finished project looks elegant and spooky at the same time. The perfect combination for this year’s not so kid like but not scary either decor. In fact, I might just have to make another with that white pumpkin I bought the other day. Because you can never have too many cool looking pumpkins in October!

Please welcome experienced crafter and guest blogger Amy, from the blog “Mod Podge Rocks”.

I like clipboards yes I do, I like clipboards how ’bout you?

I’ve had several people tell me recently that they are working on clipboard projects, either for themselves or for gifts. I decided that I wanted to do one too, so I took a dive into the stash and this is what I came up with.

A little research reveal that clipboards are hot for back-to-school this year - but not the typical brown slab with a silver clip.  This year’s clipboards are fun and funky . . . and easy to personalize.  They are also way easier than you might think.  Just follow this tutorial for fabulous results!

"Hi, I'm a boring brown clipboard. To fix me up, gather the following supplies."

Supplies:

Clipboard
Scrapbook paper - 2 coordinating pieces
Acrylic paint - coordinating color (I used Sky Blue)
Spray paint - coordinating color (I used Apple Green)
Craft Glue
Chipboard letters and/or coordinating embellishments
Ribbon - all from my stash
Mod Podge Gloss, 8oz.
Flat paint brush
Ruler
Craft Knife and Mat
Pencil

Start by removing the clip at the top and set it aside.  Time to paint the board.  Paint one side, allow to dry, flip over and paint the other.  Do this at least twice depending on your paint color - I did mine three times because my paint was a little lighter and I wanted great coverage.  Set aside to dry.

While you are waiting for the paint to dry on the clipboard, spray the clip.  I had this extra paint laying around which happened to coordinate.  Lucky me, right?  Either buy spray paint (there are baby sizes now), or use outdoor paint such as this.  You can also use regular acrylic paint, but you’ll need to seal it with acrylic sealer so that it doesn’t scrape off.

While both the board and clip are drying, measure and cut your paper.  My clipboard is 9″ x 12″, and I decided I wanted two pieces of paper that met in the middle.  Therefore, I measured out two pieces of paper, 9″ wide x 6″ tall.

Cut both sheets of paper with your craft knife.  Lay them out on the clipboard (which should now be painted and dry) and make sure that they fit.

You laid out the papers on the board - remove the top piece and cover the board with Mod Podge.  Put on a medium coat, and make sure to get the corners well.  You’re probably going to put on more than you think.  Lay the top piece of paper down and smooth out with your fingers.

 Okay, so the top piece is down.  Repeat the process with the bottom piece.

Now that both pieces are down, you can use either your fingers or a brayer (like I am above) to smooth both sheets down thoroughly.  If any Mod Podge comes out the sides, wipe it away with your paint brush.  Allow these sheets to dry for 15 - 20 minutes, and then Mod Podge over the top of them.  Allow to dry, flip over and then Mod Podge the back of the clipboard to seal the paint.  Allow to dry for at least an hour.

This is always the fun part for me!  You’ll notice that when the Mod Podge dried, I replaced the clip.  I also laid out some ribbon that I had in my stash, a large brown piece and a thinner orange piece.  I had some chipboard letters to make the “Notes” saying down at the bottom, and I had a sticker to adhere to the clip.  I glued everything down with craft glue and allowed to dry for 24 hours.

Here’s the finished clipboard again.  Notice that I tied some ribbon at the top too - they were about 10″ pieces that I just knotted through the hole.  I call the ribbon the “piece de’la resistance.”  That’s French for something really cool!  Enjoy your clipboard, and as always I encourage you to use papers, colors and embellishments that fit your style.  Don’t forget, above all else, have fun!

I love to paint! Finger paint, watercolors, spray paint, and brush it on paint! The Society of Decorative Painters is a great organization that loves to paint too! It was organized in 1972 to stimulate worldwide interest in and appreciation for decorative painting; to recognize diversity and excellence in the art form; and to serve as the resource center for all aspects of decorative painting. You’ll find all kinds of information on the group’s website including a directory of teachers. Each year the organization has a huge conference (this year was in Peoria, IL, June 16-20) where classes, demos, and a marketplace for all things painting.

My favorite painting teachers include Priscilla Hauser and Donna Dewberry. I might be a little bias since I know both ladies, but each has brought their own magic to teaching and to painting. To me, Priscilla is the first lady of decorative painting and Donna opened the doors for people like me with average talent to excel in my brush strokes.

Jane Seymour paints her signature hearts at CHA Winter Show.

Take a visit to the Society of Decorative Painter’s website and download the group’s learn how to paint instructions. You’ll end up like me, you’ll just love to paint!