If you have a scrap wood bin, this project is made for you. If you don’t, head over to the store and pick up a bag of scrap wood.  The pieces do not need to match, or even be cut straight.  The more differences your pieces have, the more charming your project will be.

Choose a word or a name that you would like to display. This project can be adapted to holidays: Noel, Love, Thanks.  Or make the blocks with your family name.  What a nice gift this is for anyone on any occasion.

You need:

• Big & Glitzy Glitter Glue: Peacock, Peridot,  Garnet (or colors to match what you are showcasing)
• Acrylic Paint: black,  turquoise, lime, hot pink  (also select your colors accordingly)
• 4 pieces of scrap wood (or as many as you need to spell your word or name)
• Wide flat brush 

Try this:

Basecoat wood pieces black.  Let dry.  Paint the edges of the blocks turquoise, lime and hot pink.  Let dry.

Using Big & Glitzy, print a letter on each block, with a frame around it in a different color.  Add stripes, dots, squares or whatever fits your project.

This is your chance to be creative with color and design.  Make this reflect you!

Glitter on!

Sparkle

Do you have a little princess that likes to play dress up?  I highly suggest a magic wand!  This is actually an inexpensive yard decoration that I found.  With supplies that I already had on hand, I was able to make a wand fit for a princess on a budget.  Keep in mind that because this is wood, it’s for older princesses only!  Always make sure to use with adult supervision.

To make, you’ll need to gather these supplies:

“Magic” Wand – decorative wood stick
FolkArt Acrylic Paint – Ocean Cruise, Wicker White, Perfect Purple, Kelly Green or the colors of your choice
Art Institute Glitter – Blue Hawaii (Ultrafine Opaque), Celery (Ultrafine Opaque), Angel Dust (Ultrafine Transparent)�
Mod Podge Gloss�
Flat Paint Brush and Liner Brush
Ribbon – 6 feet of your choice, I used white chiffon

Using your flat paint brush, paint your flower first.

Paint the handle and the leaves next.  If your wand has black print on it like mine, it will take several coats.  I used the smaller liner brush on the petals and to get around the edges of my flower.  Allow to dry.

Using the end of your brush handle, dot white polka dots on the main body of the flower.  Allow to dry.

It’s time to apply glitter in the areas of interest – I’ll show you an example with the center of the flower.  Paint Mod Podge in the area that you want glittered.

Using your glitter (I have one of these cool dispensers), spread the glitter all over the Mod Podge.  Allow to dry and then tap on the side of something (like a table) to get ride of the excess.  You can see that I did it on the leaves as well – I also went back and added some on the white polka dots.  It’s very sparkly!

Allow your wand to dry completely overnight before giving it to your princess.  I highly recommend adding some ribbon tied around the handle for some extra flair.

My parents re-did their backyard, so I decided to make them a birdhouse in celebration.  They aren’t as kitschy as I am, but I still think they will appreciate this gnome and mushroom birdhouse.  If they don’t love the gnome or the mushrooms, they will surely love the woodgrain roof.  It’s magical! 

To make, you’ll need to gather these supplies: 

Wood Birdhouse
Mod Podge Outdoor
FolkArt Paint – Fresh Foliage, Burnt Umber, Pure Orange
Martha Stewart Woodland Collection – 12” x 12” paper pad, stickers and letters
Cardstock scraps
Craft Glue
Flat Paint Brush
Scissors or Craft Knife
Ruler
Pencil
Outdoor Sealer  

Choose a few sheets of paper to cover the sides of your birdhouse (except for the front).  Using your ruler, measure the size paper you’ll need and then cut it down to fit with the craft knife.  Set aside. 

Paint your birdhouse.  I chose to paint the roof with Burnt Umber and the sides with Fresh Foliage.  The only side you’ll have to completely cover is the front – all of the other sides are going to be covered with paper. 

You can’t see it here, but later I went back and covered the perch with some Pure Orange.  It needed a special touch! 

This is the fun part.  Keep in mind that Outdoor Mod Podge is thick, but that is intentional.  Working one side at a time, spread a medium layer of Mod Podge on your birdhouse. 

Immediately smooth your paper down thoroughly.  Use an old credit or gift card to get underneath the roof, and make sure to smooth *really* well.  Complete the other two sides and the roof.  Allow to dry for 15 – 20 minutes. 

You are now ready to coat the entire birdhouse.  Give it a medium layer of Mod Podge, allow to dry for 15 – 20 minutes and then repeat.  Allow to dry. 

When it comes to the front, that is your embellishment area, so decorate it how you like!  I added my parents’ last name, the gnome and then some mushrooms I cut out with my die cutter.  I had some extra cardstock lying around.  This is the time to decorate to your heart’s content.  Seal everything with the Outdoor Mod Podge and allow to dry overnight. 

Once your birdhouse is dry, it will be slightly tacky – to remedy this and to give the birdhouse an extra protective layer, I highly recommend using a clear outdoor sealer so that your project will last for years to come.

I am obsessed with pretty spring birds, I admit it!  I had such fun making these today out of Shrinky Dinks, and you will too!  Here is what you need:

• White shrink plastic
• Colored pencils 
• Big & Glitzy Glitter Glue  (I used Aquamarine and Ruby)
• Scissors 
• Hole punch 
• Ribbon 
• Your oven

Try this:

1.  Print bird pattern.  Lay it under shrink plastic.  Trace with pencil.  You should get two birds out of a sheet of plastic.

2.  Color birds with colored pencils.  Put the kids to work, have them color! Cut out the birds.  Use hole punch to punch a hole in the top wing.

3.  Bake in the oven on a cookie sheet following the instructions on the shrink plastic package.  See how much they shrink?

The color intensifies when they shrink.  Pretty!

4.  Squeeze a little glitter glue on the bird.  Spread with a small brush or with your finger.  Let glitter dry.  Even prettier!

I have a boatload of books and not enough bookshelves.  I also have a craft book selection that I like to have easy access to on my desk, but the stack wasn’t working out.  So I decided to make these bookends.

To make, you’ll need to gather these supplies:

Bookends – any will do.  I got these from a friend

K & Company scrapbook paper  – 1 sheet (you might need 2 if your bookends are larger)

FolkArt Acrylic Paint   (whatever coordinates with your paper).  I used:

•             Light Periwinkle  
•             Pumpkin  
•            Turner’s Yellow  
•             Wicker White  

Mod Podge Gloss  

Flat Paint Brush  

Scissors  or Craft Knife  and Mat  

Ruler  

Pencil

First trace your bookends onto the BACK of your sheet of paper.  Cut out.

Trim the sheets of paper down to fit your bookends exactly.

Paint your bookends using the orange paint.  For complete coverage, you’ll need about three or four coats.  Set aside to dry.

While you are waiting for the bookends to dry, put a coat of Mod Podge on your paper sheets.  Coat the front, allow to dry, coat the back.  Set aside.

Tip: If you don’t have a cutout in your bookends like I do, you can skip this step.

Coat the back of the bookend with a medium layer of Mod Podge.  Apply evenly.

Place your paper down on the back of the bookend and smooth thoroughly.  You’ll notice that I used a brayer, and then to get down into the crack I used an old Starbucks card.  These are my favorite tools for smoothing!  Make sure you get the air bubbles out and then set aside to dry for 15 – 20 minutes.

Once the bookends are dry, coat both of them with Mod Podge.  Cover the fronts, backs and bottoms.  Give a first coat, allow to dry and then apply at least two more coats.  Allow to dry.

Once your bookends are dry, use the end of a paintbrush and the other coordinating paint colors to create polka dots around the cutout.  Allow to dry.

Tip: If your bookends don’t have a cutout, add a decorative shape cut out of paper to the front of your bookends for an accent.  Then you can use the polka dot method just like I did!

Here they are, holding my books and magazines!  Aren’t they great?  Quick, easy and perfect for some fun home décor.

Why not?  My niece just got a car. It is not cute. When you are 17, it is hard to drive a big old ugly car.  I told her that one day she will look back and brag on how she had the world’s ugliest car.  But for now, life is a journey, just go along for the ride.  So, we both made car signs for our cars.  They turned out way cuter than our cars. 

Make one for your car.  People will honk and wave or give you the thumbs up.  Here is what you need:

• 9×12 sheet of magnet canvas
• Sparkle 21: Choose colors you like and that will stand out against the color of your car.  You will want Night Sparkle and Silver Sparkle for the tires and three other colors of your choice
• #2 pencil
• Scissors
• Big oval crystal gem

Try this:

1.  Print patterns.  Turn paper over and trace pattern lines on back with a heavy line of pencil.  Place patterns right side up, on magnet sheet.  Retrace lines.

2.  Fill in pattern areas with Sparkle 21. The thicker you apply Sparkle 21, the more it will glitter in the sun.  Let the glitter dry.  It will take up to 48 hours.

3.  While the glitter is wet, set the gem at the front of the car to make a headlight.

4.  When the glitter is dry, use scissors to cut out the car and cut around words with a wavy line.

Stick to the car.  Cute!

Glitter on!

Sparkle

Does this frame look bright?  That’s because it is!  Bright colors are a big trend right now, so I wanted to embrace them for the upcoming Mother’s Day.  I distressed the frame (which is very easy, and I wish showed up better in photography) and then added some felt flowers – so simple!  I know my mom, and she is going to love it.  She is going to love it even more with the picture of me in it!

To make it, you’ll need to gather these supplies:

Square wood frame

FolkArt Acrylic colors – I used Lime Green, Bright Pink and Deep Ocean Blue

Felts in different colors to coordinate with your frame color choices

Foam stamps to spell the saying of your choice – I used “MOM”

Mod Podge Gloss

Buttons – 12 coordinating

Die cut machine, punch or scissors – whatever you have to make shapes

Sandpaper

Craft Glue

Flat Paint Brush

Start by base coating your frame with Pink.  Completely cover, but just on the front of the frame.  Give about two coats and allow to dry.

Paint over the pink with Lime Green.  Wow, it looks like an 80′s party threw up on my project!  Paint enough coats to completely cover the pink.

This is the toughest part of the project – you need to sand the frame in select areas to allow the pink to show through the green.  Sand as much or as little as you want; the amount of distressing is up to you.  Wipe any extra dust away after you are done.  And yes, that is my robed arm.  I get out of bed and craft.

Cut your shapes from your felt pieces.  You can do this with a die cutter, but you can also do it with regular punches or with your scissors.  If you would like a nice flower template, I recommend searching Google for clip art.  There are so many free patterns to be had!  Set your shapes aside.

Mod Podge your frame.  Completely coat the front and back, allowing to dry between coats.

Time to add your saying!  I used foam stamps, and it was easier for me to paint the backs rather than dipping in the paint.  You can control the amount of paint that goes onto the stamp if you use a brush.

Press the stamps with paint firmly onto your frame.  Allow to dry and then touch up with your brush.  Once the paint is completely dry, Mod Podge over the words to seal.

The final step is to glue down your flowers into a nice pattern and then add buttons in the centers.  Now add a picture of yourself and give to that special mom in your life.  She’s going to love it!

When I was a kid there was a comic book character named Dot. True to her name, everything she owned was covered in polka dots. She loved them that much. Dot popped into my mind the other day when I realized there was no reason on Earth my kitchen floor shouldn’t be polka dotted, if I wanted it to be. This is a picture of my flooring.

Needs a little something to perk it up, don’t you think?

One nice thing about doing polka dots is you don’t have to do them all at once. However many you have time for in a day, do those, and walk away. Another nice thing is that you can get a new look for your floor without going to the expense of an actual new floor, something a lot of us are concerned about right now.

Okay, so my floor is fifty-four year old vinyl. You might think there’s some special paint you’d need, but I’m using regular acrylic paints, just like you’d use for most crafts.

Choose your paint colors, and decide how big you want the polka dots to be. There are at least two methods to use to get nice rounds. One is to draw around saucers, lids, jars, etc., and then paint in the circle. Another is to cut a circle stencil, and use a roller or stippling brush to paint the color in one step.

My daughter-in-law cut a large circle in a vinyl placemat, and used the mat as a stencil to do this in our granddaughter’s room, which was actually the inspiration for my floor:

For my kitchen floor, I chose to go with multiple sizes and colors, and also do some overlapping.

I liked the look of some of the floor’s pattern showing through the paint, so I opted not to put on a second coat. Where circles overlapped, I painted the overlapped areas in the color you’d get if you mixed the two colors together.

Here’s a shot of the kitchen’s entry, showing what I’ve done so far. I’m really liking the way it looks so far, and hope I know when to stop!

After painting on the color, and letting it dry, it’s important to put on a clear, protective coating. I use Duraclear.

The stuff is amazing. I’ve coated painted rocks with it, put them out in the yard, and had the paint stand up to the elements literally for years. Without that coating, the paint is going to scuff and wash off, with it…well, just be sure the floor is really clean when you paint it on, because any dirt under it is there forever. On the plus side, so are your dots!

If you want to make something handmade, but don’t know where to begin, decoupage is a great place to start.  The premise is simple, really – in its simplest form, decoupage is layering papers with a medium on top of a craft project.  I created this frame for the beginning crafter, so give it a try if you’ve never made something before.  To start, gather these supplies:

Mod Podge Matte

Small wood frame

FolkArt Paint – Hot Pink

K&Company Paper Pad 12×12 Carolyn Gavin Greenhouse

K&Company Grand Adhesions Words Carolyn Gavin Greenhouse

EK Success Paper Shapers Punch, Medium Scallop Circle

Flat paint brush

Scissors or X-Acto knife

Choose a few coordinating sheets of paper from your paper pad.  That’s what awesome about buying a paper pad – so many of them already coordinate!  Use your scallop punch to punch out several circles from the papers.  Punch enough to cover the front of the frame.  Set aside.

Paint your frame with Hot Pink.  Paint the entire back, the edges and then the edges of the front.  Since you are going to Mod Podge the paper down on the front, you won’t need to cover the entire front with paint.  It’s a great shortcut.  Allow to dry.

This is the decoupage part, and it doesn’t get much easier.  Simply begin layering your circles onto the frame, gluing down with Mod Podge, one at a time.  Work from one corner out, overlapping to cover the entire frame.  Don’t worry about overlapping the sides or the photo window at this point.  Just cover the entire frame with scalloped circles.  Allow to dry for 15 – 20 minutes.

Next you are going to coat the entire frame, front and back, with two coats of Mod Podge.  Simply use a brush and coat with a medium layer.  Allow to dry between coats.

When the frame is completely dry, use your scissors or X-Acto to trim the excess around the edge of the frame and in the photo window.  It’s that easy!  Your first handmade item, complete.  These small frames are great for gifts and even party favors – once you get the hang of it, you can turn out several in less than an hour.

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

I am in love with the Retro 70′s trend that is flooding the market right now.  Since I was not there the first time around, I am embracing all things 70′s.  I love the bellbottoms, the love beads, the mini skirts, the platform shoes, and I especially love tie dye.

So, I combined my tie dye love with my glitter love and here is the result.  Sparkle’s Tie Dye Take Out Box.  You can make one of these take out boxes in a few minutes, but remember to give your box plenty of drying time.  I used Sparkle 21 because it sticks to the plastic surface really well, and it comes in amazing colors.

Here is what you need:

Frosty white plastic take out box

Sparkle 21: Lavender Sparkle, Blue Suede Sparkle, Limeade Sparkle

Toothpick

Try this:

1. Make a thick line spiral of Lavender Sparkle on one side of the box.

 2. Add a thick line of Blue Suede Sparkle next to, but not touching the Lavender spiral.

3. Add a thick line of Limeade Sparkle next to the Blue Suede Sparkle.

4. Use the toothpick to scribble between the colors.  Draw some Lavender into the Blue Suede.  Draw some Blue Suede into the Lavender.  Blend all the lines together.

5.  Repeat on the other three sides if you want to cover the box.  Let dry.

You can use this same technique for faux tie dye on fabric as well.  Sparkle 21 is washable! It comes in many groovy colors, pick three you love to personalize your tie dye take out box.

Glitter on!

Sparkle

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!

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!

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!

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!

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!

Belt Bracelets

Recycle thrift store or old belts into fun and funky bracelets.  You can make 3, 4 or even 5 bracelets from a single belt and give them all different personalities with earth friendly paints, chains and beads.  Why not make a batch of these for gifts or to coordinate with every outfit you own?

Materials:

Leather or leather like belt

Opaque Shimmers from Earth Safe Finishes in your choice of colors 

Toggle or hook clasp

1″ chain or 22 GA wire to match clasp

Jump Rings

Strong scissors or leather shears

Leather/belt hole punch

Paint brushes, liner for details

Jewelry making tools, pliers and wire cutters

Optional extras:

Additional chain

Beads

Metal tags

Kevlar thread or wire to attach the above

Instructions:

1. Cut your belt 1″-1 ½” shorter than your normal bracelet size depending on how loose or tight you like to wear them.  (Don’t worry about the existing belt holes you can either ignore them or bead through them later.)  Trim corners round, on a diagonal or leave straight.

2. Punch holes on both ends about 1/8″ inch.

3. Paint your belt using Shimmers with your choice of colors.  Some are a random splash of colors, some use the existing embossed pattern and some are freeform patterns. You may also choose to use a stencil or rubber stamp to create your image.  Allow the paint to dry.

4. Attach your closure with jump rings or a combination of chain, jump rings or wire. If you are using a toggle make sure to add in a small chain on the bar end to make it easier to attach the bracelet.

5. Embellish more if you like! Stitch on beads, charms, buttons or trinkets using Kevlar thread.  Knot on the back then dot each knot with a dab of glue when you are done.

More Fun: Wire on tags by using a flat bead with a head pin run through it on the underside.  Wrap the ends of the head pins around holes in the tag, secure with more wraps then trim the ends. Add sections of chain by attaching chain ends to jump rings on each end. There are a million and one ways to make this bracelet so try it out today!

Learn more about Earth Safe Finishes HERE.

Many companies boast about being green these days but few take it to the level of Earth Safe Finishes. Earth Safe Finishes not only has non-toxic, environmentally friendly products, recycled packaging but a total commitment to keeping artists healthy and the earth clean. For more info on the product line and company please go to Earth Safe Finishes.

As an artist I want to share my experience with the product line and what makes it unique. First the quality is amazing, true one coat coverage with Perfect Paint and the Shimmers are beyond any other metallic paint I have ever used. (I have used almost every paint line on the market over the years, good, bad, cheap and pricey.)
 

I love only needing one set of paints to use on all surfaces from metal and glass to fabric and paper. The only prepping I’ve had to do is make sure the surface was clean, dry and oil free and that includes my kitchen countertops. No heat setting is needed which saves power and allows more creative freedom.

All the products work together, mix and match. I can use the Colorants to custom mix any color paint, varnish, texture, glaze I want. With a few paints, Colorants, and mediums I am able to work on any surface using any technique and get great, durable results. Compared to my old ways of having well over 300 bottles of paint and countless mediums I now can do even more with 2 shoeboxes full of product!

LOVE the Colorants! I can instantly dye all sorts of materials with these gems, use it as an ink or tint any other medium. I was even able to match and fill a small tear in my car interior using Perfect Paint and 2 Colorants. The more I work with this stuff the more uses I find for it and the more money I save. No stinky smells, need I say more? I so enjoy not gagging to work on a project or worrying about preserving my brain cells.

Recently at the CHA show in Anaheim I had the pleasure of spending some time in the Earth Safe Finishes booth with Nancy and Jessica, mom and daughter owners of ESF. Yes, the booth itself was recycled and everything in it including sample projects and literature were repurposed, reused or recycled. Demos were done on dumpster dive, thrift store and had on hand items from old shoes, paper towels, glass and metal trays, to jackets. Now that is how to make art beautiful and green!

Barbara and fellow designers at CHA Winter 2009 trade show.

Check back soon and you’ll find the instructions to make these cool bracelets!

This is one of the best books I've found on Chinese Brush Painting published by Sterling Publishing.

This is a sample stroke used in Chinese Brush Painting (from the book shown above).

These are the types of brushes used for painting, the round tips hold a lot of ink.

Black is the traditional color of ink used in this type of painting; to the left of the ink stick is the ink stone. You add a little water to the well of the ink stone and grind the ink stick against the stone to make the ink!

These are colored ink sticks I got while in China, most ink sticks are highly decorated to celebrate creativity. The inks come in pretty boxes with glass fronts.

To the left is a chop, usually the name of the artist is carved on the bottom of the chop. The chop is used as a seal, the last thing the artist does is smear some cinnabar ink (to the right of the chop) onto the bottom of the seal, then stamp it on the finished painting.

Here is a seal carved two ways.

 What do you think?  Anyone else doing some Chinese Brush Painting?