Think Crafts Blog – Craft Ideas and Projects – CreateForLess

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

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!

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

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.

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!