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.

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

Although the weather outside is cold and gray, inside I seem to have nothing but spring on my mind these days. And with our front door bare of its Christmas wreath, it seemed like a good time to welcome spring, even if it’s a little early, with a bright and cheerful wreath.

I started out wanting to make a paper flower wreath but with the inevitable rains and snows (eek!) of late winter and early spring, that didn’t seem like a great idea. What I needed was plastic. But where oh where could I find thin white plastic?

About this time I was pouring my kids a glass of milk. From a white plastic jug.

Light dawned.

The fridge and recycling bin were literally full, overflowing almost, with thin white plastic tubs, jugs and cartons. Which meant that not only could I make the wreath I had in mind, it would also be practically free!

Here’s what you need:

A Variety of milk jugs, yogurt containers and other white plastic items from the recycling bin. You’ll need more than you think so gather quite a few (hint: organic milk often comes in white milk jugs while non organic is more clear, a mix is fine but you do want more of the solid white variety)

Circular objects of different sizes to trace (cups, bows and lids work well, you want about 5 or more different sizes)

Permanent Marker

Hot glue gun and sticks

A dozen pretty buttons and/or sticky backed rhinestones in a variety of sizes

1 flat wreath form

10 inches of ribbon

Kitchen shears or other sharp scissors

Rinse all the containers in soapy water and allow to dry. Using kitchen shears, cut the tops and bottoms off the jugs and the bottoms off of any tubs, then cut a slit down the length of the remaining tube or square. You should now have roughly rectangular pieces of flat plastic. It they are curling too much, run them under hot water and lay them flat under something heavy for a little while to help them relax.

Trace circles all over the plastic, squeezing as many in as possible. Make sure the different types of plastic have different sizes of circles on them. Labels can either be soaked off or taken into account when cutting the flowers. I left mine on to add extra patterns to the flowers since from the back they just see white.

Time to start cutting flowers! Start by cutting out the circles and then cutting almost to the center at the top, bottom and two sides so you have four even sections.

From there you can continue cutting until you have the number of petals you want. You can also remove wedges at the four points (or more) to make more widely spaced petals, cut a wavy edge or free hand small round petals.

Once you have all your circles cut into flower shapes, start layering them into flowers. Experiment a little with different combinations until you are satisfied and then glue the flowers together, finishing them off with a button or rhinestone. Be sure to leave a few flower pieces unlayered to help form a base layer on the wreath form.

Set your finished flowers around the form to decide on the layout of the wreath. Mark the spot where the top will be and where any gaps are between the flowers. Set the flowers aside and attach the leftover flower pieces to the spots where there were gaps and the ribbon (measure how long you will need in for your front door) at the top. Now you can glue the flowers onto the form to finish the wreath.

Since the wreath isn’t really even specifically spring like, it’s a great all purpose wreath for the whole year. But I find myself happily thinking of spring every time I see the bright white flowers festooning my front door. What about you? What crafty ways are you getting ready for spring?

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

I could not resist these brown candles, so chocolate looking.  They are non-scented, so they are a little less expensive too.  But, you know me.  I think even chocolate needs glitter! 

Remember as you are making these, perfection is not the key, glitter is.  Just have fun with your Big & Glitzy.

I used Big & Glitzy Glitter Glue because it sticks better to most surfaces.  It is also made of big chunks of holographic glitter…so pretty.  And, unlike kid’s glitter glue, the colors fit home decor.  Since turquoise is THE color of the year, I new my chocolate brown candles would be trendy and fabulous.

You Need:

Big & Glitzy Glitter Glue: Aquamarine, Nugget

Sparkle Gems: 8mm round Amber

Pillar candles: brown, size of your choice (mine are 6″ and 3″)

Try this:

With the 6″ candle,  working on one side of the candle at a time, draw a rectangle of Aquamarine that is the height of the candle.  Inside that rectangle, draw a smaller rectangle of Nugget. 

Add dots of Nugget between Nugget and Aquamarine rectangles. Set amber gems into dots where desired. 

Repeat, alternating colors for rectangles.

Prop the candle up so it cannot roll, let glitter glue dry.  Repeat on next section of candle.  Continue until rectangles go all the way around the candle.

For the 3″ candle, working on one side of the candle at a time, apply dots of Nugget.  Set amber gems into dots.  Prop the candle up so it cannot roll, let glitter glue dry.  Repeat on next section of candle.  Continue until gems go all the way around the candle.

Another 3″ candle: Alternating colors, draw narrow rectangles on one side of candle. Prop the candle up so it cannot roll, let glitter glue dry.  Repeat on next section of candle.  Continue until rectangles go all the way around the candle.

TIP: To save the candle, burn down in the center a couple of times, blowing it out before the edges get melted.  Place a tea candle or votive in the hole.  Burn the votive.  Replace the votive as many times as you want.  This is also a way to add some scent to your burning candles: use scented votives.

Change up the colors to whatever suits your mood or décor.  This set would make a nice centerpiece, don’t you think?

Glitter on!

Sparkle

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

In the ever evolving drama that is the renovation of our house, my husband and I recently installed a set of six lockers in one wall to act as a pantry. Once the lockers were in and stocked with food, I realized they afforded an excellent opportunity for eeking out a little more space by using magnets.

Magnetized spice sets have been around a while and I have always admired them but have never been willing to fork out a ton of money for my spice storage when the cans they came in worked just fine. 

However, now that I have a kitchen full of magnet-happy spaces (fridge, hood, lockers - I’m awash in metal!) I decided it was time to find a way to store, at the very least, my most used spices and in the process, free up some precious drawer space. But still unwilling to spend the big bucks, I set about making them myself.

Last year, Ball (one of the main canning jar suppliers) introduced the “Elite” line of jars. They have a more modern look, a squatter shape and platinum colored lids. The low profile means that they sit closer to the surface they are clinging too, which means there is less chance of them getting in the way. The 250 ml size is also just right to hold the contents of a full sized jar of spices.

Simply superglue three strong magnets to the lid, create a label (lable makers and stick on labels are perfect for this) fill and stick.

Hang on the side or front of the fridge, the edge of your hood or inside the door of the lockers you happen to have hanging around your kitchen. Having them out in the open makes keeps them handy and helps you keep track of what needs refilling and what you already have. And since canning season has officially passed and jars are on sale these days, making enough for all the spices in your cupboard will cost a fraction of what you’d pay for a store bought set. (Makes a great gift too!)

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

The holidays are finally here!  With so many parties and so many gifts required, I decided to come up with a little something special that I could mass-produce - but it was important to me that the gift would be something useful that I wouldn’t mind receiving myself.  What resulted was these little holiday votives: make a few or make a lot, they are easy on the budget!

Gather These Supplies:

• Mod Podge Gloss
• Mod Podge Silver Glitter Hologram (optional)
• Votive holders - glass with candles included
• Christmas scrapbook paper - 1 sheet
• Martha Stewart Punches - Medium Glacial Snowflake
• Offray Pink Grosgrain Ribbon, 3/8″ - 12 inches
• Buttons - nine coordinating
• Rhinestones - 4 coordinating
• Beacon Craft Glue
• Flat Paint Brush
• Ruler
• Craft Knife and Mat

Measure your votive holder - mine was about 1 ¾” not including the lip at the bottom.  Grab your sheet of scrapbook paper and cut a strip that will fit around the votive. 

Using your punch, make snowflake cutouts evenly spaced across the strip of paper. 

Take your votive and spread Mod Podge around the center with your brush.  Take your strip of paper and roll around the center, smoothing with your fingers as you go.  Take care not to rip the parts that are fragile around the snowflake branches.  Continue spreading Mod Podge around the votive, smoothing the paper as you go.  When you reach the seam, place Mod Podge down and join the paper together.  Allow to dry for 15 - 20 minutes.

Pick up your second votive and the snowflake “chads” that you punched out of the other strip (I also punched out a few additional from the remaining paper).  You can use Mod Podge Gloss to place the snowflakes down on the second votive - I decided to dress it up with Mod Podge Silver Glitter!  Simply paint Mod Podge on the glass, place the snowflake and then Mod Podge over the top.  Allow to dry and then go back and paint over the snowflakes with a second layer.  Set aside to dry.

At this time, go back to the first votive and paint a second coat of Mod Podge Gloss over the paper.  Allow to dry.

When everything is dry, start gluing your embellishments down with the craft glue.  I placed four rhinestones on the striped votive and nine buttons on the snowflake cutout votive.  I decided that I needed something additional, so I cut some pink ribbon and placed glue around the bottom of the votive.

This gift idea is so great because you can customize every votive for each person. Happy Gifting!

I thought an electric, automatic bias tape maker was such a cool idea. I had to learn more!

“With Simplicity® Bias Tape Maker you can fold and press 12 yards of bias in 60 seconds. No more tediously trying to press bias tape into shape and burning fingertips. Several folder sizes are available, depending on the finished width you need, and the temperature of the pressing unit is adjustable for various fabrics. There’s even an auto-shut-off (after 10 minutes of non-use) for safety”.