Moss Place Card Holders With Felted Wool

Natural moss is often my inspiration when creating floral arrangements and crafts. It is so incredibly soft and magical in its natural setting. Honestly, a feeling of guilt comes over me when I harvest this green gold. Yes, you can buy it in bags from various sources but it’s never quite the same as a freshly picked batch.

In an effort to recreate nature’s wonder and to tread lightly on Mother Nature, I whipped up these felted wool moss-inspired place card holders.

Here’s what you’ll need:

• Felted wool – I used Dimensions Brand Felt Works found at Michaels craft store
• River rocks
• Dish-washing detergent or soap
• Craft glue
• Razor blade
• Card stock paper

With the exception of the dish-washing detergent, you can find all of the craft ingredients at any craft store.

Here’s how you do it:

1. Select the approximate size of the moss cap you want to create by pulling the felt apart.
2. Form it into a ball or oval and add one drop of dish washing liquid onto the felt. Then, while running it under warm water, roll the felt into the shape desired. The dish washing liquid helps form the shape when it dries. Be careful not to add too much soap.
3. Form the wet felt over a rock and let dry overnight.
4. When the felt is dry, remove it from the rock, place glue under the felt and glue it to the rock. Let dry completely.
5. Using a razor blade, create an incision on the top of the felt moss and insert a place card.
6. You’re done!

Here’s to adding magic to your next event or wedding…happy crafting!

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Bailing Twine Flowers

My friend Kate made yarn pom poms for a wreath (and her cat Fable) and I thought I’d try the same technique but use bailing twine instead to make flowers. I love bailing twine – it’s inexpensive, a roll of it goes a long way, and I use it in a lot of my projects.

Here’s what you’ll need:

• Bailing twine
• Florist wire
• Scissor
• Your fingers

Here’s how ya do it:

1. Loosely wrap twine around four fingers starting with your forefinger to your pinky finger. Wrap the twine around your four fingers about 25 times.
2. Remove the twine from your fingers and twist florist wire in the middle of the flower to bind the center of the flower.
3. Cut the looped ends with a scissor.
4. Now simply fluff up the flower to the perfect shape and cut the flower to the desired size.
5. Done!

I hot glued mine to the ends of twigs but there are countless creative uses for these beauties. Have fun, and happy crafting!

Birch Log Table Numbers

A contractor friend of mine cut down an old birch tree and was kind enough to give me a stack of the sliced logs. Knowing I’d find some creative use I tucked them away for a weekend project. Here they are in their new life as chalkboard table numbers.

Here’s what you’ll need:

• Sliced logs.
• Sand paper.
• Foam paint brush.
• Rust-Oleum chalkboard paint.
• Chalk.

With the exception of the logs, you can find all of the project ingredients at a craft or hardware store.

Here’s how ya do it:

1. Sand them.

2. Paint them.

3. Create!

Happy Saturday and happy crafting!

Phone Book Pumpkins

Every year I receive at least two or three phone books. Seriously, who uses those? They magically appear on my doorstep and ultimately wind up littered throughout the neighborhood.

Despite my griping, I decided to hang on to a few for a special, inspired project. This project inspiration came from my friend Shelbi….thank you!

You’ll need:

• Phone books.
• Sharp scissors.
• Pencil.
• Piece of cardboard or heavy paper.
• Twigs.
• Glue – any craft glue will do.

Here’s how ya do it:

1. Make a template of a pumpkin with cardboard or heavy paper.

2. Open the phone book to the center page.
3. Lay the template over the book pages and towards the bottom of the book and trace an outline around the template. Keep the center of the template on the binding edge of the phone book.
4. With a scissors cut a few pages at a time. I alternated cutting from pages on the left to the pages on the right of the book.
5. Continue step #4 until you’re finished cutting all the pages then unfurl the pumpkin and glue the cover pages together.
6. Glue a twig to the top center of the pumpkin and you’re done!

 

I think they turned out super cool and they were fun and easy to make. Thanks Yellow Pages!

Readers — you can opt out of receiving Yellow Pages Directories by visiting this site.

Happy crafting!

Vintage Book Charging Station

Recycling vintage books into useful and clever ways can be fun and there are countless creative ideas floating around but did you ever think about transitioning a book into a smartphone charging station? Before I show you how, please be sure your device does not heat up while charging. If it does, this project is not for you. If you use the charger issued with the device, you generally won’t have that issue. However if it gets really hot, you should make an appointment to have it checked.

You’ll need:

• A smartphone.
• A book large enough to accommodate your smartphone.
• X-Acto Knife.
• Cardboard.
• Spray adhesive.
• Elmer’s Glue.
• Decorative paper.
• Small foam paint brush.

Here’s how ya do it:

1. Make a template of your smartphone out of cardboard. I used the cardboard from a shoebox. You’ll want the template size to be slightly larger than the smartphone device. Set the template aside for now.
2. Page about 60 pages into the book then on page 61, using an X-Acto knife, start cutting the canal for the charging device cord which will exit the book. Remember to center the cord at the bottom of the book (see my photo above). This page numbering suggestion worked for me with my phone but depending on the paper thickness of your book and your device, you may need to start cutting at a deeper or shallower level into the book.
3. Now close pages 1 – 60, place your template of your smartphone on the top inside page and start cutting the pages with the X-Acto knife. You’ll want the device to have some wiggle room on all four sides when it’s nested inside the book.
4. Continue cutting until you’ve reached the pages where you’ve cut the canal for the charger cord. You’ll want to cut several pages below the canal where the charger cord exits the book so the device sits comfortably with the charger plugged in.
5. When you’ve finished cutting the pages, insert the phone to make sure it fits within the area you’ve carved out of the book. Again, make sure you have some wiggle room within the space.
6. Cut one piece of decorative paper to fit inside the front cover and first page. Using your template, cut an opening in the paper which will cover the first page to accommodate the opening for the smartphone. Then spray the back of the paper with repositionable spray adhesive. Place firmly on the inside cover and first page. This will hide any stray cuts or imperfections on the pages. Place something heavy on these pages and let dry. You’ll also want to paste decorative paper within the nest you’ve created for the device. Simply measure the opening and the interior four sides and cut and paste accordingly.
7. Finally, with the book cover open and using a foam brush, spread glue over the three page-end sides of the book to seal all the book pages. This will prevent the pages from coming apart. Again, placing something heavy on the book while the glue dries is a big help.
8. Your done!

This is a super fun project and despite the steps, was fairly easy to create. My suggestion is to charge your device with the book cover open.

Happy crafting!

Repurposed Mint Tins for Baubles & Treasures

Here’s a super easy and super fun project for the whole family! Transform empty mint tins into stylish little keepsake boxes perfect for storing your favorite beach treasures and special trinkets. Or you can tuck tiny little treasure maps inside for a really fun children’s party game. Their uses are endless!

Here’s how you do it. Paint the lids with Liquitex Glossies high-gloss acrylic enamel.  You can find the paint at your local craft store or on-line at Dick Blick. After the paint dries, glue your favorite beach finds or other special baubles to the lids using non-toxic and waterproof, Gorilla Glue, also found at craft stores.

Happy crafting!

Do-It-Yourself Concrete Containers

I’ve been reading all kinds of complicated recipes and steps for making cement concrete containers. None of them met MY craft criteria…fast and easy. So I decided to come up with my own fast and easy method. It was so much fun creating these vessels and I know you’ll enjoy the process too.

Here’s what you’ll need:

• A box of ‘Cement All’ (buy at your local hardware store)
• Plastic containers of all sizes to serve as molds (check your cupboards crafters!)
• Something to mix the cement in (I used a large plastic storage box but any large bucket will do)
• Large spoon or stick to mix the cement (kitchen drawer or your back yard)
• Cooking spray (your pantry)
• Water (the hose)

Here’s how ya make them:

1. Coat the inside of a plastic container with cooking spray then coat the outside of another, smaller sized, plastic container. The smaller obviously will serve as the interior of your vessel. Why the cooking spray you ask? Good question. The cooking spray acts as a mold release agent.
2. Mix the cement according to the directions on the box. It’s super easy – four parts cement to one part water.
3. After mixing, add about one inch of cement to your large container. Obviously for larger vessels you’ll want to add more cement for support. Then insert the interior container and rest it securely and centered on top of the cement mixture.
4. Then pour the remaining cement mixture between the walls of the two containers to the height desired.
5. Wait an hour and they’re dry! I waited about two hours just to be sure and then I removed the plastic containers.

Even though this project has the potential to be messy (remember, wet cement and cooking spray), the results are very rewarding. As you can see, I took my creations to the next level and made outdoor candles and I am using the other as a vase. I also added a band of silver leaf at the bottom of the pots. Totally not necessary but neither are most of the crafts I concoct..LOL.

Remember, keep it easy, have fun and happy crafting!

Tiny Flowers In Egg Shells

My friend Heidi makes wonderful creations using egg shells.  I was inspired by her work so I thought I’d give it a whirl too.

1. Crack a few eggs and bake a cake or make an omelet.
2. Clean your egg shells.
3. Purchase tiny florals…tiny enough to fit into an egg shell.  In mine are miniature Kalanchoe.
4. Remove the floral from its container and if necessary, remove any excess soil.
5. Insert into egg shell.
6. Your done!

So simple yet perfect.

Happy crafting and Happy Easter!

Repurposed Vase Terrariums

Who doesn’t have a generous supply of florist vases tucked away? Some of my collection have been given to me, others I’ve rescued from the trash. My collection was the inspiration for these perfect woodland folly centerpieces.

Armed with only the bounty of my back yard (which by the way is the size of a postage stamp) I created these centerpieces. They also make a unique and creative way to number tables at a wedding or special event.

They are super easy to make. Simply place a one inch layer of stones in the bottom or your container then add about another inch of soil. Now the fun part! Using your imagination, start placing your special back yard finds into the vases like pines, moss, twigs, ferns, tiny clumps of grass. Don’t be afraid to add extra little surprises like eggs or this little deer like I did. If you don’t have access to these items, visit your local nursery of craft store.

Water with a moderate amount of water and don’t place it in direct sunlight. Enjoy, have fun and happy crafting!

A Few Of My Favorite Things – March

Hello gang. As promised, I’m going to continue to dedicate one post per month to, you guessed, A Few Of My Favorite Things.

I love collecting, surprise, surprise.  And I usually have an idea for those little goodies I pick up here and there (like on trash night). For instance, the portrait above was found in the trash. Okay I hear ya, “Ya should have left it there!” You see, I collect portraits. To me there’s something oddly cool about these amateur paintings. Some day when I graduate from my kitchen to a proper art and craft studio, I want to line the walls with these characters. Creepy maybe? Nah….

If you follow my blog, you know I collect anything related to maps like this really cool map tin. I suppose it was intended for desk use to hold pencils and pens. Right now it’s filled with beautiful fragrant lavender that my friend Florence grows on her lavender farm.  Florence and her husband Anthony also own a fantastic local gallery called FloreAnt Projects Studio and Gallery.

I case you’re wondering, the marbles on this tray were my grandfather’s, father’s and ultimately mine. No one can say I lost my ancestral marbles.

The glass tray they are sitting on I made using a copied image from a 1884 autograph album that belonged to Mary J. Carter from Camden, New Jersey. The album found its way from Camden to a tiny little antique store in Lititz, Pennsylvania and it has the strangest personal messages like:

“When your husband at you flings,
Tea pots, plates, and other things;
Seek relief and seek it soon;
In the handle of the broom.”

Oh Mary……

Here’s how you can make a decoupage tray just like this one.  The trays I use are from Behrenberg Glass, behrenbergglass.com. They have the best selection of glass trays and they even have recycled glass trays like the one in this project.

1. Make copies of your favorite image.  Depending on the size of your tray, you’ll either need to enlarge or reduce the image on a laser copier.
2. Clean your tray with glass cleaner.
3. Soak the copy in water.
4. While that image is soaking, completely coat the back of the tray with glue – I use Elmer’s School Glue. Then place the image face down on the glue and using a brayer, roll out the excess glue and bubbles.
5. Let dry completely and then trim the excess paper hanging over the edge of your tray using an X-Acto knife or razor blade.
6. Tape off the edges of the tray and spray the back with a primer. When the primer is dry you can paint the back of the tray any color you like.

These trays are great for hanging on your wall or using as a catchall trays to hold YOUR marbles.

Happy crafting…and collecting!