Why?

Because I was curious.

And happen to LOVE the results!

I bought a pack of pre-cut stark white tags at Michael’s on clearance awhile ago, figuring I’d use them some day for something (ah… craft shopping), but every time I picked them up their bright white color just kind of turned me off.

So, I had heard of dying [...]]]>

Why?

Because I was curious.

And happen to LOVE the results!

I bought a pack of pre-cut stark white tags at Michael’s on clearance awhile ago, figuring I’d use them some day for something (ah… craft shopping), but every time I picked them up their bright white color just kind of turned me off.

So, I had heard of dying paper with tea before so knew it would work, but when opening the door to the cabinet that holds our tea supply, I also ran across some Crystal Light mix which I knew I’d never drink (too much artificiality for me anymore), and thought… hmmm.

I started off with these basics:

• The pre-cut tags I bought
• 2 tea bags (cold brew… so I didn’t have to worry about boiling water first)
• 1 package of Crystal Light Sunrise (grapefruit flavor… ish)
• Water

I mixed up both the tea and Crystal Light – not according to package directions but just with enough water to give me enough liquid to immerse the tags in.

Then just got to dunking.

I flipped each tag over a few times and left in each solution for probably 3-5 minutes.  Here’s the result:

Pretty right?

Pretty much never putting that artificial coloring yet low calorie drink into my body again…

But pretty tag!

Then I just hung up to dry,

And they await being made part of a project.  Thanks to their transformation I already have one in mind.  Hope to get it together to share next week.

Hope you’re having a great week friends.  It’s warming up here, which means all that lovely snow is melting away.  But even though I was happy to play I’m so ready for Spring to get here.  Time to renew, time to breath deep the warmer air, and time to refresh.

Have a wonderful day,

Happy new week dear friends.  So… have you heard?  Silhouettes are hot hot hot!

Going to be the next big trend.

The gotta have it thing.

I love it when a classic comes round.  And this is a classical classic.

And I also love it when the next big trend is one that I can make.  These are SO easy [...]]]>

Happy new week dear friends.  So… have you heard?  Silhouettes are hot hot hot!

Going to be the next big trend.

The gotta have it thing.

I love it when a classic comes round.  And this is a classical classic.

And I also love it when the next big trend is one that I can make.  These are SO easy (if you cheat a little of course… if you can cut them freehand, I bow down before your scissor skills).

• Just start with a photo, any old photo will do, just keep in mind you’ll lose facial details.

• Print on typing paper (even in gray scale… it’s just a template).

• Cut out, and attach to black card stock with removable adhesive.

• Then cut around what you just attached.

• And, if you wish, use a craft knife to cut out a few details here and there.

This is me:

And this is the photo it’s cut from:

I cut out a few details to show my hair.  Just think of that step as adding “highlights”, and cut in places where a shadow shows on your photo.

This is Alan:

And this is the photo I used as a template:

See where I cut out the “shadow”under his hat and at his collar?  Easy peasy.

The frames are a couple of those embroidery hoops I showed you in a vlog a couple of weeks ago.  I Mod Podged (yes that’s a verb…. crafters know) patterened paper to the inner ring to use as a background and then just embellished a little here and there.

I crafted this weekend!  Hurrah!  I hope you had a chance to also.  No vlog though, I could say I was incredibly busy… which is half true…. but um.

Well truth is…

I didn’t feel like putting on mascara.

So… there it is.

“Keepin’ it real” stops at lack of mascara…. it’s just not happening on You Tube.

I hope you had a wonderful weekend, thanks for being here, see you soon, and have a wonderful week.

Just me and my shadow,

Hello there friends! Happy Monday to you.

I know, Mondays = boo. But honestly they get a bad rap… Mondays are a chance to get a good head start on the week, to wake up and say “Hey World! I’m going to win today!”, too…

*signing ticket from the pep police for unlawful blowing [...]]]>

Hello there friends! Happy Monday to you.

I know, Mondays = boo. But honestly they get a bad rap… Mondays are a chance to get a good head start on the week, to wake up and say “Hey World! I’m going to win today!”, too…

*signing ticket from the pep police for unlawful blowing of sunshine*

Ok yes, I hate them too.

BUT, as you could see from my excited vlog I had a wonderful crafty weekend.

And I brought what I learned home and am going to share by golly.

Sweet Leah commented that she made these in grammar school.  What a cool teacher she must have had!  These are a perfect kid’s craft.  And then Barb was so kind as to point out these are called Swedish hearts… enter Google, and I find them all over the place!  I can’t believe they are new to me.  But I love them.  They are the perfect craft.

Simple

Quick

Sharable

You really can find tutorials everywhere online (and you may already know how to make them too), but I’ve thrown together a little tutorial just in case you’re like me and haven’t seem them before.  And…. whether you know how to make them or not, I’ve put together a printable template for you to print and share away.

Click here for the link to download the PDF.

And here’s how you make them:

What you need:

• Your favorite paper (12 X 12 is perfect) folded in half (either two different patterns, or one sheet that is double sided)
• Printed and cut out template from above
• Pencil and scissors for tracing and cutting out the shapes from paper
• Ribbon for hanging
• Glue dots to attach your ribbon

Steps:

1.   Fold your paper in half.

2.  Trace and cut out 2 of each template you choose (so if you want a 6.5″ heart, trace and cut out 2 of those). Be sure the flat part is along the fold of your paper.

3.  Cut along the lines of each template to form 3 strips on each of the 2 pieces.

4.  Follow these 3 steps for weaving:

Place the top strip on one piece through the top strip on the other.

Then put that strip through the second strip.

And then with the bottom strip repeat photo #1.

Then continue with the other two strips, alternating what you just did.

Clear as mud?

Once you’re done it will look like this from the side:

And then you can attach ribbon to the inside to hang them if you wish.  Simply use a coordinating ribbon scrap and a couple of Craft Glue Dots (they grab on and do not let go).

Super cute and easy right?  What could we put in them?

Love notes?

Gift cards?

Chocolate?  (yes please).

Any other ideas?

Speaking of…I’m feeling so much love for the upcoming holiday… does it have to do with all the chocolate currently in the stores?  Frankly yes.   I know it’s commercialized, but it gives us an excuse for obscene amounts of chocolate darn it.

So I say long live Valentine’s Day.

On tap for this week are some pictures from the Craft Social, another Alaska story, and the most scrumptious pie ever that I made from a family cookbook.  It tastes so good and takes me back to family reunions.  Do not miss it (and you can subscribe of course to be sure you don’t ) .

Happy new week dear friends.  Whether you like Mondays or no, may this week be full of lots of things you love.

Like Fridays and chocolate.

XOXO,

This is based on the yarn wrapped frame from Pier 1 Imports.

You’ll need:

Direct Link to Video

I love Photoshop for these kinds [...]]]> Hello there friends.   As promised, here’s how to make your own labels, just like the one used in yesterday’s Pottery Barn inspired project.    This also includes how to make a solid shape into an outline version so you can choose from many more shapes for your label.

Direct Link to Video

I love Photoshop for these kinds of things.  But you could also do something super similar in your word processing program of course.  Just download the clip-art you like and add your own text, then print out and distress like in the project below.  If you make some let me know, I’d love to see!

Happy PSE’ing,

Inspired by last week’s post on retail inspiration, this super cute Valentine’s Day (or anytime day) project was so easy to make.

All you need:

It’s a good mix most Sundays… he plays, and I play.  We go together well like that.

I’m getting in the Valentine’s mood and pulled out some felt to see what came of it.  I [...]]]> Hello there!  How was your weekend? I mostly goofed around while Alan immersed himself in Assassins Creed 2 on Playstation 3.

It’s a good mix most Sundays… he plays, and I play.  We go together well like that.

I’m getting in the Valentine’s mood and pulled out some felt to see what came of it.  I ended up making several of these cute little puffy hearts.  They are so super easy, you can whip some out well in time for the big love fest day too.

All you need:

• Felt in your favorite colors – be it traditional Valentine’s or otherwise.
• Embroidery thread and needle.
• Stuff to make them puff… filler, scrap felt, dryer lint… you get the idea.
• Scissors

Step 1:  Start by cutting out several in whatever shapes and sizes you see fit.

The only requirement is that you need the fronts and backs to be pretty much the same size for sewing together.  But they really don’t need to be perfect.  A quick trick for doing so, is to fold your piece of felt into 4′s, and then making sure you cut along the folds, cut out half a heart shape.  Then when you unfold what you have cut out you have two pretty much the same size hearts to sew together.

Step 2:  Sew the majority of the front and back of each piece together using embroidery thread.  Do so by simply sewing around the edges.  Start your first stitch on the inside of the front piece so you can hide the knot inside the heart.

Step 3:  Before you completely sew the whole piece together… leave a little room to stuff each heart.

Franken-heart.  heh heh heh.

Once your heart is stuffed, finish up your stitching, and your done!  Repeat, repeat, repeat.

Now, what to do with all these little cuties?

I made a magnet with mine:

To do so, hot glue to a piece of cardboard in whatever configuration you like, and then attach a magnet (hot glue works fine for that too) to the back of that piece of cardboard.  Voila… your fridge is feelin’ the love.

Other ideas:

• Use as a scrapbook page embellishment (you may want to fill a little less so they aren’t as bulky).
• Fill with potpourri and use as a sachet.
• Attach a ribbon to the top and use as an ornament for a Valentine tree.
• Hot glue to a circle of corrugated cardboard and make a wreath.
• Hand out a few to each family member and place an empty clear jar in a central location in your house for all to see.  Each time someone tells another a reason they love them they get to drop a heart into the jar.  Make it a goal that the jar is full of ‘love’ by Valentine’s Day in which case everyone gets a special treat.
• Keep a few to pass out to those that need a little love, just because.  I can guarantee they’ll keep it in their pocket all day and smile.
• Fill with Cat Nip and become your feline friend’s favorite person EVER. (I may have to do that next).

You can of course use this basic crafty ‘recipe’ for so many other little puffy felt items too.  Think flowers, butterflies, stars, you name it!  Just cut out two basic shapes and get to stitchin’ and stuffin’.

Thanks for stopping by today…hoping for more lovey projects to come soon!

Or at least chocolate… by God there will be chocolate.

]]> http://www.the-craftycafe.com/inspiration/puffy-felt-hearts-1-2-3-and-what-to-do-with-them/feed 5 http://www.the-craftycafe.com/inspiration/we-can-make-that-word-art-canvas http://www.the-craftycafe.com/inspiration/we-can-make-that-word-art-canvas#comments Sun, 18 Oct 2009 20:49:42 +0000 Jess http://www.the-craftycafe.com/?p=1323 Hi All!  Sorry I’m a little late in posting this project this week… we have had no sun and I was finally able to photograph it today.  I’m so happy with the way it turned out, what’cha think?

That’s love in many languages.

To those who might not remember, my goal was to re-create [...]]]> Hi All!  Sorry I’m a little late in posting this project this week… we have had no sun and I was finally able to photograph it today.  I’m so happy with the way it turned out, what’cha think?

That’s love in many languages.

To those who might not remember, my goal was to re-create my own version of this canvas from Pottery Barn:

Which right now is on sale for $24.99… but we can make one and customize however we see fit for much cheaper!  Here’s all you need:

• Blank canvas in which-ever size you like.  Of course the bigger the canvas, the higher the cost of the total project.  Mine is about 20″ X 16″ and was on sale for $7.99.  Remember to shop the sales!
• Spray paint in any color you like, yep, spray paint.  It makes covering the canvas easy, quick, and provides a uniform coat.  I used Krylon, bought at Walmart for about $1.99.
• You do need a Cricut for this, or any die cut machine with lots of alpha options.  But a baby bug is just fine, you don’t need the larger expression.
• White Cardstock (or any other color you like)
• Mod Podge

Then you are all set to make your own in just a few simple steps!

1. Coat the canvas with spray paint… outside of course.  (and use ample drop cloths underneath… Alan has still not mentioned the maroon outline on the driveway… perhaps he has not noticed?…)  I used two coats, and let it dry at least overnight.
2. Pick your word!  Or use many.   If you wish to translate it to many languages go here to Google translate, type it in, and behold the gold mine of options.  (No I will never remember all of those on the canvas either, but it’s the effect that counts ).
3. Using your Cricut (or other die-cut machine), cut out your words on the white cardstock.  Use as many different fonts, styles, etc that you like.
4. Attach to the canvas with Mod Podge, using a detail paint brush if needed for the smaller letters.

That’s it!

This project did take me awhile to complete, but I came back to it a few words at a time so it wouldn’t become overwhelming.  And I really am happy with it and am thinking of a few in other colors to make a matching set.

Hope you’re having a great weekend and getting creative.  We are relaxing today before a long-awaited vacation full of gorgeous fall scenery, road-trip fun, and amazing theatre.  I can’t wait to share when we get back.

Thanks for stopping by today, and see you soon!

Just a quick post today to share [...]]]> Hello there friends!  How’s the week treating you?  Well I hope, though the weather may be turning colder where you are too (to those of you to whom that means you’re pulling your jackets out because it’s down to 70 degrees… I expect an invitation and plane ticket in February…).

Just a quick post today to share that my latest review at Craft Critique is up, which includes a mish-mosh of projects and products I received from Sakura.  I had a great time playing with them, but I think this little guy is my favorite:

To create I used:

• A tin pail
• Sakura Permapaque Markers in black, red, and green. (received for the review)
• Sparkle Mod Podge
• Stickles
• Spare ribbon / string type stuff (it sparkled)
• Mini black boa (no I didn’t just have it lying around)
• Sparkle Black Felt
• Two Popsicle sticks (for the ears)

To make:

1. Draw the eyes and nose first with the red and green markers.  These come with a dual tip, fine on one end and chisel on the other, so they are easy to add detail with.
2. “Paint” the pail with the chisel end of the black Permapaque marker.  Mine took 2 coats (it dries quickly, so this took about 20 minutes in front of the TV)
3. Once dry, coat the pail with a layer of Sparkle Mod Podge (or glossy or matte if my cat is too “Vegas” for your taste).  Use this sticky glue opportunity to attach the whiskers.
4. Use the glitter and / or Stickles to add detail to the mouth and eyes if desired.
5. Attach the black boa to the top and the bottom of the pail using adhesive dots.  Michael’s has  mini black boa’s right now in their Halloween collection, I believe it was around $2.00.  
6. To make the ears, cut two triangles from a piece of felt, and attach them to the ends of two popsicle sticks.  When your pail is full of treats, stick the sticks right down in them to make the ears stand up.
7. Eat said treats so that the ears fall over, and you need to go buy more chocolate.

Thanks for stopping by today friends, and thank you so much for stopping by Craft Critique today too.  I had great success with some of their products and not so much with others, but can’t wait to continue to experiment and learn more.  I’d love to hear from you there!  

Have a great day!

After all we don’t really use it for its intended purpose anymore right?  (say yes, my Mom reads this blog)

This is actually an older project that I’m just getting around to sharing, and if you’d like to make one too there are 3 easy steps: