Sunday, September 30, 2012

Lollipop masks/Halloween rings




We all enjoy masks on Halloween, so why not let our lollipops enjoy them too?  As an added bonus, these lollipop masks double (when the lollipop is gone of course) as a cute ring! 

You will need:

Round felt stickers (I used eyeballs)

¼” wide black elastic

Ex-acto or craft knife

Small paintbrush

Lollipops (I used blow pops)

Pen or pencil

Ruler

Tacky glue

1.     You will need two round felt stickers for each mask/ring.  If the motif has any dimensional felt applied peel it off of the one you delegate as the bottom.  Only one side faces up.  Make two marks across from each other with a pen or pencil on the back of the bottom felt motif.  (See photo)






2.     Cut a piece of ¼” elastic 3 inches long.


3.     Cut through the slit marks you made on the back of one motif with an exacto or craft knife.  Remove the backing from the motif you cut the slits in and using the end of a small, thin paintbrush push the elastic through the slits entering through the non-sticky side, fold and adhere each elastic end to the sticky surface.  This is when you should measure to make sure the mask fits on your particular lollipop and pull through tighter or looser as needed. 




Measure your lolly



4.     Remove the backing from the other motif and attach to cover where you attached the elastic.  Slide onto your lollipop.  You may want to add a bit of tacky glue to further reinforce the bond.




5.     When you have eaten the lollipop use the mask as a cute ring.



If you can't find the eyeball felt stickers in your area, don't fret.  Simply cut two circles out of white felt and glue some wiggle eyes in the center.  Draw red lines with a fine line sharpie and make the rings as instructed using the tacky glue to adhere the two pieces together.




Wednesday, September 26, 2012

Quick one-hour Indian corn wreath




You can create this colorful wreath in less than an hour.  It is unique and one of a kind, depending upon the color Indian corn you use.  Indian corn is readily available at your local supermarket.  I’ve made the large wreath with a 12-inch wreath form but you can easily use smaller Indian corn on an 8-inch wreath.

You will need:

8 ears of Indian corn with the husks attached

8 silk fall leaves

12-inch wreath form (I found one made of Masonite at Michaels craft store)

Hot glue gun and glue sticks

24 gauge gold wire

Wire cutters

1.     Bend the husk back and lay the corn cob on top.  If it doesn’t bend easily dampen a bit and bend carefully. Add some hot glue on the wreath form and place the folded corn in the glue to attach.  Add some more hot glue on the corn itself, securing it to the form.  Be generous with the glue but make sure it is in inconspicuous areas.  When the glue had dried a bit, cut a length of wire and wrap the wire around the top of the corn where the husk attaches, twisting together securely in the back.










2.     Repeat step one directly across from the first ear of corn.  Try and fluff out the husks as wide as you can to fill in the areas between the ears.  Continue adding ears of corn spacing evenly until you have glued and wired all 8 ears.


3.     Squirt some hot glue between each ear of corn and attach a silk fall leaf on top of the husks.  (See photo)



4.     Cut a length of wire and fold in half.  Make a loop for hanging, thread the ends through the wreath and secure together.


If you would like to make a smaller wreath use small Indian corn cobs on an 8-inch form. You can eliminate the leaves if you so desire.  Simply fluff out and glue the husks in the areas between the cobs.  

Small wreath



Sunday, September 23, 2012

Little Ghost Halloween treat bags




These little treat bags are quick and easy to create with just a few supplies.  Fill them with candy or small treats and you will be the most popular host.

You will need:

3” x 4” gift bag with handle in black or orange

White paper towel

Small amount of fiberfill

White thread

Tacky craft glue or Glue gun and glue sticks

Black dimensional fabric paint

1.     Cut a piece of white paper towel 4” x 4” square.  Put a tiny bit of fiberfill in the center and fold down.  Gather the top to form a head and tie into a knot with a small piece of white thread.  Snip off any excess thread





2.      Check the placement of the ghost so that he is centered on the bag. Add a dab of glue on the bag and adhere the ghost head.  Fluff out the ghost body. Let dry.



3.     Add two dots on the ghost head to represent eyes.  Fill  the bag with candy or small treats.







Saturday, September 15, 2012

Seasonal magnetic chip clip




If you are like me, whenever you have an open snack food bag you are always looking for a clip to keep it fresh.  You know you have them but you just can’t seem to find one.  I think they grow legs and walk away. These magnetic chip clips will stay put right on the fridge until you are ready to use them. The extra benefit to these easy to create chip clips is that they make a great seasonal decoration on your fridge as well. 

You will need:

Spring type clothespins

Adhesive backed seasonal felt motifs (available in craft stores and online)

Acrylic paint in a color to match your motif

Masking tape or double-faced tape

Small paintbrush

Roll of magnetic tape with adhesive backing (or be green and use a recycled advertising magnet cut to size!)

Glue gun and glue sticks

Cardboard from a cereal box or similar product

Scissors

1.     Protect your work surface with a cardboard scrap.  Tape a clothespin down with masking or double-faced tape and paint it with a corresponding color acrylic paint.  When one side is dry, paint the other side as well.  Let dry. 



2.     While you are waiting for your paint to dry, turn your motif over and trace it onto a piece of cardboard.  (Make sure that when you attach the motif the back is the unprinted side of the cardboard.)  Cut out the cardboard piece.




3.     Line up the cardboard piece with your felt motif, peel off the backing paper and attach to the painted clothespin. Trim off any excess felt or cardboard as needed.


4.     Cut a 2 ½” strip of magnetic tape and remove the backing paper.  Run a bead of hot glue down the back of the clothespin and attach the magnetic strip. 



5.     Turn the clothespin over, add a bit of hot glue on the front of the clothespin and attach your prepared motif.



Note: Don’t stop here though!  There are all sorts of seasonal felt stickers that you can use to make clips for any season of the year.

I'm going on vacation for a week starting tomorrow and although I will take my computer with me and will post  a new project on Wednesday, I may not be able to comment on your awesome blogs till I get back.  Have a great week everyone!!

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Wednesday, September 12, 2012

Easy Kid's craft Halloween spider





This creepy little spider is an easy Halloween craft to make with your children. 

You will need:

Black Felt and red felt

Black craft fur

Tacky Craft Glue

Four bump style Chenille Stems

Two wiggly eyes

Scissors

Cardboard and white chalk pencil (to make a template)

Compass (optional)

Instructions:

1.  Use the cardboard to cut a circle as a pattern for the size spider you desire. I made a circle template because all of the pieces are dark and it is easier to trace around that way.  (They can be made in various sizes and displayed in groups)  For the size pictured I traced around a masking tape roll but you can use a compass to cut any size you want.  After you make the pattern cut one circle from the fur and one from the felt.



2.  Cut an hourglass shape out of the red felt.



3.  Glue four bump style chenille stems across the black felt circle and let dry.



4.  Using a generous amount of Tacky glue attach the fur circle onto the top of the black felt that you have glued the chenille stems.  Make sure they meet at the edges.  Let the glue dry completely.  Trim the fur if needed.



5.  Glue on two wiggly eyes and the red hourglass onto the top of the fur.  Bend the legs as desired, fluff the fur and enjoy.


He is soft and bendable and dare I say...adorable