Saturday, August 31, 2013

Kid's Craft- stained glass leaves free printable



Technically, it's still summer but the stores are filling up with fall colors of orange, red, yellows, and and russets. And it won't be long till the leaves follow suit. Why not let the kids print and color these leaves in colors of the season.  Use marker, crayons or pencils and when printed on tracing paper you the color will show through for a cool stained glass effect.

Leaves-stained glass printable

Full instructions and more free stained glass printables here...

Instructions for printing



Sunday, August 25, 2013

Recycle advertising magnets into magnetic pets




If you’re like me you have a lot of those magnetic advertising and announcements (Some of them quite large) that come in the mail, etc. A few promote dated events like football and baseball schedules.  You’re not going to throw them out are you?  It’s super easy to remove the advertising part and replace it with a cutout of your favorite pet.  Display them on the fridge, lockers or anything metal.

You will need:

·      ·      Magnetic advertising sheets

·      ·      Printer and paper

·      ·      Scissors

·      ·      Small cuticle type scissors

·      ·      Double-faced mounting adhesive sheet


·      ·      Bowl or sink full of warm water

·          Paper towels

1.      Gather your supplies.  Fill a sink or large bowl with warm water.  Place the magnetic advertising sheets into the water and soak for a few minutes.  Begin peeling off the paper.  After you peel the larger pieces of paper off, use a rubbing motion to remove the rest. Dry off the magnetic sheet with paper towels. (The kids will love to help with this step!)  Use rubbing motion to remove the rest. Dry off the magnetic sheet with paper towels.




2.      Print your chosen photos on all-purpose printer paper.


3.      Peel one side off the double-faced sheet and apply your photos.  Smooth down with fingers. (the opposite side will still have backing paper.)


4.      Remove the backing paper from the photos revealing a sticky surface and apply to the magnet.  Make sure you apply it to the side your where you removed the advertising.




5.      Use the small cuticle or decoupage scissors to carefully cut around the shape of your pet photos.  You can apply it to any magnetic surface like fridges, locker, etc.






Note:  People photos are fun too!!











Friday, August 23, 2013

Tutorial Stenciled slate coasters-- and how to cut a personalized stencil--Friday two-fer




It’s easier than you may think to cut your own stencil designs.  So when you would like a stencil that is as unique as you are—cut your own!

You will need:

Piece of glass from an old frame to work on

Stencil blank (Available at craft stores)

Design you like from computer software, internet  sites, etc.

Masking tape

Wood burning tool or X-Acto craft knife

1.     Print out your design and place under a piece of frame glass.  You will be working on the glass. 


2.     Place a stencil blank on top of the glass and tape down.  For intricate designs a wood burning or all-purpose burner tool is best, but for most designs you may use a craft knife.


3.     Carefully cut your stencil following the lines of the design that shows through the glass and stencil blank.


Stenciled Slate coaster




Stenciled coasters are easy and make a great hostess gift.  You can use pre-cut stencils or cut your own for a personalized one of a kind design. 

You will need:

·      Slate coaster set (available in craft stores and online)

·      Round stencil brush

·      Acrylic paint or stencil creme ( it is best to use paint with a thicker consistency) I used Martha Stuart all purpose craft paint.

·      Paper plate

·      Stencil of choice

·      Modpodge exterior glue and finish

·      Small paint brush

1.     Work on a piece of scrap cardboard or newspaper.  Apply a  small amount of acrylic paint on a paper plate.  Load your stencil brush vertically, tip only into the paint and dab in another part of the paper plate to remove excess paint. You need very little paint on your stencil brush.  Stenciling it is a dry brush technique.



2.     Place a stencil of choice on top of your coaster and with the stencil taped down or held with your hand, apply paint with a dabbing motion, edges first and then fill in the center.  



3.     Immediately remove the stencil and place the coaster in an area to dry.  If the stencil didn’t come out the way you’d like simply wash it off and try again.  Stenciling on slate is a great first stencil project since it is very forgiving and you can wash it off and start over if you’ve made a mistake.


4.     Before stenciling the other coasters check to make sure no paint got on the underside of the stencil.  If it did clean it off before stenciling.  Let all the coasters dry completely.

5.     When the coasters are dry apply a coat of Mod Podge exterior finish on top of each coaster.  Let dry at least 48 hours.  I used exterior mod Podge because there will be wet items on them.  You can, however, use regular Mod Podge or finish.




6.     Tie the coasters together with a piece of raffia.



Monday, August 19, 2013

Recycled magnetic fridge frame for school photos




School is almost here and pretty soon the kiddies will be bringing home those adorable school photos.  We distribute them to our friends, grandparents and relatives and prominently display them on our fridges.  What no frame? If you’re like me you have a lot of those magnetic advertising sheets (Some of them quite large) that you pick up almost everywhere these days.  A few promote dated events like football and baseball schedules.  You’re not going to throw them out are you?  Actually my hubby did just that and I had to sift through the garbage to retrieve them and give them a new life as magnetic fridge frames and you can too.  So let’s get started!  For girls add an adorable mini Bowdabra bow to finish.

You will need:

·      Magnetic advertising sheets

·      Washi tape in desired colors

·      Scissors

·      White colored pencil

·      Ruler

·      12 Inches of 3/8” ribbon in matching color

·      12 inches of Bowdabra bow wire

·      Mini Bowdabra bow maker with ruler

·      Bowl or sink full of warm water

·      Glue gun and glue sticks

1.     Gather your supplies.  Fill a sink or large bowl with warm water.  Place the magnetic advertising sheets into the water and soak for a few minutes.  Begin peeling off the paper.  After you peel the larger pieces of paper off, use a rubbing motion to remove the rest. Dry off the magnetic sheet with paper towels. (The kids will love to help with this step!)  Use rubbing motion to remove the rest. Dry off the magnetic sheet with paper towels.




2.     Use a ruler and the white colored pencil to measure and cut a 3 ¼” x 5” rectangle from the prepared magnetic sheet




3.     Cut out the frame opening.  It is easiest to measure 1” down from the top and the bottom and make a line across.  Repeat this step for the sides measuring ½” margin on each side.  Cut out the opening.


4.     Begin applying washi tape on the frame. Make sure you apply it to the side that had the paper removed, the other side is not magnetic. Overlap just a bit and fold to the back. Smooth with your fingers.  Apply the washi tape to the entire frame.  Optional:  After you have covered the front of the frame you may decide you want to finish your frame by covering the back of it.  When covering the back cut the overlap flush with the edges.  






5.     Make a Bowdabra bow to embellish.  Cut an 12-inch piece of Bowdabra gold bow wire fold in half and place in the Mini Bowdabra bow maker.  You will have a loop at one end and two pieces of wire at the other end.


6.     Cut a piece of 3/8” wide ribbon in your color choice.  Place the ribbon into the Mini Bowdabra to create a 1 1/2” tail.  Next, fold the ribbon to form a loop at the 1 1/2” mark.




7.     Fold a matching loop on the other side at the 1 1/2 inch mark.


8.     Fold two more loops and end with a tail.


9.     Use the wand to push down the bow.  Thread the two loose ends through the loop and pull tight.  Remove the bow and trim the ends.




10.  Use a hot glue gun and glue sticks to attach the bow to the top center.  Add a rhinestone or cabochon to finish

Note:  Don't have any large magnets you can recycle?  Don't worry you can always buy magnetic sheets at the local craft store!


Tuesday, August 13, 2013

Apple ABC bookmarks free printable to color



I come from Virginia, and apples are big news in the fall in the state of Virginia.  We have apple festivals, heirloom apples and apples just about everywhere.  So it comes as no surprise that I am a big fan of apples.  I use apple computers and ipads, make apples pies, and fritters.  Guess you could say that I am a regular old Johnny Appleseed!  Since school will be open soon, why not print up some free apple bookmarks for the kids to color and use?  Full instructions on protecting your bookmark after coloring can be found right here.

You will need:

Computer and printer

White cardstock paper

Clear contact paper

Scissors

Crayons, colored pencils

Apple bookmark printable

1.  Print your free printable on white cardstock paper

2.  Color and personalize with crayons or colored pencils, let your creativity run wild!

3.  Follow the instructions to cover with clear contact paper to protect your bookmarks, cut out and enjoy!







Monday, August 12, 2013

Polka dot (recycled paint chips) magnetic locker mirror




School days are nearing and after you get paper, pencils and binders you can pick up the extras.  A magnetic locker mirror is nice to have, is inexpensive but is just sort of plain Jane.  All you need is some Modpodge decoupage glue, recycled paint chip samples, and some dimensional sparkle paint to glam it up in style. I found a couple of styles of magnetic mirrors at the dollar store so this one would be a terrific group craft!

You will need:

Mod Podge decoupage glue and finish

Magnetic locker mirror

Paint chip samples in desired colors

Circle punch

Gold dimensional sparkle paint

Small paintbrush

Blue painter’s tape

Scissors





1.     Punch out several circles from the paint chip samples.  Make sure you can place them all around the frame of the mirror spacing equally between circles.


2.     Apply some painter’s tape all around the inner rim to protect the mirror while working.


3.     Use the small paintbrush to apply a thin layer of decoupage glue onto the frame of the mirror.  Work in small sections at a time.  Begin attaching the circles on the frame.  When you have completely covered the frame with circles, let dry. 




4.     Spread another layer of decoupage glue on top of the applied circles all around and let dry. Use in school, gym lockers and even on the fridge for touchups before you leave the house!


5.     Use the dimensional sparkle paint to squeeze a dot in the center of each circle.  Let dry.