Friday, March 31, 2017

How to Make your own fun designer shoes with napkins


The designer shoe tutorial, created with napkins was one of my most popular posts several years ago.  In case you missed it, I'm re-posting a new version.  By the way my shoes are still beautiful four years later and I can't wear them anywhere that I don't receive some compliments. 


So I'm sure you've seen all the designer shoes in the magazines.  They are embellished with colors and flowers and jewels.  Did you know with a just few supplies and some floral napkins, you can make your own individual, one of a kind designer shoes.  And you are the designer!  It's really quite easy to apply the cut out from a simple napkin with decoupage glue (available in every craft store) Finish with a final coat and you are ready for Easter or any event.

Don't stop with just napkins though.  Even though the flower shoes are so cute, you can even add jewels with some hot glue, for further embellishment.  So let's get started!  You may even want to try this technique with older shoes to up-cycle a favorite pair that needs a little oomph.


Pair of white shoes (I used white but other colors will work with equally wonderful results)

Napkins with flower prints (look for ones that you can cut the flowers out individually, party stores are a great source)

Mod Podge exterior decoupage glue

Small paintbrush

Small pointed scissors

1.     Separate all layers of the napkin leaving only one top layer.  




2.     Use the small pointed scissors to cut out individual flowers to apply to the shoes.  Cut more flowers out as you need them.




3.     When you have cut out quite a few flowers, use the small paintbrush to apply some Mod Podge to the shoe, immediately apply a cut out napkin flower.  Apply some more Mod Podge on top of the flower you just applied.  Continue applying glue, flower and glue in a pleasing arrangement until you have covered the entire shoe.  If there are any folds in the shoes use the paintbrush loaded with Mod Podge to tuck them in nicely.







4.     Repeat steps 1-3 for the other shoe.  Let dry overnight.

5.     Apply another coat of Mod Podge glue on top of both shoes and let dry at least 24 hours.





Saturday, March 25, 2017

How to make a fun recycled mosaic Easter egg



You can make a fun mosaic Easter egg from an old DVD.  It will catch the light and shine in basket or for an Easter egg hunt.  No losing this one!

Cutting DVD’s can be hard on the wrist and hands when you recycle them for crafts, but, did you know that DVD’s have layers?   If you separate the DVD into two layers then you will have two shiny sides that are much easier to cut into pieces.  You can only do it with DVD’s though, not CDs, but who doesn’t have some old DVD’s lying around?

This year when you have your Easter egg hunt you can have a really special egg for the grand prize.  These eggs look so elegant as it catches and flashes all the colors on the shiny surface. This is an awesome kid’s craft.  Just be sure a parent separates the DVD layers first! Gather a group and they can have fun making a whole basket of shiny mosaic Easter eggs.

Supplies:

Paper mache Easter eggs (they come in bags of 6 at the craft stores) or upcycle some old plastic eggs.

DVD

Scissors

Thin steak knife (Mom or dad can do this step)

Thick tacky glue

Acrylic paint in desired color the darker colors will show between the pieces

Small paintbrush

Egg tray to put the eggs in as you work

Optional:  tweezers

Directions:

1.    Cut a DVD towards the center hole.  Using the pointed end of a steak knife, carefully slide it in between the layers and push it all around to separate the layers.  You will have two pieces of the DVD.




2.    Use some acrylic paint and a small paintbrush to cover the entire egg with a base coat.  It is easiest to paint half the egg, put it in the egg tray to dry and when dry turn it over and paint the other half of the egg.

3.    Cut small pieces of the DVD in all shapes.  Since you are gluing to a curved surface it is best to keep the pieces small.


4.    Work in small sections at a time.  Apply dabs of tacky glue and attach the pieces one at a time close together but it’s not necessary to be exact.




5.    Continue adding pieces until you have covered the entire egg and let the glue dry.  Lightly clean off any excess glue from the shiny pieces with a damp paper towel if necessary.



Monday, March 20, 2017

How to make an adorable wine cork Easter bunny



If you’ve got some wine corks lying around and don’t know what to do with them, why not make an adorable cork Easter bunny. This is fun little Easter bunny can sit on a shelf, or be added to a grown up Easter basket. 

He is so quick to make you may want to make a few extras to give away as gifts!  Lets get started.

Materials:

Wine corks
Flat cork sheet ¼” thickness (available at the local craft store)
Pink pompom in small 5 mm size (nose)
2 white ½” pompoms (cheeks)
1 1-inch white pompom (tail)
2 wiggle eyes
Pink bump chenille stem
Scrap of white felt
Scrap of orange and green felt (optional)
Pink cardstock
Hole punch (small and larger)
Hot glue gun and hot glue sticks
Craft knife or X-acto
Ruler
Nail or small awl
Self-healing cutting mat or corrugated cardboard to cut on
220 fine sandpaper

Instructions:

(Rub all cut sides on a piece of fine sandpaper to smooth)

1.     Work on a self healing cutting mat or heavy corrugated cardboard when cutting the corks.  Cut a cork about ¾ of the way down.  You will have two pieces of cork.  The smaller one is the head (set aside) The larger piece will be the arms.  Set this piece upright and make a line halfway across.  Slice it in half.  Rub the flat (cut) side on a piece of fine sandpaper to smooth.  Lay the flat side down and cut in half lengthwise.  Now cut in half once again from the point of the triangle (arms made)








2.     For the legs, cut another cork in half.  Place this piece upright like you did when making the arms,  and cut in half lengthwise.  (Legs made)

3.     Make a small oval shape on a piece of paper for a pattern and transfer twice to the ¼” cork piece.  Carefully cut out using the craft knife.  (Feet made)  For the body you will use an entire uncut cork.


All the pieces prepared


4.     To make the ears, place the fatter portion of a pink bump chenille stem on a scrap piece of felt.  Use a disappearing marker or pencil to draw around it leaving a little margin. Make sure you leave about ¼” of the straighter end since this is the part you will insert into the head. Cut out.  Make two.  Using the glue gun attach the bump chenille onto the felt.  (Ears made)



5.     Using a small awl or nail make a hole in the top of the head piece.  Add a bit of glue on the end of the chenille wire and insert into the head.  Repeat for the second ear.  You can bend the ears any way you’d like.




6.     Next, glue the prepared head on to the top of the body piece.


7.     Being aware that the flat side of the leg pieces will be attached to the side of the body, slice a scant amount on the side that will be the bottom so that is sits flat.  Glue the legs to the side of the body.






8.     Next glue the arms to the body. Then glue the feet ovals to the bottom of the legs.




9.     Make the face.  Glue two ½” white pompoms on the front of the head side by side. (Cheeks) Follow with a 5mm pink one in the center of the two white pompoms.  (Nose)  Finally glue two wiggle eyes centered above the cheeks.  Turn to the back and glue the largest pompom for the tail.







10. Optionally cut two small pointed shapes from orange felt.  Cut a piece of green felt, sandwich between the orange pieces and glue together.  (Carrot)  Place in the bunny’s hand.


11. For each foot, cut one large circle from pink cardstock and four small ones.  Glue to the bottom of the foot.











Monday, March 13, 2017

Make your dinner easy with crazy good steamed fish packets



Fish packets

If you are looking for a quick, easy, and delicious meal then these yummy steamed fish packets are the perfect solution. 

It seems like there is never enough time for a healthy dinner with all the things you have to do each day.  This mean is so easy and so delicious you will put it on your menu rotation. Fish is so healthy and many of us just don’t know how to fix it.  You simply cut up the veggies and assemble all the ingredients for the steamed fish packets in foil and bake for 20 minutes. Make some jasmine rice (I make mine in the microwave which also takes 20 minutes) and dinner is easy delicious and done!

Ingredients:

4 pieces of haddock or cod
1 tsp. thyme
1-tablespoon olive oil
2 cloves of garlic, minced
2 zucchini sliced in strips
1 red pepper sliced in strips
1 shallot, sliced
¼ cup white wine
1 lemon sliced and seeded
Butter
Aluminum foil
Hot cooked jasmine rice

Instructions:

Cut up the veggies and put in medium bowl. Add the olive oil, thyme, and minced garlic.  Stir together. Add salt and pepper to taste.


For each packet use a large sheet of aluminum foil.  In the center place a fish filet.  Pile an amount of the veggie mixture on top.  Next add two pats of butter.  Place two slices of lemon on top of the butter.  Then add a tablespoon of white wine.  Begin crimping the foil folding the sides in and working to close the top.  Make sure there are no openings so the stem doesn’t escape.  Repeat with the other three packets.

Preheat the oven to 375 degrees.  Place the packets on a large cookie sheet and cook for 20 minutes or until the fish is done.


Be careful opening the packets as steam will escape.  Eat in the foil or place on top of hot cooked jasmine rice.  Don’t lose the liquid as it is very tasty!