How to use a holiday napkin to make amazing seasonal glass décor

 Did you know that ModPodge comes in a dishwasher safe formula?  And did you also know that you can use a holiday napkin to make amazing seasonal glass décor?  All sorts of holiday napkins are readily available at craft and party stores throughout the holiday seasons.  I found the most beautiful fall leaves accented with gold that is perfect for Thanksgiving.  

 

You can also use Christmas, New Year’s, Patriotic, Easter, and more napkins when they are available.  And if you use ModPodge dishwasher safe you can put your glassware on the top shelf of the dishwasher or hand wash as needed.  

 

Note: please be advised that Plaid Enterprises, Inc. has compensated Make it easy crafts by furnishing Plaid product at no charge in connection with this post.

 

Materials:

 

Glassware, plates, wine or beverage glasses, canning jars, etc.

Napkins in desired prints

Gold leaf pen

alcohol

ModPodge dishwasher safe formula

Small paintbrush

 

Instructions:

 

First, choose your napkin.  Then, separate the layers of the napkin so that you are only using the printed piece. 

Next, choose your clear glass item.  For plates and dishes make sure the right side of the napkin is showing through the glass, so you will have to apply the ModPodge to the wrong side of the napkin.  If using beverage or wine glasses, apply the napkin right side up on the outside of the glass, but about an inch or so from the rim so that your lips will only touch the glass when using.

 

Now, measure and cut the right size for the area you are covering with the napkin.  Then, using the small paintbrush, liberally apply some ModPodge to the surface.  Immediately place the prepared napkin piece.

 

Next, brush a coat of ModPodge on the napkin.  Wrinkles are fine and give the piece added texture. Let it dry for a couple hours and then apply two more coats of the ModPodge as necessary.  Let dry completely.  It will be dishwasher safe or you can hand wash after it cures for about 28 days.

 

How to make quick and colorful aquarium gravel earrings

Make these aquarium gravel earrings, then just sit back and enjoy the compliments!  You can make an inexpensive jewelry gift this Christmas using unusual supplies. The results are super unique and definitely won’t break the bank!

Use clear dimensional glue and various colored aquarium gravel to make a pair of elegant aquarium gravel earrings in any color you desire.  I used sterling silver jewelry findings readily available in the craft stores but you can substitute nickel free versions if you desire.  Be ready for everyone to ooh and aah and be amazed at how you created them!  Who says jewelry has to be ordinary?  These aquarium gravel earrings are the perfect gift teens and that unique adult on your gift list.

Handmade gifts are always a hit since you are giving not only a personalized Christmas present, but are also gifting from the heart.

Materials:

Aquarium gravel in any color or combination of colors you desire

Clear dimensional glue (I used dimensional magic)

Tacky craft glue

Tweezer

Small bottle cap bevels

Jump rings

Fish hook ear wires

Needle nosed pliers

Instructions:

1.     First, gather all your supplies.  Add a bit of tacky craft glue in the center of your bevel.  Use tweezers to pick up and add the small colored gravel pieces in the glue and let it set for a few minutes.

2.     Next, slowly add some of the dimensional glue on top of the glued gravel.  Do not shake the dimensional glue so you don’t get any bubbles.  Fill the bevel to the edges.  Set aside to dry. (I like to give it at least 24 hours)

3.     Now that your dimensional glue has dried, you will need to add the jewelry findings. 

4.     First using the needle nosed pliers, twist to open a jump ring.  Add to the bevel.  Then add another jump ring if necessary to assure that when the fish hook ear wires are added they are facing the correct direction.

5.     Add the ear wires and close the jump ring with the same twisting motion.

6.    That's it!  Wasn't that super easy?  You can purchase earring cards at the craft store for a professional look.

Easter Egg from Space

I never think inside that box.  My slightly loopy mind always looks to shake things up so I came up with an Easter egg from space.  Ancient mariners were surprised to discover that the world was not flat. So I started thinking of shapes the earth could be…in different solar systems of course. My eyes spied some undecorated Easter eggs and I thought that it might be fun to make my egg look like my dear mother earth…from space!  I know it sounds weird but wouldn’t it be a really cool conversation starter?  

If you want to make some Easter egg from space worlds yourself, it’s easy peasy.

You will need:

A wooden egg 

Decoupage glue (Mod Podge gloss is my favorite)

Computer and printer

Scissors

Small paintbrush

1.     Search on your computer clip art program for pictures of earth from space and print two or three versions.  

2.     Cut out the motifs and then cut in smaller pieces.  This earth is definitely not flat so you need to just layer and add small pieces to the egg.  The only rule is to make sure that you put the predominately white pieces on the top and bottom of the egg (North and south poles)

3.     Spread some decoupage glue on small sections of the egg, add a piece of clip art and smooth with your fingers (its gets messy but it all washes off!)  Smoothing with your fingers helps remove some of the wrinkles.  It doesn’t matter if there still are some wrinkles as it give the piece added dimension.  Once the piece is stuck add more glue on the top.

4.     Continue working around the egg until the entire egg is covered.  Let dry.  When it is dry you may brush another coat of decoupage glue on the top for added shine.

If you have time why not create a whole solar system display, Venus, Jupiter, and more?

Four leaf clover pendant with dimensional Mod Podge

Have you ever pressed flowers or greenery?  It’s really quite easy and doesn’t require too many supplies.  I happen to have a patch of clover in my front yard and in one area there are usually some of the four-leaf variety. If you don't have any clover,  you can choose a small flower or bud to press. Flower presses are available in most craft stores and are quite inexpensive, or you can make your own. You can even just use a heavy book.  (Make sure it’s a book you wouldn’t mind the pages getting a bit stained in the process) 

To make a flower press you will need to cut two rectangular pieces of wood the same size.  Drill holes in all four corners of both boards matching them up.  Purchase long screws that fit in the holes leaving enough protruding to tighten the boards together with wing nuts.  Cut corrugated cardboard to fit in between the boards and newsprint paper to put between the cardboard.  That’s all there is to it!

Supplies:

Small pressed four leaf clover or flower

Flower press or heavy book

Unprinted newsprint paper

Cardboard

ModPodge bezel pendant

Clear dimensional ModPodge

Tacky craft glue

 1/8” wide ribbon or ball chain in a length of your choice

To use a flower press:

1.    Choose a small flower or clover.  Use the freshest flowers you can find and dry them completely.  When they are pressed they will become thinner and semi-transparent but will retain most of the original color.

2.    Open the press and place a piece of cardboard on the bottom board.  Lay down a piece of equally sized newsprint placing the flower or clover on top.  Lay another piece of newsprint paper on top of the flower and a second piece of cardboard on top of that.

3.    Attach the top board and tighten with the wing nuts.  Lay aside for at least a week depending upon the thickness of the flower. 

To use a heavy book:

1.    Open a heavy book to the center.  Sandwich your flower or clover between two pieces of newsprint paper and close it in the book.

2.    Place some more books or weight on top and set aside for a week or so.

3.    After the flower has dried carefully remove it from the book.

To make the pendant:

1.    Gather your supplies. After your flower or clover has dried carefully remove it from your pressing device.

2.    Add a tiny dab of tacky glue in the center of the pendant.  This is just so that the flower or clover stays stationary while you are working.

3.    Do not shake the ModPodge dimensional glue, as it will cause bubbles to form.  Begin adding the glue so that it fills up the pendant to the edges.  It will go on cloudy but will dry clear.

4.    Set aside and let dry several hours or overnight.

5.    Loop a piece of 1/8” wide ribbon and insert into the top loop of the pendant; pull the other two ends through to knot at the top.  Tie a knot with the other ends to finish.  Or you may optionally use a ball chain.