Monday, September 25, 2017

Easy does it, how to paint a fun pumpkin rock

pumpkin rock


Are you ready for another rock painting lesson?  Let’s paint a fun pumpkin rock!  You can follow the tutorial to make it exactly like mine, or you can change up the expression on your pumpkin rock.  It’s easy and fun to do it as a group craft for Girl Scouts, senior groups, and with the kids. 

Join the Kindness rocks celebration. Leave your rocks for someone to fine. Add a positive message on the bottom of the pumpkin rock and make someone’s day!

Materials:

Rock
Acrylic paint, orange, yellow, burnt umber, green, white, black, red, and burnt sienna
Paintbrushes, flat, and liner or spotter brush
Sharpie marker for message on bottom
Newspaper or newsprint to protect your work surface

Instructions:

1.     First, use the flat brush to paint your rock orange on the front, let dry and paint it on the back as well.  Let dry.





2.     Using the liner or spotter brush, add vertical lines on the pumpkin.  (See photo)


3.     Add a stem on the top with green paint. 


4.     Next, use the yellow paint to add some dimension to the ribs of the pumpkin next to the brown vertical lines.  Blend well.  Let dry.





5.     Now using the white paint make two circles for eyes. (See photo)


6.     Then, add two black dots for the pupils on each eye.


7.     Paint a red oval under the eyes for the nose.  Then use the black paint to make a smiling mouth.  (See photo)  Let dry. 



8.     When the paint is dry add the final touches.  Paint eyebrows above the eyes with black.  Paint a white dot on the nose and on each pupil. Finally,  paint a small rectangle in white for a tooth on the mouth.




9.     Add some green lines on the top to resemble hair.  And use the spotter or liner to add some sienna dots on the cheeks for freckles.  Let all the paint dry. You can add a coat of clear acrylic gloss or matte finish to protect when it is finished.  If you choose, you can write a positive message on the bottom of the pumpkin rock.




pumpkin rock


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Monday, September 18, 2017

How to paint a beautiful, and colorful autumn leaf rock



If you are like me you are having fun painting rocks and leaving them for someone to discover.  It is so quick and easy to paint this beautiful autumn leaf rock that you will want to paint several. Just use some acrylic paints and the pattern is right outside your door!

You can alter the colors that you use slightly for each autumn leaf rock, for rocks as varied as the real leaves!  This is a great group or kids craft too!

Materials:

Rock, that you pick up or buy from the home improvement store.  You will need one that will fit the size you want.
Leaf  (real or a silk one that will fit on your rock)
Pencil
Small flat paintbrush
Small liner or spotter brush
Paper plate for palette
Newspaper to protect your work surface
Acrylic paint, orange, yellow, red, burnt umber, burnt sienna, red, and green
Dark brown permanent fine line marker
Acrylic gloss or matte finish

Instructions:

1.     First, gather your supplies.  Protect your work surface with some newspaper or newsprint.  Place your rock on the paper and using either a real or silk leaf trace around it onto the rock with a pencil.





2.     Next, Using a small brush, fill in the entire leaf with orange acrylic paint.  Add the stem with a liner brush and burnt umber acrylic paint. Faintly paint the vein lines as well.






3.     Now, while the orange paint is still a little wet, add some yellow, red, and green, blending with the orange randomly on sections of the leaf.  Blend well.






4.     Continue adding the colors all around until you are pleased with the gradation of colors.


5.     Let all the paint dry completely.

6.     Finish by outlining the entire leaf and veins with the fine line marker.



7.     Add a coat of clear gloss or matte finish on the entire leaf to protect it.








Monday, September 11, 2017

How to easily decorate a special rock with decoupage or paint




Painting rocks are all the rage at the moment, but I've been painting and decorating rocks for ages.  When I travel out of state or country I skip the gift shops with their souvenirs often made in China. Instead, I pick up a local rock.  This special rock is actually a piece of your trip. It doesn't have to be large, just large enough to paint or decoupage on.

So for a real souvenir of your travels, pick up a rock, paper, and scissors and you will be all set.  If you are not into decorating rocks, shells or driftwood works just as well.

If you choose to paint your rock instead of decoupage, simply use a small paintbrush and acrylic paints of your choice. What a great way for kids to create a very special rock!


You will need:

Rock, shell, or driftwood in your choice of size

Modpodge decoupage glue (You can use outdoor modpodge if your rock is large and you want to display it outdoors)

Sharpie marker

Computer and printer

Scissors

Small paintbrush

Waxed paper

1.     Wash and dry the rock.  Gather your supplies and cover your work surface with some waxed paper. Use your printer to print an image that represents the area or an even a small personal photo on all-purpose paper.  Carefully cut out the image. (I like to use the state seals)



2.     Brush some Modpodge glue generously on the flattest side of the rock.  Place the image on the glued area and brush some more glue on top.  Let dry.  When dry brush another coat over entire rock.  Let dry. The glue dries clear.






3.     When the glue has dried use a sharpie marker to write the place and date on the rock.  You can also write a small quote if you wish.  You can write on the back or the bottom optionally.  Brush another coat of Modpodge glue on the writing to protect it.






Note:  You can also use personal vacation photos, tickets, images cut out from travel pamphlets.  The sky is the limit for personalization! When you have finished you will have a lasting memento of your travels that is actually a piece of the place.

I'd love to hear your comments!  And be sure and stop by Make it easy crafts again and say hello!



Tuesday, September 5, 2017

How to make an easy indian corn tea light holder

Indian corn tea light holder


      So it’s almost fall, my favorite time of year.  Who doesn’t love the crisp morning air, the pumpkin spice everywhere you look, and the colors of the season?  It is the perfect time to paint an Indian corn tea light holder on an upside down wine glass! 


      It's so easy to paint this cute Indian corn tea light holder!  Decorate it with some raffia and simply add a flameless or regular tea light candle for a dĂ©cor piece that everyone will love!

Supplies:


Small and medium sized paintbrushes

Gloss acrylic paint, tan, gold, yellow, lt. yellow, red, purple, white, sienna, and orange

Brown sharpie marker

Raffia

Tea Light

Waxed paper or cardboard to protect your work surface

Alcohol

Paper towels

1.     Wash and wipe down your wine glass with a paper towel and alcohol.


2.     Using the brown sharpie marker, make a mark from the base of the stem to the rim on each side.  In essence you are marking half your wine glass.  



3.     On one side begin making small circles across with the marker continue making circles across and down until you reach the rim.  These are the Indian corn kernels.  See photo.  You will use these guidelines much like a coloring book and fill them in individually.

 

4.     Using the larger paintbrush and the tan gloss paint, cover the side that is not marked with kernels brushing with a downward motion.  Continue with tan on the stem and the base.  Let dry.  Turn rim side down and paint the bottom with tan and let dry.  Repeat with second coat.  When the second coat is dry, make some downward marks with sienna and white for a textural effect.  Repeat this step on the bottom of the base (which will be the candle holder) but brush the sienna and white in a spoke like pattern.




5.     Using the marks you made for kernels begin filling each one individually with the smaller paintbrush.  Use yellow, orange, purple, and red, varying the locations until you have filled in every one to the bottom.  Let dry and repeat with a second coat.





6.     Cute a 12-inch piece of raffia.  Cut and tie a six-inch piece of raffia onto the longer piece.  Continue adding raffia pieces until you have about six.  Trim up the ends.





7.     Tie the raffia strip with the fringe on the stem.  (See photo)




If you don't like how your marks are coming out when marking your glass, simply rub with some alcohol and start over.