How to use a simple technique to make super fun spring friendship bracelets

In this easy DIY tutorial, you will learn how to easily make some fun spring friendship bracelets in just minutes with just a few supplies.  

Materials:

Pack of Green and yellow mini rubber bands or desired two colors

Two pencils

3 inches of wrapped floral wire

Wire cutters

Needle nosed pliers

Ruler

Instructions:

First, place two pencils side by side. Next, slide a green rubber band in a figure-eight shape on the pencil. (See photo) Next, slide on a yellow rubber band, and then a green one.  You just need to slide these on without a figure eight. (See photos)

Now, lift the bottom rubber band and pull it over the top of the pencil. Repeat on the opposite side. (See photo)

Add a green rubber band and repeat step #2.  Continue adding rubber bands and pulling over the top alternating green and yellow.  You will start to see a chain forming in between the pencils.  As it grows, pull on it slightly to keep it even.

Keep adding bands to make the chain longer until you have a length to fit adjusting the wrist. Factor in the size of a one-inch wire curl closure.

Using the wire cutters cut a 3-inch piece of wrapped floral wire. Next, Insert the wire into the loose end of the chain loops.  Curl the wire end around the rubber band loop.

Remove the other end of the chain from your pencils and insert the uncurled end of the wire in both loose ends. Now, curl it around as you did the other side and adjust if necessary.

How to paint a red ribbon of hope on a rock

So, since this COVID 19 virus is ravaging the world a movement has grown called the red ribbon of hope.  The premise is that you tie a red ribbon on a tree (the tree goes through stages and then come back) to show solidarity.  Many people have started to get in on this and are tying red ribbons around trees.

But what if you don’t have a tree?  Well, then, why not paint a tree with a red ribbon on a rock!  You may already have the supplies since all your need is some paint, brushes and a rock! It’s easy and if you follow the simple steps you can join in the movement with your oven red ribbon of hope.

Get the kids involved.  This is a great family activity with kids. 

How to paint a red ribbon of hope on a rock 

Materials:

Rock

Acrylic paint in brown, black, beige, green, and red

Flat paintbrush

Liner paintbrush

Pencil

Instructions:

First, draw a tree shape onto the rock surface.  Then, using the flat brush and brown acrylic paint.  While the paint is still wet blend in some black paint on the sides of the tree branches to shade.

Next, Dab on some green at the top areas of your tree.  Now using the thin liner brush add some small branches up into the green parts of the tree.  Dab some beige paint on the leaves and branches to show added dimension.  Now, let the tree dry completely.

After the tree is dry, use red paint to paint a red bow.  Line with black pain, then highlight with the beige paint.  

Enjoy your red ribbon of hope and remember we are all in this together!  Stay safe.

How to make an adorable little pompom bunny

You can make this cute little pompom bunny in just about any color yarn you may have.  I made mine in gray yarn but he would look equally adorable in pink, white or any pastel color. 

Make your pompom quick and easy using the Bowdabra bow maker tool, or any pompom maker you may have on hand.  Then, use a few little extra touches to bring your pompom bunny to life!

Let’s get started…

Materials:

Yarn your choice of color

Felt in white and pink

Chenille stem

Two 12 mm white pompoms

1 5mm pink pompom

Two pink wiggle eyes or any color you want

Hot glue gun and hot glue sticks

Optional:

Bowdabra bow maker

Bowdabra bow wire

Pompom bunny

1.     Make your pompom.  To make a pompom with the Bowdabra, cut a piece of bow wire and insert into the Bowdabra horizontally. Next, begin to wrap the yarn around the towers of the Bowmaker.  (See photo)

2.     Continue wrapping the yarn around 60 times.

3.     Now, tie the bow wire tightly around the wrapped yarn. 

4.     Remove from the Bowdabra and tie a few more knots as tightly as possible.

5.     Cut all the loops.  Trim and shape up the pompom.

6.     Next, cut long teardrop shape from the white felt.  Curt another one using the first one as a guide. (Ears) Now, cut a smaller teardrop shape from pink felt to fit on the inside of the ear, repeat for a second one as you did the first. 

7.     Cut a small piece of chenille stem and glue to the white felt ear.  Then, glue the pink interior of the ear over the top of the chenille stem.  This will allow you to bend and shape the ear.  Repeat for the second ear.

8.     Move the yarn pieces to make a space to insert the ears.  Add a dab of glue on the end of each ear and insert into the pompom. 

9.     Glue two wiggle eyes under the ears.

10. To finish, glue two 12mm pompoms together on the front of your bunny. (Muzzle) Then, glue the 5mm pompom in the center (nose) Enjoy your pompom bunny!

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!

How to paint a fun crazy quilt rock

I admit it.  I love quilts, but they take time and like many people have a limited amount of that!  So since leaving rocks has become a worldwide fad, I figured why not make a few quilt like rocks.  They are quickly painted and so much fun.  This crazy quilt rock is so easy and looks amazing when done!  You can leave your crazy quilt rock in a public place for someone to find, or just keep it yourself for a décor item or a paperweight.

Crazy quilts were quite a fad in the latter part of the 19^th century.  They were made into smaller quilts for framing or lap robes.  They were a way for people to use fancy fabrics and decorate them with unique stitching.  Your crazy quilt rock has all the elements but no stitching required!!!

The crazy quilt rock is so easy and is a fantastic craft for camp, girl scouts, church and senior groups, and more!

Materials:

Rock from a creek or river

Acrylic paint in desired colors

White acrylic paint for stitch lines

Pencil

Small flat brush

Line brush

Paper to protect your work surface

Instructions;

1.     First, wash and dry your particular rock.  Next, draw sections all around the rock with a pencil.  These will be your quilt blocks.

2.     Now fill in each section with a flat brush filling in each block with a different color acrylic paint. And let dry completely.

3.     When your paint is dry load a liner brush with some white acrylic paint.  Then, begin making stitch marks all around each block, varying the design of the stitches.  Try little X’s, or U shapes, diagonal lines, etc. this is where you can be creative just like they did in the 1800’s.  You can even write a message on a block such as “love”, or “peace,” etc.

4.     Let dry and your rock is ready to spread the love!

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