How to recycle an old CD into stunning monogram framed art

So, I recently had my studio completely redecorated.  And since the walls were newly painted and bare, I decided to make it personal.  What better way than to recycle an old CD into a monogram to hang on the wall?  

Paint your frame in a faux verdigris style to match your green paper.  The recycled old CD pieces will catch the light with color.

This is an easy project that you can create in no time.  So, let’s get started

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.

How to recycle an old CD into monogram framed art

 Materials:

Old CD

Scissors

Wooden Frame

Piece of scrap green mat board or card stock to fit your frame

Tacky glue

Mod Podge

Small sponge

Paintbrush

Paper plate or palette

Acrylic paint, Pewter grey, Mint, brushed metal gold

Pencil 

Instructions:

First, use the scissors to cut the CD into small pieces of various shapes and sizes.  Next, draw a letter of choice on the card stock or mat board lightly in pencil.  Then, working in sections, add some tacky glue and fill in your letter with the CD pieces.  Let dry.  When it is dry you can brush a coat of ModPodge over the entire piece.  Set aside.

Decorate the frame

Cover your work surface.  Using the brush and Pewter grey paint, cover the entire surface and sides of the frame. 

Next, while the frame is still semi-wet dip your sponge in the mint green paint and lightly tap over the entire surface and sides of the frame.

Finally, rinse your sponge and sparingly pat on some gold paint and let dry.

When the frame is dry brush on some ModPodge to protect the frame and hang where desired.

How to easily change your style and paint on unusual surfaces

So, with the coronavirus keeping many of us indoors what have you all been doing to keep creative and busy?  If you have some paint stashed away it might the right time to think about painting on unusual surfaces.

Unusual surfaces to paint

Rocks are a great surface to paint on.  You might have some rocks right outside your door that would work perfectly. You can also buy a bag of smooth landscape rocks for a very reasonable price at a home improvement store.  Kids can get in on the action as well.  You can be as simple or as intricate as you see fit.  And the fun part is putting rocks in public places with positive messages for people to find.

Corks are another surface that you may have laying around.  You can recycle them into another great unusual surface to paint.  Again you can get detailed or simply decorative. Painted corks make great keyrings and ornaments.  It's never too early to think about Christmas!

When you think of unusual surfaces to paint on do you ever think why not a brick?  Bricks, when they painted, may great door stops and bookends.  Especially if you paint them to resemble a book!

Fabric is readily available.  Simply look in your closets and you will find unusual surfaces galore!  personalize them with some acrylic paints with fabric medium added.  Don't forget to heat set.

While there are many choices of painting surfaces none are more striking than painting on glass.  You can paint on wine glasses, plates, vases and more.  You will need to use paint that is specified for glass and heat set in an oven.  

This was sure fun, finding unusual surfaces to paint on.  Once you start looking though, you tend to find more.  So, this will be a recurring post for another day with more unusual surfaces to paint!  

Be sure and click on some of the images for full tutorials of a similar project!

See you soon!

How to easily paint a fun light bulb icon pull chain

You’ve had it happen before.  You enter a room and want to turn on the ceiling fan light but instead of pulling the right cord for the light you turn the fan on full blast.  Not a fun experience right.  Well if you paint a simple but fun light bulb icon pull chain you will never pull the wrong cord by mistake again! 

It’s so easy to paint this light bulb icon pull chain in just minutes.  Then, attach it to your ceiling fan.  Using a piece of recycled champagne or wine cork you simply paint the light bulb with acrylic paint, so it basically costs nothing!  How is that for solving this common household problem?  So lets get started

Materials:

Ultra fine line sharpie marker

White acrylic paint

Silver acrylic paint

Yellow acrylic paint

Clear acrylic finish

Small paintbrush

Champagne or wine cork

Ball chain

X-acto or craft knife

Small awl or drill

Tacky craft glue

Corrugated cardboard or self-healing plastic mat

Fine sandpaper

1.     Working on the cardboard or self-healing mat use the craft knife to slice about ¾” off the top of a wine cork or champagne cork.  A Champagne cork is larger so that is what I used, but you can substitute a wine cork and your light bulb will be smaller.

2.     Use the sandpaper to file down any writing on the top of the cork and to make a smooth surface and remove any writing.

3.     Next, use the awl or drill to make a hole in the cork.  You only need to drill halfway down.  Then, add a dab of tacky craft glue and push the ball chain into the hole and let dry.  You are ready to add your image.

4.     Using the fine line marker draw a light bulb shape on the flat side of the cork.  (Pear shaped, see photo)  Next fill in the bulb with white paint.  Then, add the silver paint for the top of the bulb. 

5.     Finally outline the entire outside area of the bulb with yellow paint and let dry completely.

6.     When the paint has dried, with the marker, draw some highlight lines around the bulb.  Then coat the entire piece with clear finish. Let dry and attach to your ceiling fan light.

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How to make a unique holiday gift for your favorite hairdresser

Do you need to make a unique little holiday gift for your favorite hairdresser?  You can give a gift card or an extra large tip but if you want to give that unique holiday gift that will be treasured then, paint one! 

It’s easy with these step-by-step instructions.  Simply purchase a wide backed hairbrush.  I got one for a song at a department store.  This little snowman will be perfect for the holidays and even throughout the winter. Tie a festive bow on the handle and you will have a perfect and unique holiday gift for your hairdresser!

Materials:

Wide backed hairbrush

Acrylic paint, white, black, Payne’s gray, red, orange, burnt umber, ultramarine blue

Small paintbrush

Ribbon Bow

Alcohol

Paper or foam plate to use as a palette

Instructions:

1.     Gather all your supplies. Then, Wipe down the back of your hairbrush to remove any oils. 

2.     Next, working on the back of the brush, load your brush with white paint.  Make a small circle close to the top of the hairbrush.

3.     Now make two circles, each larger than the previous one on top of each other.  (Snowman is shape made)

4.     While the white paint is still semi-wet add some blue to the left sides curving around each white circle.  Blend together so there is no line of demarcation.

5.     Add some extra white paint where it needs it.

6.     Now, draw a hat shape with the Payne’s gray.  Add a little white paint on the right side and top and blend together. Let dry.

7.     Finally, paint a red scarf around the snowman’s neck.  Add two black dots for eyes, and several for the mouth.  Paint an orange triangle shape for the nose and underline with the burnt umber for shadows.

8.     Finish the snowman.  Use black paint and burnt umber to paint two arms.  It doesn’t matter what direction it faces or how many twigs you add. Add some little dabs of white paint on the twig arms, and top of the hat.  Then, add some snow with white paint under the snowman.  Use the blue paint to add some shadows.  For a final touch add some dots for snow. (Optional)

9.     Tie a bow on the handle and give to your favorite hairdresser!

Puppy rock

My little Jack Russell terrier is my muse.  She models for me when I paint, and she has me running around as fast she runs.  So it only goes to figure that I would paint a puppy rock. And this rock doesn't need trips to the vet or walking.  It's the new millennium version of the pet rock!

Painted rocks are all the rage these days.  You can leave them in parks or stores for someone to find.  It just makes someone’s day when they pick up a painted rock with a positive message written on it.  Kindness truly does rock!

And this little puppy rock is a great gift for your favorite dog lover.  You can use it as a paperweight or just for a little extra décor on your desk or shelf.  Paint one or paint a bunch.  You can’t get a craft that is less expensive.  When you finish your puppy rock add a cute little Bowdabra bow on her head or under her chin with E6000 glue and you will have the cutest little pup!

Materials

Oval river rock

Graphite paper

Stylus

Pencil

Small paintbrush

Acrylic paint, sienna, white, black, and pink

Fine line permanent marker

Paper plate or palette

 Face pattern

For the bow:

8” 5/8” grosgrain ribbon in the desired color

Mini Bowdabra with hair bow tool and ruler attachment

Bowdabra bow wire

E6000 glue

Instructions:

1.     First, download and print the face pattern.

Puppy rock face pattern

2.     Next, cut out the pattern and place a piece of graphite paper under it on top of the rock of your choice.  Use the stylus to trace around the pattern.

3.     Now, remove the graphite paper and go over the faint lines with a pencil if need be. 

4.     Then, begin painting your rock.  Start with the Sienna and a small brush and paint the ears.  Make sure you leave a tiny space between the sections. (You will outline your puppy with the marker in this area when you are done)

5.     Next, paint the muzzle and forehead with white paint. Paint the eyes leaving the pupil area.  Paint the nose and pupils with black paint.  Paint the tongue with pink paint.

6.     Add another coat of paint on all the areas and let dry.  With a tiny bit of white paint add to small dots on each eye and two on the nose. (See photo)  Let dry completely.  Then, use the fine line permanent marker to outline all the areas on the pup.

7.     Make the optional bow.  Cut an 18” piece of Bowdabra bow wire, fold in half and insert into the Mini Bowdabra.  You will have a loop on one side and two loose wires on the other.  This serve as a slipknot when finished.

8.     Cut an eight-inch piece of 5/8” wide grosgrain ribbon.  Insert into the Bowdabra leaving a small tail.  Make a loop on the other side at the ½” mark and then make a matching loop on the other side.  Scrunch down with the Bowdabra wand.

9.     Now, insert the two loose wires through the loop and pull tight.  Separate the ends and tie a knot.  Remove from the Bowdabra. Fold each end in half and cut to dovetail.

10.  To finish your puppy rock, use some E6000 glue to add the bow to the rock and let dry.