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 easy refillable travel duct tape wipe pack

Flushable wipes have come a long way.  Many are safe for septic and sewer systems. And if you are concerned one can always use a trash can.  They usually come in packs of 40 but some stores sell small packs of 10 for travel. These travel packs of 10 are a little pricey when you consider how much a larger pack sells for. So I figured why not make a refillable travel duct tape wipe pack? 

Public toilets and porta potties at sporting events are often out of paper and unclean.  All you need to make this refillable travel duct tape wipe pack is some duct tape, a Ziploc sandwich bag, and the plastic top opener that comes on soft packs of flushable wipes. 

Materials:

Duct tape in your choice of color or print

Recycled plastic top opener

Scissors

X-acto or craft knife

Ziploc bag

Cutting mat

Piece of corrugated cardboard

Hot glue gun and hot glue sticks

Ruler

1.  Cut off the plastic top opener from a used pack of a soft pack of flushable wipes and remove the entire plastic wrapper.

2.  Next, cut the bottom of a Ziploc quart sized storage bag to the size that will fit the wipes.  Don’t worry about it; you will be covering it with duct tape.

3.  Now working on a cutting mat, place a strip of duct tape across the bottom about an inch or so overlapping the bottom.

4.  Continue adding strips of duct tape across the bag until you have covered the entire side and reach the top (zipper) edge.  Now turn over and fold the sides and bottom edges to the opposite side. 

5.  Repeat step 3 and 4 or the second side.  Cover the entire back with duct tape.  Now cut a piece of corrugated cardboard the size to fit inside the bag.  Unzip and insert the cardboard. 

6.  Use a glue gun to attach the plastic opener to one side, center of the pack.  Make sure you only add hot glue to the edges around so that the opener will still open. 

7.  Open the opener and cut out the center duct tape area.

8.  Open the zipper area and fill with wipes. Take your refillable duct tape wipe pack with you wherever you go and fill it back as needed.

Use extra Christmas cards make an awesome 3-D gift bags

Aren’t these 3-D gift bags adorable?  Each year I order my Christmas cards from an online retailer.  In the months leading up to the holiday they send packs of sample cards.  They are not usable since they are just the cover of the cards and have writing on the back but I just can’t throw them out!  So I use the images on the front of the cards to make cool 3-D gift bags! 

All you need are some double-sided sticky dots and two card images that are the same.  You won’t be able to stop making these little bags and it’s a great craft for kids to do as well.  Plus you are upcycling something and putting it to good use!

Materials:

Two Christmas card fronts with duplicate images

Glue stick

Gift bag

Small pointed scissors

Glue raised double sided sticky dots

Instructions:

1.     Choose an image from the cards that you like.  The images must be exactly the same for the 3-D effect to work.  Carefully cut around your images.  (You may use several images if you desire you just need two of each)

2.     Use a glue stick to apply glue to the back of one of the images and attach it to the gift bag. 

3.     Next, apply the double-sided sticky dots onto the back of the second image.  This will raise your image to give it a 3-D look.

4.     Now align your second image exactly on top of the first image, remove the backing paper from the dots and attach to the second image.  You bag now has a 3-D appearance.  You may attach other smaller images around the first on if you choose to create scenes. 

5.     Fill the bag with small gifts, candies.  This makes a great gift for teachers, mailmen, and many others.

Quickly make adorable ornaments from laser cut wood

Laser cut wood shapes are available for pennies at the craft stores.  There are ornaments and frames of all shapes and sizes.  And the best part is that they are so inexpensive!

The scrollwork is so elegant and lends itself to quickly make adorable ornaments.  Mom or dad can spray paint the shapes and kids will love to add the beads to them. The resulting ornaments are stylish and classy.  And the memories of creating them as a family will be a lasting treasure.

Materials:

Laser cut wood shape ornaments

Spray paint in gold and silver

Silver, gold, and pearl beads

Tacky craft glue

Tweezers (optional)

Paper or foam plates to work on

Silver or gold cord for hanging

For the snowflake:

Bag of sparkle snow

Instructions:

1.     Spray each ornament in gold or silver and let dry.  Turn over and spray the other side.  Let dry completely.  Work in a well-ventilated area or outside.

2.     Add dots of tacky glue to the shape and attach the silver, gold, or pearl beads as desired.  You can be creative.  Run a ring of beads around the ornament; add to the corners or in the middle.  The sky is the limit.  When you have added the amount of beads you choose let the ornament dry.  You may if you desire turn to the back and add more beads as you did before.

3.     Cut a length of gold or silver cord and attach to the top for hanging on the tree or in a window.

For the snowflake:

1.     Cover the entire silver spray painted ornament with tacky glue.  Work on a paper plate.

2.     Sprinkle the sparkle snow on top and press with your fingers to make sure it adheres.  Let dry.  Add a hanging cord to the top.  You may add a second coat of sparkle snow after the first one is dry if you want a fluffier snowflake.