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 make a quick and easy doggy treat jar

Updated July 2018

Make this quick and easy doggy treat jar for your best friend.  If you are like me you have little bags of treats all over the place.  Sometimes those zippers just don't seal well and you end up with stale and hard treats.  You don't want your little prince or princess to turn up his or her nose at them.  

So, you can quickly make a personalized treat jar using a simple wide mouth jar some photos of your pet and decoupage glue. You can purchase a jar at the dollar store or even recycle a clear food container.  Easy, inexpensive and so much fun.

You will need:

·      Glass or recycled plastic wide mouth jar (I found one for under $3.00 at Target)

·      Decoupage glue (I use Modpodge available in craft stores)

·      Small paintbrush

·      Computer and printer with all-purpose paper

·      Photos of your dog

1.     Prepare your jar.  If there is a label on a recycled one simply soak it off in some warm water.  If the surface is sticky from the label, rub some peanut butter on it, wipe it off and wash it. Rub down the jar with alcohol.

2.     Load your desired photos onto your computer and put them all in a strip collage using your favorite photo editing program. (This way the photos are all one size).  Simply add the photos and print on all-purpose paper.  You may need a couple strips depending upon the size of your jar.

3.     Cut out each photo.  On a curved surface it is easiest to add the photos one at a time smoothing out any wrinkles with your fingers. (Don't smooth them all out though, wrinkles give it character) It may get a little messy but it washes off your hands easily. Using the small paintbrush apply some decoupage glue on the jar where you would like your photos to go. Press the photos on the wet glue area one at a time. Add a generous amount of decoupage glue on top of the photos.  Keep adding until you have added all the photos you want and let it dry.

4.       Brush a coat of decoupage glue over all the photos one last time and let dry.

5.     Fill with treats and let your pups enjoy their new jar!

Note:  Decoupage glue dries clear.  

How to easily make a coffee lover happy this Easter

Updated March, 2018

Who doesn't love an Easter basket?  You can make a favorite coffee lover happy this Easter with this different take on an Easter basket. After you've picked up some coffee from the local convenience store rinse and dry the cup.  They are pretty sturdy so they can be reused, or you could just ask the clerk if you could have a new one.  Then get a corrugated sleeve you put on the cup so it won't burn your hand and you will have the makings of a great Easter basket for a coffee lover!

Follow the tutorial to decorate your basket, then add some Easter grass and small candies or mini bags of coffee or even some K-cups.  While should all the Easter fun be just for the kiddies?  

Materials:

Paper corrugated coffee cup sleeve 

Paper coffee cup, rinsed and dried

Spring printed felt

Easter felt rabbit or egg shapes (available at any craft store)

Tacky craft glue

Scissors

Pencil

Marker

Two clothespins (for holding the sleeve while the glue dries)

1.     Before taking apart the sleeve make a line with a marker on the inside where the two ends meet.  (This will help with reassembly)  Note which side is on top.

2.     Carefully take apart the sleeve and lay it on top of a piece of spring print felt.  Use the pencil to trace around the sleeve on the unprinted side of the felt making sure that the printed side will fit correctly on the outside of the sleeve. Add a ¼” extra felt on the end that will be glued to the top of the sleeve.  

 Leave 1/4" extra on the end that will be on top

3.     Cut out the felt piece.  Add a generous amount of glue on the outside of the sleeve and attach the felt piece, leaving the extra ¼” unglued.  Let dry.

4.     Use some tacky glue to add the seasonal felt shapes to the felt making sure you do not place any on any fold lines.  Let dry.

5.     Use the inside guideline to reattach the sleeve with some tacky glue.  Glue down the ¼” extra felt to cover the seam.  Use two clothespins to hold the sleeve until it is completely dry.

6.     Put the decorated coffee sleeve on the recycled coffee cup and fill with Easter grass. Add some small coffee packs or K-cups on top and maybe even a few coffee flavored jellybeans or candies if desired. It's fun to make more than one.

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How to make the sweetest little recycled wine cork Mardi Gras bear

Make this sweet little wine cork Mardi gras bear.  He looks so adorable just sitting on a shelf, or if you desire you can add a wire loop for hanging. 

The upcycled cork wine cork Mardi gras bear joins other creations like the Wine cork Easter bunny.  It’s so easy and so much fun to make.  So let’s get started.

Materials:

3 wine corks

1 champagne cork

1/8” thick cork sheet available at craft stores

Small awl or pointed nail

X-acto or craft knife

Scrap of white felt

Tiny brown pompom

Black dimensional fabric paint

Small amount of 20-gauge wire

Wire cutters

Ruler

220 fine sandpaper

Piece of corrugated cardboard to cut on

Hot glue and hot glue sticks

Small cork stopper

Tacky craft glue

Purple and gold glitter

Tiny seed beads, beading needle and thread

Thin elastic cord
Pattern for ears, hat, and mask

Mardi Gras wine cork bear

1.    Protect your work surface with one or two pieces of heavy corrugated cardboard. Using two matching wine corks and the X-acto knife, slice thinly down each cork.  Rub on the fine sandpaper to smooth.  This will allow the corks to be stable. Run a bead of hot glue down the side of one cork and attach them together.  These are the legs and base of your bear.

2.    Next, add a generous amount of hot glue on the bottom of the champagne cork (Body) focusing on the areas where it attaches to the legs. Center the body on the legs and attach. (See photo)

3.    Measure and mark a line halfway across the third wine cork.  Use the X-acto knife to cut the cork in half.  Rub the cut end of one half on the sandpaper to smooth.  Turn the half cork on its end and mark in half and cut vertically.  You will have two arm pieces.  (Save the other half for another bear or discard)  Cut a small piece of wire and insert into the arm pieces.  Use a nail or all to make a hole in the side of the bear body, add some glue to the wire and insert into the bear.  Repeat for other arm.

4.    Trace and cut two ears (half moon shapes) on the flat 1/8” thick cork and use the X-acto to cut out.  Cork cuts easily but at that thickness it is simpler to cut them out using short strokes with the pointed end of the X-acto.  If there are any rough areas lightly rub against the sandpaper.  Trim to fit the head if necessary. Add some glue to the edges of the ears and attach to each side of the head.

5.    Cut the muzzle into a circle shape on a scrap of white felt. Glue to the front of the bear face. Glue a tiny brown pom pom to the muzzle for a nose. Add some dots of dimensional black fabric paint for the eyes and let dry.

6.    Now using the pattern, from a piece of cardstock cut the mask and hat brim. Attach the small cork stopper to the brim with some tacky glue.  Place the hat and the mask on a piece of cardboard; coat each piece with some thinned tacky glue and sprinkle with the glitter.  Let dry completely. 

Mardi Gras bear pattern

7.    Next, add some glue to the top of the bear’s head in between the ears and attach the hat.  Add a small sparkle pompom on top of the hat with some more glue.  Poke a hole on each side of the mask with a nail or pin and insert the thin elastic, knotting on each side. For a finishing touch use some tacky glue to add tiny seed beads all around the mask. (Mask made)

8.    Finally make the beads.  Using bead thread and the seed beads make as many necklaces and in any colors as you want.  Hang some from his hands or place around the bear’s neck.