There are several occasions throughout a year when a person might need ribbon. Holidays, birthdays, graduations, anniversaries - they all call for ribbons of some sort. One of the problems with ribbon is that you rarely use all of it as you buy it. You wrap a gift or two, and after that, the ribbon waits and waits for its next job. Another problem with ribbon is that sometimes its sold with a little ribbon on a large roll. After youve used part of it you have to go get the tape and secure it to the roll. If you dont, the ribbon unwinds, and likely becomes entangled with other ribbons and things.
Leftover lengths of ribbon, twine, yarn and such can be a real nuisance. Once they begin to unwind from their rolls it becomes a huge mess no one wants to straighten. Whether you have a craft room where you take on all sorts of projects, or a small area where you wrap gifts, its helpful to have an organizer for leftover ribbon and other materials.
Look no further than your refrigerator to find the organizer for your leftovers! If youve got an egg carton youre nearly finished making the ribbon organizer! Be sure the carton you use is one that has not contained a broken egg; choose one thats perfectly clean. The type of egg carton you use for the organizer can be any: Styrofoam or cardboard, a six-pack, dozen or eighteen-pack. The larger the carton, of course, the more ribbon and other items it can hold. Since it only takes a minute to make the organizer, and a few minutes to add all the ribbons, youll be finished in no time. Lift the lid of the carton so you can see the individual compartments inside. Use a marker to make dots on the inside of the lid. Make one dot for each compartment and make sure the dot is centered over each section. Although it can be easier for some people to make the dots on the outside of the lid the ribbon will dispense easier the first time if the holes are made from the inside, out. After all the dots are made use a nail or similar object to poke a hole through each dot. Roll leftover ribbon and other items into small balls and place one ball in each compartment. Push the end of the ribbon through its hole in the lid and pull it out a couple of inches through the top of the lid. The egg carton ribbon organizer makes it easy to to dispense narrow ribbon, lace, twine, yarn, cord, sinew and other such materials. Your craft room or gift wrapping station will be so neat and orderly now!
Thursday, November 29, 2012
Tuesday, November 27, 2012
Glass Cake Wedding Centerpiece
When youre planning your wedding its necessary to tie things together so that, even if there is no particular theme, it all flows together smoothly. For instance, if youre having a country wedding, a towering, glass cake would seem out of place. But, if youre having an elegant, sophisticated wedding that glass cake would fit right in. And it will. Build a glass cake centerpiece for your elegant wedding and, even though it wont cost that much, your guests will be in awe of the gorgeous arrangement.Your wedding guests will be taken aback when they see a towering cake, made completely of glass, that takes center stage on the table. In fact, you can easily make that centerpiece, plus smaller versions to put on other tables, and at a budget price. You dont need any special talents, whatsoever, to make these glass cakes.Choose drinking glasses to make the particular cake you want. Youll have many extra options if you choose clear glasses, but to match the glass cake to your d?cor or color scheme, you can choose blue glass, pink glass or others. Select drinking glasses rather than juice or other glasses. The glasses can have patterns or other designs but must all be the same size. Also, buy only glasses which are the same size at the bottom as they are at the top. Shop at a discount department store - or even a thrift store - to purchase glasses which look beautiful but cost little.Decide if you want the glass cake to be square or round. Start by turning the glasses upside-down and gathering them into a large circle or square. On top of those glasses, arrange another circle or square, but make it smaller than the first one. Continue adding another and another tier until the cake is as tall as you want. End with a single glass or a small gathering of glasses on top.If youve used glasses which allow one to see through them you have many options for decorating inside of them. Place a single flower under each glass, ball up tulle and put it under the glasses, or create your own design. Another choice is to feature some flowers on top of the glasses on each tier. Top the glass cake with an arrangement of flowers or even a bride and groom.Although the glass wedding cake will stand on its own - as long as no one severely bumps the table - you can, if you want, use tiny pieces of double-sided tape to hold the glasses in place on the stack. It doesnt take long to build the cake that will take the breath away from every one of your guests.
Monday, November 26, 2012
Zipper Bow Jewelry and Hair Accessories
If youve been taking buttons, appliques, and similar things, off of ruined clothing before disposing of it, thats a good thing. You can always use buttons for making clothes and creating home accents. You probably think that the zippers can only be used to put in other garments but thats not true. Now, people turn them into earrings, bracelets, and more. You might want to take a turn at trying to make a jewelry piece with a zipper and, if so, a good project to get you started is a zipper bow. The bow can then be made into a jewelry item, a headband, or another personal accessory.
A zipper bow takes just a couple of minutes to make but its cute and unusual. All you have to do is cut the zipper from the old clothing item - or purchase a new zipper - and cut it. Zip the zipper all the way up and then lay it out flat on a table. Make two cuts to take a section out of the center. The section can be small, if you want a little bow, or much larger for a big bow.
Turn the zipper section into a circle and glue the short ends together. Hot glue works okay to secure it for now but you wont be able to launder it. If youll need to wash and dry the finished bow sometime, use fabric glue instead of hot glue. Decide on a material to tie around the zipper circle. Push the front and the back of the circle together, making sure that the glue seam is on the bottom, and tie a string, ribbon, or cord, around the middle of the circle. Position the tied area behind the zipper - in the area where the glue seam is. Instead of tying a material around it, you can make another circle from a zipper piece - but much smaller - and wrap it around the larger circle, around the middle. Glue the ends together to secure. You can attach the unique zipper bow onto any number of different items. Glue one onto a headband to create a cute accessory for a girl. Or, attach the zipper bow to a purse - suitable for a girl or a woman. You can also make a cuff of fabric, to go around your neck or your wrist, and glue or sew the zipper bow onto it. It creates a cute necklace or bracelet to coordinate with any number of outfits. Getting excited? Well, Ill let you go so you can grab that box of zippers; I know that you want to get started. Making jewelry and personal accents with zippers, thankfully, is one way to use those zippers that youve been saving. And youve been wondering what you were going to do with all of them!
A zipper bow takes just a couple of minutes to make but its cute and unusual. All you have to do is cut the zipper from the old clothing item - or purchase a new zipper - and cut it. Zip the zipper all the way up and then lay it out flat on a table. Make two cuts to take a section out of the center. The section can be small, if you want a little bow, or much larger for a big bow.
Turn the zipper section into a circle and glue the short ends together. Hot glue works okay to secure it for now but you wont be able to launder it. If youll need to wash and dry the finished bow sometime, use fabric glue instead of hot glue. Decide on a material to tie around the zipper circle. Push the front and the back of the circle together, making sure that the glue seam is on the bottom, and tie a string, ribbon, or cord, around the middle of the circle. Position the tied area behind the zipper - in the area where the glue seam is. Instead of tying a material around it, you can make another circle from a zipper piece - but much smaller - and wrap it around the larger circle, around the middle. Glue the ends together to secure. You can attach the unique zipper bow onto any number of different items. Glue one onto a headband to create a cute accessory for a girl. Or, attach the zipper bow to a purse - suitable for a girl or a woman. You can also make a cuff of fabric, to go around your neck or your wrist, and glue or sew the zipper bow onto it. It creates a cute necklace or bracelet to coordinate with any number of outfits. Getting excited? Well, Ill let you go so you can grab that box of zippers; I know that you want to get started. Making jewelry and personal accents with zippers, thankfully, is one way to use those zippers that youve been saving. And youve been wondering what you were going to do with all of them!
Sunday, November 25, 2012
Dollhouse Clocks Anyone Can Make
Dollhouses can have all the comforts one would find in a real home: rugs and draperies, miniature appliances, furniture and lamps. You might even find a clock or two. The thing about dollhouse clocks, though, is that they generally dont work. You get a nice cabinet or surrounding for the clock but the face is a mere sticker. Do you know how easy it is to make such clocks? Your childs dollhouse can have a clock in every room when you use clock stickers from a craft store.
One material you can use to make a clock is an ordinary block of wood. Available in many different lengths, widths and thicknesses, small wooden blocks are not expensive. Choose a small, square shape, thats very thin, to make a wall clock. After positioning the sticker you can embellish the clock in many ways. Glue a small metal ring around the sticker to give it a golden or silver accent. Or, glue on tiny jewels around the perimeter of the wood piece to give it an elegant edging.
Use a longer, wider, thick piece of wood to make a design like a grandfather clock. Stand the block up, place the sticker, then use other stickers to accent. For example, use cabinet door stickers, also found at craft stores, to put fake doors on the front of the clock. Scrapbook enhancements, like foil frames or monograms are also options for decorating these types of clocks. Use an ordinary soda bottle cap to make a different type of clock. Attach the sticker to the flat side of the lid then hang it on the wall. These clocks can look much more substantial if you glue things around the lid. Pieces cut from colored coffee stirrers, painted pieces of wooden skewers, beads and similar things can be glued directly to the wall, around the clock, or directly to the bottle lid. Use a medicine bottle lid in a similar way to make a different clock. Place the sticker on the lid then wrap a fuzzy hair tie around the sides. Or, sew a piece of ribbon or cloth on elastic and wrap it around the lid. This is a nice design for a bedroom. Making clocks for a dollhouse is so easy when you use stickers and simple items to make the frame. Things you can use to make clock cabinets or frames include Styrofoam shapes, scrapbook picture frames, shapes of foil, small lids, paper-covered cardboard shapes, and even flat foam shapes. Things you can use to embellish the clocks include tiny dried flowers, fake jewels, small buttons, confetti pieces, bows, miniatures and even painted beans!
One material you can use to make a clock is an ordinary block of wood. Available in many different lengths, widths and thicknesses, small wooden blocks are not expensive. Choose a small, square shape, thats very thin, to make a wall clock. After positioning the sticker you can embellish the clock in many ways. Glue a small metal ring around the sticker to give it a golden or silver accent. Or, glue on tiny jewels around the perimeter of the wood piece to give it an elegant edging.
Use a longer, wider, thick piece of wood to make a design like a grandfather clock. Stand the block up, place the sticker, then use other stickers to accent. For example, use cabinet door stickers, also found at craft stores, to put fake doors on the front of the clock. Scrapbook enhancements, like foil frames or monograms are also options for decorating these types of clocks. Use an ordinary soda bottle cap to make a different type of clock. Attach the sticker to the flat side of the lid then hang it on the wall. These clocks can look much more substantial if you glue things around the lid. Pieces cut from colored coffee stirrers, painted pieces of wooden skewers, beads and similar things can be glued directly to the wall, around the clock, or directly to the bottle lid. Use a medicine bottle lid in a similar way to make a different clock. Place the sticker on the lid then wrap a fuzzy hair tie around the sides. Or, sew a piece of ribbon or cloth on elastic and wrap it around the lid. This is a nice design for a bedroom. Making clocks for a dollhouse is so easy when you use stickers and simple items to make the frame. Things you can use to make clock cabinets or frames include Styrofoam shapes, scrapbook picture frames, shapes of foil, small lids, paper-covered cardboard shapes, and even flat foam shapes. Things you can use to embellish the clocks include tiny dried flowers, fake jewels, small buttons, confetti pieces, bows, miniatures and even painted beans!
Saturday, November 24, 2012
Giant Diamond Ring 25th or 50th Anniversary Centerpiece
Its mind boggling, isnt it - the choices a person has for table centerpieces at a 25 th or 50 th wedding anniversary celebration? How in the world do you decide? Do you go with candles? Flowers? Both? You definitely want the centerpiece to be spectacular and to get noticed. But do you really want to spend a fortune on flowers and candles when you can make a striking centerpiece for a fraction of the cost? Theres nothing more appropriate than a giant diamond ring as a 25 th or 50 th wedding anniversary centerpiece and you can make it for little money.
Even if youve never done a craft project in your life youll have no trouble making the giant diamond centerpiece. All you need is a few inexpensive craft supplies. Purchase three pieces of Styrofoam: a block, a cone and a wreath ring. You can make the anniversary centerpiece as large or as small as you want but all three pieces should be proportionate to each other. To make a centerpiece which is about 13" tall, use a cone which is 3"x2". Purchase a cube which is 5"x5"x5" and a wreath ring which is 6"x1 ?"x5/8".
Paint the cube or even cover it with fabric or decorative paper. Just glue the material around four sides and leave the top and the bottom plain. The bottom wont show and the top will be covered, later. Another choice for covering around the sides of the cube is to just glue on Spanish moss. At the top of the cube scrape the Styrofoam to make a groove which is about as wide as the wreath is thick. Its really easy to shave away Styrofoam; just create a groove which is an inch or so deep. Fill it partially with hot glue and stand the wreath in the groove. The wreath ring creates the band of the diamond ring. Lay the cone on one side and cut about a third of it off of the top. Cover the cut end of the large piece with hot glue, turn it upside-down, and set it on the ring. This will create the diamond. Cover the entire ring and diamond with glitter paint in gold or silver to give it the 25 th or 50 th anniversary look. Make sure that the paint you select works with Styrofoam since some paints can melt it. Finish the centerpiece by gluing some flowers on the top of the cube to conceal the very bottom of the ring. Make a huge centerpiece for a single table or smaller versions for other tables; or, make them all the same size. The gold or silver wedding ring centerpiece is one of the most appropriate you can ever make for such a special anniversary.
Even if youve never done a craft project in your life youll have no trouble making the giant diamond centerpiece. All you need is a few inexpensive craft supplies. Purchase three pieces of Styrofoam: a block, a cone and a wreath ring. You can make the anniversary centerpiece as large or as small as you want but all three pieces should be proportionate to each other. To make a centerpiece which is about 13" tall, use a cone which is 3"x2". Purchase a cube which is 5"x5"x5" and a wreath ring which is 6"x1 ?"x5/8".
Paint the cube or even cover it with fabric or decorative paper. Just glue the material around four sides and leave the top and the bottom plain. The bottom wont show and the top will be covered, later. Another choice for covering around the sides of the cube is to just glue on Spanish moss. At the top of the cube scrape the Styrofoam to make a groove which is about as wide as the wreath is thick. Its really easy to shave away Styrofoam; just create a groove which is an inch or so deep. Fill it partially with hot glue and stand the wreath in the groove. The wreath ring creates the band of the diamond ring. Lay the cone on one side and cut about a third of it off of the top. Cover the cut end of the large piece with hot glue, turn it upside-down, and set it on the ring. This will create the diamond. Cover the entire ring and diamond with glitter paint in gold or silver to give it the 25 th or 50 th anniversary look. Make sure that the paint you select works with Styrofoam since some paints can melt it. Finish the centerpiece by gluing some flowers on the top of the cube to conceal the very bottom of the ring. Make a huge centerpiece for a single table or smaller versions for other tables; or, make them all the same size. The gold or silver wedding ring centerpiece is one of the most appropriate you can ever make for such a special anniversary.
Friday, November 23, 2012
Cheese Label Bunting, Magnets, and More
Mmm, arent those little, triangular-shaped cheeses delicious? Theyre not that big but theyre perfect for spreading on crackers and fruits. "The Laughing Cow" is one brand of the triangular cheeses you can find at the grocery store. The thing about those little cheeses is that, if you love them, you love them. That means youll be buying many of them and throwing away all those wrappers - unless you use them for a fun project where you can make anything from buntings to magnets. Dont have any of those cheese wrappers? Just download images of them online.
Make a bunting for your kitchen by punching one-eighth-inch holes in each of the two top corners of the cheese label. Do this to many of them then string them together with twine or small-diameter cord. To make it easier to thread them, make an aglet - the plastic thing at the end of a shoestring - on one end of the cord. You can do that by wrapping a piece of tape around it or using a drop of super glue on it. Thread the twine through the labels by going in through the back of the left corner, and out through the top right corner. Space the labels apart or butt them close together. Hang the bunting across the front of a shelf or elsewhere in the kitchen.
Buy magnetic sheeting and you can make pretty cheese label magnets for the fridge or other metallic area. Just place the triangle(s) on the sheeting after pulling off the peel-n-stick backing. Trim around them to finish. These are decorative and wont hold weight. To make sturdier magnets use business card magnets. Do you have a metallic range hood? Put the cheese labels on magnetic sheeting and outline the edge of the hood. Print the cheese magnets onto iron-on transfers and you can use them on aprons, kitchen towels, cloth place mats, and more. Youll find the computer iron-on paper at Staples or a craft store. Follow the instructions on the package for printing and ironing. Glue or tape the cheese label triangles to cardstock and make a decorative border for the fronts of shelves in your kitchen. If you have a ceiling fan with no fan pull, tape two of the triangles to cardstock, cut them out, then tape them together, trapping the end of the pull chain between them. Its not hard to accumulate lots of the small cheese wrappers, and if you eat a lot of these cheeses, youll have enough to do a nice project in no time. Dont stop at just one project; do them all! Cheese Wrapper Bunting and Magnets
Make a bunting for your kitchen by punching one-eighth-inch holes in each of the two top corners of the cheese label. Do this to many of them then string them together with twine or small-diameter cord. To make it easier to thread them, make an aglet - the plastic thing at the end of a shoestring - on one end of the cord. You can do that by wrapping a piece of tape around it or using a drop of super glue on it. Thread the twine through the labels by going in through the back of the left corner, and out through the top right corner. Space the labels apart or butt them close together. Hang the bunting across the front of a shelf or elsewhere in the kitchen.
Buy magnetic sheeting and you can make pretty cheese label magnets for the fridge or other metallic area. Just place the triangle(s) on the sheeting after pulling off the peel-n-stick backing. Trim around them to finish. These are decorative and wont hold weight. To make sturdier magnets use business card magnets. Do you have a metallic range hood? Put the cheese labels on magnetic sheeting and outline the edge of the hood. Print the cheese magnets onto iron-on transfers and you can use them on aprons, kitchen towels, cloth place mats, and more. Youll find the computer iron-on paper at Staples or a craft store. Follow the instructions on the package for printing and ironing. Glue or tape the cheese label triangles to cardstock and make a decorative border for the fronts of shelves in your kitchen. If you have a ceiling fan with no fan pull, tape two of the triangles to cardstock, cut them out, then tape them together, trapping the end of the pull chain between them. Its not hard to accumulate lots of the small cheese wrappers, and if you eat a lot of these cheeses, youll have enough to do a nice project in no time. Dont stop at just one project; do them all! Cheese Wrapper Bunting and Magnets
Wednesday, November 21, 2012
Cool Crafts from Mesh Orange Bags
If you love fresh squeezed oranges theres one thing you probably have many of - besides oranges, peels, and juice. Youve likely accumulated quite a few of those mesh bags that used to contain the oranges. There are a lot of really cool things you can make with those bags, including helpful cleaners, useful containers, and much more. When you open the oranges, cut them with scissors, and cut as close to the closure as possible. With the bag lying flat on a table, cut across the top, and even it up to prepare it for use.
Make a useful pot scrubber by wadding up an orange bag and securing it with a rubber band. You can even use a onion bag if you dont have an orange bag. Just throw the scrubber away when youre finished with it. Use the same technique to make a loofah sponge for the bath.
Make a kitchen potpourri holder by making it look like the mesh bag still contains oranges. Crumble dry, orange-scented potpourri into small pieces and wrap them in an orange tissue paper. Shape like an orange, poke a few holes with a pin, and place the ball in the bag. Fill the bag with the balls and theyll appear to be a bag of oranges. Start with a neat upper edge of the mesh bag and you create a carrier for all sorts of things. Just sew on straps made of an old belt, a piece of fabric, or a ribbon. Sew both ends of one strap to one side of the bag, and do the same to the other side, to create two handles. Use this helpful bag to carry things to - or home from - the beach, toys, books or magazines, and more. Youll never worry about tangled yarn when you use an orange or onion bag. Sew handles on, as stated above, then stack skeins of yarn inside. As you do, reach into the center of each skein, and pull out the end of the yarn. Pull the yarn piece through one opening in the mesh and youre ready to crochet or knit. When the yarn pulls out from the center you rarely encounter a tangling problem. After cutting the top edge to be straight, sew a strip of Velcro across one side, and its opposing piece on the opposite side. The closeable bags are perfect for laundering lingerie, socks, booties, and other small items. Use them in the same manner to wash small things in the dishwasher, like measuring spoons. Every time you buy oranges, now, youll always want to save that mesh bag. You know they can be made into things you can use around your home. Use mesh bags from onions or other produce to make even more handy things.
Make a useful pot scrubber by wadding up an orange bag and securing it with a rubber band. You can even use a onion bag if you dont have an orange bag. Just throw the scrubber away when youre finished with it. Use the same technique to make a loofah sponge for the bath.
Make a kitchen potpourri holder by making it look like the mesh bag still contains oranges. Crumble dry, orange-scented potpourri into small pieces and wrap them in an orange tissue paper. Shape like an orange, poke a few holes with a pin, and place the ball in the bag. Fill the bag with the balls and theyll appear to be a bag of oranges. Start with a neat upper edge of the mesh bag and you create a carrier for all sorts of things. Just sew on straps made of an old belt, a piece of fabric, or a ribbon. Sew both ends of one strap to one side of the bag, and do the same to the other side, to create two handles. Use this helpful bag to carry things to - or home from - the beach, toys, books or magazines, and more. Youll never worry about tangled yarn when you use an orange or onion bag. Sew handles on, as stated above, then stack skeins of yarn inside. As you do, reach into the center of each skein, and pull out the end of the yarn. Pull the yarn piece through one opening in the mesh and youre ready to crochet or knit. When the yarn pulls out from the center you rarely encounter a tangling problem. After cutting the top edge to be straight, sew a strip of Velcro across one side, and its opposing piece on the opposite side. The closeable bags are perfect for laundering lingerie, socks, booties, and other small items. Use them in the same manner to wash small things in the dishwasher, like measuring spoons. Every time you buy oranges, now, youll always want to save that mesh bag. You know they can be made into things you can use around your home. Use mesh bags from onions or other produce to make even more handy things.
Monday, November 19, 2012
Pool Float Silverware Tie
Lots of people buy Life Savers candies because of the delicious flavors, like cherry, lime, coconut, pineapple, and peppermint, but youll buy them - at least this time - because of their shapes. The circular candies are certainly yummy but theyre also perfect for many food-type crafts. If youre having a pool party, a nautical-theme wedding, or even a summer birthday celebration, the circular candies are adorable when you use them like tiny pool floats, on the party silverware. Pool float silverware ties will help to create the cutest nautical look for the table.
The peppermint Life Savers, in particular, are perfect for making little pool floats, because theyre white. Theres no reason to pay two to five bucks a piece, just for tie-on embellishments, like pool floats or anchors. Your party silverware can look just as appropriate - and pretty - when you use peppermint Life Savers. With about fourteen candies in each roll of Life Savers, and with a roll costing about a buck, the round candies are perfect for creating the look of tiny ring floats.
Blue or white is a good choice for a napkin color, when having a nautical-theme wedding, or a pool party. After rolling the silverware in the napkin, just tie a Life Saver on it, and the summer silverware wrap is finished. Twine is not only cheap, but has a rustic look, and coordinates wonderfully with the blue napkins. Choose a type of twine that is very small in diameter - like thick string. Cut a length of the twine and lay it on a flat surface. Set the silverware wrap on it and tie the string once around the napkin. Slide a Life Saver onto one of the strings, and then tie a bow or a loose knot. Leave extra twine hanging, to finish the look. Although small, white Life Savers make fabulous pool floats, you can make them even more suitable for the occasion, by writing on them with a food marker. Use a fine-tip food marker to write "Love", the names of the bride and groom, or a different sentiment. With a food marker, you can write something to symbolize the occasion, you can draw blue or red stripes on the Life Saver, or otherwise create the look you want. Most people think that they have to go out and purchase nautical accents for a particular party but many decorations, table embellishments, and foods, can be easily made at home. Whether youre having a casual pool party, or a beautiful wedding, the Life Saver silverware wraps will make the scene!
The peppermint Life Savers, in particular, are perfect for making little pool floats, because theyre white. Theres no reason to pay two to five bucks a piece, just for tie-on embellishments, like pool floats or anchors. Your party silverware can look just as appropriate - and pretty - when you use peppermint Life Savers. With about fourteen candies in each roll of Life Savers, and with a roll costing about a buck, the round candies are perfect for creating the look of tiny ring floats.
Blue or white is a good choice for a napkin color, when having a nautical-theme wedding, or a pool party. After rolling the silverware in the napkin, just tie a Life Saver on it, and the summer silverware wrap is finished. Twine is not only cheap, but has a rustic look, and coordinates wonderfully with the blue napkins. Choose a type of twine that is very small in diameter - like thick string. Cut a length of the twine and lay it on a flat surface. Set the silverware wrap on it and tie the string once around the napkin. Slide a Life Saver onto one of the strings, and then tie a bow or a loose knot. Leave extra twine hanging, to finish the look. Although small, white Life Savers make fabulous pool floats, you can make them even more suitable for the occasion, by writing on them with a food marker. Use a fine-tip food marker to write "Love", the names of the bride and groom, or a different sentiment. With a food marker, you can write something to symbolize the occasion, you can draw blue or red stripes on the Life Saver, or otherwise create the look you want. Most people think that they have to go out and purchase nautical accents for a particular party but many decorations, table embellishments, and foods, can be easily made at home. Whether youre having a casual pool party, or a beautiful wedding, the Life Saver silverware wraps will make the scene!
Sunday, November 18, 2012
Rock Strawberries
What you need: Rocks Red, green, and black paint or paint markers Who couldnt love a strawberry? Even if you dont like the taste, the lovely look of a strawberry can be irresistible. Thats probably why so many people have strawberry accents in their kitchens. Are you a strawberry person? Do you have kitchen curtains with strawberry borders? Strawberry-shaped coasters? Then, have I got an exciting project for you! Turn rocks into strawberries and you can set them in baskets around the kitchen, arrange them across a windowsill, and even make them into magnets.
You cant use just any old rock to make a strawberry but you dont have to be really picky. The rocks should be fairly smooth, and somewhat small, and flat on at least one side. They dont necessarily have to be shaped like traditional strawberries. You can find many rocks in your own driveway or yard, more than likely. Gather some up, wash them well, and youre ready to start.
You dont have to be an expert at painting to turn rocks into strawberries. Paint each rock with red paint, of course, and allow to dry. It might take more than one coat to get the coverage and hue that you desire. Paint all sides of each rock. Set a painted rock in front of you so that its resting on the flat side. Decide which will be the top, and which will be the bottom of the strawberry. Draw a simplistic leaf shape with a green paint marker. Although you can paint it with a brush, a paint marker makes it really easy to draw the perfect leaf. When the leaf has dried, move on to the final stage of creating the strawberry. A toothpick is the ideal implement for making the dots on the strawberry rocks. Put a bit of black paint on a disposable plate and cut the tip off of the toothpick. Dip the cut end of the toothpick in the paint, tap it once on a paper towel, and then touch it to the strawberry. You could also use a fine-tip marker to draw the dots. Make many dots all over the strawberry. It can be helpful to look at pictures of strawberries to get an idea of the proper amount of dots, as well as ideas for leaf designs. Youll love the cute strawberries throughout your kitchen. Stick a piece of magnetic sheeting to the back of one to make it a refrigerator magnet. Put a bunch of them down the middle of the table to make an unusual runner. There are lots of ways to use the rock strawberries; youll think of many after you get them painted.
You cant use just any old rock to make a strawberry but you dont have to be really picky. The rocks should be fairly smooth, and somewhat small, and flat on at least one side. They dont necessarily have to be shaped like traditional strawberries. You can find many rocks in your own driveway or yard, more than likely. Gather some up, wash them well, and youre ready to start.
You dont have to be an expert at painting to turn rocks into strawberries. Paint each rock with red paint, of course, and allow to dry. It might take more than one coat to get the coverage and hue that you desire. Paint all sides of each rock. Set a painted rock in front of you so that its resting on the flat side. Decide which will be the top, and which will be the bottom of the strawberry. Draw a simplistic leaf shape with a green paint marker. Although you can paint it with a brush, a paint marker makes it really easy to draw the perfect leaf. When the leaf has dried, move on to the final stage of creating the strawberry. A toothpick is the ideal implement for making the dots on the strawberry rocks. Put a bit of black paint on a disposable plate and cut the tip off of the toothpick. Dip the cut end of the toothpick in the paint, tap it once on a paper towel, and then touch it to the strawberry. You could also use a fine-tip marker to draw the dots. Make many dots all over the strawberry. It can be helpful to look at pictures of strawberries to get an idea of the proper amount of dots, as well as ideas for leaf designs. Youll love the cute strawberries throughout your kitchen. Stick a piece of magnetic sheeting to the back of one to make it a refrigerator magnet. Put a bunch of them down the middle of the table to make an unusual runner. There are lots of ways to use the rock strawberries; youll think of many after you get them painted.
Friday, November 16, 2012
Giant Jigsaw Puzzle Wall Decor
Lots of kids and even adults hang posters up on their walls. Images of beach scenes, famous landmarks, popular movie stars - there are literally millions of posters out there. Some people use thumbtacks to hang them; others frame them and hang them. All those techniques are so old! Do something entirely new and different to make your poster stand out and get noticed while making it look like much more than just an old poster! Use foam board to easily make the chosen poster into a huge jigsaw puzzle for a wall. The foam board is found at craft stores, dollar-theme stores and even discount department stores. Its cheap, lightweight and really easy to cut. There are a couple of different ways to make the wall puzzle and one is much easier than the other.
To make the easy version simply glue the poster to the foam board. Set heavy objects on top of the poster as the glue dries to prevent bubbles from forming under the paper. After the glue is dry use black paint and a brush to make puzzle piece shapes directly on the poster. Its helpful to look at some puzzle pieces to get an idea of the shapes and designs. If you dont feel confident about your abilities to draw the lines on the poster you can print out images of puzzle pieces on your home computer and use them as patterns. After the lines are drawn to form the pieces you can simply hang the lightweight picture on the wall using adhesive hangers.
Make a different type of wall hanging by actually cutting the shapes of the pieces. Glue the poster onto the foam board and allow the adhesive to set. Draw the shapes freehand or use the computer printout patterns. Use a sharp knife - not serrated - to cut the foam board. Take your time and cut exactly, but if you need to give some edges a smoother look, use a piece of sandpaper or even an emory board to easily sand the edges. As you hang the individual puzzle pieces slide them together as you would a real puzzle but dont push them tightly together. If you do the pieces arent as distinct as they are when you leave a slight gap between them. Its a cute look to make a baby-theme wall puzzle for a nursery or a cartoon character theme for a slightly older child. Create a really unique scenery for a wall by making a puzzle that features a beach, mountains or fields of flowers. Make whimsical looks or gorgeous designs. Use the entire poster to make the puzzle or cut it down to fit a smaller wall. Youll love the look!
To make the easy version simply glue the poster to the foam board. Set heavy objects on top of the poster as the glue dries to prevent bubbles from forming under the paper. After the glue is dry use black paint and a brush to make puzzle piece shapes directly on the poster. Its helpful to look at some puzzle pieces to get an idea of the shapes and designs. If you dont feel confident about your abilities to draw the lines on the poster you can print out images of puzzle pieces on your home computer and use them as patterns. After the lines are drawn to form the pieces you can simply hang the lightweight picture on the wall using adhesive hangers.
Make a different type of wall hanging by actually cutting the shapes of the pieces. Glue the poster onto the foam board and allow the adhesive to set. Draw the shapes freehand or use the computer printout patterns. Use a sharp knife - not serrated - to cut the foam board. Take your time and cut exactly, but if you need to give some edges a smoother look, use a piece of sandpaper or even an emory board to easily sand the edges. As you hang the individual puzzle pieces slide them together as you would a real puzzle but dont push them tightly together. If you do the pieces arent as distinct as they are when you leave a slight gap between them. Its a cute look to make a baby-theme wall puzzle for a nursery or a cartoon character theme for a slightly older child. Create a really unique scenery for a wall by making a puzzle that features a beach, mountains or fields of flowers. Make whimsical looks or gorgeous designs. Use the entire poster to make the puzzle or cut it down to fit a smaller wall. Youll love the look!
Wednesday, November 14, 2012
How to Make a Halloween Coffin
Got an old box lying around the house? Then youve got a Halloween coffin you can set outside or indoors. Its easy to make a simple coffin when you start with a box thats long, wide and deep. Make mini versions and place a doll in it, make a larger version and stand it up outside - there are lots of different ways to use a cardboard box coffin as a Halloween decoration.
The box you use will need a lid that detaches from the box. The separate lid, of course, will be the lid of the coffin. To begin making it its helpful to paint the box and lid black. Theres no need to paint the inside of the box or the inside of the box lid. You wont need to paint the bottom of the box but you do need to paint the top of the lid.
Use old pillow, balled up sheets, many plastic bags or other stuffing-type objects you might have. Align the pillows - or whatever - in the bottom of the box. Take the time to smooth out whatever type of stuffing youre using to make it look like one solid piece. The stuffing should fill up about half the box. Choose the material you want to use as the casket lining. Although a piece of velvet or satin work well you can use a sheet instead. The piece of material you use must be long enough and wide enough to cover the stuffing and come up and over the sides and ends of the casket. Position the material over the stuffing. Tuck the fabric all the way around the stuffing, down both long sides and down both short sides. Tuck it tightly to make it look like a bed. Use wide, black tape to secure the material to the box. So, bring the material up to the top edge of the box, then fold it down a couple of inches on the outside of the box. Use the tape to go all the way around the top edge, securing the fabric as you go along. You can gather excess fabric in the corners as you tape across them. Make one large fold at each corner and youll have a neat appearance to the inside of the casket. Basically, youll do the same thing for the lid. The lid doesnt absolutely have to have the stuffing; this is optional. Position the fabric and use the black tape to secure the material to the box lid. Set the casket on the floor or even on a table. Prop the lid against the wall or use tape to secure it to the side of the casket. Outdoors, place the lid where it appears to be nearly all the way open, then use tape to secure it to the side of the box. Now, lets talk about a scary monster to put inside that coffin!
The box you use will need a lid that detaches from the box. The separate lid, of course, will be the lid of the coffin. To begin making it its helpful to paint the box and lid black. Theres no need to paint the inside of the box or the inside of the box lid. You wont need to paint the bottom of the box but you do need to paint the top of the lid.
Use old pillow, balled up sheets, many plastic bags or other stuffing-type objects you might have. Align the pillows - or whatever - in the bottom of the box. Take the time to smooth out whatever type of stuffing youre using to make it look like one solid piece. The stuffing should fill up about half the box. Choose the material you want to use as the casket lining. Although a piece of velvet or satin work well you can use a sheet instead. The piece of material you use must be long enough and wide enough to cover the stuffing and come up and over the sides and ends of the casket. Position the material over the stuffing. Tuck the fabric all the way around the stuffing, down both long sides and down both short sides. Tuck it tightly to make it look like a bed. Use wide, black tape to secure the material to the box. So, bring the material up to the top edge of the box, then fold it down a couple of inches on the outside of the box. Use the tape to go all the way around the top edge, securing the fabric as you go along. You can gather excess fabric in the corners as you tape across them. Make one large fold at each corner and youll have a neat appearance to the inside of the casket. Basically, youll do the same thing for the lid. The lid doesnt absolutely have to have the stuffing; this is optional. Position the fabric and use the black tape to secure the material to the box lid. Set the casket on the floor or even on a table. Prop the lid against the wall or use tape to secure it to the side of the casket. Outdoors, place the lid where it appears to be nearly all the way open, then use tape to secure it to the side of the box. Now, lets talk about a scary monster to put inside that coffin!
Monday, November 12, 2012
Standing Candy Tree Centerpiece and Treat
Its the law; you cant have Christmas without candy! Whether you spend days making homemade candies for friends and family, or you just go out and purchase candy with a Christmas theme, youll find theres no more suitable occasion for candy than a holiday. You can place candy in tins, hand it out in a stocking, set it in dishes around the house or do something different this year! Make a candy tree that is also a centerpiece as well as a treat for all! Select individually-wrapped candy, like Hersheys Kisses, to make the centerpiece tree. Make the tree as tall or short as you want depending upon how many candies you align into a tree shape. Start by placing one Kiss on a piece of cardboard. Place two underneath that one, three more candies under the two, and so on, until the tree is as large as you want.
Draw a triangle around the aligned candies. Cut the triangle shape from the cardboard, but as you do, trim off a little, all the way around. This will prevent being able to see the cardboard edges after the candies are attached. Cut three identical triangles using cardboard thats the same in thickness. You might want to paint or otherwise decorate the cardboard since youll be able to see small portions of it, here and there, between the candies.
Use double-sided tape to secure the candies to the tree shapes. Make three full tree shapes then stand the three triangles on a piece of cardboard so that they form a complete, 3-d tree. Apply a drop of hot glue to the top area, where the three triangles meet, and attach a tree topper. This could be a cardboard star, a miniature ball ornament or another choice. Make a line of hot glue in front of each cardboard triangle, at the very bottom, and position the cardboard in the glue. This will ensure the three tree shapes stay in position as others pluck the candies off of them. There are many different candies you can use to make the Christmas tree centerpiece. Hard, peppermint candies, for example, can be removed from their wrappers and stuck to the board using frosting. The frosting will need to set up for a couple of hours before serving. The red and white candy makes a beautiful tree, too. Other candies you can use include gumdrops, hard cinnamons, Gummi Bears, and similar types. Set the candy tree in the middle of the treats table and guests can help themselves. The 3-d Christmas tree makes a beautiful centerpiece as well as a delicious treat for the crowd!
Draw a triangle around the aligned candies. Cut the triangle shape from the cardboard, but as you do, trim off a little, all the way around. This will prevent being able to see the cardboard edges after the candies are attached. Cut three identical triangles using cardboard thats the same in thickness. You might want to paint or otherwise decorate the cardboard since youll be able to see small portions of it, here and there, between the candies.
Use double-sided tape to secure the candies to the tree shapes. Make three full tree shapes then stand the three triangles on a piece of cardboard so that they form a complete, 3-d tree. Apply a drop of hot glue to the top area, where the three triangles meet, and attach a tree topper. This could be a cardboard star, a miniature ball ornament or another choice. Make a line of hot glue in front of each cardboard triangle, at the very bottom, and position the cardboard in the glue. This will ensure the three tree shapes stay in position as others pluck the candies off of them. There are many different candies you can use to make the Christmas tree centerpiece. Hard, peppermint candies, for example, can be removed from their wrappers and stuck to the board using frosting. The frosting will need to set up for a couple of hours before serving. The red and white candy makes a beautiful tree, too. Other candies you can use include gumdrops, hard cinnamons, Gummi Bears, and similar types. Set the candy tree in the middle of the treats table and guests can help themselves. The 3-d Christmas tree makes a beautiful centerpiece as well as a delicious treat for the crowd!
Sunday, November 11, 2012
Easy Tile Headboard
Youve got your bedroom almost finished. The carpeted or hardwood floors are beautiful, youve got your coordinating drapes, throw rugs and nice lamps on beautiful end tables. Too bad the bed looks like it does. No matter how nice the quilt or duvet, no matter how many pillows you pile up for a comfy look, the bed will never be complete. Not until you put up a headboard. Dont have one? No money to get one? Make it! You dont have to have wood, nails and power tools to create a headboard. All you need is a box of tiles.
Peel-n-stick tiles are normally used on a bathroom or kitchen floor. They have a peel-away backing that exposes a sticky adhesive which makes it easy to attach them to most any flat surface. Use them to create a new headboard thats unusual yet striking when you stick the tiles to the wall.
There are several great things about sticky tiles being used for a new headboard. One is that theyre easily cut with scissors. Another is that they come in a variety of colors and styles so that youll have no trouble coordinating them with other elements in the bedroom. Choose a style that looks like brick, a marbleized type, or another. The tiles are sold at home improvement stores, but if you can find them, theyre much cheaper at a dollar-theme store. Begin sticking the tiles to the wall so that they are aligned with the bottom edge of the mattress - or lower. The tiles should go the width of the bed or even a few inches wider. You can add row after row of tiles until they reach as far up on the wall as you want. Its helpful to measure, then draw lines, to ensure the tiles are perfectly straight. Although its easy and fast to stick the tiles on the wall in a rectangular pattern you can create more interest by cutting the tiles along the top in a varied pattern. You can also do something decorative with the tiles that go down the sides of the new headboard, too. The headboard will have a more finished look if you outline the tiles. One way to do that is to have molding pieces cut at a home improvement store. Another is to use glue dots to attaching roping, leather strips or something similar. The sticky tile headboard is unusual but very pretty. If you want it to be more substantial you can have a piece of wood cut at a home improvement store, nail it to the wall, then tile over it. Even with a wood backing the tile headboard is not expensive and really easy to create.
Peel-n-stick tiles are normally used on a bathroom or kitchen floor. They have a peel-away backing that exposes a sticky adhesive which makes it easy to attach them to most any flat surface. Use them to create a new headboard thats unusual yet striking when you stick the tiles to the wall.
There are several great things about sticky tiles being used for a new headboard. One is that theyre easily cut with scissors. Another is that they come in a variety of colors and styles so that youll have no trouble coordinating them with other elements in the bedroom. Choose a style that looks like brick, a marbleized type, or another. The tiles are sold at home improvement stores, but if you can find them, theyre much cheaper at a dollar-theme store. Begin sticking the tiles to the wall so that they are aligned with the bottom edge of the mattress - or lower. The tiles should go the width of the bed or even a few inches wider. You can add row after row of tiles until they reach as far up on the wall as you want. Its helpful to measure, then draw lines, to ensure the tiles are perfectly straight. Although its easy and fast to stick the tiles on the wall in a rectangular pattern you can create more interest by cutting the tiles along the top in a varied pattern. You can also do something decorative with the tiles that go down the sides of the new headboard, too. The headboard will have a more finished look if you outline the tiles. One way to do that is to have molding pieces cut at a home improvement store. Another is to use glue dots to attaching roping, leather strips or something similar. The sticky tile headboard is unusual but very pretty. If you want it to be more substantial you can have a piece of wood cut at a home improvement store, nail it to the wall, then tile over it. Even with a wood backing the tile headboard is not expensive and really easy to create.
Saturday, November 10, 2012
Fake Fried Ice Cream
Have you ever tried fried ice cream? What a treat! Different places make it in various ways. Basically, though, its a ball of frozen ice cream, rolled in any number of goodies, and fried quickly. The frying of the dessert cooks the outside while the ice cream remains frozen. Some places make the dessert by wrapping ice cream in pie crust. Another place might roll it in corn flakes, and when it has been fried, sprinkle it with cinnamon and sugar. Instead of heating up a hot deep fryer on a hot day, take a shortcut. You can make a fake fried ice cream thats just as delicious as the real thing without the extra effort. There are many different ways to make the fake fried ice cream that there is sure to be one - or many - that youll love.
Use any flavor of ice cream to make this treat. Many people opt for vanilla or chocolate since these combine well with various things you can roll the ice cream in before frying. Set the ice cream out for a few minutes to soften only slightly. The ice cream should still be frozen but should be easy to scoop out of the carton. One pint makes about 4 to 6 of the fried ice cream balls.
For each pint of ice cream place ? cup of cereal and 1/3 cup of finely chopped nuts in a bowl. Mix these well. The cereal choices can vary. Some good selections include corn flakes, Rice Krispies, Cocoa Krispies, granola cereal or almond cluster cereal. The nuts you use can vary, too. Mixed nuts are great but you could use only almonds, only peanuts, etc. Or, forget the nuts and mix in other goodies, like chocolate chips, cookie crumbles, raisins or dried fruit pieces. After mixing up all the ingredients you want for the crust scoop out a ball of ice cream, then place it in the bowl of cereal. Coat it quickly then place it in a cup of a muffin tin. Do the same thing again to create as many of the ice cream balls as you need. Cover the muffin tin with plastic wrap and place it in the freezer for at least an hour before serving. Just before serving the fake fried ice cream, warm up a chosen topping to pour over it. This can be chocolate syrup, strawberry preserves or even melted caramel. Pour the topping over the ice cream then serve it immediately. Your guests wont know the fake ice cream from the real fried treat but you will. You didnt have to heat up the frying pot and stand over it until you were too sweaty to care anymore. Youll probably never make the real fried ice cream ever again!
Use any flavor of ice cream to make this treat. Many people opt for vanilla or chocolate since these combine well with various things you can roll the ice cream in before frying. Set the ice cream out for a few minutes to soften only slightly. The ice cream should still be frozen but should be easy to scoop out of the carton. One pint makes about 4 to 6 of the fried ice cream balls.
For each pint of ice cream place ? cup of cereal and 1/3 cup of finely chopped nuts in a bowl. Mix these well. The cereal choices can vary. Some good selections include corn flakes, Rice Krispies, Cocoa Krispies, granola cereal or almond cluster cereal. The nuts you use can vary, too. Mixed nuts are great but you could use only almonds, only peanuts, etc. Or, forget the nuts and mix in other goodies, like chocolate chips, cookie crumbles, raisins or dried fruit pieces. After mixing up all the ingredients you want for the crust scoop out a ball of ice cream, then place it in the bowl of cereal. Coat it quickly then place it in a cup of a muffin tin. Do the same thing again to create as many of the ice cream balls as you need. Cover the muffin tin with plastic wrap and place it in the freezer for at least an hour before serving. Just before serving the fake fried ice cream, warm up a chosen topping to pour over it. This can be chocolate syrup, strawberry preserves or even melted caramel. Pour the topping over the ice cream then serve it immediately. Your guests wont know the fake ice cream from the real fried treat but you will. You didnt have to heat up the frying pot and stand over it until you were too sweaty to care anymore. Youll probably never make the real fried ice cream ever again!
Friday, November 9, 2012
Thank-You Tins
Theres a lot that goes into having a wedding reception, a birthday party, or another special event. When all the guests have gone, and all thats left is the cleaning, you can finally sit back, relax, and relish the new memories with friends and family. But wait; the party isnt quite over yet. Etiquette states that you have to send a thank-you card to each of your guests. But no matter how nice the cards are theyre still just cards. Dont your guests deserve a little bit more than that? Maybe a small gift to go along with that card? You know, you could combine the card with a small gift; that would be especially nice. And you could mail one to each guest, or give one to each guest at the party. If you have an Altoids tin you can make the cutest little thank-you gift that any guest will love.An Altoids tin - or a similar metal can - is perfect for creating a unique thank-you gift for any special occasion. The tin is small, shallow, and has a hinged lid. You can easily decorate it, and add certain gifts, to create the exact thank-you gift that you desire.Set the tin on the backside of a piece of cloth or decorative paper. Draw around it and, as you cut it out, cut it just a tad smaller than the drawing. Apply glue to the inside bottom of the tin and lay the paper or cloth on it. Do the same thing to put a piece of fabric or paper on the inside of the lid. You can also decorate the outside of the tin by painting it, or gluing on fabric or paper.There are many different things you could put inside the Altoids tin to make the thank-you gift. Fold a small piece of scrapbook paper in half and write a message inside. This cute note will serve as the actual "thank-you". Another option is to just write the message on the paper thats glued to the bottom, or lid.Many small trinkets can fit into an Altoids tin. Stick a couple of refrigerator magnets on the inside of the lid, or just align bare magnets, as a small gift. Inside the actual tin you can fit kids items, like balloons, craft supplies, candies, or tiny toys. For an adult, the tin can hold bath salts, tea bags, dried fruits, and other small items.Instead of giving little trinkets you can make the Altoids tin into a game. Give a gift of a miniature Yahtzee, mini cards with tiny tablet and pencil, checkers, or another game. Or, make a kit, like a sewing kit, mini fishing kit, or first aid kit. Dont forget the "thank-you", written on the inside lid or inside bottom of the cute tin.
Wednesday, November 7, 2012
Man Cave Spackle or Putty Knife Art
A huge percentage of home accents are made with a woman in mind. Flowers, vases, heart-shaped picture frames - theyre not really items that most men would pick if they were doing the decorating. So, if youre a guy who is decorating your man cave, or youre a bachelor with a no-frills room or home, you might shy away from those things. That doesnt mean that you cant have pictures and home accents in your cave or your room. Make your own home accents and they can have manly themes, like cars, women, and beer. If youve got a spackle knife, a putty knife, or a scraper, youve got a canvas. Turn it into artwork to hang in your man cave and youll be as proud of it as a woman is of her home decorations.
There are several ways to make art on a spackle knife. Youve seen one, havent you? The knife is not a traditional knife, with a blade used for cutting. The piece has a handle, and a wide metal "blade"; the blade is used for spreading spackle, mud, or other thick mixtures. If you dont have a putty or spackle knife out in your tool box you can find one at a home improvement store.
If youre using an old putty or spackle knife you might find that the handle has paint, spackle remains, or other scars. Those are fine; theyll give character to the artwork. But if youd prefer a brand new look you can always paint the knife handle. Since the handle likely has a hole for hanging the tool, you can use it for hanging the finished art on the wall. One way to turn the spackle knife into artwork is to simply apply a clear-back sticker. Places where stickers are sold offer huge selections of themes, like sports, beer, animals, famous people, and cars. Choose a sticker no larger than the spackle knife blade and apply it to the metal. Instead of a sticker you can purchase a paint marker to make spackle knife art. Use it like a regular marker to write a team name, to make a monogram, or to write "Bobs Man Cave". If you want, purchase a stencil, and use it along with the marker. You could create a nature scene, a beach image, or any other. But if youre a real artist, forget the marker and stencil, and paint the knife with a brush and paints. A spackle knife might not seem, to most people, to be a work of art. But after you give it a make-over, it certainly is. Maybe your man cave artwork wont be worth millions but at least you can take comfort in knowing that its not covered in ruffles and lace.
There are several ways to make art on a spackle knife. Youve seen one, havent you? The knife is not a traditional knife, with a blade used for cutting. The piece has a handle, and a wide metal "blade"; the blade is used for spreading spackle, mud, or other thick mixtures. If you dont have a putty or spackle knife out in your tool box you can find one at a home improvement store.
If youre using an old putty or spackle knife you might find that the handle has paint, spackle remains, or other scars. Those are fine; theyll give character to the artwork. But if youd prefer a brand new look you can always paint the knife handle. Since the handle likely has a hole for hanging the tool, you can use it for hanging the finished art on the wall. One way to turn the spackle knife into artwork is to simply apply a clear-back sticker. Places where stickers are sold offer huge selections of themes, like sports, beer, animals, famous people, and cars. Choose a sticker no larger than the spackle knife blade and apply it to the metal. Instead of a sticker you can purchase a paint marker to make spackle knife art. Use it like a regular marker to write a team name, to make a monogram, or to write "Bobs Man Cave". If you want, purchase a stencil, and use it along with the marker. You could create a nature scene, a beach image, or any other. But if youre a real artist, forget the marker and stencil, and paint the knife with a brush and paints. A spackle knife might not seem, to most people, to be a work of art. But after you give it a make-over, it certainly is. Maybe your man cave artwork wont be worth millions but at least you can take comfort in knowing that its not covered in ruffles and lace.
Monday, November 5, 2012
Recycling Parmesan Cheese Shakers
Do you buy those plastic parmesan cheese containers which are designed to let the user shake or pour out the cheese? With the price of that cheese wouldnt it be nice if you could get a little money back? You can, sort of, when you recycle one or more parmesan cheese shakers.
Boxes which are perforated, and you push on the perforation to "Open Here", are aggravating. If you dont break your thumbnail when you open them you soon see they dont really close all that well. A good example of such a box is one which contains baking soda. These types of boxed goods can be stored in parmesan cheese containers and shaken out when needed.
If you purchase large bags or boxes of sugar, powdered sugar or flour, but you use it in small amounts, the parmesan cheese shaker is perfect. The shaker holes allow you to simply powder things with sugar or flour and the wider opening lets you easily pour out the contents. Its really easy to make a new label for the parmesan cheese shaker. Go online and youll find any number of images, tags and templates you can print from your computer. If you want to change the look of the shaker even more paint the lid, wrap the jar with wide ribbon or otherwise embellish it. There are lots of uses for a parmesan cheese container in the kitchen but thats not the only place where it is useful. The cheese shaker is great for people who love to craft. Fill the canister with glitter, beads, fake snow, confetti and similar things and you can sprinkle the craft supplies onto desired projects. Take yarn leftover from various knitting or crocheting projects and roll it into small balls. Place one or more balls in the cheese container then thread the end of the yarn through one of the holes of the shaker. Its easy to carry this dispenser around with you as you work on small knitting or crocheting crafts. This is especially handy for kids just learning how to do needlework. You dont necessarily have to use the parmesan cheese container as a dispenser for another item. Remove the lid, cover the outside with fabric, and cut it way too large. Tuck the excess down inside the canister and you can use this decorated jar as a desk organizer, as a vase or even to hold combs in the bathroom. If you love Italian food, and you use a lot of parmesan cheese, think twice before throwing yet another one of those containers in the trash. Theyre quite handy; just rinse them out and reuse them around the house.
Boxes which are perforated, and you push on the perforation to "Open Here", are aggravating. If you dont break your thumbnail when you open them you soon see they dont really close all that well. A good example of such a box is one which contains baking soda. These types of boxed goods can be stored in parmesan cheese containers and shaken out when needed.
If you purchase large bags or boxes of sugar, powdered sugar or flour, but you use it in small amounts, the parmesan cheese shaker is perfect. The shaker holes allow you to simply powder things with sugar or flour and the wider opening lets you easily pour out the contents. Its really easy to make a new label for the parmesan cheese shaker. Go online and youll find any number of images, tags and templates you can print from your computer. If you want to change the look of the shaker even more paint the lid, wrap the jar with wide ribbon or otherwise embellish it. There are lots of uses for a parmesan cheese container in the kitchen but thats not the only place where it is useful. The cheese shaker is great for people who love to craft. Fill the canister with glitter, beads, fake snow, confetti and similar things and you can sprinkle the craft supplies onto desired projects. Take yarn leftover from various knitting or crocheting projects and roll it into small balls. Place one or more balls in the cheese container then thread the end of the yarn through one of the holes of the shaker. Its easy to carry this dispenser around with you as you work on small knitting or crocheting crafts. This is especially handy for kids just learning how to do needlework. You dont necessarily have to use the parmesan cheese container as a dispenser for another item. Remove the lid, cover the outside with fabric, and cut it way too large. Tuck the excess down inside the canister and you can use this decorated jar as a desk organizer, as a vase or even to hold combs in the bathroom. If you love Italian food, and you use a lot of parmesan cheese, think twice before throwing yet another one of those containers in the trash. Theyre quite handy; just rinse them out and reuse them around the house.
Saturday, November 3, 2012
How to Make Balloon Flowers
Balloons instantly give the look of something cool and exciting going on. Whether it be a baby shower or a childs birthday party balloons fit right in with the d?cor and the theme. Since theyre so cheap, too, theyre perfect for celebrating all sorts of special occasions.
Many people forego ordinary balloons now for the mylar type because the mylar balloons have birthday wishes, images and other designs. Unless you shop at a discount store, mylar balloons are sure going to cost you, and even at a discount theyre still a buck a piece! Use regular balloons and you save money while creating spectacular flowers that will steal the show! Purchase round balloons, fill them with helium, tie a ribbon around each, and then its easy to make them into a flower. Choose one color of balloon to be the center of the flower and surround it with six balloons of another color. These six balloons should all be the same color but different from the center balloon. The six identical balloons will make the petals for the flower.
Hold the single balloon down on a table while you position the other balloons. It can be helpful to place something weighty on the string, real close to the balloon, to hold it in place. Position the six balloons around that one to make the flower shape. Roll pieces of tape into tiny tube shapes and use them to stick the balloons together. Make sure you tape the balloons so that the knots cant be seen. Each balloon should be taped to the center balloon and to the balloons on each side of it. Remove the weights and place the flower where you want it. Make a different type of flower by starting with a single round balloon. As with the flower above, fill all the balloons with helium and tie a ribbon around each one. Blow up six long balloons and use them to make a different type of petal. Weight the round balloon down on a table while you position and weight the six long balloons. As with the above flower, use double-sided tape to secure the petal balloons to the center balloon. For this design tape the balloons so that they connect to each other real close to the round balloon. As the petals extend the balloons will no longer touch each other. This flower has pointed petals which look beautiful. Its so easy to make balloons look like flowers and those flowers lend a whole lot of fun and color to the surroundings. Use them for an outside party or position them on a table indoors. Theyre charming!
Many people forego ordinary balloons now for the mylar type because the mylar balloons have birthday wishes, images and other designs. Unless you shop at a discount store, mylar balloons are sure going to cost you, and even at a discount theyre still a buck a piece! Use regular balloons and you save money while creating spectacular flowers that will steal the show! Purchase round balloons, fill them with helium, tie a ribbon around each, and then its easy to make them into a flower. Choose one color of balloon to be the center of the flower and surround it with six balloons of another color. These six balloons should all be the same color but different from the center balloon. The six identical balloons will make the petals for the flower.
Hold the single balloon down on a table while you position the other balloons. It can be helpful to place something weighty on the string, real close to the balloon, to hold it in place. Position the six balloons around that one to make the flower shape. Roll pieces of tape into tiny tube shapes and use them to stick the balloons together. Make sure you tape the balloons so that the knots cant be seen. Each balloon should be taped to the center balloon and to the balloons on each side of it. Remove the weights and place the flower where you want it. Make a different type of flower by starting with a single round balloon. As with the flower above, fill all the balloons with helium and tie a ribbon around each one. Blow up six long balloons and use them to make a different type of petal. Weight the round balloon down on a table while you position and weight the six long balloons. As with the above flower, use double-sided tape to secure the petal balloons to the center balloon. For this design tape the balloons so that they connect to each other real close to the round balloon. As the petals extend the balloons will no longer touch each other. This flower has pointed petals which look beautiful. Its so easy to make balloons look like flowers and those flowers lend a whole lot of fun and color to the surroundings. Use them for an outside party or position them on a table indoors. Theyre charming!
Thursday, November 1, 2012
Vintage Recipe Card Wreath
If you were to sit down and write each and every wreath project that a person could do, you would never finish. Wreaths are now made in every color, using any type of material, and for any and all occasions - even for no occasion. But theres a unique wreath that you rarely see, and its made especially for the kitchen, with your favorite recipes in mind. A recipe card wreath is a cute home accent as well as a useful recipe file.
Sometimes, vintage recipe cards can have grease spatters or food marks. Thats not going to be too attractive on the kitchen wreath. Copy vintage recipes onto new cards or, if the vintage ones are not marred, use them as they are. The best look for the wreath is created when all of the recipes are on index cards. You dont necessarily have to use common, white index cards. You can cut 3"x5" - or other sizes of cards - from colorful card stock, or stiff scrapbook paper. So, you have lots of choices for creating the color and/or theme of the recipe card wreath.
Youll need a flat, doughnut-shaped wreath form to make the kitchen accent. You can buy a flat, wooden doughnut at a craft store or home improvement store. Or, you can cut it yourself, using thick cardboard. Just draw around a small bowl - or similar object - and then place a larger object around that circle, and draw around it. Cut out the outer and inner circle and youll have the wreath form that you need. The wreath you make can be small or huge, depending on what you desire for your kitchen. When you have the form it takes only a couple of minutes to make the wreath. Use clips to hold each recipe card to the form. Just position the card, open the clip, and close it over the recipe card. The squeezing part of the clip should be inside the inner circle of the doughnut. Each card should be slanted so that at least one corner of it extends beyond the outer ring of the wreath form. Put enough recipe cards on the form so that you cover it completely. A clip doesnt have to hold just one recipe card; it can hold several. Hang the arrangement using a peel-n-stick picture hanger. Its easy to make duplicates of the cards so that you can make an interchangeable wreath for special occasions. Just take off the ordinary recipe cards, and replace them with red, white, and blue cards, red and green cards, or other combinations. The wreath will often look different, but will always hold your favorite recipes - vintage or not.
Sometimes, vintage recipe cards can have grease spatters or food marks. Thats not going to be too attractive on the kitchen wreath. Copy vintage recipes onto new cards or, if the vintage ones are not marred, use them as they are. The best look for the wreath is created when all of the recipes are on index cards. You dont necessarily have to use common, white index cards. You can cut 3"x5" - or other sizes of cards - from colorful card stock, or stiff scrapbook paper. So, you have lots of choices for creating the color and/or theme of the recipe card wreath.
Youll need a flat, doughnut-shaped wreath form to make the kitchen accent. You can buy a flat, wooden doughnut at a craft store or home improvement store. Or, you can cut it yourself, using thick cardboard. Just draw around a small bowl - or similar object - and then place a larger object around that circle, and draw around it. Cut out the outer and inner circle and youll have the wreath form that you need. The wreath you make can be small or huge, depending on what you desire for your kitchen. When you have the form it takes only a couple of minutes to make the wreath. Use clips to hold each recipe card to the form. Just position the card, open the clip, and close it over the recipe card. The squeezing part of the clip should be inside the inner circle of the doughnut. Each card should be slanted so that at least one corner of it extends beyond the outer ring of the wreath form. Put enough recipe cards on the form so that you cover it completely. A clip doesnt have to hold just one recipe card; it can hold several. Hang the arrangement using a peel-n-stick picture hanger. Its easy to make duplicates of the cards so that you can make an interchangeable wreath for special occasions. Just take off the ordinary recipe cards, and replace them with red, white, and blue cards, red and green cards, or other combinations. The wreath will often look different, but will always hold your favorite recipes - vintage or not.
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