DIY kids toy suitcase...

I had to share this cute idea for a vintage suitcase from Sew Can Do. Don't you love this cool toy tote for your kids! You can read the directions on how to make one here.

Here's what mine might be like....

last minute handmade gift idea...

If you are a crafty person you probably are used to making handmade treasures for your friends and family for the holidays. These are always special because you thought about the person and then spent your time and talents creating a unique, one of kind gift. At least that's what I tell myself! lol Anyways I've been super busy this year creating custom holiday things for my family, some cannot be revealed because then the gig would be up. But, I thought I'd share a quick idea that literally ANYONE can do in a jif.

Can you trace? Then you can create custom glassware with glass paint! Painted glasses can be kind of expensive and in my opinion somewhat cheesy. However, with the right pattern you can pull off a custom creation your "person" will love! There are different kinds of glass paint and I've used several. Personally I like the kind you bake in the oven because then they are done. The Perm enamel kind has a 21 day dry time. What I mean by that is it will be 21 days before you can wash and use (but they will be dry to the touch in an hour or so after painting) If you use this kind (which is widely available and cheaper) just let your person know how to care for them. You can put them in the dishwasher on the top rack or hand wash so everyday use is an option. I created some glasses for the sports fans in our family-they were a hit.

To make them I just went online, found the image I needed (in this case it was the Detroit D, Lions logo and the University of Arkansas Razorback logo) I copied them into a program to manipulate the image a bit, but you could print the target by right clicking and telling your printer which size (a print option in Google's Picasa). Then I lightly taped the image facing outward on the inside of the glass so I could trace the outline. If you are going to do some color, I suggest tracing first with an outline color-I used black, then waiting until it's dry to the touch and doing the fill-in colors. You can always freehand too like I did with the ceramic mugs. Follow the instructions for pre-prep on the glasses and then either air dry or bake as instructed. Then you're done! Easy right?

Vitrea 160 at Blick     Perm Enamel available at craft stores like Joann and Hobby Lobby

Well folks, AF is going on holiday so I'll see you all after the New Year! Have a lovely, crafty, handmade special holiday!!!

Jen's Art Additions...linen owl

I was really inspired by the textile art of Abigail Brown. Her owl print and textile creations were featured as part of this week's feather study. I'm most comfortable painting, drawing or doing some sort of graphic art, but this week I thought I'd work with some fabric for a change. Hmmm. I haven't yet decided if this is art or just a craft!!

First I found an owl to draw here are the instructions. However I cheated a bit and just grabbed the owl and printed him onto some paperbag-like craftish paper. Then I gathered my supplies which included: good scissors, modge podge, glue brushes, super fine sharpie, super glue, twigs, buttons and some linen fabric (I tea stained to different shades the day before).

 I used a linen fabric because I wanted a good fray. Then I started from the bottom and layered my way up, cutting strips to fit his body and always rotating the fabric colors to create depth. I used the fluffy edges of the fabric for the bottom tail feathers and the ears. Once I had the body done, I cut/glued on a mask and the circles for the eyes. Then I glued on all of the embellishments with super glue and used the sharpie to add some last minute details.

 I like it. I framed it and hung it in the office even. However I think that I will stick with drawing and painting and leave the textile art to Abigail Brown! :)

Here it is...

some pics of the process...

What do you think?

Nothing would be right if I didn't do some sort of digital manipulation...:)

Something crafty I've been meaning to do...

I used to be a real magazine-a-holic. I still would be, except that these days I feel like there's never enough time in the day. Sit down and read a magazine-yeah right! But on the rare occasion that I'm indulging in a nice peruse, I always tear something out to try at another time. Crafts, recipes, ideas for better living-you know how is. Anyway I found myself going through THAT pile the other day-(the torn out stuff pile) and I found something I loved the first and second time I found it.

It's a totally cool, kind-of modern, updated, artsy, embroidered picture DIY idea. I came across this in the Feb/2011 issue of Country Living. It would be a really easy and fun craft to do with your kids too-you could even include the family pet in one of your portraits to add a little flair!

Check it out....

Step One

Make a copy of your photo to avoid destroying the original; if desired, enlarge the image to fit your frame and mat. Affix the copy to watercolor paper (

Step Two

Using a pin to punch holes through the photocopy and paper, outline facial contours, features, hair, and clothing. To create solid lines, punch closer together; for dotted lines, leave more space between holes.

Step Three

Remove the photo and use a threaded embroidery needle to sew a running stitch or backstitch along the holes, swapping in thinner thread as desired. Trim the paper to fit your frame and mat.

Read more: How to Make Embroidered Portraits - Tips for DIY Embroidered Portraits - Country Living

Happy Crafting!

 

 

 

TUESDAY DIY :BUDGET BIRTHDAY...

Well today I'm doing a little craft for the baby's first birthday. As I have mentioned before we are away from home (Michigan) staying in our 5th wheel in Louisiana. Kind-of a scary day-tornado watch going on-I guess its a great day to craft right!

Having limited craft resources and space makes everything more of a challenge. When we are home I literally have 3 closets full of craft supplies (my nieces love it) and other tools at my disposal. Plus, there are no cousins, friends, and grandparents to celebrate with us, so we are just doing a little family of four celebration until we can get home and do it up right!!! So I set forth with some party guidelines:

 Ezzie wanted cupcakes, Roo wants to eat something, anything please, Not alot of space, simple craft a 4 year old can help with, no buying of excessive craft supplies, keep it simple and cheap! ok! Let's do it!

CRAFT ONE: MAKE A SIMPLE FLAG

these are everywhere and super cute!
You'll need:
* 3 sheets of coordinating craft paper (you can even have the kids color some paper to use) mine came from Hobby Lobby-----3 for a $1
*scissors
*glue---I used super glue because that's what I had--a glue gun would work well!
*ribbon--mine was a scalloped stretchy fabric--3 ft long--customize yours as you see fit
*pencil and flag stencil--I made a triangle stencil from a frozen beef company flyer--use what you have!

stack your paper. Cut in half. Use your triangle stencil to trace the flags. I could get three flags from one half sheet-2 from the top-1 upside down. save the scraps for another project. cut the triangles out. lay out ribbon. run a bead of glue along the back of your triangle. turn it over and press and hold it to the ribbon. repeat. I left about an inch space between my flags, but just do what looks good to you. Bang-your done. I've done this with fabric too and its so cute! PS: I do projects like this on a plastic cutting board board specifically for crafts.

gather your materials

stack and cut in half



use a stencil and trace your flags



ready with the flags

put a bead of glue on the back

have some fun

hang and enjoy

 these look great in kids rooms too!

CRAFT #2: FLAG PLACE CARD

materials:
* cute paper scraps
* scissors
* glue
* white paper or cardstock
*sharpie

cut your white paper or cardstock 4"x5" and fold in half. cut some triangles from your scraps. start at the top corner of your folded card and with the glue draw a half circle to the other top corner. align your flags along the glue. Use a black sharpie or other markers to write names on the cards. Presto!

 CRAFT CHALLENGE #3-CUPCAKE PLATTER

MATERIALS:
* plate
* candlestick holder/short footed glass
* glue or epoxy for glass

This is so easy-I used superglue for mine because-again-that's what I had, but an epoxy made for glass and ceramic would work best. Find a cool plate and complimentary glass or candle holder--you can find dishes at antique stores, goodwill, dollar stores-whatever-mine were clear (dinner plate and short footed glass)and both came from a dollar store. Turn your plate upside down. apply glue to the top of a clean glass or candle holder. Turn the glass/candle holder over and position it in the center of the bottom of the plate--that's the trickiest part.  let it dry and your done. turn it over and put a cute doilie on it. Fill it with cupcakes, chocolates, or cookies for the party! Cheap & easy.....

get some glue, a glass and a plate

instant cupcake platter

gently hand wash and use it again...

I picked up some yellow paper plates and cups, white napkins, and a white plastic tablecloth at the dollar store too. The grand total of my project (including the glue) was just $10. Pretty crafty!

Happy Birthday Roo-Roo!

CHECK OUT SOME OF THESE CUTE KIDDIE BIRTHDAY IDEAS...

FONDANT TOPPERS AVAILABLE ON  ETSY!

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