CRAFTS

Lily Pad

A fun craft for kids and easy decor for a party table. These lily pads are made from craft paper and gift tissue paper.

Materials:

Tissue paper (whatever color you'd like)

Green craft paper or construction paper

Stapler

Scissors

Stack 6 sheets of of tissue paper one on top of the other and cut a 5x5 inch square. Also cut a 5x5 inch square of the green craft paper. You may stack them all together to save time if desired.

Stack the craft and tissue papers together and cut a flower shape. I cut this freehand. You may draw it before cutting if you're iffy about your freehand cutting skills.

This is optional, but I shifted each layer of tissue paper and in order to stagger the petals. It gives it a more 'natural' look. Afterward, staple together at the center (the green craft sheet is on the bottom of the stack).

Finally, pinch the the petals sheets together (I started with 2 layers and added a sheet with each pinch) and let them naturally spread apart. Do not pinch the last sheet (the green craft paper). 

Maneuver the petals to the desired look et voila: A pretty lily pad!

Painted Candle Holder

This project was brought on by a need to add some accents to my bookshelf. It was also easy to do. It doesn't require much time or money and the end result was worth it.

Materials:

Acrylic paint ( any 2 colors of your choice)

glass candle holders ( I bought mine at the Dollar Tree for $1 each)

Makeup sponges (the triangular shape)

Paper plate to dab the acrylic paint 

and a workspace that you don't mind making a mistake on. 

I chose yellow gold and white acrylic paint as my 2 colors. Feel free to use more than 2 colors, I'm pretty sure I'm going to give that a try.

Acrylic paint, makeup sponge, and glass candle holder

Pour a small amount of the gold paint and a small amount of white paint on opposite sides of the paper plate. 

Dab one of the two short edges of the triangular makeup sponge on the gold paint and dab off the excess on the plate. 

Hold the glass jar in one hand to make it easier to work with. I held it on its side and begin dabbing the  painted edge of the sponge at an angle near the base of the glass jar. You may hold it the easiest way it will work for you. I don't have a starting photo, but you will see the work in progress. 

You're going to dab the paint with your writing/strong hand. Dab the paint in the same angle all the way around the jar, leaving some space between each dab. You will have to reapply more paint onto your sponge as you go around. 

Next, use the opposite edge of the sponge and dab the white paint onto the glass and follow the same method as you did with the gold. If you're afraid of mixing the paints you may use different sponge for the white paint. Either stagger the pattern or dab the paint right above where your first row of gold. I did one pattern for the first jar and another pattern for the second (by mistake). 

As you progress, you will go upward on with each color row on the glass until you've reached the top edge of the candle holder. If you should make any errors as you go, simply wipe it off with a moist paper towel and continue. I tried to make sure I finished with the same color I started with (gold). 

This will be your end result: 

 As you can see, the pattern doesn't have to be perfect. Your imperfection is perfection. That's what I love about handmade; no two are ever alike. Enjoy. 

Ghost Writing

 This is a fun craft to do with your kids during the summer. I call it 'ghost writing.' Your kids can write hidden messages with a white crayon on paper and then paint the sheet with watercolors. The hidden message is magically revealed...

Materials:

White Crayon

Paper (I used paper a sketchpad because it's a bit stronger than regular paper)

Watercolors

Cup of water

Here is the result of my ghost writing. 

 

Lace Stenciled Tiles

I was inspired do to this craft after I saw it on Martha Stewart. My instructions are a little different. Instead of using spray adhesive, I simply taped the lace down onto the paper I was working on. I spent 25 cents for a half a yard of lace at a local fabric store and the tiles are just 10 cents each at Lowe's. There are so many color combinations I could think of. My first is here.

Materials: 

Spray paint

Tiles

Lace trimming

Tape 

Tape the lace down over the tile onto the surface you are working on. I was working on a poster board. I recommend doing this project outside or a well ventilated area. 

Hold the spray paint about 5 to 6 inches above the tile and spray paint in a sweeping side to side motion. 

The photo I have below I have the edges taped off with regular tape and you will see the different looks I get.

Wait about 1 minute to allow the paint to dry and then slowly remove the lace from the tile. Below are the finish products of having one tile with the edges taped off and one without.

There you have it. These will make great coasters; simply add felt pads under the tiles to protect surfaces and you're done. 

Painted Jar

There are so many things you can do with a mason jar. I simply used some leftover craft paint and washed an empty pasta sauce jar. Although the inside of the jar will be painted, remove the sticker label and glue thoroughly. I was able to remove the remaining glue with regular dish soap, warm water, and the scrubby (rougher) side of a sponge.

Materials: 

Mason Jar
Acrylic craft paint
Paint brush
scrap paper or newspaper

Clean your mason jar thoroughly.

I used the Martha Stewart Satin acrylic craft paint color Pea Shoot. 
Pour about a tablespoon of paint inside the jar.

The paint may be a bit thick, I added about a tablespoon of water. Swirl it around with the paint brush to soften the paint. Remove the paint brush and swirl the jar around to spread the paint throughout the inside of the jar. 

You can help the paint along by painting up the sides of jar with your paintbrush, but ultimately you want the paint to spread around on its own to have a smooth even coat.
I ended up adding a bit more paint to achieve an even coat inside the jar. You may need more or less depending on the size of your jar.

Once the entire jar is coated. Turn the jar upside down over a some paper and allow the excess paint to flow out. Allow time to dry. 

The end result:

This is the end result with some added decor:

I added one pom pom flower made with ivory tissue paper. There is a tutorial to make the tissue paper.

Painting the inside of a glass jar or vase gives smooth finish more so than painting the outside of the jar. This would make a good accent piece on a window sill, fireplace, or on a picnic table as I did here. This project is for decoration only! No food or drink should be placed in this jar for storage or consumption.

Happy crafting! 


Two-Toned Beach Tote

It finally stopped raining today and I was able to enjoy a nice summer breeze. It's a perfect day to craft ---perhaps something fitting for the beach. Here is a fun, chic, and inexpensive DIY project. It's also pretty quick to do. I bought the spray paint at a dollar store for $3.25 and the small tote at Target in the dollar section (yes, $1.00). It's just right for holding a few accessories and a good book.

Materials:

Painter's tape or masking tape 
silver spray paint
beach tote 
gloves (optional)

Make sure you spray paint in a well ventilated area. I did this project outside. 

Small Beach Tote

 Tape horizontally around your tote where you'd like to divide the silver color from the natural shade of the tote. 

I did mine a little more than halfway to the rim of the tote and I followed the natural weaving across the tote which gave it a more natural color divide than trying to follow a straight edge. You may also find this method easier to do. 

I added a little extra tape to leave room for error when spray painting. You may want to do this if your tape is narrow.

Lie your tote flat in an open space (protect your furniture and do it outside, perhaps in the grass or place it on a piece of cardboard). 

Hold the spray paint about 10 inches away from your tote and spray in a back and forth motion until you've covered the desired area with the spray paint (try to avoid inhaling the fumes).

Remove tape et Voila!

You have a wonderful two-toned beach tote. It has a "Dip Dyed" effect to it. Jazz it up with a scarf like I did above or spray paint a straw beach hat to compliment your tote.

You are not limited to simply doing the "dip dyed" look. I also did a tote with silver stripes. Use your imagination. Enjoy!