Keep Smiling

Create a mood ring to hang by your coffee, or tea pot as a reminder to start each day with an amazing smile!

You'll need the following supplies:

Kunin® Classic Felt 9” x 12” – Red, Black and Yellow x 2

Cricut® Maker™ with Rotary blade*

8” Embroidery Hoop

Tacky glue

Smile pattern

Instructions - Cutting the Shapes:

1. Using the “shapes” feature in Cricut Design Space, select then cut the following felt shapes, one color at a time:

1¼" x 2” Yellow Hearts - 24-32

2” x 2” Red Hearts - 2

9” Yellow Circle - 1

1¼” x 2” Black Ovals - 2   

2.  Select the heart shape then size to 1¼" x 2”.  Copy and paste 24 hearts on the canvas making sure they fit inside the 9" x 12" guidelines, then select "Make It".

3.  Continue then select  “Browse all materials”.  Enter “felt” in the search field and select “felt acrylic fabric”.

4. On the next screen select Rotary Blade and "More" pressure. Place yellow felt horizontally at the top of your pink cutting mat, then cut.  

5. Remove the felt from around the cut hearts, then carefully lift each heart from the mat.

6. Clear the canvas then add and cut two, 2" x 2" red hearts following above directions.

7.  Cut a 9' circle from yellow felt.

8.  Download the "Smile" pattern, then upload to design space and place on a new canvas.

  Download pattern

9. Add two ovals to the same canvas. Using the shapes feature, select the circle shape. Unlock, then size to 1¼” x 2”.  Place black felt on the mat then cut.

Instructions - Assembly:

1. Separate the hoop rings then center the felt circle on top of the small, inner ring. Place the large ring over the felt, sandwiching the felt circle between the 2 rings. Tighten the outer ring.

2. Arrange the the small, yellow hearts in a circle.  Spread the glue on the back of the hoop rings then place the hoop, glue side down on top of the hearts. Adjust the hearts as needed then flip the hoop over to prevent it sticking to the surface.  Let dry.

 TIP: Working on a mat with a 1” grid is helpful when arranging the hearts. You can also draw a circle on paper for a guide.

3. Depending on where you hang your hoop, the felt embellishment pieces will easily stick to the front of the hoop without glue, so you can re-arrange them every day.  If you need them to be more secure, add a small piece of the “hook” side of hook and loop tape to the back.

   

Have fun arranging the additional felt pieces to express your mood for the day and share a smile with everyone you meet!  And yes, you’re allowed to turn the smile upside down every once in a while, but no longer than 10 mins……

Enjoy! Y'all come back now........

Yours truly,

Julie 

KEEP CALM AND CARRY ON CRAFTING!  

-->

Pineapple Welcome Slate

You're slated for success when you create a 

"Welcome" sign with a slate and etchall® etching crème!

You will need:

etchall® etching crème

etchall® etchmask and transfer paper

8" x 12" slate*

etchall® Pik tool and squeegee

Stencil pattern (vinyl)

*Not all slate will etch. Check a small area on the back before starting your design.

Instructions:

1. Cut the stencil with a digital die cutting machine.  

   Download here 

NOTE: You can cut the stencil across the center, separate the two halves then add a stencil for the word "WELCOME" in the space between. If you have access to Cricut Design Space, you can find the complete stencil design here

Press ⌘-c t

2. Cover the stencil with transfer paper. Press firmly in place then lift the stencil from the mat and remove the backing paper.

3. Position on the slate then use the squeegee to press firmly in place.  Remove the transfer paper.

4. Cover the open areas of the stencil with etching crème.  Use pieces of the transfer paper to cover the slate not covered by the stencil to prevent accidental etching. Don't skimp - etchall crème is re-usable.

5.  Leave the crème on the stencil for 15 minutes then scrape as much as possible back into the container.  Rinse away any residue with a soft sponge in a bucket.  Do not do this over a porcelain sink to avoid accidental etching.  

6. Peel away the stencil then rinse the slate once more. Let dry.  Do not dry with a towel, or paper towel to avoid leaving bits of residue on the slate's rough surface.

    

Enjoy!  Y'all come back now.........

Yours truly,

Julie

KEEP CALM AND CARRY ON CRAFTING!

Pineapple "Purse"onality

Everyone needs a trendy purse for the summer!  

This one was made using felt I received from Kunin®, my Cricut® Maker die cutting machine and the following supplies:

• Kunin® Premium 12" x 18" Felt - Kelly Green
• Kunin® Classic 9" x 12" Felt - Yellow and Apple Green
• Cricut® Maker & Rotary blade
• Weeding tool
• Cord (for strap) - 1 yd
• 2 Tassels - Yellow
• 2 Beads - 5/8" Green
• Mini pom-pom trim (Expo Intl) - 7"
• Felt glue or Lo-temp glue gun
• Embroidery needle
• Thread or embroidery floss - yellow and dark green
• Pins
• Scissors

1.  Download the pineapple design then upload to Cricut Design Space.

    bit.ly/PineapplePurse

2.  Unlock the design by selecting the lock icon at the bottom left corner, then set the size to 3" x 7".

3.  Continue to the next screen then move design so it is 3" from the left and 1" from the top of the canvas.

4. Select material on the next screen. Browse "all materials",  search felt then select "Felt Acrylic Fabric" in the menu.  On the next screen select "more" under the pressure menu.

5. Place the 12" x 18" piece of Kelly Green premium felt on the pink mat, then cut.

6.  Weed the felt while still on the mat then carefully lift the felt from the mat.  With the design at the center trim the width of the felt to 7".

7.  Trim the width of yellow and green classic felt pieces to 6" then with edges touching, glue them behind the pineapple design - green at the top and yellow at the bottom.  Trim as needed.

    

8. With the design at the front, fold the bottom part of the felt upward to create the purse.

9.  To make the casing for the cord on either side of the purse, place the cord across the 9" width of the yellow felt about 1" from the edge. Fold the edge over, then secure with a simple up and down (running) stitch. Take care not to stitch thru the cord. The cord needs to move freely thru the casing.

10.  Cut away the excess felt from the casing then use this piece to create a second casing around the cord.  Sandwich the casing between the front and back at one side.  

11.   Pin in place then repeat on the other side with the second casing.  Stitch the sides together with the casing in between the front and back at each side of the purse.  Note: You can also glue together.

12.  Tie a knot at one end of the cord then pull the cord up thru the casing until the knot rests at the bottom (fold).  Adjust the length of the cord as desired, then cut the opposite end flush with the bottom of the purse.  Stitch the end of the cord to the casing to secure.  Cut the knot off the end of the cord on the other side then stitch.  

 

13.  Stitch, or glue the mini pom-pom trim across the bottom of the purse then attach a bead and tassel to each corner as follows:  Secure a length of yellow thread to the corner, thread thru the bead, thru the top of the tassel, then back up thru the bead.  Pull up against the corner, then stitch securely in place.

Add a cell phone, billfold, etc and you're good to go.....  

Enjoy!  Y'all come back now...........

Yours truly,

Julie 😊

 KEEP CALM AND CARRY ON CRAFTING!

Light Up Your Parties!

Add a few tea light mugs to your party table,
made even more special with StyleTechCraft® vinyl accents and etchall® etching dip'n etch!

You will need:

StyleTech Transparent Vinyl - one sheet each of red and blue

2 Tea light glass mugs

etchall® dip'n etch glass etching liquid

Transfer paper 

Paper trimmer, or craft knife and metal edge ruler

Digital cutting machine, or star punch

Painters tape

Instructions:

1. Remove the lid and tea light fitting from each mug then wash and dry the mugs thoroughly. Fill one mug with dip'n etch. Following directions on the container, let sit for 15 minutes then carefully pour the liquid from the first mug into the second.  After 15 minutes, pour the liquid back into the container to be used again.  Rinse the mugs thoroughly.  

Note: Place painters tape around the inside of the top of the mug to prevent the liquid from etching that area as you pour out the dip'n etch. 

See the difference that etching makes!

2. Using a paper trimmer, cut four, 1/2" wide strips of red vinyl. Trim to the length needed to fit around the outside of the mug.  Peel away the backing from each strip, then with the strips spaced about 1/2" apart, adhere to the outside of one of the mugs.

3. Using a digital cutting machine, create a 3" wide border of 1/2" stars, 1" apart as shown on the blue vinyl.  While the vinyl is still on the mat, weed (remove) the stars.  Note: Measure around the glass to determine how long the star border strip needs to be.  This strip measured 3" x 10".

4.  In order to place the border on one of the glasses, cover the border with transfer paper then remove  from the mat.

5. Remove the backing from the blue vinyl then, with the blue vinyl against the glass, carefully position around the glass mug, starting at the handle.  Press in place making sure there are no creases, then remove the transfer paper.

Replace the tea light fittings, add tea lights and the top - Time to party!

StyleTech vinyl is available in a variety of styles and colors.  Check their website @ StyleTechcraft.com for more information.

I received these samples of vinyl and etchall dip'n etch at no charge from the manufacturers to create a project to share with my readers.  Check the DCC  links to see more projects created by Designer Crafts Connection members featuring StyleTech vinyl.  Enjoy!

Y'all come back now.........

Yours truly,

Julie 😊

KEEP CALM AND CARRY ON CRAFTING!