British Bow Maker

As a member of the Designer Crafts Connection, I received a DecoFun Bow Maker and a selection of vintage ribbons for some crafty fun...

 
In less than 5 minutes I'd made a bow to decorate the frame I made earlier.  It was the perfect embellishment for this project.

Here's how easy it was to make:

1.  I adjusted the upright plastic rods to create the width of the bow.  Wrap with ribbon with 3 loops at each side making sure the ribbon goes between the loops at the center.  The end of the ribbon will be at the opposite side from where you started. 

 

2.  I wanted to add the lace ribbon to the bow, so I used a clip to hold the green ribbon loops together, removed them from the bow maker and set aside.

 

3.  To make the lace loops smaller, I moved the vertical rods closer to the center, then wrapped the lace ribbon around the rods, creating 2 loops on each side. 

 

4.  Place the green ribbon behind the lace loops then remove the clip. 

 

5.  Slide the twist tie under the ribbon loops. Squish the center of both ribbons together then secure with the twist tie.

6.  Remove the bow then separate the loops.  Wrap one end of the lace ribbon around the center to cover the twist tie if visible then attach the bow to the top of the frame.  Fold a 6" piece of green ribbon in half. Trim the ends then attach to the bottom of the frame at the back.

Bows are not just for home dec.  My 9 year old granddaughter was visiting and asked if she could use the bow maker to make some bows for school.  We pulled out my ribbon stash and a couple of hours later she was heading home with a bag full of bows - one to match each outfit and plans to make bows for her friends.  TIP:  We quickly ran out of the twist ties, so we used small zip ties instead.... they work great! 

Look for more ideas and inspiration on the Designer Crafts Connection blog today!  Enjoy!

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

Yours truly,
Julie

KEEP CALM AND CARRY ON CRAFTING!

Bible Journaling with SRM Faith Stamps

Designer Crafts Connection members are hopping with SRM this week.  Each of us received complimentary product to see what we would create.  Some designers received product to use in Planners and I received a stamp for bible journaling.

 

It's pretty obvious that I didn't use the stamp for bible journaling.....  I guess  I'm just old fashioned that way.  I make notes in my bible, but I can't bring myself to decorate the already beautiful verses.  I love the faith based stamps though and decided to use them for a decorative accent in my guest, half bath where they can speak to anyone who stops by.  If you'd like to give it a try, here's what I used  and what I did.

You will need:

SRM Faith clear stamp
5"x7" Frame
StazOn® White Opaque Ink
Clear acrylic block
Rinea® paper foil - Gold

    

1. Remove the glass from the frame then wash with hot water and a little dish soap.  Rinse and dry thoroughly with a soft cloth.

2. This step is optional.  You can use the glass as is, of course, but I love to create outside the box and thought it would be cool to give the glass a mottled effect as shown below:

   

3.  For this step you will need a small jar of etchall® etching créme. Don't let the idea of glass etching prevent you from trying this - it is SO easy.  Barbee at etchall sent me product to work with over 20 years ago and I've been etching ever since.  Place the glass on a work surface then put a plastic spoonful of the créme onto a disposable plate. Using a sea sponge (because it's nice an airy), dab the créme onto the surface of the glass.  Leave for 15 minutes.

NOTE:  etchall créme is reusable, so normally you would scrape the créme back into the container after 15 minutes, but this method uses so little just wash it off under running water over a NON-porcelain sink, or rinse off in bucket.  This is an etching product and will remove the glaze from porcelain, china, granite, etc. even slate.   When you first receive an unopened bottle of cream, it will be white, but after a while, and many uses, it will turn brown as you can see in my photo. The color does not affect how it works.

4.  Wash and dry the etched glass so we can start stamping.   Remove the carrier sheet with the line art and place it on a work mat facing upwards as shown.

 

5.  With the wording centered, place the glass with the etched side face down on top of the carrier sheet. 

6.  If you have a large acrylic block, it is possible to stamp all the words at once, but the ink dries very quickly, so I chose to do this part one phrase/word at a time using the carrier sheet under the glass as a guide for placement.  

 

7.  I purchased white ink for this project because I knew that it works on glass, but - remember I said I like to think outside the box?  If you know me at all, or have watched me on TV, you'll know that I love to try different things - it's all part of being creative.....  so let me share this.  I painted the frame around a bathroom mirror yesterday with white chalk paint.  I'm sure you've heard that chalk paint sticks to everything so can you guess where I'm going with this?  Yep I did some experimenting and chalk paint worked great for stamping!  I dipped a sponge brush into the paint, then dabbed it on some wax paper to spread the paint evenly on the brush, then dabbed paint onto the stamp.  I haven't got to the part of cleaning the stamp yet, but chalk paint cleans up with water so, as long as you don't leave it on too long, I would think it will be okay.   BTW, if you mess up with the stamping,  StazOn can be removed from the glass with rubbing alcohol. Not sure if it should be used to clean the stamps, but really don't see why not. Okay, I've digressed enough, let's move on to the next step.

8.  After you've finished stamping, place the glass in the frame.  Cut a piece of gold paper foil to size (I used gold, but there are other colors to choose from) then place behind the glass. Add the frame back, secure and you're done.

Now it's time to head over to the DCC blog to see what the other designers have done.  Enjoy!  Y'all come back now..... 

Yours truly,

Julie :)

KEEP CALM AND CARRY ON CRAFTING!

Picnic Party Mason Jars

Memorial Day, Independence Day and Labor Day are all good times for family BBQs and picnics. Celebrate your patriotism in style with etched mason jars for perfect party table decorations!

You will need: etchall® dip’n etcH • etchall® etchmask • etchall® Pik Tool • etchall® Squeegee 

PLUS 

Mason Jars, Quart (with smooth sides)

Star Punch, Small

Baker’s twine

Empty soda bottle

Craft Knife

Ruler

1.  Cut the top off the soda bottle and set aside to use as a funnel. Rinse the bottle thoroughly.

2.  Wash the outside of each mason jar with hot, soapy water. Rinse with vinegar to remove any remaining residue.

3.  To create the star border, use a lever punch to punch stars at equal intervals along the bottom edge of a sheet of etchmask. Punch upside down so you can see the guidelines on the back of the etchmask. NOTE: Do not discard the punched stars. You can use these on another jar.

4. Use a paper trimmer, or craft knife and ruler, to cut the strip from the sheet, making sure that the star opening is centered between the top and bottom edges. Cut 3 strips plus additional strips as needed to go all the way around the jar.

5. To determine how much dip’n etch you will need, fill the mason jar with glass pebbles, or heavy items (so it won’t float) then place the jar inside the soda bottle. Fill the soda bottle with water up to the rim of the mason jar.

  

6. Remove the mason jar and the water level will sink. Place a piece of masking tape on the outside of the soda bottle then mark the water level. Empty the water then dry the inside of the soda bottle and the outside of the mason jar thoroughly. 

       

7. Remove the backing from the strips of etchmask then, starting about 1½” from the bottom of the jar, place around the outside of the mason jar. If the strips are too short, add additional strips as needed. Place a rolled piece of lined paper inside the jar as a positioning guide, or tape a ¾” wide strip of paper around the jar above each strip as a spacer.  Make sure the etchmask strips are pressed firmly onto the glass, especially around the star openings otherwise the dip will leak underneath.

8. Fill the soda bottle with dip’n etch up to the water level mark then gently place the mason jar into the liquid. The dip’n etch will rise to the rim of the jar.

9. Let stand for 15 minutes then carefully remove the jar. Rinse the mason jar thoroughly under warm, running water, or in a plastic bucket then remove the strips of etchmask.  

DO NOT rinse over a porcelain sink!   

This is etching liquid and it will permanently remove the glaze from porcelain! Please read all cautions and directions on the dip’n etch container.

10. Dry the outside of the jar and remove the glass pebbles to reveal the etched design.

11. If you would like to etch additional designs, adhere the stars to a second jar and ½” wide strips of etchmask to a third for a perfect patriotic trio. Simply place each one in the same dip’n etch (one at a time) and follow the directions above. etchall dip’n etch is reusable, so there is no need to replace it after each use.

12. When you have finished etching all your jars, use the top of the soda bottle as a funnel to return the dip’n etch to its original container to be used for more projects!

Etching is a quick and easy way to upcycle and personalize a wide variety of glass pieces! Try it once and you’ll be itching to etch some more in no time at all….  Enjoy!  Y'all come back now........

Yours truly,
Julie :)

 KEEP CALM AND CARRY ON CRAFTING! 

etchall products were provided by B&B Products 

Découpage Napkin Frame

Découpage is, in my humble opinion, one of the easiest ways to decorate and update pretty much any surface and Mod Podge® is the perfect product for doing just that! 

Today's project is to celebrate Mod Podge's 50th birthday.  I needed something special and, as usual, I looked for items I had on hand.  As a member of the Designer Crafts Connection and Plaid Ambassador, I received lots of product to work with over the past year and select Mod Podge product specifically for the DCC Mod Podge Birthday celebration hop.  My only challenge was deciding what to make.

It's no secret that I like things that are Quick'n EZPZ.  Seriously...  our lives are so hectic these days with all those TV channels and internet videos to watch, plus keeping up with texting and Instagraming to see what's happening in "real" life, there's barely enough time to eat......  (insert emoji for sarcasm here)....    I had lots of ideas, but decided to revisit the '70's and découpage with napkins.  Yes, napkins!  Lots of designs, patterns colors and inexpensive to work with....  All I had to do now was pull what I needed from my Plaid goodie box, plus a few other things I always have on hand.

 

Here's the list:   

Mod Podge® Gloss

Mod Podge® Ultra Matte Chalk

Mod Podge® Dimensional Magic

Mod Podge® Brushes for Découpage and Furniture

Ceramcoat® Chalk Paint - White

Waverly® Wood Frame

Napkins

Scissors

Clear adhesive dots

1.  Paint the frame with white chalk paint.  Let dry then re-paint with a coat of the Ultra Matte Chalk.

2.  Separate the layers of the napkin then cut strips for the border areas. Note: You only use the printed layer of a napkin for découpage unless it's a solid color.

 

3.  Brush a coat of gloss over the area to be découpaged then gently place the strips on top.  Smooth gently with the brush and more gloss.  Trim the strips where they meet at each corner. Napkins are pretty delicate to work with so be gentle.  Don't worry about wrinkles, some can be smoothed out, but those that can't will add a nice texture to your project.

 4.  I started to découpage the narrow border at the outer edge, but decided a solid strip of color might look better, so I found some 3/8" green ribbon and glued it in place with the gloss then, who could resist this border of adhesive acrylic bling, perfectly sized to go on top......  

5.  I could have stopped there, but instead of putting a photo in the frame, I thought I'd print a short saying and add a flower in the corner.  This step is optional, of course......

6.  Coat a piece of poster board, large enough for the napkin with gloss.  Separate the top layer from the napkin then adhere to the poster board.   Pat gently in place with the brush, coat with gloss then let dry.

7.  To make the flower, cut out the center with 2 adjacent petals.  Cut 2 additional, individual petals then use a glue spot to adhere them to the back as shown.  I also cut out some leaves.  

8.  I love additional texture and dimension so I painted a bottle cap with the white chalk paint then glued a flower center to the inside of the cap.  Following directions on the package, carefully fill with dimensional magic then let dry for at least 12 hours.  The dimensional magic will dry clear and the "flower center" can be adhered on top of the flower you made.  This part is optional of course......  When dry, I added another little jewel to the center.

 

9.  I printed the saying on my computer,  positioned it behind the frame opening then added the flower to finish.  The image below is here on my blog under the "Images for Personal Use" tab if you would like to use it.

You can find a list of other DCC members participating in this month's blog party on the Designer Crafts Connection blog.  You can also enter there to win a prize and there are links to some other exciting happenings for Glossie's 50th birthday!   Enjoy!  Y'all come back now.....

Yours truly,

Julie :)

KEEP CALM AND CARRY ON CRAFTING!

Can Do-over....

We don't eat a lot of canned food these days, but whenever we do, I save the cans and give them a "do over"!  Here's a couple of fun and easy ways to use them for both indoor and outdoor floral decorations.

  

It all starts with a can, an empty bottle of water, a brown paper grocery sack, jute and assorted rolls of  wide ribbon. You'll also need scissors, a tape runner and, of course, some flowers, artificial or fresh..

 

1.  Remove the paper from the cans and rinse thoroughly.  Save the tabs from the top of the cans.  If you want a tight bunch of flowers in your vase, place an empty water bottle in the can and place the flower stems in the neck to hold them together. You can use mini water bottles as is, but you'll need to cut the larger bottles in half, so the top of the bottle is about 1/2" lower than the top of the can.  Flowers can also be held in place by placing shreds inside the can.

  

2.   Cut a piece of brown paper to fit around the can.  Overlap the ends and secure with adhesive.  Option:  Glue a border of corrugated brown paper around the top and the bottom of the can. The ribbon will cover the center.  

 

TIP: If you have to use a can opener to open the can, insert a mason jar ring in the top for a cleaner, more finished look around the rim.  You can also use the ring to trap the tab against the side of the can for a hanger.

3.  Cut a piece of ribbon long enough to wrap around the can, plus 1/2".  Secure the overlapped end with adhesive.  Wrap jute around the center and tie at the front in a bow, or overhand knot, depending on the look you want. 

   

  

There are so many types of ribbon to choose from you can upcycle empty cans to use for any occasion, season,  holiday, or to simply to fill an empty spot that needs a little home dec.  Use the tab to hang from a tree in your yard, or on the porch.....  Just think of all the things you "can" do....   Enjoy!  

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

Yours truly,
Julie :)

KEEP CALM AND CARRY ON CRAFTING!