Jewelry Bowls

We are surrounded by things that can be given new life and made into something else. I made these jewelry themed bowls, the perfect size and theme to hold rings, other jewelry or change on your dressing table or dresser (I love little things like this).

One of the best parts - everything was from stuff I already had around the house. (And it's even recycled! How can you not love?)

This is a rather easy project that uses paper mache' techniques to create, with drying time taking up the most of the time. Just a little patience is all it takes.

Supplies
* a glass bowl or other container, any size (to use as a mold) - (for this project I used small glass bowls from our cupboard that are were about four inches across and often used for dips or fruit in out house)
* plastic wrap (to cover the mold)
* white glue or Mod Podge (something that will dry clear and secure everything together smoothly)
* old paint brush (for use with glue) - paint brushes are awesome to use with paint or decoupage
* desired paper such as magazine pictures or newsprint (I used magazine pictures of jewelry and gem stones from magazine ads)
* scissors or craft knife (as needed) 
 * OPTIONAL: desired embellishments (such as glitter, pearl wire, beads, ribbon, or whatever inspires you) and something to attach (such as the white glue from before or a hot glue gun)

(1) Start with laying plastic wrap across the bowl that you are using as a mold. This will keep the finished project and glue from sticking to the bowl. (You can use other types of plastic, but I preferred the clear plastic wrap so that I could see through as I worked.)

(2) Start layering the paper with glue inside the mold, using the paint brush to spread the white glue or Mod Podge evenly across the pages. Using the glass and clear to position the images on the outside of the creation. Build this up to desired thickness placing multiple layers of paper and glue. I positioned the inside with images like the outside to create a design. Using the paint brush with glue make sure there is a nice smooth layer of glue or Mod Podge to secure the outside edges and give a smooth outer layer. (You don't have to worry about the edges being uneven that an be taken care of later after everything is dry.)

(3) Let dry.

(4) Once the bowls are more set up you can remove from the mold and gently peel off the plastic wrap. Let dry completely.

(5) Apply more layers of white glue or Mod Podge as needed to seal securely. Spread glue on the outside to secure and seal outside edge.

DO NOT BE AFRAID TO LIBERALLY USE YOUR WHITE GLUE OR MOD PODGE TO REALLY SECURE AND SEAL EVERYTHING INTO ON PIECE.

(6) Trim edges with craft knife or scissors for a lean edge.
 Let dry completely.

(7) One everything is COMPLETELY DRY embellish edge as desired. In this case I used a white glue around the edge then dipped in colored glitter for a couple then pearl wire attached with a hot glue gun. (You could leave plain or embellish with whatever you have on hand such as ribbon beads old jewelry pieces or whatever else.)

Great for gifts or to catch your bits and pieces around the house. The options are endless - you an use any size bowl, attach a few together, add legs or another base. Experiment. Decorate. Share. Enjoy. And never forget to let your imagination run wild!

Decoupaged Elvis Picture Frame

I LOVE Elvis! For those who know me well, this is not a big surprise. I have a nice collection of Elvis memorabilia, but as with any collector they always have room for more. My love of Elvis reaches far before I can remember into early elementary school. No is one really sure how it started, it just did and it stuck. All these years later and it's still stuck... which led me to decoupage this pressed cardboard/paper picture frame with Elvis images.

Doing a project a project like this an be done with a thinned out white glue (the kind that dries clear) or a Mod Podge and an old paint brush. I have both on hand.

1) I started with one picture frame. (This holds a 3 1/2  5 inch picture.) I have a small stash of the that I picked up in a craft section. They have different shaped openings but for this project I liked the star. I then removed the plastic photo cover from the inside. (This keeps the paint off of it.)

2) I then gently seperated the front from the back. This is totally optional. They were glued together to start, but I figured it would be easier for what I was doing.

3) I collected my Elvis images cut from a magazine and laid them out to work.

4) I then went to work on decoupaging my images in a collage on the front of the picture frame, layering it securely between layers of thinned glue and Mod Podge. (My Mod Podge is running low so I stretched it with some thin white glue, but I made sure the top layers were all Mod Podge.) You want to make sure the keep everything nice and smooth, the edges sealed nicely under the glue or Mod Podge (or whatever else you have on hand.) Don;t be afraid to use enough layers that it is nice and thick and white. It will dry clear and you want to sealed in.

5) Let dry completely.

6) I then re-glued the front to the back, making sure to leave the opening at the top to insert the picture. (I have a few ideas for what might go inside it.)

Yes, I am an unapologetic Elvis-loving freak and I love every minute of it. And I really do not care that some people might not find it "cool" or whatever else. I say, embrace who you are and love what you love. Life is more fun that way.

Mother's Day Envelope Book with Cards

Celebrations, holidays, special events, and just everyday happenings send me to constantly find new inspiration. Mother's Day is no exception. If anything, there is something about Mother's Day that raises that stakes to make it more meaningful. Flowers are overrated sometimes and my mother tends to kill houseplants. Candy is fine for those that like it, but she's not a big candy person either. Plus, candy and flowers don't last. I, of course, wanted something different.

I starter with cards for my mother and grandmother - a multiple folded card spanning four generations of the women in my family; that included a young pictures of me, my mother, my grandmother, and my great grandmother (entirely maternal lines) with a short poem I wrote. The initial idea from something from Martha Stewart's Family Tree cards. I made one for each my mother and grandmother.

For my mother I wanted to make a non-traditional scrap book type thing. (Last year I made her a mini book full of quotes about mothers and motherhood with a clay rose.) I got inspired when I found a new twist on an envelope scrapbook. Admittedly, I often come across projects that I have already done or taught, but this one gave me a few ideas. (Check out a Flip Flop Envelope Book here.)

I decided to use six envelopes I had on hand left from Christmas cards, figuring one pocket for each one of my mother's five kids and one overall pocket. I looked at using more traditional scrap book paper, but decided against it. I stuffed the pockets with a card inspired from the four generation  card above, but created one for each pocket, each one fitting the theme of the pocket. I embellished each card with various pictures takes over the years with poems and quotes about mothers, Mothers Day, and motherhood.

Attach end to end by flap, making sure not to seal top. Making one long strip.

I made a sturdier and rectangular shaped top flap with a piece of card stock cut to fit over the triangular flap. Then  secured.

Using jewel inspired magazine cut outs I decorated the exterior of the long strip of envelops. I kept this decorative, but rather simple.

I then decorated the inside with more collaged pieces cut from magazines and mixed with a picture and name for each pocket. (I used pictures here form when we were all younger, including a picture with all five us for the top one.)

I then turned to folding and decorating my cards (made from half a sheet of card stock folded accordion style into four equal sections.)  for each pocket with pictures, poems, quotes, and other bits.

I stuffed each pocket, including a printed history of Mothers Day in the top pocket. (With room left for cards or more in each one.)

Folded closed and ready to go. Happy Mothers Day!

Happy Earth Day!

Happy Earth Day!

April 22, 2011 is Earth Day. It's time to celebrate Mother Earth, all she gives us, and remember that in giving us continual life she deserves our protection. It's also a day to remind ourselves to Reduce, Reuse, and Recycle.

If you are looking for some inspiration or Earth Day-friendly projects check out some of these:
Rag Rugs
Magazine Bowls
Bleach Bottle Pig Planters
T-Shirt Bag
Denim Purses

Or check out the Recycle Tag above for more ideas.

Also check out these sites for more about Earth Day and what you can do:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Earth_Day
http://www.earthday.org/
http://earthday.nature.org/
http://www.homefarming.com
Woman's Day Eco-Friendly Tips

Embellished Containers

Need a container? Embellish one.

Re-use those discarded kitchen containers into something new and functional with paint, decoupage, stickers, and/or any other fun embellishments you might have on hand.

We all have those cardboard, plastic, or glass containers from the kitchen that might otherwise be thrown away; but are the perfect size for holding bits, pieces, beads, buttons, or whatevers.

With a little creativity, a selection of paint, stickers, or decoupage you can transform a an ordinary oatmeal container (or any other) into something to store craft bits or something else. (Think about treasure containers for a kid or teen's room or your crafting room/space.) I often keep one on hand to use up leftover paint I have used for another project that would otherwise dry out or be thrown out and add over time. (Such was the case of the pictured container painted with flowers or the white and purple marbled container I use for beads.)

I turned one container into a "conversation starter," decorating the outside with decoupaged pictures of thought/conversation provoking buttons, saying, and inspiring decoration. (Mod Podge rocks!) I filled the inside with pieces of paper with quotes, topics, and all sorts of things that can help inspire conversation or bring new topics to any gathering. (See the picture below.) It's great to inspire new thoughts, new conversations, and new ideas.

Poetry For Ransom

Why spend the money on a set or so of 'magnetic poetry" when you can make your own individualized set and recycle in the process? (A double whammy of April's National Poetry Month and celebrating the mantra "Reduce. Reuse. Recycle." Yay for Earth Day!)

These magnets can be easy and totally personalized. (Who doesn't love personalization?) Using words I cut from old magazines and ads I attached them to old sheet style magnets from torn, tattered, and magnets no longer needed with Mod Podge. (Like the ones often given away at fairs and things for businesses, politicians running for office, and community organizations.) Of course, you can also get magnet sheets and strips at craft and office stores, but I had these on hand to be recycled/reused for something already. The Mod Podge secured the words to the magnets and gave a nice sealing finish when dry.

Decoupage Accessories

Decoupage is a great way to personalize a bit of your world; whether it's a notebook or journal, a pen/pencil cup, or a jar to hold little things (like straight pins or notes). Using Mod Podge, doodles, old magazines, discarded ads, stickers, bits of scrap fabric or ribbon, I've added my own personal touch (and helped others do the same) to notebooks (often used as journals), cleaned out cans (that would otherwise be thrown out), jars, and boxes. I have a few decorated cans and jars in my sewing/craft room help keep my things organized and to hold everything from pens & pencils to markers and scissors and sewing notions.

This is a great way to personalize all sorts of things and appeals to multiple ages from elementary school kids to teens and adults. It was super popular at camp in the Craft Hall with campers, counselors, and adult staff of all ages. We decorated containers as well as pieces of wood for wall hangings. Decoupage can be done with thinned down glue or using something like Mod Podge (which available in most craft departments and at craft stores). to secure everything and give a smooth finish.

Personalize your world.

Magazine Bowls

Combining a number of things I had seen and come across  I made these bowls from discarded magazines. The full sheets were folded into strips and secured with glue sticks (think the purple glue sticks from school or scrapbooking). The base was made by combining multiple in an outward and tight circle. It was secured with dots of hot glue from my handy dandy hot glue gun (every crafter's best friend). For the side I rolled each strip individual strip around small tube I had (T tend to have a lot of misc. items in my arts & crafts stuff) and secured with hot glue. the sides where build by stacking the rolls, securing with dots of hot glue as I went along. The colors from the magazine strips gave a nice appearance, but I have done a couple painted.

I like to keep a small basket or bowl  inside my door and by my bedside as a place to hold and catch things like keys, a small flashlight (I like to be prepared), and those other little things that can otherwise clutter up places. This bowl works well for this or other things.

Dollhouse Book for Paper Dolls - A Doll's Dream House

Cover

I grew up playing with paper dolls. Often overnight trips to Grandma's (or other family) meant a new book of paper dolls and a shoe box to store them. I had a variety over the years from Princess Di to various Barbie and all sorts of others involving family vacations, weddings, and career. I would play for hours separating the dolls from the books, settings them up, trying on their various outfits, and then using plain paper with crayons or colored pencils to make my own clothes for them. I was never great at drawing, but I tried and I got a certain sort of satisfaction out of it. As I got older and nostalgic started to set in, I realized that paper dolls are really hard to find, not like the shelves of them I remember from when I was a kid. I thought about drawing my own, but I know my artistic limits. Still my nostalgia for all things doll has continued. In this quest I came up with this Dollhouse Book for Paper Dolls made from ads & magazine pictures collage-pieced together to create rooms the right size for dolls I made from magazine cut outs glued to card stock.

Supplies: Paper, Card Stock, Mod Podge, Clear Tape, Scissors, Old Magazines and Ads.

The Dolls

I started with finding pictures of people to use that were about the same size and included a view of head to feet (this was important).  Using Mod Podge I attached the pictures to card stock and trimmed the edges, then sealed them in with more Mod Podge. Going through my stack of magazine and using the first doll as a guide I tore out pictures for the rooms that were the appropriate size. I used paper folded in half with a cardstock cover to make a book.

The Front Garden

Using the pictures torn from the magazines and ads I pieced together pictures to create rooms for the dolls to inhabit starting with a front garden full of flowers and plants, a living room, a dining room with a table and outside patio view, a kitchen with cabinets and a refridgerator that had doors that opened to reveal groceries and kitchen items, and a bedroom with wallpaper and bedroom furniture.

I cut slits throughout each scene to fit the paper dolls to stand behind items such as flowers, a table, or chair. Then for the kitchen I cut doors that opened and cut items for placement inside these openings. I took these openings in mind carefully as I glued the pages and collages to the book I made to house this paperdoll world. Everything was secured with Mod Podge. I used clear tape around edges including the outside where the pages connected as well as slits and openings.

For those who might want to try a paperdoll house book for yourself or just enjoy paper dolls in your own way I found some great (and free) paper dolls that you can print at home from your home computer. (Or do your own search, you never know what you might find.)

http://marilee.us/paperdolls3.html#Printadults

http://proudmommy.tripod.com/paperdolls.html

http://www.deadmilkmen.com/punkrockgirlprint.html

http://www.ss42.com/paperdolls.html

If you are more talented than me (which means you can draw pretty much anything that comes out looking more like a person or animal than a stick figure), you might even try drawing your own.

This may be my first attempt, but I doubt it will be my last. I already have a list of ideas to play out next.

Check out here to: http://www.cutoutandkeep.net/projects/dollhouse-book-for-paperdolls .