Friday, June 27, 2014

Hydrangea Wreath



I love hydrangeas and am always excited to see them blooming in my yard and elsewhere.  While looking through a spring issue of Frontgate I came across a beautiful picture of a hydrangea door wreath.  So pretty but at $299., I could only look and admire.



Frontgate




However, the crafter in me was calling so softly to try making one .  .  .


I gathered the flowers and a wire form wreath .  .   .

 
and came up with this .  .   .



 
 
 
 
close, but not perfect. 

You might be saying what happened to the green tulips in the materials picture?  I tried them out but didn't like the bright green look and I couldn't find any deep pink tulips.   And I used fabric paint on the solid green hydrangeas to tone them down a bit. 

I love the look, but wish I had a fabulous wooden door like the one pictured to hang it on.


 
But this will have to do!
 



And here's a few of my garden hydrangeas that inspired me  .   .    .  







 
Oops  .  .  .  had to show my beautiful calla lily!

 
Have you been inspired lately?
                       
                     Take a little time to enjoy

and

Happy Crafting!










Saturday, June 21, 2014

Recycled Newspaper Bowl With Lid DIY



Are you a fan of handcrafted items, recycling or into green living?  I was browsing the Wayfair website and came across a handcrafted item made out of newspaper.  I've seen these bowls before as a craft diy. Never did I imagine finding a couple for sale especially at what I think are outrageous prices of around $80 to over a $100 for something that's virtually made from free or discarded items.  
Wayfair
 
While I applaud Wayfair for featuring artisans and their creative wares, something made out of newspapers or magazines at those prices seem so unreasonable.  
 
As a crafter, all I have to say is,   "don't buy .  .  .  . just make!" 
 
Here's how: 
 
You'll Need:
  • Newspaper
  • Skewer Stick
  • White glue and/or Mod podge
  • Paint brush
  • Scissors
  • Binder clips or clothes pins
  • Varnish Sealer
 

 To start, I initially used the insert section of newspaper and folded it into three parts.  The size is really the same as a half of a full news sheet so you can also divide these into three parts.
 
Cut into three strips.

 
Place a skewer stick at a right angle on the paper, as pictured.

Work the tip over the skewer and start rolling the paper with hands pressed down on table.
 
Continue rolling until you get close to the end point.  You might have to lift the roll up to tighten.  It takes practice to perfect your rolls.  Add a bit of glue to the corner and continue rolling to the end.

 
Now, turn on some music or tv and make lots of rods, approximately 50 or more depending on the size of your bowl.
 
 
Next coil your rods by starting with a very tight roll, making sure there's no hole in the center.
 
 
One end of the rod with be a bit larger than the other.  That's good so you can attach additional rods to one another by adding a bit of glue to one end and inserting it into another end of a rod and flatten.

You can flatten the main portions of the rods as you roll and coil.
 
 

  Firmly wrap the rod into a coil, pulling it slightly and gently until you reach the end.  Attach another rod into the open end and keep coiling.  Continue coiling and adding rods until you reach the size you want. 

 
Don't worry if you pull the rod apart as you roll.  Just glue the ends back together.

*You'll notice that your fingers and hands will become quite dirty from the newspaper print. Every so often, wash them off to prevent further transfers.

Make the coil as tight as possible.
As you are coiling, place on table and lay your palm hand down and twirl the coil around while gently pulling to tighten so there won't be any gaps.

 
When you are satisfied with the size you want, glue down the end and place a holding clip until the glue dries.  Do the same for the top, making the coil slightly smaller.   *Be sure not to glue any of the rods down as you coil because you want your bowl to move freely when shaping.                 

 
Once the end is dry apply glue over the entire coil and brush all over. 
 
 
To shape the bowl, while the glue is still wet, pick up the coil and gently push the sides of the bowl down starting at the center moving slowly around being careful not to push too hard because it will come apart. 

 
Gently push the layers while shaping your bowl, checking the layers to see that they are even.  Once satisfied with the bowl shape, check to make sure the bowl is level and then brush additional glue or mod podge completely over the inside bowl and let dry.
 
 
 
 
 Make the top the same way, only slightly smaller.  You can gently push the layers a bit different to form an area in the outside center to add a knob to the top.  The knob can be made by rolling a slightly wider and shorter rod to form a short cylinder shape to be glued on. 
 


Apply a varnish sealer to the entire bowl and top.


 
Once you know the basics and become more proficient, have fun in deciding how you want your bowl and top to look, creating your own version.  You can make them larger or smaller and decorate and paint them anyway you want.
 
 
What a great way to recycle old newspapers and for a cost of next to nothing!
 

Take a little time to enjoy

and

Happy Crafting!

 
 
 
 
 
 


 
http://nicoleslifeafter20.blogspot.com/2014/06/weekend-wind-down-24.html





Monday, June 16, 2014

Cut Out + Keep Feature


Cut Out + KeepCrafterella

Hi everyone!
I was selected  back in the spring to be a Cut Out + Keep Crafty Superstar.  This is my week to be featured!   One of my crafty tutorials will be featured each day for a week so please check me out!   It's a wonderful site to see creativity at its' best and to be inspired!  Thank you so much Cut Out + Keep, Cat Morley!



Whoot!  Whoot!






















Friday, June 13, 2014

Turn Your Nostalgic Photos Into 3D Art - A Father's Day DIY


For most of us in our retirement years we've become more nostalgic and sentimental about our childhood and growing up.  We are forever strolling down memory lane and remembering the times when Dad always seemed to have all the answers.  You can read about my last years' tribute to him here.

My sister Sandra and I thought our Dad was ahead of his time.  He was always looking toward the future. Before I was born, my father owned a grocery store that had gas pumps on the outside.  Perhaps he owned the original 7/11 where you could get groceries and gas up at the same place.  He had to feed a family of seven children and a wife, and was always thinking of a better way to make a living.  So, shortly before I was born, when he was in his early fifties, he decided to rent out his grocery store and build a new home for us across the street that included his new adventure in the real estate business - an office on the lower level.  His mother told him he was too old to start over.

I recently saw an episode of Home & Family on the Hallmark channel, where Mark Steines showed  how to add new dimension to photos by creating a 3D effect using black foam board.  I thought this would be a perfect project to do for Father's Day using a picture I have of our family home almost completed with my Dad's old Packard parked in front.  It's hard to believe he built this home, brick by brick, inspired by a house he would travel pass in southern Maryland. Back then we lived in a rural area of Northeast, DC.  . . . with dirt roads and all.


This is how the house looked shortly before I sold it several years ago. It was converted into rental property after my Dad died.






Here's how to make  3D Photo Art

Materials:
Photograph (copy)
Post-it picture paper or paper adhesive/glue                   
Black foam board
Scissors
X-acto knife
Shadowbox

  • Divide your copied photo into at least three elements (layers) for dimension and cut out  the foreground, middle ground and background.

  • First, place the foreground on the bottom edge of the foam, removing the backing and press on or glue on.
  • Using an x-acto knife, carefully cut out the layer through the foam board, following the outline of the elements, objects/picture, keeping the foam board intact.  Put first cut-out aside.
  • Next, place your second layer, middle ground, (backing removed or glued) over the cutout portion of remaining foam board, lining up the edges and cut out, also keeping the foam board intact. Align this middle ground with the foreground making sure the cut-outs match.

  • Do the same for the background, placing it on the foam board, lining up the edges of the middle ground, backing removed or glued and cut out.

 
                   At this point all three layers, the foreground, middle
ground, and background should line up perfectly together.
 
  • Glue on small square pieces of foam board to the back to raise the middle ground and foreground layers.
       Position the assembled layers to the back of your shadowbox and glue on.
I chose to keep the frame unfinished which blended in with the original brick colors of yellow and red.


Placement is up to you.  I like more of the thickness of the black foam showing.


The car and tree really jump out! 


Have fun converting your photos into 3D Art!

Happy Father's Day!



  
Take a little time to enjoy

and

Happy Crafting!