Wednesday, October 28, 2015

I'm Featured in DIY Decorating Addict Digital Magazine!

Exciting News!  A few of my projects are featured in this month's issue of
DIY Decorating Addict digital magazine!      Wow, wow, wow!

The magazine is available exclusively on the Apple newsstand on your iPad, iPhone or iPod. 

To check out the DIY Decorating Addict magazine and my features:
Go to this link for a free 3-month subscription for instructions: http://diydecoratingaddict.com/get-3-free-issues-diy-decorating-addict-magazine

I want to thank Diane Corriere, Publisher, for this honor and wonderful opportunity! 

As always,


Take a little time to enjoy


and

Happy Crafting!


Monday, October 26, 2015

Recycled Soda Can Wall Art






Are you feeling guilty about those cans of soda your family drinks everyday?  Hopefully you're diligent about recycling but why not make something crafty with all that aluminum?  A craft project that's almost unbelievable since it's made out of soda cans and wire hangers.  

These unique looking wall flowers were hand cut, using a freehand flower pattern, shaped with added pieces of coat hangers and soda cans for leaves and stems, all shaped into lovely flowers and painted using acrylic and chalk paints. Then assembled on 9" x 12" canvases using E6000 and hot glue.














                                                       Don't you just love recycling?


Take a little time to enjoy

and

Happy Crafting!





Thanksgiving Table Favors





Thinking about how you plan on decorating the table for your upcoming Thanksgiving gathering?   Surprise your family with mini cornucopia favors adorned with decorative ribbon and bows that will truly put a smile on their faces. 

Get all the details from my tutorial at http://www.bowdabrablog.com/2015/10/26/thanksgiving-table-favors/  where I'm on the design team!


Have Fun  

and

Keep Crafting!

                                  Gail






Monday, October 19, 2015

Recycled Newspaper Woven Flower



Since I had a few newspaper tubes left over from the tray/basket I made here I started looking on Pinterest for ideas to use them.  I came across this and decided to put my own twist on how to make a newspaper tube flower.

To make, you will need:
  • Newspaper tubes
  • Floral wire
  • Tacky glue/hot glue
  • Clamps 
  • Acrylic paint

So I'm using newspaper tubes I had leftover, but to learn how to make them, go here

Once you have about five or six tubes for one petal, insert a floral wire into one tube and fold into point twisting wire ends together and cutting off excess.  Adding wire allows the petals to be shaped up or down.


Open the tube into a petal shape.
 
Glue on the end of a tube at the middle center top and bottom.

Glue on another tube horizontal at the top.

Begin weaving the horizontal tube over and under the three tube sides of the petal shape, back and forth.


Continue weaving over and under, adding additional tubes by adding glue to the end of a new tube and inserting it into the weaving tube to lengthen.













When reaching the end,
wrap tubes around base.
Make four more.
 
 
In addition to the petals, I made two small leaves the same way to add to the stems.
 
Next, I wanted my flower to have a round center so I soaked pieces of newspaper in water overnight, squeezed out the excess water, added glue .  .  . 
 
 and shaped the newspaper pulp into a sausage like shape.

 
It took about a day for the center to dry and then I painted it, the petals, leaves and stems.  Sorry, I got so involved with this I forgot to take pictures of painting everything.
 
Once the paint dried, I started hot gluing on the petals, one at a time, shaping them as I glued.


 
And then adding the leaves to the stems.

 
 Ta Da!
 
 
Another great recycle/upcycle project anyone can make!
 
 




Take a little time to enjoy

and

Happy Crafting!

 



Sunday, October 11, 2015

Recycled Newspaper Tubes Tray/Basket




I love to create things out of recycle materials!  And right now, I'm into newspapers.  It's a great way for me to use those stacks of newspapers I throw out each week. Besides, it's cheap and oh so versatile! So I hope you don't get too bored with some of the tutorials I'll be doing using newspapers.

First off, I decided to make a tray/basket.  I first saw something like this on Etsy.  I enjoy looking at handcrafted items on Etsy for inspiration. Did you know that Amazon now offers handcrafted items, too? Anyway, the pictured item is called a newspaper potholder/basket - it can actually hold a flowerpot.     
Etsy Source

Mine didn't quite turn out like this one, which is kind of wonky - I guess if I had used shorter newspaper tubes, maybe.  But anyway, here's how I put the one I made together.
 
Using:
  • Newspaper pages
  • White glue/tacky glue
  • Skewer stick
  • Cardboard, pick, pencil/pen
  • Clamps
  • Mod podge
  • Paint - primer, acrylic, sealant
  • Paint brush
The first thing to do is to make a lot of newspaper tubes - around 25 to be exact.
 
Here's a pictorial of how to:

1.  Start with a full newspaper page - the weekend section actually opens to full pages.
2.  Fold in half and
3.  Cut into two pieces.
4.  Take a skewer stick and place on the corner edge, at an angle, as pictured.  I believe that's called an obtuse triangle where the angle is more than 90 degrees.
5.  Take the end tip of the paper over the skewer and start rolling the paper with hands pressed down on table.
6.  Continue rolling the paper on the stick until you get three fourths of the way.  You might have to lift the paper up to tighten the roll by twirling the stick.
7.  Add glue to the edges and roll until reaching the end.
8.  The tube is done, about 22 inches long, and you need to make at least 24 more.
 
Next, get ready for a tutorial picture overload with directions!
 
Draw a half circle on a rectangular piece of cardboard.

Mark seven places on the half circle, as pictured. It's easier to place them at left, right, center, and then, two equally between.


 Punch holes through the marks using a pick.



Enlarge holes with a pen.


Insert seven newspaper tubes midway into holes.

Add glue to end of another tube and secure to first inserted tube.

Clamp glued end of tube.  Flatten tube with fingers to make the paper more pliable to weave.


Once secure, begin weaving over and under inserted tubes.
 Continue weaving over and under until reaching last tube, wrapping around, weaving over and under back to the other side.

Add glue to end of new tube and insert  to lengthen weaving tube and continue over and under.


Tighten tubes and adjust as you continue weaving toward the narrow ends.








 Wrap around the ends with the paper tube and glue to secure. Clamp until dry.

Begin weaving the other side the same as before.





Straighten and tighten all of the tubes before finally securing together.






Carefully remove cardboard.

Coat tray with mod podge.
I used a hard surface coating to help make it firm and stiff.
 Spray with white primer.

 
 


  For a distressed look, I added brown and copper acrylic paint, wiping it off with a cloth and finally adding a matte finish sealant.
 
 
 
 
 


My tray/basket looks a bit wonky, too .  .  .
and is for decorative purposes only!
  
But I love how it ends up being quite functional and very ornamental!
 
 
And to know that it's made of newspaper!
How cool!
 
 
 Take a little time to enjoy

and

Happy Crafting!