Decoupage Wood Block for Dad

I call this project  a "chip off the old (wood) block!" Lol! It's a great way to tell your Dad how much "alike" the two of you are for Father's Day!! 

I found an unfinished wood block at a craft store, but this is the perfect project for those of you who have pieces from woodworking projects you want to use up or upcycle! 

You don't need lots of materials to make this, either: a wood block, stain, cardstock, water, mod podge, and your imagination!

Let's start off staining the sides and  .  .  . 

 back of the wood block!

Next, get creative in getting the message out! I found a background to use online and then I added these wonderful traits of a Dad using this site. But you can also use Word or any method that's easy for you.

Then, print out the design using a laser printer, cut it out and soak in water for a few minutes. This lets the paper become pliable without using a whole lot of decoupage.

Next, lay the wet design on a few sheets of paper towels and .  .  .

some on top, to remove the excess water. Gently pat the water out.

Next, add a layer of Mod Podge to the unfinished front of the wood block and smooth out. I like to use a plastic baggy for smoothing out the wrinkles.

I didn't quite like the clean finished look of the design, so first, I wet the edge area and applied a little bit of stain - still didn't like that look - so I removed the edges of the paper with my fingernail. Much better!

Once the paper is dry, sand down the rough edges and then add another layer of mod podge to seal.

*In hindsight, I should have torn the edges of the paper first to achieve this look. 

What a wonderful, inexpensive and sentimental project for Father's Day!

The perfect keepsake!

I'm sharing this as part of the May craft challenge with the ladies from Creative Crafter's Group. Take a moment to check out their craft tutorial posts and after the 15th share your own Father's Day and Outdoor tutorial posts with the link up. 

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Crepe Paper Anemone Flowers DIY

Welcome again to our Monthly Challenge Blog Hop! I've joined a group of creative bloggers to bring you a themed monthly challenge blog hop on the 2nd Monday of each month! This month the challenge is to upcycle cardboard, paper or wood.  

For this challenge, I'm sharing a tutorial on making anemone flowers using crepe paper. But before we get to the tutorial, lets talk anemone flower!

The anemone flower is quite fascinating and it comes in a variety of colors including different shades of purple! Woohoo!!  

They're such beautiful flowers, but do you know what the meaning of the anemone flower is? I sure didn't!  The flower symbolizes: protection against evil and ill wishes. Forsaken or forgotten love and affection. Anticipation and excitement on something in the future. Also, protection against disease and illness among a few other interesting topics. And legend has it that when the anemone closes its petals, it's a signal that rain is approaching. Boy, that's a whole lotta different symbols or meanings for one flower, but I do think that there's so much evil and ill wishes in the world today, that we all need some anemone flowers in our lives!

Now on to the tute! To make the anemone flower in crepe paper, let's begin by gathering some materials:

• Aluminum foil
• Scissors
• 16 gauge floral stem wire, 26 gauge floral wire, and floral tape
• Tacky glue/fabric glue
• Black crepe paper roll
• Black stamen
• Asst. colors crepe paper sheets
• Anemone petal pattern (cardstock)

First, cut pieces of foil into 3 or 4 inch squares and squish together to form 1/2" balls that will be the center of the flowers.

Next, pierce the center of the foil ball with the tip of the scissor blade to make a tiny hole. Fold the stem wire in half, squeezing wire together, and dip ends into glue and insert into foil ball. Let dry.

Then, cut a strip of black crepe paper from the roll (enough that fit around the ball) and spread tacky glue all over it. Place the ball stem in the center of the crepe paper and .  .  .

wrap the crepe paper around it, twisting and ending the paper around the top of the floral stem to connect.

Next, lay several loose stamen at the base of the center ball and wrap floral wire around to hold in place.  Fold the opposite side of the stamen up and continue wrapping with wire. Add more stamen around the base of ball, wrapping with wire until satisfied with look. 

Cut a narrow strip of black crepe paper and place tacky glue on one end. Wrap the strip around the base covering wire. Add additional glue to paper while wrapping to strip end to secure.

For the petal pattern, cut a 2.5"x 1.5" rectangle from cardstock. Fold in half and cut out a half petal shape, as shown. Next, cut a 3" strip the length of the crepe paper, making sure the grain of the paper is vertical before cutting. Fold the crepe paper strip a little larger than the width of the folded petal, and then fold it over and over at least 10-12 times. Place the pattern on top of the folded crepe paper on the fold and .  .  .

cut out! You should then have lots of crepe paper petals!

Stretch the center of the petals with your thumbs to form a cup-like shape, curving the bottom end tip back. Then ruffle the top edges with your fingers.

Do this for all the petals. Each flower needs at least five petals.

To form the flower, add a bit of fabric glue to the end tip of the petal and place at the bottom of the center ball, smoothing out.

Continue gluing on petals, slightly overlapping.

Once all the petals are glued on, wrap the stem wire starting at the top with floral tape. And then, you're done! Yay!

Have fun making several anemone flowers in different crepe paper colors!

I am a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com. This post also contains affiliate links.  I may receive a very small commission.  It does NOT result in additional charges to you or cost you anything extra.  The affiliate money I earn per month helps pay my crafting expenses. Thanks so much for your support!

Be sure to visit my co-hosts below to see how they met this challenge with their creative cardboard, paper or wood upcycle projects:

Across the Blvd

Purple Hues and Me

Cookies, Coffee, and Crafts

My Pinterventures

Coastal Bohemian

Sum of Their Stories

Stone Cottage Adventures

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Happy Mother's Day!

Roller Stamping Wrapping Paper DIY

Hey there! Guess what? It's the first Friday of the month and today's the day I bring you a fun themed craft to share at Bring On the Crafts Blog Hop! 

The theme for this month is Stamps!

 Have you run out of fancy wrapping paper? Here's a fun way to make your very own decorative wrapping paper using a rolling pin as a stamp! Sounds cool doesn't it? Perfect for this month's Bring on the Crafts theme! 

And you just need a rolling pin - found this small silicone one at Walmart for $2.44, some lacy foam ribbon trim from the dollar store, cling wrap or paper, glue, acrylic craft paint, brush, and craft paper. No expensive tools to use or buy!

Roller stamping is so easy to do! First by covering the rolling pin with cling wrap to protect the surface so you can use it again and again! You can also use paper or cardstock to wrap the roller for protection.

Next, add on strips of the foam lacy ribbon trim, matching the pattern and .  .  .

gluing the ends together around the rolling pin. It should be centered and I didn't realize this is not! Oops!

Then, brush on acrylic paint using a paint brush or foam brush over all of the foam ribbon trim.

And begin rolling on the design on to the craft paper. It's best to use two hands but I had to hold my camera to take this picture! Lol!

Have fun roller stamping the designs on - using different patterns, going in different directions, or using multiple paints! I loved the look of the lavender paint color, so I stuck with just that!

Once you're finished with roller stamping the paper, the foam ribbon and cling wrap can be easily pulled off for another project!

Be sure to let the paint dry completely on the paper!

What a fun way to make unique, one of a kind wrapping paper!

I also used the lacy foam ribbon trim to wrap around the wrapping paper for a complimentary touch - twirling it around to make a rose bud for the center bow!

Have fun making your own personal roller stamping wrapping paper!

What an adorable project to share for this month's Stamp theme at Bring on the Crafts Blog Hop!

Bring on the Crafts — A Craft & DIY Blog Hop

Here's a bit about this blog hop! On the first Friday through Sunday of each month, a group of DIY and crafty bloggers join forces. Together with hosts, Marie from The Inspiration Vault and Habiba from Craftify My Love, bring you the #BringontheCrafts blog hop. Each blogger creates a fun craft or DIY project to share that follows a monthly materials theme. May's theme is Stamps! Each blogger chooses their own craft to make as long as they love it and it uses Stamps in the project.

Our May Co-hosts:

Jenny @ Cookies, Coffee and Crafts • Heather @ Glitter on a Dime  

Marie @ DIY Adulation • Michele @ Coastal Bohemian 

 Beverly @ Across the Blvd • Gail @ Purple Hues & Me

Join in on the fun! If you'd like to participate next month, you can request to join our Bring on the Crafts Facebook Group. Next month's theme is Fabric!

Not a blogger, but a creative mind none the less!? Don't worry, Share your awesome creations in our Craft Cult Facebook Group. This is also a great place to ask craft & DIY related questions and find inspiration for your next project.

Now let's see all of those amazing Craft and DIY Projects!

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Click here to enter