Thursday, June 30, 2011

Party Favor

Party Favor

My husbands birthday is in two days, so I'm making these fun and easy party favors for our party.

Here's what I did :)


I bought some paper Birthday Cups at the Dollar Store


And some bags of candy..yummmyyyy :)


I cut the rim of the paper cup off 


Then I cut even strips down the cup..I'd say about half way down the cup


Filled the cup up with candy (or the party favor of your choice) and then start folding the strips down towards the center of the cup.  I used glue dots every few strips, but clear scotch tape works great too.


Ta Da! Your done! You can top it off with a sticker, bow or leave it as is.  Isn't this awesome!  
They remind me of little cupcakes!

Have a great night and Happy Crafting!

Wednesday, June 29, 2011

Feather Earrings

Feather Earrings

Ooh La La!!

Today I am bringing you some Feather Earrings I made 


Aren't they stunning!  Feathers are soooo in right now.


Here is the same pair blowing in the wind....what I didn't capture was them blowing away...
Yep that's right..it's way windy today, so needless to say photographing feathers outside was a disaster.


This is the second pair I made..longer than the first.  It has Dark Purple, Hot Pink and Blue Feathers...
So pretty!

Hope you enjoyed these gorgeous feather earrings I made, I know I sure do, and..
I can think of a few friends of mine in particular who will like these as well!

Happy Crafting!

Tuesday, June 28, 2011

Baseball Bracelet

Baseball Bracelet

Take me out to the ball game, 

Take me out with the crowd,

Buy me some Peanuts and Cracker Jacks...

I don't care if I never get back!


So this idea just came to me this morning...I hadn't even had my coffee yet and I had just woken up and BAM! The idea for this bracelet came from left field..HA HA..No pun intended :)

All I used for this project was White Duct Tape, Red Embroidery Floss, Scissors, and a Hole Punch.
This is so much fun!
I'm going to make a football one next :)

Have a great day!

Monday, June 27, 2011

Safety Pin Bracelet

Safety Pin Bracelet

Good evening everyone!  
First of all I'd like to give a shout out to my youngest son who turned 4 yrs old today..
Happy Birthday Buddy!! We love you!!

So tonight I made a Safety Pin Bracelet..


I bought these Safety Pins, and used some black beads I already had, and some stretchy string.

After adding the beads and then closing the Safety Pin, I pinched the top portion of the Safety Pin closed.
This way the string doesn't slide down after stringing the bracelet.
Cut two pieces of Clear Stretchy String, and string one string through the top hole, and one string through the bottom hole of all the Safety Pins.  Tie the bottom strings to each other and the top strings to each other.
You could add some super glue to the knot to reinforce it.
And you get this beautiful Safety Pin Bracelet!! It's so shiny and fun!!

Happy Crafting!

Saturday, June 25, 2011

Wooden Spool Beads

Wooden Spool Beads


Hey guys! So I found these little tiny wooden spools at the craft store...and thought hmmm those would make some neat beads!  Plus they were only $0.99 a package..score!

So that's what I did, I made Spool Beads!

Here are my supplies:
1/2" Wooden Spools 
Black Acrylic Paint
Zebra Print Duct Tape
Stretchy String


I first painted the little guys..the spools that is..and let them dry.  Because I used Acrylic Paint it only took a few minutes for them to dry...which is awesome cause I have ZERO patience lol :)


Once they were dry I wrapped them in Zebra Print Duct Tape...SEXY!!  
I LOVE DUCT TAPE!!...I literally just screamed that..Yup :)


I strung the Sexy Zebra Print Spool Beads on some stretchy string and Voila! 
Isn't it pretty?!  Especially in the outdoors..hugging a wine bottle...Rawwrrrr!

LoL..ok enough with the cheesyness....
You could really get creative with this. Paint them your favorite team colors, using scrapbook paper to wrap around the bead with some Modge Podge...Have fun with it :)

Happy Crafting!

Friday, June 24, 2011

Washer Necklace

Washer Necklace


Alright ladies...time to hit up the hardware store!  Washer's are one of my favorite things to buy for Craft related projects.  I have another craft I'll post soon.

Supplies for this gorgeous necklace :)
Small (lightweight washers)
Chain
Findings
Pliers
Clasp for necklace

I simply attached the washer to the finding and then attached it to the chain...easy peasy!

I think it turned out great, and I LOVE IT..just say'n  
Let's just look at it again just for fun...



The reason I used the smaller washers is that they get rather heavy the bigger you go.  So you want to stick with something that is lightweight so you don't hurt your neck.  Another added bonus, they only cost me $0.99..CHEAP!

You could certainly add some beads in there for a punch of color, I wanted just a silver necklace this time, but I may try that next time.

Happy Crafting!

Thursday, June 23, 2011

Button Hair Band

Button Elastic Hair Band


Ok..Ok..I know what you're thinking..Enough with the buttons Nicole!

But I love them...they're so bright, and fun, and..and..ok I promise this will be the last button project for a while...maybe :)

I suppose I should've brushed my hair before taking this pic lol...but what's cuter than a messy ponytail and one of these hair bands...so cute!

So for these, I used my trusty glue gun, some elastic and buttons...of course :)



I first measured the elastic by wrapping it around my head to get the right measurement. Then I hot glued it together, overlapping by about an inch.

Then I glued on buttons with my glue gun.  Done...It was that fast, and I love them.  Fun for all ages!


This one I just added one huge button...it's way cuter in person..I know I always say that, but it's so hard to take a pic of yourself wearing something on your own head....just say'n


Here are the two I made.  I had a couple extra hair clips from a previous project, so I glued some buttons on them too.  

I don't know, I just had fun with this.  It was quick, and I enjoyed making color combination's.  I've made others in the past where I have added Rosettes, those are cute too.  Here's a pic....


Clearly you could hot glue just about anything on the elastic..so go have fun with it.  Start gluing some fun stuff and get creative!

Have a great day!

Happy Crafting!

Wednesday, June 22, 2011

MoNsTer Popsicle Snuggies

MoNsTer Popsicle Snuggies

Alright...it's that time of year when your kids come flying in from outside, red cheeked and sweaty asking "Mom can I have an Otter Pop???"

I don't know about you, but I get sick of waisting napkins just to wrap around their Popsicle and not to mention having to track them down to make sure the napkins make it into the trash...

So I broke out some felt and made some fun Popsicle Snuggies for the boys!


Aren't these fun?!! I love them..not to toot my own horn, but my boys freaked out when they saw these!

So I cut out strips of felt with my Pinking Shears.  
Sewed some button eyes, and other facial features.
Then Hot Glued them closed along the sides and bottom edge.
The Otter Pop style Popsicle slides right in the top :)

Ta Da!


No more cold hands or wasted napkins!

Happy Crafting!

Recycled Cardboard Tote

Recycled Cereal Box Tote


Isn't this fun?! So I took an empty Cereal Box (obviously lol) and cut the top flaps off.

Then I used a large hole punch to cut holes in the box for handles.

Last step I did was make a crease in the sides.

Now..you don't have to leave it just like this...you could decoupage scrapbook paper pieces with mod podge, or cover it in patterned duct tape.  You have a ton of options.

You could also skip the step where I cut in the handles, and you could use a small hole punch on the sides and put ribbon through it, knot it on the inside, and use it for a handle.

This would also make a neat bag to put a present in.  It's a conversation piece and you got it for free!

Happy Crafting!

Tuesday, June 21, 2011

Homemade Soft Ice Pack

Flexible Ice Pack

Tis' the season for owies and boo boo's...I don't know about you, but those cute little kid ice packs aren't all that great.  They are hard...I wanted something soft and flexible.  So here it is...It's almost like a Gel Pack if you will.

Recipe for Ice Pack:
2 Cups of Water
1 Cup of Rubbing Alcohol
Food Coloring (optional)
  2 Ziploc Freezer Bags

Mix the ingredients together and pour into a Ziploc baggie, I used blue food coloring.  Make sure it's airtight, and then put the baggie inside another baggie.  I just used regular Ziploc Snack Baggies.  I wanted smaller ones.



This is what it looks like frozen..I love the way it feels.  Hopefully we won't need to use it but if we do..it's ready to rock n' roll.

It's the small things in life right? Have a good night!



Mini Catapult

Mini Catapult

Hello!
So yesterday my boys were driving me nuts...I think they were totally bored...summer break and noth'n to do

So I made them a Mini Catapult to play with today.

Supplies I used:
Piece of wood
Spray paint
2 Jumbo Craft Sticks
2 Clothes Pins
2 Caps from water bottles
Hot Glue Gun


 I got a piece of scrap wood from my local hardware store..
I spray painted it baby blue..it was a color we already had so I just used that.

 

While I waited for the paint to dry I gathered the rest of my supplies


 I glued the Clothespin onto the block of wood with my glue gun


Then I glued the Craft Stick onto the Clothespin


Last step...glue the Bottle Cap to the Craft Stick


I put it on the floor...set up some bowls, gave them some beads and let them launch away!


I think they like it lol...Yay for Mom!!  Whewww...little work..big pay off :)

This is so easy to make, and fun for even the smallest of toddlers.  You can use crumbled up paper too if you'd like.  I gave them a round bead, and they don't go all that far, which is great for in the house play.  

My next step is to hot glue little bowls on either side of the boys Catapults to store their own stash of beads.

Happy Crafting!!

Monday, June 20, 2011

Pillowcase Tote

Pillowcase Tote

Hey everyone!
Hope everyone is having a fabulous day in Blogland :)

I made this tote that I thought I would share with you

I made it out of a pillowcase from the Dollar Store, and Duct Tape

For all of you that know me personally, you already know my passion for Duct Tape...I make A LOT of stuff out of Duct Tape...I'm addicted to it, and couldn't live with out it.  All thanks to my friend Joell, years ago she showed me a project and I was instantly hooked..thanks Joell!!!  She's the best :)

Anywho, back to the tote..Here it is:


I used a cheap light yellow pillow case from the Dollar store so you can kind of see through it in the sunlight.  I made some Rosettes out of the remaining piece of pillowcase that I didn't need for the bag.

The Duct Tape gives it a nice liner..

Here's a view where you can see the inside a little better.  I added Velcro to the top so it stays shut.  

I love these bags, they are great for everyday, as a gym bag, library bag, grocery shopping...you name it, it's good for it. 

Hope you enjoyed taking a look into my passion..Duct Tape..who would of thought huh?  

Hope you all have a great night!

Happy Crafting!

Door Hanger

Chalkboard Door Hanger


This is so easy...so so so easy! 

So here's what I did to make this fun, easy and unique door hanger:


I bought a wooden door hanger at my local craft store...it was $.079
I used my can of Chalk Board Spray Paint..which I must say is probably one of the best inventions on earth!

I seriously love this stuff!!


I sprayed the door hanger with a layer of paint...waited until it dried.  It doesn't take long, the wood soaks it up...then I applied a second coat and waited for it to dry..and BOOM..your craft is done!


You could put this on it...you know represent your favorite blog LOL...:)


Or if you give it to your son who is a pre teen like mine..it will probably say this... :)

This is so much fun, and great for all ages.  The perfect gift for that someone that has everything...bet they don't have chalkboard door hanger!

Happy Crafting!

Sunday, June 19, 2011

Recycled Plastic Beads

Recycled Plastic Beads  


Can you guess what I made these beads out of???

 Give up?? Already? One more guess....Ok....

A 2 Liter Bottle...Yup that's right folks! How cool is that?!!  Way cool..just in case you didn't know :)

So I came across this video Here awhile back

I think these are super fun, and I love making unique things out recycled materials!

Here's the materials I used:
Empty 2 Liter Bottle (clean and dry)
Needle Nosed Pliers
Sharpie Markers
Scissors
Heat Gun

I cut the top and bottom portion off of the 2 Liter and then cut the "body" of the bottle into strips. 
Now I am VERY particular..I have a little OCD action going on when I do crafts...so I cut my strips as perfect as possible...


I then colored the strip with a Sharpie

I wrapped it tightly around my pliers, colored side on the inside...sorry I don't have a pic, it didn't turn out good :(

I broke out the heat gun and put some heat on the bead evenly around all sides (holding it with my pliers), until it shrunk a little.  If you put too much heat on it it will shrivel up all funky....

If you don't have a heat gun, I did try this with my blow dryer and that also worked.

I'm going to be honest...this is incredibly easy..however it took me about 4 beads into it before I figured out exactly how long to have the heat on the plastic and what not...again..I wanted mine to look as perfect as possible...I've got issues :)  But I digress...


Here is what a few of my beads looked like when they were done.....


And here is what they look liked after stringing them on some stretchy string....

You can get creative here and add a couple colors to one bead, add dots, squiggly lines, you name it. These are definitely a conversation piece.  I mean who is going to guess that you are wearing a 2 liter plastic soda bottle on your wrist right?? NO ONE..that's who..totally cool if I do say so!

Like I said before, these are easy to make, especially once you get the hang of it.  It only takes a few seconds to make a bead, but I don't suggest this project for young kids.  They could certainly do the coloring, but I'd leave the heating process to the adults.

Happy Crafting!