Sunday, September 30, 2012

Getting Crafty with Non-Card Projects

I've been busy lately creating some non-card items, including the picture frame on my previous post. 
 
I adore decorating for Halloween and I wanted to tackle some DIY projects anyway, so I turned one of them into a Halloween-themed item.
 
I took some stiff, sparkly felt and stitched it together to create this cute little spider container (perfect for holding some of my favorite candy - yum!)

 
 
The legs are made out of a giant "pipe cleaner" that I found at Michael's and cut down to several pieces. 
 
I also got some white felt and I'm going to try a ghost next.
 
The last time I was at Craft Warehouse (let's not talk about how often I'm there *wink*), I grabbed this frame, vinyl sentiment, patterned paper, and ribbon and whipped up this new addition to our remodeled den.
 
 
Crafting does keep me calm :-)
 
Have a wonderful week!
 

Friday, September 14, 2012

Happy Birthday, Baby!

My youngest niece just celebrated her 1st birthday, and even though we've not met her yet (she's in Iowa and we're Pac Northwesterners) we still wanted to help her celebrate by getting crafty with it ;-)
 
I decided to create a frame with her name on it, check it out

 
I think my favorite element is the Color Me Crazy die cut chipboard birds from Petaloo.  I used my Copics, sponged on pearlescent ink, and spritzed with glittery texture spray to dress it up.  Lucky me - they come two in a package so I have another one to play with!

 
Here's a close-up of the letters.  I used some distressing tools to rough up the edges, and then sponged on some pearlescent ink (Poppy from Tsukineko).

 
Here's a look at the "rough" edges - I attached the patterned paper (Echo Park) with tape, so when I sprayed it with a clear glossy finish it bubbled up to create a shabby chic look.

 
You might notice the two clothespins (Pebbles Inc.) that I glued on each side of the frame.  They can attach a couple more pictures that way.
 
I had so much fun creating this that I am ready to make another.
 
Details:
 
12x12 (4x4 photo) craft frame: Sierra Pacific Crafts
Patterned paper: Echo Park
Chipboard shape: Petaloo
Clothespins: Pebbles Inc.
Ribbon: American Crafts
Ink: Tsukineko
Goosebumps texture spray: Tsukineko
Other crafty goodness: Acrylic and shimmer paints (for the base), wooden letters, twine, felt
 
Tips and Tricks
 
Distress the edges of the paper around the edges and photo portions of the frame before spraying with clear gloss.  This adds to the shabby chic look.
 
Create your own blossom by spiraling ribbon on a piece of felt and stitching it in place.
 
Use one coat of acrylic paint on the base of the frame so the natural color of the frame shows through, giving it a worn look.
 
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