Do you collect dolls? Do you enjoy making simple dolls that arent costly? Then youll love a fun project where you turn a small, craft-type broom into a scarecrow doll. Hes not too big but he sure is adorable! Purchase a 6" straw broom from a craft store to make the scarecrow. Start by laying the broom on a flat surface and separating the straw into two equal sections to form the legs. Tie a piece of twine or raffia around each "ankle" to keep the straws separated.
Cut a small bundle of raffia to make the arms. The bundle should be about as big around as one of the legs and should be 6" long. Separate the bundle into two equal piles. With one pile lying horizontally, place the broom handle on the straw, allowing it to stick up above the straw about a quarter-inch. Lay the second bundle on top of the broomstick so that it aligns with the first bundle. Tie a piece of twine or raffia around the two bundles, at each end, to form the "wrists". Slide the arms down, apply some glue to the handle, then slide the arms back up again.
Make pants for the scarecrow by laying him on the chosen fabric and tracing around the pants area. Cut the fabric to be about a quarter inch larger, all over, so theres plenty of room. Glue the pants down the sides and along the inseam. Make sure the pants are short enough so that some of the broom straws protrude from the bottom. Cut a square of cloth to be about 4"x4". Fold the material in half to form a triangle. Cut a small half-moon shape from the center of the fold to make an opening to slide in the broom handle. Slide the fabric over the broom stick. Tuck the points of the shirt into the pants, front and back. Cut two narrow strips of fabric that matches the pants. Glue these over the shirt to make suspenders. Now cut another narrow piece of the same fabric and glue it around the scarecrow to make a waistband. The waistband should hide the ends of the suspenders, front and back, as well as the area where the shirt meets the pants. Make the head from a Styrofoam ball. Paint it beige with tempera paints. Draw on a Raggedy Andy-type face then glue raffia on the head to make hair. Create a hole in the bottom of the ball, add a little glue, then position the head on the broomstick. If you want, glue on tiny buttons and even a small bow tie. Make a small hat by covering a bottle cap with felt. These scarecrow dolls can stand nearly anywhere as long as they lean up against another object, such as a lamp, a small appliance or a wall.
Tuesday, October 30, 2012
Sunday, October 28, 2012
Just Married Garland for the Getaway Car
For a really long time now people have been tying tin cans onto the back of the getaway car for the bride and groom to leave for the honeymoon. Theyre loud and noisy, scraping along on the road, and getting attention from other drivers and pedestrians. Thats one way to do it, but if you prefer a little less noise, try pom-poms. Theyre quiet, pretty, available in many different colors, and are sure to get attentention! You can make a paper pom-pom yourself by using four pieces of tissue paper. Each piece should be 6"x9 ?". Each paper can be the same color or you can create a different look by stacking two or more colors. Stack the papers then fold them like an accordion. Tie a string around the middle. Separate each paper from the others and fluff the finished pom-pom.
Pom-poms which you purchase at a craft store can be used instead of the homemade ones. The pom-poms arent expensive and are available in a multitude of colors and several sizes. Although they are not made from paper they are still colorful and quiet.
No matter what kind of pom-poms you decide to use for the getaway car you will go about making them into a garland by using the same technique. Select yarn, twine, fishing twine or other cord-type material and use it to attach the pom-poms to the car. First, glue or tie each pom-pom to the twine. Make sure there is one pom-pom at each end of the string then space more pom-poms between them. There are other things you can tie onto the garlands besides the pom-poms. Cut and tie on pieces of ribbon, cloth strips, Christmas tree icicles, strips of colored plastic, streamers, Styrofoam balls, and even fake jewels. Scatter these amongst the pom-poms to create the specific look you want. Its easy to decorate any vehicle with the pom-pom garlands when you use suction cups. These will prevent damage to the car. Choose small ones from a craft store and attach one to the front of the car. Wrap the string of the first pom-pom around the hook on the suction cup to keep it from falling off as the getaway car is driven. Use more suction cups, on the hood, roof, trunk, sides or other areas to guide the garland in the direction you want. Tie each pom-poms string onto that cup to keep them from shifting. Allow strands of the garland to flow down the back of the car and along the pavement. As the vehicle is driven these will blow and bounce around on the road. It creates a colorful "Just Married" appearance for the car thats quiet yet still grabs attention.
Pom-poms which you purchase at a craft store can be used instead of the homemade ones. The pom-poms arent expensive and are available in a multitude of colors and several sizes. Although they are not made from paper they are still colorful and quiet.
No matter what kind of pom-poms you decide to use for the getaway car you will go about making them into a garland by using the same technique. Select yarn, twine, fishing twine or other cord-type material and use it to attach the pom-poms to the car. First, glue or tie each pom-pom to the twine. Make sure there is one pom-pom at each end of the string then space more pom-poms between them. There are other things you can tie onto the garlands besides the pom-poms. Cut and tie on pieces of ribbon, cloth strips, Christmas tree icicles, strips of colored plastic, streamers, Styrofoam balls, and even fake jewels. Scatter these amongst the pom-poms to create the specific look you want. Its easy to decorate any vehicle with the pom-pom garlands when you use suction cups. These will prevent damage to the car. Choose small ones from a craft store and attach one to the front of the car. Wrap the string of the first pom-pom around the hook on the suction cup to keep it from falling off as the getaway car is driven. Use more suction cups, on the hood, roof, trunk, sides or other areas to guide the garland in the direction you want. Tie each pom-poms string onto that cup to keep them from shifting. Allow strands of the garland to flow down the back of the car and along the pavement. As the vehicle is driven these will blow and bounce around on the road. It creates a colorful "Just Married" appearance for the car thats quiet yet still grabs attention.
Friday, October 26, 2012
Jumbo Learning Dice
Are you a school teacher or a home school teacher who can also sew a little bit? Have you ever seen those jumbo dice which can be used to teach young kids about numbers or other things? Instead of paying 20 bucks or more for the classroom dice just whip them up yourself. Its a lot of fun to make the jumbo dice which can be rolled like regular dice, sat on, or even turned into fitness dice.
Youll need 12 squares of fabric to make two dice. The fabric should be lightweight; a good type of fabric is the type which is used to make garden flags. The dice will look especially nice if each square on each dice is a different color. You can make the dice as large or small as you want; a good size for the fabric squares, if you want the jumbo version, is 15"x15".
Decorate each square the way you want. You can sew on felt numbers, write on the squares with paint markers or otherwise embellish them. After each square is made the way you want, you can then sew them together. Stack two squares on top of each other so that their right sides face and sew down the right side. Open these up and set them so that one square is on your left and one on your right. Lay another square on top of the square on your right and sew down the right side. Open this up; you now have three squares, side-by-side. Lay a 4 th square on top of the one which is on your right, and sew down the right side, so that you have four squares which are stitched together, side-by-side. Bring the ends together and sew them to create a band. Place a square of fabric on a table and pin the band around it. Position a 6 th square on top of the band and pin all the way around it. Sew around the bottom square to attach the band to it. Sew around the top square - all but a small area - to attach the top of the die. Assemble both dice in the same manner. Turn the die shape right-side-out through the un-sewn opening and stuff the die with tightly-packed, chipped foam. Sew the opening shut and the die is finished. The set of dice can be fitness dice by writing "push-ups", "sit-ups" or other exercises on each square. On the same square, right a number, like "4". When that side of the die is up, the person must do 4 sit-ups, push-ups or other exercise. The dice can be learning dice by simply gluing felt dots onto each one to resemble real dice. The jumbo dice are a lot of fun for a child to play with but they also make great stools for little kids. Theyre a fun way to learn, exercise or just sit down and rest.
Youll need 12 squares of fabric to make two dice. The fabric should be lightweight; a good type of fabric is the type which is used to make garden flags. The dice will look especially nice if each square on each dice is a different color. You can make the dice as large or small as you want; a good size for the fabric squares, if you want the jumbo version, is 15"x15".
Decorate each square the way you want. You can sew on felt numbers, write on the squares with paint markers or otherwise embellish them. After each square is made the way you want, you can then sew them together. Stack two squares on top of each other so that their right sides face and sew down the right side. Open these up and set them so that one square is on your left and one on your right. Lay another square on top of the square on your right and sew down the right side. Open this up; you now have three squares, side-by-side. Lay a 4 th square on top of the one which is on your right, and sew down the right side, so that you have four squares which are stitched together, side-by-side. Bring the ends together and sew them to create a band. Place a square of fabric on a table and pin the band around it. Position a 6 th square on top of the band and pin all the way around it. Sew around the bottom square to attach the band to it. Sew around the top square - all but a small area - to attach the top of the die. Assemble both dice in the same manner. Turn the die shape right-side-out through the un-sewn opening and stuff the die with tightly-packed, chipped foam. Sew the opening shut and the die is finished. The set of dice can be fitness dice by writing "push-ups", "sit-ups" or other exercises on each square. On the same square, right a number, like "4". When that side of the die is up, the person must do 4 sit-ups, push-ups or other exercise. The dice can be learning dice by simply gluing felt dots onto each one to resemble real dice. The jumbo dice are a lot of fun for a child to play with but they also make great stools for little kids. Theyre a fun way to learn, exercise or just sit down and rest.
Wednesday, October 24, 2012
Stacked Tires Nascar Night Stand and More
Now that your little boy has become addicted to Nascar hes asking for a race-theme bedroom? Have you recovered yet from shopping for Nascar items? Seriously, the average person doesnt have thousands of dollars to redo a boys bedroom, and thats what it would take if you want all of the Nascar elements. Maybe you cant find fabric for making Nascar bedding and curtains but there are certain things you definitely can make to go towards the theme. A tire night stand, for instance, can be made by anyone, and for a fraction of what it sells for.
When you stack tires beside the bed, you instantly create a night stand for a boys room, or even for a man-cave. If you have lots of space, you can make a huge table by stacking ordinary car tires. But if room is limited, or you dont want the table to overshadow the bed, you can make a much smaller arrangement. Shop for scooter or moped tires, tires from a childs motorized car, or tires made for other really small cars. Visit places where tires are sold - car or moped - and you can get a good deal on used tires.
Clean old tires before stacking them; you can make them shine by coating them with a thin layer of vegetable oil or a spray-on, clear-coat product. Stack two or three, depending on how tall you want the table to be. The stacked tires make the table but youll still need a tabletop. The tabletop can be a circle cut from wood or something else. You can find wood circles at a home improvement store and one of those is perfect as the tire tabletop. Just lay it in place and the table is finished. For a more secure stack, put glue strips around surface of the top tire and stick the wood to them. Another choice for a tabletop is a glass circle - also found at a home improvement store. To secure it, use glue dots, which arent quite as noticeable as the strips. Other tabletop choices include an old game board or even a piece of thick, fabric-covered cardboard. Want some other race theme pieces for the room? Make two, spaced stacks of tires, lay a board across them, and create a desk. Or, make the same arrangement, but use it as a stand for games, media, or other bedroom things. The stacked tire table make a great lamp stand, plant stand, or even a chair. Paint a car number on the stack to create a Nascar theme, or paint the tires with colors of your favorite race car driver. See, its cheap and easy to make a race theme bedroom. Now, lets see what your little girl has in mind for her room...
When you stack tires beside the bed, you instantly create a night stand for a boys room, or even for a man-cave. If you have lots of space, you can make a huge table by stacking ordinary car tires. But if room is limited, or you dont want the table to overshadow the bed, you can make a much smaller arrangement. Shop for scooter or moped tires, tires from a childs motorized car, or tires made for other really small cars. Visit places where tires are sold - car or moped - and you can get a good deal on used tires.
Clean old tires before stacking them; you can make them shine by coating them with a thin layer of vegetable oil or a spray-on, clear-coat product. Stack two or three, depending on how tall you want the table to be. The stacked tires make the table but youll still need a tabletop. The tabletop can be a circle cut from wood or something else. You can find wood circles at a home improvement store and one of those is perfect as the tire tabletop. Just lay it in place and the table is finished. For a more secure stack, put glue strips around surface of the top tire and stick the wood to them. Another choice for a tabletop is a glass circle - also found at a home improvement store. To secure it, use glue dots, which arent quite as noticeable as the strips. Other tabletop choices include an old game board or even a piece of thick, fabric-covered cardboard. Want some other race theme pieces for the room? Make two, spaced stacks of tires, lay a board across them, and create a desk. Or, make the same arrangement, but use it as a stand for games, media, or other bedroom things. The stacked tire table make a great lamp stand, plant stand, or even a chair. Paint a car number on the stack to create a Nascar theme, or paint the tires with colors of your favorite race car driver. See, its cheap and easy to make a race theme bedroom. Now, lets see what your little girl has in mind for her room...
Tuesday, October 23, 2012
Wigs You Can Easily Make Your Dog for Halloween
Your dog is going to be the cutest one ever when you make him or her a wig for Halloween. Its easy to make different kinds of wigs for large, medium or really small dogs when you start with some cheap craft supplies and a couple of things from around your house. Make short hair, long hair, sleek hair or even green hair. There are no limits! Youll see that you can make a wig in little time when you start with a hat or cap. Some hat choices include a straw hat, knit cap, baseball cap, babys hat, a cowboy hat or even a hard plastic, lightweight construction workers hat. They sell these at toy stores along with firefighters designs and others.
Straw hats work great because they sell them at craft stores in a variety of sizes. No matter how large or small your dog theres a straw hat for her. Take lengths of yarn and braid them together. Rather than braid just three strands of yarn, take a handful of yarn, three times, and braid them together. Tie the braid off at the end. Make two of these and glue the ends of them to the sides of the straw hat.
If you dont want to use yarn for the wig you have other choices. Craft stores sell fake hair for making dolls and many dollar-theme stores sell African braiding hair. Either of these work well for making doggie wigs. Since most adhesives will hold hair youll simply choose the glue thats right for the type of hat youre using. With a stretch knit cap you can make wigs for any size dog. Since they sell them for newborns you shouldnt have trouble finding a hat for your dog. With these caps you can make wigs for male or female dogs. Cut the yarn or hair to the length you want it. It can be helpful, when using hair instead of yarn, to pick it up with tape. Lay the hair out on a table, cut it to the length you want, then place a long piece of tape across the ends. Apply the glue to the underside of the cap then position the tape in the glue. Make bangs using the same method. Make a ponytail and attach it to the back of a ball cap for a male or female dog. Or, make lots of braids and glue them to a hat to make dread locks. With some hats, you can poke holes in it, then place tufts of hair through the holes. Tie them off with rubber bands or even tape, under the hat, to make hair that sticks straight up and out of the hat. With some costumes the wig is the finishing touch. Dont go out and buy one; there are so many you can easily make by yourself. You - and your dog - will think this Halloween is the best one ever.
Straw hats work great because they sell them at craft stores in a variety of sizes. No matter how large or small your dog theres a straw hat for her. Take lengths of yarn and braid them together. Rather than braid just three strands of yarn, take a handful of yarn, three times, and braid them together. Tie the braid off at the end. Make two of these and glue the ends of them to the sides of the straw hat.
If you dont want to use yarn for the wig you have other choices. Craft stores sell fake hair for making dolls and many dollar-theme stores sell African braiding hair. Either of these work well for making doggie wigs. Since most adhesives will hold hair youll simply choose the glue thats right for the type of hat youre using. With a stretch knit cap you can make wigs for any size dog. Since they sell them for newborns you shouldnt have trouble finding a hat for your dog. With these caps you can make wigs for male or female dogs. Cut the yarn or hair to the length you want it. It can be helpful, when using hair instead of yarn, to pick it up with tape. Lay the hair out on a table, cut it to the length you want, then place a long piece of tape across the ends. Apply the glue to the underside of the cap then position the tape in the glue. Make bangs using the same method. Make a ponytail and attach it to the back of a ball cap for a male or female dog. Or, make lots of braids and glue them to a hat to make dread locks. With some hats, you can poke holes in it, then place tufts of hair through the holes. Tie them off with rubber bands or even tape, under the hat, to make hair that sticks straight up and out of the hat. With some costumes the wig is the finishing touch. Dont go out and buy one; there are so many you can easily make by yourself. You - and your dog - will think this Halloween is the best one ever.
Sunday, October 21, 2012
How to Make Cornhusk Flowers
Do you have a supply of cornhusks youd like to use? Have you already made all the cornhusks dolls your child can stand? Maybe you dont even have any cornhusks but youd love to work with them sometime. If you dont have your own cornhusks they can be purchased at most large craft stores. The husks are not expensive, and dont look too impressive, but youll see just how beautiful they are when you turn them into fake flowers.
Its necessary to soak cornhusks before working with them to soften them. Place them in a sink or pot of water for two or three minutes. Remove the husks from the water, set them on paper towels, then cover them with the toweling to keep them damp. If you are going to dye the cornhusks, soak them once again, this time in a liquid dye bath. Use powdered dye, according to package instructions, or use liquid dye which is ready to use when you open it. Use disposable bowls or bowls that wont stain. Make a different color in several bowls to dye the cornhusks a variety of colors.
After dying the cornhusks remove them from the liquid and set them on paper towels once again. Pat them nearly dry with the toweling. Place a cloth over an ironing board and set several cornhusks on it. Cover them with yet another towel. Iron the husks until theyre flat and completely dry. If you dont have any dye you can also use markers, colored pencils, pens and other implements to cover the husks. Make one type of flower by cutting rectangles. At the short ends of the rectangles cut the husks with pinking shears. Make a different type of flower by cutting long, narrow ovals. Assemble the flowers like this: set two cornhusks on a table so that they form an "x" shape. Place another husk shape on top of the "x" so that it runs vertically through the center. Now youll have an asterisk shape. Bend a length of wire in half and slide one of the husk shapes into the bend of the wire. Twist it around the middle of the husk. Now glue the other two shapes on top of that one. Follow this technique to assemble many different shapes. Create flowers that have 6 petals by using 3 rectangles, 4 petals by using 2 ovals, or other designs. Make a center for the flower by gluing on a pom-pom or a tiny, dried flower. Wrap green florist tape around the wires, positioning fake leaves on the wire, and wrapping it from one end to the other. The cornhusks make some of the most beautiful dried flowers; use them to make baskets, vases and other flower arrangements for pennies each!
Its necessary to soak cornhusks before working with them to soften them. Place them in a sink or pot of water for two or three minutes. Remove the husks from the water, set them on paper towels, then cover them with the toweling to keep them damp. If you are going to dye the cornhusks, soak them once again, this time in a liquid dye bath. Use powdered dye, according to package instructions, or use liquid dye which is ready to use when you open it. Use disposable bowls or bowls that wont stain. Make a different color in several bowls to dye the cornhusks a variety of colors.
After dying the cornhusks remove them from the liquid and set them on paper towels once again. Pat them nearly dry with the toweling. Place a cloth over an ironing board and set several cornhusks on it. Cover them with yet another towel. Iron the husks until theyre flat and completely dry. If you dont have any dye you can also use markers, colored pencils, pens and other implements to cover the husks. Make one type of flower by cutting rectangles. At the short ends of the rectangles cut the husks with pinking shears. Make a different type of flower by cutting long, narrow ovals. Assemble the flowers like this: set two cornhusks on a table so that they form an "x" shape. Place another husk shape on top of the "x" so that it runs vertically through the center. Now youll have an asterisk shape. Bend a length of wire in half and slide one of the husk shapes into the bend of the wire. Twist it around the middle of the husk. Now glue the other two shapes on top of that one. Follow this technique to assemble many different shapes. Create flowers that have 6 petals by using 3 rectangles, 4 petals by using 2 ovals, or other designs. Make a center for the flower by gluing on a pom-pom or a tiny, dried flower. Wrap green florist tape around the wires, positioning fake leaves on the wire, and wrapping it from one end to the other. The cornhusks make some of the most beautiful dried flowers; use them to make baskets, vases and other flower arrangements for pennies each!
Saturday, October 20, 2012
Bead Strand Table Mat
Strands of beads are sold for different reasons. Some of them are made for little girls to wear as necklaces. Others are made for decorating the tree at Christmas. No matter what type of beads you buy theyre almost always very inexpensive. If youre in the mood to get creative grab one of those strands of beads and make a beautiful table mat. The mat can hold a centerpiece, a basket of fruit or another decorative item.
Although you can use most any color of beads to make the mats youll find that some colors end up having a holiday appearance when used as a mat. Red or green beads can have a holiday look; orange or black strands - even when not used together - can look like they were made for Halloween. In fact, the beaded mats, when made in these types of colors, are great for holiday decorating.
Lay the beads on a flat surface and apply a dot of hot glue to the side area of the end bead. Fold this bead over and press it against the the strand. Roll the beads and notice where they touch the next beads. Put a dot of glue on the beads, as you go along, wherever they touch other beads. Continue rolling the beads to make a larger and larger circle and randomly gluing the beads to others to secure. You can leave the finished mat as it is or glue a piece of felt on the bottom. Although the beads wont scratch the table they can be scooted around without noise if you add the felt. Some people will find it helpful to start with the circle of felt. With this method, you can stick the beads to the felt rather than each other. Fold the circle in half, then again, and so on, creasing it as you fold. When you open it up youll see where the fold lines intersect in the very center. Use hot glue to attach the end bead of the strand to the intersection. With the first bead in place you can continue to add hot glue where needed to secure the strand. Or, hot glue the first bead, apply white glue to the rest of the felt, then encircle the beads with each other to cover the entire mat. Use the same technique as you used for the table mat to make other things, too. Make the design much smaller and you have an elegant coaster. Make the bead circle any size and hang it on a wall. Glue on dried flowers, a painted wooden shape or other embellishments to make a unique wall hanging. Strands of beads are always beautiful, it seems. Whether a person wears them, decorates their Christmas tree with them, or makes table mats, the beads seem to fit in and even add a touch of elegance!
Although you can use most any color of beads to make the mats youll find that some colors end up having a holiday appearance when used as a mat. Red or green beads can have a holiday look; orange or black strands - even when not used together - can look like they were made for Halloween. In fact, the beaded mats, when made in these types of colors, are great for holiday decorating.
Lay the beads on a flat surface and apply a dot of hot glue to the side area of the end bead. Fold this bead over and press it against the the strand. Roll the beads and notice where they touch the next beads. Put a dot of glue on the beads, as you go along, wherever they touch other beads. Continue rolling the beads to make a larger and larger circle and randomly gluing the beads to others to secure. You can leave the finished mat as it is or glue a piece of felt on the bottom. Although the beads wont scratch the table they can be scooted around without noise if you add the felt. Some people will find it helpful to start with the circle of felt. With this method, you can stick the beads to the felt rather than each other. Fold the circle in half, then again, and so on, creasing it as you fold. When you open it up youll see where the fold lines intersect in the very center. Use hot glue to attach the end bead of the strand to the intersection. With the first bead in place you can continue to add hot glue where needed to secure the strand. Or, hot glue the first bead, apply white glue to the rest of the felt, then encircle the beads with each other to cover the entire mat. Use the same technique as you used for the table mat to make other things, too. Make the design much smaller and you have an elegant coaster. Make the bead circle any size and hang it on a wall. Glue on dried flowers, a painted wooden shape or other embellishments to make a unique wall hanging. Strands of beads are always beautiful, it seems. Whether a person wears them, decorates their Christmas tree with them, or makes table mats, the beads seem to fit in and even add a touch of elegance!
Thursday, October 18, 2012
Crepe Paper Wedding Roses
Every woman wants a beautiful wedding, but for some people, the level of gorgeous depends upon the budget. Some things are going to be expensive no matter what - the dress, the food, the invitations and thank-you notes. By the time they get down to deciding on the flowers some women find their funds rapidly diminishing. If thats the case for you go ahead and put it out of your head right now. Youll have beautiful flowers at your wedding - flowers galore! When you use crepe paper to make the flowers you can create stunning flowers that match or coordinate with your wedding colors.
With a roll of crepe paper you can make roses which look real from afar. Purchase crepe paper streamers, sold in rolls for birthday parties, and youll spend little to have fabulous flowers everywhere. Many stores sell crepe paper in limited colors, but if you shop online, you can choose from many more colors. Purchase crepe paper streamers in all the same color or in assorted colors.
To make the average rose cut a piece of the streamer to be three and a half feet long. Go along one edge of the crepe paper and fold it down about a third of the way. Crease this fold well as you go along. Now, start at one short end of the streamer and start rolling it. Roll it tightly to begin and a little looser as you get to the opposite end. As you roll the paper pinch and gather it along the unfolded edge. Cut a small circle of stiff, green felt and use it to cradle the rose. Cut from one edge of the felt to the center then overlap one cut edge with the other. This will cause the felt to begin forming a cone shape. Form the cone so that its somewhat small but large enough to hold the flower. Push a green pipe cleaner - or florist wire - through the hole in the bottom of the cone. Twist the end of it so it wont fall back out of the cone. Now glue the rose on top of the felt and wire. Clip the pipe cleaner off, under the felt, and stick the roses to table corners, baskets and more. Or, attach a pin backing to the flower and make a floral brooch. Leave the stem intact, glue on a few fake leaves, and slide the flowers into a vase to make a centerpiece or table decoration. The crepe paper flowers are really very pretty and work well for weddings, birthdays, anniversaries and other celebrations. Make much smaller ones and you can attach them to headbands or even decorate pillar candles with them. The crepe paper roses help you to have lots and lots of gorgeous flowers without spending a fortune!
With a roll of crepe paper you can make roses which look real from afar. Purchase crepe paper streamers, sold in rolls for birthday parties, and youll spend little to have fabulous flowers everywhere. Many stores sell crepe paper in limited colors, but if you shop online, you can choose from many more colors. Purchase crepe paper streamers in all the same color or in assorted colors.
To make the average rose cut a piece of the streamer to be three and a half feet long. Go along one edge of the crepe paper and fold it down about a third of the way. Crease this fold well as you go along. Now, start at one short end of the streamer and start rolling it. Roll it tightly to begin and a little looser as you get to the opposite end. As you roll the paper pinch and gather it along the unfolded edge. Cut a small circle of stiff, green felt and use it to cradle the rose. Cut from one edge of the felt to the center then overlap one cut edge with the other. This will cause the felt to begin forming a cone shape. Form the cone so that its somewhat small but large enough to hold the flower. Push a green pipe cleaner - or florist wire - through the hole in the bottom of the cone. Twist the end of it so it wont fall back out of the cone. Now glue the rose on top of the felt and wire. Clip the pipe cleaner off, under the felt, and stick the roses to table corners, baskets and more. Or, attach a pin backing to the flower and make a floral brooch. Leave the stem intact, glue on a few fake leaves, and slide the flowers into a vase to make a centerpiece or table decoration. The crepe paper flowers are really very pretty and work well for weddings, birthdays, anniversaries and other celebrations. Make much smaller ones and you can attach them to headbands or even decorate pillar candles with them. The crepe paper roses help you to have lots and lots of gorgeous flowers without spending a fortune!
Tuesday, October 16, 2012
Simplistic yet Elegant Wedding Guest Books
Its nice to purchase that beautiful wedding gown, gorgeous vases full of flowers, and even the basket for the flower girl. However, unless you just feel like being frivolous, why would you pay for certain wedding things when you can easily make these things yourself? Some brides just go through catalogs and order what they want, and if that works for them, thats great. But, for those who have a tighter budget you can spend more on important things if you save on some of the items of lesser significance. Although important, the guest book is one thing you can make yourself, and youll certainly save a fortune over purchasing it! If youll be expecting a small amount of people you can make just a single signature book. There will be plenty of room for all the guests to sign. If youre expecting many guests consider making a signature book for each dinner table. That way, the book can also serve as the table number.
Craft stores sell many different types of paper, from parchment to scrapbook paper, and you can also find large paper assortments online. Most any thick paper works well to make impressive guest signature books. Simply stack three or four pieces, fold them in half, then sew along the folded edge. Sew straight down the folded side with a straight stitch and stay about a quarter to a half-inch away from the fold. Its a nice touch if you use gold thread for the stitching.
Its up to you if you want to make lines on the papers for the signatures. Its also up to you if you want to embellish each page with a sticker or even a stencil and paint marker image. These items instantly change the book from ordinary to beautiful. There are different books you can make depending upon how you do the project. Use special scissors to create decorative borders along the edges of the papers or just use the papers as-is. Make a huge monogram on the front or small ones on each page. The lines, if you add them, can be made with an ordinary pen or even a paint marker with a fine tip. A small-diameter rope with a tassel - often found at a fabric store - creates an elegant look for the finished book. Slip it over the book and tie the ends in a knot or glue it to the book and let it hang down the inside fold. Write a table number on each signature book if youll have multiple tables. If not, just make a single signature book and place it on a table or stand for guests to sign. Theyll think you went all-out on the cost of the signature books but youll know the truth!
Craft stores sell many different types of paper, from parchment to scrapbook paper, and you can also find large paper assortments online. Most any thick paper works well to make impressive guest signature books. Simply stack three or four pieces, fold them in half, then sew along the folded edge. Sew straight down the folded side with a straight stitch and stay about a quarter to a half-inch away from the fold. Its a nice touch if you use gold thread for the stitching.
Its up to you if you want to make lines on the papers for the signatures. Its also up to you if you want to embellish each page with a sticker or even a stencil and paint marker image. These items instantly change the book from ordinary to beautiful. There are different books you can make depending upon how you do the project. Use special scissors to create decorative borders along the edges of the papers or just use the papers as-is. Make a huge monogram on the front or small ones on each page. The lines, if you add them, can be made with an ordinary pen or even a paint marker with a fine tip. A small-diameter rope with a tassel - often found at a fabric store - creates an elegant look for the finished book. Slip it over the book and tie the ends in a knot or glue it to the book and let it hang down the inside fold. Write a table number on each signature book if youll have multiple tables. If not, just make a single signature book and place it on a table or stand for guests to sign. Theyll think you went all-out on the cost of the signature books but youll know the truth!
Monday, October 15, 2012
Mud Cakes Without the Hassle
What youll need:9" cake panNon-stick cooking sprayHalf-stick of butter or margarine, melted16 oz of Oreos or other sandwich cookies1 Box chocolate instant pudding1 and a half cups of milkWhip cream Mississippi mud pie is just a silly name for a chocolate pie thats extremely decadent. People have made them for many years. Then, along came mud ice cream and mud cake. The delicious cakes and pies, though, are complicated and time-consuming to make - or are they? Theres a way you can cut down the hassle of making a mud cake and still produce a fabulous cake that looks and tastes quite elegant. And, with this technique, the mud cakes dont even have to be chocolate! The actual chocolate mud cake is made by starting with chocolate sandwich cookies, such as Oreos. Youll need 16oz - 35 to 40 cookies. Use a food processor to crush the cookies into crumbs or use a different technique. Place the cookies in a zipper bag and crush them with a rolling pin. Melt 5 tablespoons of butter or margarine and stir it into the cookie crumbs.
The above instructions makes a 9" pan of mud cake, but if you want a larger cake, simply double or otherwise adjust the recipe. Put the crumbs and butter mixture into a 9" pan which has been sprayed with non-stick cooking spray. Spread the mixture across the bottom and up the sides. Bake at 300 degrees for about 10 minutes. Allow to cool while you mix up the cake.
Mix up any chocolate cake - preferably chocolate fudge - and pour it into the square pan so that its only half full. Bake at 350 degrees until a toothpick, inserted in the middle, comes out clean. Allow the cake to cool completely. Turn the cake out onto a plate then flip it onto the desired cake plate so that the cookie crust is facing down. Mix up a box of chocolate pudding but use only a cup and a half of milk instead of two cups. This will make for a much thicker pudding. Pour the pudding on top of the cake and smooth it all over. Top the finished cake with a thick layer of whip cream and chill. You can use the same basic recipe to make any number of other pudding mud cakes. For example, crumble vanilla sandwich cookies, make a lemon cake, then top with lemon pudding and whip cream. The cake flavor and pudding flavor dont necessarily have to match. You can make a chocolate cake and top it with butterscotch pudding or make a yellow cake and top it with chocolate pudding. With so many choices you can literally make dozens of different mud cakes - all of them scrumptious!
The above instructions makes a 9" pan of mud cake, but if you want a larger cake, simply double or otherwise adjust the recipe. Put the crumbs and butter mixture into a 9" pan which has been sprayed with non-stick cooking spray. Spread the mixture across the bottom and up the sides. Bake at 300 degrees for about 10 minutes. Allow to cool while you mix up the cake.
Mix up any chocolate cake - preferably chocolate fudge - and pour it into the square pan so that its only half full. Bake at 350 degrees until a toothpick, inserted in the middle, comes out clean. Allow the cake to cool completely. Turn the cake out onto a plate then flip it onto the desired cake plate so that the cookie crust is facing down. Mix up a box of chocolate pudding but use only a cup and a half of milk instead of two cups. This will make for a much thicker pudding. Pour the pudding on top of the cake and smooth it all over. Top the finished cake with a thick layer of whip cream and chill. You can use the same basic recipe to make any number of other pudding mud cakes. For example, crumble vanilla sandwich cookies, make a lemon cake, then top with lemon pudding and whip cream. The cake flavor and pudding flavor dont necessarily have to match. You can make a chocolate cake and top it with butterscotch pudding or make a yellow cake and top it with chocolate pudding. With so many choices you can literally make dozens of different mud cakes - all of them scrumptious!
Sunday, October 14, 2012
Childs Textured Book
From the minute a baby is born it is learning about his or her surroundings. The baby starts by learning from things he hears; at the same time, he learns from what he sees and feels. Its a process which never stops. Its so much fun to watch a baby as he grows and learns, especially as he is playing. When a baby sees or feels something new and different you can almost see it in his eyes - the excitement, the comprehension, the learning process. And youll see plenty of that when you make a textured book for your young child. Your little one will learn about different materials, how they all feel, and which ones are soft, which ones are smooth, and which are cold or warm. You dont have to actually make a book; just restyle a book you already own.Making textured books is such fun. You can use any number of materials from around the house to create textures which a baby will find new and exciting. Look online for inexpensive versions of regular books and then you can easily change them into something more stimulating for a young child.Cut swatches of fabric to cover clothing worn by kids or people in the new book. Just cut a simple shape of jeans, a shirt, a skirt, or another garment. Use ordinary white glue to attach the fabric shapes to images in the book. There are lots of things you can use, besides fabric, to make a touch and feel version of the book. For example, cut a piece of sandpaper to represent sand in a sandbox. Or, cut yarn and glue it to peoples hair in the book. Just make sure that the items you select are flat.A small list of things you can use - there are many more things - includes cotton balls, fake fur, leather or vinyl, paper, a piece cut from an old washcloth, a piece cut from a trash bag, cardboard, Styrofoam, colored tape, Velcro, glitter glue, a zipper, a button, or even a leaf from a silk plant you own.Make the book for a young child and watch him or her look and feel the images. Or, allow slightly older kids to remake books themselves. Kids have a lot of fun looking around the house for things with texture which can be added to the chosen book.Many books work well for creating the textured book but the best ones are childrens books which feature large images that dont have an extreme amount of detail. You dont have to entirely cover everything in the book; just attach a piece of cloth here, and a fuzzy thing there, to add interesting elements and texture to the book. Youll see that it will become your childs very favorite book ever.Textured Books
Friday, October 12, 2012
Safety Pin Baby Shower Party Game
Thinking of throwing a friend of yours a baby shower? Thats nice. Of course, it will be a little bit of work. After all, there are invitations to send out, decorations to hang, foods to prepare and even more things on your "to do" list. And games - dont forget about the games. Nearly any baby shower you go to will feature games with prize winners. There are many different games you can play but most of them you read about online require quite a few things. Theres one game, though, that you can play and it wont be hard or expensive to get it all set up. It goes right along with a baby shower theme and everyone who plays it will have a great time.
Make a "find the safety pin" baby shower game and the guests will actually be surprised. What seems like an unusual but easy game is much more difficult than they realize. Each person will think they can pull it off without a hitch, but once they try it, theyll find it a bit more challenging than they thought! Fill a large bowl about halfway full with rice. Dump in about fifty small safety pins. Just use your hands - or a large spoon - to stir the pins amongst the rice.
To play the game, each woman takes one turn, and the person taking the turn must be blindfolded. Set a timer for thirty seconds or just count it down on a clock with a second hand. Each woman takes her turn, trying to gather as many safety pins as she can, and must hold them in her hands as she finds them (holding them is optional). When her thirty seconds is up the pins are counted to see how many she retrieved. The woman who gathers the most pins wins. If there is a tie, you can go another round with those who are tied, or just have them guess a number between "1" and "20". Other small things can be substituted for the safety pins. Baby bobby pins, tiny hair bows and similar things can also be used along with or instead of the safety pins. Play a variation of the game if you want: Place at least two of each item in the bowl with the rice, and place many sets of things, then have each woman try to retrieve one of each. You can print out check lists so its easy to keep up with who retrieved what. The person who got the most different things will be the winner. With this game, you can remove the items as they are found to make it easier to find the other items. Having a baby shower is a lot of fun. The mom-to-be or new mom will be thrilled. Shell also have fun as she, along with her guests, dig through a bowl of rice and try to win a prize!
Make a "find the safety pin" baby shower game and the guests will actually be surprised. What seems like an unusual but easy game is much more difficult than they realize. Each person will think they can pull it off without a hitch, but once they try it, theyll find it a bit more challenging than they thought! Fill a large bowl about halfway full with rice. Dump in about fifty small safety pins. Just use your hands - or a large spoon - to stir the pins amongst the rice.
To play the game, each woman takes one turn, and the person taking the turn must be blindfolded. Set a timer for thirty seconds or just count it down on a clock with a second hand. Each woman takes her turn, trying to gather as many safety pins as she can, and must hold them in her hands as she finds them (holding them is optional). When her thirty seconds is up the pins are counted to see how many she retrieved. The woman who gathers the most pins wins. If there is a tie, you can go another round with those who are tied, or just have them guess a number between "1" and "20". Other small things can be substituted for the safety pins. Baby bobby pins, tiny hair bows and similar things can also be used along with or instead of the safety pins. Play a variation of the game if you want: Place at least two of each item in the bowl with the rice, and place many sets of things, then have each woman try to retrieve one of each. You can print out check lists so its easy to keep up with who retrieved what. The person who got the most different things will be the winner. With this game, you can remove the items as they are found to make it easier to find the other items. Having a baby shower is a lot of fun. The mom-to-be or new mom will be thrilled. Shell also have fun as she, along with her guests, dig through a bowl of rice and try to win a prize!
Wednesday, October 10, 2012
How to Make Lollipop Soap
Needed:Glycerine-type melt and pour soapLollipop soap molds or foilLollipop sticksScent and tints (optional) Some kids jump right in the tub, no problem, but others balk at the notion. For those kids, it helps to have fun toys in the bath, a special towel, special soaps. Speaking of the latter, its actually a lot of fun to make your own soaps. No longer will you have to settle for what you can find in the stores; you can make any kind of soap you want! By the time you combine the various types of soaps you can make, the colors from which you have to choose, and the molds that are available, there are literally thousands of different soaps you can make. In fact, if your child is one who doesnt care for the tub you might get him more excited over the idea if you make soaps the child finds exciting - like lollipop soaps. If your child is old enough to know not to eat soaps shaped like suckers he or she will love the lollipop soaps! Youll need lollipop sticks from a craft store to make the unusual soaps. The plastic kind work best because the paper type can leave bits of paper in the tub. In addition, youll need a lollipop mold - most craft stores carry them. To save money you can make your own mold from foil. Tear 4 small sheets of foil, stack them, then lay them over something like a medicine bottle lid. Shape the foil around the lid to make a round disk. You can make large or small lollipops by using other things around the house to shape the foil, like the bottom of a Styrofoam cup or even a hair spray lid.
Use the glycerin-type of melt and pour soap to make the lollipops. Simply cut off 2 or 3 blocks and melt them in the microwave. Stir every 20 seconds or so until its completely melted. Add a couple of drops of soap scent and a drop or two of tinting. Or, use your own scents and tints. Food coloring can be used to tint the soaps and anything from body mist to perfume to lemon juice can be used to scent the soap.
Allow the soap to cool for a couple of minutes while you place the round molds on a cookie sheet. A glass eye dropper can help dispense the soap into the molds without a mess but a measuring cup can also be helpful. Pour the soap into the molds and place in the freezer for about 10 minutes. Remove and push a sucker stick into each one. Allow the soap to sit and harden. Kids will have fun playing with the sucker sticks in the tub. Just make sure that the kids are old enough so that they wouldnt even think about putting it in their mouths.
Use the glycerin-type of melt and pour soap to make the lollipops. Simply cut off 2 or 3 blocks and melt them in the microwave. Stir every 20 seconds or so until its completely melted. Add a couple of drops of soap scent and a drop or two of tinting. Or, use your own scents and tints. Food coloring can be used to tint the soaps and anything from body mist to perfume to lemon juice can be used to scent the soap.
Allow the soap to cool for a couple of minutes while you place the round molds on a cookie sheet. A glass eye dropper can help dispense the soap into the molds without a mess but a measuring cup can also be helpful. Pour the soap into the molds and place in the freezer for about 10 minutes. Remove and push a sucker stick into each one. Allow the soap to sit and harden. Kids will have fun playing with the sucker sticks in the tub. Just make sure that the kids are old enough so that they wouldnt even think about putting it in their mouths.
Tuesday, October 9, 2012
Beautiful Bangle Bracelets
Never let the economy slow you down. No matter whats going on with finances and other economic issues you can keep right on doing craft projects and continuing to have nice fashions and accessories. You just have to learn the tricks of the trade - and theyre endless. Learn not to throw most things away, and when money gets tight, youll have plenty of craft supplies. Take Pringles cans. The chip cans make the most fabulous bangle bracelets that are cheap, fast to make, and really lovely.
When you turn a Pringles can on its side and slice it you make the perfect size bangle bracelet for a woman. The hand easily slides into it yet it stays on the wrist. Use a sharp knife - not serrated - to cut sections which are two or three inches wide. Do not use sections which have the metal band from the top or bottom of the can.
Use a damp cloth to wipe out the inside of the ring. Make one type of bangle bracelet by using yarn. Wrap it around the outside of the ring, through the middle, back around the outside, and so on, to cover the entire bracelet. Use hot glue to secure the end to the inside of the band. Make something that looks totally different by using narrow ribbon to wrap the bracelet. Whether youre using yarn or ribbon you can make the entire bracelet one color or you can change colors by securing the end to the inside of the band, then attaching the end of the new color and continuing with the wrapping. Other things you can use to wrap the cardboard ring include leather sinew from a craft store or colored cord. Cord now comes in various diameters as well as assorted colors including glitter or metallic varieties. Since its so cheap you can make many bracelets for a few bucks. Create different looks for the bracelet by how you wrap it. Wrap the chosen material around the Pringles can ring for one look; add a ring of foam around the cardboard, then wrap the material around it, to create a totally different type of bracelet. After the initial wrapping is finished there are many things you can do to make each bangle bracelet look unique. Attach one, large rhinestone in the center or smaller ones all the way around. Paint a small wooden shape and mount it to the bracelet or glue on a flat novelty from a craft store. When youre finished with your new assortment of bracelets youll find yourself wearing them all the time. Youll be the only one who knows theyre made from Pringles cans because they look store-bought and beautiful. Pringles can bracelet
When you turn a Pringles can on its side and slice it you make the perfect size bangle bracelet for a woman. The hand easily slides into it yet it stays on the wrist. Use a sharp knife - not serrated - to cut sections which are two or three inches wide. Do not use sections which have the metal band from the top or bottom of the can.
Use a damp cloth to wipe out the inside of the ring. Make one type of bangle bracelet by using yarn. Wrap it around the outside of the ring, through the middle, back around the outside, and so on, to cover the entire bracelet. Use hot glue to secure the end to the inside of the band. Make something that looks totally different by using narrow ribbon to wrap the bracelet. Whether youre using yarn or ribbon you can make the entire bracelet one color or you can change colors by securing the end to the inside of the band, then attaching the end of the new color and continuing with the wrapping. Other things you can use to wrap the cardboard ring include leather sinew from a craft store or colored cord. Cord now comes in various diameters as well as assorted colors including glitter or metallic varieties. Since its so cheap you can make many bracelets for a few bucks. Create different looks for the bracelet by how you wrap it. Wrap the chosen material around the Pringles can ring for one look; add a ring of foam around the cardboard, then wrap the material around it, to create a totally different type of bracelet. After the initial wrapping is finished there are many things you can do to make each bangle bracelet look unique. Attach one, large rhinestone in the center or smaller ones all the way around. Paint a small wooden shape and mount it to the bracelet or glue on a flat novelty from a craft store. When youre finished with your new assortment of bracelets youll find yourself wearing them all the time. Youll be the only one who knows theyre made from Pringles cans because they look store-bought and beautiful. Pringles can bracelet
Sunday, October 7, 2012
Oatmeal Can Pinata
Whether youre having a pinata at your wedding reception, or thinking of making one for a childs birthday, theres one you rarely see and thats a cylindrical pinata. Its a really easy thing to make, though. An oatmeal canister - or a similar cylinder with a lid - works great to make a pinata for any special occasion. And, with the cylinder pinata you dont have to worry about people getting injured with a bat; theres no bat needed.
Its not even hard to make this type of pinata so even if you dont generally do craft projects you can whip it up in no time. Just empty a large oatmeal canister and wipe the inside out with a barely-damp cloth. Use a cord or piece of twine as the hanger for the pinata. Cut the twine to be at least a foot long and tie the ends together in a single knot. Set the oatmeal can so that the bottom is facing upwards and poke a hole in the middle of it with a nail or similar implement.
Turn the can over, remove the lid, and thread the cord through the hole, from the inside, out. It can be helpful to use a piece of tape over the knot to make sure its secure. Fill the canister with candy, small toys, gift cards, play jewelry and other goodies. Set the lid so that the open side is down and poke many holes in it. Make sure none of the holes are too close together or they could rip and form one large hole. Thread ribbon pieces through the holes of the lid, from the outside, to the inside. On the inside, curl all the ribbons except for one - any one. While curling the ribbons, just curl the last few inches of the ribbon so that most of the length of the ribbon is on the outside of the can. This will keep the ribbons from just falling out of the holes. The single, selected ribbon wont be curled. Instead, tie a knot in this ribbon. The knot should be large and strong - maybe even taped over to further secure it. Put the lid back on the oatmeal canister and use tiny pieces of tape, here and there, around the lid to keep it on the can. Dont over tape the seam or the lid wont come off later, when its supposed to. As the players gather around the pinata, each person pulls one string. The ribbons which are simply curled just slide right out, but the string with the knot, when pulled, yanks off the entire lid. You can decorate the canister any way you want when you tear tiny pieces of colored tissue paper and glue them all over the pinata. Make it a birthday pinata, an anniversary type, or a pinata for an end of the school year party.
Its not even hard to make this type of pinata so even if you dont generally do craft projects you can whip it up in no time. Just empty a large oatmeal canister and wipe the inside out with a barely-damp cloth. Use a cord or piece of twine as the hanger for the pinata. Cut the twine to be at least a foot long and tie the ends together in a single knot. Set the oatmeal can so that the bottom is facing upwards and poke a hole in the middle of it with a nail or similar implement.
Turn the can over, remove the lid, and thread the cord through the hole, from the inside, out. It can be helpful to use a piece of tape over the knot to make sure its secure. Fill the canister with candy, small toys, gift cards, play jewelry and other goodies. Set the lid so that the open side is down and poke many holes in it. Make sure none of the holes are too close together or they could rip and form one large hole. Thread ribbon pieces through the holes of the lid, from the outside, to the inside. On the inside, curl all the ribbons except for one - any one. While curling the ribbons, just curl the last few inches of the ribbon so that most of the length of the ribbon is on the outside of the can. This will keep the ribbons from just falling out of the holes. The single, selected ribbon wont be curled. Instead, tie a knot in this ribbon. The knot should be large and strong - maybe even taped over to further secure it. Put the lid back on the oatmeal canister and use tiny pieces of tape, here and there, around the lid to keep it on the can. Dont over tape the seam or the lid wont come off later, when its supposed to. As the players gather around the pinata, each person pulls one string. The ribbons which are simply curled just slide right out, but the string with the knot, when pulled, yanks off the entire lid. You can decorate the canister any way you want when you tear tiny pieces of colored tissue paper and glue them all over the pinata. Make it a birthday pinata, an anniversary type, or a pinata for an end of the school year party.
Saturday, October 6, 2012
Newspaper Fingernails
There are tens of thousands of women getting their fingernails done at parlors and salons. They do fabulous work, but it costs so much money, and its never-ending. Still, its nice to walk around with the most beautiful nails, which people find fascinating, and on which people compliment you all the time. Many women are discovering that they can do some unusual artwork and nail art without a lot of talent. Those who try it realize that they can save a lot of money by doing their own nails. When you do nail art such as newsprint nails, you can have unusual artwork without actually painting.If you look through an ordinary newspaper youll see that there are many different elements. There are, of course, words, a crossword puzzle, bold lines sectioning off various articles, ads, and even comics. Just look to the newspaper for your next nail job and youll have intriguing fingernails like no one has ever seen.Light colors of nail polish work best to show off the newspaper transfer. Start with clean nails and apply white, pink, beige, or another light color of nail polish. When its dry, apply a second coat. Allow it to dry completely. If your nails are still tacky when you apply the newspaper you can end up with newspaper stuck to your fingernails.Rubbing alcohol is a must for transferring newsprint to your fingernails. Pour some alcohol into a small bowl, cup, or other container. The alcohol should be deep enough so that you could put your finger into it, all the way up to the first knuckle. Alternatively, you can just stick your finger into the bottle of alcohol.Look through the newspaper and decide on what image you want on each nail. Cut out a small piece of the newspaper to accommodate each fingernail. However, dont make the pieces too small or you might not cover the whole nail.Dip one fingernail into the rubbing alcohol, to get it very wet, then remove it. Quickly lay the chosen newspaper piece on your nail so that the newsprint is facing the nail. Rub the backside of the newspaper piece with a finger or thumb. You might want to wear thin, disposable gloves to prevent the ink from transferring to your hands. Do each fingernail by using a different newspaper clipping each time. After rubbing the nail to transfer the image, remove the newspaper piece.The newspaper fingernails are very unusual and people will definitely stop you to ask for a closer look. Theyll begin questioning you on which salon did your nails and theyll be shocked when they find out you did them yourself.
Thursday, October 4, 2012
Juice Glass Pedestals
Once a juice glass or other glass from a set gets broken its no longer a set. Those remaining glasses dont have to be all alone. They can quickly become gorgeous d?cor pieces like pedestals, candle holders and more.
The juice glass d?cor pieces can be made to be elegant, whimsical, floral or even a particular theme. Use things you already have around your house to make the d?cor pieces or purchase a few inexpensive craft supplies to create the exact pedestal or candle holder you want.
Juice glasses and even drinking glasses work well to make the pedestals. Ones that are clear or have subdued patterns are ideal. Clear glasses allow you to create a scene inside that can be plainly seen. Glasses with patterns and colors should be ones that still allow others to see the design inside. No matter what type of pedestal or candle holder you want to make youll start by drawing around the mouth of the glass onto a piece of cardboard. Now decide if you will make the pedestal using the glass in its normal manner or if youll make one from an upside-down juice glass. To make an upside-down type create the arrangement on the cardboard itself. To make a design using the glass as it normally sits create the arrangement on the inside bottom of the glass. Something as simple as a fake flower can turn the juice glass into a beautiful pedestal or candle holder. Set the flower inside the glass or attach it to the cardboard. These are great for setting in the kitchen or on a holiday table. They can hold plates of desserts or bowls of candy. A stuffed animal is another way to make a nice pedestal in minutes. There are lots of different things you can put inside the juice glass to create something stunning. Miniatures, novelty characters, beads, foil balls, fake or real candy, glitter, shells, marbles, confetti or even an ornament are all things you can use to create the design you want. Use these things to make holiday pedestals, bookends for a childs room, candle holders for the bathroom, a pedestal for a statuette and much more. Just glue the cardboard piece over the mouth of the juice glass and youre finished! Most pillar candles, votives and tea lights can sit on the pedestal unassisted. Use double-sided tape, which is easy to remove, to secure platters, plates and bowls. If you want to make the juice glass d?cor pieces in a manner that allows you to change the scene inside when you want use dots of double-sided tape or hot glue to secure the cardboard to the glass.
The juice glass d?cor pieces can be made to be elegant, whimsical, floral or even a particular theme. Use things you already have around your house to make the d?cor pieces or purchase a few inexpensive craft supplies to create the exact pedestal or candle holder you want.
Juice glasses and even drinking glasses work well to make the pedestals. Ones that are clear or have subdued patterns are ideal. Clear glasses allow you to create a scene inside that can be plainly seen. Glasses with patterns and colors should be ones that still allow others to see the design inside. No matter what type of pedestal or candle holder you want to make youll start by drawing around the mouth of the glass onto a piece of cardboard. Now decide if you will make the pedestal using the glass in its normal manner or if youll make one from an upside-down juice glass. To make an upside-down type create the arrangement on the cardboard itself. To make a design using the glass as it normally sits create the arrangement on the inside bottom of the glass. Something as simple as a fake flower can turn the juice glass into a beautiful pedestal or candle holder. Set the flower inside the glass or attach it to the cardboard. These are great for setting in the kitchen or on a holiday table. They can hold plates of desserts or bowls of candy. A stuffed animal is another way to make a nice pedestal in minutes. There are lots of different things you can put inside the juice glass to create something stunning. Miniatures, novelty characters, beads, foil balls, fake or real candy, glitter, shells, marbles, confetti or even an ornament are all things you can use to create the design you want. Use these things to make holiday pedestals, bookends for a childs room, candle holders for the bathroom, a pedestal for a statuette and much more. Just glue the cardboard piece over the mouth of the juice glass and youre finished! Most pillar candles, votives and tea lights can sit on the pedestal unassisted. Use double-sided tape, which is easy to remove, to secure platters, plates and bowls. If you want to make the juice glass d?cor pieces in a manner that allows you to change the scene inside when you want use dots of double-sided tape or hot glue to secure the cardboard to the glass.
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