"Sometimes adventure calls and we ignore it. We miss the opportunity for a lifetime of memories. Go ahead, be adventurous" ~Maria Villanueva
Showing posts with label home decor. Show all posts
Showing posts with label home decor. Show all posts

May 03, 2010

Gift Bag and Pretty Flower Holder

It's getting late and it's almost time for us to go to bed when I realize that we have only purchased gifts for the teachers and not the teacher's assistants....oh my! and it's teacher appreciation day!!!but never fear, crafty mom is here!


For the first project, a flower stand, this is what you'll need: some decorative party napkins, styrofoam balls, scissors, bread knife and Mod Podge


Take the napkin and separate the layers, normally there is only two layers but this one had three.




Cut small squares, sorry, I switched napkins.  The size of the squares can be about 1" by 1" but they don't have to be exact measurements



Take your Mod Podge and place some in a small container, you don't want to end up with styrofoam in your Mod Podge container! Work one square at a time covering your styrofoam ball.  




Also remember to dab Mod Podge on top of the squares as well



When you are done, it will look like this:
Place it on top of wax paper and let it dry a couple of hours before you go to the next step.  This was the hardest part for me as I am very impatient!



Once they dry, they will look like the one below, sorry, I didn't have the black and white one ready for the picture, but you get the idea.





Once they are fully dried, cut through the middle with a bread knife.  It should be pretty easy to cut through.




Add some silk flowers for Spring and Wah-lah! Pretty flowers for a teacher assistant's desk.  Since there are four assistants in total, they each get one plus a gift card from Office Depot for school supplies.


This is a close up


My next dilemma is that you can't wrap these flowers and all I have is wrapping paper....oh my! but never fear, the crafty mom is here!.  Can you believe it, I got this gift wrapping paper at the dollar tree store and it's very thick paper and has a shine to it.  I'm going back tomorrow to get some more rolls.


These are the supplies you'll need, you can munch on the crackers as you work.  The zots are not really necessary so don't worry if you don't have any on hand but the double stick tape would be nice, otherwise, you can use regular scotch tape too.


You will also need some card board and a hole punch.  Any kind of cardboard will do, it's time to recycle those cookie, cereal and cracker boxes you have. 
 
Wrap your box as if it was a gift on all sides and bottom, leave the top opened.  But, don't tape the paper to the actual box because you will be sliding the box out later.


Once you finish wrapping it, it will look like this




See this corner, that's why I wanted to use the Zots, but you can use tape.


Once all sides are taped down, slide the box out.



Measure a small strip of carboard (from a cereal box or any other box you want to recycle) the size of the bottom of the bag.  This will go inside for support.


Cover your strip of cardboard with the paper



This is what it will look like once covered




And this is the back.  Add some more tape so it can be taped to the inside bottom of the bag for support.



And this is what it will look like:



Next, cut out two more strips for the side supports


Place them inside the bag and carefully fold the bag and cardboard over once



It will look like this:



Punch some holes for the string/ribbon



Do the same for the other side.  Pull some string, rope or ribbon through to make handles.  This is the finished gift bag......super easy, don't you think?



And here is the bag embellished. Very pretty either way.  I think the teacher's assistants will like it along with the Office Depot gift card for school supplies.





Linky Party



March 12, 2010

Glass Decoupage

Join in on the fun at Beverly's Pink Saturday. I decided to show off a decoupaged glass plate. This is where I would serve cookies or cupcakes. Check out the tutorial below, very easy.



First you need your supplies: a clear glass plate or bowl, some tissue paper, a craft blade and, most importantly, one of my favorite products, Mod Podge!!!! it's not secret, I love that stuff. I'm using the Matte finish.
Cover the back of the dish in Mod Podge but don't let it dry.  Remember, you are covering the back of the dish with the tissue, placing the tissue front side down.  This will allow the right side of the tissue to show through the front of the plate. 
You can place your dish on top of something so that it is easier to work with. I used a can with a kitchen cloth so that my plate will not move around or get scratched.


Gently pour some Mod Podge on top of your tissue paper and smear all over with your fingers. You need to be gently as you don't want to tear the tissue paper. In case you do tear, just cut out another piece and glue it on top with the Mod Podge. Smear out all the air bubbles. If you have a stubborn bubble, you can easity pop it with a needle and then smoth the tissue out.


You will have wrinkles but it's okay, it adds character so don't freak out. Let your work dry for about an hour and then come back and carefully tear out the extra tissue. Use a craft knife with or without a handle. If you notice that it needs more glue around the edges, go ahead and apply and smooth out and let dry.


It's that easy! and you have a finished beautiful plate. It's not machine washable but the Mod Podge is also a sealer so you can hand wash it.  Mod Podge is non toxic but it is water based so when washing your plate, don't submerge in water, simply rinse and dry immediately.

LinkWithin

Related Posts with Thumbnails