Monday, May 31, 2010

Tin Cans in the Garden




Ladybug and Toad!  These garden creatures were made from empty food cans.  The ladybug was made from a tuna can and Toad from a mushroom can.   Search your library catalog for Too Cute Cans (Book 2), by Paula Bales.  You'll find the craft instructions for these cute garden creatures and a lot more.

For the toad's legs, I cut and painted a foam meat tray.  You can be as creative as you want with these garden critters.

Tin Cans ~ Citronella Candle Cans


Make these very simple, and useful tin can candle holders. The ones in the above photo were created from empty tomato sauce cans. We used a drill and drill bit size 3/32 to drill random holes around the can. Be very careful to drill inside a box lid or rimmed protected surface, eye protection and hand protection. When the holes are drilled, small bits if metal will fall from the drill site.

We found nice sized candles (in glass) at a local dollar store for 2 for $1.00. Place them around your patio gardens to keep the mosquitos away.

Caution: These cans will become hot, so when blowing them out, do not touch them with bare hands. Also, give them time to cool down before removing from the garden and putting them in storage. You do not want to leave them outside in the hot sun during the day, or in weather such as rain.
Posted by Picasa

Tuesday, May 18, 2010

Scrap Fabric Bookmarks with Buttons




We decided to take our scrap fabric bookmark to a new level.  We trimmed the edges with pinking shears (that were not already cut with that edging) and sewed a button to the top.  We tied the string from the top and left little ends of thread.  Since the back of this fabric scrap already had a paper label glued to it, the sewing was a cinch.  We now have several homemade bookmarks for the upcoming summer and beyond.

Monday, May 17, 2010

Herb Drying Rack ~ Recycling Old Barn Wood



Recycle old barn wood (or any other scrap wood), along with scrap fabric or recycled fabric, and reused curtain hooks to create this very unique herb drying rack.




Here I drilled screws to attach reused curtain hooks, then drilled two holes at the top, running a yarn needle through the backside of the holes to bring the scrap cut material through.  I tied knots on the front side, creating a hanger.

Posted by Picasa

Thursday, May 13, 2010

Making a Wine Cork Tray ~ Reusing Wine Corks

Make these quick and easy wine cork trays with synthetic corks.  These types of corks have a flatter end to stand corks upright.

Items needed:
-8 inch or larger in diameter round plant cork tray (Dollar stores are a good place to look)
-E6000 Industrial strength glue
-protected work surface

Simply arrange corks around the edge of the cork tray.  Lift them up one at a time, applying glue to the bottom of the cork and gently press down.  This glue does not dry immediately, so you have time to move and adjust the corks to fit the edge of the try.



Allow to completely dry.

Ideas for use:  vanity or nail polish tray, organize desk items, use for nightstand, fill with items for a gift (bottle of wine and cheese an crackers), and holding so many other items.

Tuesday, May 11, 2010

How to Make Paint Splattered Boxes ~ Gifting or Storage

Make these fun and artistic boxes from plain gift boxes.  Recycle your boxes into a nice storage box, or paint one to give as a gift or fill with a gift. 

Items you need:
-cardboard boxes any shape
-acrylic paints
-paint brushes
-a large cardboard box to paint your smaller box inside (work surface)
-newspapers




Start with a plain cardboard box.  Recycle a gift box or search craft stores for cardboard boxes.  If you live near a S.C.R.A.P type store, search there as well.

Step 1:  Separate the lid from the bottom.  Paint the bottom of the box as shown below.  If you paint the entire box bottom (outside), it may be difficult to close again.


Step 2:  Paint the top of the box one color.  Allow to dry.

Step 3:  Place your box top (painted and dried) inside the cardboard box to splatter paint.  Dip your paint brushes into various colors and with quick flicks of the wrist, splatter paint across the box top.


Step 4:  Allow your box top to dry completely.  Wash your paint brushes and clean up as it dries.  The cardboard box can be saved and reused  to splatter paint more boxes. 

Thursday, May 6, 2010

Button Christmas Cards

To make these you will need:

- cardstock, white
- scrap holiday fabric
- applique
- scissors
- assorted buttons
- thread and needle
- thin line permanent black marker
-ironing board, iron and thin piece of material to place between applique and cardstock


Step 1:  Cut cardstock in half width-wise.  Fold both pieces to make cards measuring 4 1/4 inches by 5 1/2 inches.

Step 2:  Cut your scrap fabric to the shape you would like.  For one card we cut a square, and for the other we traced heart cookie cutters to design the tree.  Apply applique to fabric and then to the cardstock following applique instructions.  A thin piece of material over the cardstock, before heating with the iron, will protect it better.

Step 3:  Sew buttons on the card by hand, in any fashion to decorate it.

Step 4:  (below picture) Draw a design with the black marker along the front edges of the card.


Step 5:  Optional:  Hand stamp a note inside the card, or hand write a special note.  Purchase a box of "Invitation" envelopes to place your handmade cards in. They are typically found in the aisles where paper and other envelopes are sold (size: 4 3/8 inches by 5 3/4 inches)

Posted by Picasa

Handmade Thank You Note ~ Recycle a Candy M&M Wrapper

I received this very creative Thank You note from my sister.  She recycled an M&M candy wrapper by gluing it to a folded piece of construction paper.  She glue around the edges, allowing the top edge and middle to be free of glue, creating a pocket.  She cut circles and cut "M's" from white construction paper and glued them to each "M&M" card.  On the back of each card each family member wrote their own personalized thank you and signed it.  Very creative!

Posted by Picasa

Recycling Fabric ~ Furniture Store Sample Books

To recycle furniture store fabric sample books, simply pull up on the top cardboard to release staples (or glue).  Gently pull each piece of fabric.  The string handle can also be untied from underneath and reused.


With the CD circle template (also on S.C.R.A.P.), trace and cut circles for fabric yo-yo's.  Keep all remaining scraps of fabric for other crafts.  Click on Scarp Fabric link in the right column of labels on this blog for more ideas.

Keep making fabric yo-yo's until you have enough to complete a table mat, dresser topper, or bed coverlet.  Yo-yo's can be used to decorate fabric purses, hair accessories, clothing, decorative pins, pillows, and so much more.

How to Make a Fruit Can Pen/Pencil Holder

Wash and dry an empty fruit can (or any size can). With scraps of fabric, apply a coat of decoupage to the backside of each piece, and pressing it flat one at a time. After each piece is applied, apply a thin coat of decoupage over the top side also. Over lap you pieces and allow the entire can to dry before using.

This can was decoupaged with scrap fabric leftover from a furniture store sample book. The pieces were used to cut circles for a yo-yo fabric coverlet first, and the remaining scraps were used for the can.

The end of each fabric sample had a tag glued to it's back. These ends were simpy cut along the label and reused for bookmarks.


Fill you finished decoupaged can with pens and/or pencils. Enjoy living "green" in your home!
Posted by Picasa

Sunday, May 2, 2010

Button Jewelry


The above photo shows a pair of earrings and a bracelet made from buttons, jump rings, and attachments using jewelry pliers. These were made as a project for the Farmgirl Sisterhood Merit Badge program, and for the Young Cultivators that can learn alongside their "Sister" in program.
Posted by Picasa