A Gift Box For Baby

MY STORY

     It's challenge time again at Decorate To Celebrate!  If you need some great projects and inspiration for your next celebration check at their blog:  Decorate To Celebrate

     I love finding ideas for re-purposing or upcycling in my crafts.  For this challenge, I created a gift box for the new baby which makes a nice keepsake item that the new parents can use.  They can keep special items in it like that first lock of hair or first tooth or even remove the box cover and hang as wall art.  Here we go!...

YOUR TURN

     You will need very few supplies for this project:

• Any size box
• Paper of your choice - sample uses Paper Source paper
• Backing papers - again using Paper Source product
• Domino shaped wood pieces - from Michaels
• White , gold acrylic paint and crackle paint - from Michaels
• Stickers - from Michaels
• Decorative clothespins - from Michaels

     Paint the inside and all surfaces of your box -- this sample used gold acrylic paint, but use any color that complements your idea.  Once dry, place the cover upside down on the reverse side of your paper and adhere.  Handmade paper tends to be thinner than card stock, so be frugal with how much glue you use.

    Paint the domino shaped wood pieces in white (or whichever color you have chosen).  I like the look of a little rustic mixed with the metallic in the paper and stickers so after your color paint has dried, apply a layer of crackle paint.  It takes about 2 -4 hours to dry and you will be left with a little weather beaten effect.

   Once the paints have dried, apply your stickers as desired. 

    Then glue to a sheet of backing paper.  (Currently I'm obsessed with the gold and light pink palette.)  Cut out using decorative scissors. HINT:  Based on the size of your box, and the amount of letters  you need, lay down on the paper to insure everything fits on the box top.  If you are using a lot of letters, you may need to trim your backing paper more than in this example.

    Glue your backing paper with the wood shape onto another sheet of card stock -- for this example I used gold glimmer.  Cut out.

    Clip your clothespin onto the papers and glue into place.  

 

  I think this is an adorable way to give a gift to the new baby and their parents.  Happy crafting!!

Collage Letters for Mom

MY STORY

     It's Decorate To Celebrate Challenge Time again!

     I still love the trend of rustic letters, marquee letters so I wanted to incorporate this idea along with a gift idea for Mother's Day.  With products from The Paper Source and The Buckle Boutique and some ideas from Pinterest, I created some collage letters which I thought my Mom and any other Mom or Grandmother would like to receive -- and it is a great project for kids to help out with.

YOUR TURN

    The materials you will need:

  -Paper Mache letters -- I had an X and a O but you can spell out MOM or her initials, any combo you want.  The Paper Source products I have found the best to work with
-Acrylic Paint -- This example uses Burnt Umber color which I think gives the paper letters the look of rich wood
-Mod Podge -- This example uses Matte/Antique finish but any version will work
-Foam Brushes
-Pieces of rhinestone sheets from The Buckle Boutique
-Inspirational place cards from the Paper Source

1.  Paint a thin layer of the acrylic paint on your letters.  I liked the look of 1 coat but after your first coat dries, you may want more coverage/darker color.

2.  Using your computer, print out some special pics you want to include.  I used the wallet setting on my printing and then trimmed around them.

3.  Cut out the place cards.  Lay out all elements on your letters before applying any Mod Podge.  Once you are satisfied with the layout, take a photo to remember your placement.

4.  Add a thin layer of Mod Podge on your dried painted letters and place your place cards and photos as desired.  Press lightly.  It is ok if some of our photos go around the edges -- I like that look.  You can cover your letters with as much or little as you desire.  I wanted some of the paint to show through, but you can cover every available space if you prefer.

5.  Once your photos are placed, apply another layer of Mod Podge.  Be careful so you don't rip any of the paper.  Apply two coats -- let dry between coats.

6.  Once completely dry, add your blingy bits as desired. 

And you are left with some fun letters for Mom, they are great to stand alone, hang on a wall, etc.

Have fun!!!!

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Design Team Challenge @ Decorate To Celebrate - A Message In A Bottle

MY STORY

     It has been such a fun year being on the Decorate to Celebrate Design Team.  If you have not checked out their blog, yet, you must!  Great ideas for all your celebration needs.  And every other week they have challenges that you can show off your creativity and win prizes and recognition.  Decorate To Celebrate

     As the new year approaches, I'm not much of a resolution maker -- my house is still a tad messy; those stubborn 20 pounds never seem to go away and I have not been inside a gym since I don't know when.  So, I tend to be more of a positive affirmation kind a person.

     Over the summer, I saw these adorable messages in a bottle at The Paper Source website.  So for the New Year, I  came up with my version.  My message in a bottle contains a wish for whomever opens the bottle.  I'm thinking these would be adorable at your New Year's Eve dinner, or for your family on New Year's Day.

YOUR TURN

    Any glass container works well - think mason jars, jelly jars, wine bottles.  I had accumulated a ton of Saki bottles....no I did not drink them all at one time.  They are a pretty shape, and although the label is pretty as is, it was also easy to remove.

     Fill up the container 1/2 way with fake snow -- for all these supplies, keep your eyes open right as Halloween is winding down....sales abound!

     Grab up holiday supplies that you have -- I always over buy so I am usually left with goodies from holiday to holiday.  HINT:  I tend to buy supplies in similar color families so I can always use together.  For this example, I'm following a black, white, gold, silver palette.

     Again, from The Paper Source, they had these wonderful affirmations the size of a place card.  Adhere to the BACK of your desired paper.  You can judge how big your paper should be by holding along the side of your container.

     Roll up with the RIGHT side of your paper on the outside.  Wrap with ribbon -- I found these ribbon ornament hangers at the dollar store - perfect size and color for this project. Place inside your container.

     And of course, I added some tinsel glitter for a little more bling.

     I still like the look of chalkboard and found these labels and markers at The Container Store.  Just the right size!  Write and doodle however you want.  HINT:  Treat the chalk marker like paint.....it takes a little bit to dry so be careful not to smudge.

    Glue or tie ribbon around the top, I added some extra embellishment on the outside.  I also had gift stickers from I don't know how many holidays ago and added to the bottom of the container.

     And the mini ornaments make a perfect stopper!!!

     Have fun and share positive reinforcements with all the wonderful people in your life.

Here's to a blessed New Year filled with love, gratitude, peace, joy and CRAFTS!

Decorate To Celebrate Design Challenge "St. Patrick's Day"....Kiss Me I'm Irish

MY STORY

     Being of Irish descent, I just love St. Patrick's Day.  I always try to create something pretty for my studio door and since our assignment for the Design Team @ Decorate To Celebrate was St. Patrick's Day, I was ready to go.

     I tend to like using different colors than the standard shamrock green and with a great banner kit from The Paper Source, I love the way it looks.  Once again, my local dollar store didn't disappoint and I found fun little shamrock shapes.  They were perfectly fine as is, but I just had to use some paper and jazz them up.

 Hope you will be inspired to dress up your home of office with a touch of the green.

YOUR TURN

What you will need:
-(5) shamrock shapes -- you can also get templates on Google

-(5) complementary papers

-(5) Alphabetical banner pieces -- I love the banner kit at The Paper Source, but again, easy to find on the web.

-Scissors/Glue/Raffia

Now, let's go:

1.  Adhere the shamrock shape to the back of your chosen paper.  NOTE:  If your paper has a specific design or lettering, make sure you glue the shape right side up.

2.  Cut out and voila -- you have half your banner done.

3.  Using the banner kit, select the letters you want -- I chose to spell out "IRISH".  Lay your design out to insure you like the placement before you start gluing.

4.  Using a letter, then a shamrock, glue pieces together until done.  I kind of like my things off center, so I did not glue the pieces straight.  I like the movement the crookedness gives it.

5.  The alphabet tiles in the kit have holes in them already for stringing, so just add the raffia and that's it.  Simple and cute!