Crafting Made Simple

DIY Cricut and thrift store coat rack!

2011-11-26T17:46:00.000-08:00

My husband recently sent me in search of a coat rack. My first thought was that Target or Bed, Bath, and Beyond would have one; but I pass a "new uses" store on my way to work and I figured before spending $40 on one I'd hit the thrift store.
I walked around for a while letting all the possibilities set in. I picked up a few items including a mirror for $7 (blog to come) and a lamp base which I havent decided if I want to leave alone or decorate a lamp shade. The best find might be the coat rack for $3-all of the needed hardware included.

Before! I got a little excited and started to paint before taking a full picture, this is still a good idea of what the entire rack looked like.

Now by looking at the picture you can see why this was only $3, but like me you can probably see potential! I know my husband thought I was crazy when I pulled this out of the bag, but with some paint, a few letter, and some decoupage; my thrift store coat rack turned into one of the favorite parts of my entryways!

For this project I used:
Sand paper
Letters
Black paint
paint brush (2)
Decoupage

I first sanded the entire piece, I found that on the areas I didn't sand well the paint didn't stick. I applied several coats of black paint. I used black craft paint, the kind they always have on sale at Michael's for around $0.50. I let this dry for about 30-45 minutes, this paint does dry fast. Using spray paint could work nicely too.
I used my Cricut to cut out the letters and phrases, however finding letters and/or phrases at craft stores is a good option. Because I used my Cricut to cut my letters/phrases out I could play with what size worked and the layout.
After I had all my letters cut out and the paint was dry I used my homemade decoupage to add my letters. I also gave the entire coat rack 2 coats to keep the letters secure and from scratches.

In total this project cost around $6! I think that is so awesome with Christmas right around the corner and Holiday travels too!
$3 coat rack
$0.20 decoupage
$0.50 Paint
$1 2 foam brishes
$1 2 sheets scrapbook paper (8"X11")

I also plan on making something like this for my wall as just a plaque, no knobs. You can purchase wood at a Home Depot or most craft stores. The possibilities for modifying this craft are endless!
Have fun and happy crafting!

Holiday Shopping

2011-11-23T10:45:00.000-08:00

The holiday season is upon us! It's time to start thinking about what's on your shopping list. The easiest way to avoid all the inconveniences of holiday shopping lines and crowds is to order your gifts online. But what does this have to do with this blog? Well, why not help support this site and get your holiday shopping done at the same time? I would really appreciate it if you can help support this site by using our Amazon.com search box. It's simple to use: just type the name of the product you are looking for in the Amazon.com search box and it will automatically take you to the Amazon website of the product. Simply order the gift as normal and a (tiny) fraction of what you spend will go to this site. What am I going to do with the money? Put it all back into the site to make it even better! Help me help you.

How to: DIY Decoupage

2011-11-23T08:00:00.000-08:00

Now if you follow my blog, you know how much I love Mod Modge. And if you have ever purchased Mod Podge, you know it can be expensive. So you can imagine how excited I was when I found a DIY recipe for decoupage, and it only has two ingredients!
You need:
1 bottle of glue
equal parts water
1 jar +lid

Empty the entire bottle of glue into your jar, I used an empty salsa jar, but a mason jar or a spaghetti jar will do just fine. Fill your glue bottle with water, and empty into your jar. The first time I made this I emptied the entire bottle of water and I found my decoupage to be runny. I found it best to add about 3/4 of the water, put the lid on (tight) and shake. Add the rest of the water accordingly.
The last time I bought a bottle of Mod Podge it was about six dollars and it was a small bottle. When I made my decoupage, I bought a bottle of glue for twenty cents!

Super easy and cheap wall art!

2011-11-20T08:00:00.000-08:00

This is an idea I got off another blog ( http://salvagedior.blogspot.com) that I fell in love with! It is so simple and cheap, but has such a nice finished look.
What you need:
1 rubber floor mat
1 can cream spray paint
1 can primer

When I made this I used krylon spray paint (color: Champagne Nouveau). They have a ton of color choices, and even have good project ideas on their website (http://www.krylon.com/projects/index.jsp).
I first sprayed my mat with primer just so my mat had a more even coverage. I'm sure this is optional, but I just wanted to be sure. I waited 30 minutes for my primer to dry then sprayed my top coat.

These pictures are not from my home, only because my house is not this accessorized! I hope you love this idea as much as I did!

How to: Fun and cute 'Let it snow' wall hanging.

2011-11-16T08:30:00.000-08:00

I'm in no way ready for snow, but I'm slowly getting ready for the holiday season. It seems like every store you go into there is Christmas music playing and holiday decorations everywhere! I've decided since I can't escape it, I may as well embrace it and what better way than crafting!

Perfect wall hanging to keep or give as a gift!

For this project you will need:
1 Wooden wall plaque 16"X4"
Brown craft paint
Medium blue craft paint
Translucent opalescent white paint (optional)
Mod Podge (Matte)
Sand paper
1-3 foam brushes
"Let it snow" phrase cutout
Snowflake cutouts (several)
Snowman cutout

First sand down any rough edges on your wall hanging, then mix the blue and opalescent paint. I mixed just enough to give the blue paint a shimmer, this is optional I liked the shimmer for a little depth. Cover the entire wall hanging (edges included) with the blue paint and wait for it to dry. Depending on the paint and wood you may need a few coats to cover completely. Once dry, paint the edges with the brown paint and let dry. Once dry, give the brown edges a light sanding to give a "worn" look".
With the frame long ways, apply the "Let it snow" phrase at the top of the frame. Be careful to wipe all access glue away, it will dry glossy. Place snowman at the bottom of the frame and glue on. Between the phrase and snowman place snowflakes to look like they are falling. Once you have everything glued on, apply 1-2 coats of Mod Podge to seal everything down and protect from scratches.

You can also use white (opalescent) puff paint for snow. Either add small to medium dots or make snowflake shapes!
I hope you have as much getting into the holiday spirit as I did!

How To: Easy to make Holiday luminaries

2011-11-13T17:44:00.001-08:00

Today my sister-in-law and I went to a craft show and I was inspired. There were so many incredible things that I do not think I have time to make, but after a quick trip to Michaels and a lot of contemplation we decided to make luminaries.

I plan to make more in different sizes, and also square instead of a circle. I will post more as I make them!

Blurry, but a good idea of what it will look like light up.

Covered seam

What you will need:

Flameless LED Tealights (1)
Cardstock/scrapbook paper
Vellum
Christmas, winter, or holiday punch.
Glue
Scissors or paper cutter

You first need to cut your paper down to the size you want. I used 11X8.5 paper and cut it in half long ways (4.25") and then cut about 1" to make the final deminsions 4.25"X10". As I have mentioned before, I have a Cricut and use it for most of my crafting, this project included. If you are using a Cricut make sure to move your blade down about 1.5" and over about 1" to center and allow room for overlapping. If you are using a paper punch, punch around paper, allowing room on both ends for overlapping to glue.

Flip your paper over after all designs are cut out and glue vellium to the back side of the paper. I found that my vellium wanted to curl up at the edges so I placed it under a book to dry for about 10 minutes, and it seemed about perfect. Be sure to get around the edges of your cutouts, or when you roll your paper the vellium will pull away.

Once you have your design cut out and the vellium glued to the inside, bring the edges together and glue, making sure to wipe all access glue away. I used a hot glue gun to make sure I had a stron hold. If you do not have a hot glue gun, masking tape on the inside and outside to hgold the sides together while they dry may be a good idea. Another tip is to wrap it around something like a can or a peanut butter jar to dry. This way you can make sure you have a perfect circle!

I cut out trees, and glued red stars in the spaces between the trees. and a larger star to cover the seam where the sides are glued together. Other ideas are; gems, sequins, different punches, or bows.

How to create a simple and elegant Christmas card

2011-11-03T08:00:00.000-07:00

I have been quite busy lately working on my (gasp!) Christmas cards. I cannot hardly believe it is that time of year already. I have been trying to make each one different, and so far I have been successful!

Here is one of the first ones I have made. It’s pretty simple, but elegant; most impotaint-fast!

Here is what you need:

1 card/envelope-blank

1 ornament cutout

1 small star cutout

Glue

Sissors

Christmas sheet music border stamp

Black ink

Ivory pearlescent paper

I use pre-made blank cards from the craft store for a few reasons, 1. I’m not sure how to make an envelope 2. if I did know, I’m not sure the post office would mail a self-made envelope, and 3. it saves so much time!

Cover the front of your card with the ivory pearlescent paper, I think the slight shimmer gives the card depth and the ornament stand out. Once the paper is glued on and dried, stamp your border with the music stamp. It is important to do this before placing the ornament on so you know where to place the ornament. Next center your ornament and place the star next to it; glue them both on.

It’s as simple as that! A easy and fast homemade Christmas card that takes little time, but comes out beautiful.

"Love Birds" wall hanging how to

2011-11-02T08:00:00.000-07:00

Much like many of us, I have succumbed to the fall fashion trends and I am into birds. I love the shapes and all of the different things you can do with birds. I recently made a wall hanging for the living room in my home that is pretty simple.

You need:

A 4”X16” wooden wall hanging

2 bird cutouts

2 small jewel stick on gems

“Love Birds” chip board or letter cutouts

Branch cutout

Buttons

Black paint

Paint brush

Glue

12”X12” paper (yellow luster)

The first thing I did was paint the border of my wall hanging black; then I covered the inside with my 12”X12” paper. I covered the inside with paper because I really liked it, it would probably be easier to paint the inside as well.

After you have your surface finished I added my branches then placed my birds, with jewels as eyes, on. Once I had my birds where I wanted them I added my buttons along the branches. I used different colors and sizes, however they were all mat and fit my color scheme. This is something I played with until I had the right combination and placement. I then placed my “Love Birds” phrase down. Once I knew everything was in place I glued it down.

If you wanted to Mod Podge this wall hanging I would recommend doing it before placing the jewel eyes on your birds and the buttons on.

As a modification, you could also use button as eyes, and even place jewels on top!

How to make an easy and cute fall wall hanging

2011-11-01T19:21:00.000-07:00

As fall is mid-way through, I thought my first craft I would bring you is a fall wall hanging. It’s pretty simple and easy to modify if you choose to have a different saying or picture.

The supplies needed are:

1 pumpkin cutout

1 “Autumn Blessings” cutout

Various leaf cutouts, amount depending on the size of your plaque

1 wooden wall plaque (I used 9”x13”)

1 bottle of dark brown crafting paint

1 bottle of cream crafting paint

Foam or regular paintbrush

Glue/ Mod Podge

Ribbon (optional)

Sand paper

The first thing I do to all of my wooden wall hangings is sand them down. I think that the paint looks better on a smooth surface. Once your wooden plaque is sanded down, apply 1-2 coats of the dark brown paint and let dry. Once dry, apply 1-2 coats of the cream paint, once dry give a light sanding to the outside edges to give a warn look.

Apply your pumpkin and “Autumn Blessings” with a thin coat of glue, making sure to coat the entire surface of the cutout completely. Using too much glue will cause your paper to buckle and give your hanging an uneven look. Once all the cutouts have dried I applied 1-2 coats of (matte) Mod Podge to seal all of the cutouts onto my wall hanging. This will also help seal any edges down that may have pealed up while drying.

Some wall hangings you purchase at craft stores come with nail brackets on the back, others come bare. I like to add ribbon with hot glue to smaller wall hangings. It gives them a more decorative look and is a simple solution for hardware free wall hangings!

Welcome to Crafting Made Simple!

2011-10-23T19:26:00.001-07:00

The point of this blog is to teach you how to make simple crafts. I love creating cards and decorations for my house and I am going to teach some of fun techniques to decorate your own home.