Tuesday, July 31, 2012

Using a blender, blend: 3 handfuls of moss, 3 cups of water, 1 tablespoon of water retention  crystals, and 1 cup of buttermilk. blend for about 3 minutes, or until a gel has formed.

Add water as necessary to keep mixture wet. Paint on with an old paint brush.
Mist weekly



I'll finish this post later with complete moss pictures, but that may take a while! 


Sunday, July 29, 2012

Thursday, July 26, 2012

Record bending bowls!

A quick trip to the thrift store, and a few dollars later, you have a chip bowl for a party!
Set oven to 350 degrees, and start. Wait until completely preheated before putting in oven. I made that mistake with these. They can look much nicer than the ones shown. 

use cans of vegetables that can get heated, like corn, and beans to prop up the record in order to make a bowl. To make a more flat piece, put the can on top. (unlike me, use a piece of foil under the flat records in order to stop it from melting to the oven racks!!  not a good idea)

If they melt too much, just shape them to your taste when they are first out of the oven and still movable. (use oven mitts or tongs!)
Enjoy!!

Tuesday, July 24, 2012

Toilet paper crafts!

really cheap project that ends up being really cute!
The only cost is spray paint and glue, which most people already have. 
Open the pieces slightly so that they're not just flat by pushing the 2 creased parts closer together. Put small dots of glue where you want to attach each one. make patterns or flowers. be creative!

When you are complete, and the entire thing is dry,  spray paint  to desired color!
And that's it!
Hang up!

Monday, July 23, 2012

Mod Podge Image Transfers

This was a really easy project that only costs a few bucks. 
(Sorry there is only one picture)
Step 1: Find a piece of wood that is a desired size.

Step 2: Paint or stain the wood whatever colors you would like. Let dry

Step 3: Create a document on the computer of anything, and format it to fit the piece of wood you have chosen. 

Step 4: Mirror the image, so that you see everything backwards. 

Step 5: Print out the image, and cut paper to exact size of wood.

Step 6: Put a thin layer of Mod Podge all over the ink side of the paper and quickly put the Mod Podge side of the paper down on the painted side of the wood.   You should now have the paint side of the wood, and the ink side of the paper toughing. 
Step 7: Using a flat edge, smooth any bumps or small bubbles out of the paper so that it is completely smooth. Let dry for at least an hour.

Step 8: wet the entire board so that you can see the ink through the paper. Gently rub your finger on the paper to start removing it. Do not rub too hard, because you will rip the entire image. Slowly remove the paper until you have the final image you like. You should now be able to see your image printed onto the wood as shown above. 

Step 9: Put a layer of Mod Podge on top to make a top coat, and let dry. You can add another layer when that is dry if you would like. 

Step 10: ENJOY!

Saturday, July 21, 2012

DIY decorative letters!

This colorful craft can be done for just under 5 dollars!
Buy plain letters and scrapbook paper at hobby lobby, michaels, etc. and spray the front side of the letters with adhesive.  Stick the letter face down on the sheet as shown above!


Cut around the edge of the letters with an exacto knife. the letters should pull away from the extra paper fairly easily.  There you have it! Decorated letters. 




I also experimented with glittery paper. It is a little more tricky because the glitter wants to rip the paper when you try to cut through it, but it is possible!!


sand around the edges with fine sand paper for  rustic looking letters and smoother edges

String Crafts

I recently saw this idea on Pinterest, and decided I would give it a try. Turned out pretty well if I do say so myself. After I bought all the supplies, this only took about 30-45 minutes! Sorry the picture isn't very good!
First, create a document that has words in desired size! (you may need to print one letter per page, or go to an office max)  Print, and cut out! Tape down the design. 
Put 5/8 in. nails around all letters about 1/2 an inch apart 
After you've done that, Spray paint the entire board a desired color, including the nails. 


Tie a piece of "friendship bracelet string" to one nail, and weave back and forth. It makes it look more interesting if you do not have any sort of pattern, and also it you make sure you have gone to every nail.
Add different colors by just switching the string! Great project for any age! 

Here is another one I did for my friend! Its hard to see here, but it somewhat looks like camo!