Designer Crafts Connection Blog Hop - "Fall Leaves"

 This month the theme is Fall and Thanksgiving. So I took it as a opportunity to show off my crafting obsession which is coloring in stamped images. I love to play with watercolors and I was happy these leaves turned out so well. I hope you will enjoy my tutorial. :)

 I stamped some broad shaped leaf designs (Martha Stewart) with walnut distress ink onto manila folders. I chose the folders because they are thicker than card stock and can with stand the layering I would be doing.

 Next I dabbed the colors needed for painting on to a craft sheet. I used both Distress stains and full strength re-inkers. I spritzed those colors with water before I began painting. This would help the colors blend on the leaves.

 I used a paint brush with a built in water well for the painting. But you can also use a standard brush and a cup of water. I picked up color from the craft mat and painted the leaves as I imagined they might look in the fall. I live in Southern California where winters are never cold enough to turn our leaves.

 I used some of the distress stains full strength to added details of veins and color that needed to pop. When the leaves begin to dry on the manila folder, the diluted colors may fade a bit. Don't stress about that as you still have two more steps to make the leave come alive.

 I accented the maple leaves veins cinnamon stickles. Then outlined the edges with  stickles that matched the painted colors.

 I set the leaves out to dry, making sure the glitter glue has set. I refrained from using a heat tool as this would cause the painted leaves to fade even more.

 See the difference between the stickled and non stickled leaves, Almost done!

 With a fine tip I added diamond glaze to each leaf and and used my finger to spread it evenly, in between the veins, over the color and even past the outline. I set this out to completely dry. Then I carefully cut out each leaf with precision scissors. The tags below, don't do justice as these leaves are more breathtaking in person.

I enjoyed making these leaves and have added them to a layout, and thankful cards to be given to friends and family members for Thanksgiving.

* * *

Stains and inks used:

Maple leaf - Barn door and Rusty hinge stain, Mustard, Vintage photo and Marmalade re-inker.

Aspen leaf- Barn door and Forest moss stain, Mustard, Shabby shutters and Peeled paint re-inker.

Other leaf - Forest moss stain, Mustard, Shabby shutters, and Peeled paint re-inker.

I used an assortment of stickles and other craft glitter glues.

Wax coated Autumn leaves

~It's here, today's the day and I'm very excited!

*

I'm also buzzing because tonight Dyllan and I are following our 3rd year tradition of the both of us dressing up in our costumes and meeting friends at Disney CA Adventure Halloween bash! It's a lot of fun and something I look forward to every year!

Home Decor -A Pink and Black Classy Wreath!

Welcome to a special Designer Crafts special Home Decor challenge!

We are featuring three wonderful products today.  

Kunin Felt, Beacon Adhesives (Fabri-Tac and Felt Glue) and Buttons Galore & More. 

I hope you will enjoy my project and leave happily inspired!

Pink and Black Classy Wreath
 Supplies Used:
 Beacon Fabric-Tac and Felt Glue
Shocking Pink Zebra Fanci Felt
Black Classic Felt
Pink and Black buttons from Buttons Galore and More
Twig wreath
White spray paint
Gold floral wire
Needle nose pliers
Bamboo skewer
Scissors
Paper clips
3D flowers die

 Begin by spray painting just one side of your twig wreath with white spray paint, outside.
 I used a old box to contain most of the spray.

 While the wreath is drying, run the Pink Zebra felt through your cutting machine with the flower die.
Make as many flowers as desired.
 If you do not have the 3D flower die, you can cut circles from the felt, then cut them into spirals.
Place some Felt Glue onto the outer end of the spiral and use that as your starting point to twist inwards until you get to the center.
 Attach center with  Felt Glue to the bottom of the flower.
 Press firmly for about 30 seconds, then leave the flowers to set for at least 1 hour.
This glue is non toxic and drys clear.

 To make the leaves: you will need to cut leaf shapes from the Black Classic Felt.
Add some  Felt Glue as shown up and pinch close.
Secure leaves with  paper clips until the glue has set.
Then using the  Fabric-Tac in a well ventilated area, adhere leaves randomly to the wreath.

 For the buttons flowers:
Pair hot pink smaller buttons with larger black buttons.
Cut 6" of the gold wire. Fold the wire in a uneven half.
Thread through both buttons and twist to secure.

 Use your pliers to turn the shorter piece of the wire into a little spiral.
Wrap the remaining wire onto a bamboo skewer then slide off.
Make as many as you wish and adhere to the wreath with Fabric-Tac.

 Here is a easy way to make ribbon from felt!
Start cutting along the side of your felt and when you are near the top, stop and turn the square then keep cutting.
Do this carefully around and around until you have reached the center.

 Here is a continuous pile of versatile black felt ribbon!
Figure out where on your wreath you want to hang your protect.
Attach one end of the ribbon with a tight knot and a little bit of a tail.
Then gather the rest into a manageable ball and wrap around your wreath, twisting the ribbon as you work to give it some personalty.
When you get back to the top, tie onto the starting tail to complete your hanger.
Make some extra curls made from the wire and bamboo skewer.
 Attach these to the twig part of the wreath.

 Now you have a beautiful wreath to display!

Thank You coming by to see my Home Decor project, I hope I have inspired you!
But don't leave yet!

Here are 2 ways you can have a chance to win a fantastic giveaway!
Good luck!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Designer Crafts Connection on Face Book 

Please what the remaining 13 designers have created for you!

Designer Craft Connection
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A special thanks to our sponsors for this Home Decor Blog Hop!

Kunin
http://kuningroup.com
https://www.facebook.com/pages/Kunin-Felt-Products/259966984033282
https://twitter.com/KuninFeltFC
http://www.pinterest.com/kuningroupgeorg/

Beacon
http://www.beaconadhesives.com/chaven.html
https://www.facebook.com/beaconadhesives
https://twitter.com/BeaconAdhesives
http://www.pinterest.com/beaconadhesives/

BGM
http://buttonsgaloreandmore.net
https://www.facebook.com/buttonsgalore
https://twitter.com/ButtonsGalore
http://www.pinterest.com/buttonsgalore

 

How to Make a Chicken Wire Crystal Chandelier

At the beginning of 2015, I along with other craft bloggers attended a Blogger Networking Event at the Craft and Hobby Association Show in January.
Bloggers received a sample of new products from participating sponsors of that party.
Everyone who participated created fantastic projects!
These are the newest, hottest  items to hit the craft industry.

* * *

  I made this Chicken Wire Crystal Chandelier.
On the website, I was limited to one photo for my submission. Here are a few  extra to better explain my tutorial.
Enjoy!

  Materials List

• MD Chicken Wire
• MD metal working gloves
• MD Brass Metal Sheet Roll
• Prima Swarovski Crystals
• Sizzix branch die
• Sizzix Flower die
• Sizzix Embossing Folder
• Die cutting machine
• Red and green alcohol pens
• 25 Heart shaped crystals
• Gold floral wire
• e-6000 glue
• Jewelry pliers
• Scissors
• Gold spray paint

Instructions

-Working carefully with the gloves on, roll out the chicken wire and cut a 12" X 12" piece with the jewelry pliers.
-Shape chicken wire into a cylinder shape.
-Carefully interlock wire ends together with your gloved fingers and pliers. 

-Pinch the top of the cylinder closed and push down until the cylinder measures 6".

* The reason I pushed the top down, was to give the metal branches a 'shelf' to hang onto. *
-Spray completely with gold paint and let dry.
-Cut and emboss 4 flowers from the brass sheet.

 

 

-Cut 4 branches from the brass sheet.
-Use the edge of your scissors or a bone folder to make indents into the leaves.

*I used the blank space of the die for a cushioned surface when adding the indents to the leaves.*

 

 

-Color the leaves and flowers with alcohol pens.
-Attach crystals with e-6000.

 

* If you make a mistake with the coloring, a little rubbing alcohol or nail polish remover works great to remove unwanted color!*

-Use colored floral wire to attach branches to top of the cylinder.

-Glue the flowers to the branches.

 *The hearts came on a strand with the large jump rings. I simply bent the jump rings with the pliers into a "S" shape to hand on the chicken wire.*

-Hang hearts, prism side out, in the chicken wire holes.

-Attach a wire hook and hang in a sunny spot, indoors or out in the garden for all to enjoy!

Contest Update*
Congratulations to the following Winners!

1st Place: Cathy  Parlitsis, Distress Ink Watercolor DIY Greeting Card
2nd Place: Betsy Burnett, Restyled Red Shelf Home Decor Craft
3rd Place: Linda  Peterson, Succulent Garden DIY Wall Decor

See more Fave Craft inspiration here!
 

DIY Bridal Accessories with Gwen Studios

 Weddings don't need to cost a lot of money and there is no need to hire anyone to make your dream a reality. These gorgeous ribbons and trims from Gwen Studios can help you make the most of your day.
From a ribbon boutonniere or small bouquet, to an embellished headband. 
You too can create the perfect Wedding!

As you can see, I received a gorgeous array of fabric, ribbon and fancy trim.
Beautiful soft pinks, lavender and lots of sparkle available exclusively at your
local Walmart and online at Walmart.com!

Making the Boutonniere 

You will need: 

• Gwen Studios 7/8" Ivory Satin Ribbon
• Gwen Studios 3/8" White Satin Ribbon
• Gwen Studios Plum Fancy Trim
• Gwen Studios Sagebrush Green Satin Ribbon
• Gwen Studios Mauve Voile Fabric
• Gwen Studios Blush Pink Satin and Rhinestone Trim
• Ruler
• Floral tape
• Floral wire
• Sewing needle and color coordinating threads.
• Beads or charms

Instructions:
Begin by wrapping one end of your ribbon around the ruler and knotting it twice. Wrap the ribbon as shown below, pulling the end through to create a knot.  

Repeat until you have at least 13 knots. The more knots, the bigger the bloom.
Try experimenting with different sized rulers to create a variety of sizes.

Here's a video to better show you how its done: 

Use a needle and thread to secure the knots so they stay aligned.

Stitch a piece of the 7/8" Sagebrush Green Ribbon in place as shown. 

Slide the knotted ribbon off the ruler. Place a length of floral wire at one end as shown.
 (twist a small loop at the top of the wire to attach any beads or charms later later.) 
Use a needle and thread to secure your ribbon as you roll it to form your flower. Taper the bottom of the flower, stitching it shut, then wrap with the floral tape.

See how I made the leaves here: 

When you are finished making your ribbon flowers and leaves, arrange them as desired. Then bind the stems together with floral tape before finishing with a strip of the Mauve Voile and a bit of  Rhinestone Trim.

Making the Headband

You will need: 

• Gwen Studios Plum Fancy Trim
• Gwen Studios Blush Pink Satin and Rhinestone Trim
• ½" - 1" wide headband
• Sewing needle and coordinating thread
• Quick drying adhesive

Instructions: 

Simply layer your desired ribbon and trims. Adhere them with the quick drying adhesive.
Attach the to the headband with a needle and thread.

I was only supposed to share with you one or two projects but I couldn't help myself.
I'm absolutely in love with the Rhinestone Trim!
The whole time I was playing with it, I was singing , "Diamonds are a girls best friend."  

To make the diamond bracelets below, follow the same layering technique as above. Then attach some jewelry findings of your choice. Click here for a quick tutorial. 

The Rhinestone hairclips were super simple to make! Just a bit of adhesive and sparkly trim. To keep the adhesive from gluing your hair clips shut, use a bamboo skewer  to prop open the clips until the glue has set. 

See more DIY Wedding inspiration at 
Designer Crafts Connection.

Disclosure:  This is a sponsored post  for Gwen Studios. 
 I have been provided product in exchange for my creative ideas. 
 The views and opinions are my own. 

I made a School Play Scenic background.

 I'm really sorry that I have not posted in a while. It's been a little busy around here with home stuff and the end of school coming soon. Dyllan's school is putting on a play this Friday and Saturday. Its a Flat Stanley Musical. I was asked to help do the scenery for the play.  It's been a while since I've done scenic backgrounds. Before I met my husband, when I used to live in San Juan Capistrano, I used to volunteer my free time and paint backgrounds and set props for the Camino Real House.

Here is day 1.
I'm limited to using school supplied paper that is stored on rolls and comes in primary colors. The director had asked for two scenes here. A Hawaii/ Beach scene  and a Park scene. I used a stapler to attach the paper to the walls. Then I had to cut out the clock, speaker and wall plate shapes.  I cut out shapes for the scenes. Took about 3 hours as I had to also wait to use the only tall ladder.

Day 2 plus 2 1/2  hours
I did everything on my own. No one really offered to help except on the last day when I was adding paint here and there. But I had it pretty much covered.

Day 3 and Done.
This is the Park scene.



And here is the Hawaii/ Beach scene.
 I placed the black frame borders around both scenes to help difference them.

 At the end of day 2, I took the paper scraps home and made the leaves, nest and eggs. I brought my paints with me on Day 3 to add detail and then extra fun with a black sharpie.



I made the cloud extra big, then stapled around it so I could stuff it with paper to make it "puffy". 

I covered a .99 kite with red paper and attached it to the cloud with duct tape.  

 The palm tree trunk is made from layers of paper that I cut with Fringe scissors.  I used a sea sponge to add "sand" with beige paint.

 The director liked the idea of the Sun connecting both scenes. I used a sharpie to add the whimsical design.

 The bucket, pail and sea shells were so randomly made. I like how the star on the pail matches the star on the kite.

 I have never made a palm tree. I had to dig deep in my creative memory to make this one. I'm glad it turned out so well. I made the coconuts at home.
 Having my paints with me really helped in accenting the water. When you are working with blue water against a blue sky, paint really does wonders.

 I painted the flower leaves, stems and grass at home.

 My favorite is this nest with eggs which I made at home. The eggs are the blue paper which I splattered with paint from a brush.

 For the birds, I drew one shape onto black paper, folded the paper like a accordion then cut them all out at once. Anything I did not staple down, I used tacky glue.

The ocean was lacking color and my energy was well spent. For day 3 I was there, for 4 1/2 hours. I added a couple of these Dr.Seuss inspired fish and called it a night.

I'll post more photos of the rest of scenes after the play.
:)