Ladybug Costume

Hi there!  Our Halloween merchandise has started to roll in and I started to get excited about possible costumes.  Here's one that's super easy to make and looks absolutely adorable!

You'll need the following supplies:

- 1 solid red T-shirt
- 2 pieces of black felt
- 2 black chenille stems
- 2 black 1" pom poms
- 1 red headband
- 1 roll of black tulle
- 1 roll of 7/8" black satin ribbon
- double sided tape or Fabric Tac

First, use white chalk or pencil to trace  2" or 3" circles on your black felt.  Cut them out using a sharp scissors.













Arrange half of the circles on the front of the shirt.  If you want this costume to be permanent then glue the felt down with Fabric Tac.  If you want the circles to be removable then just use double sided tape.  Repeat on the back of the shirt.

Next, measure out your ribbon so that it fits around your waist and you still have enough room at either end to tie a bow.  Find a piece of cardboard that is the length you want the tutu to be.  Wrap your tulle around the cardboard at least 50 times to make a full skirt.  Cut one wrapped end in half so that the tulle opens up and is now twice as long as the cardboard.  To make it easier to attach the tulle to the ribbon, either tie your ribbon around something or tie each end to something.  Take a strip of tulle, fold it in half, and create a larks head knot around the ribbon.

Do this with each strip of tulle until your ribbon is full.  You may need to cut more tulle.  You can also cut strips of ribbon the same length as your tulle and attach them the same way.

To make your antennas, wrap each chenille stem around a pencil to get the curl.  Use a hot glue gun to attach a pom pom to one end of each stem.  Wrap the other ends around the head band.  Wrap them enough so that the chenille stem can stand up and doesn't just fall over.

There you have it! Wear it over a pair of black leggings or shorts. 

It's an adorable costume and is great for all ages :)

Until next time, happy crafting!
Rachel @ Mapunapuna

Tinted Mason Jar

Hi, Everyone!  Today we're going to learn how to tint mason jars.  Although it can get just a little messy, especially if doing this with kids, it's super fun and easy to do.

Here's what we'll need:

Mason Jar (I used a jelly jar.)

Icing Coloring (Pictured: Christmas Red)

Mod Podge (Gloss)

Wooden popsicle stick or spoon

Small container for mixing

First, you're going to mix a tablespoon of the coloring gel with about three tablespoons of water.  You could alter the amount of coloring gel.  The more gel you use, the darker the tint will be.

Mix well until all gel is dissolved.

To this, you're going to mix four tablespoons of Mod Podge,  Then, pour the mixture into the jar and swirl it around. Pour the excess back into the mixing bowl and place the mason jar upside down onto some old newspaper or cardboard to dry.  The time it takes for your mason jar to dry will depend on the temperature of your house.  The warmer it is, the faster it will dry.  This one took about 5 hours.

Here's the finished product!  Add some ribbon and embellishments and you will have your very own, one-of-a-kind colored mason jar. Have fun experimenting with colors.  The possibilities are endless!

Erika @ PC

Stamped Trinket Bowl

This trinket bowl is so cute and so easy to make!
Dress up any end table, use them to hold jewelry, or give them as gifts!

Supplies:
DAS white air-dry clay
clay cutting tools
clay roller
stamps of your choice - geometric shapes work best
stamping inks of your choice - I used Memento teal and a Brilliance metallic copper
small disposable flexible bowls

(Optional: Duraclear polyurethane varnish, foam brush)

The Das air dry clay starts to harden quickly so as soon as you open the package, put the unused amount in a ziplock. Take about one fourth of your clay and roll it into a ball.

Take your clay and roll it out with your rolling tool. Thickness for your bowl can be about a fourth of an inch. It just needs to be somewhat sturdy so it does not break. Then you will place your bowl over the pancake of clay and cut a circle around the bowl with your cutting tool.

Once you have your circle, very lightly ink your stamp and press your stamp into the clay starting from the middle. If you start from the center, it makes your pattern look more symmetrical. Since the clay will absorb the ink instantly, you will want to make sure each stamping is clean and firm with no sliding.

When you are done stamping, place clay carefully in your bowl. You can gently press the sides down to keep a circular shape or you can create a wavy edge. The possibilities and combinations of shapes and color are endless! Set aside to dry completely for 24 hours.

*Optional: after 24 hours of drying time, you can seal in your ink with the paint-able varnish Duraclear. Apply a thin coat with a foam brush for best results.

And we're finished! Check out our new craft next Monday!

Bethany @ Enchanted Lake

Felt Flower Wall Art

Hi there!  Today I'll be showing you how to make this adorable wall art. 

You will need the following supplies:

- 12x12 Canvas Board
- 12x12 sheet of scrapbook paper, any design
- 12x12 frame
- 2 sheets of 9x12 felt in a color that compliments the scrapbook paper
- Hot glue gun
- Mod Podge

First, use Mod Podge (either matte or glossy) to adhere the scrapbook paper to the canvas board. 

Next, cut one sheet of felt into 9 equal pieces measuring 3"x4".  It's easiest to fold the felt in thirds then cut at the creases, Then fold each of those pieces in thirds and do the same.  Cut the 2nd piece of felt into 12 equal pieces measuring 3"x3". 

Starting with the bigger felt pieces, fold the bottoms into a W and put glue in the creases.

Next, round off the corners to form a petal.

Do this for all 9 pieces.  Place them in a circle on your canvas board with the glued part facing inwards and glue them down.

Now glue the bottoms of your 3"x3" pieces and round the corners.  Set 3 aside and place the other 9 over your first layer.  Glue them down.














Place the other 3 inside the hole in the middle of your flower and fold them outward. Now place your canvas in the 12x12 frame. 

These look cute in a nursery but are also sophisticated enough to hang anywhere in your house.

There you have it and until next time, happy crafting!

Rachel @ Mapunapuna

Pinwheel Gift Bow and Favor Box

Hey, Everyone!  Today we are going to be using the We R Memory Pinwheel Punch Board to create a mini pinwheel which we will be using as a "bow" for our favor box.

Here's what we'll need:

We R Memory Pinwheel Punch Board

2 pieces of cardstock
decorative buttons

Small paper mache box

acrylic paint

foam brush

hot glue gun (not pictured)

brad (not pictured)
scissors

 First, you're going to paint your box.  I used the Americana Satin Acrylic Paint in Black Tie, but you could use any color of acrylic paint you'd like.  After you're finished, set it on the side to dry.

I have both pieces of cardstock cut into 3x3 in. squares, which is the smallest pinwheel you can create with this punch board. 


Following the directions on the board itself, you're first going to punch holes into the corners.

 

Lift up the clear cutting slot and line up the punched corner of your first paper with the 3 inch mark on the left side of the board.  Bring the slot back down and press the point at the bottom into the paper.  This will create the hole that  your brad will go through when you put the pinwheel together. 
Then, you're going to slide the cutter toward the center of the paper.  Do this for all four corners.
This first paper is going to be the inner layer of your finished pinwheel.





For the second paper, you're going to line up the corner at the 3 inch mark on the right side of the board, for this will be the outer layer of the pinwheel.  Repeat the cutting process. 

After you've cut both pieces, you're going to layer them with the brad through the center.  Make sure you have the corners of the bottom layer "pulled through" the slits in the top.



Then, you're going to start bringing the corners of the top paper in, slipping the holes onto the brad.  Do the same for the second piece, flatten the brad ends, and embellish with a button.





Then, hot glue your pinwheel to the top of your box, add a small tag on the side and you're all set!  These are great for party favors or for small gifts for special occasions.

Erika @ Pearl City



Fingerprint Tree

Hi there! Today I'll be showing you how to make this super simple finger print tree.  It's great for celebrations.  Guests can add their fingerprints to the tree, sign their name, then after the party you can hang it up as a keepsake!

You will need the following supplies:

- A canvas or board to paint your tree on.  I used our new wood panel in 8x10
- Shades of brown paint for your tree
- A multi color stamp pad or several stamp pads of different colors
- Paint brushes
- 1 piece of white chalk

First, sketch your tree.  I use chalk instead of pencil because it comes off better and doesn't make your paint dirty when you paint over it.  After you're happy with the shape of your tree, begin to paint it in.  I used a medium shade of brown to paint the whole tree first. Don't worry if you're not so artistically inclined.  Start with a stump then drag your brush to add bigger branches.  Use a smaller brush to add skinnier branches coming out of your thicker branches. 

Then I went in with lighter and darker shades to add highlights and shadows on the branches.

Once the paint is dry you are ready for your fingerprints!

I hope you enjoyed this project and until next time, happy crafting!

Rachel @ Mapunapuna

Dumbo Tsum Tsum Fan

Hi, everyone!  Today we're going to be sticking to the Tsum Tsum theme and making a Dumbo Tsum Tsum fan.

 

  Supplies

Light Blue Cardstock (Pictured: Bazzill Sparkle)

Pink Cardstock (AC Blush)

Black Cardstock (Coredinations Nightfall)

Yellow Cardstock (AC Lemon)

White or Black Fan

Double-stick Tape

Scissors

Pencil (Not pictured)

 

 

Using a photo as reference, I did create templates with some heavy vellum paper.  Because most of the designs are made of fairly simple shapes, it is pretty easy to create templates of your own at home.  Another good thing about the designs is that most of them share the same slightly head shape, so once you make a template for one, you can use it to make more characters!

 

 

You're going to start by tracing Dumbo's head shape, outer ear and trunk onto the light blue paper.  Next comes his inner ear on the pink paper.  Then, it's the black for the eyes and the yellow for the hat.  Once you're finished tracing the templates and cutting the pieces out, it's time to start  layering and taping!

 

Layering Order

1. Tape pink "inner ears" onto the light blue "outer ear" pieces.  The ears will be taped directly onto the fan.

2. Next, comes the basic face shape.

3.His eyes and trunk come next.

4. Lastly, comes his yellow hat.

 

Now, a little extra something to add that punch of cuteness: Blush!

 

 You can tell how much I love using this dauber and paint...

 

 This can be achieved using a sponge dauber and some pink paint.  Just dab on a light layer of paint, taking advantage of the dauber's circular shape.

 

 

Taa Daa!  You're done!

 

 

If you want to learn how to make more Tsum Tsum fans, we will be having Make-and-Takes on Saturday, July 25th, and Saturday, August 1st, from 1 to 2 pm. at our Pearl City store.

For the first session,we will be making Mickey and Dumbo,

and for the second session, Pooh and Eeyore. 

The cost is $10 for each session.

All supplies, including templates, are included.

See you there!

 

Erika @ PC

 

How to create paper beads

Today we'll be learning how to create paper beads.  It's fast and simple. Let's get started...

Supplies: 
Aleene's Tacky Glue
Cardstock (your choice)
Scissors














Get your card stock and scissors and cut out triangles.  Start from one point to the other end.

Start folding the long end.  Keep rolling until you reach the tip.  Add a drop of glue and fold onto your paper to create your paper bead.

Your bead should look like this...

And you're done!

You can turn these beads into bracelets, necklaces and much more!

Have a Craftastic Day!
Julie @ Enchanted Lake

Antique Foil Art

Hi there! I've been seeing a lot of these antique foil art projects lately so I decided to try it for myself! It looks pretty cool and makes great wall decoration.

You will need the following supplies:

- A wood object to antique (letter, piece of board, picture frame, etc.)
- Tacky glue
- Aluminum foil
- Americana Creme Wax
- Mod Podge in Matte
- Foam brush

First, draw your design in pencil on your object.  I chose to do mine on the backing of a picture frame.













Next, outline your drawing in tacky glue.  The reason to use tacky instead of Elmer's is because the tacky glue holds its shape when it dries while the Elmer's glue dries flat. Let the glue dry completely.  To speed it up you can use a blow drier or heat tool.

Next, cover your object with a sheet of foil.  Get a nice snug fit and tape the edges of the foil down to the back of your object.  Use a cloth or paper towel to rub over your foil so it forms to the shape of the glue.

Now paint over the foil using the Americana Creme Wax in brown.  After the entire piece is covered, use a paper towel to gently rub off the wax.  Do this process a couple of times to slowly build up the color.  I was also told that you can use shoe polish in place of the creme wax if you want a darker look.

Once you've achieved the color you desire, paint over the entire piece with Mod Podge.  I used the Matte finish to take away some of the shine of the foil.

Again to speed up the drying you can use a blow drier or heat tool.

Once it's dry you are ready to display your new piece of art! I put mine back in its frame to hang.

There you have it!

Also, don't forget to check out our previous posts! Until next time, happy crafting!

Rachel @ Mapunapuna