Halloween Wreath

Hi there! More Halloween/Fall items have been arriving at our stores and they are awesome! Today I'll be showing you how to make a Halloween wreath using some of the picks and flowers we have. 

You'll need the following supplies:
- 14" Styrofoam wreath
- black yarn or wide black ribbon
- 2 Halloween sprays
- 1 bunch of black flowers with purple centers
- Glue gun

First, glue down one end of your black yarn or ribbon.  Ribbon is faster to wrap if you're in a hurry but the yarn looks great if you have extra time. 

Wrap the entire wreath then glue down the other end of the string or ribbon. 

Next, fold the stem of your sprays in half.  Place them on the wreath in the opposite direction with their stems next to each other. 

Glue them down with the glue gun.  Pull 3 of the flower heads off the stems.  Place them in the middle of the sprays, where the stems are touching.  Glue them down with the glue gun as well. 

That's all! I think it looks pretty and elegant.  This is what it looks like hanging in our store.

Until next time, happy crafting!
Rachel @ Mapunapuna

Crankin' Out Crafts ep428 - Glass Stain Part 1

JFlo does a fun faux stain glass project with Glass Stain paint.

Supplies:

Clear Acetate Sheet (or you can use actual glass vases – flat vases are recommended)

DecoArt Glass Stain paint

Optional:

Paper to trace design

Great for suncatchers and more!

Watch it on YouTube here: https://youtu.be/ZsiuzEOwBZQ   

Check out previous episodes of Crankin’ Out Crafts, too!

Polymer Clay Donut

Want something sweet? You are in luck today! We are going to be making a polymer clay donut with sprinkles.  It will look really yummy, but you can't eat it. (Sorry.)  However, you can use it as an arm candy, a necklace, earrings and much more. Let's get started.

Supplies:
Polymer clay colors of your choice (I've used 5 Sculpey Souffle colors)
Cutting tool
Ball tool/needle tool
Eye pin
Baby wipe/Wet napkin

Optional:
Translucent Liquid Sculpey (TLS)



First choose your donut and icing flavor.  I chose to do a chocolate donut with vanilla icing.  Take a piece of polymer clay for your donut (the size you want for your donut).  Condition (knead between your fingers) your clay until its workable.  Roll it into a ball and flatten it out.

Take your ball tool/needle tool and create a hole in to middle to form your donut base.

Now it's time to add the icing.  Take a small amount of polymer clay for your icing.  Condition your clay, roll into a ball and flatten it out.  Pull some of the sides to make the icing look like it's hanging over the side of the donut.  Place your icing on the donut.  Get your ball tool/needle and create a hole in the middle (same as the donut base). 

Last but not least, the SPRINKLES!  Take a piece of polymer clay from 2 or 3 different colors.  Or, you can just do one - it's your choice.  Condition the clay as usual and roll it into a ball.  Next, you'll roll it out into a thin snake and cut it into small strips.

Now take each piece and place it onto your donut.  You can add as much sprinkles you want.

If you want to make it into a charm, just add a dab of translucent liquid sculpey (TLS) onto your eye pin and stick it into your donut.  *Bake clay according to the package instructions.*

 

And your donut is complete.

Doesn't it look so yummy? But just remember, this one is not for eating! :)

Until next time.

Have a Craftastic Day!

Julie @ Enchanted Lake

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