Wish Box with Stars!

I can't believe that this is my last post as 

a designer for Creative Paperclay ®.  The last two terms have been a time

for me to grow creatively using a new medium. I hope that you have dug out your 40% off coupons, and bought a package of Creative Paperclay ® at your local craft store.  

Whether a novice or professional, this product will add interest to projects from paper crafting, sculptures, to home decor and jewelry!

Today, I'd like to show you a fun project that will be perfect for worry warts...

and yes, I tend to fall into this category from time to time!

Supply List:

Creative Paperclay ®

gesso

tools as needed

Glue Dots ® adhesive

ribbon

papers as needed

brads

cord

acrylic paint

A few months ago, I had a bit of Creative Paperclay ® left over. 

I wasn't going to use it any time soon and I didn't it to dry out.

So, I rolled it out and cut out star shapes...and stored them for some future use.

If you need a more in depth tutorial about rolling, cutting, and sealing, Click to this CPC Blog Post.

Today, I painted my stars with gold acrylic craft paint.  

I painted the bottom and sides first. Then, a nice coat on the top.

A certain Dollar Spot sells these adorable mail boxes, from time to time.

And apparently I buy a few of these from time to time to time to time...but I digress.

I thought it would make a great Worry Box.

What is a Worry Box?

Well, you write down your worry...you stick in the box...

and you just let life move on...without losing energy on silly fretting. 

I have read that it's great for younger kids too.

Parents can sneak in and read their kids' fears...if their child isn't coming forward on their own.

I like the idea of putting the worry into a box...and moving on.

But...on to the project...

I used papers to decorate and embellish the plain white mail box.

Pop Up  Glue Dots ® are strong and make a GREAT adhesive for these star embellishments.

I used the Micro Dots for the thin ribbon. The super strength Glue Lines 

was perfect to adhere the papers to the metal box.  It was easy to work with and cut the appropriate length for each piece.  

Back View...

Yes, I was tempted to add even more bling...but I refrained,

for now!  lol

Inside, I typed up a quote from Corrie ten Boom, a woman who lived through World War II

and tried to help others as best as she could, despite danger to herself and her loved ones.  

“Worrying is carrying tomorrow's load

with today's strength-

carrying two days at once.

It is moving into tomorrow

ahead of time.

Worrying doesn't empty tomorrow

of its sorrow,

it empties today of its strength.” 

     -- Corrie ten Boom

Then, I stamped stars on matted 3 x 4 inch cards, where I can write my worries down. 

But, I have a sister who admires Corrie ten Boom, and probably has enough worries (hehe)

to fill this mail box, I'll be giving it to her at Thanksgiving!

A new design team starts November first for Creative Paperclay ®.

Prepared to be amazed by the creativity of these fantastic artists!

Hooting over Creative Paperclay ®

Halloween is just around the corner.

Ready to get your spook on?

Or...

perhaps some of your potted succulents need a little 

Autumn costumes!

Start off with a terra cotta pot.

Mold Creative Paperclay ® around your pot.

If your molding material stretches too much, cut a line and fold the clay over

to fit it around your pot.

I decided to keep a mottled texture on my base.

Since I will be using this for succulents,

I made sure the bottom was clear of Creative Paperclay ®, especially 

around the drainage hole.  This will also help your pot sit level.

Decorate your pot...using "snakes!"

Score and add slip to secure each added piece.

Cookie Cutters make great circles!

An owl!

Create paper template for the wings.

Flip the template over to cut the second wing so 

they will be symmetrical!

Let it dry.

I like to use Mod Podge to seal before I paint with acrylic paints!

Inside and out...since terracotta is porous!

Two coats!

Then ... use acrylic paints to color your creations.

Lastly, plant your succulent in its new home!

Plan your support...

Earlier this month, I showed you how to create initials out of Creative Paperclay ®.

Easy as it seems, there does need to be some planning on these letters.

Amble over to the Creative Paperclay ® blog to see just what I am talking about.

Meanwhile, here is the Initial tutorial!

Creative Paperclay ® can be used to personalize your room.

Today, I'm going to show you how to create an initial out of this modeling airdry clay.

Once you get started, you will see many possibilities!

Supplies:

Creative Paperclay ®

Papers and dew drops from the Robin's Nest

Glue Dots ®

acrylic paint

gesso

brushes/tools

embellishments as you see fit

a shadow box

A few weeks ago I was just playing around with the Creative Paperclay ®.  What better way, that to make snakes!  Yeppers...go old fashioned clay snakes! But as I was musing and working with it, I realized I could use these long thin lines to create initials. 

*Be sure to roll out extra lines in case you make a mistake.

*Work on a piece of plastic wrap or on a plastic frisbee so that you can pick up your modeling clay easily

to flip it as it is drying.

*Think about what sort of font will be appropriate for the style/theme of shadow box.

Here, I created an A with lots of curls and swirls, because I am making a shadow box

for a little tweener girl!  Let it dry.  Seal it with Gesso.

Paint with acrylic paint. You  will want to give it a few coats.

One trick I use when I am painting is to paint the bottom first. 

Then, paint the edges and sides once that bottom is dry.  That way, you won't have your piece sticking

to your work surface. 

After it was dry, I sealed it with Mod Podge. 

Again, back first, then front.

Then comes time for the fun and bling and embellishment!

I used various sizes of Glue Dots ® to adhere the dew drops to the primas, and 

the primas to my shadow box.

Remember, more layers can me more interest!

Glue the Creative Paperclay ® Initial on top of the shadow box.

Remember to think about the edges of your shadow box as well!

There is going to be one happy girl once she receives this pink and green and zebra striped 

shadow box...with her initial!

Mark it with an A...

For information on how to create this absolutely, awesome A initial...

amble over to the Creative Paperclay Blog! 

Glue Dots ® made adding these baubles, dew drops, flowers, and ribbon a cinch!

Micros, Craft, and Pop Ups!

Last month, I shared this blue bird project on the company blog...

I have a very small collection of blue birds.

Since it is so rare that a new one is added, I thought I would use some Creative Paperclay ® 

to create my own addition.

Supplies:

Creative Paperclay ®

paper towel

sandpaper

gesso

mod podge

sponge brush

paint brush

acrylic paint

additional decorations

1.  First, I balled up some paper towels for the body of my bird.

Then I formed Creative Paperclay ® around it into the shape of a bird.

2.  Let dry. Remember this takes some time. I tend to cover it loosely with plastic for a day or so.

Then I take it off so it can dry completely. This helps cut back on cracking and breaks.

3.  Then, sand your piece.

4. Next I seal it with Gesso. I like having a seal before I decorate my pieces.

5.  Using acrylic paints, I mixed a pretty blue color up.  When you are mixing your own color, make more than enough to cover your piece in case you need touch ups and second coats.

6.  Use Mod Podge to seal your design.  Again, feel free to apply a couple of coats.

 7.  Don't stop there.  Why not add accent baubles or frilly designs in paint pen?

I was thinking about doing that.  But I loved the simple shape...and so I stopped. 

This is my new favorite part of my Blue Bird Collection.

Though, I now want to make a few more and over embellish them!

What can you make out of Creative Paperclay ® to add to your collectables?

Blue Bird Addition

I thought I would create my own blue bird to add to my blue bird collection...

which rare is added to. (Although earlier this week, my sister Jocelyn sent me the most lovely felted nest with 3 blue birds you can imagine!)

So I dug out some Creative Paperclay ® and created this sleek feathered friend.

To find out how I created it, please flutter over 

to the Creative Paperclay ® blog today!  

August Creative Paperclay © Tip!

Head on over to the Creative Paperclay © Blog

to learn about how to save your left over product!

Plan to be spooked!

It might be the middle of summer, but you know

soon enough it will be time for spooks and goblins!!

Start planning your Halloween designs using Creative Paperclay ®.

We are planning a hop...and Link Up!

Keep your eyes peeled for more information!

Creative Paperclay (R) Tips for July!

 Here are a few tips for sealing and painting your Creative Paperclay ® projects!

1.  Be sure to let your project dry completely before painting or sealing.

2.  Use light weigh sand paper to knock off any imperfections.

3.  SEAL BEFORE you paint. 

If not, your project will become limp from the water in your acrylic paints.

4.  On painting...I like painting the back side first. Just to cover it up. 

Then, I go to the front side.  All the dribble will be on the back, in the end.

5.  Be sure to seal to keep your project projected.  

Think about the style of your project.

What would look better: a matte finish or a gloss finish, or a high gloss finish?

In order to project your Creative Paperclay (R) project every step of the way, be sure to think about the finish of your project.

For more tips and projects, jump on over to Creative Paperclay (R)'s blog!

Fairy Stepping Stones

Have you seen the delightful fairy gardens out there?  

They are so playful and imaginative!

My brother in law built a box for my mom to create her very own fairy habitat.

So, she asked me to whip up some stepping stones.

I found this fairy fire pit at a local store for my mom's fairy garden.

Supplies:

Creative Paperclay ®

rolling pin

shape cutter/cookie cutter

stamps to decorate your stones

sand paper

brushes

acrylic paints

gesso

Mod Podge or other sealants

ink

daubers

1.  Roll out your Creative Paperclay ® into a very thin sheet.

2.  I used a circle playdough cutter to cut out my stepping stones. They are about the size of a 50 cent piece...1.25 inches in diameter.

3.  Press a rubber stamp into the clay before it is dry to impress an image.

Here I used some Kanji stamps that mean:  tranquility, wisdom, love, harmony.

4.  Let them dry and then lightly sand them.

5.  I sealed them with gesso before painting them.

6. Paint them with your desired acrylic paint color.

Two coats!

7.  Then, I used ink and daubers to distress the edges. One ink color was a blue grey color and the other was black.

8.  Since this is going into a garden, seal your stones very well!!

Several coats!!

Here is my set of stones.  Remember to make more than you think you need!

I was making them for my mother, but then my DD said that she needed some too!

I wonder how many new fairies are coming to live with us this summer!

Thanks for skipping by today!

For more tips and projects, be sure to check out

the Creative Paperclay ® blog!