Celebrate autumn - How to make easily make a colorful fall pumpkin topiary

 

Learn how to make this colorful fall pumpkin topiary with this quick and easy DIY.  

 

Pumpkins are everywhere right now.  If you want to pumpkin spice up your décor follow this easy tutorial to create this super easy pumpkin topiary.  Check out the dollar stores for stacking pumpkins, grab some supplies, and let’s get started!

 

Materials:

 

Spray primer

 

Stackable pumpkins

 

Acrylic paints in a choice of colors

 

Small Paintbrush

 

Misc. fall florals and berries

 

3 yards of 1 ½’ wide green ribbon (I used double side greens)

 

Green Ribbon bow

 

Glue gun and glue sticks

 

 

Instructions:

 

First, spray all your pumpkins with a coat of primer and let dry.  (You should do this outside or in a well-ventilated area)

 

Next, decide what colors you would like your pumpkins.  You can paint them solid or paint a pattern.  Anything goes.  I decided to paint one orange, one cream, and the top one brownish red. Apply one coat and let dry, then apply the second coat and let dry completely.

 

Make a bow for the top of the pumpkin.  To make a super easy and beautiful bow try using the Bowdabra bow maker.  It’s like having an extra hand.

 

While your pumpkins are drying, you can make your bow.  

 

Finally, snap the pumpkins together. I like to secure it even better by adding a bit of hot glue. Now, using the hot glue attach foliage, florals, leaves, and berries all around the bottom edge of the biggest pumpkin.  Continue adding florals all around where the second pumpkin attaches to the first one.  

 

Tie the green bow to the stem of the top pumpkin and add some leaves in between the bow. You have a gorgeous pumpkin topiary to display indoors or on a front porch in an urn.

 

Note:  You can go one step further by wrapping around some twinkly lights and hiding the battery pack under the largest pumpkin

 

 

How to use a simple technique to make super fun spring friendship bracelets

In this easy DIY tutorial, you will learn how to easily make some fun spring friendship bracelets in just minutes with just a few supplies.  

Materials:

Pack of Green and yellow mini rubber bands or desired two colors

Two pencils

3 inches of wrapped floral wire

Wire cutters

Needle nosed pliers

Ruler

Instructions:

First, place two pencils side by side. Next, slide a green rubber band in a figure-eight shape on the pencil. (See photo) Next, slide on a yellow rubber band, and then a green one.  You just need to slide these on without a figure eight. (See photos)

Now, lift the bottom rubber band and pull it over the top of the pencil. Repeat on the opposite side. (See photo)

Add a green rubber band and repeat step #2.  Continue adding rubber bands and pulling over the top alternating green and yellow.  You will start to see a chain forming in between the pencils.  As it grows, pull on it slightly to keep it even.

Keep adding bands to make the chain longer until you have a length to fit adjusting the wrist. Factor in the size of a one-inch wire curl closure.

Using the wire cutters cut a 3-inch piece of wrapped floral wire. Next, Insert the wire into the loose end of the chain loops.  Curl the wire end around the rubber band loop.

Remove the other end of the chain from your pencils and insert the uncurled end of the wire in both loose ends. Now, curl it around as you did the other side and adjust if necessary.

How to dress up a fun candy bar for Valentine's Day

Looking for a way to present a treat for Valentine’s Day, that is easy and allows you to make a bunch of them in minutes?  Well, dress up this fun candy bar for Valentine’s Day.  It’s a great idea for a party favor or a classroom.  Easy step-by-step tutorial. I've used the Bowdabra to create the bow for this craft. You can optionally substitute a premade bow if desired.

Materials:

• Flat candy bars, square or rectangular
• Heart scrapbook paper
• Tacky glue
• Scrunchy ribbon
• Mini Bowdabra
• Bowdabra bow wire
• Heart-shaped foam stickers
• Ruler, pencil, scissors

Instructions:

First, measure your candy bar and cut the scrapbook paper to fit around with the ends open. Glue on the bottom first, then wrap around the two sides and glue.  Your candy bar is wrapped. Set aside.

First, measure your candy bar and cut the scrapbook paper to fit around with the ends open. Glue on the bottom first, then wrap around the two sides and glue.  Your candy bar is wrapped. Set aside.

Next, cut a piece of Bowdabra bow wire.  Then, fold it in half and insert it into the Bowdabra.  You will have a loop on one side and two loose wires on the other side.  This will serve as your slipknot. Tuck the ends under to stay out of the way.

Cut about 12” of scrunchy ribbon and cut in half lengthwise.  Begin feeding the scrunchy ribbon from the top down, like an accordion. Scrunch down with the Bowdabra wand.

Thread the two loose wires through the loop and pull tight while the bow is still in the Bowdabra.  Remove and separate the ends, turn to the back and tie a knot. Clip the excess wire.

Now, glue the scrunchy bow on the front of your wrapped candy bar.  Attach a foam conversation heart to the center and a couple of smaller ones on the front.

Now, go ahead and make a bunch because one fun candy bar is never enough!

How to easily wood burn the cutest snowman gift tag

 Grab some bark wooden rounds and you can make the most adorable snowman gift tag.  You only need a woodturning tool (available at all craft stores and online) and some watercolor pencils.  Add to your gifts for an extra ornament gift on the gift.

How to wood burn the cutest snowman gift tag

Materials:

Woodburning tool

Wooden rounds with bark

Watercolor colored pencils

Fine sandpaper

Pencil

Rubbing alcohol

Small paintbrush

Instructions:

First, sand the fronts of your wooden rounds to smooth out any rough spots. Now, draw the snowman in pencil on the front of the round. Use the examples given, but you can always add some extra additions to your snowman to personalize. Ex: Nurses cap, etc.

Begin burning your tag

Next, heat up your woodburning tool.  Be extra careful since these tools get extremely hot. Carefully trace the lines on your snowman with the woodturner.  

When you have finished it is time to color in the parts you want to accentuate. Color the scarf, hat, etc. with the watercolor pencil of choice.

Now, using the alcohol and the small paintbrush brush the color to blend.  The alcohol makes the color sink into the wood itself.

To finish write to and from on the opposite side of the tag and use the woodturning tool to outline it.

Add the string for the tag (They are usually included with the wood rounds)

How to easily paint tennis shoes that will amaze everyone

 

If you are looking for an easy way to upscale your footwear, it is so easy to paint tennis shoes that will amaze everyone.  Using only some acrylic markers, and water you can transform a plain old pair of kicks into a work of art.  And the best part is that it really doesn’t take any special skill.  

 

Think about it all sunsets are different and there is no wrong sunset if you just follow a few simple hacks.  My pair of shoes started out pink but it is just as easy to paint a white pair or any other color.  I prefer fabric-style shoes. The paint blends very easily on fabric-type shoes.  The advantage of leather shoes, however, is that is leather’s surface is smooth, so detail is easy.  It is just kind of playing around with styles and shoes.  It is best to start with an older pair.

 

When your sunset is complete you can add small details such as trees, mountains, bushes, buildings, houses, horses, or other favorite things.  Since I am a horse lover, I added them.  Cut out or trace images onto the already dry background and add them with a black paint pen.

How to easily paint tennis shoes

 
Materials:

 

Tennis shoes

Acrylic markers, black, pink, red, yellow, blue, and white

Water and a small paintbrush

Apron and paper to cover work surfaces

 

 

Instructions:

 

1.      First make sure your shoes are clean.  Launder them if they are soiled.

 

2.      Us the black acrylic marker to color all around the bottom rubber sides of the shoe.  Let dry completely.

 

3.     Next, begin at the top of the shoe area by making several marks with a light blue acrylic pen.  Add some white acrylic pen strokes.  Then, while the paint is wet dip a brush in water and blend the blue and white. Make sure there are no lines of demarcation. Work on each section of the shoe separately all around the shoe.

 

4.     Now, using the pink marker under the blue sky area apply some pink and add some white, and a tad yellow.  Blend with water as you did the upper sky area.  Blend into the blue. Continue working downward adding more pink, blended with water. Then, as you reach the bottom add more red and white, for a darker shade. Continue until you have the entire shoe covered with a sunset.  You may add more white in some areas for an indication of clouds.

 

5.     Let the paint dry completely before you add the extra images.  Using the black pen, trace and draw in buildings, mountains, animals, etc.  Add grasses with light touches.  Let dry.

 

 

Four ideas for equestrian short stirrup horse show hair bows

 Although there still may be some remnants of snow on the ground, spring is almost here. And with spring comes outdoor sports and horse shows.  Don't spend a ton of money on horse show bows for your little ones.  You can easily make them quickly and easily.  The following tutorials guide you through the easy steps.

Four ideas for horse show bows

Short stirrup hair bow #1

Locket horse show hair bow

Patriotic Horse show hair  bow

Blue ribbon leadline horse show hair bows

How to make an elegant, beaded, ornament hangers from a paper clip

 

If you’ve got a container full of paper clips you have the start of easy beaded ornament hangers. You can use the large ones for heavy-weight ornaments and the regular ones for lighter-weight ornaments. The touch of beads adds an elegant touch and is super easy to make.

 

Materials:

 

Paper clips, colors, silver, gold whichever you have on hand

Round nose pliers 

Clear and sparkle beads

 

Instructions:

 

First, straighten out the paper clip using the pliers.  Try and get it as straight as you can.

 

Next, using the pliers curl one end of the straightened paper clip.  Then, thread on three beads, and bend the wire to the right.

 

Now, curl the other end.  It is much easier with regular paper clips than the larger ones. Work on it till the curl looks right.

 

Attach your ornament to one curled end and then, hang it on the tree.  

 

 

 

 

How to make a super easy dollar Christmas stocking extra special

 

I always fill stockings for my adult children. The problem is that when they go back to their homes, they take the Christmas stocking with them. So, the following year, I must come up with another generic stocking to fill.  Since, the cost of the contents is usually pricey, the stocking must be reasonable, but attractive.  I got this simple felt stocking for a dollar, but I wasn’t happy with the way they looked.  So, I created a felt mosaic buffalo plaid embellishment.  It is so easy that you could even do this with young children.

 

Materials:

 

Inexpensive felt stockings

Red felt

Burgundy felt

Black felt

Fabric glue

Cardboard to insert into the stocking while you add your felt squares.

 

Instructions:

Gather your supplies.

 

First, cut a piece of cardboard the width of the stocking and insert it into it.  This will help with stability while you add the your felt squares to your Chiristmas stocking.

  

Now, cut ½” x ½” squares from the red, burgundy and black felt.  Next plan out how the squares will be positioned on your stocking.

 

Now begin to glue each square on the stocking working horizonally.

  

 

Row 1:  black, burgundy, black, continue this pattern to the end

 

Row 1: burgundy, red, burgundy, continue this pattern to the end.

 

Repeat row 1 and 1 till you have made your felt mosaic buffalo plaid as wide as you want on your stocking. Optionally add some extra trim to the top of the stocking.

 

Let dry completely.  You will have a faux felt mosaic buffalo plaid Christmas stocking.

Don't stop here though.  You could also glue different ribbons on the cuff of the stocking for a very attractive look.  Add trims, cabochons, beads, or bells for a myriad of variations.  

How to make a sweet little reindeer candy holder party favor

 

Kids with a little help from mom or Dad can make these little reindeer candy holder party favors quickly and easily.  With just a few supplies (some of them recycled) they are created quickly.  Make one or a few for gifts.

 
Materials:

 

• Mini clothespins (2) 2”
• Paper cardboard tube from an aluminum foil or paper towel roll cut to 2 ½” long
• A thin strip of cork
• Mini cork
• Colored paper clip
• Sheer white fabric bag (sold in multiples at craft stores)
• Brown and black paint
• Small paintbrush
• Glue gun and glue sticks 
• Small wiggle eyes
• One small red pom-pm
• Candy for filling
• Scissors, wire cutters, Needle nosed pliers
• X-acto for cutting paper towel roll
• Small ribbon bow

 

Instructions:

 

First, cut your paper towel roll to the correct length. and take apart the mini clothespins.

 

Next, take apart the mini clothespins, and glue them onto the prepared paper towel roll piece so that it stands up. 

 

Working with the small cork (head.), cut a piece of thin cork in an ear shape and glue it to the back of the cork  (The thicker end) Now, glue the cork on the top of the paper roll with the shorter end facing out. 

 

Cut the paper clip in half and twist each piece into a pleasing antler shape. Use a nail or pin to make a pilot hole in the top of the head and attach each antler with a little glue.

 

Paint the entire reindeer with brown paint.  Paint the tips of each leg black for hoofs.  Let dry.

 

Fill the sheer fabric bag with candy or small treats and insert it into the reindeer's body.  Let the tied end show so it resembles a white tail.

 

To finish, glue on two eyes, a red pompom for a nose, and add a small bow under the chin.  Your reindeer candy holder party favor is ready to bring smiles and sweetness to your guests.