Sunflower bookmark (or anything) clip

Do you need a teacher’s gift that is a bit different than the usual coffee mug? These clips are made in a jiff with just a few supplies.  Sunflowers are bright and cheery but you can easily substitute any favorite flower.  They make great bookmarks but don’t stop there.  They look great clipped to clothing, greeting cards, office papers, etc.

You will need:

Grapevine wire (found in the floral department of the craft store)

Ruler

Silk sunflower for each bookmark clip

Pencil or pen

Glue gun and glue sticks

Wire cutters

1.     Measure a piece of grapevine wire 14 inches long and cut with wire cutters.

2.     Using the ruler, measure down 3 inches and bend the wire up. As you are bending the wire up, use a pencil or pen to keep the bends rounded.

3.     Continue to bend up 4 inches and use the pencil or pen as before.  Bend down 3 inches.  Finally bend up three inches.  Adjust all the bends.  You are basically making a giant paper clip. (See photo)

4.     Flatten out the clip.  (See photo)

5.     Use the glue gun to attach the top portion to the back of the flower.  It is easier to apply hot glue to the clip itself than to the flower.  Let dry.

Clip to hold your place in books.  Use on top of greeting cards, on clothing, clip it to a gift card... the sky is the limit!

Recycled envelope notepad

Have you ever searched for something to write a telephone number or other note and grabbed the first thing available?  And isn’t the paper you reach for sometimes a scrap envelope?  Well, why not recycle those envelopes from greeting cards, bills, etc. into attractive notepads?  It is easy and quick and is a great kid’s craft and costs practically nothing.

You will need:

Several envelopes from greeting cards, etc.

Tacky craft glue or white school glue

Small amount of scrapbook paper in a print and solid color

Scrap of mat board or other lightweight cardboard

Binder clip (or even a couple of clothespin to hold the pages together)

Ruler

Scissors (Or a paper cutter makes the job super easy--when working with kids supervise)

Paper plate

Small paintbrush, water to rinse out brush

1.     Open all the envelopes that you are using and cut off the sides and flap.  Use the centers for your notepad. (body of the envelope) Measure and cut 3” x 4” pieces. (Pages of notepad)

2.     Cut a piece of decorative print scrapbook paper and a piece of cardboard 3” x 4”, the same size as the pages.  (Front and back cover)

3.     When you have enough paper pieces, stack them together, along with the front and back cover and attach a binder clip to the bottom to hold the pad together.

4.     Add some tacky or white glue onto a paper plate and using the small paintbrush liberally brush glue on the top edges.   Let dry.

5.     Measure another piece of solid color scrapbook paper, 3” x 1 ½”.  (Top binding)

6.     Fold the scrapbook binding paper onto the top to cover where you glued the pages together and attach with some more glue.  Let dry completely.

Note:  If you don't have any envelopes to recycle, you can use all purpose printer paper for the pages!

Craft tip today: How to easily remove soap from a plastic mold

Decorative soap is attractive and with all the supplies available in craft stores today it’s easier than ever to create your own soaps.  You can buy the soap base in blocks and melt it in your microwave oven, add some scents and colors and pour into inexpensive plastic soap molds for original decorative soaps to match our décor. 

The only problem is sometimes it’s hard to remove the soaps from the plastic molds.  You twist and push and pull and sometimes crack the molds.  I know they are easily replaceable at about $2 each but why replace them when there is an easy way to pop the soaps out of the molds.

Simply put the filled soap molds in your freezer for about 30 minutes.  Take them out and the soaps pop right out, easy as pie!

Try this craft tip today!

Personalize an Iphone case

If you have an Iphone and you’re a bit tired of the design why not re-design it? Grab some double-faced sticker paper and a 2 ¼” wide bookmark (It's the perfect width) in your choice of designs and your on your way. I chose a 3-D one and it’s awesome!

You will need:

2 ¼” wide bookmark

Double faced sticker paper (available in the scrapbook section of your craft store)

Scissors

Fine line marker

X-Acto or craft knife

Old Iphone case (You can also use a new one found in craft and dollar stores)

Self-healing mat (Or work on heavy corrugated cardboard if you don’t have a mat.)

1.     Turn your bookmark over on the unprinted side.  Place the Iphone case on top of the bookmark and trace the size and the camera opening.  (Make sure you are tracing at the bottom and not the tassel end.)

2.     Cut out the curved shape of the case.  Place the bookmark on the self-healing mat or cardboard and use an X-Acto knife to cut out the camera hole. 

3.     Remove a portion of the paper backing from one side of the double faced sticker paper and attach the prepared bookmark—unprinted side on the sticky surface, making sure you have a bit of excess all around.  Trim around with scissors.

4.     Remove the backing (clear backing) from the opposite side of the sticker paper and attach the Iphone case making sure you line it up properly. 

5.     Place the case on the self-healing mat or heavy cardboard and trim flush all around the iphone case.  Cut out the sticker from the camera hole.  Press to adhere securely.

Craft tip today—How to emboss with rubber stamps

It is my belief that embossing is the most fun you can have in crafting.  I think there is nothing more satisfying than watching embossing powder as it melts onto a surface.  Most of all it’s pretty easy.  And paper is not the only surface you can emboss on.  I have embossed on wood with great results.

You will need:

1.   The first thing you need is to purchase a heat embossing tool.  A heat embossing tool may resemble a hair dryer, but it is definitely not a hair dryer.  This tool blows the extremely high heat needed to melt the embossing powder.

2.   An embossing stamp pad.  You can use a clear stamp pad, which doesn’t show up, on your stamped surface or I suggest a tinted one that will allow you to see where you have stamped. 

3.   Embossing powders.  Embossing powders are available in many colors, textures and glitter. 

4.   Rubber stamps.

Load the rubber stamp from the embossing stamp pad just as you would a regular stamp.  Stamp on the surface pressing firmly.   While it is still wet sprinkle your embossing powder onto the stamped surface.  Tap to remove the excess powder.  You may either bend the paper (if possible) and replace the embossing powder back into the jar-- or if this is not possible tap onto another piece of paper that you can bend for this step.

Once you have your image is stamped, turn on the heat tool and blow the hot air over the image.  Get the heat tool as close as you can to your image and move it across and around to melt the entire image.  You will be able to see the embossing powder adhering to the surface as you work.  Your result will be a slightly raised surface.

Easy!  And loads of fun!

Extra tip:  If you want to further personalize something with embossed handwriting—simply write your sentiment with an erasable pen.  Sprinkle the powder on the writing, tap and emboss!!  Need something special for one of the graduations coming up or any special occasion? Try this easy and unique project...Embossed 3-D graduation table greeting

Feather blossom hairpins

Wouldn’t Mom just love these feather blossom hairpins?  You can whip them up in a flash and attach them to just about anything. 

You will need:

Feathers in desired colors

Tacky craft glue

Black stiffened felt

Buttons or cabochons

Hairpins, barrettes or hair band

Glue gun and glue sticks

Compass and white pencil

Scissors

1.     Use the compass to draw a 1 inch diameter round shape on the stiffened felt.  Cut out.

2.     Begin attaching feathers with tacky glue in a spoke like pattern.  If the feather I slightly bent—bend the end of the shaft and cut where the bend line is so that it lays flatter. It may be easier to add the glue directly to the shaft of the feather.  Make sure the feathers you use are about the same size.

3.     Continue working around till your reach your starting point.  Fill in any sparse areas with extra feathers.  Let it dry completely

4.     When the blossom is dry use some tacky glue to attach a cabochon, rhinestone or button in the center.  Let dry. 

5.     You can use these feather blossoms to decorate all sorts of things.  Use a glue gun and glue sticks to attach to a hairpin.  Add to a hair band.  Use in scrapbooking.  The sky is the limit.