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 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.  

 

 

 

 

Five cool ornaments to make this year 

 

2020 has been a crazy year. With all the restrictions and stay-at-home orders, what’s a girl to do but craft and stream?  So, I’ve compiled this shortlist of quick and easy cool ornaments you may want to make. These DIY tutorials are courtesy of the Bowdabra blog.

You have to laugh at the craziness of people hoarding toilet paper, especially since toilet paper wasn’t invented in the west until 1857 and people survived. The optional methods sans TP may be the reason many decided to hoard. 

While I am on the subject of toilet paper, I would like to pose a question.  Which way do you hang your toilet paper over or under?  Personally, I wouldn’t start a fight about it, but in my house, my husband likes it under, and I prefer it over. So, whoever replaces the roll in my house gets their way. 70% prefer over.  Not that I am always right but... 

 

5 cool ornaments:

2020 toilet paper ornament

 

Pom Pom elf ornament

Ribbon candy ornament

Cork pine cone ornament

Christmas bell ornament

Well, have fun creating and be sure and leave a comment!  Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays.  Please follow us on Facebook 

How to use a holiday napkin to make amazing seasonal glass décor

 Did you know that ModPodge comes in a dishwasher safe formula?  And did you also know that you can use a holiday napkin to make amazing seasonal glass décor?  All sorts of holiday napkins are readily available at craft and party stores throughout the holiday seasons.  I found the most beautiful fall leaves accented with gold that is perfect for Thanksgiving.  

 

You can also use Christmas, New Year’s, Patriotic, Easter, and more napkins when they are available.  And if you use ModPodge dishwasher safe you can put your glassware on the top shelf of the dishwasher or hand wash as needed.  

 

Note: please be advised that Plaid Enterprises, Inc. has compensated Make it easy crafts by furnishing Plaid product at no charge in connection with this post.

 

Materials:

 

Glassware, plates, wine or beverage glasses, canning jars, etc.

Napkins in desired prints

Gold leaf pen

alcohol

ModPodge dishwasher safe formula

Small paintbrush

 

Instructions:

 

First, choose your napkin.  Then, separate the layers of the napkin so that you are only using the printed piece. 

Next, choose your clear glass item.  For plates and dishes make sure the right side of the napkin is showing through the glass, so you will have to apply the ModPodge to the wrong side of the napkin.  If using beverage or wine glasses, apply the napkin right side up on the outside of the glass, but about an inch or so from the rim so that your lips will only touch the glass when using.

 

Now, measure and cut the right size for the area you are covering with the napkin.  Then, using the small paintbrush, liberally apply some ModPodge to the surface.  Immediately place the prepared napkin piece.

 

Next, brush a coat of ModPodge on the napkin.  Wrinkles are fine and give the piece added texture. Let it dry for a couple hours and then apply two more coats of the ModPodge as necessary.  Let dry completely.  It will be dishwasher safe or you can hand wash after it cures for about 28 days.