How to recycle an old CD into stunning monogram framed art

So, I recently had my studio completely redecorated.  And since the walls were newly painted and bare, I decided to make it personal.  What better way than to recycle an old CD into a monogram to hang on the wall?  

Paint your frame in a faux verdigris style to match your green paper.  The recycled old CD pieces will catch the light with color.

This is an easy project that you can create in no time.  So, let’s get started

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.

How to recycle an old CD into monogram framed art

 Materials:

Old CD

Scissors

Wooden Frame

Piece of scrap green mat board or card stock to fit your frame

Tacky glue

Mod Podge

Small sponge

Paintbrush

Paper plate or palette

Acrylic paint, Pewter grey, Mint, brushed metal gold

Pencil 

Instructions:

First, use the scissors to cut the CD into small pieces of various shapes and sizes.  Next, draw a letter of choice on the card stock or mat board lightly in pencil.  Then, working in sections, add some tacky glue and fill in your letter with the CD pieces.  Let dry.  When it is dry you can brush a coat of ModPodge over the entire piece.  Set aside.

Decorate the frame

Cover your work surface.  Using the brush and Pewter grey paint, cover the entire surface and sides of the frame. 

Next, while the frame is still semi-wet dip your sponge in the mint green paint and lightly tap over the entire surface and sides of the frame.

Finally, rinse your sponge and sparingly pat on some gold paint and let dry.

When the frame is dry brush on some ModPodge to protect the frame and hang where desired.

How to paint a red ribbon of hope on a rock

So, since this COVID 19 virus is ravaging the world a movement has grown called the red ribbon of hope.  The premise is that you tie a red ribbon on a tree (the tree goes through stages and then come back) to show solidarity.  Many people have started to get in on this and are tying red ribbons around trees.

But what if you don’t have a tree?  Well, then, why not paint a tree with a red ribbon on a rock!  You may already have the supplies since all your need is some paint, brushes and a rock! It’s easy and if you follow the simple steps you can join in the movement with your oven red ribbon of hope.

Get the kids involved.  This is a great family activity with kids. 

How to paint a red ribbon of hope on a rock 

Materials:

Rock

Acrylic paint in brown, black, beige, green, and red

Flat paintbrush

Liner paintbrush

Pencil

Instructions:

First, draw a tree shape onto the rock surface.  Then, using the flat brush and brown acrylic paint.  While the paint is still wet blend in some black paint on the sides of the tree branches to shade.

Next, Dab on some green at the top areas of your tree.  Now using the thin liner brush add some small branches up into the green parts of the tree.  Dab some beige paint on the leaves and branches to show added dimension.  Now, let the tree dry completely.

After the tree is dry, use red paint to paint a red bow.  Line with black pain, then highlight with the beige paint.  

Enjoy your red ribbon of hope and remember we are all in this together!  Stay safe.

How to make an adorable little pompom bunny

You can make this cute little pompom bunny in just about any color yarn you may have.  I made mine in gray yarn but he would look equally adorable in pink, white or any pastel color. 

Make your pompom quick and easy using the Bowdabra bow maker tool, or any pompom maker you may have on hand.  Then, use a few little extra touches to bring your pompom bunny to life!

Let’s get started…

Materials:

Yarn your choice of color

Felt in white and pink

Chenille stem

Two 12 mm white pompoms

1 5mm pink pompom

Two pink wiggle eyes or any color you want

Hot glue gun and hot glue sticks

Optional:

Bowdabra bow maker

Bowdabra bow wire

Pompom bunny

1.     Make your pompom.  To make a pompom with the Bowdabra, cut a piece of bow wire and insert into the Bowdabra horizontally. Next, begin to wrap the yarn around the towers of the Bowmaker.  (See photo)

2.     Continue wrapping the yarn around 60 times.

3.     Now, tie the bow wire tightly around the wrapped yarn. 

4.     Remove from the Bowdabra and tie a few more knots as tightly as possible.

5.     Cut all the loops.  Trim and shape up the pompom.

6.     Next, cut long teardrop shape from the white felt.  Curt another one using the first one as a guide. (Ears) Now, cut a smaller teardrop shape from pink felt to fit on the inside of the ear, repeat for a second one as you did the first. 

7.     Cut a small piece of chenille stem and glue to the white felt ear.  Then, glue the pink interior of the ear over the top of the chenille stem.  This will allow you to bend and shape the ear.  Repeat for the second ear.

8.     Move the yarn pieces to make a space to insert the ears.  Add a dab of glue on the end of each ear and insert into the pompom. 

9.     Glue two wiggle eyes under the ears.

10. To finish, glue two 12mm pompoms together on the front of your bunny. (Muzzle) Then, glue the 5mm pompom in the center (nose) Enjoy your pompom bunny!

Easy how to make - Super simple 4-leaf clover hair bow

Everyone will love this super simple 4-leaf clover hair bow.  It’s so easy to make with simple supplies you may already have on hand.  And this cute little 4-leaf clover hair bow is so inexpensive you may want to make several for a group or gifts. 

4-leaf clover hair bow

Materials:

Dark green sparkle stiffened felt sheet (you can make several out of one sheet)

Bowdabra Mini Bow Maker

Bowdabra Bow Wire

Four green teardrop cabochons

Alligator clip

Hot glue gun and hot glue sticks

Clover pattern

Scissors

Chalk pencil to mark on dark felt

Optional clover ribbon to cover alligator clip

Instructions:

1.     First, download and print the clover pattern.  Transfer the pattern on to the stiffened felt.  Repeat for a second piece.  (You will need two)

2.     Next, cut out the two pattern pieces.

3.     Now, cut a piece of Bowdabra bow wire about 18” long.  Fold the wire in half and insert into the Bowdabra.  You will have a loop on one side and two loose wires on the other.  Tuck the ends under to keep out of the way while you make your hair bow.

4.     Insert one of the felt pattern pieces into the Bowdabra in the center. Then, insert the other pattern piece.  Scrunch down with the Bowdabra wand.

Finishing your hair bow

5.     Now, insert the two loose wires through the loop and pull tight while the bow is still in the Bowdabra.  Remove from the Bowdabra, turn to the back, separate the ends and tie a knot.  At this point, you can arrange the leaves of the clover.  Set aside.

6.     Arrange the teardrop cabochons around the center of the clover and use a hot glue gun to attach. 

7.     If you want you can use some thin St. Patrick’s Day ribbon and some glue to cover the alligator clip.  Glue to the back of the clover. Glue the alligator clip to the back of the 4-leaf clover hair bow.

Since this hair bow is flashy but so inexpensive it is a great project for Girl Scout and other youth groups.  If you don’t wish to use a glue gun you can, however, substitute glue dots. 

This is fun for St. Patrick's Day and you can wear it as a hair bow, or simply clip it on your collar or lapel.  Please visit Make it easy crafts again for more fun and easy crafts.