How to make a super easy glow in the dark pet bow

 

You can make an adorable glow in the dark pet bow that is easily attached to the pet’s collar.  Simple attaching a covered hair elastic in a figure 8 position on the back allows easy on and off.  There are lots of glow in the dark ribbons, especially in the fall for Halloween.  The one I used only needs to be under a light for 20 minutes and it will glow for approximately 8 hours.  

How to make a super easy glow in the dark pet bow

 

Materials:

 

• Glow in the dark ribbon I used 7/8” wide
• Covered hair elastic
• Mini Bowdabra
• Bowdabra bow wire
• Hot glue gun and hot glue sticks.
• Iron and ironing board (optional)

 

Instructions:

 

First, 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 while you are making your bow.

 

Next, cut a 36-inch piece of ribbon of your choice.

 

Next, lay the ribbon into the Bowdabra right side down.  Then, bring the other side over making a loop.  Twist so that the right side is facing up and make a matching loop.  Continue twisting and making loops until you have four loops on each side.  

 

Now, scrunch everything down with the Bowdabra wand.  Then, insert the loose wires through the loop and pull tight while the bow is still in the Bowdabra. Remove the bow from the Bowdabra, separate the ends, turn to the back, and tie a knot.  Tie a double knot for extra security. Clip the wire ends.  Adjust and arrange the loops of the bow.

 

Using, a hot glue gun, twist the elastic hair tie into a figure 8 shape and glue to the back of the bow.  This will allow the collar to slip through both loops of figure 8 elastic, attaching the bow. 

 

Cut a two-inch piece of matching ribbon.  Fold it in half lengthwise.  Using the glue gun, start from the back and glue the 2-inch folded ribbon to cover the bow going over the already attached elastic.

 

Feed your collar through both loops of the elastic.  

 

 

 

How to make a fun Halloween spider hairband the easy way

Do you want to celebrate Halloween but can’t wear an entire costume?  Why not make this fun Halloween spider hairband and you are guaranteed smiles aplenty. 

The Halloween spider hairband is so easy to make with the help of Bowdabra bow maker so you will want to make few for gifts as well.  Wouldn’t it be great to give as a favor at a Halloween party?  Kids, as well as adults, will just love this little spider! 

Halloween spider hair band 

 Materials:

Black hairband

18 inches 1 ½” sheer black ribbon

18 inches Bowdabra bow wire

Black stiffened felt

Black felt (regular)

Black chenille stems

Glue gun and glue sticks

Mini Bowdabra bow maker

Two Halloween wiggle eyes

Compass with white pencil (To write on black felt)

Scissors

Pinking shears

Instructions:

1.   First, use the compass and white colored pencil to mark 2 ½” diameter circles on both the stiffened black felt and the regular felt. Then, cut out.

2.   Next, cut the black chenille stems into four 4 ½” pieces.  Use the glue gun to attach them to the stiffened felt circle spoke style all around.  Glue the regular felt circle on top to cover and press down. 

3.   To make the legs-- use the pinking shears to cut down the center of each section all around for a total of 8 sections.  After you have cut the leg sections trim them to long rectangles following the lines of the chenille stems.

4.    Now, glue the Felt legs/body onto the hair band.  Bend the legs as desired.  Cut a piece of black felt into a 2-inch circle and glue to the underside of the hair band.

5.    To finish, make the Bowdabra bow spider head.  Cut an 18-inch piece of Bowdabra bow wire fold in half and place in the Bowdabra bow maker.  You will have a loop at one end and two pieces of wire at the other end.

6.    Cut an 18-inch piece of 2 ½” wide sheer ribbon and insert directly into the Mini Bow maker from the top.  The ribbon piles up like an accordion.  Scrunch the ribbon until you reach the end.

7.    Use the wand to push down the ribbon tightly.

8.    Thread the two loose ends through the loop end of the bow wire and pull tightly.  Remove from the Bowmaker, tie a knot on the back and fluff the bow into a rosette shape.

9.   Finally, use the glue gun to attach the Bowdabra rosette to the center of the spider on the hair band. Glue two Halloween wiggle eyes on the front of the rosette at the base.  Then bend the legs as desired.

How to paint a beautiful, and colorful autumn leaf rock

If you are like me you are having fun painting rocks and leaving them for someone to discover.  It is so quick and easy to paint this beautiful autumn leaf rock that you will want to paint several. Just use some acrylic paints and the pattern is right outside your door!

You can alter the colors that you use slightly for each autumn leaf rock, for rocks as varied as the real leaves!  This is a great group or kids craft too!

Materials:

Rock, that you pick up or buy from the home improvement store.  You will need one that will fit the size you want.

Leaf  (real or a silk one that will fit on your rock)

Pencil

Small flat paintbrush

Small liner or spotter brush

Paper plate for palette

Newspaper to protect your work surface

Acrylic paint, orange, yellow, red, burnt umber, burnt sienna, red, and green

Dark brown permanent fine line marker

Acrylic gloss or matte finish

Instructions:

1.     First, gather your supplies.  Protect your work surface with some newspaper or newsprint.  Place your rock on the paper and using either a real or silk leaf trace around it onto the rock with a pencil.

2.     Next, Using a small brush, fill in the entire leaf with orange acrylic paint.  Add the stem with a liner brush and burnt umber acrylic paint. Faintly paint the vein lines as well.

3.     Now, while the orange paint is still a little wet, add some yellow, red, and green, blending with the orange randomly on sections of the leaf.  Blend well.

4.     Continue adding the colors all around until you are pleased with the gradation of colors.

5.     Let all the paint dry completely.

6.     Finish by outlining the entire leaf and veins with the fine line marker.

7.     Add a coat of clear gloss or matte finish on the entire leaf to protect it.

How to make an easy indian corn tea light holder

      So it’s almost fall, my favorite time of year.  Who doesn’t love the crisp morning air, the pumpkin spice everywhere you look, and the colors of the season?  It is the perfect time to paint an Indian corn tea light holder on an upside down wine glass! 

      It's so easy to paint this cute Indian corn tea light holder!  Decorate it with some raffia and simply add a flameless or regular tea light candle for a décor piece that everyone will love!

Supplies:

Small and medium sized paintbrushes

Gloss acrylic paint, tan, gold, yellow, lt. yellow, red, purple, white, sienna, and orange

Brown sharpie marker

Raffia

Tea Light

Waxed paper or cardboard to protect your work surface

Alcohol

Paper towels

1.     Wash and wipe down your wine glass with a paper towel and alcohol.

2.     Using the brown sharpie marker, make a mark from the base of the stem to the rim on each side.  In essence you are marking half your wine glass.  

3.     On one side begin making small circles across with the marker continue making circles across and down until you reach the rim.  These are the Indian corn kernels.  See photo.  You will use these guidelines much like a coloring book and fill them in individually.

 

4.     Using the larger paintbrush and the tan gloss paint, cover the side that is not marked with kernels brushing with a downward motion.  Continue with tan on the stem and the base.  Let dry.  Turn rim side down and paint the bottom with tan and let dry.  Repeat with second coat.  When the second coat is dry, make some downward marks with sienna and white for a textural effect.  Repeat this step on the bottom of the base (which will be the candle holder) but brush the sienna and white in a spoke like pattern.

5.     Using the marks you made for kernels begin filling each one individually with the smaller paintbrush.  Use yellow, orange, purple, and red, varying the locations until you have filled in every one to the bottom.  Let dry and repeat with a second coat.

6.     Cute a 12-inch piece of raffia.  Cut and tie a six-inch piece of raffia onto the longer piece.  Continue adding raffia pieces until you have about six.  Trim up the ends.

7.     Tie the raffia strip with the fringe on the stem.  (See photo)

If you don't like how your marks are coming out when marking your glass, simply rub with some alcohol and start over.