Taking a break!

I know what you're thinking...she barely started and she's already taking a break?! We have a family business I'm helping with, and right now, it's taking all my time. So enjoy the crafts already posted, and expect more to come in the near future! :-)

Visit the family business website at www.cantoncornmaze.com!

Halloween Apron

Halloween Apron

Welcome to my very first experience with a sewing machine! Haha! An apron was the only thing I could think of that would be a "beginner" project for me. It turned out ok. I think it would've gone over better if I knew how to use the machine more, haha. I think I need to practice on scraps more. Anyways! Here's a picture of it, I didn't take step by step pictures, because I didn't know if would even turn out! I just wanted to share with the blog world my first sewing project. Enjoy! ~Happy Craftin' Y'all!~

Flower Writing Pen

So, today's craft is SIMPLE. I really didn't want to make a mess with anything, and just wanted to try something that would take a few minutes. I also had some flowers and things laying around left over from my cousin's wedding. I thought a flower pen would perfect for what I was looking for. Not only is this simple, it can also be a great gift or party bag stuffer.

Flower Pen

Supplies:

Flowers

Pen

Tape

Ribbon

Hot Glue Gun

I didn't go too fancy with my flowers, since I was just practicing anyway. Next time, I think I would go with one big flower, instead of a lot of the ones like these white flowers. It still served its purpose though. I also would use a different pen than my sharpie pen, but it's also my favorite pen, haha.

Take your flowers, and cut them about 1/2 - 1 inch shorter than the pen. Take the scotch tape, and tape the flowers in place to where you want them.

After you get your flowers where you want them, make sure to take a second look to make sure it doesn't need any adjusting, because after this next step, you won't be able to change it.

Take a ribbon of your choice, and start at the bottom of the pen, wrapping it around towards the top. You have two choices here, you can hot glue it as you wrap it, or you can wrap it really tight and just glue the top and the bottom of the ribbon. Your choice.

That's all there is to it. After I realized how simple it was to do this, I am going to find a better flower and ribbon to make more. I think you could make an extremely cute one with the right supplies!

Happy Craftin' Y'all!

Beaded Bookmark

Beaded Bookmark

We did these at girl's camp, and my Mother-in-law thought these would be cute and fun for the blog.

I absolutely LOVE to read. I have my own little library. My husband thinks I'm a reading machine, haha. I started a book one Saturday morning while he was playing Xbox, and I had finished the book by that afternoon. He was amazed that anyone could finish a book that fast, but he also can't believe anyone would want to read anything other than Harry Potter!

I'm always losing bookmarks, or cant find one that will work for my books. So here's a fun way to make your own, and make it cheap.

*I didn't go out and buy beads. The ones I used below came from 2 necklaces I had that broke. I really liked the color and style of the beads, so I cut them off the necklaces*

Supplies:

Beads (plain & fancy)

Bead & Jewelry Cord (I used .7mm and .028 in.)

Here are the beads I used. Like I said above, these came from two necklaces I had that broke, and I couldn't wear them anymore. I cut them apart, and also kept the clasps from them so I can use them for something else.

Take your bead string now, and cut off a fairly large size string. That way you'll have plenty to work with. Make a knot at one of the ends of the string (I put some glue on my knot to make sure it would stay. It seemed to want to come unraveled).

Bead on your design on the string, and when you are finished, knot it again to keep the beads in place.

I measured my book next to make sure it would fit. I placed the end of the string I had already done on one side of the book and on the other end, I made a knot to know where I needed to start my other end.

I made my design match the one I already had at the other end, but you can do whatever. Make it your own!

After you're done, check your knots and make sure they will stay. If they are coming undone in some places, add some glue to it to make sure it will stay.

Happy Craftin' Y'all!

Zipper Flowers

Zipper Flowers

So, this took WAY more pictures than I thought it would to try and show how to do it, so sorry for all the pictures haha. It is really easy though, you just need to be patient with it.

Supplies:

Zipper

Hot Glue Gun

Optional: Adjustable Rings (bought from craft store)

Take your zippers and cut off the end so you can get the zipper off the fabric.

After you cut it, you should have 2 strings (I have 4 because I am doing two different ones)

Take the end of the zipper, and wrap it REALLY tight to make the center of the flower.

After you make the center, fold the zipper behind itself (like below). This will help start your first petal.

Basically, you are making a breast cancer ribbon. Circle it and make the end touch the bottom of the center. That's where you are going to glue it.

Make another petal opposite of the first one you just did. You are doing the same thing, just make a circle, well it's more a half circle, but you get the picture. Glue it under the center again.

Keep making petals (the number for me is 5, but you can do as many or as little as possible).

Now just cut off the extra so you can't see it.

I made mine a ring for my little sister, Eliza (she was here helping me). She wanted the flower, and so I figured a ring would be the easiest for her to keep up with it. You can use it for many other things as well though. Like decorations, hair accessories, or more types of jewelry.

In case you didn't quite get how to make the petal, here's kind of a closer, easier look on how to make it.

I made a "big" loop to make sure it's what I wanted it to look like, then I pulled it tight to make the size petal I wanted.

Here's the final two!

Eliza wanted to model them, haha. They do look cute on her hand though! I'm pleased with how they turned out!!

Magazine Gift Bow

Magazine Gift Bow

(picture from howaboutorange.blogspot.com)

Supplies:
Magazine
Scissors
Glue dots or Hot Glue Gun

SOOOOO.....My cousin got married today (YAY!), and I was asked to take pictures. I did take pictures, but unfortunately, my camera went home with my parents, and is not with me at this moment to put pictures of this craft. BUT! I found another blog that had a VERY cute bow (that's much better than mine actually, haha) and so I thought it would work. Here's the link for detailed instructions and pictures.

http://howaboutorange.blogspot.com/2009/10/make-gift-bow-from-magazine-page.html

Happy Craftin' Y'all!

Bottle Cap Earrings

Bottle Cap Earrings

Supplies:

1 inch Hole Punch

Scrapbook Paper

Bottle Caps

Drill

Earring Hoops

Lacquer

Take your hole punch, and get a good design that you can use for your earring.

Make sure the paper you hole punched will fit on the bottle caps.

Now it's time to Lacquer it. Lacquer is a clear sealant. It will make your earring last, and make it shiny too. Lacquer usually takes a couple hours to get completely dry. It will be a little cloudy at first, and it will get more clear as it dries.

Don't be afraid to put too much. It won't hurt it.

After it dries, drill a hole on the side of the bottle cap, and insert your earring hook. Now you have a cute and unique pair of earrings!

Happy Craftin' Y'all!

Message Board

Clothes Pin Message Board

Supplies:

Scrapbook Paper

Clothespins (about 30)

Cardboard

Mod Podge or glue stick

Hot Glue Gun

Here is a picture of all the supplies I used for this craft. I just took a side of a brownie box I had in the pantry. A cereal box would even work!

Cut out a piece of scrapbook paper to fit your cardboard. Either glue stick it on, or mod podge it on. I like mod podge, so, you know my pick!

Take your clothes pins, and lay them around your board to see how many you'll need. I used 28 on this one.

Now cut out scrapbook paper pieces big enough to cover and fit your clothes pins (like below). Mod podge the scrapbook paper on to the pins.

After you've mod podged all the clothes pins, lay them back out on the board the way you would want them. Then, hot glue them in place. (sorry it's sideways!)

Then add any finishing touches you want. I added a ribbon to the top to hang it up with, and added some stickers in the middle to spell my last name.

Then add pictures, memos, or anything else you want to!

Happy Craftin' Y'all!

Magnet Board

Magnet Board

Supplies:

Magnet Board (I found mine at Dirt Cheap for...........$1.25!!)

Scrapbook paper

Mod Podge

So, I found this magnet board at Dirt Cheap. It was such a good deal for a magnet board I couldn't pass it up, but I didn't like the fruity drinks on it. I also didn't like the magnets that came with it. So I bought some different ones. They were $1 for 6 magnets, which I didn't think was bad at all.

Take your scrapbook paper and cut the paper so it will fit in the area. After you cut the paper and make sure it fits, mod podge it to the board. (Yes, after you mod podge, it will still be magnetic. It's amazing how strong magnets can be!)

After you mod podge it on, just let it dry. And now you have a new magnet board!

Happy Craftin' Y'all!

Ribbon Box

Ribbon Box

Supplies:

Shoe Box or Photo Box (You can usually find a photo box for about $3-$6)

X-Acto knife

Take your box (if you have a shoe box, you can mod podge it to make it a cute design!) and put your ribbon inside the box to see how many rolls of ribbon your box will hold. Mine can hold 20 small size ribbons on both sides (scroll down to see what I'm talking about)

Take the X-Acto Knife, and make holes in the box. My box can fit 20 small ribbons on one side, so I did 10 holes on top, and 10 holes on bottom.

Next, line up your ribbon, and string it through the holes you've made.

That's it! Now you have a nifty organized ribbon box for the wonderful price of...FREE!

Happy Craftin' Y'all!

Mason Jar Gift

Mason Jar Gift

Andrew and I made a trip down to Red Star to visit the in-laws for the Labor Day Holiday. Mrs. Lisa (my mother-in-law) taught me how to make jelly. We made grape and strawberry. YUM! We also make bread and Cinnamon Rolls (but that's another story). I thought this would be a great idea for a Christmas gift for the women at church.

Supplies:

Mason Jar

Small Square of Fabric

Ribbon

Wire (optional)

* I like the wire to connect the fabric to the mason jar (you'll see below), but other options is to hot glue the fabric, or place the fabric under the lid, before you screw it tight.

Lay the square piece of fabric over the mason jar. Make sure it's big enough to at least cover the lid. My piece is a little big, but it still worked out fine.

Take the wire, and twist it around the mason jar and make a "twist knot" like below. This will hold the fabric in place. I think the wire just makes it easier for whoever you're giving it to, to get it off.

Next, take your ribbon, and tie a bow around it. The bow makes it pretty, and hides the wire!

Now how easy was that?! You have a cute gift!

Happy Craftin' Y'all!