Punch Art Sheep Card

Punch Art Sheep Card

I LOVE sheep and have found LOTS of versions of a Punch Art Sheep Card on-line!  SO I am presenting to you my version of the Punch Art Sheep Card.

Tutorial

Materials Needed

• Punch Art Sheep
• Wescott 1/16^th Inch Circle Punch
• Paper Studios 1’ Circle Punch
• Recollections 3” Scalloped Circle Punch
• Light Blue, Medium Blue & Olive Green Cardstock
• Pink & Yellow Cardstock Scraps

Also Needed

• Elmer’s Disappearing Purple Glue Stick
• Scissors
• Pen
• Ruler

Photo Tutorial

Assemble materials. Make one Punch Art Sheep (see link to tutorial above). Punch other shapes needed: One cloud from white cardstock and three from medium blue cardstock. One 1” circle from yellow cardstock and one from black cardstock. Eighteen 1/16th inch circles from yellow & pink cardstock. One 3” circle from light blue and one from olive green cardstock.

To create a3D effect glue one to three of the darker shapes to the white cloud, sun and 3” circle.

Using a ruler or other straight edge draw a line dividing the 3” circle in half.

Cut the circle in half.

Glue the green half circle to the 3” blue circle.

Glue the 1/16th” circles randomly to the green part of the 3” medallion.

Glue the sheep, sun and cloud in place.

Glue your Punch Art Sheep Medallion to your card and it’s ready to mail to brighten someone’s spring day!

Thanks for taking a look.  I’d really, really like to hear from you.  Please drop me a comments. buggalcrafts

Recycled Triangle Beads: Wooden Candy Corn Pins

Recycled Triangle Beads:  Wooden Candy Corn Pins

Last summer I found these really dated wooden bead belts at a local craft/home decor store for a grand total of twenty five cents each so even though I’d never dream of wearing one (and I am NO fashionista!) I bought several just for the beads.

The round spacer beads I had an instant use for but I held on to the triangular ones for a while because the holes just don’t run the right way to use them as beads.

I really wanted some candy corn look-a-likes for a fall craft idea (more on this later) and after many attempts using paper, foam and felt that just weren’t what I wanted I thought of using the triangular beads from the belts. Even though I eventually decided NOT to use them on my fall door hanging I did use them as Trinity Candy Corn Pins.

I teach the children at the church I attend on Sunday mornings and Wednesday evenings so I have plenty of crafting opportunities and I really like to do crafts that will be kept and used.  Even though I do a lot of “paper and glue” type crafts I am always on the lookout EVERYWHERE I go and with everything I use for FREE AND CHEAP CRAFTING MATERIAL.  And this was just a perfect project for the kids – cheap, quick & easy and hopefully one that will be worn for years!

We put these on a card with a poem to make a great gift (and testimony) for a parent or grandparent.  I am sharing a poem I’ve had practically forever with you.  I have no clue as to the origins of the poem and I have rewritten it several times myself.  If it sounds familiar to anyone I’d love to know the author.  HappyBird’s Crafting Haven also has a slightly different poem (on a really cute bag header), Christian Candy Corn Poem, that is “not copyrighted so others can use and enjoy freely”.

Of course if you have been reading this blog for a while you KNOW I just can’t do a craft without a lesson to go along with it.  Following is the lesson I used to TRY to explain this to for and five year olds.  This is a very simplistic explanation of the Trinity and all the errors are mine, all the things I have right are from God!

TRINITY LESSON FOR CHILDREN

• “Tonight we are going to discuss one last “icon of fall”.  So far this month we have talked about what we can learn from some of the common things we see in the fall like that just like fall leaves we are all FALLEN and fall short of the glory of God,  how scarecrows can remind us we need not be SCARED for He is with us, that some of the FRUITS we should strive to have are love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, & self-control, and that we need to let our light SHINE OUT for Jesus just like pumpkins made into jack o’ lanterns.”
• Start off the discussion by asking a question, “What is your favorite trick-or-treat candy?”  Let the kids name a few types of candy and then direct their attention to CANDY CORN.  “So how is the trinity (the three persons of God) like this piece of candy corn?” Direct the children to see that there are THREE different colors in a SINGLE piece of candy.  “Each of the three colors are different but the all make of the piece of candy corn.  Without any of the colors it’s just not candy corn.”
• “We talked earlier in this lesson series about the three persons of God and tonight we are going to explore it a little more.  Does anybody remember back to March (around St. Patrick’s Day) when we used ice, water and water vapor to help us understand that there is ONE GOD in THREE PERSONS?”
• Read the poem and the Bible verse and discuss how each of the persons of God is different but how they are all the same.  Explain that the candy is really not exactly like God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit – that it is really a very simple object used to try to explain a very complex being and that we can never really fully understand God because we a human and He is divine but that the simple piece of candy (give the kids each a piece) can HELP us to start to understand Him.  Remind them that this is something we will all spend the rest of our lives trying to understand and that we will only understand it completely when we are in the presence of God.

CANDY CORN TRINITY POEM

YELLOW is for LIGHT that Jesus is.  We find this in John 9:5, NIV; Jesus said: “‘While I am in the world, I am the light of the world.’”

ORANGE is for the SON OF GOD that Jesus is.   We find this in Matthew 3:16, 17; “This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.”

WHITE is for HIS WORDS which are so sweet.  We find this in Psalm 119:103; “The sweet taste reminds us of the sweetness of God’s Words!”

Thank you for reading (and I hope enjoying) this tutorial.  If you have any questions or something is not clear, please let me know so that I can improve the tutorial.   

Please take a moment to leave a comment or rate this post. I’d LOVE to hear from you!

Thanks again. 

buggalcrafts a.k.a. melba

This are the reclaimed beads from the belt.

Lighlty sand the triangular beads.

Cut a thin strip of yellow scrapbook paper or cardstock and Mod Podge it to the bead.

Mod Podge thin strips of orange and white scrapbook paper or cardstock to the bead. Allow to dry.

Turn the bead over and trim the stips. I considered wrapping the strips around the edges but in practice they turn out caterwompus. If you would like the edges covered, use the same method as the front to cover them.

Apply a layer of Mod Podge to the front and allow to dry.

BoTTle ChArMs

BoTTle ChArMs

This spring I found some really cute colored bottles with clear plastic daisy “charms”... and I wanted more, more, and even more – – - BUT of my OWN design and my OWN price of course!

So, the “bottle idea” that has slowly been simmering in the back of my head since February (and YES, that IS spring in Louisiana!) has FINALLY spring-ed sprung forth!

After several “comme ci, comme ça” (which is just about the extent on my high school French) attempts at using wire to attach beads or charms to bottles the perfect solution struck me – WINE CHARMS!

AND for further “wowzers”, I actually had some on hand AND I could put my stubby crafty little fingers on them! Well I finished off that package up in one sitting “sew” it was time to start looking for more charm rings and thought maybe, just MAYBE, I could make some of my own?

So, heigh-ho, heigh-ho it’s off to the web I go!  A search turned up several wine charm ring tutorials from wire loop earrings and memory wire and I had the further idea to use chain in place of the ring.

With the addition of a few fresh seasonal flowers wouldn’t these make adorable party decorations – any where from sweetly old-fashinned to casual to sime-formal?  I can see them as individual place setting decorations & take-home-party-favors for a wedding or shower.  Fill the bottles with colored water.  For Thanksgiving or a fall party group an old number of bottles of differing heights in the center of a round table for a greater impact as a centerpiece.  For a rectangular candle place a rattan table runner (or four placemats) down the center of the table.  For a beach wedding or party stagger bottles of differing heights, add water or sand and flowers to the bottles and lay sea shells & starfish, fishnet, etc. among the bottles.  The possibilities are endless!  You can even add paper hearts or other shapes on a bamboo skewer cut to fit the bottles.

B.T.W.: Did you know you can EASILY clean old bottles with SALT WATER? This tip comes courtesy of my friend Maggie. Pour about a half teaspoon of salt in the bottle and fill with warm water. Shake up and then let sit (I waited overnight). Then simple empty the salt water and rinse out with warm water. The air dry and your bottle should sparkle like new! I REALLY like that you do not have to rinse and rinse and rinse some more to get the soap residue out of the bottle.

Materials

• Wine charm rings
• Wire loop earrings
• Memory wire
• Chain
• Small round beads
• Seed beads
• Charms
• Old or broken jewelry:  beaded or charm bracelets, chains, necklaces and chain bracelets
• Jump rings

 Also needed 

• Wire cutters
• Needle nose pliers
• Round tip pliers (optinal)
• Small bottles & vases

Costs: This is a great rainy day activity and “use-it-up craft” to make something with the odd bottles & vases (new or old) and those odd & end pieces of jewelry, charms and beads you have laying around the house!

Photo Tutorial:

Photo 1: Assemble supplies.

 

Photo 2: Add beads and a charm to the charm ring or hoop earring . If the ring is not big enough to close around the bottle extend the ring a little with jump rings!

Photo 3: As you can see darker beads show up better on clear bottles. White and translucent light colors will disappear against the clear glass. Use light colored beads on amber or other dark colored bottles.

Photo 4: Another alternative is to use chain. This actually is an old chain bracelet with a charm added.

Photo 5: The back of the bracelet closes with a toggle clasp.

Photo 6: You can even make your own chain by joining split ring jump rings!

Photo 7: I joined the jump ring chain on this bottle with a short piece of torn fabric and then knotted it. The bottle actually has a chip in the lip (say that five times fast!).

Photo 8: Add a key charm and you have the finished product. The fabric “knot” totally hides the chip!

Photo 9: Canalize old bracelets for beads and charms! I got two bottle charms out of one old bracelet I got on sale for $1 years ago. I never wore it and it came in handy for this project. Note that oval or rectangle beads with a horizontal hole can only be strung on flexible wire.

Thank you for taking the time to read my tutorial on decorating your bottle with bottle charms. I hope you enjoyed the tutorial and that you have great sucess in decoraing som four your windowsill . If you have any questions or if ANYthing is not clear, please let me know in a comment so that I can improve the tutorial.

I’d love to hear from you so please take a moment to leave a comment and rate this post. Really, please do  – - –

Thanks again.

buggalcrafts a.k.a. melba

Fourth of July Cookie Cutter Ornament Recycled From a Broken Cookie Cutter

Fourth of July Cookie Cutter Ornament Recycled From a Broken Cookie Cutter

I started with a broken cutter that I was reluctant to just couldn’t make myself throw away (“Do you hear my momma whispering in my ear too?”).  So it sat on my craft desk since Valentine’s Day until I was working on my Patriotic Garland (coming to you in a blog near you soon!) and ding, ding, ding it occurred to me I could make it into a cute ornament for my garland.

What I really like about this craft is that simply by changing the fabric, the trim, and the shape of the cutter you can easily customize this to any holiday or use it “as is” for a “Country Denim Christmas”.   And of course you don’t have to use a “don’t throw it out” cutter, you could use an unbroken one.

 

Materials

• Red, White & Blue Torn Fabric Strips
• Red, White & Blue Rick-Rack
• Star or Heart Cookie Cutter

Also Needed

• Scissors
• Cardboard
• Fabric Glue

Photo Tutorial

Step 1: Assesmble supplies. Tear fabric or cut with zig-zag scissors.

Step 2: Replace the broken part with cardboard taped in place.

Step 3: Wrap the broken area with fabric and secure with glue. If using an unbroken cutter wrap 2 or 3 inches.

Step 4: Tie strips of fabric around the cutter. Add pieces of rick rack in between the strips.

Alternatives on this project would be wrapping the entire cutter with denim and then tying the strips to part or all of the cutter.

Thank you for reading my post. I hope you enjoyed the tutorial. If you have any questions or something is not clear, please let me know so that I can improve the tutorial.

Please take a moment to leave a comment and rate this post. Really, please do – I’d love to hear from you.

Thanks again.

buggalcrafts a.k.a. melba

Easter Garland

Easter Garland Right Side Upper

Easter Garland

Were has the time “flown”? It seems like yesterday was Valentine’s Day! I wanted to share with you my Easter Garland. I’ve done tutorials on some of these and will post the last few after Easter so you can get a jump start on next year!

Why am I craft blogging on Easter? because I am “home alone 2″. I stayed at home on Christmas because I had just had surgery. Now I have planter fasciitis (inflammation of the covering of the muscle on the BOTTOM of the foot) and each step is so painful (even with that drated boot!) that I didn’t go to Easter dinner either. So y’all eat some ham and coconut cake for me!

I hope everyone has had a Blessed Easter!

buggaalcrafts a.k.a. Melba

Easter Garland Left Side Lower

Easter Garland Left Side Upper

Easter Garland Right Side Lower

Easter Garland Right Side Upper

Fabric Wrapped Button Wreath

Mini Bunny Hug Wreath

Mini Button Crosses

Mini Button Mini Grapevine Wreath

Mod Podge & Tissue Paper Carrot

Mod Podge Fabric Egg

Sew Sweet a Spool of Thread

Wire Beaded Egg Shape

Wooden Easter Eggs

Wooden Spoon Bunny

Cookie Cutters Not Just For Cookies Anymore Series

Cookie Cutters Not Just For Cookies Anymore Series

Only three more posts to go and then my series will wrap up.  I hope you have enjoyed reading my posts on alternative uses for cookie cutters.  I hope my love for everything cutters has shown through.  I have throughly enjoyed taking my sketchy notes and fleshing them out into tutorials and lists of ideas.  It has been a true challenge to create written and photo tutorials for each group of ideas. 

If you are a new reader and have missed some of the posts I have pasted the links below.

I have also searched the web extensively looking for new ideas, crafts, etc. and have started two boards about cookie cutters and crafts on Pinterest.  Please take a look and I think you’ll find some really impressive crafts and ways to use cookie cutters.  The first board consists of photos of crafts I personally made and the second is of posts, tutorials, etc. from around the web.  I hope you will enjoy taking a look at them.

http://pinterest.com/buggal1989/my-cookie-cookie-cutter-crafts/

http://pinterest.com/buggal1989/ways-to-use-cookie-cutters/

Links to Posts

Cookie Cutters:  Not Just For Cookies Anymore! Post #1: Cut-Out “Cookie” or Cookie Cutter Christmas Ornament Garland

http://buggalcrafts.wordpress.com/2011/12/29/cookie-cutters-not-just-for-cookies-anymore-post-1/

Cookie Cutters:  Not Just For Cookies Anymore! Post #2: “Cut-Out Cookie” Applesauce, Cinnamon, Salt, or Bread Dough Christmas Ornaments

http://buggalcrafts.wordpress.com/2011/12/30/not-just-for-cookies-anymore-post-2/

http://buggalcrafts.wordpress.com/2011/12/30/salt-dough-recipe/

http://buggalcrafts.wordpress.com/2011/12/30/cinnamon-dough-ornament-recipe/#comments

Cookie Cutters:  Not Just For Cookies Anymore! Post #3: “Quilted” Cookie Cutter Shape Christmas Ornament

http://buggalcrafts.wordpress.com/2011/12/31/quilted-cookie-cutter-shape-christmas-ornament/

Cookie Cutters:  Not Just For Cookies Anymore! Post #4: Scrapbook Paper Backed Cookie Cutter Christmas Ornament

http://buggalcrafts.wordpress.com/2012/01/01/cookie-cutters-not-just-for-cookies-anymore-post-4-cookie-cutter-christmas-ornament/

Cookie Cutters:  Not Just For Cookies Anymore! Post #5:  Not Just Another Cookie Cutter” Wreath

http://buggalcrafts.wordpress.com/2012/01/02/cookie-cutters-not-just-for-cookies-anymore-post-5-not-just-another-cookie-cutter-wreath/

Cookie Cutters:  Not Just For Cookies Anymore! Post #:6:  Gingerbread Cookies on Copper Cookie Sheet

http://buggalcrafts.wordpress.com/2012/01/03/cookie-cutters-not-just-for-cookies-anymore-post-6-gingerbread-cookies-on-copper-cookie-sheet/

Cookie Cutters:  Not Just For Cookies Anymore! Post #7: Fabric or Felt Cookie Cutter Shapes Christmas Ornament

http://buggalcrafts.wordpress.com/2012/01/04/cookie-cutters-not-just-for-cookies-anymore-post-7-stuffed-fabric-or-felt-cookie-cutter-shape-christmas-ornaments/

 

Cookie Cutters:  Not Just For Cookies Anymore! Post # 8: Paper Bag Backed Foam Cookie Cutter Shapes Christmas Ornament

http://buggalcrafts.wordpress.com/2012/01/05/cookie-cutters-not-just-for-cookies-anymore-post-8-paper-bag-backed-foam-cookie-cutter-shape-christmas-ornament/

 

Cookie Cutters:  Not Just For Cookies Anymore! Post # 9: Paper Bag Cookie Cutter Shapes Ornament

http://buggalcrafts.wordpress.com/2012/01/05/cookie-cutters-not-just-for-cookies-anymore-post-9-paper-bag-cookie-cutter-shape-ornament/

Cookie Cutters:  Not Just For Cookies Anymore! Post # 10A: Construction Paper, Wrapping Paper, Scrapbook Paper & Cardstock, and Sandpaper Cut-out Cookies

http://buggalcrafts.wordpress.com/2012/01/08/cookie-cutters-not-just-for-cookies-anymore-post-10a-paper-cut-out-cookies-construction-paper-wrapping-paper-scrapbook-paper-cardstock-sandpaper-greeting-cards/

Cookie Cutters:  Not Just For Cookies Anymore! Post # 10B: Ephemera Cut-out Cookies

http://buggalcrafts.wordpress.com/2012/01/10/cookie-cutters-not-just-for-cookies-anymore-post-10b-ephemera-cut-out-cookies/

 

Cookie Cutters:  Not Just For Cookies Anymore! Post # 10C: Craft Foam Cut-out Cookies

http://buggalcrafts.wordpress.com/2012/01/12/cookie-cutters-not-just-for-cookies-anymore-post-10c-craft-foam-cut-out-cookies/

 

Cookie Cutters:  Not Just For Cookies Anymore! Post # 11: Clay Cutters

http://buggalcrafts.wordpress.com/2012/01/14/1328/

Cookie Cutters:  Not Just For Cookies Anymore! Post # 12: Cut-Out Cookies, Holiday or No Occasion At All & Make Your Own Cookie Cutters

http://buggalcrafts.wordpress.com/2012/01/17/cookie-cutters-not-just-for-cookies-anymore-post-12-cut-out-cookies-holiday-or-no-occasion-at-all-make-your-own-cookie-cutters/

Cookie Cutters:  Not Just For Cookies Anymore! Post # 13:  Die Cuts

http://buggalcrafts.wordpress.com/2012/01/19/1376/

 

Cookie Cutters:  Not Just For Cookies Anymore! Post # 14:  Emergency Phone Number Bulletin Board

http://buggalcrafts.wordpress.com/2012/01/21/cookie-cutters-not-just-for-cookies-anymore-post-14-cookie-cutter-shapes-emergency-not-so-emergency-phone-number-bulletin-board/

 

Cookie Cutters:  Not Just For Cookies Anymore! Post # 15: Shaped Flash Cards

http://buggalcrafts.wordpress.com/2012/01/28/cookie-cutters-not-just-for-cookies-anymore-post-15-shaped-flash-cards/

 

Cookie Cutters:  Not Just For Cookies Anymore! Post # 16:  Food Shapers

http://buggalcrafts.wordpress.com/2012/02/05/cookie-cutters-not-just-for-cookies-anymore-post-16-crafting-with-food-or-cookie-cutters-as-food-shapers/

 

Cookie Cutters:  Not Just For Cookies Anymore! Post # 17:  Greeting Card Decoration

http://buggalcrafts.wordpress.com/2012/02/11/cookie-cutters-not-just-for-cookies-anymore-post-17-hand-decorated-greeting-card/

 

Cookie Cutters:  Not Just For Cookies Anymore! Post # 18:  Kid’s Cookie Crafts

http://buggalcrafts.wordpress.com/2012/02/15/cookie-cutters-not-just-for-cookies-anymore-post-18-kids-cookie-crafts-activities/

 

Cookie Cutters:  Not Just For Cookies Anymore! Post # 19:  Cookie Shaped Note Cards

http://buggalcrafts.wordpress.com/2012/02/19/cookie-cutters-not-just-for-cookies-anymore-post-19-cookie-cutter-shaped-note-cards/

 

 Cookie Cutters:  Not Just For Cookies Anymore! Post # 20: Cookie Shaped Note Pad

http://buggalcrafts.wordpress.com/2012/02/22/cookie-cutters-not-just-for-cookies-anymore-post-20-cookie-shaped-note-pad/

Cookie Cutters:  Not Just For Cookies Anymore! Post # 21:  Package Decoration & Name Tags

http://buggalcrafts.wordpress.com/2012/02/27/cookie-cutters-not-just-for-cookies-anymore-post-21-package-decoration-name-tags/

 

Cookie Cutters:  Not Just For Cookies Anymore! Post # 22:  Party Favor

http://buggalcrafts.wordpress.com/2012/03/26/cookie-cutters-not-just-for-cookies-anymore-post-22-party-favor-party-ideas/

 

Cookie Cutters:  Not Just For Cookies Anymore! Post # 23:  Souvenirs & Special Occasion Reminders

http://buggalcrafts.wordpress.com/2012/03/29/cookie-cutters-not-just-for-cookies-anymore-post-23-souvenirs-special-occasion-reminders/

 

Cookie Cutters:  Not Just For Cookies Anymore! Post # 24:  Stencils

Post pending.

 

Cookie Cutters:  Not Just For Cookies Anymore! Post # 25:  Cookie Cutter Gift Ideas

Post pending.

Cookie Cutters:  Not Just For Cookies Anymore! Post # 26:  Wrapping Up Cookie Cutter Ideas

Post pending.

I’d love to hear about the ways you use cookie cutters in decorating, crafting and baking & cooking.  Please drop me a line at buggal1989@yahoo.com and please send photos!  Of course I will credit you and your photos if I use them.

buggalcrafts a.k.a. Melba

Cookie Cutters, Not Just For Cookies Anymore: Valentine Versions

Valentine Versions of “Cookie Cutters: Not Just For Cookies Anymore” Crafts

A garland hanging on the wall is my answer to having a seasonal tree.  I can have my “tree” AND not have my furniture crowded right out of the room!  And my two bull moose-es (meeses?) and one girl moose (moosessa?) can actually walk by it without knocking off a dozen things!  An added bonus is that it is safe from the tree eating cat!

Hanging the garland was the easy part, finding something special to put on it was another story all together!.  So I turned to my “Cookie Cutter Craft” tutorials for inspiration.   It was so super easy to alter the end product simply by changing the cookie cutters templates and the paper, fabric &embellishments used to seasonal patterns and colors.  Then follow the tutorial instructions and you have the perfect seasonal ornaments for your tree, wreath or garland!

I would like to share photos of the Valentine Versions of my “cookie cutter crafts” I created that with you today. The link for each tutorial is listed below each photo. Any special tips, instructions, etc. for creating the Valentine craft project are listed in the photo caption or in the description of the craft.  There are a couple that the tutorial will be published soon.  Please stay tuned!

Valentine Versions of My Cookie Cutter Crafts:

Photo 1 Heart Cookie Cutter Graland

Photo 1: Heart Shaped Cookie Cutter Garland:  Change the cutters to hearts, cupids, etc. and you have the perfect garland for your wall or seasonal tree.  The added bonus is that with this craft if you’d later like to use the cutters all you need to do is cut them apart!

http://buggalcrafts.wordpress.com/2011/12/29/cookie-cutters-not-just-for-cookies-anymore-post-1/

Photo 2 Cinnamon Dough Ornaments

Photo 2: “Cut-Out Cookie” Applesauce, Cinnamon, Salt, or Bread Dough Christmas Ornaments: The cinnamon ornaments smell wonderful for years!  And last forever (or at least 20 years)!  The applesauce ornaments are fragile if you make them thin.  Use seasonal cutters to make great ornaments, package decorations, etc.

http://buggalcrafts.wordpress.com/2011/12/30/not-just-for-cookies-anymore-post-2/

http://buggalcrafts.wordpress.com/2011/12/30/salt-dough-recipe/

http://buggalcrafts.wordpress.com/2011/12/30/cinnamon-dough-ornament-recipe/#comments

  

Photo 3: Quilted heart. I braided a fabric hanger for this ornament.

Photo 3; “Quilted” Cardboard Cookie Cutter Shape Valentine’s Ornament:  this ornament gives you the appearance of a sewn crazy quilt without the needle and thread!  All you need to make this ornament is a bottle of white glue, cardboard, and fabric scraps.

http://buggalcrafts.wordpress.com/2011/12/31/quilted-cookie-cutter-shape-christmas-ornament/

Photo 4: Scrapbook Paper Backed Cookie Cutters

Photo 4: Scrapbook Paper Backed Cookie Cutter Valentine’s Ornament:  Enhance a plain cookie cutter by backing it with seasonal scrapbook paper and adding embellishments if desired.

http://buggalcrafts.wordpress.com/2012/01/01/cookie-cutters-not-just-for-cookies-anymore-post-4-cookie-cutter-christmas-ornament/

Photo 5 Valentine’s Baking Wreath

Photo 5B: Close-up of baking utensils.

Photo 5: Valentine’s Baking Wreath:  This wreath just came together once I realized that I had all the elements already made and I just needed to put it all together.  It’s perfect in my kitchen!

http://buggalcrafts.wordpress.com/2012/01/02/cookie-cutters-not-just-for-cookies-anymore-post-5-not-just-another-cookie-cutter-wreath/

Photo 6: Cookie sheet with homemade foam cookies.I pnched a white foam heart, then glued it to tan craft foam and cut it out with decorative scissors and glued a pink or red small heart punch to the center.

Photo 6: Heart Shaped Valentine’s Cut-Out Cookies on Copper Cookie Sheet:  Simply by using homemade heart shaped cookies and lace for a hanger & bow this ornament just screams Valentine’s Day!

http://buggalcrafts.wordpress.com/2012/01/03/cookie-cutters-not-just-for-cookies-anymore-post-6-gingerbread-cookies-on-copper-cookie-sheet/

Photo 7: Heart Shaped Stuffed Felt Ornament

Photo 7; Fabric or Felt Cookie Cutter Shapes Valentine’s Ornament: I don’t sew but this is an easy ornament to make simply using glue.  You can use fabric glue, but I just used white craft glue!

http://buggalcrafts.wordpress.com/2012/01/04/cookie-cutters-not-just-for-cookies-anymore-post-7-stuffed-fabric-or-felt-cookie-cutter-shape-christmas-ornaments/

Photo 8: Heart Shaped Paperbag Backed Felt Ornament

Photo 8: Ladybug Paperbag Backed Foam Ornament

Photo 8: Paper Bag Backed Foam or Felt Cookie Cutter Shapes Valentine’s Ornament:  Create ladybugs or hearts for your tree from craft foam or felt.

http://buggalcrafts.wordpress.com/2012/01/05/cookie-cutters-not-just-for-cookies-anymore-post-8-paper-bag-backed-foam-cookie-cutter-shape-christmas-ornament/

Photo 9: Heart Shaped Paper Bag Ornament

Photo 9: Paper Bag Valentine’s Cookie Cutter Shapes Ornament:  Use a plain brown wrapper to make a really cute heart (or other seasonal shape) to decorate with fabric or paint.  Hang on your tree, in a window, or use the shapes to make a wreath.  To make the fabric covered heart shown above make a pattern with a large heart cookie cutter.  Cut out a heart shape from red fabric and glue to a paper bag.  Double the paper and trim around heart leaving a two inch boarder.  Stuff and glue or sew together.  When dry, pink around the edges.  Add “stiches” with a marker or glitter glue.  Embellish as desired.

http://buggalcrafts.wordpress.com/2012/01/05/cookie-cutters-not-just-for-cookies-anymore-post-9-paper-bag-cookie-cutter-shape-ornament/

Photo 10 Paper Cut-out Cookies

Photo 10: Paper (Scrapbook, Construction, Wrapping, Etc.) Valentine’s Cut-out Cookies:  This is a great craft for kids.   A great use for old greeting cards or kid’s Valentines.  This craft is very inexpensive too if construction and “found” paper are used.

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Photo 12 Play Box Decorate box to resemble a stove

Photo 12B: Fill box with baking utensils.

Photo 12: Cookie Cutter Crafts For Kids:  The sheer range of crafts that kids can make with cookie cutters is staggering.  Take a minute (or three!) and take a look at these crafts that are kid friendly.  This is a busy box I designed and made using a photo storage box (substitute a shoe box) and a kid’s baking set from Bed, Bath & Beyond.  Keep this box in the kitchen to entertain your little one while you cook.  You can also put together your own baling set with a small rolling pin, felt with “cookies” cut out & mini cookie cutters, cookie sheet made from a silver metallic poster, and wooden spoon.  Customize the kit for the season with seasonal cookie cutter shapes.

Tutorial pending.

Photo 13: Food Shapers: Your cutters don’t even need to leave the kitchen for this “craft”.  Craft with food!  Cut decorative shapes from food to serve as accent pieces.

Tutorial pending.

Photo 14: Hand-decorated Greeting Cards

Photo 14: Greeting Card Decoration:  Add a few extra special touches to blank greeting cards and you have a beautiful handmade gift for your child’s teacher or a good friend.

Tutorial Pending

Photo 15: Cookie Cutter Shaped Note Cards

Photo 15: Cookie Shaped Note Cards: An alternative to making a hand decorated card is to make a shaped note card.  Trace a cutter that “fits” the recipient (ex: football for a sports fan, rooster for chicken lover, etc.), trace it on a note card, then cut out the shape and embellish.

Tutorial pending.

Photo 16: Cookie Cutter Shaped Note Pad

Photo 16: Cookie Shaped Note Pad: Make a cute notepad as a little special gift for someone special.  Add some favorite saying or scriptures for that extra special touch.

Tutorial pending.

 

Photo 17: Heart Shaped Cut-Out Cookies

Photo 17  Cut-Out Valentine’s Cookies:  Don’t stop with crafting up a batch or two of foam cookies – break out your favorite recipe (or try mine) and roll out some edible cookies.  Don’t have time to make up the dough?  Then add a couple of ingredients to refrigerated cookie dough and get RAVE REVIEWS!

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Here is a “sneak peak” (sneak tell?) at my upcoming Cookie Cutters: Not Just For Cookies Anymore tutorials.  Look for these posts within the next month.

Package Decoration & Name Tags: Make these little for your next event to get custom made themed name tags!  Great for any occasion!  To add a little pizazz to your gift wrapped package or gift bag, make a custom combination package decoration and name tag.  You can make seasonal shapes or select a shape that “fits” the recipient. Example: For a crafting supply basket use a pair of scissors cookie cutters.  For a new baby use a ducky cutter and some of the gift wrap leftover from wrapping the package.  For a end-of-the-year gift for your child’s teacher use an apple cutter.  Go a step further and tie a cutter and several die cuts made using the cutter in coordinating colors to serve as a package decoration and bonus gift!

Party Favors: Give cookie cutters as party favors for a wedding or baby shower for a gift your guests will use for years to come!  Combine them with a blank card to make a place tag.

Souvenirs & Special Occasion Reminders:  Instead of collecting thimbles on vacation, stop by a shop that sells baking supplies & cookie cutters and get a unique cutter.  This is something you can use and will remind you of your vacation every time you make cutter with that cutter.  Cookie cutters are inexpensive to collect.  Most are less than $5 each.  So each year around Christmas add a cutter to your collection that represents a special event from that year: baby rattle for a new baby in the family, pair of bells for a wedding in the family, school bus for a child’s first year in school, ect.

Stencils:  Before you buy a stencil or if you can’t find the stencil you need, take a look at the cookie cutters you have on-hand.  Simply place the cutter on paper and trace.  Or to make a durable template, trace the cutter on a thin piece of plastic (I found a package of five plastic binder dividers for 50 cents around the start of school.  This could make a ton of stencils.

Thank you for reading my post. I hope you enjoyed the links to my Valentine’s craft projects.   If you have any questions or something is not clear, please let me know so that I can improve the tutorial.   

Please take a moment to leave a comment and rate this post.  I really LOVE comments!

Thanks again. 

buggalcrafts

Mini Wooden Valentine’s Spoons

Mini Wooden Valentine’s Spoons

Make several of these little cuties for a Baking Wreath or to hang on a seasonal tree for Valentine’s Day or Christmas.  They are very easy to make and super inexpensive too!
Materials

• Wooden ice cream spoons
• Cardstock scraps
• Metal ornament hanger

Also needed

• Scissors
• Mod Podge
• Permanent markers
• Brown colored pencil or marker
• Cotton swabs or paint brush
• 3/8ths inch heart punch

Costs

I bought some ice cream sticks in a bundle of arts & crafts supplies for $1 so maybe it cost me 15₵ for 25.  The paint, cardstock scraps, Mod Podge, and fabric were leftover from another project.  So basically this was a free craft for me.

Instructions

Photo 1: Assemble materials. Punch hearts.

Photo 2: Draw a spoon pattern on the ice cream stick lightly with a brown colored pencil..

Photo 3: Begin cutting the handle out by making a horizontal cut on each side of the ice cream stick where the “handle” begins. Then cut vertically on each side down to the horizontal cuts.

Photo 4: Sand smooth CAREFULLY. This wood splinters very easily. Watch out!

Photo 6: Tie ribbon around the bottom of the handle. Insert metal ornament hanger (or short piece of wire) before pulling tight. May also glue a magnet to the back of the ornament instead of hanging it on a tree.

Photo 7: Tie ribbon into a bow. Push the bow up a lttle on the spoon handle and apply a little glue. Pull the bow back down and allow to dry. Hang on tree or wreath.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Thank you for reading my post. I hope you enjoyed the tutorial.  If you have any questions or something is not clear, please let me know so that I can improve the tutorial.   

Please take a moment to leave a comment and rate this post.

Thanks again. 

 

Plastic Lid & Leftover Valentine Card Ornament

Plastic Lid & Leftover Valentine Card Ornament

Here’s another ornament for your tree!

These simple to make ornaments are also inexpensive enough for a crowd to make.  Consider making these at a craft fair, etc.

This is a great kid’s craft. As it uses items already on hand it is essentially a FREE CRAFT! 

Make a dozen of these to decorate a seasonal tree with. 

Or make them with your child for their class as a unique Valentine’s Day card.

these can also be easily adapted to fit any season or holiday!

Materials:

• Pringle’s lid
• Valentine’s card
• Scrapbook paper
• Ribbon and other trim
• Foam adhesive squares

Also Needed

• Scissors
• White glue
• Pencil or pen

Instructions

Photo 1:  Assemble supplies.

Photo 2:   Trace & cut scrapbook paper background if needed. Trace & cut Valentine card to fit inside the lid. Cut it out a little to the right of the trace line.

Photo 3 Add embellishments. To make ornament 3D, cut out parts of the card and use adhesive foam squares to attach embellishments

Photo 4:  Glue on a bow and your ornament is ready for the tree!

Photo 4: Glue on a bow and your ornament is ready for the tree!

Thank you for reading my post. I hope you enjoyed the tutorial.  If you have any questions or something is not clear, please let me know so that I can improve the tutorial.   

Please take a moment to leave a comment and rate this post.

Thanks again. 

Curtain Ring Ornaments: Valentine’s, Mardi Gras, Theme

Curtain Ring Ornaments

You may never think of wooden and shower curtain rings in the same way again! Just don’t rip yours down and leave your shower curtain all caterwompass!

A trip to a thrift store netted me 18 wooden curtain rings for $1.99 last spring and I knew I just had to think of something to do with them!

Initially I thought of photo frames (which is still a good idea) but Vacation Bible School was coming up and I felt lead to use them in making Christmas ornaments for the VBS kickoff. I had on hand some religious sayings scrapbook paper and presto – the idea was born! I framed the words I wanted highlighted inside the curtain ring and it made a really cute ornament for the tree.   Since the theme was New York I added a freehanded skyline in blsck cardstock and a tiny apple punch.  The kids really enjoyed making them too and even a few adults made one!  They were a big hit!

So I have been on the lookout for more rings at the local thrift stores ever since, and have found some smaller ones that worked pretty well. But I wanted still more and was having trouble finding them (Did you know they are over $5 in stores?) – - – then, at a fairly recent trip I picked up some shower curtain rings for 99 cents. And they work just great too!  If you wrap the bottom part of the ring that comes open with ribbon (and then make it the top of the ornament) you would never be able to tell what they are.  You can find them in any color you need.

This is a great craft for kids as it is very easy to do. And at under 10 cents an ornament (using shower curtain rings) it is also very inexpensive – - – making it a great craft for a crowd.

You can customize it to the season simply by changing the scrapbook paper, color of the curtain ring, and ribbon. So it works for Valentine’s Day, Mardi Gras (fleru-de-lis), Easter, Harvest, Christmas, or other holidays equally well.

It makes a great package decoration as you can even use sticker letters to spell out the recipient’s name.

Materials

• Curtain rings, wooden curtain or shower curtain
• Scrapbook paper
• Cardstock
• Stickers: alphabet, seasonal
• Torn fabric strips, ribbon, lace, etc.
• Feathers, string of seed pearls, etc.

 

Also Needed

• Scissors
• Glue stick
• White glue
• Permanent markers
• Pen
• Cotton swabs or paint brush

 

Cost

The scrapbook paper was bought on sale for 20 to 44 cents a sheet and one sheet will make 12 to 18 ornaments, depending on the pattern.  The cardstock was on-hand from another project.  The rings cost 6 to 11 cents each.  So each ornament was 15 cents or less to make.  This makes it an excellent “bulk craft” for “Make Your Own Ornament” events.  It is easy enough for kids, yet adults can be challenged enough to keep their interest.

Instructions

Photo 1: Assemble materials needed. Choose scrapbook paper with a pattern that fits inside the curtain ring. A large pattern does not work as well as a small pattern. Choose cardstock that coordinates with the paper.

Photo 2: Lay the rings out on scrapbook paper. Start by framing the design you want displayed within the curtain ring. Trace the ring with a pen or pencil then roughly cut around the ring with scissors.

Photo 3: Next glue cardstock to the back of the scrapbook paper with a glue stick to reinforce it. This way you can cut out the backing along with the “front” so that both circles will be even. It is very hard to get them to match up otherwise.

Photo 4: Cut out the circle. Write name, date, and any other information you’d like on the cardstock now with a marker. Add sticker letters or other stickers as desired.

Photo 5: Wrap the bottom of the shower curtain ring several times around with ribbon, lace, etc. and tie off. Insert feathers, string of seed pearls, etc. before pulling taunt. Insert a metal ornament hanger under at least one loop. Tie into a bow. The bottom of the ring now becomes the top of the ornament. If using wooden curtain rings with an eye hook, thread ribbon through the hook and then insert hanger then tie into a bow.

Photo 6: Now you are ready to glue the scrapbook paper to the ring. Apply a thin line of glue around the scrapbook paper/cardstock circle with a cotton swab. Apply a second line of glue around the back of the ornament. Allow to set for a few minutes to get tacky. You may also use a cool melt glue gun. I prefer the white glue because it gives you time to adjust the paper circle so the design is aligned.

Be sure to match the top of the paper to the top of the ring place the paper on the ring. Turn over to check placement of pattern within the ring and adjust as needed. Press firmly for at least 30 seconds. Lay the ornament face down to dry.

Notes:

1. I use Wal-Mart’s Foam Glue because I have found it has superior holding power and when it dries the bond remains slightly flexible and is less likely to come unglued when gluing to plastic.
2. You can use Glue Dots if you need instant drying.
3. When doing a crafting party where the ornaments need time to dry, give each participant a cheap white paper plate to place ornaments on to dry.  Have them write their name on the plate with a marker.  When it’s time to go home, it will be super easy for the participant to find their plate!

 

Thank you for reading my post. I hope you enjoyed the tutorial.  If you have any questions or something is not clear, please let me know so that I can improve the tutorial.   

Please take a moment to leave a comment and rate this post.

Thanks again.