Just ToO SpOokY Cute... DIY Cookie Cutter Ornaments

Happy Fall everyone... though it still feels like SUMMER around here. Halloween is just around the corner and it's time to get decorating and making for the big day. What do you do with all of your leftover goodies from last year that didn't see the light of day??! You alter them into something fun! Halloween is one of my favorite holidays for making goodies and these SpOokY cute ornaments are so adorable wrapped up in colorful seasonal ribbons.

I'm transforming this fun dollar bin find into some super SpOoky Cute cookie cutter ornaments. Gather around the kids because this project is super easy and fun for all ages!

For this project you only need a couple things: scissors; ribbons/trim in seasonal colors; an adhesive runner; a black permanent marker; and some holiday spirit!

For this project I have used my favorite Herma Dotto adhesive. The Herma Dotto is a dry adhesive that it great for tacking down ribbon on cards, scrapbook pages and flat surfaces. I have loads of adhesives and runners of all kinds and I love how the dotto works with ribbon. You can use whatever adhesive you prefer for this project.

I begin with the pumpkin and I choose a beautiful variegated orange ribbon. I add a stripe of Herma Dotto adhesive to the end to tack in place, then begin winding the ribbon around the cookie cutter. I continued wrapping, slightly overlapping the previous wrap and continue all the way around. When I reached the beginning, I add another stripe of Dotto adhesive to secure the end. Easy Peasy!

Next I selected an orange, gold and green check pattern, then wrapped around outer edge of pumpkin shape to measure and cut to size. I applied adhesive along the entire length and press into place. I left about 2" overhang and looped this back over onto itself to form a leaf shape.

The finishing touch is to add a hanger and some contrast to the stem with a sheer irridescent ribbon. For the hanger, I cut a piece that was about 10" and tied to the top of the stem, knotting in place with the two loose ends meeting at the top. I laid the two ends over each other and tied in a knot to form a closed loop to hang. Then I cut another small section, added some adhesive to the end and wrapped around the entire stem area. Then I back trimmed and tacked down the loose end to complete.

This ornament is complete and totally full Pumpkin Spice... now to embellish the bat cookie cutter.

I have chose a silver/grey ribbon that is two-tone like brushed metal - lighter on one side and slightly darker on the other. I applied Dotto adhesive down the length of this ribbon and applied to the outer edge of the cookie cutter.

I repeated by centering a contrasting patterned ribbon right on top of the grey ribbon - a quick and easy transformation!

This ornament also needs a hanger but I don't have anything black... no worries I'll color one. I grabbed my spool of natural burlap string and a black Sharpie marker and quickly color a section black to match. Don't be afraid to use your crafty stash of inks, markers and paints to color white or natural colored ribbons/fibers to match.

These two ornaments are so lovely - they can be used for seasonal decor, gift toppers or even for the kids to make at the Halloween party.

How would you decorate your seasonal cookie cutters?

Thanks for visiting. Stay tuned for what becomes of the cat and the frankenstein head... perhaps some GOOGLIE eyes, resin or Steampunkery!  Sb :)

#Cre8time Snow Days ... Designer Crafts Connection Kunin Felt Blog Hop

Happy Thursday! Today I am part of a new Designer Crafts Connection Bloghop featuring Kunin Felt... get ready to feel all warm and fuzzy! 

I was sent a wonderful wintery assortment of gorgeous Kunin Felt in 9" x 12" craft cuts of Classic felt one 12" x 18" craft cut of Premium felt. and also two pom-pom trims from Expo International. It's still summertime where I live in South Florida, but creating with felt always brings me back to fond memories of making all kinds of ornaments and other goodies with felt when I was growing up in Chicago. 

I really love using Kunin felts and fabrics! The products are made in the U.S.A. and they are eco-friendly. I am I'm all about using "GREEN" products and Kunin Felt are Eco-fi® 100% polyester fiber, made from recycled post-consumer plastic bottles. 

My project today is a wintery felted holder for my smart phone. I am constantly taking my phone out and many outfits {especially wintery ones} don't have pockets, so a snowy winter case will be perfect!

I began by measuring and cutting out a couple rectangles to size a bit larger than my smartphone; and also several strips of white and the 12"x18" grey for coordinating strap.

I love that I can cut the felt using my guillotine cutter! 

Then I cut some knotches away for the corners and also a half circle at the top of one side - this accent will help ease of removing my smartphone.

I used felt glue to start assembling the strap and the base of the phone holder. The Beacon Felt Glue tacks up quickly, and dries clear.

I glued all my strap sections together and set aside to dry.

I planned for this to be a free-form "NO-SEW" project. As I was assembling, I realized I needed something a little stronger than the felt glue, so I switched to using hot-glue for assembly.

I followed along the the long edge of one rectangle applying a bit of hot glue, then pressing the pom-pom trim into place. This took the most time and I'm happy with the results.

When I got around the bottom edge, the overlapped felt had a gap where I could glue in the edging of the pom-pom trim. 

After securing bottom edge trim, I continued gluing trim around the other side.

With the trim adhered around three sides and the base, I folded over the top and followed back around with hot glue to close up the sides. Now the holder is complete.

I wanted to add some stitching, but I didn't necessarily want to hand stitch the entire strap I have fashioned. So I got out the sewing machine and quickly zig-zag stitched through the center several times to add interest and texture.

I really like the two-tone strap with peeks of white amongst the grey felt. I love the rustic feel of my wonky zig-zag stitching too.

I hot glued the the strap to the completed case; one strap to the front and the other to the back. This will balance the weight of my smartphone and also lay flat when worn.

My phone tote is cute, durable with a little touch of bling! The pom-pom trim gives it a girly feel, but also adds a little padding around the edges. 

I finished off the front with a couple gems and a hand-cut wonky snowflake using the white felt adhered with Beacon felt glue.

How would you dress us your smart phone? I would love to hear what you create with Kunin Felt! For more Cre8time ideas and inspiration please follow Kunin Felt online and via social media.

+ + + + + + + + + + + +

Kunin
http://kuningroup.com
https://www.facebook.com/pages/Kunin-Felt-Products/259966984033282
https://twitter.com/KuninFeltFC
http://www.pinterest.com/kuningroupgeorg/

+ + + + + + + + + + + +

Thanks so much for visiting! CLICK HERE to pop over to the beginning of the Designer Crafts Connection "Kunin Felt" Bloghop and enjoy all more warm and fuzzy felt inspiration. Be sure to leave a comment over at DCC to be entered into a random drawing to receive an assortment of both Classic felt and Premium felt to make your own projects! Sb :)

** This is a sponsored post. Kunin Felt has provided the felt, and Expo International the pom-pom trim for use in this project in exchange for my creative ideas, views and opinions. My ideas and opinions are my own.

Summer #Cre8time Memories...

Hello friends! As summer comes to a close, one can't help but want to remember days adventuring at the beach. I love to create mini-books that house my photos and mementos from vacations... and I don't have to look far for finding something to create with – but for this keepsake... I've raided my pantry and refrigerator!

A set of vintage by the sea stamps by Rubber Dance Art Stamps are inspiration for the theme of my project which will be housed in a recycled cheese box that was in the refrigerator. I also raided my pantry for some paper boxes to serve as a sturdy base for pages.

I began by gently peeling off the package labeling to give me a blank slate to work with.

I measured a circle to fit inside the box and cut a template to trace out front and back pages from the recycled cookies/cracker boxes and from the corrugated packaging.

Then I distressed the outside of the box and both sides of the pages with an acrylic/gesso mix and also some spray mists – this gives a real white-washed beachy feel.

I also distressed some sheer organza ribbon and white cheesecloth with distress stains and spray mists... using them to mop up all the glittery goodness from the sprayed pages along the way.

I adhered some double-sided sheet adhesive cut to fit the pages and began to assemble my mini book. I sandwiched the ribbon and cheesecloth between the pages – adding some double-sided tape to the top of the ribbon to lock them in place when I adhere the top page.

Between the pages, I added some knotted natural green dyed raffia.

I even used a recycled envelope for ephemera... nothing goes to waste! I distressed in the same fashion as the pages and adhered using circle cut double-stick adhesive sheets. I'm normally a glue-stick girl, but after all the painting and distressing, the double-sided adhesive makes assembly quick and easy.

I stamped my images using brown dye ink onto creme cardstock primed with the same acrylic/gesso base as everything else; then tearing each image out and distressing edges with chalk inks to complete the vintage weathered feel.

I layered onto the corrogated pages a section of distressed cheesecloth and one image adhered with tacky glue.

I added some antique gold dewdrop ink to the inside of the box and layered one of the images to the base, and blending the hard edge of the envelope and white box with the corrugated border around the sides... WOW this is so lovely!

Now for some finishing touches! A resin cast sand dollar colored with spray mists and antique gold ink; a recycled dry cleaning tag; section of cheesecloth; raffia stands; and some real mini seashells to complete the scene.

I accordion fold the book into a stack and nestle it nicely into the box. It's all grungy and weathered and looks like it's just washed ashore!

Memories by the Sea...

This cheese box has been transformed completely – one would never guess what it was when I began. Keep a lookout in your pantry, the fridge and your recycling for amazing and interesting things to upcycle into something beautiful and useful! I even have space leftover to add some of my vacation photos from Jamaica last fall.

I hope you have enjoyed my recycled stamped creation – I truly enjoyed making this keepsake. What would you recycle for use as a summertime keepsake?

Thanks for visiting! :) Sb

Keeping It Sharp... Quick and Easy DIY Teacher Gift with Etchall®

Hello friends! I have great news!! I am officially part of the Etchall® Ambassador Design Team. I am excited to be a part of this team and to share my etching adventure with you today with my first project!

Etchall® tickles my GREENcrafting heart as it makes customizing everyday items quick, easy and fun -- and it's not just for glass... Etchall® etches on glass, mirror, ceramic, porcelain, marble and slate! Of course, I will be trying out all of these surfaces.

Today I'm sharing a quick and easy DIY Teacher gift using Etchall®... a custom etched vase filled with sharpened pencils and some extra rulers {for good measure - LOL}! 

You can use a vase or recycled jar around the house - for my project today I've picked up one for $1 at the Dollar Tree. Add Etchall® a surplus of pencils, a couple rulers and pink erasers and this I will have a fabulous teacher gift for the new school year ahead... all for under $10. 

Supplies needed:

• Etchall® Glass Etching BEE-Ginner Kit
• Alphabet stickers {from Dollar Tree}
• scissors
• recycled plastic fork
• Cyclindrical vase {from Dollar Tree}
• lots of pencils
• a few rulers and some pink erasers
• plastic palette knife

Etchall® is a REUSABLE, easy to use etching créme that creates permanent etched designs on large or small areas of glass, mirror, ceramic, porcelain, marble and slate. No curing, or drying required... it just takes 15 minutes! CLICK HERE to read more about this fantastic ACMI Certified product.

For my project today I have used items from the Etchall® Glass Etching BEE-Ginner Kit. It has everything you need to get started... and in just 15 minutes will have you hooked on etching everything under the sun! 

First I cut a real thin strip of the transfer paper to use as a straight guideline to place my sticker letters upon the vase. There is a nice grid pattern on the back that helps with measuring and cutting.

I've selected some chunky foil letter stickers that are in my stash that are from the Dollar Tree. Since these stickers are a metallic foil and not paper stickers, I'm confident that the Etchall® Etching Creme will not be able to penetrate and work as a perfect letter mask. I used the detail pick tool to pick up the letters from the sticker sheet and place them onto the glass. Using the tool helps with application and keeping your fingers from dulling all the stickiness.

I place the letters spelling out backwards "SHARP!", then remove the guideline and reapply just above to spell out the remaining words "KEEP IT".

 

I use the squeegee tool to burnish down the sticker letters real good to ensure the etching creme doesn't seep under the edges. 

After all the letters are placed and burnished down, I add a couple of vinyl stripes to mimmick the six sides of a pencil; alternating etched and unetched areas; and then I am ready to etch! 

Using a recycled plastic fork, I scoop out and apply the Etchall® Etching Créme to the vase like I'm icing a cake - making sure a nice even layer is applied, then repeat to each section of the vase. 

I set this aside for 15 minutes while I sharpen three boxes of pencils. Sharpening that many pencils by hand actually took longer than 15 minutes... no worries -  the Etchall® Etching Creme stops itself so if you run a little longer everything is A-OK.

After 15 minutes {or more like 30 minutes} I return to remove the Etchall®. Nothing goes to waste here... this is totally recyclable!!! Using the squeegee tool I scrape the I scrape away the Etchall® Etching Créme and what's leftover goes back in the bottle.

Gently scrape away and drop the Etchall® Etching Creme right back into the container! This little bottle of créme can be used over and over again.

Once all of the Etchall® Etching Creme is removed, wash the remaining residue completely from the glass with just plain water. Gently pat dry with a soft cloth. 

Now peel away the transfer sheet...

and use the detail pick tool to peel off the sticker letters {which worked perfect as a resist mask with the Etchall® Etching Creme}.

LOOK AT THIS ETCHING!!!

Now to embellish this stylish and beautiful etched design with some pencils, rulers and erasers. 

A perfect compliment for the teacher's desk
with an inspirational message!

The best part... I did it myself. While I waited 15 minutes for the Etchall to do it's magic - I sharpened all the pencils {by hand} which took longer than the whole etching process. I love how this turned out and I have to admit it looks pretty sharp, too!

What DIY gifts do you make for teachers?

You have the Etchall® Etching Creme, but you need some "odds n' ends" {lights, tools, etchmask, etc}... This month Etchall® has a special coupon to pick up your odds n' ends at Etchall® -- this includes the designer tipkit, resist gel, bottlelight, etchmask, tools, and accessories! Use coupon code ODDSNENDS for 20% off select items.

+++++++

Stay tuned for more ideas on transforming items with Etchall®! :) Sb

** This is a sponsored post. Etchall® has provided products for use in this project in exchange for my creative ideas, views and opinions. My ideas and opinions are my own.