‘Tweet Lil’ Wooden Bird with Scrapbook Paper and Thread Spools

Super Simple Terri OI saw a folk art bird like this one for sale in a shabby chic shop. The tag was $12! Eek!

I am going to show you how super simple it is to lovingly craft one bird for a tenth of that. For $12 you could recreate a flock of these sweet tweeters!

You might have to spend all of a $1 for the wooden bird, but the rest of the tools and craft supplies you probably already have to hand.  The whole project takes about 30 minutes to do. Honestly, I spent the most time picking out buttons and the paper I wanted to use.

You’ll need, buttons, spools of thread, a length of ribbon or cord ,a bamboo skewer, a wooden bird, glue, 2 contrasting yet complimentary scrapbook papers, plus a pencil and scissors.

Terri O CraftFor the base, I used 3 little spools of thread I had as part of a sewing kit and tied them together.

Use Aileen’s or E6000 to glue the buttons on top of the spools.

Insert skewer.

Next I traced the bird and the wings onto scrapbook paper and cut them out

Tip: If you take a piece of white scrap paper and press it down on around the edges of the elevated bird’s wing, you will get enough of an impression to cut out a wing template.

I glued the paper and the button eyes down with regular Elmer’s glue.

Terri O DIY crafts

I managed to buy the last bird in the store. But this project would be cute if the bird had a couple of tweet friends. Just as you might display 3 candles at separate heights as a centerpiece, you could have 3 birds at different heights – simply shorten 2 of the skewers.

Alternately I could have painted the bird.

Terri O

Add Bling and Sass to Summer Sandals and Swimsuits

Want to make plain flip flops get ohhs and ahhs?craft sandals terri o

If you would rather not pay $20 or $30 or more  for designer sandals or flip flops, here is my super simple way to add beads and bling!

The great thing is, it costs just pennies and a few minutes of your time to craft. Update your summer swimsuit and sandals with some beads and bling. I used last years shoes and an inexpensive pair I bought for a dollar.

Adding spice to a swim suit is just as simple!

Materials:

2 pair of plain sandals or flip flops

assorted beads (or buttons or a combination of the two)

wire

hot fix tool

flexible glue

rhinestones

headpin

wire cutters
Beaded Bling Sandals:

1.  First lay out your beads in the order you want them to be placed on your shoe. String it with beads. You will need about 3 times the length of the strap for the wire.

2.  Attach the wire by pushing it thru the spot where it is attached to the bottom of the shoe. Wrap it around the rubber knob that secures the strap to the shoe. Simply wrap the wire around the shoe strap and place a bead on top each time your wrap it.

3.  Once your reach the end, secure it into the bottom of the little knob that secures the strap. If your shoes break our wear out, because they are pretty cheap, simply cut the wire and remove the beads.

Rhinestones Sandals:

1. I used a hot fix tool to adhere the beads. For the larger beads make sure you use FLEXIBLE glue.

update swim suit terri oUpdated Swim Suits:

1. I just added a few beads on a head pin to give an old suit some new life.

 

If you’d like to see how, click here!

 

Patricia from New York won my DVDs this week.

You could be next if you leave a comment that you have contacted your local station.

One winner chosen each Friday, announced on Saturday.

Heroes never go out of fashion

Vintage and near vintage art is popularly repurposed in jewelry and mixed media art. I have not decided what I will make with this piece, maybe a card later in the month for Operation Write Home’s annual blog hop, maybe a piece of jewelry. However, when I ran across this poster my son is the first person who came to mind.

Standing_Tall Armed Forces Day poster 1951

The poster is circa 1951 and celebrates National Armed Forces Day. Here is the poster for May 18, 2013:

2013ArmedForcesDayThumb

On February 27, 1950, President Harry Truman signed the proclamation declaring the third Saturday in May National Armed Forces Day. Parades at military bases in the US and abroad marked the day.

“Armed Forces Day, Saturday, May 20, 1950, marks the first combined demonstration by America’s defense team of its progress, under the National Security Act, towards the goal of readiness for any eventuality. It is the first parade of preparedness by the unified forces of our land, sea, and air defense,” President Truman said.

Here are a few more photos nabbed from the DOD site.

PassingInReview

PASSING IN REVIEW – Airmen from Andrews AFB, Md., salute President Harry S. Truman during a parade down Constitution Avenue in Washington, D.C. (AFD-1951)

PeeringAtControls

PEERING AT CONTROLS – Future pilots check out the controls of a jet during an open house at Kadena Air Base, Okinawa, Japan. (AFD-1956)

PerformingBest3

PERFORMING AT THEIR BEST – The National Guard band of Washington D.C., performs on the grounds of the Washington Monument. (AFD-1976)

108th Army Band AZ

Arizona has its own Army National Guard Band that performs around the state.The jazz section is particularly super! http://www.108tharmyband.com/Home.aspx There are many military bands around the US. If you would like to request a band perform in your community you can do that HERE.

 

 

owhheadlogo

If your desire is to create something nice for our men and women currently in service check out the inspiration and instructions for making blank cards for them to send  to loved ones at Operation Write Home where more than 2 million cards have been deployed since 2007.

 

Super Simple Ribbon Rose to Sew

Need a quick embellishment for a hat, a blouse, a box even a strand of pearls?

Ribbon roses are Super Simple and easy to make in a few minutes.

Grab your ribbon, a needle, thread and scissors. Have fun!

Terri O Ribbon Rose

Sassy Sonoran Stilettos You Can Make!

I was thrilled to be asked to be a guest artist for Second Inspired Soles: A stiletto shoe auction to benefit Artlink Phoenix. The show is back by popular demand among patrons and local artists for its second year.

Local designers, artists and celebrities have custom-decorated the stilettos.

Those of you who live in the Phoenix Metro Area are getting a sneak peek!

Terri O DIY Stilettos
For those of you who are not able to attend but want to add sass to your own stilettos, the instructions are below.

All of the stilettos will be unveiled and auctioned on April 5, 2013, during First Friday in Downtown
Phoenix at the 6th Avenue Gallery (located on the southwest corner of Sixth Avenue and
McKinley, one block south of Roosevelt. The gallery is in the basement level of the
building).

The stilettos will remain on display throughout the month of April.

A portion of the proceeds will benefit Artlink Phoenix, a nonprofit organization dedicated to linking artists, business and the public to better understand, appreciate and promote the thriving arts community in Central Phoenix.

Sassy Sonoran Stilettos
Level: Moderate
Designed by: Terri O

Supplies:
Plain Black Stilettos
Red Paint (I used Master’s Touch Acrylic in red)
White 3 Dimensional Paint
Hot Fix Rhinestones
Round Sponge Dauber
Paper Plate

Instructions:
1. You will have to do the shoes in stages so that each step dries. First I did the zebra stripes on the
platform of each shoe and let it dry.
2. Paint the bottom red. You may need several coats of paint. Let dry in between each coat.
3. With the round sponge dabber, add the polka dots to your shoes and let dry.
4. Place two rows of hot fix rhinestone to the heel.
5. Keep in mind this was my creation. Yours may look different but that does not mean it is wrong!
Embrace your own creativity!!
6. xo

Tushy Cushion DIY Craft

Terri O Tushy CushionIf you have kids then no doubt you spend hours watching them play sports. Well some of the stadium seats are pretty hard. Here is a way to give your tush a much needed break!Craft Supplies:

  • Two large size bubble envelopes
  • Decorative tape

Project Instructions:

    1. Fold both pieces of bubble wrap in half.
    2. Tape them together with some pretty tape.
    3. Thank me later. 

If you have kids then no doubt you spend hours watching them play sports. Well some of the stadium seats are pretty hard. Here is a way to give your tush a much needed break!

Craft Supplies:

Two large size bubble envelopes
Decorative tape

Project Instructions:

Fold both pieces of bubble wrap in half.
Tape them together with some pretty tape.
Thank me later.

Tips!

You can use any type of tape. For something fun you can use decorative duct tape Or you can find colors to match your favorite team or sport!

Tips!
You can use any type of tape. For something fun you can use decorative duct tape Or you can find colors to match your favorite team or sport!

Lucky Shamrock T-shirt

Super simple green clothes to celebrate your Irish heritage…doesn’t matter if you have a little or a lot (or maybe you are borrowing for a day).

I’m sure you will find this t-shirt is easy to make and I hope  the techniques shared I’m sharing will surely send you on a journey to discover how you can embellish fabric with paint and bling!

Supplies and Tools:

T-shirt

Acrylic paint

Sponges for stamps

Paper plate

Gloves

Heat tool and hot fix beads if you like.

  1. If needed, pre-wash your t-shirt. Make sure you do not use fabric softener.
  2. Place a piece of cardboard in between your t-shirt otherwise the paint will seep thru.
  3. Draw a heart shape on the flat sponge and cut it out. I used two different shapes. You can also cut out a stem.
  4. Add water to the sponges to expand them and pat dry as much as possible.
  5. Use the paper plate as a palette and dip your sponges in the paint and press. Make sure to wear gloves and be careful to not place your fingers on the shirt.
  6. Let dry before you add any crystals.

If you would like to see how it’s done, CLICK HERE.

Leprechaun St. Pat’s Photo Op Craft for Kids and Adults

A Mom on Pinterest inspired me to make this cutout, but you don’t have to be a mom or a child to have some silly fun with it!

 

Tara Hitchcock, my former co-worker from Good Morning Arizona

Supplies:

Large piece of cardboard or poster board

Construction paper

Scissors

Glue

Pencil

Exacto knife

Instructions:

  1. Draw a circle in the center of your board. Make sure it’s large enough to fit a face.
  2. Cut out the face and keep the cardboard.
  3. Use the cardboard to lay on top of the orange paper for the beard. That way you can use it as pattern to trace.
  4. Cut out paper for the hat and glue.
  5. Stick a face in it and take a cute picture (Here is what the Sonoran Living gang did with the cutout!).
  6. Text to your friends. LOL

 

 

 

Cork Foam Board Memo Board

Not only is this memo board cute, it is sturdy!

It made it home from a trade show without visible wear and tear or structural damage (and it was tucked into a vehicle that was packed full of stuff!) Kudos to the folks at Elmer’s for pairing a thin layer of cork on top of foam-core board. The super simple instructions for this memo board are below, but I can see this as useful as elementary school science project explanation boards.

What might you use Cork Foam Board to make?

Materials:

Elmer’s 20” x30” x 3/8” Cork Foam Board

Board Mate Dual Tip Glue Pen

CraftBond Quick Dry Dual Tip Pens

Glue Spots, thin-small

X-Acto Curve Knife with Z Series #11 Blade

Metal Ruler

12” x 12” Self Healing Cutting Mat

Scissors

Scrapbook Paper

Painters brand Opaque Paint Markers in coordinating colors

Ribbon:

30” lengths of 1/8” wide each of two coordinating colors

12” length of 3/8” wide patterned ribbon

8 flathead thumbtacks

8 1/2” to 3/8” buttons

 

Instructions:

Measure four equal portions of the Cork Foam Board. Score board lightly with your X-Acto Knife (place it against the metal ruler for cutting ease) then cut deeper with several passes of the knife. You now have four pieces that are 10” x 15”.

Place the board vertically on your work surface. Mark and measure 7 1/2” down from each corner and draw a line horizontally connecting the marks.

Generously apply glue to the top half of the board and cover with scrapbook paper. Flip foam board over and use X-Acto knife to trim edges.

Flip the board back over and mark the middle along each edge of the paper side of the board.

Glue ribbon at corners only crossing board as shown it the photo. Trim  excess length with scissors.

Apply a line of glue across bottom edge of paper and adhere patterned ribbon. Trim excess.

Use glue spots to attach buttons to ribbon intersections and tops of thumbtacks.

Use paint markers to decorate cork as you wish and then let dry.

Attach your chosen hanger to the back or place in a wooden frame.

 

Hmmmm… I can see vintage looking scrapbook paper paired with repurposed jewelry instead of buttons or,

wait!

sports themed scrapbook paper and matching sports buttons…

However you make this project, I wish for you to have fun!

A Gift for Your Table or Another’s

Need a fast hostess gift? Does your child want to make a present for their teacher? Just want something new on your dinner table tonight?

Terri O

“Vintage Snowman” Crafted by Carol for Terri O

This craft project upcycles two items, a wine bottle (washed) and jewelry (some you have and never seem to wear or perhaps some great thrift store finds). You can use it as a candle holder for a dripless candle or a a vase for a single flower.

Terri O

“Smiles” Crafted by Carol for Terri O

Materials:

Pretty paper – I used scrapbook paper

Embellishments – ribbons, jewelry, paper flowers

Recycled wine bottle

Tools:

Strong craft glue or Glue Gun with glue sticks

Scissors or paper cutter

Terri O

“Merry & Bright” Crafted by Carol for Terri O

Instructions:

1. Set wine bottle on a flat surface and place paper around it. Not all bottles are blown equally, your paper will probably overlap on small bottles and it might have a small gab with larger ones. Decide where you want to cut or tear the paper and do so.

2. If you are adding a  brooch, go ahead and carefully pin it to the paper and tape across the pinback on the back side of the paper for extra security.

3. Glue on paper.

4. Tear or cut paper for the throat of the bottle and glue on.

5. Embellish with ribbon.

Project time is about 10 minutes per bottle once you have chosen your paper and embellishments.