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

May 18, 2013 by Leave a Comment

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

Filed Under: Crafts, Home Decor, Kids, Paper, Re-Purposed Tagged With: , , , , , , ,

Cork Foam Board Memo Board

February 1, 2013 by Leave a Comment

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!

Filed Under: Crafts, Home Decor, Kids, Paper Tagged With: , , , , ,

A Gift for Your Table or Another’s

December 8, 2012 by Leave a Comment

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.

Filed Under: Crafts, Entertaining, Holiday, Home Decor, Kids, Paper, Re-Purposed Tagged With: , , , , , , , , ,

JUMBO Stamp Art

August 27, 2012 by Leave a Comment

Terri O

Say that the chairs in your guest room or the couch in your living room are a print that you love but looking around the room you wish you could simply and inexpensively bring that design element into the rest of the room.

It is super simple to make your own matching accent canvases to decorate your home! Here’s how:

Supplies

  • 8 x 10 framed canvas. (I used the one inch think.)
  • Thick craft foam
  • Pencil
  • Scissors
  • Acrylic paint
  • Glue gun
  • Brushes
  • Paper plate
  • Inspiration (mine was the fabric)

Instructions

  1. Terri OFirst decide on what kind of pattern you want make. I did a flower. I drew out my design on a piece of paper then cut each part of the flower out. There were about 4 or 5 pieces to the flower. The center, a long petal, a short petal and a leaf. Use the paper cut outs as your pattern.
  2. Lay your pattern on a sheet of thick white craft foam and trace around it. Cut out each piece. Use some of your scraps and glue them onto your foam cut out pieces to make a handle. Just glue them on top of each other.
  3. Before you start stamping you might want to try out a design on a piece of paper. That way you can see what colors work and experiment with different designs.
  4. When you are ready paint each piece with some acrylic paint and stamp your design onto the canvas. If your Terri Ostamp does not leave a perfect impression don’t stress! I kind of like that look. But if you don’t you can easily go over it with a paint brush and make it perfect.
  5. If you decide to layer colors you will want to make sure that the paint is dry before stamping over it.
  6. Let your canvas dry and hang it on the wall for all to see and marvel over.

And if you want the video tutorial from Sonoran Living, click here.

Terri O

Filed Under: Crafts, Home Decor, News Tagged With: , , , , , , ,

Dancing Ghosts Bring On Halloween Crafts

August 27, 2012 by Leave a Comment

Halloween crafting has evolved and I will be sharing new projects for all of the upcoming holidays on Sonoran Living.

Meanwhile, you are welcome to join me on a journey into the Terri O craft archives. Don’t be scared as we  encounter my Famous Dancing Ghosts‼

Terri O

Terri O's Famous Dancing Ghosts

Now you might ask why they are famous, but if I told you, well, let’s just say the results could be frightening!

 

And, I like fun soooo much better! Let’s have a contest. Comment on this blog post by August 31, and tell me why you think my dancing ghosts are famous. I will send one random winner a set of my crafting videos!

Meanwhile, here’s how you can make the ghosts dance for you and your family:

Craft Supplies

  • 6 White sheets cut in half. (Cut across the width)
  • 6 Wooden steaks about 4 to 5 feet long
  • 6 Plastic trash bags (or recycled grocery bags)
  • Masking tape
  • Newspaper
  • Black acrylic paint and brush
  • Fishing line

Instructions

  1. Pound stakes into the ground so they are stable. I put mine in a circle or around a tree.
  2. Crumble up newspaper and stuff it into the corner of a trash bag. Put enough in to make a normal size head. Wrap masking tape around it and attach it to the wooden steak.
  3. Drape one sheet over the trash bag and tie a small piece of fishing line loosely around the neck. Do this for all six steaks placing them about 3 feet apart.
  4. Grabbing a corner of each sheet tie them together to create the illusion of them holding hands. Using black paint, paint a face for each one.
  5. Now get ready to have the whole neighborhood stop by and tell you how clever you are! By the way, at the end of the holiday just wash the sheet and put the steaks away for next year.
  6. Mini Dancing Ghosts: The concept is the same except instead of stakes I used dowels and Styrofoam balls for heads!

terri O

At the entrance to the dancing ghost party you’ll be greeted by a wealth of pumpkins that you won’t have to carve.

Black Pumpkins with Sunflowers:

Craft Supplies

  • Faux pumpkin
  • Black spray paint (flat)
  • Adhesive
  • Large Yellow paper flowers for eyes with a polka dot brads
  • Silver glitter glue for mouth
  • Silver rhinestones for a tooth

Instructions

  1. Paint pumpkin and let dry.
  2. Attach brad to flowers and glue for eyes.
  3. Draw a mouth shape with glitter glue and fill in tooth with rhinestones.

Black Pumpkins with Animal Print:

Supplies

  • Faux pumpkin
  • Black spray paint (flat)
  • Adhesive
  • Animal print felt cut out for eyes and a mouth

Instructions

  1. Paint pumpkin and let dry.
  2. Simply cut out the shapes and glue.

Boo Pumpkins:

Supplies

  • 5 mini pumpkins (real or faux)
  • Ribbon in various shapes and colors
  • Chipboard tags
  • Peel and stick letters
  • Straight pins
  • 3 candle holders

Instructions

  1. Paint three chipboard tags black and add letters.
  2. Attach with ribbon and hold ribbon in place with a pin
  3. Decorate the other pumpkins with ribbon and hold in place with pins.

Terri OThese eyes make a nice décor looking over the appetizers.

Eerie Eyeballs

Craft Supplies

  • Styrofoam ™
    • Balls: 8”, 4”, 3”, 2”
    • Eggs: 4” and 3”
    • Dimensional Fabric Paint
    • Crystal clear plastic wrap

Tools:

  • Foam Cutter or Serrated Knife
  • Toothpicks
  • Heat Gun or Hair Dryer
  • Scissors
  • Low-temp Glue Gun

Instructions

  1. To create the double eyes, use the foam cutter or a serrated knife to cut the eggs in half lengthwise. Lay them on the table cut sides down.
  2. Glue them together (with low-temp glues) in unusual ways to create fun looks: Tilt the narrowed ends in and the wide ends apart to create “worried” eyes, or cut the narrow ends of the eggs off to create eyes that are peeking over something. Tips: Create a stronger bond by creating a larger surface for gluing: use the foam cutter to make a small flat spot where the two sides of the eyes meet. Toothpicks can be inserted between the pieces for additional support.
  3. Insert a toothpick to use as a handle as you paint the eyes.
  4. Paint circles for the colored iris on each of the balls or eggs as large or as small as you desire. Let dry.
  5. Paint black circles in the centers of the eyes for pupils, and outline the irises.
  6. Use red fabric paint to draw red blood vessels. Let dry.
  7. Cut squares of plastic wrap big enough to cover the eyeballs plus a little to overlap slightly.
  8. 8.      Wrap each eyeball, pulling the plastic wrap snug as you go to smooth creases. Tip: when wrapping egg shaped eyes, wrap each half egg separately.
  9. Use a heat gun or a hair dryer (on hottest setting) to “shrink” the plastic wrap to the eyeballs, giving them a glossy look.

Halloween Garland
It only takes a few hours to create this spooky garland to string across the mantel or over a window. Even the kids can help! Use your imagination and try to come up with different shapes to sew & stuff. This is one project you can keep adding to year after year.

Craft Supplies:

  • Felt-black, orange, green
  • Floss
  • Needle #22
  • Cheesecloth
  • Fabric stiffener Glow in the dark textured paint
  • Black pipe cleaners
  • Splat mat
  • Fishing line
  • Scissors
  • Glue gun
  • Wire snips
  • Black yarn
  • Wood cuts
  • Stuffing ( I used bamboo fiber)

Project Directions:

  1. Make two layers of felt and cut out your designs. I cut out pumpkins, bats, spiders and crosses.
  2. Stitch them together with floss leaving a space for stuffing.
  3. Stuff them and stitch closed.
  4. To make the ghosts cut a small piece of cheesecloth and saturate with Stiffy.
  5. Place cheesecloth on the splat mat and form the shape of a ghost and let it dry for several hours.
  6. Drill holes in the wood cut outs then paint them with glow in the dark paint.
  7. Create the garland by tying together several long strands of yarn. The length depends on how long you want it to be.
  8. Attach all your creations with fishing line and hang.
  9. I used some items I found at the dollar store to fill in the gaps.

Want treats your guests can take home?

Tin Can Halloween Treats Craft Project

Craft Supplies

  • Small tin cans with pull tab tops
  • Safe can opener
  • Halloween paper and embellishments
  • Adhesive runner
  • Tacky glue or E 6000 or industrial glue

Instructions

  1. Using your “safe” can opener (the one that takes the end off without cutting), open the cans from the bottom. Remove paper and wash. I made sure to keep the bottom with the can it came from just in case.
  2. Fill can with candy and glue bottom back on. I set something heavy on mine overnight to make sure it was firmly in place when it dried.
  3. Decorate the outside of the tin with paper and embellishments.
  4. Pass them out at your party and let everyone be amazed at how you got the candy inside the can, without opening it!

 

Filed Under: Crafts, Entertaining, Holiday, Home Decor, Kids, News, Re-Purposed Tagged With: , , , , , , , ,

Two Contempo Wall Art Craft Projects

August 16, 2012 by Leave a Comment

Add instant pop to a plain wall with this simple project. If you change your decor with the seasons or for holidays, creating different sets of these “tiles” is an inexpensive way to change the feel of a room. The flower placement lends a natural contrast and another dimension of color.

Terri O Super SimpleCraft Materials Needed:

  • Styrofoam™ Brand Foam – 1″ x 12″ x 36″ sheet, three
  • Scrapbook paper:  12″ x 12″, nine sheets
  • Ribbon, 1″ x 12 yds.
  • Ruler
  • Sharp pencil
  • Serrated knife and old candle; or, dental floss
  • Thick, white craft glue
  • Sawtooth picture hangers, nine
  • Straight pins (optional)

Instructions:

  1. Using ruler and pencil, score foam sheet to create three, 12″ x 12″ squares. Wax serrated knife with an old candle. Holding foam sheet firmly on a flat surface, extend one end and cut across score line, using knife like a saw. Or, try dental floss: stand the sheet on its edge, and hold a 20″ length of dental floss along the scored line, positioning one hand at the bottom of the board and the other at the top; draw the dental floss down through the foam sheet along the scored line. Repeat with remaining two foam sheets.
  2. Spread white craft glue on foam square, center 12″ x 12″ paper, and adhere to foam. Repeat, covering all of the foam squares.
  3. Pin or glue ribbon around edges.
  4. Glue sawtooth picture hanger to back. For additional hold, insert and glue two straight pins through holes in sawtooth picture hanger.
  5. Let dry before hanging.

Typical Project Completion Time: 1-2 hours

 

Terri Ouellette

Concert shirts? Vacation shirts? Upcycle ‘em!

Click the link below for the how to video from my Sonoran Living segment:

DECORATE YOUR WALL WITH OLD T-SHIRTS

Filed Under: Crafts, Holiday, Home Decor Tagged With: , , , , , , , ,

Create a memento of one of your favorite events or a collection of memories

August 14, 2012 by Leave a Comment

We spend hours preserving photos of enjoyable events.

Why not do the same with other items that mean something special to us? This project is a great way to showcase special mementos from an important event in your life, or make a unique gift.

I designed the shadow box (below, left) for my BFF Steve.

terri o

You can also create shadow boxes from paper and embellishments, vacation mementos, found objects, or collections of your treasures. It’s super simple!

You will need:

·    Framed shadow box

·    Craft glue or glue dots

·    The items you want to include

·    Paper or fabric for the background

Instructions:

  1. Take apart your shadow box frame and cut out your paper for the background. Glue the paper to the inside background.
  2. Lay out your design on the paper or fabric before you glue anything down.
  3. Once you are happy with your layout, paying attention to the layers you want, glue the items you have chosen down.
  4. Stand you project upright to make sure everything is secure.
  5. If you want, write in the corner or on the back of the box if appropriate , the date or event your shadow box commemorates.
  6. Reassemble your frame and enjoy!

Tip: I added a family picture to one of my shadowboxes. To this day it remains one of my favorite keepsakes.

 

Filed Under: Crafts, Home Decor, Kids, Life, News Tagged With: , , , , ,

We Awaken Dreamers…

July 9, 2012 by 6 Comments

Making crafts is all about bringing beauty into the world and

getting carried away in pursuit of our dreams.

Super Simple with Terri O

 

Materials:

SLK Industrial Chic We pendant

SLK Industrial Chic Crystal Dream Heart (The other heart pictured said “miracle”. As I was designing the piece, I decided mirror was a better fit.)

SLK industrial Chic Green Cord and Pink Ribbon

A piece of blue ribbon

Rhinestones

Silk flowers

Craft frame

Paper birds cut out of paper and coated with ICE Resin®

Pink and Green Glitter

Luminart Shimmering Mists

Mirror (I chose a 10x magnification mirror so you have to step into the dream to put on your lipstick!)

A tiny nail

Craft Glue

Tools: Scissors & a Hammer

Time: about 30 minutes

Super Simple with Terri O

Step 1: I sprayed the frame with 3 different colors of Shimmering Mist.

Step 2: The frame was backless so I trace the heart on a heavy sheet of plastic and attached the ribbon and mirror with glue.

SUper simple with terri oStep 3: I made a simple bow with the 2 colors of ribbon and the cord and glued it in place.

Step 4: I decided where I wanted my design elements and hammered in the nail, and then glued a rhinestone on top.

super simple with terri oStep 5: I added the glitter, flowers, rhinestones and birds.

super simple with terri oStep 6: I hung the WE pendant to the corner of the frame with a length of green cord.

Susan Weckesser Industrial Chic project is up tomorrow on the hop! Check her out at My Sweet Earth.

 

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Stars and Stripe T-shirts and Guest Soaps

June 28, 2012 by Leave a Comment

The day Americans celebrate freedom is midweek this year. For those of you celebrating your freedom at home, here’s a pre-party project for your bathroom plus one you can have super quick fun project an older teen can help the younger kids make.

Are there red white and blue towels in your bathroom this Fourth of July? How about white daisies and red carnations in a blue vase beside the sink? Well, you need soap for your Independence Day guests.

It’s pretty simple to make those pretty glycerin soaps with different colored shapes inside when you know how!

super simple with terri oScented Glycerin Soap

Materials Needed:

Glycerin soap
Large soap molds
Small soap molds
Small paintbrush
Soap fragranceSoap colorant
Spray bottle filled with alcohol

Step 1:

In a microwave-safe bowl, melt a small amount of glycerin soap in microwave for approximately 1 minute; add soap colorant.

Step 2:

Carefully pour soap into small mold, making certain to fill mold to the top. Spray with alcohol to get rid of any bubbles, then place in freezer for approximately 10 to 15 minutes.

Step 3:

Remove soap from molds and allow them to come to room temperature.

Step 4:

Using soap colorant, paint your small molds, then allow them to dry overnight.

Step 5:

Melt remaining glycerin soap in a medium-sized bowl for approximately 1 minute, or as needed, being careful not to burn the soap.

Step 6:

Add fragrance to melted soap. Note: A little goes a long way.

Step 7:

Carefully pour a small amount of soap into large mold; spray with alcohol to get rid of any bubbles, then place in freezer for approximately 2 minutes.

Step 8:

Place small soap pieces into the center of the large soap mold; spray with alcohol.

Step 9:

Heat remaining unused glycerin soap until just liquid. Make certain the soap won’t melt the small insert, then pour soap to the top of the large mold, spray with alcohol, then freeze 10 to 15 minutes.

Step 10:

Remove soap from molds, smooth sides of soap bars by rubbing sides, then trim as needed.

The kids will need supervision on this next one, but it goes pretty fast depending on how many little ones are celebrating.

terri oFabric Transfers

Materials Needed:

Crayola fabric crayons
Few sheets of white typing or copier paper
T-shirt, cloth bag or fabric item of your choice
Iron
Ironing cloth (optional)

Step 1:

Draw a picture or design on piece of paper. Remember, when you iron it on, it will be reversed. So, the design should look as it would in a mirror. (For example, the “S” in the Superman symbol would look backwards to you unless you held it up in a mirror.)

Step 2:

After finishing your drawing, brush off any excess crayon. Then, place the picture face down in the spot where you want to transfer the image.

Step 3:

Use an ironing cloth or an extra sheet of paper between the iron and picture so your iron isn’t damaged by the crayons.

Step 4:

Set iron on cotton setting and no steam. Put iron down over a portion of the fabric. Let sit for a couple seconds, lift and move to another spot. Do not rub back and forth with iron; it will smear image.

Step 5:

You can lift up the corners of your paper to see if your image has transferred, being careful not to shift paper. The design will also begin to show through the paper once it’s ironed.

Helpful Hints:

The colors become more vibrant once they are ironed onto fabric.

Have fun!

Remember to thank a veteran or someone in ser

Filed Under: Crafts, Entertaining, Home Decor, Kids, News Tagged With: , , , , ,

Rustic Room Divider

June 4, 2012 by Leave a Comment
Terri O

Wood, Before and After

Room dividers give you a chance to update your space in just a couple of hours.

Plus, this rustic wood technique is simple to create on other surfaces in your home!

Time: A couple of hours

Materials Needed:

An old wooden door
Chicken wire
Tapered candle
Wood glue
Sandpaper
Disposable bowl
Disposable paintbrush
Acrylic paint
Brass or metal accessories

Step 1:

Saw door in half lengthwise. My door had removable panels that I pulled out. I started my project by marking it up with a candle. Tip: Straight lines work best.

Step 2:

Once you have the wax markings you want, lightly apply strokes of acrylic paint. I chose a sage green color first (Be careful — it dries fast!). Gently sand. The areas with both wax and paint will come off, giving the door a nice, rustic look.

Step 3:

Repeat the candle marking (step 1). Next, lightly apply another coat of acrylic paint. This time I chose sandstone. Once dry, gently sand again.

Terri OStep 4:

I filled in the panel areas with chicken wire, but “rusted” them first using a quick coat of coffee bean and sandstone. I used wood glue to attach the wire to the door.

Step 5:

Accessorize with trinkets or whatever fun pieces you have in your home!

Filed Under: Crafts, Home Decor Tagged With: , , , , ,
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