Memorial Day Craft! Lanterns to Decorate Your Holiday BBQ

I was searching for a fun and easy craft project to decorate with for Memorial Day.  I found these super cute paper lanterns! The project was created by the guru of crafts, Martha Stewart.  So get your glue and lets get craftin!

Materials:

1. Glue

2. Scissors

3. A Mini Stapler. A mini is suggested because it will fit in spaces better but you can use a stand size stapler if that is what you have on hand.

4. Red, White and Blue construction paper



Ready, Set.......Craft!

Step 1: Cut construction paper to 6 by 9 inches: fold in half lengthwise

Step 2: Fold edges back 1/2 inch for rims, and crease; unfold.

Step 3: Glue a 1/2-by-9-inch strip of decorative paper on each rim.

Step 4: Cut slits from middle fold to rims, spacing 3/4 inch apart. Shape into lantern: Open paper; bring the ends together to overlap slightly; staple.

Step 5: Staple 3/4-by-8-inch paper handle inside lantern.
Step 6: Glue on construction-paper stars (made with a craft punch). A punch is suggested but I like to draw free form stars and cut them out. It has more of a fun handmade feel to it.

From http://www.marthastewart.com/264087/holiday-lanterns

Spray Paint Test! RustOleum vs. Valspar Review

To Spray or Not to Spray...Either way I am not buying Valspar

I LOVE Spray Paint! It's easy to use and can take any item from drab to FAB in no time.  I recently had 3 wood dinning room chairs I was making over and needed them quickly done on time for the Lucketts Spring Market this past weekend.  Out of convenience I went to my closest hardware store to pick up some fun colors.  The brand they sold was Valspar.  I have never used this brand before but I though "Hey paint is paint, right"  I was SO wrong! First it had a rounded top that prevented me from using my spray paint attachment that turns it into a handy dandy spray gun.  I found the spray nozzle producing less over time and required me to use 2 thumbs inorder to get the paint out.  The twist and lock feature of the top created problems by paint hitting the sides of the outer cap creating splatters of paint that globbed up on my smooth surface I was trying to achieve.  The paint coverage was weak and required many layers upon layers and when a few minutes of drying time is needed in between applications your project goes from quick and easy to long and frustrating.  Luckily I had a can of RustOleum in my arsenal and felt a sense of joy and relief come over me.  RustOleum has a normal spray paint nozzle that allowed me to use my handy dandy attachment.  There is a more steady stream of paint produced and had a wonderful solid coverage that hid gaps and cracks like magic.  One thing that amazed me was the difference in what is considered a Glossy finish.  Once again RustOleum wins! Valspar left a rough texture and I had to double check I actually bought Glossy.  I was painting each chair white with different colored rungs.  I sprayed the rungs their chosen color and when it dried I wrapped them in paper and painters tape and sprayed the rest of the chair white.  I allowed the white to dry over night before peeling off the paper.  Oh no! The Paper stuck to the chairs where I used Valspar.  Needless to say this was a major disappointment and made a note to no longer buy Valspar spray paint. In the future I will go out of my way to visit the orange apron hardware store (you know who you are ;)) and buy RustOleum. Plus they have better colors anyway.  I hope my Spray Paint experience will help you in deciding the right paint.

Product Review: Gloss Pearl Mist Metallic Paint and Primer in 1

I love to peruse the spray paint aisle at my local hardware store.  I found that Rust-Oleum has come out with a line of hammered metal spray paints to give the appearance of metal without it actually being metal.  I found one in particular to be something different than the norm.  It’s the Gloss Pearl Mist Metallic Paint and Primer in 1.  It gives a wonderful sparkle to your project without it looking like you spray glitter all over it.  It’s just the right amount of shine.  Now it says it’s a “Primer” but don’t rely on it like your typical primer.  It doesn’t give you a solid coating instead it’s rather see through.  I suggest applying your favorite primer before using this product.  If you want a thick coat you will need to apply several coats but be careful because the product is runny if you apply too much at one time.  The other downfall I found is it doesn’t sand well.  I made the mistake of getting spray crazy and it started to run and drip.  I let it dry overnight and decided I would sand that down and try again.  That plan did not work.  While it did sand it was sticky and took on a bit of a brown color.  Luckily I stenciling was using a darker color on top in some places and decided that would be one place I would cover up.  It gives a great sparkle….just make sure you primed well.   

Grade:

Color: A

User Friendly: B  

Would I use it again? Yes

Love at First Light: The Journey to Makeover a Lamp

My mom and I decided it was time to check out the new Salvation Army store in Manassas, VA. It is one big store full of stuff. In the furniture displays they have it set up like you would have it at your house. I saw this lamp on a side table and thought how cute and funny it is. We continued to walk around the store looking at items such as wedding dresses, jewelry and mouthwash (Yes! Mouthwash with the plastic seal around the cap unbroken. Still I’ll pass). BUT I couldn’t get that cute lamp out of my head. I started thinking about all the ways to make it over, dress it up, breath a new life into this beautifully odd lamp. I told my mom I was going to buy that funny lamp. But then you think “if it’s not there then it’s not meant to be,” you get yourself ready incase it’s not there cause of course if you think it’s cute so does everyone else. My walking speed picked up as I neared furniture……”must get lamp”……”hurry” as I leave my mom in the trail of dust behind me. And there is was. Sitting pretty on the end table just waiting. I grabbed it….looked at the price…….and it was only $8.99. It made the find that much more worth it. It’s the only thing I bought there that day. Now what do I do with it?

Stay Tuned for more Crafty Mayhem!! Duhn Duhn DUUUHHHHHNNNN!!!

Get Your Veterans Day Craft ON!!!

A holiday is always the perfect time for Craft Time!!!!! OK everyday is perfect for craft time so here are some fun Veterans Day craft ideas. I am partial to the Statue of Liberty crafts.

Statue of Liberty Torches

Use old newspapers and roll them in a large cone shape. Let the children paint the cones. When dry, stuff with red and yellow tissue paper to be the flame of the torch.

Statue of Liberty Crowns

Cut crowns from stiff paper to fit around the child's head. Let them decorate them and then with their torches do a parade.

Stars and Stripes collage

Give each child blue construction paper(9x12) with strips of red and white paper cut 1x9. Have them glue the strips on and add silver star stickers. Cut the stars BIGGER for more fun and added effect.

Red, White, And Blue Puffy Paint Pictures

Materials:

Flour, Salt, Water, Red and blue food coloring, Empty mustard squeeze bottles or at least one with a pointy top like an old empty glue bottle, Cardboard

Directions:

1. Mix equal parts of flour, salt, and water to make the puffy paint.

2. Divide mixture into three different bowls and color one bowl of mixture blue, one bowl red, and leave the last one white.

3. Fill the mustard bottles with the mixture (one color per squeeze bottle).

4. Let the children squeeze the different colors onto the cardboard.

5. Allow the children's artwork to dry. When it is dry, the design will be raised and will sparkle!

Have Fun and Keep Craftin!!!!!!

Making the Next Sale

I had recently had the luck of 2 custom orders in a span of 3 weeks.  One was for book cloth and the other was for an 8"x10" box for a birthday party.  I was thrilled!! But afterwards I wondered.........

How to Make the Next Sale!!!

So I started thinking "OK what haven't I done? and what do I need to do?"  

Answer to Question #1, I have never bought an ad outside of Etsy.  I use Craftopolis a lot but I thought the people who go to Craftopolis are other Etsy sellers, not the browsing buyer.  I sent in an ad to run for 1 week for my hand dyed book cloth and linen thread.  I'm hoping Etsy sellers that use those kinds of supplies will be interested to fine my Esy store.  Now I am not hoping for a million sale from this but I am curious to see if it brings me anymore views/visits.

Answer to Question #2, I had don't have any uniformity with my photos.  I created these create wood backgrounds but have only been using them for new products.  The older products are wondering why they'll being left out. (yes I just refer to my products as humans with emotions)  I have monday off from work and I am going to sit a re-photograph all my products that are not with the lovely wood background.  

These are the types of things I read about on Etsy.  I am implementing them and am excited to see if there are any changes in views.  While I am unsure of pros and cons, I think the pros way out number the cons.  

Come join me on this Etsy experience and check back with me in a few weeks to see my results.

A Little Luck.....

Just when you think you're down and out someone makes a larger custom order.