Paper Flowers in a Vintage Gramophone

Sing in the New Year with this fun display of paper flowers!

Something about paper flowers in a vintage gramophone just sings to me; so, I crafted up this pretty decorative piece using a die cutting machine and flexible wire. A little vintage music paper was also used to add interest to the piece.

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Happy New Year Metallic Bokeh Card & Video Tutorial

Happy New Year.... almost!  It's time to start making your New Year cards! 

When it comes to colors for new years, I tend to always think of gold, silver, and black so I knew those were the colors I wanted to use for my Happy New Years Metallic Bokeh card.

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Holiday Vase

Upcycle inexpensive glass pieces found in dollar stores and/or charity shops with etched designs!

 

My mother-in-law often received flower arrangements and would save the containers for me. I loved this square mirror vase and etched a snowflake design on each side. It was amazingly easy using either stencils or vinyl patterns cut on a shape cutting machine.

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Personalized Ornaments

With a couple of clear ornaments, some colored cellophane and embroidered letters, you too can make these beautiful ornaments in minutes!

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Sweet Christmas Treat Box

Give your friends and family small treats in a sweet little treat box this year.

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Christmas Junk Journal Helps You Stay Organized With Flair

This pretty Christmas Journal is loaded with secret pockets and pages to help you keep organized and efficient this holiday season.

This is the perfect journal to keep your lists, receipts, recipes and more handy. There's even envelopes for holding cash and gift cards.

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Upcycled Vintage Gumball Machine Ornament

Turn ordinary items from your craft stash into a Vintage Gumball Machine ornament!  So easy and so much fun to make.........

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DIY Christmas Candle Holders

DIY Christmas candle holders make great gifts and are easy to make too! I created this cute candy cane stipped candle holder using etchall® dip 'n etch liquid. For the full tutorial on how easy they are to make, click on read more below.

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Snow Day Survival Jar

This wintry project, my Snow Day Survival Gift Jar, would be a fun surprise for a child’s teacher, a friend that’s a teacher, or for anyone who needs a fun break from the seemingly endless winter weather these days! 

Give them the gift of some hot drinks to warm them while they watch a movie and munch on popcorn through a blustery winter day. Substitute your “filling” as needed to make a surprise for someone of any age. When they are finished with the treats inside, they’ve still got a pretty jar to hold other treasures. 

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Waiting for Santa Fairy House

In case you didn't know it, fairies believe in Santa, too! 

This whimsical fairy house is constructed from a real tree stump, and features a tiny scene of miniature treasures. Hopefully the fairy who lives in this charming dwelling has been good!

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How to make Woodslice Snowmen

What to do with a basket of Wood Slices…

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Ideas for Your Elf on the Shelf

Do you love Elf on the Shelf?

Coming up with fun and engaging new scenes for your special Elf can become quite a task, so I've put together some of my favorite ideas that I hope you'll enjoy!

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Festive Holiday Wreaths - On a Budget!

Do you love those "upscale" (expensive!) wreaths you see for sale around the holidays but don't have the cash to buy a new one for your home each year?  It's easy to create beautiful holiday wreaths for a fraction of the cost!

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Adorable Paper Gift Bag

This sweet little paper gift bag is perfect for gift giving to a special someone. The bright colors are cheerful and the tiny flowers and personal touches will bring a smile to the recipient of this pretty, handmade gift bag.

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HANDMADE CHRISTMAS STOCKING GIFT TAGS WITH TUTORIAL VIDEO

Make your own handmade Christmas gift tags this year! 

Why buy gift tags when these cute handmade Christmas stocking gift tags are easy to make?

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ColoriQue Blog Hop

ColoriQue is an ink based product developed by Clearsnap® and jewelry artist Lisa Marie Jimenez.  The colors are blendable and can be layered to create a variety of unique effects.  It is easily applied to both raw and plated metals to bring artistic color to each piece.  Not just for metal, ColoriQue can also be used on clay, ceramic, glass, wood and leather.  It dries quickly and is safe to use in a studio environment. 

Each Designer crafts connection member received a selection of colors to work with and metal pieces from U-Paint.  Follow the links below to see what each designer created and be inspired to create something special for your holiday décor.....

Michelle Frae Cummings

Trish Cortez

Maria Chuy Soto

Susie Bentz

Lorrie Greenway McCullers

Candy Rosenberg

Erin Reed
Nadine Carlier
Susan M Brown
Roberta Birnbaum
Anita Scroggins
Larissa Collins Pittman

Watercolor Thank You Cards

Whether you have an hour or just a few minutes, these cards are easy to make for when you need a quick "Thank You!

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French Country Fall Inspired Table Runner

French Country Inspired Stenciled Burlap Table Runner for Fall.

This table runner is a Quick & Easy DIY project with no sewing involved.

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Burlap Apples & Display Bowl

I love the rustic touch burlap brings to our home.  Creating seasonal burlap accents is a challenge I enthusiastically undertake and when I saw this bright right burlap from BurlapFabric.com - I knew just what I wanted to make!  

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Etched Autumn Votives

Turn some regular glass yeast jars into something amazing with a little etchall® crème and paint!

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Corrugated Metal Pumpkin

I love fall and harvest decorating and what would it be without the cheery, homey pumpkin. There are so many materials with which to make pumpkin decorations, but here is one you might not have considered - metal.  With an inexpensive tool, thin metal and patinas, they are easy and fun to make.

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Dinosaur Party Sign

Our Princess just had a dinosaur theme party and we finished out the day with a Dinosaur Adoption. The kids loved it! This sign was so easy and fun to make.

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How To Create Your Own Thanksgiving Placemats

This Thanksgiving create your own placemats!

Read more for a video tutorial on how to decorate your own placemats this Thanksgiving season.

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Hand Stamped Mini Pie Favor Boxes

These adorable miniature wood boxes are hand stamped and tied with baker's twine for a a party favor that houses a tasty treat!

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DIY Baby Gift

Quick and easy Forest Friend onesies are the perfect gift for a Fall baby shower!

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Autumn Leaves Centerpiece

Autumn leaves never go out of style - they're a beautiful, natural way to bring fall colors into your home. Once they drop from their branches, they're just begging to be used in a centerpiece. It's easy to make them last longer with découpage medium - my video tutorial gives you complete instructions - Enjoy!

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Halloween Wreath

From Halloween to Fall in a matter of minutes........  see how it's done....

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Amazing Casting Products -Blog Hop

Amazing Clear Cast Resin, Alumilite Dyes and Alumidust Colorants are the feature products for this month's Designer Crafts Connection blog hop. They are all part of the family of Amazing Casting Products and "amazing" is definitely the operative word......

 
This month's creative journey starts with clear cast resin. This is a liquid that cures to a rigid and durable clear plastic finish. It can be used to create small items, like jewelry and to coat large items like a bar top. Pour resin into silicone molds to create solid resin items, or create your own mold with Amazing Mold Putty. This clear resin can also be colored with a variety of colors of Alumilite dyes and with the addition of Alumidust there are even more creative effects and unlimited design possibilities.  

Let's take a look at the projects our designer members created. We know you'll be inspired, so scroll to the end of this post for a special discount coupon to help you get started with some fun holiday crafting!

Ann Strecko Koeman

Erin Reed

Steph Ackerman

Susie Bentz

Michelle Frae Cummings

Tracy Alden

Isabel Villarreal
Lyn Gill
Kristie Taylor
Candy Rosenberg
Maria Soto
Susan M Brown
Brenda Burfeind
Cat Kerr

How to make a Mummy Decoration for Halloween

Halloween is my absolute favorite time of the year and as my son gets older...the scare factor in my decorations goes up a 'notch'. Here, using common household items, I have created the ultimate Halloween decor!

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Going Batty for Halloween DIY Ornaments...

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.

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Pumpkin Paradise- a painter's delight featuring Fusion mineral paints and a sea-inspired finish

It is always exciting to welcome a new season and to greet it with anticipation, highlighting the uniqueness to each time of year.  In the fall, I love to see all the magazines, view Pinterest and see all the pumpkin-laden porches.  In Texas however, it is really too warm to set out the real deal, the parade of pumpkins become a mush in just a few short weeks (sometimes, days depending on the temperatures).  SO, I am so thankful to our big craft/box store.....

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How to Make A Spooky Halloween Centerpiece By Etching A Glass Vase

Planning on having a Halloween party or just love to decorate for Halloween? Etching a glass vase with a spider web stencil makes a wonderfully spooky centerpiece. Click read more below for my video tutorial on how I did it using etchall etching creme and stencil spray....

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Planning For Halloween

I love planning our Fall and Halloween activities.  My favorite part is all things crafty and decorating.  I even like to "Plan" my agenda for all things "Halloweenish".   See how I make some easy, fun, and cute decorative paper clips that you can use or give as small Treats. 

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World Card Making Day...

It's World Card Making Day!

Do you enjoy marking cards?  We do and we're sharing our favorite cards here. Please feel free to share your favorites.....  Enjoy!

An InLinkz Link-up

Batty Halloween Bucket with StyleTech Vinyl

Halloween is my favorite holiday! I can't wait to start putting my decorations out every year. This year I have a new addition - this fabulous Batty Halloween Bucket made with StyleTech Vinyl and an amazing glass jar I found on clearance at Hobby Lobby.

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Halloween Tabletop Decoration

This Halloween craft project is an oldie but a goodie that features two of my favorite products - smooth foam shapes and inkjet film. This little decoration will make your party table much more festive and you can use whatever images you want. Try it with photos of your kids in their costumes from last Halloween. My tutorial includes a short how-to video with lots of handy tips - enjoy!

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DIY Canvas Trick or Treat Halloween Bag

Create an easy DIY canvas Trick or Treat Halloween bag that any little goblin would love! 

You can make the tote to match the costume or make a fun tote that will be “watching you” with some fun googly eyes like I did. No more plastic pumpkins and no more fall apart plastic bags.

Click read more below to watch a tutorial video on how to create this fun trick or treat bag.

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Wreath for Halloween

Wrap a foam ring with lovely decorative mesh to make a holiday or Halloween wreath in no time.

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Fall Checklist Chalkboard

This pretty floral chalkboard, embellished with pom poms, ric rac, and a darling glittered crow, is the perfect home decor piece for fall. The flowers and leaves reflect the warm tones of the autumn season. This pretty DIY decor piece is simple to assemble and can be personalized with a flourish of your chalk marker!

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Dress Up Your Hat for any Season with Felt Flowers

This year I updated my favorite sun hat with a little die cutting magic!  Not just for summer; felt flowers are everlasting and with lots of colors to choose from; a perfect accent for both in and outdoor décor!  

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Halloween Votives

Quick'n EZ party lights for Halloween......

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Faux Blood - For Jewelry & More

I'm a certified "Halloween-aholic".   I just love creepy, ghoulish projects celebrating my favorite season of the year.   This is one of my all time favorite techniques and I've used it for jewelry, on glass, and in paper crafting for cards and scrapbook pages.  There are two versions - the original "blood" and then the truly GHOULISH version.....   Want to be a mad scientist?

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Kunin Felt Blog Hop

This month's blog hop is sponsored by Kunin Felts and Fabrics, made in the U.S.A. of Eco-fi^®.  Eco-fi is a high-quality fiber made from 100% post-consumer recycled plastic bottles. Kunin Felt recycles billions of water bottles every year that would otherwise be sent to landfills and makes them into a product which amazingly becomes felt. 12 bottles equals 1 lb of felt that can be used for children's crafts, home décor, even apparel.  The felt is also weather resistant and fade proof, making it great for outdoor décor. It can even be used to line garden beds or patio, to keep it weed free.  Read more about Eco-fi here.

Each designer received a selection of  9" x 12" craft cuts of Classic felt and/or 12" x 18" craft cuts of Premium felt.  Check out the following designer blogs for inspiration, then comment here about your favorite projects. Each comment will be entered into a random drawing to receive an assortment of both Classic felt and Premium felt valued at $75 to use to make your own projects!

 

Time to start hopping.......

Nadine Carlier 

Anita Scroggins 

Chantal Johnson 

Cindi McGee 

Steph Ackerman 

Terry Ricioli 

Erin Reed

Christie Troxell

Susan Brown

Sue Eldred

Trish Cortez

Ann Strecko Koeman

Tammy Santana

Michelle Frae Cummings
Larissa Pittman

Julie McGuffee

Vintage School Desk Make-Over

Transform a rusty old vintage desk into a cool industrial-feel side table.

For lots of "how to" pictures of this transformation......


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Beach Inspired Mirror

Summer is here, but in a few months it will be just another memory. Who doesn't love to remember those fun beach days!!!  I created this fun Beach inspired Mirror to remind me that the beach is never too far away!

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Pineapple Clips and Tags

Pineapples are huge right now, so why not give a little something as a gift to a friend or in a happy mail with a cute little pineapple clip ona sweet gift tag!!

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Faux Weathered Beach Wood Frame

Create the look of faux weathered wood from an old beach house, or storm battered fence on the dunes, with just a few materials.  A great option for creating frames to display your favorite oceanside memories!

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Shake it up with Mod Podge™ and McCormick Sea Salt and Pepper Grinders

I always take some Art and Craft supplies with me when I go on vacation (sewing and crochet supplies too).  Whenever we stay for an extended time and have a kitchen to use,  I want to make it feel a little more like home and a lot like vacation!!  Enter the plain grinders, ready to be shaken and stirred!

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DIY Vintage Washed Pickled Craft Tote

Learn how to create an Easy Pickled Finish with Vintage Effect Wash from Deco Arts.
The unfinished crate would make a great garden tool holder, picnic caddy, or my favorite…
a Craft Tote.

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