This Week: TINY FLOWER BOTTLES

Hang a little fragrant flower just about anywhere: from your bike, next to your desk, on the bathroom mirror, or on every chair at a party. You can stamp or hand letter a monogram on each tag. Or string a bunch together to spell out a word.

GET THE ART HERE

Or get the artwork in the "artwork downloads" column to the right. Print it out on 4" x 6" photo paper, and make sure the print size is 100%. You might need to save the file and print using a photo application.

This art is only for your personal use, and may not be reproduced.  And please, if you use my artwork, send me a picture of what you made, so I can pin it to my pinterest board.

FIG. 1 Supplies: Three flower tubes, printout, floral stem wire, scissors, wire cutters, Tacky glue, and crepe paper. I used this kind. Ask a flower shop for the flower water tubes. These are 3 ½” tall. Sometimes they come with pointy ends. You can use those too, but dry-fit the paper first because you might need to adjust the size.

FIG. 2 Cut the blue crepe paper 2 ½” wide x 5 ½” tall with the grain running top to bottom. Cut the orange paper 2 ½” wide x 3 ½” tall with the grain running crossways. Turn the blue paper face down and run a bead of glue 1” from the bottom. Attach the orange piece with grain running crossways.

FIG. 3 Cut fringe through both layers, almost to the top of the orange paper.

FIG. 4 Sparingly glue the blue paper, except for the top ¾” so you don’t glue the paper to the cap.

FIG. 5 Wrap the paper around the tube. You may need to add a dot of glue to the top seam near the cap.

FIG. 6 Cut a 2” piece of wire. Twist it tightly below bottle, to make a tassel.

FIG. 7 Cut out the artwork, keeping the circles attached together like wings. Bend a bottle into a trough shape and lay a bead of glue down the center.

Fig. 8 Attach the bottle just under the cap. Let it dry!

FIG. 9 Cut two 2” pieces of wire. Attach a loop to the center of the wire, with the ends about 1” apart.

FIG. 10 Lay the wire loop underneath the flower tube.

FIG. 11 Bring both ends around to cross in front, while simultaneously tucking the open tag art, face down, underneath the wire cross.

FIG. 12 Bring the ends around the back and twist.

FIG 13 Apply a small dot of glue inside the tag and pinch it tightly closed.  Add a monogram  to the tag.

FIG. 14 Remove cap, fill with water, replace cap, insert flowers in front of the wire loop. Hang it somewhere near enough to smell the flowers.

This Week: CHAMPION MOM

Give this prize ribbon to anyone who is a champion to you. If you want to get extra fancy, download the “Week 16 Elephant Brooch” artwork, and add some hanging jewels to this award.

GET THE ART HERE

Or get the artwork in the "artwork downloads" column to the right. Print it out on 4" x 6" photo paper and make sure the print size is 100%. You might need to save the file and print using a photo application.

And please, if you use my artwork, send me a picture of what you made, so I can pin it to my pinterest board. 

FIG. 1 Supplies: Printout, detail scissors (or an Xacto knife), wire cutters, pin back and tacky glue, thin floral stem wire, double-stick tape (not removable),baking parchment (see fig. 2), and crepe paper or ribbon. I used this double-sided and metallic paper. You could use ribbon too. But, the gold rosette in the center would be an advanced skill.

FIG. 2 Cover the back of the printout with double-stick tape. Press it onto the parchment paper as a sticker backing. Carefully cut out all the images. Keep the flowers and leaves together like butterflies. I used an Xacto knife to get the little bits inside the trophy handles.

FIG. 3 Remove the backing from the large circle art, and place it face down. Cut eight strips of crepe paper (or ribbon) 3 ½” x 1 ½”. Put a small piece of tape on one end of a strip. Bring the other end around to overlap the tape. Just overlap, don’t fold over. Stick four loops to the back of the circle art.

FIG. 4 Fill in between the loops, with four more loops.

FIG. 5 Cut a piece of crepe paper 1” x 4.” Tape the two ends together with a piece of double-stick tape on the back. Pinch the seam, so they are securely stuck together.

FIG. 6 Flatten out the rosette, stretching the outside edge carefully, while pressing down in the center.

FIG. 7 Add a few more bits of double-stick tape to the back of the rosette and stick it in the center of the loops. Peel the backing off the laurel wreath, and put it on the top.

FIG. 8 Cut seven 2” pieces of stem wire. Remove the backing from the leaves and flowers. Fold them around each stem, pinching tightly.

FIG. 9 Arrange the stems on the back of the trophy sticker. Add more tape on top of the stems.

FIG. 10 Stick the trophy vase to the center of the rosette. Bend the wires slightly to arrange the bouquet.

FIG. 11 Cut a strip of crepe paper 7” x 1.” Fold it in half, putting a small piece of tape in the fold to keep it in place. Cut a strip of (gold) crepe paper 3” x ½.” Put a piece of tape under one end and stick it to the center of the folded piece. Trim the ends.

FIG. 12 Put a small piece of tape on both sides of the ribbon's top fold. Turn the rosette over and carefully slip the ribbon underneath the circle art. Glue on the pin back.

This Week: FORTUNE COOKIE FAVORS

I love the contrasting look of plain craft or newsprint paper, combined with details of fancy, decorative paper. Wrapping paper is a good weight for this project. Change up the colors and messages inside to fit any occasion. Make a special winning gold ticket to hide inside of one.

Download the art here.

Or get the artwork in the "artwork downloads" column to the right. Print it out on 4" x 6" photo paper and make sure the print size is 100%. You might need to save the file and print using a photo application.

And please, if you use my artwork, send me a picture of what you made, so I can pin it to my pinterest board.

FIG. 1 Supplies: Floral wire, and wire cutters, A 3 ½” circle (like a jar lid),  masking tape, scissors and pinking sheers, a pen that writes on photos, artwork printout, pencil, ruler, glue stick, and a variety of paper.  I’ve used: wrapping paper that looks like craft paper, crepe paper, and some decorative wrapping paper details.

FIG. 2 Cut out a3 ½” circle and decorate it how you like.

FIG. 3 Cut a 10 ½” piece of wire and tape the ends together in a circle, slightly smaller than the paper disk.

FIG. 4 Coat the whole back of the disk with glue, especially the edges. Sandwich the wire between two layers of paper and press down thoroughly to enclose the wire. Trim the edges with pinking sheers.

FIG. 5 Press the discs under some books until the glue is thoroughly dry.

FIG. 6 Cut out the fortune papers and glue some decorative paper on the back. Write fortunes on them. Press until dry.

FIG. 7 Fold the cookie in half.

FIG. 8 Start folding the cookie in half the other way. Insert the fortune.

FIG. 9 Finesse the cookie to fold in half. You’ll need to pinch and straighten the ruffles and wires, while pushing up on the middle.

FIG. 10 The fortune should peek out one side.

Instructions for this fun project are over at Mom inc. Daily.

Get the artwork in the "artwork downloads" column to the right. Click on "Badges for Mom inc.  Print it out on 4" x 6" photo paper and make sure the print size is 100%. You might need to save the file and print using a photo application.

And please, if you use my artwork, send me a picture of what you made, so I can pin it to my pinterest board.

This Week: ELEPHANT BROOCH

Here is a brooch to go with the ones that I made for little hands over on Mom inc. Daily.

Get the artwork in the "artwork downloads" column to the right. Print it out on 4" x 6" photo paper and make sure the print size is 100%. You might need to save the file and print using a photo application.

And please, if you use my artwork, send me a picture of what you made, so I can pin it to my pinterest board.

FIG. 1 Supplies:  Printout, precision scissors, double stick tape (removable won’t be sticky enough), baking parchment, gold embroidery thread, and a pin back (and Tacky or hot glue) or you could use a safety pin or straight pin. Crepe paper (I used this), ribbon, felt or vintage paper to make a ruffle.

FIG. 2 Cover the back of the printout and stick it to the baking parchment. If you have an old piece of sticker backing that works too. Carefully cut around the images, you’ll end up with a pile of tiny stickers.

FIG. 3 If, you are using the gold embroidery thread, it unravels instantly. So, you will need to tie knots before you cut.

FIG. 4 Cut nine pieces ranging from 4” to 1 ½”.

FIG. 5 Sandwich one end of the string between two sides of a sticker, and squeeze them together tightly.

FIG. 6 Cut out some shapes to decorate your elephant.

FIG. 7 Remove the parchment from the back of the elephant face and arrange the shapes.  Stick the strings to the end of the trunk. Do three at a time, then add a tiny piece of double-stick tape between layers.

FIG. 8 Cut an 8’ x 2” piece of crepe paper with the grain running across the 2” dimension. Fold it in half

FIG. 9 Fan it out around the elephant’s head.

FIG. 10 Add the sticky back and glue on the pin back.

FIG. 11 Stretch the edges of the crepe paper in alternating directions to make a ruffle. Stretch and twist the points to give them some volume.

Coming next week: a a project using the Badges for Mom inc. art in the Artwork Downloads column to the right.

 This Week: PLAID POPSICLE BOOKMARK WITH NOTES

I thought I would continue the popsicle theme from my art contest entry. Thinking ahead to summer reading, this bookmark hides a place for ideas and page flags.

Get the artwork in the "artwork downloads" column to the right. Print it out on 4" x 6" photo paper and make sure the print size is 100%. You might need to save the file and print using a photo application.

And please, if you use my artwork, send me a picture of what you made, so I can pin it to my pinterest board.

FIG. 1 Supplies: Printout, glue stick, index card or other card stock, decorative paper (I used origami paper, but you can omit the index card layer if your decorative paper is thick), small post it notes and page flags, 8” of cord, and scissors.

FIG. 2 Glue the printout to the paper, wrong sides together. If you are using card stock to thicken the cover, sandwich that in between the printout and the decorative paper. Cut around the popsicles and fold the cover in half.

FIG. 3 Cut the popsicle stick off the front cover.

FIG. 4 Glue the piece of popsicle stick to the inside of the back cover, securing the end of the cord between layers.

FIG. 5 Tie a square knot in the leash (you can hang this out of the bottom of the book to mark your place) and add a few notes and flags, but not the whole stack.

I'm a finalist in an art contest! Please vote for my painting!!!!

http://www.uncommongoods.com/voting/product/begin

 This Week: SUMMER CAMP NECKLACE

Let the summer camp scheduling madness begin! Instead of trying to fill out all those online forms faster than the next person, imagine you are out in the woods whitteling youself a neclace.

Get the artwork in the "artwork downloads" column to the right. Print it out on 4" x 6" photo paper and make sure the print size is 100%. You might need to save the file and print using a photo application.

And please, if you use my artwork, send me a picture of what you made, so I can pin it to my pinterest board.

FIG. 1: Supplies. Find a tree with smooth bark that needs pruning. Trim a straight branch about 14” long with a 2” circumference on the thick end. You can measure 2” by cutting out the tallest tree picture and wrapping it around the branch (see fig. 11). Saw & miter box, drill with 9/64 bit, printout, scissors, Tacky glue & glue brush, clippers, 13 rubber bands, and a bamboo skewer, pliers (notice I wrapped the tips in tape to avoid scratching the bark), block of scrap wood, sandpaper, and cord (I used 46” each of blue and green for necklace, plus hemp twine for tassels).

FIG. 2 Clip knots off branch. Cut out landscapes and use them to measure lengths for beads. Cut beads about ¼” longer than each painting, starting at the thick end of the branch with the tallest paintings. Cut at least 8 beads, from the thin end of the branch as wide as the plaid trim. The small ones tend to crack so you might want a few extra.

FIG. 3 Drill holes in the end of each bead, holding it steady with pliers. If the paintings overlap the holes a bit, poke them out with a skewer later.

FIG. 4 Roll the sandpaper into a flat log. Sand the ends and centers of beads smooth, avoiding the rings of bark on the top and bottom.

FIG. 5 You should have 7 big beads and more than 8 little beads.

FIG. 6 Dry-fit a painting by wrapping it around its bead and trimming little bits off the bottom and sides until it no longer overlaps. Brush the back with glue.

FIG. 7 Secure the painting with a rubber band and let it dry. Wrap 6 beads with plaid, leaving 2 bare.

FIG. 8 Tassels. Loop twine through a plaid bead as many times as will fit, keeping the ends on the bottom.

FIG. 9 Apply a drop of glue to the loop end.

FIG 10 Slide the bead up to tighten the loop around the skewer, and remove the skewer.

FIG. 11 Thread the tallest bead to the center of the cord. Tie a knot on either side. Add 2 tassels next and then 2 more knots. Continue to the smallest landscape beads, and finish with 2 bare beads.

FIG. 12 Trim the ends of each tassel to be a little longer than its tallest neighbor.