DIY Gelatin Plate & Prints!

Happy Friday, another rainy day, well it has been dry up until this week so I’m not complaining! Yesterday I played! I made my own gelatin plate inspired buy the expensive Gelli Plates that everyone on the “net” have been using. The two problems with those are: 1. They are expensive and 2. The stores around here don’t carry them. What’s a girl to do? Oh yeah, maker her own! And you can too, here’s the video!

True to from I liked the prints I pulled after I turned off the camera much better! Here are some still shots, here is the example with ribbon I pressed on the plate, look at the texture, it’s almost like a photo. I need to try this with leaves and plants!

This one was rubber bands! AKA “Elastics” LOL! (only one person will get that joke ha ha!) The little tag on the side was done with a mesh lemon bag.

I like this because it was printed 3 times with different colors. I keep printing on a paper until I am happy with it!

I mainly used stencils in my experiments today but you can use so many things, you can press cheese cloth, bubble wrap, plastic wrap, crinkled paper, yarn, twine, leaves, feathers and a myriad of this into the plate for texture. You can draw on the plate, paint on it with brushes and scrape soft tools (like silicone cooking tools) across the inked surface. UK MaryAnne has a great post about making your own tools on her blog that you should see too. Oh the creative possibilities this opens up! I know what i am doing on this rainy day! Thanks for stopping by and til next time happy craftng!

Take Out Box Favors!

Here is a fun quick idea you can make for a wedding OR change up the colors for a birthday party or bridal shower. I used 1 pint Carry Out boxes (50 boxes for $5.59) from Papermart as well as unstrung merchandise tags (I got a box of 1000 months ago and I find so many uses for them!) and don’t forget the ribbons! Have a look at this video to see how easy it is to make a truly custom favor box.

I love how you can get a custom look for pennies! Each box cost less than a quarter to make and you can make a huge batch in an afternoon and have supplies left over for other projects! Check out our sponsor Papermart for all of your packaging needs. Thanks for stopping by and til next time happy crafting!

WOYWW & Ask a Crafter Week 5!

Howdy folks, it is still raining but that’s OK, I have plenty of projects inside to keep me busy. I was asked for 2 more illustrations for the book I am working on (got to finish that today!) and I am in the process of tearing up my kitchen floor…never a dull moment! Why am I showing you my desk you ask? Because it is time for What’s on Your Workdesk Wednesday!

And since it is Wednesday it is time for Ask a Crafter, it’s another epic (epic as in long that is…) broadcast answering 3 pages of great crafty questions. I’ve heard from a few viewers that they play it and listen to it as they go about their crafting or chores, works for me!

If you want to see more crafty desks check out the WOYWW fun at the Stamping Ground! Thanks for stopping by and til next time happy crafting!

Another stamp giveaway & resist ink technique!

Howdy folks! Looks like another dreary day but that’s OK, I can always brighten things up with stamps and ink! You can win the set of 4 crane stamps from About Art Accents I used in today’s technique video by living a comment on this blog post. I will pick a winner at random next Tuesday! Today’s technique is really fun, you will need glossy cardstock (photo paper will not work for this because it soaks the ink in, I used Kromekote available at print shops for about 25 cents a 8.5″x11″ sheet) dye based ink and a make up sponge.

Now that was easy! Don’t forget to leave a comment to win the beautiful stamp set from About Art accents. If you can’t wait and want to shop now use my coupon code to save 10%: Lindsay10%.  Be sure to check out all the great sale items too! The stamp set I used today happens to be on sale along with many other beautiful sets. You won’t be disappointed. Good luck and til next time happy crafting!

DIY Super Sporty Socks!

Happy Monday! I just noticed when I went out to walk the dog (in the rain) that I left the socks I spray-died out on the picnic table and hey, great news, the colors did not run! I love a rainy Monday  it’s like some higher power is saying “hey girl, you just ease yourself into the week…go paint something and don’t worry about the sink full of dishes, they will keep.” Of course judging by the state of my house you’d think every day was a rainy Monday LOL! So, this weekend we decided to make some fun socks for my girls to wear for softball.

Cute huh? These would also be great for soccer, roller skating and hiking because you should always wear tall socks to protect yourself from ticks! They are so easy too, in today’s video I’ll show you how to make the more complicated rainbow design, the one color design is even easier!

And here is a photo tutorial for the one color socks, just remove the elastics (AKA rubber bands) when you are done and let dry.

If you prefer to use fabric die I recommend purchasing a tie dye kit with squeeze bottles. It should come with soda ash, you soak the fabric (after tying) in the soda ash then squeeze the dye on the wet fabric. The soda ash will help prevent fading. I like the acrylic fabric spray paint because it stays bright and will not run in the wash. I used this kit from Oriental Trading. If you have any questions on this project just leave a comment and I will get right back to you! Happy crafting!

Knitting 101: Everything you need to know in an 11 minute video!

Seriously folks, knitting is that easy. I’ve been teaching children to knit at the local library for over a year now and I have really learned to simplify the process. If you are new this video is for you. If you are rusty have a look and be reminded of the techniques. If you think you are unteachable and could never get the hang of it try it again. You can pause the video whenever you like and rewind it until you get it right.  This video shows you how to cast on (CO), knit (k), purl (p), and (BO) bind off.  Not bad for 11 minutes eh? I have noted what times each technique is covered below the video so you can skip around if you need to.  So, are you ready to get knitty with it?

See, I told you it was easy! For quick reference here is when each technique is demonstrated:

• Slip Knot 1:04
• Cast On 1:30
• Knit Stitch 2:50
• Purl Stitch 5:10
• Bind Off 7:00

If you get stuck on a project you can just refer to the part of the video you need. You’re welcome! I hope you have some time this weekend to do a bit of knitting. If you have any questions just let me know. Did you know all of those fancy stitch patterns you see in knit wear is just a combinations of knits and purls, who’d a thunk it? Happy knitting and til next time happy crafting!

Unleash Your Inner DIVA! {Make Disco-Diva Earrings!)

Happy Friday folks! TGIF! You can whip up these earrings in minutes and you will be ready for whatever fabulous adventure you have planned this weekend, even if it is just a trip to the grocery store (you might as well look pretty while you are picking out produce!) Watch this 4 minute video to see how!

My daughters want to make some of these this weekend, they are so fun and sparkly. The 10 yard roll of jewel ribbon is about $8 at Papermart. they also have glass rhinestone ribbon but I think that might be heavy for earrings. I can see many uses for this jewel ribbon from more jewelry to Halloween costume ideas (I have a feeling every girl is going to want to be a flapper this year!) and it is cheap enough to buy a couple of colors! Thanks for stopping by and til next time happy crafting!