Posts Tagged ‘tutorial’

Baby’s Firsts Book with Lifestyle Crafts

March 18th, 2013
9 Comments

I’m over on the Lifestyle Crafts blog sharing a couple of tips: how to make a stub book and how to make a leather enclosure!

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I made the above stub book, and I’m so excited to gift it to a new mom. I designed custom plates for this project, but the artwork could be used for any number of things. I definitely plan on using my new plates for cards and envelopes, which I’ll be sure to share.

Print

That being said, I’m offering the above artwork (graphics ganged up for a custom plate and separated for other projects) to you for free, well sort of. The artwork is free for personal use, if you simply follow my blog. You can follow this blog’s RSS (google reader is dying so choose something else), email, facebook, twitter, etc. See the left sidebar, then you can click the button below to download the artwork. If you’d like to license the artwork commercially, email me through the contact form above.

Yes, I’m bribing you to stick around.

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Click here to read more about how to make your own Baby’s Firsts book.

Tutorial: Rear-View Mirror Love Notes

February 1st, 2013
5 Comments

I made a little hanging white board for Chris’s rear-view mirror. Kinda silly, but I can write him all sorts of fun notes and hang them from his car rear view mirror for a little surprise as he leaves for work.

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There are all sorts of ways you can make mini white boards, but I used all things I had on-hand, plus sheets of washi tape (yes sheets!).

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DIY White Board Supplies

  • glue stick, invisible
  • bone folder
  • string
  • washi sheets
  • thick board
  • white paper
  • transparency paper

These supplies worked for me, but you could easily substitute: a popsicle stick for the bonefolder, paper and glue for the washi sheets, a few layers of cereal boxes or the back of a sketch pad for the thick board and clear plastic packaging for transparency paper.  If you’ve got it on hand, use it!

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Glue up your board and carefully place your white sheet of paper on top.

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Use a bone folder or popsicle stick to smooth out any bubbles.

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Around the outside only, glue down the transparency sheet. Make sure it is firmly in place.

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Cut your washi sheet about 1 1/2 inch larger than the width and height of your board. Remove the backing or evenly coat your paper with glue. Place your paper-covered board in the center of your washi sheet or paper.

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In your hand, turn the board and sheet over and smooth out any bubbles with your bonefolder.

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Clip off the corners, but about 1/8th of an inch away from the corner. This will make your corners look neater. Promise.

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Bend the board, making the tape stick to the sides. Press tape neatly over top the transparency. It might want to buckle in spots.

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Pinch down the excess over those corners. Repeat on bottom and sides until the tape is completely wrapped around the front side of your board.

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Punch holes and thread string through the holes. Secure the string.

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Write your message.

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See how cute the back is? It’s such a simple project, but I could see this being a fun little game within a family or tight group of friends.

Write a little love message or compliment and leave it in their car, bathroom, etc for them to read. They can then erase and pass the love onto someone else. A perfect family activity for the month of February, if you ask me.

Washi tape pages provided by Lifestyle Crafts.

 

2012 Christmas Candy Box

December 5th, 2012
6 Comments

It’s that time of year. I can’t believe this is the 6th one I’ve done!! (2007|2008|2009|2010|2011) I was hoping to start on the design much earlier than yesterday, but alas life happens and things inevitably get pushed into the month of December.  I’m pretty excited about this box. This year’s design can be cut out quickly and printed black and white – perfect for saving time and a little bit of cash (buy yourself some mean chocolates with those savings, perhaps?).

I sort of stumbled upon the idea for the constellation motif and I feel like it perfectly conveys a tone of the real meaning of Christmas, without claiming that specifically. The printable includes a Happy Holidays tag that could be used to decorate the box, as a tag or not used at all for year-round gift-giving.

You can also print this on any kind of paper. I cut down some ikea wrapping paper and used that! I love the natural feel it gives. I would’ve used paper grocery bags, but I didn’t have any on hand. I would recommend you print on a medium weight text stock so you can bend and pinch the paper with ease (28-80lb text stock – your local print shop will know what I mean).

Decorate your boxes with glitter ribbon, fancy brads, markers, paints, crayons or anything. This would be great for a family activity for neighbor gifts.

I do hope you get around to making a few of these this Christmas season! Read more for the download and step by step instructions for assembly.

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KIDS Design Series

November 9th, 2012
6 Comments

 I was asked to contribute to a series about empowering children to design or make something creative. It was a good challenge because Penelope doesn’t get to be part of my creative process very often.

“Mommy! I told you, you can only take ONE picture!” She got so mad at me for snapping about 10 photos in this little mini photoshoot. She cracks me up. My sister cut bangs on Penelope last weekend, and I love them. It’s been a little strange for me to get used to the look – for some reason she looks so much older!! Where did my little girl go?

Now that she is growing up and getting at an age where she takes direction well, we decided to collaborate on a fun (and easy) project together. Head over to Me Sew Crazy for details of her patch pocket and a printable template so you can make your own!

Download: Glass Etched Design

November 7th, 2012
3 Comments

I etched this platter several years ago, when I published how to etch glass with contact paper. I’ve had a few people ask for the design template that I used, so over three years later here it is. I just winged it as I went along, but I’ve vectorized what I did for you to use in your holiday crafting.

I would also like to include a few additional tips for glass etching. See template and tips below.

  • Use a LOT of etching acid, like 1/4 of an inch thick and spread evenly.
  • When you’re done etching DO NOT WASH ACID DOWN THE DRAIN. Scoop up remaining acid and put it back in the bottle. You can use it again and again!
  • Glass etching acid never goes bad, it just crystalizes. Pick out the crystals and you’re ready to rock and roll.
  • If you’re etching a round surface like a pitcher or wine glass, use nice painter’s tape as your mask. It’ll hug those curves better than contact paper.
Happy crafting!

This tutorial or freebie is free for personal use and should not be distributed/republished without the express consent of Melissa Esplin. I love getting shout outs from around the web, but please, link with love. You may publish 1 photo along with credit back to the original post. Never link directly to the download. If you would like to use this tutorial or freebie for commercial purposes, please email me. Thanks!

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