Wall Flower

-1 12x16 inch canvas $5.99 (with 40% off coupon, originally $9.99)

-1 Artist's Loft 4 oz acrylic grey paint $3.99

-5 pieces of scrap book paper $3 total

I had the following:

-Mini hot glue gun and glue sticks

-Foam paint brushes

-Mod Podge (Please read reader comments before using)

STEPS:

1) Paint your canvas. Put the paint in a disposable container and paint it on, it will be see through at this time. Before you add a second coat, you must let it dry completely or it'll come off when you brush over it.

2) While your first coat is drying, cut a 2 inch wide strip off the bottom of each of your scrap book papers. Don't measure these cuts, just eyeball them.

3) Then cut that strip into 2-3 inch rectangles.

4) Starting at one corner of the square make a curved cut to the opposite corner.

5) And back again.

6) Ta-da you have a leaf now! Repeat this process and make them smaller and larger... I found that I made too many large ones (over 3 inches) and had to scale them down later.

7) Once you have a good sized pile of them, add your second coat of paint to your canvas. Remember to paint the edges too!

8) Let your canvas dry completely. And begin to lay the leaves out starting with your center circle.

9) As you lay them out you might have to trim some leaves smaller or cut other larger ones. If you look closely I started with smaller leaves and as I worked my way out I used larger ones.

10) Now comes the fun part (sarcastism). Carefully pick up the center circle and stick some hot glue on it and put it back. Work your way out doing the same things on the leaves. When it gets to the edge wrap it over.

Cute idea for girls from or family room with colors that match your home.

I found this cute idea on www.itsdoable.squarespace.com

DIY Heart Shaped Paper Clips

i love projects that make me smile and think “why didn’t i think of that?”. this fun heart-shaped paper clip project from jessica jones it’s almost impossible to resist making a few of these at your desk right now. all you need is a paperclip and your fingers- because you’re just a few bends away from a heart-shaped way to keep your sweetie’s papers together. if i had children i would definitely use this to pin a sweet valentine’s day note to their lunches. click here for more info on jessica’s site. [thanks, jessica!]

This was found on Design Sponge.com

Thanks for the great idea. They would be great on cards and scrapbook pages.

Have Fun!!

Valentine Tree

To make this one you just follow the same steps from the Money tree tutorial listed here except you'll swap out the floral wire for silver wire and you'll use scrapbook paper instead of money. Everything else is the same. I also added in some rub-ons so there is quote about love on my tree.

Created by ThenSheMade. To find more cute ideas visit her website.

DIY Scratch Off Tickets

I love scratch-off tickets. I love the anticipation as you rub that penny across the ticket waiting to see what you’ve won/earned underneath. I decided to make that the basis of my gift for my Husband this Valentine’s Day.

Start by gathering your supplies:

• Lucky in Love cards printed on cardstock
• Paper cutter
• Marker/pen
• Paint brush
• Metallic acrylic paint
• Dish soap
• Contact Paper OR clear packing tape

I decided to make my Lucky in Love with one per day for him to scratch off. So I printed the page 4 times (there are 4 to a sheet and I needed at least 14.) After cutting them out, I wrote out my messages.

You could write a variety of things each day; quotes, love notes, activities/something to do each day, coupon, etc.

Now it is time to paint! Instructions of how to make the scratch off ticket were found here but essentially it is one part dish soap added to two parts metallic acrylic paint. MY TIPS: I was originally going to get the silver metallic paint, but when I got to the store they were out. I found the bright red metallic paint and it ended up matching the cards PERFECTLY! Also, instead of using contact paper (or laminating…which some comments suggested), I just put a piece of clear packing tape on the card. It worked beautifully! So much easier then cutting out contact paper.

For the whole tutorial and more pictures go to http://www.thedatingdivas.com

They have other great ideas for gifts on Valentine's Day.

Framed Heart Tree

I used my 8x10 frame but decided to use the mat in this one so the opening is 5x7. I cut the bare tree from the ZooBalloo Cricut Cartridge (7") and the hearts from Plantin Schoolbook Cricut Cartridge (1/2", roly poly). Then I just glued them onto a piece of white cardstock.

The mat that came with the frame was ivory which just didn't work. So I gave it a coat of Valspar Frosty Berry and it looked much better.

I saw this darling frame on Pinterest and thought this would be an easy craft for valentines. For more details on it go to http://griffithsrated.blogspot.com/ . It is super cute and easy. There is only a few days left till February.

Paper Cupcake Stand

Here is the other template that you can go and printout to make for a great tea party of gift. They are on display at the store with the other Valentine ideas.

I found if at
http://www.blog.birdsparty.com/2010/09/tutorial-easy-paper-cupcake-stands-and.html

There are great ideas at this site. I hope you have fun making it like I did when I first saw them. (picture if from birdsparty also.)

Paper Evergreens

Tools and Materials

• Adjustable circle cutter
• Green card stock
  
• Bone Folder
• Scissors
• Wooden skewers
• Hot-glue gun
• 1 1/8-inch (for small trees) and 1 15/16-inch (for large trees) wooden spools
  
• Gold beads
  

• 
  Introduction

  These paper trees are as pretty as origami versions but easier to make.

  Next: Steps 1 - 3

  Step 1

  For large Christmas trees, use an adjustable circle cutter to make 2-, 3-, 4-, 5-, and 6-inch-diameter circles from green card stock (for small trees, omit the 6-inch circle).

  Step 2

  Fold each circle in half 4 times with a bone folder. While circles are folded, snip off the tip of each piece, forming a very small hole in center.

  Step 3

  Place smallest circle on the pointed end of a wooden skewer (we used 12-inch skewers), letting the tip poke through the hole in circle. With a hot-glue gun, dab underside of circle, where paper and skewer meet. Hold for 10 seconds to secure.

  Step 4

  Working 1 at a time from smallest circle to largest, slide remaining circles onto skewer; secure with glue.

  Step 5

  Insert bottom of skewer into a spool; remove, and cut skewer to desired height (we cut ours to 6, 9, and 10 inches), keeping in mind that only spool should be visible beneath standing tree. Return skewer to spool; secure with glue. Add a dot of glue to top of skewer, and attach a gold bead.

  
  Read more at Marthastewart.com: Paper Evergreens - Martha Stewart Crafts
  

A Turkey for Thanksgiving

Designer Notes:This silly turkey can hold small treats and even be used as a name place card at the dinner table for kids on Thanksgiving. He’s made using a handmade “sour cream” style paper tube and a few fans using the Scor Buddy Tool and Bo Bunny’s Fall Foliage pattern paper.

Bo Bunny Supplies:
Patterned Paper: Foliage, Blaze, Bouquet and Stripe/Forever Fall
Buttons: Eyes from Whoo-ligans Buttons & Bling
Other: Triangle and 2” Circle Punch (Fiskars Americas); Heart Template (Provo Craft)
Instructions: 1. Score a 4” x 12” piece of stripe pattern paper at ¼” markings and accordion fold. Cut a 4” circle from pattern paper, then shape the accordion folded strip into a fan. Adhere to the circle using hot glue or other strong adhesive to keep the fan’s shape.2. Create a “sour cream” container by making a tube from 3 ½” x 6” piece of brown pattern paper. Fill with treats and seal ends with adhesive. 3. Create 2 small fans in the same fashion as the tale from 2 – 4” x 2” pieces of pattern paper. 4. Create a face using a 2” circle punch, a small triangle and inverted heart as well as a couple of wiggly eyes.5. Assemble the turkey with hot glue or strong adhesive. First, attach the body to the tail, then add the face by bending the top front corner of the “sour cream” container. Add the wings on the sides. To help the turkey stand, glue a 2” circle to the bottom and add 2 hearts for feet.

Layered Bow Tutorial

How to make a layered bow.
1. Lay the thin orange ribbon vertical (not shown on 1st step). Place the wide orange ribbon into loops on top of the thin ribbon with one end of the ribbon on the left and the other end on the right.
2. Place the rest of the ribbon as shown.

3. Tightly wrap the thin ribbon around the center point of the ribbon (the ribbon bunches up).

4. Pull at the loops. Fluff and fiddle with the ribbons until the bow looks how you want it!

From eighteen25.blogspot.com