arts and craft Archives - Page 36 of 75

arts and craft, Build It, decor, Decorating, framing, gifts, Home Decor, jigsaw, Lowe's Creative Idea, sander, scrapbook paper, stain, Stashbusting, Trash to Treasure, Très Frugal, Tutorial, Upcycling

Floating Wood Block Picture Frames {Lowe’s Creative Idea}

We are days away from Christmas and I’m sure there is someone on your list that you just can’t figure out what to get for them. I have the perfect solution! Make them a wood block floating picture frame using scrap 2×4″ lumber and plexiglass.

If you don’t have scrap 2×4’s lying around, you can purchase a 2x4x8 foot stud for less than $4! You could make 16 photo frames out of that one board! (Granted, you’ll need to buy the plexiglass for each.)

Materials:

2 – 2 x 4s (cut to 6″ lengths)
4 – 6″ x 9″ pieces of plexiglass (3/32″ thickness)
Ipswich Pine Stain
gel stain or Minwax Express color
small detail paint brush
pencil or pen
photos
tape
rag
optional: scrapbook paper, double stick tape

Tools:

Miter saw
Table saw
Jigsaw or bandsaw or a plexi-cutter
Sander with sandpaper
GRR-Ripper 3-D Pushblocks

Instructions:

Set your table saw to a 10 degree bevel.

Set the saw blade to a depth halfway through your block (about 7/8″ deep.) Set the fence to 2″ from the blade.

Use your GRR-RIPPER to safely guide the 2×4 over the saw blade. Check to see if two pieces of plexiglass will fit in the groove created by the saw blade.

If not, nudge the fence over slightly and make a second pass over the blade. Check to see if the plexiglass will fit now. If not, repeat the process until they fit snugly. Read more

December 19, 2014/3 Comments/by Brittany Bailey

arts and craft, christmas gift wrap, Crafts, Decorating, Gift Ideas, gift wrapping, gifts, mod podge, wrapping paper

DIY Paper Bag Ornament

paper bag ornament

Looking for a fast and easy ornament or gift tag? I’m Jaime from That’s My Letter here to share a diy ornament you can make from a readily available paper bag. This project will have you looking at grocery and retail paper bags in a whole new light.

The graphics on retail paper bags make great ornaments and gift tags. Look for fun and festive holiday graphics on paper bags everywhere you go then you can repurpose those paper bags into ornaments.

Supplies:

paper bags (brown bags work best)
1/4″ plywood cut to size to fit your graphics
mod podge
paint brush
scissors
hot glue gun & glue sticks
sandpaper

Instructions:

Step 1: Carefully cut out graphics from the paper bag and pry off handle pieces. You will also need small 1/2″ x 1″ pieces of paper bag to cover the cut ends of the handle hanger.

Step 2: Apply a generous layer of mod podge to plywood.

Step 3: Apply paper bag piece to wet mod podge. Be sure to center paper onto wood then press smooth with fingers and press excess paper over edges down slightly. Let dry and preferably stack heavy books on top to ensure good seal.

Step 4: Once completely dry use sandpaper to remove excess paper hanging over edge. At the same time this will smooth the rough plywood edge too.

Step 5: Cut handle to desired length. Secure to back of plywood using hot glue then cover cut end with small piece of paper bag just to keep things neat. Repeat for other end of handle.

Repurpose paper bags into beautiful handmade ornaments or attach them to gifts as a gift tag. This is a great craft to do with the kids. Have a holly jolly holiday!

Pin for later!

December 17, 2014/2 Comments/by Jaime Costiglio

arts and craft, Decor Adventures, Decorating, DIY, Do It Yourself, fabric, framing, Holiday decorating, Hot Glue

Hang Stockings Without a Mantel

Hello, it’s Jessica here from Decor Adventures, back this month with a simple solution for holiday decorating. These days we see all kinds of lovely homes with Christmas stockings hung beautifully from the mantel or staircase. But what if you don’t have either in your home? I’ve come up with an easy way to display stockings that you can put together in less than an hour. Here is how to hang stockings without a mantel – frame them!

Materials:

Large empty picture frame
Foam board
Fabric
Chicken wire
Wire snips or sharp scissors
Gloves
Paint (optional)
S-hooks
Glazier’s points and tool (or a wide flat head screwdriver)
S hooks
Stockings

Instructions:

1. For this project you’ll use a large empty picture frame that doesn’t have glass. You can find them at thrift stores, craft stores, or just reuse one of your own. You can paint or stain the frame to your liking, but that is optional depending on your style.

2. Cut a piece of chicken wire one inch larger on all sides than the inside of your frame where the glass would rest. Make sure to wear gloves for this part as the wire can be sharp. Most chicken wire comes with natural lines where the wire is twisted. You can use those as your edges. If you want to spray paint the wire to blend in, that would create a nice look too.

3. Place the frame front side face down on a table and insert the wire into the back of the frame. Set that aside for the moment. Read more

December 3, 2014/by Decor Adventures

accessories, art, arts and craft, Birthday Gift, Crafts, decor, Gift Ideas, gifts, Lowe's Creative Idea, mirrored glass, Tile, Tutorial, Upcycling

Mosaic Tile Coasters {Lowe’s Creative Idea}

Mosaic Tile Coasters | Pretty Handy Girl

Want an easy and inexpensive gift idea to give out as a hostess gift for those upcoming holiday parties? How about Mosaic Tile Coasters? They are quick and easy to make. Last month, for my Lowe’s Creative Idea I created a unique lamp shade with mosaic glass tile. I had some leftover sheets and decided to make these coasters with the leftovers. Follow along to learn how to make another great Lowe’s Creative Idea.

Materials:

Mosaic tile sheet
Cork
Scissors
Hot glue gun
Hot glue sticks
Ruler
X-acto knife
Pencil

Instructions:

Begin by cutting your mosaic tile sheet into coaster size squares.

Trim off any excess mesh. Read more

December 1, 2014/8 Comments/by Brittany Bailey

Build Your Own Giant Chalkboard | Pretty Handy Girl

Have you scoured antique stores or Craig’s List looking for a big giant vintage chalkboard? Those vintage school green chalkboards are highly sought after. But, hard to find. I have good news for you! You can build a Giant Chalkboard any size you want! (Although, typically you’ll be restricted to 4′ x 8′ if you want to use a sheet of masonite.) And you can mix your own chalkboard paint in any color.

Take out your notebooks, your pencils, and get ready to take notes.

Materials:

Masonite sheet cut to desired size (mine is 22″ x 48″)
1×4″ pine boards for frame
1 cup flat latex paint in color you desire
2 tbsp. of unsanded grout
Pencil
Stain
White paint
Paint brush
Sanding block
Container to mix paint in
Kreg Jig
Drill
1 1/4 inch pocket screws
Staplegun
1/2″ staples

Instructions:

Pour 2 tbsp. of unsanded grout into your empty container. Add 1 cup of flat latex paint and stir well. (Yes, I used satin and it still worked.)

Paint the masonite with the chalkboard paint. Pull your brush in one direction. Then smooth out the paint by dragging the brush in a perpendicular direction.

Let the paint dry. Lightly sand and add a second coat of chalkboard paint.

Let that coat dry and sand smooth.

Assembling the chalkboard frame: Read more

November 24, 2014/21 Comments/by Brittany Bailey