Christmas Wood Star

 ICE Resin is a fun and versatile product.  Although used mostly in jewelry, there are many other uses for the product and I had a lot of fun showing you a new way to use the product to create a beautiful Christmas Inspired Wood Star for your home.

Instructions:

Start with the wood star, cutting various pieces of paper to create a collage on the bottom of the star.  Once you have it adhered, spray with red color spray to give a nice uniform base to the project.

Cut out Santa, words, postcard or any that you desire and adhere to the paper inside the wood star. 

Also cut out other images that we will also cover in resin to add to the outside of the project.  They also make cute ornaments once you cover in resin, as well.

Mix your ICE Resin and pour a thin layer in the bottom of the wood star.  Use a foam brush to move it around and cover the entire bottom surface.  This will create a base.  Mix more ICE Resin and pour into the wood star and create an even layer of the resin. 

Add your found objects, glitter, mesh, etc as the ICE Resin will serve as an adhesive to hold the items in place.  Keep your wood star flat on your surface, the resin takes 24 hours to set.  Be sure the layer is thick enough that heavier items sit down into it. I have added small real gears into Santas beard to give him a Steampunk feel.

Leave overnight to set.  Then you can use a cream colored paint to give it a distressed look.

- Candy Rosenberg

Craft Warehouse Design Team Member Candy Rosenberg

 Welcome back Northwest mixed media steampunk artist and Craft Warehouse Design Team Alumni Candy Rosenberg! We love Candy's style and so does our customers! We asked her what inspires her to create and this is what she had to say...

How long have you been crafting?

I have been crafting since I was a child but started scrapbooking and mixed media art about 8 years ago.  When I started my style was not norm in any way, it was 3-5 layers deep, vintage colors and serious amounts of fussy cutting.  There were no products for me to use until Graphic 45 came along.  Finally I was able to truly create what I wanted.  So thankful to have spent several years designing and working for them along with so many other fabulous companies along the way.

 

What inspires you to be creative?

I am inspired by paper first and foremost.

What Craft Warehouse products do you love to use?

I love the variety of products at Craft Warehouse, it is inspiring to walk the aisles but I typically go for the bare wood home decor pieces.

How can you encourage others reading this column?

Never stop creating for yourself.  Be true to your style.

You will love Candy's mixed media and ICE Resin piece being featured right here on our blog tomorrow! Make sure to come back and check it out. In the meantime, visit Candy's blog and her Facebook page to see more of her work and leave her some love!

Christmas Ornament Rubber Band Bracelet

There is still time to get creative before Christmas! I love making handmade gifts for my family and friends! Especially using loom bands because I can make a quick gifts in ten to fifteen minutes each! This fun ornament bracelet is using "Dress It Up! Buttons" and is oh, so cute!!! I used the "Vining Leaves" no loom instructions to make it look like garland.

Supplies: 

Green Loom bands
Dress It Up! Ornament Buttons
Loom Hook
Hooked On Rubber Band Jewelry Book by 11 year old Elizabeth M. Kollmar

Directions:

1. Follow the Vining Leaves directions on page 27 of the book. Do the first motif and at B7 use a band that has a button threaded through it.

2. Continue as many motifs as you need to fit your wrist and using a button at each B7.

3. Bind off and give to a friend for Christmas!

* 300 count Loom Bands on sale for .77 each (reg $2.99) until December 21, 2014

Washi Tape Holiday Craft Frame

We are here to help you make one of a kind gifts fast and easy so that you can cross those names off your list and get to enjoying the season! It doesn't get any easier than this project!

Supplies:

12x12 White Craft Frame
Washi Tape
Vinyl of your choice

Directions:

1. Trim and place your photo inside the 5x5 opening.

2. Add vinyl of your choice according to package directions.

3. Place tissue washi tape around the edges of the frame.

4. Pour yourself a glass of eggnog because you are done!

* 12x12 Craft Frame $9.99 (reg $12.99), Christmas Washi Tape 30% off regular prices, and all Vinyl Sayings 40% off regular prices until December 17th, 2014

Merry Christmas Black Floating Frame

Don't you love a personalized gift?! We love how easy it is to create this home decor gift that will be hung up year after year! You can either leave it plain or embellish it as much as you wish!

Supplies:

• Black 12x12 Float Frame
• Decorating Your Life Vinyl
• Green Acrylic Paint
• Barisal Dry brush
• Burlap flower
• Ribbon
• Staple gun or E6000 glue

Directions:

1. Start buy dry brushing green paint onto the frame. The technique I use is by dipping the brush in a small amount of paint, then dabbing it on a towel to get most of the paint off the brush, then lightly brushing it on to the frame.
2. Once you have covered the frame wash glass with glass cleaner to get any paint that may have gotten on the glass.
3. Place vinyl on the front of the glass float frame by following the instructions on the package.
4. Thread ribbon through the top holes, and add burlap flower to the frame by stapling it down or gluing it with E6000.

* Your choice of 12x12 or 11x6 Black Floating Frame $9.99 (reg $21.99) and Vinyl Sayings 40% off regular prices until December 17, 2014

Christmas Rules

Give a gift that will last forever! This Christmas Rules decor will always be hung during the holidays to help remind family why to celebrate!

Supplies:

Wooden Pallet Plaque
Red and White Acrylic Paint
Paint Brush
Christmas Flower
Decorate Your Life Christmas Rules Vinyl

Directions:

1. Paint the wood pallet with red paint.

2. Dry brush white acrylic paint on to look distressed or white washed.

3. According to vinyl directions on the package, apply the vinyl to the wood.

4. Adhere a Christmas flower to the top corner with a staple gun to make sure it isn't going anywhere!

* Entire stock of House Rules Vinyl 40% off regular prices, Wooden Pallet Plaque $11.99 (reg $19.99), and Chalk Paint $6.88 (reg $8.99) on sale until December 17, 2014.

Grandparents House Rules

We all love personalized gifts! Choose our wood tile or wood canvas board and this Grandparents House Rules vinyl and you are done! Embellish as little or as much as you want. Either way, grandparents will treasure this special handmade gift!

Supplies:

• 12x12 wood board
• Sea Glass & white acrylic paint
• Vinyl Rules from Decorating Your Life
• Bristle Paint Brush
• Foam Brush
• 3 metal hooks
• Burlap Ribbon
• Staple Gun

Directions

1. Paint wood board with Sea Glass acrylic paint and foam brush.
2. Lightly dab bristle brush into white acrylic paint, and dab onto paper towel to take off excess paint. Then dry brush the wood surface with brush.
3. Once Paint is dry, Place vinyl onto wood board by following the directions on the vinyl packaging.
4. Screw 3 hooks on the bottom of the board.
5. Add 2 14" strips of burlap ribbon to the back of the board and staple into place. Then the 2 into a knot!

*40% off regular prices on Wood Tile or Wood Canvas Board and Vinyl Sayings until December 17th, 2014

Holiday Glass Blocks

We have great gift ideas that won't break the bank! This is a quick and easy decor project! Just add vinyl and a ribbon then brighten with lights!

Supplies:

• Glass Block
• Vinyl rub on
• Ribbon
• Any other filler like snow, lights, etc...

Directions:

1. Start by cleaning your glass block with soapy water and dry.
2. Wipe the area you will be adding your vinyl rub on with rubbing alcohol and let dry
3. Follow instructions on your vinyl package.
4. Once vinyl is on the front of your block, put in fillers (lights, snow, ect...)
5. Place ribbon around your block and tie into a bow!

* Glass Block $7.77 (reg $11.99) and entire stock of Vinyl sayings 40% off regular prices until December 17th, 2014

Fabric Gift Card Holders

Give them the gift that inspires creativity! Make this cute gift card holder that would be a great way to keep them safe in a purse or bag!

Supplies:

From 2- 5 Coordinating prints:

Cut three 3” x 3”
Cut two 3” x 8”

Optional decorative items, ie. beads, buttons, ribbons

Directions:

1. Fold the 3” squares in half on the diagonal and press.

2. Place one of the 3” x 8” rectangles in front of you. Place one triangle on one corner of this rectangle. Place the other 2 triangles on the opposite corners of this same rectangle; pin all in place. If you choose to use ribbons to tie the finished holder together, pin one end of the ribbon in place on each narrow end of the rectangle. Keep the loose ends in the center of the rectangle to avoid sewing them where you don’t want them.

3. Place the other rectangle face down on top of the rectangle/triangle piece. Pin and sew using a ¼” seam allowance. Leave a 3”-4” opening in the middle to turn it right side out.

4. Turn right side out and press. Hand stitch the opening closed.

5. Decorate as desired.

* Crafters Quarters 4 for $10 (reg $2.99 and $3.25 each) until December 17th, 2014

Joyous Scrapbook Layout by Design Team Member Laura Cook

Can you believe it?.... It's December already!  One month away from 2015! The one thing I like about this cold, rainy season is that it makes me retreat to my crafting corner and get creative! I was so excited to get to play with the new Joyous line from My Mind's Eye. It has that classic, old time Christmas feel with glittery accents.  So.... let's get started...

Gather the following SUPPLIES (see photo below) at your local Craft Warehouse: 

1) file: sanding

2) adhesive: foam pop-dots/square, favorite tape runner or liquid glue

3) paper trimmer

4) paper and accessory(gift label stickers) kit: My Mind's Eye: Joyous

5) glitter die cut pieces (advent tags): My Mind's Eye: Joyous

6) gold glitter letter stickers: American Crafts: Thickers: Fitzgerald

DIRECTIONS:

 
Hand-cut out the flowers/leaves (bottom right corner) and the flourish shape (top right corner) from paper: Joyous: Noel

Hand-cut the border out of paper: Joyous: Postage. Cut around, keeping the 2 post cards (bottom) and doily (bottom left) attached to border.

Cut 7 3/4" by 7 3/4" square matt for behind photo from paper: Joyous: merry,  file the edges of paper 

Layers.... I love LAYERS!  (yes, my albums are bulky.. and I love them that way).

Layer papers and die cuts as seen in photo.  Use paper: Joyous: Flourish as background paper. 

Add dimension to layers by popping up border and die cuts with foam pop-dots/squares adhesive

Fold corner of matt over top of photo, secure with adhesive

Add layout title using gold glitter letter stickers

Now... what to do with all those leftover scraps..?... I have the perfect idea, since I am all about making good use of my paper, even the scraps. Visit my blog here for a tutorial and make a 'Joyous paper tree'.

Craft Warehouse Design Team Member Laura Cook

Welcome Laura Cook, Craft Warehouse Scrapbook Design Team Alumni! We are so excited to have her back on our team this year. We love Laura's simple approach to scrapbooking and paper crafting. Her focus is always on her family's photos and story. That's what scrapbooking is all about. You can read below about what inspires her to create...

I have been scrapbooking for about 13 years... since my first child was born. I started scrapbooking with my mom, as a creative outlet and to just have some... 'me time'.  I was immediately hooked!

Great photos and the moments captured in those photos are what inspires me.  A great photo gives you all the elements to create a great project to showcase it.  From the colors, the theme and the event/emotions, which form your title and journaling.  Personal style is the frosting on top.

My favorite current products are Heidi Swapp color shine paint sprays and various stencils.  My polka-dot stencil is always at hand... right next to my Tim Holtz idea-ology mini stapler .  This product allows me to use any paper and add the color I want it to be, along with fun whimsical polka-dot details.

I love the opportunity to inspire other readers to create and develop their own personal style.  whether it's a new embellishment, paper technique or layout of photos... give it a try, work with it and make it 'your own'.  :)

Visit us tomorrow, when Laura will be sharing a holiday project you will be sure to love! In the meantime, visit her blog and be inspired!

Slat Wood "JOY" Wall Decor

This is one of my favorite projects because you can create such a cute piece of décor for the holidays just by choosing a piece of your favorite scrapbook paper (My Minds Eye "Sleigh Bells Ring" Collection) cutting it into 3 parts to fit each slat board and then glue it down using Beacon 3in1 Glue! I also added a little bling to the wreath to add sparkle and dimension.

Supplies:

Slat board
Scrapbook paper
Beacon 3 in 1 Glue
Rhinestones

Directions:

1. Cut paper to fit each board.

2. Glue paper on the board.

3. Add bling and hang!