Happy #ThursDIY!

We're back with eleven colorful projects to spark your creativity!  Robert shares a photo transfer post-card, Cathy rocks a 2015 agenda and Margot stamps up a storm on a new bracelet.  To top it off we have Aunt Peaches rocking a gift back with some art that could be in a museum.....Go Peaches!

Happy #ThursDIY

 Heather Mann shares coffee filter roses..... Just beautiful!

http://dollarstorecrafts.com/2015/01/tutorial-coffee-filter-roses/

 Margot Potter makes a terrific hand stamped bracelet perfect for a man or woman:

http://diydoyenne.com/diy-easy-hand-stamped-bracelet/

 Cathie and Steve make the perfect glitter storage rack..... So much more fun than spices!  

http://youtu.be/u4lEojjo6iE

Cathy Attix rocks a 2015 agenda DIY...... LOVE IT!  

http://www.trinketsinbloom.com/diy-agenda/ 

 Stephenie Hamen shows us how to make delicate heart hand-stamped earrings here:  

http://mycraftyadventures.com/2015/01/20/simple-earrings/

 Aunt Peaches makes painted gift bags worthy of an art exhibition!  

http://www.auntpeaches.com/2014/12/painted-gift-bags.html

Robert Mahar shows us how to do image transfers on wood to make beautiful post cards: 
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sWSuOKZ0mfs

Make gorgeous ginger jars with just a few simple supplies and recycled pasta jars!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=42oLhH_ilJ0

 Make fun Abstract Art Dishes (inspired by Martinich & Carran) and add some color to your dining table or dresser. The perfect trinket tray!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=So-HP7SYR0c

 Make a fab Sugar Skull Tee with 

E-6000 Allure Dimensional Design Adhesive Paint!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sZn0V4YP9sg&list=UUt4zycubX8BJZ8pZhZ4w8ow

Show off your favorite photos with these colorful Instagram Pop Blocks: 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LvH66-qDwNU&list=UUt4zycubX8BJZ8pZhZ4w8ow

How to Make Paper!

A few weeks ago I posted a photo of some handmade paper I've been working on and many of you asked to know how I made it.  Well, here you go!  I have two friends who inspired my paper making obsession. The first is Arnold Gummer who is a paper making genius!  The second is my friend Robert Mahar who gave me the skinny on how to create my own screens from inexpensive 

Ikea frames and by-the-yard plastic screen from the hardware store.  

A rainbow of colors

My favorite color.....green using marigold petals and leaves from my yard

Golden yellow and pinks with flower petals, large chunks of newsprint and gold flakes

Watch the video tutorial here!

YOU'LL NEED

Blender

2 flat frames

2 rubber bands

Newspaper or any recycled paper

Americana Acrylics (to color your pulp)

Plastic screen (1 yard should be plenty)

Large bin

Staple gun

Remove the glass and cardboard from your frames, you only need the frame

 Cut two pieces of screen the exact size of your frame

Staple one piece of screen to the flat side of one frame making sure it's taut

Sandwich the stapled screen in between both frames with a rubber band

*Flat sides together

Rip up about 2 sheets of newspaper or several sheets of copy paper

Fill your blender 3/4 full with water

Add Americana Acrylic Paint to the water

Blend until the paper becomes pulp 

*It will look cloudy 

 Pour the contents into a bin and add more water if you want 

With the plain frame on top, scoop the pulp from the bin catching it on top of the stapled screen

Carefully remove the top frame and place the extra piece of screen on top of the pulp

Using a sponge, remove as much water as you can from the pulp

Carefully peel the flat, wet pulp from the screen and place it between two sheets of newspaper

Place a pressing cloth on the newspaper and iron the flat pulp until it's dry and becomes a sheet of beautiful paper

*You can also let your pieces dry naturally overnight

Thurs-DIY

Thurs-DIY......My favorite day of the week.  See what my talented friends have been up to.  Just hop around (say hello) and get inspired for the weekend, OK!  This week we have a great selection of fashion and home decor projects that are sure to please.

 

Cathy Attix makes a gorgeous Cobalt and White Tie Dyed Skirt here:  http://ilovetocreateblog.blogspot.com/2014/06/cobalt-and-white-tie-dyed-skirt.html

Feel like a SEW EASY project?  Make this party dress from a few yards of fabric and a fitted black t-shirt!  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U52fqVYZRGY

I'm obsessed with weathering and aging objects these days.  Make this weathered antique trunk from a basic storage trunk:  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8fQLu7Dcrrg&list=UUt4zycubX8BJZ8pZhZ4w8ow

Cathie and Steve create a summer handbag and matching necklace with burlap and beads:  http://youtu.be/9GeKS6R8EaY  

My friend Robert Mahar shows you how to make a perfect desk set here:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8jeC7dDhqaI&list=PLia4t30u0xsi1vavObcvOTvNGXjGnhXa1

Elegant table decor from pulp pots by Heather Mann:  http://dollarstorecrafts.com/2014/06/make-elegant-table-decor-from-pulp-pots/