Bottle Cap Magnets

So, I have been saving my bottle caps from IBC Rootbeer bottles with the intention of doing something cool with them.  I just didn't know what.  But then it hit me that they would make cute little magnets.  Then, I went to Hobby Lobby and saw that they were actually selling bottle cap magnets which only validated my thought.  So here is my version of bottle cap magnets.

What you need:
Glass bottle bottle caps
Round magnets (get the ones that are self adhesive)
Paint in various colors
Various gems (I used the gem flats located next to the buttons in the scrapbook aisle.)
Hot glue gun

Paint the bottle caps.  I used blue, lavender, and a really pretty metallic gold.

Next I attached I glued the gem flats to the tops of the bottle caps.

I attached the circular magnets to the backs of the bottle caps.  I had to use two per cap to make it stick out past the rim of the bottle cap.

Then, I stuck them on the fridge.

Last of all I emptied an Altoid tin of its mints.  I painted it metallic gold and put stickers on top.

Then I put six magnets in the tin and gave them away as a gift.

Mother's Day Plaque

For my Grandmother and Grandma's Mother's Day gifts, I thought I would make them something.  This is what I came up with.  It was pretty simple and didn't cost much.  But it came from the heart, so I hope they like them.
What you will need:
-small wooden easel
-5X7 wooden plaque
-glitter in the color you like
-spray adhesive
-flower fashion pin
-pretty copy paper (mine had butterflies and flowers)
-glue gun
-paint in whatever color you choose

First thing I did was to paint the plaque a pretty teal color.  It matched the flower on the fashion pin I bought.

Next, I sprayed the plaques really good with the spray adhesive and glittered the heck out of them.  BTW I ended up with more glitter on me than on the plaques.

This picture doesn't show the plaques in their full glory...trust me, they were so pretty.

I went to the computer and typed out a verse in Proverbs that said, "Many women do excellent things, but you surpass them all."  I did it in the zapfino font because it is elegant looking. You can have your plaque say whatever you want, obviously.  I printed this saying on my pretty butterfly paper and then cut it into a small square.  I sprayed the back of the paper with the spray adhesive and stuck it to my plaque.  I put mine in the upper left corner, but you can place it wherever you think it looks best.  I put it there so that I would have room to put my flower without cutting off any of the words.

Finally, take your fashion pin and pull the flower off of the pin.  I am going to save the pins for a craft to do at some other time.  Hot glue the flower to the lower right corner of your plaque and let it dry.  Then you can put the plaque on the easel.  Now you have a nice piece of homemade artwork to display in your home. Ta Da!

Happy Mothers' Day to my Mom, Grandmother, and Grandma!! I am so blessed to have you in my life.

Watercolor Doodle

Been awhile since I wrote last.  Things have been busy... but I have missed doing my crafts.  I need creative outlets!!  So, here is what I did last week.  I got this idea from an old neighbor I had.  It is actually a lot of fun.  This is for anyone who likes to doodle.
Here is what you need:
Watercolor paper
Watercolor paints
Paint brushes in various sizes
Thin point sharpie markers

Mix your watercolors in the colors you want.  Then paint designs, stripes, any abstract looking thing.  Let it dry.

Take your sharpie and trace the natural lines where the colors meet.

Now comes the really fun part.  Inside the shapes made by the lines, draw pictures, make designs, write words.  Just do whatever you feel like.  There is no wrong way to do this.

Now frame it, and you have an original piece of artwork hanging on your wall.

Soda Can Candy Bouquet

When I was in high school, I was in a local flower shop looking for a gift.  I saw that they had these soda can candy bouquets for sell.  I think they were asking like fifteen or so dollars for them, which is ridiculous since they are easily made at home.  So, here is my soda can candy bouquet.

Here is what you will need:
Hot glue gun with extra glue sticks
Drinking straw
Soda can of your choice
Big bag of candy
Styrofoam ball

I chose to use a sprite can because this particular bouquet is for my Grandma.  However, now I am stuck with five cans of sprite and no one at my house drinks it unless we are sick . . . oh well.

Take your straw and cut it to a shorter length.  By the way, you want to use a bendy straw.

Take a pair of scissors or a knife and poke a hole into the styrofoam ball.  Then, stick the straw into that hole.

I took a knife and cut off part of the bottom of the ball to create a flat surface.  Then, I used my handy hot glue gun and glued the ball to the top of the soda can.

Once you have done that, you just start gluing the candy all over the ball.  You will have to do more than one layer to cover all the holes.  You don't want any of the styrofoam ball peaking through.  Once you have done that you will have a beautiful, edible bouquet.  Voila!

I couldn't figure out how to flip my picture, but you get the idea.  So long for now!!

Feather Headband

Feathers are all the rage right now, so I decided to make a feather headband.  I especially love peacock feathers, so that is what I used, but you can use any feathers you like.  Here is what you need:

-Black headband

-Feathers

-Black tulle (I got 1/4 yd. just in case I messed up)

-Rhinestone button

-Hot glue gun

-Scissors

First take the tulle and cut a rectangle.  Fold the rectangle in half so that it is around 5-6 inches in widtth. Next, fold the bottom right and left corners in so that you now have a triangle.

Hot glue the tulle to the side of the headband folded side down.

Next glue the feather on top of the tulle.  You want the tulle to peak out about an inch above the feather.

Take your rhinestone button and cut the metal loop off the back.  You want it to lay flat.  Then, all you have to do is glue it to the bottom of the feather, and then you have made a feather headband.

I wore my headband to work today, and I have gotten lots of compliments!  So have fun making your feather headbands.  Until next time...

Citrus Sugar Scrub

For Christmas I made several of the ladies in my life a cocoa sugar scrub as presents.  I also kept some for myself, and I loved it soooo much, I decided to make some more.  I thought I might branch out a little, though, so last night I tried a citrus sugar scrub.  It smells really good.  I can't wait to use it.  The recipe is really pretty simple.  It's made from things you can buy at the grocery store and hobby lobby.  This recipe filled quite a few little squatty mason jars.  Here is what you need:
2 cups white granulated sugar
1 cup brown sugar
1 1/2 T. honey
2 T. orange peel
1 T. grapefruit fragrance for soaps and scrubs
5 T. olive oil
Mix all ingredients together, spoon into mason jars, and enjoy!
Next time I am going to try a lavender sugar scrub :)

bead and ribbon bracelet

So I made a super easy bracelet to give to a few friends who have birthdays coming up.  All it requires is 26 gauge wire, 45 medium sized beads in three colors (I used white, black and gray), several 4 mm black beads and 1/8" sheer black ribbon.

Cut enough wire to wrap around your wrist and string 45 of the medium sized beads on the wire.  Twist to connect the bracelet when you are through.

Cut a length of wire longer than the first and twist to secure it to the bracelet.  Start stringing the 4 mm black beads along it.  Wrap it around the bracelet over and over as you string.  Twist to secure when you are done.

Cut a length of ribbon slightly longer than the bracelet.  Wrap it around and around the bracelet and tie in a bow once you have gone all the way around.

There you go...a cute little bead and ribbon bracelet!!  I did it while watching Burn Notice - it required very little concentration.   Happy birthday, Trista and Allison!!

child's scarf

So I decided that this week's crafted gift would be a scarf for my three year old niece, Sadie.  Fortunately it has been 55 degrees lately so there is no real need for it right now, because it is taking me longer than I had anticipated.  I forgot that I am a slow knitter.  Plus I have not quite gotten the hang of purling yet, so this scarf is strictly made up of knits.  I cast on fifteen stitches in this pretty multicolored yarn and knitted 20 rows.  Then, I did 20 rows in a pretty lavender colored yarn.  I am just going to keep alternating until I have a long enough scarf.
When I decided to learn to knit, I had all these lofty goals.  Thus far, I have only made scarves. I've got to learn to purl!!!  Anywho . . . I'll post a picture as soon as I finish it.  I may end up having to do this and another craft for next week if I don't get the lead out and finish it soon.