Dollar Store Do Over: Easter Bunny

Dollar Store Do Over: Easter Bunny
Designed for Plaid

Spring is here and Easter is just a few weeks away. I love this time of year...the flowers are blooming and the critters are stirring in my backyard. We have a silly raccoon, a family of baby possums, tiny cat and a duck. That is a lot of wildlife for Los Angeles...I guess it is way we love living in the equestrian district. On our walks we see tons of horses, goats and miniature horses.

This Easter my family is planning a picnic in Griffith park with about 12 of us. We are doing it pot luck style...I am not sure what I am making yet. We are also planning a game of croquet and family style football.

I am planning on painting and extreme glittering each person a Easter bunny for them to take home. The girl bunnies will be pink and the boy bunnies will be soft tan. The bunnies are from the dollar store and they were painted with an awful design, so I just painted over them.

Supplies:
FolkArt paint – 438 Ballet Pink
FolkArt texture paint – 2862 sparkle
FolkArt extreme glitter – 2782 Glitter Hologram

FolkArt extreme glitter – rose

Ceramic bunny from the dollar store
2 Foam paintbrushes
Hot Glue
Crocheted flower trim
Silk flower petals
Crochet flower trim scraps
Blue rhinestone
Optional: spray primer

How To:

1. Depending on the surface of the bunny you may need to spray prime the bunny first. Paint the bunny with 2 coats of ballet pink paint. Allow for dry time in between coats.

2. Add a cottontail to the bunny with sparkle texture paint. Use you fingers to press the paint in the tail area. Allow to dry.

3. Coat the entire bunny with 3 coats of extreme glitter hologram. Add highlights to the inside of the bunny ears, eyes and nose with rose extreme glitter. Allow to dry.

4. Hot glue flower trim around the bunny neck. Add a layered flower petal, trim and rhinestone detail to the bunny with hot glue.

Make It: Easter Chick Dessert Fork Caddy

Make It: Easter Chick Dessert Fork Caddy

To spruce up my dessert station for Easter dinner, I created this papered chick fork holder with a wooden pencil caddy that I picked up from Michaels.

When hosting a large family meal, I like to set up a dessert station with the plates, utensils and of course the yummy dessert on a separate table. That way when it is time to dig into the sweets, I can easily make the table transition from dinner to dessert.

This project was created for Plaid. Visit this link to see all of our Plaid projects.

Materials:
FolkArt Acrylic Colors - Fresh Foliage
Mod Podge - Gloss
Bird Pencil Caddy Surface
FolkArt Extreme Glitter - Hologram Peridot
Foam paintbrushes
Polka dot scrapbook paper
Yellow ribbon
Silk flower petals pink
Silk flower petals yellow
Crocheted flower trim
Rhinestones
Hot Glue

Steps:
1. Paint the caddy with 2 coats of fresh foliage paint. Paint the caddy with 2 coats of extreme glitter peridot. Allow for dry time in between coats.

2. Trace the bird shape onto the back of the scrapbook paper. Cutout shape. Apply Mod Podge to the back of the paper. Center on the caddy, top coat with Mod Podge. Use your fingers to press out any air bubbles. Smooth your brush strokes.

3. Using hot glue, attach a ribbon around the back of the caddy. Glue layered petals, flower trim and rhinestones near the tail of the bird. Glue a rhinestone for an eye and add additional stones around the base of the bird.

Note: The pencil caddy was in the spring/seasonal section with lots of other wood shapes and surfaces.

Make It: Happy Spring!

Make It: Happy Spring!

Jazz up papier-mâché letters with a little extreme glitter, scrapbook paper and some silk flower petals. The extreme glitter is a brand new product for Plaid. The glitter is self contained and does not flake or fly away. The texture is a very soft and glittery look, like a sugar glitter. The product is shipping to stores and will be available online at plaid in just a few weeks.


Materials:
FolkArt - Metallic Rose
FolkArt Acrylic Colors - Fresh Foliage

Mod Podge Gloss

FolkArt Extreme Glitter - Glitter Hologram
FolkArt Extreme Glitter - Peridot
FolkArt Extreme Glitter Gold
Papier-mâché - letters that spell SPRING
Scrapbook paper - pink and green prints
Foam paintbrushes
Ribbon - various colors
Silk flower petals pink - large and small
Silk flower petals yellow
Crocheted flower trim
Rhinestones
Hot Glue

Steps:
1. Paint each letter with 2 coats of either fresh foliage or rose paint. Paint the fresh foliage letters with 2 coats of extreme glitter peridot and the rose letters with extreme glitter hologram. Allow for dry time in between coats.

2. Trace the letters onto the back of the scrapbook paper. Cutout the letters. Apply Mod Podge to the back of the paper letters. Center on the painted letters, top coat with Mod Podge. Use your fingers to press out any air bubbles. Smooth your brush strokes.

3. Hot glue ribbon around the letters. Hot glue the letters on top of each other in a layered design.

4. Paint the large pink petals with extreme glitter gold. Allow to dry. Using hot glue, layer the petals, flower trim and rhinestones around the letters. Glue rhinestones to the letters in a random pattern.

Make It: Altered Lockets

Make It: Altered Lockets

This little locket was made by re-crafting and old necklace I had. I have a jumbo baggie of old jewelry that is just waiting to be whipped into something new. To get the glassy finish I used Dimensional Magic. This project we designed for Plaid.


Supplies:
Mod Podge – matte
Mod Podge – gold glitter
Foam paintbrush
Detail paintbrush
Dimensional magic
Locket
Small scraps of paper
Scissors
Rhinestones
Gem glue

How To:

1. Begin by cutting a background paper that will fit the front of the locket. Attach the paper by applying a generous coat of Mod Podge to the back and front side of the paper. Position on the locket and use your fingers to press the paper around the curves of the locket. Don’t worry about crease lines.

2. Next add a smaller decorative image to the center of the locket using Mod Podge. Allow to dry.

3. Glue a boarder of rhinestones around the smaller image or in your desired pattern.

4. Using a detail brush, add a few clumps of the glitter Mod Podge to the edges to add highlights and depth. Allow to dry.

5. Squirt a small amount of dimensional magic on the smaller image. Use a detail brush to spread the dimensional magic in an even coat over the entire image. Allow to dry and attach to any necklace.

Make It: Mini Boudoir Art

Make It: Mini Boudoir Art

This mini boudoir art was designed for Plaid crafts using my favorite color of metallic FolkArt paint - Metallic Peach Pearl. To see more of our Spring and Easter projects visit our page at Plaid Crafts.

Supplies:
FolkArt paint – Metallic Peach Pearl
FolkArt paint – Metallic Inca Gold
Mod Podge Matte
Foam paintbrush
Detail paintbrush
Wood plaque - small
Dress clipart
3 small rhinestones
Hot glue
1 Yard black velvet ribbon

Dress Clipart - jpeg
download and resize as needed

How To:
Paint the plaque with 3 coats using peach pearl paint and a foam brush. Use the gold paint and a detail paintbrush to add highlights to the edge of the plaque. Allow to dry.

Print and cutout the dress clipart. (you may need to adjust the size depending on your plaque size). Coat the backside of the clipart with Mod Podge and place in the center of the plaque. Topcoat with two coats of Mod Podge. Allow to dry.

Using a detail brush and gold paint, paint 3 tiny dots down the front of the dress. Use a small drop of Mod Podge to glue 3 rhinestones across the waist of the dress. Hot glue ribbon around the outer edge of the plaque. Hot glue the remaining ribbon to the back of the plaque in a loop to create a hanger.

Make it: Spring Fling Headband

Make it: Spring Fling Headband

This project we designed for Plaid using a headband from the $1 store. You will want to begin with a basic headband that is wider in shape. I coordinated the ribbons and flowers to the Amy Butler print.

Supplies:
Headband
Mod Podge Matte
Foam Paintbrush
Scrap paper
Decorative Paper
Pencil
Scissors
Wax paper
Rick-rack trim
Hot glue
3 small silk flowers
3 medium rhinestones
Scrap of coordinating ribbon


How To:
1. Create a template of the headband by tracing it on a piece of scrap paper. Using the template as a guide cut the template from the decorative paper.

2. Working a a piece of wax paper and using a foam paintbrush, coat the back and front side of the paper with Mod Podge. Position the paper on the headband, press out any air bubbles with your fingers, smooth your brush strokes. Allow to dry.

3. Hot glue rick-rack trim to the edges of the headband. Hot glue silk flowers to the mid-top section. Hot glue a rhinestone to the center of the flowers. Hot glue a scrap of ribbon around the two ends of the headband to secure the rick-rack.

Make it: Ikea Table Hack with Mod Podge

Make it: Ikea Table Hack with Mod Podge
This is from The Dresser Me Up episode of Creative Juice

We hacked the Ikea lack table with a little colorful paper and mod podge. This project can be done for under $27.00 and that includes the table! You can use any type of shape to decorate the table: circles, triangles, flower shapes, etc. We used a rounded diamond shape.


Materials:
small table
fine-grit sandpaper
blue painter's tape
primer
latex paint
large piece of cardstock or poster board
yardstick
large bowl (ours was about 11-1/2" in diameter)
pencil
several pieces of large scrapbook paper, cardstock or colored poster board
scissors
mod podge
glossy polyurethane
foam paintbrushes
craft knife

Steps:

Click and save to download the jpeg template. Enlarge as needed.

1. To make a template for this shape, use a yardstick to draw a straight line across the length of the large piece of cardstock or poster board, and draw another line across the width of the paper that intersects with the first line, so that the paper is divided into four sections. Use the large bowl to draw an arc in each section of the paper. Cut the diamond out and trim about 1/8"-1/4" off each point to create blunt edges. This will make it easier to use the template.


2. Trace several shapes onto the paper you have chosen for the table and cut them out. The size of the table will determine the number of cutouts you need.


3. Sand the top of the table with fine-grit sandpaper and wipe away the dust with a clean towel or rag. Use painter's tape to tape off the vertical edges of the table. Apply one to two coats of primer to the top of the table with a paint roller, allowing it to dry between coats. After the primer has dried, apply 1-2 coats of latex paint to the tabletop, allowing it to dry between coats. Allow to dry completely before moving on to step 4.


4. With a large foam brush, brush over the back of each shape with mod podge and place them down on the table, corner to corner. Smooth out air bubbles as you go along. Brush mod podge on the entire tabletop. Allow to dry and apply a second coat. Trim away any shapes hanging over the edges.

6. Once the second coat of mod podge is completely dry, brush on a coat of glossy polyurethane on the tabletop, using the foam brush. Allow it to dry; then apply a second coat. Allow the second coat of polyurethane to dry for 2-4 hours before removing the blue tape. You may need a craft knife to help remove the tape.

Make it: Grown Up Paper Beads

Make it: Grown Up Paper Beads

Re-Craft tiny scraps of paper into pretty beads.

Materials:
Mod Podge - gloss
Colorful wrapping or scrapbook paper (glossy works best)
Scissors
Bamboo skewers

1. Cut paper into triangles approximately 1" or less across the bottom and approximately 2" long.

2. Apply Mod Podge to the back of the paper.

3. Starting at the wide end of the paper, roll it tightly around a bamboo skewer.

4. Apply glue to the last 1/2" of the paper (the pointed end) and roll into place. Once it dry, apply Mod Podge over the surface of the beads to create a glossy finish.

Make it: Paper Bead Necklace

Materials:
2 paper beads
clasp
chain (long enough to make necklace the desired length)
decorative beads (here, two beads were used, one large and one small rosy quartz)
2 jump rings
2 crimp beads
wire cutters
round-nose jewelry pliers
1 head pin

1. Cut a length of chain to use as the base of the necklace.

2. Slide rosy quartz beads onto a head pin. With the wire cutters, snip off the head pin excess, leaving enough to make a loop. Use round-nose pliers to form a loop at the end of the head pin.

3. Locate the middle point of the chain and attach the bead charm you just made to this point. Use pliers to open the loop of the head pin and attach it to the link in the middle of the chain.

4. Slide paper beads onto the chain, putting one on each side of the charm.

5. With round-nose pliers open up the jump rings and attach one to each end of the chain. Attach one half of the clasp to one of the jump rings and the other half of the clasp to the other jump ring. Close the jump rings with the pliers.

Make it: Artwork à la Warhol

Make it: Artwork à la Warhol

Materials:
4 12"x12" stretched, gessoed artist canvases
Folk Art craft paint in 4 colors (either bright or muted)
foam paintbrushes
Mod Podge
4 14"x17" color copies of a black-and-white image
10 yd. decorative trim (narrower than the edge of the canvas)
floating medium
picture-hanger piece
small picture-hanging nails
hot glue
scissors
ruler
waxed paper

Steps:
1. Choose an image and use photo-editing software to make the picture black and white, adjusting the brightness and contrast until the image is completely black and white with no gray.

2. Print the image, take it to a copy shop and enlarge it to fit the length and width of the canvas (ours was enlarged 140% to fit a 12"x12" canvas). Make 4 copies.

3. Cut the images to the exact dimensions of the canvases. Apply a liberal, even coat of mod podge medium to the canvas. Apply mod podge to the back (not the front) of the image and carefully apply the image to the canvas (don’t start pressing until the image is properly aligned). Smooth out any the air bubbles (you can use a flat-edged object to help flatten bubbles, but be careful not to gouge the paper with the edges) and let dry.

4. Paint the image using acrylic paint that has been mixed with floating medium (one part paint to slightly less than one part medium). Allow to dry. Use more than one coat of paint if the first coat looks streaky.

5. When the paint is dry, add embellishments to the artwork. Ribbon or trim can be used to enhance the border of the frame. Attach a picture hanger to the back of the canvas. Repeat for each canvas.

Make it: 1$ Store Candle Revamp

Make it: 1$ Store Candle Revamp

Cha-Cha-Cha Candles are so easy to whip up, all you need is a little Mod Podge and some images.

Materials:
Mod Podge - matte
tall glass candle
fun image
foam brush
glitter glue
ribbon
tacky glue
coil bracelet blanks
round-nose pliers
miscellaneous beads and baubles

1. Trim and/or resize the image to fit on the candle. Use a foam brush to coat the back of the image with Mod Podge. Apply the image to the candle, smoothing out air bubbles as you work.

2. Use glitter glue to highlight areas of interest on the image. Jewel glue can be used to apply sequins or rhinestones to a candle. Glue ribbon around the top and/or bottom of the candle with tacky glue.

3. Use round-nose pliers to create a small loop at one end of the bracelet coil; thread beads and baubles onto the coil, leaving enough space at the end to form another loop.

4. When the glue is dry, slip the beaded coil over the candle. The coil can be reused on other candles or worn as a bracelet.

Make it: Magazine Organizer

Make it: Magazine Organizer
This project we designed for Plaid using Mod Podge.

Supplies:
Mod Podge ® Matte, 8 oz.
Wood Magazine holder
Craft Knife and cutting mat
Hot Glue Gun
Pencil
Rhinestones – coordinating assortment
Scrapbooking Paper – minimum of 3 coordinating sheets

Steps:
1. Use the pencil to trace the shapes of the sides of the magazine holder onto the back of your scrapbooking paper sheets.

2. Use the craft knife to cut the shapes out of the scrapbooking paper sheets.

3. Apply Mod Podge Matte to the back of the papers and affix to the magazine holder. Allow to dry for at least two hours and then coat entire project surface with Mod Podge. You may allow to dry for 15 minutes and apply another coat if desired.

4. Use hot glue gun to apply rhinestones to your project where desired.

Make it: Pattern Storage Boxes

Make it: Pattern Storage Boxes
from the Crafters Caddies episode of Creative Juice

Using bits of old patterns and a little mod podge you can create some cute and functional storage boxes for sewing patterns. This technique could be used on a number of different boxes for other craft room storage needs. You can mix and match the ribbons to coordinate with your space.

Materials:
cardboard or wooden photo storage box
old sewing patterns
scissors
mod podge
foam paintbrush
ribbon
glue gun and glue
paper strips that fit into the box's label frame
rubber letter stamps
embossing pad
embossing powder
embossing or heat gun
bamboo skewer
file folders


1. Unfold the old sewing patterns and cut into pieces that are several inches wide and long.


2. Use the foam paintbrush to coat the top of the photo storage box with découpage medium.


3. Make a collage of pattern pieces on top. Repeat on the sides of the box. Allow the box to dry. Apply another coat of pattern pieces. Apply a topcoat of découpage medium. Smooth the box with the foam paintbrush so any brush lines go in the same direction. Allow the box to dry.


5. Apply ribbon around the edge of the box top with hot glue.


6. Use the letter stamps and embossing pad to stamp out the contents of the pattern box. Working on top of an open file folder, pour embossing powder over the stamped letters and tap off any excess. Funnel excess embossing powder back into the container using the file folder fold as a funnel.

7. Heat and set the embossing powder using the embossing or heat gun. Hold the label still with a bamboo skewer and use the same skewer to help slide the finished label into the photo box label frame.

Make it: Barrette Holder

Make it: Owl Barrette Holder

Now you can keep rack of all your little ones barrettes and bows in one easy spot. Look for fun new wood shapes including, guitars, hearts and animals at Michaels. This project we designed for Plaid using Mod Podge.

	227 - FolkArt ® Acrylic Colors - Bright Green, 2 oz.
	CS11301 - Mod Podge ® Matte, 8 oz.

	Wood owl shape (or other shape of your choosing)
	Scrapbooking paper (3 sheets of coordinating designs)
	Ribbon (2 coordinating colors - 1.5 feet of 1 color and 3 feet of the other)
	Adhesive letters (to spell the name of your choice)
	Craft knife and cutting mat
	Hot glue gun

1. Using one of the sponge brushes, basecoat the wood owl shape with Bright Green. Allow to dry and apply a second coat. Allow to dry for 24 hours.

2. Use the craft knife and cutting mat to cut shapes of scrapbooking paper to cover areas of the owl.

3. Apply scrapbooking papers to the owl using a new sponge brush and the Mod Podge gloss. Apply Mod Podge directly to the bottom of the papers and adhere to the owl. Allow to dry for two hours and then coat the entire surface of the owl.

4. Affix the adhesive stickers to the owl with the name of your choice.

5. Cut the 3” of ribbon into two 1.5” strips. Hot glue the three strips of ribbon to the back of the owl. Allow project to dry completely before using.

Come Say Hi at CHA!

Come see why we are stuck on Mod Podge!

Make it Take Schedule:

Sunday, January 25
9:00 – 11:30 a.m. - Queen Bee Party Hats and Tiaras
1:00 – 5:30 p.m. - Altered Party Candles

Monday, January 26
9:00 – 11:30 a.m. - Mini Art Collage
1:00 – 5:30 p.m. - Scrabble Tile Rings

Tuesday, January 27
9:00 – 11:30 a.m. - Altered Poker Chip Pins
1:00 – 5:30 p.m. - Collaged Heart Magnets

Clean Sweep Magazines

Mod Podge Magazine Holder

It is time to get organized and clean out your magazines. Store the the ones you can't part with in this Mod Podge Magazine holder we designed for Plaid. Visit this link for step by step instructions.

Where Women Create - Click to Enlarge

Make tear sheets of projects, recipes, color palettes, design ideas or anything inspiring and place the sheets in a file folders or 3-ring binders. Organize the your tear sheets by subject so you can easily track down ideas. Visit my blog post to see the whole Where Women Create story and see my organized office.

Ready to ship!

Make re-cycled packing materials with what you want to discard from the magazine by shredding them in a paper shredder. The perfect cushion for shipping etsy and ebay items. Visit my blog post on this here.

Make it: Ticket Bowl

Ticket Bowl from the Where Women Create Feature

Materials:
roll of "fair/carnival" tickets
Mod Podge - gloss or matte
foam paintbrushes
rubber bands
small piece of felt
Fabri-Tac glue

1. Unroll the top five layers of tickets. Apply Mod Podge to the backs of these tickets and reroll back together. Keep the roll tight; these tickets will form the brim of the bowl. Use rubber bands to secure, if needed, while the glue dries.

2. Use your fingers to press the roll into a bowl form, pushing in the center and gently pulling on the sides to form a bowl shape.

3. Apply Mod Podge to the outside and inside of the ticket bowl.

4. Let dry; repeat with two more coats of Mod Podge.

5. Cut a piece of cardstock the size of the bottom of the bowl. Glue to the bowl bottom with découpage medium. Cut a piece of felt the same size and attach with Fabri-Tac glue.

Make it: Mod Podge with Carol Brady!

Re-crafted Party Trays
made from cookie sheets with mod podge

Steve and I had the honor of working with Florence Henderson and Meshach Taylor on their talk show Living Live. It was like a dream....Steve and I are both "Brady" kids and Steve can practically recite every line of dialouge from each episode.

We had so much fun and the "re-crafted" party trays were a huge hit! If you look close you can see pictures of my nieces - well except our newest addition - she was not born yet.

CHA Day 2 - Punk Rock Hangers

The morning of day 2 was all about Mod Podge! We made made punky hangers with the new gold and silver glitter Mod Podge. (coming soon to a store near you) The glitter is ultra fine and it sparkles like the shining sun. We made some jewelry projects with the glitter Mod Podge and we were thrilled that it was soft on the skin.

The hangers pictured have 2 coats of Silver Glitter Mod Podge. I love how it pops on the black paint.

Mod Podge - Love the logo!

Punky Hangers

Close up of Punky Hangers

Supplies Needed:
wood hanger
primer
black gloss spray paint
small image
glitter mod podge
foam paintbrush
masking tape

How To:

1. Tape off the metal hook on the hanger. Prime the hanger & allow to dry.

2. Spray the hanger with 2 coats of black gloss spray paint.

3. Cut a small image to fit in the center of the hanger.

4. Use a foam paintbrush to add glitter mod podge to the back of the image, place the image in the desired position, add more mod podge to coat the top of the image.

5. Using a foam brush, add glitter mod podge over the entire hanger, allow to dry and add a second coat. Dry for 24 hours. Remove the masking tape.

CHA Day 1 - luminary candle holder project

Vintage Vogue Luminaries

Supply List:
Mod Podge matte
glass cylinder vase
tape measure
color copy of image
scissors
foam paintbrush
wax paper
small glass votive
votive candle
optional: ribbon, rhinestones, silk flowers

Steps:

1. Measure the height and circumference of your vase, this will be the size of the collage you will need to create. Add an inch to the circumference.

2. Create a collage using wrapping paper, old greeting cards, clip art, scrapbook papers, stickers, etc. We used a vintage cover of a Vogue magazine and a graphic piece of scrapbook paper. Color copy the collage.

3. Trim the color copy to the appropriate size for your vase.

4. Working on wax paper, place the color copy printed side down. Using a foam brush apply a liberal coat of Mod Podge to the back of the paper, working quickly, flip over the paper and apply Mod Podge to the front of the paper.

5. Center the paper on the outside of the vase. Wrap around the vase, use your fingers to press out any air bubbles. Use your foam brush to smooth out your brush strokes.

6. Allow to dry for 24 hours.

7. Options: Add a thick ribbon around the base or top rim of the vase. Use a little hot glue to attach silk flower petals to the vase. Add extra bling by gluing rhinestones to the center of the flowers or in a random pattern around the luminary.

8. Drop a votive candle in the vase and watch it glow. (I like to use a small glass votive cup - it makes clean up a snap)