Girlfriend Gift: Glass Block Sugar Skull

One of my girlfriends loves Sugar Skulls. Like she dressed as one for Halloween one year loves Sugar Skulls, so her birthday present was easy peasy this year...both the decision on what to make her and making it! 

I used a textured glass block that I had in my stash. I thought it was perfect for this since the texture reminded me of melted sugar. 

Supplies 

• Glass Block ( you can find these at every craft store)
• Black Vinyl
• Misc. Embellishments ( I used cording, rhinestones, and tassels from  my stash)

I looked for and found a Sugar Skull image I liked in the Silhouette Online Store, purchased, and downloaded. Sized it, cut it and proceeded to do my least favorite thing in the crafting world, weeded it. 

Lots of little bits and pieces to make sure to remove but SUCCESS!

Centered and applied the vinyl. I cleaned the surface of the glass block with alcohol to make sure and get up any oils etc. so the vinyl would stick well. 

I debated about putting lights inside and tried it and decided I liked it better w/out the lights since they competed with the detail of the vinyl image.  Plopped the thingy that seals the opening into place ( and gave her the extra toppers that come w/ the glass block in case she wants to fill it with anything or add lights) and then finished off by tieing several types of ribbon and fiber around the block and finished it all off with a cluster of misc charms and beads. 

I also added some clear self adhesive rhinestones which are hard to see because they blend into the glass. They stand out much better in person. 

To package it, I pulled some paper scraps from my stash and cut out some flowers using a Tim Holtz die. Repurposed a kraft paper bag using the papers, flowers and some of the Washi tape that was part of my last year's birthday present from the same girlfriend.  She knows me too well because look what she gave me this year: 

SWOON! A collection of gorgeous papers in my favorite colors to play with! See that Sugar Skull paper? Yep it will be coming to another gift for her lol.

Girlfriend Gifts : Gold Foiled Herb Pots

I don't get together with friends that often, so when I do I like to bring a little something. I think as makers, it's in our nature. 

I had the opportunity to work with some goodies from Oriental Trading Company to make these little Herb Pots. 

OTC Supplies used for these: 

• Unfinished Square Flowerpots 
• Patterned Texture Paper Pack
• Dictionary Tags

Other Supplies: 

• Mona Lisa Brand Gold Foil Simple Leaf and Adhesive
• Misc Craft Paints
• Mod Podge 

I painted the unfinished pots with cream acrylic craft paint. Once dry, I added strips from the patterned paper pack as shown. 

Once the paper strips were dry, I applied the gold foil adhesive to the top and side edges.  The adhesive takes about 20-30 minutes to dry to a tacky state. Once there, I applied the gold leafing randomly. I wanted to match the pattern in the paper so I didn't want complete coverage. I even roughed it up in places. 

I wanted the Dictionary Tags to coordinate with the pots so I applied scraps of the paper I used on the pots along  gold glitter paper and stickers from my stash. 

Since I am not much of a gardener or green thumb ( unless it's green glitter!) I was thrilled to find these all in one herb kits at Target. I included two of these in the pots. 

I wrapped the completed pots with strips of tulle, and finished off with the tags.

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