Wednesday, March 31, 2021

Papercrafting: Mod Podge Keepsake Eggs

 


I had a couple of large plastic eggs in my stash so I decided to add to my Keepsake Egg collection that I didn't even know was a collection until I realized how many I've made! All you need are some plastic eggs, pretty paper, Mod Podge, and some embellishments. 

Supplies: 
  • Large Plastic Eggs (Michaels)
  • Decorative Paper ( Paper Source)
  • Mod Podge (Michaels)
  • Ribbon and Charms (Stash)


Matte Mod Podge is my go to for almost everything although I have and love the other formulas. It works really well with handmade papers. They absorb it and dry really nicely. 

I just drew an oval bigger than the egg on the back side of the paper, cut, then cut around the edges to make it easier for the paper to lay down. 


Flipped the paper over, coated the back with Mod Podge, then wrapped the egg. I covered most of the eggs this way, then just tore pieces to cover the remaining exposed spots. 



With a heavily patterned paper like this I wasn't too worried about any crinkles most of which you can smooth with your finger but even those that remain just kind of blend in. If you're using a less patterned paper where wrinkles may show more, you can be more precise about applying the paper. 

Once the eggs were covered, I coated with more Mod Podge and let dry.  One reason I love Mod Podge is it stays wet enough to get your paper where you want it yet dries fast so a project doesn't take forever. 


After that, it's up to your imagination! I grabbed some gold satin ribbon and some tissue paper like yarn I had in my stash, along with some Fleur de Lis Charms that worked with the colors and style of the paper.  Cut a length of the satin ribbon large enough to fit around the egg and make a bow, anchor on the bottom of the egg with a dot of hot glue, then wrap and tie a bow. Cut a length of the ribbon yarn, slide under the bow, knot,  then cut some more strands and lay atop the knot and use the ends to tie on the charms. 


I like that these aren't explicitly Easter and can be left out for Spring since eggs are a symbol of renewal. 


I've heard people say they're intimidated by decoupage but don't be! Start with a project like this where it's not about precision. Once you make one thing, you'll be hooked! 





Tuesday, March 30, 2021

Papercrafting: Layered Egg Easter Cards

 


I will singlehandedly keep the Post Office in business because as much as I love and use technology, I will always make and send handmade cards. And since no matter how hard I try, I can't make cards that only require basic stamps, I'm their best customer!  

I had fun with my newfound knowledge of creating layered files in Cricut Design Space and did a series of layered Easter Eggs in a pastel palette. 


Supplies: 

I will also singlehandedly acquire every Michaels Hot Buy Paper Stack which, did I mention...are buy one get two free this week? 

Since all of the papers complemented each other, it was easy to play with different combinations. I ended up doing some in blues/turquoise, pinks and lavenders, and yellows/oranges/green. 


I cut the top layers of each using the glitter paper, layering using foam tape on either one or two layers of coordinating plain paper. 



For this one I used two layers of glitter paper. 


I had some paper butterflies in my embellishments stash but I didn't have enough so I made some more by cutting them on my Explore Air 2 and adding self adhesive pearls to match the original!



The Post Office employees hide when they see me coming! WHAT is she mailing now?! 



Sharing At:






Monday, March 29, 2021

Dollar Tree Crafting: Easy Twine Carrot Wreath

 


You never know what you'll find at The Dollar Tree. And if you're me, when you do find things, you may not know exactly what you're going to do with what you do find until you do! I found these twine carrots when they first started putting out Easter stuff and was not sure what I was going to do with them but they were the kind of thing you just pick up, because. 

Supplies:

  • Twine Carrots (You could do this with plastic or fabric carrots as well) I used 3 pkgs
  • Small Wire Wreath Frame (8 inch)
  • Ribbon 
  • Glue gun and glue sticks


I save good ribbon such as this twill ribbon that a beautiful new blanket Mr. Chocolate gave me for Christmas was wrapped in. Who knows when it will come in handy? 

The first step was to wrap the wire frame. I love these smaller 8 inch wreath frames that Dollar Tree carries and they come in packs of 2!


I anchored the ribbon with a dab of hot glue, wrapped the frame, and then secured with another dab of hot glue. 


Then I added my carrots, making sure that the tips all aligned as I went around. 


I knew I should have bought one more package because as you can see, I didn't have enough to go all the way around. No worries. I had leftover ribbon so I just made a bow to fill the gap. I didn't bother to iron the ribbon because I figured since the carrot tops were not perfect, the bow shouldn't be either. I like that it looks vintagey and old. 


And done! I have this empty frame on my cement accent wall in my office that I like to put seasonal accents in so that's where this is. 


Et, Voila! 




Saturday, March 27, 2021

Papercrafting: Layered Bunny Mandala

 


This week's party continues here .

This post contains a referral link for which I may receive free products. 

I mentioned in this week's party post that I love Creative Fabrica as a source for fonts, graphics, and SVG cutting files and that they offer one of each of these for free each day. I downloaded this one when it was free the other day ( it's still available here but no longer free). 

I was excited to play with it and I'm excited to show you how it turned out!

Supplies: 
  • Scrapbook papers 
  • Electronic Cutting Machine ( I used my Cricut Explore Air2, these files also work in Silhouette Design Studio)
  • Spray Glue
  • Frame


Downloaded the file to my computer and imported into Cricut Design Space as follows: 





Click on image on the left side of the design panel, Click on Upload Image. 



Click browse to go to where you've stored your file, and then select the SVG file. 


Your file will appear in your recently uploaded files and then select Insert Image. Once it's on your canvas, then you can re-size as desired. I sized mine 8x8 for a 12x12 frame. 



All three layers will be shown . For me, it's easier to work with one layer on the screen at a time so I can keep straight which layer I want in which color. To hide the layers you don't want to work with, click on the eye icons until only the layer(s) you want is shown. Then you can send to cut each layer. 



I did the background layer in turquoise glitter The middle layer in pastel turquoise. The top layer in cream. 



Since each layer is so detailed and delicate, I used a spray adhesive to attach them. I like the repositionable kind in case you need to adjust. 



Here are the first two layers glued together. Repeat the process to attach the base layer. 



Since this file is so intricate, I kept the background simple to let it stand out, using the same cream scrapbook paper as I'd used for the top layer. Framed in a 12x12 shadowbox frame!


And now I have this very cool new piece to add to my Easter decor and I love it! What do you think? 

Follow The Yellow Brick Home

Thursday, March 25, 2021

BFF Open House

 


Happy Spring, officially! It's kind of hard to tell here in the desert but I guess it's when it's still below 100! I used to tease my Mom and friends who lived here before us about being cold in temperatures that other parts of the country would consider far from it. Now I'm on the receiving end when I tell our son that "it's cold" as he lives in Chicago and reminds us what cold really is.  Karma!

Easter is early this year and I haven't really done any decorating or new Easter projects. I did a little roundup of different ways to use plastic eggs here.  

But, I did grab this free cut file from Creative Fabrica today that I'm going to play with! If you don't know , they have daily freebies but they are only free for one day. Fonts, graphics, SVGs. It's a great way to build a library. They also have a weekly freebie and periodically offer free bundles. I'm not an affiliate so this is just me sharing. 

OK! Let's take a look at some of the wonderful projects shared at last week's party. 


MaryJo from Masterpieces of My Life shared her gorgeous Easter Tablescape, the centerpiece of which are beautiful Mercury Glass eggs! I love the moss bunnies and accents. 


Penny, from Penny's Vintage shared her festive Spring Kitchen so you have to check out the whole thing but I especially love these fabric carrots! This gives me some ideas how to use up lots of scraps I have from mask making! 


Lisa from Fresh Vintage by Lisa S shared a treasure trove of German Paper Mache Easter Eggs she found while thrifting. What wonderful vintage keepsakes! 


Finally ( and we're all adults here right) I give you these "Better Than Sex" cupcakes shared by the Lou Lou Girls! I think they speak for themselves! 

Alright! Let's see what everyone's been up to this week! Happy Passover to those celebrating!








You are invited to the Inlinkz link party!

Click here to enter

Wednesday, March 24, 2021

Plastic Eggs Aren't Just For Hiding. Creative Ways To Use Them

 


Over the years I've had fun with decorating plastic eggs...creating home decor projects etc. So I thought I'd round them up since we're in peak plastic egg season!  The links are in bold text. 

Tissue Paper, Twine, and Paint 






Use large plastic eggs, cover with plain white tissue paper, then paint and/or wrap with twine. Details at link



Using the tissue paper technique, again cover plastic egg, then paint with a few coats of glitter paint, embellish with a vintage looking paper border and paper roses. Details at link

I love Old World European Chocolate eggs so I emulated one using a foam egg, some paint, a French Chocolate label and embellishments! Details at link.






Choose some complementary plastic eggs, add felt leaves and paper flowers and make a Spring Wreath. Details at link





Stock up on those plastic eggs now for Fall. Paint,scrapbook paper, twine and sequins are all you need. Details at link


I hope you've found some inspiration! What are some creative ways you've used plastic eggs?