Category Archives: Paintings

Painted Paddle Flag

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Crafts ’n things Craft of the Day

 

Old Glory has never looked better! Make this quick-and-easy version for the upcoming Memorial Day holiday.

Materials

  • Wooden paint paddles, 14” long, nine
  • Darice: Rusted Tin Sheet, 4” square; Rusted Wire, 22-gauge, 28” length, 36” length
  • Delta Ceramcoat Acrylic Paints: Barn Red, Midnight Blue, Trail Tan, Spice Brown
  • Jute twine, 22” length

Tools

  • Drill with 1⁄4” bit
  • Delta Ceramcoat Painter’s Helper Crackle medium
  • Eclectic Products E6000 Industrial-Strength Adhesive

Basic Supplies

scissors, pencil, handsaw, sandpaper, soft cloth, heavy books, paintbrush

Directions

STEP 1

Cut handles from seven paddles, so each paddle measures 12” long; cut one end into point. Sand and wipe dust with soft cloth. Cut 9” lengths from remaining uncut paddles; drill hole 1⁄2” from one end of each. Lightly sand; wipe dust.

STEP 2

Arrange 12” paddles into flag with points facing left and straight ends aligned. Perpendicular to paddles, place 9” paddles on top and 1-1⁄2” in from each side, with holes overlapping top edge of flag 3⁄4” (for hangers). Adhere in place. Place heavy books over paddles to secure while drying.

STEP 3

Basecoat front and back of flag Spice Brown. Follow manufacturer’s instructions to apply crackle medium to front.

STEP 4

Trace 3-1⁄2”x6” rectangle in upper left corner; paint rectangle and hanger Midnight Blue. Let dry completely. Paint remaining paddles alternating Barn Red and Trail Tan, and remaining hanger Barn Red.

STEP 5

Print and cut out pattern. (Note: The blue word “pattern” is a link. To access this pattern, select the link, then download and print pattern.) Cut seven stars from rusted tin sheet. Adhere to flag as shown.

STEP 6

Wrap 28” wire length around upper left edge of flag as desired; curl ends. Attach remaining length around bottom right corner in same way.

STEP 7

For hanger, insert ends of jute length through holes from back to front. Knot and trim.

Tip

  • Make a larger version from fence pickets or a smaller version from craft sticks.

by Linda Bauer

Welcome Friends Garden Sign

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Crafts ’n things Craft of the Day

 

Look closely! Use an old chair seat to create this welcome sign, or any sign, for your garden!

Materials

  • Vintage chair seat or wooden plaque, 15” square
  • DecoArt Americana Acrylic Paints: Lamp Black, Cadmium Yellow, Warm White, Olive Green, Leaf Green, Salem Blue, Sapphire

Tools

  • Stencils: floral vine of choice; lowercase alphabet, 1-1/2” tall
  • DecoArt Americana Gel Stain: wood stain of choice
  • Royal & Langnickel Paintbrushes: Crafter’s Choice Stencil, Series 1⁄4”, 3⁄8”, 1⁄2”; Golden Taklon Liner, Series 595, #1
  • Drill and drill bits
  • Sisal rope

Basic Supplies

sandpaper, soft cloth, paintbrush, newspaper (to cover work surface)

Directions

STEP 1

If using vintage chair seat, remove old finish and sand. Apply stain to seat or plaque; wipe with soft cloth.

STEP 2

Stencil “welcome friends” with Lamp Black; shade top right side of letters Warm White. Let dry.

STEP 3

Stencil vines and flowers across top left and bottom right side of sign. Add additional vines and flowers as needed. Stencil leaves and vines Olive Green; shade undersides Warm White. Stencil flowers Salem Blue; shade centers Sapphire. Stencil dots in centers Cadmium Yellow. Use liner brush to paint Leaf Green vein through leaf centers. Let dry.

STEP 4

Drill two holes in top of sign. Insert two sisal rope lengths through holes and knot ends at top.

by Mary Ayres

DIY Mother’s Day Vase and Kinda Krafty Giveaway

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Hi there, I’m back today with another project and giveaway from the Australian company, Ruby Rock-it. Their brand new Kinda Krafty collection was the perfect choice to create a Mother’s Day card to go with my  hand-painted vase. The papers in this collection all have a neutral, kraft-colored base, which makes them easy to mix in with any color you choose.

Ruby Rock-It will be giving one lucky Crafts ‘n things blog reader their new Kinda Krafty collection. This includes an assortment of their fun printed papers, as well as some terrific embellishments.

Is your idea of a perfect Mother’s Day sleeping in and having breakfast in bed? Taking your own mother or mother-in-law out for brunch? Getting up early and running a 5K? Or maybe spending the day locked away in your craft room? To be entered in the giveaway, leave a comment on this post by Monday, May 13, 2013, describing your ideal Mother’s Day. Winners will be announced on the blog on May 14th.

(Don’t tell my mom, husband, or kids… but one of my favorite Mother’s Days happened last year when I met up with my college roommates for a long weekend in the Hamptons – no husbands, kids, pets, parents, or in-laws… just us hanging out like old times!)

No matter how or where you celebrate Mother’s Day, one thing is for certain – moms love to receive handmade gifts. This project is very economical and eco-friendly since the foundation for the vase is a recycled glass jar. You will also need a few different coordinating colors of craft paint.

Begin by pouring the paints in along the top edge of the jar.

Tilt the jar to help the paint spread and use a wooden skewer to further mix the colors and to help ensure the entire surface is covered. Use a small foam brush to paint around the rim and to touch up any spots you may have missed. It’s helpful to hold the jar up to the light to check.

Pour out the excess paint and turn upside down. The paint I used was quite thick and I wound up having to move the jar several times in order to let all the excess drip out. Once the remaining paint is gone, you can turn the jar right side up. Be forewarned – this takes a long time to dry. Overnight at a minimum, but several days would be better. (Martha Stewart Crafts states that their brand of craft paint will be fully air cured after 21 days.)

Once dry, embellish with a strip of adhesive-backed pearls and rhinestones and add a tag.

Create a matching card using cardstock in a color that coordinates with the paint you chose.

Every mom should be treated like a queen on Mother’s Day!

Supplies

Ruby Rock-It Kinda Krafty patterned paper and chipboard elements

Ruby Rock-It Bella! Bling – Pearl and rhinestone accents, ribbon

Therm O Web Permanent Tape Runner, 1/4″ Foam Squares, Medium Zots Singles

Cardstock: Bazzill Basics Paper Turquoise, Papertrey Ink Kraft

Die-cutting system and dies: Papertrey Ink Tremendous Tags, My Favorite Things Accent It: Labels & Tags

Flourishes Spring Bouquet stamp set

Tsukineko VersaFine Onyx Black Ink Pad

Thanks so much for visiting the Crafts ‘n things blog today. Happy Crafting!

Alice Golden from Golden Moments (www.alicegolden.com)

Tuscan Candleholder

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Crafts ’n things Craft of the Day

 

Create a warm and relaxing atmosphere in your home with the rich tones of this Tuscan candleholder. Or, gift this easy-to-make slice of Mediterranean décor to Mom as the perfect Mother’s Day present.

Materials

  • Clay pot and saucer
  • DecoArt Texture Stucco
  • DecoArt Acrylic Paints: Americana Lamp Black, Dazzling Metallics Champagne Gold
  • DecoArt Texture Stencils by Tracy Moreau Brocade & Berry Borders
  • Candles

Tools

  • DecoArt Palette Knife
  • Royal & Langnickel Paintbrushes: Royal Aqualon Glaze/Wash, Series 2700, 3/4”; Sable Standard Handle Fan Blender, Series 5030, #2
  • Beacon Adhesives Quick Grip All-Purpose Permanent Adhesive

Basic Supplies

newspaper (to cover work surface)

Directions

Note

Let dry between steps.

Candleholder

1. Place clay pot upside down on covered work surface. Position Berry Border stencil on clay pot.

2. Use palette knife to apply Texture Stucco on open areas of stencil. To remove stencil, hold one end of stencil down with fingers and carefully lift opposite end.

3. Repeat stenciling around pot. Wash stencil immediately.

4. Use glaze/wash brush to paint pot and saucer Lamp Black.

5. Use fan blender brush to drybrush pot and saucer Champagne Gold.

6. Adhere saucer to pot as shown. Place candles on saucer.

by Eve Leder

Wedding Box

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Crafts ’n things Craft of the Day

 

Capture wedding day memories when you place keepsakes from your special day inside this beautiful personalized wedding box.

Materials

  • Walnut Hollow Large Lancaster Wooden Trunk, 9”x5”x5-1/2” (38219)
  • Plaid FolkArt Acrylic Paints: Wicker White, Licorice, Ivory White, Metallic Silver Sterling, Metallic Copper
  • Darice Wooden Ball Knobs, 1”, four
  • Color copy of wedding photo

Tools

  • Plaid FolkArt Down Home Brown Antiquing Medium
  • Plaid FolkArt Satin Artists’ Varnish
  • Paintbrushes: round, #5; flat, #12
  • Plaid Bottle Top Tip Writers (30728)
  • Plaid Mod Podge Découpage Medium
  • Wood glue

Basic Supplies

paper trimmer, ruler, sandpaper, pencil, transfer paper, soft cloth, newspaper (to cover work surface)

Directions

STEP 1

Basecoat box Wicker White; sand lightly. Wipe clean with soft cloth.

STEP 2

Print pattern. Transfer heart pattern around sides of box bottom.

STEP 3

Paint the following: lid, wooden knobs, and top box section Metallic Copper; base and bottom of pattern Silver Sterling; hearts Ivory White. Let dry. Adhere wooden knobs to each corner of box bottom.

STEP 4

Transfer lettering to lid and names and wedding date to underside of lid. Use bottle top tip set and Licorice to add pattern details and write lettering. Spatter paint box and lid Licorice; let dry.

STEP 5

Trim photo to desired size. Following manufacturer’s instructions, use découpage medium to apply photo to lid. Follow manufacturer’s instructions to antique lid and box. Apply varnish.

Tip

  • To create a bridal bouquet keepsake display, adhere floral foam inside box, then arrange dried flowers and ribbon from the bridal bouquet as desired. The wedding couple’s name and date on the lid are the perfect background for this floral display.

by Kirsten Jones

Dog and Cat Pots

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Crafts ’n things Craft of the Day

 

Not only is this the cat’s meow, but it’s perfectly fine that this project has gone to the dogs. Create the perfect treat container to reflect your special pet’s personality.

Materials

  • Terra cotta pots: 2”, 3”
  • Polymer clay: dark brown, brown, grey, white, pale pink

Tools

  • Acrylic paint: dark orange, grey
  • Paintbrush
  • Glue gun and glue sticks

Basic Supplies

toothpick, baking dish, oven

Directions

 

General

(Note: Adult supervision is needed when using a glue gun and oven.)

1. Preheat oven to 275° F. (Note: When assembling clay pieces, be sure all pieces are pressed and stuck together.)

Dog

1. Paint dark orange on outside and inside top half of 3” pot. Let dry.

2. To make body pieces, use photo as guide. For head, roll brown clay into 1”x1-1/4” oval. See Figure 1. To shape head, use thumb and first finger to slightly squeeze one end of oval. For ears, roll two 1”-long teardrop shapes from brown. For nose, roll dark brown clay into 1/4”x3/8” oval; press nose onto front of head. Press ears onto sides of head. For eyes, use toothpick to poke two small holes into head above nose. For muzzle, use toothpick to mark slit below nose. For feet, roll four 5/8”-wide balls from brown; flatten one end of each ball for bottom of feet. Place bottom of feet on work surface, spacing feet so bottom of pot rests on top of each foot; press bottom of pot onto feet. Use toothpick to cut toe slits into each foot as shown. Remove pot. For tail, roll brown 1-1/8”-long tube. Bend tail as desired.

3. Place clay pieces on baking dish. Bake 1/2 hour. Remove from oven. Let cool.

4. Adhere back of head onto one side of rim. Adhere tail on back top of rim. Adhere feet onto bottom of pot.

Cat

1. Adhere back of head onto one side of rim. Adhere tail on back top of rim. Adhere feet onto bottom of pot.

2. To make body pieces, use photo as guide. For head, roll ball approximately 1” wide from grey clay. See Figure 2. Shape ball so head comes to slight point. See Figure 3. For muzzle, roll two 1/4” balls from white clay and slightly flatten. For bottom lip, roll tiny white oval. For nose, roll tiny pink ball. Press muzzle, bottom lip, and nose onto front of head. For ears, form two 1/4” triangles from grey. Press tiny ball of pink onto front of each ear. Press ears onto top of head. For eyes, use toothpick to poke two holes into head above nose. For feet, press white and grey clays together; roll four 1/2” balls; flatten one end of each ball for bottom of feet. Place bottom of feet on work surface, spacing feet so bottom of pot rests on top of each foot; press bottom of pot onto feet. Use toothpick to cut toe slits into each foot as shown. Remove pot. For tail, roll grey 1/8”x3/4”-long tube; flatten one end. Bend down tail.

3. Place clay pieces on baking dish. Bake 1/2 hour. Remove from oven. Let cool.

4. Adhere back of head onto one side of rim. Adhere tail on back top of rim. Adhere feet onto bottom of pot.

by Billie Ciancio

Spring Welcome Mat

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Crafts ’n things Craft of the Day

 

What better way to greet guests than with a smile? This easy-to-paint, smiling flower welcome mat is a great way to add a touch of spring to your outdoor décor.

Materials

  • Green doormat, 18”x24”
  • DecoArt Patio Paints: Cloud White, Sprout Green, Petunia Purple, Wrought Iron Black, Citrus Green, Fuchsia, Pansy Purple

Tools

  • Round scrubber paintbrushes: sizes #0, #4, #6, #14
  • Poster board, 18”x24”

Basic Supplies

scissors

Directions

STEP 1

For stencil, print and cut out patterns. (Note: The blue word “patterns” is a link. To access these patterns, select the link, then download and print patterns.) Fold poster board in half. Trace patterns onto poster board; cut out.

STEP 2

For flower, center stencil on mat, aligning bottom edges. Use #6 to stencil petal edges Petunia Purple. Use circular scrubbing motion to force paint into grooves in mat. Remove template. Use #14 to fill in petals with Petunia Purple. While still wet, use #14 to paint Cloud White along petal edges and Pansy Purple along flower head edges. Use #6 to paint flower head Fuchsia. While still wet, use #6 to paint flower head edges Cloud White.

STEP 3

Use #14 to paint cheeks and nose Pansy Purple and to add Cloud White highlights. Use #0 to paint eyes, smile, and border Wrought Iron Black.

STEP 4

For border, position leaf stencil as desired. Use #4 to stencil edges Citrus Green. Paint leaves Sprout Green and veins Wrought Iron Black. Add Fuchsia and Petunia Purple mini-flowers and dots around border as desired.

by Annie Lang

Keepsake Cake Serving Set

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Crafts ’n things Craft of the Day

 

Cutting the cake at your wedding is a popular time-honored tradition. Create this Keepsake Cake Serving Set to add a tone of elegance and flair to this special moment.

Materials

  • Metal cake knife and server set
  • Clear glass plate, 6-7⁄8” diameter
  • Pebeo Porcelaine 150 Oven-Bake Enamel Paints: Parma, Ivory, Citrine, Opaline Green, Malachite
  • White sheer ribbon, 7⁄8” wide, 1⁄2 yard (optional)

Tools

  • Paintbrushes: flat shader, #4; liner; filbert, #4 or #6
  • Rubbing alcohol
  • Oven and oven thermometer

Basic Supplies

newspaper (to cover work surface)

Directions

Sizes

Knife, 12” long; server, 9-3⁄4” long; plate, 6-7⁄8” diameter.

General

1. Wash knife, server, and plate in warm, soapy water. Dry thoroughly.

2. Wipe surfaces to be painted with rubbing alcohol. Let dry. (Note: Practice techniques on paper before beginning.)

Knife & Server Set

1. To paint flowers on knife and server, dip one tip of flat shader brush in Parma and other tip in Ivory. With Ivory to outside, stand brush on edge, apply pressure, and make an “m” motion. Bring brush back up on edge and lift. Full flowers have four petals; vary flowers with one, two, or three petals as desired. Use tip of liner to dot centers Citrine and to paint Parma, Ivory, and Citrine bands around top of handles.

2. For leaves and vine, pull main vine with liner dipped in Opaline Green. Dip one tip of filbert in Opaline Green and other tip in Malachite. With Opaline Green to top, stand brush on edge, apply pressure, and quickly turn, pull, and lift brush to left or right depending on desired direction of leaf. Use liner and Opaline Green to connect leaves to main vine and add curly tendrils.

Cake Plate

1. For cake plate, turn plate over to paint on back side of plate. Paint flowers in same way as knife and server, but paint centers first so they will show from front of plate. Full flowers have five petals; partial flowers have three petals.

2. Paint vines and leaves in same way as knife and server. For border, use flat shader to paint three Parma lines as shown at each clock hour position. Add three horizontal Ivory dots along rim between purple lines.

Finishing

1. To set paint, place painted items directly on middle rack of cool oven. Set oven to 300°; use oven thermometer to monitor temperature. (Note: Paint will brown if oven is too hot.) Once temperature is reached, bake pieces for 35 minutes. Turn off oven, open door, and let pieces cool gradually. Once cool, remove pieces from oven. Pieces are now food-and dishwasher-safe.­

2. If desired, tie ribbon bow around server handle.

Tip

  • Paint is not permanent until baked. If unhappy with design, wash off and start again.

by Sandy Kucyk

Bird Hut

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Crafts ’n things Craft of the Day

 

With a cozy little perch to sit upon and plenty of seeds to nibble on, this hut is a bird’s idea of paradise! Paint clay pots to create an inviting retreat for all your feathered friends.

Materials

  • Clay pots: 3-1⁄2”, 4-1⁄4”
  • Clay pot saucer, 6”
  • Wooden items: ball knob, 3⁄4”; large oval (sign), 2” long; dowel, 1⁄8” diameter
  • Plaid FolkArt Acrylic Paints: Licorice, Kelly Green, Thicket, Calico Red, Real Brown, Tapioca
  • Black cording, 3 yards

Tools

  • Fender washer, 1-1⁄2”
  • Steel nut, any size
  • Drill with 1⁄8” masonry bit
  • Plaid FolkArt Crackle Medium
  • Plaid FolkArt All-purpose Sealer
  • Paintbrushes: shader, flat
  • Black fine-tip permanent marker
  • Beacon Adhesives Fabri-Tac Permanent Adhesive

Basic Supplies

scissors, pencil, ruler, masking tape, scrap wood, sponge scrap, newspaper (to cover work surface)

Directions

Size

6-1⁄2” tall (not including hanger)

Bird Hut

1. Drill holes in center of saucer, ball knob, and just above rim on 4-1⁄4” pot. (Note: To prevent cracking, apply masking tape inside pot at drill-hole point. Hold scrap wood piece behind hole while drilling. Do not push drill through pot; allow bit to work its way through pot.)

2. On covered work surface, basecoat saucer Kelly Green, clay pots Calico Red, sign Tapioca, and ball knob Real Brown. Sponge paint saucer Thicket. Use shader to paint 1”x1-1⁄4” Black door hole as shown. Follow manufacturer’s instructions to apply Crackle Medium, then Real Brown topcoat to 3-1⁄2” pot.

3. Print and cut out pattern. (Note: The blue word “pattern” is a link. To access this pattern, select the link, then download and print pattern.) Transfer details. Use black fine-tip permanent marker to trace sign lettering and details, and to draw shingles on roof (Figure 1) and wavy border around door hole. Apply sealer.

Figure 1

4. For perch, cut 3” length from dowel; insert end into hole in door hole. Adhere sign to roof.

5. Cut cording in half; fold each length into halves. Holding cording folds together, tie knot 2” from fold. Thread cording ends through hole in knob, then 3-1⁄2” pot, 4-1⁄4” pot, and saucer. Thread cording through fender washer; tie double overhand knot 6” from end. Thread cording through nut, then tie another double overhand knot. Trim cording ends.

6. To fill, place feeder horizontally on work surface, slide knob toward hanger, place seed inside bottom pot, then flip saucer up to keep seed inside. Adjust hanging cords by sliding knob down next to roof top. To release more seed, slide knob up, then lift bottom pot.

by Barbara Matthiessen

Chick ’n Stick

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Crafts ’n things Craft of the Day

 

Have you ever seen such a cute little chick, sitting on a stick? Make one to place in a potted plant, or to add to a little one’s Easter basket.

Materials

  • Wooden spoon, 12” tall
  • Plaid Apple Barrel Acrylic Paints: White, Black, Wild Iris, Lilac Dust, Strawberry, Pumpkin Orange, Canary Yellow
  • Mauve satin ribbon, 1/4”-wide, 6” length
  • Yellow feather

Tools

  • Paintbrushes: liner, flat
  • Black fine-tip permanent marker
  • Craft glue

Basic Supplies

scissors, cotton-tip swab, toothpick

Directions

(Note: Let paint dry before painting next portion of project.)

1. Cut out pattern. (Note: The blue word “pattern” is a link. To access this pattern, select the link, then download and print pattern.) Transfer jagged lines to spoon, continuing lines around back.

2. Basecoat top of spoon (chick) Canary Yellow, spoon handle (legs) Pumpkin Orange, and area between jagged lines (eggshell) Lilac Dust.

3. For cheeks, use cotton-tip swab to drybrush cheeks Strawberry. Dot eyes white. Use toothpick to add Black pupils. Paint beak Pumpkin Orange; highlight White.

4. Use liner brush to shade edges of eggshell Wild Iris. Mix equal parts Lilac Dust and White; highlight eggshell.

5. Use black fine-tip permanent marker to: outline eyes, beak, and eggshell; add eyebrows; draw details on beak and legs and cracks on eggshell.

6. Tie ribbon into a 1”-wide bow. Trim ends; adhere to top of head. Cut 2” from top of feather. Adhere cut end of feather to back of head, with 1” extending above head.

by Tammy L. LeBlanc