tutorial - switch & outlet covers

FINALLY! How to make these easy and cute covers :)

 Here are your materials, including the scrapbook paper of your choice cut into a simple template.

 Use a liberal amount of Mod Podge to goo up the entire back of your template.

 Place the outlet cover on the template like so, and goo up the back of the cover a bit.

 Fold the template over the outlet cover and secure.

Using the x-acto knife, slice a star-like shape into the paper, fold flaps back through hole, secure.

 Liberally coat the front of the outlet cover with Mod Podge - it will look cloudy but will dry clear.

Enjoy the cuteness, hehe :)

arise and shine forth!

the 2012 theme for our LDS young women :)

This is a super cute, easy little craft tutorial you can use for gifts... or whatever!

I made these to use as our birthday gifts for all our young women this year -

they seem to really like them... so read on if you'd like to learn how to make them!

 First I used a 4x4 stretched canvas...

used Tulip dimensional slick paint to "write" the word SHINE!...

and glued a small wooden sun to the canvas (you could easily freehand a sun also)

*note: I tried using puffy paint also, and the slick version was much easier

 After doing the same thing to multiple canvases,

I chose several pastel colors and painted over each canvas.

(and yes, we eat a lot of garbanzo and black beans, thank you very much)

 I used two coats of paint on each canvas and let dry fully...

Then I painted each canvas with a coat of glossy Mod Podge.

*Note: glossy acrylic spray instead of Mod Podge would also work

"Arise and Shine Forth!"

Our Young Women's Birthday Basket :)

You girls do indeed SHINE! And we love you :)

she actually completes a project!

Alrighty then! It's been a long time since I've posted a project so try not to faint!

This is my step stool project - I've wanted to do it for a long time now.

Very simple and very cheerful when it's finished - a perfect winter project!

 Take a basic step stool that you've had for years and years and could use a lift.

 Get a Mouse to sand it for you. This will cost $5 if he does a really good job.

But it's worth it, because if you're like me, you'd rather have the flu than sand.

 Wipe all the wood dust off and spray paint the stool, starting with the bottom.

Cover the wood evenly, and spray 2 or 3 coats in a ventilated area.

(or so to speak... depending on how much you *love* the smell of spray paint)

Dry thoroughly between coats, and try not to spray your cement like I did...

 Choose the paper you're going to use - as you know, the possibilities are endless!

Trim the paper as needed, and then go to town with the Mod Podge!

Paint a generous layer on the wood, carefully line up the paper, and press it down.

Working from the inside out, press all air holes out from underneath the paper.

(this is the step I hate the most - I always end up with air holes no matter what)

Cover the paper with another generous coat of Mod Podge, keeping it even.

 Wait for all coats to dry before painting additional coats of Mod Podge.

You may also spray a protective coat of acrylic over the top when dry.

It will give the stool top extra protection, particularly if it will get wet.

LOOK HOW CUTE IT TURNED OUT! SO CHEERFUL :)

If you have any questions or comments let me know!

If you'd like to see some more of my projects, you can click below:

LOOK mirror redo #1

LOOK mirror redo #2

magnet board tutorial

patchwork tray makeover

my big 'ol vat

tray chic

fun with scraps

wild child calendars

wild child valentine notecard sets

the Red Bed

window quilt project

chick magnets

fun with scraps

I felt like making something cute and useful with the scraps of paper left over from a few projects I've done.

I loved the shape and size of this Christmas container. It is sturdy too, made from thick pressed cardboard.

I cut the paper into strips, some of them thinner, and used Mod Podge VERY liberally - I used 2 top coats also.

I covered the bottom with a single piece of paper, and spray painted the container top several coats of white. 

And that's how this cute container was born :)

I hope everyone had a wonderful Easter weekend - we had a lovely time indeed!

I also wanted to express my sincere appreciation for all the well wishes regarding my photo venture with Zagg!

Your supportive and encouraging comments could not have been more thoughtful - thank you SO MUCH!

xoxoxo 

tray chic

It's been a while since I've posted a fun craft/tutorial on my blog, so today is the day! I recently decorated the slick plain surfaces of these 2 red trays as a gift for a friend. This project has a sweet bit of recycled sentiment attached. It was not only fun to do but hopefully my friend will enjoy the spirit in which it was made just for her.   

I began by sanding only the bottom of the trays. You can see the difference of before and after. Without sanding to rough up the plastic, the paper and Mod Podge would not be able to adhere to the tray. Then make sure you clean off all plastic particles (it gets surprisingly messy!) before you begin the rest of the project.

Lay out your main design in several configurations until you are pleased with how everything looks. This is where my little bit of sentiment comes in. A year ago for Christmas, my friend gave me an adorable wall calendar about friendship. It was all done in black & white, and along with sweet statements about friendship, it had darling hand drawn, doll-like figures representing friends. I really loved it and could not bear to throw it away when the year was over. So I decided to repurpose and give back to her what had meant so much to me. 

Lay out your background paper, especially since you are working with rounded edges which can be tricky. Don't worry if things look a little wonky! Mine did! Just make sure you get the bottom of the tray covered and the edges look nice and clean. For those of you that recognize this paper, you get a star on your foreheads! It's from THIS!

Ah, Mod Podge, how I love you. I even love the smell of you. But not as much as the smell of spray paint. Or permanent marker. Or spray acrylic. But I digress. If duct tape holds the world together, then Mod Podge holds the craft world together. You can quote me on that, Amy :) Amy is the Queen of all things Mod Podge and I hold her responsible for my love of it. She is the Pied Piper that has led countless unsuspecting bloggers down this road via her blog Mod Podge Rocks. But I digress yet again.

Make sure you use a generous amount of Mod Podge on the entire surface of the tray bottom as you are laying down your background paper. Add another nice, even coat on top of your paper. Place your main decorations on top of your paper, making sure they adhere well and coat them with Mod Podge blending it into the coat on your paper layer. When that coat is dry, put one final coat over the entire surface of the tray, making sure everything is covered evenly. Carefully wipe away any Mod Podge that gets on the sides of your tray with a damp cloth.

I waited a few days and then sprayed 3 coats of acrylic glaze as a top coat. If this were a project that was not going to be around liquid, there would not be a need for an acrylic top coat. But since trays frequently come into contact with liquid, a few coats of an acrylic glaze is a good idea. I learned this from Amy when I did THIS! The acrylic dries to a hard shell and is wipeable when spilled liquid gets on your tray. Whatever kind you get just be sure to follow the manufacturer's instructions. I shielded the sides of the tray with paper as I was spraying. No, I did not suggest you smell acrylic. I only admitted I like to smell it in an unventilated area the smell of it. A lot. 

So this is what it will look like when those first few coats of Mod Podge are done - pretty cute :)

Below are close-ups and a few more pics of the finished version.

LET'S HEAR IT FOR FRIENDS!!!

mirror, mirror

Remember the LOOK mirror in my entry way? It has undergone a few transformations already. Alas, it has just recently completed a huge metamorphosis! Look how wonderful the new version turned out! Using all black and white scrap book paper, and large plastic buttons, it sets a completely different tone - yet still remains interesting and unique and fun. I LOVE IT!

It wasn't hard to get all the candy wrappers and the rope off, but as you can see, I had some sanding to do to get the Mod Podge residue off, and try to make a smooth surface once again. 

I used my electric sander to get through the layers of Mod Podge, but it was rough on other areas. And little did I know I was a bit too careless with it - I actually sanded some of the mirror itself, which of course made some marks that will always show :( AARGH! This mirror has been through a lot, so some of the lumps and bumps refused to give in. After wiping it all down, I ended up spray painting the frame white once again, to make it as uniform as possible before starting the main part of my project. 

I am not usually much of a black & white person where decor is concerned, so this is a departure for me. Everyone knows I adore color, color, and more color :) But I also know that black and white rests the eye and gives it a place to focus, especially when using a lot of color. So I thought a black & white entry way might be a good effect in a home, particularly before introducing visitors to a lot of color.

I ended up choosing 6 or 7 different black and white patterns of scrap book paper that I liked, which was more than enough to cover the large frame. I wanted more than just a flat surface though, so this time I chose buttons as my textural element. That worked well because some of my papers resembled fabric, like houndstooth and damask. I wanted to keep it simple but I tend to like large accents, so I lucked out finding a package of black & white buttons, some of which were actually quite large. 

I basically cut the paper into a patchwork type pattern using my paper cutter. There was really no planning, other than making sure all the paper was equally divided and had a good balance. Similar to when I made this TRAY. I glued them to the frame with Mod Podge of course, and then coated the entire frame with Mod Podge when all of them were in place.  

I hot glued the buttons on, alternating black & white, large & small, where the edges and corners of the papers met.

I AM VERY HAPPY WITH HOW IT TURNED OUT!