Tag Archives: craft

Heart Coaster Tutorial

Posted on by Abi

Apologies for the lack of blogs recently, I’ve not been very well. As such today’s tutorial is a little shorter than I would like. In essence though the technique is the same as in the previous tutorial for the Heart Badges/Magnets on card. I think these make the perfect coasters all year round, hearts are most definitely not confined to Valentine’s Day in our house.

You Will Need

Thin Cardboard

Old Newspapers

PVA glue

Acrylic Paint

Decorative Paper

Quick Drying Gloss Varnish

Step 1

Start by cutting out a large coaster sized heart from the thin cardboard (old cereal boxes work perfectly). As in the previous tutorial, if you want to make sure the hearts are even, fold the cardboard in half then draw half a heart against the fold before unfolding and cutting out. Four to six hearts makes a good sized set if giving as a gift.

Step 2

Using PVA glue, stick nine layers of newspaper to one side of the heart shape. Once dry,  repeat the process on the opposite side. Remember to cut away any excess paper to keep your heart shape neat. If the heart curls slightly when drying, place it under a weight to flatten out. If it has badly curled use a hot dry iron (place brown paper between the shape and the iron), be careful not to burn it.

Step 3

Once dry, paint both sides of the hearts with acrylic paint (I used a burgundy colour).

Next cut out a heart just slightly smaller than your original shape from decorative paper (I used old maps). Stick to the front; as it’s slightly smaller you should see some of the painted edge all the way around.

Step 4

Finally varnish both sides of your coaster with 3 layers of varnish.

 

2 Comments (Leave a comment)

Valentine Magnet Badge Card Gift Tutorial!

Posted on by Abi

If you hadn’t already guessed by the abundance of red and pink in the shops, (not to mention a copious amount of stuffed bears holding hearts) Valentine’s Day is nearly upon us. Personally I shy away from shop bought offerings, instead preferring to spend a bit of time making a handmade gift or card. It’s also a fabulous way to involve my children in the day. They really enjoy making presents and cards for their friends or each other.

Today’s tutorial is also quite versatile as the hearts can be made into either fridge magnets or badges, both of which can be attached to the front of a handmade card.

You Will Need

Thin Cardboard

Old Newspapers

PVA glue

Acrylic Paint

Decorative Paper or Fabric

Embellishments – sequins, fabric, buttons etc.

Quick Drying Gloss Varnish

Badge backs or Magnets

Strong All Purpose Glue

Step 1

Start by cutting out small heart shapes from the thin cardboard (old cereal boxes work perfectly). If you want to make sure the hearts are even, fold the cardboard in half then draw half a heart against the fold before unfolding and cutting out. It’s even quicker if you save the first heart and use it as a template to cut out several more.

Step 2

Cut out some small pieces of newspaper (just larger than your heart). Using PVA glue, stick nine layers of newspaper to one side of the heart and leave to dry. Once dry, cut the excess newspaper away to leave the heart shape, then repeat the process on the opposite side. If the heart curls slightly while drying, place it under some books to flatten out. If it has badly curled use a hot dry iron (I put brown paper between the iron and the shape), but be careful not to burn it.

Step 3

Once all the hearts are completely dry, paint both sides with acrylic paint (I used a gold colour).

Next using either decorative paper or fabric cut out a heart just slightly smaller than your original shape. Stick to the front; as it’s slightly smaller you should see a little of the painted edge all the way around.

Step 4

Now comes the fun part, decoration! I used sequins, fabric, buttons and words torn from paper. Stick them to the front of the heart using the all purpose glue. When you are happy with your design and the glue has dried, apply a couple of layers of varnish. Don’t forget to varnish the back of the heart once the front is dry. Finally attach a badge back or magnet to the back of the heart using a strong all purpose glue.

If you want to mount the hearts onto cards they can be attached with small sticky pads or cut a couple of holes to attach the badge back through.

14 Comments (Leave a comment)

Make Your Own Sweet Candy Christmas Tree Decoration!

Posted on by Abi

Modern interiors often demand simplicity and a lack of clutter, but at Christmas these mantras get forgotten and many of us decorate every surface in sight. One of my favourite decorations has to be my Sweet Candy Christmas Tree. Incredibly easy to make, it’s the perfect craft for children and makes a wonderful table centre or side table piece. Plus it has the added benefit of being edible once the festivities are over!

What You’ll Need

Cardboard to make the tree and star

Tape

Double sided tape or pads

Sweets

Gold Paint

Step 1

First you need to make the base of the Christmas Tree. This is done by drawing around something circular, I used a medium dinner plate. I wanted two layers to my tree so drew out two circles, but one larger circle would work if you only require one layer. Cut out the circle(s).

Step 2

Cut a slit in one side of the circle, this should reach from the edge into the centre. Grip both sides of the slit and form the circle into a cone shape. Secure the shape with tape.

Step 3

Cut out some double sided tape and attach to one edge of a sweet. Peel off the other side of the tape and stick to the bottom of your cone. Continue sticking sweets in a line at the base of the cone. When you reach the first sweet begin another line just above the first. Make sure you cover up any tape and leave as few gaps as possible.

Step 4

If you are creating two or more layers remember that the bottom layer will not need as many sweets as the top. Unwrap one sweet and use the wrapper to cover the point at the top of the tree.

Step 5

Next draw and cut out two simple stars from cardboard. Cut a slit from the top of one of the stars into the centre. Then cut a slit from the bottom of the other star into the centre. Slide the two stars together to make a 3D shape and paint gold. Once dry stick to the top of your tree. If you have more than one layer to your tree place them on top of each other now.

Ta Da! You have made a beautiful and edible Christmas Tree!

TIP. If you can’t find green sweets don’t worry, these trees look great in multi colours. Or you can decorate primarily in green with the occasional coloured sweet as a bauble!

2 Comments (Leave a comment)