Candy Box with Circusy Flair

I know, two posts today!! Well, it is a weekend, right? No work responsibilities so I craft therefore I am happy!

Ever wonder what to do with those Valentine's heart boxes?  Well, two of my girls at school, bought me a little box of chocolates for Valentine's day.  I looked at it and saw something that could be remade! Into this:

 Step One: Use a craft knife to cut out the interior.

 Step Two: Choose your paper.  Or fabric would be great too!  I chose a nice circus scrapbook paper I bought for 19 cents on sale at Michaels.

 Step Three: Press the paper to the top of the lid, flip it over and cut it out  (paper facing down).  When you flip it upright it will look like this:

 Step Four: Now trace the size of the inside, to make a liner.  I did this by flipping the base upside down on the back of the paper, and tracing the smaller inside ring.

 Step Five: Cut it out with scissors and paint it with glue.  Press it inside the box.

 Step Six: Now trace the outside of the base.

 Step Seven: Cut the base tracing out and paint the base with glue.  Press the paper on.

 Step Eight: I added some Glossy Accents to the edges of the ears, the tutu, and the stool.

 VOILA! Cute upcycled storage box...My specialty:)

Scrabble tiles: cheap and easy

Own this tile, go to whoopdwhoop.com

So, I know scrabble tiles have been popular over the last couple of years.  People sell them, make them, etc.  I like to use photos, recycled greeting cards, scrapbook paper, magazines, and comics.  This technique is less expensive, less toxic, and super easy!

Step One: Choose your tile.  Measure to the center of the top, and make a mark with a pencil.

 Step Two: Using a very small drill bit, and a dremel tool, drill a hole in the top of the tile on the pencil mark.  Do not go too deep.

Step Three:  Apply Aleene's Tacky Glue all over the back of the tile with a paintbrush.

 Step Four: Using the paper you have selected, press it on the glue and hold it up to the light to make sure it is properly placed

 Step Five: After allowing it to dry, trim the excess off of the edges with a craft knife.

 Step Six: Flip it over, and it should look like this:

 Step Seven: Starting at the top, apply a thick layer of Glossy Accents.

 Allow it to run down the tile, so it makes an even coat.

 If necessary, use something to spread it with.  I used the end of one of my cheap paintbrushes I use for glue.

 Step Seven: Allow the Glossy Accents to dry.  I recommend overnight.

Step Eight: Make an attachment.  You can buy bails to glue to the back, but I like to make my own hardware using silver wire.  This way the tile is reversible.  You can also use this great product called "Fun Wire."  It is a plastic coated wire that is available at Wal-mart, Michael's or AC Moore.

 Cut a three inch length of silver wire.

 Fold it over about 2/3 of the way down.

 Wrap the wire around about eight times so you have a loop at the top and a coil.

 Trim the base so that only about 1/8-1/4 of untwisted wire hangs down.  Then apply a good glue to the wire and stick it in the hole.  I used Gorilla Glue, but you have to be VERY careful since Gorilla Glue expands and gets funky if you use too much.  Other people recommend E-6000, but I also have used super glue.  I like gel-like super glues best.

 Your finished tile should look like this:

Add a ribbon or chain and VOILA!  A personalized accessory!