Decorative Photo Tiles

Well, if you go to CVS, Winkflash, Snapfish, etc, you can have your child's face put on a coaster or a photo tile. Why waste your money when you can make your own? The only things you need are easily found in a crafty home for free, except maybe the tiles. However, I found them in my home or you could ask friends or try freecycle.org.

So, you will need the following:

REAL photographs. They can't be printed off of your computer...sorry

Aleene's tacky glue

Mod Podge

Ceramic Tiles (you can also use wood and other surfaces as your background)

Paintbrushes

Step One: Glue the photos on the tile using a hearty coating of tacky glue. Let it dry for awhile, at least 4 hours. Apply weight if necessary.

Step Two: After glue has dried, apply a coat of mod podge. Allow this to dry completely (once again, we are talking hours). This is what I call an "in between" project. I work on it for a minute, and while it's drying I do something else.

Step Three: Keep applying more coats of Mod Podge and letting it dry. If you want to add texture, do some canvas looking swirls with your brush. After the first coat it will hold the pattern.

OPTIONAL: If you want to reduce tackiness/use as a drink coaster, apply a few coats of clear gloss. I skipped this step because it is winter time, and that stuff smells. P-U! I will probably lacquer them in the warmer months. For now, they can hang out on my shelf!

Springtime Candle Holders

I've been featured at:


MY first feature!! Thank you so much!!

Also, since due to "union" rules....or should the "rules" be in quotes? I can't sell these at the Volleyball Tournament. So if you want one...hit me up on whoopdwhoop.com!

I am preparing for the Kathleen M. "Kitty" Bedrosian Scholarship Volleyball Tournament.  I DO NOT play volleyball.  The closest thing to a sport I have done in my lifetime was spring track, where I flung the shotput, and winter cheerleading.

So, my friend Linda had a great idea.  She sells Tastefully Simple, the other Linda sells "Cake Bombs,"  and I sell stuff.  So we  are going to have a mini sale, and give a percentage of our proceeds to the scholarship fund!!

So here is my first product: Cutesy Spring Candleholders

Step One: Paint a small, or whatever size you want, terracotta pot with the acrylic of your choice. It will take at least two coats.

Step Two:  I did THREE different techniques, so I will show you the stenciling technique first.

Choose a stencil, and a brush.  SET UP a palette with the colors of paint you will need.  This makes life easier.

You can tape the stencil in place, but I like to live on the edge...and I tend to rip paint off when I tape.  So I held it.

Paint stencil accordingly.  After design has dried, apply some Mod Podge to the inside and outside for a nice, shiny finish.

Here are my three finished stenciled ones.  They have a votive candle inside, too bad you can't see them--the colors coordinate nicely!!

Step Three, Part B: Fabric Decoupage--- Find fabric and cut the desired shapes out.

Then, paint the entire outside of the pot with Mod Podge.

Then stick the fabric cutouts to the pot while the Mod Podge is still tacky.  If you don't like the pattern, you can pull them off and start over.

 Then, paint Mod Podge OVER the fabric.  Make sure it soaks through.  I would let it dry and apply a second coat.

Step Three, Part C: Paper Decoupage--Pretty much the same as fabric.  I just have a few tips:

 For thin paper, cut out using an exacto or craft knife.

 Paint the outside, stick it on, then paint over it.

If you use thicker paper, use scissors to cut out the design.  The craft knife will cause raggedy looking edges.

 Then I peeled part of the cardboard off of the backing, to make the hearts thinner and less likely to pop off.

Then I forgot to take an individual pic of the heart one...can you tell it's not my favorite??
If you squint at the below pic, you can see it all the way to the right.  Watch, it will probably be the first one to sell...that's how it always goes!

Voila! Super cute candle holders, just in time for Easter and Mother's Day!
I entered them in a linky party at:

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:)