Button Butterfly

 Hi Everyone!

For this month, I'm creating a Button Butterfly for Gwen Studios. As a member of their design team, I recieve their beautiful buttons and ribbon.  They are so much fun with which to create.  

My Mom loved butterflies, so I thought I'd create one in her memory.

To start, I painted a canvas (8" by 10") with one of my favorite colors:  Sea Breeze by DecoArt®.  Then, I dabbed some white on the canvas for clouds.

Then, find or create butterfly pattern.  To create one easily, draw half the butterfly on the fold of a sheet of printer paper.  Cut it out and unfold.  Place it on the canvas.  I angled it, but you could lay it straight if you like. Trace lightly around it on your canvas with a pencil.

Place some of the larger button spots on the butterfly.  Glue in the body.

Fill in the smaller buttons around the larger ones.  You can be symmetrical or not as you like.

You will have some spaces between the buttons.  If you don't like the way that looks, you can layer buttons over the spaces.  Or, you can fill the spaces in with beads.

I added some small beads for the antennae.

You can find Gwen Studios buttons at Walmart.  These are from the 1# bag of solid pastel colors. 

This design is easy enough for all crafters and very adaptable to your own ideas!  It would make a great gift for Mothers' Day or a birthday.  Have fun!

Look for more button and ribbon crafts at Designer Crafts Connection.

Ribbon Tulips

Hi all!

California is getting a very wet winter this year and I am ready for spring.  But, if it's not spring yet outdoors, at least you can brighten your house with some spring-y ribbon flowers.

I'm working (again) with Gwen Studios 3/8" grosgrain in bright colors, but any of their ribbons would work as well.

Gwen Studios

You'll need (per flower):

a wood ball (3/4")

a bamboo skewer

green paint and your choice of bright colors like these from DecoArt

scraps of green stiff felt (Friendly Felt from Kunin)

Gwen Studios ribbon

hot glue and glue gun

scissors, paint brush

Optional:  bead caps, fabric scrap

To make a flower:

Paint the stick green.  Glue the ball onto the stick and paint the ball the bright color of your choice.  

Cut 12 - 3"-4" pieces of 3/8" wide grosgrain ribbon.  Form a loop and glue cut ends wrong sides together. Trim ends to a point.

Here's a flower in progress.  In this one, I wrapped the ball with a small circle of fabric instead of painting it.

Glue six loops around the ball and then glue the next six over the spaces in between the first row.

Die cut or freehand a small flower from green felt and punch a hole in the center.  Slide on the stick up under the flower and glue.

Cut leaves from felt and glue to the stick.

When you glue the stick into the ball, you can still see the stick.  To cover the end, I painted a bead cap and glued it over the hole in the ball. You can see that in the photo below along with the finished purple flower with the cloth-covered ball.

Happy Spring!

For more Spring inspired ribbon designs, check out the Designer Crafts Connection!

Designer Swag Bag Challenge

Hi Crafty People!

Today, I'm participating in a blog hop using products we received in the Designer Swag Bag at the Creativation show.

We received some wonderful products at the show and in appreciation, we are creating a project using five of them.

One of the items we received is a Book Box from Graphic 45.  I decided to paint the box with some beautiful Spa Blue paint from DecoArt.

We also received other paint and pouring medium from DecoArt.  Go to this project on my blog for the project I did with those.

After I adhered a piece of coordinating paper to the top of the box, I added a piece of turquoise blue Rinea foil paper.

I love this set of colors and they were perfect with the paint and paper I had already used for the box.  I die cut some flowers and leaves using the turquoise and jade foils.

To adhere the paper and foils to the box, I used Beacon Quick Grip.  Beacon creates a variety of glues for any craft purpose.

And, for the centers of the flowers, I used Sculpey's Souffle clay and molds.

Here's the flower-decorated box I created with these products.

Thanks to all the companies who donated product to our Designer Swag Bag.  I look forward to working more with your fine products in the future!

Check out these blogs for more great designs:

Erin Reed

Janet Trieschman

Ann Strecko Koeman (Annmakes)

Susie Bentz

Donna Budzynski Marjolaine Walker

Etched Glass Sugar Skull

Hi all,

When I saw this glass skull at Michaels, I knew exactly what I wanted to do with it.  I wanted to etch it!

I coated the outside of the skull with etchall® etching crème.

Skull coated with etchall® etching crème

Here is the skull after etching.  It's now ready to paint.  Etching gives the glass a "tooth", a rough surface that makes it easy to paint.

At first, my thought was to paint it with some brown stain to make it look like a very old skull.  I still like that idea.  My second idea was to paint it as a sugar skull with bright, colorful motifs.  That sounded more interesting.

To start, I painted it with white acrylic paint.  The first coat I put on with brush strokes.  Then, I went over it with a soft brush pouncing to cover the brush strokes. 

Here's how it looked at this stage:

I added black paint in the eye sockets, nose and around the teeth.  Then, I added acrylic stickers in bright colors and different shapes and sizes.  It still needed more, so I added some paint dots in bright colors.

Add a few bright flowers like marigolds or zinnias for a bright and festive decoration.

Etched Glass Sugar Skull

This is an easy project that would be fun for all ages, and it's so easy to get started with etchall® etching crème.

The acrylic paint I used to accent the skull is from DecoArt®

Harvest Plaque

Hi friends!

Ready for some quick and easy fall decorating?  JOY Iron-on letters make it easy to create memorable designs for any occasion!

Harvest Plaque

Go to the Creating with Joy blog for all the details on what you'll need to create this plaque.

Basically, you paint a canvas with a wash of orange.  I went around the edges with full-strength orange paint (Jack-O'-Lantern Orange from DecoArt.)  Cut out a nice fall napkin and decoupage it to the canvas.  I tore the napkin edges and inked them (Ann Butler's ColorBox(R) Crafter's craft ink in Canyon).  Then, I glued burlap ribbon to the canvas.  I pulled threads from the edges of the burlap ribbon and inked the edges with Canyon.

I added JOY letters across the napkin.  To paint the letters easily, stretch a piece of tape across a box sticky side up.  Adhere the letters to the tape and paint!  It's so easy when they don't move around!  Here's another word that I thought about using.  You can use your favorite fall word or saying.

Here's how the plaque looks after the word and the ribbon.

Before adding the leaves

I die cut some leaves from scrapbook and amate papesr, inked the edges and added splotches here and there.  I also folded and wrinkled the leaves a bit.  I arranged them and glued them down, then added a twine bow.

So easy - you can make one for any season!

Happy Crafting!

Terry

(Disclaimer:  As a member of the design team for JOY letters, I received monetary compensation and iron-on letter samples to use in my designs.)

Jack O' Lantern Ornament

Hi Crafters!
It's fall and everyone is in the mood for holiday decorating!  Here's an ornament for Halloween that will look great hanging on a tree branch or tucked into an arrangement of gourds. 

  I made this Jack O' Lantern Ornament using etchall® dip 'n etch. It's so much fun, you'll want to make several.  

Jack O' Lantern Ornament

Here's my process:

Start with a glass ball ornament and remove the cap.  Fill the ball with water.  Wrap the neck with masking tape to make a holder.  Wrap the top to a bamboo skewer with more tape like this:

Ornament Set-up

Fill an empty, clean plastic container half way with etchall® dip 'n etch.  

etchall® dip 'n etch and a plastic container

Put the ball into the container and rest the skewer on the edge of the container.  Add more etchall® dip 'n etch to cover the ball up to the neck.  Keep it in place with more masking tape if needed.

Ornament in dip 'n etch

Let the etching liquid work for 15 minutes and rinse the ball.  Dump out the water and rest it in on a paper towel to dry.  Return the etchall® dip 'n etch back into its container (It's re-usable!) 

Once the ball is dry on the outside, you are ready to decorate the frosted ball. 

Ready to paint!

I used Americana® paint by DecoArt® in Jack-O'-Lantern orange to paint the ball.  I worked top to bottom center to leave streaks like the lines on a pumpkin.  I only used one coat because I wanted a soft frosted look.  I also pushed the ornament into a scrap of Smoothfoam™ to make it easier to paint the ball.

Painted ornament

I added lines and details with Khaki Tan and Light Cinnamon. Add features with Antique Gold and outline with black paint or a black pen.  Paint the cap brown and tan.

Here's a finished ornament with some pumpkins:

Jack O' Lantern Ornament

Think of all the different faces you can paint on these.  Now, what other characters can you create?  I'd like to try some for Christmas.  Once you have that frosted surface, it's so easy to paint on the ornaments.  

Are you ready to try this?  You can order etchall® dip 'n etch here
When you order, use my discount code TERRYR for a 10% discount!

Happy All Hallows Eve!

Terry

Valentine's Day Project with Offray Ribbon

Hi Crafters!

Today some of us on the Designer Crafts Connection are participating in a Manufacturer's Challenge.  On this project, we are working with Offray® ribbon and creating a design for Valentine's Day.  If you've done any sewing or crafting in your life, undoubtedly you have worked with Offray's fine selection of ribbons and trims!  I was delighted to participate in this challenge and received a generous supply of ribbon with which to create.
Here's the ribbon I received in colors of Apple Green, Shocking Pink and White.

Offray®

I love these colors!  They remind me of high school and the bright colors I wore then.  We were to create a Valentine's Day project, and with these bold colors, I decided on some wall art.

Love Wall Art by Terry Ricioli

Here's how I created this:

To start, I painted a 12x12" scrapbook mount from Smoothfoam™ with Sour Apple acrylic paint from DecoArt®.  Smoothfoam™ has a smooth, easily paintable surface so it makes a great surface for any wall art you want to create.

Shocking pink chevron ribbon (1 1/2"):  Five 5 1/2" pieces

Shocking pink grosgrain ribbon (5/8"):  Five 6" pieces plus shorter pieces for each letter

Apple green grosgrain ribbon:  60"

Pink Baker's twine

Buttons

Double-sided tape or tape runner

Mark off a 1" border around the edge of the scrapbook mount.  I used pins to mark off the border along the outside edge of the foam.

To create the L, turn under the ends of the chevron ribbon.  Add a grosgrain piece over the chevron ribbon.  Tape this to the board and add another grosgrain piece for the other part of the L.  Turn up the end to miter it and trim.  Use tape to adhere the ribbon to the board.

For the O, use two chevron pieces, two grosgrain pieces and cut small pieces of grosgrain to fit between the chevron pieces.  For the V, use one chevron piece and two grosgrain pieces.  For the E, use one chevron piece of ribbon, one 6" piece of grosgrain and smaller pieces of grosgrain.

Use the photo as a guide to create the letters, turning under the ends at an angle or straight across according to the photo.

You can find all these ribbons on the Offray® website or in your favorite craft store.  You can sign up for the Offray® newsletter for more great projects with ribbon.

For more Valentine's Day projects with Offray® ribbon, click on the Designer Crafts Connection logo on the side of my blog.

And, here are more Valentine's projects from the Offray® site.

Burlap Valentine Wreath, Burlap Love Banner, Burlap Table Runner, Love Birds Centerpiece and Silverware Sleeves.

Happy Valentine's Day!

Love Birds Centerpiece

Burlap Love Banner

Happy Crafting and Happy Valentine's Day!
Terry

Owl Poppet

Hi Crafty Friends!

Recently I was introduced to a new craft product. You know how I like that!  And, it's a craft material just full of possibilities - even better!  The company is Eye Connect Crafts and they produce chipboard animal shapes called Totem Poppets that can be connected with eyelets or buttons or string.  Since the animal is jointed, you can position the limbs and head as you like. 

Below is what one looks like pulled from the package.  It is laser cut with the holes punched in the pieces.  This is the Totem Owl Poppet and it comes with a moon also.

Totem Owl Poppet

Totem Owl Poppet pieces

You carefully remove the pieces from the sheet and paint or stamp or collage them.  You can use whatever art style or medium you like.  I painted mine and added some pieces of burlap.  Then, I glued them into a wreath.  But, you could put them in a card, in a scrapbook or journal, or grouped with other fall or holiday decorations.  They are so versatile!

After you have added paint or other media, you connect them together.  These are connected with eyelets, but you could use any number of different connectors.  Or, you could glue the pieces together.

Owl Poppet

Here's how I created this owl.  He's a perfect addition for your fall decorating!

Materials:

Totem Owl Poppet, 1/16” eyelets and eyelet setter (www.eyeconnectcrafts.com)

Acrylic Paint:  Khaki Tan, Buttermilk, Jack-O’-Lantern Orange, Bright Yellow, Milk Chocolate (Americana® by DecoArt®)

Grapevine wreath, 6” (Darice®)

Two buttons, gold or yellow, 3/8”

Black embroidery floss

Small scraps of tan burlap

Tools:  paintbrush, scissors

1.  Basecoat body with Milk Chocolate, wings and head with Khaki Tan and feet and moon with Buttermilk.  Cut two small triangles for beak from extra board and basecoat with Buttermilk.

2.  Cut semicircle of burlap for breast of owl and shape to fit around neck and wing.  Dab and edge with Milk Chocolate and lightly with a mix of Khaki and Orange.  Cut two ½” circles of burlap for eyes.  Dab in center and around edges with Milk Chocolate.

3.  Use a scrap of burlap as a stamp and add Milk Chocolate to wings.  Layer other colors over this.  Do the same in a triangle on the head. 

4.  Layer Yellow and Orange over feet and beak.  Add Khaki and Yellow to moon.  Edge the moon with Milk Chocolate.

5.  Sew black embroidery thread on buttons.

6.  Use the eyelet setter and eyelets to construct the owl following the setter instructions.  Place the right wing under the body. 

7.  Glue the burlap pieces in place.  Glue the buttons over the burlap.

8.  Position the owl wings and head as desired.  Glue owl and moon onto the wreath.

I'm sure you'll want to add these Totem Poppets to your craft projects and I hope you'll take a look at the great variety of animals and shapes available at Eye Connect Crafts.

Happy Crafting!

Terry