Tuscan Grapes Plaque

Tuscan Grapes Plaque
by
Terry Ricioli

Hi Crafty Friends!

As you might have guessed, I love crafting with paper bags.  I also love creating crafts with Smoothfoam.  Here, I combined the two to create this grapes plaque in a aged style that has the look of a plaster plaque.  It reminds me of something you might see on a stucco wall in Tuscany.

To make this plaque, I cut the foam balls in half and arranged them on a board.  Then I dampened the wrinkled paper bag and wrapped it over the balls and board pushing it around the balls and wrinkling it up around the bunch of grapes.  I added a couple of paper bag leaves and a stem.  I found the kids' watercolor box and added some color.  

I can't wait to try more in this style.  I'm so happy with the way it turned out that I'm making another one.  And, that never happens with me.  Usually I make one of something, then I'm on to the next idea!

I hope you'll try it, too.  For further instructions on how to make this easy plaque, go here:
http://www.smoothfoam.com/blog/add-texture-to-smoothfoam-with-a-paper-grocery-bag/

What should I try next?  Maybe apples or strawberries!

Happy Crafting!

Terry

Designer Crafts Connection - Crafting with School Supplies

Hi Crafters!

This month on the Designer Crafts Connection, we're crafting with school supplies.  I decided to make a craft with a paper bag.  After all, you can carry your lunch to school in them or cover your books with one, so I think they are definitely a school supply.  And, they are such a fun material with which to craft!  I like to layer the paper bags with glue and then shape them.  My project this month is a Leaf Bowl.

For this project, you'll need one large paper bag, tacky glue and paint. 

Cut the two sides from the bag. 

Draw a large leaf on one side and cut out the leaf shape.  Trace this leaf on the other side and cut out the second shape.

Place one leaf down on your work surface and add a blob of glue. Spread the glue out to the edges with your fingers or the side of a craft stick.   Place the second leaf on top of the glue.  Press the layers together.  The glue may ooze out the edges.  Just wipe it off with a damp paper towel.  Now, wrinkle up the layered leaf.  This will give it some texture. 

Curve the edges of the leaf upward to create a bowl in the middle of the leaf.  You may have to do this more than once to get the edges to stay in place.  You'll be able to play with the shape for awhile as the glue dries.  To help, you can lay the leaf over a bowl.

Now let the leaf bowl dry.  Once it is dry, you can paint it in colors of your choice using a brush or small piece of sponge. Then, you can use it to hold some fall items like nuts or other small items.




Paper Bag Leaf Bowl

If you don't want to use it as a bowl, you can hang it on your wall.  Or, make several and hang them from a branch for a fall mobile!

Happy Crafting!

Terry

Thanks a Bunch!

Hi Crafters!
This month the designers in our Designer Craft Connection blog hop want to say "Thank you"!  So, we've designed some ways that you'll be able to do that while having some crafting fun! 

Thanks a Bunch! Card
Design by Terry Ricioli

Cards are always a great way to say "thank you"!  Here's my take on a thank you card using some recycled materials, paper, a little paint and some tacky glue.

I love the corrugated sleeves that you wrap around your hot drink.  They are a great source of crafting material.  I cut the grapes from one of those.  You can see that they are cut in all directions and of no particular size, so don't worry about it!

The leaf and stem are made from pieces of a brown paper grocery bag - also a great source of craft material.

Cut two small pieces of bag.

Add tacky glue.

Press the paper squares together.

Trace a leaf on the paper bag squares.  Use a natural leaf as a guide or make your own pattern.

Cut out the leaf.

Wrinkle the leaf by folding and scrunching it.  Let it dry.

Roll up a small rectangle of paper bag.  Twist and bend it into a stem.

Paint and arrange the leaf, stem and grapes on a torn rectangle of colored paper.  I painted these with some metallic powder but you can brush it with any color or kind of paint you like.  I like to leave some of the brown showing through the paint.

Glue the pieces onto the colored paper and glue that piece to a card in a contrasting color.

Print out "Thanks a bunch!" using your computer and printer and tear around the lettering.  Glue it at the bottom right or inside the card. 

Thanks a bunch for stopping by!  Stop in again on November 10th for some Christmas crafts using Smoothfoam(TM).

Happy Crafting!
Terry