Learn How to Make T-Shirt Yarn!

You know that we are all about saving money and a big part of that is repurposing things you already have around the house. So when Elena from Charity Wings showed how to repurpose old t-shirts into t-shirt yarn, we knew we had to share it with you!

Click here for this fun and informative video!

Free Halloween Baby Bib Tutorial from It's Sew Lorine!

How cute are these Halloween bibs from Lorine Mason at It's Sew Lorine? And they are actually twice the cuteness because they are reversible! 

Lorine is sharing a tutorial on how to make these for that little one in your life that is too cute to spook!

Click here for the instructions!

Stretch Bracelet Tutorial

While at CHA I wore several fun stretch bracelets that caught a few eyes.

So it seems perfectly fitting to share this great site that offers an easy step by step tutorial on how to make your own! Enjoy!

Craft Tutorial - Handmade Bag

How cute is this bag? 

We found this on "The Silly Pearl" and wanted to share with you! Please visit her blog for the full tutorial and instructions.

Amazing Tissue Box Craft Project

Have you ever wondered what kind of craftiness you could do with an empty tissue box? Well, wonder no more because Natalie at Creme de la Craft has the coolest tissue box craft project we've seen!

She used a tissue box, some styrofoam cups, newspaper, and Mod Podge to make an amazingly cute flower vase centerpiece!

Click here for the full tutorial!

Sweet Summery Layouts

Love these products from American Crafts Dear Lizzy Neapolitan collection. They're so sweet...it's tough to use them!

Bottle You Up Layout 

Glue Girl: Julia Sandvoss

Supplies:

GlueArts Glue Glider PRO+ Perma Tac

U Cut It Foam

Dear Lizzy Neapolitan Papers, Vellum & Alphabet Stickers

Doodlebug Cardstock

Fiskars Cloud Punches

Epiphany Crafts Studio Shape Star Tool & Bubble Caps

My Little Shoebox Yellow Alphabet Stickers

Creative Imaginations Radiant Rain Shimmering Mist

Tip: Use GlueArts U Cut It Foam to lift the clouds up into the vellum air!lol Seriously love the foam...no waste, cut to any shape and it's the perfect height as well!

Dance Time Layout

Glue Girl: Julia Sandvoss

Supplies:

GlueArts Glue Glider PRO+ Perma Tac

U Cut It Foam

Adhesive Squares

Dear Lizzy Neapolitan Papers, Vellum, Stickers, Chipboard & Alphabet Stickers

Maya Road Pin

May Arts Ribbon

Fiskars Scallop Border Punch

Marvy Scallop Heart Punch

Tip: I layered a strip of the dotted vellum over my ribbon for a fun look! I changed the photo tints to a fun retro look as well and have to say I love the look!

Teacher Appreciation Gift Set

For those of you in St.Louis, my craft project can be seen in today's St.Louis Post Dispatch in the Home & Away section page H6.

Teacher Appreciation Gift Set

The Craft Mom: Julia Sandvoss

Over the years I’ve made quite a few teacher gifts. During that time I have gained a reputation at my kids school for my crafty gifts. Many a teacher has remarked to me how much they “liked” a gift I had given to a fellow teacher. (I wonder if that was a hint?!lol) 

During the school year I’ve visited my son’s school on many occasions. And each time I walk through the halls, I notice the teachers classroom doors and the area around them. Some of the teachers decorate outside their doors with benches and knick knacks…while others not quite so fun. 

I started thinking of a way I could make a craft to decorate the classroom door and give a personal welcome to all those who enter. A wreath seemed like the perfect solution!(and can be changed out for holidays, or if they’re a baseball fan, love the beach…you get the idea!) Once I made the wreath it provided the inspiration and theme for the other gifts! Make one…make all…you and your child will soon the the talk of the school!

Wreath, Tote, Clipboard & Candy Jar

Supplies:

Glue Art Glue Glider Pro Extreme Adhesive and PermaTac

Glue Arts Accent It All Vinyl
Glue Arts Extreme Adhesive Squares & Micro Squares
Glue Arts 3D Combo Pack
Cricut Expresssion
Cricut Forever Young Cartridge

Makin The Grad Cartridge

My Little Shoebox Sew Cut Paper Collection
Jenni Bowlin Paper
Bazzill Cardstock
Styrofoam Wreath
Mini Clip Board & Glass Jar
Colorbox Chalk Inks
May Arts Ribbon
Felt, Fabric, Buttons

Circle Punches

Wreath

1) First wrap the wreath with ribbon covering the entire wreath. Use a straight pin or adhesive square to adhere ribbon on backside of wreath.

2) Next select your papers and cut out your flower shapes. I used sizes ranging from 3 ¾ inches to 4 ¾ inches. Varying as I went to give me some different sizes to work with. Once I had cut my flower out I inked the edges with Colorbox Chalk Inks. The color doesn’t need to match the paper exactly but just offer enough color to give some shading to the papers.

3) After inking it’s time to build the flowers. I used 23 flowers and 21 small punched circles. I simply layered the flowers, changing them around until I liked the color combinations. Once I had settled on how I liked them, I started adhering them together using GlueArts Glue Glider Pro PermaTac Adhesive to assure good adhesion. On some pieces I cut a square from the U Cut It foam sheet to pop up a flower layer for added dimension. To adhere the buttons I used the 3d Raisen’s for a strong hold and height.

3) Once the flowers were glued together I then adhered them to the wreath again using my Glue Glider Pro with PermaTac. I selected a few flowers, I cut some additional squares from the U Cut It Foam and added that underneath to raise them up off the wreath.  

4) After you’ve added the flowers you can personalize the wreath or just leave it as is. I handcut a banner and inked the edges. Then I used the Makin the Grade cartridge and cut our teachers name in a 2 1.4 inch size. I lightly inked the letters and glued those to the banner. The banner will tuck easily into the flowers. So it could even be changed out to say Happy Easter, Happy Spring, Welcome etc. Last I added a ribbon and finished it off with a bow. It’s ready for gift giving and will look fantastic on my son’s teacher’s door!

Candy Jar

1) I knew I would work with the same flowers for the jar as I did for the wreath, just on a smaller scale. I selected sizes ranging from 2 to 3 just depending on the flower. Once all the flowers were cut out, I worked the same as with the paper flowers. I built and layered the flowers to try out different combinations until I got it just right. (or how I liked it!)

2) Once I knew I liked the flower I removed the backing paper and adhered the vinyl layers together. After the flowers were complete I added them around the center of the glass jar layering them together as I worked around. The flowers encircle the jar so it’s pretty from any angle. 

Mini Clip Board

1) First I cut my papers to fit the clipboard. Inked the edges and then adhered the background papers to the clipboard using my Glue Glider Pro PermaTac cartridge. Next I added some of my leftover vinyl flowers. I used my Extreme Adhesive Squares to add the buttons to the flower center.

2) I then popped on Microsoft Word and just typed up a simple “to do” list. Printed out a few and trimmed to fit onto the clipboard. I then added one large vinyl flower that is not sticky as it’s backed with cardstock. Used a clip to attach it to the clipboard and you’ve got a fun to do list that can be changed out to fit any need!

Tote Bag

1) Once again I wanted everything to match so I grabbed an assortment of wool and acrylic felt along with some fabric I had on hand. I am a paper piecer by heart so I took my leftover paper flowers and used those as a template for my cuts. I simply hand traced a few of the flowers onto the backside of my felt and fabric and cute those out. Then I again played with layering the flowers until I got them just how I liked.

2) Next I added a quick hand stitch through the centers of each flower. Now it’s time to iron. I used my Glue Glider Pro with Fabric Bond to add a strip of Fabric Bond adhesive to the back of the flowers and ribbons. I pressed each one onto the bag with a warm iron ensuring a good bond has been made.   

3) I tied a ribbon onto the bag handle. On the bottom of one ribbon end I added another flower. For this flower I cut two of the same bottom layer. Add a flower onto the backside of the ribbon.  I neatly stitched again though the center and through the ribbon to ensure it will not fall off the ribbon.

Keep in mind…the wreath, candy jar and clipboard are all kid friendly crafts! Let them help you cut and make the flowers! 

For more information about Cricut visit http://www.cricut.com/default.aspx. 

For more information about GlueArts www.gluearts.com or www.gluearts.blogspot.com for ideas and ways to use GlueArts adhesives!

Winter Skate Box

Winter Skate Box

Designer: Julia Sandvoss

Designer Note: Linda Albrecht is the complete and total inspiration for this project. She made one using anther product line. When I saw the Wintertime collection I knew it was the perfect fit! Thanks Linda for your never ending inspiration!!  

Supplies:

- Echo Park "Wintertime" paper collection

- Glue Arts Glue Glider Pro ExtremeTac, Extreme Adhesive Squares and Micro Adhesive Squares, Glue Arts Hot Glue Gun

- Plaid mod podge

- Apple Barrel Pewter Gray paint

- FolkArt Winter White paint

- FolkArt Metallic Silver Sterling and Pearl White paints

- May Arts Ribbon (MayArts.com)

- Bo Bunny Double Dot cardstock

- Colorbox Chalk Inks: warm red, aqua and glacier blue

- Papier-mache box (Hobby Lobby)

- EK Success Border Punch: Diamond Lace Edger Punch

- Martha Stewart coarse glitter

- White felt

- Jingle bells

- Christmas picks and berries

- Snowflake ornaments and twine

- Wood skates (look for these in your craft stores or online)

Step 1 - Cut two pieces of paper to fit, and cover the sides of the box without the lid. Ink the edges and adhere using the Glue Glider Pro ExtremeTac for good adhesion. Next punch a decorative strip using the Diamond Lace punch. Ink the edge of the punch strip and glitter. Set aside to allow the paper and glitter to dry.

Step 2 - Next cut a piece of white felt to cover the top of the lid. Adhere using Glue Arts hot glue gun. Select a striped paper and cut to fit edge of lid. Adhere to sides. Wrap ribbon around lid using a sheer ribbon so the patterned paper shows underneath. Adhere in a few spots with Micro Adhesive Squares. Tie in the front including an ornament of your choice (Joy is shown). Affix securely with hot glue gun.

Step 3 - Once the glittered border strip is dry, adhere to box tucking just slightly under the box lid.

Step 4 - Paint the skates before you begin to allow time to dry. Paint the bottom blade Pewter Gray, and then once that paint is dry, go over with Plaid Silver Sterling Metallic paint. Paint the tops and front of the skate in Winter White. Then go over with Plaid Pearl White Metallic paint.

Step 5 - Apply a light layer of plaid mod podge to the top and front of skates. Apply a liberal coating of glitter. Shake off extra glitter.

Step 6 - Next decorate the skates with papers of your choice. Ink the edges of the paper and adhere with Glue Glider Pro ExtremeTac. Poke holes through paper, and thread twine through to create laces. Add jingle bells before tying the bows.

Step 7 - Hot glue the skates to the lid. Finish off with a hand cut or purchased snowflake ornaments or embellishments. Tuck in some Christmas picks and berries. Sprinkle a little glitter over the top for a light glittery dusting.