Valentine Ribbon picture with L O V E

http://54.203.255.99/blogtest/valentine-art-blogger-competition-no-2.html

Used:

-picture frame
-background paper
-ribbon, Valentine colors
-spray paint in bright pink (Krylon™ Short Cuts)
-glue
-scissors
-glitter ribbon to spell out the word  L O V E

   

The ribbon L O V E  letters kept falling off. I used glue dots thinking they would hold but it didn't work. I don't own a glue pistol (have a love/hate relationship with glue pistols).  In the end I used Alene's Tacky Glue™ to adhere the ribbon letters.

Cost: about $5 for several spools of ribbon, picture frame and light pink background specialty paper. 

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Button Shamrock

                                                                  23 February 1716 


Kind crafters-                                        

The month of February has been a bust. Your Captain Mad Ellen was sick with the flu (the constant movement and listing of the Ebony Oyster wasn't helping with recovery).  Once I eventually started feeling better and easing back into crafting we experienced several small craft fails along the way. Thank you for your patience and unceasing loyalty to your captain. Favorable winds! 

Cordially, Captain ME


https://www.google.com/search?q=button+shamrock+craft&source=lnms&tbm=isch&sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwiqhMeO047LAhVDyWMKHaX3AQAQ_AUICCgC&biw=1543&bih=913

Gather:
-canvas,  sturdy background paper, fabric or wood (I used an 8" square canvas)
-gold spray paint or gold acrylic paint
-paintbrush
-buttons, sequins, "rhinestones",  glass/plastic beads, etc. in appropriate shade of green to decorate the shamrock
-glue
-loose gold glitter, for embellishment on the gold background (optional)
-Krylon clear fixative (optional but recommended)
-frame to display, also optional

Cost: $3.50 for canvas (purchased with a 50% coupon). If you don't want to use an artist's canvas a piece of craft wood, cardboard or sturdy cardstock will work. You could also substitute fabric for the background, as a suggestion and skip the painting part entirely. There are small artist's canvases (some with mini-easels!) available at most any craft stores that'll run about ¢.99 cents each and sometimes you can purchase the canvases in sets for a good price. This works out well financially especially if you are doing this craft with a group and take advantage of a store coupon in combination.


I cut out the shamrock shape and taped it to the canvas. Then EE painted the background gold with acrylic paint ('King's Gold' by craftsmart™.) Let dry then remove template. Glue on the buttons, etc.  Outline the shape of the shamrock with permanent pen, art pen, etc. if desired. Once completely dried I sprayed a light coating of Krylon clear fixative. 

*Crafter's trick I discovered a few years ago*: Use your cell phone camera to take pictures of your craft/art projects as you progress. By taking photos you really notice the mistakes or at least the areas that need assistance creatively. Try it! Really works! 



Here's the link to the free shamrock printable I used as our template. Note that I used a three-leaf shamrock. 
 http://coloringpage.mesotheliomasymptons.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/09/easy-toddler-shamrock-coloring-pages.jpg







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Valentine's Day Ring Bling Napkin Holders and Valentine Tic Tac Toe Game (a 2-for-1 craft project!)

Source: http://www.worthingcourtblog.com/valentines-day-decor-2/ (for the napkin rings)

Craft #1 Valentine's Day Ring Bling Napkin Holders

-package of Valentine-themed paper napkins or solid color in red, purple, pink, etc.
-scissors
-Valentine "gem rings" (depending on how many napkins you'll need especially if you plan to make the Tic Tac Toe game, it may be necessary to buy at least 2 or more packages of the "gem rings")
-standard size pencil, straw or chopstick


Take the pencil and place it across one corner of the folded napkin. Roll up the napkin (not too tightly), insert the ring in the center of the napkin then twist gently to remove the pencil. 

Source: Forgot to save. I'll look for the source!

Craft #2 Tic Tac Toe game

-plastic rings, about 4 of each color
-washi tape or similar to make the tic tac toe rows, cut in about 1/2" strips
-foam that came with the ring package

Cut the foam so that there are 9 rings slits total. Cut and apply a thin strip of washi tape as shown in photo below. Now you can play Tic Tac Toe!

Cost: $2.00 (1 package of rings and 1 package of napkins from Dollar Tree)

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