30 Days Of Creativity: Day 6

30 Days Of Creativity: Day 6 - Magazine Dolls

Supplies: Magazine, Scissors, Glue Stick, Kraft Paper

I have tons of magazine stacked up in my house that I just can't seem to part with. Occasionally, I like to break them out for some crafting. Today, I decided to make some cut and paste magazine dolls.

I went through a fashion magazine and cut out a bunch of random clothes, heads, legs, and a few accessories. Then, I pieced them together to make some fun little magazine dolls. I glued them all to a piece of kraft paper, though any paper would work. A landscape background would be fun. A simple project, but tons of fun, and a real outlet for creativity!

I would have liked to had some arms for my dolls, but magazine arms are apparently hard to come by. After assembling my dolls, I thought it would be fun to do some collages with additional things for the dolls to be doing. Kind of a paper doll house of sorts. Maybe I'll have to look through some of my other magazines for some furniture, props and backgrounds.

Blogger.com is having issues uploading pictures right now, so I'll try posting them again tomorrow...

30 Days Of Creativity: Day 5

30 Days Of Creativity: Day 5 - Decorative Tape Envelope Bag

Supplies: Decorative Tape, Envelope, Scissors

This was a fun project that I found on Etsy's "How-Tuesday" feature. The instructions are all there, so I won't repeat them in full here.

I used a #10 business envelope and cut it in half as my starting base. I have plenty of miscellaneous envelopes around my house though and plenty of decorative tapes, so I might try some more of these in the future. I got my decorative tape (Alive in Wonderland) from RetroNaNa. There are plenty to choose from as well as many other fun items!

Here's the finished product!

30 Days Of Creativity: Day 4

30 Days Of Creativity: Day 4 - Learn-to-Draw Drawings

Supplies: Learn-to-Draw book, paper, marker

I started off today with a loftier creative goal in mind. But, after staring at my blank project on and off for an hour (and getting more and more frustrated) I decided to do something just for fun. I broke out one of my Ed Emberley drawing books, found some blank paper and a Sharpie marker and went to town! I have many Ed Emberley books, but I chose Ed Emberley's Drawing Book of Faces for this project. Mainly because it's the one I've used the least.

I cannot recommend Ed Emberley's drawing books enough. They are such fun and have easy to follow instructions. I love his books with vehicles and buildings most, so if I get stuck on a project down the line, I might create a scene with some of the many other books of his I own.

Like any learn-to-draw book, he takes you through each drawing step-by-step. Here's an example of one of the drawings I chose.

I went through the book and selected some other drawings that looked fun. Some turned out great, some didn't...all were fun!

30 Days Of Creativity: Day 3

30 Days Of Creativity: Day 3 - Sticky Trim Note Cards & Envelopes

Supplies: Sticky Trim, Paper, Envelopes, Scissors, Paper Cutter (optional)

I've been wanting to use the Wrights Stick-to Craft Trim I found in my grandmother's sewing stash for a while now. I'm not much of a sewer (though I aspire to be) so I decided to utilize them in a project I have some practice in—paper crafts! The packaging for this trim said ©1986, and I have no idea if it's even still readily available. However, if you happen to have some in your stash, or come across some in your grandma's sewing supplies...here's a project idea!


I used silver and gold trim like the one on the left. Only after I took the picture did I even notice I had two option of gold trim. Project for another day!

I started with a few sheets of 8 1/2 x 11 white card stock and cut it down the center. I used my paper cutter, but if you don't have access to one, just fold it down the middle and cut. Then, I folded the paper in half to turn it into a note card. After a few blank cards were ready, I got to my sticky trim. I basically just started at the top, bottom, or side of the card and did one layer right next to another, switching back and forth between colors.

I did simple designs on 3 note cards and the back of 1 envelope. It was real easy to do and it worked very well. I was wishing I had different colors of trim to make something a little funkier. Maybe I'll get lucky and come across some different colors someday...

30 Days Of Creativity: Day 2

30 Days Of Creativity: Day 2 - Pom Poms

Supplies: Yarn, Pom Pom Makers, Scissors

I've had some pom pom makers sitting around in my craft room for quite some time and decided to try them out again. It's probably been 5 years since I last used them, so I checked YouTube for some how-to videos to refresh my memory. Some of the videos even show you how to make your own pom pom maker out of cardboard, which seemed easy enough.

I only had thick yarn in the house, so that's what I used. It was less time consuming than I remember it being some years back when I used regular yarn, which was nice. But, it's really your preference on how they look at the end. I liked the puffier pom poms the thicker yarns made, but I also liked the pom poms I had made previously. Regardless, they all end up in my cat's mouths anyway, so I'm not real picky. Someday, I'd like to find some other projects that utilize pom poms. They're fun to make and you can work on them while watching television, riding in the car, waiting for an appointment, etc. which is always an added bonus in my book.

30 Days Of Creativity: Day 1

30 Days Of Creativity: Day 1 - Metal Stand

Supplies: Metal Stand, Soapy Water, Old Towels, Sander, Primer, Spray Paint, Newspaper (optional)

I started with a black metal stand that my husband scored for me from his workplace.

It was a bit dirty and a little rusty, so I took it outside and thoroughly cleaned it off with some soapy water. I let it air dry. Next, I took an electric palm sander (borrowed from my dad) and lightly sanded it all over then wiped it down with an old towel.

Next step...primer! I used RUST-OLEUM Automobile Primer in light gray. I used 2 coats of primer, waiting about 5 minutes in between coats. I was running out of primer by the end of my second coat, so I just made sure to get the more noticeable parts sprayed really well and left the underside with just one coat.

After letting that dry for about 10 minutes, I moved on to spray painting. I used Valspar spray paint in Mediterranean. Originally, I wanted a matte paint, but there was only gloss available in the color I wanted, so I went with gloss. I'm actually glad I did. It's not overly glossy at all and looks very nice. Being concerned about having run out of primer, and only having one can of spray paint as well, I made sure to coat it completely in the first round. Side note: the wind was not my friend and I'm pretty sure it blew half of the paint away. However, I was able to coat it pretty well in one coat. I let it dry for 5 minutes or so and went at it with another coat. Again, I left the underside only lightly sprayed, making sure to get the outside parts well coated. I was able to make it on one can.

It really is completely painted, though the sun makes parts of it look lighter.

I painted outside, so I didn't have to deal with clean up. If you choose to paint indoors (garage, shed, barn, etc.) you'll want to lay down some newspapers to catch the paint. Being indoors, you shouldn't have problems with wind, but you'll want to leave the windows or doors open to ventilate. I had paint all over my hands by the time I was done, so if you want to put on a pair of gloves, go for it. I also had paint in my hair and on my clothes and shoes, but again...I blame that on the wind.

The stand came with a wooden board, which was actually on the bottom shelf when I received it. Thankfully, it also fit on the top shelf. I had planned on painting the board as well, but ran out of paint. I'm actually glad that was the case, because I like it with the board as is. My ultimate goal is to have some potted plants, possibly herbs growing on that shelf, but that's a project for another day.......

Day 1 of 30 Days Of Creativity = SUCCESS!

I'm very happy with how this stand turned out. Especially since it was my first spray painting project. Can't wait to fill those pots up with plants!