#TBCCrafters Craft Hop - Dyed Denim Wrapped Gift Bucket

Check it Out!  My husband is addicted to those soft peppermint puff candies and eats them by the bucket fulls!  Since these are handy buckets, I just can't throw them away so I have quite a few laying around and have been trying to think of ways to use them.  I use one on my craft table as a garbage bowl but was thinking they would make a great gift container as well.  

I have been working with Rit Dye the last few months, experimenting and trying it on different materials.  My latest experiment involved denim and Rit Dye. 

I had a pair of light colored jeans that I cut up to experiment with and decided to use my Scarlett Rit Liquid Dye to give it new life.  I cut the pockets, belt loops and a piece from the leg out.  I also dyed some white ribbon to match.  Once I got the pieces all dyed I realized that the leg fit one of my buckets perfectly and hence my idea was born!

Here is how I put the whole thing together.

My supplies included:

• Candy bucket
• Ribbons
• Buttons
• Glue - hot glue and glue dots
• Lace
• Rit Dye
• Supplies for dying - plastic tablecloth, bucket, plastic gloves, rubber bands, measuring cup and spoon,  wood sticks

 First I had to dye my denim.  Here is how I did it.

Step 1.  Mix up the dye according to the instructions in a plastic bucket.  I placed my wooden sticks in the dye to soak and absorb the dye

Step 2.  I then placed the dye soaked wooden sticks onto my denim piece 

Step 3.  I gathered the denim into folds around the sticks

Step 4.  Using rubber bands I secured the ends

Step 5.  Dip the ends into the dye, squeezing off the excess

Step 6.  I let my dye set on the denim for about 20- 30 minutes and then rinsed it with water

Step 7.  I also dyed the pockets and the belt loops, as well as the ribbon by dunking them completely.  Let everything dry completely before using.

Don't forget to use those plastic gloves and it's important to protect your surface.  This dye is permanent and will stain.  You can get lots of tips and other ideas for dying at https://www.ritstudio.com/.  They have a color studio and a technique section that gives all the basics for getting started. 

Since my dyed denim leg piece fit perfectly onto the bucket, I just slid the denim up the bucket all the way to the rim.  Even though it fit snuggly, I used a few glue dots around the top to make sure it stayed there. 

For the bottom of the bucket, I trimmed most of the excess off and glued down the edges.  I used hot glue and pushed all the pieces as flat as possible so the bucket will sit evenly.

Using a jar lid, I traced and cut 2 circles out of my excess denim.  One for the lid and one for the bottom.  I simply glued it over the center to finish it off.

I glued lace around the edges of the circle for the lid and also around the coin pocket.  I used fabric hot glue because it dries quickly and works really well.

Using fabric hot glue again, I glued 5 of the belt loops around the top edge of the bucket, spacing them out evenly.  I also glued the pocket on along one of the seams.  I wrapped my dyed ribbon around the bucket and through the belt loops and then tied the ends into a bow.  I layered 3 different buttons on the pocket to cover the emblem.

I glued the lace trimmed circle to the lid and then using my dyed ribbon along with 3 other ribbon colors, I created a ribbon flower and then layered buttons to create the center of the flower.  You can check out how I put these ribbon flowers together HERE.  They are easy and super fun to create.  I used glue to make this one though, because I get so frustrated with the needle and thread.  For me glue was faster and easier.  I added a few of the ribbon leaves to the pocket and when I give this as a gift, I thought the gift tag would fit perfectly in the pocket too!

Here is what my dyed denim looked like all the way around. I forgot to take a pic of the finished piece before I used it.

#TBCCrafters Craft Hop - Random Acts of Kindness Can

Check it out!  I love to practice Random Acts of Kindness and try to do at least one every day.  It not only helps others, it makes me feel great!  From returning someones shopping cart to mowing the neighbors yard, there are always little and big ways you can do something for someone else.  To encourage my family to get in on this practice I thought I would create a Random Acts of Kindness Can!  I keep it in the main room and encourage the family to pick one of the many acts that I have included or to add one of their own.  
Since I had that fabulous Ribbon Flower that I created last week, I knew it would be perfect for the lid of my can.

My supplies included:

• A mixed nuts can
• Glue Dots - regular and XXL sized
• Ribbon Flower - you can see how I made mine HERE
• Scrapbook paper - I used a Colorbok pad that included die-cuts that had the Random Acts of Kindness tag in it
• Tags
• Flower button
• Glitter tape

Here is how I put it together.

First I stripped the mixed nuts label off my can to give myself a fresh surface to work with and then I cut a strip of 12 x 12 floral scrapbook paper to fit around the can.  I used my Glue Dots to adhere the strip to the can.  Since my paper wasn't long enough to go all the way around the can, I cut a coordinating piece of scrapbook paper to cover it.  I adhered it with Glue Dots and then used some glitter tape to cover the seams.  I added about 4 strips of glitter tape around the can.  
I used the XXL Glue Dots to adhere my ribbon flower to the lid of the can and added the Random Acts of Kindness and the button flower to the front of the can.  I removed the shank from the button so it would lay flat. My button matches the one in the ribbon flower too.
Then I hand wrote Random Acts of Kindness on tags and put them in the can.  I also added some plain tags so the family could add their own.

Some of the acts that I included are:

• Give someone a compliment
• Make someone laugh
• Send someone a written letter (it's much more personal to get a handwritten letter than an email or text)
• Mow the neighbors grass
• Wash a friends car
• Host a food drive
• Give someone a hug
• Give a homeless person a care pack
• Let someone go in front of you in line
• Help others shop
• Help someone find a job
• Share your umbrella
• Visit someone who is lonely
• Offer to babysit for free
• Leave flowers at the cemetery
• Send a random e-card
• Smile at others (at least 5 people)
• Donate to charity
• Volunteer at a community center

There are a ton of different ideas that are absolutely free and I am sure you could come up with some of your own!

#TBCCrafters Craft Hop - How to make Ribbon Flowers

Check it Out!  I was looking for some inspiration for future crafts, so while on a trip to the library with the kids a few weeks ago, I was flipping through some books on ribbon and found a how to on making ribbon flower petals.  I have since returned that book and don't have the title to share, but that is how I got the original idea.  How I put it all together is my own creation.  I decided to add the silk flower to it for added dimension and I love how it turned out.

My supplies included:

• Ribbon - I used 2 different colors and 2 different widths along with a third color for the leaves
• Floral button
• Glue Dots
• Glue Dots XXL
• Thread & Needle
• Scissors
• Wire cutters

Here is how I put the petals together.

Step 1.  Using a coordinating color of thread, thread your needle and cut a length of your desired color ribbon.

Step 2.  Fold one edge in to the center in half.

Step 3.  Fold the other side in so the edges are overlapping, creating a triangle shape.

Step 4.  Sew a gathering stitch across the overlapped ribbon edges

Step 5.  Gently pull the thread together to gather the end of the petal.  I wrapped the thread around the base and tied it off to keep the gather secure.
Step 6.  Repeat steps 1 - 5 until you have the desired amount of petals.  
I created 4 purple and 4 pink petals.

Here is how I created the leaves.

Step 1.  Cut a length of ribbon and fold it so each end is diagonal to the center of the ribbon.

Step 2.  Fold it in half towards the center to form a point at the top.

Step 3.  Stitch a gathering thread along the bottom edge of the ribbon.

Step 4.  Gently pull thread to gather the end of the ribbon.  Wrap thread around the gather and knot it off to finish the leaf.

Here is how I put the ribbon flower together.

Step 1.  I used an XXL Glue Dot to adhere my flower together.  So I removed the clear film and laid it flat in front of me.

Step 2.  I simply arranged my leaves and petals on top of the glue dot in a floral pattern.

Step 3.  I added the floral button to the center.  Using my wire cutters, I removed the shank from the button so that it would lie flat and even.

Step 4.  I removed the stem and center from my silk flower so that I only had the petals remaining.

Lastly I removed the backing from the XXL Glue Dot and layered my ribbon flower on top of the silk flower petals.

You could use as many petals and leaves as you want and make it multi-layered with 3 or 4 colors.  The options are endless!

So what did I do with this flower?  Well you will have to come back next week and check out my next TBCCrafters post to see!  

#TBCCrafters Craft Hop - Floss & Washi Tape Wrapped Pens

Check it Out!  This has been a rough week for me, but crafting always eases my stress.  Due to financial issues I haven't been to the craft store in quite a while, but I won 2 giveaways not to long ago and received some new products.  So I decided to put some of them to good use this week along with some ink pens.  I have a large stash of ink pens, because I picked some up for like $0.25 a pack during school supply sales.  Using some DMC floss and some Washi Tape I was able to dress these simple pens up!  They would be a great addition to a journal gift.

My supplies included:

• Ink Pens
• DMC Floss
• Washi Tape
• Double Sided Adhesive
• Glue Dots
• Various Embellishments - jewels, jingle bells, floral stems

Instructions for the floss wrapped pens:

1. Apply a strip of double sided adhesive to the ink pen shaft starting at the writing end.

2. To start the floss with no ends sticking out, apply the floss strand horizontal to the pen on the tape as seen.

3. Bring the floss around and wrap around the pen shaft, overlapping the horizontal piece. 

4. Continue wrapping the floss around the shaft, keeping the strands tight next to each other.  Continue wrapping until you reach your desired length.

5.  To start a new color, repeat step 2.

6.  Wrap strands around the shaft keeping them tight together until you reach the length you want.

7. Continue with multiple colors if desired until you reach the end of the pen shaft.

8. Apply a glue dot to the end of the pen and push the remaining floss down to seal the end.  Apply an embellishment if desired.

To make the flower wrapped pen: 

Using the same steps as above, wrap the pen shaft until the floss reaches the the area where the stem of the floral piece starts.  Holding the stem tight to the pen, continue wrapping the floss around the pen and the floral stem until you reach the top of the pen.  Apply a glue dot and finish off the top swirling the floss to cover.  

I added some jewels to this one using glue dots.  One to the top end and a few smaller ones going down the shaft.  I avoid adding embellishments to the area in which you would hold the pen, for 2 reasons.  Reason one is it's hard to hold the pen and reason 2 they would just fall off due to use.

To make the jingle bell wrapped pen:

I used a red pen for this one so it would match my red and white theme.  Using the same steps above, wrap the pen shaft and simply add the mini jingle bells to the desired areas by stringing them right onto the floss and then continue wrapping.  I switched colors a few times and added some snowflake embellishments to finish it off.

There are two ways you can use the Washi Tape to wrap pens.  One is to wrap the tape to the outside of the pen shaft.

I had this great glitter tape that I found clearanced so I combined it with some Washi Tape to create a beautiful pattern.  I measured the glitter tape to fit the shaft and cut 4 pieces.  Starting at the end of the pen shaft, I alternated the glitter tape and Washi Tape until I reached the pen point, wrapping the pieces around the shaft.

The second way to add Washi Tape to an ink pen is to remove the ink insert from the pen shaft, measure out a length of tape and wrap it around the insert.  Then just put the insert back into the pen.  Of course this only works with a clear shaft and it adds some pizzazz to an otherwise ordinary pen.  

#TBCCrafters Craft Hop - Jumbo Clothespin Card/Photo Holder

Check it Out! I love to create!  Whether it's in the craft room or kitchen, I enjoy the process and producing an end product that  I can enjoy and be proud of.  I love to make things for myself and to give as gifts as well so I love finding projects that I can give away and are useful.  For my craft this week, I have a quick and easy craft that is perfect to give as a gift.  

I found this great jumbo clothespin for less than $2 a few months ago and decided it would make a great recipe card/ photo holder.  I thought about which I wanted to decorate it for and decided that I could do both and that I wanted to keep it for myself!  So using the word "create" as my inspiration I chose some pretty paper and got busy!  

My supplies included:

• white paint
• scrapbook paper
• mod podge
• sticker letters
• die cut pieces from the same Colorbok paper kit that I used on my Welcome Spring Plaque from last week
• Glue Dots Glue Lines
• floral embellishments
• ribbon

The first thing I did was take the clothespin apart so that my spring would stay clean.  It was really easy to take off and I experimented with getting it back on so that I wouldn't have to figure it out after I had it all decorated.  I didn't want to mess up my paint and decoupage job! 

I then painted the two pieces a bright clean white.  Giving it plenty of time to dry between and after the coats of paint.  

I then traced the wooden pieces onto the back of my chosen paper and cut it out, including a space for the spring.

Next I mod-podged those pieces onto the painted pieces using a card as a squeegee to make sure there are no bubbles.  I applied a few over coats as well to make sure the pieces were secure and this also makes it so it is easier to clean.

After allowing the pieced to dry thoroughly, I put the spring back on to put the clothespin back together into one piece.

Using my ruler to evenly space my sticker letters, I applied them to a die cut piece for one side. 

I recently received these great Glue Dots Glue Lines from Glue Dots and I am in love!  I didn't even know they made Glue Lines but I sure am glad they do!  They are perfect for attaching the die cut shape to my clothespin.  I then added a ribbon with bow right above the spring.

I finished off this side with a few floral embellishments.  Whether I am cooking or crafting, this is the perfect side to display my idea card!

For the other side, I wanted to keep it simple for displaying photos, so I simply added another piece of ribbon, a circle embellishment and a monogrammed die-cut square.  I used a larger sticker letter backed with scrapbook paper and then trimmed and glued onto the die-cut pieces that I put back to back.  I used those great Glue Lines again to hold it all together.

#TBCCrafters Craft - Welcome Spring Plaque

Check it Out!  It's Thursday and that means it's time for a TBCCrafters Thrilling Thursday Craft!  This week I am super excited to be featured on The Brand Connection website!  I did a wall plaque upcycle!   Head on over HERE and check out my easy spring craft!  

#TBCCrafters Craft Hop - Dixie Cup Flowers

Check it Out!  I have one of the best neighbors that anyone could have and although we have only lived here for a little over a year, we have become really good friends.  I am so blessed to have her in our lives and because she is such a giving person I have a healthy stash of Dixie Cups!  She gave me this HUGE bag of Dixie cups some months back and I have been trying to figure out what I am going to do with them, other than using them in the bathrooms.  So I got a stack out and started messing around with them, and discovered that I could cut them and make some really cool flowers!  

I still don't have a lot of supplies and not really in the position to buy more, I pretty much just work with what I have so I couldn't get too elaborate.  I have a ton of ideas for embellishing, but again don't have the supplies for it so here are the variations that I came up with.  The one above looks amazing on my front door.  Even the hubby commented that he really liked it!  

So the base for all of these flowers is made by simply cutting the Dixie cup with scissors so that you have thin strips.  I cut from the rim of the cup stopping at the base of the cup.  Then I simply flatten it out to create the "flower" base.  Then I just embellished them in different ways.  The one on my front door has just a flower glued on.

This black and silver flower is on my fridge.  My kitchen is yellow and black so this one looks awesome in there and really dresses up the small room.

To make the one above I used some glitter embellishments, a gemstone, a magnet and a round plastic disc.  I found a pack of these discs marked down to a quarter and the package says they are hamburger press inserts, but hey they were cheap, sturdy and I have a ton of ideas to use them with! 

I just layered the disc after adding some black ink to the edges and the embellishments and glued a magnet on the back.

And this one is the Dixie cup flower inked at the edges of the back side along with one of those discs and a flower on top.  You could use pretty much add anything you want and you could cut the cups at different widths and layer them.  You could glue them on a stick or straw and make a bouquet too!