October: Halloween 2009

The day Martha Stewart glitter entered our lives. This stuff is glorious, fine, and beautiful to look at. However, it has now become know as the "herpes of crafting" because it is impossible to clean up. But it sure is pretty.

These are real pumpkins, painted with a mixture of elmer's glue and water, then showered with glitter. They will last through Thanksgiving for sure.

Artificial pumpkins may be used as well. Be sure to cover the pumpkin thoroughly with the glue wash, and having a stem makes it easy to maneuver the pumpkin around as you shower it with glitter.

SUPPLIES:

Pumpkins (real or fake)

Martha Stewart Glitter

Elmer's glue wash (3 parts glue, 1 part water)

Foam paint brushes

April: Easter 2009

Another family activity, though the girls from Craft Night did this as well- the ever so fun, modge podge eggs. This can be a messy task, but if done right, these can last forever (as long as they aren't broken.)

Poking holes on the top and bottom of the egg, being sure to pierce the yolk inside, makes it possible to blow the entire contents of the egg OUT, thus leaving a delicate shell. These can be dyed, or as we did, modge podged. After clipping shapes and strips out of various colors of tissue paper, modge podge is applied to the shell to create adhesive for the tissue.

Then you can decorate the egg with all the tissue you may

desire, then you carefully paint the egg again in modge podge.

Sometimes this is easier if the midge podge is thinned, like the elmer's glue wash. The tissue is VERY delicate once wet and painting them could tear them. Use a soft brush, and be cautious of the pressure you are applying.

Let them dry and these eggs will be with you for many Easter's.

SUPPLIES:

Eggs

Thick needle or pin

Tissue paper

Modge Podge (diluted with water)

Soft paint brushes

February: Valentine's 2009

God Bless Martha Stewart.

These crayon hearts have been a part of lots of my Valentine's. They are darling alone, but even more darling together. These are simple, fun and very pretty.

Crayon shavings, with shades of red, orange and pink are spread between two sheets of wax paper, then using a warm iron, blend the colors together to get a 'stain glass' effect. The more shavings there are, the darker the colors.

Be sure to wipe your iron thoroughly with a paper towel after using it on the wax paper, because it does bleed through the wax paper. I found this out the hard way.

SUPPLIES:

Crayons

Wax Paper

Iron

String

Wooden dowel

December: Christmas 2008

Christmas Craft was with the family this year. We made these very darling, (very INVOLVED) advent calendars.

Using mini muffin tins, we designed each day with scrapbook paper, stickers, bows, buttons, bells and numbers. Then adhered those 24 calendar days to magnetic sheet. Sticking them on the tin creates a "pocket" inside to hide treats or messages.

This Crafting Day also included out favorite "family treats" from a few individuals. The most memorable, were the pretzel turtles, made with mini pretzels, Rolo's and pecans; then the magical rice puff treats with honey and chocolate. Yum.

SUPPLIES:

Mini-muffin tin

Magnetic sheets (with adhesive on one side)

Scrapbook paper

Circle dye cut (this makes it much easier..)

Decorations (ribbons, buttons, stickers, etc.)

October: Halloween 2008

This was the night that began our tradition of getting together, to visit, eat and create. We made "Jack-O-Lanterns" with glass ball votives, painted inside with shades of orange and yellow oil paint, then etched outside was a glossy black faces we shaped with masking tape, then sculpted with exacto knives. Also, we decorated artificial white pumpkins with fine Sharpie's, and everyone got VERY creative. Each person's pumpkin was different and it was really fun to see what we all came up with.

Being the beginning of our venture, we didn't have a LOT of people, but we certainly have some of the regulars.

Sara made a very cute swirly pumpkin.

Lot's of spiderweb pumpkins came to be.

Halloween seems to be the holiday that brings forth the most options for crafting I'm not sure what it is, but it seems really easy to come up with Halloween Crafts. They are always welcome.

So are the treats.

SUPPLIES:

Glass Jar, or votive

Orange oil paint

Glossy black paint

Exacto Knife

Masking Tape

Votive candle

tip: oil paint takes a day or two to dry, don't light till set.

Artificial pumpkin (any size)

Sharpies

Ribbons