How to make a beer can pin cushion from the book Beer Crafts

I purchased this energy drink just because I loved the art on the can. I can't tell you how long it's been sitting in my fridge as I don't drink energy drinks. But when I saw the tutorial on how to make a pin cushion from a beer can featured in the new book Beer Crafts: Making the Most of Your Cans, Bottle Caps, and Labels.

 I had a few other cans that I have been saving to craft with but the pin up girl was the clear choice for this project.

The project in Beer Crafts used a ribbon around the top but I used half of a zipper that I thought tied in nicely with the aluminum can.

I also switched it up and gathered my fabric around the batting with an elastic band and poked it in the top opening of the can before hot gluing it in place.

More about the Andrews McMeel Publishing book:

Beer Crafts: Making the Most of Your Cans, Bottle Caps, and Labels
by
 Shawn Gascoyne-Bowman

"A synthesis of two outstanding hobbies — making things and drinking — Beer Crafts is the answer to the age-old question of what to do with those 99 bottles of beer on the wall.
While author and crafter extraordinaire Shawn Bowman would like to think she came up with the idea on her own, inspiration really came from her eight-year-old daughter, who spent a summer obsessed with making jewelry out of her parents' discarded bottle caps. Finding the note on her desk, “My crafting involves you to open a beer,” the author had what can only be called an epiphany: “ALL crafting should involve me opening a beer.” She raised her daughter’s allowance, and set down to writing this book. But first, she opened a beer.
Beer Crafts shows you how to repurpose not just the caps but also labels, bottles, and even cans into useful, hip, and quirky items — from attention-getting (if not downright sexy) garter belts to the classic crochet beer can hat, to beer bottle tags, to refrigerator magnets, and more. The projects are super fun, easy to make (even for a first-time crafter), and most of the supplies are things you probably already have on hand or chilling in the fridge.
Beer Crafts has jewelry and accessories for guys and gals. From cowboy hats made from beer case boxes and masculine bottle label belt buckles and wallets to flowery bottle top flip-flops and cute-as-a-button beer cap headbands, there’s a little something for everyone — even beer can jackets for the family dog! Beer bottles themselves get dressed up with insulating crochet cozies and fancy charm necklaces, ending all arguments over whose drink is whose, when they’re all clearly marked “mine”! There are even funky home decor projects, including candle holders, patio lanterns, bird feeders, and a memo board. And with plenty of beer quotes and trivia, Beer Crafts is recommended bar reading for those who don't craft.
Tie one on — then braid it, glue it, and embellish it — with Beer Crafts."

Recycled magazine page font Father's Day card

Have you missed me? I know it's been a while. I've been blogging every day at Craftside and Craft Gossip Recycling. But today I'm back to give you a fun Father's Day Card tutorial on how to make recycled magazine (or book catalog) letters used to make a Father's Day card using an idea featured in the book Creative Lettering: Techniques & Tips from Top Artists.

I had an old catalog that I thought would work great for cutting up these little block letters.

What made it so easy was that the books were all about the same size rectangle and this font is very boxy. I cut out each book cover first. I chose book covers for each letter that the title would still be exposed even when I snipped out parts to form the letters. It took a few different tries as I ended up using all white background covers so they would coordinate and stand out against the black background paper

I glued the letters down to the card and added two strips of scrapbook paper to make a "shelf". I also kind of had to giggle in that one of the books is Water Paper Paint and another is 1000 Creative Re-use. Nothing like re-using paper images of the words to make another word!

If you are like me and love type and lettering you will love Creative Lettering: Techniques & Tips from Top Artists.

More about the Lark Crafts book

Creative Lettering: Techniques & Tips from Top Artists
by
Jenny Doh
 
" Hand-lettering techniques are a popular and visually dynamic way to add textual elements to crafts, from journals to mixed-media art. Sixteen accomplished contributors—including calligraphers, painters, collagists, card makers, fiber artists, and graphic designers—give their personal perspectives on lettering. They all offer their favorite tools, how they use them, their signature technique with step-by-step instructions and photos, and an alphabet sampler of their own font. Gorgeous gallery images of each contributor's work are also included.

 

Contributors include:
Andy Ainger   •   Francois Begnez   •   Flora Chang   •   Barbara Close   •   Philippe Debongnie   •  Karyn Denten   •   Aimee Dolich   •   Lisa Engelbrecht   •   Pam Garrison  •   Stine Kaasa   •   Rhianna Lederman   •   Martha Lever   •   Linda Schneider   •   Jessica Swift   •   Madeline Tomkins   •   Lori Vilegen   •  

 

Jenny Doh is the former Editor-in-Chief of Somerset Studio magazine and the President and Founder of crescendoh.com. Jenny serves regularly as keynote speaker across the nation to deliver messages related to creative passion, authentic leadership, effective communication, and focused compassion. For her leadership in publishing and the art and crafting community, Jenny was recognized by Folio magazine as one of the top 40 leaders within the publishing industry. Jenny is the author of several books, including Hand in Hand and We Make Dolls (both Lark). She lives in Santa Ana, CA."