music2

Get More:

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."

How to make a pom pom Easter Bunny holding a carrot

Did you know you can sculpt pom poms? Well you can. I think pom poms have to be in my top 10 craft materials to cut up! Today, just in time for Easter, I have a cute pom pom bunny inspired by the ultra adorable book Adventures in Pompom Land: 25 Cute Projects Made from Handmade Pompoms.

 Here is how I made my pom pom bunny:

I gathered up a bunch of pre-made pom poms as I have a huge stash. I know the handmade one's are great but I was in the mood to make a bunny quick!

Also needed was a tiny bit of white felt, a pink marker, scissors and hot glue gun.

You can see the sizes I started with in the photo.
I hot glued the large and medium together then trimmed them to be more of an "egg shape".

I trimmed the other large pom pom down to an egg shape (or bunny head shape) as well then glued it onto the body.

Next the hands, feet and tail were attached.

I cut out the ear shapes, colored them with a bit of pink marker and then glued them into the head pom pom.

To make the pom pom carrot I  trimmed the orange pom pom down...a lot! and then glued a tiny green pom pom on top.

The eyes and nose were glued on and the carrot between the paws.

And if you are like me and like to make things out of pom poms you will love this cute book!

More about the book from Lark Crafts:

  Adventures in Pompom Land: 25 Cute Projects Made from Handmade Pompoms
by
 Myko Diann Bocek

"Enter the wonderful land of pompoms, where cute critters and creative adventures await you. All the projects in this unique collection begin with handmade, not pre-purchased, pompoms, and every step is beautifully laid out with easy-to-follow instructions and plenty of images. Crafters can then create 25 charming creatures—from a sweet little bluebird to a lop-eared bunny—out of wool yarn, roving, and felt. It's fun to do and every project is off-the-charts adorable!"

3 Necklaces made with a combo of new and vintage findings

Making jewelry with old parts and new parts is pretty much my favorite thing to do. Which is why I savored every page of Vintage Revised Jewelry: 35 step-by-step Projects Inspired by Lost, Found, and Recycled Treasures.

Here are 3 of my latest necklaces.

The one on the left is an old rhinestone necklace that was missing its focal center piece. I scored one of those new "vintage looking" skull cameos that happened to fit in perfectly. I love the combo!

The center is a vintage knot pin that I put the new letter beads on that spell out "nice" get it KNOT NICE ?

And the one on the right is one of those repro Tim Holtz game spinners just on a ball chain.

If you want to get yourself in the running for a copy of Vintage Revised Jewelry pop on over to Craft Gossip Recycling.

More about the Cico book:

Vintage Revised Jewelry:
35 step-by-step Projects Inspired by Lost, Found, and Recycled Treasures
by
Co-Co Nichole Bush

"Transform vintage finds and broken objects into jewellery to treasure with Vintage Revised Jewelry. Nichole Bush has a passion for creating one-of-a-kind jewellery by combining antique and vintage treasures to make distinctive and unique statements, and in these 35 projects, she shares that passion with you. Old keys become quirky earrings or hang on chains as a pretty necklace. Pieces of watches capture a moment in time - combined with other trinkets, they're turned into a lapel pin or wrist cuff. Anything can be a charm for a necklace or bracelet - from beads to brooches and earrings, even door knobs. Metal locker number tags act as intriguing focal points and tintypes (photographs on metal rather than paper, made in the late 19th century) provide an instant echo of the past. Some designs are deeply personal, incorporating things that remind Nichole of family and friends, and she suggests what you might include for your own individual pieces. With clear, step-by-step artworks and instructions, a helpful techniques section, and lots of inspiration throughout, you will soon become skilled in making your own pieces of nostalgic, stunning jewellery."