From the Archives: Polymer Valentine Gift Tags DIY

by Mitsy of ArtMind

I keep thinking about this great tutorial the lovely Mitsy of ArtMind did last year here on the blog, as it's a perfect little DIY for Valentines and since I'm thinking of doing it this year, I thought I'd pull it out of the archives and share again with you. Click here to get the how-to! And thanks again to Mitsy - you are brilliant!

DIY: Holiday Mini-book from Cori Kindred

hi there! cori kindred here with a fun little diy that's perfect for the holidays! my 12 things i love about you books are simple to make and mean so much to the recipient. plus they're thoughtful, cute and (my favorite) handmade!

what you'll need:
- 7.5" x 2.5" piece of cover paper (i used wrapping paper for this one but i've also used wallpaper or a vintage map)
- 6.5" x 2.5" piece of card stock (i used white)
- at least 7 different papers measuring 6" x 2.25" for the inside of the book
- a stapler
- double-stick tape
- a label (i used a vintage one but you could also make your own)

step 1 ~ stack your card stock and inside papers (in the order you want them) and fold in half.

step 2 ~ staple twice along the inside fold of the book.

step 3 ~ cover the front and back cover (on the card stock) with double-stick tape. fold the cover paper in half, then adhere to the card stock. fold the extra cover paper over the card stock and double-stick tape down (on the inside of the front and back covers).

step 4 ~ attach the label! or don't, and write the title on the first page of the book. now find a quiet spot to sit and think about all the things you love about your special someone. once you start you won't be able to stop! when you're done writing in 12 things you love about them, stick their awesome present in their holiday card or stocking. voila!

thanks for reading! you can also visit me at my website corikindred.com. see you again soon!

Cori Kindred is a photographer, treasure maker and an avid thrift store hunter. You can find her on the internet here:

website: corikindred.com
blog: corikindred.com/journal
print/paper shop: hCoriKindred.etsy.com
vintage shop: mushroomandmoss.etsy.com
photos: flickr.com/photos/koreana
twitter: twitter.com/corikindred

Artmind Tutorial: Wax Decorations

Once again we are happy to host the talented Mitsy from Artmind this friday as she takes us through making these cute little wax decorations, (a fun little weekend project with the kids for Valentines). And you'll notice at the bottom of this post Mitsy is giving away some she made on her blog later today! Thanks Mitsy! (Also stay tuned as we post the winners of The Poppies later today)!

Here is what you need:

wax (you can use candles and melt them), metal cookie lid, cookie cutters, newspaper, nylon thread, ribbon, wooden sticks, needle, plier, crimp beads, beads & findings.



Make sure that you work safe when working with hot wax. Cover the area that you are working on with newspaper. Put the cookie lid on top of it & heat the wax.



Fill the metal cookie lid with wax.



Let the wax set for a while until it is stiff but still feels warm. That allows you to press cookie cutters into it without the wax cracking. You have to work quick now as the wax cools down fast. Press as many cutters as possible in the lid.



You can then remove the wax around the cutted shapes.



When you push lightly, the shape will come loose.



If it's still warm, you can easily put a needle through the wax figure. Or you can heat the needle in the flame of a candle.



Or put the wooden stick in the cut out wax figure but only halfway.



Or you can push a hole from front to back.



All the left over wax can go back into the pan and you can re-heat it again if you need more figures.



Then the figures are ready to make decorations from. Add a little ribbon to the wax decorations. They will look super in flower pots.




Or make some ornaments to hang in a branch or on a gift. Cut a piece of metal wire.



Fold it double and place a ribbon in between.



Then pull it through the hole you made in the wax decoration.



Pull the double pieces of ribbon through the loop and make a knot at the end.

Tada! :)


Or make a nice garland with beads and findings. First make a loop and close it with a crimpbead.



Press the crimpbead with the plier.



Then start threading beads & findings according to your taste and add the wax decorations in between.



End the vertical garland again with a crimpbead.



Here is another garland with the flowers. First add a loop and then knots, wooden beads and wax flowers.



Here are the results:

(Poufiks by evaforeva on Etsy)

I'll be giving these wax decorations away in my blog. So hop over there & leave a comment in the post. And perhaps check out some other tutorials I have featured there.

www.artmind-etcetera.blogspot.com
www.etsy.com/shop/artmind

Chakra P. Tutorial #4: Love Where You Live

Guest post by Chakra Pennywhistle

1/27/10 Central Tucson: A nice surprise. Someone decorated their wooden fence with paper hearts.

For this last installment, I thought that I would share a personal project that I have been working on. My family and I are actually in the midst of moving across the country from Tucson, AZ to Virginia Beach, VA.

1/6/10 Central Tucson: Old bus yard

The move began just at the beginning of the year and it has been quite the whirlwind. We own our home in Tucson and I have been juggling everything from running Chakra P., to renting our home, to packing all of our belongings. I knew that this was going to be quite the task and from the beginning I made it a goal to try and do something creative for at least a few minutes each day.

1/8/10 Central Tucson: Deanza Drive In Theatre. Recently closed down. Hoping some folks will save it. My little one's first movie.

Inspired by the 365 Project, I decided to take a daily photograph of things that I love and will miss about Tucson. The project has served a couple of functions. It has proven to relieve the stress of the move and has also made me appreciate this city in a way that - looking back - I wish that I was doing it all along.

1/26/10 Central Tucson: Favorite parking spot at a local antique shop.

So I just wanted to share it with all of you in hopes that it might inspire you to get out there and photograph some favorites of your own. I also wanted to note that I am not a photographer and have found out that you don't have to be to enjoy this project.

2/1/10 Central Tucson: St. Mary's Thrift Shop. My grandmother volunteers here and loves every minute of it!

I have been going around town wearing my camera and smiling all the way. I might not take the best photos but they have served that special purpose that only a creative outlet can. So take a good camera, a not-so-good camera, or a cell phone camera and click away! You won't regret it.

1/9/10 Central Tucson: Raging Sage coffee shop parking lot. Every time we park to get coffee, my little girl spots her heart in the power lines.

Chakra P. Tutorial 3: Best Friends Necklace

by Chakra Pennywhistle



Did you ever share a best-friends necklace with your favorite childhood pal? I remember sharing a couple in the past and seeing new ones always brings a smile to my face. For this installment I wanted to share a different take on that idea by making a bf necklace cut from a vintage doily. I have a collection of handmade doilies that I picked up from local thrifts and antique shops. I love the crochet work and like to spot different patterns in each piece. I find that not only can you spot certain patterns, but you can also look at the whole piece in a different way. For example, lots of edges of doilies resemble hearts.


That brings me to this tutorial. Make your best pal a heart-shaped best-friends necklace cut from a vintage doily... It is a lovely shared gift that will make a unique handmade statement.

Supplies:

Vintage doily
2 necklace chains
non-stick surface
Scissors
Toothpicks
Glue (school or craft)
Bowl
Water

Step 1: Cutting
Cut a heart shape out of the doily. You can use the original pattern as a guide. I have included photos of two different patterns. The styles are completely different even by the way they are worn on the chain.


Style 1


Style 2Note: For style 2, you will need to remove a piece of the thread so that the necklace will string through the original loops. See photo below...


Step 2: Stiffening
Mix equal parts glue and water in a mixing bowl. I actually like to use a bit more glue then water. I read that you can also use liquid starch but I prefer glue because it is permanent. Also, I used school glue just because that is what I had on hand. Crafters glue might be even more durable.


Dip your heart in the mixture. Completely submerse it. Once it is soaked, lay it on the nonstick surface and squeeze as much water out as you can without losing the shape.
Tip: I found that if I place the heart on the inner side of the bowl and press, the mixture drips back into the bowl and the heart stays intact.


For style #2 you will need to use a tooth pick to open the loops and clear the glue out of them. This will allow your chain to pass through easily after the heart has dried. Do not leave the toothpicks in while drying. Just use them to clear the glue. Also note that my hearts are cut. Disregard that. You will cut the hearts after they are dry.


Step 3: Drying
Lay the heart on your nonstick surface and let dry for 3 to 4 hours.



Step 4: Cutting
Once the heart is completely dry, cut it in half.


Step 5: Stringing
I have included photos of both styles.

Style 1: Simply string the necklace through one of the holes in the heart.


Style 2: String the chain through the loops of the original pattern.


Step 6: Giving
I made my necklace for my best friend, Ursula. I think that she is pretty wonderful! I am in Tucson, AZ wearing my necklace while Ursula is in Norfolk, Virginia wearing hers.



Chakra Pennywhistle
I hope that you enjoyed this version of a best friends necklace. They are really simple to make and very sweet to give!