This is a fun project if you’d like an inexpensive way to make your own “canvas print”, and you like a retro, old fashioned feel.  It makes a great gift, too (like the one used in the tutorial, a great wedding momento!)

I did this for my December post on FedEx’s Out of Office blog.  It is easy to do, but be warned it is a bit time consuming when you get to the final step of removing the paper from the canvas, so I wouldn’t go any larger than 8×10″ for this project.

The photo for this project is by the fabulous Sarah Howell, of Kimball Bates Photography (recently relocated to North Carolina, for my readers up there–I highly recommend her!)

Tutorial Summary: Retro Canvas Print

Basically, you just need an inexpensive canvas, acrylic gel medium, and a image you want to use.  For the image you’ll need it slightly larger or the same size as your canvas.  Use an image editing program to reverse the image (so you have a mirror image) and to size your image appropriately.  Then you can have it color laser printed or get a color photocopy.

You’re going to adhere the image to the canvas (face side down) using the gel medium.  When it is dry, you’ll remove the paper from the canvas, leaving just the color.  You’d definitely have areas where the color doesn’t stay, hence the weathered, retro look.  You can then cover the whole thing with gel medium for a finished look.

Full Instructions, with photos (and Lessons learned)

I’ve got all the step by step instructions up at the FedEx Out of Office blog: Retro Photo Canvas Tutorial.

Also, a few lessons learned, based on trying this a few times:

• Like I mentioned, smaller is better due to the time consuming nature of the final steps.  It can take multiple (like 6!) times of rubbing the paper off the canvas.   Let it thoroughly dry after you think you have it all removed, then you’ll see more paper fibres.  Keep rubbing!
• Try a small test piece first.
• Experiment! You might find that it’s better to let the paper NOT dry all the way, and then just try peeling the paper off.  When I’ve done similar projects before (but with B&W photocopies) I’ve found that it was much easier, and worked just as well.  But with color I think it’s better to wait til it’s bone dry, which means much more work getting all the paper off.  But, it’s worth a try to attempt some experiments and see what works best for you.
• Related to that, here’s the technique I’ve used where you don’t let the paper dry all the way: Wooden Photo Ornaments

FOAM AND DISPLAY BOARD:
· 9” x 12” Mini Bi-Fold Foam Board

X-ACTO:
· Designer Series Gripster Craft Knife
· Designer Series 12” Metal Ruler
· Designer Series 12” X 12” Self Healing Mat
· Designer Series 8” Scissors
· Designer Series 5” Precision Tip Scissors
· Designer Series Basic Shape Templates
· Designer Series Decorative Shape Templates

PAINTERS:
· Painters Bright Colors
· Painters Sherbet Swirl

CRAFTBOND:
· Dot Runner
· Foam Mounting Tape
· Thin Medium Glue Spots
· All Purpose Glue Stick
· Quick Dry Dual Tip Glue Pen
· Elmer’s Designer Tape

Just leave a comment below telling me what awesome project (holiday project???)  this box would inspire you to do, and by random selection you can win your own box. Tweeting about this also counts as a second entry, as they show up in the comments as well. Be sure to stop by and visit the Elmer’s Craft it! facebook site, too!

{Contest is Closed! Stay tuned for the winner as soon as I’m not on death’s door with this cold…!}

This is part 3, we’ve already covered how to make a death eater mask, and how to make a hogwarts robe out of a t-shirt!

For the boy’s Death Eater costume, he really didn’t want any Slytherin gear, as he said (and rightly) that Draco Malfoy skulking around as a Death Eater would not be wearing his Slytherin scarf.  But since a death eater doesn’t really look like anything other than a creepy guy in a mask without something to indicate Harry Potter-ness, I talked him into the scarf, so Draco could go incognito.

So here’s the quick tutorial on making the Slytherin scarf.  As with any of my sewing projects, I’m not a seamstress, and I don’t measure.

Supplies:  1 green sweatshirt and 1 grey sweatshirt.  We’re basically just using the sweatshirts as a comfy and cheap source of material here.

Step 1:Assess your fabric potential: If your sweatshirts have design on them, that will limit the amount of fabric you can get off of them, so take that into account.  Minimally you should have a large piece from the back, a large piece from the front, plus you can split your sleeves along the bottom seam for 2 more large pieces.

(see more steps under the photos)

Step 2:  Cut your rectangles.  Figure out the width you want your scarf to be.  You’ll need to cut out rectangles of fabric for your stripes at double that width, and at least 5 or 6 inches tall (the taller, the less you need – use the size of your workable fabric to determine how tall).   If you have more fabric available from one of your shirts, plan on that one being the one on the ends of the scarf, so you’ll need 1 more square of that color.

The rectangles of each color should be approximately the same size (i.e. all the greens 7 in and all the greys 5 in) .

Step 3: Layout.  Starting with your end color (Green in my case), lay out your rectangles in order to get an idea of length.  Remember, you’ll be sewing these together, so you’ll lose some length to seams.  Remember to start and end with the same color (in my case, I also made the green end pieces a little bit taller)

Step 4: Sew together the rectangles. Start with one end piece.  Place “good” sides together with the good side of the opposing color, and machine stitch.  Continue until you have one long piece of stripes.  Remember to place the sides you want to show together each time you add a new color.

Step 5: You now have a long piece of striped fabric.   But both of your ends are still unfinished, so run a quick hem on either end (see photo)

Step 6:  Fold your long piece of striped fabric.  in half lengthwise, so that the bad side is showing.  Pin all the way down, making sure each stripe matches up.

Step 7.  Sew the seam you just pinned to make a really long tube.  Turn tube right side out to see your finished scarf!

Basically, I had a bunch old fabric scraps that I had lying around the house (leftover cloth from Dragon Wings, the ends of his pants that I had cut off into shorts for summer, pieces of ribbon, that sort of thing).  I cut these into random shapes, both geometric and organic, not really worrying about neatness– there were circles, squares, spikes, and just random triangle like pieces, in a variety of colors and fabrics.

I had picked up a nice mixed pack of googly eyes in the Dollar Spot at Target the other day, so I added some random eyes to the mix.

I made a couple of large squares out of leftover brown fleece (from Perry the Platypus’ tail!) to serve as a base for the designs.

Then just let him go to town making up his own creatures.  We didn’t glue anything together (although you could certainly do so)– I just let him make up his monsters, then took pictures of them to ‘Save’ them (my little video game junkie understands that analogy!)

It was his idea to get some markers to add additional decorations and designs.

Then when he was finished, we just rolled up the cloth, with the pieces inside, and it went into his art box for future use!

1. The Stomach, RIP Pterodactyl Pants is always so creative… a plush stomach?
2. Chair pad Love how the chair pad matches the cute sewing machine cover!
3. Dia de muertos brooch from Penny Dog Accessories (Want to try resin? Her tutorial on Resin is HERE!)
4. Silk Tie Easter Eggs from Tresijas [Related: How to make Silk Tie Eggs |  Tresijas has been featured on Dabbled:  How-To Make a Bracelet from an old record Tutorial]

(More links below the photo mosaic)

5. Feed the Dog– Cute robots!
6. Easter Round Ripple – Love the colors!
7. Attic24’s jar cover – Great re-use idea.
8. Cute owl from an old tank top and here is the Tutorial on D is for Delicate
9. Mini-Angler Felted Plush 1, – TOTALLY AWESOME! “He’s 100% dyed, needle-felted wool, with acrylic airbrushed shadows. He also has a working LED light in his “fishing-lure” with a battery pack hidden inside his mouth, and painted polymer clay teeth!” from Felted Chicken (Airbrushing Felt Tutorial is here)
10. Stash Buster Farmer Tote Love the size of this thing, the tutorial is here on Some Art Talk.  (Colleen has been featured on Dabbled: Cute Re-made Girls Jeans Tutorial)
11. Sheep Tote Bag cute!  Tutorial is here.
12. Rose Umbrella Fancy up an umbrella by adding roses!  Tutorial is here

Thanks to all of you for sharing!

Here are some to get your inspiration going!*

Green Crafting Flickr Roundup (links are below the big pic)

1. piglinks, 2. Ad Bracelet, 3. Recycled Tunic, 4. RCA Record Comb, 5. a batch of studs – copyright amalia versaci 2009, 6. Madonna Wine tote, 7. Olive and Teal Sundress, 8. recycled plastic earrings, 9. around the world in 80 stamps upcycled vintage bag

*I’m recycling these pics from 2009!  See how I can blog Green!? And here are some additional green crafting ideas recycled from the past!

This is a very simple design, which could of course be expanded upon and be made even more creative. And wouldn’t something like this be a great accompaniment to a gift of homemade finger puppets?

I had the handy hubby write up detailed how to instructions, so if you’d like to make one yourself, go here!

Some other kid-related blasts from the past you might enjoy:

• Elephant Purse HOW TO
• Make a Play Stove from an old side table
• Ikea Hack a Toddler Bed
• Mod 2 kids t’s into a long sleeve t-shirt
• How to Make Silly Sweater Monster Puppets

OK, back to work on my new top secret project!  I’ll share it with you guys as soon as I can :)

Today we have another lovely guest poster here on Dabbled,  Kelly from Tresijas!  I discovered Kelly through some of the really cool creations she had posted in the Dabbled Flickr group–especially her vinyl record creations–, and I asked her if she’d honor us with a tutorial.  And she agreed, so here it is…  Enjoy!

How to: Make A Bracelet from Vinyl Record

List of materials:

Toaster oven with tray
An old pair of scissors
stretchy gloves (to protect from heat)
record album
low grit sand paper
bracelet mandrel or other cylindrical object (a soda can or skinny glass bottle will work too)

Most of these items can be found at a second hand store. I usually work with 45’s because they are often times the most abused/non-playing. I try not to harm a record that cans till be enjoyed for its original purpose.

Instructions:

[Note, see photos following instructions for a visual perspective]

1. Heat toaster oven to about 150-200 degrees.
2. Since all ovens are different, take some time to get to know yours. Place the record in the oven for a minute or two, if the record doesn’t “relax” (see photo) turn the heat up slightly every few minutes until it does. If the record starts to melt or have a strong odor, the temp is too high.
3. Once the record relaxes, put your gloves on, have your scissors ready, then remove it from the oven. Quickly cut about a 5 1/2 inch strip from the record. The album will cool fairly quickly, but never fear because the beauty of vinyl is that it can be reheated. If you want to trim a little from your strip simply place it back in the oven and repeat steps 1-3.
4. Once you have cut the strip to your satisfaction, use the sand paper to take off any sharp edges. It helps to wet the sandpaper first.
5. Place the strip back in the toaster and wait for it to relax. Have your mandrel ready.
6. Once the strip is ready, with gloves on, remove it and quickly wrap it around your mandrel. Hold it there until it cools (about 15 seconds)

Voila! You have a new bracelet! Remember, if it doesn’t fit the way that you like, just reheat and form it again. Have fun and experiment, the possibilities are virtually limitless with this material.

Photos

[Click any photo to view larger/as a slide show]

About Kelly:

I’m a 35 year old, stay at home mom of 3 girls. My husband is from Argentina so we spend a lot of time in South America. The handmade culture is booming there and has had a tremendous influence on my own work. I started beading about 10 years ago, but quickly realized that although I enjoyed working with beads, I was beginning to look for another hobby that was less time consuming and that my young children would be less likely to throw all over the floor.

One day I was watching Reading Rainbow with one of my girls and saw a segment about a man that made unique record bowls on a vacuum form. I thought that it was a very creative idea. A few weeks later I found some red and yellow record albums at the thrift store and felt compelled to buy them to experiment with. My first creations were rough to say the least, but slowly but surely I became very comfortable working with vinyl. The rest, as they say, is history.

Even though I love my record creations I never stop looking for new materials to work with. Last year I started using wood salvaged from burn piles and this year I began experimenting with paper mache. Any project using recycled and readily available materials makes me smile! My kids also have their own Etsy shop where they sell their artwork. It’s very important for me to include them in the creative process and they inspire me every day.

Visit her Etsy shop to see more of her cool creations!

And, in case you missed it, while I was off in London last week, we had 3 lovely tutorials last week by three lovely guest posters!

Tutorial – Make Resin Star Christmas Tree Ornaments From Kerry at www.pennydog.com A great project if you’ve been wanting to try crafting with resin!

Tutorial: Make Quick Mittens By Heather from Dollar Store Crafts I love projects that turn old sweaters into something new.. this would be great for when you accidentally shrink one, too!

Moss Terrarium Tutorial – The Gift that Keeps Giving All Year ‘Round! By Lindsay from Shrimp Salad Circus A great tutorial for making a lovely and unusual gift!

Hope you enjoy these! And do drop by the sites of our guest posters and say hi… they have many more great projects, too!

When I went to the Dollar Store to pick up items for my Dollar Store Crafts guest post earlier this month, I picked up enough for several projects–the creepy ravens & the bottle labels were 2 of them. Here is the final one!

For this project you need a glass container that will look good upside down (I picked a straight sided vase). You also need handmade paper in a dark and a light shade (Mine was purple and off-white, with leaves embedded in it for texture. Finally, you need faux votive candles, with a realistic flicker. I picked up all of this at the dollar store for $3 total!

Make an Elegant Halloween Luminary

First cut out spooky shape.. like an old tree, or a creepy hand like I did.. out of your darker paper.
Either free hand it or print off something off the internet and trace it.

Then glue the shape to the inside of your jar. Remember, your jar/vase will be upside down at the end, so place accordingly. And your shape can even extend on to the bottom of your jar, as that will be the top.
(I just used white glue, you could also use decoupage medium)

Let dry somewhat, and then cover the entire inside of the jar with your lighter colored paper. Use small or large pieces, ripped or cut, and glue to the inside of the jar. If you use too much glue it will take a while to dry (mine did!).

After it’s totally dry, turn it over on top of a fake candle. The faux candle flickers just like a real candle (which you can’t use with the upside down vase, because a real candle needs air!) and gives a soft glow.

Do a whole bunch of these for outdoor luminaries, or for elegant halloween party decorations!

Pictures (click to see larger):