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Monday, April 30, 2012

Duct Tape Art

Hello!

Lately I've been keeping busy working out in my yard and making lot's of merchandise for my Etsy Shop and Craft Fairs.

I just signed up for a big Outdoor Fair and it's in a couple weeks!
Which means I need to get move'n on making some stuff to sell :)

I wanted to show you what I made tonight....
Drum roll please........


This is my latest piece of Duct Tape Art!

This is 100% Duct Tape on a thin 8 x 10 Canvas.

What do you think?
Do you know who this is?

If not....


It's these two..Edward and Bella from the Twilight Series

I plan on making a lot more Duct Tape Art for my Craft Fair.

I've also been busy making Duct Tape Wallets
Here are a few of my newest creations...

 Those are just a few.
These three have all been sold or given away, but they are my newest ones.

I have a ton more, but I don't want to bore you with them all LOL :)

Any who, thanks for checking out my newest stuff, and letting me share my Duct Tape Art!
There will be more characters to come :)

Have a great night!




Thursday, April 26, 2012

DIY Bubble Fun


This is so much fun!
First let me start out by saying, this past weekend it was 80 Degrees...
the last couple days have been rainy and overcast :(

So when we looked outside and saw a break in the rain and some sunshine...
we jumped on it.
We went outside and had some bubble fun :)

 
I took a small empty plastic soda bottle and cut off the bottom.
You could use a water bottle, probably even a 2 liter but I haven't tried that.

I cut up an old hand towel and covered the bottom of the bottle using rubber bands.
I suppose you could hot glue it, but it was quicker to just wrap some rubber bands around it.
We were on borrowed time here lol...

I put some bubbles in a shallow bowl.
For my post on a DIY Bubble Recipe go HERE

I dampened the towel first then set it in the bowl.


Pick it up and blow thru the mouth piece....and
Let the games begin!!!




It is VERY windy where I live, so big bubble chunks were flying everywhere!!


Bubble Chunk..
But never fear!
Batman is here!!
Or Batman Crocs are here to stomp out the bubbles LOL :)


What you end up getting is a long tube like bubble chunk (for lack of a better word)
We seriously had so much fun with this!

Until it went from this...


To this...


And now it's raining!

But I'm so glad I jumped on that 15-20 minutes of sunshine, it was so worth it.

So here's a recap of what you need for this fun project:
An empty plastic bottle
Old washcloth or towel (the thinner the better)
Bubbles
Rubber Bands (just a couple)
Scissors

So easy, and some good 'ole recycled fun :)

Enjoy your day
and
Happy Crafting!

Wednesday, April 25, 2012

DIY Star Earrings


I'm baaaaaaack!
Thank goodness!  Being without a computer is the pits!!!

Today I'm going to show you how to make these easy peasy Star Earrings.
They are super duper inexpensive too...which is always a plus right ladies?!

I came up with this idea just out of the blue...one of those Ah-Ha moments.
I love how they turned out :)

All you need is:
Wire (I used 24 gauge because that's what I had on hand)
Tube like seed beads (I don't know the technical name for them)


Cut a piece of wire about 4.5 inches long


Pick out 10 of the tube beads
Mine are glass but plastic is fine too


Put a bead on and then bend one end leaving about 1-1.5 inches at the top


Add your second bead right up against the first, then bend to a triangle shape


Add another bead right up against the previous bead THEN bend
Keep repeating this process


When you make it back around to where you started, after all 10 beads are on, take the two ends of wire and twist them together
Don't worry if your star is losing it's shape a little, it's easy to bend it back into shape


Warning!  If you twist too much, you will put too much pressure on your beads and if they are glass they will break
You could also make it too tight to where it's hard to keep your star shape
So just enough twist to keep them together


Trim any excess wire and then with your needle nose pliers make a loop


Add your earring wires and you are finished!

This is so easy, and it only takes a minute to make.

You can use all one color of bead or mix it up with a variety of colors.
These beads are super cheap, and light weight.

Make earrings or use them as a necklace charm.

Have a great day
and 
Happy Crafting!

Tuesday, April 24, 2012

Computer problems :(

Hey guys! Just wanted to give you an update. I'm having computer problems and that's why I haven't posted in so long. My computers are in the process of being fixed so I should be back in a day or so. Fingers crossed!! Right now I'm posting from my phone...it literally took forever for me to figure our how to do this from my phone lol! Thank you for your patience!!

Wednesday, April 18, 2012

Face Magnet Fun


As I'm strolling thru the craft store today I came upon the magnet section.

I love magnets, they are fun, and you can do some much with them.
I found a 3 pack of Magnet Sheets and an idea popped in my head...Boing!

Here's what I did:


Bought these magnet sheets, they have paper on one side to color on, and magnet on the back.
I designed some faces on the computer and tried them in the printer.
They work!

OH! I almost forgot....


I snagged this round pizza pan at the Dollar Store!


I made one sheet with different mouth's...


Eyes....


And then noses and mustaches...gotta have the stashes!!

After printing those, I began to cut away.  Super easy to cut through.


Here they are all cut out!!

Now let the games begin!


The youngest with his first creation...that's supposed to be me
I'm flattered..really I am...


The oldest with his creation...not bad not bad.

So we've been having a blast making silly faces.  Ladies with mustaches, crazy looking dudes, you know all the good stuff.

I have a feeling when the kids go to bed, my hubs and I will make some silly faces too, it's addicting!

Now...am I considered a hoarder because I want to keep all of this..


I know I can do stuff with it!!
Don't judge me LOL...I know, it's weird, but you can color on this paper so I thought I'd cut out some shapes and let the little's make some fridge magnets.
OR
I may try drawing some new facial features with my Sharpies.
We need Ears, I totally forgot those, and maybe some gross stuff like...
Scars, Warts, Boogers..
And practical stuff like..
Sunglasses, Eye Glasses, Earrings..that sort of thing.

I'm sure I'll be back at the Craft store buying more magnet paper sheets before I know it.

Plus think of all the other possibilities..
Dress up dolls, Alphabet, Numbers, Animals, Farm....

My next Project...Star Wars!
The ships, and characters.  My son WOULD freak out!
This is perfect for in the car, or when you just need a few minutes of quiet.

I plan on making a pouch on the back to store all the magnets.

Have a great night 
and 
Happy Crafting!!

Monday, April 16, 2012

Creamer Container to Snack Container


This is the coolest idea ever!  Ok maybe not ever..but pretty darn ingenius if you ask me.

I will totally admit it's not my idea, wish I could say it was but I found it on Pinterest.

That pic is an actual pic of my empty Coffee Creamer Bottle from this morning.
Its the mega big bottle...yeah I'm one of those "I like a little coffee with my creamer" types :)
P.S. If you haven't tried the Italian Sweet Cream it is the BEST!!!


I cleaned out the container, peel off the wrapper (super easy) and filled it up with Goldfish!
This would be perfect for in the car, or in a bag, cause I don't know about you but sometimes Ziplocs just don't work out so well in the car and/or in your purse!

Let's face it, they tear, and they spill easy.
That's why this is so handy!

Tried out the pouring skills on this bad boy and it works fab-U-lous!


There's my youngest with a mouth full of Goldfish as his mother so conveniently told him to smile for the camera.  He's a good boy, thanks buddy!

So I'm totally loving this idea.  And you don't have to use it for dry snacks.
You can put OJ in it, Water, homemade creamer..what ev.
I doubt I will ever throw my empty creamer bottles away ever again!

Have a great day 
and 
Happy Crafting!

Side Note: I'd like to apologize for not posting these last 5 days.  We had a death in the family and had another one today.  It's been a very hard week for my family to say the least.  I understand all of you had no way of knowing that, but I lost TWO followers in those 5 days and it's a bummer.  I work hard to keep my blog going and to give you guys some useful fun crafts.  So to those two that left I have one thing to say to you..."Baby come back!"  Crafty Soccer Mom misses you!

Wednesday, April 11, 2012

Darth Maul Wallet


 So those of you who have followed my blog for some time know that I make a lot of stuff out of Duct Tape.  One of my biggest sellers is my Duct Tape Wallet.

My friends Mother asked me to make her grandson a Star Wars Wallet for his upcoming birthday.
His favorite character is Darth Maul....no surprise there, he's a popular one.

After what seemed like forever I finished the wallet...and I thought I'd share my skilzzzz with you guys.
Keep in mind this is my first Darth Maul attempt..so be gentle with me :)

Here is the front of the wallet with Darth Maul himself....scary look'n dude isn't he?


 
 And..here's the inside.  I also made the Star Wars logo for some added awesomeness

This wallet is 100% Duct Tape...handmade by yours truly.

So I had to put it to the test...First my 4 yr old son....The Lego Star Wars Master of the house
He approved.
Then on to my 12 yr old son....The I'll be totally honest with you person of the house
He thought it was Awesome!
Last but not least..The hubs..the I've been a fan since I was a kid and know it all of the house
He totally approved and was thoroughly amazed.

I guess I can say it was Kid Tested...Mother Approved!

But better yet, my friends Mom loves it and that's what matters  :)

To Check Out My Etsy Shop Click Here
 I'm currently working on more Wallets to add to my shop

Have a great night guys, 
and thanks for letting me brag show you the wallet I made today..
You guys Rock!



 


Tuesday, April 10, 2012

Baseball Bracelet Tutorial


I received a request from Owl Make it 4 you, to do a tutorial on how to make my Duct Tape Baseball Bracelet.

So Owl Make it 4 You...this one's for you!

Let's get started shall we...


You will need White Duct Tape and Red Embroidery Thread
If you are making this for Softball, use Yellow Duct Tape


I used a 1/8" Hole Punch
If you don't have one this small, you can make this using a Regular Hole Punch and Red Yarn.


Cut 2 strips of Duct Tape to 6 inches


Next fold over each piece in half, so that there is NO sticky present.
Tip: Start in the middle of the Duct Tape and work your way to each side so the fold is perfect.
If you still have some sticky showing around the edges, don't worry about it, we'll trim it later.


Next cut some holes with your Hole Punch.
Make sure your holes are along the folded side of the DT.
You can measure so they are exact or just eye ball it.



Next use a piece of tape to hold down the two strips in place, and start lacing the Embroidery Thread.


When you lace, you want to go under, and bring the thread up thru from the back as you criss cross.
An easy way to do this is, put the left thread under the right strip...take your right string and go under and out on the left side. Then take left string and bring it up thru the right side. 
If this is too confusing, refer to the picture.


Tie a loose not in the back and cut the thread.
You can see in this pic that I didn't use my last hole, that's because I didn't mean to Hole Punch that spot yet, because I need to use that for my end thread.  No worries, I can fix that in a minute.


Now cut one more 6 inch strip of Duct Tape and gently place your threaded strip on top.
Press down and smooth it out.
Now I just re-punched those holes on the left and punched some on the right.
Next I trimmed around all the edges, and rounded the corners.
You can keep the bracelet wide or trim it closer to the thread. 
Make sure you don't cut it right up next to the thread, leave some room.


Cut two long pieces of Embroidery Thread
Put the thread thru and tie a not in the back.


Here's the back

If you have any questions please feel free to email me.
This is actually very easy, however it always seems the easiest projects are the hardest to put into words when it comes to a tutorial :)

Owl Make it 4 You...I hope this was helpful and thank you for requesting this tutorial.

Have a great day
and
Happy Crafting.