Let’s Get Crafty

Let’s Get Crafty: Old Jeans

August 12, 2010 by GingerScraps

OK..Wow, it’s Thursday! What a week! I am not prepared for this at all! LOL! I thought it was Wednesday! Ha Ha! Well, I don’t have a tutorial for you today. But, I’m sitting here thinking, what the heck can I post about. Hmmm…looking at both of my sons sleeping on the couches. I have some pretty cool couches…there is not one person in the world who has my couches.

Well, yes of course, they are “home made” It all started years ago, my Dad, he is funny about jeans. If he get a tiny speck on his jeans he won’t wear them anymore. But, my Mom, being the crafty queen of the family, thinks, I can’t just throw these away, someday we will do something great with all these jeans.

Then there is me, I love denim, my living room is blue and yellow. A few years ago I bought some denim couches. They were pretty cute when I first bought them, but after a while I realize, this is not very good fabric they used on these couches. It’s like the cheapest, thinnest denim. If you spill, it stains…not good for a house full of kids. Bummer…I was about to have my 4th baby. Company coming to stay, and these couches look like crap.

Mom..help me! My Mom, she is amazing. She can make something beautiful out of nothing. So, we start thinking, I really love the idea of my denim couches, but these need help. “Hey, Julie dear daughter, I have a huge box a your Dad’s jeans I have been saving for years, lets remake your couch with them!” So, we cut and pinned and stapled and sewed. Well, Mom did most of the work and I sat there huge as a house 9 months pregnent braiding the trim for the arms. 🙂

I love my Jean couches, there are even pockets on them. My little boys love to put their cars in the pockets. The cover zips off so I can throw them in the wash. They are indestructible…and that is saying a lot in my house!

So, I will stop babbling and show you….

Pretty funky aren’t they! I love them! We have a new coffee table and new desk, repainted the living room since we made these couches. But the couches live on! It’s like your favorite pair of comfy jeans…only bigger.

So, I hope this inspires you to reuse something you thought you might throw or give away in to something fabulous!

Of course, you can always start of with something simple like a purse.

Yes, even after making a whole couch, we still had enought jeans left over to make a few tote bags.

Filed Under: Let's Get Crafty Tagged With: craft, denim, fabric, home made, recycle, reuse

Let’s Get Crafty: Gone Hybrid!

August 4, 2010 by GingerScraps

Who is ready to get Crafty! It’s Thursday! Yea!

So, you all see all these awesome Hybrid project in the galleries. You are thinking, man I really want to try that. But…it’s got to be so expensive. i don’t have the money to buy all those fancy supplies. Well, I am the queen of cheap! LOL! I love making Hybrid projects…but I don’t have a bottomless wallet! So, lets chat! How can you get started in Hybrid with out breaking the bank.

Some basic supplies…

*Scissors, small sharp ones work best, but I have even used my kids scissors when mine go missing…which happens a lot! lol

*Adhesive of some sort, there are 100’s of different adhesives out there, but really to get started all you need is a trusty old glue stick. My fave is the Pioneer Extra Strong Glue Stick. I get it at Wal Mart for like $1.50 or so. And we all have glue guns laying around. Mod Podge is great. It cost a little more that you might want..but it lasts forever. I have had the same bottle for years. And that 3D double sided tape is great. But, you don’t have to pay a lot for it. I get mine at the dollar store!

*Speaking of the Dollar Store, I love to find things at the Dollar Store to Embellish. I got these frames at the Dollar Store…gave them a little Hybrid love and what a great gift! The wooden letters came form the craft store but they were only like $5.00 for a huge pack of all different letters. I’ve been using them forever.

The flowers on this frame are not from the store. They are digi flowers from the kit I used, I just cut them out and inked the edges! Fold them a little on the edges. They look great!

*I get frames at the Thrift Store too! I even find craft supplies like ribbon, embroidery floss, buttons, glitter etc at Thrift Stores! You just have to look! Yard Sales are great too!

*Another great thing to have is distress ink. Start out with one color like black or brown. It’s only about $3.00. I actually only have those 2 colors and use them on almost all my hybrid projects.

*Distressing the edges on your projects really gives a nice finished look. You can go to the craft store and buy special “Distressing Tools” but, why not just go grab a piece of sandpaper out of the garage, a nail file works great too. You just need something that will “rough up” your edges a bit.

*A lot of times if you want to make a card or use one of the nifty “Hybrid Template” you will need to “Crease before folding.” Your fold will turn out way nicer id you crease them first. But, of course you don’t need any fancy tools for this either. You can use a magazine for a mat, an envelope or book for a straight edge if you don’t have a ruler, and even a butter knife or credit card will work as a “bone folder.”

*Now of course you will need a printer, ink and paper. My favorite paper is Epson Matte Photo Paper, but you can use cardstock too.

Now just get creative! Think of things in a different way. If you see a project that calls for “Chipboard” use a cereal box instead.

Like I used on this project….

How about these…I made them from coasters. Yes, those coasters they give you at Restaurants. Check these out….

So, come on! Do some Hybrid! You know you want to! 🙂 How about starting with GingerScraps “Sweet Cards” Challenge! Greeting cards are a super great way to get started in Hybrid!

Filed Under: Let's Get Crafty Tagged With: budget, challenge, craft, Crafts, hybrid

Let’s Get Crafty: CD Envelopes

July 29, 2010 by GingerScraps

It’s time to get crafty! Are you ready?

Today I’m going to show you a simple but useful project. As digital scrapbookers we all have millions of photos. I know I do. I’m also an amateur photographer and take pictures of friends and families in my community. I of course have to put all these photos on Cd’s. But then I will have these Cd’s full of pictures laying around. So, I make CD envelopes. The great thing about doing these Hybrid CD Envelopes is, you can take your digi kits and decorate the envelopes in themes to match whatever photos are on the CD.

You want to give the Grandparents a CD with family pictures on it for Christmas. Decorate the CD Envelope with a Christmas kit, have birthday pictures on the CD, decorate it with a birthday kit! What a great gift.

The envelope I did today is done with a little bit of a Western Theme. The photos I took were a a family and their horses. They were all wearing jeans and boots.

Let me show you how I did it!

The easiest way to make one of these envelope is to use a template. I used the CD/DVD Envelope Template by, Kelleigh Ratzlaff. She has some great Templates! Just clip your digi papers right to the layers on the template.

Of course you will need some digi paper, I used the Project 365 Scrap Your Life The Neutrals by, Scrappy Cocoa. The My Favorite Jeans Alpha by, HarmonyStar, and a cute little spur from the kit Buckaroo Blues by, Teri Mayo.

You will need a printer and some matte photo paper or cardstock, a glue stick and a bone folder (or whatever you have to crease the fold lines)

So, first step is to design your CD Envelope in your photo editing program. Easy Peasy. Just clip the papers to the layers and add a title or some elements to the front flap. Just remember to design the front flap upside-down. Then print..

Now cut it out and score on the fold lines.

Now fold where you scored…

Now glue and put it together. I like to use clothespins to hold it nice and tight until it dries. I also like to put little Velcro stickers to keep it closed too 🙂

Now put your CD in your envelope and you are done!

Here is another one I made for some photos of 3 girls.

I hope you make some too! See you next Thursday!

Filed Under: Let's Get Crafty Tagged With: CD Envelope, Crafts, hybrid

Let’s Get Crafty: Chalk Paint

July 21, 2010 by GingerScraps

Hi my crafty ladies! It’s Thursday, time for “Let’s Get Crafty” Did you miss me last week? Yes, I know…I forgot! These kids and all their friends are keeping me busy! And eating me out of house and home!

So, today I did a fun and easy project with the little boys. All without even going to the store to buy any supplies! We made “Chalk Paint” I got the recipe from “Family Fun Online” Love that site! Lots of great fun and simple project for the family.

Here is the recipe…

1/4 cup Cornstarch…..1/4 cup water…..few drops of food coloring…That’s it!

Now mix it up and get out your paintbrush and find yourself some concrete!

(Don’t you love my cute little glass bowls, .25 cents at a garage sale)

Now of course, my boys wanted a road painted with the Chalk Paint…it’s all about cars around here. They really loved it. Actually I am typing up this post and they are still playing on the chalk road right out my window!

(Notice the little bits of Homemade Playdough still on my patio, maybe I will teach you that next time.)

Looks like fun doesn’t it! Now of course you don’t have to paint a road. Paint whatever your little heart desires. Oh and you might have to make up a few batches. My boys have asked me for a few refills. Don’t worry about a mess either. Just take your hose a wash it away!

Filed Under: Let's Get Crafty Tagged With: chalk paint, craft, crafts with kids

Let’s Get Crafty: Felt Food

July 8, 2010 by GingerScraps

So, how are all my crafty friends today! Boy what a busy week. I forgot it was Thursday until this morning! Time for Let’s Get Crafty!

I hope you all had a nice holiday weekend in the USA. Ours was great. My boys loved the shirts I made them. They looked so cute!

Well…I haven’t made any craft projects this week! Can you believe that! I made so many flowers and headbands last week, I needed a break…and my laundry needed taken care of 🙂

So, I thought I would show you some of the felt food I made for my boys this winter. My boys love to play “Kitchen” They have a little microwave and blender etc. So, I googled “Felt Food” and there are tons of great ideas!

Here are the “Foods” I have made so far.

There are TONS of free patterns online. One of my favorites is this blog, The Keeper of the Cheerios She has one whole blog post with the best felt food patterns from around the web! I still want to make a sandwich, and some veggies…and more! Its addicting!

Another great place is Cut Out and Keep love this site!

Make some Felt Food for your kids! They will love it!

Filed Under: Digital Scrapbooking, Let's Get Crafty Tagged With: craft, Crafts, crafts with kids, felt, play food

Let’s Get Crafty: TeeShirt Ties

July 1, 2010 by GingerScraps

Hi my crafty friends! I broke out the sewing machine last night. I added some flair to some t-shirts for my little boys to wear on July 4th! It was super simple and cheap. Mine is a “boyish” design, but you could do a “girly” design too.

You will need…T-shirt mine’s from Target $4, some fabric, I found the perfect fabric at a thrift store for .50 cents! Some fusable webbing, craft store or Wal Mart. I have had some in my craft closet for years.Iron, sewing machine, scissors, thread, paper for pattern.

So first cut out your pattern. I just drew mine freehand and cut it out, but you can find everything online, just google it! Mine is a tie.

Next I cut my tie out of my fabric. Just pin it on and cut.

Now you need to add your fusible web…I forgot to take pictures of this step, but just follow the directions on the packaging. It’s easy. I just laid my tie on the glue side of the fusible web, pinned it, cut it out, then ran the iron over it to attach. You will have the glue side stuck to the fabric and the paper side facing out on the back. Now you can attach it to your t-shirt. So peel the paper off, place it where you want on you t-shirt and run the iron over it.

Now you want to zigzag stitch all around your design.

All done! Ready to wear! Pretty darn cute too!

My 2 little boys will be so cute!

Now ladies if you make one of these you better show me! 🙂

Filed Under: Let's Get Crafty Tagged With: Crafts, fabric, July 4th, t-shirt decor

Let’s Get Crafty: Craft Rooms

June 24, 2010 by GingerScraps

It’s time to get crafty again! OK, so this Thursday has totally snuck up on me! For one reason! I have been busy getting crafty! HaHa. I live in a community that throws a huge celebration for July 4th. This year I am getting a craft booth…so, i have been getting ready! Let’s hope I sell it all!

This is what my dining room table looks like…

I need a craft room. But with 6 people in a 3 bedroom house. I guess I can’t claim one of the bedrooms for crafts! Hey, at least the kids have some room on the table to eat!

So, for now I guess I will just dream about my craft room…and someday…someday….maybe…one of these….

OK..I will stop dreaming now. So, ladies, do you have a dream craft room. If you do you better share!

Filed Under: Let's Get Crafty Tagged With: craft rooms, Crafts, dream

Let’s Get Crafty: Duct Tape

June 17, 2010 by GingerScraps

It’s Thursday! Time to get crafty! Let’s talk about Duct Tape. I love Duct Tape. My boys think you can fix anything with the stuff! But…it’s not only for sticking things together. You can make fun stuff with it. It comes in tons of colors now! My son Chris makes wallets to give his friends. You can make purses, flowers, bows, even cloths! Check out these Prom Outfits!

Pretty crazy huh! Can you imagine!

Now me, I like to make bows and flowers. The bows are super simple and take no time at all. They look so cute in the hair!

I found a UTube Video on how to make them and now I can whip them right up!

My very favorite Duct Tape project is the flowers! I love making them. They are so cute and people freak when I tell them it’s Duct Tape!

These ones have pin backs on them. They look so cute pinned on my Jean jacket, or top, or even pinned on my tote bag.

This one is on a Bobby Pin, right in my nieces hair.

I love these! You want to learn how to make some! I pretty much followed THIS Tutorial I came across one day. I do it pretty much the same way, but used thread since I didn’t have fishing line, and I sew my buttons on with embroidery floss. I have a thing about empty button holes. LOL! I can stand to see them glues on with no thread going through the holes. Anal..I know. I also added some leaves to mine.

But, aren’t these just the cutest things!

You know you want to make some! Got for it! You will love them. Oh and BTW, you can get all these Duct Tape colors at Target, or any craft store!

Have Fun!

Let’s Get Crafty!

Filed Under: Let's Get Crafty Tagged With: Bows, Crafts, Duct Tape, Flowers

Let’s Get Crafty: Hybrid Graduation

June 10, 2010 by GingerScraps

Today is the first of our new Thursday “Let’s Get Crafty” Feature! I will be sharing with you all kinds of crafty goodness! Hybrid of course will be one of the many topics we will cover!

Today I will be showing you how to make a Hybrid Graduation Cap Greeting Card from the New Template in the GingerScraps Store by Wyld Web Designs!

This was Charmaine’s very first try at designing a hybrid template and she did a fabulous job! Perfect timing for me too! My niece graduates High School on Friday! So let’s get started.

What I used for this project was…

The Graduation Cap Template, A digi paper in the color you want you cap to be. I also used the perfect Word Art for this project! The Graduation Day Word Art by, Kathy Winters at GingerScraps. I also used the Doodle Borders by GingerScraps.

You will also need a printer and some nice card stock or Matte photo paper to print on, a glue stick or some tape something to score your folds, and some ribbon to make a tassel!

The first step is to design your card in Photoshop (or whatever program you use to digi scrapbook) Its is so easy with this template, you just clip you paper to the layers. Then add the word art. This took me like 2 minutes! Maybe even less. Then print it out on your photo setting of your printer.

After the ink is nice and dry cut it out and score on the dashed lines. You should always score before folding for nice crisp folds.

Now fold on the lines you just scored.

Now glue the curved piece together to make the bottom of the cap and glue it to the bottom of the card. Just put glue on the tabs and press it on with your bone folder or a Popsicle stick or something. Just to make a nice good hold.

You can add a little tape too if you would like. Now for the tassel, you can always just go buy a tassel at the craft store, but, I didn’t have any tassels on hand so I just took a few pieces of ribbon about 6 inches long each, folded them in half and tie another piece of ribbon around the top to hold them together.

Punch a hole in the corner of your card and tie the tassel on with another piece of ribbon! So simple and what a Great impression this card will make!