Tutorial Bottlecap Pendant Necklace

So I know the title says necklace, but you can do quite a few things with these decorated bottlecaps.  I have made them for scrapbooking, magnets, as well as necklaces. So what you need to start is ofcourse bottlecaps which you can get everywhere on ebay  etsy. 1 inch size cirlce Digital collage sheets, you can purchase a wide variety here www.pixelsfromthepast.etsy.com   and 1" hole punch.  Mod Podge, and Diamond Glaze (judikins is a good brand) or self adhesive epoxy domes. Sticker paper makes the process a little easier, but not neccessary. If you are making necklaces you will need a bottlecap hole punch and jump rings (also easily available on etsy)  Ok let's get started.

1) Print out your collage sheet

2) If you used sticker paper go ahead stick it to your bottlecap on either side I like to use the inside The picture seems to hold better. If you don't have sticker paper, take your Mod Podge and lightly brush it on the bottlecap and stick the image on, then lightly brush the Mod Podge over the top of the image and let dry.

3) If you are using epoxy domes skip the mod podge step and put ypur epoxy dome on top, and skip ahead to hole punching. If you're using the mod podge once it's dry put the diamond glaze on top and let dry. I usually glaze 2 or 3 times. To avoid getting bubbles in the glaze squeeze on to a paper and brush on.

4) If you are making magnets once your caps are dry go ahead and hot glue or epoxy glue your magnets on. If you are using these for scrapbooking you're done. For those making necklaces take your bottlecap punch and make a hole in the top middle. and slip the ring through the hole and squeeze shut with pliers. You can do the hole punch step at the begining, but I prefer at the end because I always forget to line up the picture.

5) String your necklace through the hole, and Voila you're done!!!

These make great gifts, and I like to use them for party favors. These are quite popular with my girls and their friends. The Hello Kitty images seen in the picture can be purchased in my store, link above. If you do happen to purchase a collage sheet from my shop use the code blog10 for 10% off your purchase!! I always offer buy 3 get one free.

Autumn Themed Craft Ideas For Kids

I did a little research in some fun crafts for kids for fall. There are so many fun things to do with them indoors and out, to get them talking, and learning about all fall has to offer. Here are a few of my favorite project ideas. I hope you can find something here to keep your little ones hands busy. :)

1) Leaf project for toddlers.  http://www.ehow.com/way_5475979_fall-art-projects-toddlers.html

2) Handprint wreath for all ages http://www.dltk-holidays.com/fall/mautumnhands.html

3) Autumn wreath craft ages 6+ http://www.dltk-holidays.com/fall/mfallwreath.html

4) Iron on T-shirts Any Age Templates here http://www.dltk-kids.com/crafts/cartoons/shirts/autumn.htm

5) Corn Collage 5+ http://crafts.kaboose.com/corn-collage.html

6)  Mosaic Cornucopia 4+  http://crafts.kaboose.com/mosaic-cornucopia.html

7) Apple Printing 4+  http://crafts.kaboose.com/craft-apple-printing.html

FREEBIE DOWNLOAD Autumn Pennant Banner/ Bunting/Garland

A freebie for Friday!!! :) I have made a pennnt style banner with some great colors for fall and a couple vintage fall/ Thanksgiving images. Print it out and use all images or select your favorites. You can print it out a couple times for a longer garland or once for a shorter one. All you need to do is  right click the images and save, print and cut out, Enjoy!!

Last Minute Girls Costume Idea Ribbon waistband Tutu TUTORIAL

I really had no idea how I wanted to dress my smallest monster for Halloween.  So I did a little research on DIY costumes and came up with a tutu. So I thought great I will make her a tutu and pair it with a few other things I have around the house. This tutu requires no sewing (unless you use elastic, and in which case it's literally 1 stitch at the end) So you can either use ribbon or elastic and the rest is cutting and tieing. IT'S THAT SIMPLE!!!

Items rquired

Ribbon or elastic 
You can use what you have on hand as far as width goes if you need to purchase, satin ribbon is the best choice as the knots can be easily moved around, with a width of about 1/2 or 7/8 of an inch. The wider it is the bigger the bow will be when tieing the tutu on. I used 7/8 width grosgrain ribbon because I had some on hand and it worked great.

Tulle
 here's where it gets fun, pick whatever colors you love and don't be scared to get crazy!! I used pink purple and white (not so crazy, but it's for my little angel :) I bought about 5 yards worth which was more than enough for my toddler.

 A good pair of scissors

1) Start of by taking your ribbon and measuring around the waist of your subject. Make a mark on each side where the wasit ends, then add a little more length to make your bow.

2) Decide how long you want the tutu to be and cut your strips DOUBLE that length as you will be folding them in half.

3) Now to start knotting. You will be making slipknots. Take your strip fold in half with the loop held to the wastband. Now take the two tails that are hanging and put them through the loop and pull tight. now push the strip to your marked place and continue on till you have made it to the second mark. If you want a really full skirt be sure to push the strips really close together. It's very forgiving so if you make a mistake just keep going, you likley won't even notice.

4) You are now ready to tie on your tutu, and Voila you're finished!!!

Make your own Halloween Party Game Bean Bag Tutorial

For this years Halloween party we decided to do a bean bag toss. So for the bean bags, which are made very quickly and easily, you will need, fabric scraps any shape or size, scissors, sewing machine, some type of filling, (I used millet cereal) and thread. I find the easiest shape to make is a sqaure or rectangle.

1) Cut your fabric to your desired shape you need 2 identical pieces.

2) Put the pieces RIGHT sides facing eachother.

3) Sew around edges about 1/2 an inch in to ensure no holes for your beans to escape. :) Don't forget to leave a side open for filling.

4) Turn your fabric right side out and fill. I filled mine about halt to 3/4 full. That way you have plenty of space to sew shut.

5) Fold the open ends down and sew shut.

Voila you're all finished!!

Then we found a box folded in the top parts and painted it orange and black. The kids have been having a great time with this game since we made it, and we had fun making it too.

HALLOWEEN FREEBIE DOWNLOAD!!! Printable Vintage Style Lables

Whipped up a few fun vintagey looking lables for your halloween enjoyment. Feel free to print them and use them in your crafts and decorations, but please do not try to sell digitally.  These would be fun to use at halloween parties. All you need to do is right click the images and save they are formatted  8.5 x11 inches. You can print out on sticker paper and have yourself some ready to use lables.

A great DIY Halloween Project

I came across this great DIY Halloween project on another blog I subscribe to. The project is called clip on skeletons and all graphics and instructions are provided. I cannot wait to try this one with my girls. Here is the link to check it out.
http://www.graphicsfairy-diy.com/2012/10/printable-party-decor-clip-on-skeletons.html