Upcycle those Old Tarnished Ornaments with the Look of Embossing with Glue

 

Glass Ornaments Upcycled

I have so many older ornaments that keep getting put back into my Christmas boxes….I just can never seem to throw them away….

I love the technique of the Look of Embossing with Glue….I’ve been doing for years with momma Aleene’s Tacky glue…..It’s funny ’cause it is probably a vintage technique…yet it always seems timeless.

Here is a video that I did on Cool2Craft to show you the technique….keep in mind there are so many ways to use this technique.

All you need is Aleene’s Tacky Glue or try one of the newer glues like Aleene’s Fast Grab or Aleene’s Quick Dry….these two work well on the curved surfaces of the ornaments.   I put on a piece of scotch tape on the nozzle to create a fine line flow of the glue.  I used an empty tomato paste can to hold my ornament while I put the glue on.  Squeeze the glue onto the ornament into any design you want…let the glue dry until it is clear….then spray paint with Rustoleum White Flat paint. ( yes I know spray paint is not very eco friendly…. you can use acrylic paint… I would suggest applying a acrylic paint with a cosmetic sponge.. let paint dry in between coats…it will probably take about three coats.).. When paint dries completely you can color with the chalk.  I used the Decorating Chalks ( the ones used in scrapbooking) and brush them on with a hard bristle brush.  You can use any colors of the chalk to change the look. If you want to seal the ornaments, use a Workable Fixative that can be used over chalks (always test first)

Enjoy Creatively Recyling

EcoHeidi

 

 

 

Vintage Technique-Greeting Cards

On the Pj party this week I’m sharing this is a cool ‘vintage’ technique. I was out in the ‘Shed’ checking out the archives from momma Aleene’s….  the other day and came across this …It came from the  40′s and 50′s….. making greeting cards with glue and facial tissue (Kleenex)… glitter, confetti or whatever you have around the house that is flat. We use to use pressed dried flowers.

Vintage Technique- Greeting Cards

Here’s what you will need:

Aleene’s Tacky Glue-1 Tablespoon.

Water- 2 Tablespoons

Plastic Cup

Stir Stick/craft stick

Paper- Construction paper works best ( but for my samples I used scrapbook papers)

Brush

Assorted Confetti paper or metallic, Glitter, tinsel, paper shreds, anything that is flat

White Facial Tissue (like Kleenex)

Waxed paper

Brown Grocery Bag

Iron

Procedure:

Combine the glue and the water in the plastic cup. Mix thoroughly with the craft stick. Cut a piece of paper (white works best) a little large than desired size of card. Brush thinned glue mixture on one side of the paper. Sprinkle confetti etc. onto the glue covered paper. Remove bottom plies of the facial tissue. Center and lay 1 ply of the facial tissue on top of the confetti arrangement. Using the brush, gently dab thinned glue mixture on top of the tissue at saturate, wrinkling tissue slightly and bring sure to cover edges of tissue. Sprinkle glitter over wet tissue. Let dry.

Cut a piece of wax paper a little larger than design. Center  and lay waxed paper pn top of design. Place design between 2 layers of brown bag. Iron until flat. Discard brown bag layers and wax paper. Cut desired background color of paper to desired size to finish card.  Fold paper in half to create a card. Center and glue to front. let dry

Be sure to experiment with other items…. I think it needs to have lots more  on the card….I was trying to do mine to quickly and didn’t put enough.. So play around and send me photos of your creativity with this cool technique.

Check out the PJ party  http://apps.facebook.com/inspiredathome   every Wed nights at 6pm Pt

EcoHeidi

Recycling Tin Cans into Gift Cans

Did you see Cool2Craft this week? I had such a great time creating this cool project from tin cans and Cool2Cast plaster from Cool2Craft. It’s a great way to first recycle tin cans into gift cans and second it’s useful.  I know it’s been done thousands of times but it’s always fun just to spark our creativity and see a new version.

Recycle Tin Cans into Gift Cans

When opening your cans, be sure to use a ‘Smooth Edge’ can opener. When it cuts the can, it creates a cap from the lid and there are no sharp edges.   I then filled the lid with a little bit of Cool2Cast plaster. Let it dry and rubber stamped the top.  You can decorate the sides any way you want. I collage-d one, put fabric around on one and also just rolled the can in the plaster….let it dry and decorated the plaster with alcohol inks and acrylic paints.

I went with a ‘Wish’  theme and rubber stamped…’I wish you love’….Wishing you dreams come true …wishing you Happiness!!!

If you want to watch the replay of my demo on the Cool2Craft web Tv show, here’s the link:

http://cool2craft.wordpress.com/2010/07/19/cool2craft-live-tv-july-19-2010-its-cool/

Also check out all the other wonderful designers on the show:

Me Heidi Borchers – www.ecoheidi.com

Linda Peterson – www.lindapetersondesigns.blogspot.com and www.craftechuniversity.com

Lorine Mason – www.divaschmivas.com

Tiffany Windsor  – www.cool2craft.com and www.tiffanywindsor.com

Just being EcoFriendly….

EcoHeidi

Todays Cool2Craft Show

Today’s Cool2Craft show was fabulous. So many great ideas.  If you missed it, you can always watch the play back from this link  http://www.linqto.com/PlaybackRoom.aspx?roomname=cooltocraft&name=SingleExplicit_2010_07_05_11_00_05_809

Remember to check out http://www.cool2craft.com There are some very cool products, kits etc on the  marketplace.

I showed how to make soda can flowers for your garden……

Soda Can Flower

Andrea Currie Made very cool plastic drinking straw pendants check out her web site  http://www.andreacurriecrafts.com

Linda Peterson made the cutest pendant with Friendly Plastic- and she has some fabulous classes on her site  http://www.craftechuniversity.com

Tiffany Windsor demo’d her designs using the new TAP transfer paper- so very cute http://www.cool2craft.com

Check these all out and come join us on Mondays  LIVE on  http://apps.facebook.com/cooltocraft it’s like watching TV on your computer.   9 am PT… noon ET

Invite your friends

EcoHeidi

Just love my Tea!!!

Love My Tea

I just made this project for Cool2Craft’s June 28th Show.   I love anything about tea…. tea cups…tea pots….tea parties…drinking tea….all the different flavors of the teas…. . love  my tea…..

And I now have these letters available for sale that you can say what you love…. check out the marketplace on http://www.cool2craft…; the letters are available plain (as shown below) or painted black.

Letters now For Sale on Cool2Craft

Think of all the personalizing you can do with these cool letters.

I’m thinkin of using them in my mosaics… name plaques….address plaques…mixed media….altered art….

So check out the  http://www.cool2craft.com marketplace    and come join us on Mondays at 9am PT at Cool2Craft   http://apps.facebook.com/cooltocraft for live demos on creative projects.

How cool is that?

EcoHeidi

btw: there is also a ‘get you started’ kit for the tea mirror above…

Sharing some ‘GREEN BLING’

My Green Bling Kit

My Green Bling Bracelet design by Cheryl Nordblom

I just love it when one someone shares with me what they made from seeing my designs. Well Cheryl Nordblom did just that!  She purchased one of my Green Bling Kits. The kit makes three bracelets and she just kept going…  Look at all the cool bracelets she made!! Way to EcoCraft  Cheryl!!

And Thanks for sharing

EcoHeidi

Paper Napkin Ideas

I’m not sure when I became obsessed with paper napkins…..probably at the same time I discovered buttons.  But I have to tell you I can not pass up  perusing the paper napkin aisles in my favorite stores, often purchasing  a package here or there.  When I say paper napkins, it’s not just plain old napkins, it’s the beautiful decorative ones I love.  You might fine them in cocktail size, or dinner size or even guest towel size. They are an art form all by themselves.

Here are a few designs I’ve made….Napkin Pillows …Simply iron each napkin you will be using to remove the fold lines. Choose a napkin for the front and one for the back. Place them wrong sides together and stitch around three sides.  Fill with polyfill and stitch the remaining side.  These paper napkin pillows are surprisingly durable…. and they are disposable when you are done with them. So it’s instant decor and toss them away when you want to change them.  Or keep for another napkin project from below……(Keep the poly fill for the next pillow)

Sunflower Paper Napkin

Animal Print Paper Napkin Pillow

Next Napkin project- same technique but small sizes…Make beautiful sachets from the paper napkins….. stitch same as above, fill with herbs or potpourri. Makes a great hostess gift

Paper Napkin Sachets with Fish motif

Celestial Paper Napkin Sachets

Then there’s nothing like cutting out pieces of the paper napkins and creating a napkin applique. Simply cut out napkin designs, remove the excess layers (usually there are two extra) with a brush, apply an even coat of Aleene’s Collage Pauge on a prepared background. ( for my frame I put a base coat of an ivory acrylic paint let dry) Carefully place napkin into wet Collage Pauge. Then cover napkin with another coat.

Paper Napkin Applique on wood frame

Continue cutting out napkin until frame is completely covered. I also wrote words on my frame.

Words on my paper Napkin Applique Frame

And those are some of my ideas using paper napkins.

Keep on Creating

EcoHeidi

BTW: I do have a  paper napkin  kit I’ve put together. It’s a selection of napkins from my collection check it out on http://www.cool2craft.com click on marketplace

Mosaic-ing is really very easy!!! Really it is!!!

Just a few simple techniques and anyone can do it!! I’m not quite sure how many hundreds of people I’ve taught in my classes for mosaic…..but  I’ve never had anyone ‘fail’ at it.  No one!!! Every student has always come out of class saying I can’t believe I just did this and it was so easy!!!

I was a beginner once too and I’ve learned how to teach it from that perspective.  Easy Easy Easy!!!  That’s why I picked Mosaics for this week’s 4/26 Cool2Craft project. It’s a technique that once  you learn it, it will be with you forever.

Mosaic Angel on Paver

Here is another mosaic from my collection. This angel was created on a cement paver from Lowe’s.  The wings are just a heart I cut from a scrap of wood.  She’s fun and easy to do.

Oh btw: I do have a book available… The Beginners Guide to Mosaics

Don’t ya just love it

EcoHeidi

No sorry the angel is not in my book

Starbucks Energy Drink Can Transformed

Creative Recycling at it’s best.  I just love the look these have.  The flowers are made from the beautiful cans that the Starbucks energy drinks come in. This necklace is available on my marketplace.

Flowers Made from Starbucks Energy Drinks

Don’t ya just love them

EcoHeidi

Learn Mosaic on Cool2Craft

Easy to do Mosaic Tile

Don’t ever throw away another broken plate….cup….

Monday April 26th at 9am PT…is Learn to Mosaic Day on Cool2Craft.  I have this fabulous easy technique to show you the basics on mosaic.  I’m thinking we can even fit in how to Grout!!! What do you say?? Are you with me??

I simply love this technique…. it’s a technique you will use for a lifetime.

Use plastic alphabet letters to say what you mean

See aren’t these FUN!!!  Think of all the gifts you could make with this technique

See ya there on April 26th at 9amPT

http://apps.facebook.com/cooltocraft

btw: Check out my book “Beginners Guide to Mosaics’ Heidi Borchers