Crafting With Patience

Today Patience and I decided to make some quick and easy flower hair clips. She found some artificial flowers at the craft store that she liked so we brought them home.

This is definitely a project she could do mostly by herself so I let her have at it. After all, she is the designer behind my Miss Patience Bag which is for sale in my Etsy shop. And she is 9 years old, I'll have her on a sewing machine before long.

What you need to make the Miss Patience Flower Hair Clip is a small artificial flower, a small scrap of felt, a shiny rhinestone, a snap clip, needle and thread, scissors and glue.

You have to remove the hard plastic parts from the middle of the flower. Then keeping the flower layers lined up, sew the layers together with a couple of stitches close to the middle.

Now glue a small felt circle onto the back of your flower.

Pick out a shiny rhinestone and glue to the center of your flower.

Now glue your snap clip on the back.

And that's all there is to it!

Miss Patience and her flower clip.

From My Scrap Bag...Half Marble Magnets

I found this bag of clear glass half marbles on the clearance rack and thought, oh goodie, I will make myself some magnets.

Here is how I did it. You will need clear glass half marbles. I don't know if that is the correct name for these or not, but for today they are half marbles.

You need some decoupage glue or other glue that dries clear. I used Mod Podge matte finish. You can also have a gloss finish glue too to give them extra shine.

I didn't really know what was the optimal thing to use on the back-paper or fabric and what kind. So I just experimented. Thin tissue paper or decoupage paper would probably work very well, but I didn't have any of that. So I used decorative paper and cotton fabric.

And then you will need magnets. Whatever size you have is ok so long as they can't be seen from the front.

Make sure your marble is clean and doesn't have bubbles or scratches in it. Put a thin even layer of glue on the flat side of your marble. Lay in on your paper or fabric, making sure your design is centered. Let dry.

Once they are thoroughly dry trim off the extra paper or fabric. Then use more glue on the edges. When this is dry you can add your gloss finish if you used thin paper.

Glue your magnet on the back and you're done! Here are some I did using fabric. And then I glued them on a felt flower and then glued the magnet on the back.

Well the pictures didn't show them off too well. You'll have to trust me that they are cute. I hope you try this.

Tuesday Tutorial: Potpourri Tray

Those of you who read my other blog have seen this project already, but I thought I would include it here as well for those who haven't seen it.

What to do with an old picture frame: make a potpourri tray

Acquire an old frame. Take the backing off and remove glass. Wash entire frame and glass.

Prepare the frame surface for painting, you might have to do some sanding . Paint surface with 2 coats paint, I used acrylic paint. Let dry completely between coats. Spray with a sealer if desired.

When completely dry put frame back together. In place of old picture, pick a new one or use a nice piece of scrapbook paper like I did, or fabric. I added a nice and simple ribbon bow, but you can add all sorts of things to make it as done-up as you want.

It is no longer a picture frame, it’s on it’s way to being a tray. So turn your soon-to-be tray over. Use E-6000 glue or hot glue to attach simple drawer knobs at the corners. Make sure it sits well and is not wobbly.

Then add your potpourri. All done!