Studio 5: Creative Clothes Pin Crafts

You know that feeling you get when you make something and you're super proud of it?  You smile, you stand back and admire, you wonder who in your family would appreciate your craftiness...and then you call your friend. :)

That's exactly how I felt making this clothes pin pine tree.  I really can't get enough of it.    It's very old-world to me, rustic, yet modern.  
Initially I planned on doing just wreaths for Studio 5 (see below) but found an example of a tree made with the clothes pins.  I liked the idea, but wanted to improve on the design.  The trees I had seen online all used a paper towel base.  I used a foam tree form available at any craft store.  This is a more sturdy base, plus when you apply the hot glue on the clothes pin, they melt into the base a bit, making it more secure.

I stained the clothes pins with Antique Walnut, which gives it a nice warmth.  You could paint the pins, but what I really love about this is the decorative lines at the end of each pin, which really pops with the stain.  Use a stray stain though, it goes much, much quicker.  I just placed all my pin halves in a box.  Took it outside to spray.   Keep shaking the box to expose more unstained areas until completed.  It dried pretty quickly, but give it about 30 minutes.

I picked up Happy Holiday Lazer cut wood piece at Michaels Crafts.  LOVE IT!  I use a different design a little farther down.

I had the berry garland on hand and really debated on using it, as I truly love it bare, but in the end, liked the pop of red.
You'll need the following supplies to make this tree.

1. Foam Tree Base 12" high (but you could do any size)
2. 100 Clothes pins (3 1/4")
3. Antique Walnut Spray Stain
4. Hot Glue
5. Toilet paper roll
6. Tree topper and/or decorations

Spray Foam Tree form until covered and dark.
Pull apart all the clothes pins, place some in a box and spray stain until everything is covered.  Repeat until all the pins are stained.

Apply Hot glue to back of (on top only) to four pins at a time.  This will save time, plus give the glue a chance to cool off a bit.

Start with just four pins in each corner of form, about 1" from bottom at about 45 degree angle.  Continue to fill in until pins are tight together, but not overlapping.

Continue to build layer upon layer, overlapping and placing pins so the fall in between pins below.  This will work for the first few layers, but as the form becomes narrower, you will start to use less pins per row, so you'll have some pins that will fall right on top of the pin below.  No worry, just make sure on tne next row, you place pins on either side of that doubled up pin.

As you get higher it becomes more challenging, but don't stress about it too much, as after the tree is done you can go back and fill in some blanks with extra pins.

The hardest part is the top, as it's very narrow.

Cut a piece of toilet paper roll 1 1/2" wide and form a cone, hold in place with hot glue.  Glue this to the top of the cone to create an extension of the form and something for the pins to adhere to.  Use 8 pins for the top.  Leave a bit of space between opposing pins so you can place the star ornament in it (if you are using it).  

Enjoy, this was SO much fun to make!

Photo Clothes Pin Wreath

It was something like this that inspired the whole clothes pin crafty time!  But of course, clothes pins are practical as well, they do, afterall, pin things, so why not photos!  This a wreath I made for my son and his new bride.  VERY quick and fun to make.

You'll need a 12" craft ring, 60 clothes pins (I used two different sizes; 3 1/4" and 2 3/4"), decorative scrapbooking paper, hot glue and various decorations.





Cut all your paper to the size of the clothes pins you're using.  Glue them on top of the clothes pins.  For a finished look, lightly sand off the edges.  Position all the clothes pins so they are evenly spaced.  Remove one at a time and glue in place.  I positioned every other clothes pin pin-side out and every other pin-side in.

Clothes Pin Necklace

Clothes pins come in all sizes.  I glued these tiny gold ones on a key ring and then glued a decorative button in the center.  I actually wore this on Studio 5 but we completely forgot to mention it.  But if you want to see what it looks like watch the video.

Funny thing...the morning I taped Studio 5 I was watching Good Morning America.  They showed a picture of Chloe Kardashian and guess what she was wearing?  A very similar sunburst design as earrings.  Hey!  I'm trendy!

Clothes Pin Votive

This is BY FAR the easiest project using clothes pins.

You need a tuna can and 17 clothes pins.

Spray the tuna can some neutral color and let dry thoroughly.

Pin along edge.  You really don't need to glue.  I think took it outside, held the base in my hand sprayed just the tops of the pins with a oak spray stain.  It was simple and pretty just like that, but you could add a simple jute and flower (below) or be more decorative as wish.

A row of these will be pretty as a centerpiece on my Thanksgiving table.
















More to come!

Q's Creative Class: Christmas Village BONUS Home decor.

Who doesn't love to multi-purpose?  Christmas Village Card Class does just that with easy to transform card fronts into a Christmas banner or 3D Christmas village.  

String village and banners together with a sparkly trim and deck your mantle, window or wall.

Or mount card fronts on boxes for a handmade Christmas village!

 You can learn more about Christmas Village Class here.

 

Renovate my office or QUIT: part 1

Ok, let's start by saying this is way, way, way, way overdue.

I would love to be able to say that it wouldn't bother me for you to see just how bad this room was before I gutted it, but yup, it does.  It was an embarrassment and frankly, I hated working in there.  It was heavy and un-inspiring, messy and disorganized.

About 15 years of super creativity: 1000's of projects for magazines, classes, videos, television and my own card group, not to mention owning a crafting store for 2 years, it was completely overrun with product, projects and no real space to put it all.  I would make attempts at organizing over the years and you might be surprised to know that I actually did know where everything was, it just wasn't fun getting to it!

It took some guts, time and money to commit myself to this project.  I also needed the help of my husband.  He was not thrilled when I proposed this summer project.  I don't blame him.  He spent the bulk of last year renovating other parts of our house and deck.  He wanted to spent his summer on his motorcycle, not in my office!

Normally, I would be understanding and supportive and give in to his suggested winter 2015 timeline, but really, I just couldn't.  I told him I would quit if I can't have a new work space to live in.  Now I suppose that sounds a drama queen, but I wasn't kidding.  The time was right for me.  Not him, but me.  It sounds selfish, I know, but if you know me, you know it's not.

My class schedule is Sept - June.  I take the summer off.  I knew this project would be so huge that I would need lots of uninterrupted time to complete the task.  So after several conversations (I'll call them that!) we decided to move forward.

I knew I could do a lot of it myself, but I'm not an electrician (neither is Steve, but really, he can do anything!), or good at baseboards and such.

The first step was gutting it.  Fifteen years of stuff had to be removed from my small room (it is now been donated or strewn throughout my downstairs family room and guest rooms...driving me crazy actually!).

Lights!  This was huge!  My office was very dark.  Steve put in some warmer lighting and now there are no dark corners.  I don't even need a desk lamp anymore.

Paint.  Pretty, soothing, light aqua color.
Floor.  wood laminate.  Love it!  I did it and was sore for days afterwards.
Baseboards.

Custom cabinets.  The door to this room is through what used to be a closet for a bedroom.  The dimensions were weird, so I had to go custom and pay for it!












Ikea.  SO grateful we have one close by.  Saved my budget!  I can say I'm pretty much an expert at putting Ikea things together! :)

I spent ages on the internet trying to find a configuration that would work for my work patterns.  I needed a deep desk to accommodate printers, cutters and still have work to design.  This desk really works for me.  And I feel like a kid when I roll from one side to the other!

I really needed to lighten up the darkest corner of our house and went with all white.  Because the desk is so deep I can take advantage of all that space and use Ikea's drawer unit underneath.  This is a great use of space for me.  They are all on rollers so I can easily access them.

Well, this is as far I am right now.  There is currently more ikea boxes on the floor however, a project for tonight.  There is still SO much to do, but I don't want to rush it.  As impatient as I am, I want to do this right.

Going through my old plastic storage units and re-organizing them into the ikea drawer units. Making the most out of this precious space and retreating from the rest of the house.

Hoping to share part 2 of this renovation (hopefully the LAST part of this project) in August.
I encouraged my students to work on their creative spaces this summer, so I'm wondering how it's all going?  I also encouraged you all to get caught up on kits you haven't put together yet.  

It'll be SO nice to start fresh & clean in September...I've got such fun Kits to share with you!

Leave a comment & let me know!

Studio 5: 3-D Paper Ornaments Video

Studio 5: 3-D Paper Ornaments

Scrapbooking paper is gorgeous but flat. 
  
Transform those beautiful patterns into 3-D ornaments with 4 simple steps. Cut, score, fold and adhere 

Circle Ornament

{pretty like round ornaments that can be hung or just scattered for decor.  Keep one top off to use as a place setting or a goodie bag/favor.}

Probably the simplest of the 3 ornaments to make because most of us have a circle punch.  use between 1 1/2" to 2" circle punches. 

You'll need a total of 20 circles, but punch a few extras.

Create a triangle template to make the folding very easy (you can download it with my free templates).

Simple place triangle in center of circle and fold edges over.  Repeat with all 20 circles.  Adhere 10 of them together in a row, then adhere together to create a ring.   Adhere five in a circle (cap) and repeat with the last 5 circle.

Adhere one cap to ring.

Before you adhere the other cap on, thread string through a small button and place inside cap, threading string through top hole.  This will keep the string in place.  Adhere cap to complete ball.

I like to cover up the intersections of each circle with decorative pins (look in sewing or wedding department of craft store) or brads work as well.  Place a small micro glue top at base of each pin head before inserting into hole/intersection, this will keep it from falling out.

 Options: 

Leave a cap off to create a place setting.  Cut a bamboo skewer down and insert into top hole.  Print names on cardstock, trim and adhere to skewer with glue dots.

Create a goodie/favor bag by leaving a cap off and adhere a strip of cardstock to create a hanger.  Use a brad to secure each end.

Hanging Ornament shapes

{The simplest score - in half!  Lots of options here, as you could use any ornament shape as long as it's symmetrical. You can use punches, free hand, find shapes on the internet or die-cut.}

 Download free template and trace on patterned paper.  I used 11 shapes, but you could use less or more for a fuller look.

Score each shape in half lengthwise.

Start adhere each half to another half, alternating patterns.  Before you close the final piece, thread string (I used elastic cording, found in beading department) with decorative beads and lay in center of ornament lengthwise.  Now you are ready to close the final piece.

Thread another bead on top and knot cord.

You can keep the beads in place with strategically placed mini or micro glue dots.  Use the tip of a pin to place glue dots, don't use your fingers (it's impossible!).

Barnyard 3-D Stars

{Lots of fun options with these shapes once they are done.  Hang as an ornament, fill a wreath or use as a present topper.}

Cut out free template with scissors, die-cut or punch star shapes.

Score from one valley to opposite point.  Repeat with all five points/valleys.  Fold, crease well and shape into 3-D shape. 

You can strengthen shape by placing 1/2" foam squares (do not peel off top backing) in each point.  The sides of the foam squares will help to hold it's shape.

To decorate you can thread some thin wire through a button and through center of star (just poke through).  Twist to secure.  You can also glue dot gems in center.

To make wreath make your wire lengths longer and use them to secure to wreath.

To make double sided ornament, use micro glue dots at very tips of each point and attach to other side.