Version: TP Tube Valentine Gift Boxes

Today I'm going to share with you how to make these adorable Valentine Gift Boxes from upcycled TP tubes!!  They take a little bit of work, but are totally worth it!!

When using another blog's tutorial as inspiration, I always like to take a moment to tell you about that blog and the original tutorial. I just think that's the right thing to do, don't you?

Today's project was created based on the

Upcycled TP Roll Burlap Stuffed Ornaments Tutorial over at The Artsy Girl Connection.

Marilyn's blog, The Artsy Girl Connection, is packed full of fun tutorials and much more!!  

  If you enjoy linky parties, you definitely need to check out "Pin'Inspirational Thursdays"!!  Also, be sure to check out Marilyn's "Causes/Projects" page where you can find her current bloggy and volunteer events.

I couldn't help but fall in love with Marilyn's Christmas-themed "Upcycled TP Roll Burlap Stuffed Ornaments" tutorial, because of my love for burlap and upcycling!!  Since Valentine's Day is fast approaching, I knew that a Valentine version would be perfect!!

Here's the TP Tube Valentine Gift Box tutorial...

SUPPLIES

TP Tubes

Scrapbook paper or cardstock

Burlap

Chipboard or grey-board

Ribbon

Glue

Step 1: CUT PAPER

Cut pieces of scrapbook paper or cardstock that will completely cover the TP tube.

Note: My pieces were 4.3"x6", but yours may require a different size.

Step 2: COVER ROLLS

Place a 1/2"-1" strip of glue from one opening in the roll to the other.

Line up your paper and press firmly.

Glue the other end of the paper down, making sure the paper is snug against the roll.

Step 3: FLATTEN ROLLS

Flatten the roll with the paper "seam" centered on one side.

Step 4: CUT BURLAP

Cut a 2.5" wide piece of burlap that will wrap all the way around the roll and have about 3/4" to overlap.

Note: I chose to remove 1-2 strands of the burlap from each of the longer sides.

Step 5: ATTACH BURLAP

Glue one of the shorter sides near the paper seam.

Wrap the burlap around the roll and glue down the other end.

Step 6: ROUND THE ENDS

Round the ends of the rolls as shown above.

Step 7: FOLD ENDS

Fold in the front and back "flaps" on each end of the tube, making sure the fold is curved as shown above.

Once folded, the tube should look like the photo below...

Step 8: ADD TAGS, FILL, & CLOSE

Cut or punch hearts out of your scrapbook paper or cardstock and out of chipboard or grey-board.

Glue a paper heart to a chipboard or grey-board heart.

Punch a hole towards the top of the heart.

Fill the box with candies or a small gift and re-close.

Thread a ribbon through the hole in the heart and tie the ribbon around the pillow box, finishing it off with a bow.

FINISHED!!

Be sure to check out Marilyn's Upcycled TP Roll Burlap Stuffed Ornament Tutorial to see the original project and to get more ideas for your own upcycled TP tube project!!

Thanks for reading!!  Until next time...

Version: Recipe Box Renovation

I'm super excited to share this Recipe Box Renovation tutorial with you today!!

Before I get into the tutorial, I want to take a moment to tell you about While He Was Napping, the great blog where I found the original Recipe Box Renovation project!!

Krista has so many wonderful projects and sooo much more!!  You definitely need to visit While He Was Napping and maybe even link up to the Weekend Wander linky party that takes place every week!!

If you're expecting or know someone who is, then be sure to follow While He Was Napping because the Bundles of Baby event starts January 29th!!  I can't wait for this event because I have friends who are expecting or have recently had children!!

A couple months ago I linked up to the Weekend Wander linky party over at While He Was Napping.  Afterwards, I found a perfect Recipe Box Renovation tutorial as I was looking through all of the great tutorials Krista has there. I knew right away that I had to make one too!!

Krista's tutorial is so thorough, so if you plan on "renovating" your recipe box, you definitely need to take look at her step-by-step Recipe Box Renovation tutorial.

Let's get started on my tutorial for my version, shall we?

SUPPLIES

$1 Recipe box

Various papers

Fabric

Cheesecloth

Decoupage medium

Glue

Lace (or ribbon)

Stamp & stamp pad

Buttons

Step 1: COVER PRINTED IMAGES

To keep these images from showing through, cover them with torn pieces of brown craft paper.  Use your decoupage medium to adhere the craft paper to the recipe box.

Step 2: TEAR PAPERS & FABRIC

Tear your paper and fabric into small rectangles and squares that are less than an inch wide.

Step 3: DECOUPAGE

Decoupage the torn pieces onto the box, making sure to cover all visible areas.

Note: Keep your recipe box closed as much as possible while working on it and while it dries.  If you decoupage it while it's open it will not close!!

Step 4: ADD CHEESECLOTH

Cut random pieces of cheese cloth.  Decoupage the cheesecloth onto the recipe box in random patterns.  Let dry.

Note: I did not incorporate the ribbon method that Krista did in her tutorial, but I wish I had and may still find a way to do it.  I highly recommend you refer to Krista's original tutorial for how to get around that wonky fold in the back.

Step 5: ADD LACE

Glue a length of lace on the lip of the box, which is only 3 sides of the recipe box.

Step 6: ADD LABEL

Stamp the word "Recipes" onto a pretty piece of scrapbook paper and cut it out.  I glued mine to some chipboard so it would stand out a little bit.  Glue the label to the front center of the recipe box.

Step 7: EMBELLISH

Add buttons or other embellishments at this point.  I added a few wooden buttons which matched the color scheme of my recipe box perfectly.

FINISHED!!

I really hope you enjoyed this project as much as I did!! I know I had a blast getting all messy with the decoupage medium!! hehehe

Thanks for reading!! Until next time...

Tutorial: Quick (PB Knock-Off) Bottle Ornament

This post is a day late since I was having camera difficulties.  Don't worry!! You're still going to get today's tutorial too so there will actually be 2 tutorials published today!!  This is the first, and the second will be published a bit later.  Thanks for your patience!! 

I saw this PB ornament on Pinterest last week and just knew I could make my own version!!

Today, I'll show you how to make MY version of this bottle ornament!!

Step 1: GATHER SUPPLIES

- 2"-4" tall glass bottle with cork

- Three 12"-15" lengths of 24-28 gauge wire
- Sheet music
- Small beads
- Needle-nose pliers

 Step 2: "MAKE" WIRE

Make "Knot"

Twist one end of the 3 wires together into a ball.

Twist Wire 

Grip the "knot" with one pair of pliers.

Using another pair of needle-nose pliers, grip the 3 wires about 1" away from the "knot"

Twist the wire to get desired look.

Note: To twist the wire faster, turn both pairs of pliers in opposite directions.  Be careful to not twist too much, because the wire will break at some point!

Step 3: ADD WIRE TO BOTTLE

I drew the diagram below to show how I was able to add the side loops on the bottle.

Add Side Loops to Bottle

Using the diagram above (or your own method) create two loops on the side of the bottle that will attach the bottle to the wire hanger.

Add Top Hanger

Make a loop at the end of your remaining wire.

Attach it to one of the side loops on the bottle.

Create the desired hanger appearance.

Make a loop at that will properly fit into the other side loop.

Clip off any extra wire.

Step 4: FILL BOTTLE

Tear a small part of your sheet music into 2 strips that will fit through the top of the bottle.

Place the 2 strips with the "nice" sides facing out and put the them in the bottle.

Pour the small beads into the bottle.

Note: Make sure you get beads on both sides of the sheet music and even a little in between if possible.

FINISHED!!

Wasn't that super quick and easy?!?  I may be biased but I think my bottle ornament turned out better than the PB one!! hehehe

Thanks for reading!!  Until next time...

My Mentors & Inspiration

To understand me and my art, you should understand who I learned from, who I look up to, and who inspires me.

As a child, I remember my grandmother, June Hultman, always making some sort of craft for an upcoming holiday or for my cousins and me. She'd make ornaments at Christmas, decorative cakes at Easter, personalized dolls for me and my cousin, Virginia, and many more items. She and my grandfather, Roy, were always making and painting ceramics of all sorts! Both were/are amazing painters! I still have many of Grandma's crafts to this day.

While in middle school, my father married Flo, another amazing artisian in a wide range of crafts. Every year she makes a new ornament to give out to all friends and family; these ornaments can be crocheted snowflakes, ribbon wreaths, beaded stars, or any other handcrafted holiday ornament. I remember as a child, each night while watching TV with the family she'd be busy working on some project such as crocheting or knitting blankets, hand-making Christmas cards, or some other craft project. Today while watching TV with my family, you'll find me doing the same thing.

These days it's my friend Brook that simply blows me away with her creativity. If I need an idea or to find a new use for an old material or item, she's the one I turn to. We exchange crafted gifts nearly every month and I'm always thoroughly impressed with what I receive. (You rock Brook!)

The one person who not only inspires me, but supports me and loves me more than I thought anyone could, is my husband, Nathan. He's always excited to see what I've made and has honest input and gives mounds of compliments on my work. He's an amazing man and the perfect husband in all ways. (I love you hubby!)

I hope this post has given you just a little bit more incite into my beginnings, who my mentors were and are, and what inspires my artistic creations.