CRAFT TUTORIAL: Wine Cork Board with Special Guest Milo!

Posted by Crystal Pepperdine, Founder and Executive Director of Flint Handmade

I can hardly believe it, but I haven't posted a CRAFT TUTORIAL featuring Milo since October's Pumpkin Painting blog post! 

We've had playdates since then, but, sadly, no craft tutorials have resulted.  If I can at least do seasonal craft tutorials featuring Milo, I will be satisfied!

Earlier this month, I took Milo sledding at Kelly Lake Park.  

First, we had to get gas, which Milo insisted on helping pump.  I never realized how much kids could love running errands if you just let them participate a little!

Then, it was time for sledding!  Milo specifically wanted an orange sled, which we bought at Gill-Roy's to support a Michigan-based company. 

For those of you tracking my Not Buying It Project, rest assured...I dug into my change jar to buy the sled, so I'm still only buying food and essentials with my paychecks.  Although, in all honesty, I would consider enriching a child's life an essential.

Milo was a brave little boy!  He went down the hill twice by himself and then asked me to go with him.  Of course, we ended up in the dried grass at the end of the hill, but it's still an adorable picture.

After that, he only wanted to go with me.  Ruh-roh!  I felt extremely old and tired trying to haul myself back up the hill repeatedly, but it was totally worth it.  :)   

 

Before I took Milo home to his mom and my good friend, Michelle, we went to my house for a snack.  There, he spotted my jar of wine corks and thought they were cookies! 

"Can I have a plate of cookies, please?" he asked.

"Milo," I said, "those aren't cookies.  Those are corks.  You can't eat them."

"Can I have a plate of corks, please?" he asked.

Of course, I cracked up and gave him a plate of corks.  He grabbed two corks and started playing with them and dancing around my kitchen!

So, what craft tutorial will you lovely blog readers be getting as a result of my February playdate with Milo?

A WINE CORK BOARD!  I've been saving these corks forever and thought this was a very clever idea when I found it online.  And, the stacked button thumb tacks were one of my brainstorms a couple years ago.  Put them together and you have an awesome upcycled craft project!

DISCLAIMER:  I made my cork board after I took Milo home.  This project could be good for teenagers with adult supervision, but it's not appropriate for small children.  Also, make sure that it's only adults who are drinking to produce the corks, ok?  And, that those adults are drinking responsibly, please?  Thanks.  :)

Wine Cork Board with Stacked Button Thumb Tacks

Materials/Tools:

1) Lots of Clean Wine Corks
2) Serrated Knife
3) Picture Frame (with glass removed)
4) Corrugated Cardboard
5) Paper Cutter or Scissors
6) Hot Glue Gun and Glue
7) Vintage Buttons
8) Thumb Tacks

Step 1: Collect lots of corks from your favorite wine.  I enjoy the Lindeman's Framboise Lambic from d'Vine Wines at the Flint Farmer's Market.  Lambic is actually a beer, but it comes with a cork, so it's all good. 

Step 2: Cut a piece of corrugated cardboard to fit in your frame and secure it in place.  You may have to glue it to the backing board of the frame.

Step 3: Cut the corks in half length wise and lay them on your picture frame in a pattern that pleases you.  Remove one cork piece at a time and glue it back in place before moving on to the next piece so you maintain your pattern.

Step 4: Stack two or more buttons in a color scheme that pleases you.  Glue them together and then glue the stack to a thumb tack.  Repeat for as many tacks as you want.

Step 5: Proudly display your new Wine Cork Board!

CRAFT TUTORIAL: Paper Circle Garlands

Posted by Crystal

Well, I have been asked to post more craft tutorials, so here is one especially for you, Tanya!  :)

I fell in love with these circle garlands at the 2010 DIY Street Fair.  I saw them hanging vertically like beads in a doorway in the booth by JuliBuli74. 

You could hang them vertically or swag them or make a mobile!  I think the garlands above were made with fabric circles, but I am going to show you how to make them with paper circles.

Paper Circle Garlands

Materials/Tools:
1) Paper of Various Colors/Prints (e.g. scrapbook paper, catalogs/magazines, junk mail, etc.)
2) Circle Punches (one large, one small)
3) Glue Stick
4) Twine (or string or yarn, etc.)

Step 1: Gather your materials.  Get creative with the paper you choose!  You could also use old photos, calendars, etc.

Step 2: Punch out lots of large and small circles.  The closer you plan to place the circles next to each other on the twine, the more you will need.  You could also use other punch shapes like scalloped circles.  Or, if you don't have punches, you can print/trace shapes onto the back of your paper and just cut them out with scissors.

Step 3: Apply glue to the entire back side of one of your circles.  I like to use a junk mail catalog underneath the circle, so I don't get glue all over my workspace.  Place the twine across the glue on the circle and then sandwich another circle back-to-back on top.

 

Step 4: Vary the sizes of your circle for more interest as you work your way down the twine. 

Hint: If you are doing a repeating color pattern as shown above (yellow/blue/green/yellow/blue/green), make sure you glue the same color circles to each other, so that when the twine twists, you will have the same pattern regardless of which side of the circle is visible.

Step 5: Hang your garland!  They make great party or holiday decorations!  I also think they would look awesome in a kid's room or craftroom.  :)

If YOU want to make a paper circle garland, join us at craftLAB on Sunday, November 7, 2010 from noon-3pm at The Lunch Studio! 

We will have all of the supplies available, but feel free to bring your own if you have special paper, punches, glue or twine that you want to use.  :)

CRAFT TUTORIAL: Pumpkin Painting with Special Guest Milo!

Posted by Crystal

Back in August, I posted a Craft Tutorial on 3D Children's Drawing Cards.  2-year-old Milo and I spent the afternoon hanging out and making cards for his mom, Michelle, for her birthday. 

We had such a good time and I asked Michelle if I could take Milo out for an afternoon every other month.  She knows how much I love Milo, so she readily agreed!

Milo's adorable enthusiasm just makes me feel so creative, so I've decided to try to post a craft tutorial in connection with each of our bi-monthly playdates.  :)

Yesterday, I took Milo to Porter's Orchard and Cider Mill in Goodrich to pick pumpkins from the pumpkin patch!

Milo "rode" the Porter's Express wooden train....

...went on the slide 8653434 times...

...petted the farm animals...

...climbed back on the train...

...sampled the apple cider...

...until, FINALLY, he was ready to go out to the pumpkin patch!

Milo searched very carefully to find the perfect pumpkins for himself, me and his mom.  As you may have noticed, Michelle made sure he wore his "My Aunt ROCKS" shirt...which made me feel so supercool!

We paid for the pumpkins plus some delicious cider and donuts.  On the way out, I asked Milo to sit in front of the mums on Porter's front porch for the perfect autumn photo.

Then, we went to my house and sat on the front porch to eat our donuts and drink our cider...

...and Milo thoroughly enjoyed his donut as the end to a fun-filled day with Auntie Crystal!

When I took Milo back home, I was so excited to find out that Michelle used her free time to make more of her awesome tie wallets for Aisle 3!

So, what craft tutorial will you lovely blog readers be getting as a result of my October playdate with Milo?

PUMPKIN PAINTING!  A co-worker had a painted pumpkin on her desk and it just looked so crafty cute, I knew I had to try painting a pumpkin! 

FYI: I painted my pumpkin after I took Milo home, but this craft tutorial is definitely kid-friendly...provided you keep an eye on the paint.  ;)

Pumpkin Painting

Materials/Tools:

1) Newspaper or Butcher Paper (to protect your table)
2) Water and a Towel
3) Pumpkin(s)
4) Sealer (decoupage glue works great)
5) Wax Paper
6) Acrylic Paint
7) Paintbrushes (or other tools to apply paint)

Step 1: Cover your table with newsprint or butcher paper to protect it.

Step 2: Rinse any dirt off of your pumpkin with water.  Dry thoroughly with a towel.

Step 3: Apply a coat of sealer to the skin of your clean, dry pumpkin.  Decoupage glue works great and I got mine for free at the August 2010 Craft Supply Swap!  Set sealed pumpkin on wax paper to keep it from sticking to butcher paper.  Allow to dry per instructions on sealer.

Step 4: Use acrylic paint to decorate your pumpkin.  I used the eraser of a new pencil to create perfect little polka dots on my pumpkin.  Allow to dry per instructions on paint.

Step 5: Set your pumpkin out and enjoy!

CRAFT TUTORIAL: 3D Children's Drawing Cards with Special Guest Milo!

Posted by Crystal

Meet Milo.  Milo is the cutest kid ever to walk the face of the earth.  And I'm not just saying that because he is the first baby in my life.  ;) 

Milo is Michelle's 2-year-old.  Michelle is the FH Director of Technology and the crafty temptress behind Aisle 3.  (Shameless Plug: You should follow her blog...it's GREAAAAAAAT!  <--- Props to Tony the Tiger!)

Anyway, Michelle recently celebrated a birthday, so I offered to take Milo for the afternoon to give this single mom a well-deserved break!

Please note that this was a momentous occasion for all three parties:

1) It was the first time one of Michelle's friends took Milo out on his own. 

2) It was the first time Milo left his mom for the afternoon with someone other than his dad or grandma. 

3) It was the first time I ever had sole responsibility for a toddler in my ENTIRE LIFE.

That's right, folks.  Somehow, I made it to almost 30 years old without ever having spent an a day hanging out with a kid on my own.  I just never had friends or family nearby with babies.  Milo was the first baby I ever even held!

Suffice it to say, this kid holds a very, very special place in my heart.  So, of course, I want to be the most awesome "aunt" ever!!!

And what does an awesome aunt do?

Well, after a fabulous day...

...playing with puppies...

...going to the park...

...and eating popsicles...

...you go to JoAnn's to buy craft supplies!

Now, I know what you are thinking.  She made that kid go to JoAnn's???  But, the craft supplies weren't for me!  They were for a gift that Milo was going to make for his mom for her birthday.  :)

And, since Michelle got a gift, you get one, too, blog readers!  Here is a a craft tutorial on 3D Child's Drawing Cards!

FYI: Since I was watching Milo while I made these cards, I didn't get a picture for each and every step, but I'm going to explain it the best I can. 

3D Children's Drawing Cards

Materials/Tools:

1) Newspaper or Butcher Paper (to protect your table)
2) Cardstock
3) Crayons
4) Paper Cutter (or scissors)
5) Corner Rounder Punch
6) Thin Permanent Marker
7) Double Stick 3D Foam Squares (available in the scrapbooking department of craft stores)
8) Cards (or cardstock to make cards)
9) Envelopes
10) Packaging Materials (clear bag, ribbon, etc.)

 Step 1: Cover your table with newsprint or butcher paper to protect it.  Set out a sheet of cardstock and a few crayons and encourage the child to color for as long as he or she wants.  Milo was done coloring after about 3 minutes. 

Dorky Social Science Sidenote: You may want to limit the number of crayons you set out because you don't want to overwhelm the child with too many choices.  In a study conducted by Sheena Iyengar, some shoppers in a mall were given a choice of 6 flavors of jam to sample while other shoppers were given a choice of 30 flavors.  Many of the shoppers only given 6 choices actually bought a jar of jam, but far fewer shoppers with 30 choices bought a jar.  This phenomena is sometimes referred to as the Tyranny of Choice.  A very accessible book on the topic is Paradox of Choice: Why More Is Less by Barry Schwartz.

Step 2: Using a paper cutter or scissors, cut the drawing into squares or rectangles for as many cards as you would like to make.  The drawing will probably dictate the size of the shapes as well as where you cut them out on the paper.  I was able to cut 4 rectangles about 2.5" x 4" each from the very center of the paper were most of the crayon marks were located.

Step 3: Using a corner rounder punch, punch the edges of all of your squares or rectangles.  I like Martha Stewart's Corner Punch...much love to M. STEEZAY!  Then, using a thin permanent marker, write the child's name and the year on all of the shapes.  I like Stabilo fiber-tip pens.

Step 4: Place adhesive 3D foam squares on the back of all of the shapes.  I used 5 squares per shape: one in each corner and one in the middle.  Peel off the backing and attach your shape to the card in a aesthetically pleasing way.  I centered the shape from right to left and cheated it a bit toward the top of the card.

 Step 5: Package your cards.  Purple was a dominant color in the drawing, so I used a purple ribbon to tie all the cards together. 

Milo and I stopped at Vogt's Flowers on the way back to his house to buy a flower for him to give to Michelle with the cards.  The lovely shop assistant at Vogt's let him visit the flower cooler so he could pick out the flower personally.  He selected a gorgeous red gerber daisy...not that gerber daisies are one of MY favorite flowers or anything.  ;)

I believe the shop assistant's name was LaTonya. She was absolutely wonderful. She asked Milo his favorite color. When he said "BAH-LOO," she gave him a blue balloon on a blue string.

  Milo was over the moon for this balloon! 

So, there you have it, blog readers!  If you make these cards with the kids in your life, email pictures to us at flinthandmade@hotmail.com.

And, here is a special message to my little sister who is going to be a great mom one day:  Sis, I think I have now proven beyond a shadow of a doubt that I am and will be an AWESOME aunt.  So, please, start having kids soon, ok?  I know you want them...and I want to do some crafty projects with them!  ;)