Make a Fun Summertime Watermelon Slice Mason Jar

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By Roni Johnson

It’s finally beginning to look like summer! To welcome in the season I have a fun project to add cheer to your picnics, BBQ’s or anywhere you are going to gather. A multi-use Watermelon Slice Mason Jar – it can be used as a vase for fresh flowers, a handy organizer to hold forks, knives and spoons or even a fun lantern for late-night get together. It will add a fun fruity element no matter how you choose to use it.

Skill: Beginner

Time: 35 minutes + Dry Time

Directions:

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Step 1

Wash and dry the mason jar.

Step 2

Tape off a diagonal design using painters tape as shown.

 

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Step 3

Draw a zigzag vertical line using the Cotton White StazOn Studio Glaze leaving ¾” – 1” between lines and let dry.

 

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Step 4

Apply one or more layers of Cactus Green StazOn Studio Glaze over the taped off section of the jar. For the example I applied one layer over the entire area and a second layer between the zigzag stripes to create the dark and light green stripes found on a real watermelon.

Step 5

Remove the painters tape. You may need to use an exacto knife on stubborn areas of the tape.

 

 

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Step 6

Use Cotton White StazOn Studio Glaze to create a ½” wide border around the edge of the green watermelon rind.

 

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Step 7

Draw watermelon seeds over the remainder of the jar using Jet Black Studio Glaze and let them dry completely.

 

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Step 8

Apply St Valentine’s StazOn Studio Glaze to the upper portion of the jar covering the watermelon seeds as you go. Let this layer dry completely.

 

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Step 9

Finish off the project by adding a bow around the neck of the jar.

 

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Art Supplies:

Imagine
Other
  • Mason Jar
  • Jute Twine
  • Battery Operated Tea Light

Learn How to Make a Wooden Wall Art Family Tree

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By Roni Johnson

Since Mother’s Day is quickly approaching I thought it would be fun to make a different type of gift Mom could enjoy all year long. I decided to make a fun and beautiful Family Tree using a wooden tree from Creative Embellishments paired with Imagine’s Walnut Ink Crystals and Cottage Ivy Fireworks! Shimmery Craft Spray.

Skill: Beginner

Time: 1 hour + dry time

Directions:

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Step 1

Gather up your supplies, you will need a wood tree, Walnut Ink Crystals, Cottage Ivy Fireworks! Shimmery Craft Spray, VersaFine Clair Pinecone ink, Memento Dual Tip Marker and a bit of heavy duty cardstock.

 

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Step 2

Use a craft knife to make small cuts in the wood to separate the leaves from the branches.

 

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Step 3

Sprinkle a small amount of Walnut Ink Crystals into a cup and add a bit of water.

 

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Step 4

Paint the walnut ink onto the tree trunk and branches.

 

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Step 5

Paint the Cottage Ivy Fireworks! spray onto each of the leaves.

 

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Step 6

If desired, paint a second coat of ink where necessary and let the tree dry completely.

 

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Step 7

Spray a sheet of Bristol Cardstock with Cottage Ivy Fireworks! Shimmery Spray; add a spritz of water here and there.

 

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Step 8

Use a heat gun to mix the water and ink around on the cardstock.

 

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Step 9

Once dry, die cut desired number of leaves from the cardstock.

 

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Step 10

Ink the edges of each leaf with Pinecone VersaFine Clair Ink and a sponge dauber.

 

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Step 11

Use a Tuxedo Black Memento Dual Tip Marker to write the names of each family member on a leaf.

 

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Step 12

Adhere the leaves to the tree as desired. You could add them in the form of a traditional family tree or place them randomly over the tree.

 

Art Supplies:

Imagine
Other
  • Creative Embellishments Home Décor Wood Tree
  • Paint Brush
  • Bristol Cardstock
  • Heat Tool
  • Craft Knife
  • Spellbinders – Leaf Dies
  •  

Learn How to Make a Faux Blue Delft Bunny Rabbit

By Roni Johnson

Welcome in Spring with this lovely Faux Blue Delft Bunny Rabbit to brighten up your home. Originating in the city of Delft in the Netherlands in the 1600s, this pottery which consists of blue decoration over a white background is a breath of fresh air and the perfect start of this season of renewal. This technique looks daunting but once you break it down into easy-to-follow steps it’s fun and rewarding. The finished project looks stunning and will delight everyone who comes in contact with it.

This technique combines wide-open geometric stamped patterns with areas of saturation to give the piece defined areas to enhance and highlight certain areas of the animal. For this example, I used the more concentrated stamping on the face, ears and a medallion of sorts on its back. You will come to see how this turns a plain paper mache rabbit into a beautiful Blue Delft Bunny sure to please.

Skill: Intermediate
Time: 2 hours + dry time

 

Directions:

Step 1

Gather up your supplies, you will need a paper mache animal – I choose a rabbit for Spring, tissue paper, Medieval Blue VersaFine Clair ink and Creative Medium (Clear or Shimmer).

 

Step 2

You will also need to gather a few small stamps. For this project I am using roses, leaves and vine peg stamps from Rubber Stamp Tapestry.

 

Step 3

Prepare the paper mache animal by painting it with white acrylic paint. Set it aside to dry.

 

Step 4

To create the concentrated stamped sections place a sheet of tissue paper over the desired area, in this case the back and trace the shape you wish to create. For this example I wanted a nice sized oval medallion over the back. You can see the faint pencil marking on the tissue paper in the photo.

 

Step 5

Create the medallion by stamping the border along the pencil line from the previous step.

 

Step 6 – Stamp additional images to fill in the medallion.

 

Step 7 – Once the medallion has been completed let the ink dry completely.

 

Step 8 – Use a ruler to stamp a small rose at 1” intervals in a diagonal line.

 

Step 9 – Continue stamping at 1” intervals until the entire piece of tissue paper has been covered.

 

Step 10 – Repeat steps 4-9 for any additional areas you wish to cover with a concentrated stamping. For this example I made pieces for the back sides of the rabbit ears and one for the top of the nose and forehead.

 

Step 11 – Stamp extra pieces of tissue paper with the diagonal 1” pattern to cover any areas which are not going to be covered with the concentrated pieces.

 

Step 12 – Stamp more tissue paper than you think you’ll need just in case. You don’t want to run out in the middle of covering the project and have to stop gluing to stamp more.

 

Step 13 – Apply a layer of Creative Medium over the section of the paper mache you want to begin with and carefully place the piece of tissue paper over the glue.

 

Step 14 – Pick up more Creative Medium on the paintbrush and gently dab the tissue paper and press it onto the paper mache form. Once in place cover the entire piece of tissue paper with a generous layer of Creative Medium.

 

Step 15 – Continue covering the areas where you want the concentrated stamping, next the ears, one at a time.

 

Step 16 – Again gently layer the tissue paper over the Creative Medium base coat then cover with a top coat of Creative Medium. Gently pull away the excess tissue paper and smooth the edges with the paintbrush. Let these areas dry before continuing.

 

Step 17 – Once all of the concentrated areas have been applied (back medallion, ears, and forehead), use the diagonal stamped tissue paper to fill in any additional areas that need covering in the same fashion. Apply a foundation layer of Creative Medium; add the diagonal tissue paper and gently press into the glue then apply a top coat of Creative Medium.

 

Step 18 – Let the Creative Medium dry completely, I left this example dry overnight.

 

Step 19 – Use a sponge dauber to apply a bit of color around the edge and inside of the ear.

 

Step 20 – (Optional) – Glue a bit of marabou feather boa to the tail area.

 

Step 21 – Dye rayon seam binding with Fireworks! Spray ink to create a bow around the bunny’s neck.

 

 

Art Supplies:

Imagine
Other
  • Paper Mache Rabbit
  • Tissue Paper
  • Rubber Stamp Tapestry – Roses, Leaves, Vine peg stamps
  • Ruler
  • Paint Brush
  • Rayon Seam Binding
  • DecoArt Americana Acrylic Paint – Titanium White
  • (optional) Marabou Feather Boa

Learn How to Make a Springtime Bee Door Hanger

By Roni Johnson

In today’s tutorial, I show you how to make a fun springtime door hanger using All-Purpose Inks, Fireworks! Spray and Vertigo Film! You will be the buzz of the neighborhood.

 

Skill: Beginner

Time: 1.5 hours + dry time

 

Directions:

Step 1

Gather up your supplies.

 

 

Step 2

Cut cheesecloth into 1 – 1.5” strips.

 

 

Step 3

Dampen the cheesecloth with water and place it into a plastic sealable bag.

 

 

Step 4

Use an Ink Dropper and place in a few drops of #11 Lemon Yellow All-Purpose Inks into the bag.

 

Step 5

Seal the bag and smoosh the ink around until all of the cheesecloth has been colored.

 

Step 6

Repeat steps 3 – 5 this time using #82 Real Black All-Purpose Ink.

 

 

Step 7

Remove the dyed cheesecloth strips from the baggies, unfold and place over a protected surface. Allow the cheesecloth strips to dry completely.

 

 

Step 8

Place the embroidery hoops on a piece of cardboard and trace around the shape x 2.

These will help to:

a) stabilize the finished door hanger

b) give you something to glue the cheesecloth to

c) give you a nice finished-looking door hanger.

 

 

Step 9

Glue the embroidery hoops to one of the cardboard pieces.

 

 

Step 10

Paint the hoops and cardboard with a coat of black acrylic paint.

 

 

Step 11

Begin wrapping the body of the bee with the dyed cheesecloth alternating between yellow and black. Wrap the head of the bee with all black cheesecloth. Secure the cheesecloth to the form using hot glue.

 

 

Step 12

Cut a stinger from cardboard, paint it black; cover with a layer of On Point Glue and apply glitter.

 

 

Step 13

Affix the stinger to the bee form using hot glue.

Step 14

Cut wings from Vertigo film and affix them to the back of the bee form using hot glue.

 

 

Step 15

Spray foil leaves and paper flowers using Fireworks! Spray ink and allow them to dry completely.

 

 

Step 16

Using hot glue, adhere the leaves, flowers and a ribbon bow to the front of the bee form.

 

 

Step 17

Insert a piece of wire into the second cardboard piece for a hanger. Use hot-glue to affix this cardboard piece to the back of the bee form covering the cheesecloth ends and wings.

 

 

 

Other
  • Cardboard
  • Embroidery Hoops
  • Cheesecloth
  • Plastic Baggies
  • Hot Glue Gun
  • Foil Leaves
  • Paper Flowers
  • Ribbon
  • Fairy Hugs Powder (glitter) – Raven

Learn How to Make a Hearts Canvas Tote Bag Using the Bokeh Technique

By Roni Johnson

In today’s tutorial, I show you how to make a hearts canvas tote bag using the Bokeh Technique using Memento Luxe Inks and Fabrico Markers. Today’s example is Valentine’s tote made using the Imagine Crafts Happy Valentine’s Day Free PDF Download. You can use this same basic technique for any holiday or occasion by changing the mask used.

Skill: Beginner

Time: 1 hour 30 minutes

Directions:

Step 1

Iron the tote bag to remove all wrinkles.

Step 2

Insert a piece of cardboard into the tote bag to prevent ink from soaking through to the back of the bag.

Step 3

Print the desired heart from the PDF onto a piece of cardstock.

Step 4

Trim the heart mask(s) and adhere to the tote bag using repositionable adhesive.

Step 5

Gather the desired colors of Memento Luxe Inks.

Tip:

New or freshly-inked pads work best for this technique.

Step 6

Gather desired stamps and/or tools to stamp the circles.
Pencil erasers, circle stamps, and Sponge Daubers work great for this technique.

Step 7

Pounce the desired tool onto the ink pad; press and hold for 10-15 seconds to allow time for the canvas to soak up the ink.

Tip:

Concentrate the dots of ink closer in the center and further apart as you work your way towards the edges.

Step 8

Continue to add layers of dots with the desired color(s) of ink.

Tip: Highlight Wedding Dress (White) Memento Luxe ink on the canvas with Fabrico Marker (Bubble Gum).
This makes the white pop against the canvas and other colors of ink.

Step 9

Remove the masks and discard.

Step 10

Outline the hearts using Real Black Fabrico Marker. Add additional details with Fabrico Markers at this time if desired.

Step 11

Iron the canvas with the hottest setting allowable for the fabric to set the inks.

 

Art Supplies:

Imagine

Fabrico Marker – Bubble Gum, Poppy Red, Real Black

Sponge Dauber – 

Happy Valentine’s Day Free PDF

 

Other

Canvas Tote Bag

Iron

Cardboard

Pencil Eraser

Rubber Stamp Tapestry – Stamps – Layering Circles

White Cardstock

Repositionable Adhesive

 

 

 

Stamping Holiday Wrapping Paper with a .. Fork?

by Roni Johnson

Keeping with my Berry, Blue and Silver theme I decided I wanted to make wrapping paper and matching gift tags this year as well. The limited color palette is very aesthetically pleasing when grouped together under the tree. Since I was using all the same colors I thought it would be fun to vary the patterns so I went from very easy (Joy wrapping paper) to a more complicated layered pattern (Noel paper) which I will share with you today.

Skill: Beginner
Time: 15 minutes to 45 minutes depending on the design

Directions

Step 1

Tear off enough of the kraft paper to cover the gift you will be wrapping.


Step 2

To create the layered look use a fork (I am using a baby fork for the example) to make a cross hatch pattern with Silvery Shimmer Delicata ink.


Step 3

Heat set the Delicata ink to speed drying. As you can see it creates a stunning background which could be used as is.


Step 4

Stamp Noel using VersaFine Clair Nocturne ink over the entire sheet of kraft paper. Vary the direction of the image to add interest.


Step 5

Layer 3 consists of several snowflakes stamped using Blue Belle VersaFine Clair ink.

Step 6

Several more stamped snowflakes are added using Rhubarb Stalk Memento ink.


Step 7

And finally Morning Mist a lovely shade of grey to finish it off. You will have created a beautiful multi layered wrapping paper worthy of any gift you have for giving.


Step 8

Follow the same steps to create the matching gift tag.


Step 9

Use a sponge dauber to apply Blue Belle ink to the edge of the tag. Add a bit of ribbon to finish it off. And here is my gift all wrapped up ready for giving. Below you will find additional examples to inspire.

Supplies

Imagine
Other
  • Kraft Paper (On a Roll – Paint Section of a Hardware Store)
  • Rubber Stamp Tapestry – Oh So Fancy (Joy/Noel), Snow Much Fun, Snow Storm, Poinsettias in the Pines, Holiday Bell Trio, Deer Head, Christmas Greetings (gift tag sentiment)