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

How to Create a Faux Stained Glass Window Using StazOn Studio Glaze

By Jowilna Nolte 

There are so many ways you can use your crafting supplies to create fabulous home décor elements and to alter things around the house. One thing I have always wanted to try is making a stained glass window but without all the really hard work – so I grabbed some StazOn Studio Glaze Gold and Orange Zest and made my own faux window.

 

Skill Level: Beginner

Time: 15 minutes plus drying time left overnight.

 

Directions:

 

Step 1

I cut a sunflower to mimic spring on my Cricut Maker machine out of black permanent outdoor vinyl. Weed the design and add transfer tape.

 

Step 2

Place the design onto a sheet of clear acrylic cut to size. Mine measures 8×8”. Then burnish the design onto your acrylic sheet to transfer the design.

TIP: If you don’t have a cutting machine you could do this step by stamping a large image onto your acrylic sheeting using Black StazOn ink instead. Then proceed to finish the same way I did. I wanted bold black lines, but the StazOn stamped images are great if you have a bold stamp design.

 

 

Step 3

I selected two colors of StazOn Glaze and started coloring my design on the back of the acrylic sheet. I did this really roughly. It doesn’t matter that you go over the lines since the black lines will hide that.

 

Step 4

Once the first layer StazOn is dry, you can go back and add another layer to fill in any other areas that may still be open or exposed as the glaze dries and settles. I may skip this step since I am quite happy with how it turned out.

And there you have a really pretty faux stained-glass window – or in my case, I think I pop it into a frame and hang it up on a white wall – I rather like the look of this quick and easy project.

 

Note that the back of the image will have loads of texture and be uneven, and the front will be perfectly smooth and looks amazing.

Now go have fun with your StazOn Studio Glaze.

 

Art Supplies:


Imagine:

StazOn Studio Glaze Gold
StazOn Studio Glaze Orange Zest

Other:

Acrylic sheet
Cricut maker cutting machine
Cricut Tools
Black Vinyl

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

See How to Make Rose Petal Using Creative Medium

by Kyriakos Pachadiroglou

See How to Make Rose Petal Using Creative Medium

Working with the Creative Medium on some of my crafting projects, I noticed how it shows when it gets dry on the craft mat. Combining the nonstick feature of Imagine’s Craft Mat with the elasticity of the Creative Medium, I thought it could create a new kind of project–rose petals! Leaving a thick coat of the Creative Medium on the Craft Mat, it gives you a material for dimensional creation. The roses crafted with it can be part of the decoration on a festive table, attached on gift boxes, gifted as they are, or be an inspiration to use on various craft projects. The Creative Medium can be also mixed with different inks to make multiple colors of flowers.

Skill: Advance
Time: 1 hour + drying time

Directions


Step 1

Use a palette knife to lay a thick layer of Creative Medium on the Craft Mat making circles. Let the Creative Medium dry well. For each rose, you will need 7 circles to create the petals.


Step 2

When the Creative Medium dries, remove the circles and start rolling one to make the center of the rose.


Step 3

Continue by attaching more circles forming them to petals. Note that you may need to trim around a bit the circles if the Creative Medium is not spread nicely on the craft mat.


Step 4

While you attach more petals, bend the edges a bit and hold them to keep the shape of the petal. The Creative Medium is sticky enough to keep the petals together with no need of extra glue.


Step 5

Press the branches on the VersaMark inkpad, cover with Imagine’s Embossing Powder in Gold and heat set.


Step 6

Cut small pieces of the florist brown tape and trim the edges to form triangles.


Step 7

Press lightly the branch in the rose, secure with hot glue and cover with the trimmed tape. Add more tape around them for a better presentation.


Step 8

Color the fabric roses with the VersaFine Clair Chanti ink pad and then distress them with the irRESISTible Pico Embellisher in Gold. When they dry, glue them on the branches.

 

Supplies

Imagine
Other
  • Thin branches
  • Faux/fabric rose leaves
  • Florist brown tape
  • Scissors
  • Hot glue gun