Indoor Summer T-Shirt Project - Great for a Child's Party

After a morning outside in the Summer heat I thought it would be a good idea to have an indoor project  ready for the girls.  Pentel Arts - Fabric Fun Dye Sticks and white T-Shirts were the answer.
This would be a great party activity and becomes the party favor for attendees.  (I just remembered the first time I did this for a party was at Bella's Momma's Baby Shower 4 years ago!)

Fabric Dye Sticks - T-Shirt project - ©2012 Cindy Rippe

It's best to pre-wash the shirts or use an older shirt with stains that you want to cover up.  Prep the shirts by ironing a large sheet of freezer paper inside which will stabilize the fabric and create a smooth surface for drawing.  Then just let the kids draw whatever they want with the Fabric Fun.

I used the Gel Roller Pen for Fabric to write names and add a few simple details (or in Bella's case, helped her write her own name).

These Dye Sticks can be washed out of fabric before they are heat set, if there is a mistake (or they end up somewhere they don't belong), which makes them perfect for kids.  The Gel Roller Pens are permanent immediately so are NOT so good for kids to use on their own but are great with adult supervision.

After the artwork is completed, set the dyes by ironing for a few minutes while the kids eat dessert. (Use a pressing cloth or paper to cover the drawings and protect the iron , use a hot setting - cotton). When the shirts are cool the kids love to peel the paper off and will probably put the shirts on right away!

©Bella's Happy Colors - 2012

A happy heart makes a face cheerful.  Proverbs 15:13

Designer Craft Connection - Bright Floral Decor

This month's theme for the Designer Crafts Connection Blog Hop is Picnic.  A gathering of artificial flowers glued to a styrofoam ball would add a bright pop of color to your party decor. This grouping, from the Chicago Flower and Garden Show, would be perfect for a Wedding Shower or Tween Birthday party. Add a few butterflies on wires and hang a grouping of three or more with ribbon from a trellis or chandelier.  It would also be a great project to brighten up a corner of your enclosed porch for the summer if you don't have time to care for live plants.

 Make sure you hop forward by clicking on the DCC logo in the column on the right or go directly to the next Designer, here. Have fun!

"When bright flowers bloom
Parchment crumbles, my words fade
The pen has dropped ..."    -  Morpheus

Thanksgiving and Autumn Glass Painting Project

The theme for this month at the Designer Crafts Blog Connection is Thanksgiving/Fall.  As usual, I'm sharing a quick and easy project with you.  I like to inspire you with an "I can do that!" attitude.  Hope you like this one as well as the other creative ideas on the 365 Days of Crafts Blog Hop.

I used the new DecoArt Glass Paint Markers, in Brown, to draw the leaves on a white ceramic plate. The charger was originally clear.  I painted the border with a sponge brush to create a blend of orange and yellow with Americana Gloss Enamels.  The swirls were stamped on using Brown Americana Gloss Enamels.

There's a matching glass and a folded napkin technique to come soon, I promise!  Mom's in the hospital and I've been there almost 24/7.  She's doing well and we hope to get her home soon.  Then it's back to posting the rest of my Thanksgiving tablescape ideas.

You might enjoy a few posts from last fall to keep you busy until I get back.
Autumn Napkin Folds - Chocolate Brown
Autumn Napkin Folds - Crown Fold
Autumn Napkins Folds - Cone Fold
Autumn Rose and French Fold Napkins
Thanksgiving Tablescape and Dessert Buffet
Blessed Family Gathering
Pause and Give Thanks

Don't forget to Hop through the rest of the blogs and see what the other Designers have been up to!

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I'm also hanging out with my friends at:
TABLESCAPE THURSDAY - Between Naps on the Porch

Stop on by and visit!

Hello Kitty Party Projects for PreTeens

 As promised here are the details for the Hello Kitty Projects seen in my previous post.

Hello Kitty Journal - Cindy Rippe

I used the Westcott Brand® Titanium Bonded Non Stick Scissors to cut The Duck Brand® Duct Tape Sheets and Tape Rolls and cover the journal.  I folded the tape upon itself to create the tag and attached it to the cover with VELCRO® Brand Hook and Loop Fasteners.  A little bit of ribbon trim and a heart charm add just the right amount of whimsey.

Inside Cover of Hello Kitty Journal with Pocket - Cindy Rippe

After covering the inside cover with the printed duct tape, I made a pocket by leaving most of the backing material on the sheet of duct tape (to allow for a non-stick area).  I decorated the top edge with the printed tape and trimmed the backing away on the sides and bottom edge of the pocket to stick it to the book. 

Mini Hello Kitty Pennant - Cindy Rippe

To make the Mini Pennant I just folded pieces of the printed tape over a length of narrow ribbon and trimmed each into a triangle shape.

Hello Kitty Hair Bow made from duct tape - Cindy Rippe

and finally; I made a small bow from the tape and used a hair clip to attach it to the gift bag.  I cut two slits through white card stock topper and the bag using the Westcott Hobby Knife.   Favor bag decoration and a cute hair accessory in one!

Don't forget to add your comments to the WESTCOTT Brand Blog for your chance to win an assortment of cutting tools.

I was provided with samples from Westcott Brand Cutting Tools, Duck Brand Duct Tape and VELCRO Brand Hook and Loop fasteners for this Blog Hop and enjoyed designing with them all.  Thank you to all the participating sponsors and to Marisa Pawelko Craft Designer & Founder of Modern Surrealist for organizing this project.

Westcott Brand is the official sponsor of the October Designer Crafts Connection Blog Hop! The Non Stick Scissors really did work great with all the adhesives.  I look forward to using them in future projects.  Here's a little information about the Cutting Tools that I used.

Westcott Brand® Scissors are the WORLD’S FAVORITE SCISSORS™ meaning Westcott sells more scissors than any other manufacturer in the world!
Westcott Brand® Titanium Bonded Non Stick Scissors are the BEST Non Stick Scissors on the market that never get stuck and can easily cut through Sticky Back VELCRO®, Duck Tape and multiple layers of fabric and other materials!
Titanium bonded blades are 3 times harder than stainless steel and never need sharpening!
Westcott Brand® Cutting Tools have the best performance! The 3” scissors can even cut through 5 layers of fabric!
Westcott Brand® Cutting Tools are ergonomic and come in several different color options!
 
" Life is not a written book you can pick up and read.
It is a journal waiting for you to fill it's pages."  Dana Atkin

 

 

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Gladiola Centerpieces

Continuing with my August Flower of the Month post.

After I purchased my Gladiolus from the Farmer's Market I arranged them in a huge vase.
Did I remember to take a picture?  No... sorry.  Here's a photo, from ftd.com,except mine were all a soft peach color.

White Gladiolus in a Glass Vase - Traditional arrangement

Loved it - Enjoyed it while it lasted- but I know that you can do so much more with Gladiolus. I've used the single flowers before.  Most of the time I float them in a shallow bowl.  I took a trip around the internet today and found a few great ideas to share.

In this arrangement the Gladiola leaves were left on and large leaves were added around the base for a nice full look.

www.weddings.theknot.com

The addition of Gerbera Daisies around the base really updates the look.

www.laosflower.com

You've probably seen orchid submerged in a tall vase of water.  Gladiolus are just as beautiful but cost less. You'll need to wire the stems to putty on the bottom of the vase so they don't float.

www.mocharosedesigns.blogspot.com

Since the flowers are so beautiful you can use them individually in small arrangements.  Love this DIY project for decorating the vases with printed papers.

www.oncewed.com

And finally; this pretty red and white arrangement.  Just fill vases with fresh cranberries and water and tuck in single white Glads.  A beautiful look for your holiday table or contemporary dining room.

www.tothegathering.blogspot.com

Bread feeds the body, indeed, but flowers feed also the soul.  ~The Koran

3rd Birthday Princess Party Theme

Isabella's 3rd Birthday party had a Princess theme.  Surprise, surprise... she's a girl, she's 3, she loves Disney Princesses.  She loves to act out the stories, recruiting willing family members to play the all the parts.  "No...you need to ride in on the horse please."  "You are Prince Phillip, Grandma Cookie is the Queen, I am Aurora" 

She waves her magic wand

Sarah's Mom and Dad really wanted to keep things simple this year.  They served sandwiches, salads and fruit which was perfect for a hot day. We used her Birthday Banner again this year.  (see last year's post)  It has become a nice tradition to use it every year (well, so far - until she reaches that age where it will look too "pretty"  :)

Fruit on Fairy Wand skewers made by Aunt Karen

Favor Bags

 The paper bags with handles that were decorated with Disney Princess Stickers were a hit. A few of the guests continued to call themselves a Prince or Princess after they went home.  Of course everyone got a Glittery Star Wand to create their own magic!

Star Wands from Oriental Trading Co

I decorated with Pom Pom's made from tissue paper and ribbons.  They looked so pretty as a chandelier in the center of the tent. Inexpensive and easy to make too.

Pom Poms hanging inside tent and out.

 The left over scraps of tissue paper tucked into a pink glass bowl and topped with a plastic tiara and jewels worked out great for the inside table centerpiece.

I twisted two squares of tissue together at a time and tucked them in the holes along the edge of the bowl.

For the tables under the tent I used the cases from our Disney VHS tapes, (I guess they're Vintage now)  pom poms, a tiara and a Star Wand.

Close up of the centerpiece and a vintage VHS case.

Prince Cooper peeking from behind a centerpiece.  Isabella cuddles with Suzanne while waking up from her nap.

Blog Parties I'm attending.  Come on over and join me!

A Mother's Day Card - Free Pattern

We have finally been blessed with some beautiful weather and I have lots of gardening to catch up on.  Not much time for crafting but I designed this card for Pentel Arts and thought it might inspire you to make one for your Mom this week.

by Cindy Rippe for Pentel Arts

I used scrapbook papers, Aquash Watercolor crayons , Metallic Brush Pens , some ribbon and a charm. You'll find the free step by step instructions and rose pattern on the Pentel Arts Website.

Children, obey your parents in the Lord, because this is right. Honor your father and mother which is the first commandment with a promise - that it may go well with you and that you may have a long life. ~Ephesians 6:1-3

I'm participating in the Designer Crafts Blog Connection this week.  Click through and enjoy the Creativity!

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Easter Egg Tree - Recycle last year's plastic eggs

Here's a fun project that uses the plastic eggs left over after Easter.  The candy's gone, you're tired of picking them up off of the floor and you know you'll want new, shiny and clean ones next year.  Gather up all the pieces and make ornaments for an outdoor Easter Egg Tree!

Larry and Elena's Easter Egg Tree - Cindy Rippe Art in Entertaining

I took this picture of my Brother and Sister In-Law's tree yesterday when we took Isabella by for a visit to "my Uncle Larry".  We always enjoy their Holiday Decorations and beautiful yard.

To make the Easter Egg ornaments for your own tree. You need a needle nosed pliers, wire that's thick enough to stay straight, yet easy to bend by hand and a thick needle or old ice pick and some glue.

Separate the eggs. 
1 - Heat the point of the needle (that you are holding with the pliers) over an open flame for a few seconds and press through the top of the egg to create a hole large enough for the wire to go through.
   - After you test the size, finish making all the holes.
   - Note: If you have a high speed Dremel drill that would work too.

2 - Cut the wire to 12" lengths. (or whatever length you'd like for your type of tree or bushes)

3 - Thread one end of the wire through the hole far enough to easily work on the tip.
   - Use the pliers to twist the end of the wire into a loop large enough to prevent it from slipping back out.     

4 - Bend the other end of the wire into a 2 inch loop and twist it to secure.  (see photo below)

5 - Add a touch of Aleene's Original Tacky Glue to the edge of the egg and snap the bottom piece in to place.  You can mix egg colors or match them as seen in the above photo.

Adjust wire loop as desired to fit tree branch - note that wire comes straight out of the top hole in egg.

The heavier gauge wire helps to prevent the eggs from flipping around and getting caught up in the branches during Spring weather.  The large loops make them easier to hang while you decorate and remove after Easter.

Save the ornaments and keep adding more each year and don't worry if some get separated or broken.  You'll have plenty of spare parts next year for repairs!  This could end up being a family tradition and the kids might not leave them lying around after the candy's gone.  (We'll...we can always hope, right?)

Romantic Homes Show and Tell Friday

I'm also linking to Craft Test Dummies Go Green Link Party,  Today's Cretaive Blog and Creative Bloggers' Party and Hop this week.  Check out all the fun projects!

CRAFT TEST DUMMIES - GO GREEN PARTY

TODAY'S CREATIVE BLOG - GET YOUR CRAFT ON

What's New? Products from the CHA Show, a Cricut Expression Giveaway and a New Blog Hop!

Introducing the Designer Crafts Connection and 365 Days of Crafts!

A group of Designers from the Creative Industry and a monthly Blog Party full of inspiration. 

One lucky Blog Hopper will win a fantastic prize (the info is at the bottom of the page) and you'll get a sneak peek into what goes on at the world's largest Craft & Hobby Trade Show. So appropriate for National Craft Month!

This week the Designers are sharing their reviews and photos from the Winter CHA Show and Conference. I wasn't able to attend but checked with a few of the companies that I've worked with in the past to see what new products they introduced at the show.  I paint and draw on a variety of surfaces for and these are the new products that I'll be using in my designs this year.

New Americana Acrylic Paint Colors for 2011

The Americana Acrylics work great as Acrylic Wash in Pen and Ink Designs and as base coats under colored pencil in my Multimedia Botanical drawings.

Transparent Gloss Enamels

I've been using the original Gloss Enamels and look forward to painting on dinnerware with the new Translucent Colors.

SoSoft Fabric Paints

The SoSoft Fabric Paints are really nice on Table Linens and Baby Clothes.  I really like them and wonder how the Fine glitter will work. 

Walnut Hollow Innkeeper Sign

Wood pieces for my "Front Door Decor" designs. 

Basswood Canvas

Walnut Hollow is also making a nice Basswood Canvas surface that looks similar to the size of stretched canvases.  I've always loved the quality of their wood products so I'm sure I'll like these.

Loew Cornell Sketching Set

I've used the Drawing Sets from Loew Cornell for my Drawing Classes in the past.  This one looks good too.

I was only able to share new products from the companies that I currently use in my designs after searching for "New Products" on their web sites and following the blog posts of my CHA Designer friends that did attend the show. (disclosure note: I did not get paid for this post)

For more information please continue through the entire Blog Hop.  There are 36 Designers participating.  You can go to the main page at 365 Days of Crafts Blog Hop

or on the Designer Crafts Blog Connection Logo below. Click forward to go to the next Designer's post.  Keep clicking until you get back here and you will have seen all the wonderful ideas this week.

Be sure to check Julie McGuffee's Blog Life in the Craft Lane  for an exciting
Cricut GIVEAWAY

and come back on March 13 when the Theme will be WEDDINGS with wide variety of projects suitable for weddings and anything connected with weddings.

The world is but a canvas to the imagination.
-- Henry David Thoreau

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Pistachio Nut Wreath for Valentine's Day.

I love this wreath.  It was a gift from Cindy Wollenzien and hangs in my studio year round.  I brought it home for Valentine's Day.

After removing the dust with my soft vintage brush.

I gave it a coat of spray on sealer.

The wreath is made by hot gluing the whole nuts onto a heart shape (this one is cut from card stock).  I like the way some of the nut meat is popping out of the shells.  Just follow the shape of the heart in rows.

You can see where the glue is peeking out in the back.  Add a layer of felt and a picture hangar (also hot glued) and a pretty shear ribbon.  It would make a pretty, last minute gift for someone you love.