Father's Day Craft Lightning

Time for a Father's Day Craft Lightning.

I loved coming up with an idea to honor dad that is fast, easy and great looking.

Here's what you can make:

This great stamped leather key chain.

You will need:

Leather Scrap

Leather Cord

 Stamping Alphabet

Sponge

Water

Hammer

Sand Bag

DecoArt Metallic Lustres Paints

Heavy Duty Scissors

Sharpie Marker

Tin Can

Leather Hole punch

Let's get started.

You may use whatever leather you want.

You can buy bags of scrap leather at many craft stores.

You can use a piece of leather from a discarded item such as an old coat or pair of shoes.

Decide on a shape.

I used a tin can to trace a circle.

Cut the circle out.

Wet the sponge and squeeze out the excess water.

Dampen the leather where you will stamp it.

Stamp your message one letter at a time.

Place the letter stamp on the leather and give it a forceful blow with the hammer.

Try to hit it hard enough to make the impression with one blow.

If you hit it several times, you risk having the stamp move and getting an unclear impression.

Continue to spell what you want to say.

Allow it to dry.

Use the Metallic Lustres Paints to add some color to the key chain.

I prefer to use my fingers to rub the color where I want it.

Allow it to dry and buff it with a soft cloth.

Use the leather hole punch to add a hole.

String a piece of leather cord through the hole.

Ta-Da!

The perfect usable gift for dad.

Head over to The Country Chic Cottage

Busy Mom's Helper and 

30 Minute Crafts 

to see other great Father's Day Craft Lightning projects.

Thanks for stopping by....

Keep The Kids Busy Craft Lightning

It is time for Craft Lightning again...

This time it is an activity to keep kids busy.

I am sharing a super easy idea that used to keep my daughter busy all afternoon in the summer.

You will need:

a spray bottle of water

small container of water

paintbrush

Let your child draw with the paint  brush and water on the sidewalk or driveway.

Or your child can use the spray bottle to make designs.

Change the spray to stream and play games, write words, etc.

Or just create fun designs.

When my daughter was small, she always wanted to help me with painting or whatever project I was working on.

I often gave her a bucket of water and a big paint brush and she would paint her playhouse, bike, deck, the house, trees or whatever caught her imagination.  

Because it was just water, it never hurt anything and quickly dried.

You could give your child a list of "assignments" to do such as paint your bike, draw a farm, play tic tac toe, see if you can paint the whole driveway before it dries, etc.

This activity can be adapted for winter by adding food coloring to the water and then can be used to paint the snow.

For other fun activities, be sure to check out:

Thanks for stopping by...

Craft Lightning Valentine's Edition

One of my favorite things to be a part of is the Craft Lightning Challenges.

Today I am tickled to be a part of the Valentine Edition.

I made these sweet love rocks.

Let's gather some supplies.

It is bitter cold here so some of my photos had to be done inside where the lighting is not as good...

You will need:

rocks

paint brushes

paints

paint markers

paper plate

You can gather rocks from outside or buy a bag from the craft store or the hardware store.

I have some rocks from the craft store and some from the yard.

Wash them and allow them to dry thoroughly.

Paint your designs right on the rocks.

I like to do the larger parts of my designs with paint and then the details with paint markers.

You can personalize them.

I made this sweet little collection in about a half hour.

I plan to do a few sweet art abandonments with these...

Have you heard of art abandonment?

Artists all over the world are making beautiful things and leaving them places for others to find and enjoy.

You can leave them in a public place like a restaurant, hotel, park, shopping center, etc.

There are groups you can join.

I belong to this one on facebook.

You can print tags found on the page and add them to your abandoned piece.  

That way, the person that finds the art can comment on it.

I have some plans for these...

The local radiation center.

Parking lots.

On the ground outside a variety of stores.

Because everyone can use a little extra love....

Thanks for stopping by...

Jingle-Corn Ornaments

Today I share one sweet little ornament...

A Jingle Corn...

Have a great Thursday!

Thanks for stopping by...

                  Linking up with these great blogs.

Shades of Rose

I know I have not been posting as often.

Sometimes life throws a few curves into our carefully planned lives.

I always believe each difficulty I experience is a chance for learning and growth.

I have some serious learning to do....

So let's just share something pretty for the moment..

I think you know I love to knot linen cord.

It is SO much fun.

Here is a sweet little pink triple strand bracelet I made.

I used my little hand wrought links...

And that sweet little dangle makes me smile.

I am not usually a pink (or purple) person.

But they are growing on me...

                    What have you made lately?

                       Thanks for stopping by....

                  Linking up with these great blogs.

Felt Snowflake Ornaments

I wanted to share another quick and easy ornament for the tree.

It can also be used as a package topper.

I love to cut all the felt circles and then lay them next to my spot on the couch.  

I find the stitching relaxing while I am watching tv.

This little guy just uses some felt, stuffing, cotton crochet thread, and an old button.

Stitch the snowflake design on one circle.

Sew on the button.

Blanket stitch the two circles together.

Before completely closing the opening, add a little stuffing.

Then finish closing and tie off.

Add another loop of string to hang it.

You can do a bunch of the same design or do all different snowflakes.

Thanks for stopping by....

Linking up with these great blogs.

Craft Lighting Holiday Edition 21015-Snowman Snowglobe Ornament

Well, Craft Lightning is back...

It's the holiday edition, so let's make a 15 minute or less ornament...

One of the things I love to stock up on in the fall is clear glass ball ornaments.

They beg for all sorts of creativity.

These have a tiny pompom snowman inside.

Glue two white pompoms together.

Paint a toothpick orange. 

 Cut off the end for a nose and glue it in place.

Use a pair of tweezers to squeeze the body. 

 Once you are sure it will fit, add a drop of hot glue to the bottom and carefully guide it into the ball without touching the glue on the sides.

Hold it down to the bottom until the glue cools.

Add some fake snow or glitter.

Replace the cap and add some jute for hanging.

Ta dah!

You could make enough for your whole tree in an evening.

Or one for everyone on your gift list.

Be sure to visit our hosts for all the other great projects!

 

  

Thanks for stopping by...

Linking up with these great blogs.