A Nautical Themed Fathers Day Project Idea: An Anchor Shaped Coat Hook Tutorial

If you are looking for a fun and creative gift for Fathers Day easy craft project idea for personalizing an unfinished wood monogrammed anchor and turning it into a decorative robe hook, then this is the perfect gift idea for the nautical person in your life.

This project is pretty easy to make and just requires a little planning if you want to order a wooden Anchor like the one I am using here.  The anchor is from the Unfinished Wood Co. in Georgia.  Their products can be found online and in some craft stores.  If you are unable to find the monogrammed hook, you can find any similar shaped hook and monogram it yourself, using paints and your favorite font.

For this project, I am partnering with Plaid Crafts who have supplied the paints, brushes and anchor for this easy to do project.

Supplies:

·      Anchor Monogram

·      Folk Art Home Decor Chalk Paint in 34880 Cascade (Ultra Matte)

·      Folk Art Home Decor Wax Paint in White

·      Folk Art Home Decor Wax Paint in Clear

·      Folk Art Outdoor Gloss Acrylic Paint in Pure Gold (1654)

·      Folk Art Home Décor small Wax Brush

·      Natural Jute Cord

·      Robe Hooks

·      2 Screws

·      Drill

·      3/32 Drill Bit sized to the screws

·      Medium grit sandpaper or sanding sponge

·      Fine grit sandpaper or sanding sponge

·      Pencil

·      Screw driver

Step 1:

 Using a sanding sponge or sand paper in fine grit, sand the entire surface of the wood piece (this hook was pretty smooth and only needed a little sanding).

Step 2:

 Before painting the surface of the anchor, remove any dust or sanding residue left on the surface of the wood.  Paint two coats of the Cascade Chalk Paint and allow the paint to dry between coats.

Step 3:

 Take the medium grit sand paper and sand the areas of the hook that you want to look worn.  I did all the edges of the anchor that I wanted the wood beneath to show through and some of the surface.

Optional: If you want a more worn effect, use the screw driver to leave some dents onto the surface of the anchor.

Step 4:

Paint the monogramed center of the Anchor with the Gold Paint.  Apply enough layers to make it opaque. 

Step 5:

Using the small wax brush, apply a thin layer of the Folk Art white Wax on the outer area of the anchor (make sure not to get any on the Initial) and immediately remove any excess wax with a clean soft cloth.  Make sure you are careful during this process and allow the white to remain in the surface recesses.  Set aside and allow it to dry.

Step 6:

To seal and protect the anchor project, apply a very thin coat of the clear wax paint to the entire surface of the anchor, let dry for about an hour. Then use a very soft clean cloth and work a small area at a time to buff it out to a nice shine.  Allow the wax to cure for seven days before taking it outside or exposing it to moisture.

Step 7: 

Place the hook in the desired location on the anchor. Using a pencil, mark the hole locations.  Using the 3/32 Drill Bit, make pilot holes.  Then remove any dust left on project from sanding and drilling the pilot holes.   Then attach the hook to the anchor.

Step 8:

To finish the project, I wrapped some of the anchor with natural jute cord and added a bow that was embellished with shells that my kids had collected on one of our trips.

TIP:  You can change out the bow for each season, to change the look of the anchor.

A Review of the "American Girl Crafts" Mosaic Frame Kit

The American Girl dolls are pretty popular in my household and we have been blessed with another opportunity to test out one of their kits.  The "American Girl" line of craft kits by "E.K. Success" can be found at local craft stores, online and other retailers.  They vary in price and are geared to specific ages.   This particular kit is recommended for "American Girl" fans ages eight and up.  This "Mosaic Frame Kit" retails for about $19.99.

The "Mosaic Frame Kit" comes complete with:

• A project & idea booklet
• Acrylic Frame
• 142 Patterned Shapes
• 1 Green Square Stencil
• 1 Pink Circle Stencil
• 24 Clear Plastic Bubble Stickers
• 16 Self Adhesive gems
• 3 Ribbons
• Adhesive Foam Squares

The instructions include some drawings that make it fun for the crafter to follow, without having to stop

and read the whole booklet.  However, the booklet does offer some great tips and ideas for personalizing the projects.  There is even instructions for creating a fun scavenger hunt game to entertain the kids.
The colorful papers in the kit are actually pre cut shapes that the kids can use to decorate their frame

The clear bubble stickers are pretty neat and a nice finish to the pictures and/or die cuts used in the project.

The frame itself is really cute, it is made from acrylic which is safer for the kids to craft with.

Making the project is pretty easy, just choose some pictures.  My girls found it easier to hold the photo stencil to decide which pictures to use.

Or you can use the frame to see how the pictures will look.

Once the kids have picked out the pictures, then they just need to cut them out.  The pictures are pretty small so if you are working with younger children, then I would recommend cutting the pictures out for them.  If you have one of those fun inch sized square punches, then those will work too.  The project took about 30 minutes total to make and came out great.

You can also add pins and other mementos as embellishments onto the frame like my daughter did below.

The American Girl Mosaic Frame Kit  with embellishments

If you are looking for a fun quick and easy craft for your "American Girl" fan, then this kit will not disappoint. It is super easy and a fun memory project for your own "American Girl" to do.  The finished project is so cute.

Tips:

●  Lay everything out so you can pick your colors, shapes and photos.

●  If you are using the kit for younger children, you can help avoid frustration by using either the enclosed adhesive foam squares or use glue dots (my personal favorite).

●  Use up those fun stickers and buttons you  have around the house to use as accents for this fun frame.

Disclosure.

A review of some of the Stampendous Embossing Powders

http://CMP.LY/2/ieuewq

The "Painting with Powder" line of embossing powders by Stampendous offers the user an opportunity to paint a surface in a manner similar to working with chalks or other media.  The more well known technique to painting with embossing powder is "Fran's Painting with Powder Technique™" which you can view on the Stampendous you tube channel.  The powders are used to create fun abstract paintings on various objects but using her special technique and these embossing powders.  This is being promoted as a fun way to use embossing powders to create a different type of art.  

The kit they sent me was the "Scenic Selection" which comes with 14 jars in a variety of colors, which 

are: white, star dust, clear bark, olive, lettuce, periwinkle, baby blue, clear lemon, sunny yellow, golden sand, honey, paprika, chinese red, and ruby red. 

This kit has a helpful "Tips & Technique" chart and comes with two scoop straws to aid in the use of the embossing powders.

The manufacturer recommends using the Versamark™ Clear slow drying ink with these embossing powders to get the best results.

  For my first project I decided to use the embossing powders on a glass ornament to see if it would work.

I used one of the stamps enclosed in the kit, the "VersaMark" ink pad and some of the embossing colors.

I stamped the image onto a clean glass ornament and applied the powders.  Since it was a curved surface, I had a little trouble getting a clear image.

I decided to keep the image as is and a little more embossing powder in certain areas to give it some definition.

I also added a little glitter to the embossing powder to give it some sparkle.  I heated it carefully (to not allow too much of the glitter to fly away).  It is a bit difficult to see the sparkle on the picture but it looks great hanging in the window.

For the next project, I decided to try my hand at the "Fran's Painting with Powder Technique"™.  In case you have not already figured it out, I do not have very much experience with embossing powders.  However, I decided to give it a try anyway.  I applied the VersaMark pad all over the board.

Then added each color, starting with the lightest.

Then adding more color,

until I ended up with this finished gift tag which looks similar to the sample on the packaging label.

For my third project, I decided to make a card for a friend.  I also decided to test the powders on different colors of paper to see how the embossing colors would look on them.

Here is how the colors look on a black board.  Interestingly enough, the lighter yellow embossing powders on the top left corner, look green on the black background.

Here is a sample on regular card board.  Again, the yellow colors on the top right corner do not look yellow but kind of a yellow green.

And here is what the embossing powder looks like on cold press water color paper.  Because of the texture of the water color paper, it almost looks like chalk.  The colors showed up fabulously.

I used these samples to make the third project which is a card for a friend.

I also wanted to try these powders on wood to see how they would work.  So I gathered my supplies
and started by painting the wood box with some copper paint (#664 Metallic Copper) from Plaid.

I let the paint dry over night.  Then I applied the VersaMark pad all over the top part of the box.  Then I added the embossing colors, from lightest to dark, until I was satisfied. Here is what it looked like before I heat set the embossing powder.

And here is what it looked like once I heat set the embossing powders.

 I did not like how the blue came out on the box so I decided to see if the green colors were sufficiently opaque to cover the blue embossing powder.  I like this look much better.

I added some leaf cut shells, a button, and a special cross (that a friend sent to me) to the box.  So I was able to use these same powders to make a faux enamel type of box by mixing these powders with some mica and glitter.  Then by overlaying some of the colors to make them pop a little bit more.  It worked great and the box looks exactly the way I wanted it to.

The embossing powders are a mixture that ranges from translucent to opaque.  This allows for some interesting results, depending on the surface you are going to use them on.  The embossing powders can be used on paper, wood, glass, and a variety of other surfaces.  

Tipss

• Some of the colors are opaque which is great for covering darker surfaces.
• Some of the colors are more translucent which lends well to working on lighter surfaces and glass, however you may want to use an opaque color underneath to make the top color show better.
• These powders can be layered onto different surfaces.
• You can add a variety of materials like mica, glitter, etc. to the embossing powder to create additional special effects.  There are directions on the Stampendous website for mixing embossing colors to create different effects.
• The sunny yellow and white turn a strange color when used on dark surfaces, so be mindful of that when planning out your project.

Disclaimer

Halloween Polymer Clay Coverd Candy Tins Tutorial

    In my never ending search for fun new ways to recycle old containers. Here is a very simple way to recycle an old mint tin and candy containers into something useful.

    The first thing I did was to condition the clay with the pasta machine.  I put it through about ten times to get it nice and soft.  This is to make it easier to imprint onto the clay.  

    For the Halloween Candy Boxes, I just went ahead and covered the pre-sanded containers with the clay and then used a knitting needle to imprint lines on them (see below for details).  

• For the Pumpkin, I added polymer clay eyeballs and some tiny spiders.
• For the moon light pumkin patch, I shaped balls of clay into pumkins and used the knitting needle to make the appropriate markings.  I made the bat shape and moon the same way.  I used the Jacquard mica powder to highlight areas of the pumpkin patch.  Then I  baked them in the oven (craft oven...not food oven) for the time specified by the polymer clay manufacturer. Once it was done baking, I let it cool for a while

For the Altoid Container:

The I took one of my rubber stamps and pushed it (image side down) onto the clay.  I carefully removed the rubber stamp.

Then I took the empty "Altoid" mint container and sanded it down.  This is done to make the surface adhere better to the clay.  Then I put a coat of "Lisa Pavelka's Poly Bonder" which is glue that is geared for use on polymer clay.  I placed the polymer clay (image side up) onto the mint box.  I cut off the excess clay and finished off the edges.

Then I added some flat rhinestones, a little brush of mica powder and baked it in the oven (craft oven...not food oven) for the time specified by the polymer clay manufacturer. Once it is done baking, let it cool for a while. Then add a chain or string.  There you have it, a quick and easy polymer clay project.

Dimensions by EK Success Project Review

I was sent this kit to review for an article at "Craft Critique".  I had to make and then write a review on the instructions and the finished project.  If you want to know  the pros and cons to this particular kit, I recommend checking the article out at this link.


This really fun pillow cover kit is from the "Handmade Embroidery" line by Dimension Needlecraft (from the E.K. Success product lines).  I like the company slogan "with a few simple embroidery stitches and a little applique, you can create a heartwarming project in just a weekend with our Handmade Embroidery line".  Which is true, this kit is easily finished in one weekend and is great for those with limited free time to work on embroidery projects but want to enjoy the relaxing fun of doing embroidery.   This is also a nice kit for introducing embroidery to beginners.  The project is cute and the fabric and appliques are good quality cotton.  

The "Bird on a Flower" pillow cover kit is designed by Erin Ries.  The kit is designed to fit up to a 14" pillow which is not included in the kit but easy to find at any local craft supply store.  It is a colorful and fun crewel embroidery project that I am very excited to make.

The contents of the Bird on a Flower Kit are:

Pillow Cover

• pre-printed cotton fabric pillow cover in 100% cotton 

100% heavy cotton

• pre-printed cotton fabric appliques

Applique sheet

• color coordinated cotton thread

color coordinated thread and thread holder

• one needle
• one set of brief but simple instructions

To finish the kit, you need to purchase a 12" or 14" pillow to fit inside of the cover.

The instruction booklet and the Dimensions website do have some simple instructions and diagrams for their versions of the following stitches and knots:

● buttonhole stitch

● running stitch

● back stitch

● stem stitch

● french knot

The first step was to lay out the supplies to see what I had to work with and iron all the cotton pieces to remove the wrinkles.  Then I cut out the appliques.  

These are really nice appliques that do not seem to unravel easily but I decided to apply a 

little fray check to the edges of the pieces (just in case).

The instructions on how to apply the stitches and appliques onto the pillow are very brief, as you can see in the photo below.  

This is great for me, I like my instructions short and to the point.  However, since this kit is being promoted as good for beginners, it might cause someone who prefers more in depth instructions some small discomfort. 

So the next thing is to begin to applique the different fabric die cuts onto the pillow cover.

The kit directions for the actual stitches are far more detailed than the project directions and 

include diagrams that are easy to follow to finish the different appliques.

So once I had finished all the stitches and appliques, I added some buttons to personalize the pillow cover to add a little more dimension to the finished project.

It is cotton and will wrinkle easily.  However, I like the casual look of wrinkled cotton so this look totally works for me.

Overall, this would be an easy project to introduce someone to applique work and basic embroidery stitches.  All the supplies are included (except the pillow) and the directions are very brief and simple to follow.  It is also a great kit for short trips or just to do on a weekend.  You can also add to it by adding buttons, stones, ribbons, etc.

Tips:

1. Always keep the color picture, you can use it as reference, just in case the diagrams do not make sense to you.
2. Utilize the color coded card that is included in this kit to perfectly match the colors to the diagrams.
3. Place all the parts in a ziplock for an easy and inexpensive traveling kit.  Just grab it and you have something to work on when the opportunity presents itself.

For other kits by Dimensions, check out Amazon.

Disclaimer