pay attention

pay attention
read my lips

read my lips

Friday, July 27, 2012

July 27 2012


okay...finally got this project all COMPLETED....so will share...




it all starts at the thrift store 
...these paddles seem to be hanging out there ..always a couple of them...
you will need
PADDLES
a piece of SANDPAPER or abrasive pad....(or not..I could have just painted without) 

CHALKBOARD PAINT
paint both sides of paddles 3-4 coats ..dries fast


ACRYLIC PAINT (for handle...or leave as is)

ERASER (ordered from office supply store)
STICK ON VELCRO




STICK ON LETTERS (if you want to personalize and can't freehand it)

BODDA BING
very cool portable individual chalk/drawing board

P.S.  include a box of chalk

There you have it .....individual chalk board..portable entertainment...
stay tuned ...I've got a million more ideas






Wednesday, July 11, 2012

july 11 -12


PUZZLE BLOCKS

I have been making these for years for kids using photos.
These pictured below are using pics from internet and the 
names were created with Photoshop.
The pics are of the child's favorite thing
and then their name is on reverse side.
You could create puzzles using all the sides of the blocks
for a total of 6 puzzles per....but 2 sides are plenty!

INGREDIENTS
blocks
Xacto knife
photos or pics
Mod Modge
TIME (for drying)






STEPS
Rubber band the set of blocks together.
 Place the picture on the bound set of blocks.
 Mod Podge it in place....the WHOLE UNCUT  pic. 
If you are putting pics on two sides, place second pic on back side at this time.
so...now you have the bound set of blocks with a pic 'glued'
 to each side.
...place something heavy on this and leave to dry.
Here comes the tricky part...
when the pics are secure... glued and dry...
take the Xacto knife and using a straight edge 
cut between the blocks. 
You have to do this carefully
it is not an exact science.
Surely someone will find an easier way 
but this works for me.
Once the cuts are made, remove the rubber bands.
VOILA! 
PUZZLE PIECES
Trim the edges with scissors.
Now Mod Podge the heck out of these blocks.
I do all the sides with many coats.
(...this is where the time comes in...
drying time)
When all dry I put the puzzle in box (I hand make these to exact size of puzzle)
making boxes is a WHOLE OTHER STORY
of a WHOLE OTHER CRAFT...
anyhow....I make the boxes and glue a pic of the puzzle to the lid (just like the 'real' puzzles  you buy in store )
....if it is two sided puzzle I place the second puzzle pic on inside of lid...
This is a very personal gift.
I especially like the ones using a photo of the child
but these with their favorite thing...
will be well received.
Blocks can be a simple a 4 pieces 
I also make a Tic Tac Toe version with 9 pieces
...possibilities are endless
CRAFTILIOUS!