Make it Yourself- with grocery store Valentines candy

Need a quick and easy valentine gift for a friend, loved one, family member or teacher? Look no further than the Valetines candy display at the grocery store- pick up a few inexpensive boxes and go to your stash and make some really cool "kinda" handmade Valentines. here are a few of my Snapguides to show you how-

Check out How to Make a Tic Tac Valentine by Denise Hahn on Snapguide. Check out How to Make an Upcycled Valentine by Denise Hahn on Snapguide.

Not Xyron, but should be! DIY Glass Candle Luminary

This week we were tasked with choosing a cool Pinterest project that was not made using Xyron Adhesives- but should be. We were to use the project as inspiration for our own creation and the second I saw those washers, I knew they were calling my name! Why you ask? Because my husband is a hoarder of tools and supplies. I only say that in a half joking way, because he does truly have an acknowledged problem. One of the things that drives me crazy is he always buys 3 or more of things. ALWAYS! So I KNEW I would have a major stash of washers somewhere in our garage. And sure enough he said we did- and gently set a package of washers on my craft table. However the next day- lo and behold he has bought me three more packages of 3 different sizes. Hoard Prevention FAIL! What can I say, I love the dude? here was my Pinterest Inspiration-



{I used Clearsnaps Designer Foils to color the back sides of the washers}

{Looks amazing my bathroom, and I got a "that's pretty cool" from Hubby}

{ I of course used my Xyron Create A sticker to make it! Want to see how, just watch this Snapguide!}

Check out How to Make a Glass Luminary With Metal Washers by Denise Hahn on Snapguide.

Xyron and Graphic 45 Couture Corset Banner from Scratch

So what is crafting from Scratch? For me it means I create my own base- whether that be a box, a mini album, or whatever! I guess it's the opposite of altering where you take something already made and alter in your own style. I wanted to make a banner using Graphic 45's Couture collection and at first was going to make a string of dresses- but as I did my Google image search, I found some very cute corsets. If you think you are terrible at drawing- your not alone! I am a disaster, but when I find something I want to make the shape of, I just grab a pencil and go for it. I tend to make one side better than the other- no problem, just draw a line through the middle and cut the good half out. Flip it over and trace the good side, then flip again and trace to create one perfect piece. Works every time. I also have another great tip for using my Xyron Creative Station. Instead of cutting out my base chip board, then my paper, then adhering them. I just make one piece a little bigger than my template- adhere my paper to the chipboard, then trace and cut out. Want to see what I mean? Here is a tutorial of the whole project:

{I use Google image search to find the silhouette that I want. I just free hand drew it, then using the technique I told you about made tow even sides and traced into one}

{The I cut out 3 pieces of chipboard making sure my template would fit on each one}

{I chose my Graphic 45 Couture Prints and cut them same size as my chipboard}

{Then I ran the cardstock through my Xyron 5 Inch Creative Station with permanent adhesive}

{after I attached all of the cardstock to the chipboard, then I traced out and cut my corsets out- so easy, no matching the edges!}

{Ink it up! I am using Donna Salazar Mixed Media Chox on Bluejay and Black}

{Now take those little scraps and cut your self some shoulder straps- optional you don't have to make straps}

{I used Xyron high tack tape to attach my straps}

{now comes the fun part! Embellish away! Use bits of lace and trim. I used Xyron High Tack Tape for my trims but used hot glue for some of my heavier trim like this pearl}

{tip: Don't worry about your high tack tape getting wrinkled going around edges- it will flatten out when you add the trim}

{see!}

{I used some Recollections brads to make this little lace up detail-so cute!}

{Now I needed some clothespins to attach to my line-so I distressed these mini pins with Colorbox Spritzer in Mudslide}

{I then hot glues some vintage buttons on}

{after I hung them, I wanted a little extra, so I made these tags for each using Graphic 45 Couture Chipboard tags and some twine from May Arts}

{Now to assemble-just attach to more twine. This would look so cute on a closet door or at you make up table mirror.  Below I am adding in some detail pics for you, so you can see how I embellished them all. I hope you will have fun making something from scratch today!

-Denise



30 Days of Crafting! Embossed Candlelit Houses

make animated gifs like this at MakeAGif

Okay, so yeah... I love making little houses! I can't help it! These are super super easy and a quick way to add a special touch to a centerpiece, mantle or bookshelf. I used the super fun amber flickering battery candles, you can find these at any craft store. Now let's get to it!

You will need:

Embossalicious Christmas Elegance by Crafters Companion

4- 6x6 Pieces of sheet music or book pages (use new-vintage will not emboss or fold well)

Your Favorite Inks- Mine are Colorbox

Xyron Adhesive- Mega Runner 1/4 inch adhesive

Teresa Collins Stapler

Xacto knife

Pencil

optional:

Elmers Glue or Modge Podge

Small Paintbrush

Glitter

Xyron Creatopia w/ embossing insert

Cut out and emboss 4 pages of sheet music I used Embossalicious Christmas Elegance by Crafter Companion

I used my Creatopia to emboss and this is my "sandwich"-follow instructions for your embosser

Next I used my Colorbox memory Essentials Stylus and my Colorbox Ink to brush out the highlights on the embossed paper

next "eyeball" fold over, overlapping about 1/4 inch

Like so!

Now, watch carefully-I then meet the two folds I just made in the middle, and press down again. There is NO adhesive yet-we are simply making folds so we know where to cut our windows

Grab a piece of scrap chipboard and cut out a window template-free hand it! You can do it!

Now on each of the 4 sides-trace out your window, varying the heights-but not too low or too high!

OPTION: before you fold up take your brush and glue and LIGHTLY spread some glue on the inside and sprinkle with glitter

Now we are ready for adhesive. Run a line down the "extra" edge

now fold it back up again

fold back out to for a square

Close up the top, like wrapping a present

grab your stapler-and close her up!

When you open it back up- you can use a pencil end to straighten up the sides- you can create different house shapes by simply pushing the folds up higher or leaving them low

Finished! Now just pop it over a batter operated tea light

Or on second thought- hopefully you saw my option above and already added a little glue and glitter- I used a paintbrush and just dabbed some glue in and spinkled my glitter in- I just found it glowed a little more sparkly that way!

Look how cute they all look together!

-Have fun and Happy House Building!