DIY Father's Day Gift Idea - Tutorial

I love taking pictures and making handmade gifts for those I love.

I would love to share a little project my kids and I made a couple 

months ago for my Hubby's birthday.

It would make a perfect gift for Father's Day! I know any dad, grandpa, uncle, papa, or friend would be happy to get something special like this. It is super easy and with Father's Day approaching in the States this Sunday - You still have plenty of time!! So, get those camera's out and let's go!!!

Supplies:

Camera
Frame with 3 openings 
Plastic tray from the Dollar Tree
Paintbrush
Piece of Chalk
Scissors
Red construction paper
Super cute kids
Candy: Totally optional, but it makes the super cute kids smile really big! :)
Chalkboard Paint (Now let's break this down...I used the brand Folk Art. It is what the craft store had at the time. I know there is chalkboard spray paint. You can pick that up from places like Lowe's. I have also heard that Martha Stewart's chalkboard paint is great as well. I want some Annie Sloan paint - but, it is expensive! I'll have to wait for a furniture project for that.)

The first thing you want to do is paint the clear tray with chalkboard paint. I had to paint many coats to make it truly black. Don't be alarmed when you start painting and it is super thin. Have faith. It will get darker as you continue to add layers. Be sure to let the paint dry completely before putting on another coat. I suggest painting the tray on a previous day. The best part is...after you are done, you have a great little chalkboard to use for other projects. I attached a rope to the back and hung mine over a desk in our hallway. It is a fun place to write words, quotes, or messages.

Next cut out various hearts from the red construction paper. I cut out two so each one of my kiddies could hold a heart. The size of your clan will determine how many hearts needed. 

Once your tray is dry, write the word "we" and decorate it a bit if you want. 

 Now, you have your cute chalkboard with the word "we," some red hearts, and some super cute kids. This is the time to bring out the candy. :) Find a place to take your pictures. Keep in mind that you want the words and adorable faces of your children to stand out...not a busy background. Think - backyard fence, garage door, porch, pretty field. Snap away!! When it is time, get some pictures with the word "You" and the red hearts.

 Finally, choose the pictures you like and edit them if you want. That is another optional step of course. But, I have to give a quick plug to PicMonkey. I LOVE it. It is free (for now) and has some very easy tools for editing your little gems. They even have ready made collage frames. LOVE it! After you print your gorgeous photos, pop them in the frame and poof - fabulous gift!

Super easy!

Super inexpensive!

Super fabulous! 

Oh, by the way...here are some reasons why a little bribery may be in order...

I am sharing my project with Crafty Scrappy Happy and Sneak Peek Friday!

Have a beautiful weekend!

A Little Jewelry "How To"

For Christmas this year I had it in my head that I wanted to 

make the ladies in my family necklaces.

I really wanted to make something handmade & girlie.

When I get something in my head...I get kinda obsessed. :)

My first obsession - hand stamped jewelry.

LOVE it.

Gorgeous. Love. Beautiful.

But, I wanted to make it myself - and thought 

getting all the supplies I needed 

would exceed my Christmas budget soooo...

My second obsession - pendant jewelry with 

Dimensional Magic (or Diamond Glaze).

They are so fun and easy to make, every girl I know may get one. 

(Friends reading - be prepared!)

Here is a very basic, quick tutorial on how to make your own!!

You will need a pendant of your choice. I bought mine at Hobby Lobby. I know they have them at Michaels, Joann's, and on Etsy. (I wait until the jewelry is 40% off so I can stock up. The cashier at my local Hobby Lobby said that their sales are on a cycle that run every other week. Good to know!) 
Also, you will need a ball chain, scrapbook paper, pencil, 
scissors or punch, Dimensional Magic, 

a pin (for poking nasty little bubbles!), embellishments, and words of your choice 
(I use my stash of old books or print a bunch out from my computer).

Regular Mod Podge & punch not shown

  Here we go - SUPER easy...

1) After you have chosen your fab paper, use a scrapbook punch or 
template to cut your paper to the size of the pendant. 
The bezels from Hobby Lobby (from the company Findings) have a template right on the back. 
I actually used clear plastic (like acetate) from some packaging 
to trace over the shape so when I cut my 
paper I could see my the design clearly. 
For this necklace a 1" punch worked perfectly!

2) Use all your different goodies, words, and embellishments 

to figure out how you want your pendant to look.

 

 

3) When you have a design ready to go, use Mod Podge 
to secure the paper to your pendant.

(Make sure it is glued down well. I keep a cloth & toothpick close by so I can wipe away the excess.
I want to keep the top of the pendant clean.)

4) Continue creating your masterpiece and seal the top with 

another layer of Mod Podge. 

Set it aside to allow the Mod Podge to completely dry.

5) Once it is dry, start applying the Dimensional Magic into the pendant. DON'T shake the bottle! Those little bubbles are pretty nasty and can be really annoying. I move slow, starting on the outside, and move towards the middle. Have a pin handy in case you get a bubble. Just pop it!

Don't be alarmed by the cloudiness. It goes away once it is dry!

6) Finally, put it in a safe place and let it dry overnight.

The next day string your pendant onto a chain and 

you will have a beautiful new piece! :)

If you look - you can see the little bubbles I didn't catch. My daughter still loves it! :)

Just a little note...Dimensional Magic reacts to water. It is not waterproof. 

So, don't wear it when you go swimming or while dancing in a rainstorm!

I need to try resin next. I think that it is more durable. 

Have you used it before??

I hope you had a beautiful week!