Day 12 - Fabric Buttons

To start this post off I must apologise. I know I said I would do a craft a day but stuff came up and I couldn't get onto the computer. So I will make it up with showing you how to make your own personalised buttons with left over fabric or material of choice!


I love making these as each button is different. Each one comes out slightly different and they can be as cute or as loud as you want! I want to do embroidery on them next even though I have never tried this. Sounds like fun. Anyway.... enough of me waffling!




To make your own buttons you will need:
Self cover buttons with backs (I have tried both the metal ones and plastic ones but find the metal ones best)
Scrap material or anything you want to make buttons from.
Scissors
Button Making Tool (but you could use a heavy hand but may be harder)


You can get the Button Maker tool I have from eBay by clicking  HERE
The Self cover buttons are also on eBay with the same person HERE so you get a postage discount.

First step is to cut a piece of material bigger than the button so that it can tuck inside. I do it about 1.5cm bigger than the button size. Some people cut it into a circle but I do it the quick way haha! I have never been one for patience!  Place it over the button maker tool in the right size hole for the button (mine is 22mm).






Next place the button on top of the material and push down so it keeps the material tight. This can be done without the button maker by wrapping it over the button nice and tight.

Trim off the material that goes over the edges so it will have a neater finish. This is where material lovers will cringe at the thought of losing that little bit of fabric! If you had cut it in a circular shape, you would not need to trim. Now tuck in the material into the little shark like teeth so it grabs the material. It will then look something like this.

Now get the back of the button and place it down so that the dents face in. This will then clip into the button and secure it in place.






Place the button maker tool on top of the button and press down hard until you hear a click. If you don't have a tool then push really hard but it may take a bit of effort. Take it out of the button maker and there you have your cute little fabric buttons!

Add them to an outfit, a bag, or make hair clips out of them! You can put them on anything!

Day 11 - Lets Go Fly A Kite

I watched Mary Poppins yesterday and couldn't resist trying to make my own kite!! The one we made flew beautifully but died as it hit a tree. (Note to self - do not fly a kite close to trees). I didn't take any photos as my camera's battery decided to fail so I have pinched a couple of images of home made kites from google similar to the one we made.

I will show you how we made ours but you can design it however you like. This keeps the kids entertained and they can learn a bit of science when something they made is flying high and they've sent it soaring, up to the atmosphere, up where the air is clear, oh lets goooooooooooooo, fly a kite......... Sorry couldn't resist!

To make your own kite, you will need:

102cm Square Sheet of Brown Paper (I used parcel paper)

2 x 6mm Wooden Dowels (90cm long and 102cm long)

Ruler

Pencil

Scissors

String

Craft Knife/Stanley Knife

Pritt Stick/PVA

Wood Glue

50cm Nylon Cord

Paint, Ribbons and things to decorate

To start with, make a cross with the 2 sticks, with the shorter stick placed horizontally across the longer stick. Make sure both sides of the cross piece are equal in width.

Tie the two sticks together with the string in such a way to make sure that they are both at right angles to each other. Dab a bit of wood glue to stick it in place.

Cut a notch (with the help of a trusty adult) with the craft knife at each end of both sticks. Make it deep enough for the string. Cut a piece of string long enough to stretch around the kite frame. Wrap it around and knot it off at the final notch.

Cut two 15cm pieces of cord and knot each one into a loop. Tie one at the top of the kite and one at the bottom. Flatten out the brown paper and place the kite frame on top. Draw straight lines using a ruler around it, leaving a 3cm margin. Cut around carefully and fold the edges over gluing them in place nice and tight.

Cut a piece of string about 120cm long and tie one end to the loop at the top of the kite, and the other to the loop at the bottom. Tie another small loop in the string just above the intersection of the cross pieces where the flying line will go.

Make a tail for the kite by cutting off about a meter of cord and tying on small pieces of ribbon at regular intervals at about 10cm apart. Attach this tail to the bottom of the kite. The kite should be as light as possible so don't attach to much ribbon.

Decorate the kite with paint or pencils. We did a union jack! 

Tie the free end of the rest of the nylon cord onto the centre loop. Keep the cord on its roll as this is the flying line and reel. Now go and fly your kite!

Day 10 - The Avengers Assemble A Mask and a Box!

 Evening everyone! I went to see the Avengers yesterday in IMAX 3D and it was truly amazing! It was my first IMAX film and I loved how clear and in your face it was! After watching the yummy manly heroes, I was inspired to make something comic book hero related. So I have made a mask and a little box!

I'll start off with the mask as you can wear this as you make the box to make you feel like a superhero! I couldn't decide on which hero to be so I chose all of them and picked the entire Marvel crew!







 
To make the mask you will need:
Card
Pen/Pencil
Scissors
Glue/Pritt Stick/Double Sided Tape
Elastic/String/Ribbon
Hole Punch
Pictures to cut out (I got mine from google and they are copyrighted by Marvel so do not make this to re sell, only for personal use)



First of all, either design your own mask shape on card or you can use the template I used by clicking HERE. Make sure it will fit the shape of your face. I went around it in black pen to make it clearer to cut out. When you are happy with your shape, cut it out and use the hole punch to cut out small circles where the elastic/string will go through.



Next, design your mask how you want. Paint it, colour it or do what I did and print off a picture and stick it on top of the mask like the picture to the right.

 




Cut out the eyes carefully making sure they match up to where your own eyes are. I re hole punched the circles as I papered over them and I had something that looked like this on the left.

Attach some elastic or string so that it will fit over the persons head and tie a knot on either side like the photo to the right. Now turn it over and admire your work of art! Pop it on and hey presto.... you are a super hero with your own disguise!





Now to make the box! You can keep your super hero secrets in here or lock your powers away in here! You need all the same things as before plus a box to decorate. I got mine from Hobbycraft but I am sure you can get them anywhere or just use a different type of box. It can be any size but mine is a small one.





The first thing I did was print off some pictures from google of the Avengers and cut them out. I started with the lid.



Cover the lid with PVA glue and then put your pictures on top. When they are all in place, do not cover in PVA. Save this til the end when everything on the box is in place and when it dries first. Otherwise it will go bobbly as it is too damp.

Cover the entire box in this way with the design of your choice and when it is dry, cover with a layer of PVA glue and leave to dry. When it dries it will become clear and hard. Mine isn't quite dry yet but this is the best photo I can show you. I will update my blog tomorrow with the finished box.





And there you have it, Avenger inspired super hero items!! Have fun and get messy! That's all part of the fun! Now I am off to save the world............

Day 9 - Frog Origami

I am posting early today as I am out for the day! I am watching the new Avengers film in IMAX 3D so I will be making something tomorrow comic book related! Until then, I thought I would show you all how to make an origami frog that bounces. It gives you lots of fun and you can design them how you like. So before I ribbit on too much, lets get cracking.......







The only thing you need for this is a piece of A5 Card. It will still work with paper but wont be as long lasting. I used green card and just a marker pen to colour in the eyes.



The first thing to do is to lay out your piece of card in a landscape position. Following the diagrams, fold and unfold corner A diagonally to corner D. Then fold corner B to corner C. This will form a cross which takes up two thirds of the rectangle.





Next, fold and unfold the card along the line E and F as shown. This will line up with corners C and D.








Push down where the 3 folds meet. This will make the folds lift slightly from the surface.





Push points E and F inwards and with the other hand, fold the top (A/B) across to points C and D.







Your card should end up looking like this. Fold up corners A and B as shown here. This will form the front feet of the frog.

Fold in the edges at points C and D. The two edges will meet in the middle.







Make a Z Shaped pleat (a gentle crease rather than a hard fold) by creasing halfway along the frogs body, and then again a quarter of the way along its body.




Flip the card over and there you have your frog! To make him jump, press down on its back edge, then slide your finger off really quickly so the frog flicks up into the air.





You can make them in alsorts of colours and decorate how you wish. Just remember though, the more decorations the heavier the frog becomes so the lower it will jump. Let me know how you get on!

Day 8 - Decoupage Money Jar

 

I loved making this!! It was so fun to do and loved getting a little bit messy. This is a glass jar I had in the house covered with themed papers to turn into a money jar. Decoupage is the art of decorating an object by gluing paper cut outs into a design. 

You need to allow time for drying when doing this and also make sure you take a look at what not to do as well as what to do as I learnt from my mistakes.

What you will need:

A Glass Jar 

PVA Glue or Découpage glue

Decoupage papers or posh tissues (I found mine in The Works and are 2 for £1.50 at the moment)

Paintbrush 

Scissors

Ribbon or things to decorate with

 

The first step to recreate this is to make sure your glass and lid is clean. Pour out some PVA glue. and prepare your paper. I cut them up into pieces the size of large stamps like the photo to the right as its easier to smooth down. I also left some of them looking like notes but these didn't mould over the curve of the glass very well so I wouldn't recommend this. 

 

Next, cover a patch of your jar in PVA glue in the area you are going to work on and stick the paper/tissue onto the jar like the photo to the right. Place it any way you want. There is no wrong or right way at all. PVA over it with your paint brush to secure it into place. When it dries, it will be clear and will also make it hard similar to Paper Mache.

 

Do this the whole way around the jar until it is completely covered like the photo to the left.  Leave to dry. DO NOT leave on a radiator or use a hair dyer as the paper will crack or the glue will form little air bubbles. I left mine outside as it has been a lovely day today.

When it has dried you are free to use it as your money jar! I have left mine as it is but you can do the same thing with the lid, decorate it with a ribbon or even cut a hole in the lid for a money slot! I would love to see yours!! Go on.... have a go!!

Day 7 - Pencil Pot-tin'

First of all, sorry I didn't update my blog yesterday. I ended up going to a friends and staying there all day and most of the night. So a hangover and a few coffees later, here I am ready to give you a fresh idea to do.

I made two things today, one is this lovely pencil pot and the other will be on the next post.

I seem to have loads of tins knocking around so rather than throwing them out, I thought I would try and make use of them! Being the crafty arty person that I am, I also have lots of pens and pencils and nowhere to keep them all. So this is the perfect solution.

This is the quickest guide on how to do it as it really is simple. 

File down the sharp edges of the tin so it wont cut you when you go in to get your pens. I just used a metal file and it worked wonders! 

All you have to do is put double sided tape from the top to the bottom about 6 times around the tin. This is so the wool will have something to stick to as you wind it around.

Get your ball of wool and start at the top and go round and round keeping it nice and tight until you get to the bottom. When you get to the bottom, tuck the wool in or tape it underneath so it cant be seen.

Add a bit of detail like a bow or a pom pom like me and there you have it..... a Pencil Pot Tin!! Why not make it multicoloured or give it a theme. It could be a British pencil pot, a butterfly one or anything better that you can imagine. 

Day 6 - Make up a dance routine

I went to London today with Mr Pom Poms today as he had an interview down there. I went to keep him company and sing silly songs to keep him awake. He is now asleep on the couch as I write this after a long day driving. He did OK in his interview so fingers crossed!

While he was at his interview I waited in the car thinking of all the crafty things to do in my blog! This entry wont be the most exciting as my whole day was full travelling so for that I am sorry.

I am in a little group called the Crafty Chicks and its full of ladies as mad and fun as me. I am known for many things (mainly silly things) but one of them is my dancing. I love to do little dances when I'm happy. It doesn't take alot to keep me entertained! As I am always saying I am dancing, I was asked to do a tutorial for "The Sally Dance" so this is what I did while I waited in the car in a creepy car park like something from a horror story!

I had great fun drawing this and even had to act the moves to be able to draw it. I just hope none of the other drivers saw me haha! This is the only crafty thing I did today but had to share it! 

Make up your own dance routine to your favourite song and draw it so you remember it. All you need is a pen and your body! Happy Dancing!! Go on..... have a go! Wiggle that bottom!

Day 5 - Howdy Hangers

We have made loads of these today! All different types shapes and sizes! The weather has been awful so we decided to get stuck in and make something easy and fun! 

I found a pack of straws so I decided to make good use of them. This is the perfect thing to do on a rainy day and the kids love it! 

As she has an obsession with toy story, we made cowboys and cowgirls to hang on her door, on her cupboard doors, on her drawers and anywhere else they would go!

To make your own howdy hanger cowgirl you will need:

Card to make the body

String

Glue and Sticky Tape

Colouring Pencils/Pens/Paint depending how messy you want to be

Scissors

The first step is to design your cowgirl/cowboy. Draw the head and the body, then draw the hands and boots separate as these are going to be separate from the body later. If you don't have time to draw your own, here is a template for you to print and cut out. If you want her bigger, just enlarge it to size and print it off.

 

When you have designed it, colour it in and design them however you want! You can colour it or paint it, go with the flow. I had great fun designing mine shown on the left.

 

Then cut out your character carefully so you are left with something like this. 

 

When she is all cut out, turn her over. Put her to one side and cut a straw into 2 pieces. One to go across her shoulders and one to go at her waist like the picture to the left. Secure them with sticky tape as glue will take too long to set. 

 

Then cut one piece of string long enough to go through the top tube and also to fit hands on the end of the string "arms". Pass the string through and sticky tape/glue one hand on one end and one hand on the other. Then cut another Piece of string to go through the waist line tube and leave enough string for legs and to attach the boots on the end. Once you have passed the string through, stick on the boots. Then cut a small piece of sting and make a loop and fasten in to place at the top to make your hanger! 

Once its dry, hang it where you want! Don't stop at cowgirls and cowboys, make a whole load of different ones. Make Indians to go with them. Why not make an army soldier, A Builder, A Biker, and a Policeman and have the whole Village People! Have fun! We did!! 

Day 4 - Pom Pom Making

Well its now day for of my 365 A Craft A Day The Bronny Way challenge and all I have been able to do today was make pom poms! As some of you may know, I run a little facebook page called Bronny Pom Poms and with each order, I attach a little pom pom to the bag. So I have made about 50 of these today. Once you get into the swing of making them they are easy peasy!

To make your own little pom poms you will need:
Wool of your colour choice (To make one the size I do, I use 2 lengths of my arms held outwards from finger to finger)
A piece of wool to tie it with
Scissors
2 Cardboard Circles or a Pom Pom Plastic Pom Pom Maker (You can get these on eBay)




I am going to try and explain how to make them as simple as I can but I apologise in advance if I waffle.  First cut out your 2 cardboard circles if you don't have a plastic pom pom make. To do this, draw around a circular object which will be the size of your pom pom. Then draw a smaller circle inside this. Cut it out so it looks like the yellow donut circles above. Cut your wool. I pull the wool out til I get my arms length and then double it. This is to give it a manageable length. Double it over again and tie a knot in the end. This is to make it easier and not pulling though too many strands.

Place the two circles together (if you have the plastic ones, make sure the grooves are on the inside). With the knot end, place it on the circles and wrap it round on one side, then wrap it round on the other side of the strand (see picture to the right).

Keep wrapping the wool round over and over again making sure you keep it tight. If you don't keep it tight the pom pom will fall apart. When you come to the end of your wool tuck it in the previous loop to make sure it doesn't unravel. (see pic to the left)




Start again with another piece of wool and do the same as the previous piece. Keep doing these steps til the ring is completely covered in wool. Trim off any parts that are sticking out and it will look something like the picture to the right.




Make sure you have the piece of wool to tie the pom pom up with to hand before you do the next step. Take the scissors and snip through the middle of your 2 circles at the same time as holding on to the middle of the ring. If you let go of the ring then all the wool will come out. Snip carefully and take your time. See pic to the left to see what I am trying to explain.





When you have finished cutting all the way around, still holding onto the middle you should have something that looks like this on the right.





Next get your piece of wool to tie it up with, place it in between the two circles and very carefully, tie a knot. The knot has to be ties tightly to keep it all in but not too tight that it snaps. This has happened a few times to me and involves a few bad words when it does happen.... It will look like this on the left.




Once you have tied it, you can now take the circles off the wool by sliding it off like the photo to the right. This turns it into a pretty pom pom!!






When it comes out of the circles it looks a little flat, just ruffle it up and there you have your perfect pom pom like this on the left!!







Now you know how to make them, why not do them with different colours, bigger sizes or even cut them into different shapes? I have made hearts and alsorts by carefully snipping them after the pom pom is made. I have even made a strawberry!! Add it to your handbag, keys or anything laying around to snazz it up a bit! Go on, experiment and have a go!!

Day 3 - Hot Water Bottle Cover

Pinched this image from google :(

Before I start this blog I have to apologise. I ha vent made this today as I have been so busy completing orders on my crayons (check out www.facebook.com/bronnypompoms or www.etsy.com/shops/bronnypompoms if you want to see hehe) and designing my new colouring book! So here is something I made for my Mum at Christmas and thought it would be perfect to share! 

I promise tomorrows craft a day will be amazing! :)

This little water bottle cover project is a simple project that will take less than an hour. It will also make the perfect present!

You Will Need:

       Old jumper

       Hot water bottle

       Ribbon

       Scissors

       Sewing machine or Wonder web

       Material to make the flowers

       Needle and thread

       Pen

Turn your jumper inside out and draw the outline of the water bottle's bottom and sides on it. If the jumper has an elasticated bottom, use this as the top of the outline. Draw the two sides a few centimetres higher and then draw a straight line across. This will give a shape like an upside-down tombstone.

Sew, or use Wonder web with an iron, around the bottom and two sides of the outline.

To create a piped edge, turn the jumper inside out again so that it is the right side up. Stitch 1cm inside the outline for the bottom and two sides. (You can use Wonder web to do this too.)

If you want to decorate the cover, you can use ribbon, scraps of material, felt, or whatever you choose. I made little petals: cut out between five and seven petal shapes from a scrap of material. Pinch the bottom of a petal together and insert a needle with thread a few millimetres from the bottom of the pinched petal, as if creating a necklace with petals hanging off. Do this for each petal. Once all the petals are on the thread, pull the cotton together very tightly to form a flower. Use a decent length of thread so you can then stitch the flower to the water bottle cover.

Cut a long strip from your scrap material. You can use this to tie a bow around the top of your water bottle cover.

Make sure you use a thick jumper for your cover, and follow all safety advice about filling hot water bottles.

Day 2 - Mosaic Madness

Create your very own masterpiece with a fantastic and colourful mosaic! 

Follow my steps below to make this bright and colourful paper fish which will look amazing in a frame when finished! The more colourful the better! Let your imagination SWIM wild!

I had so many old magazines laying around, I just had to get rid of them. But I had to make use of them first and do a bit of upcycling!

For this craft you will need:

Old or new magazines to cut up so dont use someone elses!

Scissors

Glue (PVA or Pritt Stick)

Coloured card

Pencil or pen

First step is to get your old magazines or newspapers and cut out lots of little squares about the size of a quarter of a stamp. You can do lots of different colours and sizes like I have and sort them into piles.

Next, grab a coloured piece of card. This will be your background. With a pencil and patience, draw the outline of your fish.

When you are happy with your outline, lay out the coloured squares to see how it will look. When you are happy with your design, stick down your coloured pieces of paper with Pritt Stick or PVA glue onto the body of your fish, making sure that you use similar colours in individual areas. Do not overlap any squares to make it look like a mosaic.

 When you have finished with the body and tail, allow the glue to dry. Meanwhile, with black card or any other coloured card, cut out shapes matching the fish’s face and fins. Stick these in place as shown and wait for it to dry.

Once dry, with a silver pen, draw in the fish’s eyes and any detail you want to put on the fins.You can also do this with cut outs from your magazine.

Frame this beauty on your wall for all to admire!

I had great fun doing this and was a little bit messy as I tipped the entire lot of cut outs on the floor. I am a very clumsy person if you hadn't already guessed! So top tip would be to put your coloured magazine cut outs in a big sorting pot or tray. 

You dont have to stop at a fish either! Why not make a whole aquarium of fish, a monkey, a jungle scene or be brave and do a person!! I would love to see yours!! Go on..... get creative!!!!!!