Do-It-Yourself Fabric Cork Board, Easy Tutorials

Photo Courtesy: I Heart Naptime 

I love garage sales. That's a great place to find inexpensive frames. You don't have to love the painting, but if the frame is something you can recycle or up cycle then you might as well buy it.

JamieLyn at I Heart Naptime created an awesome looking fabric cork board. If you read over her tutorial its very simple to make. Click here to get to those instructions.

Here is a SUPER simple video tutorial. All you need is one of those cork boards you can buy at the local discount store, some fabric, tacks, glue and stapler.



If you make one let me know in comments below. I would love to post a photo on my Best Crafters Facebook page. 

Happy Crafting!

Rebecca

Do-It-Yourself Cellphone Cover, Easy tutorial

Photo Courtesy: A Pretty Cool Life 

When I find cheap deals on fabric, I make sure I buy a few years. I often go through the remnant bin to find cool pieces of fabric that are less than a yard.

Now I'm glad that I have kept some quilting fabric. Do you need a nice cover for your cellphone? Check out this easy tutorials. Click here for a tutorial by A Pretty Cool Life.  

I know a lot of my female friends who would love one for these for their phones. They would make great birthday gifts. I figure if you're going to sit down and sew one, you might as well make a dozen as gifts for next year for Christmas.

Just thinking ahead.

If you make one let me know in comments below. I would love to post a photo of your project on my Best Crafters Facebook page. 

Happy crafting!

Rebecca

Happy 2015: Create, Craft and Share

I don't have a long list of resolutions for 2015. What I do have planned for this year is to create and craft more and share my knowledge along the way. I'm sure some of you know that occasionally I post videos on YouTube on how to make different projects. I hope to put more on YouTube and short videos on Instagram.

I'm about sharing and paying it forward. A woman wrote me and told me she was a single mom. She sold a bunch of wreaths that she learned two make from my sandwich bag wreath video on YouTube. That gave me a great feeling, because I was able to empower, inspire and help a mother put food on the table.

So here's my idea for all of you out there who know how to craft. If you sew, decoupage, scrapbook, crochet, upcycle, recycle, make jewelry or anything else you can think of, share it!  Even some of you who sell on Etsy or other websites. I know you sell to make money and to pay the bills;  but why not think outside the box? Why not pay it forward and share your talent. Just think maybe you'll be helping someone on the other side of the world, a total stranger. Maybe you'll be helping that one person put food on the table.



When you think about it, doesn't crafting make you feel good, take the stress away or make you feel like you have accomplished something in life. It does for me.  Remember if you pay it forward it comes back tenfold. It has for me.

SHARE IT

• Write a blog.  I post my stuff and that of other crafters on this blog. Create your own blog.
• Share blogs of different crafters. I do this on this blog and on the Best Crafters Facebook. 
• Share someone else's idea. I post things I like on the Best Crafters Facebook page too.
• Shoot a 20 second Instagram video with a quick tip.
• Shoot a YouTube video. You can use a camera even your smartphone and post straight to Youtube. Here's a short one I shot on my phone and posted right on YouTube.

I figure God gave me my talents. I might as well share them and keep the crafting world alive!

Happy 2015 and happy crafting!

Rebecca

3 DIY Videos: Make your own mesh Christmas tree with lights

Photo Courtes:
MakesMyHeartSmile.org 

I put up a Christmas tree every year. But I have a lot of friends who don't put up a tree, because they live alone or say they don't have time.

I thought wouldn't it be a nice surprise if I made one and left it on their front door step with a note that reads "Just plug it in."

I did some research and found these three videos on how to make a Christmas tree out of a tomato cage. It looks easy.

All you need: 1 tomato cage, 3 to 4 rolls of mesh, a string of lights, pipe cleaners and your creativity.





MAKE A DECO POLY MESH CHRISTMAS TREE




HOW TO: MAKE A MESH CHRISTMAS TREE


 


ANOTHER DECO MESH TREE--BEAUTIFUL GREEN






Who doesn't love a Christmas tree and bright lights?  Even if its a tomato cage.

Happy Crafting!

Rebecca

Make a Fall wreath for under $10 - DIY Tutorial

Hi Crafters!

I love to have a wreath above my fireplace during the year. Here is the Fall wreath I made for this year.

It cost me less than 10 dollars to make this wreath, because I bought most of the stuff at a thrift store or on sale at a craft store. Some of the decorations on the wreath are left over items from other craft projects. Never throw anything away.

Now watch my wreath tutorial and let me know what you think in comments.





You can use this wreath during the Fall and after Halloween up to the Christmas holidays. Make some for your friends. They will love them!

Happy crafting!

Rebecca

Make a Carrot Wreath for Easter

Richard Patino works on wreath 

I was at my favorite Michael's store in Dallas when I noticed Richard Patino busy working on a wreath. He was making a carrot wreath for Easter.

Patino told me it took him only 30 minutes to make one. I have no idea how it is done. Michael's sells Patino's wreaths for $59.99.

It's cheaper to make your own.

I thought wouldn't it be great to add some orange lights and put it on a big wall in your home. Wow!

Here's a video I found on YouTube that shows you how to make a carrot wreath. I hope it helps. 

Thanks for the inspiration Richard Patino!

Happy Crafting!

Rebecca

Valentine's Decoration: Make a Valentine's tree

I love my Christmas tree, so I thought why not put together a Valentine's tree. Actually I needed a gift for my mother. 

I headed to Michael's store and bought my supplies. Everything was on sale. Here's what I put together in less than 30 minutes. 

Supplies:

• Small artificial tree or cover green styrofoam cone with fake ivy
• Valentines gift tinsel or wrap around tinsel
• One "heart" on a stick for the top or anything that can be the main attraction
• Christmas white lights

I already had the small Christmas tree and white lights. The new supplies cost me a total of 3 dollars. Please, use my Valentine's tree to give you inspiration. 

Happy crafting! 

Rebecca

Other Valentine's Crafts: Valentine's Wreath 

3 Beautiful Fleece Scarves, Easy to make

In most places around the country, it's cold outside. Why not get some fleece and make a scarf. Here are some beautiful scarves I found on the web. They are very easy to make. You can probably make one in a less than two hours.

Thanks to Whimsy Couture Boutique, Bromeliad Living, and Craft Stylish for the FREE instructions. I have hot linked their blogs and a direct link to instructions to make the scarves.


Infinity Fleece Scarf 

Courtesy: Whimsy Couture Boutique

Pleated Fleece Scarf

Courtesy: Bromeliad Living

Fleece Ripple Scarf

Courtesy: Craft Stylish

For more great ideas check out the blogs that I have listed above, and let's continue the sewing.

Happy crafting!

Rebecca

Other sewing projects:

• Sewing Project 2014
• DYI Onesie Ideas
• Learn How Sew With A Pattern

Greeting Card Design #3: A Simple Thank You

You can never have enough thank you cards. Like I said in previous blogs, I like to keep things simple. 

I made several of these "thank you" cards in 30 minutes.  

Here's what you need for this card:

• Blank card
• Foam flower stickers
• "Thank you" rubber stamp
• Black ink (for stamp)
• Black sharpie marker to draw flower stem. 

Just looking at the card you can figure out how easy it is to design and put together.  Have fun being creative. 

Other Card Ideas

Greeting Card #1: Just Dots!

Greeting Card #2: Scraps please

Rebecca

Quick Craft: Recycle your Christmas Cards into gift tags

Everyone knows I don't throw anything away. And if I can recycle something and give it a second life, that's even better.  I got a new "tag" puncher for Christmas. Then I noticed my pile of Christmas cards from my friends and family.  That's when I came up with the following video.

It's also the first time I have produced a video with my smart phone. I figured it's a quick video and I needed to get the idea out to you guys right away, before your toss the cards. Enjoy!



If you have other ideas for your Christmas cards, please leave a link or idea in comments.

Happy Crafting!

Rebecca

Greeting Card Design #2: Scraps Please

I don't throw anything away, especially pieces of scrapbook paper. If I can cut a sliver of paper from scraps or punch out a circle, I'm keeping any left over scrapbook paper.

It's amazing how you can create a beautiful background for a nice card by putting together a bunch of pieces of scrap paper. Here's a background I made for a Halloween card. All I did was glue together pieces that went together by color, pattern, and theme.

I'll post the finished product later. Get creative with your scraps!

Join us on our Facebook page: The Best Crafters

Rebecca 

Greeting Card Design #1: Just Dots

I love making greeting cards and giving them away as gifts in packs of 5 to my friends and family.  In 2014, I will share many of my ideas so you can get started.


I keep my ideas simple. I like to make about 10 cards at the same time. I actually set up like an assembly line on my kitchen table.

I came up with "Just Dots" when I had some left over scrapbook paper (bottom). The top was rubber stamped on the blue card with brown ink.  I added the dots in the center of the circles. 

I also added:

Brown ribbon

Tag was created with puncher

Flower is sticky foam one from package of several.

Rhinestone in center, I put it there. 

Rub on words--Laugh Often

Have fun creating your own version! And don't forget, join us on our Facebook page: The Best Crafters

Rebecca

Other Card Projects

Greeting Card Design #2: Scraps please

The Best Crafters December Picks for Best YouTube Craft Tutorials

Photo Courtesy: handmadecharlotte.com

It's never to late to learn a new craft.  And today there are many people who are willing to share their knowledge for free on YouTube.  I've scanned many YouTube tutorials and here are my picks for this month.


These are video tutorials for beginners who want to crochet, knit, scrapbook, decoupage, sew, and mixed media.  Please share these with your friends and motivate people to learn a craft.

Crafting is a great way to be creative. It's a great way to relax after a long day at work. It's a great way to do something while you're watching television, and it's also a great way to take a break from your smartphone.



Learn to Crochet





Knitting Basics






Decoupage in simple steps






Beginning Scrapbooking






Back to Basics Sewing






Mixed Media in simple terms








I've decided that this is going to be a regular thing on this blog. My YouTube tutorial picks! Let me know in comments if you have a favorite. Enjoy!

The Unexpected Jewelry Organizer, Easy to Make

I have a girlfriend who has boxes lined with velvet. That's where she keeps some of her jewelry. My mother-in-law had a big cabinet with a bunch of drawers for bracelets and rings. It also had a side panel where she could hang her necklaces. My father-in-law says the wooden cabinet cost him $200.

Most of you know, I don't like paying very much for anything. And if I can make it for nothing--even better. I was browsing the web when I found some creative ways other people have been organizing their jewelry.

Most of this stuff can be found in your garage or kitchen.

Run to the garage and find that old rake.  I have no clue who created the rake organizer in the photo to the left, but you can see--it's simple to make.

We found this bulletin board (below) on CreativePotential.net where Pam Vale took a simple bulletin board and made it a piece of art.  You can probably buy a padded board at your local craft store or pad a cork board yourself.

The Shopping Duck has another easy idea. How about making a jewelry organizer from a wire cube storage piece.  You can probably make a bunch of them and really dress them up.

Now do your Spring cleaning and before you toss anything away--give it a second look and see if it can have a second life as a jewelry organizer.  Please feel free to share it with us.

Happy crafting!

Wooden Hangers, Decoupage for a New Look

Decoupage a wooden hanger

I love to shop at thrift stores.  I always find boxes full of wooden hangers in the back of the store. I've always wondered what I could make with them.  I mean they are wooden and nothing to look at.

Then I found my inspiration when I was browsing the web. I found this photo. I would love to give credit to the person who took the photo, but I could not find it. I would love to give credit to the crafter who made these hangers too, but I have no clue who made them.

Look closely, someone decoupaged beautiful flower paper on the wooden hangers. Wouldn't this make a great gift for a woman?

I also found a great video tutorial on how to decoupage on wood.  Here's the YouTube video.



Now go raid your closets and start making gifts out of those wooden hangers.

Happy crafting! Please share my blog.

The Crafters Organizer: Pizza Boxes

Do you love pizza? Do you like to recycle? And of course, if you're on this blog--you love to craft.

Well I recently produced a video for Mamiverse.com on how you can organize your crafts with pizza boxes.They're cheap or even free. It all depends on your favorite pizza place.

Check out my video and start getting organized today.  If you're a teacher, you'll love this idea for your students.



Please share it and help others get organized!

Blogger Profile: Learn how to create with Alisa Burke

Alisa Burke is amazing! She has so much creativity that you’ll be in awe of her work.  It's all on her blog.

I’ve bookmarked her blog, because I know that I have a lot of catching up to do. I happened to find her on Twitter today.

Her tutorials are easy to read and follow, because she provides photos for every step. You can learn how to make: chunky shimmer bangles, sketchbook pumpkins, big scrappy paintings, and big text paintings!

I can’t list everything, but let me tell you—there is a lot. You have to see her Christmas wreath made out of sketches on a book. Wow!

Even if you think “I can’t do that.” Oh yes you can—once you see this woman’s inspirational work!

As she puts it “redefine creativity.” She’s not kidding. Alisa has a few video’s post. They inspire you to get creative too. I’m hoping someday her tutorials will be on video.

Yes, Alisa—I’d like to hear you talk, because you’re good!

Enjoy the video!

Last Minute Halloween Costume Ideas under $10

If you haven't figured out what you're wearing to your Halloween party; here are plenty of ideas.  Most of these are costumes you can put together for less than 10 bucks.

We have found some of the best tutorials on Youtube to help you create that last minute costume.

BatGirl Costume

All you need is a couple of yards of black fabric, scissors, and some simple sewing.

 


Dozens of Kid/Baby Costume Ideas

Put together these costumes in a less than an hour: turtle, rubiks cube, UPS man, apple pie, potted
plant.  They are simple and easy to make.




Cheap Zombie Costume

Who doesn't like a good zombie movie.  Well here is one of the easiest costumes to make with a white t-shirt and jeans.  Add a little red paint and dirt, and it's "Night of the Living Dead" all over again. 



Dozens of Costumes for Under $10

Who wants to spend a lot of money on a costume that you'll probably use for one night.  So here are
a few costume ideas for children which can easily become costumes for adults. 



Mummy Costume

Rip up a few pieces of white fabric, throw on a t-shirt and white sweatpants and you're on your way
to becoming a mummy.  Once again, most of these materials are probably in your home and no need to run out and buy anything. 



Hungry Zombie MakeUp

To pull off a great zombie costume, you have to have great makeup.  This one caught our attention,because it's easy to create with make up you can actually buy at the drugstore.  This has the wow factor.



Vampire MakeUp

Throw on a black t-shirt and a cape and you're a vampire, but wait---you still need the make up.  Here's one of the best vampire makeup tutorials we found on Youtube. It's simple to follow.



Happy Halloween everyone!

Craft Tip: A few rolls of duct tape and wow!

Remember when duct tape only came in that boring gray color? Well now it’s amazing how duct tape comes in all sorts of colors and patterns. Wow!

As you know I surf the net a lot, and today I found a gem of a video. It’s very basic, but in just over a minute AlexisAnn2 shows us on Youtube what you can make or decorate with duct tape.

So here is a shout out to Alexis Ann. May she keep bringing us more ideas we can make ourselves with a roll of duct tape.  Maybe next time she'll have a how-to video on how to make those purses?  Hint, hint!

I think these are great ideas for anyone wanting to get kids interested in crafts.  It's quick and easy.

I can't wait to go and find my favorite colors in duct tape! 

Greeting Card Tip: Inspiration in the aisles

I enjoy making greeting cards, but I have to admit sometimes I need a good boost of inspiration.  Where do I get my quick fix?  I go to any store that sells greeting cards.

Grocery stores, drug stores, Hallmark stores and the list goes on.  I walk up and down the aisles. I will spend hours--reading and looking over cards. 

What’s great is that most stores have the cards categorized: Birthday, anniversary, sympathy, baby showers, congrats and wedding.

I also like to pick them up and turn them around.  Ouch! A good reminder why I like making my own greeting cards. The price for a card these days can be up to $6.00. 

Now just think how many cards you can make with six bucks? 

Go get inspired!