Designer Craft Connection - Let's Party!

Summer is here and it brings along with it - PARTY TIME!  Of course,  parties are great no matter the reason or the time.

Every party calls for beverages and why not make serving them fun.  There are several containers on the market that can make beverages at parties special.

Using a Mason jar, a drinking mug and replicas of milk bottles, then adding some extras to embellish, the end product are unique additions for your party table.

Create a fabric lid for the containers from fabrics to suit a theme.  Make a pattern by drawing a circle.  Use a 6 1/2" circle for the larger vessels and a 4 3/4" circle for the bottles.  In the center of each pattern, trace the diameter of the corresponding jar/mug and bottles.  Trace the circles onto the fabrics of choice, then cut out using pinking shears.  Make another set of circle patterns the same size as the diameter of the container  opening.  NOTE: The measurements are approximately 2 3/4" for the jar/mug and 1 3/4" for the bottles.  Trace these circle patterns onto vinyl iron-on material, two per cover; cut out.  NOTE: Cut these circles slightly smaller than the tracing line.  Place and press these vinyl circles onto the fabric circles, centering them.  Follow the manufacturer instructions to apply these to the fabric.  Applying them to both sides will make these reusable and keep them from absorbing any liquid.

Fold each circle to find the center and carefully cut and X in the center.  For the jar or mug, place the fabric onto the top and  center the vinyl circle then screw a jar lid ring on.  Add some ribbon or other trim for decoration if desired onto the edge of the lids.  For the bottles, place the fabric circles onto the tops and hold in place with clear rubber bands.  Add ribbon or trim for decoration if desired.

Die-cut corresponding tags in shapes to match the theme from chalkboard material.  Punch a small hole into the shapes and attach a thin cord for tying.  Use chalkboard markers to add names to the tags.

Arnold Grummer Papermaking Blog - Sweet and Simple Paper Casting

It's National Craft Month so there is a lot of crafting going on for many reason!  Come join the fun!!!

These little basket boxes would be a sweet addition on a Easter table setting.  Each is made using a die-cut box as the base.  What makes them become special are "extras" added to the surface, mainly the casted images.

Paper castings are so easy to make using any of the Arnold Grummer casting molds or any variety of molds that may be available.  Use this link to find a pamphlet that you can download filled with information about creating casting here.

After the paper castings are complete, the coloring can begin.  For the images on boxes I chose to use both chalks and Ranger Perfect Pearl powders.  The castings were trimmed of the paper around them to make them smaller and allow the papers used on the boxes to frame them.  One set was trimmed straight, the other with deckle designed decorative scissors.

Box Of Chicks
Die-cut the box from white mat board.  Form the box using redline tape.  NOTE: One side of the box is folded to the inside of the box to create an open box.  It is helpful to cut away the small flap before folding to the inside.  Some glue may need to be added to hold in place.  Apply dye based ink to the surface of the box.  Cut four squares, slightly smaller then the sides of the box.  Trim the edges if desired with decorative scissors.  Glue a length of ribbon around the center of the box.  Glue the Daisy casted squares at a diagonal onto two (or four sides) of the box. If using only two images, form two small bows from the ribbon and glue to the center of the two opposite sides and embellish with a button of choice.

Butterfly Basket
Die-cut the box from chipboard.  Form the box with redline tape.  NOTE: One side of the box is folded to the inside create an open box. Follow the same directions as above.  Apply paint to the surface of the box.  Cut papers to apply to the sides of the box.  NOTE: I used a small sheet of handmade paper from my stash of sheets using leftover scraps for interesting effects.  Glue the Butterfly squares onto the front and back of the box, centering them so background paper frames the image.  Create a handle from a stiff strip of paper.  Cover the handle by wrapping jute cord around the strip.  Glue onto the sides of the box, then add a button for embellishment.  Form a bow from desired ribbon, attach to the top, center of the handle.

These boxes show an Easter theme, but either design could be used for other occasions such as showers, weddings and birthdays or to fit any other holiday theme, buy changing colors, papers and casted images.

Other material information:
Sizzix Big Shot & Eileen Hull Box Die & Mat Board
Beacon 3-in-1 Glue

Visit the Arnold Grummer website and when placing an order use code MAR20 for a 20% saving.

Next week I will be sharing another casted idea for Easter using a different type of mold for a cute little decoration.