Category Archives: Craft

Craft – Penny Crafts

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A few years ago my mother gave me a bag of old pennies that my father had saved.  Now that both my parents have passed away I wanted to do something special with them.  So, I searched the internet and came up with a few ideas and in this post I will show the four different craft projects that I made using the pennies.

Serving tray embellished with pennies 

The first project uses a tray that I had previously made which was detailed in another post on this blog a few years ago.  Making the tray was a very simple craft project using a picture frame, decorative drawer pulls and knobs.  Now, I decided to embellish the tray with the pennies from my dad.  

Penny Tray - original version

Serving tray embellished with pennies supply list –

  • Picture frame tray (Please click on the link for a supply list and directions on how to make the picture frame tray)
  • Pennies, the amount will be determined by the size of the tray used
  • Hot glue gun and glue sticks

Serving tray embellished with pennies instructions –

  1. Remove the cardboard backing and material from the picture frame tray, leave the glass in place.
  2. Glue the material to another piece of cardboard, this will provide additional support to carry the weight of the pennies.
  3. Glue the pennies directly on to the material.  Line the pennies with all of them facing the same direction for a more uniformed look.
  4. After the pennies are arranged, carefully flip the material/cardboard piece with the attached pennies and place into the picture frame tray.
  5. Replace the cardboard backing and secure.

Penny tray - final 1

The next three craft projects involve items that, when they are completed, can be used as decorations for a home.

Framed Penny heart with special poem

For this next craft project I found a special poem on the internet.  I printed it out using my home computer, notice the poem is positioned in the upper portion of the paper to allow space.  In the lower portion the paper I arranged the pennies into a heart shape.  This piece would look wonderful hung on the wall of a home or set in a bookcase or on a table.

Framed penny heart/special poem instructions –

  1. Print a special poem on the computer (I suggest a short poem printed in the upper portion of the paper)  For additional support to hold the weight of the pennies glue the paper with the poem onto a piece of heavy cardboard.
  2. In the lower portion of the paper glue the pennies to form the outline of a heart shape.  Then, continue to fill the space within the heart outline and overlay several layers of pennies. I placed the pennies with all of them facing the same direction for a more uniformed look.
  3. Remove the cardboard backing from the frame; insert the special poem/penny heart and center within the photo mat.  Craft Tip: In order to avoid flipping over the paper weighed down with the heavy pennies instead lay the paper flat on a hard surface and then place the frame over it.  Then flip the entire frame over, by doing this it will allow the heavy paper some much needed support.
  4. Replace the cardboard backing to complete the craft project.

Penny heart and poem

Framed penny initial

This craft project was created with the remaining pennies that my dad had saved.  In my local craft I found a fabric covered board which I used for this project, this board would prove to be an excellent item to support the heavy pennies.

Framed penny initial supply list –

  • Frame
  • Photo mat
  • Fabric covered board (this ready-made board was purchased at a local craft store but if unavailable one can easily be made)
  • Pennies, the amount will be determined by the size of the frame used
  • Hot glue gun, glue sticks

Framed penny initial instructions –

  1. On the fabric covered board glue the pennies to form an initial.  Then, continue to overlay several layers of pennies. I placed the pennies with all of them facing the same direction for a more uniformed look.
  2. Remove the cardboard backing from the frame; insert the fabric board/penny initial and center within the photo mat.
  3. Replace the cardboard backing to complete the craft project.

Penny initial

Picture frame embellished with pennies

For the final craft project I wanted to incorporate a photo into the design to create a unique decorative item to remember my dad.  I decided to use a simple picture frame which I embellished with the pennies that my dad had saved.   

Picture frame embellished with pennies supply list –

  • A simple picture frame (I used one with a frame that was an inch wide which gave adequate space to arrange the pennies)
  • Photo mat
  • Special photo
  • Pennies, the amount will be determined by the size of the frame used
  • Hot glue gun, glue sticks

Picture frame embellished with pennies instructions –

  1. Remove the cardboard backing, insert the selected photo and position into the photo mat, then reassemble the frame.
  2. Start by gluing the pennies around the edge of the frame (I placed two layers on the frame overlapping the layers)  I placed the pennies with all of them facing the same direction for a more uniformed look.
  3. Next, glue the pennies directly to the glass starting at the edge of the frame and working toward the edge of the photo mat covering the entire area while overlapping the different layers.

Penny Frame

Craft – Mushrooms Under Glass

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Mushrooms under glass - finished

In previous crafts posts I have used domes or cloches to create decorative displays under glass. These craft projects make wonderful displays for any home and can be used on tables or bookshelves as decorative Spring or Summer seasonal items.  In this post I will create another simple display using mushrooms, floral stems and moss.  Additional items, such as an artificial snail or a couple of ladybugs or a butterfly perched on one of the mushrooms or maybe a tiny sign that says “snail crossing” or “welcome to the garden” and decorative rocks can also be added to create interest.

Mushrooms under glass - supplies

Mushrooms Under Glass supply list

  • Glass dome or cloche with base – size is determined by the height and the width of the items used (the glass dome I used had a wooden base)
  • Mushrooms – 2 or 3 (I used a set that features two mushrooms)
  • Floral stems
  • Moss
  • Hot glue gun and glue sticks
  • Optional items – an artificial snail, ladybug, butterfly, small signs or decorative rocks

Mushrooms Under Glass instructions

  1. Center the mushrooms and hot glue them to the base (before gluing, be sure that there is a least a few inches of space between the mushrooms and the glass dome)
  2. Arrange the floral stems around the mushrooms and hot glue them to the base
  3. Arrange the moss around the mushrooms and floral stems
  4. Optional items can be added to the display to create more interest, such as an artificial insect or a small sign.

Mushrooms under glass - finished 1

For more information about the previous crafts posts, Butterflies in a Jar and Fairy Under Glass, also using domes or cloches to create decorative displays under glass, please click on the links for supply lists and full instructions.

Craft – A Year of Seasonal Shadowboxes

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This year I did a craft post on a trio of Valentine’s Day themed shadowboxes; if you are interested please click on the link for more information regarding a supply list and complete instructions.  So, inspired by that craft project, it gave me the idea to create a series of shadowboxes for the various holidays throughout the year.  For uniformity, I used the same black shadowbox and change the items for each example.  In this way I created a decorative shadowbox that can be used for a variety of different holidays that can be placed on a desk at work or home and on a bookshelf or side table in the living room or on the kitchen counter.

Basic supply list for a holiday shadow box

  • Shadowbox
  • Season or holiday item(s)
  • Coordinating scrapbook paper for the season or specific holiday
  • Optional item – select one of the following: self-stick black letters, cardboard letters

Basic instructions for a holiday shadow box

  1. Disassemble the shadowbox, remove the backing.
  2. Using the cardboard backing, trace the size onto the scrapbook paper and cut.
  3. Attach the seasonal or holiday item(s) to the scrapbook paper using hot glue, allow time to dry completely.
  4. Reassemble the shadowbox.
  5. (Option) Using the self-stick letters, spell out an appropriate message and attach letter to the glass front.

Listed below are the various seasons and the different shadowboxes for the holidays:

Valentine’s Day

Shown below for Valentine’s Day are two different shadowboxes; in version #1 (on the left) I used a white sparkle scrapbook paper, a red sequin heart and black self-stick letters that spell out “You Captured My Heart” attached to the front of the glass of the shadowbox. In version #2 (on the right) I used a wooden item that spelled “Love” which I painted red and black with self-stick black sequin and a coordinating scrapbook paper.

Valentine Day  Love

St. Patrick’s Day

Shown below for St. Patrick’s Day, I used a green sequin shamrock, white sparkle scrapbook paper and black self-stick black letters that spell out “Luck of the Irish” attached to the front of the glass of the shadowbox.

Luck of the Irish

Easter

Shown below for Easter, I used a scrapbook item that said “Hoppy Easter”, white sparkle scrapbook paper and several small sparkle eggs.  The eggs are loose, so for added interest, if the shadowbox is shaken the eggs would move much like a snow globe does.

Hoppy Easter

Fourth of July or other patriotic holiday

Shown below for Fourth of July, I used red, white and blue striped scrapbook paper, a magnet that I painted in red with a white border and scrapbook items that spell out “God Bless America”.     

Fourth of July 1  

Halloween

Shown below for Halloween are two different shadowboxes; in version #1(on the left) I used black/white stripe scrapbook paper, a painted wood piece that says “Keep Calm and Eat Candy”.  The resin candy corns are loose and, much like a snow globe, when shaken the candy will move.  In version #2, I used the same black and white scrapbook paper and I found another scrapbook item that are plastic bones that spell out “Happy Halloween”.   

Keep Calm and Eat Candy  Happy Halloween

Thanksgiving / Autumn

Shown below for Thanksgiving or the Autumn season are two different shadowboxes; in version #1 (on the left) I used a wooden scarecrow and festive scrapbook paper with autumn leaves.  In version #2 (on the right), I used a wooden pumpkin, scrapbook paper with more pumpkins and black self-stick black letters that spell out “Happy Autumn” attached to the front of the glass of the shadowbox.

Happy Fall  Happy Autumn

Christmas

Shown below for Christmas are two different shadowboxes; in version #1 I used red scrapbook paper that says “Merry Christmas” and a wooden piece that says “Keep Calm and Be Merry”.  In version #2, I used white sparkle scrapbook paper, a silver piece that says “Jingle” and several loose silver jingle bells for added interest so that if the shadowbox is shaken the bells would move much like a snow globe does.

Keep Calm and Be Merry  Jingle

Craft – Jeweled Christmas Tree

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What could be more charming than a Jeweled Tabletop Christmas Tree?  In this post I will show a beautiful tabletop Christmas Tree created with various pieces of jewelry, the ones I used came from my personal jewelry box and include pearl and rhinestone necklaces, brooches and earrings.  Most of these items were purchased from a variety of vintage stores and Ebay, but heirloom jewelry passed down from a mother or grandmother would also make a very sentimental Christmas decoration.

Jeweled Tabletop Christmas Tree – supplies

  • Tabletop Christmas tree (I used an artificial pine tree)
  • Container (I used a vintage silver bowl)
  • Jeweled necklaces, brooches and earrings (I used silver, pearl and rhinestone jewelry)
  • Pearl sprays (I used green ones)
  • White material (to tuck into the container)
  • Hot glue gun and glue sticks (optional)

Jeweled Tabletop Christmas Tree – instructions

  1. Select a container, the size is determined by the size of the tabletop Christmas tree used.
  2. Set the tabletop Christmas tree into the container, I used a silver bowl.  Attached the tree with hot glue to stabilize and prevent it from tipping over (weighs can also be added to the container, especially if several heavy pieces of jewelry are used)
    Jeweled Tabletop Christmas Tree 1
  3. Add pearl sprays to the tree, I used green ones to add interest but in a color similar to the tree because I wanted the jewelry to be featured without distraction.
    Jeweled Tabletop Christmas Tree 2
  4. Add several necklaces to the tree, I arranged them so that they gently swagged across the tree.
    Jeweled Tabletop Christmas Tree 3
  5. Add brooches and earrings, start by positioning the larger pieces at the bottom and the smaller ones toward the top.  Set aside a special one piece of jewelry for the top of the tree (I used a crown brooch).Jeweled Tabletop Christmas Tree 4
  6. Set some white material inside to fill the container for a finished look.

Shown below is an alternate craft project, it is a lovely jeweled wreath using the same supplies as the tabletop tree.

Wreath - jewlery 

Craft – Mickey Mouse Wreath

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Mickey Mouse wreath - closeup

To honor Mickey Mouse’s birthday, here is a fun wreath to make for the upcoming Christmas season.  As a collector of Disneyana (a term meaning a wide variety of collectible toys, books, theme-park souvenirs and other items produced and/or licensed by The Walt Disney Company) I have several figurines, stuffed animals, and other collectibles of Mickey Mouse … and so much more!!  (Please click on the link, Disney Memorabilia Collection, for information on how I have displayed these items in our home)

For this craft project I decided to use a porcelain Mickey Mouse figurine that stands about 6 inch tall.  I made two different version of the wreath using different accessory items. Version #1 is simple design using just the Mickey figurine and a few embellishments and version #2 uses the same items but I have added three Mickey Christmas ornaments depicting iconic Disney movies.  Mickey made his official debut in the short film, “Steamboat Willie (1928) which was one of the first sound cartoons and Mickey went on to appear in over 130 films such as “The Band Concert” (1935) and Fantasia (1940).

Mickey Mouse Wreath Supplies

  • Artificial pine wreath (size is determined by items used)
  • Wreath accents to create more interest to the plain wreath (for version #1 I added velvet holly leaves and gold berry sprays and for version #2 I also added gold leaves)
  • 1 large Mickey Mouse item (for both versions I used a porcelain figurine, but a stuffed Mickey would also look great!)
  • A variety of embellishments (I used some Mickey key chains for version #1 and for version #2 I used three Mickey Christmas ornaments)
  • Wire, used to secure the items
  • Hot glue gun and glue sticks, used to secure the items

Mickey Mouse Wreath Instructions

  1. Start with a plain artificial pine wreath
  2. Add some accents to the wreath to create interest or add color, attach with hot glue
  3. Place the large Mickey Mouse item in the center of the wreath, attach with wire
  4. Add embellishments to the wreath, attach with wire to secure or hot glue

Mickey Mouse wreath version #1 - final  Mickey Mouse wreath version #2- final

(photo on the left is version #1 and on the left is version #2)

For some other ideas for Disney wreaths, please click on the following links: Christmas Wreath Craft Post featuring the Hallmark ornament series called “Mickey’s Holiday Parade” and next month’s Disney Wreaths Decor Post and Special Ornaments Wreaths Decor Post.