Napkin Embellishment: Playing with Fire and Wood.

As a crafter you can say I am allover the board - I pretty much like and want to try, well, everything. Wood burning has long been near the top of that list!

I was fortunate enough to get a wood burning kit from Rockler through The DIY Club and have been playing around with it....I have a couple of bigger projects in mind too. However, going against my usual "jump into it" and "don't read the directions" attitude I took a slow approach this time and worked with the kit and the various nibs trying to get a good feel for it.

Actually it is pretty easy.
It took a little time to get holding the pen down,
but now I am already ready to move on to the next project.

I do want to share with you a few of the things I have made. I am loving what I can do with this Wood Burning Kit and very excited to test my creativity.

When I created by Harvest Table, I wanted some unique crafty touches and this initial placecard decor was what I came up with (and yes, I realize these are not technically place cards they do not have full names...but you get where I am going, right?)

You can visit my post about this table

Initial Place card/Napkin Decor

SUPPLIES

* Wood Burning Kit from Rockler

*1.5" flat, round, wood disks (sold in packages 4 or 8 and sometimes separately) or cut rounds from a branch

*Distress Ink or stain. I used linen, burlap, and walnut (because I had them)

*Faux leaves or if you are lucky enough to have gorgeous real Fall leaves, real leaves.

*Paper or canvas tags would also be very cute

*Drill and 1/8" drill bit

*Printed copies of the initials you would like to use...OR I used clear stamps and lightly dabbed them in the distress ink and then onto the wood.

DIY IT!

Sorry I cannot find my original photos – I think I deleted them in the midst of computer chaos right now!

So I snapped a few more to show the process using a different stamp and wood piece.

• This tool gets hot – you need to work on a surface that can withstand heat and be careful not to burn yourself.
• Select the thickness of nib you want to use for the wood burning tool and screw it in.

• Plug in wood burning tool and let it heat up – it does get hot – you must take caution.
• Using the clear initial stamp, lightly dab the stamp in a light color stamp pad (I used distress ink in linen because that was already out) and then stamp onto the center of your disk. It will be a very light outline – that is what you want. You can also use a print out of the letter; rub pencil on the back of it; place the letter; trace on top of the letter/print out; and you should have an outline of your letter/design.

OK - don't let these photos confuse you - the original photos are missing,

so I retook some to show what I did.

• In as fluid of movements as possible trace the lines with the wood burning tool.
• Begin to burn your design.

• See the difference in the ink vs. the burn.
• (I used a darker ink for this tutorial…for this project use a lighter ink so that it does not show)

 

All done!

 

• Drill a hole in the top center of the disk
• Use the distress ink to color the disk (or a wood stain). First rub linen (or lightest color) all over and then go back and rub the burlap (medium color) around edges and onto disk a bit and then add walnut (darkest color) on the outside edge of the disk. You can also use the wood burning tool to burn the wood for a cool effect.
• Insert leaf or tag or ribbon into hole and tie off.

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Here's a few other ideas!
I grabbed my Canvas Corp clothespins and quickly wrote our names on the clothespins.

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I also made this mirror - my very first wood burning attempt. It was simple, quick, and easy and gave a a very good idea of what to expect.

I traced a design using a Cutting Edge Stencil. Once done, I used a glazed the frame using DecoArt Glazing Medium and Americana White acrylic paint.

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Ta-Da!
Have you ever tried wood burning?

Disclosure: Products have been supplied to me via The DIY Club. Please see my full disclosure in the top navigation bar.

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Family Thanksgiving Frame with #GlueNGlitter

Oh yeah those holidays are sneaking up on me...on our family!

Thanksgiving is typically a weird holiday for us.

My family - just the four of us - are usually alone for the day.

Because of that I really include the kids in the experience, making the food and decorating the table. Yep, I leave them to the decor and the ideas. Usually the ideas are things to help us remember what and who we are thankful for, like our family.

A few years ago, my son was really fascinated by Native American symbols, so we made a tablecloth with his favorite symbols and then added in all of the family names. He loved it...and I still have it, but this year, I thought we would go for something a little more subtle, and something we could set out now and leave out.

When I was first deciding on what to create for my Elmer's #GlueNGlitter project, I instantly thought of using plate joining biscuits - I do love them...and, yes, I was totally thinking they look like turkey feathers!

I went from there...and I had a couple of ideas in mind...

...(DESIGN 1) The first idea was to go really simple and streamlined with a touch of metallic feathers in the corner and using the same "printable" in the frame.

...(DESIGN 2) The next idea was to do a frame with the feathers in pretty colors all around it and add a printable of the names to the inside of the frame.

...(DESIGN 3)The final idea was to write the name of each family member on one of the feathers, with the simple sentiment of "family" in the frame. By leaving this frame out we - the kids and I - can talk about each family member every day if we want and remember why we are thankful for our family. I liked it, but also had some other ideas too.

Any of the frame options are pretty simple and can be done quickly and the kids can help if you want...or they can even make their own!  Some Elmer's Painters Markers, and some Elmer's CraftBond products will help make the frame pretty and finish it off.

SUPPLIES:

• Plain frame. You can use any frame - I happened to have a plain wood craft frame on hand (these are about $1.00 at the store). I used an oval and a square frame for these projects
• 24 Plate Joining Biscuits - these can be found at all hardware stores. The smaller stores usually have smaller packs. (these biscuits have a texture and it will show through the paint, but it never bothers me...the effect is worth it.) NOTE: You can also cut similar shapes from foam board or chip board, and then the surface will be smooth.
• Elmer's Painters Markers - Craft
• Elmer's Painters Markers, open stock, Metallic Gold
• Elmer's CraftBond Wood Craft Glue
• Elmer's Disappearing Purple Glue Stick
• Small paintbrush
• Decorative paper
• Chipboard letters or alphabet stickers (I cut mine on an electronic cutter)

MAKE IT for ALL DESIGNS
The DIY for any of the three options is the same up to a certain point...

1.  Prep your frame by removing glass (if any - the inexpensive craft frames usually do not come with glass) and sanding/cleaning the frame.

2.  Prepare you Painters by depressing the tip a few times to load the paint - do this on a scrap piece of paper.

3.  You are not really going to see the frame all that much on Designs 2 and 3, but you will on Design 1. Idid this for all of the frames because I feel it finished it off. I used the Painters Markers in brown to draw straight  - but not perfectly straight - lines with a swirl here and there to mimic a wood grain look (it is not supposed to look totally realistic - just hint at a woodsy feel). You do not need to follow a pattern, etc. - this is super easy and there is not a "wrong" way to do it.

4.  Once the front of the frame is complete, I used the Painters Markers (brown) to color the inside opening of the frame.

5.  For me the frame still needed a little something. I used an ink pad in Walnut Brown to distress the frame and give it some depth (you could use a wood stain or gel -too). I rubbed the outer edge and all over the frame. It can get a little messy (can you tell by the smudges on my white background?), so be careful.

6.  Layout the biscuits on the frame to get an idea of how many you need -

DESIGN 1:
12 biscuits were used here, 3 in each corner

DESIGN 2 and 3:
24 worked for the size of frame I was using. Place a biscuit at 12,3, 6, and 9 to get an idea of placement and then fill in the spaces from there.

7.  After determining the approximate number of biscuits you need, use the Painters Markers to color them.

DESIGN 1:
I colored all 12 biscuits with the Painters Markers, Gold Metallic

DESIGN 2 and 3:
I choose to use three colors (yellow, purple, and orange) for the biscuits. color 8 of each color. It was super easy to paint the biscuits this way - I just colored them all over. Even the texture of the biscuit was no match for the Painters - perfect coverage!  

8.  All DESIGN, run the edges of the biscuits through your ink pad (or paint with the Painters Marker). Let dry.

9.  Once your placement is right, begin gluing using the CraftBond Wood Craft Glue.

DESIGN 1:
Place 3 biscuits in each corner, one on the cut line and the other 2 matching up at the corner point.

DESIGN 2 and 3:
Place the 12,3,6,and 9 biscuits first, and then fill in.

10. Let dry overnight. Then touch up any areas you may have missed with the Painters Markers or ink pad.

11.  Print out your family name printable (I just used Word and wrote each first name with "..." after it and then cut/pasted it until I had a full page; select a font; print), cut to size, and glue "family" or "Thanks" letters on to it with a Disappearing Purple Glue Stick; Insert into frame.

You are done with DESIGN 1 or 2!

To finish up DESIGN 3:
Write everyone's names on the petals, "freehand." or you can print out the names on a computer and cut feathers smaller than the biscuits and glue them on. Depending on the colors you choose for the feathers, some of the words maybe harder to read. For example, I tried white paint for the names, but it was hard to read on the yellow. It is a design thing, you need to decide what you like.

NOTE: Also, the biscuits have a texture, so writing can be tricky. If you use a different material for the feathers, it would be easier to write directly on them.

DESIGN 3!

DESIGN 2

DESIGN 1

I really looking forward to sitting with the kids and listening to them tell when why they are thankful for these people and other little stories and insights.

You can read all about my shopping experience HERE!

How do you remember your family during the holidays?

  

This project has been compensated as part of a social shopper insights study for Elmer's #gluenglitter #collectivebias #CBias
Designs and opinions are my own.

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Tickled Pink No. 73

Happy Weekend!

Please take at least a moment tomorrow to remember and honor our veterans
and all active military personnel.
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Next week will be craftapalooza! I have finally finished up a TON of things...and then...very soon, I am breaking out the holiday crafts (I know I said I wouldn't yet)
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If you missed it be sure to take a peek at my NEW pumpkin pie recipe!

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I try not to ask for a lot...
and I usually do not get involved in contests...
BUT I DID, SO PRETTY PLEASE
head over to the BHG Live Better Facebook Page
check out the Harvest tables.

And if you feel so inclined tell them I sent ya and like my little ole table!
IF we (all of us 504 Main readers) send the most traffic, the guess what?
THERE WILL BE A $100 GIFT CARD GIVEAWAY HERE!
Fee free to tweet or Facebook this too use this link:
 http://on.fb.me/utHezF

Here is the full post for my table if you want to check it out! 

 *****

Check out the I Made This Challenge

To win the grand prize giveaway, you must simply create a project using at least one Lifestyle Crafts product and post the project to the Lifestyle Crafts website community gallery between November 1, 2011 and January 31, 2012. 

AND
This week there is also a drawing for a
DREAM CRAFT SPACE! 
Just subscribe to their blog - how easy it that!

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THE DIY CLUB November Project Party is Happening NOW!!!!
Go link up a fab project - you could win some very cool prizes!

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FEATURES
I fell in love with these place cards and then saw the recipes and oh my!
This is amazing. Thanks Home Sweet Homemade

Redoux has this beautiful pair of twins! They are gorgeous and she "fauxed" that wood grain on the top - no way!

Brilliant idea for table or place cards...Dry Erase magic!
From Madigan Made!

No More Ugly Ornament Challenge from My Very Educated Mother!
Oh no this starts me thinking about my Princess Leia ornament. YIKES!

2 Ingredient cake...I am intrigued. Thanks Hating Martha!

Who doesn't love french fries?
Quiver Full of Blessings gives us her tricks for making them!

This Broccoli, Carrot, Zucchini Cheddar Soup from Budget Saving Mom  sounds amazing!

I just want to say a BIG THANK YOU to everyone
who links up, reads, and visits. I truly appreciate it.

So, go on over and LIKE 504 Main on Facebook!
I share more features there throughout the week.

I am also inviting you to share your

link on my FaceBook wall.

Please no giveaways or etsy shops or "please follow" messages,
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(be sensible peeps...I reserve the right to DELETE!)
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Have a GREAT weekend!

NOW FOR TICKLED PINK!

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PRACTICE PINK KINDNESS
1. Link  up...whatever makes  your blog  fabulous. Family Friendly please. Guess what? Your post does not have to be PINK!! 
2. PLEASE LINK TO A POST URL, ****NOT YOUR MAIN URL****
3. Pretty please...add the Tickled Pink button to the post* {people need  to know what the heck they are doing!}. 
4.  I reserve the right to remove posts that are offensive or do not  adhere  to the rules, without any discussion, at my discretion.
5. Please visit at least 2 other links!

I won't banish you if you mess up, but try to link appropriately, pretty please!

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