Author: mcrumbacher

This month we’re making earrings!  

To snag your kit, click here:  https://greenelibrary.bibliocommons.com/events/66d85f5c910b7c485840dfe5

Included in your kit:

earring blanks

2-3 pieces of scrapbook paper

paintbrush

mod podge

earring hooks

Not included in your kit:

Scissors

Nail file (optional)

Needle nose pliers

Instructions:

Make Earrings in Bulk with Mod Podge and Wood Earring Blanks

Notes:

1.  You have a few different pieces of scrapbook paper so that you have options.  If you don’t like any of the papers provided feel free to use anything you have on hand.
2. After I glued on the paper and mod podged it, I used a nail file to file the edges smooth.  This is completely optional.

I hope you enjoyed this project!  Happy crafting!

-Morgan

Happy August! This month we’re making a trivet out of clothespins!

Sign up for your kit here:  https://greenelibrary.bibliocommons.com/events/66abb89442fa12abcec89d0f

Included in your kit:

clothespins

wood glue

paint brush

Not included in your kit:

mineral oil (optional)

Instructions:

The inspiration and instructions for this kit can be found here:

https://diycandy.com/clothespin-trivets/

Happy crafting!

-Morgan

What’s better in the middle of summer than watermelon?  This month, we’re making coasters from wood slices painted like watermelons!

Snag your kit by clicking here:  https://greenelibrary.bibliocommons.com/events/6682ad8113b83aeedf14b762

Included in your kit:

4 wood slices

red, white, and green paint

mod podge (in container with red dot on top)

1 paint brush

Not Included in your kit:

Sharpie

Instructions: 

There are picture instructions as well as a short video with instructions for this project.

DIY Watermelon Coasters

 I hope you’re having an enjoyable summer!  See you next month!

-Morgan

 

Can you believe it’s time to get ready for the 4th of July already?  These wooden firecrackers were fun to make, although I made several mistakes and learned some lessons I will pass on to you here 🙂

Sign up for your kit here:  https://greenelibrary.bibliocommons.com/events/665e08b23849bf4100bae316

Included in your kit:

3 wooden blocks

red, white and blue paint

1 paintbrush

1 sponge dabber

Star stencils in 3 sizes

Twine

1 rustic star

1 piece of sandpaper

Floral wire

Not included in your kit:

Scissors

Glue 

Tape (painter’s tape works well, but this is optional)

I used a couple of different inspirational pictures to come up with this craft.  I liked the twine and the star of the first one along with the red and white stripes and the distressed look on the second one.

Instructions:

1.  Paint the small and middle block white.  You might need multiple coats.  Allow to dry.
2.  Paint the tallest block blue.  You might need multiple coats.  Allow to dry.
3.  Put tape on the middle block to create stripes and then paint it red between the tape.  You might need multiple coats.  Allow to dry.  I pulled the tape off my sample too soon and it pulled some of the red paint off the block.  I tried covering this up using the sandpaper and distressed look, but you might want to allow this to dry for a couple of hours (or put a fan on it).
4.  When the blue block is dry, use the star stencils and dabber to paint white stars on the block.  I did not use a dabber for this part for my sample and the stars didn’t turn out as clean as I wanted.  Using a dabber in small taps should create a crisper star.
5. If you’d like a distressed look, use the sandpaper to sand the edges (and wherever else you want).
6. Tie the twine around all three blocks – wrapping it multiple times.
7. Cut the floral wire into 3 separate pieces.  I made a base for each “fuse” by twisting the end of the wire into a small circle (see picture) so it will stand upright.  Then, use a pencil to wrap around the rest of the wire to give it a curly look.                                             
8.            

 9.  The last step is to glue the star to the front and the fuses to the tops of the blocks.  I used hot glue, but I think other types of glue would work too.  You just want to make sure it’s a glue that will dry clear.  Be sure to put just a small amount on top of the blocks for the fuses.   

That’s it!  You’re ready to decorate for the 4th of July!

Happy crafting!

-Morgan

Howdy Crafters!  I guess we have a bee theme continuing this month with these cute painted blocks!

Remember to sign up for your kit here:  https://greenelibrary.bibliocommons.com/events/663299a093f4b96c515d879e

Included in your kit:

4 wooden blocks

Black, white, yellow paint

1 Paintbrush

1 Wooden hexagon (honeycomb)

Vinyl letter stickers

1 Wooden bee (with adhesive back)

Not included in your kit:

A dab of glue or mod podge

Instructions:

1.  Paint the wooden blocks.  Paint 2 yellow, 1 white and 1 black.  Allow to dry completely.  I needed about 3 coats of the yellow to get good coverage.  I only needed 1-2 coats of the black and white paint.
2. Paint the hexagon yellow.  Allow to dry.
3. Apply the stickers.  On 1 yellow block, apply the H to one side and the B to the other.  On the black block, apply the M to one side and a Z to the other.  On the other yellow block, apply the E to one side and a Z to the other.
4. Attach the bee to the hexagon.  Peel off the little round sticker over the adhesive and stick anywhere on the hexagon.
5.  Attach the hexagon to the white block with a dab of glue or mod podge (not included).

That’s it, you’re done!

Until next month, happy crafting!

-Morgan

Happy March, Crafters! This month is a relatively quick and easy craft – coasters!

Click here to register for your kit:  https://greenelibrary.bibliocommons.com/events/65e208e349ea29b614e15f4d

Included in your kit:

4 ceramic coasters

4 cork stickers for the bottom (may already be applied to coasters)

4 bookish pictures

1 paintbrush

1 container Mod Podge

Instructions:

1.  Apply a thin layer of mod podge to the entire top of the coaster.  
2.  Cut out one of the book pictures and apply to the top of the coaster.  Make sure there are no bubbles and that the edges are secured.  Let dry for a few minutes.
3.  Apply a thicker coat of mod podge on top of the picture making sure to get the edges.  If any bubbles appear, smooth out and apply a little more mod podge to the area.  Allow to dry for a few hours.
4. Repeat steps for the next 3 coasters.

Tip:  Don’t worry if you have some areas that don’t look so good right after you apply the mod podge.  I found that after they dried completely, the areas with bubbles were hardly noticeable.

Happy Crafting!  See you next month!

-Morgan

Hello Crafters!  I hope you are surviving this winter season!

This month, we’re making a valentine wreath made from puzzle pieces! (originally posted on thesoccermomblog.com)

Snag your kit here:  https://greenelibrary.bibliocommons.com/events/65bcfc2ba51db44c007d4b37

Included in your kit:

• 100 blank puzzle pieces
• craft paint (red, white, pink)
• paintbrush
• twine
• cardstock and template
• variety of sayings to put on the front

Not included in your kit:

• scissors
• glue or glue gun

Instructions:

The instructions (including a video) can be found here:  https://thesoccermomblog.com/diy-valentine-wreath/

Happy Crafting!

-Morgan

Welcome to 2024, Crafters!  I hope you have a wonderful holiday season!

This month, we’re making this adorable cross stitch snowflake!

Snag your kit here:  https://greenelibrary.bibliocommons.com/events/6595ae0a0825261328f63845

Included in your kit:

• 1 12″x12″ piece of Navy aida fabric (14 count)
• 1 9″ round embroidery hoop
• 2 skeins of white embroidery floss
• 1 snowflake pattern
• 1 piece of felt for the backing
• 1 needle

Not included in your kit:

• scissors

If you’re new to cross stitching, watch this tutorial for some basic instruction:

Instructions:

1.  I recommend ironing your piece of fabric before starting to get rid of any creases.
2.  Fold your Aida cloth in half and then in half again.  Unfold it and you should see the center point of the fabric.  I usually mark this center point with the needle. 
3.  Secure your fabric into the embroidery hoop centering the needle marking the center of the fabric in the hoop.
4.  From the center of your fabric, count up 50 stitches.  That will be where you’ll stitch the very topmost stitch.  Work your way down from there. 
5.  When you’ve finished stitching and are ready to finish it, first make sure the design is centered in the hoop.  Then cut the excess fabric around the outside in a circle leaving 1.5-2″ all the way around.  Sew around the outside to gather the fabric and then I zigzag from side to side for added stability (see picture and video at the end).                                           
6. Next, trace around the hoop on the piece of felt and cut it out.  Use a blanket stitch to attach to felt to the back of the fabric.  See the video for more detailed instructions.                 
7.  Secure the felt to the back of your hoop using the blanket stitch.  Instructions on how to do that are here:  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eJqp0gpja8g
8. That’s it!  I hope you enjoyed this winter project!

-Happy Crafting! -Morgan

Happy December, Crafters!

This month we’re making a holiday tree out of recycled magazines!  This helps us here at the library because it’s time to make room for the new 2024 magazines.  Now we can put some of the old ones to good use!

Reserve your kit here:  https://greenelibrary.bibliocommons.com/events/6569fd5d61803d36006f6f50

Included in your kit:

1 styrofoam tree

1 magazines

1 bag of straight pins

1 bag of sewing pins

1 rustic star

Not included in your kit:

scissors

hot glue (optional)

Instructions:

1.  Tear some pages out of your magazine and cut into strips.  Be sure to choose pages that have pretty colors.
2. Fold the strips a few times over to make skinnier strips. 
3. Attach the strips to the styrofoam tree using the straight pins with the small head.  Make one layer all the way around the bottom.  It’s ok if there are gaps at this stage.
4. Continue to make strips and begin to layer them on top.  Continue this process while moving up the tree.
5. When you get to the top, you can hide the edges of the paper by wrapping a strip around the top a few times and securing it with a pin.                                 
6. Arrange the sewing pins with the large heads to around the tree to look like Christmas lights/ornaments.
7.  Attach the star at the top by using pins to secure it.  If that’s not enough, use a little glue between the star and the top.
8. Voila!  

I hope this was fun to make – I know I enjoyed it!  Happy Crafting!

-Morgan

Hi Crafters!

This month we’re making a cute acorn banner from old book pages!

To snag your kit, click here and register:  https://greenelibrary.bibliocommons.com/events/6543b15c13fa6ed3414ece72

Included in your kit:

1 acorn template

2 6×12 pieces of cardstock (either green or beige)

2 6×12 pieces of brownish scrapbook paper

6 book pages

4 feet of macrame cord

1 glue stick

Not included in your kit:

scissors

hole punch

Instructions:

Cut out the acorn template.

Trace the acorn template on the solid color cardstock to get 6 acorns.

Glue the cardstock acorns to the book pages.  Once dry, cut off the excess paper.

Cut the top off your acorn template.

Trace the top of the acorn onto the scrapbook paper to get 6 acorn tops.  MAKE SURE THEY ARE GOING THE RIGHT DIRECTION.

Glue the acorn tops over the book pages to complete the acorns.

Punch a hole on both sides of the acorn tops and thread the macrame cord through.  I put a knot at the end of the cord so it doesn’t fray.