The Crafting Corner with Roberts Crafts

Pink Bridal Shower Craft Ideas

With this week’s theme set as Wedding Craft Ideas, we couldn’t ignore that before every wedding comes the very important bridal shower! So here are some helpful, girly and pink tips and ideas to throw the perfect bridal shower.

Idea 1 - Invitations: 

Cutouts of colorful pink paper are glued to the invitations for a color block effect. At the bottom of each one, print an exchange between Julia Robert’s and Sally Fields characters in the film Steel Magnolias: “My colors are blush and bashful.” “Your colors are pink and pink.”

Idea 2 - Favors  

For the favors, have inexpensive rubber stamps custom - made withe each guest’s initial. Stamp plain stationary and tie each set with a ribbon.

Idea 3 - Tabletop 

The table is draped with pink fabrics; offerings on the buffet include fresh - fruit skewers, salmon - mousse tartlets, balsamic shrimp and chicken salad with rasberries.

Idea 4 - Photo Garlands

Photo garlands make charming timelines of the bride and groom’s childhoods - and festive decorations, to make, sew glassine envelopes together, end to end, on a sewing machine, glue photos to colored paper, and slide inside! 

Idea 5 - Pretty Pencils 

Spring coils of quilling paper (paper that is sold in pre - cut strips) are glued to the ends of pink artist’s pencils. 

Many thanks to our friend Martha Stewart for the inspiration for this blog! Happy Crafting and enjoy the party! 

Mother’s Day Craft: DIY Clothespin Photo Albums

With Mother’s Day approaching, we have been brainstorming tips and ideas for a fun and creative way for you to spend you Mother’s Day with your nearest and dearest this year.

Upon researching we came across a fantastic blog with the most creative craft idea - Clothespin Photo Albums. Bravo to our friends at moonfrye.com!

This amazing clothespin photo album is the perfect craft to make for that special Mom in your life or to do with your kids this Sunday.

Crepe Paper Peonies for Mother’s Day

As many of you may know, Mother’s Day is creeping up on us, and I am sure you are trying to decide what gift to give your Mom to make her feel special. At Roberts Crafts we believe that spoiling Mom and showing her how important she is, is best conveyed through a handmade craft. So, with this in mind we would like to give you a step by step guide to help you make your Mom some very pretty paper flowers this Mother’s Day !

Materials 

• Roberts Crafts Crepe Paper - We feel you should select an array of colors to make your bunch of flowers extra creative, and extra beautiful.
• Sewing machine
• Glue

Step 1 

Cut 3 long strips of Crepe Paper (approx 3 feet long).

Step 2

Stack these strips on top of each other. 

Step 3 

Set your sewing machine to make the longest stitch possible.

Step 4 

Start sewing!!

Step 5 

After sewing, you should end up with something that looks like this…

Step 6

Now all you need to do is start at one end, and start rolling.

Step 7

Cover the bottom of your flower in hot glue and cover this with a strip or two of crepe paper. 

Step 8

Voila! Repeat this process a couple of times, with an array of different colors and you should have a beautiful bunch of flowers, or rather, a beautiful hand made gift for your mom!

Many thanks to our friends at “Dear Lillie” for the inspiration with this craft. Remember we have 20% off at www.robertscrafts.com from now until May 12th so get crafting, and avail of our crepe paper to make your craft even more special!

Happy Crafting!! 

VIntage Journal

With this weeks theme set as “Vintage Crafts”, we have searched the realm of online craft ideas to bring you all something incredibly creative, and classy. This is by far one of our favorite crafts to date, and we are really excited to see your versions of the Vintage Journal. 

What you will need:

• Our very own Roberts Crafts Embellishments
• Some Lace material found at www.robertscrafts.com
• Some old books (close enough in size).
• Satin Ribbon.
• Vintage Wallpaper.
• Any Vintage accessories you may have from home. 

Steps:

1. Cut the covers off the books with an exacto knife and use the front and back cover of the tallest book as the front and back cover of the journal.
2. Punch holes in the covers with a crop - o - dile and hold everything together with 2” binder rings. The outside edges of the journal are the smooth edges and the spine is the cut edges of the book covers.

3. Cover the back side of the journal in assorted papers and some watercolor paper was added as a blank spot for journaling on some. Here is an example of the inside cover and page 2 with a vintage dress pattern, lace trim, velvet ribbon, a millinery rose and a vintage calling card. 

4. Decorate the remaining pages with everything and anything vintage! From lace and barkcloth to journaling tags and vintage business cards. Why not even try vintage wallpaper or lace form a corset?

This gorgeous Vintage Journal makes for the perfect guest book at a wedding, a memory book or simply a classic way to record your thoughts. 

Happy Crafting and please share some pictures of your Vintage Journal with us! 

Donald Duck Book Cover

We came across this school craft idea online and decided  we had to cover it in our blog! This cute and creative Donald Duck Book Cover makes packing any school bag a lot more fun.  Sit down and have some quality creative time with your kids, or use for any Arts and Crafts hour at school! You may even be tempted to make one for yourself!!

This book cover is decorated to look like that famous Disney duck, Donald. Need extra storage? Donald’s bill is actually a pocket for stashing notes and homework assignments!

Here’s what you will need:

• Donald Duck Book Cover Template 
• 12”x18” sheets of construction paper (2)
• Book (for covering)
• Scotch tape
• Cardstock (white, black, yellow, blue, pink)
• Scissors
• Glue stick
• Black marker

The Donald Duck Book Cover Template can be found at our friends website http://spoonful.com/crafts/donald-duck-book-cover

How To:

Step 1:

Cut a sheet of construction paper in half lengthwise.

Step 2:

Place the second piece of construction paper on top of the half. Be sure that the bottom of the cut piece lines up with the bottom of the larger piece.

Step 3:

Place the binding of the book in the center of the construction paper.

Step 4:

Fold the top and bottom of the construction paper up so that the top and bottom edge of the book are flush with the ends of the paper.

Step 5:

Open the book and crease the sides of the paper over the back and front covers of the book. Tape these folds in place.

Step 6:

When you close the book you will see that you have a pocket fold on the front and back.

Step 7:

Print the Donald template and cut it out. Trace the pieces onto colored cardstock as specified on the template.

Step 8:

You will construct Donald in two halves. The bottom half, Donald’s bill, will be glued to the bottom half of the pocket. Donald’s eyes will be glue to the top half. Use the glue stick to glue together Donald’s bill, mouth and tongue. Glue together his head, eyes and hat separately.

Step 9:

Glue his bill to the bottom of the pocket — be sure not to glue the pocket closed.

Step 10:

Glue Donald’s head to the top half of the book — be sure not to glue the pocket closed.

Step 11:

Outline Donald’s features using a black marker. Slip homework assignments, notes, and even pencils into the pocket.

Happy Crafting!! 

A Unique Idea for National Garden Week

As some of you may know, it’s National Garden Week! All week on our Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/robertsartscrafts we have been celebrating this with inspirational garden craft ideas to help you create your very own secret garden.

Now we have yet another creative craft for you to add to your summer garden crafts.

We came across this fantastic idea from our friends over at Martha Stewart, and decided it was a must share for our blog! So what is this unique idea you ask? Bark - Wrapped Flowerpots!

Materials you will need:

Tree bark

Floral  shears

Hot glue

How to create:

Step 1:

Collect bark that’s been shed from trees, or purchase it online. 

Step 2:

Break bark into 3-to-4 inch pieces, creating jagged edges. Using floral shears, cut bark into thin strips for the raised rim of the pot.

Step 3:

Apply hot glue generously to the bark, and press the bark onto the pot, starting with the area just below the raised rim; hold in place about 10 seconds. Continue adding bark, slightly overlapping the pieces. Glue the smaller strips to the raised rim, including the top edge and just inside the rim.

Step 4:

Allow for everything to set and dry and then bring your gorgeous garden flowerpot outside to show it off! Alternatively, if the weather is bad, why not use this craft as a table centerpiece?

We also love the idea of using your bark - wrapped pots as candle holders! These would look great in your garden or in your home! 

Happy Crafting/Gardening!

DIY Glass Beaded Bracelets for that Spring/Summer look!

Bead and jewelry making is one of our favorite crafts here at Roberts Crafts. Take a look at these five easy steps to create your own beaded beauties and be fashion ready for this season! 

What you will need:

• Roberts Crafts’ colorful glass beads+ spacer beads 
• Gold beading wire
• Lobster clasps
• Crimp beads
• Jump rings
• Chain nose pliers

Step 1.

Use scissors to cut your wire according to your wrist size. Attach the crimp bead and lobster clasp to one of the ends.

Step 2.

Bend the end of the wire to make a loop and string it through the crimp bead. Use the pliers to clamp the crimp bead so it closes.

Step 3.

Begin stringing your beads on…

Step 4.

When you reach the end, place a crimp bead there and make another loop with the end of the wire just like you did in the beginning. Make sure you leave yourself enough slack. It is always better to start with a longer piece of wire rather than a shorter one just in case you need more room.

Step 5.

Using your pliers, open the jump ring and attach it to the end of the loop. You actually can skip this step if you want but I think it makes it look more finished.

Now you are ready to sport your very own spring and summer accessories and the best part is you get to take all the credit upon receiving compliments!

Happy Crafting!

Ps - Thanks to our friends at Delighted Momma for this inspirational idea! 

Marbleized Eggs for your Easter Dinner Centerpiece

We all know how important presentation can be at a dining table, especially when it’s an occasion. So we have teamed up with our friends at Martha Stewart, to help you create a very chic and fabulous centerpiece that will make your day perfect!

 So here are the steps to create your marbleized Easter Egg centerpiece:

 Step 1

With an egg blower, pierce the top and bottom of each egg, puncturing the yolk; carefully expel the contents. Rinse, and let dry. 

 Step 2

In a small mixing bowl, combine 3 cups warm water, 2 tablespoons vinegar, and a few drops of food coloring. Place egg in dye, and leave it submerged until it turns the desired shade.

Step 3

In a wide, shallow bowl, prepare a second batch of dye- which will provide the swirls- in a darker shade or a different color. Liquid should be 1/2 inch deep. Add 1 tablespoon olive oil. Run a fork through this mixture, creating curlicues of oil on the surface.

Step 4

As oil swirls, place dyed egg in mixture, and roll it once around the bowl to pick up oil streaks; remove the egg.

Step 5

Gently pat egg with a paper towel.

Step 6

Let it dry. You can experiment with color combinations: Vary the base tints and the swirls to achieve striking contrasts, subtle shadings, or multitude richness.

From all at Roberts Crafts, we hope you have a great day!

Happy Easter!

(Source: eastercrafts)

From Trash to Treasure

If you love DIY and if you love jewelry, this project created and shot by June Lion is just for you. An easy DIY that uses recycled lace that you can wear on your wedding day, for a dinner or any special occasion! What’s great about this recycled craft is that you can make them as gifts for your ladies, little ones, or anyone you think is special enough to receive such an amazing craft. What we really like about this craft is not only is it recycled material, you can also customize your necklace by adding embellishments or beads!

What an amazing idea! OK, so…how do we make this gorgeous little treasure?

Firstly, what you will need:

Scissors

Heavy lace (from old curtains, or old clothes)Thin necklace chain (from your jewelry box)

Thin jump rings (needs to just fit through your chain)

Wire cutters

Pliers

Needle and thread

Jewelry clasp

Secondly – Converting your trash to treasure:

Thanks to http://ruffledblog.com/ we have the easiest five steps to convert your trash to treasure!

1. Cut fun shapes out of the lace and spread them out.

2. Play! Make different combinations to see what looks good. You can just lay it on the chain to help visualize.

3. Sew pieces together if you want to make new shapes.

4. With your pliers, open the jump ring, put one end through your chain, the other end through your lace. Attach one side, put the chain around your neck holding up the necklace to see how long you’d like it. Cut the chain to desired length using the wire cutters. Once both sides are attached you can just find your center, and cut the chain.

5. Attach your jewelry clasp and you’re done!

Craft Challenge: Please let us see some of your new treasures and post some pictures here or on our Facebook page http://www.facebook.com/robertsartscrafts

Happy Crafting!