DIY Wood Block Christmas Cards

I know it's early for Christmas cards, but you could use the same technique to make Halloween, Mother's Day, Thank you cards etc...  I like these cards because all you have to do is create one block design, which can be used over and over again with different colors. 

This is the kit I bought at a local arts and crafts store

Create your design on a piece of tracing paper

Transfer your image onto the wood block. If you are creating numbers or letters, make sure to transfer them reversed. That way, they will be the right way round when you print them

Carefully carve your design. I made an intricate design so it took a while. 

Once your design is all carved out, you can start printing!

Lay your block down so that the design is facing upwards. 

Lightly dab acrylic paints onto your block

Use enough paint to cover the block, but make sure not to get paint in the crevices

. 

Place a piece of card stock over the wet paint and use a roller to transfer the paint.

Let the paint dry. You can even use you block print on fabrics and walls. 

T

Enjoy!

I

DIY Bubble Wrap Stamped Fabric

Samba is the color of fall. What better way to incorporate this Fall's color into your home decor then by recycling and reusing bubble wrap? Follow the instructions below to make your own bubble wrap stamped fabric.

What you will need:

• Bubble wrap
• Fabric paint
• Foam roller
• Fabric (I used drop cloth)
• Rolling pin  

 

Roll paint onto the bubble wrap.

Place painted side down onto fabric.

Use a rolling pin to evenly distribute paint. 

Let paint dry. 

Use your custom fabric to make your own custom pillows or drapery.

Enjoy!

DIY Bastille Day Photo Transfer

This is a great DIY if you like antique prints. Photo transfers are also quite an inexpensive way to create your own art.

All you need for this DIY is:

• A piece of light colored wood. I bought mine at an arts and crafts store, but you can buy a single piece of wood at a home improvement store and have them cut it down to your specifications.
• Gel Medium. I bought regular matt.
• A laser printed photo. Make sure you use a laser printer because inkjet will not work. If you want to add text to your art, print the text in reverse.
• A plastic spoon.
• A wet sponge.

Use the spoon to scoop out some gel medium, then use your finger to spread the gel out. Make sure you use enough to coat the entire piece of wood, but too much because the photo will not transfer correctly. 

Place your photo on the wood and smooth out as well as you can. Let dry overnight or until completely dry. You MUST be patient. 

When completely dry, run water over the wood to dampen the paper.

Now you can start to scrub off the paper.

If took a couple times of scrubbing to take off all the paper.

Voila! French art!

DIY Memorial Day and 4th of July T Shirts

Instead of buying a pricey tank top or t shirt this Memorial Day, you can use this paint method to make your own patriotic wearable art! Follow instructions below to make your own.

What you will need:

• Tank top or t shirt
• Fabric spray paint from an arts and crafts store
• Painter's tape/ stickers
• Cardboard/ old folder 

Lay your tank top on a flat, protected surface.

Take card board or an old folder and put it inside of the tank top.

Now you can start your design. I decided to make a flag inspired tank top.

Once everything is taped, you can start spraying. 

Let dry for about half an hour.

This is my favorite part! Start pulling off the tape and see what you get!

Now that I finished the red stripes, I started with the blue part.

I cut some stars from used Avery labels. You can just buy stickers if don't want to do this step.

Tape off blue area and spray.

Let all paint dry over night.

Love! Patriotic and wearable!

DIY Valentine's Day Bacon Roses

If you know someone who LOVES bacon. This is the perfect Valentine's Day gift for them! You can use Turkey bacon too! Follow the instructions below to make your own bacon bouquet.

What you will need:

• Thick cut bacon
• Aluminium foil
• Tooth picks
• Baking pan
• Oven
• Faux flowers

Preheat oven to 375 degrees

Line a baking pan with aluminium foil

Make small cones with foil

Roll up bacon and rest in the cones.

Put bacon in preheated oven and bake about 45 minutes. You might have to bake longer - make sure the bacon is fully cooked.

Now you can start destroying the faux flowers you bought

Rip off the petals - the above photo is what you will be left with.

Insert a tooth pick into the end of the faux rose

Insert the bacon rose onto the tooth pick

Enjoy