Tuesday, February 18, 2014

Bookmark Wedding Favors



















Planning a Wedding or Shower?  Here is an idea for favors that the guests will enjoy!  Sticky Sticks are perfect for this project.  The adhesion is strong enough to hold the decoration without worries about it popping off.  Works great for pieces of chocolate too!  This is an idea that can be adapted for a Baby Shower, Birthday Party, Holiday Party, etc.  There is a saying I love!  "Whatever the mind can conceive and perceive it can achieve!"  We would love to hear about your ideas too!


















You will need:

*Sticky Sticks:  At least one package
 (depending on how many favors you will need)
*One 8" Smoothfoam hollow dome
*DecoArt paints:  Americana Decor:  Chalky Finish: Lace, New Life, Crackle Medium
*Package of 2-1/2" kraft scalloped chipboard tags with ribbon embellishment
*1-1/4" Paper Flowers: one for each stick, cut with Cricut Machine or purchased
*2" Flower cut-out (for contrast) one for each paper flower
*Rubber Stamp with saying
*Ink Pad, Clear stamp Block
*Cardstock:  Colonial White (for 1" scalloped edge), two sided floral pattern
*Chalkboard labels (1)
*Glue
*White Fine-point Permanent Marker
*Paper Punch for corners
*Paint Brushes, Disposable Plastic container, paper plates, paper towels
*Cricut Expression Machine (optional)

Instructions:

1.  Invert the dome and poke slots in it using a Sticky Stick - poke one in the top middle, then make even rows for the number of favors you will have.  Paint the outside of the dome Green; let dry.  Apply the Crackle Medium following the manufacturer's directions.  Apply a top coat of the Lace chalk paint.

2.  Paint each of the Sticky Stick's with the Chalk paint, front and back.  Let dry.

3.  Dry brush Lace chalk paint to each Chipboard Tag to give it a "vintage" look.

4.  Glue a flower to one contrasting background flower.  Adhere to a chipboard tag.  Remove the adhesive strip from one Sticky Sticks, adhere the tag.  Repeat for each.

5. Stamp the message/saying on the stick (with the flower end to the left.)

6.  For the sign:  Adhere one Sticky Sticks to the flat edge of a second Sticky Sticks to make it about 10" long.  Cut and Layer the papers for the "sign".  Adhere the chalkboard label to the front of the sign and write the couples' name on the label with the white marker. Round the corners of the sign using the corner punch.


 Here are some closer views to help with the details.

















Above is a side view......

Below is a view from "above".


















If you have any questions or comments about this project we would love to hear from you!

Hope you are inspired now to "go forth and craft!"


Warm regards,

Marilyn

for The Sticky Sticks Team!






Product Credits:
Sticky Sticks:  Self-Adhesive Jumbo Craft Sticks
Smoothfoam:  Half Ball spheres
DecoArt:  Chalk Paints
Darice:  Tags and Labels
Close To My Heart: Papers, Rubber Stamps, Inkpad, "Artiste" Cricut Cartridge

Thursday, January 16, 2014

Let's have a Valentine's Party!

Too early to think about Valentine's Day?  Never!  We have several weeks before we will be celebrating this day of love.  I like to decorate my house for the holiday theme when appropriate and be ready for friends popping in, a spontaneous party, or just for my family to enjoy!

A pictorial tutorial is always welcome for us creative types.  Being a "visual" type myself, I find this useful when putting together any project.









Here is what you will need:

*Sticky Sticks, flat wooden 1-1/2" circle (I used a Woodsie circle)
*8" Smoothfoam disk (1" deep")
*Memory Cardstock papers:  green, dark pink, white, red, light pink, yellow; patterned paper with a coordinating print on the back side.
*pencil, piece of paper
*white glue or other adhesive
*jute twine
*paper cutter, score, scallop paper punch, crafting scissors
*Acrylic Paint, lt. peach, black, white, red
*Paint brush, water bucket, paper towels, paper plate, toothpicks
*Optional: Cricut cutting machine for hearts and pennant and cartridge with matching shapes

*Note:  The hearts and pennant  can also be cut out with a handmade pattern.  Remember how we made paper hearts as a kid?  Fold plain paper in two, cut half of a heart on the fold then unfold and trace around it onto red construction paper?  This still works and can look really cute! The same for the triangle shaped pennants!

Ready to start?  Here is what you do!

Gather your Sticky Sticks.  Lay them out as shown in the diagrams given.



 Shoulders: Cut one Sticky Stick from the adhesive end in, 2-1/4".  Hips: Cut a second length at about 2-1/2".

Lay the pieces out with the adhesive side up as shown. They will help you know where they will be placed as shown in the next photo.





In the photo below, I laid the pieces out .  You will remove the release paper and turn each piece over before adhering everything together.


You will need a little glue to attach the bottom of the middle stick to the "hips" piece you cut earlier.
Then, remove the release paper and adhere each "leg" Sticky Stick to the hips piece as shown in the photo below.


Now you are ready to trace around the body on the plain piece of paper and create a clothing pattern for your girl!  Lay her on the paper, trace around the body, making the pattern larger around the middle. Allow just a little extra room around the edges. Refer to the finished project for some help here.  Once you have front and back for the shirt and the pants, lay the pieces aside.

Paint the head, neck and hands, lt. peach.  Paint the bottom of the legs black.  Paint on the front and the back.  Apply a black dip dot with a tooth pick of stylus for each eye.  Dot the mouth with red.  When paint is dry, apply some powder blush to each check using your finger.



Hair:  Cut two 2-1/2" circles from the yellow card stock.  Refer to the finished project and cut a triangle out of one circle.  Place over the face to make sure the opening is large enough for the face to show.  Take the triangular piece and cut a fringe.  This will be the "bangs".  Place and adhere the bangs to the top of the head, place and glue the yellow hair to the head.  Adhere the "whole" yellow circle to the back of the head. 
 *Note:  You can change the hair color to brown, black or auburn.  Whatever your prefer!


This is a picture of the pattern I cut out for the outfit I dressed her in.  There are two pieces.  The shirt and the pants.  I traced around the pattern onto the memory paper for the shirt; reversed the paper and cut out the coordinating pants.  Reverse the pattern and cut out matching pieces for the back of the outfit.


I didn't have the painting done when I photographed the step shown above.  Make sure the painting is done, then adhere the outfit to the doll, front and back.  I chalked the edges using a grey inkpad and wedge sponge.  This is optional.


Cut a piece of jute twine and tie one end to each wrist.  Leave it a little bit slack in the middle.


I cut the pennants using my Cricut machine and cartridge.  You can also make them by using your own pattern.  Fold your dark pink cardstock in two, place the flat side of the pattern on the fold.  Trace around the triangle pattern, and cut out the pennants.  Fold over the jute twine as shown and adhere.  Layer and adhere the punched hearts to each pennant as shown.


I adhered two sticks together to make a longer stem for the paper rosettes.  Do this for two of the stems and stagger the lengths as shown. Below is a pictorial tutorial for paper rosettes.  Adapt the width to the size you want to make your rosette.


You have options here!  You can make bigger hearts and adhere a front and back to each Sticky Sticks stem.  I made rosettes and adhered three different sizes of hearts to each.  The "stems" are covered with 1" strips of green cardstock.  I glued a 1" strip of green paper around the edges of the Smoothfoam base.  The finished project has scalloped circle paper punches adhered all around the top of the Smoothfoam.  You can also use glitter, moss, or just a flat piece of paper cut to fit the top of the Smoothfoam disk.


We hope this project gives you a great start to your Valentine's planning and decorating!  If you have any questions, leave us a message.  May the New Year be off to a great start and many blessings lie ahead!

Live Life with a Flourish,

Marilyn and the Sticky Sticks Team

Sources: Sticky Sticks: https://stickysticks.net/
                Smoothfoam: http://smoothfoam.com/ 

Other product sources: Cricut cutting machine, Close To My Heart memory papers, CTMH "Art Philosphy" Cricut Cartridge 


Monday, December 2, 2013

OH CHRISTMAS TREE! HOW LOVELY ARE YOUR BRANCHES!


It is December!  Time to put up the tree, lights and decorations!  It is also time to think about gift giving to family and friends!  This project is fun and easy and your tree can be embellished any way that you wish!  Ribbon, buttons, fabric yo-yos, flowers and candy are just a few more ideas for embellishing.  I made little paper rosettes for this tree and chenille stems for the tiny tinsel wreaths. 

 I hope you enjoy the picture tutorial and have a very happy Holiday Season!  If you have any questions, you can always leave a comment on the Blog.  We will get back to you!  












Check back throughout December!  We will be posting more fun projects and gifting ideas!  Take time to enjoy the small things!  Often, those are the hidden treasures!

Life Life with a Flourish,

The Sticky Sticks Team

Monday, November 18, 2013

E-Z DIY Christmas ornaments with Sticky Sticks!


CHRISTMAS IS A LITTLE OVER A MONTH AWAY!  Do you need some quick and easy ideas for Christmas ornaments?  These are great little projects for kids and moms alike!  Just gather some supplies, a little bit of craft glue and you are ready to start!



I used thin wood shapes for the heads and star.  You can find these at your local craft store.

For the wings you can use a glitter cardstock like I did, or just a plain or colored cardstock.
To make the wings, fold the cardstock in half and draw wings on one side.  Cut them out, open them up and set aside until you are ready to adhere them to the back of the angel.

Remove the release paper on the top of the stick and adhere the wood circle for the head. Wrap the stick with the jute twine or with the tinsel chenille stem.  Adhere with a bead of glue as you wrap to secure.

I used an ink pad and wedge sponge to add some color to the edges of the wood.  This is optional.  I found the wedge sponges in the beauty section of the Dollar Store!








You can apply tiny dots of black acrylic paint on the face for eyes and red for the mouth.  I would use a toothpick.

Arms:  Cut a 5" piece of jute twine; tie a knot in the center.  Adhere the tails to the back of the angel.

Apply  powder blush to the cheeks.  Refer to the photos given, bend the chenille stem into a halo and cut off the excess.  Adhere to the top of the head.  Bend another piece into a bow shape for the wings.  Adhere to the angel's back as shown.

I have one more idea for you!  This involves knotting 10" ribbon lengths in the middle and gluing each knot to the stick.  Layer them from the top, under the angel's chin, one under the other, adhering to the front of the angel. For the arms:   Knot a 5" piece of ribbon in the middle and adhere the tails to the back of the angel. Glue the wings to the back, over the ribbon tails. Glue the knot (hands) in the front over the tinsel wreath. Make the wreath and the halo by bending the stem into a double circle and securing the ends.  Trim excess.


If you have any questions, please leave us a message.  We like to hear your ideas too!  

Have fun with these ideas and use your imagination for different colors and papers!  

Would you like more ideas?  Visit our Facebook page and give us a "Like" while you are there!



Sticky Sticking Across the Universe!

The Sticky Sticks Crew

Friday, November 8, 2013

Thanksgiving Centerpiece featuring Sticky Sticks!


THANKSGIVING CENTERPIECE



We have a lot to be thankful for in this great country we live in. Thanksgiving is a time to reflect on our bounty and blessings and to spend quality time with family and friends. It is just around the corner! Gather a few supplies and a package of Sticky Sticks to create this DIY turkey centerpiece to celebrate the Holiday! 



Supplies:

Smoothfoam:  one 3” cube, two 2-1/2” balls, one 6” wide x 1” thick disk
Sticky Sticks™:  seven (6” jumbo craft sticks with self-adhesive strip)
Cardstock:  Autumn themed coordinating 12” cardstock, Kraft, scraps of dark brown, orange, black (Close To My Heart, Huntington)
Burlap fabric
Jute twine
Cricut cuts:  1-3/4” scalloped medallions, 11 (cut from Kraft cardstock), (CTMH Artiste Cricut Cartridge)
Dark Brown inkpad, wedge sponge or dauber
Decoupage medium, brush, water bucket
Rubber stamps:  1” tall alphabet letters spelling “Thanks”; 2-1/2” square Fall themed
Serrated bladed knife or foam cutter
Scissors, paper cutter, pencil
Low melt glue gun and glue sticks
Toothpicks




1.       Body:  Cut 1” up from one side of the disk.  This will be the bottom edge.  Trace around the disk onto cardstock for the front and the back.  Cut 1”x 12” strips and adhere all pieces to the disk (front, back and sides) using the decoupage medium.  Repeat for the 3” cube, only leave one side plain.  Tail feathers:  Cut ¾” x 12” strips from the cardstock.  Cut strip to fit the front and back of one craft stick.  Adhere to the craft stick leaving the adhesive strip exposed.  Repeat for each stick, rotating the coordinating papers.  Remove the adhesive strip from one craft stick.  Position and adhere stick to the disk as shown.  Repeat for each stick.  (*Do not remove the release paper until positioning is exact.  It is permanent.)

2.      Head and wings: Cut a 6” square of burlap.  Wrap, smooth and flatten burlap around one ball.  Tie jute twine around the burlap at the bottom of the ball; tightly knot and tie the tails in a shoestring bow.  Trim excess for burlap and twine.  For the wings:  Cut the remaining 2” ball in two.  Wrap each ball half in burlap and glue down the edges to the flat side of each ball.  Trim excess fabric.


3.      Assemble:  Attach the head to the block body with a toothpick.  Adhere to secure.  Repeat for the wings and to attach the body to the disk as shown in the photo given. Attach the unfinished side of the block to the disk.

4.      Paper Embellishments:  I used the Cricut machine to cut out the paper medallions that spell “Thanks”.  A paper punch will give a similar effect.  Stick-on alphabet letters might be an alternative choice to the rubber stamps.  I used a rubber stamp with a Fall theme and cut around it to fit the front of the body, slightly smaller than the block’s surface.  The remaining paper medallions were glued to the disk as shown.

5.      To finish:  Sponge the edges with brown ink as desired.  Loop and glue jute twine to the back of the tail feathers.  I used a round punch from matching papers, sandwiched and glued the jute between each craft stick and the punched circle of paper.  Unravel the tails of the 3-ply jute on each side of the turkey. 







Come back and see us for lots more fun projects and ideas!

Happy Crafting!
Sticky Sticking across the Universe!

The Sticky Sticks Team

Thursday, October 3, 2013

First Official Post!

Hi there all of you Sticky Sticks lovers!  We've decided to become a little more technologically savvy, and started up the first and only official Sticky Sticks blog!  Post away!!