Cute Crafties: BOO wreath TUTORIAL

Okay, so I think this is just the cutest Halloween decoration!! It is just so fun and festive! Who wouldn't LOVE it?!

Craftaholics Anonymous: BOO wreath TUTORIAL

Cute Crafties: Burlap Christmas Wreath

This is such a cute Christmas wreath! It's so unique! I just love love love it!! :)Craftaholics Anonymous: Burlap Christmas Wreath

Cute Crafties: Accordion Valentine

When opened, this valentine expresses your love four times over on its accordion folds. Constructed of assorted fine papers and assembled with convenient craft-glue dots, it's both easy to make and lovely in presentation.
Tools and MaterialsAssorted fine papers
Accordion-valentine templates
Cutting board
Bone folder
Ruler
Craft-glue dots
Accordion Valentine How-To1. Cut four hearts in graduated sizes using our downloadable accordion-valentine templates. For each heart, choose a different kind of paper.
2. Cut a 6-by-19 1/2-inch strip of paper for the base of each card.
3. Using the ruled lines of a cutting board as a guide, lay down a ruler 2 inches above the edge of the paper, and use a bone folder to score a line. Score seven more lines at 2-inch intervals.
4. Once you've completed the scoring, crease the paper back and forth to complete the accordion fold. The 4-inch remainder will be the back of the card -- a suitable place to write a personal message.
5. Find and lightly mark the center of each folded peak. Start at the back peak, and place a glue dot over the center mark.
6. Center the largest heart in place, making sure it does not extend beyond the card. One by one, glue the remaining dots to the card, folding each "peak" over the last heart glued to help guide placement.


Read more at Marthastewart.com: Accordion Valentine - Martha Stewart Holidays 

Cute Crafties: Rosy Stationery

Leafy vegetables make great-tasting salads -- and sumptuous floral-shaped stamps, too. Here, the end of a head of Treviso radicchio yields a roselike print. Cut off stem end with a sharp knife, and stand stem on a paper towel, cut-side down, for 5 minutes to dry. Press cut side onto a large stamp pad, then onto cards, stationery, and more, blotting on paper towel between presses. Vary stamp shapes with other vegetables, such as romaine lettuce stems or even brussels sprouts cut in half.

Read more at Marthastewart.com: Rosy Stationery - Martha Stewart Crafts 

Cute Crafties: Romantic Banner Cards

Tools and MaterialsBanner template
Decorative paper
Blank fold-over card
Utility knife
White glue
Fine point bottle or fine point brush, optional
Glitter, optional

Romantic Banner Cards How-To1. Download and print banner template. Cut out the phrase banner you would like to place onto card.
2. Trace decorative paper to front of card. Martha traced decorative paper 1/4 inch smaller on all sides than card in order to create a border effect.
3. Add Positionable Mounting Adhesive (PMA) to back of decorative paper. Decide where you want the banner to go; using a utility knife, make two slits in paper for the banner ends. Trim decorative paper to desired size for card. Insert banner ends into slits, then stick decorative paper to card.
4. If desired, add glitter details to highlight the design or picture on decorative paper. Dab white glue on details using a fine point bottle or fine point brush, then sprinkle with glitter. Tap paper slightly to remove any excess.

ResourcesDecorative paper is from www.barbaraschriberdesigns.com. Fold-over cards are from www.paperpresentation.com. Glass glitter is from www.artglitter.com. Scotch PMA can be found at office supply stores.


Read more at Marthastewart.com: Romantic Banner Cards - Martha Stewart Crafts 

Cute Crafties: Pop-Up Valentine

This clever pop-up valentine is designed so that when you open it, the two people kiss. This is a unique way to say, "I love you!"

Tools and MaterialsPop-Up Valentine Template 1
Pop-Up Valentine Template 2
Pop-Up Valentine Template 3
Bone folder or knitting needle
Ruler
Scissors
Glue
Personal photocopied photographs
Scraps of card stock

Pop-Up Valentine How-ToDownload and print the three templates: Pop-Up Valentine Template 1, Pop-Up Valentine Template 2, Pop-Up Valentine Template 3. The templates include the step-by-step process for this fun holiday craft.


Read more at Marthastewart.com: Pop-Up Valentine - Martha Stewart Crafts 

Cute Crafties: Heart Seals

Tug at your valentine's heartstrings with an embellished envelope. Cut out the hearts from colored card stock using a specialty hole punch (available at crafts stores). Poke two holes into each heart with a needle, then sew the hearts onto dual-capacity envelopes (buy your own or download our template) using the needle and silk beading cord. Secure stitches with a double knot on the backside of the flaps. After inserting the valentine, close the envelope by winding a 5-inch length of the cord in a figure-eight motion around the hearts.



Read more at Marthastewart.com: Heart Seals - Martha Stewart Crafts 

Cute Crafties: Valentine's Day Card Ideas

Introduction

Quilling, or paper filigree, is the art of creating intricate shapes from strips of paper. The technique is simple: After a long, narrow ribbon of paper is rolled around a needlelike tool, the strip is slipped off, arranged with your fingertips into the desired shape, and then glued to a background of contrasting paper, fabric, or wood.

Quilled motifs such as flowers and hearts express sweet sentiments for Valentine's Day and Mother's Day, but they also add an elegant touch to cards for any occasion.

Step 1

Gather Materials

Don't let the elaborate effects fool you; quilling is simple. You need only a few basic crafts items.

Clockwise from top:A round-headed pin is useful for precise glue application.

A slotted quilling tool lets you create coiled shapes with ease.

Fine-pointed tweezers are essential for tiny shapes.

Use small sharp scissors to cut fringe.

Quilling paper comes in a variety of colors and widths; most of our projects can be made with standard precut strips. If you prefer, use a paper cutter and medium-weight paper, such as vellum or stationery, to make your own; construction paper is too heavy and will not roll easily.

Step 2

Basic Quilling Shapes

Experiment with basic techniques before starting a project.

Loose CircleCreate a tight circle, but do not glue. Instead, lay it on a flat surface, and let it expand. When satisfied with the shape and size, glue the end of the strip to secure.

Loose ScrollForm a loose circle, but do not glue closed.

MarquiseFashion and glue a loose circle; pinch each end.

Connected ScrollsMake several loose scrolls; position with unrolled ends pointing the same way. Curve each over rolled end of next scroll; glue.

Open HeartFold a strip in half, and crease. Roll each end toward center.

V ScrollCrease paper at center; roll ends outward.

S ScrollForm an S shape by rolling one end toward center, and the other in the opposite direction.

C ScrollRoll both ends of a strip toward the center.

Step 3

Open Hearts

Open heart shapes are used in the quilled heart valentine. To make open hearts, fold a strip in half, and crease. Roll each end toward center and glue to card.

Step 4

Tight Circle

Tight circles are one of the most basic quilled shapes, and are used to make the quilled frame cards.

To make a tight circle, slip paper into the slot on the quilling tool, placing paper's end flush with edge of slot.

Step 5

Complete the Tight Circle

To complete the tight circle, turn tool until strip is rolled into a firm cylinder. Remove paper from tool, and glue closed to complete your tight circle.

Step 6

Teardrop

Another common shape is the teardrop, which is also used in the quilled frame cards. To make a teardrop, create and glue a loose circle; pinch one end to form a point.

Step 7

Frame

If you want to design a frame or border for your card, create a freehand pattern that incorporates several of the basic shapes you've learned. Alternatively, you can purchase a published pattern, many of which are available in clip-art books.

Here, we arranged a series of fleurs-de-lis, each made from three V scrolls of graduated sizes, and one teardrop. Form and glue individual shapes, using the pattern as a guide. Then use a ruler to draw a rectangle on the card. Dab points of glue on undersides of quilled shapes and position them, standing on edge, along the pencil line. Hold in place for 15 seconds to allow glue to set.

Step 8

Fringed Flower

Fringed flower shapes are used in the quilled floral cards. To make a fringed flower such as a daisy or a zinnia, scallop the top of a strip of paper, and then cut fringe. (To create flowers with centers, glue together two strips of paper, each a different width and color, end to end; then fringe.) Roll entire length of paper into a tight circle, as shown here.

Step 9

Complete the Fringed Flower

Glue closed. With your fingers, spread the fringe and separate it into petals. Curl the petal ends outward and downward with tweezers to achieve desired shape.

Step 10

Bells

Bells are used to make the quilled lily-of-the-valley card. Roll and glue a tight circle. Using your finger, push center of circle to create a cone. Secure the end with glue. If desired, spread a light layer of glue over surface of bell; this will help the bell keep its shape. Or spread glue inside to hide the glued area. Positioned along four leafy stems made from strips of green paper to complete the lily-of-the-valley.

Step 11

Script

Quilled script is used to make the scripted valentines. You can write a message in your own hand, adapt one from a calligraphy book, or create one on a computer. Lay short strips of quilling paper along the curves of each letter you want to form. Shape ends with quilling tool, or use scissors to curl paper as you would a ribbon; cut strips to correct length. Trace message onto paper. Glue at intervals, one letter at a time. Turn quilling paper on edge; use tweezers to hold it in place for 15 seconds to allow glue to set.

Read more at Wholeliving.com: How to Make Quilled Cards - Martha Stewart Crafts