Faster Plaster Garden Magnets

GRASONVILLE, MD – Sunday afternoon – Here’s a really quick project that will garner a smile from your favorite gardening enthusiast.  Make these cute mini-tile magnets by the dozen!  Using pre-cut adhesive backed craft foam shapes for the embossing technique, you can create all sorts of themed magnets and more from Faster Plaster.

Faster Plaster Garden Magnets by Tiffany Windsor

Materials

Faster Plaster
Measuring cup
Water
Plastic container with lid
Bite-size Brownie Squares Silicone Baking Mold by Wilton
Pre-cut adhesive backed craft foam shapes
Adirondack Alcohol Ink by Ranger
Aleene’s® Liquid Fusion Clear Urethane Glue
3D Crystal Lacquer by Sakura
Black acrylic paint (or permanent marking pen)
Paint brush
Magnets
Toothpick

Instructions
Remove paper backing from foam shape and press into bottom of mold. Repeat for additional molds. Place mold on smooth level surface. Following package instructions, mix Faster Plaster and pour into mold covering foam shape. Fill mold to the top. When plaster is solid to the touch, carefully turn mold over and release plaster. Use tip of pin to help pull foam shape from plaster. If needed, use blunt end and edge of toothpick to clean up design. Following package instructions use microwave to speed up drying if desired. Apply alcohol ink directly from bottle to imprint areas. Squeeze a few drops of alcohol ink on palette and mix with water to create a color wash. Brush wash onto remaining surface of plaster. Let dry. Adhere magnet to back of tile. If desired, apply coat of 3D Lacquer to raised stamped area of mini-tile. Let dry overnight.

For more fabulous Faster Plaster project ideas, read our eBook – Faster Plaster: 50+ Fabulously Fun, Fantastic and Fresh Ideas.

November 25th Pajama Party LIVE

Just in case you missed tonight’s LIVE event – you can watch the archived episode – http://ow.ly/FKYK.

Click here to learn how to join our next LIVE event!

Frankincense – Herbal and Medicinal

Frankincense is an herb of legend, an herb rich in religious history and a wonderful herb used in incense blends. Frankincense is an aromatic resin obtained from the Bosweillia tree. Frankincense is tapped from this tree through scraping the bark so the resin seeps out and hardens into what is called “frankincense tears”. These trees grow in some of the toughest environments and are considered to be more medicinal the harsher the growing conditions. Frankincense has a woodsy, spicy and fruity scent. It elevates the spirit and soul and is relaxing for nervous tension.

Frankincense, the herb, is seldom used internally but is used in aromatherapy and incense blends. Frankincense is anti-inflammatory, anti-septic, anti-depressant, stimulates new cell growth, helps prevent wrinkles, is used on stretch marks and helps counteract aging — also heals wounds, is an expectorant, treats coughs and colds and is a gastric tonic.

Frankincense has an essential oil that is considered non-toxic and non-irritant and used externally only. The essential oil is also very antiseptic, in a diffuser helps to reduce anxiety and tension by slowing and deepening breathing, assists in easing worry, agitation and is very refreshing. So the next time you need a relaxing and spirit raising moment, try putting some frankincense into a diffuser and let your tension drift away.  >>Candace

Frankincense Stretch Mark Remedy

Place 2 drops each of frankincense essential oil, lavender essential oil and neroli essential oil into an unscented lotion or carrier oil such as olive or almond oil. Rub gently into areas with stretch marks.

Tie Dye Frame

GRASONVILLE, MD – Sunday night - I love the look of tie dye but you mainly think of it for fabric!  I had the chance a few days ago to check out the new Tulip Fabric Dye ebook at FaveCrafts.com so when I opened my Tulip Dye Techniques Kit I wondered what I would create!

This kit has three fabulous dye colors – lime, fuchsia & turquoise – but I was feeling in more of a pastel mood. So, I mixed the dyes according to the package instructions and then grabbed some small empty spray bottles and diluted the colors.

The first thing I grabbed to “dye” were some of the plaster pieces that I had on my design table. I know, I know, why would I try to tie dye plaster? Well, it was the first thing I could put my hands on (and I plan to play with this technique more in the future). I had made a plaster shape from the plastic packaging that held acrylic paint pots so it made for a fun and unique shape.  The dyes worked great – I got a nice pastel colored finish.

But, it wasn’t until I grabbed my paper towels to wipe up the overspray that my creative idea started to rock and roll!  I LOVED the effect of the tie dye on the paper towels so I grabbed more and started spraying them. You can scrunch and fold and twist and turn them – the same way that you would fabric.  Then I wondered what to do with them!

Aha! Decoupage! That was it! I would decoupage my paper towels on a frame for my “INSPIRE” plaque!

I didn’t even let my paper towels dry completely before I decoupaged them. I knew the color was set and they were just slightly damp and I figured they would get wet with the decoupage anyhow. . .  so I just cut them to size for the frame and applied a coat of decoupage medium to the frame and placed the paper towel pieces into the glue (I used both layers of the paper towels and by the way, I didn’t even base coat the plain wood frame. If you want your tie dye look to be even brighter, you would want to base coat the wood frame with white acrylic and let it dry completely before decoupaging.)

With a soft brush stroke, I then applied a coat of decoupage over the napkin until the entire frame was tie dyed! I overstamped my dyed plaster piece with the letters I-N-S-P-I-R-E and stars and painted the inset black.

So, there you have it! My tie dyed frame. >>Tiffany

Be sure to check out all the Fabric Dye ideas in Tulip’s cool ebook which features 28 free fabric dye craft projects organized by 18 different dye techniques, with step-by-step photo instructions. Not only does the eBook include a great variety of stylish clothing craft projects for all ages, but you will also find home decorating projects, accessories and holiday projects too! Click here!

Terrorific Tuesday – It’s getting spooky!

It’s Terrorific Tuesday. Get spooky with us! (Our thanks to Alexa Westerfield for the inspiration behind Terrorific Tuesday.)

Trick or Treat!
Frame and post it note holder dressed for Halloween

Costumed Kokeshi Dolls
Try out a Halloween idea for a traditional Japanese doll with Crafterella

Halloween Mask
Phyllis Dobbs created a fun and easy Halloween mask – great for adults and kids!

Fun Halloween Lanterns
Stephenie Hamen accessorizes plain paper lanterns with her paper punches.

Black Widow & Bloody Necklaces
Pattie Wack uses 3-D paint to create chokers that will creep out your party guests!

Tutu Cute Halloween Wreath
Vanessa creates an inspired wreath made of tulle!

Mad Scientist Party
Amy of Living Locurto shares a slew of fun ideas to host your own Mad Scientist Party.

Halloween Zombie Dolls
Crafty Chica shows how to add some zombie love to your decor!

Halloweenies!
Boopsie Daisy shares some of the wonderful Halloween dollies that she dreams up!

Crafty Chica’s Ghost Story!
Kathy Cano-Murillo shares a haunted crafty tale!

Halloween Cone Witches
Make these cute little paper cone witches for Halloween!

Halloween Leftovers
Mel takes the leftovers from last week’s project and makes a cool Goth choker!

Brenda Pinnick Halloween Owls
Seasonal Owls for Scaring or Delighting Trick or Treaters

The Impatient Crafter
Margot creates another spooktacular mixed media necklace with a bite.

Halloween Batty Windchime
Heidi Borchers creates a super cute windchime with personality!

Kitschy Kitschy BOO
Add some Halloween flair to your day with this cute kitschy bracelet and earring combo!

Simple Halloween Gift Tags
Studio Mama makes a strong impact with these quick and easy tags!

Strands of Beads
Melissa once again gives some pretty flower beads a Gothic makeover with this simple earring design

Costume Fun
Sharron Westerfield shares her passion for costume-making and the joy it brings her grandchildren.

Return of the Birthday Zombie
Candace is cracking herself up with this ghoulish gift box idea

Doodle Pumpkin
Swelldesigner a.k.a. Alexa Westerfield shows you how to make a fun pumpkin on the fly!

Inspired at Home Radio – October 18, 2009

GRASONVILLE, MD – Monday afternoon – Just in case you missed last night’s Inspired at Home Radio show here are the podcast links (or click here for the print transcript of the show):

Craft Concierge Report by Maria Nerius – Preservation for Family Photos & Paper Memorabilia – Listen >>

Jennifer Blevins – iLovetoCreate trend report – “Plaid” – Listen >>

Creativity Sisters – Project Picks of the Week - Listen >>

Lorine Mason – Thrift Store Sewing – Listen >>

Nick Romer – Make Millions on Selling on QVC – Insider Secrets to Launching Your Product on TV – Listen >>

Candace Liccione – Herban Living – Basil – Listen >>

Katheryn Bieber – Emergency First Aid for Dealing with Criticism – Listen >>

Creativity Sisters – Final Few Picks of the Week – Listen >>

Listen to the entire podcast episode (including creative roundtable discussion) – Listen >>

Enjoy!

Inspired at Home Radio – October 11, 2009

GRASONVILLE, MD – Monday morning – Just in case you missed Sunday night’s Inspired at Home Radio show, here are the podcast links (or click here for the print transcript of the show):

Craft Concierge Report by Maria Nerius – What are Craft Swaps? – Listen >>

Brenda Pinnick Color “U”. How a trip to the farmer’s market can change how you think about color – Listen >>

Creativity Sisters – Project Picks of the Week - Listen >>

Maria Nerius Interview – Crafting Insights – Listen >>

Candace Liccione – Herban Living – Benefits of Salt – Listen >>

Katheryn Bieber – Embracing Your Authentic Style – Listen >>

Creativity Sisters – Final Few Picks of the Week – Listen >>

Listen to the entire podcast episode (including creative roundtable discussion) – Listen >>

Enjoy!

Almost Dailies – Smiles

GRASONVILLE, MD – Friday morning – Have you checked out the Inspired at Home Almost Dailies?

They’re our quickie pearls of wisdom, oodles of inspiration, sage advice and whatevers. They’re quick thoughts, ideas and quirkiness that help you jumpstart your day or calm your night or have you saying “I didn’t know that!”  Each Almost Dailies includes a “recipe” to help you bring the idea into action. (Oh, by the way, did we mention that each Almost Dailies has an adorable illustration created by our fabulously magnificent (or is that magnificently fabulous) Heidi Borchers? Yep! She’s drawing up a storm!) We also have guest contributors who we think are amazingly wonderful too!

So, why do we call them Almost Dailies? ‘cuz we don’t want to have to do them every day.  GO>>

Faster Plaster – New eBook!

GRASONVILLE, MD - Thursday afternoon – Woohoo! It’s here! Our new eBook 50+ Fabulously Fun, Fantastic and Fresh Ideas.

We remember when this product was first introduced to the creative consumer more than 15-years ago and thanks to some innovative new techniques and applications we’ve discovered, Faster Plaster has taken on a whole new look!

First, you have to check out our new blog and then link to the new eBook then let us know what you think!

Terrorific Tuesday – Week #2

GRASONVILLE, MD - Tuesday morning - Welcome to Terrorific Tuesday! You’ll find a great assortment of Halloween Crafts & Ideas at these great blogs!

This little light
Light up the night with this cute pumpkin votive holder from Kat the Fearless Crafter.

Skull Bracelet & Bats in the Belfry Choker
Candace is having way too much fun with shrink plastc! Check out these fun and charming crafts on the Spirit Clay blog.

Tree Decorated Lights Tutorial
Come and decorate some Dollar Tree Skulls with Crafterella, don’t forget your sharpie markers!

Impatient Crafter for iLoveToCreate
Whip up a Halloween Invitation that’s a real ‘hoot’ with Madge in this project for iLoveToCreate!

Halloween Coasters
Cheryl Ball of Still Crafty After 50 shares some fun, funky, and spirited coasters!

Halloween Treat Bowl
Create a fun and festive treat dish with Inspired at Home!

Strands of Beads
Melissa creates a whimsical seasonal necklace based on the theme “pushing up daisies”.

Basic Black Box Meets Pumpkin Patch
Whip up Halloween favor boxes in minutes with brand new Sizzix ScoreBoard dies.

Mummy Mannequin
Create a mummy that will be a memorable accent at your Halloween party with Pattiewack!

Munchkin Mama’s Crispy Peanut Butter Balls
Munchkin Mama has a great recipe for no bake peanut butter balls that the whole family will want to make!

Witch Parking!!
Make a “Witch Parking” sign on the Mucky Finger’s blog!

Vintage Halloween Tree Topper
Shannon shows off her new Halloween tree topper, inspired by vintage crepe paper crafts!

The Impatient Crafter
Make a whimsical and elegant Halloween necklace with Madge!

Jack-o-Lantern Waterfalls
Studio Mama shows you how to make some fun and festive earrings for the Halloween season.

Glow in the Dark Jewelry
Use glow in the dark polymer clay and rubber stamps to produce eerie Halloween jewerly.

Crafty Chica’s Paint Drip Pumpkin!
A loca idea on the fly turned out muy fantastico!

Free Printable Halloween Cup Sleeves
You’ll be a hit with these labels for hot beverages at your Halloween party.

Scarecrow Sweatshirt
Sharron Westerfield shares a cute scarecrow sweatshirt she made from a fun downloadable pattern from Janome!

Halloween Ribbon Brooches and Fascinators
Alexa Westerfield a.k.a. Swelldesigner whips some quick and cute Halloween accessories!

R.I.P. Skeleton in Coffin
Guarantee a spooktacular Halloween Party with a skeleton in a coffin treat filled centerpiece!

Happy October Kewpies
Find inspiration in this colorful and cute candy corn Kewpie photo from Boopsie Daisy!

If you would like to join in the fun next week, e-mail Alexa at swelldesigner@yahoo.com and put in your subject line “Terrorific Tuesday”.  She’ll get you added to the group!