Tin Man Treat Box

 

It's almost Valentines Day, and one of the biggest challenges I find is creating a project that is suitably masculine.  There's a lot more creative scope to create romantic themes when you use lace, flowers and other feminine accents.

For this project I chose another of Mo Manning's gorgeous images, this one is called the Tin Man. The image is printed on Kraft card, and coloured with Primsacolor pencils.

The treat box is a popcorn style box that purchased as a set of 10 from a bargain store.  The designer paper used to cover it is from Ruby Rock It.   I love the black and white contrast and it's speaks suitably of Valentines and love, without being feminine.  The edges have been inked with Pumice Stone Distress Ink and the project is finished simply with a ribbon and a metal heart charm.

I really enjoyed this project.  This would look great filled with those chocolate hearts covered in red foil... my man doesn't like chocolate so I will probably fill it with cookies.

Entering this into the following challenges:

Mo Manning's DP2 Challenge:  Anything Goes
Make it Monday:  Anything Goes

Little Devil Tilda

Materials:
Magnolia rubber stamp Devil Tilda
Copic markers
large matchbox or matchbox die
black, red and white card
Hearts and Stars texture plate by Fiskars
silver crochet yarn
silver heart charm
Rock Candy Stickles
silver gel pen

In Australia we celebrate Valentine's day, but it's a day exclusively for lovers, to give a gift on that day is a declaration of romantic interest.  You won't see kids at school handing out Valentine's favours to class mates, or to their teacher.  We don't give token gifts to workmates, or friends.  Such a shame that we are reluctant to expand this day to include all our friends and loved ones. 

I made this little treat box with a girlfriend in mind, so I kept it cute and sweet and will fill it with chocolates for her so that it's an appropriately platonic gift.  To make it a little more romantic you could use a real matchbox and include a sentiment similar to "You light my fire". 

Challenges:

Simply Magnolia:  Anything but a card
Magnolia-licious:  Valentine inspired
Make it Monday #72:  Anything goes 
Craft Your Passion:   In the bag/box

Vintage Valentine Love Birds

Materials:
600gsm card
vintage sheet music
vintage clipart
ribbons
ribbon roses
hot glue
spray adhesive
double sided foam adhesive squares

Tools:
scissors
hot glue gun

This one was a lot of fun for me because I hand dyed the ribbon to match. It's pretty simple to put together. Cut a tag from 600gsm cardstock and glue on the sheet music with spray adhesive. Trim any overhang from the sheet music.



Print the image onto glossy paper using a photo quality printer and setting. Glue loops of ribbon to the back side of the image and mount onto the tag with double sided foam adhesive squares. Embellish with ribbon and roses as desired.

Painting The Roses Red

Technique: Paper and String

Materials:
an old novel
thin beading wire
acrylic paint
matt spray sealer
hot glue
bamboo skewer
string

Tools:
scissors
paintbrush
wire cutters
hot glue gun

There are plenty of ways to make paper roses, a google search will even pop up with several videos. The way I made mine was a hybrid from floral artistry, first using wires to attach to the petals and leaves, and then using the wires to attach to and form the stem.

Stack five pages from the novel together and cut out 4-6 different size petals. You can do this free form without the need for a template and you will have a more natural looking flower. Start with a small teardrop shape, about the size of the fingernail on your ring finger and work up to larger almost heart shape petals. You will need about 20-25 shapes, depending on how big you want your bloom to be. Cut 2 - 3 leaf shapes as well. Cut one strip of paper about 6 inches long and half an inch wide and fold this in half so it is 6 inches long and one quarter of an inch wide.

Cut 20 or so pieces of beading wire, about twice the length of your index finger, and then fold them over in half so that they are the length of your index finger with a small loop at one end, and the two cut ends at the other. Use small dots of hot glue to attach to the pointy end of the petals.

Using red acrylic paint, colour 2 or 3 petals from each size, so that about one third of your petals are painted red and allow to dry before proceeding.

Put a dab of hot glue on the end of your skewer and attach one end of the long strip you cut, you are attaching the short end in such a manner that the folded edge is facing up and away from the tip of the skewer. Wind it around the skewer to form the inner bud of the rose. Secure with hot glue.

You should now have a skewer with a small spiral of paper stuck at one end, this will act as the foundation for wiring all of your other petals. One petal at a time, hold in place with your fingers until you have the position you desire, then twist the wire around the skewer to secure. Continue in this manner from small petal to large until your blossom is the size you require. Wire two or three leaves into position.

Cut the bamboo skewer and any long wires so that your stem is around 3 - 4 inches in length. Securing with hot glue, wrap string around the stem to cover the wires and give a nice finish. You could use green florists tape here, or ribbon, if you preferred, but I wanted to keep with the paper and string theme.

Queen Bee Lightbulb Ornament

Technique: Recycled, General Crafting

Materials:
screw in candelabra light bulb, cleaned out
black and yellow chenille sticks
little bees (mine were made from ribbon)
hot glue
styrofoam ball & paperclay (or large wooden bead)
acrylic paints
glass and tile medium
masking tape
cake decorating stamens
raffia
spray varnish or sealant

Tools:
hot glue gun

Abdomen: Using masking tape create a stripe in the middle of the lightbulb. Following the manufacturer's directions, mix some yellow paint with glass and tile medium and paint the stripe. Allow to dry thoroughly. Apply the little bee's using hot glue.

Thorax: Determine which side of the abdomen is your best side, so that you know which will be your back. Starting at the back wind black and yellow chenille sticks around the screw in part of the globe, securing with hot glue as necessary.

Arms: Find the centre of a yellow chenille stick and fold the ends in towards that. Leave about 1/4" of yellow free at each end (for hands) and wrap the remainder in black chenille, you will most likely need to use two sticks to fully cover the arms. Bend at the elbows and glue into position at the back.

Head: You can get wooden beads that are specifically designed for using as heads on clothespin dolls, but here in Australia they are proving very difficult to source. I have had to become very creative! If you can get those beads, then they are the perfect size, go ahead and use those. If you can't get them, you can use either a small styrofoam ball just as it is, or cover it with a thin layer of paperclay like I did. I prefer the paperclay coating to the plain styrofoam ball because it's a nicer surface to paint on, but do whatever works for you. DO NOT cover a styrofoam ball with polymer clay, the baking process will release toxic fumes from the foam, always use paperclay when using foam.

Give your head 2-3 coats of yellow paint, drying between coats. Paint on details of face, spray with clear sealant or varnish and then wrap black chenille around the rest of the head, using hot glue to secure where necessary. Use stamens or bits of chenille as antennae.

Finishing: Glue head into position on top of the lightbulb. Make a bow out of the raffia and glue onto the back of the bee for wings. Give your bee a little heart to hold. If desired, you can write a cute little phrase on the heart such as "Bee Mine!"

Wedding Corset

Technique: Sewing

Materials
base fabric of choice
ribbon, lace, trims
tacky glue
filling (either polyfill or herbal)

Tools:
sewing machine
scissors


Many of the materials I used in this corset were remnants from my wedding dress (yes I wore pink).



With the base fabric right sides together, use template above to cut out two pieces.

Cut two lengths of ribbon about four inches in length. Fold and pin into place upside down on the right side, bottom edge of the corset to act as the garter straps. It's kind of hard to explain if you have no sewing experience, the folded edge of the ribbon will be flush with the bottom edge of the corset and the cut edges will be pointing up towards the bra section, so that when you sandwich it back together you will sew over the top of it and catch it in the seam to secure it. Then when you turn it right way out, the two garter straps will be danging down.

Cut a six inch length of ribbon and pin each cut end to a bra cup, loop pointing down, so that when turned right way out it acts as a hanging loop.

Place the other pattern piece, right sides together, over the top and pin into place being sure that the loose ends of the ribbons are not caught in the seams.

Sew, leaving an inch gap at the bottom. Clip curves, turn and stuff. You can stuff with herbs like lavender for a scented corset you can hang in your wardrobe, or use polyfill. Whipstitch bottom gap closed.

OK dull part over, fun part begins! Using tacky glue you can decorate your corset in any way you like. I added some feather boa at the bottom, and found two "buckles" to attach to the ribbons as garter clasps. Hand died lace and gimp braid added the finishing touches.

The Love Bug

MATERIALS:
Small amounts of 8 ply yarn in pink and red
4 mm Crochet Hook (US G/6)
2 Safety eyes or buttons for eyes
Small amount of red felt
1 red pipe cleaner
Nylon stocking
Polyfill stuffing
PVC Pellets or other plastic beads
Craft Glue
Black thread (either regular or preferably, embroidery)

Tools:
Sewing needle

Happy Valentines Day!

This was not at all the project I had planned for today, but the crochet bug has well and truly bitten me, and this love bug was too adorable I couldn't resist.

The original pattern can be found here, and downloaded in PDF format if you prefer.

GAUGE AND FINISHED SIZE: Gauge is not important. Just make sure you make it tight enough so the stuffing doesn’t poke or show through. The Love Bug is about 4 inches tall when complete, not including his love-antennae.


ABBREVIATIONS:
“in loop” = in the adjustable ring
sc = single crochet
dc = double crochet
sl st = slip stitch
st or sts = stitche(s)
sc2tog (sc decrease)= Insert hook into st and draw up a loop. Insert hook into next st and draw up a loop. Yarn over, draw through all 3 loops on hook.
Invdec (invisible decrease) = Like a regular decrease (sc2tog), but work through the front loops only: Insert hook into front loop only of next stitch and draw up a loop. Insert hook into front loop only of next stitch and draw up a loop. Yarn over and pull through all 3 loops on hook. Makes your decreases prettier.

All rounds are worked continuously in a spiral; do not join or turn at the end of rows.


HEAD:

First, cut 2 small hearts out of the red felt. Poke a little hole in the center to push the safety eye through when ready to attach.

Start with an adjustable loop
Round 1: 6 sc in loop
Round 2: 2 sc in each sc around - 12 scs
Round 3: *2 sc in next sc, 1 sc in next sc; repeat from * around - 18 scs
Round 4: *2 sc in next sc, 1 sc in each of the next 2 sc; repeat from * around - 24 scs
Round 5: *2 sc in next sc, 1 sc in each of the next 3 sc; repeat from * around - 30 scs
Round 6: Work 4 rows even (Sc in each sc around)
Round 7: *Invdec or sc2tog, sc in next 3 sc; rep from * around - 24 sc.
Round 8: * Invdec or sc2tog, sc in next 2 sc; rep from * around - 18 sc.
At this point, attach safety eyes to head through center of each felt heart. Embroider eyelashes on. Stuff head with polyfill stuffing.
Round 9: * Invdec or sc2tog, sc in next sc; rep from * around - 12 sc.
Round 10: (Invdec or sc2tog) around - 6 sc.
Fasten off, leaving a long tail. Using a needle, weave the tail through front loops of the last round and pull tightly. Knot to secure. Weave in ends.


BODY:

With Pink, make an adjustable loop
Round 1: 6 sc in loop
Round 2: 2 sc in each sc around - 12 scs
Round 3: *2 sc in next sc, 1 sc in next sc; repeat from * around - 18 scs
Round 4: *2 sc in next sc, 1 sc in each of the next 2 sc; repeat from * around - 24 scs
Round 5: Work 2 rows even (sc in each sc around)
Round 6: Change to Red, * Invdec or sc2tog, sc in next 2 sc; rep from * around - 18 sc.
Round 7: Work 1 row even (sc in each sc around)
Round 8: Change to Pink, work 1 row even (sc in each sc around)
Round 9: Change to Red, work 1 row even (sc in each sc around)
Round 10: Work this row even (sc in each sc around)
Round 11: Change back to Pink, work 2 Invdec or sc2tog over next 4 sc, sc in each of the next 10 sc, work 2 Invdec or sc2tog over next 4 sc – 14 sc
Round 12: Work this row even (sc in each sc around)
Round 13: Invdec or sc2tog, sc in each of the next 8 sc, invdec or sc2tog – 12 sc
Round 14: Work this row even (sc in each sc around)
Fasten off, leaving a yarn-tail long enough to sew body to head.

To stuff the body: Push the nylon stocking into the body so that the opening is matched up with the opening of the body. Fill with the pvc pellets or plastic beads to about halfway up the body. This gives it a bit of weight at the bottom so it doesn’t keep falling over due to his big head. Knot the nylon and cut off any excess. Stuff the rest of the body with polyfill stuffing.

HEART SHAPED WINGS:
(Make 2)

With Red, make adjustable loop
Round 1: 6 sc in loop, sl st to join

Round 1: Ch 4 (counts as 1dc), 3 dc in sl st, dc in next sc, 4 dc in next sc, sc in next sc, 4 dc in next sc, dc in next sc, 2 dc in the sl st that joined, sl st in 4th ch of ch 4, ch 1.

Round 2: sc in 4th ch of ch-4, sc in each of next 4 dc, 2 sc in next dc, 3 sc in next dc, 2 sc in next dc, sc in next dc, sl st in next sc, sc in next dc, 2 sc in next dc, 3 sc in next dc, 2 sc in next dc, sc in each of next 3 dc, 2 sc in sl st, join.

Fasten off leaving a yarn-tail long enough to sew wings to body.


ASSEMBLING:
Sew head to body. Sew wings to body.
Cut the pipe cleaner in 2 pieces and shape a heart on one end. Cut other end to desired length and poke into his little head. Add some dabs of glue to hold them in place.

Hugs Given Here

Technique: Plastic Canvas

Materials:
8-12 ply wool in various colours
curly hair
gold chenille stick
hot glue

Tools:
scissors
hot glue gun

A favourite of my son's who absolutely adores his hugs! He says I should hang it above my chair.

The original pattern was designed by Susan Leinberger, and can be downloaded from www.freepatterns.com. Membership is required, but it is free, and it's a great resource! Once a member you can download the entire PDF directly from this link.

If you are like me, and prefer to adapt as you go, then the following pattern will be enough of a guide for you. For my version I substituted one of the shades of red for pink, I changed the bow to a halo and I didn't add the eyes because I liked the way it looked with just the lashes.

Recycled Valentines Ornament

Technique: Recycled Craft

Materials:
tin can
old valentines card
roses and ribbon
eyelets
Dremel Tool (or nail and hammer)

Tools:
scissors
hole punch and eyelet setter
safety can opener

What a lovely and eco-friendly ornament!

Take the top off a large tin can, I used an 800g tin of peaches. It is important to use a safety opener so that the lid has no sharp edges. Use this to draw a circle on the valentines card and cut it to fit.

Put a hole in the top of the lid for the hanger, and two holes in the bottom. Use what you have, I used a Dremel tool, but you could punch a hole through using a hammer and nail. Put matching holes in the card using the hole punch and place eyelets.

Decorate with ribbon, silk roses or any embellishments that you feel match the card.

Paper Heart

Technique: Cut & Paste

Materials:
old book
paper clips

Tools:
stapler
ruler
craft knife or rotary cutter

This project is so simple it hardly needs a tutorial! I used an old romance novel, but you could use any paper you like.

Cut 11 strips of paper one inch wide and six inches long.

Fold one strip in half and using a hole punch, place a hole up near the folded edge, this is the hanging strip.

Take two strips and put them to one side, they will remain six inches long.

Crop 1/2 an inch off two strips, so they are 5 1/2 inches long.
Crop 1 inch off two strips, so they are 5 inches long.
Crop 1 1/2 inches off two strips, so they are 4 1/2 inches long.
Crop 2 inches off two strips, so they are 4 inches long.

Starting with one of the longest strips of paper and ending with the shortest, make two piles. Take one pile, and ensuring that all the short edges are flush with each other, paperclip it into position about 3/4" down from the folded edge of the hanging strip. Repeat with the other side.

Gather all the short ends and make them flush and paperclip into position at the bottom of the hanging strip, you should be able to see the heart shape forming now. Fiddle around with the paperclips until you have the shape that you want. Having the short edges further away from each other will give you a more elongated heart, bringing them closer together will give you a wider heart. When you are pleased with your shape, hold the sections in place with your fingers, remove the paperclips and staple to secure.

Loop some string through the punched hole on the hanging strip.