craft tutorial – Try It – Like It

Paint That Blooms

Stop by to see how blending foam, stencils, and Bloom Paint created this eye-catching design.

For this week’s tag tutorial, I am working with products from DecoArt to create a tag full of color, texture, and visual interest. I used DecoArt DecoEarth Paint to create the background, building up a rich foundation with its beautiful matte finish and earthy tones.

To add texture and pattern, I incorporated DecoArt Bloom Texture Paint through a stencil. The raised design adds dimension and contrast to the surface that complements the painted background. Together, these products make it easy to create layered mixed media effects that bring a simple tag to life.

The tag background comes together through layers of blended and stenciled paint, creating a rich mix of color, texture, and pattern. Applying the paint with a blending foam produces a softer, more diffused effect than a paintbrush, allowing the colors to blend seamlessly.

After applying the Bloom Paint through a stencil, I used a heat tool to activate the blooming effect and create rich texture. As the paint blooms, the color naturally lightens, enhancing the dimensional effect.

Video Tutorial:

To complete the tag, I added an ephemera sentiment that ties the design together and helps unify the color palette.

Suggested Materials:

Links are Affiliates AZ – Amazon, SSS – Simon Says Stamps, SB – Scrapbook, O – Other

Art Glitter Glue Shop at: AZ	DecoEarth Shop at: AZ	Glassboard Shop at: AZ \| O	Paper Trimmer Shop at: AZ
Ranger Heat Tool Shop at: AZ	Sizzix Blending Tool Shop at: AZ	Uhu Shop at: AZ	Vinyl Scraper Tool Shop at: AZ

Embossing White Core Cardstock

Add texture and sparkle to your paper crafts with this week’s tag tutorial using white core cardstock, embossing, and a touch of glitter glue for a beautifully dimensional finish.

This week’s tag tutorial explores a fun way to add texture and visual interest by using white core cardstock combined with an embossing technique. When the cardstock is embossed and lightly sanded, the white core begins to show through, creating a beautiful contrast and highlighting the raised design. This simple process adds depth and a slightly distressed look that works wonderfully for tags, cards, and mixed-media projects.

For the next step, I used an embossing folder from my stash and ran the cardstock through my Gemini machine. To get the best effect with white core cardstock, it’s important to apply a little extra pressure when embossing. This helps the surface of the cardstock slightly crack along the raised areas, allowing the white core to show through and really highlight the texture of the embossed design.

To finish off the tag, I added a die-cut sentiment mounted on a slightly raised layer of cardstock to give the design a bit more dimension. As a final touch, I applied a small amount of glitter glue to some of the embossed areas. The subtle sparkle catches the light and adds just a hint of shimmer while still allowing the beautiful texture of the embossed background to shine through.

Here is a close-up image showing how the sparkle catches on the raised embossed areas. The glitter glue adds just the right amount of shine, highlighting the texture and making those details really stand out. It’s such a pretty finishing touch!

Video Tutorial:

Suggested Materials:

Links are Affiliates AZ – Amazon, SSS – Simon Says Stamps, SB – Scrapbook, O – Other

Corner Rounder Shop at: AZ	Cricut Portable Trimmer Shop at: AZ \| C	Foam Tape Shop at: AZ	Gemini Die Cut Machine Shop at: AZ
Glassboard Shop at: AZ \| O	HP Paper Shop at: AZ	Non-Stick Scissors Shop at: AZ

Paper Bead Christmas Tree Ornament

Make your holidays handmade—try these charming Paper Bead Tree Ornaments for a fun and festive craft!

Today is the last day of the Christmas Ornament Hop, and I’m excited to share how to make these Paper Bead Tree Ornaments. For my green tree, I created my own colored design, but you can easily customize yours using napkins, scrapbook paper, wrapping paper, or even magazine pages. It’s a fun, versatile project that turns simple materials into something beautifully festive!

I colored the ends of the beads with a marker to cover the white paper. This gives your ornament a more finished appearance. To join the beads together I used festive pipe cleaners. Alternatives could be cord, or floral wire.

Video Tutorial:

To see all the different ornament tutorials follow the post you can find here: [12 Days of Ornaments]

Suggested Materials:

Links are Affiliates AZ – Amazon, SSS – Simon Says Stamps, SB – Scrapbook, O – Other

Cricut Portable Trimmer Shop at: AZ \| C	DecoArt Paint Shop at: AZ	Distress Ink Bundle Shop at: AZ \| SB	Dollar Tree Shop at: O
Glassboard Shop at: AZ \| O	Glue Bottles Shop at: AZ	Reptile Glue Shop at: AZ	Spectrum Noir Markers Shop at: AZ \| SSS \| SB

Alcohol Ink and Foil Magic

This week’s tag features an alcohol ink technique paired with beautifully color-coordinated ephemera from AALL & Create.

This week’s tag combines an alcohol ink technique and color coordinating ephemera from AALL & Create.

Using alcohol ink on plastic wrap is a popular craft technique, and this week’s tutorial offers a fun twist on that idea by using aluminum foil instead.

Video Tutorial:

Ephemera Set #14 coordinated beautifully with the alcohol ink background and was the perfect finishing touch for the tag.

In this image you can see the depth added using the foam tape under the word travel.

Suggested Materials:

Links are Affiliates AZ – Amazon, SSS – Simon Says Stamps, SB – Scrapbook, O – Other

Cricut Portable Trimmer Shop at: AZ \| C	Foam Tape Shop at: AZ	Glue Bottles Shop at: AZ	HP Paper Shop at: AZ	Non-Stick Scissors Shop at: AZ
Reptile Glue Shop at: AZ	T-Rex Alcohol Inks Shop at: AZ

Etching a Winter Candle

Adding cozy winter vibes by etching pine trees onto a glass with etchall crème — so beautiful!

Etching a winter themed candle holder is easy when using etchall creme. I etched a pine tree on each side of the glass and then colored them green with some buffing wax.

After cutting vinyl on a Cricut Maker, I applied the vinyl to each side of the glass. Then I applied the etching creme over the image and let it sit for 15 minutes. (your etching creme may darken over time but it is still usable)

Once the creme is removed and placed back into it’s container, I cleaned the surfaces with a baby wipe and removed the vinyl. At this point I clean the glass again with rubbing alcohol followed by water and a good buffing of a microfiber cloth.

Here the glass is etched and ready to use. This would make for a nice set of holiday themed tumblers but I chose to turn it into a candle holder.

I lightly applied green buffing wax onto the etched tree images. The wax only sticks to the etched surfaces.

Instead of using rocks or glass marbles under the candle, I chose to add laundry scent crystals in green. This adds a layer of color and a nice scent to the project.

Here is the finished candle with the green trees, scented crystals, and the candle.

Suggested Materials:

Links are Affiliates
AZ – Amazon, SSS – Simon Says Stamps, SB – Scrapbook, O – Other

Cricut Maker® Machine Shop at: AZ \| O \| C	Cricut Standard Grip Mat Shop at: AZ \| C	Dollar Tree Shop at: O	Etchall Shop at: AZ \| O	Oracal Vinyl Shop at: AZ
Rub On Metallic Colors Shop at: AZ

No-Sew Fabric Ornament

Create a no-sew fabric Christmas Ornament with this easy tutorial and join in on the 12 Days of Christmas Ornaments.

Today is day 1 of the Christmas Ornament hop and I am sharing how to make this no-sew fabric ornament. This is a great project to use up your scraps of fabric.

You can create a no-sew ornament with just a few materials. I used styrofoam ball from Diaso but any styrofoam ball will work, scrap fabric, scissors, cord, a needle, and a craft knife. Any flat tool will work from a palette knife to a dull butter knife.

Here is an example of another no-sew fabric ornament I made using the same technique with scrap fabric in a variety of different sizes and a styrofoam ball.

Video Tutorial:

To see all the different ornament tutorials follow the post you can find here: [12 Days of Ornaments]

Washi Tape Tag with a Free Printable

Try this calming and creative washi tape tag technique—perfect for using your stash and making something beautifully unique!

The beauty of this tag comes from the washi tape combination you choose—making it the perfect project for using up that ever-growing washi stash we crafters all know we have!

The free printable contains three tags for you to craft with. It is a free PDF file you can download here: [tape tags]

While I decorated my tags with washi tape, you can easily expand their use by using other materials like paint, colored paper, markers, and more.

This technique is wonderfully flexible—while I used a different washi tape roll for each letter, you could simplify the look by limiting your tape choices, creating an alternating pattern, or even using a single roll for all the letters.

Video Tutorial:

I loved finally putting my washi stash to good use, but what surprised me most was how peaceful and relaxing the whole process felt.

Etching a Little Cup

How to etch glass with etchall creme.

When I found this little cup, I immediately knew it needed a touch of etching magic with etchall creme. The phrase “Simply Sip” felt like the perfect fit — simple, elegant, and just right for its adorable size.

I cut the words on my Cricut Maker and weeded them away from the vinyl leaving space for the etching creme to work on the glass.

The first step is to clean the glass surface with rubbing alcohol. This removes dirt and grease from the surface and prepares it for etching.

Placing the vinyl on the glass, rubbing it down smooth. Wrinkles and bubble are OK as long as they don’t interfere with the area that is being etched.

After putting the etching creme on the vinyl, let it set for 15 minutes. etchall creme is reusable so once the time is up, put it back into it’s container. Remove the vinyl, wash the surface clean, and it is ready to use.

Note: etchall creme can change color over time. It is still usable.

Suggested Materials:

Links are Affiliates
AZ – Amazon, C – Cricut, SSS – Simon Says Stamps, SB – Scrapbook, O – Other

Cricut Maker® Machine
Shop at:
AZ | O | C

Cricut Standard Grip Mat
Shop at:
AZ | C

Etchall
Shop at:
AZ | O

Oracal Vinyl
Shop at:
AZ

Spray Bottles
Shop at:
AZ

DIY Painted Button Bracelet

DIY painted buttons and macrame bracelet tutorial.

For this bracelet, I started by painting the back side of buttons from Gwen Studios to give each one a unique look. As I worked the macrame knots, I added a button every few knots to create a beautiful repeating pattern — even though each button features its own individual painted design. The result is a one-of-a-kind bracelet with color, texture, and handmade charm.

The links provided are for your use and may contain affiliate links.
They cost nothing for you to use.
Thank you in advance for supporting this site with its use.

This project was created for Gwen Studios. You can find all the design team projects listed on the Designer Crafts Connection website. Gwen Studios products can be found at Walmart and Michaels.

The buttons from Gwen Studios were so easy to paint using Sharpie paint pens. I selected four coordinating colors to keep the look cohesive while still allowing room for creativity. Each button features its own unique hand-drawn design, making every piece of the bracelet a little work of art. The mix of patterns and colors adds personality and charm to the finished project.

Here’s a look at the different designs painted on each button. Every one is unique — from simple line patterns to playful dots — yet they all coordinate beautifully through the shared color palette. Together, they create a cohesive but creative look for the macrame bracelet.

Video Tutorial:

Here’s a look at the closure made from the macrame cord — a simple wrapped loop and knot design. This style of closure not only looks clean and handcrafted but also makes it easy to take the bracelet on and off. It’s a secure finish that perfectly complements the casual, handmade charm of the piece.

And here’s one final look at the bracelet being worn — the painted buttons and macrame knots come together beautifully to create a piece that’s both artistic and wearable. It’s a fun, creative project that shows off your personal style every time you wear it!

Suggested Materials:

Links are Affiliates
AZ – Amazon, SSS – Simon Says Stamps, SB – Scrapbook, O – Other

Crystalac Shop at: AZ	Duck Tape Shop at: AZ	Glassboard Shop at: AZ \| O	Glue Bottles Shop at: AZ	Gwen Studios at Walmart Shop at: O
Jewelry Tool Kit Shop at: AZ	Reptile Glue Shop at: AZ	Sharpie Acrylic Markers Shop at: AZ

Stencil and Paint Technique

Create texture with paint and a stencil.

Tag it Tuesday

This week’s tag features a fun technique using paint and a stencil to create a textured pattern. After that, the same paint was thinned out and used as a wash for the background, tying everything together beautifully. To finish it off, I added a typewriter-style word strip for a simple yet striking final touch.

If you are interested in the word art it can be found in the store at: [word art]

Materials:

Links are Affiliates
AZ – Amazon, SSS – Simon Says Stamps, SB – Scrapbook, O – Other

Cut Cardstock Shop at: O	Glassboard Shop at: AZ \| O	HP Paper Shop at: AZ	Kingart Shop at: AZ	Paper Trimmer Shop at: AZ
Ranger Heat Tool Shop at: AZ	Scrapbook Scissors Shop at: SB	Vinyl Scraper Tool Shop at: AZ	Zig Adhesive Shop at: AZ

Video Tutorial:

The close-up image highlights the texture created by heating the paint—giving the surface a beautifully raised effect that you can truly feel in person.