how to – Try It – Like It

DIY Vampire Earrings with Shrink Plastic Tutorial

DIY Vampire Earrings for Summerween and Halloween.

I am joining a group of my crafty friends to share tutorials for Summerween. Have you not heard of Summerween? No worries. Summerween is a fun, unofficial celebration that blends summer vibes with Halloween. It has become especially popular on social media, Etsy, YouTube, and among crafters who enjoy spooky themes year-round.

Ritzy Parties will start us off on August 4th
Me on August 5
Sassy Eyed Susan on August 6
Juanita’s Casita on August 7
You can find them all on Instagram.

I created these cute vampires to transfer to Shrink Film in order to make a pair of festive earrings. If you would like the image you can grab the free PDF file below.

Download the PDF [vampires]

The image above shows the difference between the original design on the right and the finished piece after shrinking on the left. As the Shrink Film is heated, it typically shrinks to about half its original size while becoming thicker and more durable.

After the pieces had fully shrunk and cooled, I adhered coordinating paper to the backs for a finished look. I then sealed both sides with a coat of Mod Podge to protect the design and add durability. Finally, I attached the jewelry findings and black glass beads, creating a pair of lightweight earrings that are ready to wear.

Video Tutorial:

Suggested Materials:

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

Findings Kit Shop at: O	Glassboard Shop at: AZ \| O	Jewelry Tool Kit Shop at: AZ
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Spectrum Noir Markers Shop at: AZ \| SSS \| SB

Transparent Magazine Lifting

Use this magazine lifting technique to create transparent images. The process was so satisfying and the results were amazing!

The technique used for this week’s tag is a magazine lifting technique that creates beautifully transparent images. The process was very pleasing and produced great results—definitely a technique I’ll be using again.

Examples of the lifted images

I chose a dictionary page for the background of the tag, then layered the transparent images, and finished off with an aged ephemera piece.

Interested in the aged ephemera technique, you can find that tutorial here: [aged ephemera]

Video Tutorial:

Suggested Materials:

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

Cricut Portable Trimmer Shop at: AZ \| C	Distress Ink Bundle Shop at: AZ \| SB	Finger Daubers Shop at: AZ	Foam Tape Shop at: AZ
Glassboard Shop at: AZ \| O	HP Paper Shop at: AZ	Non-Stick Scissors Shop at: AZ	Zig Adhesive Shop at: AZ

In the close up image above you can get a good look at the transparency of the lifted images.

The Art of Stencil Burning

Scorch Paint worked surprisingly well on a different surface, check out the tutorial.

Scorch Paint is a fun way to create pyrography-style projects, and I was curious to see how it would perform on a surface other than wood. I tested it on a small craft box made from compressed card, and while the paint did react and create a burned effect, it’s important to use extra caution. Heating a paper-based surface can cause scorching, warping, or even burning much faster than wood, so this technique should be approached carefully. It’s a successful experiment—but one that definitely requires mindfulness and safety awareness.

I used a sticky stencil on the box and applied the scorch paint through the stencil. Then I removed the stencil before heating the surface.

Video Tutorial:

Suggested Materials:

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

Buttons Galore and More use Janet10 for a discount Shop at: AZ	Dollar Tree Shop at: O	Glassboard Shop at: AZ \| O	Glue Bottles Shop at: AZ
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Sizzix Intricate Craft Tool Shop at: AZ

How to Stencil and Stencil

A layered stencil background and soft tissue paper make this butterfly tag really stand out.

This week’s tag highlights a fun technique that uses two different stencils layered together to create a truly unique background. By blending the patterns, you add depth and visual interest without overwhelming the design. To tie everything together, similar colors are repeated in the dimensional butterfly, creating a cohesive look that brings the entire tag to life. This is a great technique to experiment with when you want texture, movement, and a custom feel in your paper crafting projects.

After the background was created, a layer of tissue paper was added to soften and tone down the area where the butterfly would be placed. This subtle step helps calm the busy pattern underneath while still allowing the texture and color to show through. It creates the perfect base for the butterfly to stand out without overpowering the rest of the design.

The 3D butterfly is a tutorial with a free printable available here: [butterfly]

Video Tutorial:

The image above shows the iridescence of the Pebeo paint used with the stencil.

Suggested Materials:

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

Dynasty Brushes Shop at: AZ	Glassboard Shop at: AZ \| O	Glue Bottles Shop at: AZ	Mod Podge – matte Shop at: AZ \| SB \| O	Pebeo paint Shop at: AZ
Ranger Heat Tool Shop at: AZ	Reptile Glue Shop at: AZ	Spray Bottles Shop at: AZ	Tissue Paper Shop at: O

How to Recycle a Container into a Ribbon Holder

Turn a recycled container into a cute and functional ribbon holder with this easy DIY—perfect for organizing your crafty stash!

I have a lot of ribbons, and I’ve always struggled to find an organization method that truly works for me. Recently, I saw someone repurpose a Pringles container to store their ribbon, and it was such a clever idea that I had to try it myself—so today I’m sharing how I made my own – and a few of the errors I had to fix along the way.

I used double-sided tape to adhere a sheet of decorative scrapbook paper around the can, avoiding thicker materials like card stock that would make it harder to curve smoothly.

I cut a 1/8″ opening for the ribbon ends to feed through. The scrapbook paper is also fed through the opening and adhered inside the can. I added decorative washi tape to the ends of the can to mask where the paper didn’t quite reach. The tape probably wasn’t necessary.

Video Tutorial:

While I fumbled through a few steps making this ribbon organizer, I’m sharing everything so you can learn from my mistakes and skip the hiccups. I already know this container will be a huge help in organizing my ribbons—and now I’m off to find a clever solution for my smaller rolls!

Suggested Materials:

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

Cricut Portable Trimmer Shop at: AZ \| C	Cricut True Control Knife Blade Shop at: AZ \| C	Dollar Tree Shop at: O	Double Sided Tape Shop at: AZ	Dowel rods Shop at: AZ \| O
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Stencil Transfer

This week’s tag took an unexpected turn when my first technique didn’t transfer—so I tried a new stencil method instead, and it turned out beautifully!

Tag it Tuesday
This week’s tag features a unique stencil transfer technique that creates a gentle background. With a few added details and finishing touches, the final tag came together perfectly!

I began this week’s tutorial using a rubbing technique, but the cardstock was too thick for the image to transfer properly. That challenge pushed me to try an alternative method—one that worked beautifully to get the stencil design onto the tag!

Video Tutorial:

In the close-up image above, you can se the sparkle of the stencil transfer as well as the cream colored sequins.

Suggested Materials:

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

Cricut Portable Trimmer Shop at: AZ \| C	Cut Cardstock Shop at: O	DecoArt Paint Shop at: AZ	Glassboard Shop at: AZ \| O	Glue Bottles Shop at: AZ
Kwik Stiks Shop at: AZ	Non-Stick Scissors Shop at: AZ	Ranger Heat Tool Shop at: AZ	Reptile Glue Shop at: AZ
Spray Bottles Shop at: AZ	Tweezers Shop at: AZ

Slouch Table Basket

Add handmade charm to your decor with this beautiful and functional crochet bowl — perfect for holding bread, fruit, or florals on your table all year long.

November is when people start planning their Thanksgiving and holiday tables. They’re searching for quick, elegant, and warm handmade touches. I am participating in the Table Decor with a Story blog hop. Be sure to visit Sandra Stitches to see all the projects that are being shared.

Festive Bread Basket (with Year-Round Style!)
I started out making a basket to use as a bread bowl for festive occasions, but quickly realized how versatile it could be! With its natural texture and cozy design, it also works beautifully as year-round decor — just fill it with a collection of colorful florals to match the season.

If you follow the pattern without turning your work inside out, you’ll end up with a slouch-style basket — which was actually the original design I had in mind! This softer, more relaxed shape gives the basket a cozy, handmade look that works beautifully for casual table settings or decorative displays.

By turning your work inside out, the basket takes on extra height and a more traditional bowl shape. This version is perfect if you want a cleaner, more structured look — ideal for holding bread, rolls, or other table treats during special occasions.

Click the image above to download the free PDF tutorial—it walks you step by step through creating this versatile table bowl from start to finish.

I’d love to hear how you plan to use your bowl, and what color and yarn you chose for your version. Every combination turns out beautifully unique — so share your photos or tag me on social media so we can all be inspired!

Expanding Mousse

See how expanding mousse adds texture and color to your papercrafts.

For this week’s Tag it Tuesday tutorial, I experimented with expanding mousse — applying it through a stencil to create textured dimension. When heat is applied, the mousse puffs up beautifully, adding an instant 3D effect to the tag!

I started creating a background with ink smooshing and then applying the expanding mousse.

After I had the background i needed to find additional materials that worked with the color and texture. I chose string, a brad, and an embossed sentiment.

Video Tutorial:

Suggested Materials:

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

Crop a dile Shop at: AZ	Expanding Mousse Shop at: AZ	Glassboard Shop at: AZ \| O	Glue Bottles Shop at: AZ	HP Paper Shop at: AZ
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Spray Bottles Shop at: AZ

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
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Cricut Standard Grip Mat
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AZ | C

Etchall
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Oracal Vinyl
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Spray Bottles
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How to Stamp a Ghost Image

Learn how easy it is to stamp a ghost image when you use the right kind of ink.

Learn how simple it is to create a ghost image when you use the right ink. With just a stamp and a little water, you can achieve a beautiful ghosting effect that adds subtle texture and depth to your projects. It’s quick, fun, and perfect for your mixed-media crafts!

I’m using Distress Oxide ink, but any water-reactive ink pad will give you similar results. This quick and easy technique is perfect for backgrounds, mixed-media layers, or seasonal projects!

The word art printable can be found at: https://tryit-likeit.com/product/word-art/

Video Tutorial:

Suggested Materials:

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

Aladine Shop at: AZ	Distress Ink Bundle Shop at: AZ \| SB	Glassboard Shop at: AZ \| O	HP Paper Shop at: AZ	Non-Stick Scissors Shop at: AZ
Printable Sticker Paper Shop at: AZ	Sketchbox Shop at: O	Spray Bottles Shop at: AZ