Mermaid Clam Cookies for a Mermaid Birthday Party

I've been at this blogging thing for a really long time. So long, that sometimes even I forget about projects that I've done! About six years ago, I helped with the decorations for my niece's 5th birthday party. It was quite the event! I expected no less though since my sister-in-law is a corporate event planner. She knows how to throw a party! 

I spent so much time that summer looking for every decor item I could find that would fit the mermaid theme. It's been years and I still see things that would have made a great addition to that party. In fact these mermaid clam cookies are one of them. I think my niece was ahead of her time because now mermaid parties are hitting their peak. So, since it's been awhile I thought I'd share some of the details from the mermaid party I helped with and share these adorable mermaid clam sugar cookies in case you have a mermaid lover that's getting ready to celebrate!

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DIY Floral Globe

Last week, I shared how I updated my master bedroom closet with some contact paper that I pretended was wallpaper. I took everything out of my closet and as I slowly started to put things back in after the {faux} wallpaper was hung, I realized that I needed some new decor. I had a few things in mind, and while I was walking the aisles of Joann fabrics {I know, I said I broke up with her...but I just can't quit her!} I saw some scrapbook paper that I thought would look amazing in my closet. I just wasn't sure how. And then it came to me! I decided to take an old globe and upcycle it to create a DIY flower globe that would match my new {contact} wallpapered space. 

While I love globes as is, I think this little upcycle was pretty awesome. It cost me less than a dollar and took just a few hours of my time. I'm sharing with you how you can make your own too.

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Scrapbook Paper DIY Signs

Sometimes when I lack creativity, I head to my local craft store and start to walk the aisles. It never fails that after a few minutes inspiration usually strikes. This time, I was inspired to create a few of those fun wooden statement signs that are popping up and being sold everywhere you look. I made mine using scrapbook paper and some mod podge and I love the end result.

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Boo! Unfinished letters, finished with mod podge and scrapbook paper

I love a quick craft that doesn't cost me a whole lot of money.  Those are my favorite!  Mostly because it gives me a chance to have a little creative outlet without breaking the bank on supplies.

I'm sure you have seen this little image making it's way around the craft circles.  It is so true though!

That said, I try to keep my craft costs low by buying most of my supplies at garage sales and with coupons at the craft store. Because we all know that we could spend a pretty penny buying supplies!

I was lucky enough to find some unfinished letters that spelled Boo at a garage sale. I'm guessing the gal had the same idea as I did, but never got around to it. It took me 10 minutes, some scrapbook paper and some mod podge to create a fun little addition to my Halloween decor that's already around the house.

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Gold glitter believe wood sign

Do you remember the day when Target didn't have a one spot? It's like thinking about peanut butter without the jelly.  Or mac without the cheese.  But I digress.

I'm sure the one spot is the first place you stop when you walk into Target.  They didn't put it in front of the doors for nothing.  Them there are marketing geniuses!

One such afternoon when I found myself in Target, I saw this plain wood sign for only $3.

Believe isn't the first word I would have been drawn to, but it's the only raw wood one they had and I thought it would look super awesome with a nice coat of gold glitter on it.  I mean, heck, what doesn't look good with gold glitter on it?

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Pottery Barn typewriter art from the archives

All this week, I will be pulling out some of my favorite old projects from my Holy Craft archives.

I'm currently in Uganda with World Vision on a vision trip and couldn't be more excited to share my trip with you when I return.  In the meantime, if I am able, I will be updating my instagram with pictures.  You can follow me at HolyCraft1

For now, enjoy this project from April 2010.

I am so excited that I finished this project this week. I have been in the process of making it for a few weeks now, mostly because I needed some help from the hubby and he doesn't work on the same schedule that I do! I love this typewriter key wall art from Pottery Barn, and thought for sure I could make something like it for a fraction of the cost.

This is my version. I think it's pretty darn close!

I started by searching on-line and knew there would have been someone who managed to recreate this. I stumbled upon Nikki at dream.design.create and found her post here . Nikki even offered to send me the pdf file for the letters, which I think look a whole lot like the PB original. So that's where I started. Wasn't that sweet?! Nikki's blog is great, go check it out if you haven't already. I love their bingo art re-make and can't wait to try that too!

The typewriter font can be found here.

I had my husband print the letters/numbers off on 8 1/2x11 cardstock in a cream color. I couldn't figure out how to print cardstock on our home computer, so I am thankful that my husband could do it at work. Then I hand cut each letter out.

My husband picked up this board at Home Depot for me. It's 24x24. I thought for sure that I could use some scrap lumber for this project, but my husband insisted on getting a higher quality plywood. It cost around $5 for the board. Then he drew the lines on and used a saw to cut them out. Not sure how, I told him what I wanted and how I wanted it, and he did it! I love it when husbands do what they are told!

I then took brown oil paint mixed with odorless mineral spirits and painted the board. I wanted it a bit darker than the original, and focused on the edges to make a more antiqued look. I must say, this is the step that intimidated me the most. I don't use decorative painting techniques very often...o.k. ever, so it made me nervous. I used an old rag dipped in the mineral spirits to rub the paint down a bit and give it my desired look. In the picture below, you can see it getting started.

Don't forget to get a smaller brush and get inside the creases. I also wasn't sure if I wanted to frame the board or not, so I painted the outside edges too.

My husband then took the dry board and nailed black carpet tacks to each corner. He made the hole first with a regular nail and then was able to just push the tacks in. He's a genius isn't he?!

Can you believe that I haven't ever used mod podge before? This is my first jar and I fell in love! It's so easy to use.

I just took the letters and numbers, placed them centered on each square and brushed them down.

And here it is drying. What do you think, should I frame it or leave it frameless?

This by far has been one of my favorite projects! 

Do you have a favorite Pottery Barn knock off you have created?

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Silver airplane push pins tutorial

When I was busy creating my son's vintage airplane room, 

I was in the market for anything airplane.

I had seen airplane push pins but I wasn't quite sure where to buy them.

Who knew I could make my own?!

I started by taking silver mod melts.  

Mod melts are glue stick looking things that melt in your high temp glue gun.

I used mod podge mold molds to create my airplane shape effortlessly.

I squeezed my melted mod melt in my mold,

and while it was still wet,

I pressed a thumb tack into the back.

After 10 minutes,

your airplane push pin will pop right out of your mold.

Think of all of the things you could make with mod molds and mod melts!

I've shared a few projects recently to give you some inspiration.

What would you create?

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Mod podge mod melts and mod molds cell phone case and baby keepsake box

Last week I shared with you a sea glass jar

and a few coral jars that I created using mod podge collage clay.

I had some time to play with this whole line of mod podge supplies and I created a few other projects I wanted to share with you.

Silver airplane push pins to go in my son's vintage airplane room.

a baby keepsake decoden box for holding treasures from your little one.

and a travel inspired cell phone case

Because the baby keepsake box and the phone case are very similar,

I want to share that tutorial with you here.

Check back on Thursday for a very easy tutorial on how to make the airplane push pins.

These are the supplies that you need to create your own decoden cell phone case.

 You will start by using your glitter mod melts in your mod mold 

{you can pick yours up at Michael's}.

Place your mod melt in your high temp glue gun.

A low temp glue gun works, though it's harder.

Squeeze in your melted mod melt and let it harden for about ten minutes.

Once it's hardened in your mod mold it will pop right out.

I used both collage clay and the collage drizzle paint.

Practice using your collage clay.

There are three different tips that come with your clay.

It's a little bit like icing a cake.

Use your collage drizzle paint to add a little color to your project.

Gently press your mod melt embellishments into your collage clay.

Let your project dry overnight.

Enjoy your completed project!

To make your baby keepsake box, 

 I made a ton of different colored mod mold embellishments using mod melts.

I bought a box and painted it.

I used my star tip on the collage clay to create my keepsake lid top.

Place your mod melts randomly on top.

I added a line of coordinating ribbon around the edge of my box top.

You can use your baby keepsake box at a baby shower for guests to write messages to mom and baby,

or place note cards inside for mom to write down memories when full coherent sentences just aren't happening!

I'm having my best time playing with these mod podge supplies! What would you create?
Don't forget to come back on Thursday for a full tutorial on how to create the silver airplane push pins.

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Sea glass jar using mod podge collage clay

Until recently I had never heard of decoden.

But my guess is, even though you haven't heard of it, it doesn't mean you haven't seen it.

Decoden is the art of decorating with trinkets.  The more the better when creating this 3D collage.

Thankfully, mod podge has made creating your own decoden masterpiece easy by making

 mod podge collage clay.

{you can pick it up at Michael's}

Having just returned from a family vacation, my thoughts were on creating a jar to display some of the treasures that we found on the beach.

My daughter loved trying to find heart shaped coral washed up on the beaches in Maui.
She also collected some sand from a few of the beaches we visited.
The collage clay was used to secure the coral lids almost like stoppers in these small jars.

Using mod podge collage clay is super easy!
You just need to start with any flat surface and embellishments.
I used sea glass that I found on an anniversary trip my husband and I took to Puerto Vallarta.
You can also use mod melts with mod molds to create your own trinkets
{check back next week for some mod melt craft ideas}

Using the collage clay is a little bit like icing a cake.
The clay comes with three different tips
{star tip, round tip, wavy tip}

It's best to take a second and practice with your tips.

I decided to swirl my collage clay on top of my jar.

It sort of looks like a yummy cinnamon roll doesn't it?!

While your collage clay is wet, start embedding your sea glass into the clay.

The collage stays wet for about an hour, so take your time!

I started by using big pieces and placed small pieces in the holes.

Don't forget, the coolest part of using collage clay is making 3D art.

Stand some of your pieces up or on their sides to give your jar some texture.

Let your collage clay dry

{I let my piece sit over night}

The crafting possibilities with collage clay are endless!

Need even more inspiration?

Check out these awesome projects created with mod podge collage clay.

disclaimer: I was chosen by blueprint social to participate in this campaign.  All opinions are 100% my own. Collage clay is not recommended for children under the age of 12.  The product is not edible and small parts can be a chocking hazard for small children.

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