Showing posts with label DIY teen decor project. Show all posts
Showing posts with label DIY teen decor project. Show all posts

iLoveToCreate Teen Crafts: Divine Damask Locker Magnets

Wednesday, August 8, 2012

iLovetoCreate Teen Crafts
Divine Damask Locker Magnets

Miss Avalon started High School this week and I am understandably ferklempt.  When did my beautiful baby turn into a gorgeous young woman?  She's gorgeous, creative, sweet and smart as a whip to boot!  She's taking honors classes this year, which means she's going to be a busy gal for sure.  Proud mama?  Yes indeedy do! 

Have you seen the 'Locker Chic' accessories in the stores this season?  They have everything from mini chandeliers to book shelves in an array of styles and colors all designed to work in a school locker using magnets.  What fun!  Avalon got this lovely damask set at a big box office store and I thought she just might need some coordinating magnets.  These are so easy to make with scrapbook papers or even recycled magazine or greeting cards or printed pictures, just use some matte finish Collage Pauge and add some texture with Tulip Beads in a Bottle and attach Aleene's magnetic tape to the back and just like that, instant locker chic!  Tres jolie, n'est pas?

Materials
4 2 1/4" diameter 1/4" wide wooden circles
Various coordinating scrapbook papers (or any fun papers you wish to use)
Tulip Fashion Bead Paint or Beads in a Bottle White
Tulip Soft Paint Black
Traci Bautista's Collage Pauge Matte
Aleene's Magnetic Tacky Tape

Tools
2" Circle punch
Paint brush
Sponge brush

ILoveToCreate Teen Crafts: Tag, You're It! Upcycled Customized Locker Sign

Wednesday, September 14, 2011
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Copyright 2011 Margot Potter

Tag, You’re It! Customized Upcycled Locker Sign
Margot Potter for Avalon Potter for ILovetoCreate Teen Crafts
“Mom crafted, teen approved”

Avalon and her Dad were away all day on Saturday and I decided to surprise her with this upcycled name tag she can hang on the door to her room or in her locker at school. She has had a lot of homework lately, so I stepped in to help again so she can get ahead of the curve on her upcoming projects. She really loved this sign, which makes me very happy!

I am simply mad for the new Aleene’s dry adhesives! The double sided tape is super strong and the glue dots give just the right amount of lift to dimensional elements. All of the letters were upcycled from magazines and distressed with a disposable nail file for a vintage appeal. I have a true affinity for damask print, but you can switch up the backgrounds and color palette to suit your style.

Materials
Letters upcycled from magazines to spell name
Coordinating black and white damask background papers (I used scrapbook paper here, you can opt for cardstock if you like even upcycling greeting cards, just be sure the paper has some weight to it for structure.)
Cardstock black for background (again you need something with a little structure)
Tulip Beads in a Bottle Clear Glitter Gemstone Collection
Tulip Beads in a Bottle Studs and Crystals Gemstone Collection
Aleene’s Tacky Glue Dot Roll
Aleene’s Tacky Tape Runner


Tools
Sandpaper or small disposable nail file
Scissors
Paper cutter
Ruler (I did this freehand, but measuring is always nice, you will note the lack of perfection, but I am The Impatient Crafter after all!)

1. You will need to determine finished size of sign before selecting letters. My sign is 3”hx11.5” wide and has six letters that are varied in size and overlapping.

2. Cut letters from magazine using sharp paper scissors or paper cutter for more exact cuts. I used letters with black, red and blue to match the crystal accents we will add later.

3. Place letters on black cardstock and cut a frame around each letter of about 3/8”. You can freehand this or mark it and cut with paper cutter.

4. Adhere letters to cardstock, making sure they are centered using Aleene’s Tacky Tape Runner.

5. Use file or fine grit sandpaper to gently distress surface of letters.

6. Place letters on patterned paper and mark cutting freehand or with a paper cutter and leaving about a ¼” border.

7. Adhere letters to patterned paper backgrounds using Aleene’s Tacky Glue Dots in each corner of letters.

8. Map out placement of letters on a background, mark and cut leaving a border. Mine is larger on top and thinner on bottom and sides. About ¼” for the largest first letter and 3/8” on sides of first and last letter.

9. Adhere letters, overlapping as you go from left to right using Glue dots in each corner of letters.

10. Use Beads in a Bottle to add dimensional accents to each letter and to adhere coordinating crystals and gemstones. Allow to dry.

I Love To Create Teen Crafts Sweet Dreams Throw Pillow

Wednesday, July 21, 2010


ILoveToCreate Teen Crafts

Sweet Dreams Throw Pillow
Copyright Avalon Potter
"Kid crafted, mom approved."

I am quite positive that I gave birth to the world's best kid 12.5 years ago. My lovely daughter came home from camp today knowing that I'd been away for nine days at a medical center and was feeling worn down and under the weather and she jumped right in and made this FABULOUS project. She even took the step by step photos! Way to go, Avalon!

We bought the blank throw pillow several weeks back and she had a crafty plan. I decided not to direct her vision, but to allow her to create a design that was entirely hers. Okay, so I did suggest using felt for the facial features...but other than that and a little help with cutting the eyelashes, this is all Avalon. The companion piece is a creation by monster maker Jenny Harada.

Kids will amaze you if you let them. I think that's the key to great teen crafts. Instead of asking them to make the same thing you did, giving them tools to express their individuality and creativity challenges and empowers them. ILoveToCreate has an arsenal of tools to fuel their creativity and there are a host of fabulous ideas on the website for inspiration. Gather some up and step back and let your teens express themselves.

Materials
Blue cotton throw pillow (Target)
White craft felt
Fuchsia craft felt
Black craft felt
Aleene's Fabric Fusion Glue

Tools
Fabric friendly scissors
Sizzix Big Shot die cutting machine
Sizzix Bigz Die Wedding Flower

1. Use Big Shot and die to cut 8 flower centers from white felt. If you cut small sections of felt, you won't waste any in the die cutting process.

2. Cut out lips and lip center line from fuchsia felt.

3. Cut out eyelashes. Use scissors to cut into felt and create lashes.

4. Glue flowers to pillow.

5. Glue lips and eyelashes to pillow. Allow glue to dry.

ILoveToCreate Teen Crafts Have Your Cake Box

Wednesday, July 7, 2010


ILoveToCreate
Teen CraftsLinkHave Your Cake Jewelry Box
Margot and Avalon Potter

It's been hotter than h e double hockey sticks around these parts so most of the activities that don't include a swimming pool have been indoors. Avalon has been helping me in the studio with the new book and my various and sundry design project deadlines. Yesterday we put our heads together on a decorative decoupaged box. She had mentioned needing a place to keep her jewelry and this is a pretty solution to that dilemma. Since we all know how much she loves the Cake Boss and decorated cakes, this box fit the bill for a faux cake project!

Avalon selected the tissue paper from a pile I keep around for craft projects and gifts. She did the decoupage and after it dried I added the coordinating floral embellishments. I am loving these felt buttons from Blumenthal Lansing, you can use them for so many crafty projects! Aleene's Tacky Glue makes quick work of stacking them up and Traci Bautista's Collage Pauge in 'Sparkle' was simple and safe for Avalon to use without my supervision. There are all sorts of shapes you can buy and decorate with decoupage, this is a great way for teens to personalize their decor.


Materials
Paper box
Decorative tissue paper (save this up from gifts for crafting!)
Coordinated Favorite Findings felt floral buttons
Craft flower with wired double stem
Traci Bautista's Collage Pauge in Sparkle
Aleene's Fast Grab Tacky Glue

Tools
Foam brush
Non-stick craft sheet
Wire cutters
Pointed tool (I used a clay tool)

1. Shorten the stems on your wired flower to about 3" using wire cutters.

2. Tear sections of tissue paper. Apply decoupage medium to the section of the box you're decorating and apply paper, then put a thin layer of decoupage over the top. Don't oversaturate everything.

3. Keep building layers of tissue paper until the box bottom and top are completely covered. We used two different papers, you can do the same or use all one paper or combine papers. You can also, if you like, decoupage the interior of the box. Allow decoupage medium to dry.

4. Use Aleene's Fast Grab glue to adhere each layer of the the stacked felt flower buttons around the edge of the box lid. Allow to dry.

5. Use a pointed object to poke two holes in the top center of the box lid, these need to be spaced to accommodate the flower stems.

6. Slide the flower stems into the hole and twist underneath to secure.