Happy Father's Day to the Vinyl Record Lovers!

Father's Day is right around the corner, which means I am putting my crafty thinking cap on. Last year I made a customized 6 pack of beer which was a big hit. Today I have project on Craft about how to make etched pint glasses for dad with pictures of his kids (four and two legged). All that was left in the equation was a set of coasters.


Coasters are a little fussy for our house, so I needed to make them a bit different to fit in. Remember the Musical Mustache Masks I made? I had tons of vinyl records left over. I made jewelry with some and a clock with others, but I still have several to spare. The only thing Chris loves more than a cold glass of beer is the warm crackle of a vinyl record - why not combine the two!


SUPPLIES
Vinyl Records
Hot Pad or Glove
Aleene's Spray Acrylic Sealer
Felt
Scissors
Oven
Liquid Fusion Glue
Sand Paper


HOT VINYL
Pre-heat your oven to 200 degrees. Place your records in the oven and heat until they start to warp. Wearing a glove or using a hot pad take your records out of the oven one at a time and cut with scissors. There will be lines close to the label for you to follow. How much vinyl you leave showing is totally up to you. You may have to heat cut and heat and cut again to get all the way around the center. If your coasters are not flat heat one last time and then place between two books when you take them out of the oven.


ROUGH EDGES
For the most part your scissors will make pretty smooth cuts. If there are any rough edges use sandpaper to smooth it out.


WATERPROOF
Take your coasters outside and spray with Aleene's Spray Acrylic Sealer. Apply two coats allowing to dry completely in-between. This will help protect the label on your coaster from condensation.


SMOOTH BOTTOM
Sure the top looks great, but there is still that pesky hole for water to drip through and onto your table. Trace your circle onto a piece of craft felt and cut out. Glue on un-varnished side of coster.


POUR DAD A COLD ONE
Set your ice cold beer, Big Red or water on your coaster and don't think another thought about table rings. Lord knows dads never did anyway.

What are you making dear old dad this father's day?

Recycled Wrapping Paper and Cassette Tape Pom-Poms

Continuing with this week’s theme of wrapping paper I have a few fun and crafty ideas for you. Who knew that I Love to Create wrapping paper? Gather up your cassette tapes, tacky glue and newspaper next time you have a gift to wrap and follow these easy instructions.


My first gift wrap example was actually a happy accident when I made my lacey Hooptastical Earring Holder. When I dyed the lace using Tulip Fabric Spray Paint unbeknownst to me I was creating neon pink wrapping paper at the same time. I used the newspaper (I was especially excited about the picture of Debbie Harry), aqua bias tape and a pom pom I made to adorn the gift I brought to a mustache themed birthday party!


One of my favorite parts about the above gift was the Cassette Tape Pom Pom I whipped up instead of a bow. Making your own is as easy as a trip to the thrift store and the toilet.


SUPPLIES
Aleene’s Paper Glaze
Toilet Paper Roll
Cassette Tape
Scissors
Aleene’s Tacky Glue


TOILET ROLL WRAP
Remeber when you were in High School and would go wrapping? Well this is different, but toilet paper rolls are still involved. Cut the cassette tape and wrap around an empty tube of toilet paper several times.


CUT THE TAPE
After you have a nice thick wrap around the roll slide the bundle off the roll. Use another piece of cassette tape to cinch in the middle, tie in a knot. Using your scissors cut the loops on either end of your pom pom. Fray the edges out a bit.


LIONEL RICHIE WISHES YOU A JUMBO JUMBO BIRTHDAY
Cut out a picture from the cover of your cassette tape. I used Aleene's Paper Glaze to adhere my image to a hot pink disc. I then used Aleene's Tacky Glue to attach the charm to the center of my pom pom and also attach the entire thing to my wrapped gift. Can't Slow Down is the album that had "All Night Long" on it so all that is left to do is make a handmade card that says "Lionel Richie wishes you a jumbo jumbo birthday".

Since you know I love all music themed crafts, I have one more wrapping paper idea!


SUPPLIES
Vinyl Records
Clothespins
Pen
Scissors
Ruler
Aleene’s Tacky Glue


Rip apart the record jacket, or separate the front from the back. On the back of the front side draw four straight lines with your ruler. The lines should be 2 1/2 inches from the edges. These are going to be your fold lines. Cut four tabs from the corner fold lines. These will make the flaps that fold in and get glued down. Fold over all four lines. The cover should be folding in to look like a box. Start putting glue on the tabs and clothes-pinning them in place. Now wait over night! Repeat all 5 steps for the back part of the record jacket, except make the fold lines 2 5/8 inches in. See more how-to pictures here or pick up a copy of Pad: The Guide to Ultra Living.


Who wouldn't want to recieve a gift in this record box? Plus you can reuse it to store little toys, puzzle parts or paper clips!