(More) Comic Book Flowers

"Life was so much easier when I just smashed tanks and beat up abominations for a living." -Hulk, The Incredible Hulk #9

I love paper flowers because they last forever and are bright and glossy.  I found a post over at Lia Griffith that gave directions on how to make paper gardenias.  I replaced the frosty paper with a page from a comic book (Hatter M in this case).  I have not yet perfected my centers to make them as beautiful as Lia's but the at least look like something.  I think they make perfect card/gift toppers.  I would wear that on my head after opening the gift.

If these seem too hard to make, I suggest trying a simple bloom like the comic book flowers from my 2013 Earth Day post. Any of the flowers are great to make with comic books, and/or to give to Mom for upcoming Mothers day.

Rolled Comic Book Bracelet

"Our roles are nothing more than how the times choose to cast us." -Magneto, AVX Consequences #4

I love wearing any jewelry that I make.  It makes for a fun discussion piece and shows off some personality.  These bracelets can be made out of any rolled paper, not just comic book pages.  So get creative and make some to fit your personality.  

Materials:

• Magazines
• Scissors
• Glue Stick
• Embroidery Floss
• Clasp 

Directions:

1. Cut equal sized triangle strips.
2. Roll strips to create long shaped beads.
3. Cut a long strand of floss and fold it in half.  Tie a knot to make a small loop.
4. With the two pieces of string, place one string through the bead. String the other piece of floss through the other side of the bead.  Pull tight.
5. Continue until the bracelet is to the size desired.
6. Tie off bracelet and attach the clasp.  

WEAR WITH PRIDE!

Comic Book Magnets

"A hero can be anyone. Even a man doing something as simple and reassuring as putting a coat around a little boy's shoulder to let him know that the world hadn't ended." -Batman, The Dark Knight Rises

Although the post title says magnet, this could also be adjusted for pins or coasters.  It makes this a very versatile project. I turned mine into magnets, because who doesn't love teaching interjections through comic books?

Materials:

• Comic Book
• Scissors
• Card Stock
• Mod Podge
• Paint Brush
• Cup
• Pencil
• Magnet (or Craft Foam or button making pieces)

Directions:

1. Find an image you like and trace the cup around it. Cut out the image.
2. Trace the same cup onto card stock.  Cut out the circle.
3. Find a word or phrase you like and cut it out.
4. Paste this on card stock and cut out as well.  Double up on card stock depending how much you want this to pop from the background image. 
5. Attach image to card stock using mod podge.  Attach words in the same way to where you want them. Let dry.
6. Attach magnet to the back.

Another simple and easy craft to count down the days before Free Comic Book Day!  (Btw: 4 more days!)  Also, I am having a lot of fun with Batman '66.  It uses fun colors, great art, and and interesting story line.  Plus, classic Batman and Robin.

Comic Book Bangle

"All the best heroes are ordinary people who make themselves extraordinary." -Gerard Way

This weekend is free comic book day!  Which means that I will be making comic book blog posts all week.  Get in to the spirit and join me (or show me your comic book love).  This bangle is easy to make and fun to wear to the right event (like free comic book day!).  

Materials:

• Water Bottle
• Scissors
• Comic Book
• Mod Podge
• Paint Brush

Directions:

1. Cut the water bottle so it makes a cuff or a bracelet.
2. Cut out the comic so it fits the band.
3. Attach with mod podge and cover in mod podge.  
4. Let dry and wear it with pride!

Willow Tree Painting

"I hear the wind among the trees playing the celestial symphonies." -Henry Wadsworth Longfellow

I promised to share my painting from yesterday.  It was great to have a reunion and paint with an old friend.  It had been way to long!  It was very enjoyable.  I felt that the bottom piece was missing something, so I added the Longfellow quote. I hope to go back soon. Enjoy and keep on painting!

Earth Day: Rolled Paper Cross

"I believe in God, I only spell it Nature." - Frank Lloyd Wright

With it being Earth Day, and with confirmation and first communion time right around the corner, it was time to share the rolled paper cross.  It is fun and super easy to do.  Plus it is made out of the glossy newspaper advertisements, so it is recycling! 

Materials:

• Glossy Newsprint 
• Glue Stick
• Hot Glue Gun

Directions:

1. Roll a lot of newsprint discs.  See my tutorial from a rolled paper bowl on how to do this.  
2. Lay out into the shape and size of a cross you like.  If you need more discs make enough to finish your project.
3. Hot glue the edges of the discs to each other. Add hot glue to the empty parts if desired for extra hold.
4. Create one long tube by making four (or more) separate ones and attaching them together. Flatten the tube and hot glue around the entire outside of the project.

That is it!  I didn't need to buy a single thing to make this project!  Totally recycled base materials (plus a little, or a lot, of glue).  

Maze Runner Shirt

"Maybe you should just press the button." -James Dashner, The Maze Runner

So, this mess is what happens when you try to screen print a shirt in 30 minutes or less.  Don't do that!  Otherwise follow one of my other screen printed shirt tutorials to learn how to make one.

My boyfriend's boot camp is called WICKED and he has wanted a WICKED is good shirt. We will see if this has been what he has been looking for.

Also, check out my blog post about how to make a terrarium of Maze Runner. 

Sharing the Love of Crafting

"If you do what you love, it is the best way to relax." -Christian Louboutin

I recently went with a group of friends to a pottery painting, canvas painting, and glass fusing place.  It was a wonderful time!  A couple and I worked on painting some pottery and an other couple worked on a glass photo frame.  Everything turned out amazing!  (And I am going back this weekend to do a painting with another friend, so be waiting for that post).  

I painted a small yarn bowl.  The awesome thing about the yarn bowls are that they are made by a local pottery place!  They are stunning pieces to begin with, but painting them makes them breath taking.  Add some yarn and a handy crochet hook, and I might be coming out with more crocheting projects, or at least have an amazing center piece for my half finished works.

My Funky Yarn Bowl

An awesome wave platter

A lovely glass frame

Easy Bird Feeder

"The reason birds can fly and we can't is simply because they have perfect faith, for to have faith is to have wings." -J.M. Barrie, The Little White Bird

Look no further for a simple craft to make with kids this spring. It will have the birds chipping!

Materials:

• Juice or Milk Carton
• Paint
• Scissors
• Paint Brush
• Twine
• Bird Seed

Directions:

1. Wash the carton and let dry.
2. Cut out two panels so that birds will be able to get at the seed.
3. Puncture four holes into the top of the carton near each corner.
4. Paint and decorate the carton to you taste. Let dry.
5. String the twine through the holes.
6. Add bird seed and tie to a tree branch, porch, ect.