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Crafts

Easy DIY Party Bowls

Photo by Katie Shutt
 

Plannin' a party on a budget? Try this take on decorative serverwear by creating your very own design that fits the theme of any party.


We tried it and it turned out great. I made a peacock popcorn bowl. Everyone loved it!


What You'll Need:

First, buy a white (or any light colored) plastic bowl. I got one for a buck at the Dollar Tree.


Next, buy "Window Decal" printer paper. You can buy this at any office supply store. Go to the specialty paper aisle or ask an employee for help if you're not sure what kind to get.


Search online for an image you want to print out. I did a Google image search for "peacock clip art" and found tons of great options. Using Word, Paintbrush or Photoshop, you can also write a message in a cool font, like "Happy 13th Birthday, Kelly!" or "Congratulations, Jen!"


What You'll Do: 

Once you have the image you want to print, load the decal paper into your printer's paper dock and print the image out. Make sure you read the paper instructions to make sure the sheet goes in the right way. Let the paper dry and cut the image out, leaving a little bit of an edge around it.


Peel the backing off and stick it on the bowl. Make as many as ya want, alternating the image or keeping the same one. Fill the bowls with popcorn, chips or pretzels and leave them around the party. You're all set to serve in style!


-Katie Shutt

BY CAITLIN R. ON 10/1/2009 7:00:00 AM 37 COMMENTS

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Calling all crafty girls!

 
Do you always make awesome DIY gifts? Spill your how-to secrets.
 
For our next issue, we’re looking for reader-inspired cute ‘n’ crafty presents to make and give at the holidays. One girl’s craft idea might even go in the mag.
 
We’re lookin’ for totally original projects, so send over your best holiday craft (along with instructions for how to make it) to qotw@girlslife.com or just CLICK HERE. Don’t forget to include your name, and include a pic if you have one. The deadline is Sunday, October 4th, so get on it!

BY JIAE K. ON 9/29/2009 4:22:00 PM 0 COMMENTS

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Turn Your Gum Wrappers Into Gems

Photos by Tory Nymick
 
Jonesin' for some new jewelry but don't have any more moolah? No worries. This fun craft is completely free and fun to make. Plus, you're recycling all those old gum wrappers. Saving the environment, your wallet and your style all at the same time? We love.
 
What you'll need:


Small candy wrappers (at least 22, more if you have a bigger wrist) gum wrappers or Starburst wrappers work well.
2 pieces of string for the end, as long as you want


 
What you'll do:
 

First you have to fold each individual wrapper.

 
1. Start by folding the wrapper into thirds, “hot dog style”, or long-ways.


2. Then fold it in half, the same way. 


3. Now fold it so the two ends meet and make a crease in the middle. Then unfold it.


4. Take one end and fold it halfway so the end is in the center crease. Do this with the other end, too.


5. Now fold it where you had made the original crease so it looks like a V. Make sure the ends of the wrapper are on the inside of the V.


6. Fold each wrapper following steps 1-5 and then start to link them together.

The tricky part is putting it together, but once you understand it, it’s easy to get the hang of.

 

 
Now, put them all together...
 
1. First pick up one wrapper and look at one side. If you can see a bunch of pieces of paper inside the V, turn it around so you can see the other side. You should see two pieces on each “wing” of the V. This side is always the side you want to face up.


2. Take two wrappers and hold one vertical in one hand, so it looks like a V. Hold the other one by the crease, horizontally. 

3. Push the horizontal V into the slots of the vertical V, one piece of paper per slot.  Push it until the creases meet, and make sure they are connected at the base, not where the paper is apart. You have made your first link!


4. Now, make the V you just attached is the vertical one for the next step. Take a new wrapper and attach it the same way, but make sure the side with only two pieces of paper is facing up, or you will have trouble putting the next link in. When you have three, you should begin to see the zigzag pattern you will get. 


5. Keep connecting them using steps 1-3 until you get the length you want. If you mess up, it’s easy to just take it out and try again or fold a new wrapper.


6. When you have the length you want, you could end the bracelet a lot of diff ways, but the easiest is to just get  pieces of string and thread them through the ends. You have to make sure that both ends of the bracelet are diagonally up so you can thread the string through the crease. You don’t need to tie it, it should stay there on its own. Tie it around your wrist and you are done! 

 
 
-Tory 
Nymick

BY CAITLIN R. ON 9/19/2009 8:00:00 AM 51 COMMENTS

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Seriously Stylin' Sweats

 
Sweats are sweet when you customize them with your own glitz and glam. Just follow these easy steps to total blingin’ bliss.

What you’ll need:
•    Plain sweatshirt
•    Iron
•    Wax paper
•    Iron on crystals (try Tulip Glam It Up Crystals)
Here’s what to do:

Prewash fabric.

Use a pencil to sketch out your design. We downloaded an image online and traced it. Yum, cupcakes!
 
 
Place the crystals onto the fabric.

Once you have several in place, carefully lay down the wax paper and set the iron down for a couple seconds to allow the glue to melt. Be careful not to move the crystals.
 
 
Repeat this step until your design is totally crystalized.
 

Tip:  When washing your newly bejeweled item, turn it inside out and wash on cold water. Let it air dry.

BY CAITLIN R. ON 9/16/2009 3:14:00 PM 42 COMMENTS

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