Fall Basket

Hi everyone, Steph Ackerman here today sharing a new fall project.

Taking a paper mache pumpkin, I used the Rotary Precision Tool to drill several contiguous holes in the pumpkin - long enough to get the Jigsaw blade inside the pumpkin.

The Jigsaw cut the pumpkin without issue.

Since I had raggedy edges, I used the Delta Sander to sand down the edges.

I ran a bead of adhesive around the edge of the pumpkin and placed a pleated strip of burlap.  I used paper clips to hold the burlap in place until the glue dried.

While waiting for the glue to dry, I used the Hot Wire Cutter to cut a circle from Smoothfoam that would be placed in the bottom of the pumpkin.

  Then I gathered some silk flowers and placed them inside the basket.

 Thanks for stopping by.
 

Christmas Joy

Hi everyone, Steph Ackerman here today with a fun new Christmas sign I've created for my home this season.   It was easily created with the help of some amazing Proxxon Tools.  And with Christmas just a few weeks away, it's a great addition to my home's seasonal décor.

Using a plate as a template, I drew an ornament shape on plywood and just free handed the top of the ornament.

I used the Proxxon Jigsaw to cut out the ornament.

Once theornament was cut, I used the Delta Sander to sand down the rough edges.

Using Plaid Ultra Dye in Infra Red, I painted the ornament using a brush from the Plaid Ultra Dye Brush Pack.  Then I used a stencil with molding paste to create a 3 dimensional design.

Once the molding paste was dry, I replaced the stencil and sprayed on some glimmer mist.

Using the Precision Rotary Tool with a small bit, I drilled several holes in the panel.  I wanted to add some foliage and needed a way of anchoring the foliage in place.

I created a bow using the Bowdabra then tied the bow to the foliage. 

I wrapped thin wire around the foliage and then threaded it through the holes in the ornament.  Although it looks lovely, I felt my ornament needed a little "something".

So I decided to paint the edges of the ornament with Folk Art Brushed Metal Acrylic Paint in Silver.  Then, Joy was die cut from cardstock and Rinea Foiled Paper and added.  Finally, foil was added to the top to finish the ornament look.  

Thanks for stopping by.

Miniature Planters with Proxxon Tools

Hi everyone Steph Ackerman here today and I found a couple small boxes in my stash and thought they'd make perfect little planters for my patio.

I began by sanding each box with the Delta Sander.  Next, I used  FolkArt Brushed Metal paint, painting one with Brushed Copper and the other with Brushed Antique Gold.  I painted 3 coats on each, sanding between each layer.

Using a FolkArt stencil, I selected one of the designs and painted it with FolkArt Color Shift paint in Green Flash.

 

To create drainage, I used the Precision Rotary Tool to drill holes in the bottom of each planter.  This is such a handy tool to have.

Next, I used a larger drill bit to drill holes in the sides of each planter.  This way I can hang the planters if I decide to.

I'm thinking these planters can double as bird feeders during the winter.

 

The planters look so pretty filled with flowers and sitting on my patio. 

 

 

I can't wait for the flowers to fully bloom.

 

Thanks for stopping by.

 

4th of July Decorations

Hi everyone, Steph Ackerman here today with some 4th of July Decorations.  With summer here and the 4th of July getting closer, it's time to start thinking of party decorations.   

I found these adorable party hats and thought they'd make a fun summer banner.

I used the Proxxon Rotary Tool to drill holes in each hat.  Then I  threaded Whiskers Graphics twine through each hole and tied them together creating the banner.

I die cut SUMMER from Rinea Silver/Silver Glossy Foiled Paperthen matted each letter with cardstock.  Finally, I adhered each letter to a hat. 

Because I wanted a dual use for the banner, I used the Proxxon Hot Wire Cutter to cut ovals from Smoothfoam to fit inside each hat.

I glued the Smoothfoam ovals inside each hat.  Then I placed a battery operated candle in each hat and surrounded it with some raffia.

Once it gets dark, all you need do is take down the banner and turn on the candles.

Thanks for stopping by today.

#Love Mixed Media Canvas

Hi everyone Steph Ackerman here today with a mixed media canvas.

 

I began by gluing tissue paper to an 8" x 8" canvas, allowing lots of wrinkles to show.

 

Once the canvas was dry, I sprayed several colors of Tattered Angels Glimmer Mists about the canvas.  While drying, I used the Hot Wire Cutter to cut a heart from Smoothfoam.  The Hot Wire Cutter cuts Smoothfoam like butter - smoothly and easily.

 

 

Next, I used the Proxxon Precision Rotary Tool on a large metal embellishment.  I used the small round sanding bit to scuff up the embellishment. 

 

 

I then used the tiny ball sanding bit to get into the crevices. 

 

I painted the heart and stamped #love about the heart and added some  metal embellishments on top. 

 

 

I painted the metal embellishment and it nestled perfectly above the heart.

 

 

I added stickers about the canvas,  Then I randomly stamped #love in black ink and tiny hearts in pink ink.

Now you are ready to hang your canvas.