Hello 2023 - Paper Napkin Glass Bowl

 

After 5 years, I have decided it's time to come back to my blog. I haven't stopped crafting in that time, in fact, I have done many crafts and you can find them on my Instagram page, linlovespaper or search the tag #linscraftroom.

I am not even sure why I stopped blogging.....I guess Instagram was the new kid on the block and I loved being able to just upload a quick pic. The thing is, I always like explaining my crafts, not only for others, but for myself. Sometimes I will make something and years later, completely forget how I did it or what products I used. By blogging my process, I can use it as a diary that I can refer to when needed. This morning, I have been going down memory lane looking at all the things I have made. 

Those of you that either followed my blog or follow my Instagram page, know that I am obsessed with paper, hence my name, LinLovesPaper. Paper holds a fascination for me that started in childhood....but that is another blog for another day.

The pic I have posted is a glass bowl that I have decorated with a paper napkin. Yes, I have certainly done this technique before, but this time I have used only the top, floral layer of my paper napkin, which I have Mod Podged to the underside of the bowl. When held up to the light, the design is translucent. I then gave the outside of the bowl 2 coats of Matte Mod Podge to make it durable. 

Happy crafting,

Lin

Daphne's Diary Paper Covered Small White Chairs

I found these small chairs, while out walking. They were thrown out for Council clean-up! I just couldn't leave them to be squashed by the truck so I picked them up and brought them home. My favourite magazine is Daphne's Diary and each issue has pretty papers to use on crafts. I went through my back issues and found exactly what I needed. For the seat of the chair, I used my flower punch and punched out heaps of paper flowers. I Mod Podged them onto the chair. The petal shape of the flowers made it easy to turn the edges in and give a neat finish. Even though I have put three focus flowers on the top, I am still undecided as to whether to leave them there or not......

Upcycled Glass Plate

Using a clear glass plate that I found at the op shop, I Mod Podged pretty fabric underneath the plate so the pattern would show through. It is now ready for some treats. To clean, just wipe the plate with a damp sponge. Too easy!

Crafting With Paper Napkins YouTube Tutorial

Lately, I have been trying my hand at doing some YouTube tutorials. In this video, I show you how to prepare the paper napkin for crafting. It is only my second try and my lovely daughter kindly helped me out by doing the filming.

Magazine Covered Wardrobe Doors

This is a progress pic of my magazine covered wardrobe doors. I cannot bear to throw out my Better Homes and Gardens magazines so I decided to do something that would preserve some of my favourite craft, gardening and cooking pages. Some of the magazines I have used are nearly 20 years old! I love the soft, muted colours which is the look I was going for in this spare room. I did a patchwork design and used Mod Podge to glue the pages to the doors.

Op Shop Drinking Glass, Paper Serviette and Mod Podge.... more creating!

I bought 10 of these drinking glasses at Vinnies and they are just the perfect size to turn into  tea light holders. All you need is the glass, pretty paper....I use paper serviettes....a brush and Mod Podge.

I have made two so far and added some pretty lace (also from Vinnies) as the only embellishment.

These are so easy to make so I will craft a few more for my next market stall :)

Op Shop Glass Bowl, Fabric Scrap and Mod Podge......let's create!!

 I started with a clear, glass bowl from an op shop. The best place to buy things!

 I had this gorgeous scrap of material that was just waiting for a project....

 I Mod Podged the bowl and then laid the material, design side down, over the bowl and pressed it out with my fingers to make it smooth. It is worth spending a bit of time on this to make sure you get out any bubbles or air pockets.

 Toffee thought the drying time was too long, but it was only over an hour. Keep in mind that it was a warm day so allow more time if the weather is cooler. Once dried, I used sharp scissors to trim the edges.

The final step is to Mod Podge the back to make it durable. You can put anything you like in the bowl, and just give it a wipe out with a wet cloth. Easy craft and great for gifts!!

With some leftover scraps from the bowl, I covered a glass candle holder and added some pink lace and a button. I have just lit the tea light inside and it looks really lovely glowing through the floral fabric.

Cupcakes and Delicious Treats Card

A pretty paper serviette was the starting point for this card. Soft pink lace, bling for the cakes and a stencilled Happy Birthday were the finishing touches. Most of my cards are for sale in my Etsy shop
https://www.etsy.com/au/shop/LinLovesPaper

Another Covered Tea Light Candle Holder

 This time I tried covering the glass with a pretty floral serviette and it looks really lovely with the candlelight shining through. I used Mod Podge to affix the serviette to the glass.

I didn't Mod Podge the outside as I like the texture of the serviette....a bit like linen. Just be careful with your join as that will show through once you light your candle. 

Covered Tea Light Candle Holder

I covered a small drinking glass with a page from a vintage children's book. I used Mod Podge to adhere the page to the glass. Once it was dry, I popped in a tea light and lit it. I bought my drinking glasses from an op shop and have made several holders. They make lovely gifts.

 

Sweet Pansies....Little Purse

I made another little purse using a gorgeous napkin with sweet pansies on it. This time I lined the inside as well. The outside has been Mod Podged for durability. It is just perfect to pop in your pocket when you don't want to take your handbag with you.

Sweetheart ♥.... Little Journal/Notebook

https://www.etsy.com/au/shop/LinLovesPaper

A serviette (napkin) was used for this little notebook. Just thing to pop in the pocket of your jeans.... I used Mod Podge over the serviette to make the book durable.

There are 16 little pages for your notes. I have used some soft twine to bind the book so it is super-easy to slip some more pages in.

The back of the the little book.

Marbled Little Notebook/Journal

After marbling a piece of card I decided to Mod Podge it to make it sturdy. Then it was ready to be turned into a little notebook.

The size of the book is approximately 10cm x 8cm which is just perfect for popping in your handbag or in the pocket of your jacket.

Once you have used up all the pages, just cut some to size and slip some more under the twine..

This is the back of the book but as it is all marbled you can turn it around and use this as your front if you prefer this design.



 https://www.etsy.com/au/shop/LinLovesPaper

Mod Podged Little Purse

I wanted to make myself a little purse to pop in my handbag to hold just my licence, credit card and a $10.00 note. Sometimes when I am out and about I don't want to take my regular purse which is quite heavy with far too many things in it! I used pretty serviette (napkin) paper and Mod Podged it onto heavy white paper. To give it some durability I Mod Podged the outside as well.

The size is 11cm x 9cm so it is quite small. I embellished it with a gorgeous tiny doily (hand-dyed by my friend) and a sweet half-pearl. I will test it out and let you know how it goes....

Number 5....

It is school holidays again here in Australia so that means craft time!!I had bought a wooden number 5 from the craft shop to affix near my front door. The plain wood was not going to stay! I gave it two coats of white paint and then did some paper patchwork using my pretty serviettes. The final thing was to give it two coats of Mod Podge for durability. Now when you come to my door, you will know that you are at number 5....

The Edwardian Lady's Table

I found a very old book in an op shop that was in a bad way.... so I thought, why not turn it into a table!! The book is The Country Diary of an Edwardian Lady by Edith Holden. What a marvellous artist she was and her drawings are beautiful. I used an old decorator table and gave it two coats of white undercoat, followed by two coats of a buttery lemon colour. Once dry I used my Mod Podge to apply the pictures and to seal it. To do the edging, I punched out over a hundred hearts as they have a lovely curved edge. Now instead of an unloved book that someone didn't want, I have a gorgeous table that I do want and I can look at Miss Holden's magnificent work every day.

Little Grey Rabbit Card.... It'll All Come Out In The Wash

Again, using pics from my old book, I created this card which might be timely to send to a friend who is feeling a little overwhelmed.

Tulip Hanger..... Mod Podged CD

Are you like me, with lots of old CDs hanging about the place? It is super easy to turn them into cute hangers. I used a lovely serviette and Mod Podged it onto both sides of the CD and trimmed the edges. Then I punched a small hole in the top and threaded some pretty beads onto cotton and put that through the hole to make a loop. Don't forget to add some very fine glitter and it is all ready to hang wherever you like.

Thumbelina's Birdhouse

During a craft weekend away, my friend from raspberrypops.blogspot.com.au and I worked on a tin birdhouse that was given to us by another friend. It was made out of tomato sauce cans and we could see the potential!!

Both of us like working with vintage children's books in our crafts so we decided to use a children's story for the birdhouse and Thumbelina seemed to be the perfect occupant as she is very small. We used Outdoor Mod Podge to apply the pics and several coats to the outside for durability.

 

Paper Covered Drinking Chocolate Tins

I never throw out the tins that drinking chocolate comes in as they are ideal containers for pencils, pens, scissors, etc. I use white paper first to cover the tins and then, using Mod Podge,  I add a selection of pretty pics and glue them around the tin. When I am finished, I add another layer of Mod Podge to seal the tins and then they are ready to be purposeful all over again. I also like to cover pencils...