Create, Laugh & Play
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A Christmas Eve box tradition
Do you have a Christmas Eve box family tradition? It's very simple and can encourage family togetherness or simply a fun tradition with wonder and excitement. It's very simple to create and lots of fun to plan the contents each year!
Christmas Eve box project is part of our 12 Crafts of Christmas.. check them all out here
Let's get creative with our Christmas Eve box!
Supplies Wooden Crate Paint Chalkology Paste Stencil Fun to fill the box! (movie, book, snacks, pj's,etc) Always start with a good base for your wood, check out "Prepping your Surface" This is key to any type of stencil you use. Paint your crate the desired colour. Once your paint is dry. Apply your silk screen stencil to the crate- if it is brand new you may need to "fuzz" it off a little, this will remove a bit of the stickiness so that it doesn't adhere too well. Simply place your silk screen on the fuzzing cloth or towel, rub gently & pull up. Gently pull your paste across the stencil design, remove excess paste. Remove your stencil. Let paste dry (this is quick!) See video below for a quick how-to. Once your design is complete fill your box with all the Christmas Eve treats and fun. Ideas: Movie, Story book, PJ's, Snacks & treats, Reindeer Food, small gifts, new ornament, Snowman soup. Be creative and enjoy filling your box each year!
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DIY wood burn design cutting board
This easy DIY cutting board is created with wood burning so that you can safely use it for food preparation. Easy to create with a stencil and wood burning gel. You can buy pre-made wood burning gel or check out our DIY wood burning gel blog post & create your own!
This project is part of our 12 Crafts of Christmas series.
This easy DIY project will have you ready to create gifts for everyone! Teachers, coaches, friends and yourself of course! Supplies Wood cutting board (ours was bamboo) Stencil Wood burning Gel -- purchase or see our DIY recipe Food grade mineral oil Heat tool Apply your silk screen stencil. Using your choice of wood burning gel, gently pull it across your design. Be careful not to go off your stencil. Remove your stencil slowly. Let your gel sit for a moment while you wash off your stencil. Ensure you are working on a heat safe surface. I use a heat protecting mat & it works fabulous. Using a heat gun/tool slowly move around your design. Continuously move the heat. Although I have not tried it -- I have heard others set their design in the heat press or oven However, you do not have control of which sections set darker. This is why I prefer the heat tool as I can control how dark each section gets (with practice!). Allow your design to cool and then go over your board with food grade mineral oil. Your board is now ready to be a functional decor piece! See this project come together in the video below.
DIY Etched cookie jar
Etching ... simple, fun and permanent meaning your design can be washed by hand or in the dishwasher! Grab your favourite stencil some etching cream and get ready to wow your friends!
This project is part of the 12 Crafts of Christmas series, be sure to catch all 12 days!
Supplies
Glass Jar Etching cream (we use Armour etch) Stencil (silkscreen transfer) Paintbrush Squeegee Select your favouite stencil to etch. Ensure to "fuzz" it off. The stencils love to stick to glass-- "Fuzzing" the act of temporarily removing some of the stickiness will make removing your stencil easier as well as prolong the life of it. Remember they are reusable! Carefully place your stencil and remove all air bubbles/wrinkles. The etching cream will sneak under if you do not do this. Etching is permanent-- there is no fix (aside from covering it up!) Apply a generous amount of etching cream on the silk screen part, ensure full coverage. Allow to sit for 5-20 min (longer will equal a deeper etch). Using a squeegee, scrape the excess cream off, yes you can reuse this so I just put it back into the jar. Remove your stencil. Wash off both the stencil and your glass item. You want to stop the cream from etching so wash it off. Enjoy your now dishwasher safe design! Fill with your favourite cookies... try not to eat them all in one sitting. Check out our printables page for my Grandma's famous Jam Jam cookies! See the video below for a quick how-to create this project.
Cookie Pocket DIY gift  This is an easy DIY gift that is sure to please the gift recipient. Just a few simple supplies and you have a great gift for co-workers, teachers, coaches and more. This project is part of our 12 Crafts of Christmas series be sure to check them all out!
Supplies Pocket hot pad Tea towel Package of cookie, brownies etc Transfer (stencil) Chalkology Ink Select your pocket type hot pad (available in a variety of places from online to dollar stores). Apply your transfer (stencil) of choice. Using a small amount of ink, gently pull the ink across the mesh of your silk screen. A tip-- go in one direction for best results. You do not need to push hard, gently pull the ink across it will soak through. Remove excess. Ensure you stay on your stencil, although the ink is still wet it will be very difficult to remove from places you didn't want it! Check your fingers ... then Peel & reveal (maybe squeal!) Repeat for the tea towel. Allow your ink to dry (over night is best). Heat set your ink with a house iron- place a piece of parchment paper between design & iron. On medium heat (no steam) gently press for 4min, continously moving the iron. OR use a heat press/easy press- 350F for 30seconds. Fill your pocket with choice of packaged cookie mix. Add a spoon/ spatula. You have a perfect teacher, coach, volunteer or co-worker! Check out the video to see it come together.
Bring Santa with a little Magic Reindeer Food
The reindeer will be hungry after a long night of pulling the sleigh! Reward them with a treat to ensure they visit your house before Christmas Day.
This project is quick and easy to make. Complete it with your little one or as a special surprise. This project is Day 3 of of the 12 Days of Christmas series
 Grab your supplies!
Supplies
Jar or container to hold your Magic food Tag Bird food, Oatmeal, Oats Baking sprinkles Chalk Paste Silk Screen stencil
Snowman Soup easy DIY hot chocolate gift.
Start by Inking your design on the cup. Fuzz your stencil (this removes some of the stickiness since the silk screen stencils love to super stick to glass! Lay it flat ensuring no ripples or bubbles are happening (or ink will leak under).
Take a small amount of ink & gently pull across the stencil design. You do not need to push hard, just light pressure across. Scrape off the excess ink. Slowly & gently remove your stencil. Allow your ink design to fully dry. Depending on your humidity this can take a day or two, you can speed it up with a hair dryer or fan. Once your ink is fully dry, heat set it to help the permanency of it. Place it in a cold oven, set oven to 350F, once oven is at temperature set 30min timer. Allow cup to cool along with the oven. Although some have run their cups through the dishwasher, I personally suggest gently hand washing for long lasting designs. FILL your cup! Add in a packet of Hot chocolate, chocolate kisses, candy cane, instruction poem & "freeze dried snowballs" aka Marshmallows. I wrap up regular mini ones. I have even seen some people like to dehydrate their marshmallows in the Air Fryer (adds to list of things to try!).
This DIY is a fun and easy way to enhance your projects! With just a few simple supplies and you will be creating gorgeous projects in no time!
Supplies Rope or jute Hot glue Embellishments 
I love to use embroidery hoops I have picked up at thrift stores or garage sales (for a great price!). You have two choices-- keep the hoop as designed- both pieces together.
This will create a thicker wreath look. Or take it a part and have two wreaths for the price of one. The rope will make a difference in how thick your wreath is as well so consider the rope thickness when starting your project. I know you are wondering about the one part that has the hoop tightener. I either cover it with embellishments or use it as a spot to tie ropes on for hanging my design! You can use this rope wrap on many things -- plastic candy canes? From tacky dollar store to - eye pleasing rustic wrapped in rope!
 Many times it’s what is behind your image that catches the eye. I love using a variety of techniques to create unique backgrounds. The credit card technique is simple and fun. You end up with a truly unique look every time. The best part is it’s so easy to do! Beautiful Backgrounds -- Credit card painting technique  Supplies Old credit card/gift card Wax paper Paint 2+ colours surface to paint  Start by placing your paint colours on the wax paper. Create small puddles close but not touching the other colours. Take your credit card & dip it into all the colours at once. Gently drag your painted dipped card across your project surface. You will notice that as you go the paint puddles will begin to blend a bit this can add to the unique drag lines created. Play and drag you will perfect your own technique! The best part is the paint goes on thin so your background dries fairly quickly. You can always add more of one colour or new colours if you want to change up the look. Go be creative & share your results with us when you are done!
 Looking for a super simple way to get a background that pops?! Napkins & tissue paper are super affordable and come in a large variety of beautiful designs. I love using them as a background for my designs. However you need to get them securely on your back ground so you can apply your stencil on top. This may be a surprise but I do not like Mod Podge... I mean it has it's uses ... but you can DIY it for more bang for your buck! I learned this years ago from a show called Art Attack (yeah I'm that old) and it has been the one of the best tips I have ever learned! DIY Mod Podge Equal parts white glue and water Mix together. Yep that easy!  Now use your Mod Podge or your DIY version to attach you napkin/tissue paper to your background. For napkins, peel off the extra ply layers so you are left with just the top designed piece. Brush your glue on to fully cover the background surface- in our case it's an artist canvas. Gently lay your napkin/tissue on the glue. Carefully remove the wrinkles. I like to start from the edge & then lift and set it down carefully. You will perfect your own technique as you play a little. Brush a second coat of your glue over the napkin before your first layer dries. Do not over work this you will rip a hole. Let it dry Set your stencil on top and continue on as usual. Boom a WOW project!
Easy Bow for embellishing your project!  Mention needing to make a bow and most will have a look of fear! I used to dread needing a beautiful bow for my project because well... I didn't have the technique to do it! Until I found how to make this easy loopy bow! Let's create a beautiful and easy bow!  Supplies Wired ribbon one or two patterns Zip Tie Greenery (optional) Hot Glue  Start by deciding if you want a 3 or 4 loop bow. Your bow will be half the size we cut so think about how big of loops (per side) you desire. For our project we will make a 4 loop bow with 4 inch loops. Cut (4) pieces 16 inches long. Fold each one in half and glue into a big loop Press down. Cut (1) piece 16 inches long and dove tail the ends. This is the tail of your bow. To easily dove tail your ribbon ends fold the ribbon in half and cut from the edge toward the fold on angle. Cut (1) piece 4 inches long (This will cover your zip tie & the be center of our bow). Glue in a loop. Layer your loops on top of the tail piece. If you are creating a 4 loop bow stack the loops 2 and 2. If creating a 3 loop bow stack 2 on the bottom and place the third in the middle of both loops. Gently pinch the center together. Thread the small loop onto your zip tie, then wrap the zip tie around the pinch you created. Gently tighten-- Do Not fully tighten yet. Add in any greenery you desire. Tighten the zip tie & cut the excess off. Fluff & Poof your loops to your hearts desire. Step back and admire your bow!
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Stephanie Nixon
A busy mom of three finding me time, therapy and fun with Chalk Couture and crafting! 
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