Make-it Mondays : Handmade Envelope

If you have even the slightest flair for crafting and creative endeavors, you (like the rest of the RNESTers) probably have a tendency to hoard cool objects for unknown future projects. In this case, here's an idea for all that sweet paper you have sitting in a drawer.
And it's fast! This took me about 5 minutes.

Handmade Envelope

What you need :
-envelope to use as a template
-decorative / recycled paper
-pen (or pencil)
-scissors
-double sided clear tape (or a glue stick)


1) Open by your store bought envelope by carefully seperating the adhered edges and trace the shape on the envelope onto you decorative paper.


2) Cut out the form of the envelope.


3) Fold the side wing in and use double stick tape to adhere it. Fold to opening flap down as well. And, ta da, a fancy envelope!

Make-it Mondays : T-Shirt Tote

This is a great way to reuse one of those old, crumby t-shirts sitting in the back of your closet. And it could not be easier. This project took me less than 15 minutes (including time to dig out materials) and, frankly, I'm pretty clumsy on the sewing machine.

Materials:

-old t-shirt
-fabric scissors
-pen or pencil (or white charcoal in my case, since my shirt is such a dark color)
-dinner plate
-3-6 straight pins
-sewing machine (and thread, of course)


Step 1 : Cut the sleeves off the shirt, leaving the seams in tack.


Step 2: Lay the dinner plate on top of the shirt such that about half the plate is covering the shirt. Trace the edge of the plate with you pen(cil) and cut out that piece. This will be the opening of the bag.


Step 3: Turn the shirt inside out and, using your straight pins, line up the bottom of the shirt. Run the bottom of the shirt through the sewing machine.


Step 4: Turn the shirt right side in and start toting things around!

Make-it Mondays: Home Baked Crayons

This is a project I have been excited to do for awhile. After teaching Art for a couple years, I have a big box of little Crayola stubs that I couldn't part with. So here is a fun way to reuse them. These make great gifts for small children and a fun art club project as well.

All you need is:

1. Broken, nubby crayons in search of a new home
2. A muffin pan
3. Paper muffin pan liners
4. Oven mitts
5. An oven

1. Divide your crayons by color scheme and peel off any paper. I like staying with analogous and warm or cool color families, but feel free to go crazy!


2. Place paper liners in a muffin pan and fill the cups up with crayon pieces. Most of the gaps will fill in, instead of overflowing.


3. Put your mitts on and the pan in the oven. I preheated my oven to 250 degrees Fahrenheit and melt time took about 15 minutes. (Times may vary based on brand, so keep an eye on them!)

4. Once melted, remove the pan and let cool until they have solidified and feel cool to the touch.

5. Remove the crayons from the liners and have fun!

Post project thoughts: When the paper liners are peeled off, it is a good idea to rub down the tops, as the edges have thin, flaky pieces. You could also just leave the liners on the crayons to give them as gifts or even leave them in a cute, thrifted muffin pan that doubles as gift wrap and storage for your home baked crayons. The only downside to that is the tie-die effect isn't revealed until they are taken out of the liners. Side project options could be personalized coloring books/pages...mmmm, another tutorial perhaps?