Thanks-Giving Day 21 & Cute Craft Ideas - RTR!

Today's note of gratitude may sound a little weird, but then I am a little weird. LOL! Anywho. I'm thankful for the day, my dad suggested that I take a photography course at school. He had this 1970 something Minolta camera and never really knew how to use it (all these years). There are SEVERAL family photos that are over exposed, under exposed or that funky orange color. I needed an elective for school and he wanted me to teach him how to use his camera. I enjoyed taking the class a lot more than I thought I would and it actually sparked my on going interest in photography. I did learn how to use my dad's camera and had some pretty good photos developed from it. To this day, you'll see some of my photo posts. I am still learning new tips and effects. Not too long ago, my dad gave me his old Minolta camera. The film camera that started my photo taking hobby. Thanks Dad! I love you!



Hanging Paper Maple Leaves from Craft Ideas

What You'll Need:
- scrapbook paper in the colors of the season
- Spellbinders Set of maple leaves
- Wizard or Double-Do XL cutting and embossing machines
- stick glue
- sewing machine and matching thread

Instructions:

1. For each leaf you need to cut out 10 shapes (5 reversed). Because one side of the paper is white, glue 2 leaves back to back so that both sides are printed. When finished, you will have 5 sets of “doubled leaves”.
2. Line the leaves up in a stack and paper clip the sides together to hold in place.
3. Sew a straight line down the center of the stack to sew the leaves together and remove from the machine.
4. Cut away the excess bottom thread. Use the top thread to hang the leaves up.


Salt Dough Leaf Prints from The Artist Woman

What You'll Need:
salt dough, recipe to follow
artificial silk leaves
round container to use as cutter
oven
acrylic paint
mod podge for sealer

Salt Dough Recipe
4 cups flour
1 cup salt
1 1/2 - 2 cups water
extra flour for kneading

Mix first 3 ingredients together to form a nice soft dough. Knead smooth with extra flour. The more you knead this dough the easier it is to work with.


Keep leftover dough in the fridge.

Instructions:
Make up your salt dough. This recipe will make enough for 8 rounds.

Roll out dough and the using circular container or bowl, (coffee can) cut your rounds.

Pick a leaf for your design. I initially tried this with fresh leaves but they did not leave a good imprint. I think it would have worked with clay.

The silk leaves leave a better impression in the salt dough.

Place where you want it and press the leaf into the dough.

When you lift it off you should have a nice impression.

Place on a parchment or foil covered cookie sheet and bake at 250 degrees for about 2 - 3 hours or until hard.

Let cool.

Take some acrylic paint in Autumn colors.

After trial and error I found the best way to paint these is to paint the leaves in different colors first.
Let dry.

Then using dark brown paint that you have watered down apply a wash, like an antiquing glaze to the entire surface. The dark color picks up the veining in the leaf and still lets the Autumn color show thru.

Let dry and then apply a coat of glossy Mod Podge as a sealer.


Chocolate Acorn Cookies from The Celebration Shoppe

You’ll need:
mini Keebler Stripe cookies
Hershey’s Kisses
small piece of black licorice for your stem.

I attached them with a small dot of icing and done.

It's that time of year again!

ROLL TIDE ROLL!!!!!