Upcycled Halloween craft - tic-tac-toe.

Walter has delighted us with his projects for over a year now - and I really really love what he does for Halloween! I'm not sure if you remember his fun jack-o-lantern magnets or his cute Halloween cupcake pedestal tutorials, but those are a must see. He's back again with a recycled project to have a little bit of fun this Halloween, and I love it. Here's how he made his Halloween tic-tac-toe.

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As you may know, I too adore Halloween and the imagery. I have been wanting to create a recycled craft tutorial for some time and this "Halloween Tic-Tac-Toe" item is super FUN to make.

Supplies:

Sometimes making stuff from discarded items can be surprisingly good . . . I am so pleased with the way this traditional, fun game came out. This is how I made it:

• Any Mod Podge will work . . . I used Gloss and Mod Podge Dimensional Magic.
• 10 plastic caps, washed and dry! Mine came from the Almond Milk I drink and have a 1" opening.
• 1" Friskars Circle Paper punch
• Halloween themed rubber stamps
• Paintbrush
• Mod Podge tools
• 6" x 6" jewelry box, got mine at a yard sale . . . you can buy newer unfinished boxes available at most craft stores

I created a 6" x 6" digital image using vintage Halloween ephemera and had a laser copy made. If you don't have Photoshop skills, no problem - use scrapbook paper with pre-printed graphics! Divide the square box by three vertically and three horizontally and Mod Podge your grid to your liking. I then decoupaged the the sides of the lid and sides of the box with, orange and black textured cardstock.

It looks so good! Next, seal the whole box with Mod Podge for a durable finish. TIP: I used the NEW silicone Mod Podge mat. WOW, I love this product!!! This mat is fantastic! I use to decoupage on old discarded newspapers. No more unwanted "image transfers" on my decoupage items . . . and clean up is so easy! I hope Plaid introduces bigger sizes in the future.

For the game pieces I created two (1" square) designs with some Halloween themed rubber stamps (skull and jack o' lantern) and used my 1" Friskar Circle paper punch to cut out the images. Decoupage the images into the cap, let dry and repeat!

***You want to make sure the insert is fully coated with Mod Podge, including the sides or the Dimensional Magic will seep into the image. I tripled coated my game pieces. Then I added the Mod Podge Dimensional Magic and let dry over night. They came out AWESOME; it looks like I used a resin coat without the mixing and toxic smell. 

The game pieces are stored inside the box for storage . . . genius! Project completed! Let's play Halloween tic-tac-toe on family game night! This is a great craft for children and parents - a far cry from playing video games and no interaction with family members. I plan on making another with my niece and nephew and introducing them to a game of tic-tac-toe. Happy Halloween!

Don't forget to visit Walter's Etsy shop or follow him on his blog, Facebook and Twitter.

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Cardstock scrap bowl.

I remember being very young and making paper bowls - maybe around first grade or so? It was so much fun. I particularly liked smashing the paper bits into my hands and making a huge mess. What kid doesn't love that? You can make paper bowls at home with your children very easily, and then all you need to make it very sturdy is Mod Podge painted on the outside. This idea will keep kids busy for awhile, and adults will love it too. Head to the link below to learn more.

DIY paper bowl at Core'dinations

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Art magnets from Play-Doh lids.

Are the littles in your house fans of Play Doh? If so, you may have 1,000 lids from old jars laying around. When you open that closet door and they all spill out, you now have a craft to do with them thanks to Molly's guest post at Mom 4 Real. This solves two problems, including what to do with children's artwork. They make such colorful frames, don't you think? Visit Jessica's blog to see how they were made.

Art magnets from Play Doh lids at Mom 4 Real

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Mod Podge kids' craft - kaleidoscope luminaries.

Kids love Mod Podging because it's fun and you can get messy (which is why I like crafting in general). Let them express themselves with these fantastic luminaries I spotted made with mason jars and tissue paper. You can use any sort of old glass jars and tissue paper, so you might already have everything you need. Wouldn't these be fun in Halloween colors?

If you Mod Podge on the outside, you can put a real tealight inside the jar. If you Mod Podge on the inside of the jar like in the tutorial, please use LED tealights.

Kaleidoscope luminaries at (cool) progeny

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Easy craft: DIY baker's twine votive and container.

I have one of the most satisfying crafts I've ever done for you - and probably the easiest. My friends, if you can wrap twine, then you can do this project. Beginning Mod Podgers take note, because this is the perfect way to get started with the magic glue. You can re-dress an old container (glass works, but you can probably use any container) by simply wrapping. Here's another jar I decorated and then the fun little tutorial. You are going to love this!

Gather These Supplies

Baker's twine from The Twinery
Colors used:
Rainbow votive - Maraschino, Mandarin, Marigold, Peapod, Midnight Blue
Jar with lid - Cantaloupe, Stone,  Carribean
Mod Podge Gloss
Glass jars - any kind, any style, but I recommend not too curvy
Embellishments of your choice (optional)
Craft glue (need if you use embellishments)

Start by attaching one end of the baker's twine to the surface you are going to cover using the Mod Podge. Glue down about 1 - 2" so that you have enough tacked down to start winding.

Apply Mod Podge to the surface of the container and wind your baker's twine around. I kept pushing it down so it was snug. Start a new color at the seam.

I just eyeballed where to start a new color. When I got to the top, I clipped off the baker's twine and gave all of it a good coat of Mod Podge. It will be milky but dry clear (as the pros know).

I felt incredibly motivated to do two - one rainbow and one in a color palette I like. As you can see, on the rainbow votive I added a white button with craft glue. You can glue any embellishments you want to the top.

That's all there is to it! This could be the easiest Mod Podge tutorial I've ever done. Enjoy.

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Rainbow magnet travel tangrams.

I love games - and not just because I rule at them. Haha! But seriously, I love playing games whether I win or lose. My favorite game of all time? Star Wars Trivial Pursuit. Though I do like all types of games, even if they aren't Star Wars related. This game from Delia actually combines math and puzzles into one, as children use Mod Podged shapes to create designs (also known as a tangram). The best part is that you can make this game on a budget, and the tin is recycled. Visit Delia to get the full tutorial.

Magnetic DIY travel tangram puzzles at Delia Creates

Other games you can make with Mod Podge:

• Personalized matching game
• Tic tac toe in a box
• Mod Podge backgammon
• Family yahtzee
• Personalized checkers
• Magnetic tic tac toe
• Custom concentration
• Miniature memory game

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Outdoor drink holder.

As you enjoy the last days of summer and also possibly some outdoor sports games, you might be interested in this drink holder made by Megan of The Homes I Have Made for Positively Splendid. I love the pretty fabric that she chose, and it's much better than a Miller Lite beer coozie for holding your drink. Don't you think? Visit Amy's blog to get the full tutorial.

Outdoor drink holder tutorial at Postively Splendid

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Ombre flower vase.

I'm never going to get over the ombre trend, and I hope you'll join me in that. This vase from Natalie was formerly a juice jug . . . but a beautiful coat of paint in several shades has turned it into a beautiful home decor piece. I love the vibrancy of the colors. And I'm normally not a pink fan (I always choose blue). But this is amazing - and you can seal it with Mod Podge. I wonder what the new Pearlizing spray would look like on top?

DIY ombre flower vase at Creme de la Craft

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Mini fabric magnets.

I just recently did a post on Mod Podge projects for beginners, and this is another one that would fit into that category. If you are just starting out Mod Podging or need a quick gift idea, then this project is for you. I also know that some of you seamstresses out there have fabric scrap stashes with the teeniest bits that you don't know what to do with . . . this would also be good for you. Take about five minutes and make yourself some magnets. Visit the link below to learn how.

Mini magnet DIY at justlove.ly

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Map and chalkboard chargers.

Are you a map junkie? And do you like chalkboard paint? Now you can have the best of both worlds with Debbie's map and chalkboard chargers. She did such an amazing job edging the chargers with maps and Mod Podge, and you can write a personalized message for your guests right in the middle. I need some right now. If you do too, visit the tutorial below.

Summer entertaining at Refresh Restyle

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How to make a cute cupcake stand.

I don't know if you remember when I made a dessert stand using a plate and candlestick? Well, Maddy did the same but took it to the next level (literally) with her two tiers! She added a fun design using a bit of recycled paper and now she has a lovely cupcake stand. And those little treats are making me very hungry. Visit Maddy to see how it all came together.

How to make a cute cupcake stand at what maddy did next

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Menu planner update.

I would love to have a menu planner. And possibly even more importantly I would like a cook who could refer to the menu planner and make my meals. Unfortunately the cook part is never going to happen, but I can have a menu planner. I love this update that uses recycled cardboard, sheet music and paper. Interested in a menu planner for yourself? Visit the link below to see how to make one.

Menu planner update at Ridgeway Cottage

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Decorating mason jars five ways.

I'm sure you've seen mason jars all over Pinterest - aren't they fun as a craft surface? You have five more options for decorating them thanks to Angie. And the best part is that a few use Mod Podge (though I like the painted ones as well). Go visit Angie and let her know which one is your favorite!

Decorating mason jars five ways at The Country Chic Cottage

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Earring travel case.

I know what you are wondering - what is this? You might also be wondering why you would want to organize a diaper wipe container. But that is the brilliant part. Stephanie turned an old diaper wipe container into a travel jewelry holder AND made it pretty with bright paper. It's not hard, and there's a secret ingredient to holding the jewelry inside the case. Visit Stephanie to find out what it is.

Earring travel case at Crafting in the Rain

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Cool plant tag pendants.

This project proves that there is truly a use for everything! I know a lot of hoarders (saying that in the kindest way possible) who likely have some plant tags in their stash. I'm going to have to share these pendants with them, because this is a great way to use those up. Hmmm - what else could you make with plant tags? Going to have to think about that one. In the meantime, visit below to see more pictures of cool necklaces.

Plant tag pendants at Janet of All Trades

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DIY basket wall art.

What is this collection, you ask? It's a collection of recycled baskets turned into wall decor, of course! Jamie used old baskets combined with old momentos to create this unique display. I love the bright blue (of course) and her choices of paper . . . and this can easily be customized to suit your particular palette. So dig through the closet, find some baskets and then visit Jamie to see what she did.

Basket wall art at C.R.A.F.T.

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Recycled firefly lantern jars.

This one's for the kiddos - and their summer outdoor adventures. If you don't live in a part of the country with fireflies, you are missing out. They are so cool! You can make a jar with you children just like this, capture the little bugs with the light-up butts and then watch it glow. Don't forget to let the little bugs go when you're done! And if you don't have fireflies in your part of town, electric votives will work just as well. It's a fun recycling project. Learn how to do it below.

Firefly/electric votive lantern jars at Hudson Valley Parent

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Recycled candle holders.

What to do with old jars that you were just going to put in the recycling bin . . . hmmm . . . how about cute little lanterns? If you have a collection of punches (like I do) this project is even more fun. Sara punched shapes into a bunch of tissue paper colors, Mod Podged them to the jar and then called it a day (a very cute day). These are perfect for parties or just to decorate a shelf. Visit Sara to see how they were made.

Decoupage tissue paper candle jars at Creative Jewish Mom

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Junk mail typography collage art.

My favorite retailer sends me many catalogs and sale mailers. I must say, I always get excited when a Crate and Barrel catalog arrives. I get a lot of inspiration from looking through them and the quality of the paper is great for decoupaging, especially the CB2 catalog!

I made this AWESOME re-arranged typography wall art with two junk mail postcard sale mailers. This is what you need to make this junk mail wall art plaque! This tutorial will showcase each step I took to complete this art piece.

Gather These Supplies

• Substrate of your choice: cradle board, canvas board, illustration board, plywood or wood ( I used a 5" x 5" x 3/4 piece of plywood that I primed and then painted it with FolkArt Wicker White paint.
• Cardstock
• Cutting tools
• Ruler
• Mod Podge tools: Brayer and Squeegee
• 1" SQUARE shape paper punch
• 2 Crate and Barrel postcard mailers (For some reason I got 2 in the mail) LOL!
• Any Mod Podge, I used Mod Podge Paper and Mod Podge Gloss

Step ONE: Cut 25 pieces (1" squares) of the red and white section only.

Step TWO: *TIP: I taped a piece of cardstock to my cutting mat. This type of mat has measurements printed on it, so it is easy to make accurate lines (see photo). I made two straight lines: one vertical and one horizontal; this made my layout easy to place . . . I knew I needed 5 rows of 1" squares across since I was working with a 5" x 5" block. I used Mod Podge Paper to mount the squares in place . . . then let dry for 15 minutes. Then, I cut the mounted pieces at 5" x 5".

Step THREE: Decoupage the FRONT with the re-arranged 1" square blocks. *TIP: I used a brayer that had some dried Mod Podge from previous projects, because when I run it over the paper it will give it a aged, rustic look and scuff it up. If you don't want that look, use a clean brayer. Next, I decoupaged the back with a random piece of printed cardstock.

Step FOUR: I decoupaged the sides with 3/4" white cardstock.

Step FIVE: Attach hanging hardware to the back. TIP: I find for something small like this a triangle hanger is easiest! All, you do is find the center, mark it with an AWL, then insert a screw. . . Then I attached two bumpers to the bottom.

Project completed! Ready to hang. Wouldn't it be fun to try this on a huge scale?

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