Factory Direct Craft Blog

DIY Mountain Ring Holder Tutorial

Jessica - August 23, 2017 No Comments

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Organize your jewelry collection with this beautiful mountain ring holder. This project is simple, quick, and fun for any age!

Difficulty level: Beginner
Time to complete: 20 minutes
Age range: 6 and up

Things you’ll need:
Paper mache cones
Black, white and gold acrylic paint
Paint brush
Foam brush

Things to do:
1. The first step is painting the snowy white tip on your paper mache cone. Use a foam brush to apply a thin layer of paint around the top half of your cone. The paint should fall in a jagged line. Let it dry completely.
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2. Paint the bottom portion of your cone with a thick layer of black acrylic paint. Leave a small gap between the white and black paint.

3. Switch to a thin paint brush and cover the gap with gold acrylic paint. If cardboard still shows through, add another layer of paint when it’s dry.
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4. Slide your rings on top and enjoy!

Clothespin Ballerinas Tutorial

Jessica - August 22, 2017 No Comments

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These little ballerinas make perfect toys or decorations for a table topper or garland. The options are endless!

Difficulty level: Intermediate
Time required: 1-2 hours
Age range: 8+

Things you’ll need:
Wood clothespins
Tulle in a variety of colors (I like the sparkle one)
Marker
White satin ribbon
Hot glue sticks
Hot glue gun

Things to do:
1. Draw a face, hair, a top, and shoes on the clothespin. Set aside.
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2. Cut a length of ribbon a couple inches long (doesn’t need to be exact, you will trim it later).

3. Tie a knot in the ribbon, creating a loop that is just larger than the waist of the clothespin.
4. Cut several lengths of tulle, about 2-3 inches long.

5. Fold one length of tulle in half longway.
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6. Fold the piece of tulle in half again the opposite way.

7. Put the folded end of the tulle through the loop of ribbon and bring the opposite ends under the ribbon, then back up through the middle of the fold.

8. Pull the end of the tulle to create a knot around the ribbon.
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9. Repeat steps 4-7, pushing each knot of tulle close together, until the entire loop of ribbon is full (Note: untie the knot, if it gets difficult to fit all the pieces on the loop).

10. Slide the loop on to the clothespin (Or retie the ribbon in a knot on the clothespin, if you chose to untie it in the last step).
11. Glue the knot on the back of the clothespin doll
12. Optional: trim the lengths of ribbon in the back. You may also leave the ribbon as an accent to the skirt.
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DIY Patriotic Candle Holder

Jessica - August 21, 2017 No Comments

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These mason jar candle holders make the perfect, easy, DIY centerpieces for any summer get together!

Difficulty level: Beginner
Time required: 1 hour
Age range: 8+

Things you’ll need:
Mason jars
Flameless tea lights
Glass gems
Small American flags

Things to do:
1. Remove the mason jar lid.
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2. Remove the stick and the binding from the flag.
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3. Place the flag inside the mason jar so it rests against the “back” of the jar.
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4. Fill the jar about a third of the way with clear and white gems.
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5. Place the flameless tea light on top of the gems.
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How to Make a Bandana Pillow Tutorial

Jessica - August 18, 2017 No Comments

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Bandana crafts are super popular every summer. Decorate your porch with these easy bandana pillows!

Difficulty level: Beginner
Time required: 1.5 hours
Age range: 8+

Things you’ll need:
1 or 2 bandanas
Fleece (I used one bandana and backed my pillow with fleece)
Scissors
Sewing machine
Poly-fil stuffing
Hand-sewing needle

Things to do:
1. Cut a piece of fleece the same size as your bandana. *optional
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2. With right sides together and using a 1/2 inch seam allowance, sew all the way around the the pillow. Leave a 1-2 inch gap before reaching the starting point.
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3. Flip the pillow right side through the hole.
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4. Stuff the pillow to desired stiffness.
5. Sew the hole shut using a ladder stitch.

‘Sweet as Pie’ Bottle Cap Magnet Tutorial

Jessica - August 17, 2017 No Comments

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Use felt scraps and bottle caps to create this deliciously adorable, sweet as pie magnet.

Difficulty level: Intermediate
Time required: 10 mins+
Age range: 10+

Things you’ll need:
Felt
Bottle caps
Magnet
Craft or hot glue gun and glue sticks
Ruler
Scissors
Pen

Things to do:
1. Cut felt scrap in to tiny piece, using whatever color you would like your berries to be.
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2. Roll the felt scraps into tiny balls. If it doesn’t roll easily, pull on your felt until the fabric loosens, and then roll.

3. Once you have a sufficient amount of berries (this will depend on how large you make them, and how full you wish your pie tin to be) apply glue to the inside of your cap, and press the berries into place.
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4. After your berries are in place, measure the inner length of your bottle cap. The size can vary a bit depending on the condition of the cap or if it has been flattened or not.

5. Once you have your inner cap measurement, cut your crust strips.

6. Roll your strips between your fingers to create a more “homemade” pie crust effect. This is not necessary, but does help give the pie a more realistic look.
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7. Glue your pieces in place.

8. Lastly, using your glue, attach your magnet to the back of your bottlecap. Tip: You can also trim your pie, using the same method.

How to Make a Felt Fringe Flower Headband

Jessica - August 16, 2017 No Comments

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This adorable yet simple method for creating felt fringe flowers is an easy and frugal way to create an adorable headband to match any outfit!

Difficulty level: Beginner
Time required: 10 mins+
Age range: 10+

Things you’ll need:
Felt
Ruler
Pen
Scissors
Hot glue gun and glue sticks
Headband

Things to do:
1. Start by measuring out and cutting out a long rectangle in each color.
The example here is 2 1/2″ x 5″
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2. Fold your felt piece in half (think half a sandwich style).
3. Using hot glue, attach the two sides together (glue your sandwich shut, creating a “tube”).
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4. Cut slits on the opposite side of the hot glue. It works best to cut as close to your line of hot glue as possible. This makes your flower petals longer and more prominent. The distance between your slits is up to you, the more slits, the more “petals” your flower will have.
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5. Roll your strip together, gluing it as you go, once your slits have been finished (think a pinwheel).
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6. This step is optional, but for comfort purposes, Cut two rectangular or circular pieces of felt (small enough to be hidden by your flowers, but big enough to allow the base of your flowers to fit on to it) and create a barrier between the flowers and the headband, gluing one piece of felt on the underneath, and on the top of the headband in the location you wish to place your flowers, (Think sandwiching your headband between the two pieces).
7. Attach your flowers to your headband-or on top of the felt pieces used to make your protective “sandwich”
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Tip: To create a customized colored headband like the one pictured, simple cut strips of felt, and wrap the headband and use hot glue to keep it secure along the way.

Simple No Sew Felt Pennant Banner Tutorial

Jessica - August 15, 2017 No Comments

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Create a colorful felt pennant banner, perfect for decor, as well as parties and showers!

Difficulty level: Intermediate
Time required: 10 minutes
Age range: 10+

Things you’ll need:
Felt
String/Twine
Hot glue gun
Hot glue sticks
Ruler
Pen/Pencil
Scissors

Things to do:
1. Create your pennant. Using a ruler and pen, create a triangle template according to your desired pennant size. We used a 6 inch height, with a 4 inch base.
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2. Cut out your pennant shapes.
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3. Use your ruler to measure out the amount of string or twine you desire to use, which should be based on the amount of space you wish for it to cover, as well as how large the base of your pennant is.
4. Lay your felt pennants out, underneath your twine according to how far you wish to space them out from one another. (You can mark the spot on your felt, and glue and then thread your string through, or use the method pictured.)
5. Use hot glue to create a line underneath, but not touching your string. We put ours around 1/2 inch from the top. (The idea is to NOT glue your string to the felt, so that your pennant can move freely on your string) Fold the top of your pennant over your spring, and press down, so that your felt dries to your hot glue. Be sure you are not gluing your string to the felt, or you will not be able to move your pennants freely on the string. Do this with all of your pennants to create your banner.

DIY Kitschy Earrings

Jessica - August 14, 2017 No Comments

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Make a statement by creating a pair of kitschy earrings using miniature dollhouse objects!

Difficulty level: Intermediate
Time required: 5 minutes
Age range: 10+

Things you’ll need:
Miniature Dollhouse Items–Food, Records, etc. (you will need two of each for earrings)
Earring Posts/Backs
Glue

Things to do:
1. Select your dollhouse miniatures. You will need a pair.
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2. Put a dot of craft glue on the back side of your miniatures.
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3. Firmly press your earring post to the dot of glue and then allow to dry once secure.
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How to Make No Sew Felt Pillows

Jessica - August 13, 2017 No Comments

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Make these felt pillow in any size or shape for endless options. They are perfect for a doll’s bed!

Difficulty level: Beginner
Time required: 1-2 hours (depending on size)
Age range: 8+

Things you’ll need:
Assorted felt
Scissors
Poly-fil stuffing

Things to do:
1. Cut two pieces of felt the same size (I used two whole sheets of felt).
2. Cut one inch squares out of each corner (these squares will be smaller or larger depending on the size of your piece of felt).
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3. Cut one inch strips of felt into each edge of the remaining sections. You will be left with two pieces of felt that look like they have fringe. (It is easier to make sure your fringe pieces match if you line up your pieces and cut through both layers at once).
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4. Line up the two pieces of felt, matching the corners, and tie two matching fringe pieces together.
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5. Continue tying matching fringe pieces together all the way around three of the sides.
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6. Stop on the fourth side and stuff the pillow.
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7. Continue tying the fringe pieces until your pillow is completely tied shut.

Patriotic Bean Bag Toss Game Tutorial

Jessica - August 12, 2017 No Comments

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Make your own beanbag toss game for those warm summer evenings spent enjoying family time outside!

Difficulty level: Intermediate
Time required: 1-2 hours
Age range: 8+

Things you’ll need:
Red felt
Light blue felt
Hot glue
Hot glue gun
Tray
Number stencils
Acrylic paint
Foam brush
Scissors
Ruler
Beans

Things to do:
1. Paint the trays white. Allow to dry completely.
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2. Cut two 3″x3″ squares from blue felt.
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3. Apply a line of glue close to the edge on three of the four sides of one square. Place the matching square over the glue, aligning the sides, and press firmly to secure the glue.
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4. Fill the bean bag with beans through the open side.
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5. Apply a line of glue on the fourth side and press the two sides together to seal the beanbag shut.
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6. Repeat steps 2-5 until you have the desired number of bean bags (I made 2 red and 2 blue).
7. After the trays are dry, use a stencil to paint the desired “point value” inside each of the trays and allow to dry.
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