Countdown to Christmas 2016: Owl Magnets

You know when you start on the internet, Pinterest, etc., you start one place but end up who knows where because you've clicked over so many times?  Well, that happened to me when I saw these cute owl magnets!  I don't remember where I saw them or who came up with this cute idea, but I'm sharing now.

Isn't he adorable?!

Each owl requires the following materials:

• One Cardboard Coffee Sleeve
• Two Googly Eyes
• Magnet
• Scissors & Hot Glue (if you don't use hot glue, any glue will work but then you'll need a rubber band as well to hold the pieces together while the glue dries)

Pull the sleeve apart to give you one long piece.  Cut off both ends to leave you with a rectangle shape (about an inch off each side).  Cut that long rectangle in half lengthwise and then in half again.  This leaves you with four long strips.

With the corrugated side on the outside, roll one of the strips into a tight circle and glue the end.  Do this with two of the strips to make two eyes.  Put them aside.

The remaining two strips, roll into a tight circle and adhere.  Glue the second strip continuing on the same circle to make a slightly larger rolled circle.  This is the body.

Glue the eyes to the top of the body. 

With the remaining pieces, cut out two teardrop shaped pieces for the wings.  Then cut out two skinny wonky triangles for the eyebrows and one triangle for the beak.  See the photo for a visual.

Glue everything onto the owl base and then add googly eyes and a magnet strip to the back.

I added a punched heart, but wouldn't it look adorable with a scarf?  I left mine pretty basic, but you could draw ruffles on the wings or turn the cardboard around so the sleeve printing is on the outside.  That would be great with a colored or designed sleeve.  Get creative - Make it your own!  After all that's what we do!

I'm bringing my bag of supplies to work to have a Craft Day at work.  My coworkers love it when I do these.

My coworker made glasses out of a paper clip and glued them on.  Clever!

Another one went outside to find a twig to attach to the bottom.  Cute!

With all the lessons, I ended up making four for myself.

Crafty Countdown to Christmas Month Two

Month Two for my work craft days.  Thanks to Rubber Paws for most of the hardware, these key chains weren't a lot each.  I had to purchase the key rings and the eye hooks but that's all.  We all had corks.  These are a few photos.  LOVE!

Craft Countdown to Christmas 2016

Yes, I said Christmas.  My coworkers decided that I should schedule monthly craft projects to get them ready for Christmas.

I laughed it off and then of course took it seriously.  So off to Pinterest, Google and YouTube to search easy DIY gifts.

January's project:h

Watercolor Mugs!

I made this quick video so you don't have to search but there are plenty on YouTube. 

Here are a few tips from me:

• Do not use nail polish with glitter; it sounds pretty, but it only clumps
• Work quickly especially when using quick dry nail polish
• Use lukewarm water for best effect
• Some polish will clump, do not use unless you want a "clumpy" look on your mug
• Swirl a skewer or paper towel into the container to remove remaining polish
• Nail polish remover can be your best friend.  Use it to remove unwanted areas and to clean the inside of the mug (if you get some in there) and rim.
• Use the polish you already have.  No need to purchase special supplies for this project.
• Hand Wash Only!  I even made tags to go on the mugs with this info.
• Have fun! 

Here are photos of the mug I made to demonstrate to my coworkers:

And the finished mug from my video:

Pretty cool!

As I'm writing this, my heart is heavy.  My cousin, Dee Dee passed away last night.  My cousin was one of those people who lights up a room.  I don't care where, why, what, but if she's there, you are having fun!  I was feeling sad yesterday but when I started thinking about her and all those times we had together growing up, I couldn't help but laugh and smile.  There's so much to say, but for now I'll just say Rest in Peace.  She deserves it.  Love ya Dee Dee!