Cute Critters

With their reputations for making a mess of the garbage, raccoons may not be the most welcome sight in your yard. But these guys will stay exactly where you put them. And maybe even get a little giggle out of you. They are easy to make and could even make for cute and unexpected little name holders at your Thanksgiving table. Click here for instructions.

Designer Craft Tip

Blending Colors on Unfinished Wood

Last week we told you about using acrylic paint on wood. This week, we’re taking our painting tips one step further – blending! You may remember this relaxing “At the Beach” project we featured back in May. As you can see, the colors blend subtlety into each other. There are several ways to achieve this look.

Drew, the designer who created this project, simply used a tissue to blot the colors where they came together.

Another way to blend your colors is to take the colors you want to blend and put them side by side on a paper plate, or other surface that you can use as a palette. Once you have the paints side by side, take a flat paint brush and brush it back and forth between the two colors, mixing them together. You will still have each individual color to see on either side, so you can blend as much or as little as you like, using the originals as your guide.

Finally, you can use sanding to blend your colors. That’s right, sanding. If you are using the stain from our Kelly’s line or even acrylic paint, you can still use this technique. Simply let your paint thoroughly dry and then lightly rub a fine grit sandpaper over your wood surface. You’ll see the lines between your colors begin to soften and you’ll also smooth out your surface for the next step in your project.

Try each method and show us your results!

Designer Craft Tip

Tips For Painting Unfinished Wood Crafts

There are many different types of paint you can use to paint on unfinished wood. Although you can use that leftover latex paint you painted the walls with, latex paint isn't guaranteed to hold up under duress.

Acrylic paint is the best choice for unfinished wood crafts. Craft stores like Michael's, AC Moore, Hobby Lobby, Wal-Mart, or Jo-Ann Fabric & Crafts carry several inexpensive brands of acrylic paint in a tremendous range of colors. Depending on the color of the paint, it will cover better and take fewer coats if you basecoat the wood first with a primer. Let dry, and then paint. After the paint is dry, you should coat your painted surface with an acrylic sealer unless you are using a gloss paint, which has a sealer built in.

Happy crafting!

Spring Cleaning Has Never Looked So Cute!

Show off those memorable bath moments with this Bath Time Frame.  And with all this effort of Spring Cleaning going around, it is a fun reward for all your hardwork!

Get all the steps to make this here.

Wood Critters!

Looking for a fun way to use Lara's Crafts Unfinished Wood pieces?  Why not try your hand at making these adorable Wood Animals.

New Unfinished Wood Signs Available!

Just in time to help get over those winter blues and start looking ahead into Spring, Lara's Crafts has introduced new Unfinished Wood Signs to help get your home, garden, and everywhere in between ready for warmer temperatures and new blooms.

Try them with any of our unfinished wood stakes to get the whole package for your garden!

Glimmer Heart Frame!

Here is a simple project to make with your children or for yourself this Valentine's Day!  All you need is a wood frame, some paint, and Stick-It Felt glimmer hearts.

Find out how to make this project here.

ABC Blocks Project

This is a fun craft that can be done in sync with your child's classroom or for a fun learning experience anytime!

My niece had a blast spelling out all the different words she knew when she say these laying around house!

Get instructions for the ABC Blocks here!

Santa & Reindeer Project Idea

I finally have a house with a mantel and was so excited to add some Holiday decorations to it this year.  Well, these Reindeer and Santa characters were just the trick!

Using some scrap pieces of felt, google eyes, paint, doll heads, blocks, and clothespins I was able to create a fun sleigh scene in my home.  Best part is- I was able to get my nieces and nephews to help out with it! 

Find out how to make them for yourself here!

Happy Veteran's Day!

With today being a day of celebrating and remembering those who have fought for our country, take a moment to reflect on their achievement and sacrifice.  
If you have a Veteran in your family, you can show them how much you appreciate them by creating this Star Frame for them and giving it as a gift! 

Creative Wood Staining Methods

While out shopping yesterday, I stumbled across the Chartpak Woodcrafter's Marker.  My fellow co-workers told me that these have been around for awhile but they were new to me and I had a lot of fun enhancing the beauty of our natural unfinished wood using these easy to handle wood stain pens!

During this experiment, I also discovered that our Kelly's Crafts glass stain is also a great way to enhance the natural wood look but by adding a little bit of color.  This was just with a simple one coat of our turquoise stain pen!

I can't wait to incorporate this into more of our project ideas!  I love being able to keep the wood grain and add an extra dimension to my crafts.  I hope it is as inspiring to you as it is to me!

Fun Halloween Craft Project

It is getting to be the time of the season when ghouls and witches will be knocking on your door saying "Trick or Treat!"  We have an easy wood and felt based project to help get your house in the spookiness of the season. 

These critters are great to just put around the house or if you are having a Halloween party, you can have the kids make them or make them ahead of time and use them as place card holders. 

Click here to get detailed step by step instructions.