Sea Glass/Aquarium Pebble Owl Mosaic Canvas

 Today's post is going to be another DIY craft project of mine:  a mosaic owl on canvas, made with sea glass & aquarium pebbles.

(Image by Etsy on their website {https://img0.etsystatic.com/020/0/7786111/il_340x270.483537702_1pgr.jpg}.)

In order to complete this project, you will need:

• Any Size Canvas You Like
• Flat-Sided Aquarium Marbles
• Assorted Aquarium Gravel/Stones
• Mod Podge Craft Glue
• A Sponge Brush
• A Pencil
  
  Canvases can cost about $3 or $4, depending on where you purchase them.  Mine is from Ollie's Bargain Outlet.
  
  
  Flat-Sided Aquarium Marbles and Aquarium Gravel/Stones can be found at a variety of retailers such as, craft stores, pet stores, Walmart, etc.  Bags of each are usually about $2-$3 apiece.
  
  
  Mod Podge comes in a variety of sizes, but for a project this size, the bottle you need is only about $4.  You can find this at Walmart or any craft retailer.
  
  
  Sponge Brushes are easy to find at just about any retailer.  I purchased mine in a package of about 10 at Dollar Tree for $1. 



I first made a rough sketch on my canvas of what I wanted my image to look like.

Next, I used my sponge brush & Mod Podge craft glue to dab along my sketch.  I then took randomly chosen pebbles for the body, flat-sided marbles for the wings, and sea glass for the face & tail and adhered them to the  canvas.

I repeated this process until my owl's entire body was covered with the various stones & pebbles.


Then, I used my sponge brush & Mod Podge to paint a layer of craft glue all over the entire project & canvas.  As with several of my other canvases, this not only helps to set and secure all the pebbles andstones , but it leaves the piece with a nice, glossy shine once it's dried.








Voila!  You Have a Sea Glass/Aquarium Pebble Owl Mosaic Canvas!
Thank You & Enjoy!

Fancy Stencil Carved Pumpkins

In honor of the Halloween season, I thought it might be a nice idea to post some tips & tricks for DIY stencil carved jack-o-lantern pumpkins.

(Image by Indian Country on their website {http://d1jrw5jterzxwu.cloudfront.net/sites/default/files/uploads/2011/10/Pumpkin-Patch-.jpg}.)

You'll first need to choose your desired stencil design for your jack-o-lantern.  You can find a large selection of free, printable stencils online just by googling.  In addition to online patterns, most retailers now sell stencil books, paired with pumpkin carving/stenciling tools for $1-$2, all the way up to $10, depending on how fancy or intricate you want your design to be.

(Image by Cartoon Jr. on their website {http://www.cartoonjr.com/hello-kitty-pumpkin-stencils/hello-kitty-halloween-pumpk/}.)

Next You'll Need:

• A Pumpkin
• A Pencil (preferable mechanical)
• Scotch Tape
• A Carving Tool
• A Spoon or Pumpkin Scoop 
• A Candle, LED Light, or Glow Sticks
  
  
  Pumpkins are easy enough to find this time of year at grocery stores, home improvement stores, and various retailers.  Depending upon the size of your pumpkin, they can range in price from approximately $3-$5
  
  Carving Tools & Scoops can be found at any retailer or grocer with a seasonal aisle.  They usually come in a package of 2 or 3 tools for about $2-$3.  A lot of times I'll stock up on these items after they've gone on clearance following Halloween, because they usually get marked down to $1 or less.
  
  

• First, you'll want to lay some newspaper or a tablecloth on your carving surface.  Then you can begin cutting around the top of your pumpkin until you're able to pull the stem off like a lid.
• Next, you'll want to begin scooping out the insides of the pumpkin & its seeds.  It's important to scoop out as much of the insides as possible, because leftover moisture inside the pumpkin can allow it to mold & rot.  You're welcome to keep the pumpkin seeds to season & bake later, or just toss them in the garbage with the other pumpkin innards.
• Once you've scooped out the insides of your pumpkin you're ready to begin poking your stencil design into it.  Now, center your stencil on your pumpkin, keeping it as flat and close to the pumpkin as possible.  While holding the stencil in place with one hand, tape it onto the pumpkin with the other.
• Some pumpkin carving kits come with small, plastic stencil punchers (like 2 of the items in the above picture), but these aren't my favorite items to use when transferring the stencil onto my pumpkin.  I prefer a mechanical pencil, and even more specifically, an old metal one with a longer, thinner tip than the plastic kind.  Once you have your pencil, begin pressing it along the dotted lines of your stencil into the pumpkin.  It is important that you only press along the dotted lines, to ensure that you're cutting where you're supposed to be in the next step.
  
  
  
• Next, take your carving tool, and carefully begin cutting along the dotted lines you made when transferring your stencil onto the pumpkin.  Continue this process until you've cut out of of the transferred stencil.  Once you've completed your cutting, your stenciled jack o' lantern is just about complete!
  
  
• Lastly, place your candle, LED light, or glow sticks into your pumpkin to illuminate your design.
  
  
  Voila!  You've created your own Fancy Stencil Carved Pumpkin!
  Thank You & Enjoy!