It’s another installment of Stranded on a Crafting Desert Island. That’s the time when one of my awesome blogging buddies shares the one creative item that they would take with them if they were stranded.

 

This week, I am SO excited about our guest. It is a BRAND NEW BLOGGER with a brand new blog. I KNOW how talented this girl is. Like, crazy talented. She is a long time family friend, and she is the CUTEST girl EVER!

Please welcome my cute friend, Megan from Happy Looks Good On You. Wait till you see what she has for us. I’ve been SO excited to post it, ever since she sent it to me. EEK! Take it away Megan!

Greetings Less Cake {More Frosting} readers! I’m Megan from Happy Looks Good On You.

I’m ridiculously excited to be “stranded” here at LCMF! Lara (aka Ellie G) is a blogging rockstar! I love her unique style and that she isn’t afraid to be herself.

I had a hard time deciding which ONE crafting tool I would choose if I were stranded on a crafting desert island. After much deliberation and a fair amount of flip-flopping back and forth I’ve decided to go with…….PAPER! Yes, paper.

I think paper is not given the credit it’s due. Most people think of paper as primarily a scrapbooking tool that has gone the way of the Dodo, what with all the digital options that are now available. I love paper and have used it for so many non scrapbooking projects. It’s so versatile.

Today’s project is paper mosaic game boards!

Fun right?!

Let’s get started.

I started by sifting through my paper stash. (I know you all have one too)

I then found a piece of scrap wood in the garage and had my Mr. Handyman cut it to size. It can be as big or little as you like, just make sure that it’s the same length on all sides for the tic tac toe/ marble solitaire board. This one is 11 inches x 11 inches. My backgammon/ checkers/ chess board is 12 inches x 18 inches.

I painted the wood with my very favorite-est color turquoise. The official name is Cool Aqua.

Then I started glueing the paper squares on the board with our good old friend Mod Podge. Is there anything he can’t do?

The typical marble solitaire board is seven squares by seven squares, but if you want the option of playing with a harder difficulty you can do nine squares by nine squares.

Once I glued all the paper into place I covered the board with a generous layer of Mod Podge.

Then added a puffy sticker in the middle square for a little pizazz.

Everything could use a little more pizazz, don’t you think?

The marble solitaire board is finished!

On the back I did a tic tac toe board.
Is there anything that makes you feel more childlike than tic tac toe? Even its name is childish and playful.

I use decorative flat glass marbles for the solitaire board. You can find these at Hobby Lobby, Michael’s, Target, Wal-Mart, pretty much anywhere.

My x’s and o’s for the tic tac toe board are made out of wood. My Mr. Handyman helped me cut them out.

This is my backgammon board…

and my checkers/ chess board. For the checkers I took a dowel that I already had and cut it into slices before painting them. Obviously, you could just use actual checkers, but I decided to make my own.

I keep all the gaming pieces in these adorable paper covered cans. Just attach the paper with tape then do a good once over with Mod Podge.

Well, there you have it! There’s plenty of fun to be had with these game boards!
We’ll have something to do to past the time when we’re stranded on our island together.

I hope you’ve enjoyed this, I know I certainly have! A big thanks to Lara for having me here at Less Cake {More Frosting}!

Feel free to wander on over to Happy Looks Good On You and see what we’re up to.

Thanks!
Meg

POST ELLIE G Analysis:
Well, obviously this gal is fantastic! RIGHT? I’ve never played tic-tac-toe in SUCH STYLE!  Happy Looks Good on You already has some really fun stuff to look at.  It’s new.  But Megan has already added some GREAT projects.

Seriously?  Did you really do this Megan!?!  I’m IN LOVE.  I have all my old CD covers.  All of them.  And there’s a lot.  Joining Columbia House repeatedly in the 90′s will do that for a person.  I am dying over this!

And this fabric bunting thingy is so pur-ty!  I think it looks like it came straight out of a magazine.

 

And there’s also an EXCELLENT contributor named “AJ” who might be one of the most hilarious people on the planet.  And I’m stealing this lamp she made.

Go over and show these two cuties how supportive the blogging community can be!  Mostly so they’ll keep coming up with more fantastic ideas!

Hello LCMF Readers! Welcome to another installment of:

 

When some of our AWESOME fellow bloggers imagine that they’re stranded and can only bring ONE of their favorite crafting tools….

This week we welcome Amy from Ameroonie Designs.  A totally talented blogger, who I have ACTUALLY met in person.  She is completely lovely on all levels.  I don’t think she’s gonna say that she’s bringing the PILLOWS to our desert island.  But she should.  Because she is a pillow PRO!  Off you go, Amy!

Hello there Less Cake {More Frosting} readers! I’m Amy from Ameroonie Designs!

Ellie G asked me to come over and…Oh No! It looks like our ship is going down…Quick, grab what you can and swim for that crafting desert island over there! What did you make sure to have?
I, for one, have my sewing machine- so we’re good. We should be fine now.

Why my sewing machine do you ask? {do you even need to ask?} Well, I’ll tell you:

 With a sewing machine we can now make cute clothes.

 Fancy decorations for our tropical paradise.

And super useful things you never knew you couldn’t live without!
You want to know how to make super useful things you didn’t know you couldn’t live without? Well, look no further, I have a super useful tutorial for you right now. Pull up a beach chair and let’s make a fun children’s wallet!

First we will need to cut our fabric, you don’t need much for these cute little guys. One fat quarter will get you 2-3 wallets if you want it all the same fabric.

Cut two pieces 4 1/2 inches by 8 3/4 inches from your fabric. They can be the same, or different fabrics. Cut two pieces the same size from interfacing. {I used Pellon Craft-fuse}

Cut two pieces 4 1/2 inches by 3 inches from your fabric- these will make the bill pocket.

Cut one piece of interfacing 4 1/2″ X 3″.

Following the instructions on your interfacing, fuse the interfacing to the fabric.

You will also need a 1 1/2″ piece of hook and loop tape- the sew in kind.

Now we’re going to get all our pieces ready.

1. Sew the soft side of the hook and loop to one end of the fabric that will be the lining, 1/2″ from the edge.

2. Sew the scratchy side of the hook and loop to one of the 3″ pieces (the outside fabric) 1/2″ from edge.

3. Embellish the front of your wallet if desired.

Take the two small pocket pieces and line them up, right sides facing. Sew along the top and bottom seam using a 1/4″ seam allowance. Turn right side out and press both seams. Edge Stitch along the edge closest to the hook and loop tape.

Line up the pocket on the outside body fabric 3/4 inches from edge. Sew along the opposite edge. {please note position and orientation in the photo}

Now place the lining fabric on top of the outside fabric, right sides together. The pieces of hook and loop tape should be on opposite ends of the wallet. Stitch around all sides using a 1/4″ seam allowance, leaving an opening for turning on one of the short ends. Clip corners, turn right side out and press. Make sure to press under the edges of the opening so they will be even when sewn shut. Edge stitch the short end that will be at the top of the pocket.

Fold up the pocket so it is now the bottom edge of the wallet, press.

Stitch around the three unfolded sides of the wallet, this will secure the pocket and edge stitch all remaining seams. Fold over the top of the wallet so the hook and loop lines up and press the fold.

You now have a super useful wallet that will keep your change secure while still holding your bills. Perfect for kiddos with lots of cash, or for holding your collection of seashells, if-of course- you’re stranded on a desert crafting island!

Thanks for having me Ellie G! You’re the best, and I’d be stranded with you any day.

XOXO,

Amy

Post Ellie G Analysis:

• I would like to publicly admit to just recently embracing a wallet.  And also to carrying a “planner” WAAAAAY past the time when it was cool to do so.
• I will also be keeping this little post from my 8 year old son who would LOVE to make his own wallet.  And add it to the collection of 10,000 wallets that he already has!
• I love ruffles.  The End.

Don’t forget to go and visit Amy at her blog Ameroonie Designs.  And also to check out her new creative group “POINT OF VIEW”.  I think it is a really great group and a great place to get new inspiration for projects.  This month they’re making skirts.  Go over and participate!!

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Would you be interested in sharing your favorite creative necessities with the Less Cake {more frosting} readers?  I am planning on running this fun series for a few months, and would love to have people to share!  EMAIL-ME (be sure to include your blog url) if you’re interested!

Hello LCMF Readers! Welcome to another installment of:

 

When some of our AWESOME fellow bloggers imagine that they’re stranded and can only bring ONE of their favorite crafting tools….

Today we welcome Leanne from Organize & Decorate Everything Every time I see her delightful posts about organizing…..it makes me thing I’m gonna run downstairs and remedy the giant disaster that it has become. I haven’t done it yet. But I think about it.

What’s Leanne gonna bring to our desert island?

Hi, I’m Leanne from Organize and Decorate Everything. I’m so excited to be guest posting on less cake {more frosting}. Lara has the cutest blog and the cutest hair ever. I love her funky style. When she asked me to be part of her new series {stranded on a crafting desert island} I jumped at the chance.

I have many craft items I love to use and would have a hard time doing without, but I have to say my favorite item is SPRAY PAINT. This is my stash. Yep, that’s 52 cans of spray paint. I never know when I might get the urge to paint something, so I like having a good selection on hand (especially black and white).

 

I’ve spray painted furniture, candlesticks holders, lamps, frames, mirrors, and many other home accessories. Next up for spray painting are pillows and rugs, but I chose to paint some jewelry for this post. Aren’t they pretty? (be prepared for a lot of pictures)

They started out as regular unassuming acorns. I love acorns almost as much as spray paint so I thought it would be fun to bring these 2 together. I saved them from last Fall when I made my family hike through the mountains hunting for them.

I used spray primer first.

Then sprayed them using different colors. I nestled the acorns in the spaces between the boards on the deck to hold them in place while I sprayed. They’re really light and wanted to move around.

I already love them.
 

Here’s the colors I used: Silver, Blue Ocean Breeze, Watermelon, and Champagne Nouveau.

I wanted to add a little sparkle to the cap so I painted on some Mod Podge.

Then sprinkled glitter over it. I used my finger to rub off the excess so the color would still show through.

I had to reattach the caps to the bottoms. Apparently the seed shrinks a little when it dries out, so I used E6000 to glue them back together.
 

Then I used super glue to attach a jump ring to the top of the cap. The ribbon or chain will be going through the jump ring to make the necklace.
 

I used jump rings, ribbon, glue, and a clasp to make 2 of the necklaces and chains on the other 2.
 

I love how they turned out and that I didn’t have to go out and spend any money was an added bonus. I guess I love spray paint so much because it can make such a huge difference in the appearance of anything and I love the beautiful, smooth finish I get using it.

Emilee picked the silver one, Amanda the pink one, and I kept the champagne and blue one.

 Thanks Lara for letting me participate in this fun series. I hope you’ll all come visit me on my blog. I love sharing my ideas and meeting new friends. I host an Organizing and Decluttering link party twice a month and would love for you to join me at the next party (March 16th). Come on over to see what I’ll be spray painting next.

Post Ellie G Analysis:

• We ABSOLUTELY need spraypaint on our island.  How else am I gonna get hot pink palm frawns to decorate my hut?
• What is it about acorns that makes me wanna squeel and talk in a really high voice?  They’re JUST SO CUTE!
• Again we learn about how Mod Podge is amazing.  And so is glitter.

Thanks so much Leanne for stopping over!  Go visit Leanne at her place.  You’ll be inspired to get it together, organize yourself, and then make that space pretty!