VELCROing all the way

The quest for finding #101 uses for Velcro continues.
To see Tips no.1 and 2 please read my previous blog posts with #101uses.

Tip no.3: create your own gift container (yet again crafts-related) by recycling an empty round box. I am a hoarder, a big time hoarder, and don't like throwing boxes or containers, ask my husband and he will sigh. I skip a heartbeat when I see a perfectly good box binned, so I save as many as possible by squirreling them in the attic. The box below was once a container for a Hotel Chocolat Easter Egg. I knew it would come handy one day.
Take one round box, two pieces of fabric (I have used the free fabric samples), attach them to the box with Velcro ribbon stick on along the top edge and lower edge. If you have a small wooden decoration, add it with a small round Velcro dot.

That's how the box looks on the side. Put the shredded coloured paper inside and any right size gift that you might want to give to your family member or a friend.

Tip 4. Keep a recipe clean while cooking: if you need to consult the right amount of ingredients while using a magazine or newspaper cutting, place it in a clear plastic pocket and Velcro the pocket to the kitchen wall or shelf for reference. Your hands might be messy but your recipe will stay clean.

Tip 5: Velcro Stick Ons are widely used with PECs (picture exchange communication system). Ask any parent with a child who has speech problems, and they will tell you: Velcro is a super medium for laminated PECs.

Tip 6: Velcro Reusable Ties are a great tool in the garden. Attach a laminated name tag to any plant with a colourful reusable tie.

Tip 7: Another use in the garden - Tie a raspberry (or any other) cane with a reusable tie.

Tip 8: hold the gas lighter in one place by adding a Velcro stick on to its back and another piece to the wall: you won't be looking for it again next time you need to use it.

Tip 9: Did you ever swear in the kitchen trying to find a candle when there is a power cut? Attach a candle to the fridge door with a Velcro stick on. Next time you need it, it will be there, waiting for you.

If you liked reading this post, you might like to read the previous posts on the topic:

1. Create your own gift tags with Velcro
2. Wrap it up on a budget

Wrap it up on a budget

I like to splash on Christmas gifts, but I often resent spending money on all the wrapping paraphernalia. It seems such a waste of money and resources, most of them ending up in the recycling bins the next day after Christmas. If anything, I prefer buying the gift bags as they are sturdy enough to be recycled, and tend to get a bargain after the holiday season is over, when you can get nice gift wrapping things for pennies. Even better, when you can make your own gift wrapping, tags and decorations.
If you like the look of my poinsettia decoration, here is how you can make the same.

You will need
a few pieces of fabric (I urge you to go to your local furniture shop and ask for the free discontinued sample books)
2 Tulip 3d paints
1 Christmassy ribbon (the one I used was from a 99p Shop, it was a pack of 5 ribbons)
1 Velcro stick on

Using the 3d paints, draw the outline of your poinsettia flower, one slightly bigger than the other. Let them dry completely it might take a few hours, if you use the Glitter variety. To speed up the process, place your fabric on the radiator (painted side up, you don't want it glued to the radiator).

Once the paint is dry, cut out the flower shapes (cut close to the painted lines). Sew two flower shapes together using a red thread (just a few tiny stitches in the middle will do). Add a few golden dots of paint in the middle of the flower (optional). Let it dry. Attach the Velcro stick on to the back of the flower.

Wrap up the gift (in my case it was two boxes of Green & Black's chocolate) in a fabric sample, tie it with the ribbon. Add the Velcro stick on to the ribbon in the middle of the box, and attach the poinsettia.

Easy, colourful and not pricey. The flower can be recycled for the future gifts by the recipient (that is, if they like it).
And that's my crafting tip no.2 for the Velcro challenge.
If you liked this post, you might like the crafting tip no.1, which you can find here.

Create your own gift tags with VELCRO

Blogging challenges are always fun, and keep one's grey cells from a sleepy stupor. I was quite thrilled to hear about another challenge for bloggers, this time organised by VELCRO. I received a hamper of VELCRO® products to participate in the VELCRO® #101uses challenge.

Apart from the obvious use like tidying the cables with the reusable ties, I thought the range of Velcro will be perfect for any crafter's stash.
You can make any gift tags with the Velcro super slim stick ons.

To create the  Christmas reindeer tag you will need
a piece of stiff upholstery fabric
Tulip 3d paints (Bronze/Metallics & Diamond/Glitter)
a card tag
1 VELCRO super slim stick on

If you are looking for free materials for crafting, go to your nearest furniture store and ask if they have discontinued fabric samples books. They come in different sizes and types of fabric. Any soft velvets or woolen fabrics won't be good for painting, you will need quite smooth surfaces like cotton or viscosa, linen or silk.

Cut out the desired size tag from the fabric.
Using the 3d paints, draw a reindeer or any other simple design like a snowflake, or a Christmas bauble. Let the paint dry completely, it will take at least an hour, to speed up the drying process, you might put your tags on the radiator (painted side up).
Once dry, attach the Velcro stick on to the cardboard tag.

Tulip 3d paints are versatile, and are not difficult to use, you need a steady hand and a bit of patience.
I found a lovely online shop where you can buy a selection of Tulip paints - CraftMerrily Arts & Crafts. Even a child can do this basic design: this snowflake was painted with Tulip Bronze/Metallics and Diamond/Glitter.

This Christmas bauble gift tag was done with Tulip Glitter paints in Ruby and Champage and Bronze/Metallics. Glitter paints take a bit longer to dry, as the lines are thicker. Once the bauble is dry, cut the tag out around the design, and attach with Velcro to any gift package.

If you are still not confident to paint free-hand, then stamp an image you like on the smooth fabric (I used the Stazon inkpad) and add the highlights with the Tulip 3d paint.

Fot this project I have done some basic designs, but you can do much more complicated and intricate ones, if you have confidence and patience.

To show what you can do with 3d paints, I invite you to have a look at the old blog of mine. This traditonally built mermaid was painted with 3d Pebeo paints (another brand which produces these paints).
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That's my first tip for the challenge. You will find me posting more ideas, and I am open to all your suggestions on how to use VELCRO products.

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