RedThreadDIY

My fiance and I wanted all of our switch plates to match, so we literally unscrewed all of the old switch plates and installed brand new ones in our house. I was about to throw away the old ones because I thought making new and exciting covers for them would be too difficult and time consuming. Actually, making switch plate covers are really easy!

Earlier, I wrote a post titled DIY Switch Plate and Outlet Cover Tutorials – which will give you TONS more ideas for making covers! This post is just about what I did with mine.

Materials:

• Switch Plate (I used a metal one)
• Sandpaper
• Primer Spray Paint
• Color of your Choice Spray Paint
• Images/stuff to Mod Podge your Switch Plate
• Scissors/X-acto Knife
• Mod Podge and Brush

Instructions:

Step 1: Sand the switch plate all over with your sandpaper, so that the paint will stick to it better.

Step 2: Lay out a big piece of cardboard that you can use to spray paint on outside. I had a lot of switch plates, so I just did them all at once! Spray paint with your primer.

Lay out your switch plates

Spray paint with your primer - I also altered a tin

Step 3: After the primer has dried, take your colored spray paint and spray paint it the same way you did with the primer. Let it dry. For the screws, tape off the “screw” part and paint the tops of the screws the same way you did with the main switch plate part.

Step 4: Pick out clip art or anything else you’d like to Mod Podge to the switch plate. I used a vintage image. Cut it out and place it on your cover to get an idea of where you’d like to place it. Take your time cutting – it will be very obvious if you do it quickly! For really detailed places, try using an X-acto knife.

Step 5: Using spray adhesive, spray the back of the image to be placed onto the switch plate, and then place it. Doing this keeps the clip art in place while you Mod Podge.

Step 6: Working from the back of the switch plate, use your X-acto knife to cut an X in the rectangle where the actual switch will go, making little triangles that you can fold in from the front to the back. If your image covers the screw holes, make X’s there are well, folding them in.

Step 7: Mod Podge the switch plate and the screw tops and let them dry. All done! Easy, right?

Vintage Woman Switch Plate

I made this switch plate specifically for DIYscene’s Black and Metal October swap – the recipient loved it!

I am all raked out.

I’ve recently raked leaves at a park for community service, at my parent’s cottages, at my fiance’s parent’s house, and of course, at our house (which took several hours and basically an entire weekend!)

Our house right before Halloween

Our neighbor's lawn - it's hard to tell from the photos, but those leaves were piled inches high!

This weekend, we even went back to my fiance’s parents house to finish up the raking job that we started! There are TOO MANY LEAVES! So what can we do with these leaves, you ask? Sure.. you’ll probably use yard waste recycling, but why not pick out the awesome ones to craft with!? I’m sure while you’re raking, you’ll find some tree branches mixed in along the way, so put them to good use as well! Here are some tutorials:

Leaf Tutorials:

Make a Fall Wreath: Gingerbread Snowflakes

How to Make a Leaf Wreath with Autumn Leaves: eHow

Fall Leaf Candle: Gingerbread Snowflakes

How to Make Roses from Maple Leaves: Haha.Nu

Playing with Gourds, Dried Leaves and Mod Podge: Gingerbread Snowflakes

Tree Branch Tutorials:

Tree Branch Curtain Rod: DIY Ideas

If you know of ANY other examples or tutorials, please comment below so I can add them to this list. Thanks!

I can’t believe how fast Christmas is approaching! I already feel overwhelmed. I need to start on presents, and SOON! Ornaments are always a great option, either as the present itself or an accent piece on the gift’s packaging.

I also have a previous post for other indoor Christmas decoration tutorials.

If you’re looking for even MORE ornament tutorials, I’ve continued my link list here: DIY Christmas Ornament Tutorials, Part 2

Here are some great tutorials that I’ve found on several different kinds of ornaments.

Contents:

• Misc. Ornament Tutorials
• Button Ornament Tutorials
• Crochet Ornament Tutorials
• Fabric Ornament Tutorials
• Food Ornament Tutorials
• Glass Ornament Tutorials
• Knitted Ornament Tutorials
• Paper Ornament Tutorials
• Pinecone Ornament Tutorials
• Plastic Canvas Ornament Tutorials
• Tin Ornament Tutorials
• Trim and Ribbon Ornament Tutorials
• Wire Ornament Tutorials
• Wooden Ornament Tutorials

Misc. Ornament Tutorials:

• Make a Disco Ball Ornament out of Junk CDs: Wait4369 on YouTube

Old Ornament Makeovers: BHG

Make Your Own Geek Christmas Ornaments: Geekware

Flower Petal Ornament Cover: JewelryMaking.About

Cheapo Jute Twine Ornaments: Shanty2Chic

Christmas Stars out of Plastic Bottles: Espiritcabane

Peace Sign Ornament Tutorial: Crap I've Made

Twinkle Pom Pom Ornament: Zakka Life

Tinsel Snowflake: Martha Stewart

Daddy Snowman Clay Pot Ornament: The Artful Crafter

Christmas Nutcracker Clay Pot Ornament: The Artful Crafter

Reindeer Clay Pot Ornament: The Artful Crafter

Puzzle Piece Ornament: FamilyCrafts.About

Recycled Christmas Tree Drum Ornament Made from Bottle Cap: eHow

Festive Gourd Ornaments: Gingerbread Snowflakes

How to Make Japanese-Inspired Ornaments: Gingerbread Snowflakes

Making God's Eyes: Gingerbread Snowflakes

Swedish Needlepoint Pattern: Needlepoint.About

Making Wheat Stars and Festive Photo Frames: Gingerbread Snowflakes

Espejitos (small mirrors in Spanish): Gingerbread Snowflakes

Ombre Glittered Seashell Ornaments: Martha Stewart

Seashell Angel: GinaCarruba

Drum Ornaments: Martha Stewart

Wax Snowflake Ornaments: Martha Stewart

Birdie Ornaments: Ruffles and Stuff

Button Ornament Tutorials:

Button Ornaments: Martha Stewart

Button Wreath Ornament: Martha Stewart

Crochet Ornament Tutorials:

Recycle a Card into a Crochet Ornament: Roots and Wings Co.

Fabric Ornament Tutorials:

• True Meaning of Christmas Ornaments – Patterns and Story: Family Crafts
• Felted Acorn Ornaments: WildlyWoolly

Felt Animal Ornaments: Martha Stewart

Miniature Stocking Ornament from Sweater: The Storque

How to Make Adorable Polar Bear Ornaments Out of an Old Wool Sweater: Fun in the Making

Felt Christmas Ornament: Zakka Life

Thrifted Tree Ornaments: The Long Thread

Argyle Applique Ornament Tutorial: So September

Make a Felted Dala Horse Ornament: Gingerbread Snowflakes

Snowflake Pendant Tutorial: Resurrection Fern

Charming Ornaments: A Spoonful of Sugar

Pattern for a Half Eaten Gingerbread Man: Elsie Marley

Christmas Owl Ornament Pattern: DiversionMary

Felt Christmas Ornament Tutorial: My Fantastic Toys

Fabric Ornaments: ModPodgeRocks

Food Ornament Tutorials:

Cinnamon Bird Ornaments: Martha Stewart

Christmas Cookie Ornament: Martha Stewart

Retro Mice Ornament: Roots and Wings Co.

How to Make a Christmas Orange Pomander: That Artist Woman

Faux Tart Ornaments: Martha Stewart

Glass Ornament Tutorials:

How to Paint a Faux Stained Glass Christmas Ornament: Painting.About

Santa's Belly Ornament: NapTimeCrafting

Ashley's Thrifty Ornaments: Shanty2Chic

Knitted Ornament Tutorials:

Mini Christmas Stocking Ornament: Knitting.About

Christmas Wreath Ornament: Knitting.About

Paper Ornament Tutorials:

• Photo Ball Video: YouTube
• Making a Toilet Paper Roll Ornament: MikeContent on YouTube

Punched Paper Photo Ornament: Martha Stewart

Recycled Ornaments How To: Martha Stewart

Christmas Card Ball Ornament: SantasPostBag

Make a Paper Globe Ornament: RubberStamping.About

DIY Ornament: JunkMailGems

Picture Frame Ornaments: Martha Stewart

Paper Bead Star: RubberStamping.About

Three-Dimensional Doily Ornament: Martha Stewart

Christmas Photo Ornaments to Make With Your Kids: Roots and Wings Co.

Floating Ornaments: Martha Stewart

Chandelier Ornament: Cheeky Magpie

Click and Print Ornaments: Martha Stewart

Seed Packet Ornaments: Martha Stewart

Indian Paper Poms with Potpourri and Spice: Cathie Filian

How to Make a Christmas Card Star: WikiHow

Accordian Pleated Flower Ornaments: Sleepy in Seattle Stamps

Recycled Card Ornaments: Vickie Howell

Bird Ornament: Cheeky Magpie

Mini Pinata Ornaments: Gingerbread Snowflakes

Making Woven Paper Baskets: Gingerbread Snowflakes

Pinecone Ornament Tutorials:

Pinecone Elves: Martha Stewart

Plastic Canvas Ornament Tutorials:

Plastic Canvas Snowflake Picture Ornament: Roots and Wings Co.

Tin Ornament Tutorials:

How to Make Punched Tin Light Shields: Gingerbread Snowflakes

Aluminum Cans Star Ornament: Aluminous Publishing

Whitney's Tin Ornament: Shanty2Chic

Trim and Ribbon Ornament Tutorials:

Rickrack Christmas Ornaments: Martha Stewart

Ribbon and Bow Ornaments: Martha Stewart

Wire Ornament Tutorials:

Glow Ball Ornaments: Instructables

Wooden Ornament Tutorials:

Silhouette Ornaments: Roots and Wings Co.

Clothespin Doll Ornaments: Martha Stewart

Wooden Ornaments: CraftRookie

Scrap Wood Snowmen: Crafting a Green World

If you know of ANY other examples or tutorials, please comment below so I can add them to this list. Thanks!