{Closed} Elmer's #LooksForLess Challenge And Giveaway

Do you want to give gifts that look like they came from the pages of your favorite catalog? Elmer's wants to help-that's why they created the Looks For Less guide. In the guide you'll find step by step instructions to help you create six designer looks using Elmer's products.
I received an awesome package of goodies from Elmer's, along with the challenge to create a Look For Less of my very own.
I received:
• Black 20x30 Foam Board
• 2 White 20x30 Foam Boards
• CraftBond All-Purpose Glue Stick
• CraftBond Repositionable Glue Stick
• CraftBond Extra-Strength Glue Stick
• X-ACTO Designer Series Gripster Knife
• Painters Calligraphy Set
• Painters Craft Set
• Painters Assorted Colors Set
• $25 VISA gift card for other project supplies

Now call me crazy, but I'm not one to back down from a challenge. I decided that I was going to make not one look, but three!

Crate & Barrel

My first inspiration was this cute dry erase board from Crate and Barrel. I started with one of the white foam boards. I lightly outlined my shape and then used my X-ACTO knife to cut it out. (Cut lightly at first and deeper the second time.) When using a knife for a project like this make sure you are cutting on a safe surface like the X-ACTO self-healing mat. Once I had my basic shape I covered it clear peel and stick paper left over from my study carrel project. 

The Look For Less

I then took my dry erase board and attached it to the black foam board with the CraftBond Extra-Strength Glue Stick. I scored and cut around the shape again, creating a black outline for my board. The final step was adding a loop of black ribbon to hold the dry erase marker in place with my CraftBond Dual Tip Glue Pen.  Total cost for this project? Free! Everything used was either in the supply pack I received or something I already had from a previous project.

Pier 1

The Look For Less

For my next project I decided to recreate candles from Pier 1. These candles are gold, but I wanted to make silver-that would go better with the color scheme in my home. I started by painting the top of a basic white pillar candle with the metallic silver Painters marker. I cannot stress enough the importance of a light hand with this craft. The tip will need to be cleaned frequently on a paper towel as  you work. To see the true look you'll need to let the paint dry completely. Once the first coat is dry, again using a light touch, fill in any spots that were missed.  Using painters tape, I masked off the top of the candle where I painted. I then headed outside and gave the bottom of the candle a quick spray with Elmer's CraftBond Multi-Purpose Spray Adhesive.  With the spray adhesive still wet I sprinkled everything with jumbo silver metallic glitter. After that it was ok to remove the painters tape. Then it was just a matter of letting everything dry. My total cost for this project? $1.80 for the candle (purchased with a coupon). I also picked up the glitter for $2.47 and the spray adhesive for $5.97. (I still have plenty of glue and glitter left over for future projects, including lots more candles!) 

Pier 1

My third and final inspiration was this picture frame from Pier 1. The frame reminded me of the paper beads I made when I was young. I decided that would be the perfect way to create this look for less. I started by making lots and lots of paper beads, using a colorful toy catalog from my recycling bin. I simply cut the paper into narrow triangles with my X-ACTO knife and used  Elmer's CraftBond All Purpose glue stick on the side I wanted exposed. I then rolled the paper around a bamboo skewer. (A toothpick would work well for this, but since I didn't have one I just used the skewer and trimmed it down to the thickness of a toothpick.) I found an inexpensive black frame to use at a discount store. It's important for the frame to be flat for this project. The frame I found had a yellow print pattern on it, so I used my black Painters marker to hide the print. Once the paint had dried I started to attach the beads. The key to recreating this look was making mitered corners. After trying a few different adhesives I discovered Elmer's school glue was the best option. This project was really easy, although making all of the beads did take some time. The total cost? $3 for the frame. Everything else was either in the kit or something I already had.

The Look For Less

You can find more pictures and instructions in my photo story below:

Elmer's #LooksForLess Challenge

Are you inspired to create your own Looks for Less? Elmer's wants two of my readers to receive their own pack of Elmer's supplies!

Winners will receive:

• Black 20x30 Foam Board
• White 20x30 Foam Board
• CraftBond All-Purpose Glue Stick
• CraftBond Repositionable Glue Stick
• CraftBond Extra-Strength Glue Stick
• X-ACTO Designer Series Gripster Knife
• Painters Assorted Colors Set

To enter, leave a comment below letting me know what you would like to make with your prize pack. Then just complete the Rafflecopter entry. 
You can also enter to win Elmer's prize packs from the other #LooksForLess bloggers. Go here to see the link up! 
This project has been compensated as part of a social shopper insights study for Elmer's #gluenglitter #collectivebias #CBias