Recycled Crafts

Creative DIY Projects That Turn Trash Into Treasure

How to make an easy MOM gate fold Mother’s Day card

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I am thinking ahead to Mother’s Day and if you are too how about this for a fun big MOM card that can be made out of virtually any paper combo and I used 6 inch letter dies along with some flower embellishments and a button.

The fun part of this gate fold card is that when it is closed the first and last M of MOM meet to make 1 big M.

I die cut 2 M’s out of different striped paper and 1 O out of paper that had all different words for Mother.

I used some old cardstock from the office supply stash I had around for the base of the gate fold card.

I glued each of the M’s down to a piece of cardstock in the same mirrored position and folded it down the center of each M and then along the inside edge of the M.

Then I cut a piece of cardstock down to the size of the O and glued them all together.

The then trimmed up the top edge of the card when it was all folded closed.

To add one fun little touch I glued a few layers of pressed flowers together along with a pretty flower button.

If you add a paper clip this can keep the card folded closed too.

Happy Mother’s Day!

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How to Paint Melamine Furniture

Recently, we received an email from Jenny, one of our readers, asking for some advice on painting melamine furniture. Jenny was looking to refresh an old dresser but wasn’t sure about the right way to tackle the project. Well, we’ve got just the thing! After some digging, we came across a fantastic article on Spraypaint Blog titled How to Recycle and Paint Melamine Furniture, which walks you through the process step-by-step.

Why This Article is Perfect for Jenny (and You!)

This guide is incredibly comprehensive, covering everything you need to know about painting melamine—an often tricky material to work with. Melamine is known for its smooth, glossy surface, which can be tough to paint without the right preparation. But with the tips from this article, you’ll learn how to properly prep your melamine pieces, choose the right paint, and achieve a professional-looking finish.

The article also dives into the importance of sanding and priming the surface to ensure that the paint adheres well. With these steps, Jenny (and anyone else trying this project) can be sure that their painted melamine furniture will not only look great but last for years to come.

Jenny, we hope this article gives you all the info you need to tackle your melamine furniture project! It’s clear from the tutorial that a little prep work goes a long way, and with the right products, even melamine can be transformed into a beautiful, personalized piece.

For anyone else curious about painting melamine, check out the full article on Spraypaint Blog for all the tips and techniques: How to Recycle and Paint Melamine Furniture. Happy painting!

My Tips for Painting Melamine Furniture

Hey Jenny (and anyone else planning a melamine project), here are my top tips to help you get the best results when painting melamine furniture:

Prep is Key
Clean the surface well, then lightly sand it with fine-grit sandpaper to give the primer something to grip onto. Trust me, it makes a big difference!

Prime Like a Pro
Don’t skip the primer! Use a bonding primer that’s made for glossy surfaces or melamine. It’ll make sure your paint sticks and lasts.

Pick the Right Paint
Go for a good enamel or acrylic paint. I use a foam roller for a smooth finish—no brushstrokes! Apply a few thin coats, letting each one dry in between.

Topcoat for Durability
Once the paint’s dry, apply a protective topcoat (polyurethane or polycrylic) to help it stay scratch-free.

Give It Time
Let the paint cure for at least 48 hours before using the furniture—longer is even better! It’ll help the finish hold up over time.

Get Creative
Don’t be afraid to try fun colors or finishes! Melamine is perfect for getting a bit adventurous.