Puffy embroidery is such a fun way to give a basic beanie a handmade upgrade, but you don’t need advanced embroidery skills to get the look. This easy puffy embroidery with hot glue technique creates a raised design that you can cover with embroidery thread for a chunky, dimensional finish.
I used a simple beanie with orange and white embroidery thread to create mine, making it perfect for fall. This is an easy project to customize with your favorite colors, words, or simple designs.
What Is Puffy Embroidery?
Puffy embroidery has a raised, three-dimensional appearance instead of thread sitting flat against the fabric.
Traditional versions can involve embroidery techniques or special materials to build up the design. For this DIY version, hot glue does the work of creating that raised base.
Once the glue hardens, embroidery thread is wrapped over the design. You still get that cozy embroidered look, but the project is much more approachable for a casual afternoon craft.
Supplies
You only need a few supplies for this project:
Plain beanie
Hot glue gun
Hot glue sticks
Orange embroidery thread
White embroidery thread
Scissors
Needle, if needed for securing your thread
Pencil, chalk, or fabric marker for planning your design
You can switch out the thread colors to match your beanie or the season.
How to Make a Puffy Embroidery Beanie With Hot Glue
Step 1: Plan Your Design
Start by deciding where you want your embroidery to go on the beanie.
Keep your first design simple. Basic shapes, letters, lines, flowers, hearts, stars, or other uncomplicated designs work well with this technique.
If needed, lightly sketch your design before adding the hot glue.
Step 2: Add the Hot Glue
Carefully trace your design with hot glue.
The hot glue is what creates the raised base for the puffy embroidery, so try to keep the thickness fairly consistent throughout the design.
Work slowly and in small sections so you have more control over the shape.
Step 3: Let the Glue Cool
Allow the hot glue to cool and harden completely before adding your embroidery thread.
You don’t want to start wrapping while the glue is still warm because you could flatten or shift your design.
Step 4: Add the Embroidery Thread
Once the glue is completely cool, start covering the raised design with embroidery thread.
I used orange and white thread for mine, which gave the beanie a fun fall-inspired look.
Wrap the thread around the raised hot glue until the glue underneath is covered. Keep the thread close together to create that thick, puffy appearance.
Step 5: Secure Your Thread
Once you reach the end of a section, secure the thread on the inside of the beanie.
Trim away any excess thread and repeat the process for the rest of your design.
Step 6: Clean Up the Design
Check your finished beanie for any visible glue or loose pieces of thread.
You can add additional thread anywhere the hot glue is showing or adjust the strands with your fingers until you’re happy with the finished look.
And that’s it!
You just turned a basic beanie into a custom accessory using hot glue and embroidery thread.
Tips for Puffy Embroidery With Hot Glue
Start with a simple design. Intricate details can be difficult to cover evenly with thread, especially the first time you try this technique.
Don’t use too much glue. You want enough height to create dimension without making the design overly bulky or stiff.
Let the glue cool completely. This makes it much easier to wrap your embroidery thread around the design.
Use contrasting colors. Orange and white stood out against my beanie and gave it a seasonal feel.
Take your time with the thread. Keeping the strands close together will give you a cleaner embroidered appearance.
Ways to Customize Your Puffy Embroidery Beanie
Once you try this technique, there are so many ways to make it your own.
For fall, try burnt orange, cream, mustard yellow, brown, or deep green embroidery thread. You could create a pumpkin, leaf, mushroom, simple flower, or fall-inspired word.
For winter, switch to white, red, green, silver, or icy blue thread and try snowflakes, stars, initials, or simple holiday designs.
You could also make personalized beanies with names or initials for an easy handmade gift.
Is Hot Glue Safe to Use on a Beanie?
Hot glue can work well for a craft like this, but always test a small, hidden section of your beanie first. Different fabrics can react differently to heat.
Also remember that adding hot glue may change how the beanie stretches in that area.
For that reason, smaller designs are usually easier to work with than covering a large portion of the hat.
How Do You Wash a Puffy Embroidery Beanie?
Because this project uses hot glue, I would avoid tossing the finished beanie into a regular hot wash and dryer cycle.
Spot cleaning or gently hand washing in cool water is a safer option. Avoid high heat, which could potentially soften the glue or affect the finished design.
Always check the original care instructions on your beanie as well.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need to know how to embroider?
No. That’s one of the reasons I love this project. The hot glue creates the raised shape, while the embroidery thread gives you the finished look.
What kind of thread should I use?
Embroidery floss works well because it’s inexpensive, available in tons of colors, and easy to work with.
Can I use yarn instead?
You can experiment with thin yarn for an even chunkier look. Just keep in mind that thicker materials may make small details harder to create.
Can I make other puffy embroidery projects with hot glue?
Yes! Once you get comfortable with the technique, you can experiment with other fabric accessories and decorative projects. Just test the material first to make sure it can handle the heat from your glue gun.
What designs work best?
Simple shapes and designs with thicker lines are the easiest. Avoid tiny details until you’ve gotten comfortable wrapping the thread around the raised glue.
An Easy Fall Craft to Try
I love a craft that takes something basic and turns it into something completely your own. This DIY puffy embroidery beanie is simple, inexpensive, and easy to customize with whatever colors fit your style.
The orange and white embroidery thread gave mine the perfect fall feel, and the hot glue trick made getting that raised embroidery look surprisingly easy.
If you’ve been seeing puffy embroidery everywhere and want to try it without tackling a complicated embroidery project, grab a beanie, your hot glue gun, and some embroidery thread and give this version a try.
I love a Halloween DIY that looks way more complicated than it actually is, and this DIY faux stained glass Halloween decor might be one of my favorite projects this season. The best part is that I made it with inexpensive supplies from Dollar Tree.
Using a picture frame, Mod Podge, puff paint, and food coloring, I created my own faux stained glass Halloween decoration that looks so pretty displayed on my mantle. I placed a battery-operated tealight behind it, and once the sun goes down, the light shines through the colors and gives it that stained glass glow.
I also created a free Halloween stained glass printable that you can use as your template, making this project even easier to recreate at home.
DIY Faux Stained Glass Halloween Decor
You don’t need any actual stained glass supplies for this project. Instead, puff paint creates the raised black outlines while Mod Podge mixed with food coloring gives the glass its translucent colors.
The printable does most of the work for you, too. Simply place it underneath the glass, trace the design, flip the glass over, and paint.
Supplies
Here’s what I used:
Picture frame
Black puff paint
Mod Podge
Food coloring
Small cups or containers
Small paintbrushes
Free Halloween stained glass printable
Battery-operated tealight
I found my picture frame, Mod Podge, puff paint, and food coloring at Dollar Tree, making this a really affordable Halloween DIY.
Step 1: Print Your Halloween Stained Glass Template
Start by printing the free Halloween stained glass printable.
Choose the print size that works with your picture frame. I used an arched frame, which was perfect for giving the finished project the look of a little stained glass window.
Remove the glass from your picture frame and place the printable underneath it. You can use a small piece of tape to keep the paper from moving around while you trace.
Step 2: Trace the Design With Puff Paint
Using black puff paint, carefully trace the lines of the printable directly onto the glass.
The puff paint creates the raised black outlines that mimic the lead lines you would see in traditional stained glass.
Take your time tracing, but don’t worry about getting every single line perfect. Those little variations add to the handmade stained glass look.
Once you’ve traced the entire design, let the puff paint dry completely before moving on to the next step.
Step 3: Flip the Glass Over
Once the puff paint is dry, turn the glass over.
This was an important part of how I made mine. I traced the printable with puff paint on one side of the glass and painted all of the color on the opposite side.
You’ll still be able to see your entire design through the glass, but now you can paint without brushing over or disturbing the raised puff paint.
It also keeps those black outlines looking clean from the front.
Step 4: Make Your Faux Stained Glass Paint
Now it’s time to make the colors.
Add small amounts of Mod Podge to separate cups or containers. Add a drop or two of food coloring to each one and mix until you get the colors you want.
Start with a small amount of food coloring. You can always add another drop if you want the color to be darker.
The colored Mod Podge may look cloudy or opaque while you’re working with it. That’s normal. As it dries, it becomes much more translucent and allows light to shine through.
You can use any colors you want for your Halloween design. Orange, purple, green, yellow, and red are all fun options.
Step 5: Paint the Back of the Glass
With your glass still flipped over, use a small paintbrush to fill in the different sections of your design with the colored Mod Podge.
Since you’re working on the opposite side of the glass from the puff paint, you don’t have to worry about painting perfectly inside those raised lines. The black outlines are on the other side and will still define each section when you look at your project from the front.
Continue filling in the sections and alternating your colors until the entire design is complete.
Let everything dry completely.
This is definitely a trust-the-process craft. The Mod Podge looks different while it’s wet, but once it dries, you can really see that faux stained glass effect come together.
Step 6: Put Your Faux Stained Glass Back in the Frame
Once everything is completely dry, turn the glass back around so the raised puff paint side is facing forward.
Carefully place the glass back into your picture frame.
I left the back open so light could shine through my design. Then I placed it on my mantle with a battery-operated tealight behind it.
Once it’s lit up, the light shines through all of those colorful sections and gives it such a fun Halloween glow.
Make sure you use a battery-operated LED tealight rather than an open-flame candle behind your frame.
Display Your Halloween Stained Glass
I love mine displayed on the mantle because I can place the tealight directly behind it. It would also look cute on a bookshelf, entryway table, kitchen counter, or anywhere you have a little Halloween display.
During the day, it looks like a colorful piece of Halloween art. At night, adding the tealight completely changes the look.
It’s an easy way to add something handmade to your Halloween decor without spending a lot.
Get My Free Halloween Stained Glass Printable
Want to make your own?
I created a free Halloween faux stained glass printable that you can use to recreate this project at home.
Print the design, place it underneath your picture frame glass, and use it as your guide for tracing with puff paint.
You can also use the same technique with other designs once you get the hang of it. Pumpkins, ghosts, witch hats, crescent moons, bats, haunted houses, and spooky books would all be adorable.
Frequently Asked Questions
What do you use to make faux stained glass?
I used picture frame glass, black puff paint, Mod Podge, and food coloring. The puff paint creates the raised outlines, while the colored Mod Podge creates the translucent stained glass effect.
Do you paint on the same side as the puff paint?
No. I traced my design with puff paint first and let it dry. Then I flipped the glass over and painted the colored Mod Podge on the opposite side.
This keeps the raised black lines clean and makes painting the individual sections much easier.
Can you mix food coloring with Mod Podge?
Yes! I added food coloring directly to small amounts of Mod Podge to make my different stained glass colors. Start with a drop or two and add more until you reach the color you want.
Does Mod Podge dry clear?
Mod Podge looks much more opaque when it’s wet. As it dries, it becomes more translucent, which is what helps create the faux stained glass look.
What kind of frame should I use?
You can use just about any picture frame with removable glass. I love the look of an arched frame because it makes the project resemble a miniature stained glass window.
Can I put a candle behind faux stained glass?
Use a battery-operated LED tealight rather than a real candle. You’ll still get the glowing effect without having an open flame near your frame and craft materials.
Can I make this for other holidays?
Absolutely. Once you know the basic technique, you can create faux stained glass for Christmas, Valentine’s Day, Easter, spring, or any other holiday. Just swap out your printable and colors.
An Easy Dollar Tree Halloween DIY
This DIY faux stained glass Halloween decor is one of those crafts that looks like it requires specialty supplies, but everything I used was inexpensive and easy to find.
With a Dollar Tree picture frame, Mod Podge, puff paint, food coloring, and my free printable, you can create your own little stained glass-inspired Halloween window.
My favorite part is adding the tealight behind it on my mantle at night. The light shining through the colors makes such a difference and turns a simple Dollar Tree DIY into a Halloween decoration I’ll be excited to pull out every year.
If you make one using my free printable, I’d love to see how yours turns out!
These Mini Caramel Apple Muffins are an easy fall treat made with apple quick bread mix, fresh chopped apple, and plenty of caramel. I made them two different ways: one batch topped with adorable caramel apple cutouts and another with caramel bits and chopped walnuts.
They’re simple, cute, and packed with all those caramel apple flavors that make fall baking so good.
Mini Caramel Apple Muffins
Instead of making muffins completely from scratch, I started with a box of apple quick bread mix and added a freshly chopped apple to give them even more apple flavor and texture.
Then came the fun part: the caramel.
For half of the muffins, I used caramel apple sheets and mini cookie cutters to create little shapes for the tops. This was so much fun to do with my toddler. For the other half, I kept things even easier and used caramel bits and chopped walnuts.
Both were delicious, so you really can’t go wrong.
You can switch up the cookie cutters depending on what you have. Tiny leaves, pumpkins, apples, or other fall shapes would all be cute.
Caramel Bits and Walnuts
If you don’t have caramel apple sheets, caramel bits work perfectly too.
For my second batch, I used caramel bits and topped the muffins with chopped walnuts. The walnuts add a little crunch that goes perfectly with the soft apple muffin and sweet caramel.
You could also leave off the walnuts if you’re making these for kids, a classroom, or anyone with a nut allergy.
Why Add Fresh Apple?
Even though we’re starting with apple quick bread mix, adding a freshly chopped apple makes a big difference.
You get little pieces of real apple throughout the muffins, which gives them more texture and makes the boxed mix feel a little more homemade.
Just make sure to chop the apple fairly small since we’re making mini muffins.
An Easy Fall Baking Idea
I love recipes that let me take a shortcut while still getting creative. Starting with apple quick bread mix keeps this recipe incredibly easy, while the fresh apple, caramel, and walnuts make it feel like something completely different.
Plus, making two versions from the same batch is perfect when you have people who like different toppings.
Serve them for breakfast, an after-school snack, a fall get-together, or just because you want your house to smell amazing.
FAQ
Can I use any apple quick bread mix? Yes. Prepare your favorite apple quick bread mix according to the package directions and then add the chopped apple and toppings.
What kind of apple should I use? Honeycrisp, Granny Smith, Fuji, or Pink Lady would all work well. A firmer apple will hold its texture better while baking.
Can I make regular-sized muffins? Yes. You’ll need to increase the baking time compared with mini muffins. Check them with a toothpick to make sure the centers are completely baked.
Do I have to add walnuts? No. They’re completely optional. You can make the caramel bit version without nuts.
Can I make both versions from one box of mix? Absolutely. Divide your prepared batter between the mini muffin cups and make half with the caramel apple cutouts and half with caramel bits and walnuts
If you’re looking for an easy dinner that requires almost no effort, this viral rotisserie chicken in a bag with rice is definitely worth trying. It takes a store-bought rotisserie chicken and turns it into a flavorful meal with jasmine rice, chili crisp, furikake and scallions.
The best part? You mix everything right inside the rotisserie chicken bag. Fewer dishes will always be a win in my house.
This recipe takes about 20 minutes from start to finish, especially if you already have leftover rice ready to go.
Why You’ll Love This Rotisserie Chicken and Rice
I love a good rotisserie chicken shortcut, especially on busy weeknights. This recipe is quick, filling, and has so much flavor without requiring a long list of cooking steps.
The chicken stays tender thanks to all of those juices left in the bag, while the soy sauce, sesame oil, chili crisp, and furikake turn plain rice into something you actually want to keep eating.
Ingredients
● 4 cups rotisserie chicken, about 1 whole bagged chicken
● 4 cups hot cooked jasmine rice or long-grain white rice
● 1/2 cup finely sliced scallions
● 3 tablespoons low-sodium soy sauce
● 2 teaspoons sesame oil
● 1 tablespoon unseasoned rice vinegar
● 1-2 teaspoons chili crisp, plus more for topping
● 2 tablespoons furikake, plus more for topping
How to Make Viral Rotisserie Chicken in a Bag with Rice
Start by cooking your rice according to the package directions. You can also use leftover rice and simply heat it until it’s nice and hot.
Remove the rotisserie chicken from the bag, but don’t throw away the bag or the juices inside.
Shred about 4 cups of chicken into bite-sized pieces, removing the bones, cartilage, and any thick pieces of skin you don’t want.
Place the shredded chicken back into the original bag with all of those flavorful juices.
Add the hot rice, scallions, soy sauce, sesame oil, rice vinegar, chili crisp, and furikake directly into the bag.
Seal the bag well and gently shake, squeeze, and turn it until the chicken, rice, and seasonings are evenly combined.
Open the bag and give everything a taste. If it needs a little more salt, add another splash of soy sauce. If it tastes a little rich, squeeze some fresh lime juice over it.
Spoon everything into bowls and finish with extra furikake and chili crisp.
Make It Your Own
One of the reasons I love recipes like this is that you don’t have to measure everything perfectly. You can easily adjust the ingredients depending on what your family likes.
If you’re serving kids or anyone who doesn’t love spice, start with less chili crisp and let everyone add more to their individual bowls. You can also add cucumber, avocado, shredded carrots, edamame, or whatever vegetables you already have in the fridge.
For even more crunch, add extra crispy fried onions right before serving.
Can I Use Leftover Rice?
Absolutely. This is actually a great way to use leftover rice.
Just make sure you reheat the rice thoroughly before adding it to the chicken. Hot rice also helps warm everything else as you mix it together.
Do I Have to Mix It in the Chicken Bag?
No. The bag is what makes this recipe fun and ridiculously easy, but you can absolutely make the same recipe in a large mixing bowl.
If your rotisserie chicken came in a hard plastic container rather than a heat-safe bag, I would use a bowl instead.
Is Rotisserie Chicken in a Bag with Rice Spicy?
It can be, depending on the chili crisp you use.
Two teaspoons gives the dish some heat without overpowering all the other flavors. If your family prefers mild food, start with one tablespoon or leave it out of the main mixture. You can always put chili crisp on the table for everyone to add themselves.
What Is Furikake?
Furikake is a Japanese seasoning blend that’s typically sprinkled over rice. Depending on the variety, it can contain ingredients like sesame seeds, seaweed, salt, and other seasonings.
It adds a ton of flavor with almost no extra work, which makes it perfect for this recipe.
Easy 20-Minute Rotisserie Chicken Dinner
Between school, sports, work, and everything else happening during the week, I am always looking for dinners that don’t require spending an hour in the kitchen.
This viral rotisserie chicken and rice recipe checks all the boxes. It’s fast, uses an easy grocery store shortcut, requires very little cleanup, and everyone can customize their bowl with their favorite toppings.
I think temporary tattoos might officially be my crafting obsession of the season. They’re easy to use, surprisingly relaxing, and such a fun way to completely transform something without having to be an expert painter.
This DIY Magic 8 Ball makeover is also perfect for Halloween season. It has a spooky, fortune-telling feel that makes it such a fun piece of Halloween decor, whether you style it on a shelf, bar cart, entryway table, or bookshelf.
For this project, I made a DIY Magic 8 Ball decor dupe inspired by this one.
Instead of buying the finished version, I recreated the look using a Magic 8 Ball, white gloss spray paint, and temporary tattoos. It was such a simple project, but the finished piece looks so cute styled with Halloween decor.
DIY Magic 8 Ball Dupe
The best part about this DIY is that you can completely customize it. I went with a mix of temporary tattoos to give mine a fun, tattoo-covered look, but you could use spooky designs, traditional tattoo artwork, celestial symbols, or Halloween-themed temporary tattoos for an extra festive look.
This would also make a fun Halloween party decoration or a unique addition to a spooky gallery shelf.
Supplies
Magic 8 Ball
White gloss spray paint
Temporary tattoos
Small piece of paper
Painter’s tape or another removable tape
Water and a damp cloth or sponge for applying the tattoos
Before spray painting, I covered the screen area on the bottom of the Magic 8 Ball with a piece of paper so the paint wouldn’t get on it.
Make sure the entire screen is protected and that your paper or tape is secure around the edges.
2. Spray Paint the Magic 8 Ball
I used white gloss spray paint to completely change the look of the traditional black Magic 8 Ball.
Apply the spray paint in light, even coats rather than trying to cover everything at once. Let each coat dry as needed and continue until you have an even white finish.
Allow the paint to dry completely before moving on to the temporary tattoos.
3. Plan Your Temporary Tattoo Placement
This is the fun part!
Before applying the tattoos, I played around with the placement so the designs would look scattered around the ball rather than perfectly arranged.
Using a variety of tattoo sizes helps create that collected, eclectic look. For a Halloween version, you could use bats, spiders, skulls, stars, moons, flames, or other spooky designs.
4. Apply the Temporary Tattoos
Apply each temporary tattoo according to the package directions. Typically, you’ll remove the clear protective sheet, place the tattoo design-side down, and press a damp cloth or sponge against the backing.
Carefully peel the paper away to reveal the design.
Continue adding tattoos around the Magic 8 Ball until you’re happy with the look.
5. Let Everything Dry
Once all of the temporary tattoos are applied, let the Magic 8 Ball sit so everything can fully dry before styling or handling it too much.
Then it’s ready to display!
An Easy Halloween Craft Idea
I love finding unexpected ways to use craft supplies, and temporary tattoos have so much potential beyond actually wearing them.
They can instantly add detailed artwork to a project without needing vinyl, a Cricut, or hand-painted designs. Plus, applying them is genuinely relaxing.
This Magic 8 Ball makeover was such a fun way to recreate a decor piece I loved while putting my own spin on it. It’s especially great for Halloween because Magic 8 Balls already have that mysterious, fortune-telling vibe.
Style it with pumpkins, candles, vintage Halloween decor, or other spooky accessories for an easy seasonal display.
Now I’m looking around my house wondering what else I can cover in temporary tattoos.
FAQs
Is this DIY Magic 8 Ball good for Halloween?
Yes! This is such a fun Halloween craft because the Magic 8 Ball has a mysterious, fortune-telling feel. Use spooky or celestial temporary tattoos to make it even more festive.
Can you put temporary tattoos on painted surfaces?
Yes. For this project, I applied the temporary tattoos over fully dried gloss spray paint. Make sure your painted surface is completely dry before applying them.
Do I need a Cricut for this project?
No! That’s one of the reasons I love this DIY. The temporary tattoos create detailed designs without needing a cutting machine or vinyl.
Can I use different temporary tattoos?
Absolutely. This project is completely customizable. Florals, vintage designs, celestial tattoos, traditional tattoo designs, colorful graphics, bats, skulls, spiders, or other Halloween-themed temporary tattoos could completely change the finished look.
Why did you cover the Magic 8 Ball screen before painting?
Covering the screen keeps the spray paint from blocking the viewing window, so the Magic 8 Ball can still function after the makeover.
What kind of spray paint did you use?
I used white gloss spray paint with primer to give the Magic 8 Ball a bright, shiny finish.
If motherhood has you stressed and you feel like you’ve lost your creativity, I am here to help! Here you will find easy recipes, simple DIY’s, affordable styles, and what to read next. I believe we all have a creative side, some of us just need a little help to find it. I will help inspire you to have creative expression without standards.
