A couple quick tags

My daughter and I made some Toblerone Shortbread cookies, and I made up these tags quickly to give some cookies as gifts. My daughter added the artwork on the green tag :)

Merry Christmas, John and Yoko

My aunt bought these pillow "armchairs" for my cousin and his girlfriend. They like to stay at home, usually just watching TV in their room, so we thought it would be funny to put "John" and "Yoko" on the pillows.

I found this inkjet friendly "Peel and Stick" cotton transfer paper, and used Microsoft Word to create the names (using WordArt and a downloaded font to make them funky). They came out great from the printer, then I used my mega curved rectangle Nesties to cut them out.Because the pillows are a microfibre material, I knew they wouldn't stick well, so I hand-stitched around the edges to ensure they'd stay on.

Stuffed stockings

Chloe and I made these stocking "boxes" to hold some chocolates and gift cards for her daycare teachers. We used the Stocking Stuffer Timeless Template from PTI.
In case it isn't obvious, she chose the colours, I cut them out, she decorated them ;)Inside are some envelope gift card holders I made some time ago (last Christmas? the one before?) at a SU workshop. We also made some paper straw by crimping cardstock and slicing it into thin pieces, then crumpling it a bit.

Peaceful Wishes Mini-scrapbook

I started this mini-scrapbook at Carrie's, but didn't put it all together until I got home. See Carrie and Leanne, I finished it!

The inside (the pages of which fold out) is meant to have photos. I'm not sure yet which I'll put in there...

This week's challenge at Our Creative Corner is to use snowflakes, which I managed to do in a few places - the die-cuts, stamps on the inside, and on the patterned paper.

All supplies are SU, except the bell (unknown!) and the embossing folders/Cuttlebug (Provocraft).

Fun with felt

Oops, it's been a while! I've been so busy, I haven't had any time to craft.

I hope to get into the crafts room this weekend (I have to, if I want to send out handmade Christmas cards this year!), but until then, I thought I'd share something fun.

A few weeks ago, I was browsing through my favourite blogs, and found one that used Nesties to cut a scalloped square of felt (and as soon as I remember which blog, I'll link it here!). That inspired me to think of this:
Those are felt shapes cut with the SU Build-A-Bear dies. It was so easy to do, the felt cut perfectly, just as you would cut cardstock. My daughter and my friend's son were begging for more, so I ended up cutting many sets of clothes for them. What you see is just a selection of the outfits available ;) Chloe plays with them all the time, and I have visions of creating more, and also using other dies to cut more fun shapes.

I don't have the Build-A-Bear dies yet, but borrowed them from a friend. They're on my list though!

From the Library of...

I put my Small Letter set from JustRite to good use.

Easter Egg Holder

I made this quick and easy holder for dyed Easter eggs. In case it isn't obvious, I didn't decorate it ;)
I used a circle Nestie to cut the holes evenly in a 6" strip of 12x12 paper. Then I scored and folded, using redline tape to secure the edges. I added a bottom piece and two supporting "legs" on the inside (that you can't see) to add stability.

Dino-mite!

A friend asked me to make some bookmarks for her daughter's birthday, which is going to be held at the Royal Tyrrell Museum (= dinosaurs). I didn't have any appropriate stamps, so went with some clipart. I was happy to find an image of the Albertosaurus, which was a dinosaur similar to the T-Rex. The first was discovered in Alberta, BC (the location of the museum).

Sorry, I didn't get any close-ups. You can click on the photo for a larger view.

I printed the dinosaur image and text on a laser printer, and then watercoloured with my blender pen. I was happy to find that the ink did not smear at all! I chose the colours based on this drawing. I think Sahara Sand is the perfect colour for dinosaur skin! It's grey with a touch of green. I masked the dinosaur to stamp the grass, and added a row of dots to fill in the bottom.

You can't see, but I used my JustRite stamper to create a customized thank-you message on the back. I also laminated one of the bookmarks for the birthday girl.

Stamps: So Many Sayings (SU), Around the Farm (Penguin Pants), Small letters (JustRite), Albertosaurus clip art (Arthur's Clipart)
Paper: Whisper White (SU), brown cardstock (Bazzil), green cardstock (unknown)
Ink: Close to Cocoa, Old Olive, Sahara Sand, More Mustard, Really Rust, Going Grey (SU)
Accessories: Ticket corner, 1 1/4" circle punch, blender pen, hemp twine, jumbo eyelet (SU), Cropodile (We R Memory Keepers), small eyelets (misc), laminate film, Creative Station (Xyron), thick twine (unknown - from a clothing tag!)

D is for...

Da nephew.

(Sorry, inside joke. You had to be there)

Anyway, yes, I have a new baby nephew, and wanted to make something for his room. Using the Jack's World collection from Cosmo Cricket, I decorated this frame and letter "D". These items also work for the Cosmo Cricket challenge over at Paper Popsicles!

I wanted to keep it simple, so I painted the frames (mixing the paints to get the right colour of teal) and then sanded the edges a bit. I chose two of the papers from the collection, and used Mod Podge to adhere them. I also gave them two good coats on top, to protect and give some shine and texture.

I used two of the blackboard pieces with matching stickers, as well as a sticker with the cutest sentiment. Finally I added a sweet little star beside the sentiment. I used my staple gun to attach ribbon to the back, so they can be hung on his wall.

Stamps: none
Paper: Jack's World patterned paper (Cosmo Cricket)
Ink: none
Accessories: Jack's World blackboard and stickers (Cosmo Cricket), acrylic paints (Aleene's and Americana), vanilla ribbon (SU), star (unknown), frame, letter (Michael's), Mod Podge (Plaid)

{Don't forget about the blog candy here (deadline is March 15, 2009 at 11:59 pm -- TONIGHT!). If you've posted about it on your blog, make sure you leave a second comment}

The stocking

This is Chloe's stocking, which was from a kit I bought at Michael's. Click on it to see a larger version of the photo, where you should be able to see all the embroidery and appliqué work.
I'm embarrassed to admit it, but I started this stocking THREE years ago, for Chloe's first Christmas. Each year I'd still hang it up, even though it was only partially finished. Well this year I had just a wee bit left to do, so I manged to finish it on Christmas Eve!

I'm quite proud of it, although I'll never make fun of someone for just buying a pre-made stocking. If you add up the hours I spent on this...well, let's just not go there :p

Altered Clock

I found this clock at Ikea. It was $2.99. Of course I couldn't resist it, given that I need a clock for my crafts room (it's so easy to lose track of time in there!) and I felt the need to alter something.

It wasn't too difficult to take it apart. If you want to try this particular clock, look for the little tabs at the back, which hold in the clear front piece.

My crafts room is pink, brown, and white, so I used that colour combo as my starting point.

I used the clock face as a template for my patterned paper, and then just added lots of embellishments. I finally found a use for the "rubber stamper" stamp from SU's Circle of Friendship! It's a perfect image for the 12 spot.

The big pink butterfly and shiny crown are from Making Memories Flocking and Foiling kit. Of course I had to add some bling, namely the 11, with pink Hero Arts gemstones. I had one extra, so I added it to the 'o' in love.

You may have noticed that the second hand is missing. That is because after putting it all together, I decided the red clashed, so I wanted to paint it (and was seriously considering using Stickles!). Unfortunately I had pushed it on too tightly, so when I went to pull it off, it broke! Even more unfortunately, the clock doesn't work without the second hand. So I'll be buying another clock from Ikea. Sigh.

I'll use this one without the clock pieces as a funky photo frame.

Stamps: Brushstroke numbers, Circle of Friendship (SU)
Paper: Berry Bliss DSP, Purely Pomegranate, Close to Cocoa (SU)
Ink: Purely Pomegranate, Close to Cocoa (SU)
Accessories: 1", 1 1/4" circle punches, Love & Happiness rub-ons (SU), rub-ons (Kaiser), gemstones (Hero Arts), Flocking & Foiling kit, number stickers (Making Memories), laughter sticker (Sweetwater)

ps. I'm playing around with the layout of my blog. What do you think about the three-column layout? I know I need to modify the header now as well. Is it too soon for a Christmas theme? ;)

Halloween magnets

Some simple wooden shapes (most are from Michael's), acrylic paint, sparkles, and Mod Podge. Oh, and google eyes for the bat. I hot glued magnets to the back. We put these up on our door for Halloween.

Chloe did most of them, obviously ;)

Anyone want to order with me?

Jody over at Confessions of a Ribbon Addict (love the blog name!) is having another ribbon share and sticky sale. I think I'm going to get the wide scalloped ribbon and a bunch of the redline shapes and dimensionals (including the circle shaker set, how cool is that?!?).

If anyone in Canada wants to share, and we order over $100 (really, how hard is that), shipping is free. I can get the whole order, and then ship it out to you at your cost. Assuming you don't order a LOT, it should fit in a $2 legal envelope.

Carrie, Leanne, or Val if you're interested, obviously you won't have to pay shipping!

Let me know (via email please) ASAP. I want to order by Sunday. I don't know if the ribbon will sell out, and I don't want to miss it!

So adorable!

Sorry I haven't been around for a few days, I'm in Sacramento for some work-related training. I'm actually at the airport right now (and thankful for free WiFi!) and catching up on my blogs.

So that brings me to the adorable-ness of this ABC board on the Scrapbook & Cards Today Blog:

photo courtesy of the Scrapbook & Cards Today Blog, project courtesy of Kerry

Isn't it cute? I've got so many ideas, and can't wait to give it a try. I think it will be great to put up in the playroom. I think I'll modify it to be in a landscape layout though.

A (not so) mini album

I've want to try making a mini album, so Danielle's calendar over at Fat Cat Stamper is bookmarked for future inspiration! She used a Bind-it-All and thick chipboard for the cover and binding, and then prettied it up with some paper, ribbon, and thickers.
Here's what one of the inside pages looks like. Each page uses the same layout, but with different images, paper, and colours.
(photos courtesy of Danielle Lounds)

Head over to Danielle's blog to see more photos of this adorable calendar!

Altered Apple Box

When I saw Julie's project on her blog, Paper Pleasing Ideas, I was totally inspired. Too bad all my stuff is packed! Oh well, it's filed under "things to try". Hmm...maybe I should make that a label category!

Anyway, dollar stores are a great place to find alterable items, just like this apple box. And check out how she made the "lined" paper! I love how the 'a' looks like a chalkboard piece.

Go to Julie's blog to see more details about her Apple Box Creation (hee - get it? ABC).

(photo courtesy of Julie Buhler)

I need some PolyShrink

Remember Shrinky Dinks? The little plastic shapes that you baked and they shrunk to 1/3 their size?

Well shrink plastic is a perfect fit with stamping! PolyShrink is a popular choice with any crafsters. Check out what Niki did with shrink plastic - I LOVE these little black cat charms!

Be sure to stop by Niki's blog and check out the entire project.

(photo courtesy of Niki Estes)

Stamps: not just for cards!

I've only been stamping for a couple years, and haven't really tried anything other than paper crafts (cards and scrapbooking). There is, of course, an entire range of possibilities. While my crafts room is packed up and ready for moving, I thought I'd share some of my favourite non-card projects made by other craftsters.

Today is Nichole's paper bead bracelets. I've never tried this technique, but it's apparently popular with the elementary crowd ;)

I happen to have a large (unused) bottle of Mod Podge, so this project will be one of the first on my list after I unpack!

Altered Brads, courtesy of Mel Stampz

Looking to add some "wow" to your brads? Check out Mel's tutorial on altered brads!

Another use for rub-ons

I bought this shadow frame before we were married. I'd originally put in some of the decor from the wedding, but didn't like it. These white SU rub-ons look much better!

Nothing much to describe here. I used a bunch of the rub-ons from the Love & Happiness set.