Serious Play

Birthday Package

So, my dear friend had a birthday this weekend, so I made her a card to remind her to 'Celebrate'.

 

It has been a while since I have been in my craft room due to all my half marathon training, but it felt good to have paper between my fingers again.

For the full tutorial on this card you can visit my Squidoo site here:  Banner Birthday Card

I met my friend at Starbucks for a warm drink on a snowy spring Saturday and handed her this little package...

 

I was going to sew the edges of the kraft paper with my sewing machine, but my needle broke...and it was my last! So, instead, I decided to sew it by hand with silver embroidery floss. Funny how some things turn out better than I would have planned.

 

I had seen a similar version of this flower on Pinterest but it did not come with instructions, so I came up with my own version and I like it!

 

And inside the package...?

 

A copy of this book by Suzanne Somers.

I am reading it myself right now, and wow! some shocking information about toxins and metabolism.

After turning 40 myself, I found I was struggling to remain 'sexy'. I started reading other books by Suzanne and it changed a lot of my thinking and doing.

So, I am sharing this one with my good friend...cuz that's what friends do!

Happy Birthday my friend!

 

 

DIY :: Confetti Envelope

So, I have been making confetti envelopes.

 

There seem to be a lot of confetti projects in Blogland lately. Some of the bloggers whose projects have grabbed my attention are:

Marcy Penner

Gluestick Girl

Under Scarlet Bird's Wing

She Makes Stuff...

My Creative Life

 

To begin, I found a little package of mini punches at the dollar store.

 

I am a bit of a hoarder of my papers. And I do tend to keep all the little scraps. So this is the perfect way to use them all up!

I punched a variety of shapes and colours to get a nice mix of confetti.

 

Then I pulled out a few of my larger circle punches from Stampin' Up. Being larger, these circles allow a little more of a colour punch in the mix.

 

 

Most of the transparent envelopes I have seen lately are glassine envelopes, but I did not have one on hand, so I pulled from my stash a piece of velum...do you remember that stuff? I haven't used it in years, but I knew I had some somewhere (remember the hoarder thing?)

To make the envelopes, I used a tracing template from a variety pack that I purchased years ago at Walmart. You can see the purple template in the pic below. 

I simply traced the template with pencil, cut it out, and assembled the envelope by folding in the appropiate places and using my Tombow roller adhesive to secure it all.

 

 Finally, I added the variety of confetti inside my velum envelope and gave it a little shake to mix it nicely.

 

Once the confetti was inside, I sealed the top of the envelope shut with adhesive.

At this point, I was less than impressed to see all of the confetti gather at the bottom of the envelope. So, I came up with a little trick. I simply selected a few of the confetti pieces and adhered them into place on the inside of the envelope! This way, other confetti will catch on those adhered pieces and remain in place.

Have to say, I like the end result!

 

 These little envelopes would look nice adorning a scrapbook layout or a card.

 

 

 

Vintage Love Garland

So, I made a new Valentine's Love garland.

 

The letters are cut from cardboard and covered with vintage book paper using Mod Podge. I experimented with Martha Stewart glitter in smoky quartz and Martha Stewart Glitter Acrylic Craft Paint in cotton candy.

 

The pinwheels are made from Echo Park's Yours Truly double-sided paper. I love the soft, subtle colours.

 

This time last year I hung Hearts of Happiness in my bay window.

I think I like this Love garland even better...

 

Happy Weekend.

 

 

 

 

Sneak Peek

So, I have been busily making a Valentine's Day garland.

 

It has taken several days but I finished today.

I really want to share it with you right now, but it is evening here now and that means poor lighting for a photo.

Instead, I am sharing an Instagram snapshot of what is coming...

Tomorrow...

 

 

 

 

 

 

DIY :: Chalkboard Clipboard

So, I converted a clipboard into my own little chalkboard.

 

This project is easy enough to complete in a weekend. To start, gather a few supplies:

I found my clipboard at the dollar store, as well as the foam brush. You can find chalkboard paint in a variety of places, but I purchased this Martha Stewart brand at Michaels.

 

Initially, I thought I might have to sand the surface of my clipboard as it was very smooth and glossy. Sometimes paint will not adhere to a glossy surface. However, in this case, I am glad that I did not sand the board before painting. This paint contains a bit of its own texture (to grab the chalk) which allowed the paint to adhere nicely to the board.

Before painting, I tied the clip open. This allowed me to paint under the clip easily without having to wrangle the paint brush in one hand and try to pinch the clip in the other.

 

Next came the fun part...painting!

The paint spread nicely with a foam brush and dried in a nice even layer. Wanting to ensure a consistent surface of paint, I painted one layer vertically on the board, keeping the strokes straight and even. After letting that first coat dry (about an hour), I applied the second coat horizontally across the board.

The instructions on the bottle recommend at least two coats of paint. I applied four coats, alternating directions. Then I let the paint dry completely overnight.

 

To add a whimsical touch, I found a white paint pen and drew a freehand cloud-like line around the perimeter of the clipboard.

I have a Marvy Uchida Paint Marker, but it is almost gone and I did not want to run out half way through the application, so I used my Galaxy Marker by American Crafts instead. I purchased my Galaxy Marker for writing on top of my photos, but when I tested it on the clipboard it worked just fine. 

Originally, I had planned on using regular white acrylic paint and a fine paintbrush, but then the idea for the marker came to me and I am happy with that. I am sure that the acrylic paint would work equally well if you did not have a white paint marker.

 

After letting the marker dry, I hung my chalkboard clipboard on the wall and dug out some chalk. It's a good thing I have some stored away for when my nephews visit and want to draw on the sidewalk. 

 

I am going to use my clipboard in my craftroom to write encouraging messages and quotes to myself. It would also make a nice gift for a friend or great for a shopping list in the kitchen.

 

So there you go! Why not try one yourself this weekend...

 

 

 

 

Embroidery

So, I am busy working on an embroidery project.

 

Not much else is getting done around here. This project is time sensitive and my time is up at the end of this week! Will show you more when it is done.

 

I do have a Project Life Week 3 post ready to share...I just don't have time right now to upload it!!

 

Hope you are hanging in there this week with whatever you are doing too!

 

 

 

 

 

 

Embroidered Heart Map

So, I have been busy embroidering maps!

 

Of course I first saw the idea on Pinterest and promptly added it to my list of projects to do.

After collecting the supplies that I needed, it was very quick to make.

For the How-To Instructions go here.

 

I love maps and have been keeping my eye out for all sorts of inexpensive atlases so that I can tear out the pages and use them for crafts. There is just something intriguing about maps...the colours, the design, the pathways, the innuendo of travel and adventure...

For sure I will be creating more projects with maps.

 

I made this first embroidered map for myself, but now I am thinking it would make a nice gift for newlyweds...

 

 

 

Upcoming Projects

So, I am knee-deep in projects right now.

 

I apologize for being scarce this week. My internet connection has been sporatic due to the cold.

Here, in Western Canada, we have been experiencing a true deep freeze. With temperatures as low as -30*C, everything moves at a slow pace (or not at all). I have attempted to do posts each night this week, but my internet just wasn't cooperating.

But I'm back...

 

In all this cold, we Canadians love to hunker down in our cozy homes and keep warm. This has been a perfect opportunity for me to work on some extra crafting.

I have several projects on the go right now that I hope to share with you next week, as well as my Project Life Week 3.

 

Hope you are staying warm...wherever you are.

 

 

 

 

2011 Advent

So, I've been busy working on Advent for this season.

 

I am making a little Advent gift for my nephews. After searching for over a week, I was able to find and purchase the Playmobil Nativity, the Three Wise Men and an Angel.

I wrapped each piece up separately in brown paper and tied it with baker's twine. I included a number tag that I stamped in order for them to know which one to open on which day.

As the days count down to Christmas morning, my nephews will see the Nativity being built so that on Christmas Eve it will be complete.

I plan on just putting all of the wrapped pieces in a red box from Michaels and mailing it to them.

I cannot wait to see their faces...

 

 

 

 

Vintage Paper Garland

So, I am currently absorbed in making decorations for Christmas.

 

At work, I am in charge of decorating one of the large meeting rooms that we have. When I pulled out the decorations designated for the room, I was a little let down. It was meager to say the least. 

I decided to make my own decorations.

My supplies included vintage paper, a round punch and a scalloped punch, some silver glitter paper from Michaels, stamps and red metallic garland from Superstore.

I started by punching some circles from the edges of the vintage paper ensuring that I did not get any words. Following that, I stamped my letters (stamps and ink from Stampin' Up) in red ink in the circle to spell MERRY CHRISTMAS.

Next, I punched scalloped circles from the glitter paper and adhered the letter circles in the center of the glitter paper.

After trimming strips of vintage paper to look like mini banners, I adhered the letters onto the mini banners.

Finally, I used my mini stapler from Tim Holtz to attach the banners to the red metallic garland.

It makes me smile to think that this lovely garland will greet me at work each day for the next month.