My {Creative} Place

Santa's sack

2010-12-13T04:28:00.000-08:00

Hi Fellow Crafters'

For the kids in my class as a farewell gift (we finished our school year on Friday), I decided to make these little Santa sacks (you can find countless tutes on how to make similar totes around the web). But here is a photo of the bottom of the bag to give you an idea of what I did.

One of the things I put inside was a little tub of homemade glittery, cinnamon play dough.

I made up a batch and then divided it between smaller containers. This is the easiest and best play dough recipe I have ever made and it really does last for months, if kept in an airtight container.

The Recipe:

2 cups all purpose flour
1 cup salt
4 tsp cream of tartar
2 Tsp vegetable oil
2 cups boiling water
food coloring of choice ( I have used gel, liquid and powdered food coloring and all work equally well)
1 Tsp glitter (color of choice)
1 Tsp ground cinnamon
1 tsp all spice
{Note: Tsp = tablespoon, tsp = teaspoon}

The Method:

1. Place all the dry ingredients into a mixing bowl, stir together with spoon
2. add the food coloring, oil and boiling water
3. mix together using an electric mixer - I use the K-beater attachment on my mixer
4. add in the glitter, cinnamon and all spice, mixing all the time until well blended
5. allow to cool slightly and store in an airtight container.

Another variation I tried for my class for fun was to add cocoa to the above recipe- the kids loved the chocolate - cinnamon smell.

Happy crafting.

Kids Crafts

2010-12-10T22:35:00.000-08:00

Hi Fellow Crafters'

Here are some of the Christmas crafts we made in class this year, bear in mind my kids are 3 years old.

These are basically ideas I got from around the web and some of them I added my own twist to.

First up, I made countless hand prints using both the childrens left and right hands. I then assembled this Christmas "tree". They LOVED it, they were especially excited that I had used their hands. Been 3 I was worried about using an actual tree as I was afraid they might pull it on top of themselves, so I felt this was a good alternative.

Second, I continued using hand prints to assemble wreaths. I used a paper plate for the backing, I just cut out the center of the plate and used the outer rim as a base to stick the hand prints onto.

I saw the idea below on the Catholic Toolbox -> HERE. I just added the stable and star. Great craft to teach the shapes rectangle and circle and how they can be put together to represent a baby.

Next, I used a free download from Lauren Meader on the PTI site -> HERE. I used them on the "mantle" of the "fireplace" on the display board outside my classroom.

Then I took a coloring page of Santas head and we practiced our fine motor skills, cutting and pasting!

We also colored in this nativity and I cut some angels using a Sizzix die I have.

Hope you have found some inspiration for activities to do with your little ones before Christmas.

Happy Crafting.

Pop on over - freebies and a tutorial

2010-11-27T07:28:00.000-08:00

HI Fellow Crafter's

After seeing this blog post on how to make your own microwave popcorn, I came up with the idea of using homemade micro popcorn as favors or even an invitation!

I settled on the idea of using them as an invitation to a Christmas movie marathon.

The back of the tag.

Here's what I did :

1. Take a brown paper bag. I had red ones so I used them. Place 1/4 cup of popcorn (your normal everyday one) into the bag.

2. Fold down the top edge twice and secure with a piece of sticky tape (no it does not melt in the microwave- if you were wondering :-) )

3. Sticky tape side up, fold both ends towards the center, overlapping slightly.

4. Embellish as desired. Place a note on the back that reads: (Free to use: Click and save)

Here is the tag for you to use: (Free to use: Click and save)

Some other ideas I have for the microwave popcorn.
- Gift as a DIY popcorn garland. Wrap a length of string with a needle around the micro popcorn.

- Gift as a Pop on over Santa request for your kids class mates.

Another suggestion if you only have the brown bags is to make a sleeve in a Christmassy color or using Christmas DP to go around your bag.

Happy Crafting.

Santa Suit Gift Card holder

2010-11-26T19:54:00.000-08:00

Hi Fellow Crafter's
I have been hectically busy with school these last few weeks, finalizing reports and attending to all the year end happenings. I have however had to find time to finish off the gift card holders for all the teachers on my list. Below is one of those I have made.

Here is a view of the inside

Here is how I made it:

For the outside holder:
1. Cut a piece of red card stock 6 7/8" x 10 1/2".
2. Along short edge score at 2" and 4 7/8" as indicated by arrows.
3. Turn card stock along long edge and score at 4" and 8".
4. Cut away the sections marked by the A

6. Fold along the scored edges. The back pieces fold slightly overlapping each other. Place glue along one edge and fold to glue together. Before gluing I made a notch in the top, so that it would be easier to pull the gift card out. I also used my notch tool to make a notch in the one of the sides before gluing so that I could later tuck in the top flap to close the gift card holder (see finished back view below)

7. Now place glue along the bottom flap and glue in place.

8. Turn the pouch over and embellish. Finished size should be 3" wide.

For the front- Santa Suit:
1. Cut a strip of cream card stock 1 1/2" x 7". I then using my pinking shears to cut a deckle edge.
{click on image for a larger view}

2. Cut a strip of black card stock 3" x 1".

3. Cut silver card stock making a 2" square and cut a 1" square out of the center of the 2" square.
Put it all together as shown below.

Now for the inner gift card holder.
1. Cut a piece of cream card stock 2 6/8" x 6 7/8". Measure your gift card and make notches in the correct place. I then embellished using my holly sizzix die. I placed the holly on the bottom notch so as to hide it. I then stamped my sentiment at the top of the holder.

Now insert the inner card holder onto the pouch.

How the back flap closes:

And there you have your pouch gift card holder. I can imagine this as a snowman or even a reindeer depending on the recipient.

Happy crafting.

You've been "elfed" - well maybe only half!!!!

2010-10-27T08:03:00.000-07:00

Hi Fellow Crafters

Well my scanner is not working so I can't share the pattern just yet, but I couldn't wait to share my latest creation- "Elfpants tote"(can I call this a tote?????). Anyhow seeing all the witch leg "flying" around the blogs for Halloween I got to thinking and came up with a Christmas version using Elf legs. They stand on their own so I thought they'd even be cute for decor on a Christmas table.

I thought they might look nice with some Christmas colored candies inside, or even maybe some poinsettia's.

Here is a close up of the elf shoes, I added a small jingle bell to the tip.

In the pic below you get a better idea of its use as a tote, I gave the pants suspenders to act as handles.

Anyway I hope my scanner is back in operation soon so I can share my pattern and step by step how to. I'd love to know what you all think of the "Elfpants".

Happy Crafting

Santa Hat Gift Card Holder with Tutorial

2010-09-26T09:13:00.000-07:00

Hi Fellow Crafters'

Edited to add: I have linked this up for the challenge over at Winter Wonderland-> here.

Hope you have been having a super week-end. I got up this morning with an idea running around my head for some gift card holders I need to make for Christmas gifts for my boys' teachers in early December. So I got drawing and cutting. This is what I came up with for one of them.

And here is how I did it:

Step 1: Print out the template - just right click and save as, then print.

Step 2: Cut out all the pieces, note cut 2 of the hat trim.

Step 3: Add glue to the outer edge of one of the pieces of hat trim as shown below, don't put glue all
the way around!

Add the second piece on top of the glue.

It should look like this when glued together.

Step 4: Insert the red part of the hat into the opening.

Step 5: Make a hole and insert a split pin on the left hand side making sure to go through the red hat
portion as well.

Once split pin inserted and secured check that the hat "opens", by swiveling the red part
upwards.

Step 6: Add the pom pom to the top of the hat.

Step 7: Turn card over and inset the gift card in the white portion as shown.

Step 8: You are finished. Decorate as desired.

I'd love to see your creations if you use this template - remember for personal use only please.

Happy crafting

Giving a Hoot

2010-09-18T06:00:00.000-07:00

Hi Fellow Crafters'

A couple of friends of mine celebrated their birthdays recently and my new favorite gift is the gift card.

I had some owl themed paper by Pinecone Press in my stash so I decided to make his and hers owl themed gift card holders.

For the "her" gift card holder I punched a single hole near the top edge and closed it with a ribbon. For the "his" card holder I made a belly band using a cut out owl from the Pinecone Press DP I had.

Happy crafting.

Baby Gifts

2010-09-16T12:43:00.000-07:00

Hi Fellow Crafters'

Here are some baby gifts I whipped up to give at a baby shower for a colleague on Saturday. I drew inspiration from around the web. As her baby decor is Winnie the Pooh I purchased some Winnie the Pooh print flannel and some polka dot jersey knit.

First up I made two receiving blankets, both single layer as we are heading into summer here. One I made of flannel and the other the jersey knit. I merely cut a rectangle measuring 90cm x 120cm. I bound the jersey knit blanket with satin binding.

I then found a fabulous pattern for a burp cloth here-> Homemade by Jill- so I decided to make a couple of them, 2 with the flannel and 2 with the knot, I backed all of them with a dark blue terry cloth.

Then I found a pattern for a sensory ball here-> The Purl Bee. I used the pattern for the smallest ball and decided to put a bell inside, I also used flannel, knit, terry cloth and polar fleece to give the baby different sensory feelings. I also put a loop of ribbon on the top of the ball so that links could be attached so that the ball can either be attached to a taggie blanket or the side of the pram.

I have posted about a taggie blanket before -> here. This time I used a single piece and made it 40cm x 40 cm and used blue polar fleece as backing, for a soft touch.

To round off the the gift I made a theme related card. I took the easy way out and used some Pooh stickers from my scrapbooking stash and a onsie card template, I used a white marker to "stitch" on the onesie. The sentiment I used in the card reads- Sometimes it's the smallish things in life that take up the most room in our hearts- Winnie the Pooh

I hope she likes what I made for her!

Happy crafting

Lego Birthday Party

2010-06-15T04:59:00.000-07:00

Hi Fellow Crafter's

Recently my youngest turned 5 and he is totally in love with lego----so it was natural that for his birthday he wanted a lego theme. I was pressed for time, so had to come up with quick and easy decor ideas. Some I found on the web and others I was able to throw together chop-chop.

First I found this on the web
1. lego kirigami -> here

which I changed into this

then I designed these

And this is how I used them

First one above were printed on A4 sheets of cardstock to represent "hanging" lego blocks for room decor.

The second one was the base for the invitaion, I just typed over the "lego" block with the party details.

The third I printed onto A4 paper and wrapped around a juice carton. (one A4 covers 2 cartons)

My son loves to have a pinata so of course I had to make the easiest one I could think of a "LEGO" block, easy enough I took a plain rectangular cardboard box covered it with one layer of paper mache and took some styrene cups I cut to size and covered with the traditional crepe paper and viola - ok so it's not so pretty but the kids loved it :-)

And no party would be complete with out the party favor boxes- again I went the easy route with a 4 stud lego block ie a square ready bought (gasp) box ti which I added punched out circles raised using double sided tape.

The cake was also a lego block dressed up with some of my sons lego figures. Super easy a rectangular cake and six inverted cupcakes! Not a good pic so I added one of my other sons cake, which was also a lego block.

Thanks for looking and happy crafting.

"Chocolate Cake" pincushion

2010-04-20T08:14:00.000-07:00

Hi fellow crafters

I saw this pincushion how to on the DIY Dish a couple of weeks back and was taken by the idea, I have been wanting and needing a pincushion for some time. The ease of this one really attracted me.

On the DIY Dish they used shrinky dinks on their pin heads, but I didn't have any on hand and I really wanted to dress up some of the pins so I made some flowers by taking a circular piece of felt, inserting a pin through the center, I placed a dab of glue under the pin head and pinched the felt up around the head to form the flower (see pics below).

I also wanted to achieve the look of "chocolate" pieces around the second layer that you often see on "designer" choc cakes, so I added some felt cut into rectangles around that layer. I used my Sizzix to cut the circles and embellished the bottom of the cake with beads. I also added the magnetic circle to the bottom of my second layer.

Happy crafting

They used my template :-)

2010-04-01T10:42:00.000-07:00

Hi

Go check out Clear and Simple stamps and see what they made with my template.

I'm off on a weeks vacation to the coast, so I'll take this opportunity to wish you all a blessed Easter.

Easter basket (with a template and a tutorial)

2010-03-29T09:00:00.000-07:00

Hi Fellow Crafter's

I decided that making the "Easter Egg" cookies (from the previous post) as an Easter gift from the kids to the grandparents might be a good idea, so I set about designing a basket to present the cookies in. This is what I came up with.

And this is what I did:

1. Grab the templates at the end of this post and print them out directly onto the card stock you want
to use.
2. Cut the pieces out inside the black lines.

3. Using a craft knife cut out the handle of the basket.

4. Take the base and side template and cut along the solid lines and score along the dotted lines.

5. Take the scored base and side piece and make crisp folds along the scored lines.

6. Take the front and back basket pieces and glue them to the middle flap.

7. Fold the two middle pieces up and glue the two side flaps to them, at an angle.

8. This is what the glued together basket will look like from various angels.

9. Embellish as desired.

I used some designer paper from my stash for the front which I cut the same shape as the bottom

half of the template. I also chalked the edges of the template with lilac. I then finished the basket

off with some ric rac tied right around the rim of the basket, a felt flower and a mini flower button.

FREEBIE: Remember - right click on the images below and Save image as.... to make it your own (Personal use only please).

Happy Easter crafting.

Easter baking

2010-03-28T15:35:00.000-07:00

Hi Fellow Crafters

Yesterday the kids woke up thinking it was Easter Sunday and they were ready to go egg hunting :-) So you can imagine their disappointment when I told them they still had to wait another whole week. I decided that to lessen the disappointment, a fun Easter related activity was in order. My boys love baking so I decided to whip up some Shortbread cookies, with their help, in the shape of Easter eggs for them to decorate.

This is a very simple one I use.

Recipe:

Ingredients:
600 grams plain flour (sifted)
240 grams icing sugar (sifted)
420 grams butter

How To:
1. Cream icing sugar and softened butter together well.
2. Add the flour and mix well. (I use my K-beater attachment during this step)

3. Roll the dough out on a well floured surface. Either into a sausage and cut into circles or roll out flat
and use cookie cutters.
Bake at 180C for 10 to 15 minutes.

When it came to cutting out the cookies I wanted an egg shape but don't have an oval cookie cutter. I needed to get creative and this is what I did.
1. I took a plastic cup.

2. I squeezed the top lip of the cup until it formed an oval.

3. I used this to cut out my oval "egg" cookies.

I also had a bunny and a chick cookie cutter which we used as well.

For the decorating I decided to make some running icing so the boys could "paint" their "eggs". For this I took three bowls and placed a cup of sifted icing sugar into each I then got the boys to add food coloring and water and stir. The water was adjusted after stirring to make the icing runny enough for use.

The boys then got decorating.

And viola- painted egg cookies, bunnies and chicks.

Needless to say the boys had a blast. What a surprise, a lot of icing was consumed before it even got onto the biscuits!

Happy Easter Crafting.

Burrowing bunny

2010-03-28T13:00:00.000-07:00

Hi Fellow Crafters

I used the same flower pot pattern as I did for my baby shower bay socks to make an Easter egg- burrowing bunny.

Find pattern for the flower pot here.

I simply placed an egg (broadest end up) into the pot and decorated it with two paws and a cotton wool tail secured in place with some tacky stuff. I think these would be cute as gifts or even as an Easter centerpiece.

Happy crafting

Easter crafting with my class

2010-03-26T11:51:00.000-07:00

Hello Fellow Crafters

Well here n South Africa we have school holidays for two weeks, starting from today. So I have spent the last week making Easter crafts with my class of 3 year olds. Here are the things we made.

First up is what I call a "Rocking Chick". This chick is made by folding a paper plate in half, getting a set of each child's hand prints for the tail feathers and using a circle for the head and a triangle for the beak. As the name indicates when the chick is placed on a flat surface it be pushed so that it rocks to and fro on its own.

Second is a chick, still in its nest, which is newly hatched. Due to the age of the children in the class I tried incorporating the symbols of Easter i.e. chicks = new life and at Easter Jesus gives us new life as discussing the crucifixion and resurrection are not within a 3 year old's scope of understanding.

Thirdly we made these bunny egg holders, I sat with each child individually over a 2 day period making these as I wanted them to do as much of the assembling as they could on their own. The bunny is assembled out of two long strips of paper which are bent into two tubes. I with copy off the pattern and post it later this weekend.

Here are a couple of other ideas from my co workers that I fancied:

This cross was made using egg cartons cut in the shape of a cross, ribbon was then used to criss cross down the length of the cross and Easter flowers were colored in and stuck onto the cross.

These crosses are printed onto a light yellow, lightweight paper and then painted with vegetable oil on the reverse side. You don't get the full effect from the picture, but the yellow becomes translucent and the light shines through the yellow making the cross and its detail stand out dramatically.

Easter crafting with the kids

2010-03-20T03:32:00.000-07:00

Hi Fellow Crafters

I had some ingredients left over from Bakers day with my class so I decided to make some bird nests (cute for Easter crafts) with my boys this morning.

To make the nests:

Ingredients:

100g butter
4 Tsp syrup
200g cornflakes
300g cholcolate broken into pieces
marsh mellows
jelly beans/ chocolate eggs
(makes about 15-20 large nests)

Method:

1. Over low heat melt the butter, syrup and chocolate together, stirring continuously.
2. Add the cornflakes a little at a time, into the melted mixture, mixing well after each addition.
3. Let mixture cool slightly.
4. Scoop mixture into hand rolling it into a ball.
5. place into a cupcake liner and with your thumb press down in the middle to form an indent.
6. place eggs into your nest and if you like a little chick (I used a marsh mellow decorated with food
coloring pens).

Happy Crafting

Girl baby shower gifts

2010-03-16T10:12:00.000-07:00

Hi Fellow Crafters

Run off my feet again, so this is a super quick post. Just some things I have made for a friends baby, still have to wrap it though.

Some burp cloths (pattern found HERE). Flannel on one side and terry cloth on the other.

A few baby socks rolled into flowers which I put into a flower pot (template found here). I decorated the lip of the pot with some punched out flowers and brads. The leaves are just some green card stock.

And some baby booties.

And here they are all together.

Happy crafting

Happy Birthday

2010-03-13T00:57:00.000-08:00

Hi Fellow Crafters

Things have been up side down around here lately, with starting work, visitors from abroad and out of town and sick kiddo's. So not much crafting going on.
However my new boss' birthday was on Thursday and I decided to make her a memorabilia pouch, she is off on holiday to London and Paris soon and I thought she could do with a little something to store all her tickets, brochures etc in. I made a VERY simple rectangular pouch and then got my class( the Lion class) to place their fabric paint covered thumb prints all over the pouch. I then decorated the prints as people and wrote their names beneath their prints.

I then needed a card to go with the gift so I used the same card as here (seeing that it has a lion ;-) -just changed the sweet baby to a pieced sun (Can you believe it - I didn't take a picture!). and on the inside I again used the kids thumb prints to sign the card. This time I turned the thumb prints into lions and lionesses.

And what would a gift be without packaging? For this I used this fab template from Papertrey Ink. I decorated with some DP I have had for some time that just happened to have lions on it. I also thought my boss could keep it on her desk later to keep letters or notes in, seeing as it is a mini file holder.

I also added a British adaptor in for a little extra from me.

Happy crafting.

Felt Fruit- Apple with template and tutorial

2010-03-02T06:00:00.000-08:00

Hi Fellow Crafter's

Back with the promised apple pattern and tutorial.

OK straight onto the How To:
1. Cut out the apple pieces using the pattern below the how to

2. Sew the two pieces together along the sides of the apple leaving the top and bottom straight edges
open.

3. Turn inside out.

4. Run a gathering stitch around the top edge, being sure to insert the leaf before tightening and
securing.

4. Fill the apple with polyester filling.

5. Run a gathering stitch around the bottom, tighten and secure.

6. Now take a longer needle - one that will fit through the apple from the top to the base easily. Take
     the needle and thread and insert it through the top of the apple, bringing it out through the bottom,
     I recommend pacing it back up to the to and pulling the thread in slightly to give the apple its
     shape. Once you are happy with the shape secure.

And viola you have your apple.

And the whole bowl of fruit I put together:

Now for the apple Pattern:

You know what to do.... right click on the pattern as save image as.....

FREEBIE

Happy Crafting

I am linking to Craft Schooling Sunday (see button in my side bar)

Felt Fruit- Pear with template and tutorial

2010-02-28T20:40:00.000-08:00

Hi Fellow Crafters

Keeping with my class theme - foods we eat, I came up with a pattern for a pear. My youngest squealed with joy when he saw the couple I made and promptly went to fetch his shopping basket from the toy room to "purchase" the newly made pears. Needless to say I was thrilled that he liked them and promptly designed an apple to go with the pears- but you'll have to wait until tomorrow for that template ;-)

OK, so let's get started with the HOW TO:
1. Cut out the pieces using the pattern at the end of the how to

2. Pin the leaf to the center of the top curve of one of the pieces, facing in and down (sorry no pic of

this step)

3. Place the two pieces together, with the leaf on the inside and stitch around the pieces leaving the

bottom straight edge open.

(Close up of the top to show the top of leaf sticking out a bit)

4. Turn inside out.

5. Fill the inside of the pear with polyester filling and run a gathering stitch around the straight edged

base.

6. Pull the gathered edge in tight and secure.

Viola you have your pear.

And know for the pattern:

You know what to do- right click on the image and save image as.... and it is all yours for personal use only please.

The VERY Hungry Caterpillar

2010-02-28T08:40:00.000-08:00

Hi Fellow Crafters

I came across this idea -> here, and as my theme for the next 2 weeks at school is the foods we eat, I decided to use the idea and make props to go with the story of the Very Hungry Caterpillar. I just looked at the pics in the book and drew out the pictures onto the felt. I reinforced all the pieces with fusible web and on some foods I sewed details (ice cream cone, cherry pie, and cupcake wrapper) and on others I used my copic markers to add sprinkles (ice cream and cup cake) and seeds (the strawberry) and bumps on the skin (oranges).

I made a "caterpillar" out of a piece of crushed stretch velvet onto which I glued some googly eyes. I just cut a rectangular piece and folded it in half, I rounded off the top part of one end (the head end) and sewed a channel in the opposite end, through which I threaded some elastic so that the caterpillar doesn't come off my arm during story time.

And this is what it looks like once the caterpillar has eaten all the food.

Happy Crafting

Bunny Wristlet Pouch

2010-02-27T10:43:00.000-08:00

Hi Fellow Crafters

OK, I know I am way too early with Easter, but I am starting work on Monday (after a 8 year break and a total change in career!) so I need to get a head start on crafting for Easter as my new job is as a pre-k teacher and I will be needing to do Easter crafts with my group. Well, this one I can't do with them, but looking through various projects seemed to spark something in me to create this pouch, into which all sorts of Easter eggs can be placed.

Introducing my Bunny Wristlet Pouch (with template below).

I inserted a ribbon through a channel at the top of the pouch to "gather" it in. The ribbon forms a small "handle" to place around your wrist to hold the pouch- as can be seen in the back view of the pouch below.

An open view of the pouch.

And the contents.

Now for the template and how to:

1. Template:

FREEBIE: Right click on image below and save image as......

2. How to:

1. Cut out one body piece. Sew a channel along the top edge of the body piece as indicated by the

sewing line. Fold the top edge down to the sewing line and sew a 1/4" in from the line.

2. Cut out 4 ear pieces- I did this as my felt is very soft and I fused two ear pieces together so that

the ears would stand up.

3. I them cut my two inner ear pieces and fused (you could also glue them)them into the center of

the ears.

4. I stitched the ears onto my body piece, following the stitches I had already made, positioning

them on the side that would be the front of my bunny.

5. I then folded the body piece together and sewed it along the side and bottom edge.

6. Cut the eyes, nose, teeth and cheeks and position as desire, glue down.
Viola - you have your Bunny Wrislet Pouch.

Happy crafting.

Sweet Baby "Peek-a-boo" baby blankie

2010-02-21T06:49:00.000-08:00

Hi Fellow Crafters

I have never quilted before, but my sister is an avid quilter and I always love what she makes, so I decided to give it a try. Apart from been inspired by my sister there is also a plethora of very talented ladies around blogland that readily share their quilting talents.

I got the idea for the small blanket -> here ( great step by steps on how to assemble a mini quilt), and modified it to suit my requirements.

Having a few baby showers coming up in the near future I made the following tag "peek-a-boo" blanket ( so called as it can be used to play peek-a-boo with baby as suggested in the linked post).

I designed the lion piecing and decided that a matching card would just finish off the gift perfectly. I used Moda Fabrics for the quilt and core'dinations card stock for the card.

I added ribbon down the side of the card to compliment the "peek-a-boo" blankie. I stapled the ribbon along the edge of the back flap and decided that I did not like seeing the staples so I added a strip of orange card stock to the back piece to cover them.

I have not done a step by step as this POST has very good instructions. However I have included the pattern for the lion piecing and a diagram for dimensions of the "peek-a-boo" quilt (finished size 12" x 12").

FREEBIES:

Linked to

Happy crafting

Parties I've done for my kids over the years. (Freebies)

2010-02-18T12:26:00.000-08:00

Hi Fellow Crafters

For me it's that time of the year when I start to plan my sons birthday parties, I get them to choose a theme and start planning the decor and looking out for ideas to complete the theme- some may think me crazy but their birthdays are in 3 months time- I need that long to get organised.

My youngest has decided on a chef party and my eldest is still mulling it over.

All this party talk led me to looking back at past parties. Take a look at what I have done in the past.

A Mickey party - that turned into a Mickey on a train party (hence the cake-LOL) as my son decided 2 days before that he would rather have a train party (who can deny a 3 year old their wish!).

Above is the view of the undecorated cake.

Then came the bugs and butterflies party, with a bug "box" and butterfly net as take home gifts together with balloon "worm/caterpillars". A snail cake and worms in dirt (sour worms in chocolate pudding). A big ugly spider for a pinata (my first attempt at a pinata).

I used a mini peg with a ladybug to decorate the drinking straw and made spiders out of pipe cleaners. If you look closely you can see the bug in dirt, I decorated the container to look like a lady bug.

Here's my really ugly spider pinata. The kids still enjoyed hitting it though.

For their 3rd and 6th birthdays my sons decided on a Peter Pan and Tink party and a Lilo and Stitch (Hawwain) theme.

The Peter Pan party saw guests take home Tink wings and skirts and the boys a Peter Pan green outfit. The cake was a pirate ship and guests got there own treasure chest "cupcake". Needless to say the pinata was a pirate ship too. I also made balloon swords for a "good" pirate fight.

The take home dress up clothes.

I made very simple loot bags and appliqued a pirate ship on the front.

See below for the template to make the ship sweet holder. The site I got it off no longer exists.

For the pinata I enlarged the template below and constructed the hull out of lightweight chip board- it was really tough to break open.

The balloon sword.
FREEBIE: Yours to copy and use, right click on the invite and ship below and save image as...

For the Lilo and Stitch Party we did the whole Hawaiian theme with welcome leis and a welcome "mocktail". The pinata was a large pineapple and the guests got to take home the leis, sunglasses and a little sling bag (loot bag). The cake was very simple with Stitch in his space ship and each guest got a little piece of paradise in the form of a cupcake decorated with sand and sea with an umbrella and a gummy man sunbathing.

FREEBIE: Yours to copy and use, right click on the invite below and save image as...

Then came the mad scientist party, with lanyard, lab coat and mad scientist glasses held at a science lab were they conducted experiments with the guests.

My son decorated his own "mad science" cake on his own.

FREEBIE: Yours to copy and use, right click on the invite below and save image as...

Soooo now down to the real business of creating. I have already designed one take on the chef invite, so stay tuned as I have a template to share soon.

Happy crafting

Sharing even more love.

2010-02-15T12:35:00.000-08:00

Hi Fellow Crafters

Here is just something else I decided to send to school with the boys for Valentines. I found the heart balloons when I was clearing out a draw (bought them ages ago), early last week and the butterfly Valentine's I downloaded from Skip to my Lou -> here.

They were super easy to make and very well received.

Happy crafting.

Valentine gifts for classmates- for my eldest at least

2010-02-06T10:11:00.000-08:00

Hi Fellow Crafters

Well it's been quiet a week. I landed up having an emergency appendectomy on Tuesday night, so have been down and out since then, but today I had had enough of no crafting.

I realized my boys would need to hand out their classmates Valentine's on Friday as Valentine's Day falls on a Sunday this year. I love teaching the boys the need to tell people they are special and if we as moms don't teach them to be romantic who else will? So not having much energy at the moment I settled on something quick and easy, heart bags.

I love working with felt so I used a pattern and tutorial you can find -> HERE for the bag and a tutorial you can find -> HERE (this site rocks, get ready to stay a while) for the flowers. I started off hand stiching the bags but decided that due to the quantity I would machine stitch the rest.

For the tags I used muslin/calico and my copics and wrote my messages on them, I then tore them and stitched them onto the heart along with the flowers and leaves before putting the bags together. With the bag with the two flowers I got a little more creative and if you look closely you will see liitle pearl beads sewn into their centers.

What is going inside? I found these cute jelly bean hearts and am also wanting to add hair clips with some felt roses if I can find the time and energy.

Aren't the jelly beans great :-)

I'm linking this to so be sure to check out the other links there too.

Happy Crafting

So Fortunate to have you as a teacher (free template and tutorial- too)

2010-01-31T02:59:00.000-08:00

Hi Fellow Crafters

Creative Jewish Mom Blog has started an International Blog Linking Party hosted every Sunday. Head on over to her blog - here and play!

I was inspired by this post for this idea.

So Fortunate to have you as my Teacher.

It is pretty small but a single fortune cookie fits inside perfectly! I bought mine ready made bu there are many blogs that show you how to make your own if you have the time, both edible and non-edible : ).

What I did:

1. I printed out the template I designed (yours free to download at the end of this post), and cut it out along the solid lines.

2. Score along all dashed lines with your favorite scoring tool and fold using your bone folder.

3. Fold sides up ensuring the small side flaps are on the outside.

4. Holding the small side flaps together (see above) make a hole to insert a brad/eyelet.

5. If you want to add a handle do so now.

TIP: Ensure handle is long enough to open the box.

6. Repeat step 4 and 5 on the opposite side.

7. Close the top of the box by hooking the two curved parts together.

8. All folded up and closed.

I also made this one. If you think about it you can substitute teacher with countless other words such as My husband, in my life, as my son/daughter....

Here is the template FREE to use (personal use only please). I have also included the circle word stamp too :-) (to make them yours just right click on each and click on the Save image as... option)

Happy Valentine crafting.

Scrunchy Heart- Flashback (and a tutorial)

2010-01-27T10:59:00.000-08:00

Hi Fellow Crafters'

Today I saw polystyrene cut out hearts that brought back memories of scrunchy wreaths I once made using polystyrene rings. I wondered if the cut out hearts would work just as well, but to no avail, so I came u with plan B. I had these

lying around from another project and the idea came to me to make the scrunchy valentine hearts using them. This is what I landed up with.

This is what I did.

Step 1: Cut a piece of fabric 3" X 60".

Step 2: Fold the cut piece in half lengthwise and sew leaving a 1/2" seam.

Step 3: Use pinking shears to cut along sewn edge. You now have the outer casing of the heart.

Step 4: Take 2 of the pipe cleaners and twist them together.

Step 5: Inset the twisted pipe cleaners into the sewn casing.

Step 6: Once inserted. Secure the top by sewing the pipe cleaners to the top (see pic below).

Step 7: Gather the remaining casing so that it meets at the opposite end.

Step 8: Pull the end pieces together to form a circle. And sew ends together were they meet.

Step 9: Now pinch in the bottom and top to form the heart shape.

Step 10: Tie a length of ribbon into a bow and sew onto heart at the top.

Step 11: Sew on a length of thread or ribbon to hang the heart on the doorknob.

Step 12: Viola your scrunchy heart is ready to hang.

Happy crafting.

Sweet on you / Nuts about you! FREE templates

2010-01-25T00:17:00.000-08:00

Hi Fellow Crafters

I have been busy drafting templates and drawing lately trying to find something easy and economical to make for Valentine treats. I especially wanted something more masculine as I have two boys. I began by deciding what message I wanted to convey and chose the following 2 sayings:
1. "Nuts about you" and
2. "Sweet on you"

I designed a small box to put sweets and nuts in and made these:

For a girly treat I used the pinks and reds, the digi stamp is from Pink Cat Studio (I used Itty Bitty Betty- Ladybug and just added punched out hearts over the flower and in the antenna), I also added some gingham ribbon around the base of the box. The sweet on you bookplate I created in Word Art. Both the bookplates and template for the box appear at the end of this post.

Inside I placed a bag of pink gumballs to tie in with the sentiment.

For the boyish treat I used the more traditional neutral brown shades and I drew was I call the Love Nut Man to decorate the front of the box. The sentiment, Sweet treat box template and Love Nut Digital stamp can all be saved as... at the end of this post.

For the boys I added a bag of nuts.

So because we are heading for the month of love and to share the loving I'm sharing my templates with you for FREE, for personal use only please.

Remember right click on the images and save as.... to save them. I find that once I've saved them if I click and drag them into a word doc they are easier to manipulate (resize) and print put. The box template will print onto a A4 page and is ready to cut out and score.

Happy crafting

Gift Card Box

2010-01-24T11:56:00.000-08:00

Hi fellow crafters

Today was one of my niece's 18th birthday. I didn't just want to give her a gift card as it seemed boring that, that was all she was going to get to open. So I came up with what I call the Gift Card Box.

Inside the Gift Card Box I placed a little something she had been looking for a couple of days ago when we were shopping together.

And when she removed the ribbon she got a further surprise!

On the one side, a gift card in a pouch and on the other, the "card" portion of the Gift Card Box. So with one small box I took care of the

1. gift wrap

2. the gift card holder and

3. the "birthday" card (Yay!)

Stay tuned as I am drafting a template for the Gift Card Box with a tutorial which I will post in the coming week. In the mean time I have been busy with Valentine treats with a template which I will post tomorrow.

Happy Crafting

Heart "felt" valentine

2010-01-19T23:12:00.000-08:00

Hi fellow crafters

As I mentioned yesterday I wondered what my little love bug would look like in felt. So I got cutting and stitching and this is what I came up with.

A "U pull on my heart strings" treat baggy.

I pieced the teddy using applique paper. I ironed all the pieces to the front of the baggy initially and then did a blanket stitch around the pieces.

Here is a pic of the appliqued bear, showing the pouch which has been left open for the heart on a string to fit into.

This is what the teddy looks like with the heart taken out of its pouch.

The baggy is made using:

2 5"x6" pieces of pink felt (front and back of baggy)

1 5"x2" piece of pink felt (bottom of baggy)

1 10" piece of ribbon (handle)

Below are some visual "instructions" on how to sew the bottom of the baggy and proceed up the sides.

(Hope this makes sense.)

For FREE teddy image see this post.

Happy crafting.

U pull at my heart strings

2010-01-19T05:33:00.000-08:00

Hi fellow crafters

I felt like drawing the other night and have been wanting to try my hand at drawing something "graphically" for some time. I am by no means an artist, but do love teddies so this is what I drew using Word Art.

FREEBIE: Right click and save image as... to save him for yourself.

I then cut him apart and pieced him together to make this Valentine gift. Keeping this saying in mind: U pull at my heart strings, I made a small pouch into which a heart attached to a string could fit.

I used a heart box pattern found here (with a tutorial). I plan on putting a shortbread heart cookie inside.

Some close up shots.

Once I had finished this one I thought: I wonder how cute he would be in felt? I will post the outcome of that thought tomorrow once my project is complete.

Happy crafting.

You gotta try this!

2010-01-16T04:19:00.000-08:00

Haven't been doing much lately but did find this cool site Wordle that allows you to generate your own randomised text. Go check it out here.

Happy Crafting

Welcome 2010 and thinking of Valentine's day

2010-01-11T11:52:00.000-08:00

Hi

We finally got home after a wonderful 3 week holiday by the sea. Refreshed and full of new found resolve I have decided that 2010 is the year of purging all the clutter in my home. So needless to say I will be concentrating on that for the next few weeks as my kids go back to school on Wednesday.

I have however started thinking of Valentine treats for my boys to hand out on the day. Every year I make something for my boys to hand out to all their classmates (one year I only gave to the girls and the boys were very upset so now I just get them mini chocolate slabs so they don't feel left out ; -) .

This is what I made for 2008. For my youngest a simple pouch tied closed with a ribbon, filled with heart chocolates the boys helped me make.

For my eldest a small drawstring pouch also filled with chocolates but topped off with a bracelet my son made.

For 2009:

Little houses filled with heart chocolates, inspired by this post by Lauren Meader and the pull treat (mini chocolate slab) can be found here on Splitcoaststampers. Apologies for the poor photo's - my DH was overseas with the camera and the back up was in for repairs. The flowers around the house are made using a small heart stamp with hand drawn stems.

The larger house was the teachers Valentine's gift.

I hope I get some inspiration for this year soon- must say I've seen some great projects on Splitcoaststampers already.

Happy New Year

2009-12-31T08:46:00.000-08:00

Wishing you all a Happy New Year and all the best of all things good for 2010.

See you in the new year.
Paola

Oh Christmas Tree.

2009-12-17T01:42:00.000-08:00

Hi

Just some of pictures of my tree with various ornaments I have made over the years, paper, fabric, wood and beads.

Thanks for looking.

Happy Crafting.

Paola

Christmas Tree Topiary- (with a tutorial)

2009-12-16T14:16:00.000-08:00

Hi

A little project I worked on with my boys for the Christmas table this year.

Very simple to do and they loved that they got to help.

Here is what we did for the "blue" topiary:

The materials needed:

Polystyrene Trees
Polystyrene Balls
Craft pins
Bamboo Skewers
Various beads
Metal bucket
Tinsel
Ribbon

1. Paint the polystyrene trees, I inserted the skewer into the tree to aid with the painting. Set aside to dry.

2. Once dry embellish as desired, I used craft pins to attach blue beads to the tree (aka baubles) and wound tinsel around the tree.

3. Once embellished remove skewer and set tree aside.

4. Take the skewer and cut it to the desired length. I tied a bow around the skewer at this point as I find it difficult to make a good bow at the end. Insert the blunt end of the skewer into the polystyrene ball.

5. Place some sticky tack into the bottom of the bucket (this just secures the ball in the bucket), you could also hot glue the ball in place.

6. Insert the tree onto the skewer.

7. Add the angel to the top of the tree- insert the angel using the end of the pin used to put the angel together.

8. Fill the bottom of the bucket with polyester fiber fill.

9. Take a strand of tinsel and wind it around the base of the tree.

Viola you have your Christmas tree topiary!

Happy crafting.

Paola

"Hugger" with a tutorial (of sorts!) and 2 freebies

2009-12-12T14:13:00.000-08:00

Hi

Another gift idea I put together today for my DHs cousin, which has to be given tomorrow, as we will not be seeing them on Christmas day.

Now for the how to - I barely sew so this is a real novice attempt at a tutorial and pattern (LOL) so apologies up front.

Grab the pattern by right clicking on the image below and save image as. Once saved open the file and print. Seam allowance has been included and as I used felt I sewed as close as possible to the edge to avoid bulkiness.

Materials needed:

Felt - white, red, orange and black

Fibre filling - to stuff the head and the body

Elastic - for the arms and legs

Velcro - to keep huggers hands together

Red Wire - for earmuffs

Glue - for eyes

Embroidery floss - mouth

Sewing machine

FREEBIE:

Here is how I made up his huggers aka springy arms and legs:
1. Cut the elastic into 4, 41/2" pieces.
2. Cut the arms and legs from white felt
3. Take the arm and leg pieces and attach the velcro to each piece.

4. Take the arms and legs and folding the piece of felt in half, attach the elastic to the top and bottom of the felt (see pics below)

Sew along the length of the arm and leg pieces pulling the elastic as you sew. This is what you should end up with.

5. Attach the arms and legs to the body where indicated on the pattern by the marks ---, ensure the legs are on the inside of the 2 body pieces before sewing so that when the body is turned inside out the legs and arms with be on the outside of the body.

6. Turn body the right way, stuff the body. Run a gathering stitch around the "neck" of the body and pull tight, sew it closed.

6. Take the head pattern piece and run a basting sick around the head, fill with fiber, and pull stitching shut, sew it closed.

7. Sew the carrot/nose piece (should cut one piece only for the nose) together and stuff with fibre fill - attach the carrot/nose to the snowman's face.

8. Cut the eyes and mouth out and place them on the snowman's face. Embroider the mouth using black embroidery floss. Highlight the checks (I used a pink Copic maker).

9. Take the ear muff circles and again run a basting stitch around the circle, filling it with fibre fill and creating small circles. attach a piece of wire or a pipe cleaner to hold the muffs together( I sewed my ear muffs onto the wire I used).

10. Cut the scarf out and make fringes in the bottom of the strip.
Place the scarf on the snowman, embellish as desired.

FREEBIE: Right click on image below- it is the template (created by me) to the tag I attached, I actually used my Copics to color the tree after I printed it.

TFL

Happy Crafting

Paola

Have you seen all the tutu tutorials around the web!

2009-12-11T22:21:00.000-08:00

Hi

I have seen some really great tuts for tutus (here is a good one), and I just HAD to give one a try to give as a gift. While I was making the child sized one, it dawned on me to make a matching one for a teddy to be added to the gift which could also be used on the recipients other smaller dolls- so they can play dress up together (LOL).

I also couldn't stop at the tutu so I purchased a cheap t-shirt and added some sparkle and made a wand to go with too.

Not clear from images but I added strands of

ribbon at intervals around the tutu and added

a double bow to the front of the tutu.

Close up of top and tutu:

Used glitter applique glue to make the "glitter" beads

around the neckline.

And the wand: I used a length of place that is hollow and inserted a ribbon through trying a large bead to the top and bottom, I pulled it tight so that the top bead doesn't flop around, added some ribbons around the top and viola- super easy.

And she needs something to carry this outfit in now!

So I made this, you can find instructions for the tote/purse here (Note: scroll down the page to get to the tutorial on this link).

Here is the little teddy with its own "itty bitty" tutu (can be used on other dolls as well).

Added a ballet shoe charm to the tutu and

free cut a felt crown to turn the ted into a

ballerina princess.

Thanks for looking.

Happy Crafting

Paola

Ballet Stocking Gift Card Holder

2009-12-11T20:57:00.000-08:00

Hi

My niece graduated from high school this year and as her school career comes to an end so too has her ballet dancing tuition so I thought it would be fitting as I want to give her a gift card for her Christmas gift, to create a card holder/tree ornament that would remind her of her ballet dancing (she has been attending ballet lessons since she was 3 and she is now 17).

I found a template on the Family Fun site- get it HERE (they have some other fun stocking variations too).

Close up of the ballet slipper.

Using the guidleines in the following challenges I turned the Ballet Stocking into a Winter Wonderland with a caroling theme:

SCS Ways to use it challenge: Let's go Carolling- Let It Snow

Pile it On: Tinsel Town - glitter

Cupcake Craft Challenges: Sing a Christmas Carol- Let it Snow

The Cuttlebug Spot: Gift packaging- Ballet Stocking

Crafty Card Makers: Alternative Christmas- Colors and Ballet Stocking

I used Cosmo Crickets new Christmas line Jolly by Golly and bazzill card. I embossed the white card with my Cuttlebug swirl embossing folder and added glitter to the snowflakes and houses. I constructed the snowman by cutting out of the patterned patter and piecing him together.

I have other ballet related gifts I have made to share later today so be sure to check back.

Happy Crafting
Paola

Cupcake turned tea cup!

2009-12-10T23:41:00.000-08:00

Hi

Edited : 12 Dec to add in links to felt foods- scroll down.

I am soooooo in love with felt food (sadly have not had much time to do much though).

I was trying to make a cupcake and landed up with this- a small teacup cum espresso cup.

So now I had to make a saucer.

And what is a good cup of coffee without some treats!

And a plate to put those treats on...

While I was taking the pics my boys decided to start playing with the set (I think they just wanted to be on the blog ; - ) LOL).

So they get their moment of glory and now the set all together:

Now I have to decided how to package them.

After I had made my own templates I found loads of free templates on the net, will share my templates and ~~the links later,~~links are now below- if I get a chance (Busy busy busy).

1. Fruit

2. Egg

3. Doughnuts

4. Banana

5. Various Veg

6. Corn

There are many more if you type in felt play food into google search.

TFL

Happy crafting

Paola

Hello Kitty Gift Bag

2009-12-10T12:16:00.000-08:00

Hi

I made a Hello Kitty handbag for a friends daughter and wanted to package the gift in a Hello Kitty Theme, but when I looked in the stores could not find any so I decided to make one myself and it is also for the challenge over at Project Tuesday (be sure to visit as they are releasing their new digi range).

Here is what I did.

1. I found a coloring in page of Hello Kitty's head (right click as save image as... if you want to use the image below for your own bags)

2. I cut it out of silver cardstock

3. I cut the "sides" of the bag, a piece of card stock 15" x 2/1/2". I scored the card along the long edge at 1/2" and 2", and made small cuts all the way along both edges so I could follow the curve of the Kitty's head.

I glued the band around the head, see pic below.

View from the side.

And the finished product.

Freebie: Right click on the image below and save image as.. to save the holly leaf outline, I used a 11/2" punch to punch out the circle in the center of the holly leaves.

What's inside?

A hello Kitty handbag made from felt!

The Hello Kitty felt handbag has a velcro closure and a chain handle. (My son is modeling the handbag above -LOL!)

The bow comes off as it is attached with velcro and I am also making a flower and holly leaf to alternate as needed.

And what's inside the felt handbag?

A felt purse

Open view of the purse, ribbon pulls the purse closed.

The duo

and the trio.

Thanks for looking and happy crafting.

Paola

Gift Giving

2009-12-07T07:22:00.000-08:00

Just a little something I put together for a friends birthday. I made a matching gift card but didn't take a pic(go-figure).

I picked up the Issey Miyake hand cream for a song and paired it with a small manicure set (to keep in your purse). I tied it together with some red ribbon added some Christmas berries and placed an elastic bookmark with an angel around the "box".

I used Basic Grey Wassail Christmas paper for the top and bottom of the box and scored a strip of aceteate to form the center of the box.

Here is a close up on the elasticated bookmark and what it looks like used in a book.

Just goes to show that no matter what you may have spent on a gift it can be "dressed" up to look like luxurious gifts that may have cost a pretty penny.

Thanks for Looking
Happy Crafting
Paola

A Sledding we will go... Edited on 12.10.2009

2009-12-04T22:56:00.000-08:00

Hi

This is another gift card holder I made this week, I'm loving giving gift cards this year as the recipients seem much more appreciative of them.

OK, so I was inspired by the challenge over on Pals Paper Arts. I decided to take the challenge at face value- hence the sled. Also for the challenge over at Stamp for Fun and Crazy for Challenges.

I made the sled from memory- we don't get snow here so I hope it came out OK, I also didn't have time to google - as true to form I begun this at 11 pm the night before my eldest son had to give it to his teacher.

Here are some other views of the sled gift card holder.

Here is a side view, I even put blades on the holder.

Bottom view. The top and bottom layers do not align with each other, the bottom layer extends beyound the top layer to give it the lip. See pic below of top of gift card holder.

(Untidy I know. I later covered my bad gluing!)

Top of gift card holder.

Close up of front and back of tag I attached- you can download these here for free.

Freebie: Since it is the season of giving,
1. right click on image below
2. select save image as
and you will have the sled template for personal use.

EDITED TO ADD:

For another take on how to strengthen the blade/runner - check out the Stamp-n-Design blog she made some variations to the sled which are great. I love seeing how others use my templates.

I really loved making this and my sons teacher was really thrilled too.

Thanks for looking
Happy crafting
Paola

Give a gift card the boot !!!!

2009-12-02T06:14:00.000-08:00

Hi

I have been super busy making and packaging teacher gifts as my sons finish school for the Christmas holidays this week.

My youngest sons teacher has been a true blessing this last year and I wanted to get her something special but everyone who is close to her, (who I asked) said a gift card would be best. I guess that at least she will get exactly what she wants now : - )

I used the santa boot card template from Whimsie Doodles and just made a few alterations. I also used a digital stamps from The Cutting Cafe.

I cut the template in half so I had two separate boot pieces and then made cuts in the "back" boot to hold the gift card. I then joined the two pieces together at the holly leaves with a brad so the card swings open. (By the way I didn't use the card in its original form as I had to enlarge it to fit the gift card and the template then no longer fit on one page.)

Here is an open view of the card.

And this is the gift that I added so that my little one had a "gift" to give (he said that the card was NOT a gift!). A face cloth cupake- yum FAT FREE, what could be better.

I used this template which I used upside down.

To view of box.

Happy Crafting

Paola

Bucket Load of Christmas Cheer and some freebies!

2009-11-29T11:38:00.000-08:00

Hi

Exams are finally over... WOOT WOOT!!!!!

We were invited to lunch today and this is what I took for the hostess.

FREEBIE: right click on the image above and select save image as..to create your own tag like mine.

OK - it wasn't empty. Inside I placed the following goodies.

1. A bottle of wine for the host. Wine bottle sports a Christmassy Waistcoat.

2. For the hostess a set of Christmas Angel food picks (didn't take a pic), an angel bookmark in a "tree" box shown in a previous post.

3. For the kids.

Instant snow (yes - we don't get the real stuff here!)

Hair clips

Candy Canes: these and the ones from this post.

And bags of "reindeer food". I cut the reindeer head from craft foam and gave him some pipe cleaner antlers. The reindeer head detaches and is a tree ornament- hence the string hanging in his face.

FREEBIE: Just right click on each of the images below and select save image as to use them on your own projects.

I attached these to the bag of reindeer food (oats and colored coarse salt) inside the above reindeer food bag.

And the full bucket looked like this.........

I cheated on some of the tags and used clip art from Digiscrapkits (PS they are having a huge sale at the moment), for the others I used Dustin Pike digital stamp images, colored with copics. I also used my scallop and circle punches as well as my labels 1 spellbinder die.

Have been working on a of Christmas gifts which I will post as I finish them off. Some involve sewing- which I am VERY new at and A LOT of felt projects (I AM LOVING FELT).

Happy Crafting
Paola

Uh Oh- Whose that coming down the chimney!!! ; O

2009-11-01T08:56:00.000-08:00

Hi

Up to my eyeballs studying for exams right now, so will keep this short. Boots are a cut file from Whimsy Doodles -> find them here.

Couldn't resist doing this with the santa boots I downloaded, I still have some other ideas for a card and somethimg else to go with this, but its going to have to wait.

I used My Timeless Template For Keepsakes purchased here. I did cut it down a bit as the chimney was a bit too long. I created the tag using word art. and the snow is textured paint.

Thanks for looking.

Paola

Reindeer Treat Holder Template- Best I can do

2009-10-26T07:48:00.000-07:00

Hi

I have had numerous requests for my template for the reindeer, I don't have any fancy gadgets to make a PDF or the likes and I just drew the pattern free-hand, so this is the best I could do.

To save the template right click on image above and save as image to your computer, from there open up word and click and drag the saved jpg into the word doc, should print to size. See images below for placement of eyes, nose and antlers. That's the best I can do.

Please note I am happy to share this template but please don't copy and sell the template.

Thanks for all your lovely comments. Happy creating.

Paola

Santa Claus is coming to town? ! ?

2009-10-25T06:59:00.000-07:00

Hi, hope you have all been having a fab weekend.

Edited to add: Please see post dated 26.10.2009 for a template for the reindeer.

I've been busy...... The theme over on the Winter Wonderland Blog is an open one this week and at Pals Paper Arts(PPA13) the challenge is anything but a card.

Every year for the past three years I have been assigned the task of decorating the tree at my youngest sons school for their annual Santa Claus visit. This year the task falls to me again. I always like to decorate the tree with some sort of treat holder which get handed out to each child on their departure (almost like a party favor). Needless to say I have to make about 80 of these so I get started early, especially as I am writing my final exams at the moment all the way through to the end of November
: ( . The reindeer head is folded over to make a holder for a candy cane(see below).

I then made shortbread cookies with my boys and the idea came to me to convert the reindeer into a cookie holder too....

Here's a back view so you can see how the cookie is attached. I put it into a cello bag, made two holes at the base of the reindeer head, tied ribbon through and tied the bag to the back of the head, I then glued the ribbon over the holes in the front.

I made the reindeers all a little different.

While I was making the reindeer the creative juices started flowing and I also made these using my circle punch.

And here's what they all look like together....

TFL

Blessings

Paola

Polka dots and red high heels....

2009-10-20T08:03:00.000-07:00

Hi

My mom is 79 this year and she has always spoken about a pair of red stillettos and a polka dot dress she wore as a young lady, so we decided to do the decor for her party as... you guessed it... red high heels (template here- Ellen Hutson) and a matching handbag.

I used Bazzill Basic Card stock and Scenic Route DP. Filled the shoes and bag with Lindt truffels.

TFL

Paola

Another Tree box

2009-10-12T03:42:00.000-07:00

Hi

I am really enjoying making these "tree" boxes, so here is another one. Still using angel Emma.

Materials Used

Bazzill Basics Card Stock
Cosmo Cricket DP
Copics
Angel Emma Digi from All That Scraps
Sizzlets mini tags
Stickles Diamond glitter
Pointsettia, glitter brad

TFL
Paola

Christmas tree Boxes

2009-10-11T01:38:00.000-07:00

The challenge over on the Creative Inspirations Challenge blog is the make a Christmas card or project and as I needed to make just that I decided to play along.

I am planning to make some Bead Angel bookmarks (see below), so I wanted an angel themed box for them to go inside. I'm still toying with the idea of putting string through the top of the box so that they can double up as tree ornaments.

Here is what the box looks like completed, it opens from the side-really cool. After I die cut the holly leaves using Core'dinations card I scored them down the center and sanded them for dimension.

I love these little tree boxes, find the template HERE.

Materials Used

Bazzill Basics Card Stock
Core'dinations Card Stock
Making memories Mistletoe DP
Copics
Angel Emma Digi from All That Scraps
Sizzix Holly Die and Sizzlets mini tags
Stickles Diamond glitter
Pointsettia, glitter brad

TFL
Paola

Pop up Gift card holder

2009-10-11T00:48:00.000-07:00

Hi

This is a gift card holder I made for the Project Tuesday challenge. I love this new digi image from All That Scraps. Head on over to the Project Tuesday site as they have a link to a tutorial for this card holder, so go check it out.

You can't see to well from the pics but the wings and halo are all sparkly as well as sparkles on her sleeves and edge of her skirt. I also highlighted Believe by going over it with my Spica Glitter pen.

Materials Used:

Bazzill Basics Card Stock

Fiskars clear stamps- Believe

Momento inks

Angel Emma Digi from All That Scraps

Label 1 die from Spellbinders

Spica Glitter pen-Silver Twinkling stars

Stickles Diamond glitter

Cuttlebug Snowflakes embossing folder

Flower and die cut snowflake- behind believe tag

TFL

Paola

Jog my memory- Booklet- Christmas Gift idea

2009-10-06T23:24:00.000-07:00

Hi

I don't know about you, but my memory is not all that great. I often think of gift ideas for friends and family even the teachers and when it comes time to buy I can't seem to think of that perfect gift. So I decided to make this little booklet to keep in my bag to record details as and when the opportunity arises, for example when my mom-in-law sees something on a shopping trip and says she would really like it!

The faux stitching on the Label 1 die is also for the Crazy for Challenges challenge to use stitching on your project.

I made the pages in word and if you right click on the image below and save as, you can then click and drag the saved jpg into a word document.

Here is a view of the open booklet.

Below is one of the pages filled out just to give you an idea of how I use this booklet.

I used Fiskars clear stamps and my Label 1 Nestie die. The papers are Bo Bunny, Adornit and Bazzill linen card stock.

I think I am going to make a few as stocking stuffers for family members for Christmas.

TFL
Blessings.
Paola

Boo!

2009-10-06T10:09:00.000-07:00

Hi

I love the Pile it on challenge as you get to try and incorporate as many challenges as possible into your project.

The following treat bag I made is 3D for the Pile it on challenge, the colors are from the color challenge on The Pink Elephant blog, the stitching is for the Crazy for Challenges blog and the Halloween theme is for the Fun with shapes and More challenge.

The template can be downloaded HERE. Just print it directly onto your card stock cut, score and assemble-easy peasy.

I actually printed the template onto plain printer paper then tore my papers and glued them to the back of the template before cutting and assembling, so as to get the torn layers. The stamp is from Making memories, I used the back of the stamp for the gray background and then stamped the feet over the gray background. I did some faux stitching along the torn edges, sort of Frankenstein style (LOL!).

Put in some treats and away you go.

TFL

Paola

Sweet Inspiration - Warning inspiration overload (AKA looooong post)

2009-09-30T21:29:00.000-07:00

I am so glad my computer is back online.

While it was down I got to do some creating, especially for Lauren's My Timeless Templates challenge and the challenge over on the Winter Wonderland blog. I have a ton of pictures so I'm going to dive right in.

First up, I used the My stocking stuffer template a FREE download , I reduced the template to a quarter of the size and printed it out onto my card stock. I wanted it this small as I want to be able to hang them on a small centerpiece tree. I will then place a Lindt Truffle inside to give to each guest on their departure. I got my inspiration from these Lindt truffles:

Here's my mini stocking

I used a snowflake stamp to make the snowflake accent paper.

Next up I used the Pretty Petals Template and took my inspiration from the good old candy cane. I came up with this:

Pretty straight forward, kept it plain and simple, but feel it came out well.

Third and lastly I used the Milk made template in both the large and petite versions and was inspired by this lollipop

First the larger version. I used Dustin Pike digi stamps and although you can't see from the pics I stamped a snowflake pattern on the blue card stock.

Secondly the petite version.This is also a digi stamp, I forget now who it is from. I used my scalloped scissors to cut the roof tiles and the snow is textured paint I painted on.

The two together to get a size comparisson.

And finally the whole lot together.

Thanks for looking
Paola

S O S - Itty Bitty Halloween treat

2009-09-25T09:08:00.000-07:00

SCS has a great Limited supplies challenge this week - to make something incorporating something with an S, something with an O and something with an S - S O S.

I must admit it did take some thinking. This was super easy and super fast to put together and I think I am going to make them to hand out to both my sons classmates. I just love the new Ladybug from Pink Cat Studios and they have a Halloween version, so I used her.

The little "sack" holding the sweets is some netting I found at a packaging store a while back. I just cut off a length added the sweets in the center, lifted the corners to make the "sack" and tied it off with some ribbon.

Isn't she the cutest? I just had to add some close ups. I'm so glad that the sparkles on the head band and wings showed up.

Oh and by the way my SOS is:

S - square

O - orange bucket and sweets that are round

S - stitching (faux)

TFL

Paola

Itty Bitty Ladybug

2009-09-24T00:05:00.000-07:00

Hi

Project Tuesday has a challenge to create a bag in a box. (You can find the tutorial here). Pink Cat Studios has just opened a digital stamp store online - check it out here. They have the cutest stamps!

OK, so I have to admit that my inspiration for this bag in a box came from this idea on Lauren Meaders' blog.

I used a new digital stamp from Pink Cat and colored her in with my copics. The bag on the box was made using Bazzil Bling card and I free hand cut the "wings" and punched the spots. You can't see properly in the picture but the antennae and flower have res glitter on them and the antennae brads and little flowers. I used a bull dog clip to close my bag and tied several ribbon around the clip handle. You get a Halloween version of the ladybug and this would make a great Trick or treat box- don't you think?

Here's a close up of the clip.

Here's a close of the lady bug- isn't she adorable?

TFL

Have a great day.

Paola

Rudolph the (glitter) nose reindeer!

2009-09-23T07:20:00.000-07:00

Hi

I just adore this digi stamp by DZ Doodles. If you head over to Paper Craft Planet(PCP) and sign up on the DZ Doodle group you get this guy plus other digi stamps for FREE.

They are also having a sketch challenge over at DZ Doodles group on PCP and this is my take on the challenge. It also qualifies for the Pile it on challenge to use punches and the color challenge on Stampin' with Di's blog.

I used BoBunny DP for the background and Basic Grey DP for the red background. The scallop is a punch out of white card stock which I distressed with ice blue from Color Box. I used red glitter for Rudolphs' nose and used white texture paint for the "snow" and the fur on Rudi's hat. The snowflakes are a punch from Carla Crafts and I used a glittery brad for the center. The ribbon is from American Crafts. Rudi is colored with copics.

Here are some close ups.

I'm off to make something else using my FREE digi's.

Hope you have a fab day.

TFL
Paola

1st Birthday

2009-09-20T00:40:00.000-07:00

Hi

Just a quick post as I am off to a first birthday party. I used the sketch over at Crazy for Challenges.

Here's the card I made.

Hope you have a blessed Sunday.

TFL

Paola

!!! Spooktacular !!!

2009-09-18T09:39:00.000-07:00

Spooky Greetings

I have managed to combine 3 challenges into one-WOOT WOOT!
1. Limited supplies on SCS Spooky Colors
2. The Fresh Batch SASSC33 Sketch
3. Copic Buzz Black and grey Challenge

So it's my first attempt at using black and grey copics in any serious way, so I still have a way to go, but I did enjoy doing this card. I got the image as a freebie from Sassy Studio Designs on the Copic Buzz Blog.

I generated the spooktacular wording in Word and printed it onto my card stock.

TFL

Paola

A moment in time

2009-09-17T11:50:00.000-07:00

Hi

This is a scrap page inspired by this weeks Ways to Use it challenge on SCS.

TFL
Paola

Remember that date! Birthday Book Challenge

2009-09-17T10:48:00.000-07:00

Hi

Project Tuesday is having a challenge this week to make a birthday book and as I am always undecided when it comes to colors I used the color combinations challenge on SCS to inspire my color scheme.

So OK my take for the Project Tuesday challenge is not exactly a book but it still holds the template they gave as well as tags ready to be used on gifts.

Here's my take.

Below you can see that the inside has two pockets one with the tags and one with the months.

I made individual "tags" of the months, so they can be slipped out individually. January can go behind December once the month is over and so forth, so that the current month is always in the front of the pocket to remind us of that months birthdays.

The happy birthday words behind the stamp was generated in word and printed onto the cardstock and then punched out. The stamp is a digi stamp from Softpencil I also used Techique Tuesday stamps for the background swirl ad copics to color the stamps.

Hope you have a blessed day.

Crafting Hugs

Paola

Christmas - All boxed up

2009-09-16T11:52:00.000-07:00

In getting ready for Christmas one of my aims is to be organized this year- hence this idea. Using the "All boxed up" template from PTI. I decided to turn it into a holder for Christmas cards, tags and a mailing list.

When open it has two pockets, one with the tags, which has a mailing list next to it ...

and one with the cards.

All images used are from Dustin Pike (P.S. he is having a fab sale at the moment) which I colored using copics. Here is a look at the tags out of their pocket (a bit of a shiny pic- sorry).

This is what the cards look like.

I kept them very simple ( when I colored these I had just started using copics and only had a few) and I am thinking of making some of these as gifts but will try out other images as well.

TFL

Paola

C4C2 and Winter Wonderland Challenge post

2009-09-15T08:25:00.000-07:00

Hi Everyone

My take on the challenges over at Crazy for Challenges and Winter Wonderland Blogs. I used BoBunny stamps and papers, the word stamp I can't remember who the manufacturer is as I took it out its sleeve to file in my clear stamp file (not so bright right!). Used my copics to color Santa and versamark inks to ink around the edges.

Thanks for taking the time to visit.

Crafting Hugs
Paola

My {Creative} Place

Santa's sack

Kids Crafts

Pop on over - freebies and a tutorial

Santa Suit Gift Card holder

You've been "elfed" - well maybe only half!!!!

Santa Hat Gift Card Holder with Tutorial

Giving a Hoot

Baby Gifts

Lego Birthday Party

"Chocolate Cake" pincushion

They used my template :-)

Easter basket (with a template and a tutorial)

Easter baking

Burrowing bunny

Easter crafting with my class

Easter crafting with the kids

Girl baby shower gifts

Happy Birthday

Felt Fruit- Apple with template and tutorial

Felt Fruit- Pear with template and tutorial

The VERY Hungry Caterpillar

Bunny Wristlet Pouch

Sweet Baby "Peek-a-boo" baby blankie

Parties I've done for my kids over the years. (Freebies)

Sharing even more love.

Valentine gifts for classmates- for my eldest at least

So Fortunate to have you as a teacher (free template and tutorial- too)

Scrunchy Heart- Flashback (and a tutorial)

Sweet on you / Nuts about you! FREE templates

Gift Card Box

Heart "felt" valentine

U pull at my heart strings

You gotta try this!

Welcome 2010 and thinking of Valentine's day

Happy New Year

Oh Christmas Tree.

Christmas Tree Topiary- (with a tutorial)

"Hugger" with a tutorial (of sorts!) and 2 freebies

Have you seen all the tutu tutorials around the web!

Ballet Stocking Gift Card Holder

Cupcake turned tea cup!

Hello Kitty Gift Bag

Gift Giving

A Sledding we will go... Edited on 12.10.2009

More Fat free cupcakes and a tutorial.

Give a gift card the boot !!!!

Bucket Load of Christmas Cheer and some freebies!

Uh Oh- Whose that coming down the chimney!!! ; O

Reindeer Treat Holder Template- Best I can do

Santa Claus is coming to town? ! ?

Polka dots and red high heels....

Another Tree box

Christmas tree Boxes

Pop up Gift card holder

Jog my memory- Booklet- Christmas Gift idea

Boo!

Sweet Inspiration - Warning inspiration overload (AKA looooong post)

S O S - Itty Bitty Halloween treat

Itty Bitty Ladybug

Rudolph the (glitter) nose reindeer!

1st Birthday

!!! Spooktacular !!!

A moment in time

Remember that date! Birthday Book Challenge

Christmas - All boxed up

C4C2 and Winter Wonderland Challenge post