Thanksgiving on Artfire

Thanksgiving is one of my favorite holidays...  the aromas coming from the kitchen, the colors of... not only decorations, but the colorful vegetables on the table...family and friends gathering for a warm celebration.
Here are a few things that remind me of this holiday from Artfire. 
Have a wonderful Thanksgiving.

                                         Maria Palito


                                             refinedinspirations


         Glass Act

                              


                                        ClaireMDesigns




                                     Putnam Lake Designs



                                 Lauras Crafts

Halloween Earrings

Halloween is time for dress up and fun.  You can go all out with a head to toe costume or maybe just a hat, mask or some jewelry.  Bracelets, earrings and necklaces are an easy way to celebrate Halloween at school, the office or any work place.  Here are some fun lampwork earrings from my Artfire Shop; perfect for that fun and scary day!

All earrings are affordable at $6.50.

Visit  The Halloween Shop on Artfire.

http://www.artfire.com/ext/shop/studio/ClaireMDesigns/1/1/241536//

Talk Like a Pirate Day

                                                                                                                     

                                                                                               

I've been working with children's after school programs for many years. We occasionally have fun theme days.  Recently I came across a holiday which is unknown to many.  That is "Talk Like a Pirate Day".  It is celebrated on September 19th.

Here's a link to the history and an explanation from Wikipedia:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/International_Talk_Like_a_Pirate_Day

It basically celebrates the romanticized version of Pirates of the old movies...  dress like a pirate, talk like a pirate and play pirate games.
In keeping with the theme, I've found some pirate items on Artfire:




                                              ClaireMDesigns


 

Jetaime Designs

ClaireMDesigns



Mandies Candies









 
                               cOnfus3dgurl


                           ClaireMDesigns

                                                    Laura's Crafts
                                             Ooh-La-La Printables



Seashells

I love seashells.  I love collecting them, sorting them and crafting with them.

Seashell Earrings
bohowirewrapped

Seashells are like snowflakes in a way; no two are alike.  They are also very versatile; and can be used in many ways from home decor to jewelry. Summer is coming to a close and I'd like to share some of the seashell items from my shop as well as other Arfire Shops.  Having seashells around the house is a reminder of summer all year long.





Picture Frame
ClaireMDesigns

Double Switchplate
ClaireMDesigns

Mother of Pearl Bracelet
ClaireMDesigns

Blue Seashell and Pearl Bracelet
Erbland Elegance

Christmas Ornament
Sandhillkar

Shell Earrings
Remember This Two

Seashell Pendant
Cells Dividing

Zucchini Anyone?

This summer we joined the local CSA ( Community Supported Agriculture) at our local farm.  We bought a half-share, since there are only two of us at home.  At this time of the summer, as any home gardener knows, zucchini is in abundance.  So, when we pick up our farm box on Tuesdays we are loaded up with zucchini.  (By the way, our CSA also supports our local food bank.)   But,what to do with all of that zucchini?  Well there's ratatouille - a great stew of zucchini, onions, tomatos and eggplant.  Eat a batch and freeze a batch.  There's also sauted zucchini with onions and yellow squash (leftovers go into an omelet for lunch the next day).  And then there's the old hippie standby zucchini bread.
This summer I came across two different recipes for this versatile vegetable, thanks to the Food Network.
The first one is an Ellie Kreiger recipe:
Zucchini Roll Ups
http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/ellie-krieger/grilled-zucchini-rolls-with-herbs-and-cheese-recipe/index.html
For this recipe, herb goat cheese also works well.   It's also a great way to use up some of that basil in your garden.

Next is an Ina Garten recipe:
Zucchini Gratin
http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/ina-garten/zucchini-gratin-recipe2/index.html

Both of these are going into my recipe rotation for the summer. 
I hope you'll give them a try.
Happy Cooking!

Favorite Craft Tools

We all have our favorite craft tools.  Some are costly and some are as simple and inexpensive as wooden craft sticks.  Some of my favorite craft tools  are actually are not craft tools, but items that I have repurposed for crafting... a dental pick,  tweezer, and wallpaper roller.

I use a dental pick (available at pharmacies) for many tasks.  When my fingers are too big to move tiny objects into place on a greeting card, I will use the pick to move them. It also slides easily under two pieces of paper that need to be taken apart.   It  helps to move items into place when taking photographs.  When I'm working with beads, I often will move or pick up the beads with the pick. 

The tweezer is used also to pick up beads and move them into place, as well.  I also like to use it when I need to add glue to the back of delicate die cuts and place them on a card.

When my bone folder is not handy, I use a wallpaper seam roller.  I fact, I probably use it more than the bone folder.  Its easier to hold, and more pressure can be applied with it.  When adhering two papers together, I use the roller over the card to make sure it sticks.  My only caution is,  when stamping, make sure the ink is completely dry before rolling over it, to avoid smears.

These are just some of my favorites...low cost and multi-purpose.

New Artfire Collection

Happy Fourth of J...

Curated By: ClaireMDesigns

ArtFire.com

Handmade Jewelry

Great collection from some of the talented card makers on Artfire!

http://www.artfire.com/modules.php?name=collections&op=details&cid=43125

Iris Folding in Card Making

I came across Iris Folding in cardmaking, when, once again I was looking for a new project for my class at the senior center.  I found a website about iris folding:

     http://www.circleofcrafters.com/irisfolding/patternofthemonth.html.

  It offered a variety of different templates for all types of projects for many different occasions and seasons. 



This is a card I am currently working on.

 Wikipedia decribes iris folding as a paper craft that involves folding strips of colored paper in such a way as to form a design.  The center of the design forms an iris; much like that of the center of a camera lens.
Iris folding originated in Holland, where early crafters made their designs using patterned paper cut from the inside of envelopes.  Today materials such as scrapbooking paper,  origami paper, wrapping paper, magazines or even ribbon are used.
The directions for iris folding require that you fold strips of paper to give them a straight edge.  I however, use my  paper cutter to make straight and even strips.

It also saves paper, since it doesn't have to be doubled.

Quite a lot of cellophane tape is used, so I break off a large strip, stick it to the edge of my work table and cut small pieces as needed.

This is the pattern I used.

It's a lot of fun; like putting the pieces of a puzzle together.





Each strip of paper has a number that determines where it goes.

When the area is covered, the original pattern is removed.  The front of the card is ready to be finished.

Finished card with embellishments.  The back of the card front is covered with cardstock to give it a more finished look.

Here are some of the cards we've done in class:


Valentine's Day



St. Patrick's Day





Christmas



Autumn



Father's Day