Baby Shower

My daughter's Baby Shower had a Woodland Theme.  Here are a few pictures:

HALLOWEEN EARRING SPOOKTACULAR

Halloween Earrings from ClaireMDesigns on Artfire.com

 
http://www.artfire.com/ext/shop/product_view/ClaireMDesigns/10055607/candy_corn_halloween_earrings/handmade/jewelry/earrings/lampwork

 

 http://www.artfire.com/ext/shop/product_view/ClaireMDesigns/7595905/black_and_green_lampwork_spider_halloween_earrings/handmade/jewelry/earrings/lampwork

 http://www.artfire.com/ext/shop/product_view/clairemdesigns/1826963/halloween_earrings_-_pumpkins/handmade/jewelry/earrings/lampwork

 

 http://www.artfire.com/ext/shop/product_view/ClaireMDesigns/7576349/skull_in_top_hat_lampwork_earrings/handmade/jewelry/earrings/lampwork

 http://www.artfire.com/ext/shop/product_view/clairemdesigns/1826942/halloween_earrings_-_spiders/handmade/jewelry/earrings/lampwork

http://www.artfire.com/ext/shop/product_view/ClaireMDesigns/3874702/Halloween_Earrings_Candy_Corn/Jewelry/Earrings/Lampwork

Gift Boxes

Like many crafters, I have a hard time throwing things away.  The Christmas cards I receive every year are in that category.  I've used them for kid's craft projects some years.  I've turned them into gift tags when I've needed a few extras.

This year, I found that I was giving a lot of gift cards to family.  They are great last minute, extra gifts.  But, gift cards don't always come with a box or even an envelope.  So, I used my old cards from previous years and turned them into small gift boxes.  I originally got the pattern from one of the ladies I work with at the Senior Center.  There are also many different tutorials on line now.
Here is a link to one:

http://familycrafts.about.com/od/giftwrap/ss/GreetingCardBox.htm



This is a group I made this year.

This is a department store box covered with a card cut to size.

 

Just add some cording and they look great.

Here's one for any time of the year.

 

 

Happy Crafting and Recycling!

 

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.

Card Making Tip - Folding

A great handmade card needs a crisp, clean fold.   A bonefolder works best.

But, if you don't have one, an old credit card or even a small wallpaper seam roller are great alternatives.

Craft Tip of the Week - Cardmaking

Like most crafters, I have lots of different ideas rolling around in my head at one time.  That definitely goes for cardmaking.  I could be thinking about birthday, Christmas and Halloween all at the same time.  When I have lots of different ideas, I use a clear plastic sheet protector for each card.  I put the card and any embellishments in the individual sleeve and have all my ideas for that card in one place.  I can leave and come back to each one knowing all of my items are in one place.  The sheet protectors, which are 5 1/2" x 8 1/2" are also a good way to store and ship the card when it's done.

Threading Yarn onto a Needle




Here's a quick way to thread yarn onto a needle.

 



All you need is a roll of masking tape.

  


Take a small piece of tape and wrap it around the end of the yarn.

 



Cut the piece of tape on the diagonal.

  


Thread the pointed end though the needle.

   


And you're done!