A Place in Time

Posted on December 3, 2012 by lhoman

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I am very excited to introduce another AMAZING prize here on the Crafts ‘n things Blog! This month, Graphic 45 has generously donated TWO prize packs!

Graphic 45 is giving away one compete Place in Time Collection!

In addition, they have donated one complete Nutcracker Sweet Collection!

To enter your name to win one of these fantastic prizes, leave a comment on this post telling us why you love Graphic 45! We will draw two lucky winners and post the names on December 17th!

Graphic 45 is an award-winning scrapbook and paper crafting company. We offer vintage inspired crafting products that capture the flamboyant style of the 1920′s and 30′s – with vibrant color, irresistible texture and imaginative design to create products with decades-old appeal that’s both fresh and familiar. Let our products inspire your next scrapbook layout, card, album or home decor project.

Please visit our website: www.g45papers.com
Find daily inspiration on our blog: g45papers.typepad.com

I have been on the Graphic 45 Design Team since the spring of 2010. I love the vintage-inspired papers, the quality embellishments, and the creativity of the team! It is my pleasure to share these new collections with you!

Here is a card I made using papers from Nutcracker Sweet and Place in Time.

It is easy to create stunning cards with such beautiful paper.

Use ribbons and chipboard elements to create interest on your cards. I used a chipboard tag from the Nutcracker Sweet collection, covered with a Santa sticker from the Place in Time collection. It is wonderful that you can mix and match the Graphic 45 collections!

If you make dimensional cards, make sure to stock up on padded envelopes for mailing. This will ensure that your cards arrive in beautiful condition.

Don’t forget to decorate the inside of your cards!

Supply List:

Cardstock: American Crafts Pomegranate, Stampin’ Up! Very Vanilla
Graphic 45 Papers: Nutcracker Sweet Collection Land of Sweets Paper, Chipboard Die-Cuts 1 (tag); Place in Time Collection December Cut-Aparts, Stickers
Ranger Tim Holtz Distress Ink Pads: Vintage Photo, Old Paper
Spellbinders Grand Calibur Die-Cutting System and Nestabilities Dies: Classic Ovals Large, Decorative Elements Lacey Ovals
Really Reasonable Ribbon Trims: Red/White Baker’s Twine, Red/Gold Satin Ribbon, Red/Cream Striped Ribbon
Stampin’ Up! Scallop Trim Border Punch
Really Reasonable Ribbon Bow Easy Tool
Scor-Pal Scor-Pal Scoring Board
Adhesive: Beacon Adhesives Fabri-Tac Glue, 3M Scotch Brand Adhesive Tape Glider, Scrapbook Adhesives by 3L 3D Foam Squares

Thanks for stopping by. Make sure to leave a comment for the PRIZE DRAWING! Visit my blog for more Graphic 45 inspiration!

Gloria Stengel, Scraps of Life (www.gloriascraps.blogspot.com)

Gingerbread Chef Tea Towel

Posted on December 3, 2012 by lhoman

Crafts ’n things Craft of the Day

Letting you know that “Happiness is Homemade”, this little guy is sure to give your home a warm, inviting feeling this Christmas season.

Materials

Rust check dishtowel
Cotton fabric scraps: medium brown, off-white, tan
Black pearl cotton floss, size 8, one skein
Embroidery floss: black, white

Tools

Embroidery needle
Iron and pressing surface
Therm O Web HeatnBond Iron-on Adhesive

Basic Supplies

scissors, ruler, pencil

Directions

Size

10″ tall

Gingerbread Chef

1. Print and cut out pattern. Trace pattern outlines onto paper side of iron-on adhesive. Trace sections separately: one hat, one upper body (head and arms), and so on. Include dashed-line areas for upper and lower body. Cut out adhesive patterns, leaving a narrow border around pattern edges.

2. Following manufacturer’s instructions, fuse adhesive to wrong sides of fabrics as follows: body to medium brown, hat and apron to off-white, spoon to tan. Cut out shapes. Remove paper backing.

3. Using pattern as placement guide, position shapes on center front of dish towel. Bottom of legs should be 1-7/8” from bottom edge of towel. Hat should overlap head, spoon overlaps arm, and apron overlaps upper and lower body. Fuse shapes to towel.

4. Transfer details to gingerbread chef. Use one strand pearl cotton to blanket stitch around outside edges of all pieces. Use two strands black floss to stem stitch eyes, mouth, and apron straps. Use one strand black floss to stem stitch lettering. Use white floss to make French knots in cheeks. Use three strands white floss to stem stitch icing lines.

Other Options

Make a cute kitchen companion. Cut out two solid bodies. Sew together with wrong sides facing, leaving small section open. Turn right side out and stuff with cinnamon-sprinkled fiberfill or spicy gingerbread potpourri; stitch opening closed. Add a mini wooden spoon and chef’s outfit.

Applique this little gourmet onto an apron for yourself or a friend.

by Mary Ayres

Decemburrr!

Posted on December 2, 2012 by lhoman

Crafts ’n things Craft of the Day

Decemburrr is here! With snowflakes swirling about, this adorable snowman is sure to be the hit of your holiday décor.

Materials

Wichelt Imports 14-count Wedgewood Aida, 11”x12”
DMC: 6-strand Embroidery Floss, 6-strand Light Effects Floss
Kreinik Mfg. Blending Filament
Wichelt Imports Mill Hill Treasures Metallic Snowflake Embellishment, Crystal Seed Beads

Tools

Embroidery needle

Stitch Type

Backstitch: 1 strand
Cross-stitch: 2 strands
Half Cross-stitch: 2 strands
Straight Stitch: 1 strand

Basic Supplies

scissors

Directions

Size/Stitch Count

Approximate finished size: 4-1/8”x5-1/2”; stitch count: 58 w x 78 h

Snowman

1. Print key and pattern.

2. Stitch design centered on fabric.

3. Embellish several stitches on snowman’s face and body with one strand Kreinik Blending Filament #032 (Pearl) with cross-stitches sewn over existing cross-stitches.

4. Sew one Mill Hill Metallic Snowflake #15001 with two strands DMC B5200 (Snow White) and one Mill Hill Glass Seed Bead #00161 (Crystal) for each snowflake. (Note: Snowflakes come four to package.)

by Janis Lockhart for Cross-Point Designs

Christmas Tree Card

Posted on December 1, 2012 by lhoman

Crafts ’n things Craft of the Day

Make someone’s holiday merry and bright with this stunning handcrafted Christmas Tree Card made with Polyform Sculpey Clay.

Materials

Polyform Premo! Sculpey Accents Clay: Red Glitter, Blue Pearl, Bright Green Pearl
Blank white card and envelope, 5”x7”
Unlined index card, 5”x7”
Cardstock: red, gold, blue
Coordinating striped paper
“Oh Christmas Tree” sticker or rub-on
Small rhinestone star

Tools

Polyform Sculpey Tools: Clay Conditioning Machine, 5-in-1 Tool Kit, Texture Maker Swirls
Oven and baking sheet
Aleene’s Original Tacky Glue

Basic Supplies

ruler, water spray bottle, paper towel

Christmas Tree Closeup

Directions

(Note: Start with clean hands and work surface. Good work surfaces include waxed paper, metal baking sheet, or disposable foil. Knead clay until soft and smooth. For best results, clean hands between colors. Shape clay, pressing pieces together firmly. Bake on oven-proof glass or metal surface at 275° F for 30 minutes per 1/4” of thickness. For best baking results, use an oven thermometer. Do not use microwave oven. Do not exceed the above temperature or recommended baking time. Wash hands after use.)

1. Preheat oven to 275° F. Test temperature with oven thermometer for perfectly cured clay.

2. For best results, condition all clay by running it through Clay Conditioning Machine several passes on widest setting. Fold clay in half after each pass and insert folded side into rollers first.

3. With Clay Conditioning Machine on setting #3, roll green clay into sheet. Place clay onto index card. Spritz raised side of Texture Maker plate with water and press onto clay. Blot excess water from clay with paper towel.

4. Download and print pattern. Place tree pattern onto textured clay and cut out using knife from 5-in-1 Tool.

5. Roll tiny balls of blue and red clays for Christmas ornaments and press onto tree. Bake as directed above. Let cool completely.

6. Cut 7”x5” striped paper panel; adhere to card front.

7. Cut 4-1/2”x4” red, 4”x3-1/2” gold, and 3-1/2”x3” blue cardstock panels. Layer and adhere panels to card front as shown.

8. Apply sentiment sticker or rub-on to bottom of blue cardstock. Adhere clay tree above sentiment. Adhere rhinestone star to top of tree. Let dry several hours or overnight before mailing

Tip

This card requires post office to hand stamp and may also require extra postage to mail.

by Sandy Rollinger for Polyform Products (www.sculpey.com)

Stamped Wooden Christmas Tree Ornaments

Posted on November 30, 2012 by lhoman

With a few supplies including wood pieces from Midwest Products (www.midwestproducts.com), such as these 1/2”x1/4” strips and some alphabet stamps, you can easily create these sweet little holiday crafts that are perfect for displaying your favorite sentiment.

I purchased a Balsa Economy Bag from my local Michael’s Crafts and a handsaw to cut and arrange pieces as shown.

Use a firm cutting surface (such as a wood plaque) and gentle pressure to cut small, thin strips of wood for the tree. Use tacky glue to adhere the pieces in place and allow them to dry for an hour or so. Paint the trees in the color of your choice, I chose DecoArt Americana Acrylics in Olive Green for the “branches,” Burnt Umber for the “trunk,” and Snow White for the wood circle.

When the paint is dry, use tiny alphabet stamps and a favorite holiday sentiment of choice to stamp solvent ink on the branches.

Slightly age your branches and wood circle with chalk ink in a coordinating green color tone.

Decorate your Christmas ornaments by gluing tiny rhinestones to the trunk, in between spaces that you have left for the branches.

I also used vintage encyclopedia pages and a sequined embellishment to decorate my circle. Use a toothpick and tacky glue to adhere stones to the edges of the paper.

Don’t forget to paint the back of your trees for a professional finish to your Christmas ornaments.

Wrap silver tinsel around the top and bottom of your trees and trim on the back using scissors so it doesn’t hide the sentiment.

Add a twine hanger with tacky glue and your inspirational tree ornaments are complete!

Melony Bradley (www.mel-designs.typepad.com)

Snowman Pillowcase Stocking

Posted on November 30, 2012 by lhoman

Crafts ’n things Craft of the Day

This melt-your-heart, super-sized snowman stocking will be the envy of every child on the block – and its made from a pillowcase!

Materials

Standard white pillowcase
Felt: black, orange, fuchsia, lime green
Tulip Caribbean Blue Cool Color Spray
Tulip Soft Brushable Fabric Paints: Tropical Green, Turquoise, Hot Pink, Orange Mist
Green/white check ribbon, 60” length
Black snaps, seven

Tools

Foam alphabet stamps
Circle templates: 4”, 6”, 8”
Cardboard
Black permanent marker
Iron and pressing surface
Freezer paper
Aleene’s Thick Designer Tacky Glue

Basic Supplies

scissors, ruler, paintbrushes, safety pin, newspaper or plastic tablecloth (to protect work surface), masking tape

Directions

Size

20”x30”

Stocking

1. Cover work surface with newspaper or plastic tablecloth. For ground, use tape to mask off about 2” on bottom of pillowcase.

2. For snowman body, draw 4”, 6”, and 8” circles on freezer paper and cut out. Using photo as guide and hot, dry iron, press circles to center of pillowcase, with largest circle on edge of tape.

3. For snow, cut 1” circles from freezer paper. Iron circles around snowman body.

4. Insert cardboard into pillowcase. Spray pillowcase Caribbean Blue, darker at top and lighter at bottom. Let dry. Peel off tape and circles and remove cardboard.

5. Lightly drybrush cheeks Hot Pink. Use marker to draw stick arms and outline snowman and snow.

6. Print and cut out patterns. For scarf pattern, cut various-sized strips from fuchsia felt and adhere to scarf. Adhere hat, nose, and scarf to snowman.

7. For eyes and buttons, make tiny cuts into pillowcase. Attach snaps to pillowcase through cuts.

8. Use sponge scraps to dab paint colors of choice onto foam alphabet stamps. Stamp name across bottom of pillowcase.

9. For hanger, make 1” cut on both sides of seam on open end of pillowcase. Attach safety pin to ribbon and insert through pillowcase casing. Remove pin.

10. Fill pillowcase with gifts. Pull ribbon ends to tighten and tie closed.

Tips

Use a hair dryer to speed up drying time when spraying or stamping fabric.
For added effect, highlight “snow” areas with crystal glitter paint.

by Mary Ayres

Greetings for the Holidays Card

Posted on November 29, 2012 by lhoman

Crafts ’n things Craft of the Day

Send a little hug for the December holidays, courtesy of this cute ‘n cuddly fellow.

Materials

Bazzill Basics Paper Kraft Cardstock
Bella Blvd. Christmas Wishes Collection Papers: Borders, North Pole, Candlelight, Cute Cuts
Bella Blvd. Christmas Wishes Collection Stickers: Alpha & Bits, Miniatures
Cherry Arte Journaling Spot

Tools

Open scallop border punch
Black journaling pen
Adhesives: paper adhesive, foam tape

Basic Supplies

paper trimmer, detail scissors, ruler, pencil

Directions

STEP 1

Make 4-1/2”x5-1/4” kraft side-fold card.

STEP 2

Cut green dot paper panel to fit bottom third of card, leaving narrow kraft border visible. Adhere panel to card.

STEP 3

Cut yellow, polka dot, and red strips to cover top two-thirds of card. Use pen to draw faux stitched border around each strip. Overlap and adhere strips to card, leaving same narrow kraft border visible.

STEP 4

Cut 4-1/2”x1” strip from striped side of Cute Cuts paper, being careful not to cut into desired penguin image on opposite side. Border punch bottom long edge and adhere to card over top edge of green dot panel.

STEP 5

Adhere journaling spot to card with foam tape.

STEP 6

Detail cut penguin from Cute Cuts paper; adhere to card with paper adhesive and foam tape.

STEP 7

Adhere sentiment stickers from Miniatures sticker sheet and Alpha & Bits sticker sheet to card with foam tape.

Tip

Replace penguin with another holiday character of choice cut from Cute Cuts paper.

by Kerryn Fry for Bella Blvd. (www.bellablvd.net)

Tabletop Christmas Tree

Posted on November 28, 2012 by lhoman

The holiday season is in full swing and today I’m sharing a pint-sized Christmas tree full of handcrafted ornaments that will help brighten up any décor or make a wonderful gift for someone special. Using a box of holiday-themed chipboard embellishments as the base for the ornaments makes this project come together in a snap. Here is a view of the front.

I found the 2’-tall tree at a craft store (used a coupon!) and added the red-and-white checked ribbon to the burlap base. Then came the fun part – adding bits of trim, stickers, glitter, buttons, and other embellishments to create the ornaments. A Crop-A-Dile came in handy for punching holes in the chipboard, and assorted twine, thread, and wire was used to create the hangers. Here is a look at the back…

…and a view from the side.

I should warn you that making these little ornaments is so much fun that it’s hard to know when to stop. Here is a closer look at a few of my favorites:

A bit of red glitter glue on the scarf and a few buttons adhered with adhesive dots dressed up this chipboard snowman.

On this ornament, green-and-white baker’s twine was used for the hanger and stickers decorate the front. Brush baby powder or cornstarch over any exposed area of the sticker to neutralize the adhesive (such as the back ends of the December 25 sticker here).

A little bit of glitter can have a big impact. I used it on this ornament, along with a scrap of ribbon, as well as on the sweet gingerbread house below.

Some pieces hardly needed any embellishment – this tree was already glittered and I only added the adhesive gem to the top.

Others were a bit more involved. The tag base for this one was die cut and threaded with ribbon and wire. The front was decorated with a dimensional sticker.

To create the topper, I die cut cardstock and green patterned paper and adhered them together. I added a large white brad behind the “Joy” sticker.

The ends of the brad wrap around the top of the tree to hold it in place.

Now… are you ready for the best part of today’s post? Me & My BIG Ideas has donated a terrific prize package – which includes the chipboard embellishments used to create these ornaments – for one lucky winner. To be entered in the drawing all you need to do is leave a comment on this post and we will announce the winner on December 12, 2012.

Supplies

Tabletop tree – Michaels Arts & Crafts
Assorted holiday-themed chipboard embellishments, stickers, and patterned papers – Me & My BIG Ideas
Small Craft Zots adhesive– Therm O Web
Stickles Glitter Glue in assorted colors – Ranger
Crop-A-Dile hole punch – We Are Memory Keepers
Other: assorted ribbon, trim, wire, buttons, and brads

Until next time… happy crafting!

Alice Golden from Golden Moments (www.alicegolden.typepad.com)

Advent Tree

Posted on November 28, 2012 by lhoman

Crafts ’n things Craft of the Day

Count the days ’til Christmas with this bright and cheery Advent Tree. Simply move a light bulb onto the tree for each day, then add the star at the top on Christmas day to reveal a fully decorated tree!

Materials

Craft foam: brown, 1-1/2”x2”; blue, 11-1/2”x18”, two; white, 11-1/2”x18”; green, 11-1/2” x 18”
24 pre-cut craft foam light bulb shapes

Tools

Aleene’s Adhesives: Spritz-On Reposition-It! Tacky Glue, Reposition-It! Tacky Glue, FunCraft Foam Glue
Markers: black medium-tip; silver metallic

Basic Supplies

scissors, pencil, ruler or yardstick

Directions

Note

Use photo as guide for creating this project.

Advent Tree

1. Print and cut out patterns. Follow directions on patterns.

2. For calendar, use one blue sheet, black marker, and ruler or yardstick to draw four 2-1/4” wide vertical lines. Measure and draw a 3-1/2” wide horizontal line from top edge; measure and draw four 3” wide horizontal lines from first line. Use marker to write in numbers, 1-25. Follow manufacturer’s instructions for foam glue to adhere other blue sheet to top 1/2” of calendar. Use marker to draw a wiggly outline along the side edges of banner.

3. For top, middle, and bottom of banner snowdrifts, cut from width of white foam sheet and cut strips so one long edge is straight and other is a random wave. For top snowdrift, cut foam to measure 2” on left side and 4” on right side. For middle snowdrift, cut waves to measure between 1-3/4” and 2-1/2”. For bottom snowdrift, cut waves to measure between 2-3/4” and 3-1/4”. With Figure 1 on pattern as guide, use black marker for the following: write “Advent Tree” on top snowdrift and draw snowflakes to each side of words; write family’s name on middle snowdrift; write “Christmas Countdown” on bottom snowdrift; outline edges of each snowdrift and around “Christmas Countdown” as shown.

4. To assemble the banner, adhere top snowdrift to top of banner so straight edges are aligned. Adhere middle snowdrift to center of banner at overlap, and bottom snowdrift to bottom of banner so straight edges are aligned.

5. To assemble the tree, center and adhere trunk to top of middle snowdrift. Center and adhere tree pieces to banner, overlapping edges slightly: tree bottom to top of trunk; tree middle to top of tree bottom; tree top to top of tree middle. Adhere tree snow layers to overlapped edges of tree, beginning with first tree snow layer and ending with fourth tree snow layer.

6. Use silver marker to draw bulb threading, to highlight bulbs, and to color in star as shown. Let dry. Follow manufacturer’s instructions to apply tacky reposition glue to back of bulbs and star. Press bulbs onto calendar squares and place star on the 25th. Follow manufacturer’s instructions to apply pump-spray reposition glue to back of entire advent calendar. When dry, banner may be placed where desired without the use of tools or hardware, and removed quickly and easily when the season is over.

Tip

If you are unable to locate pre-cut Christmas light bulb shapes, cut your own from craft foam.

by Barbara Matthiessen

Deck The Halls

Posted on November 26, 2012 by lhoman

Crafts ’n things Craft of the Day

There’s no time like the present to get started on your holiday gift ideas. Stitch this quick-and easy design on a bag or tea towel for a festive gift.

Materials

Charles Craft Ecru Huck Towel with 14-count inset
Charles Craft Natural Small Tote with 14-count inset
DMC 6-strand Embroidery Floss
Kreinik Gold Blending Filament

Tools

Needle

Stitch Type

Blended Needle: 1 strand floss/2 strands blending filament
Cross Stitch: 2 strands

Basic Supplies

scissors

Directions

Size/Stitch Count

Approximate size of finished design: 3-1/2″x5″; stitch count: 50 w x 69 h

Deck the Halls

1. Print pattern and key.

2. Stitch design centered on inset.

by Lois Winston for Charles Craft