What is a pair of mitts without a hat to complement them?
Nothing, I tell you! And awfully cold if you live in Canada during the winter... no one likes frostbite.
Today's hat is from the same pattern book that I used for the mittens from day 17. It is an easy project - 30 rounds of single crochet with gradual increases, and one row of reverse single crochet to create the brim. I can make one in an evening as I've completed the pattern several times. If you are new to crochet, it may take you two evenings, but certainly no more. Definitely a project for beginners.
Warm woolly hats... ah...
But I'm still not ready for winter - give me the sunshine!
Friday, August 20, 2010
Day 17: Warm Woollies part 1
I am not a fan of winter. I don't like being cold, I dislike how long it takes to trudge through the snow, and I hate wearing sock. Winter requires all of these things.
However, I am a fan of making nice and toasty warm things to keep me and my loved ones from being as cold. It's Canada, we need our woollies!
I have made several sets of hats, mitts, and scarves over the years and tend use the same pattern time and time again. This familiarity allows me to make a pair of mittens in a single evening. The pattern is pretty easy - single crochet, sew up the side seam, and more single crochet to make the thumb. It's one of the first patterns I ever used after graduating from making granny squares, so I would definitely recommend it for beginners - it's a Patons pattern.
Remember, the more wool the better when it comes to winter!
However, I am a fan of making nice and toasty warm things to keep me and my loved ones from being as cold. It's Canada, we need our woollies!
I have made several sets of hats, mitts, and scarves over the years and tend use the same pattern time and time again. This familiarity allows me to make a pair of mittens in a single evening. The pattern is pretty easy - single crochet, sew up the side seam, and more single crochet to make the thumb. It's one of the first patterns I ever used after graduating from making granny squares, so I would definitely recommend it for beginners - it's a Patons pattern.
Remember, the more wool the better when it comes to winter!
Wednesday, August 18, 2010
Day 16: Tree of Life on the Fridge
The Tree of Life is a beautiful image that has been stitched, painted, tattooed, sketched, scorched, and otherwise recorded for a long, long time. And now, it's been punch needled.
A bunch of friends and I took a class in the spring to learn how to create punch needle projects. It was a great evening filled with laughter, jokes, and just plain fun! We had picked a design for the class a few weeks earlier (the aforementioned Tree of Life), and got down to work with our own selected colours and flare. It's amazing how many ways the same pattern can be interpreted! Punch needle is not a difficult technique - it simply requires the correct tools and materials, a little patience, and a good imagination (you stitch from the back, so if you are writing something, you have to do the mirror image!) - overall I would rate the project as medium in difficulty, most likely because I had never tried this type of project before!
The problem was, however, after that class I had no idea how I was going to finish the project - no idea what I actually wanted it to be! So it sat on my crafting table for months, taunting me... until yesterday when I was cleaning my kitchen (random, I know). I was about to through out a magnet that was on my fridge when I realized that it was not much bigger that the punch needle project. The wheels started spinning, and with a few more rows of thread and a glue gun, I now have a much prettier and craftier magnet on my fridge.
You never know where inspiration will hit!
A bunch of friends and I took a class in the spring to learn how to create punch needle projects. It was a great evening filled with laughter, jokes, and just plain fun! We had picked a design for the class a few weeks earlier (the aforementioned Tree of Life), and got down to work with our own selected colours and flare. It's amazing how many ways the same pattern can be interpreted! Punch needle is not a difficult technique - it simply requires the correct tools and materials, a little patience, and a good imagination (you stitch from the back, so if you are writing something, you have to do the mirror image!) - overall I would rate the project as medium in difficulty, most likely because I had never tried this type of project before!
The problem was, however, after that class I had no idea how I was going to finish the project - no idea what I actually wanted it to be! So it sat on my crafting table for months, taunting me... until yesterday when I was cleaning my kitchen (random, I know). I was about to through out a magnet that was on my fridge when I realized that it was not much bigger that the punch needle project. The wheels started spinning, and with a few more rows of thread and a glue gun, I now have a much prettier and craftier magnet on my fridge.
You never know where inspiration will hit!
Day 15: Decorative Cookie Jar
I love glass jars. I love organizing. I love cookies! A match made in heaven, don't you think?
I have a bunch of jars in the kitchen labeled for sugar, flour, tea, and coffee (all of which get used on a frequent basis!). I also have a large, lonely cookie jar. It doesn't say cookies. It doesn't say treats. It's a very lonely little jar... there should be a song - check the Country/Western station.
Well, the jar has now had life breathed into it! Or, at least, a little decoration. I've mentioned before how much I love the decor elements that my company sells - especially the decals (see the project from day 1 - Butterflies on the big blue wall). So, to make my cookie jar more special, I took a chocolate brown decal (appropriate colour, wouldn't you agree?) and applied it to the jar - it sticks just as well as on the wall, and can be wiped with a damp cloth if it gets mucky. It's a cute picture of a song bird - sweet and pretty, just like chocolate chip cookies!
Talk about an easy project!
Pictures are up on flickr - have a look!
I have a bunch of jars in the kitchen labeled for sugar, flour, tea, and coffee (all of which get used on a frequent basis!). I also have a large, lonely cookie jar. It doesn't say cookies. It doesn't say treats. It's a very lonely little jar... there should be a song - check the Country/Western station.
Well, the jar has now had life breathed into it! Or, at least, a little decoration. I've mentioned before how much I love the decor elements that my company sells - especially the decals (see the project from day 1 - Butterflies on the big blue wall). So, to make my cookie jar more special, I took a chocolate brown decal (appropriate colour, wouldn't you agree?) and applied it to the jar - it sticks just as well as on the wall, and can be wiped with a damp cloth if it gets mucky. It's a cute picture of a song bird - sweet and pretty, just like chocolate chip cookies!
Talk about an easy project!
Pictures are up on flickr - have a look!
Day 14: Sweet Teddy
So, after the god of chaos, I needed to balance out my karma again - or at least try to!
We found out about another pregnancy in the family (not me!), and so baby projects are going to be prevalent over the next few months. I've had a pattern for a sweet little crocheted teddy bear for a while, and hadn't tried it before, so no time like the present!
The pattern wasn't too difficult, and used less than one skein of yarn. A little embroidery floss was used for detailing the nose and feet, and a new darling was created.
I'd say this project qualifies as medium in difficulty. As with Cthulu, the stitches are done on the round, and careful attention is needed not to get lost!
We found out about another pregnancy in the family (not me!), and so baby projects are going to be prevalent over the next few months. I've had a pattern for a sweet little crocheted teddy bear for a while, and hadn't tried it before, so no time like the present!
The pattern wasn't too difficult, and used less than one skein of yarn. A little embroidery floss was used for detailing the nose and feet, and a new darling was created.
I'd say this project qualifies as medium in difficulty. As with Cthulu, the stitches are done on the round, and careful attention is needed not to get lost!
Day 13: Cute Cthulu!
Cthulu. God of Chaos.
I have some pretty twisted friends, so when I found a book full of crocheted Cthulu, vamps, ninjas, zombies and more, I couldn't resist trying it out! (Plus, the god of chaos has been having way too much fun at my expense lately).
These projects are about a medium in difficulty - mostly because they are completed in rounds, not rows so it can be difficult to keep track of where you are in the pattern.
I made the eyes out of polymer clay, and glued them on with a glue gun (what did we ever do before glue guns?) I do have to say that they are absolutely adorable!
With all this crazy cuteness, anyone else having flashbacks to a notorious Buffy Halloween episode?
"Whose a little fear demon!"
"Zander, stop."
"Why? Can he hurt me?"
"No, it's just tacky!"
Or something like that...
Anyway, pictures will be on flickr later tonight for your perusal!
I have some pretty twisted friends, so when I found a book full of crocheted Cthulu, vamps, ninjas, zombies and more, I couldn't resist trying it out! (Plus, the god of chaos has been having way too much fun at my expense lately).
These projects are about a medium in difficulty - mostly because they are completed in rounds, not rows so it can be difficult to keep track of where you are in the pattern.
I made the eyes out of polymer clay, and glued them on with a glue gun (what did we ever do before glue guns?) I do have to say that they are absolutely adorable!
With all this crazy cuteness, anyone else having flashbacks to a notorious Buffy Halloween episode?
"Whose a little fear demon!"
"Zander, stop."
"Why? Can he hurt me?"
"No, it's just tacky!"
Or something like that...
Anyway, pictures will be on flickr later tonight for your perusal!
A moment of sadness in our journey
It's been almost a week since I've written on this blog, and for that I apologize!
Friday the 13th truly lived up to its reputation this year as I came home in the evening to find out that my cat, Kestrel, had passed away very unexpectedly.
Needless to say, I was shocked and heartbroken. Just not in the mood to connect with the world in general.
The crafting has continued, but I did miss a couple of days, which I will make up over the next week or so. I'm still determined to finish 365 crafts this year!
Happy crafting, and give your cats an extra snuggle from me tonight.
Friday the 13th truly lived up to its reputation this year as I came home in the evening to find out that my cat, Kestrel, had passed away very unexpectedly.
Needless to say, I was shocked and heartbroken. Just not in the mood to connect with the world in general.
The crafting has continued, but I did miss a couple of days, which I will make up over the next week or so. I'm still determined to finish 365 crafts this year!
Happy crafting, and give your cats an extra snuggle from me tonight.
Thursday, August 12, 2010
Day 12: Weekend Invite
Good news! I am now the proud owner of a digital camera, thanks to a big sale at a local store - sweet! Which means I will finally get to take some pictures and post them for all of you to see.. stay tuned!
Today's project was a simple invite card. I'm planning a romantic weekend away for my boyfriend, who's having a milestone birthday this year. I'm trying to make a big deal of it, so I made a invitation with basic instructions on when and where to show up! I'm going to try and sneak it into his backpack when he is visiting this weekend. If the opportunity doesn't arise, I'll just send it to him in the mail - snail mail is still fun to get, after all.
I'll post a picture of the front of the card once the batteries are charged on the camera. It's a very basic card that I tried to make masculine and romantic - not as easy as you would think!
Today's project was a simple invite card. I'm planning a romantic weekend away for my boyfriend, who's having a milestone birthday this year. I'm trying to make a big deal of it, so I made a invitation with basic instructions on when and where to show up! I'm going to try and sneak it into his backpack when he is visiting this weekend. If the opportunity doesn't arise, I'll just send it to him in the mail - snail mail is still fun to get, after all.
I'll post a picture of the front of the card once the batteries are charged on the camera. It's a very basic card that I tried to make masculine and romantic - not as easy as you would think!
Wednesday, August 11, 2010
Day 11: Krafty Kitchen - part 2
I've received a few comments about the lack of pictures being posted - something that I promise I am working to remedy!
In the mean time, I've posted three more photos of recent crafts on flickr - 2 birthday cards, and a cross stitch I made for my nephew when he was born in 2009. That's all the "historical" data that I have, so we will have to make due with new projects I create.
I'm hoping to get some more photos done tomorrow...
This evening's project completed the sets I started yesterday. Now those three lovely ladies will all be getting tea towels to go with their dish cloths! How exciting!
Again, this is an easy project - I don't really follow any pattern, I just make them up as I go. They are larger than yesterday's project though, about an hour each to complete.
In the mean time, I've posted three more photos of recent crafts on flickr - 2 birthday cards, and a cross stitch I made for my nephew when he was born in 2009. That's all the "historical" data that I have, so we will have to make due with new projects I create.
I'm hoping to get some more photos done tomorrow...
This evening's project completed the sets I started yesterday. Now those three lovely ladies will all be getting tea towels to go with their dish cloths! How exciting!
Again, this is an easy project - I don't really follow any pattern, I just make them up as I go. They are larger than yesterday's project though, about an hour each to complete.
Tuesday, August 10, 2010
Day 10: Krafty Kitchen - Part 1
I have 3 wonderful women in my life (well, more than three, but I'm thinking of a very specific three at the moment). These women have been around my entire life, and have taught me a great deal - they've also become great friends in my adult life.
Which is why every Christmas I try to give them something that expresses how much they mean to me. Now sometimes these ladies do not use their gifts as they were intended...
"Your gift was so lovely, I couldn't use it!"
"But grandma, it's a dish towel!"
"Yes, and it looks so nice on top of my dresser!"
I love you, grandma!
Anyway, this year I'm going to try kitchen stuff again (it's been a few years since the last attempt) - and part one was completed today.
The wool sale I attended yesterday had some great deals on handicrafter cotton. So, today I made dish cloths for my 3 lovely ladies, and hope to complete another piece of the present tomorrow. No more details are available, as there's a possibility they are reading this (love you guys!), but the project is simple, simple, simple - about 20 minutes to crochet each one.
Which is why every Christmas I try to give them something that expresses how much they mean to me. Now sometimes these ladies do not use their gifts as they were intended...
"Your gift was so lovely, I couldn't use it!"
"But grandma, it's a dish towel!"
"Yes, and it looks so nice on top of my dresser!"
I love you, grandma!
Anyway, this year I'm going to try kitchen stuff again (it's been a few years since the last attempt) - and part one was completed today.
The wool sale I attended yesterday had some great deals on handicrafter cotton. So, today I made dish cloths for my 3 lovely ladies, and hope to complete another piece of the present tomorrow. No more details are available, as there's a possibility they are reading this (love you guys!), but the project is simple, simple, simple - about 20 minutes to crochet each one.
Monday, August 9, 2010
Day 9: Simple Organization
Today was the last day of my vacation (sigh). Now I usually spend my last day doing laundry, moping around the house, and resisting the urge to check my work email (why deal with the stress a day early???). This time, however, I spent the day with some of my girlfriends - and what a day! We took a trip out to Listowel, home of the famous wool sale (6 balls of yarn for $7.00 - sign me up)!!
A few dollars and a bunch of yarn later, we returned happy, and full of ideas - now that's a fantastic way to end your vacation!
My little crafty project for today was designed to help me organize my crafting space just a wee little bit!
I needed a container to hold all of my stamping markers, and didn't just want to use a tin can! I found a clear vase from the dollar store with a wide mouth, and a hefty bottom and wrapped it in designer paper (this paper, sold by my company, has a different pattern on the front and back of the paper - so you can actually see a different pattern on the inside of the vase). I added a ribbon bow, stuck my markers inside, and voila! Instant organization.
Any easy project, but remember that the more angled or curvy the vase is, the more difficult it is to add flat paper! I recommend that you lie the vase down on a blank sheet of paper, and trace one side. This will give you a pattern that you can transfer to your fancy paper.
I also started a crochet project today - it's going to take me a few more days to finish...
A few dollars and a bunch of yarn later, we returned happy, and full of ideas - now that's a fantastic way to end your vacation!
My little crafty project for today was designed to help me organize my crafting space just a wee little bit!
I needed a container to hold all of my stamping markers, and didn't just want to use a tin can! I found a clear vase from the dollar store with a wide mouth, and a hefty bottom and wrapped it in designer paper (this paper, sold by my company, has a different pattern on the front and back of the paper - so you can actually see a different pattern on the inside of the vase). I added a ribbon bow, stuck my markers inside, and voila! Instant organization.
Any easy project, but remember that the more angled or curvy the vase is, the more difficult it is to add flat paper! I recommend that you lie the vase down on a blank sheet of paper, and trace one side. This will give you a pattern that you can transfer to your fancy paper.
I also started a crochet project today - it's going to take me a few more days to finish...
Sunday, August 8, 2010
Day 8: A Finally Finished Room!
Okay, so today's project might be a stretch for creativity, but hear me out!
Today I assembled the large dresser I bought from Ikea yesterday. Now to those of you who have ever assembled a piece of furniture from Ikea, you're already agreeing that creativity is involved - you really need your imagination to decipher the instructions! Especially now that they no longer label all of the pieces - you have to figure out what is what solely by the pictures... and anything with drawers will make the strongest of heart shudder in fear.
I also made a whoops along the way, had to take a chunk of it apart, rig up something MacGyver style to remove a piece I wasn't supposed to put in that particular place (but one remarkably similar later on), and then reassemble, move into place, and load it up without it tipping over (start from the bottom!).
All of that aside, it was the last piece of furniture I needed to make my bedroom complete. I have wanted a complete bedroom for about, oh, forever, and now it is done! Art work - check! Side tables - check! Bed - check! Dresser - finally, check!
Ah the sweet smell of completion.... I deserve chocolate!
Today I assembled the large dresser I bought from Ikea yesterday. Now to those of you who have ever assembled a piece of furniture from Ikea, you're already agreeing that creativity is involved - you really need your imagination to decipher the instructions! Especially now that they no longer label all of the pieces - you have to figure out what is what solely by the pictures... and anything with drawers will make the strongest of heart shudder in fear.
I also made a whoops along the way, had to take a chunk of it apart, rig up something MacGyver style to remove a piece I wasn't supposed to put in that particular place (but one remarkably similar later on), and then reassemble, move into place, and load it up without it tipping over (start from the bottom!).
All of that aside, it was the last piece of furniture I needed to make my bedroom complete. I have wanted a complete bedroom for about, oh, forever, and now it is done! Art work - check! Side tables - check! Bed - check! Dresser - finally, check!
Ah the sweet smell of completion.... I deserve chocolate!
Day 7: Storytime
Okay, so yesterday's project took me until the wee hours leading up to midnight - which is why you haven't seen a post yet today! I'm blaming it all on the Gardiner Expressway in Toronto being closed, and therefore taking us over an hour extra to get home to London yesterday. Arrggh!!
Anyway, I did indeed finish my biggie project from the last month or so - my Storytime cross stitch. Now, I'm responsible for the children and teen programming at my library, and one of my favourite programs is storytime. So, this project (once framed) will hang in my office. It's a really cute picture of a bear reading a book to a duck in a garden (looks better when you can see it - pictures coming next week!)
I would rate this project as difficult. Not because it is especially large, but there are a fair number of specialty stitches such as french knots, and lazy daisy stitches (which I really, really hate doing!). There are a lot of lazy daisy stitches in this project and I found them time consuming and annoying! Therefore, difficult in the frustration level, medium to difficult in the achievement level.
And so I slept in this morning and then tackled today's project...
Anyway, I did indeed finish my biggie project from the last month or so - my Storytime cross stitch. Now, I'm responsible for the children and teen programming at my library, and one of my favourite programs is storytime. So, this project (once framed) will hang in my office. It's a really cute picture of a bear reading a book to a duck in a garden (looks better when you can see it - pictures coming next week!)
I would rate this project as difficult. Not because it is especially large, but there are a fair number of specialty stitches such as french knots, and lazy daisy stitches (which I really, really hate doing!). There are a lot of lazy daisy stitches in this project and I found them time consuming and annoying! Therefore, difficult in the frustration level, medium to difficult in the achievement level.
And so I slept in this morning and then tackled today's project...
Friday, August 6, 2010
Day 6: The Best Laid Plans...
Okay, so that big project that I mentioned earlier? Not going to be finished today - seems I neglected to bring a few thread colours to finish it whilst on vacation this week, so it's going to have to be a project for tomorrow or more likely Sunday.
Instead, I started laying out plans for Boxing Day. Back story required:
Each boxing day about 30 of us friends get together for brunch and stockings. Now when I say stockings, I really should call them gigantic sacks that weigh 20lbs or so after they are filled with all kinds of goodies! The plan is for a homemade Christmas/Hanukkah/Solstice/Party, where everyone brings something homemade for everyone else!
My traditional gift is some sort of ornament for the tree (Christmas Tree, Hanukkah Bush, whatever, we're not picky). I've made cross stitch ornaments and clay ornaments, and I usually bake up gigantic batches of ginger bread and short bread to give out as well (I think I would be lynched if I didn't bring the cookies!). So considering I have to make about 30 ornaments for this event, as well as about 10 or so more to cover family members, I have to start early!
So, in lieu of finishing the cross stitch I've been working on for the last month or so, today I designed the ornament that I will be making for Boxing Day this year. It's made out of clay, and in some sort of wintery design, but I'm not telling you what it is exactly, because some of you are getting them!!!
I have a few more ideas percolating for Boxing Day this year - I'm going crafty crazy after all - so stay tuned.
Instead, I started laying out plans for Boxing Day. Back story required:
Each boxing day about 30 of us friends get together for brunch and stockings. Now when I say stockings, I really should call them gigantic sacks that weigh 20lbs or so after they are filled with all kinds of goodies! The plan is for a homemade Christmas/Hanukkah/Solstice/Party, where everyone brings something homemade for everyone else!
My traditional gift is some sort of ornament for the tree (Christmas Tree, Hanukkah Bush, whatever, we're not picky). I've made cross stitch ornaments and clay ornaments, and I usually bake up gigantic batches of ginger bread and short bread to give out as well (I think I would be lynched if I didn't bring the cookies!). So considering I have to make about 30 ornaments for this event, as well as about 10 or so more to cover family members, I have to start early!
So, in lieu of finishing the cross stitch I've been working on for the last month or so, today I designed the ornament that I will be making for Boxing Day this year. It's made out of clay, and in some sort of wintery design, but I'm not telling you what it is exactly, because some of you are getting them!!!
I have a few more ideas percolating for Boxing Day this year - I'm going crafty crazy after all - so stay tuned.
Day 5: Fanciful Gift Cards
Gift cards - oh so versatile in the giving department, great for birthdays, holidays, and co-workers, yet oh so boring in the attractive department. Now some stores give you a nice little box that you can actually wrap, but let's face it, most places you're lucky if you get a paper sleeve to stick it in.
So, my project for yesterday was to design an attractive and easy to assemble card to put a gift card inside. After fiddling with some regular paper for a while, I came up with a design that has two cuts, two punches (to make it fancy!), and four folds. Add a little tape, ribbon and embellishments and presto, we have a winner! I made my first one out of regular card stock, but I think double sided card stock (with a different pattern on each side) would make it even better!
Today's project is a little more intensive... hope I can get it done - I'll keep you posted!
So, my project for yesterday was to design an attractive and easy to assemble card to put a gift card inside. After fiddling with some regular paper for a while, I came up with a design that has two cuts, two punches (to make it fancy!), and four folds. Add a little tape, ribbon and embellishments and presto, we have a winner! I made my first one out of regular card stock, but I think double sided card stock (with a different pattern on each side) would make it even better!
Today's project is a little more intensive... hope I can get it done - I'll keep you posted!
Wednesday, August 4, 2010
Day 4: Little Notes of Thanks
Okay, before I even start talking about crafts, I have to say the coolest, most serendipitous thing happened to me today! I spent the morning shopping around Toronto, and stopped into the Worlds Biggest Book Store (I'm a librarian, how could I not?). Anyway, as I was deciding which books to put back and which ones were actually coming home with me, I noticed someone in a corner signing a cart of books...
Now earlier, I'd noticed said cart of books, and by whom they were written - and there he was, Mr. Cory Doctorow, signing a bunch of books for the bookstore to sell, and no one there the wiser!! So there I was, very fortunate to meet Cory, and tell him how much my teen book club enjoyed Little Brother, which won an Ontario Public Library award last year. If you haven't read any of Cory's books, please proceed to your nearest book store or library and pick one, any one!!!
Ahem, right, crafty stuff...
Have you ever had a thank you gift for someone that just didn't warrant a full card? Ever want to slip some one a subtle thank you that didn't require envelopes and sentences of sentiments?
Today's project was a set of 16 mini thank you notes. There are four different designs which really play into the type of thank you you are trying to portray, and I tried to pretty them up with different techniques such as punching edges, piercing the paper, using mini library clips, etc. These notes can be as easy or difficult as you choose, and can even be used as tags on a gift. They took me about 2 hours from design to finish for the set.
The notes can hold about one sentence on the back, so you're not trying to fill a lot of white space! They're great for keeping in your desk drawer at work, or even in your purse.
No camera yet, but soon I promise!
Now earlier, I'd noticed said cart of books, and by whom they were written - and there he was, Mr. Cory Doctorow, signing a bunch of books for the bookstore to sell, and no one there the wiser!! So there I was, very fortunate to meet Cory, and tell him how much my teen book club enjoyed Little Brother, which won an Ontario Public Library award last year. If you haven't read any of Cory's books, please proceed to your nearest book store or library and pick one, any one!!!
Ahem, right, crafty stuff...
Have you ever had a thank you gift for someone that just didn't warrant a full card? Ever want to slip some one a subtle thank you that didn't require envelopes and sentences of sentiments?
Today's project was a set of 16 mini thank you notes. There are four different designs which really play into the type of thank you you are trying to portray, and I tried to pretty them up with different techniques such as punching edges, piercing the paper, using mini library clips, etc. These notes can be as easy or difficult as you choose, and can even be used as tags on a gift. They took me about 2 hours from design to finish for the set.
The notes can hold about one sentence on the back, so you're not trying to fill a lot of white space! They're great for keeping in your desk drawer at work, or even in your purse.
No camera yet, but soon I promise!
Tuesday, August 3, 2010
Day 3 - Sweet Congratulations
Being on vacation and in another city this week, I'm limited to the small amount of craft supplies that I brought with me. That said, a little goes a long way!
Today's project was a congratulations card for my friends who are expecting their first baby. Since I'm a librarian, the new little one is going to get tons of my favourite books at any sort of event that I can possible get away with gift-giving. So, his or her announcement is a great way to start, and a personalized card is always better than store bought to add to the gift!
I took some card and technique ideas from the starter kit that my company sent me, and changed it a bit to make the card more personal. I also tried out a new technique today - using a stamp wheel. This technique is a bit tricky. After several ruined sheets of card stock (okay, there's always the other side of the sheet!), I've managed to draw a reasonably straight line with the wheel. I suspect that if I had a thicker ruler, I would be able to run a truly straight line across the front of the card. As with all techniques, it just takes practice - it is, after all, only paper and ink.
So, I'm thinking that this blog is a bit boring without pictures... I see a camera shopping trip in my very near future - stay tuned!
Today's project was a congratulations card for my friends who are expecting their first baby. Since I'm a librarian, the new little one is going to get tons of my favourite books at any sort of event that I can possible get away with gift-giving. So, his or her announcement is a great way to start, and a personalized card is always better than store bought to add to the gift!
I took some card and technique ideas from the starter kit that my company sent me, and changed it a bit to make the card more personal. I also tried out a new technique today - using a stamp wheel. This technique is a bit tricky. After several ruined sheets of card stock (okay, there's always the other side of the sheet!), I've managed to draw a reasonably straight line with the wheel. I suspect that if I had a thicker ruler, I would be able to run a truly straight line across the front of the card. As with all techniques, it just takes practice - it is, after all, only paper and ink.
So, I'm thinking that this blog is a bit boring without pictures... I see a camera shopping trip in my very near future - stay tuned!
Monday, August 2, 2010
Day 2: A gift that keeps on giving
Today's project was a set of gift tags to give away to a friend. Gift tags are a multi-purpose and personalized gift - just the way I like it! The obvious use is for gifts you are giving away - it adds to the packaging, making each gift unique and special.
The tags I made today are the first group in a number of sets that I am planning on giving away to friends and relatives this Christmas. There are a lot of crafty people in my life, and these tags will give them an extra special bit to add to the gifts that they give away throughout the year.
In terms of difficulty, tags can be any where from easy to hard to make, depending on the complexity and design. Having the right materials such as punches and stamps can make the project quicker to complete, although there is something to be said for simply using your own artistic skills and a pair of scissors!
As for a picture, well, I had to give the camera back yesterday, so no picture yet. I promise to put one up as soon as I beg, borrow, or buy a camera!
Keep smiling, crafters!
The tags I made today are the first group in a number of sets that I am planning on giving away to friends and relatives this Christmas. There are a lot of crafty people in my life, and these tags will give them an extra special bit to add to the gifts that they give away throughout the year.
In terms of difficulty, tags can be any where from easy to hard to make, depending on the complexity and design. Having the right materials such as punches and stamps can make the project quicker to complete, although there is something to be said for simply using your own artistic skills and a pair of scissors!
As for a picture, well, I had to give the camera back yesterday, so no picture yet. I promise to put one up as soon as I beg, borrow, or buy a camera!
Keep smiling, crafters!
Sunday, August 1, 2010
Day 1: Butterflies on the Big Blue Wall
There is a big blue wall in my apartment. Actually, there are 4 big blue walls, but there is one in particular of which I speak. This wall would make Mike Holmes cry. Every time you open one of the doors, the wall wiggles - the studs are crooked, I think, or maybe even pieced together. It's just not a safe wall to hang anything on!
So what to do? Blank walls are boring!
Enter decals. These can be purchased from stores and companies all over the place, and are relatively easy to install. I have a thing for butterflies (and dragonflies, and frogs, and turtles... I'm a country girl), so this spray of butterflies was a no-brainer (see my photo on flickr).
The project itself is quite easy - the key is to plan out your pattern first, and then apply each piece carefully. Take your time, don't rush or you will end up with torn decals and broken butterflies! A good job makes your wall look like you've painted them on!
Decals are also great on glass jars and other household items to give them that special touch!
1 day down, 364 to go!
So what to do? Blank walls are boring!
Enter decals. These can be purchased from stores and companies all over the place, and are relatively easy to install. I have a thing for butterflies (and dragonflies, and frogs, and turtles... I'm a country girl), so this spray of butterflies was a no-brainer (see my photo on flickr).
The project itself is quite easy - the key is to plan out your pattern first, and then apply each piece carefully. Take your time, don't rush or you will end up with torn decals and broken butterflies! A good job makes your wall look like you've painted them on!
Decals are also great on glass jars and other household items to give them that special touch!
1 day down, 364 to go!
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