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...
Sunday, August 8, 2010
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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