Craft Class

My new year's project is working with a homeschooling family on Fridays, to teach them art/crafts. We are having fun! They are currently learning how to decoupage, and we have some other fun projects lined up. In this photo, they decoupaged cookie sheets to create a magnetic board, then made their own magnets using bottle caps and clear stones, and using clear glue to attach a design to the back. For these particular magnets, they chose comic strips and scrapbook paper designs. They also designed and created shadow boxes using paints, papers, glue, and ribbon. The butterflies were made with paint and q-tips, painting the design on one half of the paper, then folding it and pressing down to create the other side - much like the finger painting we did years ago. It was a quick way to fill some time at the last minute. These projects were spread over a couple of weeks.

Catching Up

Well I haven't posted in awhile, but have been busy. I am currently making origami flower balls for Dan and Jess' wedding, and I think we are close to having most of the petals completed, except for the additional ones that will more than likely be needed. It takes 60 petals to complete one flower ball, and I believe we have enough for approx. 12 balls to date. Once they are folded, then we will begin gluing. Jess and I are working on it together. I will post pictures of them once completed, but here is a picture of a few of the petals in progress. They are approx. 1/3 of the way folded in this photo. There are several more folds to complete each petal. This is only a small portion of them.

This is a no-sew purse I created from a jean pocket as a birthday gift.
To make one, just cut a pocket from an old pair of jeans (if you don't have a pair - pick some up from a thrift store), and add embellishments with a hot glue gun.
For this purse, I added purple ribbon topped with sequin trim, pink leather flowers, clear gems, silver braided cord embellished with a bow, charm, and sandal buttons (back cut off first), pink ribbon to the raw edge on the top back, and lavender ribbon for the "handle".

You can also use jean pockets as refrigerator magnets to use for your shopping list. Just decorate with trims/findings you have on hand, glue a magnet on the back (magnetic strip, or several small round magnets), then insert pen/pencil and VOILA! You have a fun shopping list holder!

Wedding Projects

During January I will be working on origami wedding favor boxes, as well as origami flower balls as part of the decorations for my son and daughter-in-law's wedding, so watch for photos. I can post instructions if anyone is interested.

First "Altered" Book /Journal

This is my first "Altered" book using a Stuart Little book, and was made as a Christmas gift for Stephen's girlfriend, Beth. She had requested a handmade journal for Christmas. The photos seem to disappear from this post, however, you can see them in the slideshow near the top of the blog.

Bridal Shower "Cake"

This is a cake I made for Jess', my future daughter-in-law, for her bridal shower. I saw this idea in an edition of Woman's World, and modified it for the occasion.
This one looks nothing like the one I saw, but the concept is the same - to present a gift in the form of a cake. The example included china place settings for two.
This cake includes Crate and Barrel dishes and on the top, bone china snowflake tea votive cups - all of which was on Jess and Dan's bridal registry. The "cake" is actually decoupaged boxes, decorated with lace, trims, and flowers. (the example called for foam covered in wrapping paper)

It is easy to do if you need a centerpiece for a special occasion, and is a neat way to present a gift!

My New Blog - A Work In Progress

Hi,
This is my new blog for posting handcrafted projects and also items for my etsy shop.
It is still a work in progress, as I am deciding about the background, layout, etc.
Check back soon because there will be photos of my first altered book!