Fall Craft Fair

Here is another card that I made using the Thankful Forest Friends stamp sets.  Isn't the little bear so cute?  I love having him standing amongst the birch trees.  I embossed them and then sponged them with Soft Suede ink to make them stand out.  I love the colors of this fall card, too.  I saw the idea for this by Jari Francis on my favorite website, Pinterest.

I was in a craft fair a few weeks ago and brought some of my crafts with me to sell.  Here are more of the mini tote bags that I made.  I loved making them.  Next time I'd like to try making them a little smaller in Christmas colors to hang on the tree. 

Fun with the fall magnets:

Seeing my friends, meeting new people, and of course, selling my items is what makes craft fairs a lot of fun!

Did you find any new crafts or ideas that you liked at craft fairs this year?

Mini Totes and More

A few years ago I saw the idea to make little tote bags in one of my Quilts and More crafting magazines.  While I was over at Walmart and "just walking by" the craft section, I spotted some beautiful fall fabric.  Of course, I had to stop and take a second look at it.  They are selling Waverly canvas fabrics for $3.97 per yard!  That is crazy!  So crazy, that I had to buy some.  So I picked out some fall colors and came home and whipped up these little tote bags.  :)

I did put some thick interfacing in them so that they would stand up on their own.  They're great for giving a little gift; you can put a card in there and some candies, a Thankful for You magnet or whatever else you choose.  So I made them for a craft fair that I was in.

One of the things that I love to do is go to flea markets and garage sales.  This past summer I picked up these cute little brown frames and they have been sitting on my craft desk waiting for something to go in them.  They're only an inch wide, so I had to find a little stamp that would fit in them. 

I've made these Reese's Thanksgiving favors before, but they are easy and quick to make.  Using 2 bags of Resse's peanut candies, I made 42 party favors.   I'll be giving these out on Thanksgiving Day, for sure. 

What things are you making this year for your fall crafting or Thanksgiving table?

Thankful for Fall!

 Yeah - my favorite holiday, Thanksgiving is coming up soon!  Every year I enjoy making small gifts for my family and friends for the holiday.  This week I was playing around with the stamp set, Thankful Forest Friends and made some cards and fridge magnets.  I just love the little fox & bear images in the set! They have such a cute, whimsical look to them.  I might even use them for some of my Christmas crafting, too.

I found the idea for this card on Pinterest by Darlene Froese. 

Once I started to make the magnets, I just couldn't stop!  They are the perfect size for just saying a little something.  They measure 3 1/2" x 2 1/2" and are the same size as Artist Trading Cards that were popular a few years ago.  I got the plastic frames from the Christmas Tree Shop.

Here is another card and magnet that I made.  My stamping friends all loved the fall wreath on the door card.  Nice thing is, you can make it to match any season.  I got the idea from Annette Bogue.

This is the view of a tree in my front yard.  Isn't it so beautiful?  I could just go on and on making fall projects.  If only fall lasted longer...

A New Fall Project from an Old Shirt

 I have to admit, I don't like to get rid of old clothes that I like- you know, the ones that "shrink" and they don't fit anymore. Instead of throwing them away, I put them into a box out in the garage waiting for the day that I get inspired to "make" something out of them.

A couple of years ago I had bought a nice frame that had burlap in it and have been looking for a photo of my family to put in it.  I don't know where the family photo went, so I decided to put something else into the frame.  Not really knowing what I wanted, I started with some designer paper and then I remembered the fall shirt that doesn't fit me anymore.  I ironed some fusible transfer paper onto the back and cut out the tree area.  Then I mounted it onto brown cardstock and stitched it down with my machine.

Then I added some stamped words and leaves to complete the project.  I love how it came out.

Here it is hanging in my hallway.  I love how it looks! 

Have you ever made a project out of your old clothes?  How did it turn out?

More Fall, More Fall!

 It is such a beautiful morning here in upstate New York.  The sun is shining and the weather is perfect.  I thought that it was time to post some of my fall cards.  And what better place to photograph them than outside?  So I took them out in the back yard to get some photos.  It was so nice, I almost didn't want to come back in!

Most of the time I see cards and ideas for projects on Pinterest.  I pin them and then modify the designs to make them my own.  But when I saw this card from Connie Babbert, I loved the colors so much that I made it almost exactly like she did.  Who would think to put Mint Macaron and Pool Party with Tip Top Taupe and Chocolate Chip colors for fall? 

It has a matching party favor pillow box using Mint Macaron.  I saw this idea from Sue Plote.  Don't they look just beautiful together?  Would you use this color for your fall crafting?

Of course the stamp set is Lighthearted Leaves! 

More Fall

I could make fall cards all year! Crazy as it may seem, I tend to like fall and Thanksgiving more than Christmas.  It's less commercialized and not quite so busy a time of year.

I got this cute acorn stamp set that comes with a punch (my favorite stamps all come with a punch!) and worked on this "acorn" card.  I loved using the acorn images and assembling them, but then I thought that the card needed a little something in the lower part.  I reverted back to the Lighthearted Leaves set that I just love!  Doesn't it look cute?  I got the idea for the card and the pleated ribbon embellishment from Wendy Weixler.

The Thinking of You card is using the Lighthearted Leaves!  Even though I have a lot of fall stamps, I just can't put that set down.  The idea for this card is from Kristen Kortonick that I found on Pinterest.  It has paper from Into the Woods paper collection.

I used chocolate chip for the browns in these cards.  I kind of like the monochromatic look of the greens and browns that they have.

What projects have you been making for fall?  

Beautiful Fall

If you know me at all, you know that I love fall.  It's the most wonderful time of year, when the air gets crisp and the trees glow with amazing color!

This fall I've been using the stamp set, Lighthearted Leaves, and I just love it!  It has a sort of whimsical, Bohemian look to it that I really like.  I got the ideas for the card on the left from Stampin' Up.  The leaves are die cut from Into the Woods designer paper.

The leaf image and the "sprinkles" in the background on this card are embossed with gold powders.  You can't really see it in the photo, but they shine and give the card "life."  I added the saying, "Life doesn't have to be perfect to be wonderful."  None of us has a perfect life, but we can choose to enjoy the blessings that we do have and in that way, it becomes wonderful.  :)

This card is my fav.

Making Flowers

I've been wanting to make a "bouquet" of flowers for a while and this week I finally did it!  I love how they came out.  I used the Flower Shop stamp set that comes with a coordinating punch to make them, and they were quick and easy. 

To make the flower:  I stamped and punched three images for each flower.  I used a bone folder to soften and curl the edges of the petals.  For the top flower, I cut a slit to the middle and secured one of the petals behind the other to make it take shape.  Then I added a rhinestone to the center, and mounted it to the next flower layer with a glue dot.  The last layer is mounted with a dimensional to give it some lift. 

To attach the flower to the wire, I folded the floral wire about 1/2 inch and inserted it into a white circle that I punched and cut a slit in.  Then I taped the wire in the slit to secure it well and used glue dots to attach the circle to the back of the flower. 

For the tags, I used Merry Everything stamp set to make the base and decorated them with Tag Talk and Floral Wings.  You could use any tag or saying that you'd like. 

At the local craft shop, I picked up some floral wire and vases to make it all come together. 

I saw this example on Pinterest (my fav site) done by Margriet Tournier.  They make a lovely addition to your desk or can be given away as a thoughtful gesture to someone. 







The card that matches is made with the new Floral Wings hostess set. The idea is from Beth Beard.  It is meant to be given with the bouquet of flowers! 

The note card is made with the same stamp set, Floral Wings.  I cut out the vase and three of the flowers for some added dimension.  You can't see it from the photo, but I scored two lines on each side of the vase for texture.  I love the vase and can't wait to make something else with it.  The idea is from Susan Itell.  

Have you wanted to make flowers but haven't tried it yet?  Now is the time!  :)

Banner Triple Cats?

 Stampin' Up came out with a new punch that allows you to punch banners in three sizes; it's called the Banner Triple Punch.  It's one of those things that is a "must-have" if you like to make crafts.

I found the idea for this card on Pinterest (of course) from Holly Obier and thought that it was so cute!  The papers are punched with the banner punch and embossed to show texture that resembles fur.  The nose and eyes are made using the owl punch.  It's quick and easy to make, and oh, so much fun!

I'm giving this card to my daughter who loves cats.

Here is the same style card made with a gray background.  But after I made it I thought that the card needed a bit more color.  The pink background makes the "kitties" stand out better.

Here's another card with the pink background.  So cute, right?

PS- Did you happen to notice the kitty photo bomb on the first card?

Cute Tote with Cards

I was browsing around on Pinterest the other day and came across this adorable little tote with matching note cards in it.  I just knew that I would have to make it!  The totes are made with the new English Garden designer paper.  They are not hard to make at all.  If I had more time, I would have made LOTS more using these pretty papers.

 Here are the cards that I made to match the first tote bag. I used the Bloom for You stamp with the coordinating Fun Flower punch for quick and easy flower accents.  Using the envelope punch board, I made matching 4 x 4" envelopes, too. They are a fun project to work on and a nice little gift to give to someone special. 

By the time I got to the second tote bag, I decided that the note cards didn't need two flowers to make them look pretty, so I only added one flower to each of the cards in this set. 

We made these totes with the cards sets in my last stamping class and everyone enjoyed making them!  Here is the link to the video pattern if you'd like to make one, too.  Let me know how your totes come out. 

It's Time for the New Catalog!

 Most of you know that one of my obsessions hobbies is rubber stamping.  June is when Stampin' Up puts out their new catalog and it's always so much fun to look at what new products are offered.

This year for my New Catalog Kick-Off party, we made small muslin bags that you can use to put a small gift, treat or a gift card into for easy gift-giving.  You can see from the photo that I made my sample bag similar to the one in the catalog.

All of the ladies loved making the muslin gift bags.  They each used different stamps and colors and all of the bags came out great.

One of the stamp sets that I thought was cute is the new Sprinkles of Life.  With this set, you can make cupcakes, ice cream cones, trees and clouds- all from the same stamps!  And there's even a punch to punch out some of the images - stamps that coordinate with punches are my favorite!

I got the idea for this card from the Stampin' Up blog.  Of course I changed it a bit to make it my own.  I even added some glitter to the "ice cream" to highlight it.  I love the colors on this card. 

When you buy the Sprinkles of Life set, $3 is donated to the Ronald McDonald House charities.  So not only can you be creative, but you are helping people, too!

What are your favorites new products from the new catalog? 

Money Speaks

I wasn't sure what to give my son for his birthday, so I made the "present" into a card!  I got the idea from Jill Hilliard on Pinterest (of course) and thought that it was a cute idea.  I hope that he likes it. 

I wish that I had moved the "candles" more toward the middle of the card, because when I was done adhering them, there was a lot of blank space near the right of the card!  So I added some buttons to fill it in! 

What do you do to fill in the empty spaces on your projects or cards?  My stamping friends know that I don't like to start over!

Happy New Home

Just recently my oldest son bought his first house.  I wanted to give him a little something to welcome him into his new home.  I looked on the internet for a saying that goes well on a "first-home craft" that I could put into a small frame.

Don't you love this saying that I found by Ethan W Post - "May your home know joy, each room hold laughter and every window be open to possibilities?" I printed it onto some cardstock and came up with this cute little framed project to give to him.

Of course, I made him a card and a little magnet for the fridge to match!  The colors in his new house are mostly grays with some pops of green.  I'm sure it will look great. 

I used the house image from the Sale-a-bration set, You Brighten My Day.  It's just the right size to put on a little something.  I stamped the 3 hearts from the same set and cut them out to decorate the front of the house. The trees are from Life in the Forest and the kitty is from an older stamp set. 

He doesn't have a cat right now, but everyone in my family loves cats.  So I put a little kitty next to the house in one of the spaces in the shadow box frame.  The kitty looks like he wants to go in!  :)  Who knows, he might find a sweet little pet to love.

Gift for Teacher

 This week one of my sewing friends wanted to come up with an idea for a little gift to give to her children's teachers as an end-of-year thank you. She thought an apple-shaped coaster would be just perfect for the teachers to use on their desks for their coffee mugs.

 So I found a pattern for an apple and made this little coaster!  I sewed two fabrics together and then quilted the top piece with thin batting underneath.  Then I cut out the apple shape, added a backing fabric and a thermal batting piece to the inside.  I inserted the jute rope for the stem before I sewed it all together.  Then I turned it right-side out and stitched around the edge, closing up the opening for turning.

I made a fabric leaf and attached it with a small flat button.  To complete the project, I added a little stamping tag complete with an apple!

The gift is all ready to go! 

Birds on a Wire Wall Hanging

Last week I was looking through some of my Debbie Mumm quilting books for inspiration and I came across the pattern for this cute wall hanging.  I remembered that I had wanted to make him for my home.  It certainly looked easy enough and quick to finish, so I started working on it.

I chose some greens and browns that match my decor and added bits of turquoise and yellow for some extra color.  I wanted to make one of the birds in a floral or patterned fabric and love how he came out.  Then I added just a pop of orange for one of the beaks and tail feathers to finish it up.

I did some simple background quilting in two of the panels with straight and diagonal lines.  It's hard to see in the photos, but I think it has just the right amount of quilting. 








Here you can see some of the lines in the bottom panel.  I edged the "wires" and the borders with some topstitching close to the seams. 

When it was done I added black buttons for the eyes and some vintage buttons to embellish the wings.  I gave the center bird two eyes to give the wall hanging a bit of a quirky feel.  What do you think?






Finally, here's a photo of the birdies hanging in my sitting area off of the kitchen.

 I can almost hear them singing.