"It's a Kid's Christmas" -blog hop!

Welcome just a few fun ideas that include some other participants great project links at the bottom.

Who can't use something quick for a fun kid? This is so quick! I cheated with an extra postcard

folded it in half (can use pieces of newspaper, an old Christmas card, or cardstock), printed my saying "EXTRA EXTRA Read All about it Rudolph Replacement Noses" on a separate piece of cardstock you could use paper (be sure you let it dry). Stamped Rudolph from CTMH Share the Magic set -you could also use a cricut image, sticker or what ever you like.

Fill a bag with brown and red or all red round candies, these were cherry balls. Adhere the top to the bag and you are done! Add ribbon or cording- get as fancy as you want and time allows. Great for any age!

Another fun thing I do every year with one lone domino, I stamp with Staz On with the same CTMH retired stamp(reminds me of Mrs. Claus) color in with Sharpie or permanent markers. Add a bit of glitter,

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beads, glimmer mist or stickles ! Can be a card or scrapbook embellishment, tie a ribbon for an ornament, glue in a hair bow, turn it into a pin, or add a clamp or eye hook for jewelry.

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Now hop on over to the following blogs to see more:

http://kaylaskraftinkorner.blogspot.com/

www.nickalli.blogspot.com

http://scrappingoodtime.blogspot.com/

Glass Gem Magents

Who doesn't love or use magnets? A great way to make someone smile. Great to help organize, play with or make into travel game pieces.

Paying more for the gems does not make them clearer, heavier nor better. They can be found in dollar stores, craft and department stores. Clear gems are best but you can also use pale colors if it goes with your theme. Gems are not perfect and may have bubbles or slight imperfections- these can add character.

Quick and fun for kids and adults to make. Pick any theme you like- words, initial, holiday, birthday, flowers, rockets whatever you have or choose.

I used retired Close to My Heart stampset you can certainly use stickers. If you use stamps it is a great way to personalize things like hair color or someone's fav color.

First take a gem and place it over what you want to use it then you can see what will show when done. Next use piece of cardstock (1-1/2" scraps work wonderfully). Stamp your image, color it in, and while you have the gem glue it on, I used Close to My Heart Liquid Glass. Many gems are not shaped the same. Remember you can use parts of an image it doesn't have to be perfect.

Allow the gem to dry and cut off the excess cardstock. Flip them over and secure a magnet strip on and you are done!

Put them in a tin with or with out a window if you like, it helps secure them for gift giving, great storage. You can also decorate the tin if you like. You can also give them on a cookie sheet, smooth edged metal anything or simply a box or bag.

Recycle Puzzle Pieces

Most of us have access to odd left over puzzle pieces and they are a great way to recycle broken jewelry, buttons, paper and other items. You can make card or scrapbook embellishments, key rings or ornaments to name a few things.

I used Close to My Heart black and silver embossing powder but you can certainly paint or cover with glue to adhere fabric or paper. I like to do several at once because they go so quick and you will probably get excited and creative!

Make them them solid or patterned, depending what you want to put on them. Remember there is no wrong way. Punch a hole for a ribbon to make an ornament or gift tag or add a ring for a key chain.

Gather some broken costume jewelry, buttons, sequins, seed beads, glitter, ribbons, and accessories to make new or revamp project.

Add some pin backs to make pins, leave the back flat if you are using for card or scrapbook embellishments or key rings.

Easy Christmas Tag from Scraps

No cricut needed- easy for my non crafty friends and family, or your kids to make! Great way to use scraps or left overs, and who does not need or love to get a great tag this time of year! Easy to co-ordinate with your wrapping paper to! If you have a cricut you could certainly use it.

Pull your chair up and grab whatever close to your pencil colors, old eye shadows & blushes, chalks, markers, recycled or left over buttons, fabric or paper scraps, embellishments, glitters, embossing powders, bling or whatever you have to use and you can whip these out in no time or get involved.


You will need one piece of 3" x 5" for your base and one piece 1"x 3" for the hat brim, and you can use white if you are covering with scraps. If you want a colored hat and don't have enough glitter etc cut from fabric or paper one 3 x 3 piece.
First I placed but did not glue the bling for his smile and eyes then used a Close to My Heart orange paintbrush tip marker to draw and color his nose. Then I used a pink CTMH marker to color cheeks before adhering the mouth. Then glue eyes and smile. You can leave your edges squared or use a corner rounder.

Decide what you are using on your hat, secure the brim and decorate as you like. The sky is the limit! Punch a hole to add ribbon, can stamp (write, sticker etc) "to & from" on the front or back.

Shrinky Dink Charms

Shrinky Dink is not just for the kids! It's a lot of fun for crafters also!
You can make some great charms for taper candles or drinking glass rings, jewelry, scrapbook embellishments, buttons, key rings and more!

Stamp your image with Staz On and you can color in with pencil colors before curing. Remember the shrinky dink will shrink 1/2 to 3/4 of it's original size. If you plan to hang or add it to make something punch a hole prior to curing.

Left photo below is prior to curing and after is the right photo below to give you an idea how much they shrink.


You can cure your image by baking according to package directions or use an heat embossing gun and a stylus to hold so it doesn't blow away. Don't panic when it starts to curl completely up it levels out when it is finished. It will be very hot so be careful. It will cool in about 2-3 minutes.

You can add a clasp, an o-ring and a chain, or a rhinestone stud earring post, hoops, etc.
They do last a long time below is a child's necklace that is 3 yrs old.

Framed Decor Gift

If you are looking for specific colors or a quick and fun decor or gift item, I loved this.

A gold wooden 4 x 6 frame, you can make any size you like- any map, word themed or holiday paper, find a stamp you like that coordinates.

Measure your paper, stamp your image (could use a rub on) I used a retired Close to My Heart ornament but a tree large word or other would work perfectly!



Add ribbons, glitter, bling or dimensional item to pop or match and that's it you are done! Depending what items you use you can seal your paper or add the glass on top if it fits.


I think this would be super with a USA theme for a special soldier also!

New Twist on Spatulas!

I wanted something different for recipe card sets, home-made dry soup or gift mixes, and thought this would be a fun twist to try.


Bought a cheap set of spatulas in case, used Staz-on (use any color you like) and snowman from Close to My Heart Pair A Phrase. You might use an initial, a crown for Queen of the kitchen, chicken or other for collectors or soup, even something to match the gift item you are attaching it to.

You will need to take your time as the spatulas are slick, I don't plan on eating or using it except for decoration so wasn't worried about food safety. Stamp your image, allow to dry about 5 minutes you touch it. I do suggest cheap spatulas until you try it and get the knack down.

Just a fun way to add a twist or a little extra something to your gift.

Using Scraps for Jewelry

Pins a are wonderful way to use your scraps. Quick!! Great for a gift, easy and inexpensive to mail. The snowman is still damp and has a lot of Glitz so it looks a little fuzzy yet.
Can be left over patterned paper and cardstock or stamp your own image, holiday or any theme you have or desire.

You will need about 2 inch pieces or patterned or stamped image on a nice cardstock, then your back will be 1/2 inch larger. I used some thick cardstock and patterned paper in the snowman and cardstock seahorse remnant, then corrugated cardstock on the lady. Make rounds or ovals pieces if you prefer or it works better with your scraps.

You will need to seal these after you put the pieces together and easier before adding the pin back. I prefer Close to My Heart Liquid glass (self leveling and forgiving) you can use Modge Podge. Then add Stickles, I prefer Close to My Heart if I want more dimension, or you could use glitter if you like.

Allow to dry before adding crystals or other bling. You might also like to add ribbon, tiny beads, bells or mini buttons if you want to get fancier.

Using a Brayer

Project for a challenge. Masking with paper strips, brayer and my Close to My Heart stamp pads. Randomly place your strips on the cardstock, roll over ink then brayer over the strips, move the strips and repeat with a different color. Use any colors you like.

(Brayered pieces are the darker ones in the middle of above photo). You can use triangles, strips, squares or other shapes as you like.

Stamped the shells on the bottom and found some great ribbon in my stash to go with it!

You can even use your strips for cards or other projects. You really can't mess it up so try it if you haven't.

May!

Wow~ May- where has the time gone.
Just a little tag to show I have been doing things, jsut behind here. Several Close to My Heart stamps, a little masking to change the words, mixed papers and gotta love liquid glass.

Stamping on Metal

Love a sale, especially when working with someone else's money!

Dollar General again had a ton of spring painted pails on sale normally $1 and 75% off ~ making them 25 cents each!

Toying with some different wedding table favor ideas and this certainly fits the brides price range!

Spray painted a few tins, with various Krylon. Allowed to dry.

Stamped with metal stamp ink (works better than staz-on) using single initial stamp from Close to My Heart "Baroque Alphabet", heat set as directed on ink, then added a new ribbon and the Bride loves it!

You could certainly use any color paint and themed stamp you desire to have a customized pail!

Graduation! "Now Playing...

Been a while since I posted, I have been a bad blogger!
I thought someone else might be planning to make something for a special Grad, this is for Paige's album!


"Now Playing
Proudest Moments"



The original photo announcement was copied in black in white onto a pale gold vellum.


Used a mix of products- Close to My Heart cardstocks, 3Birdsnest papers- stickers, miscellaneous embellishments & stickles.

Valentine Kiss Card

This imitation "Hershey's Kiss Card" is super easy. Cut a template for your kiss, stamp a greeting and a heart, adhere it - add a greeting inside, and then wrap in household aluminum foil. If you have candy kisses and keep the string you could add it in your card otherwise cut a thin strip. You could certainly stamp on your strip also.