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3 weeks ago
Saturday, December 12, 2009
Wednesday, December 9, 2009
Right!
Have you ever looked at someone else's blog and thought there is no way you could ever do something as nice looking as that? I do all the time. I can't imagine having the talent to create so many wonderful things. I'm a perfectionist, there are so many things that never leave my craft room....
Monday, December 7, 2009
Late!
I have a love hate relationship with the holidays. I'm crafting, but don't seem to have enough time on my hands. I'm almost done with my cards, but I had to stop to do cards for Nikki's impending birthday/sleepover party. (I'm understanding of the fact I must be nuts for hosting such a thing.) Luckily there is only four other girls in her class. I'm loaded up with projects, overwhelmed, and end up staying up way too late!
~Whew!~
I didn't manage to get a picture of my Thanksgiving table either, I was so busy. Drat. But I do have a picture of my centerpiece. I'm just not uploading it just yet.
I've not forgotten about my blog, no way! But I need a kick from time to time, and need to stop drooling over other's blogs! Thats a big time waster! I get inspired, but before I realize it, it's been an hour!
I'll be back, and with pictures and projects!
~Whew!~
I didn't manage to get a picture of my Thanksgiving table either, I was so busy. Drat. But I do have a picture of my centerpiece. I'm just not uploading it just yet.
I've not forgotten about my blog, no way! But I need a kick from time to time, and need to stop drooling over other's blogs! Thats a big time waster! I get inspired, but before I realize it, it's been an hour!
I'll be back, and with pictures and projects!
Tuesday, November 10, 2009
Nugget Boxes And A Tutorial!
A few years ago I ran across and learned how to make nugget boxes. They are a great gift for the holidays, I make a few dozen and hand them out to guests, teachers, as tips.... you get the idea. The great thing about these is you can use them all year long! Here is a completed box.
This tutorial is made with the Short 4 piece (2 by 2).
They also use cardstock, I used regular scrapbook for the original boxes in this post, but for the one I used in the tutorial I used the cardstock like paper. So with the smaller boxes, I don't really figure it matters how heavy the paper is.
Your supplies:
Paper cutter with ruler. Scissors. Pen. Ruler. Tape runner. Paper. Hershey's Nuggets. (The Nestle Treasure's are a different measurement)
I use 12 by 12 paper, and you can get three boxes from it. You can almost get the three bottom covers for it too if you're using the patterned paper, but you'll need another sheet for the third. This also does not count the paper for the wraps around the Nuggets either.
For the 12 by 12 sheet, you'll cut one side to 4 1/4 inches, then that piece you'll cut into two five inch pieces. With the original piece, you'll cut 7 3/8 out, and from that cut three 2 1/8 strips. From the last piece you'll cut to 5 inches, then 4 1/4 inches. You'll have this:
Paper for the three boxes only.
While you're cutting, if you want to cut pieces for the bottom of the box (I do.), the measurements for that are 3 1/4 inches by just under 2 inches. It will be long on the ends, but thats okay, you will fold up up later.
And the pieces for the Nugget wrap are 3 inches by 1 inch.
Now you'll take your pattern that you printed out from the site above, and mark the measurements for scoring/folding. I use my paper cutter for that, to make sure that my lines are straight, but you could do it with a ruler as well. You'll do the top and bottom, and they should look like this:
I don't have a scoring wheel on my paper cutter, nor do I have a bone folder. I took my daughter's foam placemat and traced the lines along a ruler and folded them over like so:
It scored it just fine.
You'll then cut along the shaded areas on your pattern. Fold along the rest of the lines.
Now for placing a matching piece of paper on the bottom of the box, and taping the sides together. In the picture the x's are where I put the tape, the x's with the arrow's indicate that you should tape on the other side. I put the bottom on, refold the ends, then tape the rest.
You'll start with folding one end like this:
Do the other end the same way.
After all folds are made, the bottom of your box should look like this:
Now for the top you'll just need to make sure all folds are sharp, and tape the outside of the short fold like this:
Here you can see the taped seam at the top of the picture:
The top should fit snug around the box. When regular scrapbook paper is used, it's slightly looser, but after the Nugget's are in there, it doesn't matter.
To wrap the Nuggets.
Run your tape runner down the backside and take one end of your paper you cut for that and hold it on one side like this:
A few others I've done:
I'm linking this to Get Your Craft On!
This tutorial is made with the Short 4 piece (2 by 2).
They also use cardstock, I used regular scrapbook for the original boxes in this post, but for the one I used in the tutorial I used the cardstock like paper. So with the smaller boxes, I don't really figure it matters how heavy the paper is.
Your supplies:
Paper cutter with ruler. Scissors. Pen. Ruler. Tape runner. Paper. Hershey's Nuggets. (The Nestle Treasure's are a different measurement)
I use 12 by 12 paper, and you can get three boxes from it. You can almost get the three bottom covers for it too if you're using the patterned paper, but you'll need another sheet for the third. This also does not count the paper for the wraps around the Nuggets either.
For the 12 by 12 sheet, you'll cut one side to 4 1/4 inches, then that piece you'll cut into two five inch pieces. With the original piece, you'll cut 7 3/8 out, and from that cut three 2 1/8 strips. From the last piece you'll cut to 5 inches, then 4 1/4 inches. You'll have this:
Paper for the three boxes only.
While you're cutting, if you want to cut pieces for the bottom of the box (I do.), the measurements for that are 3 1/4 inches by just under 2 inches. It will be long on the ends, but thats okay, you will fold up up later.
And the pieces for the Nugget wrap are 3 inches by 1 inch.
Now you'll take your pattern that you printed out from the site above, and mark the measurements for scoring/folding. I use my paper cutter for that, to make sure that my lines are straight, but you could do it with a ruler as well. You'll do the top and bottom, and they should look like this:
I don't have a scoring wheel on my paper cutter, nor do I have a bone folder. I took my daughter's foam placemat and traced the lines along a ruler and folded them over like so:
It scored it just fine.
You'll then cut along the shaded areas on your pattern. Fold along the rest of the lines.
Now for placing a matching piece of paper on the bottom of the box, and taping the sides together. In the picture the x's are where I put the tape, the x's with the arrow's indicate that you should tape on the other side. I put the bottom on, refold the ends, then tape the rest.
You'll start with folding one end like this:
Do the other end the same way.
After all folds are made, the bottom of your box should look like this:
Now for the top you'll just need to make sure all folds are sharp, and tape the outside of the short fold like this:
Here you can see the taped seam at the top of the picture:
The top should fit snug around the box. When regular scrapbook paper is used, it's slightly looser, but after the Nugget's are in there, it doesn't matter.
To wrap the Nuggets.
Run your tape runner down the backside and take one end of your paper you cut for that and hold it on one side like this:
A few others I've done:
I'm linking this to Get Your Craft On!
Monday, November 9, 2009
Birthday Party
I made a few things for Anya's birthday party this last weekend, and wanted to share.
This is the birthday banner I made from scrapbook paper, cardstock and ribbon. It's a running joke with my husband and I. I have a love for paper, and always fret over using it the right way. So after amassing so much of it, I was put on a restriction. And I was so proud about this, and he turned to me and said, "You're just trying to convince me it's time to buy more paper." Of all the nerve! And my motto is you can never have too much paper.
The table settings with cakes! I made six cakes total for this party, and I was told I was nuts. But one for the birthday girl, and the rest for the guests. I had a special order for banana cake, and I like chocolate, and having a one year old I wanted her to have white, so I made enough cake to please us all.
Now for the cakes, now keep in mind I was in a hurry because I NEEEDED to go to a craft show that morning, and there was a nap and you get the idea. I didn't get to clean up the plates, and some of the cake is showing through on two of the cakes, but it went over well enough I think. I used buttercream frosting, and chocolate buttercream. Pretty simple.
And I made party hats as well. I ended up having to hot glue them an hour before the party, they wouldn't stay together! And I know somewhere in my craft room there is a roll of silver string that stretches. I found the red and had to go with it. The birthday girl with her hat (though ever so briefly, she cannot stand things on her head, winter is going to be so much fun! And I adore hats!)-
Nikki turns eight in December, and I'm thinking of themes and ideas for her already. The weather this weekend was great, my mom is back from Vegas, and we'll be working on a book for her, it's so exciting! Lots of projects coming up, Thanksgiving, Christmas.... I need two more months!
This is the birthday banner I made from scrapbook paper, cardstock and ribbon. It's a running joke with my husband and I. I have a love for paper, and always fret over using it the right way. So after amassing so much of it, I was put on a restriction. And I was so proud about this, and he turned to me and said, "You're just trying to convince me it's time to buy more paper." Of all the nerve! And my motto is you can never have too much paper.
The table settings with cakes! I made six cakes total for this party, and I was told I was nuts. But one for the birthday girl, and the rest for the guests. I had a special order for banana cake, and I like chocolate, and having a one year old I wanted her to have white, so I made enough cake to please us all.
Now for the cakes, now keep in mind I was in a hurry because I NEEEDED to go to a craft show that morning, and there was a nap and you get the idea. I didn't get to clean up the plates, and some of the cake is showing through on two of the cakes, but it went over well enough I think. I used buttercream frosting, and chocolate buttercream. Pretty simple.
And I made party hats as well. I ended up having to hot glue them an hour before the party, they wouldn't stay together! And I know somewhere in my craft room there is a roll of silver string that stretches. I found the red and had to go with it. The birthday girl with her hat (though ever so briefly, she cannot stand things on her head, winter is going to be so much fun! And I adore hats!)-
Nikki turns eight in December, and I'm thinking of themes and ideas for her already. The weather this weekend was great, my mom is back from Vegas, and we'll be working on a book for her, it's so exciting! Lots of projects coming up, Thanksgiving, Christmas.... I need two more months!
Wednesday, November 4, 2009
Halloween Party Goodies
First I have to say Happy Birthday to my baby, Anya. She turns one today! It seems like I've been waiting for her birthday forever, but at the same time there is no way she could be one already! This is where I wistfully sigh and wonder where all the time goes.
Happy Birthday sweet girl.
Now on to the goodies!
For the Halloween parties this year I made Mummy Dogs, those aren't pictured though. Those are easy enough to make actually, and a nice alternative to just plain hot dogs regularly. I grew up with my father demanding that hot dogs were not a meal. I cheat on this once in a while, and now I have a more dressed up excuse. I also made Monster Toes and Breadstick Bones. Those too are easy enough to make as well.
The bones went over very well.
A word to the wise on Monster Toes. Kindergarten age children are not so hip on them. The parents loved it, and even after we explained that it was a weenie with ketchup and a tortilla shell, they still wouldn't take any. But they looked cool dangit!
And now for a funny story.
Bobbing for apples this year seemed a bit risky. I remembered a game from my youth that had a donut on a string and you 'bobbed' for the donut. I thought this the perfect solution to the germ worries of everyone. So in my haste, I sent my husband off to Dunkin Donuts, for I was still busy making bones and other goodies! It wasn't until we got to the party I realized he bought the 'Harvest' donuts. With a orange frosting on a glazed donut. I can just imagine what went through the teacher's and other parent's heads that day. I thought I had stressed that he was to buy the cake donuts, but oh well. Hang the donuts from the ceiling, (and I had to be down in my son's class at this point, the teacher was out ill and had asked if I would run her party.) and no one in that room took into account the height of most of the children, so bobbing away they went, the rules are you can't use your hands, they have to stay behind your back! And hilarity ensues. Seriously, they did think I was nuts until they saw the kids going nuts trying to eat the donut off the string. And I give my husband a little credit, I saw some orange glazed faces that made me chuckle.
Have a great Wednesday!
Happy Birthday sweet girl.
Now on to the goodies!
For the Halloween parties this year I made Mummy Dogs, those aren't pictured though. Those are easy enough to make actually, and a nice alternative to just plain hot dogs regularly. I grew up with my father demanding that hot dogs were not a meal. I cheat on this once in a while, and now I have a more dressed up excuse. I also made Monster Toes and Breadstick Bones. Those too are easy enough to make as well.
The bones went over very well.
A word to the wise on Monster Toes. Kindergarten age children are not so hip on them. The parents loved it, and even after we explained that it was a weenie with ketchup and a tortilla shell, they still wouldn't take any. But they looked cool dangit!
And now for a funny story.
Bobbing for apples this year seemed a bit risky. I remembered a game from my youth that had a donut on a string and you 'bobbed' for the donut. I thought this the perfect solution to the germ worries of everyone. So in my haste, I sent my husband off to Dunkin Donuts, for I was still busy making bones and other goodies! It wasn't until we got to the party I realized he bought the 'Harvest' donuts. With a orange frosting on a glazed donut. I can just imagine what went through the teacher's and other parent's heads that day. I thought I had stressed that he was to buy the cake donuts, but oh well. Hang the donuts from the ceiling, (and I had to be down in my son's class at this point, the teacher was out ill and had asked if I would run her party.) and no one in that room took into account the height of most of the children, so bobbing away they went, the rules are you can't use your hands, they have to stay behind your back! And hilarity ensues. Seriously, they did think I was nuts until they saw the kids going nuts trying to eat the donut off the string. And I give my husband a little credit, I saw some orange glazed faces that made me chuckle.
Have a great Wednesday!
Monday, November 2, 2009
Sometimes I Get Lucky
My luck finding things at Goodwill is about 50/50. About two years ago I walked in and found these:
Pretty gross looking. But I bought about eight of them for two bucks each. I knew one day I would be able to something with them. A few months ago I managed to cover them with fabric, and this morning I glued the ribbon on. Here are what two look like now:
I'm putting the blue flowery one in the kitchen to hold cards for special dates, and maybe wallet photos. And the greener one is going into the craft room to hold inspirational ideas. I still have a few more, depending on the reaction of friends and family, I may do more and gift them. Or I'll make one for Nikki's room. Do boys have memory boards? I don't think they do.
Pretty gross looking. But I bought about eight of them for two bucks each. I knew one day I would be able to something with them. A few months ago I managed to cover them with fabric, and this morning I glued the ribbon on. Here are what two look like now:
I'm putting the blue flowery one in the kitchen to hold cards for special dates, and maybe wallet photos. And the greener one is going into the craft room to hold inspirational ideas. I still have a few more, depending on the reaction of friends and family, I may do more and gift them. Or I'll make one for Nikki's room. Do boys have memory boards? I don't think they do.
Pumpkins!
I was pretty busy pumpkin-ing out for Halloween. I thought I'd share some of the pumpkins I carved/ decorated.
This was inspired by Martha Stewart.
On the top is the alien pumpkin, then we have Jimmy's scary pumpkin (mommy helped cut that out.), the etched BOO, Nikki's mean pumpkin, her creation alone, and Anya's 'holy' pumpkin.
Three mini pumpkins I hollowed out and took one of my carving tools for my clay to. Starry night, monogram with swirls, and harvest delight.
Onto the Funkins!
I call this beauty Viva Las Funkin!
All lit up in her gaudy glory!
Black spider webby. I used Martha Stewart glitter after painting the Funkin black. The web is a combination of antique silver and the glow in the dark glitter. And it does glow! I just couldn't get a good picture of it.
I nearly forgot my favorite! I saw this on a magazine cover, and upon close inspection I figured out they used a sticker, or rather lots of them. At nearly eight bucks for a sheet, and I'd need at least two, and the cost of the funkin, holy cow! So I bought sequin pins, and black sequins and did it myself. It took a while, I painted the pin heads black with an enamel, and pushing them through the Funkin was not easy. I have since added gems by the ends of the swirls, I will try to take another updated picture today.
Picture taken!
I was way more productive with pumpkin making this year than in years past. I took my time and didn't worry if it would be done on time. With the weather though I have to note that the owl pumpkin took out Jimmy's and one of the o's from BOO. I put them on an old ladder to maximize space, they rotted so quickly! More Halloween posts to follow.
This was inspired by Martha Stewart.
On the top is the alien pumpkin, then we have Jimmy's scary pumpkin (mommy helped cut that out.), the etched BOO, Nikki's mean pumpkin, her creation alone, and Anya's 'holy' pumpkin.
Three mini pumpkins I hollowed out and took one of my carving tools for my clay to. Starry night, monogram with swirls, and harvest delight.
Onto the Funkins!
I call this beauty Viva Las Funkin!
All lit up in her gaudy glory!
Black spider webby. I used Martha Stewart glitter after painting the Funkin black. The web is a combination of antique silver and the glow in the dark glitter. And it does glow! I just couldn't get a good picture of it.
I nearly forgot my favorite! I saw this on a magazine cover, and upon close inspection I figured out they used a sticker, or rather lots of them. At nearly eight bucks for a sheet, and I'd need at least two, and the cost of the funkin, holy cow! So I bought sequin pins, and black sequins and did it myself. It took a while, I painted the pin heads black with an enamel, and pushing them through the Funkin was not easy. I have since added gems by the ends of the swirls, I will try to take another updated picture today.
Picture taken!
I was way more productive with pumpkin making this year than in years past. I took my time and didn't worry if it would be done on time. With the weather though I have to note that the owl pumpkin took out Jimmy's and one of the o's from BOO. I put them on an old ladder to maximize space, they rotted so quickly! More Halloween posts to follow.
Welcome
Welcome to me, welcome to you. While it's not my first foray into the blogging land, I'm hoping this will be more successful. My first was gardening, and I still garden, but I do much more. I've been visiting http://www.todayscreativeblog.blogspot.com/ for a long time, and have been inspired by all the links I've followed from there. I hope to share my creations, and the things I've been inspired by.
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