Designer Craft Connection - January 2013 - Home Decor

Decorating fun with old windows

(The photo shows a way to reuse an old window for home decor purposes. I will add and share three versions of how old windows were used in our home soon.)

Revised on January 11th -  Reused old windows that are used as decor elements here at my house in three different locations.

Yes, it's that time once again.  It's not that I forgot to get a post up this month, but just didn't have anything to post.  Great subject for this month, but I have been busy with getting decorations down and the house back in "pre-holiday" style.  The goal is to reorganize and clean - upstairs and downstairs.

I am hoping to find something to post on the subject of "home decor" to share.

There are posts up from other designers that are worth a read to hop on through the blogs for some ideas.

Bye-Bye Old Year -- Hello New One

Another chance at a new start as the new year is here!  Finally I have some time to reflect on this past year and think how I will approach this new year.

Making it through one complete year without my "better half"was not easy.  There were sad moments, some being difficult to handle.  Though, there were good thoughts everyday of this very special person. I can't help but think of Mike everyday when I walk around this house.  I have made some changes here and there and I will probably make more, but this is still "Our House" and it will continue to reflect that.

The holiday season has come and gone.  It was celebrated with the kids in different ways.  It began at Thanksgiving with just a few of us here.  Still not ready for larger crowds.  I enjoyed decorating the house for the coming Christmas season.  Here too some things changed, but much remains from traditions we started many years ago.  What I loved was visiting the kids' houses and seeing little holiday items that have already been passed on.  There are many pieces their dad loved to make for them that they all have on display.  Family favorites and new recipes of cookies were baked once again.  All made to be shared with family, friends and neighbors.

Of course early December brings my birthday, which was celebrated with the family when they surprised me with a new iPad as a birthday/Christmas gift.  There were evenings of visits with brothers, sisters-in-law, aunts and uncle and neighbors during the weeks before Christmas.  There were evenings alone too, but I filled them by watching our collections of holiday movies or listening to the numerous seasonal selections of music collected through the years.

An early Christmas gift for my mother-in-law was to see "The Christmas Schooner"and dinner with Mary, Jim and Laura in the city, followed by a trip into one of the famous neighborhoods with decorated houses.  Christmas Eve eve was spent with a trip once again into the city to see "It's a Wonderful Life" on the BIG screen with family and friends then traveling to Matthew's for his annual party.

Christmas Eve brought a quiet day for me, while Kevin, Amy and Matthew all had commitments with other gatherings.  Yes, I was invited to attend each with them, but chose to spend it at home with my thoughts and memories and time to prepare for Christmas Day with the kids here.  Christmas Day was very good as we gathered together as our little family and shared dinner and goodies and gifts and most important, time together.

It was off to the Wisconsin north-woods.  Time to get away from hustle & bustle of the "burbs" and city, to the sometimes craziness and hustle & bustle of all of us together at camp.

We are all back home now with a new year beginning once again. My goal is to be much, much more productive with creative endeavors this year - more published works, more teaching, open to new ideas to expand my creative reach.  It begins with being organized and that has to begin immediately.  I hope it will be a year of goodness and happiness to all those around me.  With what's happened this last year  or two, we can never be sure of what's ahead and I have learned at least one thing - take each day at a time! I will and try to make the most of each.

Designer Craft Connection December - Handmade Holiday

Here we are with the holiday season upon us.  Decorations are up around the house. Those lovely twinkling lights are going on allover the neighborhood. We have celebrated the season of thankfulness just a couple of weeks ago.  Now we are coming upon the biggest time of the year for giving.

What better theme for this month then "Handmade Holiday".  I have always enjoyed the giving and receiving of handmade anything.

When it comes to giving at Christmas time I enjoy giving gifts that are for the season.

I have been knitting and crocheting scarves and they will make wonderful gifts for giving for the girls and ladies.  Here is a crocheted pattern that I came across at a wonderful new shop in the area.  The original pattern calls for only one skein of yarn to make the scarf.  This first scarf was made with the yarn bought from the shop.  I liked the look of it so much that I needed to experiment with yarns and length.

This second one is made with yarn purchased from Michael's.  Love the bright, variegated colors.  The longer length makes the scarf wonderful for wrapping.

The third version was made using a solid, neutral color, with the length somewhere in between the two other scarves.  It's a fairly quick project to crochet and many can be made in any variety to suit the receiver of the gift.

Here is a ruffled scarf that knits up easily with only one skein of yarn.  There are different versions of this yarn available and each yarn gives the scarves a different look.
This "blue" version was made using Sashay.  There is a wonderful selections of colors available  in this brand.

This second scarf was made using a similar yarn from Hobby Lobby.

All of these scarves were quick to make up and would make lovely handmade gifts.

My kitchen has been a busy place too, with mixing going on for lots of homemade holiday goodness.  Later today there will be loads of baking happening, with ten different varieties of cookies being made for more giving.  I hope to be sharing a post about the baking and making of more holiday gifts.

Here's one more handmade idea.  I found these great wooden cut-out trees at Michael's.  I painted them and glittered them, added ribbon for a hanger.  Strips of red and green papers were cut to make a 25 loop paper chain.  I made these reusable "countdown to Christmas" hangings for my two young granddaughter's.  Once the paper links get to the Christmas tree that special day will be here.  The top part with the tree can be saved from year to year and all they will need to do is add a 25 link chain each season.

I needed a new idea for my front door this year and the result was this pretty quick wreath made with a purchased wooden wreath form.  It was covered with scraps of white fabric, then adorned with snowflakes from the dollar store and a simple white bow.

Other family gets into the "handmade" groove too.  This tree was made by a brother-in-law from leftover pieces of willow from the bent willow chairs he makes.  There is another out front of the house with lights on.

These little reindeer are one of the last holiday projects my husband made.  He made them to decorate our very long table three years ago when many of the family were visiting for Christmas.  After, several were given to the guests along, with a handmade ornament that were at each place setting.

In our house "handmade" has always been big, especially during the holidays.  From handmade decorations for every purpose to crafting eatable gifts, all for our home and for giving.  We gave up the act of exchanging gifts among our many family members years ago.  For a while we were given a needy family through our church that we gave gifts to.  Now the next generation takes turns choosing  an organization of their choice and all family members can make contributions to it. With family across the country, each year brings a wonderful chance to help in different areas.

Giving comes in many ways, but "HANDMADE" has a special way of saying it comes from the heart!

So I will say this: Make Handmade, Give Handmade, Buy Handmade, Live Handmade.

Get Creative for Winter Holidays

So I decided to pull out my favorite tool - Sizzix Big Shot and dies, to play around with some ideas for gift giving and decorating.

Boxes for little packages of goodies can be made from the wonderful variety of Sizzix dies.  Here are just two ideas.  Both can hold special treats from your kitchen or small handmade items for giving.  Each are closed with simple ribbons and embellished with holiday designs using other Sizzix dies.

Three ornaments were created using more Sizzix dies.  The shapes were cut from purchased glitter cardstock and adhesive backed glittered foam sheets at a local craft store.  Three tree shapes are cut from the green foam.  Carefully they are placed together to form a Christmas tree.  A hanging cord was added while assembling the tree.  Wrap the small trunk with a piece of ribbon.  Glue on an assortment of tiny buttons for decorations.

 An ornament shape is cut from the red glitter foam.  Adhere the two shapes together, begin at the bottom and before completing, stuff a few cotton balls into the widest are of the shape to give it a rounded look, then continue to seal the edges.  If the adhesive does not hold you can add glue to seal the edge.  Tie a bow onto the shape, add a hanging cord and finish with a simple button shape glued to the front.  I added little touches of DecoArt Snow Tex to the button.

The white bird was cut from glittered, crimped card stock.  Glue the shape together and adding a hanging cord and the wings. The bottom of the bird was left open slightly and stuffed with a few cotton balls.  Make a small dot for eyes with paint, add a simple ribbon around the neck.  Glue the bird onto a small clipping of a twig.

Each of these ornaments can be tied onto a package  as a decoration and extra little gift.  Simple handmade ideas for gifting and giving during the holiday season.

Designer Craft Connection Challenge - Smoothfoam™

NOTE: I must first apologize for being a bit late to the posting for this challenge.  There was a human error of forgetfulness of equipment needed to get this post complete for the Saturday date while away with family.

The product for this challenge is Smoothfoam™.  Here is a link to the products website: www.smoothfoam.com and a Pinterest link here: http://pinterest.com/plasteel/michael-s-smoothfoam/ 

I look forward to experimenting with this product in other ways then the ideas I will share with you here.

Here is an ornament using one of the Smoothfoam™ balls.  I would recommend the 3" or 4" size.  I used an apple corer to form a hole into the ball. Tapered pieces of scrap fabric were cut to be glued around the lower two-thirds of the ball. The "petals" from pinecones  were glued around the top one-third of the ball.  Insert a hanger of gold fine cording to the center top.  Brown moss was glued into the open center at the top and a small amount into the hole at the front.  Wire a little bird to a short twig and glue to the front of the ornament.  Two ribbon streamers are place at the top.  Dab a small amount of DecoArt Snow-Tex to the tips of the pinecone petals and twig.

A simple ribbon wreath can be made by cutting out the center of a 12" disc.  Measure about 1" to 1 1/2" from the edge and use a serrated knife or desired cutting tool.  Tie 5/8" wide ribbons of choice around the Smoothfoam™ring.  Clip a "V" into the ends of each ribbon. Use a short sequin pins to add snowflake sequins around the front of the wreath in the "white" spaces between the ribbons.  Form a bow from ribbons and attach with a pin.  Add a wire hanger to the back top for hanging.

Not to waste materials, I took the leftover disc and cut another ring in the same way as above to make a candle ring.  I took thin, white quilt batting and cut it into a 1" strip.  This was wrapped around the ring, gluing it onto the ring as it is wrapped.  Coat the surface of the ring with DecoArt Snow-Tex. NOTE: Do not cover bottom. Two coats may be needed.  Allow the finish to dray well.  Top the surface with DecoArt Crystal Craft Twinkle Glitter paint.  When the glitter paint is dry, glue snowflake sequins all over the ring with Beacon Gem Tac and onto a pillar candle.

NOTE: Waste nothing - from the small leftover piece check out the small candle holder in the previous post.

There is a "giveaway" for this challenge of a kit to make a snowman with some extras.  To enter to win leave a comment on the blog of the designer whose project(s) you like.  The more often you comment the more chances you have to win.  You can also make comments on the Pinterest site.  The winner will be announced on Novermber 19th on the Designer Craft Connection Facebook page.

Designer Craft Connection November Edition - Thank You's

The "tricks and treats" are over and before we start being "merry" and "happy" we will be  giving "thanks".  This brings me to the theme of this months DCC blog hop ideas - saying Thank You.

Of course a "thank you" card or note is the first way to go, so I created a note card with an extra little something.

Stamping a simple, embossed message on a blank note card, adding coordinating blocks of papers as a background to attached a fabric, flower brooch is a special way to give thanks for any reason. The brooch was made from stiffened fabric for the flower, handmade paper leaves, a button and Sizzix dies.

The Thanksgiving holiday is approaching.  We will all probably be having gatherings or attending gathering with family and acquaintances. I created a small little gift to give to a hostess or guests.

Use a simple votive holder and decorate as desired and place a "Be Thankful" Yankee Candle inside.

This version, a length of ribbon was glued around the bottom of the glass and then buttons were added.  Another length of ribbon was added with a bow at the center.  These would be easy to make and use as part of a table setting or give to guests as they leave.

For the second version, I used a small circle of Smoothfoam™.  A circle was cut to fit the votive holder.  The foam was wrapped with 1/2" wide strip of fabric.  "Petals" from pinecones were glued around the top of the foam ring and around the side.  To give it a finished look a length of jute cording was added along the bottom and a thin gold cord adds a bit of glitz.

NOTE: Use the same idea but change the color scheme for all elements used for a different holiday or occasion.

Hope you enjoy these fairly simple and sweet ways to say "Thank You".

Time Passes, Life Goes On, But You Will Remain With Us Always

The year milestone of a life changing moment has been reached.  I wasn't sure how this moment should be approached or dealt with.  I wasn't sure of how this past year would or should be handled. It was a time of so much uncertainty.  Is there really any right way to face losing someone?

It seems that the best way I found to approach this, is how we decided from the time we first learned the diagnosis over two years ago - take one day at a time.

These days will be busy on purpose, with friends and family.  I think about this very special man everyday.  He is here in every room of this house, he's visible in each of the kids in various ways.  There's been tears and there sure will be more, but they won't out number the memories and thoughts of this amazing man.

We won't think of him as gone away

Just think of him as resting

Where there are no days or years

And think of him as living

In the hearts of those he touched

For nothing loved is ever lost

And he was loved so much

Creative Challenge with Makin's Clay

I was so happy to be included in this latest challenge with an easy, fun product. Always up for a challenge and a chance to work with interesting mediums.  Makin's Clay is not new to me, I have used it, when it first became available several years ago.  I've dabbled with polymer clays before, though not an expert and other air-dry clays out there that are fun to work with.

With this opportunity I was able to familiarize myself once again with this medium. We needed to use at least 75% of the product in our project.  I feel that I used everything in some way that I received for this challenge.

A small sketchbook that was laying around was reused and this list of products from Makin's:
Makin's - Neon Green
Makin's - Natural
Makin's - Earth Tone Assortment
Makin's - Texture Sheet Set D
Makin's - Push Mold Leaves
Makin's - Clay Cutters Bulb Ornament
Makin's - Roller and Cutter Set

The clay was rolled, textured, cut, molded, die-cut, painted, stained, dry brushed and glued.

For creating my project here are steps I took with the products:
Two of the clays were rolled out to the size needed for the background of the cover and the frame, then each piece was textured differently with the texture plates.  To change the basic color without blending clays or adding paint, I brushed the neon green clay with a dark green acrylic paint and then wiped off to highlight the "wood" texture and darken the clay slightly.  For the frame edges, natural clay was textured with the "scales" plate and antiqued with Ranger Vintage Photo Distress Stain and wiped to tint the clay.  Ranger's Perfect Pearls "Perfect Gold" was brushed over these pieces to add some depth.  Using the "Leaves" push mold and the green clay from the earth tone assortment, several leaves were formed.  Flower petals were made using another color from the assortment and "bulb ornament" clay cutters.  The lightest "flesh" color, from the assortment, was rolled out to a thin layer and dried and then die-cut into shapes to make smaller flowers.  I used different colors of Perfect Pearls to highlight all the the pieces and give them a slight shimmer.  To finish my album, all pieces were glued in place with Beacon Adhesives 3-in-1 glue.  Beads were glued in place for centers of the flowers with Beacon's Gem Tac.  Torn scraps of fabric and variegated ribbon were tied to the wire coil of the album.  A photo or a printed verse can be slipped into the frame.

There is a new blog dedicated to just the Makin's line - here is a LINK for you to check out.  Follow through to check out the twelve other creative ideas other designers who also participated in this challenge. Use the button in the sidebar at the top right for the Designer Craft Connection to follow through to the other projects.  It's so amazing to see what and how other designers  come up with and how they use the same product.

There are small amounts of clay that went unused that I'm looking forward to some experiments with.  Need to try adding paint to it, mixing colors and blending colors.  It's clean, easy, air-dry, kid-friendly and designer approved!

Makin's Clay is offering a price package valued at just over $111.00, with products including clay, tools and a Memory Frame Kit.  To enter, leave a comment on the Makin's Clay Blog, telling us which project you liked best on the blog hop.  The winner will be randomly drawn from all entries on or about October 24th.  The winner will be announced on the Makin's Clay blog, so please check back on Thursday, October 25th to find out the winner.

 The holidays are coming and it's always nice to make some little gift or holiday decoration.

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