Looking for a fun and easy St. Patrick's Day crafts for the kiddos? A potato, some paint and paper, and a little creativity makes for the perfect project!
SUPPLIES
potato
knifewhite cardstockmarkersWRMK Crop-a-Dile (or hole punch)ribbon
washable craft pain
paper plate/bowl
Cut the potato in half, then carve your shape on the exposed edge (we used a chipboard heart for a template but you can also cut your shape freehand).
Use a bowl (or plate with raised sides) for the paint, so excess can be wiped off before stamping the potato on to the paper.
Working with younger kids? Don cut out a "handle" on one of the potatoes by cutting away the sides of the potato about halfway, then cutting a hole through the center.
To complete the project, let the kids write their names on the paper, then punch holes at the top, tie with ribbon, and set aside to dry. Happy St. Patrick's Day!
Tuesday, March 13, 2012
Kids Crafts Saturday - Potato Painting for St Patrick's Day!
Thursday, November 17, 2011
Death of the Christmas Card?
I LOVE handmade Christmas cards. LOVE them. Almost as much as I love family Christmas letters - give me a handmade card with a family Christmas letter inside and I am yours forever! But I digress. Handmade cards - I eagerly anticipate them, display them, talk about them, and - at the end of the season - put them away carefully in a box as inspiration and ideas for my own future Christmas cards. Since I work in one of the biggest "handmade" industries in the world - I always looked forward to LOTS of handmade Christmas cards. So last year, when the handmade cards were coming in few and far between, I mentioned something about it to Don. I ranged from the paranoid (no one likes us) to the over-scheduled (I bet people are just late getting their cards out) to the blame-the-post-office (well - we DID move - so maybe they are all just lost in the mail). Then Don, in his blunt, wise way said "Maybe people just don't make them any more".
I was CRUSHED. Could it be true? Could one of my favorite holiday traditions be disappearing in front of my eyes? In the world of digital this and downloadable that was my Christmas joy being lost in the shuffle? Was I the only one who still cared?
Then - a few days before Christmas, I came across this article about how the internet is, in fact, killing the Christmas card industry as a whole. I stayed strong - finished up my last batch of cards (because while I love getting handmade cards, I often procrastinate and/or underestimate the number I need to make and so I completely stress myself out and sometimes they don't arrive until...say...New Years) and merrily made my way through the holidays, enjoying and appreciating the handmade cards I received even more.
With the holidays over I set aside my cards, made grandiose plans to start my 2011 cards in February, and - I admit - sort of forgot about the whole thing. Until, a few weeks later, I found something between redemption and clarity in the form of Dear Abby. On page B7, right next to the comics, was this...
Dear Abby: Five years ago, when my niece was 9, we came up with the idea of making Christmas cards and sending them out to special friends and family members. We both work hard to make sure each is attractive and in good taste, and we handwrite a personal note inside. We also print on the back that the card was “handmade with love.” This has become a tradition for the two of us, and the cards are quite beautiful.Last year, after we sent them out, I received a card from a friend with a small check inside. The card read, “I’m sending you this check so you can afford to buy ‘real cards’ next year.” I was, to say the least, hurt and offended. I wondered if others felt similarly, so I asked around and was shocked to learn they, too, thought I was “cheap.” Although it cost more money and time to create each card, no one appreciated them.
We won’t be making the cards this year, but how do I tell my niece why?
Blue at Christmas
Dear Blue: Tell your niece what you were told — and by whom — so she won’t waste any more effort on these rude and unappreciative individuals. Better she hear it from you than one of the recipients.
As to the “friend” who sent the check, I hope you returned it and deleted her from your Christmas card list. What she did was uncalled for.
I was further heartened when, a few weeks later, Abby printed an entire column full of letters from readers who thought the "friend", for lack of a better word, sucked. Many readers commented on how much they enjoyed receiving handmade cards and Abby herself thanked fans who sent her handmade holiday cards. And then it hit me. Some people DO care about making and receiving handmade cards - but not EVERYONE. It doesn't have anything to do with how much they like me or whether I send them a handmade card or whatever other reason had been whirling around in my mind - it just isn't that big of a deal. And you know what? That is a-ok. In fact, it is more than ok - it is actually quite freeing!
So this year I've vowed to make some changes to my Christmas card list. I'll still be sending out my bajillion cards, but some will be handmade and some won't. I'm sure Don's single 25 year old brother doesn't give two hoots about a handmade card, but I know his elderly aunt treasures them, and that brings me a lot of joy. My pre-school teacher and Don's grandmother would both disown me if they didn't get a handmade card (in fact - one year when we had just moved and I didn't send out any cards, Don's grandmother called my mother-in-law pissed off to ask what was wrong with me), but I don't think my hairdresser will miss it. Will I have to fine tune my list down the road? I'm sure. Will I still have years when I am behind schedule and feeling stressed and wonder why I do it in the first place? Guaranteed. But then I'll get a handmade card from my friend in Germany, and a photo card from our friends in New Mexico, and an ecard from my boss who has five kids, and I will remember the most important thing of all. We are loved. Electronically, mass-producedly, or handcreatedly. We are loved and remembered and treasured with glitter and singing elves and video clips, and I couldn't be more grateful.
Unless it includes a family Christmas letter.
Friday, October 28, 2011
last minute Halloween projects!
Waiting until the last minute for a little Halloween craftiness? Yeah - me too. With the weather getting colder (SNOW anyone?) in several parts of the country, this weekend is the perfect chance to put together a few fun, easy projects - with instructions included! Got little ones? Check out our kid-friendly mummy candy box below. Happy Haunting...err...Crafting everybody!
*Don't have this die? You can also create these manually using a scoring tool. Here is a great tutorial for how to do it!
Using the scrap cardstock, punch a 1 1/2" circle for each large rosette you will be creating and a 1" circle for each small rosette you will be creating.
Run the circles through your X and lay them on the table with the adhesive side facing up. Arrange them approx 3" apart alternating small and large circles.
Lay the twine across the circles and press gently to adhere.
Cut patterned paper in to 2 1/2" strips. You will get a large rosette and a small rosette from each strip, and the paper is double sided.
Run paper through die cutting machine using Rosette die until you have the desired number of rosette strips.
Fold the rosette strips in to an accordion and use either liquid glue or an adhesive runner to attach the edges to each other, then gather the top of the paper together and gently push down so that the bottom spreads out to form the rosette.
Apply liquid glue to your first scrap circle and adhere rosette to the circle (press down for a few seconds to make sure it holds). Repeat for all rosettes.
The mini rosette die also cuts out small circles for the center of your rosette that you can run through the X and apply. You can also use buttons, letter stickers, whatever tickles your fancy!
Welcome little ghouls and goblins with this darling door knob hanger featuring Maya Road and Echo Park!
Cut patterned paper to 2.5x3.5. Run through 250 and apply to ATC coaster.
Sand edges of coaster to round corners and eliminate any overlapping patterned paper.
Ink edges of coaster.
Adhere BOO letters to coaster (letters in photo adhered with the X)
Insert decorative buttons upside down in to the X. Rub thoroughly and gently peel button from adhesive backing. Place adhesive side up on your work area. Sprinkle glitter or flocking on button, spread with finger to cover entire button, and tap off excess. If you have excess adhesive on your button, use the tip of your scissors to remove. Insert decorative button with glitter/flocking side up in to the X. Peel off adhesive backing and apply to coaster.
Use Crop-A-Dile to punch holes in top two corners of coaster.
Select length of ribbon and tie both ends through holes in coaster.
Decorate as desired with gems/pearls.
Score the kraft cardstock at 4" and 8". Rotate paper 90 degrees and score again at 4" and 8" - this will give you a tic-tac-toe pattern.
Using the top left square as #1 - cut the cardstock between squares 1 and 2, 2 and 3, 7 and 8, 8 and 9.
Add adhesive to squares 1,2,7 and 8 with the 2" Runner.
Fold squares 2 and 8 at a 90 degree angle to begin to create the sides of the box.
Fold up the 1,4,7 side of the cardstock, adhering square 1 to the back of square 2, and square 7 to the back of square 8.
Fold up the 3,6,9 side of the cardstock, adhering square 3 to the inside of square 2, and square 9 to the inside of square 8.
Apply tape to one end of the party streamer and begin wrapping around the box. Once box is completely wrapped, tape the other end of the streamer to the box.
Apply adhesive to the back of the googly eyes using the Mega Runner.
Adhere to one side of the box.
Fill with treats and enjoy!
Saturday, October 23, 2010
New Xyron videos - great project ideas!
To be fair, "new" actually means "new to those of us who keep forgetting to check the Xyron page on YouTube". I had COMPLETELY forgotten about these projects until I stumbled across them last night - but they are too cute not to share! All three of them would be great gift ideas since...ahem...the holidays are RAPIDLY approaching.
PS..."get your creativity juices flowing" is starting to weird me out a little bit. :) Guess I better come up with a new catch phrase for the next round of videos!
Thursday, July 22, 2010
My other life...as a craft writer
I had a fantastic opportunity to do some craft writing for The Learning Channel ((tlc.com) this Spring, so my fabulous photographer friend and fellow military wife Allyson Keller and I set out on an adventure to create some fun, inexpensive projects and step-by-step instructions on how to make them at home. The first series is up and running - happy crafting!
Wednesday, March 3, 2010
Xyron and Technique Tuesday...BFF for life!
I heart (and yes - I know you can actually "make" a heart using some numbers and symbols but my over-18 brain can't retain that) Technique Tuesday . I love their products, I love their staff, I love their creative customers and designers, but most of all I love the fact that they make products that help me create AMAZING cards and scrapbook pages. We are working on a little something exciting for the summer (that I can't WAIT to share with you)...but in the meantime I am THRILLED to introduce our first project together! Say hello to the first Xyron/Technique Tuesday project video!
(While I'm here I would also like to thank my hairdresser Stacey - who does such an amazing job on my roots. I only mention that because as you watch this video you are going to get up close and personal with the top of my head. Thank God for good hair color!)
Technique Tuesday's Project Kits are AMAZING - and I love the fact that (unlike a lot of other manufacturers) they make these kits available for those consumers who can't make it to their classes in person. If you don't consider yourself a stamper - their instructions are INCREDIBLY easy to understand and help you create projects that make you look like a pro. If you are already a stamper, every project kit contains a fun technique (and LOTS of awesome products) that will be sure to inspire you. My favorite from the Delight Kit? The exclusive clear stamp set that blew my mind! Who knew a little square of stamping goodness could create such beautiful designs!
Check out my completed project below. Love it? Then go get one for yourself!
Happy Crafting!
Tuesday, December 29, 2009
Xyron Creatopia Growth Chart Project and my New Year's Resolution
We're getting back in to the Creatopia swing after the Christmas holiday and I am LOVING this latest project! Perfect for the newest edition to any family - this darling growth chart (and yes - I believe I say that verbatim on the video!) is easy to create with the Xyron Creatopia...even for those of us who have a love/hate relationship with our sewing machines!!
Speaking of sewing machines...I have been SO inspired by this blog entry from Tina Cockburn that my New Year's resolution is going to be to actually SEW SOMETHING!!! Her quilts are absolutely stunning and the colors are just heavenly!! My "sewing phobia" has always been keeping the squares and appliques on the fabric while I'm trying to sew...but I think with the Creatopia I might actually be able to do it! Thank you Tina for the inspiration!
Wednesday, November 25, 2009
Xyron Creatopia School Calendar Project - aka Beth and Chris get crafty
I don't have the words for what is about to go down here. Chris and I should NOT be allowed to be on camera together. :) This is a DARLING project for a school bulletin board or church office!