Progress so far!

I am actively working on this Easter swag.  I measured the windows at work and I will be making these things forever if I make enough to swag each window.  Oh, well.  It will look pretty when I am done.

Here's pics of my current activity on this project:

Notice that I still have not gotten to the Easter Eggs themselves.  I really like the way these are going to turn out.  I think each window will have 2 baby chicks, 2 rabbits, and an Easter Egg.  So, I need to be cutting more out if I plan to cover 20 windows!!!

Paper Heart Garland

Here is a really neat and quick little craft to decorate your home or office for next to nothing.  I love the ease and simplicity of this craft.  I think you could use this idea to make all kinds of garlands for every holiday!

I found this tutorial on Think Crafts Blog and recommend that you go there to visit and review all of the great craft ideas there.


November 18, 2010 5:01 am GilliancloseAuthor: Gillian Name: Gillian Grimm
Site: http://driedfigsandwoodenspools.blogspot.com/About: Gillian Grimm lives in Charlottesville, Virginia where she balances writing, cooking and crafts with eight chickens, two kids, a dog, a cat and a husband. As the daughter of a Journalist, she grew up all over the United States, switching schools, towns and newspapers every few years and loved every minute of it! She now works as a freelance writer, primarily in the craft industry but with a few forays into travel writing, narrative non-fiction and educational matters. Gillian was recently published in the literary journal the “The Northville Review”. You can find more of Gillian’s work at “Dried Figs and Wooden Spools”.See Authors Posts (91) Crafts, Green Crafting, Home Decor, Kid's Crafts, Paper Crafts By Kid’s Craft Contributor, Gillian from the blog “Dried Figs and Wooden Spools”.

Here’s a fun little project that uses up materials you probably have around the house and brings a whole lot of cheer and love! These little garlands are made from newspaper and really nothing more, but the layering and folding of the shapes turns something that usually ending up in the recycling bin into something pretty and charming in no time flat.
Here’s what you need:
Newspaper
Pencil
Scissors
Scrap of cardstock
Sewing machine and notions (including white thread)

1. Cut a heart (or star or whatever shape you like) out of the cardstock. This will serve as your template. It’s important to have the shapes as close to identical as possible, so a template is a must.
2. Trace the template onto the newsprint. You’ll need two shapes for each piece on the garland.
3. Stack two shapes on top of one another, making sure the edges are aligned.

4. Starting at the top of one stack, stitch down the very center of the shape, allow for a few stitches between and then start the next stack.

5. Once you have all your stacks sewn onto the chain, trim the threads at the bottom (the to can be used for hanging) Fold each layer in half along the stitch line, but in opposite directions. So the top halves fold up to meet each other and the bottom pieces fold down to meet each other. This creates a 3D effect.

6. Hang and enjoy!

Related articles

• Gratitude Garland (emilyinthedesert.blogspot.com)
• Ribbon in the Sky (weddingbee.com)
• Acorn Craft Ideas (csahm.com)
• Keeping Santa Sane: Budget Holiday Decorating (wisebread.com)
• How-To: Paper Garland (craftzine.com)
• How to Reuse An Old Christmas Garland (brighthub.com)
• Make A Super Shiny Wreath In 5 Minutes Flat Creature Comforts (apartmenttherapy.com)

No Craft night after all

Image via Wikipedia
We had to cancel the craft outing because one of the participants got sick.  So, no crafting and no pictures.  However, I did get all the supplies together and I will try to work on my ornament in the morning.  If I can muster up the motivation, I will also take pictures along the way.  These are really cute ornaments and I really want to show you how to make them. 


I think these could possibly be used at my workplace because they are made of paper and have no "contraband" items anywhere.  So, sorry that I don't have pics today, but check back tomorrow to see if I get my act together.

Going to a Craft night with friends tomorrow!

Image via WikipediaSince I seem to be in a place where I just can't get myself started, I have been trying to arrange a monthly Craft Night with friends from work.  Well, I finally got everything arranged and we will be meeting for our first crafting experience tomorrow.  I am so excited.  We will be making some Christmas Tree Ornaments with crepe paper and beads.  I will take my camera and hopefully get a tutorial out of the process.  If not, I will at least have some fun pics to post!  I will put those up tomorrow when I get home!

Related articles

• Christmas Ornamentation Ideas For Kids (rock-kool-dadie.blogspot.com)
• Let's Make Christmas - with Jo-Ann (eon.businesswire.com)
• Fun Paper Crafts for Kids: Making a Christmas Poinsettia (brighthub.com)

Tuesday Tutorial -- Halloween Ghost Garland

With Halloween so close, I thought I'd showcase a quick and easy craft for decorations for Halloween.

I've seen these before and I always thought they were cute, so here you go.

For this craft, all you need is a pencil, recycled paper of which one side is white, and a pair of scissors and Scotts tape.

The craft instructions are pretty straight forward:
1. Fold the paper length-wise
2. Cut into two long strips along the fold.
3. Fold each strips in four equal parts.
4. Make 4 to 8 pages worth of folded strips.
5. On the front of one of the folded packages, draw a ghost. 
Garland Making Tip: Make sure that the ‘hands’ of the ghosts are right at the edge of your paper section, so that when unfolded, it will look like the ghosts hold hands.
Can’t draw? Print my free Halloween ghost template, cut it out and overlay it onto the paper. You may have to scale it to fit your exact paper. The good news is that ghost drawings are pretty ‘forgiving’ and free form. You can’t really make a mistake with them.
6. Cut all the packages following the template or your own drawing.
7. Use the Scotts tape to attach the ghost garland sections to each other.
8. With a black marker, paint on the two spooky eyes on each ghost.
Your garland is ready to be hung.

Tip: To make it hang properly and not ‘fall over’, you might want to give the ghost hands in the center of the garland a little folding squeeze.
BOOO!! Well, actually, these ghosts are rather friendly and cheery. As there are good spirits and bad spirits in the world,  I guess we only want the good ones to join our Halloween Party. So, these little white spooks are invited!

This garland is of course also a perfect decoration for ‘Dia de los Muertos’, or the Day of the Death, which this year will be celebrated October 26-November 2, 2009, but most people celebrate it November 1.

More Halloween Garlands

If you want to create a whole bunch of garlands, here are some other ideas for you:
1. Use black crepe or tissue paper to create cats, bats or witches, and use orange paper for pumpkins.  Use the instructions as above. The sections will be much larger, so you may not even have to tape any together.  
2. No skulls will be found in my home (it’s bad Feng Shui) however the recycled white office paper would be good also for skull garlands. Or crepe paper.
4. For bats, cats and pumpkins you can probably find Cookie Cutters
to help you create your shapes, or you can simply draw them.


5. Consider keeping the design or the garland simple. 
If you are not throwing a party, but simply want just a touch of Happy Halloween shimmer in your home, consider using the above techniques for a small garland, such as this.  This one is made with just 1/2 a sheet of white paper, folded 4x. 
I left it white, however, you could use glitter glue and/or a few markers to add a splash of color. (With this self-created ‘coloring page’, you actually have created a fun Halloween craft project for your kids.)
For more color, use recycled ocher yellow or orange paper and add green curls of rag pipe cleaners, for a little bit more dash. Finish it off with drawing in the black detail lines.

6. That’s all I can recommend, besides have fun. Enjoying the Holidays, is all about the process, the time in between, so have fun crafting. HAPPY HALLOWEEN.

Related articles

• Halloween Craft Ideas (momblognetwork.com)
• Halloween Superstitions Worldwide (socyberty.com)
• How-To: Halloween Note Pad (craftzine.com)
• Projects " Creations " Halloween Garland Out Of Juice Boxes (cutoutandkeep.net)
• I Love Decorating for Halloween! (emilyinthedesert.blogspot.com)
• Toddler Halloween Crafts for Holiday Fun (brighthub.com)

Happy Easter Bunnies

Here's a quick Easter activity you can do with your children to decorate their bedroom doors.  Make these cute Easter Bunny Door Hangers out of craft foam.  These should only take a short time to make and the kids will get a big kick out of making their own decorations.

Here's where I found this guide

Happy Bunnies

Supplies:

Printable Happy Easter Bunny Pattern
White craft foam (you can use cardboard instead)
Chenille Stems (2 colour of choice)
Scrap ribbon piece for bow (you can paint this instead)
Pencil crayons (markers work too, but I like the pencils better)
Permanent Marker or paint pen
Tacky glue

Happy Easter Bunnies

How to:

Print out the full-size bunny pattern and trace it onto a sheet of white craft foam (or cardboard) and cut around outside lines.

Using a coloured pencil, tilted to the side slightly with the point of the pencil facing away from the foam piece, colour the perimeter of the pattern pieces. Refer to photo. The pencils create a nice shading effect, where as markers will be a little more defined.

Following the lines on the pattern, shade the circles around the bunny's feet, tummy and ears with the same colour as used on the perimeter of the bunny. To paint the bunny's face, use a black permanent marker and a red pencil to shade the rosy cheeks. Using a green pencil draw little lines at the bottom of the bunny for a little grass. Tie a bow with a scrap ribbon piece and glue in place at the bunny's neck.

Refer to the photo often for colouring and details. Using a permanent marker write "Happy Easter" across the ribbon banner. Poke holes where indicated on the banner and on the bunny. I used a sharp toothpick for this. Chenille stems can poke the holes, but it is a little more difficult. You don't need a large hole, just toothpick size.

Twist one chenille stem around a pencil to create a swirl and insert the ends into the top of the ribbon banner. Insert just enough to be able to twist the chenille stem up to secure in place (about 1/2 inch). Cut a second chenille stem in thirds and wrap two pieces around a pencil to create a swirl. Insert one end of one piece of the twisted chenille stem, into the ribbon banner and the other end into the bunny ear hole. Fold the stem up to secure. Repeat for second hanger on bunny ear.

Sign your name on the back with a pen or marker and Happy Easter!

Related articles by Zemanta

• No Chocolate Bunnies for Dogs! (timesunion.com)
• Sock Hop: An Adorable Bunny Craft for Easter! (susanheim.blogspot.com)
• Inspiring Egg Decorating Techniques (organizeyourstuffnow.com)

Cardboard Stampede Or: How to make a cardboard horse.

I haven't been much in the mood for anything these last few days.  Probably because I injured my knee at work this weekend, but maybe not. 

Anyway, since I have nothing new to show you, I thought I would post a really cute idea I found.  Actually, this really appeals to me and I am not much of a horse lover. 

I think this would be a lively craft to do with young children over a long time period.  You could truly get inspired as you went along.

So, without further ado, I will leave you with this lovely tutorial I found and I hope you try it!


In 2006 I started making cardboard horses. They were a self imposed assignment, a daily creative task intended to motivate and loosen me up, little experiments, paralysis prevention. My plan was to make a cardboard horse everyday, Monday through Friday until I had 100. I did and exhibited the group at Tinlark in Los Angeles  in 2007. I’ve made 3 patterns, two adults and a colt, to share and I hope you make a cardboard horse or two or three or maybe a little family or maybe your own stampede!
What you will need:
pattern
cardboard- you can use any kind – I think a medium weight is good, I’m using cardboard from a gift box.
scissors
manicure scissors
pencil
hammer and one nail
buttons
thin wire
pliers
paint and brushes, glue, paper, fabric, lace etc. – whatever you like, whatever you’ve got.
First download and print the patterns, cut out the pieces and trace them  onto your cardboard.  I like to use a pair of manicure scissors for the difficult small bits – corners etc. I included an optional tail and mane in the pattern.  I’m foregoing those for this horse and will add a tail and mane of antique lace.
(Click the images for a larger view)

›
You can finish your horse with collage or fabric or pencil  – the possibilities are endless – but if you choose to paint  then paint both sides to prevent curling. I’m using latex paint for the base, adding some dapples from my water color box and some splatters of ink, you can use a stiff paint brush or old tooth brush. I used a fine sharpie pen to draw on a very simple  eye and mouth.

Next I’m adding the antique lace mane and tail using a glue stick ( or elmer’s glue if you prefer).
Once that is dry we’re ready to assemble.

Arrange the legs with the body sandwiched between and use the nail to make a hole through all three layers. You’ll need to put a piece of wood or heavy cardboard underneath to protect the surface you’re working on. Thread the wire through the button holes and then pass both strands through the legs and body. Thread both wires through a small button on the back,  pull it tight  and twist to secure and trim the extra wire with pliers. Add  another piece of wire for hanging by twisting it around the buttons. I like to give all my horses a name, this is Sebald, horse #101.

I’ve hung sebald amongst the snowflakes with horse #71 winston.
You can share your horses here if you like:
http://www.flickr.com/groups/1315046@N23/
I’d love to see!

Ribbon Tree Holiday Cards

here's another quick idea for some last minute, hand-made Christmas cards.  I might leave out the quilling if I was going to be mailing them, otherwise, these are really beautiful and quite easy.  Even the kids could have a go at making these cards!

If you do try them, let me know how it goes and what you think, won't you?


*******************************************************************************

By Ann Martin
Are you planning to make cards to send this holiday season, but running out of time? Or perhaps you've been toying with the idea of giving paper quilling a try, but have hesitated because you think it must be too complicated? Worry not ... these retro ribbon trees go together quite quickly. The 3D quilled scrolls add a bit of extra dimension, but if really pressed for time, you could omit them and still have a pretty card.

Materials:

Cardstock: green, ivory, white, and glossy red
Velvet paper, dark green
Ribbon, 14" long, metallic, 3/8" wide
Printer and tree template
Quilling paper, white, 1/8" or use computer paper and cut 1/8" strips with a paper cutter
Quilling tool, slotted
Paper cutter with scoring blade
Double stick tape or glue stick for mounting layers
Glue, clear drying, suitable for paper
Plastic lid
Ruler
Scissors
Tweezers


Download and print the tree template.

Directions for the Red Card:

Step 1: Prepare a green card blank by cutting cardstock to make a 5½"×8½" rectangle. Score and fold the 8½" length at the midpoint to make a card that measures 4¼"×5½".
Step 2: Cut a 3"×5" rectangle of glossy red cardstock. Center and glue it on the card.

Step 3: Print out the tree template. Adjust the size to make a tree that measures 2¼"×4¼". Cut out the tree, trace around it on white cardstock, and cut out.
Glue strips of ribbon diagonally across the tree, allowing a little extra at each end. It's easiest (and you'll get the cleanest cut) if you wait until the glue has fully dried before trimming. Then turn the tree over and trim the excess ribbon. Glue the tree on the card, allowing room below it for the quilled stand.


Step 4: Insert one end of a 4" quilling strip into the slot of a quilling tool. Turn the tool with one hand and guide the paper with the other to make a rolled coil. Stop rolling at the halfway point and slip the coil off the tool.

Repeat with the other end of strip, rolling it toward the midpoint to form a C. Make 2.
Step 5: Glue a 1" strip of quilling paper on top of another 1" strip, creating a double thickness.
Step 6: Make a glue palette by spreading a thin puddle of glue in a plastic lid. Pick up a C coil with tweezers, touch its underside to the glue, and place it on the card. Repeat with the second C scroll, turning it over so it faces the opposite direction. Glue the 1" strip at the bottom of the 2 C scrolls as the base.

Directions for the Green Card:

The ivory/green card is nearly identical to the green/red one, except for using a 3¾"×5" rectangle of dark green velvet paper on an ivory card and a slightly larger tree template (2½"×4¾").

The quilling gives just the suggestion of a tree stand. Make an asymmetric C scroll by rolling one end slightly past the midpoint of a 4" strip, so that one coiled end is larger than the other. Make 2.
Mailing Tip: Is it possible to send a quilled card through the mail without the quilling getting crushed? Yes! Cut a square of bubble wrap and place it over the quilling before sliding the card into a regular envelope or use a bubble wrap mailer. You might also want to include a piece of cardboard behind the card to prevent bending. And if you're really daring, considering how busy the post office is at this time of year, take the cards there and ask to have them hand cancelled.
About the Author:

Ann Martin of all things paper is a quilling enthusiast who loves introducing the craft to others. She teaches, designs projects for books and magazines, and is especially hooked on making paper filigree jewelry.