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Assorted Tealights

I did it and it was good!!! For the first time I offered my crafts for sale to the public. I had my first table at my church flea market yesterday.  I just wish it was a little warmer and less windy since I froze all day long. Thank goodness I was right by the food stand and could get coffee and tea whenever I needed.  I was very nervous to see how people would like my flowers and clip/pins. It is a very personal thing when you put so much time and love into a project. I felt like I was putting my heart out on a stick. I know that sounds ridiculous but crafting and finding a cure for cancer are two of my passions.  Thankfully, I will say that I got some very positive feedback and compliments. The nervousness went away after the first few customers came by. I was able to relax, enjoy myself and even make some new friends.

Assorted Felt Flowers

The lack of warmth from the weather was made up for in the warmth I received from my table neighbor and all the friendly, energetic people from the church. I did enjoy watching the friendly competition between the church hot dog griller and the Applebees Wings guy. Applebees from Piscataway has a wonderful fundraising team. They not only donated their time and proceeds but they also left a lasting impression of a company that helps their communities. They really seem to enjoy what they do.

Back of Felt Flower

I tallied everything up and as promised I set aside 1/2 of what I brought home and put that in an envelope marked Susan G. Komen. The other 1/2 hopefully covers all my materials and other costs. Either way, it felt good raising money for a cause. I will keep adding money to the envelope until I finish my walk/run on September 29.

Pink Ribbons

I made some ribbon pins at the last minute and sold them too. They were really easy to make. I also added some ribbon to some of the smaller flowers that could be worn with or without it. They are held on by the clip.

Felt Flowers With Ribbon

I love chocolate so I also made some candy bags to sell. They were my Kiss Away Cancer Candy Bags. I thought they were cute. I figured these would do well and they did. I love making candy bags. I’ll blog about that another time.

Kiss Away Cancer Bags

I have quite a few items that I need to replenish.  At least now I have a better idea of what sells quicker than others so I will be ready for my next sale.  I also have to get some of this on Etsy and actually add them to my Pinterest page.  There’s always something to work on. Craft on!!

Smile – It’s Contagious!!

I got all thrown off schedule from the kids being home on Spring Break. I can’t believe it’s been 3 weeks since I’ve been on. I haven’t forgotten you, I’ve been working some ideas around in my head. Then the ideas got lost for a bit and then they resurfaced. So, before they take another vacation from my brain I really needed to get this on my blog.  I try to live my life by paying it forward and I try to volunteer my time and talents to help others. Sometimes I take on too much (if you ask my husband) but I’m learning to scale back and work on more of what I enjoy.  I love to create and be crafty so it would seem natural to work this angle. I am also a passionate supporter of finding cures for Cancer and helping those touched by this life changing disease. Tears come to my eyes as I think of all my family and friends who have sacrificed or lost too much from cancer. I try in my own little way to help, maybe donating money to an organization, participating in walk a thons or even making meals for families.  My daughter and I have donated our hair 3 times each to help women and children deal with the baldness from chemotherapy.

I love flowers and the color pink, so I decided to make some pink flowers and donate at least 1/2 my proceeds to my walk a thon on September 30 to benefit Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure. The remainder will cover my costs and I will buy more supplies to make more flowers.

Pretty in Pink Tealights

I have tealights with paper flowers made from Stampin Up Pretty in Pink paper. The tealights are LED flameless, battery operated with an on/off switch and should last for about 60 hours. (That’s what the package says) You’ll have to pull the red tab and maybe apply a little pressure to the bottom to get the connection started.   You can check them out here.

Felt Flowers in Pink

My newest craft are felt flowers. My friend Beth from Crafty Designs by Beth got me hooked on these. I have them in various sizes. They actually require a little sewing {GASP} – good thing I actually learned this from my mom when I was young. Many thanks to my Mom who is a breast cancer survivor. Thanks Mom!!

The flowers can be used as a pin or clip. They can be clipped in your hair directly or on a headband or even on your purse. You will have both options on each flower. I used a quarter so you can see their sizes. They are:

Small Pink Flower

Medium Pink Flower

Large Pink Flower

I included some pictures here but eventually I will branch out with more colors. Check out My Marketplace (coming real soon)for prices (small $3, medium $4 and large $5) and feel free to contact me about any other colors you may be interested in. I am going to be one busy bee!!!

Check back often…and Think Pink!!!

I made this generic cute birthday card for one of my club night swaps. I liked it because it can be for any age and any gender. I made a whole bunch hoping it will come in handy when I get the last minute request for a card. I’m lucky if I get an hour before one of my kids go to their friend’s house and they tell me that it’s a birthday party. I won’t have to panic trying to think up a card and try to make it before they leave.  I just hope I made enough to hold me for a while.

Cupcake card

I used a white, dark yellow and lime green paper that coordinated with some AC Patterned paper I had. The white paper was cut in half and folded to form a 5 1/2 x 4 1/4 inch card. I cut the green paper into 5 1/4 x 4 so that it will layer on the front of the card. I cut the yellow paper in trapezoid shapes 3 inches on one side and 2 inches on the other, then I ran it through my paper crimper to make it look like a cupcake wrapper.

Cloud shape and cupcake holder

I found a cloud shape in my Cricut Imagine basic shapes that came preloaded on my machine and cut it out on the patterned paper. I used 2.5 as my image size. You can find this basic shape on a lot of machines or cartridges. I cut a little off on one side to form a fluffy cupcake shape. I ran it through my Big Kick with a dot embossing folder to give it texture.

The cherry I found on my Home Decor Cricut Cartridge and cut that out in red. I assembled all the parts and used dimensional adhesives to put the cupcake top and  the cherry on. I used a Happy Birthday stamp from the Curly Cute Stampin Up set. To add the last bit of interest I put a ribbon across the cupcake holder and added some glitter to the cherry.

Here are some variations to the card. I took a shortcut and eliminated one layer. It definitely looks better with the white card but at least I have a few to chose from.

Just a quick tip that works for me. I find it just as easy to make a bunch of cards as it is to make one or two since you have all your equipment out already. With three kids and two dogs and a very busy house I find it better to try to be prepared and ready for anything, well, at least having a homemade birthday card on hand.

Thanks for reading and happy crafting!!

One of my cost saving plans for birthdays has always been to try to make the birthday cake myself. I figure that I can put that money towards the goody bags or party accessories.  I remember when my oldest son was turning 2 and I made a fire engine cake. We almost had a pink fire engine because I didn’t realize how much food coloring it would take to color so much frosting. That would have been hilarious except I wouldn’t be able to forgive myself if my son grew up with some really scarring memories of that day. So I did run out last minute to the store to buy more food coloring.  My fingers were stained red for a few days but it was worth it.

So as my kids got older they started to request Ice Cream Cakes.  There is a local neighborhood place that everyone gets their ice cream cakes from. I will say they are the best around but I like to cut costs somewhere. Last year I attempted to make my first Ice Cream Cake. These are some pictures of my cakes. It wasn’t too hard to make but it doesn’t look as fancy as the professional ones.

Oreo Ice Cream Cake

First you will need:

• springform pan 9 1/2″
• 2 cartons of ice cream any flavors
• wax paper
• crushed oreo cookies (1 sleeve)

I always tell my kids that since I am making the cake they can choose any flavors they want. And they always choose the standard chocolate and vanilla. Anyway, decide which flavor ice cream will be the top and let it sit out for 15-30 minutes until it is starting to soften. Leave the other carton in the freezer. Place the wax paper over the bottom of the pan and assemble the bottom into the pan.  Scoop out the softened ice cream and press it into the pan. I like to use a flat wooden spatula. Make sure you spread it out to all the corners and smooth the top.

Spread the crushed cookies over the top. Put back in the freezer.

About an hour or so later take the second carton of ice cream out of the freezer. My second flavor is chocolate. When it starts to soften, take the cake out of the freezer and  scoop the ice cream onto the cookie crumbles. Carefully spread the ice cream over the crumbles pressing into the corners against the pan.  Try not to disturb the crumbles. Smooth the ice cream. Put back into freezer until it gets frozen again.

Get sprinkles and a small plate ready and some writing icing. If you don’t have writing icing use about 1/4 cup of confectionary sugar and a dab (1/4 teaspoon) of water. Add a drop of water at a time if needed. Mix until you get really, really thick pancake batter. Add a drop of food coloring and mix. Place icing into the corner of a small sandwich baggie.

Take the cake out of the freezer and turn it upside down onto a cake plate or foil lined piece of cardboard. Unlatch the pan and gently remove it and the wax paper from the cake. Place the small paper plate upside down in the center of the cake and sprinkle the sprinkles all around the edges. Carefully lift plate off. Snip the corner of the icing baggie to use like a piping bag and write your message on the cake.

My Homemade Ice Cream Cake!!

This is the cake I made earlier this month for my sister in law’s birthday. It took a while to get all the kids together to sing so it started to melt but it still tasted good!!

You can  use any size spring form pan if you adjust the amount of ice cream you use. With the ever shrinking size of ice cream cartons I can probably use a smaller pan now.  The cartons used to be 2 quarts and then 1.75 quarts and now they are 1.5 quarts.  I think if you want to make it fancy or cover dark ice cream you can use a non dairy frozen whipped cream (softened) to “ice” the cake with and quickly put back in the freezer before you decorate it.

I hope you will try this easy ‘recipe’. If you do, let me know how yours turned out.

I have a niece who just loves mustaches, so I mustache you this question ” Do you think she’ll love these?”  Sorry for the bad pun, I couldn’t resist.

I cut them out on my Cricut Mini using the Cricut CraftRoom Mustaches and Glasses. I made a set of black and brown mustaches and some wild patterned glasses. My daughter’s friend was over and they had fun modeling them.

I think if I taped a straw or something to them they would be easier to hold up. I’ll have to remember that for next time. Hope you enjoyed them!!

New Years Table Setting at Banquet

My Mom organizes a big Chinese New Year Banquet for our church every year. Actually, my Dad with my Mom started this over 20 years ago as part of their couples club and this was their month to choose an activity. It started as a small gathering for dinner at a local Chinese restaurant and now it is a whole banquet of about 12 courses for up to sometimes 100 people.  This year we have 70 people and Mom asked if I could help with a table favor. Sure, no problem except… the banquet is this Saturday!!

I have 4 days to put something together. At least Mom knows that she wants to use Lindt Truffles (a family favorite!) as the favor. I just need to make a  nice easy package to present them. My favorite creative person in the whole wide world, Fran,(who is a Stampin Up demonstrator) made a lollipop holder in a class I was at and I realized it was exactly what I am going to make. I used an 8 1/2 by 11 Stampin Up Real Red paper – a few scores and cuts and folds. Holding the paper landscape, score it at 2 inches, 3 1/2 inches, 7 1/2 inches and 9 inches. Now I cut it into strips of 5 1/2 inches by 2 1/8 inches.

Score on the solid lines and cut on the dotted lines.

It’s the year of the dragon so I’ll have to incorporate that into my design. Hmmm…dragon… dragon…then it hits me – Pagoda Cartridge and my Cricut Imagine!!!   There is a dragon image that I cut out and used on my New Years banner but the problem is that the image is so small and the little parts won’t cut well. So you know the Imagine is my favorite Cricut machine and this is why. The Imagine can print and/or cut any cricut image from craft room or any cartridge. Yeah! So, I set my Imagine to print only and auto filled the page with my image and printed it on Stampin Up Whispering White paper.  I then used my Stampin Up Scalloped Oval Punch and punched out all the dragons, which fit perfectly.

This is the printed image from my Imagine machine with a few punched out.

 To help keep the wrapper from opening I cut strips of the Whispering White paper 3/4 inch by 2 1/8 inch to adhere to the top of the wrapper.

My pieces to assemble.

Easy assembly and Viola done!!

This is the finished product.

 

I think I will also make a few green dragons too. I can’t believe I got this all together so quickly. I guess if you have the right tools you can save a lot of time. Now I just have to make the remaining 69.  I can’t wait for Saturday, as payment for this and being photographer, Mom paid for my seat and now I get to eat all that yummy food!!

This is one I made in black.

Happy Valentine’s Day!!!  I can’t believe that I finished my banner in time. I actually finished it last night, PHEW!!! This is the flip side of my Chinese New Year Banner. I love when a project can serve double duty so I can leave it on display a little longer.

I used my Cricut Mini and the cartridge George and Basic Shape to cut the letters and designs. Here is a close up of the heart designs. 

I have used my Cricut Mini for so many projects since I got it in December that it was time for me to consider replacing my cutting mat. I was able to wash it gently with mild soap and air dry it to get this project done. I may even be able to do some more cutting on it but to be sure I think it’s time to actually buy a replacement mat.

Since I worked on the banner yesterday, I, of course, waited until this morning to make my hubby’s card. I couldn’t believe how fast I was able to make it. I fell in love with this stamp from Thestampsoflife.com.  It’s so beautiful and it says everything that I would ever need to say so there was no need to embellish or add much extras.

I hope everyone was able to enjoy the day and find a bit of happiness and romance (and of course some crafting time).

I am so happy I finished one side of my double sided banner. Good thing too because Chinese New Year is only days away.

I used my Cricut Mini to cut everything since I put my other machine away to make room for the holidays. I used Cricut Craft Room Basics and Party Picks and Pennants to cut the letters and the banners. I used my cartridges George and Basic shapes to cut the triangles and Pagoda to cut out the Chinese characters, panda bear, fans and dragon.

 Here’s the Panda and Dragon fom the Pagoda Cartridge.

Each flag on the banner was cut out to be about 4 inches wide by 9 inches long so folded in half it is 4 1/2 inches long.  The triangles were cut slightly smaller to fit inside the banner. All my letters and images were cut at 2 inches.

Now I have to work on the other side of the banner. I will cut  images and letters for Valentines Day and put them on the other side.  I hope to get this done soon and I will post the pictures as soon as I can.

Gung hay fat choy!!

I got an email from my Sister in Law asking me if I can help her with a project.  I looked at the blog she saw an idea from and this blogger used her cricut to make a stencil to paint on her kids T-shirts. The blog is http://chirpandbuzzandroar.blogspot.com/2010/06/red-white-and-blue.html .

Of course I will cut out the letters for my SIL and whatever icon she wants to use because this idea is just too cute.  My SIL has got to be the queen of crafty. She always has such great ideas to do house projects and kid projects. The thing that is so great is that she sees an idea and she will make it happen.

This picture is from Chasing Fireflies but the blogger made T-shirts with stars on them for the 4th of July. Too stinkin’ cute!! I wish my kids were younger or I had a cricut when they were younger, either way I missed the boat,  so I will indulge my SIL and cut out as many icons/names as she wants as long as I get some pictures and hugs from my niece and nephew.

Who knew the Cricut was so versatile? A little freezer paper, a T-shirt, an iron and fabric paint. Love it!!

I will definitely post pictures of my SIL’s shirts when they are done. I can’t wait to see them.

I am still working on my double sided banner so back to work (lol) I must go!!  I should have pictures in the next day or so.  Happy Crafting!!

We’re very excited to now be an authorized distributor of Pazzles craft products, including their signature Pazzles Inspiration craft cutter.  This machine allows you to design your creations on your computer and cuts them out for you…..no cartridges needed!  There is even a Pazzles Pastry Tool which will turn you into an ace of cakes!

So Christmas is right around the corner and I am scrambling. I thought I made enough gift card holders but I find myself making a bunch more today. I am also trying to make some ornaments as a gift for my dear friend that I am meeting on Thursday for lunch. We have an agreement  that we do not spend money on each other for the holidays and that we can exchange handmade gifts only.  I hope she made cookies again this year. YUM!!  I also have to wrap and make tags for my daughter’s teacher’s gifts.

As soon as my video guy gets home from work we can film some of the ornaments I am making from my Cricut Mini. Maybe I can upload some pics until then. Okay, I have to run. I’ll be back with some pictures and a video.

Later, much later….Video guy never made it home early enough to video tape so I took some pictures of the ornaments and tags that I made.

These are some of the ornaments that I made using the Cricut Craft Room exclusive 3D Ornaments online cartridge. I did have to google pictures of the ornaments to figure out how to make them but I think they were worth the effort.

I also cut the same ornament shape out and made tags with them.

My daughter helped make the tags for her teachers. We got them small lotions and antibacterial hand gel in tropical scents. I thought the tags were cute and right on theme with the gift.

I am already thinking of what my next project will be. I am hoping to make a two sided banner for Valentines Day and Chinese New Years. This will have to wait until next year. Happy Holidays everyone!! Stay tuned and Happy Crafting!!

I think my favorite Cricut machine is my Imagine.  I am so glad I didn’t listen to some negative reviews about the cutting mats not being sticky and bought one anyway. I was one of those customers who received one of the not so sticky mats. I also had a problem syncing my machine so it could read my old Cricut cartridges.

I called ProvoCraft and they were extremely helpful. The wait was long but V. Price (I wonder if his name was Vincent) was able to give me some tips to run the CricutSync program and it worked after 2 tries. He also advised me to gently yet vigorously scrape my mat to activate the adhesive and that did not work.  I emailed him back and he was able to send me a new mat!! Great customer service!!

I read also that some people were having the same nonsticky problem with the Cricut Mini mats. I bought my machine from the HSN launch of the Mini and did not have any problems with my mat. I was ready to call Provocraft if needed but did not have to. I am very confident that if I did have a problem that ProvoCraft would have pulled through and found a remedy for me.

If you are having not so sticky mat problems, I hope this was helpful. Good luck and Happy Crafting.

The most versatile gift is the gift card. That’s all my kids want for Christmas besides some little things my husband Doug and I might be able to buy for them and get the right one.  It makes shopping much easier but there’s nothing to unwrap on Christmas morning. The least, I figure, I can do is make the gift card look nice.  These are a sample of a bunch I made yesterday. I got to kill 2 birds with one stone as I needed to make these for the swap for my monthly club meeting. I just made a bunch of extras since there are also teacher gifts I need to give.

They were actually pretty easy to make and didn’t take too many supplies. For this project I used  Stampin Up Real Red and Old Olive paper and leftover patterned paper from previous projects. I was able to make 3 holders from one 81/2 x 11 sheet of paper and used some leftover designer paper scraps.  You can use any solid card stock paper you like with coordinating patterned paper.

Each card holder measures 4 1/4 x 6 3/4.  After you cut your 8 1/2 x 11 into 3 pieces keep the little leftover rectangle.   Score each card at 2 3/4 and 5 1/2. Oops, my image is flipped, sorry. I cut a notch in each corner of the bottom to slip the gift card into.  Fold both flaps in toward the center.

You will need to cut your patterned paper into 1 x 4 and 2 1/2 x 4 pieces. I also used a piece of vanilla paper for the inside. This was also cut at 2 1/2  x 4.  I stamped a tree onto the vanilla paper just to make it festive.

Now you can assemble the card. Adhere the plain paper to the inside keeping in mind the top has the shorter flap.  Now you can adhere the patterned paper to the back of the card.

Take the leftover rectangle from the 8 1/2 x 11 paper and cut out some scalloped circles. Stamp a design on the vanilla paper and cut them out into circles that are slightly smaller than your scalloped circle.  I used some leftover strips from an old project to make a band and put the scallop circles on it hiding the seam. Just make sure to leave a little wiggle room to get the band on and off.  You can also secure the card by tying a ribbon around it. Ta Da!!!  That wasn’t too hard, I hope.

If you have questions please let me know. I hope this was useful for you, Happy Holidays and Happy Crafting!!

Here it is…the unveiling of my new craft toy the Cricut Mini!

What an awesome day today is!! It is my anniversary and I got a Cricut Mini!! I can’t wait to open it. I promise I will show some video tapes later. First I need to get ready to go out to dinner.