Christmas in...August?

Yep! Another swap, this time at Maryjanes Farmgirl Forum, August one on one ornament swap. I just finished mine and will be mailing it to Beth, hope she likes it. I have not made one of these in close to 20 years but I still have the Leisure Arts pamphlet with the directions. So, here goes....Victorian Kissing Ball Ornament.

1) Cut out approx (60) 3 1/2" squares. Fold in half/iron

2) Fold into triangles/iron

3) Start pinning around styrofoam ball using sequin pins.

4) Stop when you get halfway

5) Do the same on the opposite side of the ball until both sides meet.

6) Cover the open edge with ribbon (I useda strip of one of the fabrics)

7) And your ornament is ready.

Crafty Catch up

Just wanted to share some lovely yo-yo flowers that my sister sent me. How pretty are these? She repurposes all kinds of fabric (old curtains, lace tablecloth) when she makes these yo-yo flowers which are 3 or 4 inches across. They are embelished with trims and buttons and attached to dowels as "stalks"
Can you imagine these all clustered in a big Mason jar?

Crafty Update (lots to talk about!)

Lots of things to share with you! I have been busy.
I particpated in 3 swaps over the winter. I try not to over schedule the swaps and typically do not sign up for one until the previous one is done and mailed out.
Here is a picture of some of the Scripture rolodex cards that I received. These are fun to make because of their size and I invested in the "address card" die from Stampin' Up. Made it much easier.
These are pictures of the altered dominos that I made into pins for another swap. These took me about 2 months to make and although I love altered dominoes, they were a real challenge. Not sure if I will do that one again!

Back at the end of November I participated in an Advent Journaling challenge. Each day we had an advent devotional and "thoughts to ponder" I was able to keep up with the devotional but am still embellishing the pages! I created my journal using manila folders. The devotional/study is on the left page and then my notes, prayers etc are on the right page that is embellished.

Here is the Advent cover

My latest (and greatest!) craze is Junque Journals. Google that one and tell me you can't get addicted! Crunchy, chunky, touchy, feely journals. This one is made from a composition notebook and what fun these are. I have used junk mail, envelopes, postcards, gift wrap, candy wrappers (not mine of course!) Water color crayons, stamps, stickers, you name it.

And I made a "trinket" out of found items.
And here is my first piece of mail art. No reason why mail has to be boring.....

This piece has a tea bag holder, calendar page, old sheet music, stickers,and a Suzi Blu stamp.


Hm, let's see..... Oh, books read this year so far:

Girl With The Dragon Tattoo-Steig Larrson very good story, just a bit "gritty"
Tried to read the second one but found it again too rough.

Shadows on the Coast Of Maine. Lea Wait. Easy mystery with an "antique hunting" theme

Labyrinth-Kate Mosse. Interesting twist on the Grail theme.

Fall Of Giants-Ken Follett. His first book in a trilogy. Cannot wait for books 2 & 3!


The Help-Kathryn Stockett- Gotta read it! Couldn't put it down!

So, now you know why you haven't seen me in a while!
Happy Crafting!

Fall Catch Up

Nope, didn't fall off the face of the earth, busy making a mess in the Pink Room! (AKA Creative mayhem!) So, here are a just a few pix to show you what's been goin' on. (Oh, and this is just a fraction)

Finally finished an afghan for The Linus Project-took me ages because I seem to get distracted by other projects-imagine that.

Quickie weekend project, book bag for a friend. So much prettier than a zip-loc don't you think!

Sweet book written by my friend Chris. Knowing the author added something special to this read for me. It can be found HERE

Altered tags for the Comfort Dolls using tea dyed paper. (Below)

Look what a difference a couple of hours drowning in tea will do for you!

ROLODEX SWAP at Splitcoast. These are the ones I sent, can't wait to get the swapper's back!

Sewing old into new

This morning I had some quality sewing machine time. I have had an idea for a while to use this little vinatge piece I found at a rummage sale for a quarter. I thought it would be nice to match it up with some of the trims I have in my stash.

After selecting the pieces, I pinned them in place. I have decided to make a pillow, but to have the ends open and slip a pretty pillow insert inside that you will be able to see. The top and bottom will be closed.

After pinning, I sewed the strips into place, turning the edges on the sides as you will be able to see that part.Next I attached some lace to use as ties for the sides.

I used a pretty pink gingham to make the pillow insert.

Slipped it in and tied the lace at either and and ta-da. A nice little vintage pillow for "someone special accross the pond"

Button Frame

Ever wonder what to do with all those buttons? Here's a simple idea. Inexpensive picture frame, lots of glue sticks and a little patience.

Santa Matilde

This is my traveling angel. I made her for a dear friend who lives across the pond. The base is a small clip-board and I embelished it with papers, ribbon, buttons & lace. She took me about two weeks. I would lay all the pieces out and then go back to her every now & again and move pieces around until I was happy with the final design. (Now I know why I keep even the little scraps!)

Amazingly, I posted three times today! Please check out the other two posts below!

glitter-graphics.com

Tea Bag Party Favor

Here is a very simple but sweet party favor. It is not my original idea. I was at a pre-Christmas luncheon and these were the favors. I have taken a lot of pictures but I am hoping they will give you the basic idea.

6" doily, I found these in the new Wilton cake decorating section at Walmart.

Fold in half

Create this little extra fold, do not go past the center. (This creates a "pocket")

Now fold across the middle the other way.

Add some glue along the pocket fold, all the way to the outer edge.

See how it "plumps" it up.

Now you will embelish. I used very inexpensive silk flowers.

The glue dots worked quite well here.

Add the flower and ribbon. (what a pain to tie that little bow!)

And here is your tea-bag party favor.

glitter-graphics.com

Thrifting & Crafting

Hello there! Hope you didn't think I had fallen off the face of the earth! Thought it was about time I posted although you will notice that I have been doing "maintenance'"on my blog ;ie some nice sparkly seasonal pix and holiday music. On the topic of the music, I am always looking for new tunes to check out, so tell me what your favorites are and maybe I can add them to the blog music.

Okay, of course I have several UFO's on the go at once and I am resolved to the fact that when you are a crafter that is just the way it will be!

Still working on making yo-yo's, that's one of those sit in front of the TV crafts that doesn't tax the brain too much! Here are just a few of them. I made some & some were sent to me as part of a Farmgirl swap. There are a few really tiny ones in there about the size of a nickel. I might sew them onto holiday towels, glue onto baskets, make into pillows or perhaps just display in jars.

Today I did a quick little craft, an altered clip-board. I enjoy these as it's a great way to use up the scraps left from other projects. This will be for one of the ladies at the Women's Aglow group.It's nice to send someone home with a surprise. I hope she likes it.

This little child's rocking chair has been patiently waiting for me since I picked it up for $5 at the flea market. Finally finished the new cushion and back for it. After the winter (when we are not usinf the fireplace) I will sit it next to the fireplace.

Let's see, oh, a quick visit to the rummage sale this morning. Just a few gift basket trims and also discovered a sweet little doll. I think she does have a funny expression on her face but I love the colors she is wearing and orange pom-poms on her toes!

And last but not least an English bone china cup & saucer. (one can never have too many of those)

I hope you have enjoyed looking at the pictures and I promise to be back soon!



Angie