handmade cass

We only did a small tree this year since we traveled for the holiday.  Just enough to show off a few favorite ornaments. And my mom was generous enough to let me borrow the wool and burlap penny rug she made for her little display trees.  On the other side there are more animals with dimensional tails and fur.  It is one of my favorite things she has made. And my new favorite ornament - a blown glass narwhal!  I saw this in the Anthropologie catalog and had to go to two stores to find it.   Hoping that you and your family had a wonderful Christmas!

Well, the great Christmas card debate was never really resolved.  I waited too long and had to make a very simplified version of a homemade card because I ran out of the Shutterfly picture cards (which turned out really nice!). There were a few exceptions.  I had about an hour last weekend to work on cards and I made up this beauty.   My Copic markers were feeling neglected and I have been wanting to use this matryoshka nativity stamp for almost a year.  I am really happy with the card!  Unfortunately I only had time to make one.   I also started taking a picture of the colors I am using if I want to reference later.   AND I got to use my new Janome mini.  I love this fun little machine for paper crafts.  Please excuse the serious mess behind it.  No time for cleaning - only making a mess then leaving the room. I may be taking a break for a while while we celebrate my daughter's birthday and visit with the in-laws.  ...

I have had two reviews posted recently on Craft Critique.  Take a look and let me know if you have any opinions on the subjects. I gathered a number of pigment pens that were handy and did some research to see how they really compare.  You can see the "Pen Comparison: Archival Ink" article here. And I had the opportunity to try out a few Stampendous products, including the stamp cleaners, cling rubber stamps, and clear handle.  You can read the "Stampendous Stamp Cleaner Review" here.

I found the most beautiful wreath at my local craft store a few weeks ago - made of natural wood shavings in the shape of roses.  I had to wait for it to go on sale, but my husband brought it home for me as a present last week!  Before you think he is telepathic, just know that my mom coached him. So I had the wreath at home and it even had a protective layer of clear spray paint on it, but I was too scared that it would get ruined outside on our front door.  Destiny stepped in and I found a really pretty mini version of the wreath in red at Target!  So I am going to hang that one on our front door and keep the big one inside year round.  (I'll have to do a separate post on my many attempts to get it hung up.) The funny thing is that my husband came home and thought that I had painted the one he gave me red.  Even though it's about half the size.  Silly men.  Of course I DID add some Smooch Spritz to the red wreath because I think every Chri...

There is one post I did a while back that gets about 500% more views than anything else on this blog.  So I felt like it was time to give a few more ideas for handmade flower hair clips . I saw this idea in a magazine and they were using it as a topper for gift wrap.  But I adapted the measurements and supplies to make it into a perfect hair clip, or any other situation where you might need a felt flower.  Enjoy! First, start with two strips of felt in different colors. The measurements and cuts don't need to be perfect, but mine were about 1.5" by 10".  Then use a sharp pair of scissors to cut fringe along both strips (you can do both at the same time by layering). Next, add a line of glue along the bottom of one strip and place the other on top.  I like to use Aleene's Tacky Glue for any project like this one.  It is super sticky, dries clear, and is still easy to clean up. Then add one more line of glue on the top layer. Roll both strips up, keepi...

Almost every Friday morning I have a babysitter come over for two hours to distract the little one.  I originally thought I would clean the house and feel great about it.  But it turned into a two hour vacation in my craft area.  I try to get as much done as I can and feel like I am racing the clock.  But I've always worked better under pressure.  If only I could get those Christmas cards started... I have next Friday all planned out already.  I am going to read up on  Tim Holtz's 12 Tags of Christmas  ahead of time (for all the new techniques) and get as many tags done as I can.  I love this series on his blog!  And my wish list of supplies is growing every day he does a new one. Today I wanted to use up the rest of my twine zig-zags since I worked so hard on them.  The layout has a similar feel to the original but I needed a birthday card this time. Chevron patterned birthday card I also wanted to package it up in my ne...