Shaker Accordion Baby Card

Yes, our family is really expanding....another baby will be born soon.  Because the gender reveal will take place once the child is born, I had to keep the colors of this card gender neutral.  I like cards with movement so I chose a Sizzix die (Circle Flip-its #2) and put a shaker element with bears and hearts on the front. Using the circle dies that came with the die set, I layered acetate and die cut papers to make the shaker.  I used four layers of marker paper to form the well for the confetti but in hindsight I should have used 6-8 pieces as the bear confetti don't move around very much. The papers used were old ones from Simple Stories and K and Company. 

On the back of the revolving circle I glued on a die cut circle that was cut from a 12x12 sheet printed with various baby sentiment.

A Lawn Fawn die set was used to cut out a sweet gift card/money holder, matching the baby card.  The die set even had a die that cut a message card with an eyelet edge...how lovely!

To make the card suit either baby gender I even chose boy/girl confetti (from HM BFC)...love the one with bears!  The Heiko pastel thin ribbon bow made a perfect finishing touch for the card front.  I am pleased with the movement on this card and that I was able to keep it gender neutral. It was fun to make this card because it was simple and now I am ahead of the baby factory production line....LOL!

Folding Step Baby Card

 Our niece is pregnant with her second child and is due very soon. I had to rush this card so I kept it super simple.  I used a Sizzix Framelits Step-Ups die set and mostly Echo Park printed card stock.  For the decorations I fussy cut out words and images from Echo Park sheets.  It took just a few minutes to cut out al of this and glue it onto the folded 'steps'.

Since I had lots of baby print paper scraps, I decided to make a gift card holder.  I'm pretty sure that the scraps were also Echo Park papers since they match the step card.  I wish I could tell you the name of the die I used to make the gift card holder but I've misplaced it....it's somewhere in my craft area????

It's been awhile since I last used this Sizzix step card die but I think I will use it more often as it makes a very interesting card that folds up into a standard envelope.  In the near future I will probably be revisiting some old but clever Sizzix card dies...everything old is new again! Please check out this blog site to see what NEW cards I create with some OLD school tools.

Happiness Comes In Waves

While perusing my pile of water colored background papers, I came across an ocean colored one that I saved because it was too nice to throw away but too riddled with dark colored blobs.  I decided to test three new background stamps on it using various embossing powders.  I started with the jellyfish stamp and used clear stamping ink with clear sparkly embossing powder.  I stamped and heat embossed several times before moving on to the word stamp.  Again, I stamped with clear stamp ink but this time I sprinkled on copper embossing powder.  Even though the letters are blurry, they do look like they are underwater.  Using white embossing powder, I stamped and embossed the coral/sea urchins.  After mounting the embossed piece onto a turquoise card blank, I glued on some small pieces of coral, a broken sand dollar, abalone shell, teeny tiny shells and seaweed-looking yarn.  I am proud that I was able to convert an almost-throw-away water colored sheet into an interesting and usable greeting card.  Because the words on the card front are so hard to read, I stamped just the one line ' Happiness Comes In Waves' inside the card.  I think these words say it all and make this card usable for many occasions.  Free-styling card making is full of unexpected and pleasing surprises. Give it a try!

 

Paper Theater Crafts at HM Ben Franklin Crafts

 When I was recently at the Japan Hobby Show, I purchased some full size kits (see bottom photo) and was given this small sample to try.  At first I thought, 'Oh my, this is going to be hard because there are so many pieces', but it was actually quite simple to put together the cute bunny scene.  All the pieces of plastic-like paper were easy to take apart and glue down. The instructions were in Japanese but had easy to follow numbered steps.

I used the glue that I purchased from the Paper Theater vendors, but they told me any white paper glue would work.  I suggest a thin white glue in a small tip applicator.

Here are the kits I purchased at the Japan Hobby Show.  They sold hundreds of kits in various character themes. Our HM Ben Franklin Crafts Mapunapuna store has Paper Theater kits in stock and you might find Paper Theater kits in our other HM BFC stores too.  I think this is a satisfying new craft that will please you with the results that you will proudly show off to your friends and family.  Check out our Japanese craft sections in all our stores for new creative fun!

Ladybug Tag and Card Matching Tall Gift Bag

 Here are the tag and card that I made to match the tall gift bag in my previous blog post.  I think I did a pretty good job of finding papers and embellishments to match the gift bag.

For the card, I selected a printed card stock from an Echo Park 6x6 pad also used a sentiment card from an Echo Park pack. Both are available at HM Ben Franklin Crafts. The sparkly ladybug is a sticker and the flower is from a pack I discovered at HM BFC.

This tag was made from a scrap of printed paper that I discovered in my desk scrap pile.  It was cut with a die from a Hero Arts tag die set. The cord tie was chosen because the colors matched both the tag and bag. The stamped words and ladybugs (colored with Copic pends, cut out, and adhered with foam dot adhesives) were from an Echo Park stamp set purchased at HM BFC.

I think it's fun and fancy to make tags and/or cards to match gift bags.  It shows the recipient that you really went all out to make the gift special. Tip: It's a good idea to have gift wrapping sets made when you have the time so you will be less stressed to put them together right before they are needed.

Recycled Pasta Kit Gift Bag

 Recently, some dear friends of ours gave us a pasta kit (pasta, seasonings, and lemon oil) in a tall kraft bag with cord handles.  After making and eating the delicious lemon pasta, I just couldn't throw away the sturdy and unique bag.  The bag had acetate windows on both sides and only a band label on one side of the bag.  It was easy to glue on a wide cloth ribbon all around the top of the bag and embellish it with a flower and lady bugs.  The flower was created by layering several blossoms from my stash and the lady bags came from my ladybug collection of embellishments (mostly from HM BFC).  Although, it would be rare to encounter a tall kraft bag like this, acetate windows could be designed for any handled kraft bag making it a really special presentation for some goodies.  I think I may use this 'new' gift bag to give someone a long loaf of bread, cheese, and some wine.  While choosing just the right ladybugs, I came across some ladybug stamps so I think I'll also make a ladybug gift tag or card. Please visit this site again to check out my lucky ladybug creations.

Fluffy Chenille Pipe Cleaner Bear Kit

 Can't believe that I made this cute bear from a kit in less than 30 minutes!  It was so easy and I can't even read the Japanese instructions.  The kit has the one long piece of chenille pipe cleaner, the plastic eyes and nose, plus the illustrated instructions written in Japanese. The ribbon bow shown on the front photo was not included in the kit but I'm sure you have some of your own ribbon.  I had a tiny pink plastic flower hair clip that I used instead of the ribbon.

The numbered illustrated instructions were fairly easy to follow but I do admit that I improvised here and there to make the finished product look more ah-h, 'bear-like'.  HM Ben Franklin Crafts has chenille pipe cleaner kits like this one, plus accessories like hats, sweaters, sun glasses sized for the finished animals, as well as packages of just the chenille pipe cleaners in many colors.  If you want to craft something easy and fun that will result in a warm, fuzzy friend, you have to check out the Japanese craft section of a HM Ben Franklin Crafts.  These sweet, furry animals will make great gift wrapping add-ons, purse attachments, desk decorations, or just a small gift for no reason at all. I really hope that you'll try this new fun craft available now at House Mart BFC.

Note: I glued (Fabri-Tac) the eyes and nose to the bear because they seemed rather loose and I didn't want them to fall out. I don't think this chenille bear is appropriate for very young children because the small pieces might cause a choking hazard.

Graduation Time! Let's Shake It!

I didn't have any graduates to make a card for this spring, but I did want to play with this Lawn Fawn stamp set, Simply Celebrate Graduation.  My son has been working hard to complete his doctorate and says he'll graduate this winter so I thought I'd get a jump start on a card for him.  We are very proud that he stuck with it and managed to hold down a job, get married, and have a child all at the same time!  Since his school colors are Crimson and Black (Can you guess what college?), I of course started with those two colors as the base.  It was easy-peasy to stamp and color the mice and base. I cut out the center of the frame and backed it with acetate.  Next I trimmed some foam adhesive strips to fit along the back of the frame. Then I added three colors of star confetti and sealed them in with another piece of acetate.  Once the shaker element was complete I adhered it to the card and added the mice (with foam adhesive dots) and conversation bubbles.  I stamped the 'Congrats' in clear embossing ink onto black paper and coated it with gold sparkle embossing powder before heat embossing it and fussy cutting it out. To dress up the corners I wanted to add gold sticker stars but I didn't have any gold ones the right size so I opted to glue down some metal star brads.  Unfortunately, the brads had prongs that needed to be removed with clippers and then I had to find a glue that would grab the metal surface of the stars. Some old Fabri-Tac glue was amazingly effective....sometimes being a hoarder is useful...LOL!  I think this card turned out rather well and the shaker element adds a bit of fun. I wonder if he'll notice that the card was done in his school colors? (Probably not, he's a scientist and that data would not compute...hahaha!)

 

G.O.A.T. Dad Card

 When I first heard the term GOAT in reference to an athlete (Tom Brady, I think), I was appalled that people were so harsh until I realized that it was a compliment.  It is an abbreviation for 'Greatest Of All Time' . LOL!  When I saw the Lawn Fawn stamp and die sets (You Goat This), I knew that they would make a good Father's Day card for my husband who truly is the Greatest of All Time DAD! While looking for the large white letters in my stash, I discovered a pad of retro print papers and decided that the blue and green dot one would be perfect because he is a retro-kind-of father. It was simple to stamp the goat, color, and die cut it. After adhering the letters, I positioned the goat with foam adhesive dots.

For the inside of the card, I hand cut out the letters from the leftover dotted retro paper.  Using the stamp set again, I stamped the small goat and the words. All the words were adhered with Fabri-Tac glue and the little goat was positioned with foam adhesive dots.  This card was super simple to create and I think that it turned out exactly as I planned.  I hope that it conveys to the father of my boys what a fabulous father I think he is.....really, the G.O. A. T. DAD!  We are so lucky to have him!

Lemon Curd Is Delicious

 I know I said I wasn't going to make lemon curd this year because of the high cost of eggs, but I had just too many lemons from my tree to resist.  Also, I LOVE the taste of lemon curd!  I think the name sounds revolting....maybe it should be renamed 'lemon custard'.  Anyway, other than juicing the lemons (about six needed), the curd is super simple to make.  I believe I first found this recipe in a Martha Stewart magazine but I have altered it a bit.  I hope you'll try making lemon curd and I'm sure you'll be a fan too! Enjoy!

Lemon Curd (makes 2 jars)

6 egg yolks (strained through a sieve)

1/2 c. lemon juice

12 T. sugar

Zest from 1 lemon

8 T. butter

Mix the yolks, juice, sugar and zest in a medium saucepan over medium low heat.  Keep stirring until the mixture starts to thicken.  Turn off the heat and start adding the butter in small pieces.  Once the butter is incorporated, pour the lemon curd into two clean jars. Cool curd and then refrigerate the jars.

Hang In There Get Well Card

 Recently, my sister broke her arm so I thought I'd make her a card and send her some 'get better soon' goodies.  This card came together quickly because of a cute monkey stamp from a Hero Arts clear stamp set.  It was super simple to stamp out the image, color it with Copic pens, fussy cut it out and attach it to the card with foam adhesive dots.  The printed background is simply a piece of vellum I found in my stash of Hawaiian style papers.  It was a little difficult to adhere the vellum to the card without the adhesive showing.  I applied very tiny dots of Fabri-Tac glue to the back of the vellum and they are barely visible.  I thought that the green ribbon from my scrap pile looked like a vine so the monkey decided to hang out on it. Hahaha!  Please note that the monkey also has a broken arm in a cast (made from a tiny roll of paper).  I hope my sister will be cheered by this card or at least will smile as she eats the Japanese treats I mail to her!

Toji Shrine Fair in Kyoto Japan

One of my favorite things to do when we travel to Japan is to attend the Toji Shrine Fair (held every 21st of every month).  The weather was perfect during the fair in the month of April.  We saw many booths with handmade crafts and delicious edible treats.  We purchased bags of dried persimmons and were tempted by gorgeous handmade ceramic ware.

I am always on the hunt for items to use in my craft work.  This time I discovered and purchased some lovely pieces of silk cut from kimonos.  There were also whole kimonos for sale which could be artfully  hung for stunning displays.  Perhaps the kimono fabric I bought  will be used to make another pin cushion, a small evening bag, or maybe as a decorative element on a one-of-a-kind outfit.

A favorite booth that I always look for at the fair is one that sells handmade wooden utensils.  I think that the pieces are gorgeous and very affordable so I usually select a few for gifts and for my own collection.  If you are a wood crafter perhaps you should consider making wood utensils .  I believe that the wood crafters at the fair do a brisk business during the entire fair.  I purchased other fabulous one-of-a-kind items at the Toji Shrine fair and they encourage me to make every effort to attend another fair in the future.  Hope you will one day make an effort to travel to Japan and see a Toji Shrine fair for yourself.  I'm positive that you will be enthralled by the excitement and cultural beauty of the event.

Wappen and Shaker Charm Pouches

 While in Japan at the Japan Hobby Show and ABC Crafts store in Osaka, I finally saw the Wappen products (shown by Joy of Crafting) and shaker zippered charm pouches.  I am having fun personalizing clip on gifts with patches and plastic charms.  Rather than ironing on the patches, I am using Fabri-Tac 3 in 1 glue...it's faster.

For the cupcake fuzzy Wappen I added the French fries, strawberry and duck because I think the recipient can relate to them.  I only glued on a bee to the fuzzy bear because I thought it looked good on his tummy, and we all know that bears love honey.

Here are other fuzzy Wappen animals that I will decorate soon.

These Wappen straps will make good handles for small wallets/bags and are fun to personalize.  

Other new items I saw at the Japan Hobby Show and ABC Crafts in Osaka were charm pouches.  With these zippered pouches, small plastic charms, confetti, and colorful fillers were offered for sale.  It's actually really fun to fill the pouches with little trinkets, confetti and tiny pom poms (from Daiso). The neat part is that the items can be changed out or swapped with friends.  

I think these two new craft products (plus the embellishments) are addictive and fun to personalize. 

Both young children and teenagers will love going to HM Ben Franklin Crafts to satisfy their new cravings. You won't mind treating them to no-calorie goodies and they'll be happy to personalized their backpacks, purses and athletic bags.

Squirrel in a Jar Birthday Card

 My almost 5 year-old grandson has a fondness for squirrels and a grey cat for a best friend, so I just had to include them on his birthday card.  I enjoy the challenge of making shaker confetti cards and I thought the wood handled jar stamp (Recollections) would make a great container for the confetti and squirrel.  I stamped the cat first and made a paper mask to protect it when I stamped the jar over the cat. Next, I hand cut the jar opening, covered it from behind with clear acetate film and lined around the jar with foam tape.  The cavity was filled with one hand stamped and colored squirrel (Hero Arts) and some sparkly confetti.  Another piece of acetate film was used to seal in the confetti and squirrel.  The cat and jar were colored in with Copic pens before the card front was attached to the card blank with more foam tape.  A party hat sticker was added along with a printed 'Make A Wish' label. I think it is a card that a 5 year old squirrel loving, cat owning kid will like and I am excited to give it to him even though I'm sure he'll like the toys and other gifts we give him more than a homemade card that his odd grandma created...LOL! 

Cherry Blossoms and the Japan Hobby Show

We just returned from Japan where it was the ending of the cherry blossom season.  The flowering trees were still beautiful though and we enjoyed the showers of pink petals every time the wind blew.  Many young couples and families were still celebrating the tradition of picnicking under the cherry blossom trees in the parks. It was picturesque and romantic.

 

Seeing the cherry blossom trees was just a bonus.  We really traveled to Japan to attend the Japan Hobby Show in Big Site, Tokyo.  A group of HM Ben Franklin Crafts craft employees also attended the show.  This year our company did not man a BF craft or Ace Hardware booth and this allowed the merchandisers to see more of the show and select exciting new products to sell in our stores.  

Besides the usual abundance of fabrics and sewing notions, this year I saw lots of easy novelty crafts which I think will truly appeal to our local crafters.  There were a lot of kits for sale so I think you will be seeing many new ones in our HM BFC stores.  The Japanese are excellent at making kits with instructions that are easy to follow without translating.  Please check out the HM Ben Franklin Crafts stores to see the latest Japanese kits, products, and supplies which our merchandisers have chosen just tor you!

Daruma Wish Card

                                       

Japanese folklore says that you should make a wish and paint an eye on a daruma doll  When the wish comes true you can then paint the other eye onto the doll.  I like this tradition because it offers hope that wishes really can come true.  This card was created to celebrate this Japanese custom and was inspired by the Hero Arts stencil and a Japanese wood handled rubber stamp.  To get the background effect, I used a stencil brush and a silver ink pad.  I am very satisfied with the outcome of this technique.  The daruma design was stamped with permanent ink and colored in with Copic pens.  To get a shiny surface on the daruma doll I painted it with Glossy Accents. Once it was dry, the images were fussy cut and adhered with adhesive foam dots. For the 'wish' I used some silver foil letter stickers which I found in a long forgotten drawer.  See it is good to be a hoarder!  Because this card was super easy and turned out very close to what I imagined, I am thrilled and surely will make more cards like this. *W*I*S*H* Granted! 

Asian Look Recycled Tea Tin Pincushion

 

If you've been visiting this blog for awhile, you must know that I can't bear to throw away anything recyclable.  When I finished the tea in this Lupicia tin, of course I HAD to recycle it into something pretty and useful.  In my stash of fabrics, I re-discovered a piece of Asian looking faux embroidered fabric and some fabric covered cording. They were both from Japan, but check out HM Ben Franklin Crafts because they are now stocking a large selection of Japanese crafting products. Also you could go online for Asian style textiles or do this project with fabric you already have in your stash.  

I started this project by using one of the circle dies (Spellbinders) to cut out a piece of thin cardboard that would fit the center of the tin,  Onto this cardboard circle I glued (Fabri-Tac) on some wool roving (you could use cotton batting or stuffing).  Next, I cut out a circle of fabric one inch larger all around than the cardboard circle.  I wrapped the fabric around the cardboard circle over the wool roving and used glue to secure the fabric underneath.  Once the glue was dry, the whole piece was glued to the tin top and the fabric covered cording was glued around the fabric covered circle.  A larger thickness of fabric covered cording would have worked better and required only one wrap around but the one I had didn't quite match the tin top fabric so I wrapped around (twice) the cording that did match.  For a finishing touch I stuck in three heart topped sewing pins. I'm pretty certain that I bought the pack of heart pins from HM Ben Franklin...ages ago. I can't imagine why I would shop anywhere else for craft supplies. LOL!  Please save all your recyclable containers and try to craft them into something beautiful and functional.  I know you'll be surprised and pleased with what you create!