Exciting Purchase from a Mapunapuna Locker Box

 Every time I shop at the Mapunapuna Ben Franklin Crafts store, I always check out the lockers containing wonderful handcrafted items.  The last time I went shopping I was lucky to spot a gorgeous handmade copper mermaid pendant intertwined around a lovely piece of blue drusy quartz crystal. I was impressed by the artistic craftsmanship of the piece and the reasonable price.  The pendant was on a leather cording which was suitable for the piece but I think I will keep  a look out for a copper chain necklace to pair with the copper mermaid pendant.  I hope that you will also look into the locker boxes at the HM Ben Franklin Stores because I'm sure you'll be thrilled by what you see.  I think you will be excited by the high quality of the craftwork and maybe inspired by the cleverness of the hand crafted pieces.  Support Crafters!   

2025 Bee Calendars

 I really didn't think that I would be making calendars this year because of a time shortage.  However, when HM Ben Franklin Crafts started selling a 10 pack of calendars at a very reasonable price, I just had to purchase a set.  I decided to make bee themed calendars because I have a fondness for bees and all that they do.....especially making honey!  I used Echo Park 12x12 papers because there were so many bee themed design choices.  I started by cutting 4" wide strips of cardstock and folded them at 4", 8", 8-3/4", and  9-1/2".  I cut off the end making a 3/4" tab that I glued down to form the calendar base.  The Echo Park 12x12 sheets had some 'Bee Happy' words printed along the edge of every sheet.  I cut off these words and adhered them to the calendars along with the calendars and bee buttons. I used a snipper to cut off the shanks from the plastic bee buttons before gluing them down.

These two calendars were made in a similar way to the ones above.  The difference was that the bee images were stamped, colored and cut out with the matching Pink and Main dies. These bees were attached to the calendars with adhesive foam dots. Lastly, Ranger Baby Blue Stickles was added to the wings of the bees.  I am happy with the way that these bee calendars turned out and can't wait to send them out to friends.  I have a few more calendar sets to use up so perhaps I'll make some Valentine ones.  Maybe I NEED to buy another pack of calendars from HM Ben Franklin Crafts ......wink*wink*wink* !

Everything Old Is New Again

Recently, my sister-in-law showed me a tie dyed paper project that my son and I made a long time ago.  I made a lot of tie dyed projects way back then so I was happy that this one survived.  It was the inspiration for these thank you cards.  Tie dying paper is different from tie dyeing fabric.  I chose an old piece of washi paper that has been floating around in my craft room for ages. It had foxing, bug holes, and was faded with lots of fiber.  I figured that colored inks would cover all these flaws.  The inks I used were Ranger Distress Oxide and alcohol Inks.  Actually, I think that even liquid food coloring would work in this type of dyeing.

I started by accordion folding a rectangular piece of the washi paper. Then I accordion folded it in the other direction so the folded piece became a thick square.  I applied the inks to the corners and sides of  the folded washi paper.  Next I sprayed the dyed folded paper with water.  At this point the paper will be very fragile so open the piece carefully to reveal the amazing colors....pure magic!

For the washi paper with the circular designed tie-dyed papers, I used thin (Nippoly) plastic coated wire to wrap around pinched up areas of a rectangular piece paper.  Because the paper is fragile, using the wire is better than string or rubber bands.  Next, I applied the inks to the wire wrapped washi paper and sprayed it with water. Next is the exciting part....unwrap the wire bunches and admire the beauty that you've created.  

After letting the dyed papers dry, I chose my favorite parts of the designs.  Using a ruler and sewing marking wheel tool, I perforated a rough rectangle. I carefully tore out the rectangles to apply to the card fronts. Finally, for each card I cut out words of thank you using dies on foiled card stock. I used Fabri-Tac glue to adhere the tie dyed paper and foil die cut words to card blanks.

I am very happy that I revisited tie dying papers. As with projects done years ago, I still have the thrill and excitement of the reveal.  Perhaps this is why artists/crafters do what they do.  Very few things in life can compare with the joy of discovering something beautiful that no one else has done or seen before. Wishing you many magical moments in 2025! 

Happy New Year 2025!

Besides Christmas decorations everywhere in Japan, there were many Kadomatsu displays.  For those of you unfamiliar with Kadomatsu, they are the bamboo decorations that many Japanese people display in the front of their home to welcome in the New Year, bless the home, bring good fortune, and pay homage to ancestors.  I purchased the miniature double Kadomatsu decoration in Japan because it was so pretty and small enough to fit into my bulging suitcase.  It gives me craft ideas for next year. Besides the traditional Kadomatsus in Japan, there were even more contemporary ones like those with Pokemon characters. A friend of ours made us a plain bamboo Kaddomatsu which I easily decorated with the addition of a Xmas sprig with a red bird.  I really like the way the sprig (from HM Ben Franklin Crafts) gives the twine wrapped bamboo just the right look. Here's hopping that 2025 will be a happy, healthy New Year for you and your family! Happy Crafting in 2025!
 

Last Batch....Pistachio Nut, Cranberry, and White Chocolate Chip Cookies

Ah, the rush of Christmas shopping, gift wrapping, and baking is finally over.  Here is the last batch of cookies I made this year. I found the recipe in a magazine but unlike the last batch I featured on this blog, this one turned out to look very similar to the magazine photo. The cookies are a bit darker because I extended the baking time by two minutes as I needed the cookies to be sturdier for packing.  These cookies taste absolutely delicious!  I think the salt from the pistachio nuts really helps to balance the flavor of the cookies.

As with crafting, baking becomes more enjoyable when you experiment a little.  Thinking of variations is probably my favorite part of baking.  I'm sure this recipe would work well for Halloween by replacing the cranberries with chopped apricots  and the white chocolate chips with dark chocolate ones.  I hope in the coming New Year you will try new cooking and craft projects.  When you discover something new I welcome you to write to this blog.  I will continue to post the new products, projects and creations that I discover in 2025 so please take the time to visit the site often. Thank you for your support! 

Snow on Fruit Mountain Cookies

 'Tis the season that I stop crafting and start baking.  This year I got a late start on crafting and cooking due to a lengthy trip to Japan in late Nov. to early Dec.  This first batch of cookies don't look delicious but they really ARE!  I found the recipe in a magazine and chose it because it looked scrumptious. However, I think the food stylist for the magazine must have doctored up the cookies, adding more color and moistness.  My cookies were rather bland looking so I sprinkled them with powdered sugar and renamed them Snow on Fruit Mountain. LOL!  What they lack in looks they make up in flavor so I am happily giving them to friends and family.  I found the perfect treat bags at HM Ben Franklin Crafts...Snow Much Fun! I am happy that I was able to pivot and as the old saying goes, 'turn lemons into lemonade'.  In cooking and crafting it is important to remember to stay positive and not get discouraged.  Life is better when you are optimistic. I'm positive that Santa will come again this year! Merry Christmas!

Xmas Honey Fruit Bread

 A recent trip to Japan enabled us to sample lots of delightful, tasty treats.  There was a fruit bread that we especially enjoyed from a European bakery (lots of them in Japan).  I made it my mission to recreate the taste of this bread.  While my version doesn't have exactly the same look or taste, it is pretty close. The Japanese version was darker and more packed with fruit.  I liked the rustic look of the Japanese loaf but felt it was too dense with fruit.  My husband and I both think that my version of the fruit bread is as good as the Japanese one. He says it tastes even better....what a nice guy!  I am happy that I was able to recreate a pleasurable treat and now I am able to make it in the future for friends and family.  Happy Holiday Baking !