Amaryllis Photo Box

This photo box actually started thirty years ago when I bought an amaryllis bulb from HM Ace Hardware in Hilo.  Little did I know that it would grow and produce blooms for decades.  We have split the bulbs clusters many times and have been rewared with blooms every year. Because we live in a cell phone photo world, I don't usually have photos around to hold in my hands and enjoy in real life.  This box was designed to hold some of my favorite current photos.  Printed floral card stock was used to cover the front and bottom of the box.  Floral ribbon was glued to the sides of the box cover.  

Squarish Spellbinder dies were used to cut out the amaryllis photo ad the yellow card stock.  They were glued onto the box front along with the trimmed Echo Park paper sentiment  from a 6x6 paper pad.  Butterflies from a Forever in Time Die Cut Embellishment pack were glued onto the box front.  It was a simple project that hopefully will allow me to collect favorite photos (printed from my endless cell phone pics) in an easily accessible place where I can enjoy them often. This box would also make a good gift box...perhaps filled with meaningful photos.  Another added perk is that the original box was an empty See's Candies container so it still has the chocolate aroma which I enjoy everytime  I look at my photos....how sweet is that?!!!

Where Did You Get That?

Here are three items I purchased recently.  I thought you might like to see what I am drawn to and what amuses my decorating sense.  The pot with a cactus and the ceramic watering pot were seen and snapped up from a locker box in the Market City HM Ben Franklin Crafts store.  I thought their wonky looks were just fabulous.  Who would put a big, single cactus leaf in such a tiny pot?  The pot is very heavy so the cactus doesn't make it tip over.  I was amazed that the cactus was really alive...hopefully, I can keep it that way!  The watering pot is also very heavy so perhaps I can plant something in it too. Would a bonsai tree survive?  Whoever manages the locker box where I found these ceramic pieces certainly has a sense of beauty that aligns with mine. Thank you for offering these pieces for sale.  As for the mouse and chick figurine, I found it on the bargain $5 table at a recent All Collectors show.  It was brand new and had a fresh. fancy hang tag so I didn't feel it was 'used'. I like figurines like this to go with my Easter craft project photos.  Keep your eyes open and you will surely find amazing treasures in the most interesting places.  Hope ;you like seeing what catches my eyes and heart. Life is short, so make yourself happy today!

 

Sumikko gurashi Felt Key Chain

I am a big fan of the Sumikko gurashi Japanese characters, so when I saw them in felt kits selling at HM Ben Franklin Crafts, I knew I was launching into a new craft.  It took me barely two hours to complete the project and I was very happy with the results.

All the felt parts were well cut out and the kit contained everything needed ( pre-cutfelt, thread, plastic needle. etc.) to make a cute stuffed felt character. Even though the instructions were in Japanese (which I don't read), I was able to follow the diagrams. Because the plastic needle (safe for kids) had a large eye it did make the pre-cut sewing holes bigger so you need to make your knots extra large so they don't go through the holes. HM Ben Franklin Crafts has many felt kits to choose from (not all of them of Sumikko gurashi characters) so I'm sure you will find one to your liking. Doing crafts like this is very satisfying to me and perfect for taking on a trip because you only need a tool to cut the thread.  Crafting is my way of relaxing and when away from home I like to keep my hands and mind busy. I'm sure making a felt key chain will make you (or whoever you give it to) very happy. Try crafting one...you'll love it!

 

Chocolate Rabbits Shaker Easter Card

To me, Easter means enjoying chocolate rabbits!  Since I can't mail a chocolate card, I decided to design a card that has the spirit of my childhood chocolate candy Easter rabbits.  I have a really old Tim Holtz chocolate rabbit die that I used to make the rabbit cut outs.  (Recently, I noticed that Whimsy Stamps is selling a set of rabbit silhouette dies which probably can be used to create a similar card to this one.)  Because the old rabbit die is one that is about an inch thick, it is rather difficult to align the three rabbits...but it can be done!  

After die cutting the rabbits from a printed card stock, double stick adhesive is applied around the rabbits before a piece of cellophane is pressed down.  (To be thrifty, I use clear packaging from my craft supplies.)  Then foam tape is lined around the under side of the die cut rectangle piece and three of the protective strips are removed.  This rectangle was then pressed down on three sides of a card blank.  Shaker confetti pieces (MIx Upz, Easter Basket) was poured into the pocket before sealing up the open adhesive side.   

Easy-peasy....the card is done!  I really love how easy this card was too construct. I think the bright, colorful confetti that I purchased from HM Ben Franklin Crafts really made the card something special!

I also had some Doodlebug Designs 'Happy Easter' washi tape I decided to use to decorate the back of the card too. I just applied one strip so that I could write a long Easter message.  I'll use the washi tape to make the envelope 'spiffy' too.  I hope you'll make an Easter card that will brighten someone's holiday season.  It will brighten your holiday celebrations too!

Two Chocolate Easter Bunnies and a Shaker Egg

My childhood memories of Easter always include chocolate rabbits so I just had to include some on my Easter card. I used a Tim Holtz die to cut out the bunnies from brown card stock.  Then I coated the surface of the bunnies with 'chocolate' from a tube of BoBunny perlescent dimensional paint. (The Bo Bunny product may not be available anymore but there are other dimensional paint companies who do manufacture chocolate colored paint in a squeeze tube.) Once the rabbits were dry, I glued on some bows cut from colored card stock using the Tim Holtz die that came with the bunny die.)

Next I used a Spellbinder egg-shaped die to cut out the oval for the shaker part of the card.  I glued a piece of acetate (cut from a discarded cello bag) behind the opening. I framed the opening with double stick foam tape to make a well to enclose the shaker pieces. From HM Ben Franklin Crafts I purchased a great pack of Easter themed confetti.  I pressed down most of the taped egg shaped opening and then filled in the opening with enough confetti to fill the egg about halfway full before sealling the rest of the opening. Double stick tape was used to fasten down the printed card stock edges and the banner which came from a Doodlebug Design ephemera set.

Since I had a Doodlebug Designs 'Happy Easter' washi tape, I decided to decorate an envelope to go with the shaker card. Making a matching envelope always signifies to the recipient that there is a special greeting inside.  Make someone's day fabulous...send a them a homemade card today!

2026 Easter Cookie Box

 This year I am hoping to make some Easter cookies and thought that I should make some decorative boxes to house them.  This box is recycled from a candy box. (I always save sturdy, clean boxes to re-purpose into decorated containers.)  This box was especially nice because it opened up flat, making it easy to cover with printed cardstock.  I simply traced the flattened box onto the cardstock, cut it out and folded the new box.  The 12x12 Doodlebug paper was slightly too small so I added a patch to the bottom of the box (hardly noticeable).

The bunnies were die cut using the Lawn Fawn die set, Build-a-Bunny.  Since I didn't buy the coordinating Accesories die set, I used a sticker and cut out a carrot to decorate the bunnies.  Usually I would put blue and pink paper behind the eyes and ears but I didn't want to search for the paper scraps so I simply used my Copic markers to make colored paper from plain white card stock and then placed them beneath the appropriate eye or ear spaces.

Without the ribbon and after the cookies are eaten, the box can be a cute storage for trinkets, stickers, etc. or new cookies could be baked and given to someone else. Yum-yum!

The 12x12 printed cardstock is from a Doodlebug Designs pack (purchased at HM Ben Franklin Crafts) as were the DD and Echo Park ephemera packs.  The cute chicky puffy stickers are a Paper Source product.  I found the green ribbon in my stash but I'm pretty sure it came from HM BFC....I shop there a lot....hahaha! I am so pleased with this recycled box that I am searching for other containers to recycle into cookie boxes that can be enjoyed long after the cookies are eaten. Recycling and repurposing should be a crafter's second hobby! 

Tucson 2026 Rock and Gem Show

Recently, I had the pleasure of attending the Tucson Rock and Gem Show. Although the show was a bit quieter than in previous years, it still was a wonderland of nature's geological beauty. There was also a marvelous aray of tents and rooms brimming over with affordable and millionaire-only-priced jewelry/gemstones.  

 Yes!  This dinosaur skeleton was actually on display in one of the tents at the Tucson 2026 Gem and Mineral Show. It was a small specimen compared to others but it was still way bigger than me.

Even in the tent area of the show, there were amazing displays and collections.  One of my favorite displays was a gigantic carved jade dragon.  It was certainly museum worthy and it was exciting to be able to see it up close. If you are a rock hound or gem collector, you really need to attend the Tucson Rock and Gem Show at least once in your lifetime.  Even if you can't afford the museum quality gems, you wil surely find something in your price range that you will treasure and display in your home forever!

  

We didn't buy any of these gorgeous Ethiopian opals which were being sold by the carat. The colors radiating from them was blinding! 

We also only stroked the boulder opal slabs but did buy a few small pieces with the intent of someday mounting them into jewelry.

In the Tucson convention center there were amazing displays of one-of-a- kind mineral specimens.  They were breathtakingly beautiful and it was unbelivable that people discovered them and were able to mine them in such pristine condition.  Although, I would never be able to afford the museum worthy mineral specimens, it was fun to gaze at them and wish. Although this quartz cluster is not really a rare occurrence, it is still an eye-catching display.

This gigantic cluster of gem grade aquamarine is so gorgeous that I can't believe it grew naturally and was carefully excavated before being displayed for everyone to enjoy.

    

There were lots of amethyst formations on display and surprisingly they were affordable. I guess amethyst is not as rare as other minerals.

I don't know what kind of minerals make up this delicate formation.  I was overwhelmed by the delicacy of the crystals.  How is it possible that the crystal structure did not collapse?   

At the Tucson Gem and Mineral Show it is possible to purchase some beautiful gems and jewelry. If you can, you should attend the next show to see if you can uncover some real treasures at affordable prices. Besides learning tons of information, I guarantee you'll feel like you've excavated hidden minerals and dug up jewelry fashioned for royalty!