Summer Cookout Tags

I noticed that my stash of tags was running low so I am working hard to increase the types and number of tags I have available to use on the spur of the moment.  I tend to use tags way more than cards as I like to give baked goods and 'just because' gifts to friends and family.  Tags just seem to be a quick way to send a message of gratitude/thumbs-up rather than mailing a long, hand written card.  Also tags just use a small amount of supplies and they are quick and easy. Don't forget if you receive a handmade tag think about trimming it down and gluing it onto a small gift card.  You can also recycle a clever tag into a magnet by attachig a piece of sheet magnet to the back.  I hope that you will upcycle small sheets of printed paper into tags and pass them out to friends and family...of course be sure to tie it to a cello bag of homemade cookes! 
 

Puffy Paint and Gold Flakes Birthday Card

 After seeing an episode of Joy of Crafting that featured using Puffy Paint to decorate some fabric purses, I decided to buy some and see what I could do with the unique paint.  I decided to experiment on card stock and chose a colorful piece from an 8x8 pack.  It was easy to follow the design on the card stock with the matching puffy paint and then heat up the design with a heat gun.  The resulting effect was a soft lava-like texture raised above the surface of the card stock.  To add more interest to the card, I applied a tiny bit of glue here and there. Next, I rubbed on some gold flakes purchased from Daiso (sold as hair decoration).  Finally, I stamped the 'Happy Birthday' in gold ink and heat embossed it with gold embossing powder. Using products in unusual ways can result in surprisingly beautiful results.  Keep your creativity expanding by thinking outside of the box. Go ahead and amaze yourselt!  

Sweet Girl Shaker Birthday Card

 

As usual, I was running behind schedule so I had to think fast and come up with a cute, girly birthday card for a 1-year old. It took me awhile to find just the right papers, stickers and shaker confetti.  Once selections were made the card came together rather quickly.  I used an oval die to cut the opening for the shaker element.  Foam sticker tape formed the well for the confetti.  (I put a strip of foam tape down the center of the card front making the pocket smaller so not too much of the confetti had to be used.)  A clear acetate sheet was used behind the oval window. The 'Happy Birthday' was stamped in clear ink and heat embossed with gold embossing powder.  Oh yes, a cupcake sticker was adhered behind the oval opening before the confetti was added.  This card is sweet and cute just like the birthday girl.  I know that a 1 year old won't know what's happening at the party but perhaps this card will be saved for the future and she will know that her aunty and uncle thought she was a very special birthday girl!

Sanrio Character DessertThank You Card

I love Sanrio characters so when I spotted the package of character envelopes at Daiso, I had to get them even if I didn't know what I'd do with them.  After looking at the envelopes for awhile, I had a light bulb moment and decided to fussy cut the dessert dish of Sanrio characters. I thought the fussy cut dessert would look good on some pastel striped card stock (Lawn Fawn paper pad purchased at HM Ben Franklin Crafts).  After positioning the Sanrio character dish on the striped card stock using pop dots, double stick tape was used to attach it to a turquoise card blank.  To make the card seem more sweet shop like, I added punched out strips of white typing paper. The punch was discovered at Daiso.  Also I attached some cute puffy stickers (from Daiso) to the dessert dish to give it more interest and dimension. Finally, I added a 'thank you' sticker from a pack that I purchased at HM Ben Franklin Crafts. I am pretty happy that I was able to change a simple cute envelope design into a sweet thank you card.  It's fun to challenge your imagination to turn something simple into something you are proud to send to someone.  I know you are clever, so use your mind to design something wonderful!

Daiso Shopping Spree

 Shopping at Daiso is never dull because there are so many cute and unique items at really great prices (mostly around $2.25).  I purchased a bunch of stationery items for my card making.  The stamps and punches made me so happy and I already have ideas for them.  I was excited to find the acrylic blocks for the stamp sets because they are usually very expensive. 

Something unique that I discovered were the mystery packages which contained acrylic pieces that had popular characters decorating them.  I especially loved the acrylic coaster with Pompompuri printed on it.  I plan to go back and get more packages...hopefully, I will be lucky and get the whole set of different character coasters.

Although, I just purchased some sealing wax and metal stamps from HM Ben Franklin Crafts, I couldn't resist the great assortment of wax and stamps at Daiso.  I can't wait to make more seals on parchment which I will save to be added to my envelopes, cards and gift packages.

I couldn't believe the amazing array of kitchen items Daiso carries.  I just couldn't resist the clever and adorable but useful kitchen goodies I found.  I purchased some unique cookie cutters that I can't wait to test out.  I plan to do some painting on the handles of the rice paddles.  I just saw some hand painted wooden spoons in a magazine so why not do the same to rice paddles to give as unique gifts? The adorable plastic containers aren't going to be used for food. I plan to put small craft supplies in them so my desk will be less cluttered and somewhat organized.

Of course, I couldn't leave Daiso without  getting some stationery items. I like to carry color pencils everywhere just in case I need to sketch something.  I also found a small water coloring set...so portable!  As you can tell I had a fabulous time shopping at Daiso.  The variety of items is unbelievable and the prices makes shopping a truly enjoyable treasure hunt.  Treat yourself to a basket of goodies. You deserve it!

Moru Chenille Doll with Sunglasses

I'm still having fun playing with my chenille dolls....I think this one is a bear actually.  It started with a very plain kit that just provided the chenille pipecleanmer, eyes, nose and instructions. The instructions are in Japanese so I just sort of followed the diagrams. You can use an app on your phone for a translation if you need to. To me, the fun part of making these chenille creatures is dressing them up.  I chose a striped pink T-shirt that I purchased from HM Ben Franklin Crafts.  For added fun, I glued on purple sunglasses and a lemon ice cream cone.

 

The little chenille figures look super cute with other decorations like the Easter chick I found at Daiso.

I have a little HM Ben Franklin bucket on my desk which I use to hold pens and tubes of gliter sprinkles.  Well, the mischevious little bear decided that the bucket was the perfect place to sit, relax and eat his ice cream!  The plastic mini ice cream cones and sunglasses came from packages of buttons.  You could cut off the shanks, but I just glued them onto the bear with E6000 glue.  HM Ben Franklin Crafts has a gigantic amount of Moru doll kits, costumes, and embellishments.  You should check out this fun craft and you'll soon be making adorable chenille animals for yourself and your friends!

Sealing Wax Update

 

The use of sealing wax is not a new craft.  It has in fact been used for centuries as a way to secure persnal mail by stamping a unique mark (signet ring) into melted wax.  Supposedly, the recipient of the mail would be able to tell if the mail was interceped because the wax seal would be damaged. Today the use of wax seals is mostly for a decorative effect. HM Ben Franklin Craft stores sell both the wax pellets and stamping tools.  

Like candy, there seem to be an endless supply of colorful, irridescent wax pellets availble today.  I can't stop buying the wax pellets because each one has a different look when melted. I use a heat tool to melt the wax on a silicon mat or in a silicon mold.  (If you have a strong heat gun, work slowly to get the wax melted so you don't blow the liquid wax around.) It's so much fun watching the pellets melt and blend then making an impression with a metal seal.

Like the explosion of wax pellet colors, sealing wax stamp designs have also multiplied drastically.  You can buy stamps attached to handles or buy just the metal part and use one handle for many metal design heads that screw on, The new wave of metal stamp head designs is truly exciting and you're sure to find many that suit your needs.

New on the market to enhance your sealing wax stamping are silcon molds into which you can melt the wax pellets and impart a desired shape.  (I'm not sure where I purchased this silicon mold...maybe HM BEn Franklin Crafts.)  The two tools with the silicon tips are really useful for pushing the melting wax around.  I used the gold and silver colorants on the cooled impressed wax designs.  They help to highlight the details which often are hard to see.  Both the tools and colorants were purchased in Japan but perhaps you can find them online or HM Ben Franklin will carry them in the future.  I hope this post has helped to update you on the new things happening in an old fashioned craft medium. Rather than melting the wax on my crafts, I plan to glue my finished wax seals on envelopes and cards as decorations. I think they add a special personal touch which lets the recipient know that they are 'special' to me. YOU are special to me too!