Category: Crafting

Around the House · Crafting

One Thing Leads To Another

JanetLeave a comment

Last night I managed to watch a bit of Gina K Design’s June Release show and saw some lovely cards produced with new products. It turns out that one of those products inspired Cathy Zielsky to create a new tool for her craft room, but to share it and her idea for a new card. Check out Cathy’s card:

I have to admit that when I first saw the stamp set Cathy used, I really liked it. I might add it to my Do I Really Want This List. Watching her create her lovely card with it…

Inspiration comes to us in many forms and in many ways. It is that spark (large or small) that gets us to pondering. What if I used this color rather than that? What if I changed this ingredient for that one? What if…

Cathy has said she will link to Gina K’s video from her video, so check that out, but grab a cuppa and settle in for an hour with Cathy as she goes through the process of making her card.

Enjoy!

Crafting

The Idea Book 2.0

JanetLeave a comment

I never come away from a Maymay Made It video that I haven’t learned something, been reminded of something or found inspiration. One of her recent videos checked all the boxes.

Every step of the way I found options for improving my Idea Book for Paper Crafting. I tend to make use of a lot of .pdf instruction sheets but often those rely on the user (me) scanning a QR code to return to the video for more information. Creating paper templates gives me the information I need without relying on the Internet. Perfect for those times when I don’t have access or would rather not.

The supplies needed to create this book are easy to get, too. A trip to your local office supply store should provide everything you need. You could also get dividers that fit the book, too.

I really like the instructions for creating a place to put a label on the end of the book. Easy, flexible, useful.

One thing to think about is creating templates of those .pdf card instructions and tucking all into a sleeve in the book.

How will you create and use your book?

Card Making

In The Craft Room: Design Tips

JanetLeave a comment

I don’t know about you but I find learning tips and tricks make my card making better. Recently Cathy Zielsky posted a video of her Top Five Design Tips. Check it out:

I love her use of color and how she chooses her layouts. Her cards are never cluttered or over done. When you get down to it, her cards are easy for beginners who might feel overwhelmed with the process of design.

Speaking of design, everyone has their own ideas and preferences. I’ve seen some spectacular cards that took a while to create and some that were very simple. It really comes down to finding a style (or 2) that you are comfortable with.

Happy Crafting!

Card Making

Card Making How To…

JanetLeave a comment

Over at Klompen Stampers, Jackie Bolhuis and her daughter Jess have created a series of How To videos that are excellent if you are interested in learning how to, or improving, card making techniques.

Want to learn about ink, paper, stamps, and how to use them? Looking for ideas to make simple but beautiful cards? Curious about stencils (aka: masks) and/or heat embossing? Jackie & Jess have the information you are looking for.

I love the way they have developed these quick and easy classes! Don’t overlook Jackie’s Creativity Made Simple classes, too!

Check out her YouTube channel HERE.

Crafting · Sewing

The Art of the Pillowcase

JanetLeave a comment

Many years ago my mother made a floor pillow for me that was part of my Christmas Haul. I still have it, even thought it is a far cry from its original state.

Pillows and pillow cases are wonderful things. They provide comfort and pleasure and can be made in any style that the user prefers. Recently Misty over at the Missouri Star Quilt Company did a tutorial on making pillow cases and I thought it might be a good idea to share.

I have a couple of odd sized bed pillows that store bought cases just don’t fit. Needless to say, I’m going to check this out!

Have some fun and make some for yourself and your besties! Or even your beasties!

Books · Crafting · Food

Food For Thought: Do I Really Need this?

JanetLeave a comment

It’s that time of year! That time when the <cough> Big Sales come along with all sorts of great prices and options. That time when gift giving might (or might not) be a part of your Winter Holiday planning. That time when you find yourself dreaming about all sorts of goodies you might want to add to your Wish List.

Okay, sure, for many folks this describes pretty much every day of the year.

Personally, I find myself browsing a lot of Pinterest boards, vlogs, and ads that come my way and thinking ‘ Oooooh, that looks like fun!’ My Amazon view history can often be overwhelming at times.

Granted, some of those items are ones I’ve searched for myself. I occasionally get a wild idea that I might ‘want’ or ‘need’ to find [ fill in blank ] and am looking to see what might be available and fit the criteria I need. Thanks to view history, I can return to that search many times.

The thing is, more often than not I discover that I really am not all that interested in whatever that item is and the ‘need’ isn’t as pronounced now than it was at the time I started looking. Hmmm

I love to window shop (thanks, Mom!) because it often has a powerful effect on my wallet (as in: I don’t spend a penny) and I get the opportunity to really think about what I have found.

Once I have devoted some time for the research, I give myself time to decide if at the end of a few days I still really want the item. I ask myself some questions before I jump to buy.

My core questions

  • Do I really need it?
  • Is the price justifiable?
  • Do I have room for it?
  • Do I already have something that I can use instead?
  • Will I really use it?

Luckily, I have limited space in my home. Yeah, I know most folks would not think that a good thing. In my case I am limited by what I can add to my home without removing something else.

What I have discovered is that most of those potential purchases have been replaced by better options or dropped because I really didn’t find a true need for them after all.

As we slide into Holiday Season, when I am asked what I would like as a gift, I have a better idea of what to answer. Hint: Often it is not something I would use like a pair of socks. 😀

Now all of this is not to say I don’t make quick purchases when I find something that just tickles my fancy. I do. I just might not do it nearly as often as I once might have.

Best of all, there is the Thrill of the Hunt. Because there’s not much more enjoyable than finding just the right whatsit. Right?

Crafting · Sewing

Thrifty Sewing and the Unpaper Towel

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Thanks to a rather odd algorithm, a few weeks ago I tripped over a YouTube channel that is totally not my usual go to but it caught my attention and I found myself returning and eventually subscribing.

The channel is Dee & Dory Design Dreamers and is hosted by two sisters, Dee and Dory, who have been sharing their love of thrifting and sewing for several years. The ladies seek out fabrics, notions and patterns in thrift shops and garage sales, bring them home and make lovely garments with them.

I am not a garment sewist but I have to admit I am captivated, dare I say it intrigued, watching them create their wardrobes? I enjoy the humor they bring to their videos, too.

I especially appreciate their reminding viewers that home sewing does not need to be expensive, that it is possible to find the patterns and fabrics at lower cost.

As for the unpaper towel, this came from one of their earliest videos and I have to say I love the idea. Check it out below:

What a great idea!

While the idea of the Unpaper Towel being a great starting point for new sewists, I think it is equally important to encourage folks who want to learn to sew but hesitate due to cost of materials that they can start in without spending a huge amount of money.

I am still working my way through Dee & Dory’s video catalog. From what I have seen there are lots of thrifting, lots of sewing and lots of trips. Glad I clicked that subscribe button!

Enjoy!

FOLLOW UP

I have managed to watch quite a few of the earlier videos in addition to keeping up with the weekly Sunday videos where they show a lot of their makes. I was interested to see how they have adjusted where they shop for things. In addition to their thrifting, they use Fabric Mart a lot. You might want to check them out HERE.

Overall, I rather enjoy their channel. There is a lot of inspiration there.

Crafting · Craftroom

Heading To My Craftroom

JanetLeave a comment

Looking for Inspiration

Don’t look now, but it is Christmas In July time again. Yeah, I am not ready, either.

We have less than six months to prepare for the December Holidays. For some that is too much time, for others not nearly enough. Me? I’m trying to make up my mind for my holiday card design.

Speaking of which, Sassy’s LLC has just released her first Christmas In July Emergency Card Kit. I have recently discovered this YouTuber and won’t lie, she is quite interesting. Check her out HERE.

Call me Crafty Al has been doing a lot of videos with ideas using a wide variety of brands and designs. Check out her channel HERE.

Cathy Zielske has been doing some beautiful work using stencils. This could lead to some interesting holiday cards. Check out her channel HERE.

Miss Jenny and the gang over at Missouri Star Quilt Company have been hinting at some seriously amazing Christmas projects. I’ve been impressed, not to mention inspired, by several of their latest shows. Check them out HERE.

And let’s not forget Maymay Made It. I expect we will be treated to an entire Christmas In July with new stamp sets, tips and tricks, and card and projects designs. Check them out HERE.

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