Keeping it Simple!

This Valentine card

is the simple and quick(er) version of…

THIS Valentine card at TipJunkie.

To me, the original version has more pizzazz visually, but I had to work with the demands of my four-year-old! While I loved this card at first sight, after reading the tutorial, I wasn't so in love with actually doing the work. There is a beautiful printable if you want to use the Tip Junkie card, but it is not customizable and requires quite a bit of work. My version requires access to a Silhouette cutting machine which I know disappoints a bunch of you, but I can only do so much! So…this is for all of you serious procrastinators – or maybe for next year!

 Materials:
cardstock
glue
double-sided tape
“Smarties” candies
silhouette file (Includes graphic, pants, pants with tabs) HERE
(I think this link to a file will work – if you have Silhouette software installed on your computer. There is no preview available, so download it and then open from your Silhouette. Let me know if it works for you!)


Instructions:
1 - Print and cut your pants and pants with tabs on cardstock.

Print and cut the graphics part of the card changing fonts and colors as desired. I cut mine out of cardstock, but paper would be fine, too, since it will be backed in cardstock.

Cut cardstock for the background.
 


2 – Glue the pants to the graphics page so it looks like the hearts are holding the pants up like clothespins.

3 – Glue the graphics page to the cardstock background.


4 – Fold/unfold the tabs on the pants section with tabs to make them flexible.Use a small piece of double-sided tape on each tab being careful to only put tape on lower section of tab. Stick the pants with tabs to the pants on the card at the feet.



5 – Fold the tabbed pants over and continue sticking each tab under and onto the pants on the card. I found that it helped to stick something inside of the pants box to help push the tape down. I used a bone folder, but you can use anything that won’t stick to your tape.



6 – Your pants box should look like this:



7 – Put 2 “Smarties” in each pants box, sign the cards and you are good to go!

Happy Valentine’s Day all of you “Smarties” out there!

Count Your Blessings

I am so grateful for the blessings I enjoy in my life. I love this time of year because we have a definite reason to pause and think about the things we are grateful for—and there are lots! I made these for my children’s teachers to let them know how grateful we are for them.

The best part is that these go together pretty quickly. I actually had all of the materials on hand except orange paint. Since I had to look all over for the hooks last time I made this, I have seen them lots of places including my local grocery store. Said store also carries ribbon, jute, spray paint (better selection than certain home improvement stores) and staples for my staple gun. One stop shopping—especially if you need to run in for a forgotten food item. If you still need a quick hostess gift (or craft project for yourself!) this is a good one.

I made this the same way I made the St. Patrick’s Day gifts the past year. Go HERE to find the instructions and links. I only lightly sanded the edges and face of the large board to bring out the orange color. It is gorgeous although a little hard to see the orange in my pictures.

Happy Thanksgiving!

Featured Guest: Jaz from Flowers and Chocos

I'm thrilled to have Jaz as a guest on my blog! When she contacted me about guest posting, she had 3 ideas for me to choose from for her guest post--wow! (I wish I was prepared like that!) I got to pick so I picked these beautiful tissue paper flowers. I've seen these around, but have never made any and was so excited to see how easy these are--I'm always a fan of quick and easy! Here's Jaz from Flowers and Chocos:

Tissue Paper Hibiscus Flowers

Flowers made of tissue have several uses. You can use this as an affordable party décor which is a great substitute to streamers or an ideal add-on to banners. They are extremely versatile since they are great for bridal and baby showers, fiestas, tea parties, children's parties and so on. Let your imagination flow, utilize one tissue paper shade or use many to give your flowers a multi-color look.

You can also easily make these flowers large or small depending on the tissue paper’s size. Moreover, you can make them fuller and ultimately provide the look of having extra petals just by adding more tissue paper layers. Be careful not to go overboard, though, or the thickness will make it difficult to open the center of the flower.

Now that you know the basics of making a tissue flower, here are some affordable and fast techniques on how to make tissue hibiscus flowers.

Materials:

• scissors
• twist tie or a flower wire
• 8 sheets of tissue paper
• 2 brown pipe cleaners

Procedures:

• Stack Layers – unfold the tissue layers and stack eight layers of similar shades together.

• Pleat – Pleat and fold the stack of layer tissues together from one side to another side in a shape like fan design. You can use your hand or fingernail to crease the edge to help the crease to stay in as you pleat.

• Secure – Wrap a twist tie around the center. Insert the ends into the twisted section so they are not noticeable.

• Cut – Use sharp scissors and cut the end corners off by cutting through all  layers. If it is really thick, you can cut a few layers at a time. Just try to make the end appear rounded and nice.

• Open up the flower petals – after you have finished cutting the sides, open the flower petals up. Open out each layer gently so that the individual tissue paper layers look like the flower petals.

• Simple flower tissue – Now, you have a finished flower tissue. You can use this finished product to embellish party tables or as a chair decoration or just hang them in the clouds over the party table using clear fishing line. Read on to make a large hibiscus flower 

• Stamen – Get two brown pipe cleaners. Just twist the bottom jointly and twist the top of every pipe’s end cleaner making them look as stamens.

• Join stamen – Bend the 2 pipe cleaners in a parallel line and put the middle of the flower tissue in the middle. Circle the pipe cleaners in the center of the flower and bend jointly securing the flower in position. Now the flower is sandwiched between the bottom and top of the stamen. Place the stamen so it is stretches out from the middle of the flower.

• Your Yellow Hibiscus Flower Tissue is done. Fluff the flower layers to look beautiful and full.

Jaw Dropping and Heart Stopping…

I found a gorgeous craft area on Pinterest—I find a lot of gorgeous craft areas and other stuff on Pinterest. But this little one got me. I had to remember to close my mouth after my jaw dropped. It is so simple--pretty and bright and organized!

I wanted to know more so I sought out the original source (Etsy: The Storque) and found a wonderful article. This time, my heart almost stopped because I recognized myself so clearly in the author’s words. The article is short and worth the read.

I have felt guilty for a lot of things lately…not getting things done, having too many things to do, wanting to do everything myself, overwhelmed and crashing, and on and on. This article is not just for DIY-ing, it is a good philosophy for my life.

I know I have posted very little lately. I have been caught between wanting to do more and watching my audience grow and then wondering why it all matters. There are a ton of wonderful blogs, sites, and pin boards out there. My little blog is not the prettiest, craftiest, expert-est, or any other “est” around. But, it is my place to share. I guess I need to provide a disclaimer, though. I can’t let my blog or craft projects take over my whole life. I need time to live my real life and enjoy it while I am at it.

I will still post projects and tutorials from time to time, but I can’t promise when or with what frequency. I hope you will still follow along—who doesn’t like an audience? But, at least you know what’s going on. Thank you so much for the kind emails wondering what happened to me. I’m here, I’m fine, and I am really living my life--thanks! 

Please tell me I am not the only who feels this way. And, don’t forget to read that article. It is a good reality check for anyone who likes to craft!