Christmas Craft Challenge 2011 - Day 5

The original star was the home-made item I made as part of the Secret Santa Swap for Crafting Passionz. I loved it so much that I decided to make myself one as well. I filled inside star completely so that it would match the felt heart I made a couple of years ago. I'm still contemplating whether or not I add some dangly bits like on the heart so it looks like a shooting star. These were really easy and great to take to work to hand stitch the running stitch around the edges as well as sewing on the sequins during my lunch break.
Original - Blue Star with Black Sequins

I love the way these oil-slick black sequins catch the light. Fiona (who I sent the Secret Santa Swap gift to) has boys - hence the blue star.

Second Star - Silver and Pink for our Christmas Tree.

Christmas Craft Challenge 2011 - Day 4

Crafting Passionz Swap - Christmas Tags
One of the things you just can't do without at Christmas time is wrapping paper, well you can if you get creative... just ask my family. You name it they have probably used it. The other thing (not counting sellotape) is a Present Tag. However yet again my family frequently ignore this unwritten rule.
They occasionally use tags - usually ones I have made or bought (in the past) and beg, steal or borrow them to use themselves. They also use a big black vivid permanent market and write directly on the parcel. And sin of all sins... they do nothing and hope they can remember on Christmas Day who the parcel belongs to. {Shakes head and walks away in shame}
Last year I made tags for the Christmas Presents. My first foray into this as a craft item received a mixed reception from me. Some I liked, some I hated. Still I loved the idea of something hand made even if the rest of the wrapping paper wasn't, nor was the present; and even though most of my family threw the tags away with the wrapping paper without even a second look... leaving me distraught and devastated {insert sad melancholy music interspersed with quiet sobbing}, I have decided to once again make the tags.
I still thought it was a nice touch and will do the same this year.
So anyway... we had a Tag Swap... so I got some early practice in and here is the final result. Still thinking about what to do for the family present tags.

Very simple tag - though again trying out some interesting techniques.

1. Cut cardstock to size for base of tag. I did this first as the tag had a set finished size per the sign-up instructions. Also I used this colour cardstock as I had a bunch of it left over... waste not, want not. Rounded corners with corner punch.
2. Cut Bazzill Cardstock - White to size. Rounded top corners with corner punch then used Fiskars Border punch to create bottom edge.
3. I distress inked the edges of the white card only as it looked too clean and I needed to soften the palette so it coordinated better with both the cardstock and the patterned paper. With either it looked great, but with both it looked wrong. I used Tim Holtz Distress Ink - Vintage Photo and; my Tim Holtz Adirondack Alcohol Ink Applicator
4. Cut patterned paper to size and rounded corners (From DCWV Mrs Claus Kitchen Stack) - based on the size of the stamp I used. It wasn't exactly the colour I wanted to match the cardstock, it was more traditional red that the burgundy of the cardstock so I heavily spritzed it with Tattered Angels Glimmer Mist - Pomegranite. The end result was perfect!!
5. Stamped Christmas Tree using Embossing ink, sprinkled with Stamp Effects Thick UTEE gold embossing powder, cleaned off excess and then heat embossed with my trusty heat gun. (Yes it has really be getting a "proper" work out of late and not just being used because I am so impatient).
6. Stamped Merry Christmas sentiment using Tsukineko Versa Colour Boysenberry ink.
7. Layered everything together then punches holes for ribbon using Crop-O-Dile.
8. Cut ribbon to length, threaded tags and tied knots.

Christmas Craft Challenge 2011 - Day 3

As if I wasn't already busy enough, I once again joined in some swaps through Crafting Passionz a networking group for New Zealand & Australian scrapbookers & crafters. Not one, but three swaps. So here is the first of these.


Crafting Passionz Swap - Christmas Cards
We each had to create two Christmas Cards to swap with the other participants.

I wrapped some cardstock in tinfoil then embossed it using my Cuttlebug machine and a Christmas Subway themed die. I then dabbed Adirondack Alcohol Inks over the embossing to add some colour. I mounted this on a coordinating cardstock and then directly onto the card itself.

I love the second set of cards for a number of reasons. The colour most definitely - I am a bright, clear colour kind of gal rather than a muted, pastel type of person. I love the Christmas Bauble on the front - they turned out better than I hoped for and more importantly... I love that it can be removed from the card and the ornament used each year as a Christmas decoration either on your tree or hung in the window to catch the light. 

1. I used these Christmas Bauble die-cuts from Dusty Attic which you can get from my Scrap FX online shop. 
2. I painted them with the Creative Imaginations Radiant Rain Paint Dauber in Gold and then Red 
3. Then some heavy spritzing with Tattered Angels Glimmer Mist in Gold. 
4. After waiting for the paint to dry... OK I used my heat gun to speed up the process... 
5. I then affixed behind each bauble a small sheet of Angelina Heat Bondable Film using Helmar Tiger Grip Glue.I let this dry at least 30 minutes before trimming around the bauble as close as possible (about 1-2mm edge). Note - I used four different colours, one behind each bauble so they are unique.
6. I then used my trusty heat gun again to shrink the Angelina Film. It shrinks as it is heated which in turn creates a myriad of amazing colours and colour swirls somewhat akin to the Aurora Borealis lights.
7. I mounted some patterned & glittered paper onto some cardstock and then the card base.
8. Punch holes in the top of the card using my Crop-O-Dile to feed the ribbon through.
9. Finally attached the bauble using a bow (so it can easily be removed)

Here is a close up of each bauble before it was attached to the card.

Watch this space for another Christmas Craft project using the Angelina Film.

I will be running some classes in the new year on using the Angelina Film with some really cute Dusty Attic chipboard die-cuts, so if you are keen to find out more, please let me know and I can send you some details about the classes.

Christmas Craft Challenge 2011 - Day 2

As mentioned in my first Christmas Craft Challenge 2011 blog this year I have done some pre-planning. I started this way back on September 25, in the middle of the Rugby World Cup which was held here in New Zealand. I recall having an epiphany that it was exactly three months until Christmas Day, so I had better start to think about our plans. This was especially true given that the family lunch was to be held at our house, Rosehill Manor, this year. This was followed by the sudden realisation that I was losing time, because we were far too far through the year for what I thought we should be.

I set about sending all the family their invites to Christmas dinner. I decided that I wanted to get everyone into the spirit of Christmas for the day so that it would all be about fun, family and having a good time. I also decided I wanted a theme for the day.

The theme was really easy for me. What else epitomises Christmas but Santa? I should warn you then, that many of my Christmas craft creations this year will most likely be Santa related for that reason.

Keeping this in mind I set about drafting the invitations for the big day. I wrote a poem (well reworded one) to fit my needs, typed it up, made it look pretty, printed it out and then wrote a plain English version for those non-poetry aficionado in the family. I then search high and low and every corner of the internet for a really cute and really cool (and FREE) picture of a Summer Santa for the Southern Hemisphere... you have no idea how hard that was!!!!

I eventually found one which was the picture of a Santa at the Beach Statue for sale... I would like to buy the statue when I am a little more financial because the Santa just looks so much like my Dad.

So here it is...

Front Cover

Inside Poem

Back Page (English version lol)

I also want to send out a link to my lovely friend Gypsy and her blog. Gypsy is joining in and sharing her Christmas Crafts. She has always been an inspiration for me in so many ways not only as an amazing crafter but the coolest mother for four fantastic kids and an incredible teacher. Be sure to check out her Christmas Crafts as well.

Christmas Craft Challenge 2011 - Day 1

It's here, it's here!! No Christmas Day has not magically appeared to move time and be NOW!!! (Thank goodness) But it is Day 1 of my third annual (hello what else can it be) Christmas Craft Challenge.
This year I have done a LOT MORE pre-planning so I'm confident the wheels will not fall off like last year. I'm also hoping to pre-write some blogs and then schedule them but that is going to happen behind the scenes so you won't even know I'm doing it... maybe I shouldn't have told you then... hmm oh well. 
I can't help it. I'm finally starting to feel a bit more enthusiastic about Christmas. My darling hubbie and were saying only a couple of weeks ago that we really didn't feel like we had the Christmas Spirit at the moment and hadn't really felt "in the mood" for Christmas for a couple of years, but hopefully that is starting to dissipate as we rediscover what Christmas is all about for us as a family.
I think part of it is that Christmas time for us has been tainted by some bad memories with family illnesses. Last year was our children's maternal grandfather, a few year's before that my father-in-law. And whilst we try to keep positive and enthusiastic, at times that is easier said than done. For now though, enough reflection on what has been for it is time to start the Christmas Countdown... or should that be Count-Up.


So what is this Christmas Craft Challenge thingey all about.
It start three years ago in 2009 when I issued myself the challenge of making and blogging about one Christmas related craft item(s) every day from 1st December through to 24th December. It was partly because I wanted some more Christmas decorations for my tree and house, but was also because I needed something to motivate me to get crafty. I'm a procrastinator... there I said it. I have been one as long as I can remember and though I am trying to get myself out of what is for the most part a 'bad' habit I think it will always be a part of who I am. I know that I work best and can usually pull all stops, get it done, produce the goods and beat the odds when I am under pressure. So having such a demanding schedule as having to craft things in as many days (as well as working full-time, being a mum, nana, wife, hosting Christmas, running a business and sleeping somewhere in amongst all that) suits me to a "T".
I digress... so over the next 24 (possibly 25 days) I will be sharing with you my Christmas Craft Creations. Sometimes the definition of "Craft Creations" and even "Christmas" maybe a little stretched, a little broad but when it comes down to it, it's my blog and I can do what I like :-)
I really do hope that you will join me for the next 24 days and longer. Be sure to stop by daily. If you are joining in the Christmas Craft Challenge, doing your own Craft thing or your own version of some of these creations... please let me know and I will post a link to your blog. I would love to see what you are creating and I'm sure there are hundreds of other people who would love to see them as well.


Day 1 - Advent Calendar
Until I started the Craft Challenge we never really had an advent calendar other than a pre-made, chocolate billed, latest cartoon character inspired version. My first year I made an advent calendar which I still totally love so I'm sharing it with you here again.
I pulled it out again last night. I need to fill it with lollies today so we can start to count up to Christmas. We replaced the TV this year to a slim-line one, so we need to find a new home to display it but it will be proudly displayed somewhere in the lounge.
I think the snow on the roof will be in for a bit of an overhaul after Christmas as its starting to look a little tatty (or should that be melty) so some more photos of that once it's done.
Here it is... the first Advent Calendar:

This year I have made another advent calendar, this one is just for me. 
I wanted to do something that didn't revolve around food for a change and I have seen some amazing advent calendars which had fun tasks to do each day or inspirational quotes so this sounded like a great starting point.

1. I started with some DLE envelopes which I have sealed closed. You can use new envelopes like I did (the self-stick was becoming a little dodgy) or recycle old envelopes. 
2. Cut the envelope in half (short half not long half) to give two almost squares (not two long rectangles).
3. Decorate both sides of envelope with a square of patterned Christmas paper. I cut my square 10cm x 10cm so I could get 9 out of each sheet of patterned paper. I used 6 sheets of different but coordinated patterned paper from the DCVW Mrs Claus Kitchen Stack. I choose papers that all had an underlying light gingerbread (beige) colour scheme. I inked each square with Tim Holtz Distress ink - Walnut Ink.
4. Numbered the envelopes 1 - 24 after sorting them so that there was some variety, (then resorting them several times because I'm a perfectionist). I used three colours of numbers and alternated them - green, gold & red - all were $2 shop letter packs I picked up cheap.
5. Printed inserts, sliced using my Tonic Studios Cutter and slipped them into the envelopes.
6. Placed all the envelopes in naked remote control holder I picked up a while ago from Countdown. I will decorate it at some stage, still just contemplating how.

Now here is the little twist. Instead of fun tasks or inspirational quotes I decided to create a place where I can write something about each day.

• What about today appealed to me? 
• Inspired me? 
• Stood out about today?
• Made today magical?
• Made today memorable?
• Reminded me about the Christmas Spirit?
• Made me stop and think or smell the roses?
• What about today was different or amazing or momentous or made my heart sing or my eyes twinkle or my face flush with anticipation?
• What made today special?

Once I have completed every day's thought for the day and the hectic events of Christmas are over, I will then be able to turn each day's thoughts into a mini album... and a new Christmas Tradition for me each year.

Now doesn't that sound so much better than chocolates???

Countdown to the Countdown

Today it is only a week until the 1st of December and all I can say is where has the year gone? It feels like it should still mid-May or June at the latest and certainly not almost on the back-straight towards the finish-line of the year. (I'm a car girl hence the motor-racing metaphor.)
I still have two more birthday's I haven't thought about before Christmas and one the day after not to mention all the family turning up on Christmas Day for dinner at Rosehill Manor (aka our house).
I have at least purchased a few Christmas Presents, (no birthday ones!) and more to the point I have made quite a start on the crafts for my Christmas Craft Challenge. I have been so tempted to give a few hints and glimpses of what is to come, but I don't want to ruin the surprise so sorry, but you will just have to wait. Good thing it is only for another week!! 
Be sure to come back and visit from the 1st December through to 24th December to see this year's instalments of my Christmas Craft Challenge. And fingers and toes crossed, hopefully even a "How it all turned out on the day" post on the 25th... if I haven't fallen asleep after all that yummy food I know I will be eating Christmas Day.

TradeMe Bargain

For some time now I have been looking for furniture for my craft studio aka the Dungeon (yes it comes complete with spider webs). I don't care if the furniture looks pretty or not, or whether or not it all matches just as long as its functional.  
As money is pretty tight (damn this recession, hurry up and be over) I really haven't been looking at that seriously for furniture though I have managed to pick up some bargains over the past couple of months.
First there were the lovely soft padded chairs and my wheelie chair that I picked up from the place I am working at the moment. Nothing is worse than sitting for hours intent on creating and scrapbooking only to try to move and your butt has gone to sleep cos the seat is too hard.
I got the chairs for $10.00 each... a real bargain as far as I was concerned but the bargain I picked up today beats them hands down. My apologies if I sound like I'm gloating but I'm just so stoked with my purchase.
I was on TradeMe when I spotted a listing for a magazine rack thingey. No one had bid on it and it was listed at $1.00, no reserve so I put on my watch list. I thought it was smaller than what I wanted, but that it would still do the trick - what I wanted was somewhere to store and display packs of paper and the like (cork sheets, double sided adhesive sheets etc). 
So the auction ran its course but no one bid, so it was offered to me at $1.00. I accepted only to be offered a second matching magazine thingey also for a $1.00 so I said yes to that one as well.
This afternoon I picked up the 2 magazine racks and the tri-fold screen I also won. Let's just say they were much bigger than I expected and only just fit in the back of the van with the seats folded up... thank goodness for people movers.
Anyway here they are... not in their final position, I need to rearrange the studio again, but they are at least at their new home.

 Yep... so considerably bigger than expected...

 Loving the drawers at the bottom for extra storage.

And my very cool screen which I have some interesting thoughts on what to do with this. Watch this space!!