Christmas Craft Challenge 2011 - Day 7

This year the budget is tight, but then who's isn't? The recession is hitting everyone hard despite reassurances from government and economic agencies alike that things are on the improve. With this in mind here is one of the cheaper crafts I'm really pleased to share with you this year.
Here in New Zealand, we have a chain of stores called "The Warehouse" also known as the Red Sheds - where everyone gets a bargain. For anyone reading my blog from overseas, I presume (because I've never been to the US though if anyone wants to pay for me to go over I'm ready, willing and able) these are the equivalent of K-Mart or Walmart.
I picked up a felt Christmas Stocking for less than NZ$2.00. I know that if I was to make it myself from scratch, even the material would have cost considerably more than that, let alone my time to make it. The stocking had a printed holly berry & leaf decoration on the fold down top which to be honest just looked a bit "naff" (cheap and tacky).
To give it a hand-made look (and make it look a lot more expensive than it really was) I appliqued on some holly berries and leaves using some felt remnants left over from last year as well as hand stitching the stems and branches to finish it all off.

1. Photocopy stocking top @ 100%, then cut out the accents to be appliqued. I did the holly berries and leaves. Photocopying at 100% gives you exactly the size template you need for the applique pieces.
2. Cut out the felt applique pieces. I cut these all about 1mm wider along all sides so that I could be sure the printed berries and leaves would be hidden.
3. Turn the stocking inside out - this gives easier access for the hand sewing.
4. Sew the stems and pine branch using a running stitch. For a how-to on how to sew a running stitch be sure to check out my previous blog post here.
5. Cross stitch on each holly berry. On the two largest berries I used a modified cross stitch rather than "proper" cross stitches. I felt the stitches would have to be too long so instead I joined each stitch like the spokes on a wheel all meeting through a single centre point. For a tutorial on basic cross stitching... follow this link to my earlier post.
6. Pin on the holly leaf halves. I did them in two colours and hung some off the bottom edge to give some added dimension. Sew these in place using a running stitch like you used for the branch & stem. Throughout the project, try to use coordinated embroidery threads or cottons for a really smart look.
7. Turn the stocking back in the right way and straighten out the turn over cuff to show off all your hard work. Then hang your completed stocking on the mantle piece, door handle or where-ever you think Santa is most likely to find your Christmas Stocking on Christmas Eve.

The whole process took about 2 1/2 hours but I was multi-tasking (reading and sewing) so you could easily get it all completed in an hour or so with less distractions.

Christmas Craft Challenge 2011 - Day 6

Secret Santa Gift Swap


So here is where the definition of "craft related" starts to get a bit broad but I don't mind.
The guidelines were that the gift had to include the follow items:

• Total cost not more than $20.00
• Included a hand-made project
• Trim or ribbon - at least 12 inches
• Embellishments - such as buttons or bling etc
• Flowers - handmade or store bought
• Anything else you like

This is the contents of the parcel that I sent to Fiona.

The hand sewn felt star you saw yesterday and the beaded ornaments are from  here and here. I also sent Fiona one of Christmas bauble cards you can see here.

These are the tickets in front that don't show up so well. These are some Christmas Printable tickets that I downloaded from Miss Cutiepie Inspiration. I printed them out in colour onto Kraft cardstock them trimmed them down using my cutter and scissors. I also like the look of them on her blog, with the distressed edge.


This is what I received from Fiona in return:

 Cute self-adhesive printed canvas tags and labels.

 Die-cut Card Making Pad

 Gorgeous Vintage Button Bling

 Beautiful Lace

Cute Embossed Christmas card.

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???