Lighted Easter Basket

I saw these Easter Egg Lights at Walgreens a couple of weeks ago and I thought they would look really cute hanging around the house somewhere.  They also had some really cute Easter baskets.  An idea struck me!  What would it look like if I put the lights in the basket with some Easter grass?  So I put one together and it looks so cute!  These would be great on the entry table, hall table, or as a centerpiece-if you had access to a plug in and could hide the cord.

(Caution:  These should not be left unattended just like they were candle.  I've let mine stay plugged in for hours with no problems, but caution should be said.  Don't leave the house without unplugging!)

I think these could also be created using plastic eggs and a light set.  Create a small hole in the end, big enough to insert light, then using clear tape, tape down wire to keep the light from coming back out the hole.

Arrange as desired.  First put some Easter grass into basket, then put the lights in.  Add more grass, covering up the cords as you go,  tucking and rearranging as works for the lights.  Plug them in, stand back and admire your new display.

When you want to use this as an actual Easter basket, simply remove the grass and lights, fill with new grass and treats and enjoy!

What I used:

1 string of lights
1 Easter basket
1-2 Bags of grass

All for a cost of about $12.00 with the lights being on sale!

 

Here it is in the daylight, isn't this basket cute!  And only $5.00!

 

A close-up

 

I like how it glows!

 

 

So, what do you think?

Magnetic Jewelry Holder

I made this for my sister as her birthday was last week.  Well I just finished it.  I've had all of these great ideas swimming around in my head lately, inspired by all of the different projects I've seen on the web and on other blogs.  I finally came up with this project and I have to say I really like it.  So much so that I don't want to give it away, even though it does not match my decor.  But I will.  So here is what I used:

8" X 8" Shadow Box
8" X 8" Roof Flashing
Scrapbook Paper
Modge Podge (Matte Finish)
Gorilla Super Glue
Metallic (push-pin type) Magnets
Buttons (from my stash)
Sandpaper

Here's how I did it:

I removed the glass from the frame by first removing the inserts from the just behind the glass.  They are attached to the frame with sticky adhesive, so this part was not very difficult.  Then I reinserted the inserts so that everything would stay to the back of the frame when complete.  I then took my scrapbook paper and cut it down to 8" X 8".  I cleaned the flashing with rubbing alcohol to remove any grease or residue that may have been on the surface.  Following the manufacturers instructions I applied a thin coat of Modge Podge to the flashing.  I laid the paper on top and applied a thin coat on top of the paper.  I let it dry and applied 2-3 more coats, drying in between each one.  After it was all dry, I inserted the modged podged flashing into the frame and then put the back of the frame on.  To make the magnets I sanded the tops of them evenly so that the glue would have something to hold on to.  I also sanded down the bottom part of the buttons.  After cleaning the dust off, I glued the button to the magnetic push pin with Gorilla super glue.  These seem very strong once they dried over-night.  So here is the finished project.  I hope my sister likes it!

As always, just click on the photo to enlarge it.

 

 

These buttons are perfect since she likes Parisian decor!

 

Close up of the magnets

 

 

I wish I had two of these buttons!  This would have made a fun BLING ring!

 

Another close-up

This would also make a great memo board!

I had wanted to use something that would hold rings, but I never found anything that would work like I had it in my head.  A place to hold earrings would have been great also.  Maybe a wire strung across the top would work for earrings.  So that's all for now.  Happy crafting and Enjoy!

P.S.

Most of my supplies came from Walmart.  The roof flashing came from Home Depot.  Different designer paper can be added to change the look as needed.  I decided to Modge Podge just so the paper would last wear and tear and so it had at least one permanent feature.

Tissue Paper Flowers

A friend called me up recently to ask to borrow my scallop circle punch.  She was surprised to find out that I only own one scallop circle punch.  I do have lots of tools and supplies but only one size of this punch.  She was making tissue paper flowers with a Dum Dum lollipop as the center.  I only have the 2" size and I love it and it has served me well, but I didn't think it would be big enough.  I couldn't immediately find it since I often use my tools and then don't put them back where they go.  (Actually I'm still in the process of organizing my work space and so many items still don't have a permanent home.)  I began doing a search on the internet to try to find the project she was wanting to do.  As I sat there thinking about the project I remembered that I own a couple of Nestabilites stacking dies.  I got them out along with my Cuttlebug  and got to work.  When I see or hear of a neat idea, I like to try it out for myself.  I had some cheap, white tissue paper that I've had for awhile from Walmart.  It's square in shape so instead of cutting it down to size I simply folded it up til I got close to the size I wanted.  I then ran that through the Cuttlebug.  I used the largest size scallop circle in the package.  I then used one of my small hand punches to punch holes in the center of the circle. (1/16" works, but the 1/8" worked the best.)  I didn't have any lollipops readily available, so I used a pipe cleaner, cut off of another project I had in the room.  For the center I used a bell that fell off of a pair of Christmas socks.  (They were fun, but drove my cats nuts wondering were the cat toy was, but not ever seeing it, (they LOVE the fishing pole toys with metallic paper and a bell.))    I then added the tissue paper one layer at a time, scrunching it together round the bell before adding the next layer.  After all of the layers were on, I then slowly opened each layer up, sometimes folding it backwards so that I could reach all of the layers.  I then flipped it back on itself so that it looked like a flower.  It turned out great!  Looks a lot like a carnation, but the peony it one of my favorite flowers so that's what I'm calling them.  After making that one, I tried to make them smaller and by using some lollipops I found in the house.  I liked the big ones better.  I had to try it in other colors so I went to the store and bought different colors.  Those are really fun, color adds a whole new level of beauty.  As soon as I get pics I'll post.  I'd also like to post a tutorial, but 'll have to wait til my friend returns my machine.

For the flowers pictured above, all I did was take a pipe cleaner, add a clear pony bead to the end, and wrapped about two inches around itself.  I then punched a hole into the center of the circles and added them one at a time to the pipe cleaner scrunching each one.  I then carefully peeled back each layer until they were all unscrunched and put back into place creating the flower.  I then added another clear pony bead to keep them in place.  I then found some green straws and slipped the straw over the pipe cleaner which then gave them much needed stability.  I may try to wrap the stems with floral tape and see what that does.

Breast Cancer Awareness Month Bookmark

In honor of Breast Cancer Awareness month here is a bookmark I made and gave to my MIL whom has survived Breast Cancer for about 6 years now. 

Close Up

Here is how to make it:

12 inches of ribbon (to fit double in a book or the length of your book,  plus 3 inches.

1-Head pin

1-Eye pin

Split rings or jump rings

Beads and charms of your choice

Strong fabric glue or glue gun or glue of choice

Pull ribbon through jump rings, (I used 8-10mm jump rings).  Fold ribbon over about 1/4" inch to hide raw edges then fold over again and glue in place (about 1" or 1 1/2") whatever looks and feels right.  Add beads and charm to head pins and eye pins in desired pattern.  Form a loop at the top of the head or eye pin.  Add to jump ring on ribbon.  Repeat on other end of ribbon.  Done!

Feel free to ask any questions if anything is not clear.  Enjoy!

Framed Sentiments

A friend and I got together to make up some framed sentiment projects to see what we could come up with for a women's get together.  This is what we came up with.  The stamp set is Close to My heart and  came with 3 different  flower designs.   I tried to stamp out and color a daisy image, but the markers we were using made it look to color bookish, so I ended up making the calla lilies like my friend did.  I used a different ink, marker and phrase than she did.  I always have to be different !  Here it is!

Mine is the one on the right.  I liked the paper so much, that I didn't want to cover too much of it up when I put a coordinating paper behind the stamped image, so I trimmed it really close, maybe a little too much when you compare it to my friend's, but by itself, I like it.  I like how the calla lilies are softer on the frame to the left, but using the darker ink like I used makes them pop more too.  They both work.  These frames are 4" x 6".

Click on images to enlarge them. 

My husband gave me this stamp set for my birthday, so I made him this stamped sentiment for his birthday.  the sentiment is a quote from Helen Keller, so wise she was.  This frame is 5" X 7"

So I was on a role with these stamped sentiment projects and made this one to let the women know they could use other stamps than the flowers.  I had the paper already in my stash from a paper pack.  I really like how the writing on the background paper coordinates with the scroll cross and sentiment.  The frame is 5" X 7". 

Enjoy!

Baby Congrats for Twins

                                           So this is the card I made on Thursday. After I created this blog, I noticed at the bottom and off to the side was a list of Blogs that I was following. Well to my surprise there was one listed! It was one of my cousin and her new baby twins. So seeing this blog and catching up on how the babies are growing, reminded me that I have not sent her a congrats card yet. My husband had his tonsils out in May (same month they were born) and then things just got busy from there. Living far away from everybody makes it easy to forget. ( Out of site out of mind.) So I've been wanting to do something with these Stampin' Up stamps that I found at a garage sale last year, and have only played with them a little bit. So this is what I came up with today(Thursday). I "auditioned a lot of papers before I hade the right combo and then even as I started to trim and glue it together it still came out differently then I had been thinking. I swear, but sometimes things just make themselves! After I made the card, I also decorated the envelope. I own two sets of Stampin' Up baby themed stamps, and one has a diaper pin that when stamped over the flap on the back of the envelope makes it look like the envelope has been pinned shut, cute!!! I also used an acrylic stamp set from OT to stamp a clothes line on the front of the envelope. Enjoy!!!

Cold and Snowy Day

Last night I made a card before heading to bed and it turned out OK. Here is last's night card. I wanted to try it out before making it with my friend. I also tried putting a couple of necklaces together, really simple ones. All I did was add a pendant to some pre-made chains. One I liked, the other needs some more details to it. I should know better than to start a project when I should be going to bed.

Today I woke up to the weather being cold, windy and with a light dusting of snow. A good day for staying inside and being creative. This afternoon I got together with my friend Christina to put together card kits for an upcoming card workshop. Then we both made a version of that card as samples for the women to have an idea as to what the are making. I forgot to take a picture of the cards though!!! Grrr!! I probably won't see this card again 'til the 7th of November so I'll have to post a pic then. Card making is becoming more and more exciting to me, but every time I find a craft that I want to make and try to sell, I soon talk myself out of it, telling myself that the items are not really good enough to sell, and then I never follow through with doing the research needed to find out if I could sell my stuff. OR I buy enough materials in order to make many many multiples of something, and then never sit down and do them. I'm so easily distracted. So here I sit with faint ideas of making and selling cards, along with the many other Christmas ornaments that I love creating. Anyone else have the same struggles?