Valentineâ€™s Day Cards â€“ and More Heart Yo-Yoâ€™s!

February 14, 2008

So you knew this was coming – Valentine’s day cards with heart yo-yo’s on them! I used the smaller heart yo-yo maker, and whipped up two for my cards to Mom and Sis. I used some Strathmore cards (just watercolor paper card blanks) and a smudged on some chalks to create the background. I also dusted on some pearl-ex gold powder to add some shimmer to it. I added some felt lace and photo corners, and then cut a 2 […]

Yo Yo Heart Hair Clips

February 13, 2008

I’m still loving those yo-yo makers from Clover- so much so, that I actually bought the whole set of ’em. (4 circles, 2 hearts, 2 flowers-gasp!) So I was using the smaller heart yo-yo’s to whip up a little v-day goodness for baby girl. These are what I came up with: I’ve made a pair of each style, and can hardly wait to make some with the flower yo-yo set! To read my review of the Clover Heart Yo-Yo Maker, […]

Childrenâ€™s Books with Fiber Arts Illustrations

February 13, 2008

I love to read to my kids. I especially love to read books that have great illustrations. I have two to share with you today. The first is “Tar Beach” by Faith Ringgold. Faith is a painter who began painting and storytelling on quilts. (Yum. How fabulous is that!?!) Her artwork hangs in major museums, and she’s an art professor at U of C in San Diego. But better than her bio is her books. This one features illustrations taken […]

Crafting with Candy Conversation Hearts

February 12, 2008

So, OK, I’m obviously on a kick here. But as I’m surfing around, I’m finding that there are lots of folks who are as obsessed with candy conversation hearts as I am! I ran across a blog: Ramblings of a Crazy Woman, who had two absolutely cute ideas for candy hearts! The first is making bingo game with them! You know, make a grid and put the sayings on the hearts in the squares. Then pull hearts and read them […]

More on Conversation Hearts â€“ Polymer Clay Version

February 12, 2008

… and more on conversation hearts! Crafty Goat has made a version with polymer clay that really do look good enough to eat. What I like about her tutorial is that she gives you “recipes” for the colors, which really do look close to the original. If you are in to mood to make some, check out her site! Wouldn’t these be cute strung on a necklace? Mine would be snarky, you betcha.

Snarky Candy Hearts from Despair.com, Part Two!

February 12, 2008

Oh, how I love it when they make a cool thing even cooler! In this case, the Candy Hearts Generator now has 3 hearts for you to make into a snarky – or sweet – conversation heart saying. Of course, I’m a shameless self-promoter, so I’m going with this: Go send one to your sweetie!

Craft Product Review: Texture Makers by Studio By Sculpey

February 11, 2008

After checking out the new Studio by Sculpey clays, Super Slicing Blades, and 5-in-1 tool, I thought it was time to test drive their version of texture sheets. I bought 2 sets, each with 2 mats in the package. I got the Swirls and Scrolls, as well as the Chantilly Lace and Text. The sheets measure about 5 X 7, and are a thin rubber mat. They are tinted a soft green (there’s that branding again!) and are pliable. The […]

Paper Butterflies

February 10, 2008

Yesterday was a busy day…. it was my dear sweet girl’s third birthday, and she wanted a “Butterfly Party.” I couldn’t find any butterfly decorations at our local stores, so I whipped up a few paper butterflies to hang on our chandelier for her party. Here’s how they turned out: First I cut out a butterfly shape from plain cardstock. Then I took decorative card stock and folded it in half (to get mirror images) and cut out some hearts, […]

Polymer Clay Art Doll Pin Class at Stamplistic

February 10, 2008

We had a small but mighty class yesterday at Stamplistic, and a big “Thank You” to Shelly and Alice who come to play with me! I love facilitating classes…. getting to know different artist/crafters, their approach, and the life stories they bring to the table. Fortunately, Alice and Shelly “got” the project, and brought their creative juices! Here’s what they made: I’m repeating the class on Valentine’s day…so if you want to attend, just click on link above for registration […]

Gung Hay Fa Choi- Happy Lunar New Year!

February 8, 2008

OK, so I’m a day late…. but Lunar New Year holds a place in my heart because my dear, sweet baby girl was born on Lundar New Year 3 years ago… which is also Ash Wednesday. Quite auspicious, no? Anyhoo, one of my new sisters on City-O-Clay tipped me off to this site where you can calculate your Chinese Zodiac. (Don’t believe everything those restaurant placemats tell you!!!) Go find your Zodiac animal, make peace with it, (I’m a dog. […]

Quick Polymer Clay Comparison Using Acrylic Washes

February 7, 2008

I was doing some class samples yesterday, using some of the new Studio By Sculpey clay in Wasabi. I covered this picture frame and lightswitch cover, using the same clay – but I used a white pearl acrylic wash on the frame, and a burnt umber wash on the lightswitch. Some difference, huh? Just goes to show you can stretch your crafting dollar by using some paint to achieve different effects and hues! Oh, and a little PS: ArtyGirlz are […]

Craft Product Review: 5-in-1 Clay Tool by Studio By Sculpey

February 6, 2008

Yesterday I test-drove the new 5-in-1 tool in the Donna Dewberry Line of Studio by Sculpey. I tried to like it. Really. But it fell short of my expectations in a number of ways. The idea was brilliant: a stylus type tool with interchangeable tips to make clay work more efficient. The set includes a ball tip, a blade, a needle tool, a chisel tip, and a bullet tip, all with a handy tip holder. So I crack it out […]

Fun with Felt: Felt Needle Cases

February 5, 2008

I’ve still got some felt left over from the Felted Chair Covers, so I was looking for a fun, easy way to use some up. I ran across the idea of felted needle cases from Sue Bleiweiss, and I thought I’d do a simple version of that. I cut the white felt (the cover) with a scallop-edged rotary cutter, about 3 X 4 inches. I cut the inner piece of felt – in this case hot pink – about 3 […]

Craft Haiku #1

February 4, 2008

Bad dog eats my crafts. I have the last laugh – I see Glitter in her poop.

News Flash: QVC Features Paper Crafts today!

February 4, 2008

Quick, turn on the TV! QVC is featuring paper crafting and scrapbooking today, Monday, February 4th, until 4:00PM EST. There are “shows” featuring Creating Keepsakes Magazine, Paper Crafting with the Pros, and Anna Griffin, among others. I’m not sayin’ ya hafta buy anything, just steal, er, “borrow” some ideas and techniques. I also just found out that there is a “QVC Live” player, so you can watch from your computer. (Lunch break, anyone?)

Craft Product Review: Clover Heart Yo-Yo Maker

February 3, 2008

OK, so I sew. Usually on the machine, but occasionally I do some hand-work. And for some reason I am captivated by yo-yo’s. I was out at JoAnn’s the other day, ran across the Clover Heart Yo-Yo Maker, and got sucked in. Since I’d never made them before – any type of yo-yo – I thought it would be great to buy the tool and check it out. First off, had to say that the instructions were great! They included […]

Tips For Buying Craft Products on Ebay

February 1, 2008

I’ve been on a jones lately, looking for – and buying – craft supplies on Ebay. Purchasing your supplies this way can either be great savings or a huge rip-off. Here’s how to know the difference. First of all, take into consideration what kind of products your looking for, and whether or not “new” or “used” means anything to you. Today I got a shipment of polymer clay products, and the some of it was considered “used.” In this case, […]

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