Friday, November 28, 2014

Chistmas Glitter Paper Mache Cones with Snow Flake Bases


Paper Mache Cones are the perfect starting base for any holiday project! We added a star ornament for a base to set these cone trees on! A fun and unique winter holiday touch! 








Christmas Glitter Paper Mache Cones @craftsavvy @sarahowens #craftwarehouse #papermache #cones #holiday #diy

Supplies:
  • Large and Small paper Mache cones
  • Large and Small Wood Snow Flakes
  • Echo Park "Home for the holidays" Paper collection
  • Assorted Buttons
  • Nicole clear chunky glitter
  • Martha Stewart Glitter Glue
  • Clear Knobs
  • Jute String
  • Glue Gun
  • Beacon 3in1 Glue
  • Cotton lace ribbon
Directions:
  1. Place scrapbook paper on its back side. Place a line of glue going from the top of your cone to the bottom and place in the top corner of your paper. add more glue and wrap the paper onto the cone.
  2. Trim extra paper off cone.
  3. For large cone trim of tip of cone about an inch down.
  4. Glue the clear knob to the top of the cone using Beacon glue.
  5. Glitter The entire cone with glitter glue and clear glitter.
  6. Glue cone to the snow flake wood base using beacon glue.
  7. For the large cone wrap jute around the knob and tie.
  8. For the small cone add cotton lace to the bottom of the cone using beacon glue.
  9. Add buttons to both cones using Beacon glue.

Thursday, November 27, 2014

My Minds Eye Sleigh Bells Ring Star Trio



Decorate your holiday decor to match your own style! This unfinished Star Trio kit is ready for you to add scrapbook paper in any design you wish! A perfect home DIY or gift idea!
My Minds Eye Sleigh Bells Ring Star Trio @craftsavvy @sarahowens #craftwarehouse #mymindseye #holiday #diy #decor #gift

Supplies:
  • Unfinished Star Trio
  • Black, Green and Red Acrylic Paint
  • My Minds Eye "Sleigh Bells Ring" Paper Collection & Tags
  • 1 yard of Jute String
  • Tim Holtz Distressed Black Soot ink
  • Beacon 3 in 1 Glue
Directions:
  1. Paint each star with acrylic paint.
  2. Cut paper to fit each star by tracing in to the backs of each paper.
  3. Distress all sides of paper with distressed ink.
  4. Glue paper on to each star using Beacon 3in 1 glue.
  5. Wrap jute around the wood stars and tie.
  6. Add Noel Tag on to the front.

Wednesday, November 26, 2014

Wood Star Trays


Make it a shiny holiday with our wood star trays! There are so many fun ways to use these and here are just a few ways that are our favorites!










Wood Star Holiday Trays @craftsavvy @sarahowens #craftwarehouse #christmas #holiday #decor #diy

"Let Heaven and Nature Sing" Large Wood Star Tray


Supplies:
  • Large Wood Star Tray
  • "Let heaven and nature sing" vinyl by Vinyl Words
  • Moss
  • Bird
  • Glue Gun
Directions:
  1. Place vinyl in the inside of the star tray.
  2. Add moss using glue gun but be very careful you don't burn your fingers!
  3. Then glue in the bird.

"We wish you a Merry Christmas"

Supplies:
  • Medium Wood Star Tray
  • 3 sets of 8 count mini battery operated darice lights
  • "We wish you a Merry Christmas" Vinyl by Vinyl Words
  • 12x12 red Christmas paper from Echo Park
  • Yard of Jute String
  • Drill
  • Beacon 3in1 Glue
  • Glue Gun
Directions:
  1. Place Vinyl on the front of the star.
  2. Drill 24 small holes so your lights will fit through the hole. Make sure you aren't drilling holes to far apart so the lights can reach.
  3. Poke lights through each hole then from behind glue in with glue gun.
  4. Cut paper to fit the sides of the star and glue on using Beacon glue.
  5. Wrap Jute around star and tie.

Wood Star Holiday Trays @craftsavvy @sarahowens #craftwarehouse #christmas #holiday #decor #diy

Wood Star Trio Center Piece

Supplies:
  • large, medium and small wood star
  • 2 unfinished wood candle sticks
  • Red and dark brown acrylic paint
  • 1" wood screw
  • wood glue
Directions:
  1. Paint candle sticks with red acrylic paint.
  2. Dry brush dark brown to give it a weathered look
  3. Drill a wood screw from the medium star bottom into the wood candle holder.
  4. Drill a wood screw from the large wood star bottom into the other wood candle holder.
  5. Using wood glue, glue the bottom to the middle and the middle to the top.
*add lights, candle and garland to create a beautiful center piece.



Tuesday, November 25, 2014

O Holy Night Nativity Block Set



 Just add our vinyl to create your own unique nativity scene that is easy enough for the whole family to make together!







 


Supplies:
  • 6 pc unfinished wood block set
  • Light blue acrylic paint
  • Nativity vinyl by Vinyl Words
  • Sanding block
Directions:
  1. Paint each block with acrylic paint.
  2. Sand each block to look weathered
  3. Add Nativity Vinyl.

Monday, November 24, 2014

Echo Park Wood "JOY" Letter Set


Customize this wooden 'Joy" set any way you wish! The kit comes unfinished so all you need to do is decorate it for the perfect holiday decor or gift!









Echo Park Wood Joy Letter Set @craftsavvy @echoparkpaper #craftwarehouse #holiday #diy

Supplies:
  • Unfinished "Joy" Letter Set
  • Burgundy, White and Green Acrylic Paint
  • Echo Park "Home for the Holidays" Paper Collection & sticker sheet
  • 1 yard Jute String
  • Black Bling
  • Mini bird
  • large and small pop dots
  • Tim Holtz Distressed ink Black Soot
Directions:
  1. Paint all wood with acrylic paint.
  2. Cut paper to fit the front of each letter buy tracing in the reverse side of the paper.
  3. Distress all sides of paper with distressed ink
  4. Glue paper on to each letter using Beacon 3in 1 glue.
  5. Wrap jute around the "J" and tie.
  6. Add bling to the front of the "J"
  7. Glue bird on to the "O" using Beacon Glue.
  8. Place large pop-dots on the sticker "Merry Christmas" and stick to the front of the "O" letter.
  9. Place small pop dots on the nutcracker and stick to the letter "Y"

Friday, November 21, 2014

Hero Arts Christmas Cards by Design Team Member Kim Ross



Hi everyone!  Kim Ross here with a very important reminder:  It's the middle of November and, if you haven't done so already, now is the time to get those Christmas cards started.  Christmas is little more than five weeks away and you still need time to sign, address, and mail all your cards.  And if they're heading out to international or APO/FPO addresses, they need to be sent even sooner.

I created a few sparkly and speedy cards with the new Hero Arts rubber stamps and dies from their Handmade for Christmas Collection, using some of my very favorite products from Craft Warehouse.

First up, is Holly Jolly Christmas.  I started with a tan panel attached to a dark brown card. The sentiment was stamped with Ranger Tim Holtz Distress Mini Ink Pad in Walnut Stain onto Paper Accents Toffee cardstock.  The holly was stamped with Ranger Jet Black Archival Ink on Paper Accents Leaf Green cardstock.  Then I very carefully cut out two of the leaves and attached them, slightly overlapping, onto the card.



My favorite thing about this stamp set is the versatility.  Yes, it's technically holly for Christmastime.  But use your imagination.  These leaves can be separated and used for any time of year.  They can be red, orange and brown in the fall or a big, bold green in the summer.


Now it's time for a little bling on the card.  The Triveni Craft red 4mm gems are a great choice, especially when you're making multiples.  These are a great deal at only $2.99 for a whopping 560 gems!  These are easy to use in a row, as these come already attached to one another in rows.  However, it's also very easy to snip then apart and use them individually.



Speaking of bling, we see this versatile embellishment again on my next card, Merry & Bright.  This card also features the Hero Arts Holly Jolly stamp set.  I stamped the holly and the sentiment all at one time with the Tsukineko VersaMark watermark pad and then embossed it with American Crafts Zing! clear embossing powder.  The Triveni Craft gems made great berries in little groups of three.   I then mounted the Paper Accents Leaf Green cardstock panel onto a card made from the Doodlebug Design holly-patterned cardstock from their adorable "Santa Express" collection.



And one last sparkly card for today, Winter Sparkle.  No gems this time for sparkle.  This card uses American Crafts Zing! embossing powder in Silver Metallic Finish and Ranger Stickles glitter glue in Star Dust.  The very precise Stickles applicator tip is perfect for small sparkly accents like the ones added to each snowflake on the Doodlebug Design patterned cardstock from the Frosty Friends 6x6 Paper Pad.  The sentiment and ornament are from the Hero Arts Winter Sparkle set and the matching ornament die is from the Hero Arts Ornaments Die-Cuts set.




Before we part, I wanted to leave you with some time-saving tips:

    - Use your heat tool to dry ink.  It's faster than air-drying and reduces the chance of smears.
   -  When using a coordinating die to cut out a stamped image, stamp the image first and make sure the ink is dry.  Then use small pieces of washi tape to place the die onto the image.  Run through your Big Shot or other die-cut machine.  The washi tape peels right off of the leftover paper and die, and doesn't leave a mark!
    - If your gem embellishments (bling) are packaged in a row but you only want single gems, cut or separate the gem before picking it up with your fingers or tweezers.  Failing to separate it will result in the adhesive remaining on the plastic sheet and not on your gem.
   -  Especially when making multiples of a project, intricate cutting can get tedious (see card #1).  The coordinating die is a great investment.
    - Don't feel like you have to make all your Christmas cards alone.  Create an assembly line and allow the kids to help out on parts that are age-appropriate.   If the kids are too busy playing outside, enlist a few friends and enjoy hot chocolate (carefully!) while you craft.

I wish the happiest and craftiest of holidays to you!

Thursday, November 20, 2014

Craft Warehouse Design Team Member Kim Ross


Welcome back to our Designer Spotlight where we feature a local Northwest artist and Craft Warehouse Design Team Member! This week we have our local cardmaker and stamper, Kim Ross! We love seeing Kim online on our Facebook and Instagram feeds joining in on the fun! That's where I first "met" her! Read on to see what inspires her to create!

How long have you been crafting?

When I was in middle school, I decorated letters to pen pals with rubber stamps and scented inks my parents purchased at our local Hallmark store.

I was reintroduced to stamping in 2002, and it truly saved my sanity.  My new husband had fallen ill with heart and kidney troubles, so I left my corporate career to stay home and care for him.  A friend of mine was thumbing through a rubber stamp catalog, looking to stamp things like "Bring a Friend" on her direct sales catalogs.  I asked to look through it, too, and I was hooked!  I went to a stamping party later that month and I just couldn't get enough.  (I still can't.)  It was the perfect quiet hobby (sans the eyelet setters and heat tool, of course!) for me to take up during my many hours at home.

A dozen years later, I can't imagine my life without stamping.  I've grown so close to so many of the papercrafters in my area and online -- they really are my best friends!




What inspires you to be creative?

My inspiration comes from everywhere!  Some days it's from a color or an online challenge.  Other days, it's a tree I see out my window or a song I can't get out of my head.  I do my best to be mindful throughout the day and keep my eyes & mind open to possibilities.



What Craft Warehouse products do you love to use?

My very favorite Craft Warehouse product is the Big Shot.  I love the versatility.  It can cut any company's dies so easily with the Multipurpose Platform.  It cuts paper beautifully, but I've also used it to cut plastic, magnet, fabric, felt, suede, cardboard, needlepoint canvas, and rubber.  The embossing folders can be used to emboss other materials, too.  Without question, my Big Shot is the best crafting investment I've ever made.

Doodlebug coordinating papers and embellishments are adorable!  As a cardmaker, I really appreciate the smaller patterns their papers typically feature.  Their designs and colors are so cute and cheerful!  It's impossible to be in a bad mood while working on a Doodlebug project.

The 3M ATG adhesive roller is something I have come to depend on every time I craft.  At first, I thought the investment in the gun itself was pretty expensive, but I soon learned that I am saving money in the long run because the tape rolls are so generously long and the tape is so sticky.  A little bit goes a very long way.  It's so nice that my projects don't fall apart even after a bumpy ride through the mail.



How can you encourage others reading this column?

The best thing about crafting is that there really aren't any rules.  Create what you like, how you like, and enjoy the process while you're doing it.

I used to worry about making mistakes, but a mistake doesn't have to be permanent.  I can add a flower or a button to cover an error, or flip the paper over and start again.  "Every mistake is an opportunity for embellishment," is something I say to myself often.  Remember that the recipient isn't judging your project against the idea you had in your head... she doesn't know how it was 'supposed' to look.  After stamping for a dozen years, I don't think any of my projects have ever come out exactly like I intended. They'll be our little secret!

Join Kim tomorrow as she shares the perfect Christmas cards, just in time for the holiday season! In the meantime, you can visit her on her blog, Instagram, and Facebook!  

Light UP Santa Shadow Box


This project takes under 15 minutes to make, just add scrapbook paper and you are done!
Add 30 count Firefly Lights to make this quick and easy frame decor look extra festive!










Light Up Santa Shadow Box @craftsavvy @craftsavvy #craftwarehouse #mymindseye #scrapbook #frame #diy

Supplies:
  • Black or White 12x12 Shadow Box
  • 30 count Firefly lights battery or plug in
  • 12x12 My Minds Eye Santa Glitter Paper.
  • Beacon 3in1 glue
  • Black or White Tape

Directions:
  1. Open up shadow box and clean glass.
  2. Take the square shadow box insert and wrap with lights on the inside of the insert and secure with tape.
  3. Cut scrapbook paper to fit the back of the frame and glue to the back of the frame using Beacon 3 in 1 glue
  4. Place glass, then insert and then backing and close up tabs. 
* 12x12 Shadow Box Frame $12. 88 (regular $16.99) and 8x8 $6.88 (regular $8.99) choose between black and white on sale until November 27th, 2014

Wednesday, November 19, 2014

My Minds Eye Barnwood Frame Advent Countdown


Make this quick and easy December countdown by just clipping pre-made My Mind's Eye tags to our craft chicken wire! Not only will it be fun to take the days down as it gets closer to Christmas, but it will look beautiful in your home too!









My Minds Eye Barnwood Frame Advent Countdown @craftsavvy @sarahowens #craftwarehouse #advent #calendar #frame #diy


Supplies:
  • 16"x20" Open Back Barn wood Frame
  • 16"x20" Chicken Wire
  • 25 Mini Clothespins
  • My Minds Eye "Joyous" Countdown Christmas Tags and 2 sheets of red printed paper.
  • 2 Yards of Jute String
  • 20"x24" Burlap Fabric
  • Beacon 3 in 1 Glue
  • Glue Gun
  • Staple Gun
My Minds Eye Barnwood Frame Advent Countdown @craftsavvy @sarahowens #craftwarehouse #advent #calendar #frame #diy

Directions:
  1. Place chicken wire into the back of the frame.
  2. Glue into place using a glue gun.
  3. Place jute string in 5 rows staple string to the back of the frame.
  4. Place Burlap Fabric on the back of the frame and staple around the frame to hold it in place.
  5. Using Beacon glue, glue each tag on to red printed paper then cut out leaving an edge of paper on the tag.
  6. Clip tags on to jute string and glue Christmas Countdown title to the top of the frame using beacon glue.
* 30% off regular prices Christmas Countdown Tags until November 27, 2014

Tuesday, November 18, 2014

12 Days of Christmas Mini Activity Album

I love Christmas.  I love the giving, the conversation, the good will and everything that goes with it.  As a mother of two, I have decided I want my children to know that Christmas is more than parties and gifts.  That is why this year I have created a place to record and encourage my kids to give this year.  

This album has 24 Christmas activities for our family to celebrate the Christmas season.  The activities range from baking cookies to random acts of Christmas kindness giving hand warmers and cocoa to volunteer bell ringers outside your favorite store.  These ideas slip into the cutest little bag I created to clip into the back of the album and my kids will take turns drawing a random activity for twelve days. 

 If you would like a copy of these ideas, you can download them here:
Random Acts of Kindness Cards:


Family Activity Cards:
I created this album before the season starts this way as we complete each activity we can take a photo or two and place them in each of the twelve pages.  The Authentique Three Christmas’ in One paper pad made this project easy by giving me perfectly coordinated papers, stickers and diecuts all in one place. 
12 Days of Christmas Mini Activity Album @craftsavvy #craftwarehouse #christmas #minibook #diy
I am looking forward to using this little album to encourage my kids to give more than take during this holiday season. Here are the steps to help you create one for you and your family this year. 
Supplies Used:
Authentique Paper Three Christmases in One Paper Stack
Darice Stickerz: Red and Black
Darice Trims: Red Snowflake, Red and Black Glitter
Thickers Black Number
iCraft Super Tape
Grafix Chipboard
Triveni Craft 4mm Red Gems
We Are Memory Keepers Gift Bag Punch Board
Baker’s Twine
Foam Tape
Directions:
Creating the Cover:
Step One:  Decide what size you want your album and cut two squares of chipboard to that size.  Next decide what size you want your spine and cut a piece of chipboard to that size.  I decided my album should be 6 ½ x6” so my chipboard cover pieces were cut 6 ½ x6“ and the spine was cut 1 ¾“x6 
Step Two:  Layout your chipboard pieces with the spine piece in the center making sure to leave a gap between each piece of ¼”.  Measure the length of your chipboard pieces to find the size of your inside cover.  Next add two inches to both the length and the height of the measurement to get a piece of paper the correct length to wrap around the cover.
Step Three:  Cut and splice together a piece of paper long enough to cover the inside of the album using the inside cover measurements you just made.  Then create a piece of paper to cover and wrap around the outside of the album.  I wanted the spine to be a different color than the cover or back so I made the center four inches of my cover piece a different color.  Cut the corners of this sheet diagonally to help give it a finished look after it folds.
Step Four:  Using super sticky adhesive such as iCraft SuperTape carefully place adhesive around the boarders of all your chipboard pieces and carefully fold your paper over gluing down each flap.  Then again place your adhesive around the edges and place your inside piece of paper inside your album. 

Creating the Pages:  
Step One:  Cut two lengths of Darice Trim Ribbon one yard long and using super sticky adhesive glue the ends of the two pieces onto the inside of the spine of the album.  Next cover these ends with another piece of cardstock completely gluing down the edges. 
Step Two:  Cut the base of your pages.  You will need spots for 12 days of activities so I created 12 pages.  I like some of my pages to differ in size so two of those are half pages are two pages have flaps to lift or open.  So basically I cut 8 6x6” pieces, four 3x6” pieces and two flaps to glue onto a 6x6 that measured 4¼x6.”  (*Note:  I thought I would like my pages to be slightly smaller than my 6 ½ x6” cover so my pages are actually 5 5/8 ”x 5 5/8”.  I regretted it later.  So my measurements in my photos will slightly differ.)    
Step Three:  Match up the pages and place one page on top and one page under the ribbon.  Using strong adhesive to sandwich it all together.  Make sure to leave space between each set of pages so that your album folds.  Also make sure you place any half pages you have next to each other or the album will not fold correctly. 
Decorating and Embellishing the Pages and Cover: Using the diecuts an the stickers in the Authentique Three Christmas’ paperpad, embellish the cover and the inside pages of the album.
For the cover I used foam adhesive to layer the diecuts from the paper pad and add depth.  (Some places have three layers of this foam tape!)  I tied bakers twine around the spine and I also used Darice stickers to lay out the title. 

For the inside pages I used a combination of papers, stickers and ribbon to embellish each page.  Since I want this to be an easy project to put together this Christmas, I wrote the dimensions of the photos in the locations they will go. 







Punch the Bag: Using the We Are Memory Keepers Gift Bag Punch Board punch and fold a gift bag that measures small enough to glue into the back of your album.  If you have young or “energetic” kids, you may consider clipping the bag to the back cover so you can remove it when it is time to pick an activity and then clip it back in when you are done.  (I’m considering this option. J)  
Print and Cut Out the Cards:  Download and print the cards I made or make your own and cut them out and place them in the bag. 
Step Six-Have Fun and Add Photos!