Joy Card by Design Team Member Steffanie Seiler

Hi! Steffanie here. I know, the holidays are over. But just in case you want to get a head start for next year, I have one of my favorite cards to share. This is made with American Crafts Dear Lizzy's Christmas collection from last year, but you could easily substitute your favorite collection for this basic card.

It's a standard size, 4.25 x 5.5 inches.

I make card fronts and then attach them to purchased white or cream cards that come packaged with envelopes. I do this so that when I'm using a dark color for the base (in this case I used gray), I don't have to worry about my writing on the inside of the card not showing because it's too dark. Know what I mean?

So I started by cutting my card base to the above measurements and adhering to the pre-made card. I then cut a lengthwise piece of the stocking paper to 2.5 x 5.5 in. and adhered it to the left side, aligning the edges. The rose colored piece is 1.5 x 4.5 in. The border piece is also 4.5 in. I used one of my all time favorite border punches, Fiskars Threading Water.

After adhering the rose piece to the border strip, determine where you want to place it on the card and adhere again. I like to do things a little off-center. This tends to be more pleasing to the eye. I then added a pre-made embellishment from the same collection to the bottom of the rose strip with border. You could make an embellishment with a large punch or die-cut and then add letters, pretty brads, flowers or whatever you like instead.

Be sure to pop-it up with some dimensional adhesive for added interest. The finishing touch is hand drawing some stitch lines with a white pen.

There you have it! Thanks for letting me share my favorite holiday card with you!

Baking Holiday Goodness by Design Team Member Steffanie Seiler

Hi, Design Team Member Steffanie, here! If you are anything like me, you take a lot of photos of food. I take them with the full intent of one day incorporating them into a scrapbook page. Until now though, that hasn't really happened. I seem to always have so many people photos that take precedence over these non-people ones. Well, I decided to change that and create my first ever just food layout---and what better subject than all those holiday treats I've been baking! On a recent trip to Craft Warehouse, I picked up some new scrappy goodies from one of my favorite manufacturer's, Echo Park. This is their Season's Greetings collection. I love it!

I did some hand-stitching between the recipe card pockets, trimmed around one of the journal cards to give it some interest and displayed one of the photos like a wall-hanging. Title letters are primarily from the Echo Park collection with the exception of the cream colored velvet ones. These are American Crafts Thickers I had in my stash.


I thought it would be fun to include the recipes of these cookies so that in case someone (in the future) wants to make these beauties, they'll be able to!


Thanks for taking a look at one of my favorite layouts of the season!

Memory Blocks by Design Team Member Michelle Wofford

Hi there, Michelle Wofford here, from the Craft Warehouse Design Team. 

Today I'd like to share with you a simple gift I made for my Grandmother, using wood blocks, paint, scrapbook paper, alphabet stickers, and a bit of adhesive. 

To make this home decor item I started with small unfinished wood blocks purchased from my local Craft Warehouse store.  There are several sizes of blocks available so choose the size that is right for what you are creating. 

Paint each block on all sides, I used two coats.  Make sure to let the paint to dry between coats. 

Then  measure the block to get the size that you want to cut your paper to.  For this project I used the 6 x 6 pad from Cosmo Cricket's Material Girl line, you may still be able to find these papers but any patterned papers will work and the 6 x 6 pads are great for smaller areas like this since they have smaller patterns on them. 

I chose 6 different papers to cut 6 squares from and covered each side of the squares with a different pattern. 

Once you've decided on your papers trim and adhere them to the blocks, I like the Beacon's 3 in 1 glue or Pioneer's embellishment glue stick.  I made all my blocks the same but you can easliy mix it up and have a great look too. 

While your adhesive is drying you can get started on your alphabet stickers.  I started with basic chipboard letters and painted them white for the base.  Then I used a glimmer paint to add a bit of color and glimmer.  I recommend using Tattered Angels Glimmer Mist to acheive the same look.  

Once your letters are dry adhere them to the blocks.  Because the blocks I used were small I chose not to add any other embellishments and kept it simple.  Additional embellishments can be used such as ribbon, buttons or bling to add personal touches.

Thanks for looking and Happy Crafting ~ Michelle

Memo Board by Design Team Member Michelle Wofford

Hello, I am design team member, Michelle. Today I wanted to share a functional project that anyone can make.

You will need a picture frame in the size of your choice, patterened scrapbook paper / cardstock, a blank calendar template, ribbon, paper flowers and adhesive back pearls.

Start by selecting the size frame you'd like to use.  Craft Warehouse has a large selection of frames in a variety of sizes and looks.  I used a simple 16" x 20" frame. 

You can create the memo board with or without a calendar.  If you want to use a calendar there are two options available at your local Craft Warehouse - a clear acrylic calendar sheet or 12" x 12" decorative boardered paper calendar bases.  Which you choose will depend on the look you want to acheive. 

I've used the clear acrylic sheet so the patterened paper is visible below it.  Trim your paper to fit in the frame.  If you are using the acrylic sheet like I did you'll need enough paper to cover the entire frame.  I usually lay the frame upside down on a table and lay my paper inside the frame so I know I have the best fit.  Adhere any overlapping paper so they don't move once they are in the frame. 

Trim your ribbon to the desired length.  I used used ribbon both vertically and horizontally, this helps camoflage any visible paper seams and adds some decorative dimension to your board.  Adhere the ribbon to the paper using glue dots or other adhesive.  Once the ribbon is on add any other embellishments you'd like to use - flowers, buttons, bling...

I used paper flowers in two colors and adorned each with a white pearl center.  I made this particular board for my sister in law and it just so happened that the colors she chose matched the colors of the outfits my daughters were wearing in a portrait taken around the time I made this board.  I added the photo to give this board an extra personal touch. 

Once you have everything assembled and your glass is clean insert your paper into the frame the right way and attach the back.  If giving as a gift include a dry erase pen so it's ready to use.

Happy Crafting  and thanks for looking ~ Michelle

Make a Tinsel Tree

Another easy project idea for Christmas!  Here's your shopping list.

Shopping List

• Styrofoam cones 3 7/8"x8 7/8" or 3 7/8"x11 7/8"
• Twist Garland in your favorite color!  Pick up the 25ft roll from Darice (you will need one for the smaller cone and two for the larger cone).
• One Candlestick
• Beacon's 3-In-1 Craft Glue
• E-6000 (to hold your cone to the candlestick at the very end)
• A boa or marabou for trim up top and below the tree 

Instructions

1.  Start off by wrapping the bottom of the cone all the way around with marabou or boa trim.  Use Beacon's 3-In-1 to adhere. 

2.  Next, take our your twist garland and simply spiral and wrap around the cone.  Glue as you go with the 3-In-1 Glue.  Continue to wrap until the cone is completely wrapped.  Make sure it's not lacking in the tinsel trim since that's what makes the tree stand out.

3.  Cut a little fluff (either marabou or boa).  Glue on the top of the cone.

4.  Adhere cone on the candlestick.  Glue using E-6000 (it's the best and keeps everything in place).  Let it dry. 

Enjoy your new tinsel trees! 

Ruffle DIY Handbag by Design Team Member Amanda Sherman

Hi!  I’m design team member  Amanda.  Today, I have a confession. I have an addiction. To bag. Cute bags. Frilly bags. Simple bag. Charming Bags. Sophisticated Bags. I pretty much like them all. If only I could carry 20 at a time, I'd be happy. Of course, I might end up on "What Not to Wear" because of my major fashion faux pas, but I'd be happy!! 

A couple weeks ago, my addiction was tempted....we were walking through downtown waiting for the Christmas parade to start and I saw an adorable whimsy ruffled bag. SO cute! I almost bought it until I realized I could probably make it on my own. Now, I'm not the best seamstress in the world (not even sure I qualify for the name "seamstress"), but I knew that even my basic skills would allow me to make this adorable bag. So I set out. And I did! And today, I'm going to share the pattern with you.

Before we begin, let me say, I am a self-taught sewer (wait, that isn't the right word, I guess I will have to call myself a seamstress, because I'm most definitely not a sewer! LOL).  So as you are reading these directions, if you know a different way to do this, them please do! I've just figured out what works for me (aka a lazy seamstress), whether it's "proper" or not, I have no idea because everything I know I've figured out on my own.

Fabric:

Cut pieces of Fabric: (note – no printable pattern because these can all be cut easily with scissors and tape or rotary cutter, or a sheet of 12x12 scrapbook paper can work great as a pattern)

3  4 x 22 pieces of patterned fabric (2 or three patterns)
2 squares 12x12 of patterned fabric (should be same pattern as one of the 4x22 strips)
2 squares 12x12 solid coordinating fabric
2 strips 4 x 16 solid fabric

(For shopping, purchase 1/4 yard patterned fabric, 1/2 yard coordinating fabric, 1/2 yard solid fabric)
The first thing we'll do is gather the ruffles. Stitch a long stitch and gather.

Note: I didn't hem the ruffles. Part of the charm of the bag is that they'll fray and be more whimsy. If the perfectionist in you can't allow that, then hem away.

 

Stitch along the gather stitch. Repeat with additional two ruffles, placing each on 1" above previous.

When all layers are stitched, stitch down the side to keep the ruffles in place for assembly.
Now we will move on to the straps. Fold one piece in half and stitch the open side together with a 1/4 seam allowance.

Repeat with second strap.
Turn the strap inside out. 

Stitch strap flat using an 1/8" seam allowance. Repeat on second strap

Next, begin assembly.  Pin back to font with right side of fabrics facing each other.  You will see the wrong sides.

Stitch together left, right & bottom.

Now we need to pin in the straps.  I have a picture for visual, but PLEASE don’t assemble it exactly as seen.  The straps need to both be placed inside the front & back just as you stitched it.  Do not do anything to the front & back you stitched together. Leave it exactly as is and place straps as seen here except between the two layers instead of outside. 

Stitch the handles to the outside. 

Now, we need to stitch the lining together.  Place the two right sides of fabric together.  Stitch around sides & bottom with a 1/2” seam allowance.

On the lining only turn right side out.

Now slide the lining (with the right side out) into the front/back piece with the right side in.  You should have the two right sides looking at each other, while you are seeing the wrong side.


Pin together.

Stitch the two pieces together using a 1/2” seam allowance.  Stitch nearly around the entire thing, but leave a 3” opening so you can turn it right side out.

Fold the lining and the outside down where the hole was that you left for turning it. Stitch.
Pull the right side out.  If you’re not comfortable getting it to lay right, now is a time you can use the iron to iron the bag into the “shape” you’ll want it to be.

No, to finish it off, after you have the bag laying correctly, stitch around the very top with a 1/8” allowance to hold everything (including the straps) in place.

Enjoy!!

Tick Tack Toe Gift Tin by Design Team Member Amanda Sherman

Hi I’m design team member Amanda.  This year for Christmas, our family has put a special importance on making gifts.  My kids are finally old enough to do real projects and it’s been some great family time, and I hope memories that will last. 

I needed a quick last minute project we could do for some friends of theirs.  As we brainstormed our options, we decided that a game would be a good idea. We love playing games as a family, and so do our friends.  We decided that tic tac toe would be a great idea.  We made our list and headed to Craft Warehouse to pick up what we didn’t already have in my stash:  a tin (gift card holder) and small round magnets.  We pulled twine, buttons and glue dots from my stash. 

 
No photo directions today because it’s really pretty easy.

Cut 4 3 1/2” x 1/4” strips of paper and adhere to inside of tin. Trim with craft knife if needed.   (You can use the outside if you prefer).

Thread and tie buttons.

Using a glue dot, adhere magnet to button.  (if you use other flat elements or don’t floss the buttons, the adhesive on the magnet by itself is sufficient).

Wrap and give!

Thanks for joining me today!  Have a Merry Christmas.