Happy New Year everyone!!!
12.31.2011
...and the Winner is...
Yesterday did not seem like Friday, so sorry I'm a day late :) I threw the names in a hat and the winner is Beth, who said, "Love following your blog. You are so inspiring!" (thanks). I need you to email your mailing address to crafterella(at)hotmail(dot)com and I also need to hear from you by Monday, the 2nd. or I'll have to pick another winner.
And because I can't have a post without a picture, here is the craft room all cleaned up! You can see the floor and the table top AND the ironing board is clutter free (not pictured). I had a crafting party here last week and that proved to be the incentive I needed to get it all cleaned up. I am super excited and I keep reminding myself how nice it will be to just shut the doors when I'm finished working and the kids and cats won't be getting into my stuff.
Happy New Year everyone!!!
Happy New Year everyone!!!
12.23.2011
Happy Holidays + a Giveaway!
I hope you all have a wonderful holiday! Winter break (from school) has officially started and I still have a few projects 
that need to be finished and some presents that need to be wrapped up. We finally put up the tree, we used all the vintage ornaments from the 70’s, I love it! I am also having some friends over next week for a post holiday crafting day (so I need to do some MAJOR cleaning), so what I’m saying is I won’t be around much next week.
I hit a lot of milestones this year: 500 blog posts, 200 followers, and lots of new friends and to say thank you I’m having a small giveaway. I happen to have an extra planner with my newly designed planner pages bound and ready to help you get organized in the new year! For a chance to win all you need to do is leave a comment on this post, that’s it! One entry per person, you don’t need to talk about it on Facebook or tweet about it or anything else. I want this to be for my regular readers, not random people looking for a freebie. It has been such an exciting year and often I am surprised that anyone is reading my blog, but I know a few of you are and I just wanted to say Thank you :) I’ll be drawing the winner next Friday, so make sure I have a way to get in touch with you, I want to get it shipped out right away.
Have a wonderful weekend!
that need to be finished and some presents that need to be wrapped up. We finally put up the tree, we used all the vintage ornaments from the 70’s, I love it! I am also having some friends over next week for a post holiday crafting day (so I need to do some MAJOR cleaning), so what I’m saying is I won’t be around much next week.I hit a lot of milestones this year: 500 blog posts, 200 followers, and lots of new friends and to say thank you I’m having a small giveaway. I happen to have an extra planner with my newly designed planner pages bound and ready to help you get organized in the new year! For a chance to win all you need to do is leave a comment on this post, that’s it! One entry per person, you don’t need to talk about it on Facebook or tweet about it or anything else. I want this to be for my regular readers, not random people looking for a freebie. It has been such an exciting year and often I am surprised that anyone is reading my blog, but I know a few of you are and I just wanted to say Thank you :) I’ll be drawing the winner next Friday, so make sure I have a way to get in touch with you, I want to get it shipped out right away.
Have a wonderful weekend!
12.19.2011
Keepsake Ornaments
I spent the weekend making our keepsake ornaments. Every year I like to make photo ornaments for myself and Grandma. At the last minute I found this great tutorial to make snowmen photo ornaments and since I was already planning to make the hand print snowmen I decided to make my Mom a set of a dozen new ornaments.
Here’s my set, I just LOVE them! Now I need some fancy ribbon to tie on the loops.
Here is my Mom’s set. I included some plain round glitter ornaments and some embellished cube glittered ornaments. I can’t wait for her to see them!
I loved making all these ornaments and the kids liked helping a little too. I have a ton of packages to wrap and a special surprise planned for this week, it’s going to be a busy week!!!
Here’s my set, I just LOVE them! Now I need some fancy ribbon to tie on the loops.
Here is my Mom’s set. I included some plain round glitter ornaments and some embellished cube glittered ornaments. I can’t wait for her to see them!I loved making all these ornaments and the kids liked helping a little too. I have a ton of packages to wrap and a special surprise planned for this week, it’s going to be a busy week!!!
12.16.2011
One Week of Pre-Christmas Crafting Left
I haven’t put my tree up yet and I have about 10 projects that absolutely have to get done. I did finish these felt and embroidered ornaments.
What is everyone else working on for the holidays?
Have a super crafty (and productive) weekend!!!
What is everyone else working on for the holidays?Have a super crafty (and productive) weekend!!!
12.14.2011
Glitter Ornaments (and 1 Wreath) with Friends
Today was a crafting with friends day at my house. We decided to make the glittered ornaments that are all over Pinterest. I had Future floor polish (instead of Mop and Glo) and plenty of clear ornaments and glitter.
This is serious crafting! As you can see Lisa (oobbles) had to be different and make a wreath like we made last year (minus yarn balls).
The glitter ornaments are super fun and easy to make, we all wanted to rush out to get more ornaments and glitter.
Here are some of the finished ornaments, Sheena’s on the left and Kashoan’s (kraftykash)on the right. We had good luck with every glitter we tried, but you do get the best coverage with super fine glitter. 
Here are mine all ready to be embellished further, I’m thinking monograms and snowflakes.
FYI there is a rainbow of glitter all over my house!
This is serious crafting! As you can see Lisa (oobbles) had to be different and make a wreath like we made last year (minus yarn balls).
The glitter ornaments are super fun and easy to make, we all wanted to rush out to get more ornaments and glitter. 
Here are some of the finished ornaments, Sheena’s on the left and Kashoan’s (kraftykash)on the right. We had good luck with every glitter we tried, but you do get the best coverage with super fine glitter. 
Here are mine all ready to be embellished further, I’m thinking monograms and snowflakes.FYI there is a rainbow of glitter all over my house!
12.09.2011
Friday Favorites the Pattern Edition
12.07.2011
Knitting Weather
I am so predictable, the minute it gets cold I have to have a new knitting project to work on. I am a big fan of The Jane Victoria patterns her unique style really makes her patterns appealing to me. Yesterday I cast on for The Silmarwen Súrion Hooded Cropped Mozzetta Pattern and have furiously knitted my way through the first 12 rows of 2x2 ribbing.
My favorite thing about these patterns is the symmetrical shaping, I have knitted a lot of different patterns and hers are the only ones with this sort of perfect shaping. Usually I have to learn a new stitch, but it is completely worth it.
I do need to mention that I have had problems with her patterns: The Alassë Míriel Hooded Cowl Pattern turned out way too small (completely my fault for not checking gauge) and there were some sleeve sizing issues with The Enelya Linwëlin Sleeved Mantelet Pattern (once again, my fault for not checking the finished measurements) I am not alone in my challenges with these pattern, but the designer has listened and edited both of those patterns to make things clearer and help with sizing. I have learned to pay attention to measurements and gauge. The designer has also been quick to answer questions.
I have frogged the Mantelet, I will restart again someday. For now the yarn will be reused for this project. I love knitting in the round, it seems to go so fast and I don’t have to concentrate so hard.
Does anyone have a special knitting project started for the winter?
My favorite thing about these patterns is the symmetrical shaping, I have knitted a lot of different patterns and hers are the only ones with this sort of perfect shaping. Usually I have to learn a new stitch, but it is completely worth it.I do need to mention that I have had problems with her patterns: The Alassë Míriel Hooded Cowl Pattern turned out way too small (completely my fault for not checking gauge) and there were some sleeve sizing issues with The Enelya Linwëlin Sleeved Mantelet Pattern (once again, my fault for not checking the finished measurements) I am not alone in my challenges with these pattern, but the designer has listened and edited both of those patterns to make things clearer and help with sizing. I have learned to pay attention to measurements and gauge. The designer has also been quick to answer questions.
I have frogged the Mantelet, I will restart again someday. For now the yarn will be reused for this project. I love knitting in the round, it seems to go so fast and I don’t have to concentrate so hard.
Does anyone have a special knitting project started for the winter?
12.05.2011
New Planner Pages
After living with my new simple planner for a few months there were a few things I wanted to change and a few things I wanted to add. This weekend I took some time to rework the simple planner pages, you can download them here: Crafterella’s Simple Organizer (personal use only).
The new set is 12 pages (actually 13, but that last one is blank, I could not delete it for some reason). Pages 5 and 6 are week at a glance and weekly menu planner, so I printed out four for each month.
I made a six month planner and it is about the size of a regular, single section notebook. This time I had it spiral bound and I like that a lot better than the wire bound. I made the covers with cardstock and stickers. I also added a double sided pocket for papers and a zip-loc bag for other small bits. If you are interested in how I did that leave me a comment or email me and I will help you.
I’d love to hear what you think about the new pages :) This is also my first time using google docs to share a download, if you have any trouble downloading the document or any other problems, let me know.
The new set is 12 pages (actually 13, but that last one is blank, I could not delete it for some reason). Pages 5 and 6 are week at a glance and weekly menu planner, so I printed out four for each month. I made a six month planner and it is about the size of a regular, single section notebook. This time I had it spiral bound and I like that a lot better than the wire bound. I made the covers with cardstock and stickers. I also added a double sided pocket for papers and a zip-loc bag for other small bits. If you are interested in how I did that leave me a comment or email me and I will help you.
I’d love to hear what you think about the new pages :) This is also my first time using google docs to share a download, if you have any trouble downloading the document or any other problems, let me know.
12.02.2011
Metal Tape Experiments
After watching this video about metal tape on Youtube and sharing it with a friend who had to take some time off work, we decided that it would be fun to give it a try. I wanted to make a postcard and she decided to make her holiday cards for the year.
I found metal tape at Wmart, in the hardware section by the caulk and duct tape. It’s called waterproofing tape. Be warned, the adhesive on the tape is stinky, but it does go away after the tape is stuck down and has a chance to set.
We decided to make a sample sheet, to see what worked and what didn’t. Basically I just kept pulling interesting things out of the craft room and putting metal tape over them. What we ended up liking the best was cardstock cut into shapes and mesh that you patch drywall with. I think that I need to find someone with a die cutting machine to make me some fancy letters and shapes.
I cut out a bunch of shapes and some mesh strips and covered the whole thing with tape. Smoothing the tape with my fingers made the designs underneath start showing up.
Using a variety of tools I accented the designs and added extra details like lines, dots, and scrolls. A bone folder is really handy for smoothing out wrinkles in the tape and to smooth out design mistakes. I also really liked using a wooden orange wood stick (pointed on one end and angled on the other, used for grooming cuticles and nails)
Adding paint really makes the different textures pop. On this piece I used black paint, copper paint, and greek copper rub-n-buff. I really like the steampunk look this technique gives. I think I went a little overboard with the layering of elements, the K monogram, in the center, seems to get lost with all the other elements.
We had a lot of fun playing with this tape and my friend did manage to finish a few cards too. I can’t wait to see what else we can use this technique for.
Have a super crafty weekend!!!
I found metal tape at Wmart, in the hardware section by the caulk and duct tape. It’s called waterproofing tape. Be warned, the adhesive on the tape is stinky, but it does go away after the tape is stuck down and has a chance to set.
We decided to make a sample sheet, to see what worked and what didn’t. Basically I just kept pulling interesting things out of the craft room and putting metal tape over them. What we ended up liking the best was cardstock cut into shapes and mesh that you patch drywall with. I think that I need to find someone with a die cutting machine to make me some fancy letters and shapes.
I cut out a bunch of shapes and some mesh strips and covered the whole thing with tape. Smoothing the tape with my fingers made the designs underneath start showing up.
Using a variety of tools I accented the designs and added extra details like lines, dots, and scrolls. A bone folder is really handy for smoothing out wrinkles in the tape and to smooth out design mistakes. I also really liked using a wooden orange wood stick (pointed on one end and angled on the other, used for grooming cuticles and nails) Adding paint really makes the different textures pop. On this piece I used black paint, copper paint, and greek copper rub-n-buff. I really like the steampunk look this technique gives. I think I went a little overboard with the layering of elements, the K monogram, in the center, seems to get lost with all the other elements.
We had a lot of fun playing with this tape and my friend did manage to finish a few cards too. I can’t wait to see what else we can use this technique for.
Have a super crafty weekend!!!
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