Halloween Gift Buckets

A Friendly Little Package

I've been inspired by Amber (lyriclover810) over at YouTube. I watch her channel faithfully, as she has a ton of ideas for things to make for a craft fair and she is just simply awesome.  She makes these cute little mini loaded bags, which were a perfect gift to make for a special friend of mine and possibly make some to sell.  I picked up some bags, tags, and dimensional stickers at the local Dollar Tree.  Everything else I included in the bag I either made or already had.

Love Bird Cards

These two cards were made using my Gelli Plate and the "Love Bird" stencil from iStencils.  I first laid down metallic acrylic and regular acrylic paint on the Gelli Plate. Next, I laid the stencil over the stencil, rubbed, and then lifted the paper (2nd card). Then I removed the stencil and laid another piece of paper over what was left on the plate to get what is called a "ghost" print (1st card).

Relax It's Just A Tea Bag Pocket Favor

I made these cute little tea pocket favors for my swap partner from the Rubbermoon moonmail club.  The stamp used is from the July moonmail monthly club subscription.  I LOVE the tutorials from lyriclover810 over at Youtube.  I followed her Tea Bag Pocket Favor tutorial for making these, so need for me to post one here.

Collaged Oriental & Fairy Boxes

So, I ordered coffee "samples" from a company called Intelligent Blends for our Keurig and they came in these really sturdy boxes.  I really like the boxes and decided they needed to be upcycled.  I have a ton of art/craft supplies and, so, I proceeded to start figuring out how to collage each box.  The first one has an Oriental feel and I love it.  I was going to give it as a gift and then decided I wanted to use it to store craft supplies. I am now using it to store the little containers of buttons, sequins, and gems.

Oriental Box

Supplies used:

-One Intelligent Blends sample box

-Various types of Oriental Inspired Rice Paper

-Modge Podge

-Acrylic Paints

-White pen

-Cherry Blossom, Geisha Girl, and Stampstracts Stamps

-Sequins

-Metallic Seed Beads

-Oriental Face Bead

-Glass Bead

-Macrame Twine

Steps:

1. Tear paper into various sizes paying attention to color themes.

2. Open box and start collaging paper with Modge Podge to main flap, top of box, back of box, and sides of box.  I chose not to collage the bottom of the box, but that is really preference.

3. Stamp images, paint with acrylic paints, add accents with white pen, cut out each image, and adhere to box with Modge Podge.

4. Paint tops of sides with Acrylic paint or when collaging the side just go up over the top where it's thin.

5. Add sequins and seed beads.

6. Create closure with macrame twine and beads.

Fairy Box

Supplies used:

-One Intelligent Blends sample box

-Various types of Fairy inspired papers

-Modge Podge

-Acrylic Paints

-Fairy and Butterfly Stamps

-Sequins

-Glitter

-Felt Flowers

-Ribbon

-Buttons

-Ribbon Flowers

Steps:

1. Tear paper into various sizes paying attention to color themes.

2. Open box and start collaging paper with Modge Podge to main flap, top of box, back of box, and sides of box.  I chose not to collage the bottom of the box, but that is really your preference.

3. Stamp images, paint with acrylic paints, cut out each image, and adhere to box with Modge Podge.  For the Fairy and butterflies I used Modge Podge and sprinkled each one with a different glitter.

4. Paint tops of sides with Acrylic paint or when collaging the side just go up over the top where it's thin.

5. Add sequins, felt flowers, ribbon, buttons, ribbon flowers, etc.

6. I cut out the word "FAIRY" from some alphabet paper someone sent me and then rub ink over each letter.

I don't think I'm missing anything, but remember the possibilities are endless.

Post-It Note Holder with a Twist 3D Challenge

With the holidays fast approaching and the never ending need to think of something to give to someone; here is a wonderful idea that anyone can use.  You can customize it for just about anyone and is small, handy, and convenient.

Post-It-Note Holder with a Twist is probably, by far, the cleverest idea I have seen yet and simple to make.  So head on over to Paper Craft Planet and check it out.

I took a pledge 2 years ago to only give gifts for the holidays that were made.  While it takes longer to make something, I feel it means more and is more likely to be well received.

Happy Birthday Susanna Boyd!

I so forgot how much fun working paper can be and until I started doing Artist Trading Cards (ATCs) did I remember how much I LOVE PAPER!

So, I entered a challenge that my Paper Craft Planet group was having to create a birthday card for one of the Supernovas that run the site. I had a blast and rekindle my love for doing paper projects. So, aside from the jewelry and art I do, now I have paper projects on the list.

If you like working with paper, you should definitely check out Paper Craft Planet! Hope to see you there. BTW, this is my page on Paper Craft Planet!

Help Publish Poorcraft!

Mixed Media Workshops - Monthly Challenges

For those of you who love art or are an artists this is the place for you. Mixed Media Workshops is not just your average social network. We have workshops that are free and those that aren't with very talented fellow artists as instructors.

Every month we have a monthly challenge and encourage other artists to join. There is no judgement just honest and good fun. We have a very family friendly environment and welcome all ages and walks of life.

Check out the Monthly Challenge group for more information about this month's challenge.

Monthly Challenge Group

September Art Challenge

I would like to take a moment to mention the current September Art Challenge that my Ning group "Mixed Media Workshops" is having and encourage everyone to check it out. This is a group of extremely talented individuals from all over the world that work in various types of mediums.

The wonderful thing about this group is that the talent ranges from beginners to advanced artists and there is nothing but support for each other. The challenge this month consists of 3 categories: 3D Art, Computer Manipulated, and Organic/Flat Art.

If you are an artist or have a burning desire to be one, then this is the place for you.

September Art Challenge

Beading Space Exposed

I've been reading alot about beading spaces. I decided to go ahead and expose my beading/work/craft space. I have:

3 Tall Bookshelves
1 Cabinet with Doors
1 Craft Desk
Lots of Everything Else!


Since Beading is not the only thing I do, I kind of have things scattered amongst the 3 bookshelves. Besides beading, I have scrapbooking, felt, stamping, and sewing supplies. The bookshelf above holds thread, scrapbooks, magazines, jewelry making books, and the two binders that I keep EVERYTHING jewelry related in.

My beading desk is my favorite spot. It has a drawer in the middle and two sides that I can store stuff in as the lids lift upward. I cherish my label maker and the handmade tool box I bought at a yard sale holds bead containers so I can be mobile when I need to be.


If you like to go to thrift stores, keep your eyes and mind open. I found two science test tube holders at a thrift store and now they hold some of the containers and wires that I use most often. I found the pink box in the background at Michaels at 50% off, brought it home, and painted it pink. This holds my small tools. I also have lots and lots of containers. I have come to prefer the clear stackable ones as I like to see what I have.


This is the cabinet with doors I was referring to earlier. This is just for my beading supplies. I know, I know, I have ALOT of supplies. Also, you can see my Cricket.


I use the rolling 3 drawer caddy to put my Macrame supplies in so that I can take it upstairs to the living room without having to make several trips.


This is my Mannequin that I had to throw some material on, because everyone in the family was like "that Mannequin being naked really bothers me"! These are the other two bookshelves that holds all the other craft stuff. The blue bag with name on it, is what I received from the Home Arts Club for joining and I LOVE that bag. Sometimes I'll empty it out and put whatever I am working on in the bag so I can be mobile. Right now it holds all of my felt pieces. I'm kind of obsessed with felt. The cat is real and her name is Daisy.

More pictures of the bookshelves and Mannequin. I also purchased the Jewelry Designer Manager software program and am moving all of my supplies into this program from QuickBooks because of the specific-to-what-I-am-doing reports and the ability to add pictures for the jewelry parts so I know what I have.