Cute Cupcake Ornaments

Sorry - this is alittle blurry - I am getting used to a new camera.....I had to make a quick gift for some lady friends of mine so I decided to make these cute cupcake ornaments.
I got this cute cupcake stand at Target - just had to have it - it's red.....couldn't resist and I just love how the ornaments look on it. Here is a closeup of the cupcake. I rolled ribbing from a sweater for the base then added a gathered and stuffed circle for the top. A thin strip of sweater was rolled for the cherry then added a few felt leaves. A few beads sewn on were the finishing touch. Everyone loved their ornament - they said they were cute enough to eat......

This is a view from the top - ready to be wrapped. Let me know how you like them and if you would like more detailed instructions. Wish I had made one for myself - maybe next year!

Wrapped Up Wreaths for Christmas

Wanted to show you what I have been up to lately. I just love both of these Christmas wreathes. Old sweaters were cut up and wrapped around foam wreaths. On one I added wool fabric leaves and rolled sweater berries. On the other I used the ribbing from the sweater and felt snowflakes I picked up in the $1 section of Joann's. Felt holly ribbon was cut apart for the leaves. Everything was glued with Fabric Fusion adhesive and once dry were ready to hang. These were for a local store - I just hope I have time to create some for myself. Let me know what you think and if you would like more detailed instructions.

A Guest Designer on Favecraft Blog!

I want to give a big "THANKS" to favecrafts for asking me to be a Guest Designer on their blog, spotlighting my sweater pillow. You can check it out here and here. How exciting to be included with all the other talented designers. If you haven't seen their site, please take a look, they have great designs and lots of useful information and ideas. Thanks again for including me, we'll have to do it again soon.

Warm and Cozy Pumpkin Pillow

Here's my warm and cozy pumpkin pillow. I made it for my sister - her birthday is this month and she likes to decorate for the season. I found this sweater at our local thrift shop - I was lucky to find orange - it a hard color to come by.....I basically cut out a pumpkin shape , sewed it together then stuffed it. The leaves are made from a sweater and blazer that I also found at the thrift shop. Hope she likes it.......
Here's a close-up of the top of the pillow. The sewn leaves are glued in place with Fabric Fusion. I lightly stuffed the stem before sewing into place. The stitching on the pumpkin is embroidery floss just slightly darker than the sweater.

Here is a close-up of the bottom of the pillow. I sewed on an oval base to the ribbing of the pillow then glued the sewn leaf in place. Let me know what you think.

M-I-C-K-E-Y Coasters

Aren't these great? My sister and I went to Disneyland last weekend - had a great time on all the rides - but the best part is going through all the stores.....I found a box of dominoes and just had to have them - I don't even play dominoes so had to come with another reason to get them....I decided to make coasters. I just happen to have the perfect glass to accompany them....don't you think?

Here they are out of the box - so cute! Now I have to figure out what to do with the box.....any ideas? Here's how I made them.....

Place pieces on a non-stick sheet or shiny side of freezer paper for easy release, just in case some glue may seep through. Assemble pieces as desired - I used eight for each coaster - with amount of dominoes in the case I could make three large ones with 8 pieces or four smaller with 6 each. I opted for the larger size - with three left over for future use.

Place sections together. Lift up one domino then apply a very thin bead of Liquid Fusion Glue only along edges where it touches another. Press together. Repeat with remaining pieces. Any glue that shows can be carefully wiped off with a damp paper towel. Let dry overnight.

Now that the coasters have dried overnight, cut a piece of black felt slightly smaller then use Liquid Fusion to glue in place. Let dry then they are ready for action.

Hope you like them as much as I.....

Another week, another fun roundup of Halloween craft ideas! I want to give a shoutout to everyone who has participated over the past few weeks! I can really tell that you guys have really enjoyed sharing and making your projects. I think there is something about Halloween that enlivens people and gets them excited about crafting throughout the holiday months! I know it puts some mojo in my holiday step! Now onto the projects! Spooky Spider HouseSilvia creates a miniature haunted house that is spooky and oh-so fun!Witchy Embroidered PostcardSharron Westerfield brews up a whimsical witch postcardThe Impatient CrafterVintage plastic owls become the focal point of a charming necklace you can wear for Halloween and all year round!Pumpkin and cat felt treat bagFelt bag that can also be made as a wall hanging or door hangerCheryl Ball's Halloween Door HangersCreate these door hangers from inexpensive gloves for Trick of TreatersMy Big MouthMake a creepy wire tree just in time for Halloween!Mel's Day of the Dead NecklaceLinked chain, skulls and spiderwebs for Dia de los MuertosCrafty Chica's Matchbook ShrinesAdorable little folding shrines that fit in your pocket!Paper PumpkinMake a plump paper pumpkin from some strips of paper plus a little Halloween craftiness!Polymer Clay ZombieCandace's diabolical plan to populate the world with zombies continues!The Impatient Crafter for iLoveToCreateMake a retro style styrofoam ornament into a fab Halloween Party centerpiece! Madge shows you how using iLoveToCreate products! How to Make a Spooky Spice RackCome make a spooky spice rack with Crafterella, she's sharing her unique labels with everyone!Halloween Treat ToteConjure up a quick Halloween cupcake basket using new ScoreBoard dies!Brenda Pinnick's Halloween BannerA little scary, a little fun, this delightful banner celebrates all things Halloween. Made using Brenda Pinnick Sizzix dies, glitter and ribbon.Creepy CandlesticksPattie Wack turns mini pumpkins into a boo-tiful Halloween lighting idea!Strands of BeadsMelissa explores the holiday possibilities in a black and white checkered beadGlow in the Dork Wall HangingTurn off the lights and have a laugh with this goofy wall hanging from Alexa Westerfield!Picture Perfect PumpkinVanessa Coppola turns a traditional pumpkin into a decopauged masterpiece!

Spooky Trio of Halloween Door Hangers!

Aren't these cute? I just love they way they turned out. I found inexpensive gloves to create these door hangers for any Trick of Treaters you may have in your house. Wiggly eyes, felt, pom poms and pipe cleaners are glued in place with Aleene's Fast Grab Adhesive. Fill with a small amount of polyfil for dimension and you're ready to go. Very easy and inexpensive - just use the stuff already in your stash. Great favors for work or school - make them yourself or have everyone make their own at the party. Let me know what you think?

Spooky Bat Door Hanger!

Here is a close-up of the bat. I found these gloves at Target - they already had the stitching around the edge - I thought they were so cute - I had to make something out of them. The wings are double layer of black felt with a pipe cleaner sandwiched between so they can bend. I used white embroidery floss to stitch around the wings to match the glove then glued on all the details. Fill you favorite treats and you're ready to go.

Spooky Pumpkin Door Hangers!

Here is a close-up of the Pumpkin - I found the gloves in the dollar section a Joann's Fabric's - but they can be found anywhere this time of year. I used black embroidery floss to sew the fingers together then stuffed with polyfil for dimension. Everything was glued on with Aleene's Fast Grab Adhesive. A green pipe cleaner forms the handle - just push through the cuff of glove and twist to secure.

Halloween Coasters for this Spooky Time of Year!

Wanted to show my Halloween coasters I plan to give my friend this year. They are made from felt with Tulip 3-D Fabric Paint for detail.

I used pinking shears to cut out rounds from felt then glued them together with Fabric Fusion glue. Let them dry then use black embroidery floss for the stripes around the edge.

Use Black Slick 3-D paint for the details. Just let dry then you're ready to go. Make lots - they would be great Halloween Party favors.

Hope you like them......Let me know what you think - they are really easy to make and could be done in an evening.....

My Ad in Crafts and Things Magazine

How exciting is this - I have had many projects in Crafts and Things magazine over the years(Thank you Abby!) but how cool is it to have an ad. iLovetoCreate - Duncan Enterprises new name - decided to put all of their designers in ads - how great is that. I love the pillow - the colors are so me......just thought I would brag a little.....it's not often I pose for an ad.....this may be my first and last time......

Vacation Time!!!!

My sister and our friend Jan went on a cruise in September - hence the lack of posts.....

We flew to Hawaii, boarded our cruise ship then spent five days touring the islands. Wonderful weather, food and best snorkeling - such beautiful fish.....
We basically toured an island during the day, ate dinner then went to our room to read our books - it was wonderful.......the island in the background is Kauai - you can only see this side from a boat.....really beautiful....
Ready to go back!

Here is my new toy - a video camera! Now all I have to do is figure out how to use it......I would like to add videos to my blog. I picked it and the tripod up at Target last week. Haven't tried it yet - hopefully this weekend....anybody know a kid that can help me? - they have a mastery of these things without even reading the instructions.....hopefully the instructions have good pictures.....just what does "mode" mean? One of my goals this year is to learn more about my camera and create videos - so I guess I'm on my way......Wish me luck!!!!!

Wanted to show you what I have been up to at the Design Studio at iLovetoCreate. This was created for the Innovations Display at the past CHA show. We have a new paint line and wanted to show the product. We ordered a Marilyn Monroe doll but it had the wrong dress so I got to make one from scratch - no pattern - I just winged it - turned out pretty nice even if I do say so myself. I made it in a few hours -the hem had wire in it so we could recreate the famous subway scene from the movie. Allee - another designer at iLovetoCreate.com, painted the dress and she was ready to go. We got second place for the display - very exciting......

Here's what I purchased at the Bead and Button show - these are "vintage" Lucite beads. I was thinking vintage as being 40's or 50's - but then the seller said that these were from the 70's - I think I have alot of "vintage" beads, shoes, clothes, fabric etc hanging around my house. Yikes!
I liked the cording -it's not vintage - liked the combinations of colors. Now it just have to use them in something right away so they won't become part of "vintage" stash not to be used for 20 more years. I feel that if I use them then I won't have them so I don't use them - you know what I mean.......

Traveled down to Pasadena, Ca. this past weekend to see the Pasadena Bead and Button Show. It was great fun - saw lots of wonderful beads and cool buttons. Here is a picture of my friend Kirsten who makes wonderful lamp work beads. she had a small table at the show. She and I worked together as designers at iLovetoCreate - she moved on to pursue her arts.

Isn't this a cool necklace? I found it at a Forever 21 store. Unfortunately is was entirely in the gold color. I loved the dimension of it - but me being me - needed color - so I used fingernail polish. Here is the necklace while I was working on it. Several coats of polish can be layered for depth of color. I used the Opaque paint pen because I couldn't find yellow polish in my little hometown. It worked fine. It's amazing what colors of nail polish are out there. I found most of my colors in a dollar store - but keep your eyes open when shopping - you'll be surprised how many different colors there are.

Here is the finished necklace - Looks good! Not too bad for a $12.00 necklace. Now I have to make a bracelet - will show you when I finish.

A Happy Customer!

This is Lauren whom I work with at iLoveToCreate! . I made this apron for her - it is the cutest bee fabric and when added with the black polka dot - well what can I say! It's too cute. It started out as a half apron be she wanted the bib so I added it for her. Now I need to make one for myself!

Wanted to show this month's project I made for Amate Studios. It's called Summer Sunshine - thought it looked nice and sunny with the bright colors. Be sure an check their blog for instructions. Very easy with beads and felt (as usual) - I took apart an earring to use for the dangle. Hope you'll make one for yourself.....

Aren't these beautiful? I guess only a person who sews could appreciate them - My bother-in-law (bless his soul) when through my thread box and put them together by color. The sun was hitting them just right for this beautiful picture. Some of these threads are from my grandmother and some from just a few weeks ago - but together they create a lovely picture. It sure is a lot easier to find them here than hunt through the tangled mess they were.

I've been working on a new purse - hope to post soon.

I had a great time talking with everyone at Inspired at Home Radio this Sunday. It was great to hear everyone's voice especially Aleene's - what a lady - still going after all these years... a real pioneer of the craft scene. I checked in alittle late - but still had time to talk with all of them....check it out here. Hope you like it - they are a very creative and inspirational family. Hope we can all get together again to do something special soon.

Just wanted to show what I did this weekend - My sisters and a friend went to Paris about three years ago. I finally got a chance to put up the great things from the trip on these two bulletin boards my brother-in-law just put up for me (thanks Jay). It was fun looking at the maps, postcards and souvenirs as I pinned them to the boards - actually I could use another one. I love Disneyland and of course went to Disney Paris - what a treat - love wearing the pins. Went to a street market and bought the buttons. The felt balls are from a fabric store - just had to get them......Now I can look at everything as I pass by and remember the great time we had......

I love this purse - it is so me - recycled sweaters, wool and buttons! I made this purse to take to the CHA show in Los Angeles last year - got a lot of comments on it. Julie Stephanie (a friend of mine for many years), editor of Today's Creative Home Arts Magazine saw it and put it in her magazine for the month of May/June - I was thrilled. I just got it back from her and had to show you. Hope you like it too.

Just wanted to show my version of a bracelet I made with hotel key cards. Unless you really look close I don't think anyone would think that this was made with the cards. We went to Hawaii and I collected everyone's key card on the last day. I cut them up, added metallic gold pen to back and edges then punched a hole in each. I made a few grouping of beads for some sparkle, added them to a bracelet and there you go - an inexpensive bracelet that is a great souvenir of the trip. I made this rather full - next time I'll know better and won't put so many on - then everyone can have one.....Maybe I'll have them help me!

Also I wanted to let you know that I was invited to be interviewed by Tiffany Windsor - from Aleene's Creative Living fame - on her new radio show Inspired at Home. Tiffany and I go way back - almost 20 years. I met her at a design convention and she asked me to make some things for her show - I can't tell you how exciting that was - to actually meet Tiffany and Aleene - I had watched their show which came on really early in the morning before I left for work - and here I was being asked to do projects for her show - it was so exciting!. Well, I was on the show for about 6 years and loved every minute of it - even the times I worked in the wee hours of the mornings to get all the projects done.

I will on this Sunday June 21 at 4:00 - so I hope you'll tune in for a listen. I'm looking forward to it.

Last Saturday Jen and I went to San Mateo (again) for the International Jewelry show. It was a great day - It was fun to see all the wonderful charms, beads, chain and everything else in between. Here is Jen holding a string of beads - We were told that is was $77.00 - we thought that was rather high for the strand - but then were informed that each bead had real diamonds and that EACH bead was $77.00 - Jen carefully put them down.......nothing like holding $7,000.00 worth of beads in your hand.

Here is the assortment of what I bought - I love everything here. The red bird and cherries are laser cut Lucite and the bracelet to the left has flowers and leaves made from leather - too cool - think I will take it apart and do something cleaver with it - will post when done. I thought the lampwork birds were fun - don't know what to do with them yet - just knew I had to have them....you know how it is......

This is my friend Frances Valera - a marketing person I worked with at Delta Technical Coatings about 6 years ago. She now has a business called little-windows which is jewelry created with resin. She was so busy on Sunday - she quit Delta to stay home with the kids and said this is the best thing that happened to her - she is spending more time at home and everyone loves it. Glad things are going so well for her.....

This is a picture of the Bizarre Bizarre - where Indie crafters could sell their wares. It's amazing to see what people are creating - everything from crocheted monsters for the kids to felt log pillows.

Sunday and friend and I went to the Maker Faire in San Mateo. Very interesting fair - crafters, techno geeks, kids, and everyone between were at the show. Very fun and interesting. My employer, Duncan Enterprises had an ilovetocreate.com booth. For two days they did make-it-take-its in the booth which included tie dye, Crafty Chica Glitter and even decoupage. This was Sunday but on Saturday people were three deep waiting to create.

Over the Memorial Day Weekend - my sister and I went to Newport Beach to cater a graduation party for the daughter of one of my best friends. I have known her since first grade and her daughter graduated from Long Beach State that weekend. My sister is the caterer - I was chauffeur and dishwasher. We had such a wonderful time - the weather was perfect and the rented house was FABULOUS - so beautiful.
This salad is call Mojito Fruit Salad. Rum and mint are reduced to a syrup and poured over the fruit - everyone loved it!!!!! So refreshing.

These were the appetizers served while waiting for everyone to arrive. Pesto Grilled Shrimp, Macadamia Nut Hummus, Thai Spring Rolls with Peanut Sauce and Corn with Chili Powder and Lime - They went rather quickly. Everyone raved about the food - my sister is the best chef ......More later about the main course......Let me know if you need recipes.......

Isn't this cute? I just love the colors.....I drilled through each ball and added a post and looped the top. I then thread them onto an elastic cording and added a few bright colored bead to the mix and there you go -a cute summer necklace. Larger holes could be drilled then the balls could be threaded directly onto thin elastic cording for a different look......hummmmm I have a few balls left over - I'll have to try that...... Let me know what you think.

Here I am at the party - getting all excited over the bounce balls.....I "borrowed" a few from other tables to get the right colors......check in later for the project......

We had our company party at Duncan Enterprises this past Friday. "Carnival" was the theme and on each table they had small toys - our table had these small high bounce balls. I just love the colors and just knew I had to do something with them. I took a few home and made something special - will show you later exactly what I did. I guess a designer"s mind always sees something and wonders what can be made with it......

I wanted to show you the beautiful bracelet I made this weekend with friends. Debbie Rines, a friend and fellow designer at Duncan taught a few friends how to make this. It is really rather easy once you break it down - isn't it gorgeous? This picture really doesn't do it justice. The crystal beads are so sparkly - just love it - I made this one for my sister - these are her colors - the next one is for me.

These are a few of the supplies I plan to use on my "Fireworks" ring - will show you later how it turns out.

Wanted to show you my "helper" while I'm creating my projects for Amate Studios. Her name is Little Poof - her sister is Big Poof. Little Poof always wants to be wherever I am and always manages to lay down right in front of me - whether it's while I'm reading the newspaper, painting (I have had to be creative with my design trying to cover up footprints or a swipe of a tail with paint on it) or any craft project. Many a time I have had to pick up stuff from the floor where it fell from a swish of her tail. Right now she's laying on my beads that I plan to use for my 4th of July ring.

I wanted to show you my new sewing room and cleaned up craft studio. Te former was my mother's bedroom - she passed away about 6 years ago and my sisters and I haven't been ready to change things until this last month. My sister came out and we decided we could do it. Doesn't it look great! - so light and airy - can hardly wait to get sewing.

The studio may not looked too picked up - but it is. I actually have more than a 12" square to work within on the table - and my fabric on the shelves is all color coded. To make room for the fabric I moved my sweaters into SIX color coded bins in another room - how did I get so many sweater? Oh well everything is all picked up and ready to go.

Now I can get started on my AmateStudios
Will keep you posted on how they are coming along.