CRAFTY GOALS FOR 2012

Greetings, dear readers!

Well, as many of you know my New Years Eve Craft-A-Long was a bit of a bust....couple the fact of lots of folks not having the time/ambition/money to craft all evening, and the fact that my computer crashed MID Craft-A-Long (ARGH) and you've got an uneventful, crafting fiasco of epic (ok, less than epic) proportions.

SOOOOOOOo, moving on....

This year, I want to be more intentional about my crafting...since I am still in recovery mode from the economic meltdown of 2011 (which shall hencetofore be known as "The Year From Hades") I have to be very selective in what I choose to purchase or create. However, because I want to make more GREEN crafts, I have no excuse when I can repurpose, upcycle and reuse. So, THAT being said, ON TO THE LIST:

1. As many of you know, I have a niece (actually I have several nieces) but one in particular who likes to create for UTILITY. She sews her own clothes, and is something of a lean, mean (not very) green fashion making machine. 

She has an Etsy shoppe: Emileigh's Shoppe, where she creates hair accessories that are made from thrifted, and upcycled goodies. But these lovelies, as great as they are, do not accurately reflect her level of creativity when it comes to making things that are USEFUL. 

I have exactly the OPPOSITE problem...the things I tend to create as art are, as  my dear friend Deb used to say, "Ars Gratia Artis" Art for Art's Sake...no purpose really...just ... PRETTY. Well, THIS year, 

1. I want to make some things that are USEFUL as well as decorative. One thing I'd like to make is some version of a crazy quilt. I'm envisioning something like this...that includes SOME embroidery also, because another thing on my list is...

2. Improve my embroidery skills. I absolutely LOVE samplers...but I either do not have the patience or the nimble-fingered ability to create such lovelieness: How great is THIS?! A "crazy quiltesque" kind of pattern, in the shape of a deer head! Oh how I love it! I cannot fathom my being able to pull it off, tho. Ngaire Bartlam has been a long time Aussie inspiration...her new blog, "Fox and Deer" is chock full of amazing, drool worthy pieces...

Le sigh...if only she lived in the states! I could show up on her doorstep and plead with her to mentor me! (I know, I know, you're thinking, "Those things aren't very USEFUL...." well they WOULD be if I'd put them on a cushion or pillow or in the middle of a quilt or tablecloth, right?) I'd love to have the crazy-quilt deer head on pillow cases.Wouldn't you HAVE to have lovely dreams?

3.  I want to make some type of mason jar lighting for my home:

Maybe for the patio/hot tub area? I even like the ones with "faux fireflies!"

4. I want to create some meaningful wordart for my sisters...LOVE this...

What are YOUR craft aspirations for the new year? Hmmmmmmm?

Easy, Quick Gift Ideas

Greetings, dear readers! I have been in the throes of continued decking and wrecking of the halls around here, forgive my absence...but...I come bringing photos...does that make up for it? Here are two FAB, easy Christmas projects scraplifted from the AMAZING Sara Horton at Designer Digitals. You simply MUST check them out... Until then, I give you my version of said FAB projects:

These are little treats for folks who have been (for whatever reason) helpful to me or just "there" for me in the past year. York Peppermint Patties with little home made sticker faces...are they not adorable? I printed the Let it snow topper on Epson premium glossy paper for a store bought look.

And then for my wee nephews and nieces, a cute little card game, presented in a clear DVD case. Sara originally used the DVD tins (which are SO nice) but impossible to find in podunk, USA. SOooooooooooo, I decided the clear ones are far more economical, and clear so there's display value also. :-) Here's the front...



And this is the inside ...instructions and the two decks of cards.

And the back...

.

Here are Sara's directions:

It's a card game for 2 or 2 teams.

I put the games in metal DVD containers, then covered the containers with decorative labels.

Game Instructions:
Shuffle and divide the cards into two piles - red pile and green pile.

Arrange cards face-down. Divide players into two teams.

One team will draw cards from the red pile.

The other team will draw cards from the green pile.

Take turns drawing cards one at a time.

The first team to spell HO HO HO wins.


Credits:
Jolly Lil Friends kit and both sticker sets by Mindy Terasawa
Iced Delights striped alpha by Katie Pertiet
font: GE Booker

Supplies:

2 pieces 12x12 photo paper (I used Epson Matte Scrapbook paper)
(you'll need to print the cards on one side and the colored backgrounds on the back. If you don't have double-sided paper, you'll need to print a sheet of the backing to attach to the backs of the cards. If you don't have a wide format printer, just make your cards so that they fit on 8.5x11 instead - you'll just need more paper.)
2 pieces 8.5x11 photo paper

DVD tin
corner rounder (EK Success)
Double-sided tape with a red liner (the really, really sticky kind)
paper trimmer

DO go to Designer Digitals to the Gallery Section (and check out their shop too...FABULOUS digital kits for Christmas!) to get better directions for assembling the game...it's a bit tricky if you're not comfortable around Photoshop Elements or some other photo processing program. But I LOVE it...and it will be well received. I'm making one for an older nephew called YO HO HO with a pirate theme. Too cute, yes? Then there's always the YO YO YO "game from the hood" (jk) or with a yo yo theme! See how my mind works? Scary, isn't it?

Let me know if you attempt any of the above...there's limitless inspiration out there! And I intend to find it...ALL! teehee

Back to my Elfin Kingdom! More soon!
XXXXX Peppermint Mocha SMOOCHIES!