Getting My Crafty On!

I've been getting a bit crafty in the past few days - that is other than working on African Sunset when sitting down with my family to watch movies.

It all started with Kids Camp. No the camp hasn't happened yet, but the preparation has.
Our theme for this year is Superheroes! So, of course, that means capes and such.
I was going to post a photo of my cape, but the fabric I made it of doesn't lend itself to photography. Now I've got you curious.

Last year I picked up some pink tulle in the remnant bin at my local Spotlight store. I had planned to use it at work, but some things changed and I never did quite find a use for it there, but the idea came to me, that it would work well with the idea of the superhero talent of invisibility!
I used a single layer of the pink tulle and edged it with pink bias tape. I sewed the bias tape around except for the top, then used more bias tape to cover the top and form the ties to tie it on.
I'm very happy with it and hopefully it will be cooler than a full fabric cape if the day is very hot when I wear it.

I've also been working on some cards that a friend asked me to make for her. So far I have 3. All are based on designs I have previously made, either exactly the same or with variations depending on the materials (such as stickers) I have available.

 

Then there has been the folder that I use for Kids Crew, the children's ministry I am involved in at church.
I may have mentioned the folders in previous years, but this year I thought I'd post some pictures.

The picture is actually a cross stitch that I cut out of a magazine - I have no idea which company it is from, but it is beautiful.
The font I used for the words is called 'Peeps' and has little eyes on each letter. It perfectly fit for what the folder is for.
The folder is plain white with a plastic sleeve that you can slip things into - perfect for designing your own cover and side panel.

Inside I make my own section dividers. I used cardstock that I would otherwise be unlikely to use. This year I have the swirly pink (as you can see), mauve, orange polka dots on white and mauve with a white box-like pattern. There are 2 of each of the pink and polka dot.
The tabs are tab stickers that I have. I'm not entirely happy with the colours, but they were the only ones I had left. Next time I think I'll go back to using my Stampin' Up! punch and stamps to make the tabs.

The last thing, which I actually did today, was to make this really interesting pen holder.
I found out about the idea on Pintrest, checked it out, and as the instructional video was going, pulled out the materials I would use and had a go! Thank you to Michele at Poochie Baby for the idea.
It's just a binder clip and duct tape, although I used washi tape for mine. I just love those hot air balloons!
I'm still figuring out the best position on the folder for it - yes, because you use a binder clip it can be move when needed or removed completely!

Bows with a Bow Maker

I recently got a free bow maker (not quite like this one) with a card making magazine. This video has given me a few ideas of what I could try!

Or you could try this (no bow maker), but it looks a bit awkward.

How To and A Brilliant Idea

Finally someone telling me how to use these stamp and die sets!!

And the answer to a question I've had for a while - what to use to hold a die in place that is easily removed at the end and doesn't cost a fortune.

Card Creations

I've been working on a project that required me to go through some of my craft supplies and that got me thinking about experimenting with a few of the things I found.

This is what I came up with:

The silver mesh was what got me thinking. I bought it last year as one of the materials to include with one of my assignments for studying Children's Services when I did a series of items to be used in a collage. Then I found the chicken picture that I had cut from a magazine, and the ideas just kept flowing.

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I also had a card to make as a thank you for a friend. This is what I came up with:

I used one of my Flower Soft Toppers and purple Flower Soft.
The border on the white paper was one of my Fiskars border punches.

Ucreate: Ric Rac Flower Tutorial by Oh for Sweetness Sake

I totally want to try this!

Ucreate: Ric Rac Flower Tutorial by Oh for Sweetness Sake:     There's something about rick rack that just shouts playful and cute to me! Does it have the same effect on you, or am I just talking ...

Card Ideas and Projects

I found inspiration from these cards over at Arty Crafty. There are some ideas from the pink one that I particularly want to try because I like the look and I'm pretty sure I have the right materials to give it a go. Keep looking, and you may just see me post about it.

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Some cards that I've been making:

This card was for my Mum's birthday. The photo is of a farm where she lived growing up. I added the windmill using a Kaiser Craft wooden flourish that I inked with silver and gold (the gold for a rust effect). The flowers are a Stampin' Up! standard wheel - Fast Flowers.

This one uses those beads that you melt with an iron for the heart in the centre. The small flowers around it are Kaiser Craft rub-ons. And the border is a Sandy Lion Frame.

Finally for this one I used Kodomo Inc Snowflake stamps with Versa Color white ink. In the centre of some of the snowflakes are Dragonfly Crafts rhinesones in pale blue and silver.