Crafty Countdown to Christmas Month Two

Month Two for my work craft days.  Thanks to Rubber Paws for most of the hardware, these key chains weren't a lot each.  I had to purchase the key rings and the eye hooks but that's all.  We all had corks.  These are a few photos.  LOVE!

You're Such a Deer (Literally)

While we were in beautiful Wyoming, they had these CUTE decorated deer heads at many of the gift shops.  They were $50 each for the kit!  After picking my jaw off the floor, I said I can make that.  And that I did!


I found a free pattern on Pinterest; gathered cardboard and scrapbook paper (Tim Holtz paper pad) and made THIS:

LOVE, LOVE, LOVE how it turned out!!  He's now hanging in Carly's room.


I feel the need to make many more, but have no idea why!


$50?  Free?  Hmmmm guess which one I chose.  LOL


Don't you love it?

We are Giant!

I got this sketch from Splitcoaststamper's weekly challenge.  I love a good sketch especially one using 4x6 photos.






Here's my two page spread:

 

I love the zoom lens of my camera, I got some really good close ups!  This is Kenny, Carly and LeAnna's first game at AT&T Park.

This page is basically paper and a little bit of stamping.  It's so funny because I can get really creative with my mini albums and other projects, but when it comes to scrapbooking, I'm usually pretty tame and non-adventurous.  I have two more pages of this game.  Yup, I took and printed a ton of photos.  Sometimes I can get a little crazy!  LOL

America the Beautiful

What happens when your office is getting rid of old framed art?  I get to upcycle!  This piece was an old 80's print...very dated and not pretty.  I adhered scrap pieces of blue papers randomly around the piece.  Then painted a layer of gesso.  From there I just did a little this and that to get to something I liked.

In the meantime, I used other scrap papers to cut out each state.  I found a state puzzle on Pinterest and used those to put the U.S. all together.  Inked each state and then the entire U.S.  

I made more changes to the background (added more blue) and finger-painted a border around the U.S. with white paint.

After putting the frame on, I decided to hang this up in my bathroom...yes, I said bathroom.  Lol

It adds so much color in there!

I labeled this Apricot Fiesta because I'm considering this as my Fiesta contribution to the Art/Crafts Exhibit.  I didn't participate last year and I'm thinking about doing it again this year.  I'll keep y'all updated.

Craft Countdown to Christmas 2016

Yes, I said Christmas.  My coworkers decided that I should schedule monthly craft projects to get them ready for Christmas.

I laughed it off and then of course took it seriously.  So off to Pinterest, Google and YouTube to search easy DIY gifts.

January's project:h

Watercolor Mugs!

I made this quick video so you don't have to search but there are plenty on YouTube. 

Here are a few tips from me:

• Do not use nail polish with glitter; it sounds pretty, but it only clumps
• Work quickly especially when using quick dry nail polish
• Use lukewarm water for best effect
• Some polish will clump, do not use unless you want a "clumpy" look on your mug
• Swirl a skewer or paper towel into the container to remove remaining polish
• Nail polish remover can be your best friend.  Use it to remove unwanted areas and to clean the inside of the mug (if you get some in there) and rim.
• Use the polish you already have.  No need to purchase special supplies for this project.
• Hand Wash Only!  I even made tags to go on the mugs with this info.
• Have fun! 

Here are photos of the mug I made to demonstrate to my coworkers:

And the finished mug from my video:

Pretty cool!

As I'm writing this, my heart is heavy.  My cousin, Dee Dee passed away last night.  My cousin was one of those people who lights up a room.  I don't care where, why, what, but if she's there, you are having fun!  I was feeling sad yesterday but when I started thinking about her and all those times we had together growing up, I couldn't help but laugh and smile.  There's so much to say, but for now I'll just say Rest in Peace.  She deserves it.  Love ya Dee Dee!