Christmas Wreath the Maymay way

Its beginning to look alot like Christmas here.  We have had record cold temps and SNOW!  Ughhhh.  It sure has put me in a happy/sad mood.  Happy because I love decorating for Christmas and sad that we never really had a fall.  I plan on being gone over Thanksgiving which is when I usually decorate and Thanksgiving is very very late this year.  So with that in mind I decided to pull out my Christmas stuff early.  Plus as you could tell by my last post it's time for Christmas crafts too.  My Niece-in-law (is that a thing?  N.I.L.?)loves coming over to craft and earlier I had seen a "maymay made it" tutorial on a paper wreath.  Looked so cute so I went out, got some paper and waited for Liz to come over to craft.  Here's a link to maymay's tutorial HERE. 

I was at Michael's the other day and they had these 6x6 paper pads for $5.   They were double sided so it was perfect for this project. Now just a word of advice...these pads are by Recollection but not all their Recollection pads are double sided.  So you need to check the inside first.  I never noticed and just assumed.   Just a little buyer beware.  I bought what I thought were 5 double sided pads but I only actually flipped through just 1 pad while at the store and ended up with 2 pads that were single sided.  Anyway........ My N.I.L. works at an animal hospital and I saw this cute paper pack that just screamed "BUY ME".  So I got it for her and I went with more traditional papers for me.

Maymay used 12x12 sheets and cut them down to 6x6's but this worked for me.  We used cut aparts instead of stickers but basically followed Maymay's directions.

 

Aren't these cute?   The whole project only took about 2 hours and a few mini glue sticks.  

Enjoy and til next time
HAPPY CARDING!

CHRISTMAS TEACHER THANK YOU

Well I've been quite busy lately closing up my summer place and trying to help the grandkids with their Halloween stuff but maybe now I can get crafting.

As the Christmas season creeps up on us we are all looking for simple little thank you's to give to the mail man or Teachers or even that UPS driver who is delivering like a million packages to our houses over this season.  Since there were many thank you's I wanted to make I needed them to be quick and easy and I wanted them done yesterday!  LOL  I'm usually "A day late A dollar short" kind of gal but this year I wanted to be more prepared.  I saw this on Pinterest (of course .... my favorite place to be! LOL) and then forgot to PIN it.  But it's easy enough to figure out so I just jumped in.  Little Coffee mugs that require no dies!  ! sheet of 8.5 x 11 paper will give you 2 mugs and handles.  You then need just scraps or a solid sheet of card to punch out circles for the bottom of the mug.  That's not to say you need a punch.  This could easily be done with just a square cut out of cardstock too.  So here's what you need.

1 sheet 8.5 x 11
1 sheet solid cardstock or scrap
paper trimmer that also has a score blade
2" scallop or round paper punch is optional

Cut your paper to 8.5 x 4.75 (cut 2 pieces to get 2 mugs from same card stock)  With the scrap piece left over cut 2 pieces 4" x 1" for handle (1 piece per cup)
With solid piece cut one 2" circle or with trimmer cut a 1.75 x 1.75 square for bottom of the cup.  You can also (as an option which I did) cut you handles from the solid piece of card stock instead of using the same pattern as the mug.

With the short end of the 8.5 x 4.75 at top of trimmer score at 1".  Turn and now with the long side on the top score at 1", 2", 3", 4", 5", 6", 7", and 8".  At the bottom cut the 1" score lines to form flaps.

I used a jar to make sure my flaps glued evenly.

Fold all the score lines and glue flaps to form mug bottom.  I added the little circle or square to cover the bottom completely.  On your handle pieces score 1/2" on both sides and fold.  Glue these to the side of the mug for your handle.  I filled these mugs with Christmas Shredded paper from the Dollar Tree.  Michael's also carries these.  I added a little tea bag and a honey stick and a small chocolate.  Place into a Cello bag and tie it up with a ribbon.

I think many people are going to love this little treat.  Hope you all enjoy making these as much as I have.

Til next time.................
HAPPY CARDING!

Another Halloween House Mini Album

Well I have got to say these houses are addicting.  I keep wondering how many people are going to receive these from me this year.  They are a bit time consuming though and writing directions aren't really working since it seems like each one I make is a tad off in size.  So instead I'm just going to give directions for base and roof.  This can be made in 2 sizes.  On my last post it was a smaller one where you can use just 1 piece of 12 x 12 for the base.
With Heavy card stock cut a 12x12 sheet in half and score on long side at 3, 6, and  9.
On the first and 3rd section measure down 1.5" and tic mark.  Then on top measure in 1.5 and tic mark then draw your roof points.  Remove the piece between the pointed pieces in section 2 & 4.  See below. 

With remaining card stock or a piece of scrap which is what I used cut roof to measure 4x6.  Score in half on long side.

Now time to decorate. Ribbon was attached before Halloween paper is adhered to first and last section to hide ends of ribbon.

 Cut all your papers about 1/8" smaller than the base.  I distressed all the base edges with Tim Holtz walnut.  I also used various dies to give me doors, fences, benches and paper punches for the bats and the edge of the roof.  My pumpkins I fussy cut from a 12 x 12 sheet of pumpkin paper.  They look so cute.  The angle pockets are hand cut and a corner die was used to decorate it. 

I just slipped a few ephemera's into 1 pocket and a couple fun tickets in the other.  Pictures can be placed on the undersides of the waterfall.
  The waterfall was super simple.  I cut 3 pieces 2.75"x3" scored 1/4" on long side.  folded edges were layered above each other for waterfall.  

Now for the big one.  You need 2 pieces of 12 x 12 if you want to make it simple.  Cut 1 piece of 12 x 12 down to 12 x 8 and then score at 4, & 8.  In sections 1 and 3 measure down and across 2" and drawn points.

From second sheet cut 1 piece 4.5" x 6 and score on short side 1/2".  That will be attached to the previous piece so that when your house lays flat it will measure 16" long.  Out of the second sheet you will also cut the roof or use a different color scrap as I have above.  It should measure 5" x 7.75" and score in half along long side.
Once again measure layers about 1/8" smaller than house. 

Here's the inside of the bigger one.  The corners were decorated with a corner die and one of them I had made a mini mini album to slip inside.

The Mini mini album has a few solid pages to put some wallet size photos in it.  Then here's the outside decorated.

I used all sorts of dies I had buried in my craft room.  The door, and bench are Spellbinder dies.  The pumpkins are all fussy cut from a sheet of scrapbook paper.  The bats are foam stickers from the Dollar Tree.
Here's both houses together.  Just let your imagination go wild and decorate.  There are so many fun papers out there.

To be honest I really like the little one better.  I think it's a cuter size.  A plus is they both fold flat to put into an envelope.

Enjoy and til later
HAPPY CARDING

Halloween Mini House Album

Fall Is here.  Our leaves haven't changed yet but I'm busy decorating with all my fall stuff.  I have just returned from a Girls crafting weekend with friends and we made some awesome fall items.  I showed them how to make my toilet paper pumpkins as well as the sewing ones and they loved them.  2 of the gals brought alot of cards to make and one even put together all the pieces for us to make a House mini album  Shown here some opened and the rest closed.  They fold right up to be placed in an envelope.

These measure 4 x 8 at the peak.  I decided that they would look real cute using Halloween papers.  I was also disappointed that she fussy cut everything out when I was hoping there would be a die.  I decided to make mine a bit smaller.  Mainly because I have limited Halloween paper and because I wanted to have the base of the house all one piece plus the roof instead of 2 pieces plus the roof.  I made the waterfall to hold a couple wallet sized photos.  A few photos could be tucked into the corner pockets too.
Here is the front and 1 side and the next photo is the back and the other side.

The total size of this is 3 x 6 at the peak.  Here it is opened.

I think I'll give this to my Daughter in law for her mantle.  I think it's pretty adorable and I'm off to try it again as soon as I get more Halloween paper.  I probably should right down directions too.  lol

Til next time
HAPPY CARDING

More Pumpkins

Hello again.  I got some more pictures of the pumpkins I've been infatuated with.  lol.  I wanted to talk a little more on the sewed pumpkin.  First of all any fabric will do.  Don't worry about what the print is as long as it has fall colors it will work.  My fabric choice was some scrap in my bin and in all honesty it was ugly but the colors were right.  Cut a circle about 12 to 14 inches in diameter.   I used a charger plate as a template and ran my rotary cutter around the plate.  I then used crochet thread and sewed a running stitch all along the edge.

 Gently pull the 2 strings forming a ball.  Before it gets too tight stuff it with polyfil.  Then pull string tight closing the hole.  Type a double knot to secure and trim ends.

Then with jute or twine wrap around the ball to form segments of the pumpkin and the off on bottoms.  Add a stick to the top with some hot glue to secure and then add a few leaves and a bow from jute or ribbon.  Either one would look cute.
And voila....ugly material = cute pumpkins. 

I also found these material prints and the pumpkins turned out so cute.  You can also use old flannel shirts.  If you use the sleeves you can get smaller pumpkins.  But if you do choose to use the sleeves remember you need to do a running stitch on both ends of sleeves.  Cut straight across shoulder area and then about 6" down cut again.  On 1 end do running stitch and completely close up the end.   On other end do running stitch as above one, stuff and then close up.  Use jute again for segments and twigs for stem.  You'll soon be making an entire basket full of these.  Try sweaters, socks, etc.  Let your imagination go wild.

Til next time
HAPPY CARDING

Lollypop Scarecrows

So I'm pretty sure many of you have seen Maymay Made It you tube videos.  I just love that girl and her ideas are fabulous. So about 2 weeks ago ( I  need to find the link) she had these adorable Scarecrows she made to put over lollipops.  They don't require a lot of supplies either.   Here's the first one I made for my sample.

You need a piece of paper 1 3/4" x 6" scored at 3" any solid fall color
2 pieces 3/4" x 1 3/4" dark gold for straw hair
1.  2 1/4" scallop circle double sided falling pattern for a hat.
1.   1 3/4" circle in a cream color
1.    1/2" scallop circle can be gold to be turned into a sunflower for hat
Black stickles, thin black marker, Orange color pencil
Maymays  Pun kin head stamp set ( or you could draw your own faces)
Lollipops any flat kind will work.
Twine

You can watch Maymays video HERE  You'll want to watch for details as I will just be giving you basics.

Fold the long solid piece in half on score line.  Using either a ticket 
punch or a large hole punch clip each corner.
Any corner clip would do actually.  Use what you have as they will still turn out cute.
On the cream circle draw or stamp the face.  With large scallop isolate 3 scalloped and cut doen about 1/2" on either side.  Then 2 scallops away from cut you will remove those 2 by cutting to 1st cut line forming a hat top shape.  Best to see video.  Then roll the brim up and glue.  On 2 small dark gold pieces fringe the long side on both pieces. Attach both across bottom of the hat brims back side with glue.  When set attach with glue to the face.
As pieces dry you can make the loopy bow from the twine.  The sun flower can also be made by cutting to center between 2 scallops and gluing 1 scallop to the one next to it.  A dot of black stickles  was used for center.  But a sequin or tiny button can also be used or maybe even seed beads if you have those.  Glue flower to side of hat and bow to bottom side of face.  When all is dry, glue face to folded cardstock piece.  Place a sucker inside and glue bottom shut.

Here's some variations I have done.  First I made score lines in both directions to give body more texture.  The one on the right I used a crimper for.  Detail lines wth fine tip marker added to face, hat and flower.  I also punched a small hole in middle of the fold on the body so my suckers slide in from the bottom and I glue the top closed instead.

Have fun...they are so cute.  To speed up time you could use hot glue but I didn't want to mess with the glue spider webs lol.
Til next time
HAPPY CARDING

TOILET PAPER ROLL PUMPKINS

Happy Fall Y'all!  Well ok almost lol but I sure have Fall in my mind.  Here up at the cabin our temps are much cooler than down home.  The leaves are just starting to turn and all the different Fall Fests are lined up to begin.  Starting tomorrow is Harvest Fest and then every weekend after that it's fest after fest after fest!  I love love love fall.  Crafting for fall is so much fun too and I decided to start with adorable toilet paper pumpkins and small fabric stuffed pumpkins.

Adorable right?  There are a ton of tutorials on line for both so I won't go into major detail but briefly here's what I did.  
For the toilet paper one I found the easiest and cheapest way to go is with toilet paper from the Dollar Tree.  You can get 4 pumpkins for a buck!  Great deal!  So take a roll and squish it from the top down.  The tube is real thin in these rolls making it easy to squish.   This helps it not look too much like a roll of toilet paper.  Then place the roll in the center of a 16x16 inch square of material.  I picked up 9 yards at a flea market for like $3.  Yep I'm thrifty.  Then start stuffing the corners into the center, adjust it a bit and then grab a stick from the yard for the stem.  If you want to use the toilet paper after fall then just stick the stick in the center or if intentions are to store it till next year (like me) add a bit of hot glue to center before adding stick.  Dollar Tree also has packages of fall leaves so I placed some around my stick and added a jute bow.  Super cute.  I want to see if I can find large enough napkins to try this project again.  This would look so cute on the toilet tank for a fall decoration don't you think? 

For the smaller one I cut a circle (I used a charger plate for a template) sewed a running stitch around the edges then pulled thread tight.  Before tieing it off I stuffed it with polyfil.  Then I took jute and wrapped the outside to create pumpkin sections.  Again got a stick for the center, added leaves and a jute bow.  

These are going to be projects for my crafting weekend with friends next week but I'll try it first with my non crafty sister tomorrow.  If she can do it anyone can.  Lol   I'm also going to do this with my niece in 2 weeks.  She wanted to spend some quality time with me (so sweet) and this would be a great project to do while sipping a little wine and chit chatting.  Maybe I'll have found napkins by then for her.  Hmmmm😁

Hope you enjoyed this project and I'll post more pictures when I get them of how the others turned out.

Til next time
HAPPY CARDING