Sunday, October 15, 2023
Sticky Note Holders - 3 Sets
Saturday, October 14, 2023
Sticky Note Holders - Photos
Square photos I have!
I had sticky notes in blue, green and pink so I selected my photos based on those colors. I choose flowers but also other stuff from my previous nature photo calendars.
I chose designer card stock in smooth colors so that it would not clash with the photos.
I designed my photos with a black border all the way around wider than I need it. I printed two 3x3 photos on a 4x6 with Christmas greetings in the extra inch. This will allow me to trim the photos as I see fit and not worry too much about whether the border is same on each photo.
I decided to go with a pocket design so the front would be clear of any closure. This makes the most of the photo on the front.
I did end up adding a tab to the back sheet cause in some cases it was a bit hard to pull the sticky note out of the pocket.
This also ensures that the sticky note is always put into the pocket sealed side first which is the tightest. Once a few sheets are taken it will be easy to pull the pad from the pocket.
I used my Stampin Up Round Tab punch. Punched the shape from the scraps, scored it down the middle, tape on both sides, aligned to the edge and press down.It looks very nice.
When the sticky notes are gone you can just add another pad onto the last sheet and start all over again.
This holder makes having notes handy in your purse or briefcase. It keeps the note corners square, the notes stuck to the pad, and easy to find.
Sylvia's Simple Shots
It was a beautiful day.
I had started out early in the morning so I had skipped my morning exercises so it was good to have a bit of blood flowing before sitting for another couple of hours.
The buns on this plate were made by my nephew and I have to say that when we walked in and smelled bread I was so reminded of walking into my Mom's house. He had inherited her way with bread. It is just delicious.
This is Turkey Dinner my sister prepared for me as a take home meal when we got back from down south.
It was nice to have a meal ready after all the driving. I was lucky that my brother in law did half of it.
We did have a short visit with my niece/goddaugther. She was swamped on the weekend so she did not join us on Monday for turkey dinner.
Where the Wind Blows - Caroline Fyffe was a nice light read. After a weekend of travelling it was nice to just dive into a good book for a while. I just read it almost in about 3 sessions. A good cup of tea or 2 or three.Friday, October 13, 2023
1 of a Kind - Tree Scent Ornaments - Set 2 and Stand
I made a few more 1 of a King Tree Scent Ornaments. These ornaments can hold your favorite tree scent essential oil to give your artificial tree the right scent.
It could also be a favorite Christmas scent of your choice. The scent will dissipate and you can choose a different oil another day.
Love this bold black and white check felted wool.
I decided to pair it with red.
I put blanket stitch along both edges with black embroidery thead.
I changed color to red and using the squares in the fabric I put X and dashes along to bottom half and just dashes long the top.
Red felt on top with a large black button on top of that. Black embroidery hanger.
I had most of my buttons spread around my work area in separate bowls. I found this cute small oval button which matched well with the thread I had selected so I decided to use it.Monday, October 9, 2023
1 of a Kind - Tree Scent Ornaments - Wood Spools
I started with a 5 small wooden thread spools which I sealed with Modge Podge several days ago. They measure about 1.25 inches tall and 1" around.
I gathered my bits of wool, my embroidery thread, a bucket of felt and a bucket of buttons and tackled this project. Something good to listen to on the TV and a cup of tea. I was there way longer than I expected.
Raw wood works as a diffuser as well so any drops running down from the top will go down the center of the spool and be absorbed.
I am not sure that taking the time to seal the outside did much. I was hoping to make the edges more warmed tone. You don't see much of the spool at the end.
This wool was a left over from a sweater which may have shrunk. I cut it 1" wide and 3" long.Sunday, October 8, 2023
Calendar - Countdown - Four More
Cool Snowman Countdown Calendar featuring the scene I created and photographed.
On this 4x6 I added the "Days until Christmas" and the star digitally onto the photo that I took.
The birthday side features bright red polka dot designer paper with silver metallic balloon punchies with black strings.
This one got a black dry erase marker.
Calendar - Countdown - Simple Bethlehem
Frames: I used discontinued Tolsby 4x6 frames from IKEA for this calendar. It the past I have packed these in plastic and decided not to this year. That created some issues to overcome - mainly how to store the marker and ensure it does not disappear while on the craft table. I created a clear plastic loop which I adhered to a piece of white 4x6 card stock with clear tape. I then used silver glitter washi tape to make it pretty and visible. I also used a piece of clear tape to hold the marker to the frame until it is purchased. I had thought of using bubble tea straws for the loop but I mislaid them so I had to just move ahead. With the new by-law these may become a thing of the past.
Markers: The first set of markers I purchased did not have erasers included. I spent a day spinning ideas about making dry erase board erasers and just decided to buy markers with felt erasers attached. Having to do it again I would have searched for all black markers. Maybe that is not so much fun for the kids which is the whole point.
Images: I have designed quite a few digital Christmas cards in the past so that was pretty easy to mine my archives to find images. Also did a photo shoot of Christmas images you can see here. Birthday is a completely different story so I just resorted to using scrapbook designer paper with banners for that side.
Tags: I made up 2x2.75 inch tags that document the way to use the calendar. I attached the tag to the base of the frame since I decided not to enclose these in plastic.
The Bethlehem image used here is one I created digitally a while ago. It has been created with a light blue oval background. I have used it in several projects over the years. Here I designed a 4x6 photo with the digital Bethlehem add the words "Days until Christmas" then had the photo printed. The challenge is to have a place light enough that the numbers will show up. The birthday side is bright designer paper in red with royal blue balloon punchies with black strings.
Saturday, October 7, 2023
Photo Shoot - Chrismas - Tiny Wood Stable
I found this tiny wood stable ornament at the ReUse center. They always have a bit of Christmas all year round which works for me. I am sure it olive wood.
I just removed the eyelet and string hanger from the roof of the stable.
I added the white fiberfill batting around the base making sure to cover the transition from the table to the background.
I used my gold foil star die cuts again on this composition. I wanted to leave some space at the top so I can add digital elements as I go along.
The star background again is 12x12 designer paper by Creative Imaginations created by Helen Dardik.
This will work for a 3.5x5 inch layer on an A2 (4.25x5.5") card, a 4x6 print on a 5x7 A7 card, a 4x6 photo background for the Christmas Countdown calendars. And who knows what future projects.
This process entails taking many photographs, tweaking the composition, post production work including cropping and sizing for specific outcomes.
Photo Shoot - Christmas - Warm Snow Angel
With a lot of thinking about it I realized that I could use my background stand to hold background paper. That worked out really well. Check the photo below. It can be set up narrower than I usually use it from photographing my art for gallery shows.
I used some warm and natural quilting batting for the snowbank. I cut gold foil stars with my Sizzix star #2 die that cuts 4 stars in various sizes. Found the foil card stock at ReUse for free.
With this composition I have enough space at the top to either add a digital greeting for a card or a place holder and words for the countdown calendars.
So glad he came back to me.
Photo Shoot - Christmas - Cool Snowman
I worked on Christmas photography for cards this year.
This was a fun one. This was created with free and found objects.
It started with the blown glass snowman I found at the ReUse Center. I needed an environment for him and it took a few days for me to remember the little house and find it.
It is a small gingerbread house that lights up. I think IKEA but it is not marked.
The white wood tree pick - I cut the pick to short and put it into a styrofoam block so it would stand.
The tiny bottle brush tree came out of an ornament which I managed to extract with a piece of wire.
The snow is fiberfill batting for quilts. It is stretched, moved around, fluffed up and patted down as needed. Added a bit to the chimney. The house and snowman are raised so they don't get lost in the snow. Need enough snow to cover the transition from the the table to the background.
The background is a piece of scrapbook designer paper in navy star night sky. Perfect.
It is 12x12 designer paper by Creative Imaginations created by Helen Dardik.
I now have a photo that can serve different purposes. Trimmed to the right size of 4 x 6 it will become a Christmas background for one of the count down calendars. More about that later. It will need a few words and a star where the numbers can be written At this size it can also be used on a 5x7 A7 photo card when I add a digital greeting. The shot can also be trimmed to 3.5 x 5 inches to be used on a 4.25x5.5 inch A2 greeting card. This turned out so well.
Sylvia's Simple Shots
Beaumaris Lake has been a great go to place for photography this year. Big trips have not taken place. This lake has enough landscape to provide a variety of photographic fodder.
Here is the water reflection of the hand rail around one of the many view points along the walking trail. Love that absolutely blue Alberta sky.
Does it look like birds all facing one direction?
Tuesday, October 3, 2023
Card - Watercolor and Ink - Fall Colors
The original ink drawing was done on 90lb watercolor paper measuring 4.00 X 5.25 inches. I used a fine tip permanent black marker.
I was inspired to start ink pieces by the Inktober Challenge.
I drew it then applied watercolor to it in fall colors. Yellow, oranges and browns.
I rubbed a black marker around the edge to finish off the lines in the drawing.
I added a fabric accent "City Express Post" 2 cent stamp. Unfortunately, I was not express enough and this card is a few days late.
I added 2 deep yellow mini brads at the top and bottom of the stamp. The watercolor drawing was then adhered to the front of a Tangerine Tango card.
I will hand deliver the card tomorrow.
I have been working on art pieces for the upcoming Value of Color show at the art gallery. Turned out to take more time than I thought. Keep an eye out for those coming at the end of October.
Saturday, September 30, 2023
Sylvia's Simple Shots
It's that time of year. The crops are being harvested and stored away for winter. It was very interesting to see the different colors of netting on these large straw bales - green, red, blue at minimum. Red was my favorite bit it was not convenient to stop and take pics.
The combines were in the fields kicking up a dust storm, the trucks were waiting for the loading to be done so they could head back to the yard, and there were very wide tractors on the highway so one had to be careful.
I did end up behind a large industrial load and the pilot car did not allow us to use the passing lane when it showed up. Several of us were just waiting for the opportunity to pass and our hopes were dashed. It turned off after 40 minutes.
I finally took a trip to the country to see my sister which I had not seen since May at my Mom's funeral.
Exchange Cards - September - Yellow Flowers
My Exchange Cards for September feature autumn colored flowers.
This first one is a sunflower. The 4x4 inch photograph is from one of my annual photo calendars. Trimmed the numbers off and it was ready to go.
I chose a Stampin Up Summer Sun card base. I cut a 2" strip of black card stock which I punched with the SU Banner Triple Punch.
It is very versatile as it easily centers the V on several widths of banners. Allow allows you to make any length.
Once that was adhered I installed 3 golden yellow caplets by making holes with the Crop-a-dile and then inserting the caps and choosing the right settings to press these into place.
A full half sheet white insert make this a card which can be used for any fall occasion.
This card features the same Summer Sun card base. This time I chose a Chocolate Chip piece of card stock which I aligned closer to the top of the landscape oriented card.Thursday, September 28, 2023
Oil Diffusers - One of a Kind - Set 4
Daisy on Blue
This diffuser features a yellow felt daisy flower set into a cobalt blue glass holder.
The yellow felt and the royal blue pompoms in the center are the diffuser. Place 1-2 drops of pure essential oil in the center of the flower and sit back and enjoy some relaxing time.
This diffuser would fit into a sun room, next to a favorite chair, or a bedside table.
Glass Ink WellTuesday, September 26, 2023
Oil Diffusers - One of a Kind - Set 3
Marble Cube
This diffuser features a cinnamon colored marble cube with an matching insert with a hole. I have placed wooden rods in the hole which will be the diffuser. I have placed a piece of felt under the insert to catch any drops. The sticks are held together with a bit of jute.
This diffuser would fit nicely on a desk, in a man cave, or near a favorite chair. The outside cube will protect your furniture.
Place a drop or two of pure essential oil on the wooden rods and enjoy your favorite scent.