Tuesday, April 26, 2011

Superman Card & Ollivander Wand



Just a quick birthday card using the Cricut superman cartridge and some dcwv paper. Happy Sixth Birthday Brock!


Okay, this is the final Harry Potter type post I think. Just sharing the wand that I made Jaryd. I printed a wand care sheet and a letter that appeared to come from Mr. Ollivander himself. Stating how he made a wand just for Jaryd and what type of secret ingredients it was constructed from. It was a pretty clever letter if I do say so myself!

To make the wand I snipped the end off a bamboo knitting needle and painted with blue metallic paint. I know they are usually just wood sticks, but I was having fun! Added a couple silver wolf prints so it would have a wolf patronus. And a bolt of silver lightning because J seems fasinated by lightning and HP has a lightning bolt scar on his forehead. So I just put it on his wand. Add a blue bead at the end for a bit of pizazz.

Hope this gives Harry Potter fans out there with kiddos some ideas. And if you DO choose to use a knitting needle, please nip off the tips and sand them to make them blunt on the end. To quote one of my favorite xmas movies "You'll poke your eye out!"

Monday, April 25, 2011

Bertie Botts Every Flavor Bean Bag


Just a simple project that I did for Easter. This was originally a cloth napkin that I cut in half and then sewed a ribbon in the top to create a draw string bag. Printed the label on the computer and then iron on the front. Went to the supermarket and grabbed some Jelly Belly beans from the bulk department and then added "bean boozled" jelly belly beans from the specialty store. Those are the nasty flavored ones like booger and vomit. Why kids thinks it so great to taste something so gross is beyond me. Smelling "skunk spray" when Jaryd bit into one was enough for me thank you very much! The good thing is, most of the beans are regular flavored. But its those 'sneaker' ones that kill all the joy. But Jaryd is having a great time with this Harry Potter treat.

Sunday, April 24, 2011

A Card I Wish I Wouldn't Have Had To Make






A local police officer and our friends nephew was gunned down over the weekend during a standard traffic stop. Chris, we thank you for your service and sacrifice keeping us safe. Our thoughts and prayers go out to your family at this most difficult time.

Stand and salute cartridge, DCWV immortal paper, and a few tears.








Police Officer Chris Kilcullen
Oregon
End of Watch: Friday, April 22, 2011

Rest In Peace Chris

Honeydukes Easter Basket


Hope everyone is having a delightful Easter this morning. Here's a peak at Jaryds basket. Yep, its huge. You can think his grandma for that one. I've always filled it with necessities to fill up space and then a smaller toy and a chocolate bunny. A few jelly beans are in the eggs that lead the trail to find the basket. Thats the usual. But this year, we went hog wild. Candy galore! I got a bit carried away with my harry potter themed basket. LOL! Most of the candy came from the dollar tree so it was inexpensive. I got to tap my inner crafty self by transforming regular boring candy into wonders that came from the honeyduke store. I think I had more fun creating it than he did discovering it. But its a close tie. He loved loved loved the basket. Huge hit. And since we 'killed the easter bunny' this year, we thought we'd go out with a bang. Yep, no more easter bunny, santa clause or tooth fairy at this house. The gig is up! PHEW! I am saddened and relieved all in the same breathe. Funny thing is, I have been struggling with whether to tell him or not (don't want him to be teased at school) and here he's known for over a year! Sheesh. He was just riding it out to get more stuff. Yep! He's definately a ward boy! (not that I ever questioned that. LOL!) But its funny to see certain traits be so dead on.

HAPPY EASTER EVERYONE!!!

Thursday, April 21, 2011

Wednesday, April 20, 2011

Ravenclaw quiditch robe





This is what I came up with over the weekend for Jaryd's harry potter ravenclaw quiditch robe. Since no match has taken place on any of the movies that I have seen, I didn't have much to go off of. And there are so many interpretations on the net. I had no pattern. What I did have was 3 yards of blue fabric. Which was cutting it WAY close. But I was stubborn and didn't want to spend alot of money on something I was sure I'd screw up and its just for play and hanging on his wall. Mostly its just going to hang on his wall for decoration. We are just waiting for the ravenclaw patch that I can iron on from Ebay.(It was only $0.99! with free shipping!)

I did have to pick up the gold material for the trim. But joanns was having a fabulous sale, so it came in under $5.00 and that included the gold thread. So not bad.

How did I do it without a pattern? Hee Hee Hee. Ever make a snow angel before? Yep. As silly as it was, I laid the material on the floor and had Jaryd lay down on the ground gently on top of it. With a white fabric marker I marked where his head would be and the length of his arms. It was a crude little mark up. But gave me the jist of things. So I set to work cutting it all out and pinning it here and there. I don't measure, and I don't pin. Its a miracle it stays together! But really, it went well. I sewed it once and it was really tight in the armpits. So I got to rip it all out and resew with a smaller seam allowance. I will admit that the ripping was awful. I keep saying that I don't have patience. When will someone believe me? LOL! But it was a nice lesson for me. And the end result was totally worth it. I would have just left it straight blue. Fitted at the top and open at the bottom. But admittedly it was too plain. Jaryd really wanted a bit of pizazz. So on our way back from lunch we picked up that gold. I sewed two long tube type strips of the gold. Approximately 4" wide. Then I sewed it to the blue front edge. Tapering from 1.25 inches to the larger 4" toward the bottom. Put a little hook and eye closure at the top so it stays together but stays open at the bottom so it flows freely. Last I hemmed the sleeves and bottom. I am ecstatic for how well it came together. No holes. No snags. And it actually fits. WAHOO!

Wednesday, April 13, 2011

Relax



I have had this car with the surf board hanging out on my workbench for over a year and a half easy. Always meant to use it, but never did. Well, a friends hubby is having a birthday this weekend and I needed something. So, for a non-traditional style bday card, this is what I came up with. He tends to be on the 'intense' side if you don't know him. So I think this will fit. At the very least, I will get a rare smirk!

Also wanted to let you guys know that I will be away from the blog for a short while. Having some issues that will soon resolve itself. Plus, I am on a new adventure. Yes folks, I have been forced to take the 5 layers off dust off my sewing machine and SEW a wizard robe. The things that I will do for my kid!!! I don't sew. I really hope he keeps his expectations low!!! But I have to at least try. Wish me luck! And I'll be back in a week or so and post the outcome. However hideous. For your viewing pleasure. Plus any other projects I can fit in the meantime.

Have fun and stay crafty!

Tuesday, April 12, 2011

A wizard bday card



Paperdolls, paperdolls, paperdolls.... Give me more of em' any time! They have so many extra's that are great for boys and girls. Love, love, love them! This one was done using the blackout feature for the wizard. I tried my very best to draw a tiny lil' lion for the crest, but I don't need to tell YOU guys how much I stunk at it. So... I substituted a tiny 'G' for Gryffyndor and called it good.

Oh, and in case your 'just' tuning in... We are in a huge Harry Potter phase here at the house. And so are all J's lil' buddies. His bestie is having a bday party this weekend and I needed to make a card. I hadn't received his invitation at the time of the card making so I went with wizard. Oy!!! When I got the invite it was Super Mario!!! Shoot. Totally missed that by a mile. But such is my life. However, I am confident that the kiddo will love it regardless. Well, as much as a kid CAN enjoy a card. Ha Ha Ha!

Jaryd really wanted me to make a wizard card. So per his request it was done. When finished I proudly walked it in for his aproval. The little turd loved all of it except the face. Apparently that is not a wizard face. Hmmm, maybe all you could help petition Peachykeen for some wizard type faces? LOL! That kid cracks me up.

Enjoying a cold and wet day here. Hope yours is sunnier and warmer!

Sunday, April 10, 2011

One Cool Chick

Friendship plaque


Not bad for $1.00 plaque and a bit of paper.

Friday, April 8, 2011

Harry Potter Spell Book

Hello lovely ladies and gentlemen. :) Today is a Harry Potter day. No real major crafting and no cricut. However, it does deal with paper so I thought I'd share. If any Potter fans are out there with kiddos they might like this idea. I know that Jaryd had been pouring over it for the last 24 hours. Hardly has set it down! (Sure makes mom feel good!)

Many of my friends know that I bought the HP series to encourage my son to read. He reads only because he 'has' to and never for the fun of it. I thought if I found an interesting enough book to engage him, I might draw him over to the literary side. :)

Let me tell you, its been a fight! But even if he refuses to admit it to me HE LOVES the series. I don't know how many times he's stupified me or put me in a full body bind... I guess I should feel fortunate he hasn't used any of the curses. LOL!

So.... Back to what I came here for: Last night I opened up a editing software and altered the Hogwarts sign slightly. Then pasted it to the front of a inexpensive folder. I 'could' have binded it like a real book with my yourstory. However, I decided to put it in this type of folder so we may add on to it as he gets further into the series. He's a very imaginative child so I wanted it to be able to be altered at any given time. To start off, we did a section on Charms, Spells, Curses and Jinx's, Potions, and Notes. The 'notes' pages follow each individual section so that he may add any of his own ideas and whatever charms, spells, etc... he invents.
(I used the Papyrus font at 16 and 14)

My mind was going wild with ideas. Like 'aged' paper etc. But I was hurting and he just wanted it done. (Side note: Never discuss an idea for a project with a child or they will NEVER leave you to a moments peace until it is complete!) I also wanted to use really thick cardstock for each page (for durability) but once I did the charms pages he complained the pages were too stiff. So I reprinted on regular computer paper for easy flipping. So, if you do your own version, do what works best for you and your munchkins!

Hope you find it interesting. Have a great day!










Tuesday, April 5, 2011

Happy Easter Layout


Another layout using the Easter Cartridge. I flocked the sheep so he's got great texture. I fell in love with flock all over again. Just doing some quick layouts lately so I'll be 'on it' for placing my photos after the holiday. That will be a first!

Mr. Chocolate Bunny



Used the Easter cartridge. Super simple. But thought it would be a nice layout for when your biting the head off that cute little bunny etc.

Sunday, April 3, 2011

Birthday Gift Set




Here is another gift set that I made up. It includes the main birthday card using some paper flowers, ribbon, and sentiment stamp. Nothing cricut on this one at all.




Followed by the coordinating bag. I used the Wrap It Up cartridge on that one. Hot glued some coordinating ribbon and flowers to finish it off.




Inside their are three complimenting thank you cards. I figured she could use these to thank people for her gifts that she gets at her party. Each one displays a slightly different thank you sentiment. Which is also represented in one each of the pull out envelopes.




Happy Sunday!

Friday, April 1, 2011

Humpty Dumpty Gift Set






Can I just say that "wrap it up" might be my new favorite cartridge? Okay, for this week it is! Such fun boxes!!!

For the card: Got Mr. Dumpty from the Nursery Rhymes cartridge. Detested that horrible face they gave him. So I used my Gypsy to 'hide' his facial features and mixed and matched my Peachykeen face stamps for his new and I must say IMPROVED face! lol! They didn't really have the layer feature on him so I just cut him in different colors and then cut away the portion I wanted to use for his clothes, brick wall, etc. A little bit of piecing together and VIOLA! The ever endearing Mr. Dumpty sitting on his wall. I adhered some prima flowers to the bottom of the wall and added the must have bling with my irock. Stamped the Humpty Dumpty name from the Debbie Mumm stamp series. Finished the inside to coincide with the front.

For the box: As I was saying "Wrap it up" cartridge was my 'go to' baby for this one. Big Idea Studio paper for the box itself and again on the note card faces. Debbie Mumm Humpty (nursery set)stamp - poorly colored with Prima's. Add some ribbon and your done. Left the cards free of sentiments so they can be used however the recipient would like.

My dear friend is going into the hospital next week for heart surgery so I wanted to have this ready for her when I go visit. Her most favorite thing is Humpty Dumpty and he's very hard to find. So imagine my excitement on this. I really like how it all turned out. Can't wait to see what everyone thinks. Have an amazing Friday!