Make It Monday - 2 Autumn Cards

Were you excited when you saw the preview on Saturday? I couldn't believe how cute they turned out. I plan on sharing another card I made using a Jack N Jill set soon. The goal of my Make it Mondays is simply to work on increasing my stock or other business ventures for the upcoming fair/sale season. Feel free to use the search bar to the right to search for my previous Make it Monday posts.

Before I go any further, please be aware that I am not a professional card maker. I am not a consultant. I make cards because I like to and as a beginner. This tutorial is at a beginner level.

This week is 2 in one! Yep, using the same stamps and same paper I am creating two different looks. Here's the preview: 

Material List

• White cardstock
• Brown cardstock
• Cream cardstock
• Colorbok Luxe Designer Paper
• Jack N Jill Stamp set - by Prima Marketing
• Autumn Sentiment stamp set - by Inkadinkado
• StazOn Ink pad in Timber Brown
• Tim Holtz Distress Ink pad in Walnut Stain
• Pop Dots
• Snail glue - or whatever adhesive you want to use
• Gold Glitter Ribbon
• Scotch tape

As you can see in the photo above, there are two different sizes of cards. I will post the dimensions for each card.

Card one - Side Open

Dimensions of card cut and folded - 5 1/2 x 4

Mat in brown - 5 1/4 x 3 3/4

Designer paper mat - 5 x 3 1/2

(This card was cut in half on the long side. Almost, I do not have a cutter that breaks down further than 1/4.)

Card two - Top Open

Dimensions of card cut and folded - 5 1/2 x 4 1/4

Mat in brown - 5 1/4 x 4

Designer paper mat - 5 x 3 3/4

(This card was cut in half on the short side.)

Stamp Mats In brown

For Jill - 3 1/4 x 1 1/2

Sentiment - 1 1/4 x 2 1/2

Stamp Mats in cream

For Jill - 3 x 1 1/4

Sentiment - 1 x 2 1/4

First, I gathered all the materials together so I did not have to struggle to find something. I cut the cards and mats at the same time. 

*Note: My cutter is a little weird and leaves fibers on the sides of the cuts, so I trim when I see issues. My dimensions do change when I trim. 

After cutting the mats, Cut the ribbon and used two pieces of tape and attached the ribbon to the side open card.

You can see how I accomplished that in this photo.

Add the designer paper to the brown cardstock mats by using snail glue.

Not pictured: Stamp the images to the cream cardstock and attached them with snail glue to their respective mats.

In this photo, I was attempting to figure out where I wanted the images to sit. You can change the layout to fit what you want.

Attach the backings to the card base.

Add pop dots to each of the stamped images.

Place them in the correct position.

Stamp a secondary sentiment inside the card. This is optional, but I think it matches the card.

I did not notice until afterwards that the sentiment inside matches the choice of ribbon, but it goes well together!

 

What do you think of this week's Make it Monday?

Card making is so versatile! I found it easy to create two similar cards with one set of materials. Yet, they look different and appeal to a different set of people. I would love to see any photos or creations you make from this tutorial. You can share them via email at smchatton.writer@gmail.com or on my Facebook page - https://www.facebook.com/DandeCreations. Who knows! You may find your creation (with your permission of course) on the Share it Saturday post.

Happy Crafting!

Sarah

Saying goodbye to the gardening posts......

Hello again everyone!

I noticed a trend in this blog that mixed my gardening with my crafting/crochet/paper cards. While this is okay with me, I realized that gardening was taking on a life of it's own in this blog. So I began a new blog that will cover my gardening posts. If you found them interesting, please follow me at: http://thecountrycontainergardener.blogspot.com/

In the mean time, the gardening posts will make their way to that blog as a transition to separate the topics.

Sarah

Preview - Make it Monday

Well, Monday is almost upon us and that means another "Make it Monday!" This week, I had to think of what I could use around the house to make something that would be useful for my upcoming fair/sale season. As I have been really interested in making a) cards, b) crochet, or c) wooden sleds, I decided to choose A for the upcoming Monday. So, for the first time I am posting a semi-okay card tutorial - on Monday of course. Today, I am just providing a quick preview.

Aren't they just cute? I just purchased both of these stamp sets on Ebay and couldn't wait to try them. For the longest time, the only sentiment sets I had were Christmas. I am very glad to now have some new Autumn type sentiments. Also, look at the little girl! She is part of the Jack and Jill line. I just found it and fell in love immediately.

(Forgot to post when published)

Materials List

• white cardstock
• brown cardstock - mat
• Colorbok Luxe Designer Paper
• Jack N Jill Stamp set - Prima Marketing
• Autumn Sentiment - Inkadinkado
• Cream cardstock
• StazOn Timber Brown Ink pad
• Tim Holtz Distress Ink in Walnut Stain
• Pop dots
• Snail adhesive (or whatever you want to use)
• Gold glitter ribbon
• Scotch tape

Have a wonderful day!

Sarah

Share it Saturday - African Flower

While the day has been brilliantly bright with sun and color, our little home has been filled with miserable and highly frustrated allergy suffers! Our little town is situated at the base of the Smoky Mountains, so each Spring we are faced with waves and waves of pollen. I am not sure why I started to crochet African Flower Motifs, but I did.

This beautiful motif has been worked into many different shapes, but these colors scream out to me to be the sweetest and pinkest baby blanket! I have a two and a half year old niece that is going through some troubling times, so I might just create a toddler version and give it to her.

It is always surprising that I declared yesterday that today would be a lazy day, but I have worked on so much it cannot be constituted as a "lazy" day. I still have to step out into the cloud of pollen to water my veggies. At least the pollen has not kept away tourists. Gatlinburg is humming again!

What are you doing with your weekend?

Sarah

Throwback Thursday

Don't judge, but I am apparently on a Christmas kick. Yes...by the end of the year I will be entirely tired of Christmas and spent about 3-4 months not thinking about it until the realization that I am a) a crafter and b) me and thus, start working on projects, gifts, and products so I will be done early. I know! Exhausting.  But any good craft can tell you that getting things done early is better than scrambling last minute to accomplish a huge goal. My goals for Christmas? HUGE! Thanks to a large family. LOL!

Well, this week I wanted to share with you something that I really enjoyed doing and the story behind it. My mother LOVES handmade gifts. What mother doesn't? I know without a doubt that I can spent an afternoon or a weekend creating a handmade ornament in the first experimental phase with my mother loving it from the moment she sees it. Maybe it is a mother just bolstering her child. I highly doubt it though. Two years ago it was crocheted snowman ornaments. Last year, it was medallion ornaments.

When my husband left the Navy in 2010, we ended up staying with my parents for around 4 months as we had to move states and such. It was Christmas in July (crafter's paradise) and I wanted to start on my gifts. This was before I was selling. As a stress relief, I chose to make my mother something special. Since as long as I could remember, my mother would use a plastic tree skirt that would threaten to fall apart every year. Tradition yes, practicality, no. So that was my goal - a crocheted tree skirt.

Before that time, I had never made one. So I spent a few hours searching for a pattern that was simple, within my skill range of the time, and would be finished in time. Without fail, I found a good single crochet tree skirt that I could change the colors on (Red, Green, and White). I would stay in the room we were staying in attempting to crochet on this tree skirt without notice. Once I heard someone coming, I would scramble to put it away fast enough so the gift would be a surprise. The smile on her face was the best present of all.

I unfortunately cannot find the picture of it finished and around the tree; however, I have a picture of it almost finished.

Last year, I finally created a tree skirt for my own family in deep red, dark green, and white. It was a great experience. Slowly, we are moving away from commercialized gifts and products to handmade and local!

Do you have a similar story?

Sarah

Make it Monday - Sled Ornament

I announced this pattern on Saturday as part of my "Share it Saturday" routine! But first things first, here is the material list again:

• glue gun
• glue sticks
• popsicle sticks (9 - 8 for sled and 1 just in case)
• sturdy scissors
• paint color of choice
• scrap paper or newspaper
• paint brush
• yarn/twine/ribbon

 While this is a REALLY early Christmas ornament, I am preparing my booth with products for Autumn shows. The goal I have is to have many choices to purchase and have fun while I make them. I saw pictures of a similar sled on Pinterest and developed my own.

*Note: While this is a somewhat kid friendly project, I would remind everyone to use safety goggles and allow an adult to deal with the hot glue.

*Note: Although this project is pretty quick, you must leave time to dry.

1. Plug in glue gun to heat up. Be sure to place it on a piece of scrap paper to catch any dripping glue.

2. Cut one stick into two equal parts with a small overage. Two of these parts will fit across the bulk of the sled.

3. Place 5 popsicle sticks next to each other with the middle stick the highest, the next layer down just slightly, and the last two down further.

4. Using hot glue, place a small line of glue near the upper part of the sled and place 1 of the support beams from step 2 on top. I squished mine down to create a better hold. Repeat further down the sled.

5. Place a small bead of glue on each support beams at the very end and place the runner, holding in place until the glue hardens. Repeat for opposite side.

6. Allow time to dry.

7. Using paint brush, paint the sled on one side. Let dry. Repeat on opposite side. Let dry.

8. After cutting the ribbon/twine/yarn to the desired length for the hanger, place a small bead of hot glue next to the top support brace on the underside of the sled. Quickly place one end of your hanger into the glue. Repeat on opposite side.

You can obviously embellish this sled how you want. I have ideas to put names and the year on the sled so that whoever receives the ornament will have a date for memories in the future. I would love to see any projects you do with this tutorial. You can send the photos to smchatton.writer@gmail.com or visit my Facebook page, Dande Creations, to share.

I found packages of popsicle sticks at my local Dollar General on sale 25% off. I bought 5 packs for $3.75. I did pick up a new pack of glue sticks a few weeks ago, but you hardly use half a stick for just one sled. I also had crochet thread to create the hanger; however, the price is very low with the amount you use. Paint was also relatively cheap. For me, it was free. I had purchased paint samples at Lowes when we painted our kitchen and it was the perfect time to use them. The beautiful, deep blue was a perfect winter-y/Christmas-y color.

Costs

8 Popsicle sticks - $0.08 on sale
Hot glue stick - $0.16
Thread - Free
Paint - $0.10
-------------

$0.34 per sled
Round up to $0.40 for thread (generous)

So for 40 cents, you have a sled.

My packs of sticks had 80 sticks so I can get 10 sleds from one pack! What a great, frugal way to make gifts for the holidays, crafts for the kids, or products to add to your holiday craft booth!

Happy Crafting,

Sarah

Share it Saturday - Upcoming project

This week I thought I would give a preview of what I will be doing for my next Make it Monday project. I saw this idea on Pinterest recently and wanted to give it a try. For a few years, I have been a big supporter of giving ornaments for Christmas. Last year I gave mittens and my Medallion ornament to most of my family members as a handmade sentiment for the season. This year, I do have similar plans to provide handmade ornaments; however, I have not decided quite what I want to do.

As I prepare for Fall, I know that I need and want to add Christmas ornaments to the roster. (The list gets longer each day.) When I saw this pin, I thought...well that is a relatively easy project that looks adorable in the tree. So, I tried it. The pin did not include a tutorial as the blog just contained multiple pictures. So going with a rough idea, I created a cute version.

Here's the preview!

Can you guess what it is?

Now, I wanted to provide a material list.

• glue gun
• glue sticks
• popsicle sticks - at least 9 (8 for sled and 1 just in case)
• scissors
• paint of choice - I am going to use some brown I have sitting aside
• paint brush
• scrap paper or newspaper
• twine/yarn/ribbon

I have not decided what I am going to use for hanging, but I will decide before Monday. One thing I have seen is that this project is easily transformed so children can join in. Instead of hot glue, you could use Elmer's or similar glue. The drying time would just be greater.

The goal for me was a quick, simple project that make a good end product and obviously, a great ornament. I hope you visit on Monday to see how to put this together!

What are your crafting plans this weekend?

Sarah

Some New Cards

With a week off, I have been attempting to get a little bit of everything done. I am watching my seedlings grow. Working on the containers that are out on the porch. But the best thing I have done this week is work more on my products for Fall. I have a project to show you tomorrow that is particularly fun. For today, I just want to share some of the cards I came up with this week. Yes, some of them will have similar stamps. There happens to be two or three I really love.

I have gotten a few new toys including a cloud embossing folder. So far, I have only made one or two designs with it. I plan to add more. I also have four stamp sets on the way including a cute little Jack and Jill combo that might become my favorite stamps. I cannot wait to try them.

The goal this week is using leftovers and scraps to make cards. In the space of just a little bit, I have a stack of scrap paper really high! They are turning out nicely I think.

Have a great Friday!

Sarah

Throwback Thursday

It is that time of the week when I show something that may bring a little embarrassment or shame. Perhaps a bit of reflection and thankfulness that I grew, quickly. That I learned a little bit that affected my abilities and skill set. This week is none of that. This week I want to reflect on something that has been a part of me...since birth apparently!

In the 80's, I was born! My mother, who is also a crocheter, took my photos in a lovely crocheted set of a hat, jacket, and booties! I wish that I had the set for the future mini me, but I do not. What I have is a gift! A knowledge that my mother crocheted a set of lovely clothes for me that set my future in motion. The picture that solidifies that emotion of connection.

Here I am, all these years later, a crocheter would loves to give crocheted pieces as gifts and who makes things to sell.

Reflecting....just a bit,

Sarah

INTRODUCING: A New Spring Pattern - Barbie One Shoulder Dress

Okay! I told you I am attempting to get my Spring Barbie Line ready and published so I can start on the summer, fall, and winter versions!  Well, I am introducing a new addition to the Spring Line.

The One Shoulder Dress

.

Short version

Back of medium

Medium

Here are the links to the published patterns! Available to purchase now. I will also crochet custom colors in this dress for sell in my Etsy shop!

Ravelry: http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/barbie-one-shoulder-dress
Craftsy: http://www.craftsy.com/pattern/crocheting/toy/barbie-one-shoulder-dress
Etsy: https://www.etsy.com/listing/186211763/pattern-barbie-one-shoulder-dress

Have a great day!

Sarah

Bonus Make it Monday: Washcloth Bunnies

Because it is close to Easter and I know that some of us crafters *cough me cough* sometimes wait until the last minute to crochet gifts (shifty eyes), I wanted to provide a bonus Make it Monday. Like the washcloth lollipop, you will need a washcloth, cello bags, and ribbon! No dowels.

Of course, the one I chose is in baby print. It's a 6x6. That is the size I do for child size washcloths.

Roll from one corner to the opposite corner

It will look like this.

Now turn it over so the corner is closest to you. 

As you can see in this picture, you fold the washcloth in half. The corner is poking out the back like a tail!

Here's the front. Carefully wrap yarn or ribbon around the halved washcloth and tie tightly. 

You have ears and a cute little bunny shape!

Turned over, the corner looks like a tail.

Here it is packaged in a cello bag.

With the lollipop!

Total for this project

$0.50 for the washcloth
$0.02 ribbon
$0.04 Cello bag
_______

$0.56

In less than 30 minutes I crocheted the washcloth using half double crochet with a single crochet border. This will work with purchased washcloths so do not let the crochet stop you! Obviously if you buy washcloths the price will rise.

Can you imagine these hopping into your baby's Easter basket?

Happy Crafting

Sarah

Make it Monday: Washcloth Lollipops

Originally, I was going to build a riser for my booth that would hold soap or my dolls. With such a busy week, I did not have the time to get the required material - which is more foam board. But, I found something to make for Make it Monday.

One day last week I saw a cute gift idea on a diaper cake. Two of my sisters are pregnant right now which had me wondering about baby shower gifts. It was this cute lollipop with some type of cloth. When I focused on it, I found that it was a washcloth lollipop. Well, I had no clue how to accomplish this. I looked on youtube and found a good video that showed me how to accomplish this lollipop and a "hard" candy.

Since we are adding soap and other beauty products to our booth, we are also increasing the washcloths and other spa items as well. A surplus of washcloths means a new, cute type of product display.

My goal today is to create some washcloth lollipops to display in my booth in Fall. I spent the last two days crocheting (and paper crafting) a few washcloths to try with this.

What you will need:

Washcloths
Wooden dowels
Ribbon
Cello/Treat bags

2 washcloths

Green is my Star Stitched Washcloth pattern 6x6

Pastel is in Baby Print and just a single crochet at 8.5 x 8.5

Shaped Cello Bags

6 inch wooden dowels

*I bought 12 inch as well and probably would have preferred it to these*

Roll up the washcloth.

The tutorial showed corner to corner, but with a crocheted washcloth that was too much bulk to swirl. 

Swirling the washcloth

Finished swirling

Insert dowel

Put in cello bag

Repeat with other washcloth

Finished swirl

Finished with ribbon and in bags

I will readily admit that taking photos of this was difficult. So I gathered my hubby up and made him take photos...with a sweet smile on my face of course!

The project is not only really quick, but cheap. I am pretty sure the bag of cello bags was $3.50 at Walmart for 100. The ribbon was only $0.49. The wooden dowels were around $2.00 and that is rounding up. The yarn was only $1 dollar a skein, but I can get multiple out of each skein so roughly $0.50.


Total per washcloth lollipop

$0.04 cello bag
$0.01 ribbon (probably less than that)
$0.10 wooden dowel (Rounded up)
$0.50 washcloth handmade
______

$0.65 PER washcloth

Not only is this a cute gift to give for a baby shower, but who wouldn't like to get a handmade washcloth lollipop in a spa basket! I will try to make the candy version next week to show. I might do it with my washcloth soap savers.

Watch for a better photo with a professional set up!

Do you have any neat product packaging?

Sarah