Tag: handmade

Book Marks for Book Lovers and Readers

Leave a comment

Bookmarks for Book Lovers and Readers

Creating Bookmarks for Book Lovers and Readers…

Besides crafting, reading is one of my favorite hobbies.

Sitting and reading is a luxury for me.  Never enough time.

Bookmarks for Book Lovers and Readers

Just one more page…

I love getting lost in a good book. My problem is once I start reading,

I can’t seem to put the book down until I finish reading it.

Forget about work, dinner, or dishes.

Bookmarks for Book Lovers and Readers

Combining my two hobbies…

I created bookmarks using the New Bookmark Die Set from The Maker’s Movement.

 

Disclosure:  This is a sponsored post for The Maker’s Movement.  I have been provided product and compensation in exchange for my creative ideas.  The view and opinions are my own. 

Bookmarks for Book Lovers and Readers

Materials Used:      (*affiliate links)

*Disclosure:  This blog uses ads and affiliate links.  If you choose to make a purchase using one of the links, I receive a small commission (at no additional cost to you) that helps offset the costs of maintaining this blog.  Thanks for your support!

Bookmarks for Book Lovers and Readers

Directions:

  • Cut out the layers of the bookmark using the bookmark die. 
  • Adhere them together using a tape runner*.
  • Using the Xyron Creative Station* with a double-sided Laminating cartridge, place the bookmark base in the machine.  Crank the handle to run it through the machine. The Creative Station adds clear laminating onto both sides of the bookmark.

Bookmarks for Book Lovers and Readers

  • Trim the bookmark with scissors leaving a 1/8″ border of lamination.
  • Reopen the top slot of the book mark with scissors or a craft knife.

Bookmarks for Book Lovers and Readers

To make the letters on the blue bookmark… place a piece of scrapbook paper through the Xyron Creative Station* with a permanent adhesive cartridge* to add adhesive to the back of the scrapbook paper. Once the letters were die-cut, they became little letter stickers.

Bookmarks for Book Lovers and Readers

  • Place the vinyl onto the bookmark, and rub over the transfer paper to make sure the vinyl sticks to the lamination.  (You can use a vinyl scraper tool.)

Bookmarks for Book Lovers and Readers

Add ribbon and trim to create the perfect bookmark for your favorite book lover.

DIY Holiday Planner

2 Comments

DIY Holiday Planner

Creating a Holiday Planner…

It’s never too early to start thinking about the Holidays.

So…when Xyron asked me to do a Christmas in July project using the Xyron Holiday Bundle,

of course, I said YES!

To be honest, my first thought was to run over to my local scrapbook store

and buy something new to use in my project.

Christmas is my weakness, and I have so much leftover from previous years.

I decided to “Scrap my Stash” instead. In the end, I used paper from 3-4 different collections.

(I’m so proud of my self-control.)

My Holiday Planner measures 6″ x 8″. 

It is big enough to write in but small enough to grab and go.
Xyron® is your official site for all your crafting needs
“This post is sponsored for Xyron.  I have been provided product and compensation in exchange for my creative ideas.  The views and opinions are my own.

Creating a Holiday Planner

Materials Used:

*Disclosure:  This blog uses ads and affiliate links.  If you choose to make a purchase using one of the links, I receive a small commission (at no additional cost to you) that helps offset the costs of maintaining this blog.  Thanks for your support!

Xyron Creative Station

DIY Planner Details:

  • Cut two 6″ x 8″ pieces of decorative paper for the front cover and two 6″ x 8″ pieces for the inside front and back covers.
  • Lay the paper into the Xyron 9″ Creative Station* design side up. Crank the handle of the Creative Station* to run it through the machine. As it goes through the machine it adds a complete layer of adhesive to the back of the paper. No electricity needed, easy to use.
  • Peel the decorative paper from the protective liner and place it onto a 6″ x 8″ piece of chipboard. Cover the front and back sides of the chipboard.
  • I love using the Xyron 9″ Creative Station* when I make albums.  I get complete coverage and everything lays smooth, no wrinkles.
  • I like to use a craft mat and craft knife to trim away any excess paper.
  • A sanding block is great for smoothing out the edges of the covered chipboard.

Xyron Disposable Sticker Maker

  • Cut decorative strips to add the front and back of the planner.  If you’ve never made a planner/album like this, you’ll want to give particular thought to the placement of the strips on the back cover to make sure they line up with the front of the planner.
  • I used coordinating decorative scrapbook paper to create a frame for the front of my planner using the frame die from The Maker’s Movement.

DIY Holiday Planner-Xyron Disposable Sticker Maker-Sue's Creative Workshop www.sueeldred.com 1081DIY Holiday Planner-Xyron Disposable Sticker Maker-Sue's Creative Workshop www.sueeldred.com 1101

DIY Holiday Planner Pages

  • I created several different types of pages using a word program for the inside of the planner.
  • As you can see, it doesn’t have to be anything fancy.
  • Once you get your cover finished and your inside pages created, you’ll want to bind it all together using a binding machine.  I used an old Bind it All Machine.  You can also use The Cinch Book Binding Machine*.

Holiday Planner-Calendar Pages

November and December are the crucial days when planning the Holidays. 

I printed out two calendar pages from SaturdayGift.com and sized them to fit in my planner.

On the inside of the front cover, I created a pocket for lists and coupons.

DIY Holiday Planner

Christmas Gift List

I am that person.  I write down everything I buy for Christmas.

If you want to know what I bought you five years ago for Christmas, ask me.

DIY Holiday Planner

Christmas Card List

Do you still send Christmas Cards?

I love getting and sending Christmas Cards over the Holidays.  (sometimes I even make them)

I don’t get as many or send as many as I used to, but I love hanging them on display.

DIY Holiday Planner-Merry & Bright-Sue's Creative Workshop www.sueeldred.com 1515-2

A great way to be prepared for the Holiday Cookie Exchange. 

Creating pockets are a great way to keep organized and the perfect place for

blank Holiday recipe cards.

DIY Holiday Planner

Favorite Family Recipes…

I have several family favorite recipes that I make every year.

Several years ago, I typed them all up and saved them on my computer.

It was easy to reprint them and add them to this year’s Holiday Planner.

DIY Holiday Planner-Notes & Receipt Holder-Sue's Creative Workshop www.sueeldred.com 1549

Notes and Stuff…

These pages are for writing down special memories, tips of things that worked that’ll you’ll want

to remember for the next holiday get-together, or the other room mom’s phone number.

There’s so much that we need to remember during the holidays.

And don’t forget to save those receipts for easy returns.

I added a thick buffalo plaid zipper bag in my planner to hold those receipts.

DIY Holiday Planner

Jingle All The Way… 

Create another pocket in the back to tuck in pictures and invitations.

I can never have too many pockets to help keep me organized.

The nice thing about Christmas in July is that by the time the Holidays do arrive,

I’ll be almost ready.

Decking the Halls with Comfort and Joy Christmas Album

8 Comments

Comfort & Joy Christmas Album

Christmas is going to feel a lot different this year.

Instead of large family gatherings, we’ll be keeping it simple.

Sharing a little Holiday Encoragement

This year, the Eileen Hull teams got together and decided to celebrate the Holidays by creating

Comfort and Joy Albums and asked the Eileen Hull Facebook Fan Club to join along.

For my album, I choose the theme Decking the Halls.

You can find the Eileen Hull Facebook Fan Club Page here.

My Comfort and Joy Album uses the Eileen Hull Journal Die* and papers and embellishments

from Simple Stories Simple Vintage North Pole Collection*.

Instead of giving you a tutorial on how I made the album, I’ve decided to explain the inspiration

behind the album and share with you how I decorate my home for Christmas.

Materials Used:                  (*affiliate link)

*Disclosure:  This blog uses affiliate links.  If you choose to make a purchase using one of the links, I receive a small commission (at no additional cost to you) that helps offset the costs of maintaining this blog.  Thanks for your support!

Because my family won’t be together this Christmas, I’ve asked my daughter and daughter in law to send me Christmas pictures for my album.  I will have a family album filled with Christmas Memories.

I also come from a large extended family, which usually gets together for a big Christmas party.  I’ll be honest, the thought of missing all these celebrations makes me a little sad.

While making my album, I got the inspiration to take this weekend and drop off small gifts to my siblings.  I’ll be able to take a few porch pictures of the families and get my much-needed family fix.

Decking the Halls

When it comes to decorating the outside, I like to keep it simple.  We wrap twinkle lights around the large bush by our lamp post and hang icicle lights on the upper balcony.

Sprucing Up with Holiday Greens

I cut pine branches from the large pine tree in the yard and spruce up my pots with Holiday greens.

The Front Door

The front door has a simple wreath and a decorated sled.

The Christmas Tree

A few years ago, I got this frosted tree and absolutely love it.  I keep it simple with a red and white theme.  (I only use a fraction of the ornaments I’ve collected throughout the years)

Bookish Gnomes

While working on the decorations, I moved these gnomes on top of the books because my little pup thought they were dog toys.  I liked the way they looked, so I kept them there.

The Mantle

In my Dining Room, I have a large fireplace, which I decorated the mantle with a few of my Santa’s from my Santa Collection.

My Santa Collection

I’ve got Vintage Santas, Skiing Santas, Golfing Santas, and Toymaking Santas.  I scatter them randomly around the house.

Keeping it Simple

I would love to one day have a fully styled house for the Holidays.  Instead, I keep it simple.

I create small vignettes around the house to make it feel festive and homey.

Dexter

Even my sweet little pup, fresh from the groomers, matches my decorations.

Dexter and I would like to wish you all a Happy Holidays filled with Comfort and Joy.

Amazon FreeTime Unlimited Free Trial 

Holiday DIY with Old Kitchen Hardware

2 Comments

old-jar-of-hardware-sues-creative-workshop-3257

I have this old jar of assorted hardware on my shelf in my workshop.

I keep it just in case.  (Why you ask?)

Because I’m a “you never know” type of crafter.

old-hardware-before-sues-creative-workshop-3261

I had picked up a bag of old kitchen hardware at a garage sale a couple years ago

for fifty cents and used it on a few projects and even made a couple of ornaments.

(you can see them here)

 

While it may be too late for you to make this year…

it’s an idea that you can put away on the shelf, so to speak, for next year.

old-kitchen-hardware-spray-painted-cream-sues-creative-workshop-3263

Here’s how I made my ornament…

After disassembling the hardware, I spray painted the base plate cream.

What a difference spray paint makes.

go-around-edge-of-the-hardware-with-silver-leaf-paint-pen-sues-creative-workshop-3266

I added silver around the edge using a  Chisel Point Calligraphy Paint Marker, Silver*    (*affiliate link)

embellish-the-top-of-the-ornament-with-pine-stem-and-glitter-berry-sues-creative-workshop-3267

I used the small hole at the top of the hardware plate to string red and white twine.

I embellished it with a glitter berry cut from a glitter berry sprig (see previous picture)

wrapped around a small craft pine stem to form a small swag.

I glued the pine swag and small red and white bow to the hardware with

Beacon Adhesives Zip Dry.*

painted-snowflake-sues-creative-workshop-3271   let-it-snow-christmas-ornament-made-from-old-kitchen-hardware-close-up-sues-creative-workshop

I painted a small wood snowflake, found at the craft store, with silver acrylic paint and added

the “let it snow” sticker from Small Talk Stickers by Tim Holtz Idea-ology*.

I added a small red pearl to cover the bottom hole in the hardware and glued the

snowflake on top.

let-it-snow-ornament-made-from-old-kitchen-hardware-sues-creative-workshop-3290

A quick and easy upcycled ornament for the Christmas Tree.

Join Amazon Kindle Unlimited 30-Day Free Trial

Disclaimer:  This blog uses ads and affiliate links.  If you choose to make a purchase using one of the links, I receive a small commission (at no additional cost to you) that helps offset the costs of maintaining this blog.  Thanks for your support!

How to make a Christmas Tree in a Bottle Necklace

1 Comment

mini-tree-in-a-bottle-necklace-sues-creative-workshop-1161

How to make a Christmas Tree in a Bottle Necklace

I got this idea from a project I’d seen made by Tim Holtz.  Of course, I had to find a cheaper way to make it.  I’ve seen small bottles like these at Hobby Lobby with the jewelry supplies.  (I got mine online.)

Very Important…Make sure the base of the tree is small enough to fit in the top of the bottle.

Materials Used:  (*affiliate link)

 Dollar Tree-Everything always $1 – Shop Now*

*Disclaimer:  This post uses ads and affiliate links.  If you choose to make a purchase using one of the links, I receive a small commission (at no additional cost to you) that helps offset the costs of maintaining this blog.  Thanks for your support!

Directions:

  1. Squirt several drops of peeled paint ink* into the mini mister* and dilute it with water.
  2. Place a bleached bottle brush tree onto a protective surface.  Generously spray the tree with the diluted ink.  (You may want to wear rubber gloves.  I took 3 days until the ink came entirely off my fingers.)
  3. After the tree is dry, rub glitter glue* onto the tree.  Allow glitter glue to fully dry before continuing.
  4. Apply a small bit of all-purpose adhesive* onto the end of the Q-tip.  Insert the Q-tip into the bottle and add the glue to the bottom center of the bottle.
  5. Using the reverse grip tweezers, insert the tree into the bottle, and stick onto the glue.
  6. Pour glitter or micro beads into the bottle.
  7. Add a thin layer of adhesive around the side of the cork and place it back into the bottle.
  8. Screw a loop screw onto the top of the cork and add a necklace.

If you’re feeling a little funky…how about making your tree pink or purple? 

If you liked the Christmas Tree in a Bottle here’s another project you might like.

Click here for the Mini Ketchup Bottle Snow Globe Instructions. ↓

How to Make Wood Slice Snowmen

14 Comments

how-to-make-woodslice-snowmen-sues-creative-workshop-2854

What to do with a basket of Wood Slices*…

This past summer, when my husband was trimming the old pine tree,

I asked him to save a few logs from the branches.

I wasn’t sure then what I was planning to make but I knew I wanted

to save some just in case.

Disclaimer:  This blog uses ads and affiliate links.  If you choose to make a purchase using one of the links, I receive a small commission (at no additional cost to you) that helps offset the costs of maintaining this blog.  Thank You.

basket-of-wood-slices-sues-creative-workshop-1773

I asked my husband to cut wood slices out of the smaller logs using a circular saw.

If you don’t have access to a pine log or don’t feel like cutting Wood Slices*

you can also purchase them online.

woodslices-sues-creative-workshop-1767

I picked out four wood slices of varying sizes.

drilling-the-hole-in-the-woodslice-sues-creative-workshop

I laid out the wood slices to determine placement of how I wanted them to go together.

I drilled small holes on the end of the wood slices with a fine drill bit approx. 1/4-1/2″ into the

end of the wood.

putting-the-woodslice-snowman-together-sues-creative-workshop-2710

Using small dowel rods or bamboo skewers for reinforcement,

I inserted the rods into the holes with a squirt of Wood Glue*. 

Each wood slice has a small wood dowel piece in between to

hold the snowman together.

drilling-a-hole-in-the-base-sues-creative-workshop

Once the wood slice snowman was completely dry and stable,

I drilled a hole in the center of the largest wood slice to use as my base.

The Snowman is attached to the base using a small dowel and wood glue*.

how-to-make-woodslice-snowmen-2855

To decorate the snowman…

  • Cut a piece of flannel slightly larger than the area around the head.
  • Fold and glue a small cuff using Fabri-Tac Permanent Adhesive*.
  • Glue the ends of the flannel together to create a tall “tube”.
  • Glue tube onto the top of the Wood Slice Snowman’s head,
  • Tie the top of the tube with a piece of string or thread.
  • Trim and fringe the excess fabric on the top of the tube to make it look like a hat tassel.
  • Cut a longer 1″ wide piece of flannel to tie around the neck of the snowman.  Don’t forget to fringe the ends.

wood-slice-reindeer-ornament-sues-creative-workshop-1186

To make a Reindeer Wood Slice Ornament…

  1. Paint the center of the wood slice with black chalkboard paint.
  2. Paint the reindeer cut out with silver acrylic paint.
  3. Glue reindeer onto wood slice with quick dry glue.
  4. Glue glitter holly berries embellishment onto reindeer.
  5. I used a push pin to start a small hole on the end of the wood slice.
  6. Screw a loop screw into the hole and add a ribbon to hang.

For more Wood Slice Projects Click on the Pictures below.

 

      

Don’t Miss a Thing…Make Sure to Follow me

Give the Gift of Amazon Prime*

Save

Reindeer Star Card

2 Comments

reindeer-star-card-sues-creative-workshop

Impress your friends and family this Holiday…

with a gatefold card that looks a lot harder than it really is.

This may not be a beginner card for some, but, I promise it really is not hard.

A few layers and a few simple steps and you’ll be done in no time.

The supply list may seem long…

but you can easily adapt the card with supplies you have on hand.

 

This is what I Used to make the Reindeer Star Card:                                           (*affiliate link)

Directions:

  1. Cut a piece of cream cardstock 7 1/2″ x 5″.  Score and fold on the 2 1/2″ mark to create a 5″ x 5″ card base with flap.
  2. Cut a piece of red patterned paper 2 1/4″ x 4 3/4″ and adhere to the front of the flap.
  3. Cut a 2 1/4″ x 2 1/4″ piece of light green patterned paper and adhere onto the bottom of the red patterned paper.  Repeat for the inside flap.
  4. Cut a piece of dark green patterned paper 4 3/4″ x 4 3/4″.  Adhere to the inside of the card.
  5. Cut a piece of red plaid paper 2 1/4″ x 4 3/4″ and adhere onto the bottom of the dark green patterned paper.
  6. Add a strip of thin washi tape to the seam of the patterned papers.
  7. Apply White and Gold Foil washi tape to a piece of white cardstock.reindeer-star-card-creating-a-washi-tape-background-sues-creative-workshop
  8. Cut two medium washi tape stars using the star die and Big Shot Cutting/Embossing Machine*.reindeer-star-card-cutting-the-star-dies-sues-creative-workshop
  9. Cut two larger stars from the gold metallic cardstock.reindeer-star-card-opened-sues-creative-workshop
  10. Adhere the first star halfway onto the flap (with the other half hanging over)  Adhere second star directly onto the back of the first star.
  11. Adhere medium washi tape stars onto the middle of the large gold stars.
  12. Cut one small gold cardstock and mount it to the middle of the front washi tape star with thin 3D foam mounting squares.reindeer-star-card-close-up-sues-creative-workshop
  13. Add small “white stag” dimensional sticker to center of the smallest star.  Add a small red adhesive rhinestone to the tip of the stags nose.
  14. Adhere a piece of gold cardstock onto the Stick It Adhesive Sheets*.  Die cut the words “Merry Christmas” using the Christmas Phrases die and stick onto card.
  15. Tie a thin gold ribbon around the flap with a small gold jingle bells and you’re done.

Finished Size:  5” x 5”  (may take additional postage to mail)

 

This project was sponsored by Little B LLC.

I am an Amazon Affiliate.  If you choose to purchase from Amazon using one of the above links, I will get a small commission that helps offset the costs of running this blog.  Thank You!

Try Amazon Prime 30-Day Free Trial*

 

Making More Sock Snowmen

3 Comments

It looks like everyone’s in love with making sock snowman.

They’re really easy to make, with so many ways to add personality

And…I just can’t seem to stop making these cute little guys.

This year, to add to the mix,  I decided to create a Snow family.

Mom, Dad, a couple kids, all made from socks.

Shop Your Fav Brands at Scrapbook.com

Disclaimer:  This blog uses ads and affiliate links.  If you choose to make a purchase using one of the links, I receive a small commission (at no additional cost to you) that helps offset the costs of maintaining this blog.  Thanks for your support!

snow-family-close-up-sues-creative-workshop

Here’s What You’ll Need:                    (*affiliate Links)

Here’s how I made my Snowman:

  1. Tea dye a new white sock, crew length or bigger.  Or if you have boys you could use one of their dingy ones.  (It’s better not to use a sock with the grey toe and heel.)
  2. Cut the top of the sock off, right around the heel.
  3. Turn the sock inside out and attach a rubber-band tightly around the top of the sock.  Because rubber bands wear out with time, I added a good squirt of Beacon Fabri-Tac Permanent Adhesive* in and around the rubber band.  (I left the rubber band on)
  4. Turn the sock right side out and fill sock about 1/2 way with rice.
  5. Fill the remaining portion of the sock with fiber-fill.
  6. Wrap a piece of twine or string tightly around the top of the sock to close the sock.
  7. Tie a piece of twine about 1/3 down around sock to create the head.
  8. I used mini black buttons for his eyes, the tip of a bamboo skewer colored orange for his nose and a simple sewn black thread for his mouth.  I purchased a small felt hat from JoAnn’s Fabrics for Dad’s hat.  I added a band around the hat using a small folded piece of flannel.
  9.  For the flannel hat… Cut a piece of flannel that will go around the head of the snowman.  Create a band on the hat by adding and gluing a fold on the long end of the flannel.  Glue flannel together to create a “tube”.  Allow to fully dry.  Glue onto snowman.  Tie top of the tube with twine to create hat. Trim if needed.
  10. Dress with Snowman with part of an old sock.  Add a couple of buttons for added detail.  A  fringed piece of fabric works great for the scarf.
  11. For the kids… I used the left over piece of sock from the original snowman to create a smaller version.

snowman-couple-with-red-buffalo-plaid-sues-creative-workshop

And because I’m really into Red Buffalo Plaid again this year…

I made this cute little Snow Couple too.

The Snowmen measure approximately 7 1/2″ .

Try Amazon Prime 30-Day Free Trial

Save

Christmas Tree Card

Leave a comment

christmas-tree-card-sues-creative-workshop-2755

Although I don’t always send a ton of handmade Christmas cards out, I do enjoy making them.

The Christmas Tree card was made using paper and stickers from Paper House Productions.

I love how the playful plaids blend perfectly together to form a Traditional Christmas feel

in this layered card.  Enjoy!  (makes me feel like singing “O’ Christmas Tree…”)

 

To make the card you’ll need:         (*affiliate links)

christmas-tree-card-assembling-the-layers-sues-creative-workshop

Directions:

  1. Cut a 4 1/2″ x 6″ piece of “red flannel” paper.  Hold the edge of the paper against the nib of the gold calligraphy marker to add a thin gold border on the edge of the paper.  Adhere the red flannel layer onto a 4 3/4″ x 6 1/4″ piece of black cardstock.
  2. Adhere the red flannel and black layers onto a 5″ x 6 1/2″ green card base.
  3. Cut the “deck the halls” paper (green plaid) using the “labels twenty two” die.  Add a thin gold border around the edge of the label like in step #1.  Adhere the green plaid label onto a 3 1/4″ x 3 1/4″ gold metallic cardstock layer.
  4. Cut a decorative square using the “captivating square” die and a piece of green cardstock.  Adhere the green plaid label and gold metallic square onto the top of the decorative square.
  5. Adhere the green and gold layers onto the bottom portion on the red flannel layer, leaving even spacing on the bottom three sides.
  6. Assemble the pine swag  using the 3D stickers and glue onto the top of the card.  (picture below)
  7. Finish embellishing the front of the card with the 3D Christmas Tree sticker and a couple of red adhesive rhinestones.

assembling-the-wreath-4974

This card was created for and sponsored by Paper House Productions.

 

*I am an Amazon Affiliate.  If you choose to make a purchase from Amazon using these links, I receive a small commission that helps offset the cost of running this blog.  Thank You!