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Make it Monday - Yarn Wrapped Wreath

With March being National Craft Month, I 'm trying some new stuff, non-paper stuff...like this wreath.  I love the bright colors, even though it doesn't match my door one bit. 
The hubby will soon be painting it a nice chocolate brown because right now it doesn't compliment any of my holiday décor, and we just can't have that!

 

I didn't want to buy any new materials for this project.  I found an unused Styrofoam circle and cut a smaller circle out of the middle giving me my wreath form.  I had this pretty yarn for some reason (can't remember why I bought it) and had been wanting to try one of those yarn-wrapped wreaths, so I gave it a go!  Here's how it turned out...

 

Aren't those rolled felt flowers pretty?  If you make some, use a lighter color felt so it doesn't pick up stray fibers or lint, like mine did :) 

  I knew you'd want to make your own, so I added this little picture tutorial, they are so easy to make!  Just cut a circle, doesn't even have to be perfect.  Then cut a wavy spiral, leaving a small circle at the end.  Start from the non-circle end and begin rolling your felt...the felt naturally sticky so it should hold together well.  Then, hot glue or use felt glue to secure the flower to the circle on the end.

I think next time, I will try a round wreath form.  How are you using up your crafty stash or trying something new this month?  Please share, I'd love to hear what you're up to!

 

 

{{Hugs}}

 

Kimberly

Saturday Spaces - Tiffany Brooks Design

Hey Polka Dot fans...you all said you'd be interested in taking a peek at the work spaces of some of my crafty peeps, so here is the first guest blogger for Saturday Spaces.  Jeanna is a dear friend of several years that I met at, yes, you guessed it...a craft fair!  She's a seamstress extraordinaire but also likes to make cards and scrapbook.  She agreed to share her pretty space, so let's have a look at where the magic behind Tiffany Brooks Designs happens!

 

My Studio

 

Having a special area in your home for sewing and crafting is always a plus for any crafter. Especially if you are a "SAHM" (stay at home mom) and work from home like myself. My special area is the bonus room above our double garage complete with its own heat and air. (Yes that is the contraption on the wall above dresser a few pictures down) As you can see I have two six foot tables for my work space. This is not the first special space I have had for my work but it is the best and a dream come true. In the beginning I was cutting things out on the floor and setting the sewing machine up on the kitchen table as needed.

The left side of the room I have my main sewing machines set up at all times. Since I use my serger more often than my regular machines I have my thread rack in close reach of my machine. I do have another large rack for small spools so I keep that on the floor beside the table.

 

 

The white cart beside my sewing table is great for storing extra scissors and needles. I keep my clothing labels handy in the top draw so when I am finished with a garment I can add my label. I also keep all my buttons in one of the draws. I sorted all the buttons out according to the size and placed them in label zip-lock bags. I do love the look of displaying buttons in a jar but I really need them assorted by size. Makes it easier when making and item if I can see and know what I have without digging.

To the right of this table I have a large plastic shelf to store some of my most used fabrics. Be sure to check out my fabric organization post here and see the before and after pictures. I hope to eventually find just the right shelf for this area but until then this shelf works out great.

Since I use a lot of tulle and ribbon in many of my creations I needed to find a way to store them and easily access them. Thankfully a friend of mine had these awesome shelves she was selling. These racks are perfect for the small space available against the wall. Still leaves just enough room to walk in and out of the studio.

The right side of my space is my crafting area. I love to make cards for friends and family when I have the time as well as scrapbooking. On the table I keep my laptop handy for downloads or embroidering. I also keep my Cricut out along with my photo printer.

The shelves above my craft table have some supplies as well as my little Yorkie statues. I use a lot of daisy's on my children's clothes so I figured I would set them out for color and decoration instead of tossing them in a box. Many years ago I attempted some homemade candles and since I still have some of the glassware left over I use those as vases as well as a place to keep my glue sticks handy.

The six cube shelf beside the table is great for storing all of my cards and other paper supplies. I also have my hair accessory supplies organized in small bins on this shelf. Having the cubes and bins makes organizing multiple types of things much easier.

 

 

I also have my scrapbooking cart sitting in my office. I love this cart. I was able to fill it with all of my paper and a lot of things I have saved for my daughters scrapbook.

 

At the end of the room is my grandmother's sewing machine still in its case. The large sewing box underneath is also hers. I really enjoy seeing her things mixed in with mine everyday.

 

 

An extra bonus to my bonus room is the additional 8' x 9' office space off the side of the bonus room over looking my driveway. I love monkeys so I added a few monkey statues to my office along with the monkey roman blinds I made last year.

To the left of my desk I have another six cube organizer. I tried to organize this one with school supplies and the office items I use the most. Usually after school starts I find a lot of school supplies marked down for quick sale. So I buy them and store them here instead of a box that we would have to dig for or through. I also have a bin full of pens, pencils, and other small supplies.

I absolutely love this area! I really love the fact that I have a small dinette set right there in my office.

 

 

1. What was your budget for your sewing room?

There never has been a so called budget for my studio. If I am out and see something that will work well in my studio or something I just have to have I check to see how much money I have at the time.

 

2.What is your favorite thing about your room?

My favorite thing about my room is the amount of space I have to work as well as decorate. I love being surrounded by my favorite things while I work. I love monkeys, Yorkies, and antiques. The antiques I display in my studio all belonged to my grandmother so that makes them even more special.

 

3. Will you be making any more changes to your space?

No, I absolutely love the way my studio is at this time.

 

 Isn't Jeanna's space amazing?  I would love to have enough room for different stations, crafting, sewing, scrapping and space for friends to join me, wouldn't you?  Thanks Jeanna, for letting us have a little peak into your functional and pretty work space.

 

Be sure and stop by 2 weeks from today to see what's happening in my neck of the woods :)

{{Hugs}}

Kimberly

Chocolate Bunny Love

Hey Polka Dot fans!  Remember that cute lil' circle punch Easter bunny I showed you in this post?  Well, I was so tickled with it that I had to make a card.  Something about that fluffy little tail and the chocolate brown swirly embossed cardstock that makes me smile.  Maybe it reminds me of childhood Easters when I knew there was going to be a chocolate bunny just waiting to be devoured in my basket!

 

The funny things is, only 1 of my kids eat chocolate, so my crafty bunnies will probably be the only ones we'll see this Easter...what are YOU crafting up for Easter?

 

Thanks for stopping by!

 

{{Hugs}}

 

Kimberly

Upcycled Believe Journal - Part II

 Hey friends!  For today's Make it Monday, I wanted to share how my "Believe" Journal from this post here is coming along.  I truly intended to finish it this weekend, but as I started working on it, I realized it is meant to be a work-in-progress and I'm okay with that!  

I added more pages created from upcycled cracker boxes and covered with different My Mind's Eye Papers.  Now that I've added 3-D embellishments, the journal is starting to look nice and chunky, just the way I like them!

 

Here is the inside front cover...I put the quote about perfection because that is an Achilles heel I am definitely overcoming.  The opposite page has a Bible verse that holds a lot of meaning for me and a spot to record significant events, like the day I attended my first Mommies' group.

Here, I can record dates of important events and milestones...

The journal started out as a place to keep the notes you see below, but has grown into much more.  There is a section for each month's notes and also a place for me to write down spiritual goals I have.

 

I included lots of places for journaling and tucking away notes or mementos.

 

 

I think my favorite spot is this one...where I actually write down how I intend to act on each week's message.

 

 

 

I love that I am using my passion for paper in this way; helping document an important aspect of my life!  How do you incorporate paper crafting into other areas of your life?

 

 

Thanks for stopping by!

 

{{Hugs}}

 

Kimberly

Pinque Peacock Giveaway

 

Hi all! Have you heard of Pinque Peacock yet?  It's a  fab new FB page that sells some pretty sweet scrappy supplies.   They recently hit 300 fans and are celebrating with a giveaway!  Head on over to their blog here see details on how to win this awesome prize!

 

Prize Includes:

~ One Cricut Destinations Cartridge

~ One Thank You Embossing Folder

~1 set of Pinque Peacock Purple Beaded Stick Pins
~Several Pinque Peacock Handmade Felt Poppers
~ One set of NOT EVEN RELEASED YET Pinque Peacock
Teal Fabric Covered Buttons (1.5" eyelet) with small purple star flower accent

~ One Button BINGO Stamp by Unity Stamp Co.

♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥

 

Good Luck!

 

{{Hugs}}

 

Kimberly

Make it Monday - Chocolate Bunny Wrappers

 Can you believe Easter is just a couple of weeks away?  I figured I better get started on some projects, so here is the first: Chocolate Bunny wrappers.  Don't you just love that fluffy little tail?  And the best part, I got to use up some yummy embossed chocolate brown cardstock scraps I've been hoarding for...well, I'd rather not say how long! 

I came across the idea on this blog here  and thought it was so adorable I had to give it a go.   I grabbed the following:

3 circle punches, a 1", 1 7/16" and 1 7/8"

leftover brown cardstock scraps

  12 x 12 sheets of colored cardstock

cardstock for stamping in complimentary color

stamp and ink for tag

rosette flower trim for tail

coordinating ribbon to tie tag

adhesive of choice (I used my ATG)

pop dots or craft foam

 

So, I didn't have the double tag die she used in the video...but I knew I could recreate something similar by folding the 12 x 12 piece of cardstock in half and tracing a standard shipping tag measuring about 4 1/2 x 2 1/2 " (be sure the bottom of the tag you trace lines up with the folded edge of the cardstock.  Simply cut out the sides and top (not the folded bottom) and you have your double tag!

 

• Now use your two largest circle bunches for the bunny bottom and the head. 
• Cut a rosette from the trim and stick it to the bunny bottom for the tail. 
• I punched a 1" circle and cut it in half for the feet.  Adhere your feet to the bunny's bottom. 
• I used another 1 7/16" (the 2nd largest punch) circle and cut the 2 bunny ears free-hand from that. 
• I used pop dots (craft foam works too) to stick the bottom and the head to the cardstock, giving them dimension. 
• Then you can stick the ears to the cardstock (play around with the position 'til you like how they look). 

 

Decide what treat you'll put inside, the size of Hershey's chocolate bunny worked for me. I opened the tag, applied adhesive and then stuck the wrapped chocolate there.

 

 

Finally, I stamped some Happy Easter Tags (got the stamp for a $1 from Michaels) to top off the coordinating bow and you've got the cutest little treats for Easter baskets, party favors or teachers. 

 

Thanks for dropping in.  Hope your Easter projects are hopping right along! 

 

{{Hugs}}

 

Kimberly

 

 

Saturday Spaces - Wall Storage Ideas

 Today on Saturday Spaces I'm continuing the peek into my paper studio.  I still have a ways to go, but it's coming together and I'm excited about the end result.  I wanted to share with you how I'm using the wall space to display my materials, embellishments and even finished projects.

 Something you see here just might inspire you in your space :)

I love this little unit, I think I bought it from A.C. Moore years ago, but most of the scrapbook storage manufacturers still make similar wall units.  Love that I can have my favorite embellies, my paper flowers and buttons, always on display in clear glass jars.  The unit came with rods for ribbon but I took them out and use that space for my Cricut Cartridges.  I keep my punches here too for now, it might be different a couple of months from now...I like to switch things up.

Ahh, one of my recent and favorite additions.  I found this little vintage-inspired number at Ross for $15, if you can believe it!  It is absolutely perfect for storing my altered journals, finished and work-in-progress ones too.  I especially love the shelf at the top where I can show off some of my mini albums.  Now, what to hang from those hooks?  Hmmm....

My darling hubby hung these shelves for me, they are great for displaying my mixed media wall art, mini albums and any other projects I want to photograph there.

Last, I want to share you my peg board.  This is an ever-changing space...I've hung my scrapping tools, like decorative-edged scissors, little pails of paint brushes and other supplies.  Right now, I've got all my stickers here but I'm already thinking of how I will change it :)   I think a little trip to the hardware store is in order to find some mini shelves to install so I can store things like my paint and Mod Podge here.  What would you use this peg board for? 

 

Hope you're enjoying this little preview of my craft space makeover...I'm thinking a video of the finished room might be kinda neat, don't you?  In TWO weeks, I'll be featuring the wonderful craft space of a guest blogger!

 

Thanks for dropping in!

 

{{Hugs}}

 

Kimberly



Make It Monday - Upcycled Art Caddy

Hey there friends!  Thanks for dropping by for Make it Monday.  I know a lot of you are coffee lovers, and some of you have probably stumbled on my favorite brand of low-fat latte: Archer Farms by Target.  If you're like me, you probably have some of their (or another brand's) cardboard holders stashed away for a rainy day. 

 

Today, I'm going to show you how I turned it into a cool, repurposed caddy to corral art supplies. 

 

 

I used supplies I had on hand:

 

the latte carton (one for beer will work too)

4 mason jars

patterned cardstock

white cardstock

 ribbon and washi tape

fabric

rub-ons letters (stickers or pre-printed ones will work too)

pencil and scissors

paper adhesive (I used the ATG)

 

 

To cover your box, lie the box down onto the the back of the patterned paper.  Trace around it, cut it out, apply your favorite adhesive and stick it to the box.  Do this for each side of your box.

I wanted to trim the jars with something fun, so I used some ribbon and, yes, washi tape!   I tried just wrapping it around the mouth of the jar, but it wouldn't lay flat, so I folded the washi tape for a "ruffled look".  Just stick the beginning of the tape down,  dab a bit of glue about a quarter of an inch to the right, take the other end of the washi tape and fold it down on to the glue, kinda making it look like a pleat.  To help the tape survive my kids' wear n' tear, I covered it with a generous coat of Mod Podge.

 

 

 This is the back of the caddy.  To label the jars, I used some "postage stamp" patterned scissors to cut out white ovals.  The brown letters are rub-ons (if you notice the cracks on some of the letters, then you know I have had these letters for way too long). I used Mod Podge to apply the ribbon. On the back side, shown below, I used a coordinating polka-dot paper as a trim, and used the orange fabric you see in the final picture to trim the front.

 

 

 

Here is the finished caddy and jars.  I think it will entice the kids to put the supplies away, don't you?

 

 

What's your favorite thing to repurpose or upcycle?

 

Thanks for stopping by:

 

{{Hugs}}

 

Kimberly

 

 

**Please note, I have no affiliation with any of the above-manufacturers or their products.