A young crafter's first scrap booking haul

So, I say to my niece," ...you got a really good haul at the crop today.  Those ladies were so kind to give you all those supplies."  I explained to her what a haul was.  I told her that it was such a big deal in scrap world that folks took pictures and made videos of what they purchased.  She responded, "And you are telling me this because?   Aunt Teen Teen, you are too hyped."  Okay, I admit my excitement over all her goodies didn't match hers.   That is until I told her we could dump it all out and spead it over the table.  She shrieked, "I love spreading stuff out and playing in it!  That's what I do when me and mommy go shopping"

Stencils, stamps (way more than what I started with), inks, glue runner and refill, stickers, rub ons, ribbon, beads, sanding file, scrapfolio, 12 x 12 paper.  She was eager to organize all her stuff and label the sections of her Scrapfolio (expanding file).  She put all her stencils in a 3 ring binder.  Then she created a shopping list for me:  Exacto swivel knife, stamp scrubber pad and stamp cleaner.  How did I get signed up for this job?  LOL

Hot Chocolate holders for Cute Kids Crafts

My niece has always taking a liking to arts and crafts.  Whenever she visits I can expect to hear "Aunt Teen Teen, what are we going to do today...can I paint"  So, not wanting to disappoint  her and being a believer in pseudo child labor (hahahaha) I taught her to make hot chocolate holders.  I am hosting a charm swap and the chocolate holders will be the little 'thank you' gift included in each return package for the participants.  Together we made a sample and packed our supplies in preparation for a impromptu crop the next morning. 

How sweet it was to watch as she picked out paper, ink, stamps and other supplies.  She had a chance to measure, cut, score, stamp, ink edges, glimmer spray, mask, etc.  I introduced her to using pop dots, a heat tool as a dryer, and marathon scrapping...or at least scrapping until your project is done.  She was tired, but said she had a great time.  

 

She made these holders using envelopes from the resale store of course.  The flowers cover the little indentation on the envelope.  See how a couple of them are on the right and not on the left.  Well, when she cut the envelopes differently from the sample she had made the night before, and scored at the wrong line she thought she had made a terrible mistake.  Diane and Melissa (the ladies at the crop) were quick to educate her.  We all sang in unison, "There are NO mistakes in scrap booking, only opportunities for embellishment!" She thought we were crazy...she giggled at our song. lol 

She loved glimmer spraying the prima flowers and drying them with the heat tool.  She asked, " Aunt Tina, how do you make that spray stuff, cause I want my own to have at home..."    I saw the sky open up and I heard the angels singing...I think I have created a little crafter.  I would say my work is done, but somehow I suspect my work is just beginning. lol

Kraft envelopes...sort of

Kraft cardstock is one of my favorites right now.  It is so misunderstood somtimes, but simply the term 'Kraft' refers to the color.  Different companies sell the paper and the matching envelopes.  Cardmakers love that! It is also good for online shoppers.  However, I like to go in the store a get my purchases right away.  Yes, I guess my behavior is another notch in my 'rebelling using technology' 'hesitant to change' belts. LOL  If you only knew how long it took me to actually start blogging...you would understand just how long I toiled with stepping into cyber world. 
So, uhhh...back to kraft cardstock.  Since I love making cards using kraft cardstock and I like buying my paper locally; I also wanted some inexpensive envelopes to match.  Well I couldn't find them.  So out of necessity grew creativity.  Now, I had previously used parchment and wrapping paper to make envelopes.  Back in the ancient days before the popularity of score boards and envelope makers it was customary to trace old envelopes or measure and draw your own templates. To match my cards I started using the brown roll of craft paper.   The kind used to cover tables or to wrap packages.  It also comes in white and other colors; it is available in office supply stores.  Teachers use it for bulliten boards.  I liked using the paper, but it was a bit thin.  I had to be very careful not to tear the paper when I scored it. 

Then I found this paper that construction workers use sort of like a drop cloth. It is a bit thicker and it matches the kraft paper very nicely.  The roll is large and has lasted me a long time so far.  You can find it in the paint section of home improvement stores near the plastic drop cloths or in department stores.  I brought a roll for my friend who is kraft paper crazy too.  lol

I still use paper bags to make envelopes when I want that wrinkily, vintage look. 

Cooking 'Pass It On' party

The name is just what it says: I plan and host parties and 'pass on' my knowledge to the participants.  The themes include many creative subjects like cooking, sewing, writing, acting, scrapbooking, jewelry making, crotcheting, etc.  About 10 children were invited to a cooking pass it on party.  I try to incorporate some subject related craft and storytelling as a part of each party.  This time the children made chef hats.  After telling the story of "Stone Soup" the children made a big batch of soup.  I never saw children eat so much soup.  When they kept asking for more I thought it was a scene from 'Oliver Twist' (lol).  I had to empty out all the take home containers to accommodate the requests for more, so the parents didn't get to taste the soup. 


The childern worked in pairs and made lemon meringue pies.  Good thing I anticipated the challenge that separating the egg yolks from the egg whites would cause.  I had several cartons on hand.  After a few tries and being patient each group was successful.  Their faces lit up as they took the pies out of the oven.  They were proud of themselves and I was proud of them too.

Wrapped in PEACE

One of my aqua aerobics instructors wanted a really large pink blanket.  She wanted it to be big enough to wrap all the way around her when cuddling on the couch.  This blanket is queen size, but can fit a king sized bed.  It is double sided fleece (print ans solid).  The edges are sewn and the fringe is simply tied.  I chose the peace symbol print because she is really going through a challenging situation.  Just as the blanket will cover her I trust that the LORD will comfort her and surround her with peace. 

John 16:33 (KJV) These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world.

I added her initial

                                              

I am sure we all could use reminding that God is the provider of the PEACE which surpasses all understanding.  I hope this blanket and the other ones I am making are reminders of God's peace.

I had to have it!

There was this teacher I was a TA for at a Creating Keepsakes Convention.  I have tried, but I cannot recall her name.  When I went to visit her vendor booth she was ranting and raving about this embellishment storage.  She was so excited.  I think her voice even went up an whole octave lol.  I thought the gadget was pretty neat too. 
When I got home I googled the "Clip-it-up".  I was loving the product, but it was out of my budget.  Then I stumbled across a video showing you how to make your own.  I gathered the supplies and I created my own version. I used a paper towel holder, wire rings from an old lampshade, paper clips and minature clothes pins.

This worked so well that I made another one using s-hooks for my decorative edge scissors.

About a year later a friend of mine (thanks Helen) introduced me to dangler clips.  I talked my brother into removing all those paper clips (tee hee he never knew what hit him). Then I replaced the paper clips with the dangler clips for a sturdier product.  I like the results.

My homemade embellishment storage.  It doesn't spin around, but I love it and the cost!

What a deal...

Do you recall a time when we didn't have voice mail?  I can remember when my University got voice mail and I, in rebellion, still used my answering machine.  For some reason I just didn't like the 'new' technology.  I mean I had a high tech DIGITAL answering machine, not the old kind with the cassette tape. (LMBO) Well, finally I gave in and  embraced the voice mail system.  Today I really like voice mail.  you would think that after that lesson, I would be more willing to adopt new technology.  NOT! I still have the old school clunky audio equipment in my craft room.  Growing up I learned that "if it ain't broke, don't fix it"  A receiver, tape deck, cd changer, and clock radio were working just fine in my craft room. 


Even though all these components take up a lot of space, they still work.  I just happen to be in my local thrift store where I saw this RCA cd changer/radio/cassette tape player system.  It was marked $24.99.  So, it wasn't an i-pod, but it was more up to date than what I had.  Unfortunately, the cd changer door wouldn't open.  The manager tried to help and said that it was opening previously.  She concluded that it must be stuck and that she would't sell it that way.  As I was leaving the store, I was prompted to go back and try the cd door just one more time.  So, I did...and guess what... it still didn't open (LOL).  I asked the manager how much would she sell the system for even though one part was not functioning.  Another clerk said $7.99.  As I pondered, she said $4.99 and that's my final offer.  I said, "cool, I'll take it."

As little kids my brother and I were always taking stuff apart (him more than me-just in case Mom is reading this post-lol).  I guess it finally paid off.  I got the system home and got out my tools.  I unscrewed the side panel to discover a reletively clean piece of equipment.  I still gave it a few sprays of my air in a can dust remover.  Then I manually pushed the cd changer door open and removed a cracked cd and a fragment of another one.  The cd was the Back Street Boys-the group spit and so did the cd. hahahaha  All parts of the system work just fine.  Now when I am crafting I can see the time, listen to the radio or books on cd/tape, and play all those cassettes I still have.  Some things I am just not going to change completely. (LOL)


Ironically, as I was preparing the previous equipment to donate to the thrift store; I noticed a price tag on the speakers were from the same store where I had purchased the RCA system.  Soon and very soon I just may stumble across an i-pod at the thrift store.  Ya think?