Organizing

We have seen several cards and a few gift wrapping ideas. Today I want to start posting some ideas to help you organize your spaces saving money. Remember that I am all about recycling. Today's idea is a pencil container for your child's desk. If you don't home school, it is ok too, you can make one for  your own desk.

Empty container + craft glue + thick yarn = new pencil holder.

I used a large container because we keep crayons, scissors, ruler and erasers in it too. But if you want to make one just for pens and pencils, a thin container will work too. Use one that you have at home. Wash it well, and cover with thick yarn or twine.

I made this one for my son. 3rd grade here we come!!!!

Thank you for stopping by. Have a very blessed day!

Vanias Reed       

Card + Crochet + Tip

Making cards is one of my passions, the other one is crocheting. I used crochet in one of the Mother's Day cards in May, and now I'm using crochet again. So enjoy the card. The tutorial for the crochet is included plus a new tip. 

 Card 'Recipe'
Paper: Light and dark purple (Recollections), white (Paper Studios)
Stamp: Happy Birthday (Stampabilities)
Ink: Black (Stampabilities)
Tools: Cutting/Embossing machine (Sizzix Big Kick), Polka-dots embossing folder (Cuttlebug), Decorative label die (Die-namics), ruler, craft knife.
Embellishments: Wired pink, light purple and white ribbons, clear gemstones, crochet flower

Crochet Flower Tutorial

Abbreviations used:
ch – chain
sl st – slip stitch
dc – double crochet
hdc – half double crochet
RS – right side
BO – bind off, cast off

Row 1: ch 6, join with a sl st
Row 2: ch 3, 17 dc inside the loop created with the 6 ch, join with the sl st into the 3d ch of ch 3 (18 stitches)
Row 3: ch 3, skip 2 sts, sl st into the next st, repeat until the 18th st (6 loops of 3 ch)
Row 4: sc, hdc, 3dc, hdc, sc in every loop around (6 petals)
Row 5: ch5, insert the hook into the 2nd ch of row 3 skipped chains, from the back (while your flower is still facing you the RS), sl st, ch 5 and repeat, end with a slip st. (6 loops of 5 ch, underneath your first flower)
Row 6: sc, hdc, 5 dc, hdc, sc in every loop making 6 petals, sl st to end the row
Row 7: same as row 5, except your sl st goes in the remaining 1st chain of the row 3 skipped chains, end with a sl st (6 loops of 5 ch, underneath your first two flowers)
Row 8: repeat row 6, end with a sl st, BO.
Finished size came to be about 3″ wide.

 Tip

My tip for today is on how to layer a decorative label. You don't need to have all sizes of labels. You can layer them. Check out the pictures below.

1. Using a ruler, mark the back of the decorative label

 2. Cut on the lines and paste them 

underneath the label to provide a raised effect.

Please notice that I used a different decorative label from the ones on the pictures that show how to make the layers.

You can add more layers if you choose to do so.

Thank you for stopping by. Happy crafting!

Vanias Reed    

Twin Girls - card and tip

A dear young lady from our church is having twin girls. How exciting!!! So,  I decided to make a card to go with the gift we are giving them. Below you will find the tip of the day. Here is the card.

Card 'Recipe'
Paper: Baby Pink, Itsy Bitsy Ditsy Cherry Pie and yellow polka-dots (Recollections), White (Paper Studio)
Stamp: Congratulations (Stampabilities)
Ink: Ebony (Stampabilities)
Tools: Fine point pliers, cutting/embossing machine (Sizzix), stripes embossing folder (Paper Studio), 1/2 in circle punch.
Embellishments: hangers, onesies, white, brown and silver pearls, picture.
Extras: 3D circle glue dots, old magazine, paper clips, brown twine 

This is my tip for you: DO NOT be afraid of recycling. For instance, I cut a picture frame from a magazine and made the little duck picture. You can also use paper clips to make the hangers (see my post Fathers Day 1 - posted on 06/12/2013 for "how to make hangers from paper clips").  The circle punch was used to decorate the corners of the paper with the sentiment. When you recycle, you save money and exercise your creativity. 
 Let me know in a comment if you have any questions.

Thank you for stopping by. Blessings on you and yours.

Vanias Reed