Valentine's Day Favors

Cupid has been hard at work here at Studio 61, creating lots of little favors for gifting.

This tag is created using the printed paper from Pebbles new Yours Truly line, it's matted onto Bazzill cardstock for durability.  A mini white Studio 61 envelope is cut in half and glued to the front of tag to create a pocket.  The envelope is covered with a piece of piece of paper from the Head Over Heels line from Echo Park.  And the heart that peeks out of the pocket is created using an EK Success heart punch and another printed paper from Echo Park's Head Over Heels line.  The Studio 61 mini white treat sack is filled with treats and then tied shut using lace, ribbon, Studio 61 bead strands and tulle.  A little Studio 61 Happy Valentine's Day Tag hangs from the trims. 

This little see thru 3X5 Studio 61 bag is written on with a black and red sharpie, then filled with kisses and tied close with red tulle.  I had drawn little faces on these bags for Halloween and then filled them with lime green treats, creating little monsters.  So I decided I would try drawing a heart and a letter for Valentine's Day.  This would be a super good project for kids as well as adults! 

It's super easy and depending on your drawing and writing talents, you can end up with some super cute treats!

I used the see thru 3X8 Studio 61 bag for this one and tied it closed with a big loopy bow using some Studio 61 valentine red elastic. 

This little tall mini Studio 61 favor cup is ready to be filled with chocolate and gifted.  I used the Echo Park Head Over Heels paper line to punch a scalloped heart {EK Success}and to create a circular base.  The paper is glued to a Studio 61 chipboard base which it the glued to the Studio 61 white lace paper doiley.  A little silver tinsel stick is hot glued to the inside of the cup and the Studio 61 Happy Valentine's Day tag is hot glued to the top of it.  The heart hangs from the edge of the cup with a piece of white sheer skinney ribbon. 

I also created two of the four projects for my Do Me A Favor Workshop that's coming up on January 7th.  The first one is a little "take away" container that's adorned with printed paper from the new Be. Loved. paper line form Fancy Pants.

The second one is using the Studio 61 3X8 see thru bag and a Studio 61 vintage mini red pipe cleaner, some ribbon, trims and rick rack from here and there.

As I start to work on the remaining projects, I wonder if they too will end up being Valentine Day ones as well.  There is just so much adorable printed paper this year for Valentine's Day that I can't help myself! 

And all the while I was creating, I was being supervised by Mr. Jackson.

I am pretty certain he was keeping a close eye on me because I was using chocolate in my treat bags.  And last nite while we were out for dinner, he treated himself to two mini chocolate Hershey Santas and a mini chocolate Hershey bar.  :/

One down....

only 27 to go!  LOL.  While most of these snowmen won't have a thing to do with recycling, the first one I completed does!  This little fella is perched on top of an empty tomato sauce can to help promote reducing, reusing and recycling.  His hat is made from a repurposed (and painted) thimble and an old black button.  Once I get the others finished up later this week, I will post more pictures. 

All this crafting is getting me in the holiday spirit!  It's a great time of year to be a crafter.  :)

Shop Small

Today's the day to shop small businesses in your community.  Supporting local family owned businesses is a great way to boost the local economy.  So, today I will be shopping and supporting some of my favorites:
ETC at 2820 E University, FOUND and Design Lab at Robson & Main, The Antique Mall in downtown Mesa and will grab a bite to eat at Mango's, also in downtown Mesa.

And then it's back home to finish up these little guys.  My vision is to paint them white, sprinkle them with Diamond Dust, and make little banners to hang in their little hands that say "joy".  Instead of top hats, I may give them little glittered crows.  Then I will position them onto these little coasters that my friend Karen gave me, along with a little adorned bottle brush tree and wrapped package.  Of course then I will need to decide if they need to be elevated onto a glittered candlestick holder, paper mache box, or what-not.  Why you ask?  Because as my friend Earleen says, "More is More".

How long do you think it will take to do this family of snowmen?

I have a total of 28 to do.  A few of them will be for people at work and those little banners will say "recycle".  Yea, I know...kinda odd, but that's what happens when you are in the trash and recycling business for almost 30 years.  LOL

Maybe it will go quicker than I think, as I have a helper.

Yes, that's right...Jackson is sitting on the bench at the other end of the kitchen table and here is the view I have while working.  Maybe he is having some glitter flashbacks from last season when he chewed up some glittered candles and glittered plastic ornaments.  When Jenaye returned home from work and found his face and paws covered and glittered, I knew that he was a crafter at heart.

Make the most of your weekend!
Kelli
:)

YIKES!

I cannot believe that Thursday is already Thanksgiving!  Although I am looking forward to some extra time at home and catching up with family, it seems like it rolled around WAY too soon.  Always has a way of sneaking up on me!

Last year, we traveled down to Tuscon, and spent the day with Jenaye and Jackson, but this year they will be here spending it with us.  Preston, Ashley and Zona are staying in Denver for the "feast" so unfortunately they won't be joining us.

After all the Pinterest inspiration I created some little tags to send leftovers home with our guests.

I loved the simplicity of the "fill in the blank" tags.  I will also be using them to package a Thanksgiving meal for Bob's 91 year old aunt.

I made extras and will head down to stock them in my little favor section at ETC tomorrow.

I feel very accomplished since I did my grocery shopping today.  I am braving Costco tomorrow for their scrumptious pumpkin pie and spiral sliced ham...wish me luck!

Here's to a week filled with gratitude and thanks for everything I have, including the people in my life. I am truly blessed!
Kelli
:) 

Cooler weather?

Indeed!  Bring it on!  We are ready.  It's been a long, hot summer here in Arizona and we are ready for some cooler temps.

Been busy getting ready for the Halloween.  Hard to believe it's already tomorrow.  Made these cute little treat bags for some special ghouls and goblins.  These adorable bags will soon be available at ETC. 

A few of you have been asking about the Do Me A Favor projects for Tuesday night.  They are on display at ETC, but for those of you who won't be making it into the store this next wee, here's a peek.

This little handled box is quick and easy to make.  The base is constructed of Bazzill Basics, making it super durable.  An piece of baker's twine attaches an over-sized jingle bell to the handle along with a "jingle all the way" tag.

This clever little bag is made out of Bazzill cardstock for durability using the brand new {have to own} WeR Favor Punch Gadget.

This little mini milk carton is made from a Sizzix die!  Its tiny size makes it super adorable and versatile.  Looks even more adorable in person!

This little pouch is perfect for a mass production project for a wedding, birthday party, or holiday!

Whatever you are doing this week, I hope you find some time to do something outdoors!  :)

Do Me A Favor Class Kits

All cut, scored, instructions written, kitted and embellished.

These small white bags were embellished with clothes pins I dyed in a watered down paint bath, sparkly tulle, gray and green grosgrain ribbon, gray lace, Teresa Collins printed paper from her new Halloween line and a silver-y black skull on top of a short wooden dowel.

Here's a peek at the projects for tomorrow night's workshop...

This little over-sized match box style favor holds 2 fun sized candy bars and it can be used for any event thanks to Pebbles and their best-in-the industry rub-ons.   

This cute little open topped box would be perfect to double as a place setting at the table.  While I used printed paper for the pennant, washi tape would work swell.

This little white treat sack features a friendly little ghost made from a Fiskars tag punch and a pair of wiggly eyes.  I love the gray in this diagonal Doodle Bug printed paper! 

By far, my favorite one in October's class.  I love the color contrast of the Teresa Collins printed paper and the bright green Bazzill cardstock.  The stickers from Pebbles add to the cute factor of this little favor. 

If you are a local paper crafter, I hope to see you in this workshop tomorrow or at The Club with Amy and I on Wednesday! 

"crow" Happy!

Halloween is my absolute favorite time of year.  Combine this holiday with my "junking" passion at second hand thrift stores and unique projects are transformed.  I have made 5 different little crow displays.  Here's a peek at a couple of them.

I made 3 silver displays and 2 gold ones so far.  They are all different since all the bowls, containers, trays and stands are thrifted.  It's been a great project to use up some of my old buttons, junk jewelry pieces and old wooden spools of thread.  So far, the teal and green one is my favorite.

I need to work on my photography skills next, right?

In addition to creating Halloween decorations, I also kitted my Do Me A Favor workshop, taught at Dollar Demos at Scrapbooks, etc. and got to meet {and hold} my sweet neice's daughter...Kinsley Lynn, who was born on Friday.  All-in-all, my weekend was wonderful!  :)

I am ready for fall!

Halloween is my faVorite time of year!  I love the months of September and October when I can enjoy all of my Halloween decor.  Last night I worked on creating some fun Halloween favors and a little display sign for ETC, my local scrapbook store in Mesa {Arizona}.

Thanks to Dan and Kristin Alber of Found {in downtown Mesa} for finding these cute "have-to-have" gray polka dotted bowls.  They were so stinkin cute, I bought two!  I think know they are perfect for displaying my Halloween treats.

Speaking of Halloween treats, I made these little bags for the neighborhood kids.  Don't be too impressed, since there is only 5 of them on our block.  It's not like the days when Preston and Jenaye were growing up and almost every house on the street had kids in it!  

It's hard to believe I am packing up for Pre IU and headed there in about one week.  I have waited so long and now it's almost here!  I can't wait to see old friends and meet some new ones!  Here's a peek at my project.

Stay tuned, later this month I will share some Halloween favor ideas perfect for all the boys and ghouls that will be out and about trick-or-treating in your neighborhood! 

As Septmeber begins

I have LOTS of exciting things coming up.
     {A*door*able Wreath Workshop with the mega talented Lindsey Neill tonight!}
     {Do Me A Favor Workshop on the 6th}
     {The Club with Amy Totty on the 7th}
     {Scrap*A*Go*Go Workshop on the 13th...Friday the 13th...with the crazy and clever chicks...Jamie Andersen and Susan Mast}
     {Off  to Inspiration Unlimited with Joey Otlo to teach a class before the BIG event begins}
     {Off to a destination wedding for a "not so little" gal that we have known most all her life}

                  -----Gosh, I hope I will have some time and energy left for my day job!----- 

Here's some sneak peeks of the projects we will be doing in Tuesday's Do Me A Favor Workshop.

This little brown Kraft box is one of the newest items in stock at ETC.  I am in love with these little gems.  They are the perfect size for homemade sweets or treats!  We'll embellish the sides with the cute new My Mind's Eye Cut and Paste paper line designed by the talented Jen Allyson.   

This mini treat sack is created using the new Halloween Stamps from the amaZing Teresa Collins and some glittered paper from My Mind's Eye.  I love Teresa's clear stamps.  I placed three of the stamps on my acrylic block to create the design I wanted and it was that easy!  No hassles trying to create my own artwork and run the bags through my printer.  It doesn't get much easier than this!

We will take this adorable printed kraft sack and fold it into a pouch that holds 2 mini Hershey bars.  A big black spider, custom tag printed on Bazzill cardstock and some fun new trims in stock at ETC add the finishing touches.  Any little goblin would be happy to receive such a "spooky" treat.

I am starting to dig out the Halloween display.  Oh my goodness, it is growing every year!  Instead of being a nice big centerpiece in the middle of the dining room table, it really has taken over the entire table!  But how can I condense it?  It's a collection of handmade items, purchases from Arkansas trips with girl friends, a "find" at the Ross Jenaye used to work at, old bottles from thrift and antique stores and items given to me by friends and family members who know I LOVE Halloween. 

OK...I just noticed the candle is crooked, I need to straighten that up before taking any more photos! 

Here's to a craft filled three day weekend!  :)

Kinsley will be here soon

She will grace this great big world with her little presence in about one month.  We took some pics this morning of mommy and daddy before her big debut. 

It was a little hot out there, but it was worth braving the heat to capture these shots! 

Dog gone Good Weekend

that's because we spent it with Jackson.  Yea, his "mom" and "dad" aka Jenaye and Justin went to the cabin with us too!  The weather was fabulous and the company just as enjoyable! 

Done prepping and kitting for my Do Me A Favor workshop and now it's on to finishing up the album that I am teaching later this summer in Vegas. 

Here's one of the four favors we will be making in class on Tuesday.  It's a mini white lunch sack created with an adorable printed paper from My Minds Eye and coordinating Bazzill cardstock.  A washi tape clothes pin helps keep the treat bag closed.

 

This sweet little high back box is constructed from Bazzill Kraft cardstock.  It's embellished with the sweetest paper line from Echo Park.  It'd certainly make some stinkin cute little favors for a baby shower. The scalloped bottom adds to the cute factor of this party favor.

There's still some seats left, so if you are a local paper crafter or party favor maker, sign up on line at http://shop.scrapbooks-etc.com/collections/classes and get 10% off this workshop.  I promise you'll have some fun, laugh a bit and leave with 4 little favors complete with candy ready for gifting.  While the workshop is scheduled for 2 hours, you will be done in less time and be able to look around and shop for the newest papercrafting supplies before heading back home.