Create 2014 Excitement is Building!

Yep, it sure is.  As I look at my completed project, I am loving how it turned out.  Which is ALWAYS a good sign.  You know how when you finish up a project you know right away it is fabulous {or needs improvement}?  That is the way I create.  And boy have I come up with some bad first attempt projects.  My only rule is to toss those and start completely over.  It's actually alot more rewarding than trying to rework a hot mess.  :/

A few of you have been wondering and asking what my project is doing to be, so I thought it really is time to share a sneak peek. 

My project assignment was a banner.  Because I have a banner or two already, I thought it might be fun to put make a banner with a twist to it.  Inspired by a recent girls trip to California, I made this little banner that is perched on a wooden stand.  The stand that is pictured is a 12" wide one, but thanks to a friend {Lori}the one we are making in the workshop will be 16" wide!  Which means students will be able to add a few panels if they like, or add ribbon, trim/ lace or seam binding in between the panels.  The banner is embellished with oodles of vintage one-of-a-kind items and a fun mix of current product.  The printed paper is none other than My Mind's Eye, which is certainly one of my favorite printed paper lines in the scrapbooking and papercrafting world!  The neutral colors will fit in with any decor and this narrow little stand will look great at the office, in a craft studio or the kitchen window sill.   

Now that the fun part {the creating} is over...now comes the dreaded part {the instructions}...wish me luck on getting that done painlessly! 

But once that's out of the way...let the kitting begin. 

Looking ahead

I am really looking forward to Create 2014 in February at ETC.  I always enjoy these smaller sized events because we get to interact alot with everyone at the workshops. 

Not sure if I am allowed to share a little "sneak peek" of my project, so I am just sharing a tiny glimpse.  I will be using lots of one-of-a-kind pieces and vintage finds to create this little masterpiece.  My Mind's Eye printed paper, seam binding, glass glitter and many other little parts and pieces adorn this little project.  Can't wait to share the whole project with you...soon...I promise!  :)

Almost time to start kitting...the event is February 21st and 22nd. 

Until then, I am creating more Valentine's Day favors.

Love this little one.  I simply resized the Studio 61 mini white paper sacks and wrapped them with printed paper and added a Studio 61 tag and doiley.  I love that they are quick and easy to create. 

Here's to a creative week,
Kelli
:)

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!  :)