I Love to Create - Glitter Makes Everything Better

Every January most of us make the same resolution - to lose a little weight. For me, losing the baby weight is on the top of my list. I thought if my scale and I are going to be spending a lot more time together in the near future I might as well make it a little easier on the eyes.


SUPPLIES
Scale
Scrapbook Paper
Collage Pauge
Fast Grab Tacky Glue
Crafty Chica Glitter
Paper Glaze
Scissors

After you choose a decorative paper that tickles your fancy cut it out to the size of your scale. Using Collage Pauge adhere your paper to your scale.


Next trim the paper in Fast Grab Tacky Glue. While the glue was still wet sprinkle red glitter. You might want to try and get your lines a little straighter than I did. Allow the whole thing to dry completely.

When everything is dry give the scale a top coat or two of paper glaze.


Every week when I weigh in to try and reach my goal I'll get to look at bright colors and glitter. Sparkles make everything better, even my weight.

Quick, Fast and Free - A Guide to Last Minute Printable Gifts

In a pinch for a last minute gift? Check out my printable gift guide over on BlogHer. Oodles of fun and free goodies like smiley embroidery floss holders by Wild Olive.

I Love to Create - Seasonal Sensory Bottles

Last week when I did my series on handmade stocking stuffers I realized most of them were for toddlers. What about the babies? They need some handmade love too right? Don't worry I whipped up something fun and festive for Baxter too. Sensory bottles!


SUPPLIES
Empty Plastic Containers
Tacky Glue
Crafty Chica Glitter
Various small Toys


I had been saving clear plastic jars for awhile waiting for just the right craft moment. Seasonal sensory bottles were the perfect use for them.

Fill your bottles with various items. I put red, white and green pom poms in one. Another had oil, water and glitter. The third was full of red, silver and green glitter.


Once your jars are full add some tacky glue to attach the lids. We don't want baby swallowing any pom poms.

When the glue is dried completely park baby in front of the Christmas tree and watch him twirl and twist his new toys with delight. Not just for babies. These sensory bottles were also a big hit with the toddler set.

I Love to Create - Stencil 201 an Interview with Ed Roth and Stenciled Stocking Stuffers

I was giddy with excitement when Ed Roth's latest book Stencil 201 showed up in my PO Box. Stencil 101 was a huge hit at my baby shower. I made matching skirts for me and Tallulah using a stencil from Stencil 101 Decor. I have done glass etching with some of his stencils. I even busted out a blouse or two. What was I going to make with all the awesome-o patterns in Stencil 201? Since I am on a handmade stocking stuffer kick hip bibs seemed perfect!

With each book Ed Roth and his stencils get better and better. The stencils in 201 are plastic so you can wash and reuse them over and over again. The patterns do not disappointment with sugar skulls, bears and patterns. I used mine on bibs, but think of all the holiday possibilities. You could stencil stockings, tree skirts or even make felt ornaments.

I was lucky enough to get a chance to chat with the stud of stencils himself Mr. Ed Roth.


What is the most creative way you have seen someone use your stencils?

Well, if you asked me that last year it would have been when Bust Magazine featured a pic of their toilet tank painted with my baby deer stencil but now, in Stencil 201, my barber buddy Eliath Pineda uses one of my stencils to cut a pattern into the side of a clients hair. I'd say that get's the most original award!

I adore all your books, each one gets better and better and the first one was so dang good I didn’t think it was possible. How did you get hooked up with Chronicle books?

It's funny. years ago I set out to make a stencil book. Publishers scratched their heads when they saw my prototype book I made of 50 stencils. Having a background in web design, i built my own site and sold the stencils individually instead. Years later, I sat down at a dinner party with a friend of a friend who works at Chronicle. When asked what i do, i told him and he said "oh we should make a book!". And there it went!


When you first got started did you ever envision your stencils being used the way they are now to create fabric, wallpaper, jewelry and more?

Not really. I just loved painting t-shirts and walls and I sort of designed in that theme. I think I am lucky to always learn from my customers and people like you in the field that take the stencil use further. Look at guest artists Jenny Hart and Vickie Howell with embroidery and felting, these techniques combined with a nice stencil image create a new product I would not think to initially make. Love those gals!

I’m curious, I’ve navigated my way through the craft world for years. From vending at small punk rock craft shows to make and take booths for corporations at CHA. I know you are on the same trajectory. How has the craft industry been for a man? Do you think you get treated any different since it is such a female dominated industry?

I didn't notice. I don't think about that, I just do my thing. I love all the ladies I meet, the business gals, the crafting dames, everyone's been cool. I've worked with you, Jenny Hart, Vickie Howell, Erica Domesek, Kathy Cano-Murillo, and what's her name, oh yea Martha Stewart(bow). I think I've been welcomed!


Your new book Stencil 201 has a few “guest stars” how did you pick your contributors and did you let them choose how they would use your stencils or did you come to them with a pitch?

The choice of artists was so random. Christian Sumner, A Baker in Brooklyn, is a friend of mine and he is driven and just so talented I had to feature him in the cookie stencil how-to. Susan Rivas, I met when she offered me a slice of pizza and we got to chatting. She does amazing "collagistrations" so I had to see what she would do with the stencils. I was a guest in Vickie's book Craft Corps and we chatted creative stuff since so I wanted her in my book. Jenny is the queen of embroidery in my book and a Chronicle author so that was a no-brainer. Erica Domesek asked me some time ago to provide stencils for her Sharpie booth at NY Fashion Week and we became buddies, she's unstoppable. I featured Swoon since I adore her street art and met her at her opening, she is involved in so many good causes I had to get her in there. Elaine Elwick Barr is a craft genius and great friend of mine who has been one of those creatives who has taken my stencils to another level, shrinky dink jewelry, come on! Just love all these people!

What is the best selling stencil on your website? Are deers all the rage or do boom boxes dominate?

Hmm, ya know, birds rule. Nature in general has done well. But of course my graffiti inspired imagery does well too. But birds. yea. birds.


How do you trend forecast what stencils to make? Like I am just discovering foxes have been the new owl for awhile.

I guess like you, something out there resonates. I look at everything around me in NY, I live in a trendy area. Sometimes these trends are on high fashion clothing, sometimes they are used in decor. I think I watch trends and feel waves passing and think what's next after all this? It's a feeling. But also, in business, I have to see what does well and sometimes play off of that. Skulls> Birds> Octopus> Mustaches > who knows haha

I love the fun chocolate collaboration set you did with Alison Nelson. Are there any more little hidden Ed Roth gems out there we should be looking for? Any big collaborations coming down the turnpike?

I have decided it is my year to do many collaborations. I am very interested in co-branded products, developing some cool licensing deals where you see my artwork on home products. I have shown people for years how to stencil on a bunch of surfaces, now i will offer those things made as well. Also, I am also hoping to offer more Stencil1 art product with the right manufacturer so my users have more tools to create more. I am not so interested in sitting in a licensing booth, I am trying to break that formula. I am a small business and things like that can be costly so I try to take unique approaches to business. What i am saying is I am cheap, haha. Better word, resourceful.


Geez your stencils are popping up all over the places, movies, TV, magazines even Martha is on team Stencil1. What has been your biggest piece of press to date? The one that effected sales and clicks on the website the most? Like was there a huge demand for the twig stencil after the Country Living feature?

Aw thanks, Well, Being on Martha was a good boost. BEing in ReadyMade years ago was a big boost too(RIP Readymade!). It's so funny, whatever stencil gets featured in press,well, that's the one stencil that you will see ordered! I offer over 100 designs on stencil1.com but people only bought the skull stencil after the queen of craft MArtha made a shirt with my skull stencil!

What does the future have planned for Mr. Ed Roth?

Oh boy. Lots to do here. Licensing my art, developing new art supplies and home goods, I am very interested in doing more video and have written a few tv treatments, more installation work for hotel rooms, I want to have an art exhibit, and I really enjoyed the book tour for Stencil 201 and that inspired me to do more events where people simply get to make art!

Thanks for chatting with us Ed for helping my kids look cuter (as if that was possible) while they eat. I like the tour idea where people get to make art. Might I suggest Austin!

***This is a sponsored post by I Love to Create - I was compensated & given free supplies. Mama has gotta pay the bills somehow and really who in their right mind would say no to free craft supplies***

Handmade Stocking Stuffers Day 5 - Peppa Pig Washcloth Puppet

Washrag puppets are easy and fun. I have seen cute tutorials for them by Martha Stweart, Cathie Filian and more. Sometimes necessity is the mother of invention. No washrag puppets are not new, but I have never seen a Peppa Pig one.


One of my daughters favorite shows on Nick Jr. is Peppa Pig. It is an English show so finding toys, books or any kind of Peppa toy is tricky business. That is unless you take matters into your own hands and make your own.

SUPPLIES
White Washcloth
Red Washcloth
2 Pink Washcloths
Embroidery Thread
Embroidery Needle
Sewing Machine (or in my case mother who will sew for you)


I cut out the rough shape of Peppa to make the body of the puppet. I cut out a dress from the red rag and eyes from the white. I embroidered all the details. My mom turned right sides together and stitched the puppet up. All that is left to do is stick this cutie in a stocking. I am planning on making one for Baxter too of Peppa's younger brother George. Puppet theatre in the bath tub.

Handmade Stocking Stuffers - Day 4 Recycled Board Book Cart Cards

After chopping up an old board book to make lacing cards I got to thinking about ways I could use some of the books in our library that were falling apart.


Laying on the couch staring at me as I was thinking these deep thoughts was a set of Tallulah's flash cards. I punch holes in them, put a hole reinforcer on the hole and put them all on a plastic link. If you are forever picking up flashcards I highly recommend it to keep the cards together. Also with the link I can attach the cards to the stroller or cart cover to keep Tallulah busy.


That's when I started thinking about making some of the boards books with broken spines into cart cards. Most board books are already the perfect small size. Use scissors to trim up the edges. Make holes in the corners of the pages using either a Crop-a-Dile like I did or a drill. You can also add Paper Glaze to the edges to help the pages from splitting.



You have no idea how handy these cart cards were today as we waited in the longest line ever at Costco. Ya I know that is cheating since I didn't put them in a stocking, but it was an emergency and a toddler breakdown was narrowly adverted thanks to my new invention! These will also clip right on to her stroller for more alphabet practice on the go.

Handmade Stocking Stuffers - Day 3 Snowmen Crayons

I never said all these projects were going to be novel. I have made crayon cupcakes on the blog before, but those were multi colored and Halloween themed. Plus I made those in the oven using a metal cookie sheet. I made these snowmen in a silicone mold using a hairdryer.


Fun for an advent gift since they are small and festive or great in a stocking since they are in theme all winter long. I found this mold at the thrift store for .49 cents.

Handmade Stocking Stuffers - Day 2 Homemade Play Doh

Did I mention that I am doing a week of homemade gift ideas for the kiddlets? Yesterday I showed you how to recycle those old board books and make lacing cards. Today we will be conquering Play Doh.


There are about a bazillion recipes for Play Doh on the internet. This is the one I followed.
Ingredients:
3 cups flour, sifted
1 1/2 cup salt
6 teaspoons cream of tartar
3 1/4 cup water
3 tablespoons oil
Kool Aid in various colors
Small containers

First mix all the dry ingredients together in a large pot except the Kool Aid. Next stir in the wet ingredients. Cook over high heat for about 5 minutes or until it forms a giant white ball of Playdoh in your pot.

When the Play Doh is cool divide into 8 equal portions. I used Kool Aid to dye mine since it comes in so many colors, is super cheap and also makes your Play Doh scented. Knead a package of Kool Aid into each of the 8 sections. Warning, this is going to dye your hands. Get over it.

Store in airtight containers. I found these cute little BPA numbers that I can use for lunch box stuff after the Play Doh is gone.

Super cheap, non-toxic (because you know what is in it) and easy.


I could not wait to wrap this up and put it under the tree since Tallulah has been begging for Playdoh lately. Instead we played with it using Christmas themed cookie cutters as today's advent activity.

I Love to Create - Handmade Stocking Stuffers Day 1 - Recycled Board Book Lacing Cards

Welcome to our week long series on handmade stocking stuffers. First up we have recycled board book lacing cards. Sure you could buy lacing cards, but why not make your own with one of those countless board books you have flopping around with a broken spine.


SUPPLIES
Beat up Board Book
Sheep(ish) Yarn
Large Plastic Needle
Scissors
Crop-a-Dile
Aleene's Paper Glaze


The first thing I did was choose my book and cut out my cards. You are going to want to choose a board book with thick cardboard pages. After some serious toddler wear and tear I have several books that are falling apart and begging to be made over. Once you have your book, cut out the images you want to use as your lacing cards.


I used a Crop-a-Dile to punch holes in my cards, but you could also use a drill. Place the holes wherever you want.


To seal the edges and keep them from splitting I used Aleene's Paper Glaze. Allow to dry completely.


All that is left to do is cut some strands of yarn. I used my friend Vickie Howell's yarn Sheep(ish). You will also need a large plastic sewing needle. Be sure to supervise the wee one doing the sewing if they are still prone to putting small things in their mouth.


I wrapped my set of cards up with colorful strands of yarn and all that is left to do is pop it into a stocking.

Check back every day for the next week for more handmade stocking stuffer ideas. Be sure to check out my other Christmas craft ideas here.

***This is a sponsored post by I Love to Create - I was compensated & given free supplies. Mama has gotta pay the bills somehow and really who in their right mind would say no to free craft supplies***

We Wish You a Kitschy Christmas 2011

It's finally done, the house is decorated for Christmas. Well the lights are not up on the outside of the house, but that is Chris's job not mine. The important thing is all 15 Christmas trees are proudly on display. Oh and Phil (my father-in-law) not a one of them is real they are all colorful and tinsel just like I like it!


After going to all this hard work I thought I would share a few pictures with you. You can see how the house looked in 2010 here. I try to spice things up every year.


I decorated our "main" Christmas tree with my collection of vintage Dream Pets this year. I have oodles of ornaments, but the kids are too small to have glass and wire hooks around so I figured stuffed animals was a safe decor bet. Plus these little animals usually sit on a shelf in Tallulah's nursery so it is nice to get to admire them for a bit.


You know how I feel about my fireplace, ugh. However, I do love the glittered deer by my sister Hope Perkins, the stockings by my mother Fredda Perkins and the gift wreath by moi. The Santa in the chimney makes me giggle too.


To the right of the hot pink Dream Pet tree is a shelf with a collection of 8 reindeer plus a musical wind up Santa toy. Christmas is the one time of year where some of my collections like Dream Pets, rubber faced dolls, deer and Santa get to co-mingle.



I call the top of my entertainment center a "Vintage Fisher Price Christmas". My small collection of Fisher Price ornaments decorates the center red tree. A few pieces of my Fisher Price collection sit under the tinsel trees complete with ribbons and bows as if Santa placed them there himself.


I moved my Recycled Coke Crate advent over to Christmas land so we could enjoy it more. Today's activities was making Gingerbread cookies.


I have a bad addiction to themed picture frames. Have I told you that before? I need about a million Christmas pictures of Baxter to compete with the current Tallulah Christmas shrine. Notice also Charlie Brown Christmas playing in the background.



On the West wall of the same room my mother donated several of her vintage Santa's to me. Don't worry she has plenty to spare. I think they are quite happy, or shall I say jolly, in their new home.




At least this year I did not go so far as to color code my books and use only those with red, green and white spines on the top shelves. I like my little Christmas radio collection on top!


In the kitchen I went with the less is more theme over the sink.



As my sister pointed out, this Christmas vignette is not my typical color palette. I'm glad I branched out because this might be my favorite set up of them all. Fake gifts, feathered show ponies and pastels - I'm in love.


Last, but not least I have a tree with actual garlands and ornaments. Sure it is a hit pink tree, but the ornaments are reproduction Shiny Brites and that is pretty traditional for me.

Do you have your decorations up?