Sunday, November 23, 2008

Handmade Holiday Craft Market

I Took The Handmade Pledge! BuyHandmade.org

Pia introduced me to this nifty movement and its such a great idea. Here's what it's all about (quoting from their website)

Buying Handmade makes for better gift-giving.

The giver of a handmade gift has avoided the parking lots and long lines of the big chain stores in favor of something more meaningful. If the giver has purchased the gift, s/he feels the satisfaction of supporting an artist or crafter directly. The recipient of the handmade gift receives something that is one-of-a-kind, and made with care and attention that canbe seen and touched. It is the result of skill and craftsmanship that is absent in the world of large-scale manufacturing.

Buying handmade is better for people.

The ascendancy of chain store culture and global manufacturing has left us dressing, furnishing, and decorating alike. We are encouraged to be consumers, not producers, of our own culture. Our ties to the local and human sources of our goods have been lost. Buying handmade helps us reconnect.

Buying handmade is better for the environment.

The accumulating environmental effects of mass production are a major cause of global warming and the poisoning of our air, water and soil. Every item you make or purchase from a small-scale independent artist or crafter strikes a small blow to the forces of mass production.

Feeling inspired? I sure am. And here's the perfect place to buy handmade. Stop by our:

Holiday Craft Faire
Friday December 5th & 12th
noon - 6pm
Center Court - Howard Hughes Promenade

Besides a great selection of handmade gifts, there will be lots of activities for the kids. Here's the line up for December 5th

Photos with Firemen & decorate a frame – Noon-3pm
Kid’s Holiday Card Workshop 3-6pm
Marionette Show 4:30 & 6:30pm

Hope you can join us and buy handmade (or make handmade) this holiday season.

Sonja

Sunday, November 16, 2008

Christmas & Winter Themed Mini Albums


So I've got these great mini albums in. They're 6x6 albums with 10 pages/20 sides! And they're only $3. That's right...you read it right. 3 bucks. So I sat down and decorated one as gift idea, using some goodies from the American Crafts Christmas Collection.



I accented the cover with some of the Epoxy Dots from Kaisercraft...

Title page featuring Tinsel Thickers in red

Tinsel Thicker accents in Silver...

Rubs Ons, Thickers & Epoxy Dots

Tinsel Thicker Accents

Ribbon & Tinsel Thicker Accents

Rub ons and Tinsel Thicker Accents

Tinsel Thicker Accents...do I sound like a broken record yet?

Epoxy dots and Tinsel Thicker Accents

Rub Ons, Ribbon & Tinsel Thicker Accents

Paper Accents & Tinsel Thickers

Tinsel Thickers


The point is, you can whip out mini albums for your friends and family in under 30 minutes each. Just cut 6x6 sheets of double sided paper, like those pictured from the American Crafts collection, add some embellishments and have fun!!!


Wednesday, November 12, 2008

Look What I did Today....

Ha ha, I feel like a kid coming home from school saying, "mommy, mommy, look what I did..."

Anyhow, I took extra Glittered Chipboard shapes from my My Mind's Eye Be Merry Collection and Glittered Alphas from the Laundry Line collection to make a festive holiday banner. It was really simple!




Step 1 - layout your design on your work space. Tip: we never have enough letters to spell what we want to, so think out of the box, like I did, with this French Holiday greeting. Also, you can alter letters. One of those pictured used to to be a "Q" but was easily converted into an "O"

Step 2 - use your crop-a-dile to punch 2 holes in each letter/item at the center point. Have 2 holes keeps the garland more steady when its strung together. I used the tiny hole punch, I think its 1/8"

Step 3 - String your garland together. I used white tulle from Bazzill. I thought it was nice and wintery. Tip: tying a small knot at each end of the tulle will make it much easier to thread. Also, the closer your items are together, the more stable the garland will be.

Step 4 - Hang and Enjoy!

This is an easy project to do with all your project "scraps" and is simple enough to keep the kids occupied. Just a thought....

Sonja

Friday, November 7, 2008

Fall for these great ideas...

Let's face it...it's fall for about 2 seconds in LA...and that's after our cycle of hot/cold/hot/cold...well you get the picture. Still I can't resist this time of year. I love the colors, even if we don't have a bunch of colorful leaves on the ground. And I love the concept; being thankful for one's many blessings, and settling in for the winter.

So with that in mind...here are some fun fall ideas, sort of. While not explicity autumnal, like our so cal weather...they're some easy ways to celebrate the season and bring a touch of the season indoors.


This layout features Offbeat from Basic Grey and Thanksgiving stickers from SRM Press. I love the funky fruit and flowers, a nice twist on your traditional fall motifs.


Thank You Note place cards featuring Wild Asparagus paper and ribbon from American Crafts. Instead of traditional place cards, place a note at each person's seat, with a few sentiments of gratitude for who they are in your life!



Paper-copia featuring Sassafras Lass. My sister made these last year for her flower girls to carry and I thought it was such a good idea. Simply roll the paper into the desired cone shape and glue. Use the decorative edge from the paper to cover the seam. You can lay this on a table and fill with fruit, veggies or flower for a simple centerpiece. Or you can attach ribbon and hang it like a sconce.



Blessed Wall Decor/Banner featuring Wild Asparagus. This could not be easier. Use the Wild Asparagus letters to spell your sentiment & cut coordinating 3" squares, distressing the edges. Use your crop a dile, or another whole punch to punch holes on the top for your favorite ribbon; mine is may arts. String the letters together and arrange them, using glue dots or pop dots to secure. Easy as pie!!!



I fell in love with these stars during the MME star garland class over the summer. I made this one from 29th St. Market paper and it can be used as a centerpiece or add some ribbon and hang it on the door.
Happy Fall y'all!