Hello There

Hello Everyone. Once again, it has been a while since I posted anything. Ever since the holiday season started it has been crazy busy here. I am sure many of you can relate to what I'm talking about; Christmas cards, shopping for gifts, making gifts, holiday decorating, classroom parties, holiday baking, etc. I realize now that one of my New Year's resolutions definitely needs to be a resolution to organize my time better.

For those of you who are checking in for new tutorials, I do plan to continue my video tutorial series on embossing soon. However, I will not have anything posted here until after New Year's. You may have noticed, from viewing my videos, that my kitchen/dining room doubles as my recording studio and with everyone home for holiday break it's pretty much impossible to "book" studio time. So please check back after the new year for some new ideas for embossing.

I do have one project that I am excited to share. First the back story: I have been wanting to try metal embossing for awhile. Well, the Wednesday before Thanksgiving Ten Seconds Studio had an 50% off sale so I decided to treat myself to an early Christmas present and order some tools and supplies. If you aren't familiar with Ten Seconds Studio here is a link. (Check out their Taco-Tuesday videos. They are a hoot.) I got the package a couple of weeks ago but just haven't had the time to play with my new "toys." But last night while I was wrapping some gifts I watched their latest video tutorial. In the video Cheryl added embossing to create an awesome mailbox. If it hadn't been 10:00 pm at night I probably would have thrown the kiddies in the car and headed down to Lowe's to pick up a mailbox to make one myself. But then I remembered I had picked up some mini mailboxes from the Dollar Spot at Target when I was out shopping earlier in the day. So here are before and after photos.

Aren't these the coolest? And so quick and easy. My head is now spinning with so many different ideas. I have definitely drank the Kool-Aid. Well, that's it for now. I gotta get back to my to-do list.

Happy Holidays to all and blessings for the New Year.
Sincerely,
Michelle

It's in the Can

(Here is a idea I just posted over on the Going Green Crafters & Artists blog site. I thought I'd share it with you here too.)

Here's an easy peasy recycling idea just in time for the holidays. Start with some emptied tin cans. Completely remove the lids and labels. Clean the insides thoroughly.

Then make two holes in each can to insert a handle. (Sorry, I forgot to take a picture of this step.) I used my Crop-a-Dile to make my holes. If you don't have a Crop-a-Dile you can use a hammer and a nail to make the holes. Then shape some handles from some wire. Wire clothes hangers work perfect for this. Using the holes you made, attach the handles to the cans.

Decorate the outside of your cans using scraps of scrapbook paper, gift wrap, or "recycle" some of your kid's artwork from school. (Note: I did paint the top and bottom rims of the cans with some white acrylic paint before I added the paper. This, of course, isn't necessary. I just thought it finished them off better.)

This project also makes a great holiday craft to do with the kids. Cut up some brown paper bags to fit around the cans and let them decorate the paper by drawing, painting, or glittering. When finished, fill the cans with holiday treats.

These are perfect for holding small gifts. If they aren't too heavy they can even be hung on the tree. Or fill them with baked goods and use for hostess gifts, teacher gifts, or gifts for your neighbors (hang it on their front door for a surprise.) I filled mine with hot cocoa mix, marshmallows, and candy canes.

This idea can easily be adapted for many occasions and holidays: fill with flowers or candy for Valentine's day, tea bags and soup mix for a sick friend, gold (chocolate) coins and a bit-a- green for St. Patrick's Day, to name just a few.

Best wishes for a blessed holiday season to all!
Michelle

Playing CatchUp

Hello Friends. I hope you all had a wonderful Thanksgiving holiday.

My Mom, Sister, Brother-in-law, Niece and Nephew were all here for a visit with our family. I so enjoyed having them here. We had lots of fun shopping, eating, and visiting Disneyland. But now that everyone has gone home and the kids are back in school, I've been trying to catch up on some housekeeping and holiday shopping. Unfortunately I've had little time to get much crafting done. I did manage to sneak in a couple of projects this past weekend that I thought I'd share.

This first photo is of a collage necklace I made using some trinkets I've been collecting. I'm planning on making more to give as gifts (maybe even selling) but I was really pleased with how this first one turned out. This is the front.

And this is the back. It reads: Anyone who says they have only one life to live must not know how to read a book. I don't remember where I read this quote originally. I had jotted it down in a notebook some time ago. Note to self: I really should be better about writing down references.


This next project was ridiculously quick and easy. Here is a "before" photo of a slim wallet I purchased. I found it in a clearance bin for super cheap. I love these skinny little wallets, but I thought this one was a bit plain.

So I added a little "bling" with some rub-ons and a few rhinestones, and violá. How perfect to tuck a gift card into!

Well I'm off to make a turkey sandwich. (Yes, we still have left-overs.) And then I really need to get those holiday cards finished and in the mail.