Christmas Wreath Card

Above are the original pictures

I started writing up this post and looked at the pictures that went with it and realised that the card was PANTS!  The holly leaves on the right hand side were completely out of kilter to the other side, it looked a mess …… so I started again.

 

I think the second version looks a lot better (but, if I do it again, I might not mat and layer the centre but just work directly on the card blank.

 

The wreath is made using a variety of  punches, mostly flowers and holly leaves, except for the white snowflakes in the middle of the red flowers, which accentuates the Christmas theme.

I’ve used flat back gems and sets of three little dots to complete the design.

Bingo Card Fridge Magnets

I’m not too proud to show you one of my not so brilliant ideas, it’ll give you a good laugh if anything!

I love bingo tickets, goodness knows why, and I had this daft idea of making fridge magnets with them.

But though the idea isn’t a bad one, my choice of materials was totally wrong from the start.  I decided to use magnetic foam as the base, but though the magnets are light, they have a spongy texture and so don’t feel strong or rigid enough. If I were to make them again, I would put a strong card between the ticket and foam.

I then applied several coats of outdoor Modge Podge, thinking that would add a little rigidity ….. no!  I also stuck  self adhesive letters between coats ….. hmmmmm not sure …. and to be honest the finish of Modge Podge wasn’t as glossy as I had hoped either ….

However not one to throw a project in the bin until I’ve exhausted all the options, I thought I’d glue on an old wooden bingo counter (a carboot find) – but the letters are quite modern and bright beside the old counter, so the mix just doesn’t gel.

My final effort to salvage this project  was to  apply peel off strips round the edge to hide the foam ….. but one strip wasn’t enough to go all the way round, so there are a couple of joints, so the whole thing is just totally tacky!!!

You’ll probably see this project again ….. now I know where I’ve gone wrong!

Little Robin Branch Christmas Card

 

This card is made using a robin and heart stickers from a packet of last years Christmas Accessorize stickers.  I have lots of  unused bits and pieces, left over from several Christmas’s, just waiting for an Ulrika moment, when I finally work out how I can use them.

The branch is make from three punchies stuck together to form a line, with a dusting of Hero Arts hologram micro glitter for a bit of sparkle.  I have also added tiny weeny translucent stars which are nail art decorations from Poundland.

My Festive Mug

As soon as December begins everyone in the offices at work starts using their Festive Mug.  Some people use the same one, but I like to have a new one every year.  And this year I’ve painted my own.

I’ve had to keep it simple as I only have three mug painting pens!

I have really had to quell the urge to add flat back gems to my creation as I am not sure what glue could stand up to the 6/7 cups of coffee a day!

The pens in the picture do require baking - I allowed about 24 hrs for the design to dry completely and then baked in the oven for 20 minutes. The instructions are on the pens - if a little tiny! HobbyCraft also have similar pens that don't even need baking now, from the same manufacturers.

Halloween Sweetie Jar/Favor

I’ve used a small storage jar from Poundworld for this idea.  There are four jars in a pack (that’s only 25p each) and it’s hard to tell them from ones they sell in IKEA.  The only problem is Poundworld don’t have them in very often, so when I see them I pounce and buy in bulk!

I’ve written on both sides of the tag which is made using my Stampin Up scalloped and plain circle punches.

The spider is part of a big bag of Halloween bits also from Poundworld.

I’ve just added a pair of red flat backed gems to him for eyes.  The jar contains gourmet jelly beans from Aldi – 69p per bag.

Stampin’ Up Punches

I have been inundated with questions about the Stampin’ Up punches I use and to help me out my mate Lisa http://stampincraftfairy.blogspot.com/ has come up with a special offer – but it is for this weekend only!

I remember when Lisa and I saw these punches at a Stampin’ Up demonstration at the NEC HobbyCrafts Show a couple of years ago, and we went bananas to get our hands on them. They are just the perfect size for decorating Elizabeth Shaw mint crisps (the milk chocolate ones seem to be in short supply at the moment …. so if anyone spots them, especially on offer, post where, how, what and when in the chatroom gidget !!!) – And if Elizabeth Shaw ever stops making them …… we’ll have to start hunting down another type of round chocolate to use!

Halloween Scary Skeleton Hand Favor Box

This is the first thing I made with one of my Poundworld scary skeleton Hands.

The box is paper Mache from Hobbycrafts, I bought a whole pile of them when they were reduced to 49p for an assorted pack a little while ago.

I’ve coloured it with the thick end of a black promarker pen, then punched two holes on either side to thread some cord through to make “handles”

The final touch is a flat backed gem stuck on the wrist.  Soooooo creepy but might appeal to a little boy to keep his treasures in!

Christmas Shopping Jotter

Everyone needs a shopping list at Christmas, and this is one of the first things I’ll be wrapping up and putting in my many pocketed Advent Calendar this year.

The base is a Morrison's jotter, which I’ve covered with a digi design paper and a few strips of white glitter paper (for the snow).  I’ve also used some black Glitterati stickers for the snowman’s eyes and mouth. The pencil is from a miniature set from Paperchase and the lettering is just using up odd self adhesive letters.

The snowman and background paper are a download called Little Joys from:- http://sweetshoppedesigns.com/sweetshoppe/home.php I think it cost $6.99 (about £4.50).

If I had a shopping list like this I would have to write in my best handwriting for fear of spoiling it!

Halloween Pumpkin Favour Tin

The small metal tins that I have used for this idea were not one of mine and Lisa’s best buys.  They came as a pack of wedding favours from Hobbycraft, and were quite expensive and neither of us have used them since we bought them about a year ago, until now that is ……

As I am really into Halloween at the moment it suddenly dawned on me that the tins were the ideal shape for pumpkins, so I drew round one and made a very basic template.

And then it all sort of came together.

A couple of wobbly eyes and a bit of doodling with a white and black gel pen and Pete’s your pumpkin! Now, what can I do with the other 23 tins …..?

My next conundrum is what to do with about thirty of these mini jam jars that I have collected from various hotel stays, in a Halloween or Christmas  type way!

Tiny House Advent Calendar

This is probably the tiniest Advent Calendar I have ever made. I’ve put a cotton bud by it so you can gauge the size.

The tiny house chalkboard cost me 50p a couple of years ago, I loved it but it’s been in my drawers ever since because I didn't know what to do with it.

In fact everything I’ve used here have been odds and ends that I’ve squirreled away, waiting for that “Ulrika” moment!

The wooden tag, which I’ve handwritten, cost me 15p and  the snowman embellishment is a button that I have just added a bit of colour to using Sharpies pens.

All I need now is a small piece of chalk or a dressmakers chalk pencil so that I can mark off the days!

Jingle Bell Friendship Bracelets

I thought this was an original idea until I went on Google and found someone had beaten me too it!  Ho, Ho, Ho!.

 

I’ve used really small bells from Papercellar (99p per packet, available in red and green), silver spacer beads that I had already and 0.5mm waxed thread. When the beads and bell were threaded I tied a single knot on each side to stop them from moving.

I’ve also made them a little card to give them a more professional look and then slipped that into a cello bag.  I thought they would make a cheap and easy present for children to make for their friends or something to pop in a homemade cracker or Advent Calendar etc.

 

This  set will go into my Many Pocketed Advent Calendar.

Oh My Life!

I wonder if anyone else has spotted the rogue wibbly wobbly eye that managed to stray onto my Advent House!!!!

Halloween Spiders Web Cadbury Chocolate Bar

I am having so much fun thinking up ideas for chocolate bars. I’ve worked out that this bar has cost me no more than 10p to make, which is brilliant.

The web and spider are made using two Quickutz Silhouette design downloads, but to be honest you could make this just as easily by drawing the web on the paper and making your own spiders.

BOO!

Finally Finished - My Tesco Advent Calendar House

I’ve never done anything big like this before ….and I am so chuffed, once I had sorted out which papers to use it all sort of came together.

I reckon in all I have spent about 30 hours on it.

As you know I am very much a less is more crafter, but on this, it was more, more, more and then some more!

I ought to run a competition to guess how many clear gems I’ve used.

I hope, when I snuff it, this is what my children fight and testify my will over!!!

I can’t believe it, but I even lined the bottom of the drawers!
 
All I need to do now is find a tiny little “something” to put in each drawer!

I think this has got to be my favourite make ever!