12 Days of Christmas - Handmade Gifts, Day 11

 I've wanted to do one of these pouches ever since I got this Summer Smooches Designer Fabric. I have a bread "basket" in this style and thought that I'd like to get couple of smaller pouches for keys and other nick-nacks.

This is not too big - the bag is approx. 5" wide and about the same hight.

Took me some time to figure out how to do these, but I finally managed it.

What I did, was I cut a template from paper for the bottom circle. Then I measured around the edge of the circle. In this case the circle is 36cm/14-1/4".

I then cut 2 circles out of matching fabrics and 2 rectangular banners (36cm long each, about 7" high.

I sew the two rectangular banners on the long seam, ironed them flat and stiched the edge to make it crisp. Then I adhered the circle to the matchin fabric. At this point you would have a cylinder shape, with the side seam open. I stiched 90% of the side seam (in-side-out) and then turned the pouch around and hand stiched the rest.

I love how it has two sides and you can turn it around if you wish. I'm going to make another one with Orchard Harvest Designer Fabric (the striped and the pear patterned ones) and one with the Comfort Cafe fabrics.

12 Days of Christmas - Handmade Gifts, day 10

This is a great gift idea for the coffee lover in your family!

Purchase one of those clear acrylic covered coffee cups (for example from Starbucks). They usually come with a template so you can cut out a right sized piece from your Designer Series paper and decorate it to your liking. This one is mine from the summer time using "summer smooches" DSP.

I did have couple of other samples, but for some reason they post sideways - so I won't bother :)

My current one is actually made with My Digital Studio 2 - and it is the same picture as my blog header.

You can embellish your mug with photos (to make it into a scrapbook page), a nice greeting, a poem, or just enjoy the beautiful Designer Series Paper!

New Products - Show Me How!!!

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12 Days of Christmas - Handmade Gifts, day 9

 

 

This is a great idea for the ones you don't know what to give, or if you might need some "extra" gifts in case you happen to receive a gift from someone you had not bought a gift. I always make few extras and bring them with me to the office (just in case).

 

I got some empty journals from the clearance rack at Chapters and covered both the front and back with a piece of Designer Series Paper (this one is from the Twitterpated selection - but this would be a great way to use some odd pieces or retired DSP. Then I covered the spine with the new Two-Tone Ribbon (now this was not very smart of me, since this won't be available for public until January 3rd). But you can use any ribbon - the wider, the better. I don't recommend covering the spine with DSP, it won't last and won't look nice. I then adhered a piece of 1/4" Stitched Grosgrain Ribbon in Basic Gray to the front and left the top part extra long to make it work as a bookmark (so atleast the length of the book, plus make sure you have some extra to tie your trinket.

 

This trinket is actually something I found on the street - call me cheap! but works perfectly for this journal! What do we learn from this??? Never throw anything away "someones trash is another ones treasure" (I usually tend to think that "someones trash is still trash")

 

Then I used a stamp set (again from the Spring catalogue called "Feel Goods". This is the greatest set - and one more thing not available: " Canvas Creations"

 

Now - don't get discouraged!!! You can use any fabric - or paper for the base of the stamp.

and you can use any stamp set for your sentiment or picture.

 

Just a note for future: The canvas absorbs a lot of ink - I used Black StazOn and had the hardest time to get a decent image - I think the new classic black might be more moist than the StazOn.... Or maybe the black craft ink.... I have to play with these a bit to see what works best on the canvas.



My WINNING desing at My Digital Studio November 2012 Challenge

My 2nd time participating at My Digital Studio challenge and I won!!! Last week I got an honourable mentioning and now I won :-)
I had a busy day and was not in the best of mood when getting home and then I got an email from Stampin’ Up! My Digital Studio Team. I was so happy! I have only used MDS2 from September 2012 and tried to learn different techniques.

I have to credit Heather Summers and Kimberly VanDiepen for starting the Facebook "Simply My Digital Studio Challenge" group. I used their challenge in my design and learned few tricks on the way - by accident.

Here is the link to the Stampin'Up! My Digital Studio site:
My Digital Studio "November 2012 Challenge"

12 Days of Christmas - Hand Made Presents, day 8

This is the easiest thing to make and would make a pretty trinket for a young girl. You can make this into a bookmark also - just add a piece on both ends.


What are they made off??? WASHERS!!!

I got these from RONA and they are called Fender Washers. The size I chose is 5/16 but it's actually a bit small to use with 1-1/4" punch so what I did I sanded the edges to fit the paper to the washer.

I used the Twitterpated DSP on my washer. Oh and if you make a bookmark - don't use a stretchy cord - works better :)


This is what you do:

1. cut the SMALLER circle on your choise of Designer Series Paper (you will need 2 since you want to decorate both sides). Just make sure you punch the hole as far into the paper as your punch (Itty Bitty Shapes Punch Pack - round punch). Then line your 1-1/4" punch so that the small hole is in the middle of your punch opening.
2. Mod Podge the washer on one side and adhere the punched circle on the washer. Set to dry on a peg suspended in the air or flat on the table.
3. once one side is dry - mod podge the other side and adhere the second circle - let dry
4. when both sides are dry - sand the edges (if your paper goes over the edge)
5. cover the paper with Mod Podge (you can use crystal Effects also, I find Mod Podge dries faster and will not show brush marks as much - sponge brush is actually best on this project!)
6. once the paper is dry - get a string of stretchy cord (from jewelry making department). I used a silver strech cord, but if you wish the cord to be less visible - you can use the clear Stretch Magic bead and jewelry cord (I recommend the 1.5mm). JUST REMEMBER TO MAKE THE CORD LONG ENOUGH!
7. Tie a loop on your string, and then pass the cord around the washer. Since the cord is stretchy, you will not have any problems putting it on.

This would make a great stocking stuffer too - or a teacher gift??


12 Days of Christmas - Hand Made Presents, day 7

Make a shadowbox for your loved one. The base is a 7Gypsies display case and each cubicle is 4x6". I chose to crop and cut my pictures to showcase some paper and stamped images behind. Then I embellished the frame with punched out tags, hearts and ribbon. The letters for "LOVE" are done with "letter-it"-stamp set (Soft Suede on Very Vanilla card stock). I hand cut the letters and mounted them on Baja Breeze card stock and handcut them out again.

This particular one I actually gave to my husband for Valentine's Day, but I cannot risk on posting this years project. The recipient might see it here. You'll get to see it after the holidays :)