Sanrio Character DessertThank You Card

I love Sanrio characters so when I spotted the package of character envelopes at Daiso, I had to get them even if I didn't know what I'd do with them.  After looking at the envelopes for awhile, I had a light bulb moment and decided to fussy cut the dessert dish of Sanrio characters. I thought the fussy cut dessert would look good on some pastel striped card stock (Lawn Fawn paper pad purchased at HM Ben Franklin Crafts).  After positioning the Sanrio character dish on the striped card stock using pop dots, double stick tape was used to attach it to a turquoise card blank.  To make the card seem more sweet shop like, I added punched out strips of white typing paper. The punch was discovered at Daiso.  Also I attached some cute puffy stickers (from Daiso) to the dessert dish to give it more interest and dimension. Finally, I added a 'thank you' sticker from a pack that I purchased at HM Ben Franklin Crafts. I am pretty happy that I was able to change a simple cute envelope design into a sweet thank you card.  It's fun to challenge your imagination to turn something simple into something you are proud to send to someone.  I know you are clever, so use your mind to design something wonderful!

Daiso Shopping Spree

 Shopping at Daiso is never dull because there are so many cute and unique items at really great prices (mostly around $2.25).  I purchased a bunch of stationery items for my card making.  The stamps and punches made me so happy and I already have ideas for them.  I was excited to find the acrylic blocks for the stamp sets because they are usually very expensive. 

Something unique that I discovered were the mystery packages which contained acrylic pieces that had popular characters decorating them.  I especially loved the acrylic coaster with Pompompuri printed on it.  I plan to go back and get more packages...hopefully, I will be lucky and get the whole set of different character coasters.

Although, I just purchased some sealing wax and metal stamps from HM Ben Franklin Crafts, I couldn't resist the great assortment of wax and stamps at Daiso.  I can't wait to make more seals on parchment which I will save to be added to my envelopes, cards and gift packages.

I couldn't believe the amazing array of kitchen items Daiso carries.  I just couldn't resist the clever and adorable but useful kitchen goodies I found.  I purchased some unique cookie cutters that I can't wait to test out.  I plan to do some painting on the handles of the rice paddles.  I just saw some hand painted wooden spoons in a magazine so why not do the same to rice paddles to give as unique gifts? The adorable plastic containers aren't going to be used for food. I plan to put small craft supplies in them so my desk will be less cluttered and somewhat organized.

Of course, I couldn't leave Daiso without  getting some stationery items. I like to carry color pencils everywhere just in case I need to sketch something.  I also found a small water coloring set...so portable!  As you can tell I had a fabulous time shopping at Daiso.  The variety of items is unbelievable and the prices makes shopping a truly enjoyable treasure hunt.  Treat yourself to a basket of goodies. You deserve it!

Moru Chenille Doll with Sunglasses

I'm still having fun playing with my chenille dolls....I think this one is a bear actually.  It started with a very plain kit that just provided the chenille pipecleanmer, eyes, nose and instructions. The instructions are in Japanese so I just sort of followed the diagrams. You can use an app on your phone for a translation if you need to. To me, the fun part of making these chenille creatures is dressing them up.  I chose a striped pink T-shirt that I purchased from HM Ben Franklin Crafts.  For added fun, I glued on purple sunglasses and a lemon ice cream cone.

 

The little chenille figures look super cute with other decorations like the Easter chick I found at Daiso.

I have a little HM Ben Franklin bucket on my desk which I use to hold pens and tubes of gliter sprinkles.  Well, the mischevious little bear decided that the bucket was the perfect place to sit, relax and eat his ice cream!  The plastic mini ice cream cones and sunglasses came from packages of buttons.  You could cut off the shanks, but I just glued them onto the bear with E6000 glue.  HM Ben Franklin Crafts has a gigantic amount of Moru doll kits, costumes, and embellishments.  You should check out this fun craft and you'll soon be making adorable chenille animals for yourself and your friends!

Sealing Wax Update

 

The use of sealing wax is not a new craft.  It has in fact been used for centuries as a way to secure persnal mail by stamping a unique mark (signet ring) into melted wax.  Supposedly, the recipient of the mail would be able to tell if the mail was interceped because the wax seal would be damaged. Today the use of wax seals is mostly for a decorative effect. HM Ben Franklin Craft stores sell both the wax pellets and stamping tools.  

Like candy, there seem to be an endless supply of colorful, irridescent wax pellets availble today.  I can't stop buying the wax pellets because each one has a different look when melted. I use a heat tool to melt the wax on a silicon mat or in a silicon mold.  (If you have a strong heat gun, work slowly to get the wax melted so you don't blow the liquid wax around.) It's so much fun watching the pellets melt and blend then making an impression with a metal seal.

Like the explosion of wax pellet colors, sealing wax stamp designs have also multiplied drastically.  You can buy stamps attached to handles or buy just the metal part and use one handle for many metal design heads that screw on, The new wave of metal stamp head designs is truly exciting and you're sure to find many that suit your needs.

New on the market to enhance your sealing wax stamping are silcon molds into which you can melt the wax pellets and impart a desired shape.  (I'm not sure where I purchased this silicon mold...maybe HM BEn Franklin Crafts.)  The two tools with the silicon tips are really useful for pushing the melting wax around.  I used the gold and silver colorants on the cooled impressed wax designs.  They help to highlight the details which often are hard to see.  Both the tools and colorants were purchased in Japan but perhaps you can find them online or HM Ben Franklin will carry them in the future.  I hope this post has helped to update you on the new things happening in an old fashioned craft medium. Rather than melting the wax on my crafts, I plan to glue my finished wax seals on envelopes and cards as decorations. I think they add a special personal touch which lets the recipient know that they are 'special' to me. YOU are special to me too!

Five Baroque Pearl Necklaces

After making the baroque pearl bracelets featured in a previous post, I decided to make some necklaces using single pearls. It seems like lately jewelry is becoing very simple and elegant in design.  With this in mind, I created these super easy pearl necklaces.

 To make one, I started with a single gorgeous baroque pearl that had a drilled hole. Some pearls have top holes and others have holes that pass from side to side.  I started by stringing a piece of 22 gauge sterling silver round wire through the pearl and using pliers to shape a small hanging hole on each side of the pearl.  Next I used a wire snipper to cut through the chain (with clasp) midway in the necklace. The chain needs to have links able to accomodate the 22 gauge wire.

The ends of the wire passing through the pearl and with the formed hanging loops were then attached to the chain ends and wire wrapped.  Ta da!....all done! Wasn't that easy?

It was so easy to make one baroque pearl necklace, that I made four more.  Like your own children, I like them all.  I can't pick a favorite.

Maybe this one is my favorite......

Or this one?   Eventually, I'll choose one for myself and put the others in my HM Ben Franklin Crafts locker box.  Maybe you'll buy one or with minimal effort and supplies you can make one for yourself!

No Recipe Panettone Bread Pudding

 My husband was grumbling about the loaves of panettone bread I've been hoarding in the freezer since last Christmas. LOL!  I decided to make him some bread pudding so he would stop mumbling about the lack of freezer space.  I began by tearing the bread into large chunks and placing them into a parchment lined 8 x 8 baking pan until the bread pieces are in a layer almost to the top of the pan.  Next, I beat 3 eggs into a mixing bowl and added 1 cup of heavy cream plus some (about 1/2 cup?) water, sugar (1/2 cup?) a grating of nutmeg, and a dash of vanilla. I pured this liquid over the bread pieces to which I had added about 1/2 cup of dried fruit ( cranberries, raisins, cherries, etc.).  After making sure the bread pieces were soaked, I dotted the top with chunks of butter (1/4 cup?) and baked the mixture at 350 degrees until the bread pudding smell was irresistible. Hahaha! The finished bread pudding should be brown on top and a butter knife inserted should come out clean.  Sorry that I don't have a real recipe for my bread pudding but this is how I use up freezer bread and please my husband at the same time!

Quick Sticker Birthday Card

I was thinking of designing either a shaker or pop-up birthday card for a 1-year-old, but I was short on time and not really sure that a child celebrating a 1st birthday would appreciate the effort it would take to make one of those cards.  I opted to make a colorful, personalized card with a matching envelope.

I think it turned out well and was super easy to construct because I used stickers for the letters.  I must admit that I have an enormous sticker collection which is the result of years of hoarding. LOL!  I used some of my favorite letter stickers on this card. Check out the extensive sticker selection at HM Ben Franklin Crafts which is where I purchased these letter stickers years ago.  It made me very happy to make this card and use up a miniscule portion of my overflowing sticker collection. Don't be afraid to use stickers on your crafty endeavors.  They are time savers and can really make your crafts more professional looking. Stickers can even get you out of a sticky craft time crunch!