I am a crafter from way back. As a teenager, I spent all of my money on paper, sparkles and beads. In university, I was the girl to see if you needed help making a Halloween costume. Now, I'm revisiting what I know about sewing, teaching myself to knit and crafting my way through a new apartment and a New Year's Eve wedding. Come back often to see what I'm up to and tell me what you're doing, too!
I do some volunteer work in the community on Tuesday evenings. One of the people I volunteer with was busy at work this past Tuesday, making bracelets on memory wire, and he gave me a beautiful black and turquoise one. I thought, “Memory wire! How could I forget about memory wire?!”
Memory wire is a heavy coiled wire used in jewellery making. You can get it at craft or bead stores — I’m pretty sure I saw it it Michael’s this past weekend. It’s awesome for making bracelets and necklaces and it’s good for beginners because it holds its shape. You can use one coil or multiple coils, as you can see on my bracelet below. It comes in different sizes, too. You can use the smallest coils for rings and toe rings (though not exactly the season for bare tootsies), the medium size for bracelets and anklets and the largest for necklaces. I would imagine you can even use it for hair accessories, too, if you can find a size that fits your head. (In fact, if I didn’t already have a veil, I’d consider making a headpiece for my wedding.)
My bracelet!
Memory wire is perfect for Christmas, because you literally string the beads on the wire and twist the ends in to finish it (you might need pliers for the twisting part). No kidding, it’s that easy. Your sister needs a bracelet to match her New Year’s Eve dress? No problem, you can come to her rescue. Your best friend is having a tough time with the holidays? Bring the beads and wire to her for an afternoon (ahem, crafternoon) of beading.
Memory wire, how I love thee…sorry I forgot about you.
Check out October’s Crafter of the Month post for more pictures of Alison Moore’s cards! They are BEAUTIFUL! Everyone will want to be on her Christmas card list…
Thanks again, Alison!
The fridge magnet makeover is complete. Last night I sat in front of the TV and glued the magnets to the back of the finished squares. I used super-strong natural magnets so that I could use a teeny-tiny magnet to hold up the multitude of take-out menus my fiance will inevitably stick on the fridge (although, I’m sure I’ll be guilty of displaying every piece of artwork Lucy makes between now and her first year of university, so I guess he can’t take all the blame).
So, here’s the before:
Note the random magnets for Blockbuster and a podiatry clinic...and the sweet pea packages that have been hanging there sadly since the summer...
And here’s the after:
Here’s a couple of magnet close-ups:
I’ve been hearing about October’s Crafter of the Month for months. Our marketing director, Marnie Peters, just raves about her sister Alison’s crafty prowess and with good reason: her cards are GORGEOUS. I sent Alison a few quick questions and she happily obliged with great answers and examples of her handiwork. One thing — my web browser is being a little finicky and won’t accept all of the pictures I want to show you, so check back Monday for a few additional images.
Thanks, Alison, for sharing your work with me (and with the blogosphere).
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1. How did you get into making cards? Did you take a course or did you just pick it up by trial and error?
I started to make cards about five years ago, when I was planning my wedding. I wanted to provide my guests with personalized thank you cards so they would have something to remember my wedding by. I have always enjoyed getting nice cards myself, so I thought it was to take the time and make something heartfelt. It was also so much fun to do.
I did start by taking a few stamping courses and by reading a lot of magazines, but I found the development of my cards has come from trial and error.
2. What are you favourite supplies to use? Do you have a favorite store where you shop for materials? Or do you order online?
My favorite tool is the ‘Quick Kutz‘ personalized dye cutting system. You can pick from thousands of shapes and characters, and they are so easy to use to cut out and use. I typically order these online but many of the scrapbooking stores carry them as well.
For ideas through and paper products I like to shop at The Paper Place [in Toronto]. This store has wonderful paper products and so many note cards, boxes, and book-binding ideas displayed around the store. It is a fantastic store to go to for the most beautiful paper and for general inspiration.
3. Are you often looking for new crafts to try?
Now that I have children I am always looking for new ways to store the crafts and notes they bring home, so I learned how to make special paper boxes. They are terrific ideas for gifts for people to use to store notes, pictures or jewelry.
I most recently learned how to bind books. I write a journal for my children, so having a personalized journal that I have made is extra special. This is a new technique for me but I enjoy the challenge of learning something new and just can’t wait to become even better at my book-binding. There is so much you can do with the skill.
4. Do you make your own Christmas cards, party invitations, etc? If yes, how far in advance of the holiday/event do you start?
I make my own Christmas cards. This holiday is when I make the most cards and I typically have to start my production in November. I find that it takes me the longest time to create my design as there is so much lovely paper to choose from! It’s hard for me to narrow down the design I want to go with! Typically I make about three different types of cards so not everyone in my family is getting the same card. I also take an annual course on card-making, in November each year, just to help generate some new ideas and learn from other card makers.
Overall, I like spending time making things for other people as I know they appreciate the gesture and they keep my cards and books.
Alison's beautiful paper boxes!
Gorgeous!
I have a confession to make. It may upset crafters everywhere, but it has to be said:
I don’t like Halloween.
I know there is potential there, that it’s the one night of the year you can get away with just about anything as far as crafts go, but I just don’t like it. I looooved it as a kid — my mom made AMAZING costumes — but now it’s just sort of a blip on the radar. I know I should embrace the spook but I just can’t. I went to Canada’s Wonderland for a few years, to their Halloween Haunt event, so maybe I should hit that up again next year. It’s definitely creeptacular and might fix my hate (okay, that’s a strong word — dislike, really) for ghosts and goblins.
I am the Scrooge of Halloween.
BUT, there is one part of the season that I do enjoy and that’s pumpkin-carving or -decorating. Here’s my TOP 5 round-up, with a few helpful hints, for making the best pumpkin display on your block.
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#5: Bling-o-lantern
Not all pumpkins have to be carved. If you’re not down with the mess, try this route instead. Fill a shallow pan or container (preferably disposable or one you only use for crafts) with large-gauge sparkles. Use a spray adhesive (be sure to read the label to make sure it will stick to the pumpkin’s skin) to coat the pumpkin. Roll the pumpkin in the sparkles until completely covered. Allow to dry.
#4: Painted masterpiece
If you’d rather not deal with the seeds, opt for a different mess: PAINT. I’ve done this with different kinds of paint, but I found plain ol’ poster paint works best. It needs to be thick enough to adhere — you don’t want watery paint on slippery pumpkin skin — so remember that if you are mixing yourself. I also wash the pumpkins down first so you don’t end up with grit in your paint.
#3: The trendy approach
I think white pumpkins are quite beautiful and don’t need much to stand out. A few years ago, Virginie Martocq, our home editor, painted her pumpkins white and they were lovely. I say, cut out the painting step and just purchase white pumpkins instead.
#2: Spell it out
I’m a word girl, so I’m all about letters. If you’re not a fan of the traditional jack-o-lantern, try putting a bunch of carved pumpkins in a row — different sizes and shapes — with each one baring a different letter. You can go short and simple with ‘BOO!’ or longer with ‘CREEPY!’ If you have a big Halloween display and love pumpkin carving (you’d have to, to do this), go with ‘HAPPY HALLOWEEN’ across your front yard.
#1: Stencil help
Need a hand coming up with a design? Hit up the internet for free pumpkin carving stencils, like the ones on www.celebrating-halloween.com I love the witch! And the sillhouette of the woman, who looks sort of like the Queen, if you ask me. Imagine that on a sparkly white pumpkin! (No one said you couldn’t combine a few ideas!)
If you ARE carving your pumpkin, you could do my favourite part of the process: roasting the seeds. My mom does it every year — she washes the seeds really well and puts them, still wet, on to a cookie sheet with a few chunks of butter (she eyeballs it, I’m told) and sprinkles the whole pan with garlic salt. Then she throws them in the oven and watches them to make sure they don’t burn. She says they can get away from you quickly so you have to keep a close eye on them. Take ‘em out when they’re crunchy and enjoy.
That’s it! Happy Halloween, y’all…I’m headed home to see my niece dressed up in her costume and will try not to yell ‘bah humbug’ at anyone.
