TIM HOLTZ DRESS FORM PROJECT

I have been wanting this TIM HOLTZ dress form die for ...
well I don't know how long... LOL...
I guess as long as it first came out by TH. 
The shops were always out when I wanted to buy it or I was out of cash when they finally had it in stock.  LOL

Well one of my 'besties' just recently let me buy it from her for the $10. she paid for it either shopping across the line or online - not sure which it was, but THANKS!!  Aparently she wants the smaller version so it worked out.  Yay.  I think I want the small version now too!  Already getting some ideas on using it when I get my hands on it.  LOL

I know I wanted the dress from die for a long time and most recently I wanted it to use for presentation of crafty goodness to share with my crafty peeps on paper craft planet via swaps and also for the products I am about to launch for sale on ETSY. 

Well I signed up for a swap on PCP and was racking my brain for ideas on presentation for the items I needed to include in it, when ... DUH... 
the idea hit me to use this die... of course,
it was a 'no brainer' so why didn't I think of it sooner ? 

Probably because I only just got the die from said 'bestie' and started cutting some scraps to try it out last night.  Then today while thinking of getting my swap out to my partner the light bulb went off !!  LOL  : )

Here's how the swap came together:

First, I gathered the lengths of lace to share with my swap partner.  This was the sharing part of the swap - include: 4-5 lengths of lace for your partner to play with while making their own cards or papercrafts.  Check!

The second part of the swap was to present the lace in a card or in a reticule for your partner. 
Say what?  LOL 

Reticule: a small pouch to store, hold or carry your lenghts of lace back in the day when you made your own lace by candlelight with a very  fine crochet hook or maybe you were a talented tatter like one of the 'little women' of the day! 

Like you didn't have enough to do... with making and baking your own bread everyday. Plus milking the cows to get the 'freshly squeezed' milk to add to your bread dough.  Oh and don't forget the time alloted for gathering the eggs from the chicken coop to add nourishment to your recipe.  Oops I forgot there was also the time you took in the first place to harvest the wheat and release the grain from the stalks and grind it down to a fine unbleached powder in which to make your wholesome nutritious white bread. 

Mmmm...can't you just smell it?! 

Nothing like the smell of freshly baked bread straight from the hearth.  Oh yeah... I forgot to mention the time you took to gather the wood from the brambles to make the fire to bake your bread.  LOL ; ) 

So in the evening you and every fine lady of the day deserved to relax by the fire - tatting or crocheting your lovely fine lace to put in your reticule to use on a future sewing project.  ; ) 

Don't you just long for the old days...

...when life was slow and oh so mellow?!

Ok... well if I could get to the fabric store and support them with the purchase of a lovely bit of linen so they don't close their doors like the rest of the fabric stores of yore.  I would make a FAB little reticule to do such. 

But alas, I can't get there just now. 
The horse has gone to town without me! 
So what's the next best idea instead of a reticule? 

A card? 

Nah...I want something more impressive.

How about a merchandising card like something you would find hanging on a wall in 'ye old mercantile' with the lace wound around it?  I could stamp some vintage images onto cardstock or use some vintage clip art like old button cards or sewing notion clips and punch a hole in the tops of each so it looks like they are actual merchandising cards. 

Hmmm.... 

Nope that's not what I did, but all good ideas worth doing in the future.  LOL  ; )

Instead I pulled out the kraft cardstock dress forms I cut out the night before with plans to over stamp them with some swirly - flourish style stamps from my repritoire of stamps but alas, my new doily stamps by MME were sitting right next to me and aha...another light bulb went off.  LOL

OMG...these will be perfect! 
...and yes they were! 
Sweet! 

I stamped a small one on the top of the dress form giving it a lacey crocheted neckline. 

Then using a larger doily from the same set I stamped it @ the waistline giving the effect of a lacey or crochet skirt.

Finaly to add some definition between the fabric part of the dress form and the base, I inked the stand in the same black ink. By simply swiping
the ink pad over (the parts of the dress form that would be wood or metal) leaving a little of the kraft paper exposed to act as highlights I managed to give it a bit of a 3 dimensional look.  Don't you think?

Ok so now with that done I needed to present these little dress forms once they are wrapped in their fine lace.

Here's my idea: Take a piece of 12x12 cardstock and score and fold @ 3" intervals and create little pockets to put each of the dress forms in.
Kind of a card but a fold out with pockets.
 

Each little pocket is marked with a No.

like as if it were from a dress makers newly finished line of 'haute couture' destined for the runways of PARIS, ITALY or NEW YORK. 

The floral side of the patterned paper is the backdrop to represent vintage wall paper
about to peel off the old walls of the
heritage loft the fashions were created in.

I made some tiny posters to add more interest to the wallpapered walls.  A poster of paris.  World map.  Two advertising posters - one adertising Ladies hats of the day, the others is for knits.  I also included a tiny invoice. 

Finaly a vintage boot was fussy cut and attached to what will be the front of my reticule style card when folded shut for presetation.

Sweet!  ; )

Easy Peasy 3D Embellishment

Here's an easy peasy embellishment to use on your handmade cards. You can use whatever stamps, punches or dies you have on hand that will work for this project.

Materials List:

Round stamp, about 1 1/2 or 2" (you can adjust the sizes used in your embellishment depending on your stamp).

Two scallop dies in two colors and two sizes the smaller should be lighter in color so you can stamp a sentiment onto it.

Tiny heart punch (optional) for the heart detail thats on my embellishment.

Foam dots/squares, to layer the scallops and give it a 3d quality.

Ink of your choice

Felt pen in the color of your choice.

DIY:

I started with two scallop cirlces one slightly larger than the other.

The small one was stamped with a sentiment to suite the occasion of the card.

I punched a tiny heart to add to the smallest scallop with the sentiment just for some added detail.

The larger one just had to compliment the colors used in the card.

I used a green felt to make dots around the edges of my smaller scallop circle
This is a great little tip itself to add a finishing touch when you need that little bit more, but don't wnat to go over the top with rhinestones.

The scallop circles were then put together with a 3d foam square for that 3d quality.

I then stamped a decorative circle onto white cardstock but you can use any color you want here. Just be sure the ink will show on the color chosen. When dry, I fussy cut it out.

The scallop circles were added to the circle stamp with another 3d foam square.

The finished embellishment can be added to the card with another 3d foam dot or double sided tape.

You can make these with flower punches & dies if you don't have scallops. You just need to have graduating sizes of all 3 layers that allow the bottom layer details to show through. The bottom stamped image should be visible in the end for this embellishment to be successful.

Now you have an easy peasy embellishment that can be made for any occasion card depending on the stamps, dies, and punches you use. These are so easy you can make quite a number of them with scraps and have them on hand for your handmade cards and tags.

Cathies' Easy Peasy Handmade Bra Embellishment

Here is an easy peasy way to make a bra to embellish a handmade card or scrapbook page.  You need very little materials & tools so you'll probably be able to make one with your supplies right now.

I chose to use sparkly pink paper for my embellishment I made for this post in support of the GIRLS
& BREAST CANCER AWARENESS MONTH.  You can choose whatever paper you want - plain, patterened, embossed, sparkly, whatever.  You can also use a different paper for the straps if you want.
I chose to use one piece of paper to show how simple you can do this with only one piece of paper.

MATERIALS:

Cardstock of your choice
1" circle punch
Scissors
foam tape, squares or dots
glue/pen

The picture below shows the steps I took to get to the results which I think is pretty in pink!  Try it!

Just click on the picture to enlarge or save to your files.

PERSONAL USE ONLY

designed & copyright Cathie

BREAST CANCER AWARENESS MONTH - NOVELTY CRAFT PROJECT

OCTOBER IS BREAST CANCER AWARENESS MONTH 

&

I am participating in an international 

friendship scrap book pages swap.

I seen these PINK  TIC TACS

 supporting breast cancer awareness with proceeds to the cause

and had to buy them for a little project to share with my partner

& share the instructions with you so you can make one too. 

This project is easy peasy & uses very little supplies & tools,

so most of you should be able to make one. 

The hard part might be trying to find the Tic Tacs. 

There's only one shop around here that I have seen selling them. 

If you don't get your hands on a pack you can always find other colors & flavors. 

Keep in mind this is the larger Tic Tac box that comes out for special reasons. 

You would have to reduce the size of your projects papers if you are using the regular size Tic Tacs. 

I have made these before myself with the regular size - maybe you have too. 

I wanted to share the technique I used to get my result on the construction/embellishment. 

Oh & the PINK TIC TACS for the CAUSE! 

I appologize for the pics not being clear.  It's a very rainy day here with bad lighting. 

MATERIAL REQUIRED FOR THIS PROJECT:

1. 1" CIRCLE PUNCH ( IF YOU DON'T HAVE A 1" CIRCLE PUNCH TRACE SOMETHING ABOUT 1" ROUND &  - PIERCE OR PUNCH WITH REGULAR HOLE PUNCH WHICH MOST PEOPLE  ALREADY OWN, THEN FUSSY CUT THE CIRCLE WITH SCISSORS)
2. 1 STRIP OF PATTERNED CARD STOCK TRIMMED TO 3 1/2" X 5 7/8" (USE PLAIN IF YOU PREFER TO STAMP SOME IMAGES ON YOUR PAPER)
3. SCORE BOARD & SCORE TOOL
4. PAPER TRIMMER (IF YOU DON'T HAVE ONE JUST SCISSOR CUT TO DIMENSIONS)
5. 12" PIECE OF RIBBON
6. BIT OF DOUBLE SIDED TAPE
7. RHINESTONE FOR BLING (OPTIONAL)
8. CORNER ROUNDING PUNCH (OPTIONAL)
9. GLUE/PEN (FOR TRIM ON HAT)
10. GLUE DOT FOR HAT BASE (USE GLUE IF YOU DON'T HAVE DOTS)

INSTRUCTIONS:

First Cut your strip of patterned paper to 3 1/2" x 5 7/8". Then place the paper horizontal across the top of the score board- pattern side up. Score @ 2 1/2"and 3 3/8".   Fold on the score lines & use your tool to press firmly on the score line. This gives you a little book shape. I rounded the corners, but you don't have to - it's optional.

Here's the start of the snow lady. 

Punch a 1" hole near the bottom right of the paper- the right side of score lines.  Save the patterned circle you just punched. 

If it is white on the reverse side you can use it to make the face of the snow lady. 

Just use the punch to snip off a a bit to fit the curve of the hole you cut out of the patterned paper.  Glue down.  I chose to use  a scrap of white to make the face.  I used the punched pattern piece that was punched out of the patterned paper to turn into the snow ladies hat.   I just snipped off a bit as in the step for making the head of the snow lady.  To fit the curve of the top of the head.  Then another just above that by about 1/4". This made a kind of barette style hat or fastenator if you will.

I also used the little snippets that were created when cutting the circles down for the curves.  This makes a little detail glued onto the hat.  

I finished the hat off with a pink rhinestone of course keeping with the theme.  I simply hand colored her facial features on with gel pens.  Anyone can do that.  Trust me.  You could use googlie eyes if you want.  I just kept things simple to show you what you can do with as little supplies or tools as possible. 

Cute!

To finish the project I put a small piece of double sided tape at the center of spine inside book-like cover, as well as on opposite sides halfway down near the edge.  This is for the ribbon.  Attach the ribbon leaving even on either side.  This is to tie closed into bow.  Use more double sided tape to secure your TIC TACS in place.

Here's another version that's even easier.  Just Punch out a shape on the front.  I chose a folk heart.

I put a glue dot on two seperate 6" pieces of ribbon here & stuck them to the inside edge for tying it into a bow to close.    

You'll have a S W E E T little niftie-giftie for someone special.  I used Pinks in my patterned papers because I was doing this project with the PINK RIBBON campaign in mind.  You can do one in any color of your choice.  Remember this was done with the larger Tic Tacs too.  Adjust to the ones you purchase.

Enjoy!

THINK PINK!

Paper Pumpkin & CHALLENGE

I made this adorable pumpkin a couple of years ago after seeing one on another site. You may have previously made these as Christmas ornaments as I have, which is basically the same idea. I altered the instructions slightly to suit the materials I had on hand. This plump little pumpkin was the result.

Materials:
Although I chose a piece of pumpkin colored cardstock for the pumpkin & brown cardstock for the stem, you can choose whatever color you want -  be CREATIVE!

Instructions:
A piece of scrapbook paper -
8” 1/2 x 11” or 12” x 12” size doesn't matter
scrap piece of brown scrapbook paper about 1” x 1”and ½
1” piece of double sided tape
rotary cutter/scissors
12” piece of thin green jute/hemp-like twine
blunt needle – the eye of the needle has to be big enough for the twine to pass through doubled.
hole punch with small hole
Decorative bits: Small piece of ribbon and decorative trim – I used a leafy bit of ribbon
stamp – I used a foam stamp with a vine & leaf design U can use acrylic, rubber or foam stamp etc. doesn't matter, it's to your liking.
Ink pad – again your discretion.

1.Stamp image all over paper, let dry.
2.Cut paper down to 6 x 12” or 6 x 11” depending on size paper you started with.
3.Cut paper into 1/2” x 6” strips.
4.Punch hole on both ends of strips.
5.Fold piece of jute string in half tie a knot, and draw folded end (*Not the Knot end) through the eye of the needle.
6.String all strips through hole at one end.
7.Then thread through all holes at the opposite end while twine is still attatched to needle.
8.Pull slightly so strips come together a bit like a crescent moon; you're giving the pumpkin its beginning shape here.
9.Tie off in a knot.
10.Place double sided tape along edge of brown paper scrap.
11.Roll starting from edge with no tape to opposite edge with tape to create a stem, stick edges together with tape on edge.
12.Thread twine through stem.
13.Add decorative bit to base of stem.
14.Separate each strip of paper a slight bit as you go around you'll create a pumpkin shape. When circle is complete you can squish down on it a bit to give even more shape to your pumpkin.
15.Add ribbon tied bow.

You're done! Now that you've made one, bet you'll make more. Too cute !

You will all get a unique result as each of you will be using your own
stamps, ink and papers choices.
So now let's see what you can come up with.
Post pics and link back to me so we can all see them,
and I will post a picture of a pumpkin patch using them. 
Make one for your Fall - Halloween - Thanksgiving décor  
If you're my fave I'll send you a sweet TREAT – no TRICK!

Looking forward to seeing yours! :)

LEAVE A LINK TO YOUR PUMPKIN!

PS
This is the perfect size for decorating a Harvest or Halloween Buffet, even put one on each persons place setting & give them away as small gifts to each person @ a dinner party!  Make them in any color, use patterned paper instead of stamped, add bling etc.  This is an easy & affordable decor to make!

PAPER PUMPKIN DIY

Paper Pumpkin

I made this adorable pumpkin after seeing one on another site. 
You may have previously made these as Christmas ornaments. 
I altered the instructions slightly to suit the materials I had on hand. This plump little pumpkin was the result.

 

If you want to follow my instructions here they are:

Materials:

piece of pumpkin colored scrapbook paper -
8” 1/2 x 11” or 12” x 12” size doesn't matter
scrap piece of brown scrapbook paper about 1” x 1”and ½
1” piece of double sided tape
rotary cutter/scissors
12” piece of thin green jute/hemp-like twine
blunt needle – the eye of the needle has to be big enough for the twine to pass through doubled.
hole punch with small hole
Decorative bits: Small piece of ribbon and decorative trim – I used a leafy bit of ribbon
stamp – I used a foam stamp with a vine & leaf design U can use acrylic, rubber or foam stamp etc. doesn't matter, it's to your liking.
Ink pad – again your discretion.

1.Stamp image all over paper, let dry.
2.Cut paper down to 6 x 12” or 6 x 11” depending on size paper you started with.
3.Cut paper into 1/2” x 6” strips.
4.Punch hole on both ends of strips.
5.Fold piece of jute string in half tie a knot, and draw folded end (*Not the Knot end) through the eye of the needle.
6.String all strips through hole at one end.
7.Then thread through all holes at the opposite end while twine is still attatched to needle.
8.Pull slightly so strips come together a bit like a crescent moon; you're giving the pumpkin its beginning shape here.
9.Tie off in a knot.
10.Place double sided tape along edge of brown paper scrap.
11.Roll starting from edge with no tape to opposite edge with tape to create a stem, stick edges together with tape on edge.
12.Thread twine through stem.
13.Add decorative bit to base of stem.
14.Separate each strip of paper a slight bit as you go around you'll create a pumpkin shape. When circle is complete you can squish down on it a bit to give even more shape to your pumpkin.
15.Add ribbon tied bow.

You're done! 

Now that you've made one, bet you'll make more.

Too cute !

You'll all get a unique result from your stamp, ink and paper choices. So let's see what you creative girls can come up with. Post pics and link back to me so we can see them, and I will post a picture of a pumpkin patch using them.

Make one for your Fall - Halloween - Thanksgiving décor
Send a pic to cathiesparties@shaw.ca & I will pic my fave
If you're my fave I'll send you a sweet treat – no trick!

Looking forward to seeing yours! :)

Cathie