Tuesday, July 24, 2012

We have a ~WINNER~ and a Few Altered Bottles


First things first.... As chosen by the online random number generator, the winner of my blog giveaway is "Dragonfly Treasure".  Congrats!

Last week I picked up these adorable bottles from my local craft store and decided to create some gifts. I had some old music note and dictionary papers so I cut strips to fit around the bottles, inked the edges and adhered them with Mod Podge (my new favourite go-to glue).  Then I added some bling, lace, ribbons, buttons, pins, pearls and keys and created 5 bottles that you could use for perfume or bath salts.... or what ever you fancy.  I have a few more kicking around, just need to decide what colour palette to go with.  I created the cream ones to go in my Mom's new bathroom and she just loved them.
 I had a 6" length of wired pearls that I wrapped around the neck of this bottle.
 Love the little brass key hanging from the ribbon on the neck of this bottle.
I used a Tim Holtz Ideology memo pin, hung a mini heart from it, added the gift coupon and stuck it through the cork top which I decorated with pearls.


This project was so easy and so much fun and the possibilities are endless.  Just look through your stash and see what you can find that would look great on an empty bottle. You can usually find the bottles at garage sales, craft stores and local flea markets for a few dollars a piece.  Go on... get your craft on and create some as gifts.  It's not too early to start making Christmas gifts..... is it?

Friday, July 13, 2012

Where Bloggers Create & A Giveaway!


 I'm excited to again be participating in the "Where Bloggers Create" party for 2012 hosted by Karen Valentine of My Desert Cottage. Take a minute to look at her site and leave her some love. This year I have this adorable 5-fat quarter pack, 2 spools of Mettler thread and an Olfa cutter as a giveaway on my blog.
Just become a follower and leave me a comment and you will be entered into the random drawing. The winner will be chosen in 10 days.

I am very fortunate to have two rooms dedicated to my hobbies. One for sewing/quilting and one for scrapbooking/crafting. This year I'm going to focus on my sewing room as I have spent quite a bit of time in there over the last 12 months as my business continues to grow. I create custom designed baby blankets and if you are interested take a look at my website Sun 7 Designs.  I also have a Facebook page that I update regularly with the newest designs that I have created.  I would love for you to stop by and take a peek.
Well, I'm off to stroll through everyone else's studios... Enjoy the hop and thanks for stopping by.
Just some of the soft minkee fabrics that I use to create my custom designed baby blankets.



My collection of dress mannequins.


I'm always searching for different things for my sewing room and couldn't resist these clay buttons on sale at my local fabric store.... they look great on my wall.

My latest purchase...  a cute doll's pram.  Isn't it adorable?
My "sock monkey friends" always watching over me....

A couple of baby blankets and a few packaged and ready to go out to their new homes!

And.... my motto!
Thank you so much for stopping by and don't forget to become a follower and leave me a comment to be entered in the draw.  Enjoy your day!




 

Friday, July 6, 2012

~Ya-Hoo~!

Every year a poster is created for the Calgary Stampede.  In honour of the 100th celebration, this is the poster created for this year.  I just love it!

2012 marks the 100th celebration of the Calgary Stampede and I'm proud to say that I've attended this annual event over 40 times.  This year it begins today on July 6 and runs for 10 exciting days.  I love it all.... beginning with the Parade (this morning from 9-12) to the Rodeo, Chuck Wagon Races, Grandstand Show, Concerts (I'm off to see Brad Paisley on the 14th), Midway Rides, Arts & Crafts Displays (I have participated and won ribbons over the years), Agriculture & Animal Barns  and food (can't pass up those mini donuts).
When my son was 4-5 years old he participated in the Mutton Bustin' event at various rodeos around town.  This is an event similar to bull riding or bronc riding in which children ride sheep.   I couldn't resist doing a western themed layout in honour of the Calgary Stampede's 100th celebration.  He is 22 years old now and has attended his fair share of events at the Calgary Stampede.  My daughter also participated for many years in the Calgary Round-up and Calgary Stetson Marching Show Bands.  Both of them creating memories that will last a lifetime.
I used a piece of denim from an old pair of jeans and sewed a pocket to hold extra photos.  I found this western themed ribbon and gathered it along the bottom of the photos.

Couldn't resist adding the old milk bottle tops as a special reminder of days gone by.  They also hold very special meaning for me.
And a few old-fashioned carnival ride tickets.  I'm sure this is what my ride tickets looked like the first year I attended the Calgary Stampede... I was 10 years old!

I hope you all get a chance to attend The Greatest Outdoor Show on Earth at least once!  YAHOO!




Sunday, July 1, 2012

Kaisercraft Mini Storage Drawers


Lately I've been addicted to crafting with wood and Kaisercraft have some amazing projects that use wood.... and I've purchased a few of them.  This is, by far, the most adorable little cabinet I've seen.  Use to it hold all your bits & bobs.  It was so much fun to decorate and I completed it in a day.


Assemble the wooden frame using the tab/slot construction and a little wood glue to hold it in place permanently.
I spray painted mine Espresso Brown and it only needed one coat.
Next, I constructed the heavy-duty chipboard boxes using glue and some painters tape to hold them in place for an hour until they were completely dry.
I then made a template for the exterior of the boxes and cut out 9 pieces of patterned paper.
I used Scor-Tape to adhere the paper to the boxes and a little Tim Holtz Frayed Burlap distress ink around the edges.

I measured and cut 3 pieces of coordinating patterned paper for the top and sides adhering them with Scor-Tape and then painting a thin coat of Golden Gel Medium (Matte finish) to protect them.  
Here are a few pics of the top, sides and finished product.  I love this set of storage drawers and have ordered another set to complete in the near future... the possibilities are endless!

 The little label pulls are from Tim Holtz Ideology and I used pearls in place of the brads to create a more feminine look.