Altered Dress Form

Over the last couple of years I have been watching the altered dress form craze from a distance, always wanting to try my hand at it, but never really diving in. Well, I am happy to say that I have recently changed that. The creation of this dress form was an ad-lib project put together on a whim late one Sunday afternoon.


The dress form is hand drawn and cut from chipboard. The trunk is painted in a soft muted shade of peach and a rich chocolate was added to the base.


A big thank you goes out to Valita of Valita’s Designs and Fresh Folds for providing the bosomy bodice tutorial and also for providing the inspiration for this project. You can find the bodice directions HERE along with many of her inspirational designs. This gal is a creative genius and I am certain that you will agree. Thank you again, Valita!

The fabric that I used for the extra full bouffant skirt is called Peacock Collage and is from a line named Proud by Keri Beyer for In the Beginning Fabrics. I have been holding onto this fabric for quite a while, hoarding it like a crazed fabric junkie and afraid to cut into it because I love it so. Beneath the skirt is a flouncy tulle crinoline in a medium shade of mango.


The addition of miniature paper flowers, ribbon, and rhinestones provided the perfect finishing touches.


I hope that you enjoyed seeing my version of an altered dress form.

Take care!

Aloha!

Carrot Patch Money Holder

I am always looking for fun and unique ways to give the gift of money, especially when the recipient is a young person. Since this gift will be for a 2-year old, I knew that it would be destroyed as soon as she put her hands on it. Because of the outcome, I knew that I wouldn't be spending enormous amounts of time and energy on it. At the same time, I wanted it to be cute and something that I felt good giving away.


I designed the Carrot Patch Money Holder to fit a single, tightly rolled U.S. dollar bill. I know that there are templates for carrot boxes out there but I didn't want to search for one and then have to manipulate the pattern to fit my needs. The rule that I set for myself was that it had to be super simple to make without using an actual pattern.

I found that an 8-1/2-inch salad plate was the perfect template needed for this project. Trace the template onto patterned cardstock and cut out the circle.

Cut the circle into 4 equal pie-shaped pieces. Each circle will make 4 carrots.


Make a 1/4-inch cut into the pointed end of the triangle. Trim 1/4-inch off of one side of the triangle (just eyeball it). You should get what resembles a lopsided fan.


Take the side that has been trimmed and bring it over to the opposite end, leaving a 1/4-inch margin. Crease the fold sharply. (The margin will eventually become a tab which will be used to close the box.)


Fold over again and crease the fold sharply.


Trim the pointed end of the tab at a slant.


Form a crease in the 1/4-inch margin to create a tab which will eventually be used to hold the carrot together in a cone shape.


Mark 1-inch from the top of the triangle on both sides.


Trim both sides of the triangle using the 1-inch marking as a guide. (Again, just eyeball it.)


Fold the top down using the 1-inch mark on either side as a guide. Crease well and unfold the entire triangle.


Add glue to the right side of the tab and glue the tab to the inside of the box.


Add a tightly rolled up dollar bill tied with ribbon to the inside of the money holder. Glue or tape the flaps closed.


To create the carrot leaves:

You will need a 1-3/4-inch by 1-3/4-inch piece of cardstock and a 3/8-inch by 8-1/2-inch strip of paper. Run the square piece of paper through a paper crimper if you desire.


Cut thin strips into the 1-3/4-inch square to create fringe. Be sure to leave approximately 1/4-inch at the base uncut. Glue the strip to the uncut side of the fringe approximately 1/4-inch from the edge.


Begin rolling with a quilling tool or a skewer at the base of the 1-3/4-inch square and ending at the end of the strip. Glue in place.


Glue the leaves onto a 1-inch paper scallop.


Glue the unit to the top of the box.


Make one or make more. I happen to think that a grouping of multi-patterned carrots look cute together.


The carrots were tucked into a paper basket along with some wispy paper shred. I'm sure that many of you will remember these woven paper baskets from your elementary school days. Embellish the basket with a cluster of pretty flowers for a fun Spring look.


Despite the lengthy instructions, this is super simple to create. Once I had the pattern configured, I was able to complete 8 carrots in about 45 minutes. I hope you give it a try!

Happy Easter, everyone!

Easter Treats

These sweet treats have long been favorites of local island keiki (children). Although they aren't a traditional Easter treat, their "almost conical" shape reminds me of a carrot. I know, crazy imagination, right?


So....a carrot patch of confectionery goodness was born.


I created a paper wrapper to cover the outside of the container. Decorations were added with embossing and rubber stamping prior to being adhered over the wrapper.


A 3-inch paper scallop was adhered to the top of the seal.


To make the carrot top base, I used a 2-inch paper scalloped circle. I scored two parallel lines down the center of the scallop and folded both sides upward on the score lines (like a flat-bottomed taco shell).


I used a Sizzix die to create some frilly leaves. I sandwiched the leaves into the "taco shell" and brought both sides together and glued it into place.


Glue was added to the base of the carrot top which was then glued onto the center of the lid.


This fits the bill for a quick and easy Easter treat. I don't care to put too much energy into what I consider "throw away crafts." The kids will rip right into it, eat it's sweet contents, and in minutes the wrapper will hit the trash can. This way, I won't feel like too much of my hard work went into the trash can along with it.

Thank you for dropping by my blog and for your sweet and encouraging comments. I apologize for not being very attentive to my blog lately. It isn't because of any specific reason, just laziness I guess. I hope to do better in the future.

All the best to you.

Aloha!

Las Vegas

She is still as sparkly as she can be and as exciting as ever. The grand old gal, Las Vegas, never seems to disappoint. As fantastic as Las Vegas is, I don't know how anyone manages to live there. The stimulation alone would kill me. I am glad to be home.

I hope to get back to work on the drawer unit this weekend. I can't wait to get the project wrapped up, not just because it is an amazing piece, but because my craft room is a mess and I simply cannot be creative in there. The one thing that I have come to realize after working hour after hour on the unit is that I really hate fixing anything, especially something so large. If given a choice between fixing the unit or going to the dentist, I sincerely believe that I'd opt to have my teeth drilled if it would mean that someone else would fix the unit!

I managed to complete an entry in my art journal this morning. Although insignificant, it fulfills my need to create.


I may still add to it in the future if the inspiration hits me, but for now, put a fork in it as I am calling it done!

Thank you for the wonderful comments that you continue to leave me. I hope that you have a fantastic weekend. Take care!

Aloha,

Rested and Ready!

Hi, everyone! Sorry for the long absence. This was my first really lengthy departure from blogging and I needed it more than you could imagine.

I spent most of January cleaning my craft room and reorganizing it and trying to get my creative mojo back. The newly organized space invigorated me and brought me out of my funk.

It is interesting the things that you find once you start moving furniture around. I found this partly made felt donut pincushion this morning. I make so many things that when one goes missing, I don't even realize it.

Just look at those dust bunnies clinging on for dear life.


Just in case you were wondering, the donut is supposed to look like this in it's completed state.


I have always wanted to start mixed media art journaling, so I spent most of my free time doing just that. If you aren't familiar with art journaling, do a quick search on YouTube and you too may be inspired to start a journal of your own. Art journaling is very much a personal journey since it is basically an illustrated diary. There are no limitations, therefore, it is very enjoyable. It gives you the creative license to lay down your feelings in a medium that can be combined with words. I am a beginner, a newbie to this art form, but I am truly enjoying the journey.



It was smooth sailing into February until I got my hands on this piece.


I know that it doesn't look like much in it's current state, but trust me when I say that it is going to be the piece de resistance of my craft room. I am so excited at the prospect of having 40 drawers to use for organizing my craft supplies. Needless to say, my craft room is once again a disaster zone as everything is being shifted around in order to make room for the new kid on the block.

These types of drawer systems were once used by schools as mailboxes for teachers. The office personnel would place the perspective teachers items into the drawers from the open back that faced the inside of the office. The teachers would open the drawers from the front and remove their items. I am unsure if these kinds of systems are still in use today, but they were standard fare during my school years.



I purchased this piece through a private seller. I have no idea of it's entire history but it is old, I can tell that much. The current paint job is a mess and it was let to fall into disrepair. Approximately a third of the drawers need fixing. It is in my garage until the repair work can be done and a brand new paint job can be applied. Until then, my craft room will remain upside down and virtually most of my free time will be spent in the garage.

I will admit that during my absence I did have thoughts of closing my blog. Several years of anything can lead you to stop and reevaluate what you are doing. Because creating is such an integral part of who I am, and also wanting to leave a part of me behind for my family, the blogging will go on.

Thank you to all that have been concerned about me and my lack of posting. I am fine. Even though it is often left unsaid, thank you from the bottom of my heart for the kindness that you have shown me over the years. You are my true creative inspiration and I am very blessed to have you all in my life.

Have an awesome day, everyone!

Aloha!

I'm Exhausted. Are You?

The holidays have gotten the best of me and I am seriously exhausted. How are you all doing?

Thank you for your kind comments and holiday wishes. The same back at you, my friends.

I am once again in the process of cleaning and reorganizing my craft room (someone came in and blew it up again...hehehe!). I don't know about you, but I cannot create in chaos. My creativity comes to a standstill (like now) when my To-Do List gets too long. Anyway, January is the month of renewal and rebirth so I'm going to start it off right with a clean craft room.

Since I do not have any projects to show you, I thought that I would share a few of my favorite Christmas presents. I have been wanting these since I took an interest in paper crafting and now I have them in my hot little hands.

Coming from a mostly fabric background and familiar with mostly fabric related tools, these "new things" will finally bring me out of the Stone Age as far as paper crafting goes. I know that this may be old hat to paper crafters, but I know that they may be new to my fabric loving friends.


I have seen the Clip It Up used for organizing so many things. Since it spins, everything is easily accessible. There are dividers that come with it to separate each category. They also have a dust cover available for purchase to keep your items in good condition too. I haven't gotten very far with mine. For now, some of my scrapbooking supplies have been haphazardly clipped onto it. The dividers are not yet in place, but I'm getting there.

The Clip It Up seems to be a very versatile organizer that can be used to organize all sorts of things. One very creative gal clipped her folded fat quarters onto it . Can you say, amazing, colorful, and pretty?! Of course, you have to be a fabric lover like me to see the beauty in it. And then there is a gal who organized all of her recipes on it and keeps it displayed on her kitchen counter. This is a wonderful idea if you have the space for it. Check out the calendar idea that was posted this past October. Geesh, I think that I'm going to need a couple more organizers!

*Please note that I am not affiliated with this product (or any others) in any way, shape, or form, other than knowing a good product when I see one and wanting to share my excitement about it.*

Here is a link to the Simply Renee product blog. It is filled with oodles of mind-blowing organizational ideas. I bet you won't be able to stop reading it if you are an organization junkie like me. I practically lived there when I first came across the site.

Another product that I can't wait to use is my adhesive gun. This should make applying tape to my projects go much faster. As you can see, it is still unopened and in it's original box due to lack of time. I salivate just touching the box. If it is as good as everyone says it is, I know that I am going to love it.


I also received a Big Shot Cutting and Embossing Machine. I haven't used it yet, but again, I can't wait to try it out and make some pretty paper projects with it. Fabric lovers will be pleased to know that this machine will also cut shapes from fabric too.


This labeling system looks promising and can be hooked up to the computer for even more versatility. I'll soon be a labeling fool, I tell you. And a neat one, at that. No more handwritten labels for me.


Did you receive any must-have crafting supplies this Christmas? I would love to hear about it.

This year, I am going to be good to myself and not set too many goals. This just means that there will be a much better chance to succeed, right? How about you? Any new plans and goals for the new year? If so, I wish you much success in completing them.

Have a happy day!

Aloha!

Mele Kalikimaka!

May the blessings of the season fill your hearts with peace, joy, and love.

Aloha!