Hi There;
Sorry for my long absence and for not being by to visit your lovely blogs. Except for a few days off with the dreaded flu I’ve been working playing in the Closet getting ready for the upcoming Craft Fairs. Time is getting short but I really needed to take a brake and escape from the Closet for a little while. I thought I’d share some of what I’ve been making with you all.
Warning Long post - Picture heavy
Candle Lollipops
I saw this delightful Candle Lollipop on Dawn’s Blog some time ago. Dawn’s favorite word is cute. Oh my she uses it in all her wonderful videos A LOT, you could say it‘s her signature word. I think they will make fun co-worker Christmas gifts. I am hoping these wont fall into that dreaded Oh How Cute category where people say it and just walk on. I am thinking of putting up a sign saying the C word is forbidden.
You can find Dawn’s video here. I followed Dawn's directions but found glue dots were not strong enough to hold my bows in place, the glue gun worked great.
Silly Weather Forecaster
These are a fun stocking stuffers. I can always find yarn in thrift shops so it’s just a matter of braiding it and attaching a laminated tag which says:
Congratulations!
You are now the proud owner of
the first accurate weather forecaster.
For best results, hang on a nail
outside your window.
If it’s wet …. It’s raining.
If it’s white … It’s snowing
If it’s stiff … It’s freezing
If it’s moving .. It’s windy
It it’s gone … somebody ripped it off.
Magic Piggy Wand
These always bring a giggle and have sold well. One lady bought a dozen saying she was going to place one on each of her co-workers desks. No two of these looks alike as lots of varying shades of pink snippets went into completing them. I’ve used chopsticks for my wands. My neighbor loves Chinese food but hasn’t a clue how to use chopsticks so she always brings them to me. At this point I have enough of them to build a small room. I printed the free clip art piggy and the tag which says:
Magic Piggy Wand
To remove calories
Wave over main dish
Once.
Wave over desert
twice or more.
Of course I always guarantee it to work with a wink.
Prayer Rocks
These are simply fabric snippets tied around a pebble. I am always surprised that children either purchase these or ask an adult to do so. The image is another free clip art. The poem inside says:
I’m your little prayer rock
and this is what I’ll do.
Just put me on your pillow
till the day is through.
Then turn back the covers
and climb into your bed
And WHACK …
your little prayer
rock will hit you on your
head.
Then you will remember
as the day is through
To kneel and say your
prayers as you wanted to,
Then when you are finished
just dump me on the floor,
I’ll stay there through the
Night to give you help once more.
When you get up in the morning
CLUNK…. I stub your toe
So you will remember
your prayers before you go.
Put me back upon your pillow
when your bed is made,
And your clever little
prayer rock will continue
in your aid.
Because your heavenly
Father cares and loves you so,
He wants you to remember
to talk to him… you know.
As the print on the tag is quite small I frame a larger copy for easier reading.
Santa’s Magic Key
I found these green mittens at an after Christmas sale last year and the keys in Michael’s $1 bin. The tag was printed, cutout with SB labels Four. I then went around the edges with a Clear Star Gelly Roll pen for some sparkle.
It says:
Santa's Magic Key
This key is very special, you see.
It won't work for you and me...
Hang it just outside your door.
Go to bed and worry no more...
Close your eyes and close them tight.
'Cause Santa Claus is coming tonight!
As I've used snippets of paper, ribbon or fabric on each of these items I'm off to share with the lovely ladies in the tree house at Pixies Crafty Snippet’s Challenge.
Summer has finally given way to Autumn in our neck of the woods. We haven't heard any more news on the fires since we learned those in the lower elevations were contained and everyone was allowed to return to their homes. We do continue to get air quality reports. Although the air seems clear we are still being warned there is smoke in the air and those with breathing problems should continue to be careful. Closer to the fires the air quality remains hazardous. We did have a bit of rain, not enough to put out those fires in the higher elevations but it did smell simply wonderful. We remain hopeful for an early snowfall on the moutain tops.
Wishing you all a Blessed day.
Bernie
Hi There
This Sunday I attended an ‘Orchid Show’. I was disappointed to find it was actually an orchid sale. Oh the limited variety of blossoms were quite beautiful but they were displayed in trays with the plants bunched so close together it was difficult to appreciate them. I suppose I will always be disappointed by orchid shows.
You see, as I was growing up there was always a magnificent orchid show at the yearly Maui County Fair. It was held in a small, old green building with lath sides. No matter how hot and sunny it was outside it was always cool and dim inside, as in a forest. There was a small waterfall which fed a little stream that wondered around the building. Along the banks of the stream were rocks, green shrubs to represent small trees and at varying levels were glorious orchids, their pots hidden by lush green moss. More orchids hung from the walls growing in coconut husks or on pieces of old tree fern stumps with bits of Grandfather's Beard lichen placed as though it had always been there and in the center of the room an island with more trees, orchids and moss. The numbers of orchids, the colors and sizes all boggled the mind.
It all looked like a miniature scene out of nature but to a child more like a scene from a fairytale. It was all at waist level for an adult and I can remember being so little I had to stand on tip toes to see it all. Every year as I grew up I looked forward to the orchid show. It was all like a fantasy land I could escape to for a little while and even as an adult I would not have been the least bit surprised if a fairy had peeked out from behind a rock or a flower. Today there is a McDonald’s where that treasured building of my long ago memories once stood.
I wish I could share a photo of my memeories but I don't have any instead I found this photo of my very favorite orchid. It is called the Honohono orchid ( said Ho like Santa says Ho Ho and No as in well, No, repeat :) Just looking at the photo I can almost smell it's heavenly scent.
Okay Bernie back to the real world, share your cards.
I was commissioned to make two birthdays cards, one pink, one green with a doily, bird and flowers on each and using Hero Arts stamp with this sentiment. As the stamp was to large, in order fit it all on the front of my cards I printed the sentiment.
I’ve used S/B Standard Circle, Lacy Circle and Floral Flourishes, SU bird punch and flowers from my stash.
I wish you all a fabulous week.
Blessings
Bernie
Hi There!
WOW It's October! On one hand this year seems to have dragged on forever and on the other I feel as though I've missed most of it while caring for Jim. Thankfully he is doing much better and doesn't need my constant attention so I've been enjoying working playing in the Closet.
Most of the holiday bazaars I did last year were badly organized and with little advertising very poorly attended. As a result my sales were less then stellar and I do have quite a few leftovers. This year I have been invited to a larger, well organized and always well advertised CRAFT FAIR. I am truly excited to be in the company of true artisans and do hope for much better sales.
These Christmas Planners are some of last years leftovers as so few sold. I am hopeful they will sell this year.
Although time consuming these are quite easy to make out of a file folder and DP. Since it would probably take longer for you to read how these were made I invite you to view this fun, speeded up video. No jibber jabber just festive music. I don’t own a Crop-A-Dile, instead I’ve used Velcro closers stitched under the bows.
These simple Christmas Planners have sold well in the past so why not make more. :) They are altered mini composition books, covered with Christmas snippets, bits of ribbon and punched snowflakes. I can’t remember where I found the label as I’ve had it in my files for some time.
I thought I would share this slide show with you. It shows some of the fires here in Eastern WA. These photos were taken quite a bit north of us but the fires extend along the Cascade range south to our area. Thankfully we can not see the flames from our home and unlike the homes shown here we are in no danger. We are enjoying another beautifully clear day as the breezes continue to blow the smoke out of our area. Sadly the air quality in the area these photos were taken remains Hazordous.
ETS: Although the breezes are blowing the smoke out of our area and we are in no danger the fires are still burning here as they are in the slide show.
Have a Fabulous Day!
Blessings
Bernie
