Sunday, February 21, 2010

St. Patrick's Day-Lucky Page




The first thing I do when designing a scrap book page is choose the pictures I want to use. The next step is to choose the background paper and contrasting colors that match the pictures.


The next step is the most important step in making a scrap book page. What is the theme you want for your page? What do you want your page to express?


For this page I wanted to make a St Patrick's page for the mom-stuff web site. I wanted it to use a picture of my grandson who I feel very lucky and blessed to have in my life. The picture I wanted to use did not have green in it so I had to find some paper that I could use to blend with the picture and allow me to use green for St Patrick's Day. I found a plaid and a stripe with green and grey.


The next step is to design the page (or pages). For this page I started with a page from Brazzill Stitch'z. I used the page as a pattern. I placed it over my grey page and marked the holes with a pen. Using lime green embroidery floss I back stitched between the holes. I love to hand stitch. If you do know know how to embroidery I have included instruction at the bottom of this article.



I made my title from my Cricut Cartridge's Base Camp. I cut the letters all in caps at 1 inch. I love to use my Cricut because then the colors will match perfectly. (Note: when I am designing a page I use some construction paper to cut out my designs from first. This lets me experiment with the size without using my scrapbook paper. I also use the construction paper pieces to design my layout. I place them in different places on my page until I am happy. I ID the construction paper with the cartridge name and size of the cut to reference for cutting. After you have designed your page you are ready to cut out your pieces. I save the construction pieces for the kids to craft with. Shamrock pattern is from Crocut cartridge-Accents Essential.



Cut from plaid paper two-1 1/2 inch strips. Glue them to form a boarder across the top and the right side of your page. Cut from stripe paper two-3/4 inch strips. Glue them to form a boarder on the left side and bottom of the page above the stitching. Cut (heart) with Cricut cartridge Accent Essentials. Cut ten at 1 inch. These are glued on each point of the stitching and to form the shamrock. Use the last one to form the stem. Make a frame for your picture and center it on your page. I used a darker grey. I also made a square piece of the same grey to use for journaling. Glue on the title.



Finishing:



Line work: I use a black extra fine Sharpie marker to add stitching lines around the title and the dark grey frames.



Instructions for hand stitching:



To make it easy to keep track of your design use a pencil and draw the design on the back side of your scrapbooking page. Use the full strand of embroidery floss. Do not separate it. Instead of tying a knot to start stitching you will use tape and tape the end of your thread to the back of your page at the left side of your design. I used the BACKSTITCH because it has no spaces in between stitches and I wanted one continuous line. Bring the thread up through he first hole(#1) on the left side. Go through the next hole(#2) from front to the back. Bring the thread back to the front through the next hole(#3) Now take the thread back to the back through hole(#2)This completes the back stitch. Repeat by bringing the thread up through the next hole(#4) and back through hole #3 got it? Repeat until you finish all of the holes and tape the end on the back of your scrapbooking paper.














The first thing I do when designing a scrap book page is choose the pictures I want to use. The next step is to choose the background paper and contrasting colors that match the pictures.



The next step is the most important step in making a scrap book page. What is the theme you want for your page? What do you want your page to express?



For this page I wanted to make a St Patrick's page for the mom-stuff web site. I wanted it to use a picture of my grandson who I feel very lucky and blessed to have in my life. The picture I wanted to use did not have green in it so I had to find some paper that I could use to blend with the picture and allow me to use green for St Patrick's Day. I found a plaid and a stripe with green and grey.



The next step is to design the page (or pages). For this page I started with a page from Brazzill Stitch'z. I used the page as a pattern. I placed it over my grey page and marked the holes with a pen. Using lime green embroidery floss I back stitched between the holes. I love to hand stitch. If you do know know how to embroidery I have included instruction at the bottom of this article.



I made my title from my Cricut Cartridge's Base Camp. I cut the letters all in caps at 1 inch. I love to use my Cricut because then the colors will match perfectly. (Note: when I am designing a page I use some construction paper to cut out my designs from first. This lets me experiment with the size without using my scrapbook paper. I also use the construction paper pieces to design my layout. I place them in different places on my page until I am happy. I ID the construction paper with the cartridge name and size of the cut to reference for cutting. After you have designed your page you are ready to cut out your pieces. I save the construction pieces for the kids to craft with.



Cut from plaid paper two-1 1/2 inch strips. Glue them to form a boarder across the top and the right side of your page. Cut from stripe paper two-3/4 inch strips. Glue them to form a boarder on the left side and bottom of the page above the stitching. Cut (heart) with Cricut cartridge Accent Essentials. Cut ten at 1 inch. These are glued on each point of the stitching and to form the shamrock. Use the last one to form the stem. Make a frame for your picture and center it on your page. I used a darker grey. I also made a square piece of the same grey to use for journaling. Glue on the title.



Finishing:



Line work: I use a black extra fine Sharpie marker to add stitching lines around the title and the dark grey frames.



Instructions for hand stitching:



To make it easy to keep track of your design use a pencil and draw the design on the back side of your scrapbooking page. Use the full strand of embroidery floss. Do not separate it. Instead of tying a knot to start stitching you will use tape and tape the end of your thread to the back of your page at the left side of your design. I used the BACKSTITCH because it has no spaces in between stitches and I wanted one continuous line. Bring the thread up through he first hole(#1) on the left side. Go through the next hole(#2) from front to the back. Bring the thread back to the front through the next hole(#3) Now take the thread back to the back through hole(#2)This completes the back stitch. Repeat by bringing the thread up through the next hole(#4) and back through hole #3 got it? Repeat until you finish all of the holes and tape the end on the back of your scrapbooking paper. Have fun. Dianne

Monday, February 15, 2010

Wedding, Anniversery and Birthday Flowers

I was ask to make corsages, boutonnieres and barrettes for a family anniversary. I bought all of the flowers’ at the dollar store and it took me an afternoon to make them. This is a great way to save some money. I thought you might like seeing them. If anyone wants instructions let me know.


These are the boutonnieres







Corsages for the young girls








Barrettes for the girls hair.

Tuesday, February 9, 2010

Rockin Bobbie Pins


















Make your own Rockin Bobbie Pins for your girls hairstyles. All you need are bobbie pins and your imagination. Use mini bobbie pins for infants and toddlers hair. These are so much fun. You can make some for every holiday or even every outfit.

                                                                                                                                                                    Buttons with loops




These are too easy to be soooooooo cute. Put the bobbie pin through the loop on the button. It is EZPZ.




Button holes

You will need some 1/8 inch satin ribbon. Cut one end of the ribbon with a diagonal cut to form a thin point. With the pointed end thread through the button starting from the back, through the front and to the back. Tie the ribbon around the circle of a bobbie pin with a double square knot. Cut off both ends of the ribbon. The hearts above are Buttons with holes and are made like this.



                                                                                                                                                                                Glue Ons




To make this type of Rockin Bobbie Pin you will need a glue gun. Hold the bobbie pin with the loop side out and facing up. Put a small amount of glue onto the loop and place what every embellishment you want on to the bobbie pin.





 For girls hairstyles using the Rockin Bobbie Pins visit The Wright Hair Blog




When using bobbie pins push them in, in the opposite direction as you want them to lay. Push in for about ½ inch then turn them and push the rest of the way in. This will not work if the child does not enough hair but in most heads this locks the bobbie pin in place. This helps the pin to stay in place and not fall out or relocate. Advise from The Wright Hair Blog.

Valentine Hair Clips


I just posted the insrtuctions for these fun Valentine hair clips. You can find them at
Hairstyle ideas with the Rockin Bobbie Pins can be found at
Have fun making these and wearing them. ENJOY!!!
Happy Valentine's Day