Monorail Room Decor

My youngest is all about Disney, especially Mickey and anything to do with the parks.  He has special needs and making choices like decorating his room is a big deal.  When I showed him the monorail from Designs by Miss Mandee, he was thrilled.  He already has a banner he made over his bed, so I asked if he wanted monorail trains around the top of his room.  He was so excited picking each color for the striped and I resized them for the wall.  The end cars ended up

being 11.5 inches long.  I had to tweak the design so I could layer the black windows on top, rather than cut whole black cars.  Because they were so big, we didn't bother with transfer tape and just peeled and placed like regular stickers.  The walls are not smooth so it took a bit of work to get them to adhere but they are fabulous!  Thanks for looking!  April

Cider and cocoa mugs

I am prepping and living on the hope that we will be able to have a fall/winter craft fair this year as COVID begins to slowly wind down.  I know we live in a different world but hope we can have back some fun holiday events.  Last year was really difficult to get into the spirit because everything was canceled. 

I buy the DCWV paper stacks when they go on sale, then cut the mugs on my Cricut in between projects, leaving them stacked in a box until I get around to assembly.  Often, I will fold them, then take them to the living room to glue while watching a show.  Then they go back to the box until I decide on the embellishments.  Since the fall craft fair was canceled, I was less than inspired, until they announced the vaccine had rolled out.  

This year, I used the MFT Hug in a Mug

stamps and coordinating dies.  The oval is from my Spellbinders basic ovals and stamped in Momento Tuxedo Black.  The mugs were cut in MFT Electric Red and Sour Apple.  The cider color is Stampin Up Cajun Craze and the cocoa is SU Early Espresso.  The whipped cream and marshmallows are SU Whisper White.  The leaves were cut from scraps of yellow and orange on my Cricut.  Thanks for looking!  April

Sour cream money gifts

My older two wanted money to put towards various needs so I told the grandparents I would package it up.  Here is what I came up with...sour cream containers!  They are stupid-easy to make too.  Just cut a strip of paper, using your gift as a guide.  Add a strip of tape to the short end, joining the two ends.  Now you have a tube.  Close one hole flat and seal with some double stick tape.  I also used a crimper to seal.  Drop in the gift, then seal the other end.  Be sure to turn the opposite direction so the are perpendicular.  I went the extra step and put a zipper in mine so the kids could pull a strip and open it without tearing it apart.  I used a doily cut from the Cricut and some scrap red paper to stamp the sentiment with white heat embossing.  Thanks for looking!  April 

Santa Mickey wall hanger

I had this jpeg image for a while now.  I planned to make cards or put it on something as vinyl but came up with this.  I cut the base of each five times and glued them together to give it some sturdiness and keep it from curling.  The letters are cut from green polka dot Bazzill and the hat is red and glitter white.  I added hangers to the back and used removable Command hooks to hang.  Can you tell my teen son did the hangig because he is taller?  I may consider remaking this in basewood later on.  Thanks for looking!  April

Peppermint Mickey Garland

I decided I wanted a garland for over the fireplace after finding some amazing inspiration on IG and Pinterest.  So, off to the Cricut I go!  This was made with white glitter cardstock and red and green Cricut brand shimmer papers.  I used Tombow Aqua adhesive and it worked well.  I used a light weight on top to help set as I glued the next one.  I got inspiration from Tara at Wilder Crafting on IG for the hanger design.  It is basically a strip of paper with a hole on each end to run the string through, allowing the ears to look like they are floating.  I just used jute twine to string them up.  Thanks for looking!  April

Snowy Village Scene

I will be honest, I can't remember where I got this beautiful winter scene.  If you recognize it, please let me know so I can properly credit it. 

I cut this on my Cricut using 110lb white cardstock.  It took 6 sheets and some patience getting the scores to fold but the sections were easy to match.  I was able to fold each section in half and store sandwiched against the side of a box to keep it from being bent in storage.  Thanks for looking!  April

Winter mailbox

I got this awesome svg file from Designs By Miss M.  Mandee makes some really great stuff so be sure to look her up!  I just followed the colors she used and cut them on my Cricut.  I used glue and double-sided tape but would recommend hot glue for faster assembly.  I used Bazzill papers from JoAnn...good thing it was on sale.  This takes 5 sheets of dark red alone!  It turned out beautifully and looked great on our mantle.  Mandee even reposted it on IG account.  Thanks for looking!  April

Fall Drama Dept Starbucks Cups

Our high school kids are trying their best to make the most out of the limits set for them.  My son is a senior and has lost the spring musical, prom, robotics and many other activities.  They decided to do a online play via Zoom called Clue:Stay Home Edition.  Usually the Drama Booster arrange some fun activities for the kids, like a headshot fundraiser and a candy gram sale (treats are donated by the parents and the audience can by snacks for specific cast members and crew - because teens like sweets more than flowers).  

I volunteered to make a treat to be dropped off on their porch on performance day.  Parents donated to help cover the cost and I ran with it.  I bought color changing Starbucks cups and used my Cricut to design decorations.  Each cup has the cast member's role, MFHS 2020, the Clue logo and their first name.  Boys were cut in a typewriter font and girls in script.  

The finished cups were filled with care instructions, two packs of cocoa, fun size m&ms, a candy cane, and candy cane spoon.  Each cup was wrapped in a cellophane bag, tied with ribbon.  The kids flipped when the found out they changed color.  Thanks for looking!  April

Elf in Quartine

Because its 2020, and I really didn't want to think up 24 days of Elf mischief, I made an Elf Containment Unit so our Elf could observe but stay safely quarantined.  The container is a Jiff Peanut Butter jar.  I used Cricut Design Space to create the words and uploaded a biohazard sign and snowflakes.  It says ELF SURVEILLANCE QUARANTINE ZONE.  I added some foam snow inside to make it feel more like home.  His hat kept catching on the lid and spinning him, so it took a few tries to keep him front and center.  Last, I added some construction washi tape around the lid to warn anyone away from opening it.  Thanks for looking!  April

Photographer Starbucks Cup

My son had his senior pics done by one of his classmate's mom, who is a photographer.  I wanted to say a special thank you for her willingness to deal with 2020 Covid craziness and weather limitations.  I used Raspberry Rain holographic vinyl from Styletech Craft using a template and my Cricut machine.  I also found a pretty script font and cut her name.  She was so surprised and her reaction is why I love to craft.  Thanks for looking!  April

Mickey Valentine Garland

I loved my Peppermint garland so much, I decided to make a Mickey Conversation Heart Garland too!  I used Cricut Design Space to cut the words out of the Mickeys, as well as the red glitter backs.  I used the same process as the pepper hangers.  I am already thinking of ideas for Easter.  Thanks for looking!  April

Halloween sign

I found this awesome svg from Craft with Sarah on IG.  (I recently discovered IG and its as bad as Pinterest addiction!). Sarah is in the UK and does an amazing job including a video to assemble.  There is a ton of dimension and uses loads of foam tape so be sure to get the big rolls on Amazon!  Thanks for looking!  April

First Day board

My kids have outgrown the first day of school pictures but I am lucky to make these fun things for my nephew.  I found inspiration on Pinterest, but I adapted a couple of different boards together.  I also chose to make a dry erase board over a chalkboard because the ones at Dollar Tree were pretty small.  Chalkboard were around 5x7 and dry erase are 8.5x11.  I will be honest and say I should have shrunk the title a bit more, making a bit more space on the bottom.  I also had a couple of hiccups with the dots ending up sticking wrong.  As I used permanent vinyl, I worked around it.  Oh well, mistakes are part of the crafting.  Thanks for looking and see you next time!  April

Gamer Birthday Card

My bff's youngest is a huge gamer so when I found the card from JenniferMaker.com I just could not resist!  The big thing to remember when you upload the file is to convert the score lines and attach them.  Once that is done, its just a few cuts.  The black takes two sheets, then one red, and a white scrap.  I will also mention to be aware of the thickness of your papers.  I used 110lb for the white and it was not a complete cut even when set to heavy cardstock.  I ended up repeating the cut 6 times!  As long as you do not unload the mat you can repeat the same cut.  The white layer has several delicate small cuts.  The gift card tucks behind the controller, but you can seal that off if you wish.  I added holographic paper behind the inner sentiment and heat embossed the birthday sentiment on the front in yellow.  Thanks for looking! 

April

Mask keeper

 

I needed a way for my youngest to store his mask during lunch at school.  The idea of him dropping it on the table or tossing it in his backpack does not sit well with me.  I was shopping at target, grabbing some extra masks to keep on hand and stopped in the health section to grab some small bottles of hand sanitizer when I came across soap dishes in the travel section.  Inspiration!  This is an Up&Up brand dish and I used a bit of acetone.to remove the decal.  I found a mask image and cut it on my Cricut in opal holographic vinyl.  Weeding this was a bit of a pain, to be honest, but it is pretty cute.  We pack it in his lunch bag, then he puts his mask in while he eats.  It is washed before repacking his lunch.  Thanks for looking!  April

Gnome gift card holders

I have been slowly working on inventory for the fall craft fair.  (Here's hoping they will continue to have craft fairs after COVID-19!)  These are simple to make and a huge seller last year when I used snowmen.  You get THREE holders from one sheet of cardstock so
they are very economical.
Along the 11 inch side, cut at 3.5 inches.  You will have a small strip left after you cut all three.  Along the long side of each strip, score at 2 on one end, the rotate and score at 2.5 at the opposite end.  I used a corner rounder on the edges to keep them tidy.  The matted pieces are a quarter inch smaller.  I used 1/8 inch adhesive tape to seal the edges of the larger flap to form a pocket.  The gnome is attached to the top flap and I used a mini velcro dot to seal the holder. The cardstock is MFT and the patterned paper is from DCWV. 
The gnomes were created on Cricut Design space.  I used a large oval for the body and sliced the bottom off with a square to create a flat bottom.  You can also create this with a punch and cut a flat bottom with scissors.  His beard is created from a leaf.  I used the small oval nose to slice out a place for the oval to rest.  Looking back now, I would have popped the nose up on a piece of foam tape.  The hat was from another cut file, but you can easily use a triangle.  I have also seen small circles for hands and small ovals for feet, but chose to keep these pretty minimal.  I made my gnomes around 2.5 inches tall and could fit close to 43 on a sheet of 12x12 paper on my Circut.  I used dark green for the body, cherry for the hats, white for the beards, and flesh for the noses.  I assembled them while watching a movie with my hubby in just about an hour.
In total, I made 45 holders in under 3 hours, with cutting papers, folding and assembly.  Thanks for looking!  April

Muggle Teacher gifts

This is a picture heavy post, so bear with me!  It's that time of year again and I am trying to brainstorm teacher gifts when low and behold, Mandee at Designs by Miss Mandee posted a free Harry Potter Howler card.  So I was off and running! 

The card was made on my Cricut Explore with just cherry and white cardstock.  You can get two cards from a 12x12 sheet.  I used my finger to curl the tongue (and managed to give myself a nasty paper cut!) and placed it with a piece of double stick tape. 
We don't buy Talenti gelato often, mainly because it is expensive, but the jars are just too good to toss so I have been hoarding them.  How did I get the print off, you ask?  Acetone nail polish remover, cotton balls, elbow grease, and a well ventilated area are all it takes.  Make sure you wash the jars well once you are done cleaning them off. 

I will admit I have no idea where I got the image on the jar.  It was all one color, so I decided to highlight the I Teach Muggles in gold, leaving the rest in black.  Ok, I am going to give you an honest crafter-fail moment here.  Those pros out there make this look so fabulous, but this sucker is a pain to weed, because the finished design is only 2 1/2 inches tall.  I worked out a trick of reverse weeding.  TIP: weed the insides of all the letters and work the outside around the bigger words, then put your transfer tape over your image, burnish well, then remove backing paper.  Now weed the outer part of your image SLOWLY and your letters should stay stuck to the transfer tape.

For the top of the jar, I created the image on Cricut Design Space.  It is 3.25" and fits in the lid with a little room to spare.  I used the Cut and Print feature, then added the Hogwarts wax seal using burgundy hot glue sticks.  Yep, hot glue!  The best way I have found to do this is take some cooking spray and put a generous amount on a folded paper towel.  Tap your seal in the cooking spray, then make a puddle of hot glue on a silicone mat or on the sticker.  Wait a few seconds for the glue to slightly set but still soft.  Push the seal into the glue and wait a few minutes for it to set.  Gently rock the seal and remove.  Wait 5 minutes, then remove from the mat.  I store extras in a baggie.  Thanks for looking!  April

Baby Yoda tote set

My nephew loves Star Wars, even as a toddler (thanks to his mom).  As a toddler, he loves to color so I decided to combine the two.  I sent the family out to pick coloring books, crayons, play and go kits, and a Color Wonder set.  We made sure to get Star Wars, Paw Patrol and Mickey books for him to use.  I had a tote bag in my craft room, as well as canvas pencil/make up pouches I found at Tuesday Morning.  Jennifer Maker came through again with a baby yoda she altered from a licensed Star Wars Cricut image.  I had to pay for the image, but it was only $1.99, and Jennifer offers the altered image on her blog at JenniferMaker.com.  I used Star Wars font to make a title for the pencil case.  It is the perfect size to fit a pack of 24 count crayons and a pack of triangle chunky Crayola crayons.  The most expensive cost was the heat transfer vinyl - black, green, silver, pink, and gray.  Thanks for looking!  April

shine sketch journal

This is a journal I gave as a gift.  I found the idea on Pinterest but the font required purchase.  I swapped the font for one in my system and used the stars from the design.  I used a JoAnn vinyl that has texture and sort of a dirty gold finish.  I really like how it pops on the black cover, even if it was a pain to get to stick to the canvas.  I think permanent vinyl would have been better but it doesn't offer the range of choices in colors and patterns.  Thank you for looking!  April

Jennifer Marker Star Lantern Alternative

Yep, you read it right, I altered the star lantern from Jennifer Maker.  My youngest has his own little tree in his room with his favorite ornaments and last year refused any attempt at a tree skirt or topper.  This year I offered to make him a Mickey topper or a star.  He asked for a star and as soon as I saw Jennifer's, I knew with a little tweak, it would be perfect.  Her team was wonderful about answering my question about how big the finished star was so I had an idea of how much I needed to downsize.
The original star lands around 14 inches and each arm is around 7 inches, way too big for a little 4 foot tree.  My wonderful engineer hubby said that a six inch star would keep the proportion just fine, so I needed each arm to be around 3 inches once folded.  Now, when you are adjusting the size, it's hard to tell on screen, but I cheated by using the score line image and stretched it over the point to the inside.  That gave me a realistic idea of the actual size, then I deleted the score line.  I also deleted the piece with the notch for the pendant light and duplicated an extra of the regular points.  I cut the image on glitter cardstock.  Be ready for a long wait as it took nearly 45 minutes to cut.  The glitter paper setting on the Cricut will cut it twice.  I found it did not need the second pass as it only made more of a mess so I stopped it half way through the second cut.
Be sure to follow Jennifer's suggestion to only assemble 4 of the points before gluing them together.  The last point is much easier to add when you can glue one tab at a time and save the long point for last.
How did I attach it to the tree?  I used scissors and cut a small notch in the base of the star and slid a chopstick with hot glue in it up to the top.  The stick hides well in his tree so I did not feel like I needed to paint.  I do recommend a twist tie to keep it in place.  Thanks for looking!  April