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 

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

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

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

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

Disney Castle color-change tumblers

I have been playing with ideas for my craft fair booth and wanted to try some samples of vinyl I received in the mail, so these new color-changing tumblers from Michael's were the perfect opportunity to play.  I used silver rain holographic vinyl for the fireworks and Minnie's bow, and glitter rainbow vinyl for the castles.  I love the effect of the holographic vinyl.  Now, I have to put these through their paces and see how it holds up to washing.  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

Double sided chalkboard signs

I saw this adorable sign on Pinterest.  While there was no svg file, the directions stated the fonts used and where the wreath image was found.  I tweaked the design a bit then ran to Michaels to track down the cute chalkboard.  What was not said was that these were small table signs from the wedding section and were on clearance for $7.97 for 6!  Yep, 6.  The are much smaller than the picture shows, only 4.5x6" without the wood base.  So, I made all 6 to give as gifts this year.  I used permanent vinyl and found crayola chalk at the Dollar Tree.  I included 2 sticks tied with jute twine.  The photo shows both sides of the board.  Thanks for looking!  April

Gift Card Bag

I found this cute gift card bag on Pinterest and thought it would be a cute craft fair idea.  Be sure to use double sided paper because you have to fold down a small part for the top of the bag.  I also used the scrap to make the bow using the Stampin Up bow builder punch.  I recommend using lighter weight paper, as cardstock is more likely to crack at the seams and becomes bulky with the folded down top.  I used the retired word window punch to make the handle.  Inside is a small baggie with Starlight mint disks and tied with a red satin ribbon.  It will serve to keep the gift card in place.  Thanks for looking!  April

Ugly Christmas Sweater Tags

 Sometimes, the best plans just fail big.  These were supposed to be gift card holders and the tab at the top was the way to pull it out.  Unfortunately, the sweaters are just a bit too small once glued together and making them bigger means only getting one out of a 12x12 sheet.  I can't justify the waste of paper.  Rather then toss them out, I turned them into tags.  They can go on a package or hang on a stocking or tree.  I also debated about making a garland of ugly sweaters.  As my teen says, "They are horrible and I love them!" 
These were based on a paper pattern I found and imported into Cricut Design Space.  I have several different papers but only took a picture of two as a sample.  I plan to play with the design to see of I can revise these but they won't go to waste for now.  Thanks for looking!  April

Mitten lip balm holders

I fell in love with My Favorite Things lip balm set.  They are very reasonable in price.  The stamps are $9, lip balm window die is $10.99, the rip strip die for $9.99, and the pouches are 10 for $3.99.  Many people were using the bookmark die to make the pouches, but I wanted something different.  I went hunting for a pattern to import into Cricut Design Space and found a pattern for a mitten.  I duplicated and flipped the image to make a front and back, then sized to fit four mitts on a page.
Once I had all the pieces cut, I glued the cuffs on, then decided where I wanted the lip balm window.  I opted not to use the little border piece this time.  Once the window was in place, I used it as a guide to place the rip strip die on the back mitten.  Just be sure when you glue the two halves together to avoid putting adhesive where the rip strip is.  Now, the recipient doesn't have to tear apart the mitten to get to the lip balm.  I found 3-packs of Chap-Stick in holiday flavors on special for $2.

Once it was glued together, I used a crop-a-dile to punch a hole in the corner and added a circle tag stamped with one of the sentiments and a small punched heart.  I left the string long enough to be tied to a gift, hung on the tree or added to a stocking.  Thanks for looking!  April

Santa & Penguin gift card envelopes

I am getting ready for a local craft fair.  This is the second year I am participating and am trying different things.  These Santa gift card holders sold really well last year, so I am adding the penguin ones to see how they do.  I got a lot of positive responses from them and sold out.
I used the envelope punch board to make the smallest envelope, then added a white liner where a greeting can be added.  I made the Santa belly band with Basic Black and punched the belt with champagne glimmer paper using a scalloped square punch.
The penguin's belly is a large oval punch on white glimmer paper, then trimmed even with the bottom of the envelope.  The eyes are punched from small circles and I used a gel pen to give a little sparkle.  A small heart punched from Pumpkin Pie cardstock is the beak.  I used a mini velcro dot for the closure.  (They are a bit pricey, but I found some on clearance and have used a 50 or 60% off coupon at Joann.)  Thanks for looking!  April

Warm Wishes cocoa mugs

These adorable paper mugs are based on a mug card I found on Pinterest.  I took the template and instead of printing it on cardstock and cutting it out, I transferred the image to Cricut Design Space and adjusted it for cutting.  I use double sided 12x12 and get 2 per sheet.  Once they are removed from the cutting mat, simply fold and glue along the two sides.  I embellished these with a print and cut design I created in Design Space, as well as cutting tags that are tied on the handle.  All I have to do is slip a hot cocoa packet into them.  These will be sold at the craft fair in November and these were big sellers last year.  They make great co-worker gifts or stocking stuffers and there is plenty of room to slip a gift card inside.  Thanks for looking!  April

Jolly Elf gift card holder

I am selling at our local high school craft fair in November.  Last year, these Hershey Kisses gift card holders were a huge hit, along with a couple other style of holders.  You will find the link to my last year design here and the video tutorial here.

This year, I have three colors - Old Olive, Real Red, and Shaded Spruce.  I am using retired 6x6 Stampin Up DSP, a sentiment using a Cricut print and cut on white cardstock, and punch art elves.  The elf is made using Petal Pink cardstock for the face and ears.  The face is punched with a retired ornament punch from SU, and a fiskars flower petal punch for the ears.  The nose is a 3/8 inch circle punch and is attached with a foam dot.  They eyes are punched from a 3/8 in circle in white and a 1/4 in circle in black.  You can also use the owl builder punch from SU.  The hat is punched in Real Red from a heart punch, then removing the bumps of the heart with an oval punch.  I also made the green brim of the hat from the oval punch.  I glued mini white pom poms on the tip of the hat and a hand drawn smile.  Thanks for looking!  April

Disney Orange Bird Purse DIY

We are huge Disney fans in this family and we each have favorite characters.  My oldest likes the Orange Bird and has been collecting the Disney Trading Pins.  I thought she would like a small purse for running around the parks, but the one on Disneystore.com is a whopping $65!  I found this tutorial on As the Bunny Hops via Pinterest and it's cost was $19 for the purse (Amazon) and pennies in vinyl.  What a great gift!
Amy at As the Bunny Hops was kind enough to put up her Studio file, but it wasn't easy to move the file to Design Studio.  I finally found an online converter that seemed to do the trick and I had to play around to get the image through contour so I could have all the layers.
I started with the inside of the beak (cut in brown vinyl), then the full beak (yellow).  The image shows up a tad wonky in DS, showing just the lines around the inner mouth and no way to fill it so I cut the full mouth and just weeded the outer beak.  It wasn't too much vinyl (less than a 2x2" square).  Next I contoured the eyes.  I started out doing the larger part by contouring all three parts of the eye as one group so I can weed the pupil out.  (I ended up layering the white and black, but fixed that after the fact in DS, so the next time I cut it they will nest.)  Last I contoured the pupil and brows.
Once I figured out how the contour worked, I placed all the pieces back together like a puzzle and grouped them.  When you hit the Make button, it splits all the colors into separate mats.  To make it easier to put together, I used the Write function to make a scale base to build on.  I taped the picture to a light box, then taped each layer over the image as I worked.  I picked up the black cut first, taped the white to the picture and used the image to place the pupils in the right position.  Be careful not to let the vinyl touch the paper!  Once the eyes were together, I used tweezers to put the inner mouth on the beak, then taped the completed beak in place over the image and repeated my steps to pic up the mouth.  Last, place on purse and rub!
I am waffling about whether to paint the leaf a lighter green like Amy did.  I don't think it looks too bad and the more vintage pics show a bit darker green so I am thinking I will leave it.  I will say, I am looking to replace the chain strap that came with the purse, so it's off to the craft store.
Thanks for looking!  April

Hershey Kisses gift card holder

This is another item for the upcoming Jingle Bell Craft Fair at my son's high school.  I am making several in different colors and designs, but this is my first one based on the tutorial I found on Pinterest here.
The base is Cherry Cobbler and stamped in Cherry Cobbler using the star from Stampin Up's Tin of Tags.  The window is punched from the Word Window punch.  I used a layer of Very Vanilla cardstock and stamped the sentiment in Cherry Cobbler, the string and plugs in Momento Tuxedo Black, and the bulbs in Tempting Turquoise, Pumpkin Pie, and Lemon Lime Twist.  The bulbs are popped onto dimensionals.  A 1" circle punch was used to make the notch for the gift card.

The back of the gift box is also in Very Vanilla and stamps from Tin of Tags are stamped in Tuxedo Black and Daffodil Delight.
Thanks for looking!  April

Pixar Up mailbox tote

My hubby and I are going to Mickey's Not So Scary Halloween Party at Walt Disney World.  We are dressing as grown up Carl and Ellie from Pixar's Up.  I wanted to have a cute tote and found this little chipboard mailbox at Hobby Lobby.  My talented teen painted the mailbox by hand.  I punched holes in the top and added a braided cord handle.  There are also hand-made Ellie Badges, tucked inside, to hand out during the party.  Thanks for looking!  April