Creative Quilt Girl » Paper Crafts

More Temptation from the Internet

Rachel — Wed, 18 Nov 2009 23:52:54 +0000

Have you seen Paper Source’s Home LetterPress Machine? This morning, I was living fine without it until I received a nice little email from Paper Source. Now, I thinking I could make my own cute cards. (sigh) Luckily, I’ve managed not to covet the other paper cutting gadgets. But really I’d like to know if people like it. Does it curb some of the desire to have a real letterpress machine?

The more I write about the letterpress, the more I realize that I need to seriously explore screen printing, not with a silly machine like yudu. No, I’m talking about the real deal. I’m thinking it would satisfy my inner desire to print my own stuff.

Box #14

Rachel — Mon, 16 Mar 2009 03:20:54 +0000

A couple of weeks ago, I signed up for a Coraline Box swap hosted by My Little Mochi. Despite the popularity of swaps in blogland, I’ve never participated in one prior to this swap. It’s been a good learning experience. Over the past two weeks, I’ve been working away at creating little Coraline like objects.

Tomorrow is the shipping deadline, which means I finished my project today. Tomorrow Box #14 will be on its way to Texas.

After the recipient has had the opportunity to see the box for herself, I’ll reveal the contents on my blog.

Make Your Own Pencil Cup

Rachel — Wed, 18 Feb 2009 20:50:49 +0000

After making a pencil cup for a friend, I set about to make my own. Only I couldn’t make just one for myself. I needed four. The fourth one is there. I promise. It just didn’t quite make it into the photo.

I decided to share the construction details. So you too can make your own pencil cup. Really, this is a simple project that anybody could do.

Supplies:

1 pint paint can (Go to a paint store like Sherwin-Williams, not Home Depot or Lowes. It should cost less than $2.)
Decorative paper (wrapping paper, cardstock, handmade paper, etc.)
Adhesive (double-sided sticky tabs, tacky glue, YES glue, etc)
Embellishments, optional

Instructions:

Cut paper to 3 5/8″ x 11″
Tack down one end of the paper with adhesive to the can
Wrap paper around can
Tack down the remaining end of the paper. Paper should overlap by 1/2″
Wrap ribbon or string around the can to clamp down the paper. This will allow whatever adhesive to set. Set for 24 hours.
Take off ribbon and enjoy!

Have fun!

From Paint Can to Pencil Cup

Rachel — Mon, 19 Jan 2009 19:38:37 +0000

A couple of years ago, paint cups repurposed as pencil cups started to sprout up on the internet. I was intrigued. Yet I didn’t take on the project until last week when I needed a birthday gift.

While some crafters cover the can with fabric, I elected to use paper. It’s easier to wrap paper around the can than pulling fabric over the slightly larger rolled edge. The smooth sides of the paint can are a perfect surface for paper.

The hard part was selecting just the right embellishment. I didn’t have a plan beyond wrapping the ribbon around the can. Before I attached the ribbon flower, I thought I’d find some cool embellishment at the scrapbook store. No such luck, or I should say nothing said, “I’m perfect.” I came home empty handed. Then the miracle of the internet saved the day with the perfect flower embellishment. I was able to make it with stuff I already owned. Yet with that said, I definitely need to beef up my button supply.

With one pencil cup under my belt, I’m planning on make more. I need a couple of pencil cups for work.

Autumn is Relative

Rachel — Mon, 13 Oct 2008 02:33:03 +0000

This morning, I woke to this sight out my front door.

When the weather forecast predicted snow, I thought it was a slight exaggeration. I mean it’s the first half of October. We haven’t even had the first frost. It seem plausible to snow in the mountains and get frost in the valley. I was so wrong. One point for the weather forecasters. Zero for me. I’m not fretting to much. The snow was gone by noon, and the week looks like typical mid-fall weather. I’ll just have to bundle up for my ride into work.

I am trying to embrace the change in season. Last weekend, I made a wreath for our front door. It looks alright considering flower arranging really isn’t my thing.

Then I made a Halloween garland for our front door. The idea is from Kansas City Esty Street Team. I found the link via whipup. Amazingly, I had everything on hand to make it, including the ribbon. It came together without any fuss. Most importantly, I like the way it turned out. Halloween isn’t my favorite holiday. I’m always pleased when I can try to embrace the holiday without a lot of grief.

New Luggage Tags

Rachel — Fri, 20 Jun 2008 04:24:36 +0000

Wow! It’s been over two weeks since my last post, an unplanned blog break. The month has been busy. In a couple of days I’ll post some great pictures of me, my mom, and my sister emptying her pond. Truly an experience I won’t want to repeat in this life time. Until then, my new luggage tags.

Despite having red luggage, it’s always a challenge finding my luggage. I thought a unique luggage tag would make it easier to spot my luggage.

Details:

Used a business card template for all my information
Secured the the business card to card stock
Laminated the with my Xyron thing
Attached a grommet for a string or ribbon

OK, it isn’t highly creative, but I made them with stuff I had. Plus I accomplished my mission. Now our luggage is ready for our upcoming trip to Portland.