woodland bookmarks: a silhouette tutorial

I was searching for a cute little token to give my kindergarten students for the end of the school year.  Searching for "bookmarks" on Pinterest turned up these little cuties at Ellinée:

photo credit: www.ellinee.com

They were designed by the talented Lia Griffith

I downloaded them (they're free!), and opened the file with my Silhouette Studio Designer Edition software.  From there, I was able to turn them into print and cut files using the trace feature:

How to: uncheck High Pass Filter; dial threshold up to 100% (or there abouts); select Trace Outer Edge.

Next, I added my text in the color and font of choice using the text and line color tools:

Then, tell the Silhouette not to cut your text:

How to: go to the Cut Settings menu; select the text in your project and select "no cut" in the Cut Style options.

Lastly, place your print and cut registration marks and move your project to fit (avoid placing anything on top of the shaded sections):

Using the Print and Cut option, send it to the printer, then to your cutter, and you will end up with the cutest batch of personalized woodland bookmarks ever!

To add some stability, I backed mine with tongue depressors and "laminated" them with heavy duty clear packing tape.

pencil arrow valentines

Love is in the air, and Valentines for my little Valentines are done and ready for giving:

I had this project in my head after seeing this Pin and had planned to cut the arrow feathers by hand.  Then in a fantastic turn of luck, the Silhouette blog came to my rescue with their free cut file:

image credit: Silhouette America

I set to work with glitter pencils from Target's Dollar Spot and whipped these pretties up.

Twenty of them to give to my sweet kindergarteners

Wrapped with twine and a hanging tag

Happy Valentine's Day!

❤XOXO❤ 

granny coffee cozy

made with the Rhonna Designs and Snapeee Apps

I have decided to designate Wednesday's here on the blog to crochet.  I'm very excited to share whatever bit of crochet I am working on and to hear about what you might be hooking up as well.

I work with a fantastic teacher with an ice coffee and hot soup addiction, so for Christmas I hooked her up a granny square coffee mug cozy.

I used a traditional granny square pattern to create two granny squares.  I joined the two squares on one side with a series of single crochet (long enough so that the 2 squares and the band would fit around the mug).  I framed the whole piece with a row of single crochet.  Next, I made three bands to connect the handle side (again in sc), and stitched on some buttons.  The buttons simply fasten in the spaces on the granny square design.

I wish I had more of a precise pattern to share with you, but it really isn't too difficult to make.

Now it's your turn: What's on your hook?

top dog dies: gift bags

Thanks so much to all of you who visited during the Blog Hop last week.  I loved reading through your sweet comments!

I am back today with a few last minute gift wrapping ideas.  I probably shouldn't admit this, but gift cards are my go-to, last minute gift idea.  When time is running out, and my poor little brain can no longer think up something clever to give, I grab a gift card.

Gift cards themselves are pretty boring, so that's where a little fancy wrapping comes into play.  And Top Dog Dies makes it so easy!  I used the Treat Bag Die to create a super fast gift bag just the right size to hold a gift card.

Treat Bag Die

With a quick little embellishment and a gift tag, you are good to go give.

These little dimensional snowflakes are super easy.  Just fold in half with insides facing along the long points, then fold in half with outsides facing along the in between points.  Poof it up and tack down the snowflake tips with wet glue.

I have one more last minute gift idea for you: fill a little gift bag or bucket with

layer up some Top Dog Dies:

and sign the back with:

How cute is that? (Can't take credit for the wording; saw it on Pinterest)

Here's one more take on the idea using the Treat Bag die:

Here are the dies I used to create these bags (click on the image to be taken to the Top Dog Dies store):

Thanks so much for stopping by, and I'm hoping that all of you are in better shape than me with your last minute gifts! 

top dog dies: blog hop!

Hi and welcome to the next stop on the Top Dog Dies blog hop!

If you're just starting out, be sure to read the bottom of this post to enter the awesome giveaway from Top Dog Dies and find links to the rest of the design team's amazing projects.

Today, I'll be sharing a pretty beaded ornament:

Gather your supplies.  You'll need the Trio Snowflakes die, some papers and card stock, beads, twine and glue.

Cut 5 of each snowflake.

Fold each one in half.

Glue each layer together at the center leaving the edges loose.

Glue the back of each edge to the back of the next, lining them all up on the folds.  Glue the final edge to the first edge to create a circle.

Thread some twine through the center.

Tie a knot at the top leaving a loop for hanging and tuck the knot inside the center seam with a dab of glue.

Thread some small beads at the top, and some larger beads at the bottom of the ornament.

Hold it up to the snowy window to appreciate its glittery sparkle.

Contemplate making dozens more to give as gifts to teachers and staff, neighbors, coworkers, etc.
(then if you're like me, conclude that that's just crazy talk, and just make one)

Since it's going to be a gift, it will need a coordinating gift box for giving.

Use the Scallop Box Die and create a box with the same papers and a tag from Darby Doilies and Tags.

Tie it all up with some twine and give to someone special.

Thanks so much for hopping over.  Hop on through each DT member’s blog to get the details on their fab creations:

                                                                   Michelle Neddo <------you are here   

Angela Bode

Kendra Sand

Kathy Martin

Vicki Dutcher

Lisa Somerville

Nasayi Atkins

Maureen Cronin

Shellye McDaniel

The party isn’t over just yet, though: We’re giving away $50 Top Dog Dies eGift Cards to two lucky winners. Entering is easy: Just add your email address here and you’ll be included in the giveaway!

You can earn extra entries by commenting at each stop along the blog hop and by following Top Dog Dies on Facebook, Twitter and Pinterest. Even better news? You have until Friday Dec. 13 to enter and we'll announce the winners on Monday Dec. 16.

Thanks for joining us for our first – but definitely not our last – blog hop. 

Happy hopping!