winner winner

I'm a giveaway host delinquent.  So sorry to keep you all waiting for the Rainbow Loom book giveaway winner.

Carrie McLean and her daughter are the lucky winners.  I have sent you a message on Google+, Carrie.

Thanks to everyone who entered!

giveaway: rainbow loom book

Winner = Carrie Mclean!
view the drawing here

A couple of weeks ago I was contacted by Fox Chapel Publishing and asked if I would host a giveaway on my blog for Design Originals new book:

Totally Awesome Rubber Band Jewelry

My boys recently caught onto the Rainbow Loom craze and were using their fingers to craft bracelets for themselves, their friends, and their family.  They were beyond excited when a copy of this book arrived in our mailbox.

We picked up a loom so they could try out some of the bracelet styles pictured in the book.
They loved it!  This full-color book is fun and engaging for little (and big!) bracelet makers.

Some of the fun designs included in the book.

First, they flipped through the 48-page book to choose a project.  The brightly colored and doodled layouts are packed with jewelry-making info and tips.
Once they settled on their design (of course it was the Starburst Bracelet on pg. 34), they choose the number of bands needed from the "What You'll Need" list, and set to work loading the loom following the "Load It Up!" diagram that accompanies each loom project.  Each band is numbered on the diagram making it easy to follow.  As long as you load the loom in numerical order you'll have a fun and funky bracelet (my son had to learn this the hard way!).  They also provide "Load It Up!" diagrams for alternate color schemes.

A bracelet made by boy #2 for his aunt.

Next comes the sometimes tricky part of hooking the bracelet.  The book makes this part easy by providing detailed step-by-step photos along with written instructions for how to "Get Loopin'."  There are also directions for finishing your bracelets, as well as projects other than bracelets, such as earrings, a flower charm, a belt, and more.

My little guy designed and made this one.

You can take a peek at the book in the preview below:  

 

The boys and I loved making some of the bracelets in this fun new book and the nice peeps at Fox Chapel sent me an extra copy of the book to giveaway on my blog.  

To enter, leave a comment on this post telling me how crazy the kids in your life are for this rubber band jewelry.  I will pick one random winner on Saturday, November 9th.  

Due to shipping costs, this giveaway is open to addresses in US and Canada only, please.  Thanks so much for understanding!

cards in the round

Hello crafty friends!

Geesh it's a miracle these days if I can get on this little old blog.  Wish I could say that it's because I've been busy in the studio doing all kinds of crafty projects.  But.  Nope.  It's not.

We have been spending a bunch of time at the rink {like 62 times this month to be exact}.  

I will never complain.  I am grateful for this sport: grateful that all 3 boys love it fiercely, grateful for the exercise and healthy lifestyle it provides them, grateful that they are healthy enough to play a sport, grateful for the friendships they have made on the rink that carry over to off the ice, grateful for the bonding that happens between them when they play hockey in the basement, in the driveway, or while sitting on the couch watching the Bruins game.

And I never tire of watching them take to the ice.

Hockey aside, I do have some cards to share with you today.  All three of them were made with the Top Dog Dies Circle Mini Album Die as their base.

To create the folded card base from this type of die, simply fold your card stock and line up the folded edge just inside the cutting line's edge.  This keeps the fold intact so that it opens like a card.

Floral swags are hot right now.  This one can be found here in the Silhouette online store.  A bow and a doily with a simple stamped sentiment finish off this card easily.

Another thing that has been trending for a while now is pie charts.  Inspired by Sara McLachlan's song "Ice Cream, I cut the pie chart shapes from a freebie cut file from the always adorable Juliana Michaels.  You can download yours here.  Check out her other fantastic die cut downloads on her blog, too.

Lastly, I have a cute little spinner card.  I used my new sketch pens for the Silhouette Cameo to write the text on the spinner.  The little shapes are a mix of patterned papers and some Stampin' Up! stamps.  By taking elements from Juliana's pie chart cut shared above, and this spinner cut from Silhouette (the arrow and the scallop circle), I was able to design a fun and interactive birthday card.

I'm kinda in love with the circle shape as a card base.  So many possibilities from one die cut shape.

Thanks for stopping by!

top dog dies -- mason jar sewing kit

Happy Friday!

Today I have a little Mason Jar gift to share with you.  

I used Top Dog Dies Sew Much Fun die set (did I tell you how much I love that die set?!), the Darby Doily & Tags die set  and the Madison Border die to embellish a mason jar.

The pin cushion top:

Inside I included some pretty vintage buttons, a couple of spools of thread, some scissors, and a few sewing needles.

And just like that you have a sweet little gift.

That Madison Border die also makes a cute little votive holder wrap when cut from vellum and tied with a bow:

Thanks so much for joining me this week as I shared the projects I created for Top Dog Dies.  I hope you check out their site and fabulous line of dies.

Right now you can earn double reward points on your orders placed through October 20th.  And when you sign up for their rewards program (it's FREE!), they'll give you 400 points right off the bat that you can use off your first order {details here}. Also, your order of $60 or more ships free in the US.

top dog dies--gift holders

It's already day 4 of our week-long Top Dog Dies launch party.  

Today, I have two gift holders for you.

This first one uses that cute Sew Much Fun die I love so much.  I used a regular doily as a sleeve for a Project Life card from the Fifth and Frolic set.  

The card is embellished with the dress form shape from the Sew Much Fun die set and the gift card is inserted into slits on the back of the card.

Then the whole thing is wrapped with the Madison Border die (trimmed down a bit) and embellished with a banner greeting and mini clothes clip.

 This little cutie is one of my favorites and is perfect for holding any little treat you want to give (in my case, chocolate chip cookies!)

She's so easy to put together, too.

Cut the base using the Frame Front Square Card die and fold the frame portion in half to create an owl head shape.

The wings are cut from the Darby Doily and Tags die set and folded in half on the diagonal.

Embellish the owl's face as desired, fill a glassine bag with treats and she's ready to give to someone special.  I'm thinking these would be adorable Valentine gifts.  Or how about a penguin based on the same concept and used as place markers/favors at the holiday table.

Thanks so much for stopping by!

There are two more projects left to share.  How much do you love mason jars?!