Origami Paper Bracelet



We are stuck inside with a nasty cold but that won't keep us from creating something to brighten our day!

I just happened to have a wooden bangle I had picked up from The Paper Place awhile ago..

Using some paper I have stashed away from a trip to Japan many years ago and some decoupage glue, Isabella was able to create a pretty paper covered bangle. I love the colours!




Simply cut some small strips of paper so that it can wrap around the bangle.

Apply decoupage glue in small applications on the bangle and gently wrap the paper strip around the wood. Make sure you smooth out any air bubbles or wrinkles as you go. When you finish wrapping a strip apply another layer of glue to help it smooth out and stay put.



Repeat making your way around the bangle. So simple!

We added a final application of glue at the end.
Find a safe place for it to dry where it won't stick.

Enjoy!

Happy News & Fabric Love!



I had some happy news this week when the lovely Jessika of Oh My handmade invited me to be a contributor to her inspiring website.

I was thrilled to feature the fabulous Karyn Valino owner of The Workroom. Just walking by The Workroom's storefront will make you want to run inside and buy as many fat quarters as your arms can carry. Then if you don't know what to do with it (like me because I am such an amateur seamstress) register for one of their amazing classes!

Here is an image from my visit to The Workroom this week. See the full article with more pictures at Oh My Handmade!

Happy Valentine's Day!


Some of our Valentine's treats...


bags of hugs and kisses...


message in a bottle...


classroom treats...


Have a joyful day of sharing your love.

xo Debra



Peanut Butter Love!




You have to try this recipe.

Chocolate Peanut Butter Cups via Design Sponge go there to get the full how-to and recipe.

You probably have everything you need right now to make these. So make them!
You won't regret it. They are surprisingly simple. They are divine...that is if you like peanut butter and chocolate together.

Ingredients:
*chocolate (I used Callebaut chips that I picked up from a local bakery supply store)
*natural peanut butter. Kraft makes a completely natural peanut butter that I like because it is still smooth to work with.
* graham crackers *icing sugar * paper cupcake liners

I made the peanut butter cups. They didn't last long!

and then...I had some left over peanut butter mixture and melted chocolate so I added some rice crispy cereal, mixed, and rolled into balls. Put them in the freezer for 15 minutes to harden and dip in melted chocolate
...voila! peanut butter rice crispy balls

Enjoy! A yummy treat to share with your sweetheart.


Vintage Arrow Craft




I came across this fantastic tutorial over at the Thompson Family blog
the other day and decided to try it with my daughter and her friend.
They declared it the "coolest craft ever".

you'll need a rainbow of paint colours and a wooden dowel to start.

paint stripes on the dowel...

let the paint dry and then use some podge or glue to add strips of paper and fabric (adds texture!)

visit the Thompson Family blog for the complete tutorial and to download the lovely feathers.
You could also use craft feathers but we didn't have any on hand. Just print out the feathers, cut and hot glue onto small wooden skewers. Then we glued the feathers onto the dowel. We also added some Japanese washi tape to help secure the feathers.

ta da!

cupids arrows for your sweetie!









Valentine's Crayon Hearts

A handmade Valentine treat...


C r a y o n . H e a r t s



Ella has her crayons ready to bake!


Nolan eagerly watches them melt.


fresh from the oven...


cooled and ready to package for friends

Kelly and her children had a blast making these crayons.
These are a fun, handmade alternative to candy treats for friends at school! Plus...a great way to recycle old and broken crayons.

Thanks for sharing Kelly!

For the how-to visit Martha Stewart website here.

Hint! Kelly used silicone molds so they can be removed more easily.

Photographs courtesy of Kelly Smyth.








A Sweet Paper Doll Valentine Party!



I thought I would share with you the Valentine's Day party I produced and photographed for issue #4 of the lovely Babiekins Magazine!

Grab a warm drink, relax and enjoy the latest issue of Babiekins Magazine here. I think you'll enjoy the amazing children's fashion, decor, fabulous art and beautiful photography.



Invite friends by sending out vintage valentines with details of the party written on the back of the postcard or order some custom invitations from my Etsy shop.








Fun vintage table and décor ideas include vintage doll suitcases, handmade pinwheels courtesy of twirliewhirlies.etsy.com, vintage books and stacks of cozy chenille, a dollhouse, miniature tea sets, and paper dolls. Send your guests home with a beautiful, vintage inspired fabric doll just for her from babytogo.etsy.com


Wooden peg dolls from gemmielou.etsy.com make lovely take home d.i.y. craft! I used tin boxes and filled them with pieces of vintage fabric, thread and ribbon to create little dresses for the peg dolls. You could also package the peg dolls with small containers of pretty paint, a paintbrush and glitter.



Sweet cinnamon heart
treat bags are fun and easy to make.




Every party needs treats! Cupcakes with fluffy icing and sprinkles, glittery pink star cookies and old fashioned empire cookies look pretty and are delicious. You could also serve miniature sandwiches cut out with cookie cutters and pretty paper cupcake liners filled with fresh berries and maybe something sweet and pink to drink like raspberry cordial…yum!




You can purchase lovely vintage paper dolls and doll clothes on Etsy! A sweet paper bunting was created from photocopied vintage paper doll dresses.


Create miniature sweets at your party using Fimo clay and Japanese clay molds. 
Your guests will have fun creating miniature desserts and treats. Roll the clay until it is soft and easy to work with. Cut off a small piece and press into the mold. Release from the mold and continue until you have created all the parts of your clay dessert. The clay can be baked in the oven and ready for your guests to take home at the end of the party. You could package them for take-out in miniature bakery boxes available at bakery supply stores and on Etsy.


Make-ahead decorations include cupcake flags made using pretty Japanese Washi tape from www.thepaperplace.ca Simply fold a piece of tape around a wooden toothpick and cut to desired shape.
Happy Valentine's Day!















Vintage Displays




old revolving metal display rack from twentytimesi.etsy.com

I have an obsession with vintage storage vessels. When I spot a perfect little ceramic planter, an aluminum loaf tin, or an old metal box I can't help but pick it up and give it a new purpose.

Luckily, these utilitarian objects make great retail display pieces too!

Easy to find on Etsy, thrift shops and antique markets they make great alternatives to some of the bland retail display units that are on the market.


vintage tin box from everyeskimo.etsy.com

antique black metal clipboard from luckylittledot.etsy.com

upcycled hanger from whatsnewonthemantel.etsy.com

vintage baking pans from peachparlor.etsy.com

vintage industrial steel storage cabinet from BMTvintage.etsy.com

pint sized vintage berry basket from stoneycreekmerc.etsy.com

vintage metal numbered drawer from Hindsvik.etsy.com

bakery twine
+
mini clothespins
=
hanging card display



Vintage printers racks, suitcases, wooden ladders, sewing boxes and soda crates also make fantastic display and storage pieces.

I use these items in my show booths to store and display my products. Shoppers love the vintage aesthetic!

For more ideas, visit my Flickr photostream to see pictures from some of my displays. It will give you an idea of how I have incorporated vintage finds.

I'd love to hear how you incorporate vintage finds into your home or business. Please share!