Crafts in my Kitchen: Yarn-Wrapped Snowman

Hi Crafters!

There's a decided lack of snow (and rain) here in California, so I created a little snowman that doesn't need snow. Its the craft that the kids (and moms!) and I crafted in my kitchen this month - a yarn-wrapped snowman.  If you're stuck inside waiting for a snowstorm to stop or don't have any snow to work with, why not craft along! It's easy and the materials are readily available.

Yarn-wrapped Snowman

To start, make balls with scrap paper.  I used old computer printer paper.  Make a ball for a head and one or two for the body.  Shape them by rolling or pushing against your work surface.

Next, wrap the balls with yarn until the paper is covered. Add a little glue to hold the ends down.

Glue the balls together.  You can use a toothpick to connect the balls together more securely if you like.

Now, it's time to decorate.  You can use felt, buttons, chenille stems, pom poms, wiggle eyes or whatever you like and have around the house.

Here's a cute snowman that one of the kids created:

Happy Crafting!
Terry

Craft and Hobby Show Recap

Hi Crafters!

Earlier this month, I spent a week in Anaheim.  No, not at Disneyland - at the crafty version of Disneyland - the Craft and Hobby Show.  It's a great time to see the latest craft products, connect with colleagues, and learn some new techniques.

This year I worked with one of the new exhibitors, Eye Connect Crafts.  Erin, the owner and designer of the Totem Poppets and Lace-Ups, took photos of the booth from set-up to tear-down.  You can see those on her blog.

I wasn't able to walk the show as thoroughly as I have in previous years, but I caught a few booths in photos.  Here's the Beadalon booth for us jewelry makers.  They had displays featuring trends on each corner of their booth.

Beadalon - Animal Prints

Beadalon - Tassels

Beadalon - Shades of Gray

Beadalon - Geometry

One of the most popular was the booth created by Spinrite Yarns.  They created their version of Narnia in yarn - Yarnia!  You could walk through the wardrobe and into the snow scene with the battle scene along side.  It featured many different yarns used in everything from animal fur to chainmail!  My favorites were the animals! 

Through the Wardrobe

Beavers

A Wolf

An Owl

The Fox

Yarnia in the Snow

Ready for Battle

 
And, I was able to take one class on layering using mixed media.  I had a great time and actually finished the project!  Seth Apter was a great teacher and kept us moving along as we used paint, stamps, stencils and masking to create our artwork.  Since I had never worked in this way and didn't have a clue on how to start, this was a great introduction to layering one technique over the other.

Here's how mine turned out:

My Class Project from Mixed Media Layer Conveyer with Seth Apter

Hope you enjoyed this brief tour of the show.  If you want to see more of the CHA Show in photos, check out Julie McGuffee's blog:  Life in the Craft Lane.  You'll feel like you've been there!

Happy Crafting!

Terry

Designer Crafts Connection - Favorite Products

Hi Crafty Friends!
Welcome to the Designer Crafts Connection on the first Monday of 2015!  Today, we're sharing our favorite products.  

I had several that I worked with last year that I really enjoyed.  The first one is probably not new to a lot of you scrapbookers and card makers, but it is new to me and I am having a great time learning all the ins and outs of it.  I bought a Sizzix Big Kick and a few dies and embossing folders and, for the first time in many years, I made my own Christmas cards.  Here's a few I made:

  I added torn edges and some copper ink along with thread.  I'm excited to try this machine with embossing on metals of various kinds especially recycled pieces from packaging.

Another new product that I tried this year was the fun and innovative Totem Poppets and Lace-Ups from Eye Connect Crafts.  There are just so many ways to add these to your artwork!  Here's a wreath I made with the Owl Poppet this year:

I received the Totem Poppets from Eye Connect Crafts to use in my design work.  I'll also be working in the booth at the Craft and Hobby Show, so look for us in the New Vendor area if you attend the show!  As part of the Poppet package, I also received an eyelet setter from Fiskars.  It is the best tool for setting eyelets that I have ever used.  It sets eyelets consistently and easily.

I've got a few more things on my work table that I haven't tried yet and with all the new products at the Craft and Hobby Show in just a few days, I'll have a lot to share in the New Year! 

Happy New Year!  And, here's to a great year of crafting!

Terry