Streamer Ruffle Christmas Trees

Can you take one more streamer ruffle idea???  How about some streamer ruffle Christmas trees?
To see the ruffled gift wrap or to see how to make ruffled streamers, go to this post:  Ruffled Streamers.

 I started with some green and white ruffled streamers, styrofoam trees, and some pins.  It took me about 8-9 feet of ruffled streamer to go over the large tree.

To do the green and white one, you should place the streamer at the bottom of the tree with the white streamer overlap on top and the white part facing up.

Pin in place to secure, then start wrapping!  Make sure you go over the bottom of the tree so that you cover the Styrofoam.  When you get to the top of the tree, form the top into a point and secure with another pin.  Done!!!

The green one is just one streamer gathered at one edge and wrapped around.  It gave it a lot more volume, so that's another technique you can try!

Of course, I had to make a snow scene to display the trees.  I decided to get out my Memere's (great grandmother) antique Christmas figures.

I displayed these every year as a child, but I'm afraid they have lead paint, so I won't put them out anymore.  They came out for a little shoot style though!

I actually think the pine cone elves would have been better, but I gave them all away!  Oh well!

A little yellow streamer star for the top!

Added to:

Christmas Planner

Yay!  It's the Christmas season!  I like Thanksgiving a lot, but I LOVE Christmas!  I can't wait to decorate later on tonight!

I'd like to share an organizational project that I made last night.

First of all, many of the ideas are adapted from the blog eighteen25 - a REALLY fun blog to read!
They showed how to make Christmas planners out of composition notebooks.  2011 Planners

I liked theirs a lot, but I wanted to change it. I wanted a notebook that would last me several years, where I could keep track of the presents I gave, etc.  I also wanted to use my Zutter machine and make it spiral bound.  Finally, several of their tabs weren't relevant to me.  I don't do the menu planning for any special events, nor do I completely understand what their "Card" tab is for. 

Oh, and I wanted to use graph paper because I hate horizontal lined paper.  I need to write on zero lines (plain copy paper) or too many lines (graph paper).  But that's just me being weird (err...quirky!).

ANYWAY...
I decided on 4 tabs - Calendar, To Do, Christmas List, and Projects. 

• I cut some 8.5x11 paper (copy and graph) down to 5.5x 7.85.  I used the copy paper for calendar and projects and graph paper for To Do and Christmas List.  I stuck a piece of scrapbook paper at the beginning of each section and attached a tab indicating the section.  The paper I cut for the tab was 2x2, but I folded it in half to make it 1x2. 

• I cut two manilla file folders to 6x8 to use as the covers.  I adhered scrapbook paper to the file folder and decorated the cover a bit. I also used some translucent plastic I had for organizing scrapbook paper to serve as a protective cover.  I cut it to 6x8 with my paper cutter.  

• I bound all that with the zutter and 3/4" coil. 

• I attached a bell with ribbon - mostly for decoration, but slightly so I could find it in my bag or diaper bag!  Sheepish grin!

• For the envelopes inside, I bought 6x9 inch envelopes at Staples, but they were a bit too big for my book.  After I bound the book, I cut the envelops on the sides and bottom to fit the inside covers and I sewed around the three edges to keep it secure.

• I printed out the calendar pages from here (same place as eighteen25, but I opted for a month calendar instead of weekly ones).

• Added a few graphics and strips of scrapbook paper, and I was good to go with my new Christmas planner!

It would be easy to recreate with a small spiral notebook or a composition book like eighteen25 did.  Their graphics are really cute, but they are year specific.  If anyone would like the graphics I used, please send me an email to quaint and quirky at gmail dot com or leave a comment with your email address and I'll send you the file!  I can put the words in black, red, green, or multicolored like I used!

I'm adding this to the tatertots and jello weekend link up party!

Bag and Fabric Winners - (and another small giveaway)

Good Afternoon!

I hope everyone enjoyed Sew Mama Sew's Giveaway Day(s)!  I think I have participated in every one and they just get more fun every time!

For each prize, I put all the entries into a spreadsheet and asked a human integer generator (my husband) to pick from the range of numbers.  He apparently couldn't handle the pressure, because he passed the duty on to his assistant at work.  So, winners, you can thank Amanda! 

The winner of the tote bag is #118 and that is A Joyful Chaos!

The winner of the fabric and ribbon is #54 Kimberly!

I will contact the winners and send out the prizes!

In the meantime, if you would like your own laminated envelope without doing the work of the tutorial below, comment on this post.  I'll pick the winner on Sunday!  I didn't photograph the finished product, but I photographed the papers I used. Rest assured, it will arrive in envelope form! ;)

Laminated Envelope Tutorial - (subtitled "Making Your Budget Cute")

Soon (as in next month), my husband and I will be going from two reliable, predictable, incomes down to one reliable income and one not too reliable or predictable income.  It's what we want in order for me to stay home with my new baby when she arrives, but it means the "B" word.  Budget.  We are going on a cash budget for things like groceries, toiletries, diapers, etc.  That means I have to keep the cash in my bag and not succumb to my friend the Debit Card.  So far, I have learned one very important thing:

In order for this budget to work, the envelope I store the cash in needs to be cute.

So, I made it cute.  You could use this for coupons, recipes, or storing receipts.  Anything where cute is required to maintain order.  In my life, cute is always required to maintain order.  Another thing you can add to the envelope is this Organic Produce Guide that I found on my friend Tara's blog.  (It's a cute way to remember what to always buy organic and what isn't as important).


Supplies:

• A piece of 12x12 scrapbook paper (double sided is best and easiest)
• Double sided tape
• Scissors, pencil
• Laminate

1. First, you need to make an envelope template.  An A2 envelope perfectly fits cash and I wanted my envelope to be small enough to easily fit in my purse.  It also fits well on a 12x12 piece of paper.  I steamed it open using my teapot and some tongs.  [I felt like some kind of secretary spy from the 40s or something.]  Just don't burn yourself on the steam!  Use the oven mitt!  And the tongs!

Use the completely opened envelope to A.  Trace on your 12x12 piece of paper or B. Trace on a piece of cardboard to use as a permanent template.  I chose to do the latter.

I cut out the envelope shape to create the template.

2.  Next, cut out the envelope from your chosen paper.  The template is great because you can see what you are cutting and make sure everything is lining up.

3.  Next, laminate what will be the INSIDE of your envelope (in my case, the flowers).  Trim the laminate so it is even with the edge of the paper.  Once it is laminated, fold all flaps in to pre-crease them. 

4.  Then, using double sided tape (mine I folded in half to make it thinner), assemble the envelope.

Place the double sided tape along the bottom edge of the envelope's side flap.

5.  Laminate the side of the envelope with the pocket.  Cut the laminate slightly larger than the pocket part, then trim the laminate so it is even with the sides of the paper.  This is the laminate I used:

(This laminate is repositionable, so it is easy to use!)

Smooth the laminate as you go to get rid of any air bubbles or wrinkles (you could use a bone folder - I used my fingers).

6.  Lastly, laminate the smooth side of the envelope, including the top flap.  Leave about a 1/8" edge around the envelope, then fold it over to the pocket side to seal it all in!

This is the envelope before it is trimmed to an 1/8" edge.

7. Insert money and go SHOPPING!

Giveaway Day!

Today is Giveaway Day in blogland!  The lovely ladies at Sew Mama Sew coordinate a giveaway day each year.  This year, my giveaway is a bit of a twist.  I figure that many people coming here from Sew Mama Sew probably know how to sew already.  So I went in a different direction.  I'm giving away a book I made. The book blank I used is from The Paper Source,. 

I use my version of this book to plan all my sewing projects.  The inside is grided, which is great for sketching. It's a perfect size to slip in a bag - not too small OR too big! 

While I was taking the pictures, I shut the dog out of the room.  Here is what he had to say about it:

(Yes, we need to replace these old doors!)

Details:  I will ship to the United States and Canada.  International must pay shipping.  Please leave a comment telling me your favorite holiday decoration (or just leave a comment if you don't have one).  I will choose a winner on December 6th and ship shortly after that!

Have fun and happy Giveaway Day!

Edited to add:  I would love to increase my followers list.  When I get to 100, I am going to do another giveaway for anyone on the followers list. Add me?  We can be friends!

Greetings Guests

Ahhhh..... more projects! I love posting projects!

The apron went over very well for the bride-to-be. Tomorrow is her big day and I volunteered to make her guest book. She picked out a lovely mix of papers and the end result was great! The book started out as this kit from the Paper Source (Oy, I could spend my riches in there - if I had some...)

The pages are ready for the guests to write their messages of encouragement, blessing, and congratulations! (Or simply sign their names)
These are multitasking pictures. I'm taking a photography class through JessicaSprague.com and I was practicing some photography elements like lighting and focus. Constructive feedback welcome!


I love the movie For Me and my Gal and the title song. Here are some lyrics:

Ev'rybody's been knowing, to a wedding they'e going.
And for weeks they've been sewing,
they've been sewing something old and something new,
sew something that is blue so they can make a trousseau for my gal.

This is what I feel like, except I am not sewing a trousseau, but something else altogether. Another post will come on that subject! Enjoy the long weekend. I'll be back soon with a tutorial!

Ode to a Printer

Ode to a Printer

My heart soars and thumps as I gaze

Upon your lovely gray and blueness

Your top and bottom loading trays thrill me

For the possibilities they present

Your sliding paper-guiding levers ensure

Not a sheet will print askew.

You forbear through your tasks,

Taking each one is stride –

Fabric, ribbon, vellum,

None are too daunting for you.

Your skills are known far and wide

And are called upon by others.

Wedding invitations, t-shirts, and scrapbooks

You conquer all!

Alright, this might be a little dramatic, but I do appreciate my printer. I've had it for Y E A R S and it is still going strong. The print quality is great, it has top loading and bottom loading options for more control, and has been through crafting WAR! Anyone else have appreciation for their crafting tools?

Thanks Canon Pixma IP4000!!!

M is for Madison

Today is my last day watching baby Madison so I made her a little room decoration. Her crib is black, with pink bedding and decorations, so I made this posh m for a posh little baby! The base is a paper mache letter, covered with scrapbook paper - not hoarded this time!

Some crocheted lace, a fabric yo yo (fabric from the stash!), some grosgrain ribbon, a paper flower and a brad for the center.

I think this is a fun baby gift. Usually I buy books for new babies, but I might add this to my repertoire in addition to the books. A little premade, a little homemade!