Handmade Christmas And A New Year

Sorry for the hiatis but I'm sure everyone understands, the holiday season is crazy. Now that it is over it's time to get back to reality. Thankfully I had enough sense about me during the hustle and bustle to take pics of my finished projects a.k.a. Christmas presents. I'm not taking the time to edit them, center or brighten the colors. They were last minute shots and that suits to describe my life for the past month!

I have new ideas and plans for the New Year for this blog. As some of you know, my other blog is turning a year old January 1. I'm contemplating a name change to it and the direction I should head in. I'm excited for the New Year. Are you?

If you are looking for guidance for the new year, I suggest you check out SusannahConway.com and download/print a wonderful workbook.You can go directly to the blog post for the workbook here. As for me; 2011 was a terrible year. I had to work on so many issues at one time that my head was swimming from anxiety and exhaustion. I have spent the past month reflecting on where I have been and where I want to go. I'm in a much better place now. I'm still working through these pages, but thus far it has already been a tremendous help.

I'm curious if anyone else is using Susannah's workbook. If so, I'd love to hear from you and about your progress.

Here's to a wonderful year my dears full of happiness and success!

With much love,

Mika

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Give Old Shoes New Life-Notes from the Bench Tutorial

I came across a link on Twitter a few days ago for using fabric and Mod Podge to give an old pair of ballet flats new life. I have several pairs (as I grow older they are a staple in my wardrobe) but was curious if the Mod Podge really stood up to the test.

Take a look at the fabulous tutorial from Notes from the Bench. She provides a link to the original post with step by step directions that look easy as pie. I LOVE the fabric she chose for her flats. Purple is my favorite color and the geometrical design keeps it fresh.

I can't wait to try this out! Who knows I might re-fabric all of my flats! If you're going to dream, dream big!

How is everyone handling the holidays? Christmas shopping complete? Presents wrapped? If you are like me, you are far from finished!

Let's hope we can all keep our sanity this holiday season and remember to Craft Happily!

ATC Giveaway winner is...

It's November 28, 2011 at 6:00PM on the eastern coast which could only mean one thing; I have a winner to announce!

For those of you who missed the boat (so to speak) this was the prize:

Four Handmade Artist Trading Cards - or ATC's free to a good home.

I left the giveaway open for 2 weeks hoping to generate at least a smidgen of traffic; unfortunately this was not the case. Maybe it was the holiday, maybe people didn't understand the rules or maybe they just don't give a rats ass about 4 little cards that I worked very hard on? What ever the reason, I THANK each and every person who entered the contest.

The winner is: Nicole Capps! She was number 13 with her "Like" of Craft Happily!

Nicole if you would be so kind as to message me (on Facebook) your mailing address I will get those out to you this week.

As for the other 3 participants I will be sending you each a personalized atc as a token of my appreciation.

Congratulations to Nicole!

Thank you all for entering <3

Thanksgiving-ATC Giveaway

In honor of the "giving" in Thanksgiving I'm excited to announce Craft Happily's first Giveaway!

What makes this giveaway so special is the fact you (can) give the reward away. The prize are four handmade ATC cards! Some of you might be asking "What is an ATC card?" It's short for Artistic Trading Cards. The cards are mini works of art as their size is 2.5" x 3.5". You can use these for scrapbooking, collecting, display them as art, or give them to friends/family/artists in appreciation.

I chose four occasions Female Birthday, Male Birthday, Just Because and Christmas. They are small enough to fit in card envelopes or even used as a tag on a present.

For each entry please leave a SEPARATE comment letting me know you have completed each entry. I will be using random.org to choose the winner.

**Mandatory Entry: Leave a comment below - even if you say something nice**

#2 Entry: "Like" Craft Happily on Facebook


#3 Entry: "Like" Garnet Photography & Jewelry on Facebook


#4 Entry: Follow @CraftHappily on Twitter


#5 Entry: Follow Craft Happily on Google Friend Connect - Listed as "Followers" on the sidebar


#6 Entry: +1 this on Google by clicking the +1 button at the bottom of the post

#7 Entry: Join Craft Happily's Facebook Group


Optional entries that can be done DAILY and are worth 1 entry each:



*Share this post on Facebook -Remember to comment here to let me know!


*Share this post on Twitter - Please include your Twitter tag in your comment

*Vote for Craft Happily on picketfenceblogs.com by clicking "We're on the Fence!" button to the left - Remember to comment here to let me know!

Giveaway ends Monday November 28, 2011 at 6pm Eastern Time.
Giveaway is open to everyone. No rules on residency.
Winner will be announced on Twitter/Facebook and blog post. If you comment as Anonymous please leave your name and/or email address. Winner will have 48 hours to provide shipping information. If after 48 hours there is no response another entry at random will be chosen.  No purchase necessary – void where prohibited by law.

Good luck to everyone!

If you have questions/concerns I am always available through the above networks or you may email crafthappily(at)hotmail(dot)com

Kite Bow Organizer Tutorial

Ello Gov'na ((in my best attempt to be British)) I hope your day is/has been lovely and bright.

It's hard to believe Thanksgiving is a little over a week away! I'm not ready for Christmas! Of course I'm never ready. I'm a total procrastinator - spending the last 3 days trying to find a gift and wrap it! No thanks to the economy, this year just as last I will be making most of my gifts. I've bookmarked several to keep things 'fresh' and as we grow even closer to the holiday I will be sharing some of them with you.

I keep returning to a tutorial on Ruffles And Stuff's blog. "Kite Bow Organizer Tutorial" It is simply precious and easy! Metal clothes hanger, fabric, ribbon and a hot glue gun. Done! Check out her post, you can thank me later!

Be sure to return to the blog tomorrow. We are having our first giveaway! Want a tiny hint as to what it is? You can share this with male and female birthdays, Christmas and "Just because"!

Until tomorrow; Craft Happily!

Day of the Dead-Sugar Skull

I did it! I finished my first painting in years! Even though in my eyes it looks like something a 2 year old would paint I refuse to critique and criticize myself over this piece. I made it in dedication of family members that have passed on. Death is something I find myself talking about often. Not in terms of "When I'm going to die" but in remembrance of close family/friends that I think of daily. This painting is for each and every loved one I have lost.

For those of you that do not understand the Mexican tradition of Day of the Dead or Sugar Skulls you are missing out on a very meaningful holiday. Allow me to enlighten you with a link to Wikipedia.

My finished painting. November 1-2 I will have a little shrine set up with candles, photos and poems of my departed...along with this piece. 

In other news: Here is the most  recently discussed topic in Craft Happily's Facebook Group.

"Yarn Wrapped Pipe Cleaner Words" on Blogher.com

New and newsworthy:

"2,000 suspended dandelions" by unruly things

How cool is this?!?!

Also from the Group - Jade has asked the question: "Do you all have any suggestions for an easy craft a 6 year old could make for Christmas presents? I've been thinking of something like magnets, but don't really know. Thanks!" Several of you have responded but I know there are a lot of ideas to share! Any thoughts?

Until next time Craft Happily.

DIY-Dixie Cup Light Garland

Hello everyone! Hope you are well for this Monday night. I have been a busy bee lately and the proof is in the pudding - or rather the blog post! Could someone enlighten me on why we have that silly saying? Were there imitation puddings and Jell-O's comeback was this slogan? I know it's way off track but it raises a good question!

Yes - as I was saying I have been busy. One of the very first pictures I pinned on Pinterest was a Dixie Cup Garland Tutorial from Hey Gorgeous. The more I thought about this idea the more I wanted to give it a go. In the original How-To they wrapped their cups in scrap paper but I happened to be lucky enough to find a cool pattern on the bathroom Dixie Cups. If you don't like the design or you are wanting to have a certain "Theme" (AKA: Christmas, Halloween, Wedding, Birthday) then by all means cut scrap paper and wrap away!

In the original tutorial they marked the bottom of the cups with a x in pencil...I did not lol. Call me lazy but I wanted to make this as simple as possible...so I eyed where my x should go and cut away with a straight blade knife.

Once I had enough cups cut to cover the amount of lights I wanted covered I pushed the light through the x. Note: You can cut 100 cups to cover an 100 count string of lights, but I see no use in this due to the fact some of them will be hidden.

Please ignore the dirty fingernails, as you must get dirty to play!

And voila!

A 200 count of Dixie Cups was less than $3, so this is a very affordable DIY...and just look at how cute it turned out?!?!?!

Thoughts? Have a tutorial to share? We would love to hear from you and for you to join our group on Facebook!

PS: I started a paper.li today called "Crafting Daily" Be sure to check it out daily to see the latest blogs/tutorials and crafts from around the web!