Twigs and Tulle

Like-mindedness

2012-02-23T20:11:00.001-06:00

Being a teacher keeps me on my toes from 5:00-ish in the morning until 5:00-ish in the evening. Responsibilities and chores at home occupy the hours before my shower or bath, and I wind down for the rest of the evening either watching a show that has been dvr'd from earlier in the week or logging some time on Pinterest.

The extra committee work, the school yearbook, additional family chauffeuring duties and sheer exhaustion have kept me away from the crafty nook since Valentine's Day. I managed to buy the latest issue of Where Women Create, but have only glanced through the pages. Glancing is so completely unlike me considering the creative spaces the magazine showcases are my own personal form of crack.

Yes. Crack.

I love teaching my kindergartners, but there are days when I could do without the issues, the dramas, the meetings, the pressure, and the ill-timed spontaneous surprises like strep, pink eye, and breakfast upchucked all over the desk, floor, and/or ill student. Welcoming diverse pedagogies and professional philosophies isn't always easy, and when compromise becomes necessary, it must always be partnered with polite tolerance. Public education is exhausting. It can get old.

I'm not a professional crafter or artisan. I don't attend fabulous artsy retreats, though I'd love to immerse myself in a world of inspiration and creativity away from young children. I've taught only a few crafty classes myself, but have loved sharing what I enjoy so much with others. Not having the time or energy to spend in the crafty nook might actually be starting to depress me.

Flipping through Where Women Create, I had this *flash* as my eyes quickly skimmed over page 47. "She listened to her heart above all other voices" was the quote, and there was my white crafty tool organizer, sitting and staring at me from the middle of Beth Quinn's worktable. Of course it's her organizer. But it's the same one I have. She uses it the same way I use mine. Her love for organization, subdued sparkle and typography is a close match to the environment I eventually hope to create for myself in the crafty nook. The *flash* was the recognition of so much more than our similar taste. The *flash* was the realization that I desperately miss like-mindedness.

I don't consider myself religious though I admire the iconography of faith. I'm not a member of any wife or parenting group though I'm married and a mother. I operate as efficiently as possible during the work week to ensure that I won't have to live in the classroom every weekend. Let me tell you, I would kill to find a setting where the participants were bound together not by competition and comparison but by creativity and sharing. Enough of tolerance and patience, I'm ready to swim in some inclusivity. Instead of escaping, I want to belong, full time. I want my creative friends to win the lottery and move closer to me. I want to make new friends who aren't tethered, gagged, or otherwise limited by their profession so we can explore, create and discuss something ~other~ than No Child Left Behind, data-driven assessment, and politics.

I want to enjoy and appreciate so much more with like-minded folks.

♡ ~Happy Valentine's Day~ ♡

2012-02-14T05:49:00.001-06:00

Our first day of ~real~ snow but a Snow Day wasn't called.

Thank goodness there was enough left after school yesterday to make a Snowy Valentine Girl!

Happy pinkness, happy love, happy affection, happy friendship.

Happy smooches, happy hugs, happy contentment.

~♡~

I ♡ Hearts

2012-02-05T17:35:00.000-06:00

I know I've mentioned it before:

I ♡ hearts.

I've loved heart shaped cards, candy bowls, earrings, bracelets, Hallmark valentine pins, Avon kitsch lip gloss containers, pearlized containers a la the 1980's, cakes, candies and ornaments for most of my life. Heart shaped jewelry and clothing embroidered or appliqued with hearts have filled my jewelry box and closet for ~years~, and I've lately started to crochet little hearts, just for fun.

My first valentine swap was with Sarah over at Makin' Projiks several years ago, and it was such a wonderful experience that I knew I'd have to participate in more swaps whenever I had the opportunity and time. Thankfully, crafty friend Laurie from Indulge Your Shelf invited me to her valentine swap this year, motivating me to finish setting up my crafty nook so I could play with all things pink, glittery, paperish and repurposed.

These ornies were my contribution to the swap:

Pink bulbs on paper medallions, wrapped with vintage trims and lace scraps, itty bitty pretty fun... oh, and the glitter, don't forget the glitter!

The package from Laurie arrived earlier in the week, but with the dreary weather and hectic schedule, I decided to save it as a reward for myself once the weekend rolled around. What a treat it was, opening it this morning:

I hope to track down these new-to-me swap participants this week, because *wow*, just ~wow~, look!

Such sweetness, such prettiness, such valentine perfection!

Thank you Laurie, and thank you valentine swappers! Happy Valentine's Day to you all!

Christening the New Crafty Nook

2012-01-23T06:00:00.003-06:00

I can't stop referring to it as my crafty nook. Yes, it's a room, no longer the five-by-five space in a daylight basement (that would eventually be destroyed by a flood) that it used to be.

It's spacious. It's mostly organized. It's ready to be christened.

Let's start here:

...and make a mock up for a valentine swap:

There we go. Get the pieces organized, and make sure the hot melt glue sticks and needle and thread are within reach:

Clear a little space for the happy assembly line:

Forget to photograph the glittering process. Forgetting allows the camera to remain glue-and-glitter-free, which is probably a good thing for all of its little buttons.

Move to the windowsill, full of daylight:

And the crafty nook has now successfully produced its maiden craft project.

Sweet.

*****

I've been enjoying Pinterest lately- what beautiful things have you been pinning there?

Home-Sweet-Crafty-Nook: The Upgrade

2012-01-22T08:44:00.000-06:00

It's been months since I've blogged. The fact that I had to use the word "months" in my opening greeting to you instead of "days" or even "weeks" boggles my brain. I've missed writing, sharing, and blogging. I've missed seeing what you've been creating and discovering, and I've missed what used to be my weekend routine of sipping coffee, blog hopping, making a mess in my crafty nook, and photographing whatever transpired from playing with paper, ribbon and glue.

Let me catch you up, by which of course I also mean let-me-have-that-feeling-that-I've-now-caught-up-and-can-relax-breathe-and-get-crafty again.

If you read my last post (yes, yes, m-o-n-t-h-s ago), you'll remember we bought a house. It's pretty close to being our dream house, on property just large enough to add more of our "someday we'll have" elements. I'll have a garden, he'll add a shop. We've bought appliances and furniture. It's all very grownupish and wonderful.

But the move, the unpacking, the situating, and the tweaking have taken all of these months, instead of our usual one or two weeks. Why? Because as a military family, we've always managed to move over the summer, when I'm not working and the sun seems to give us a few extra minutes of daylight. Moving mid-year, when additional responsibilities at work are requiring more time has been tough, prolonging that not-quite-settled-yet feeling for me.

Military wives learn how to work hard and work fast to get their families settled, comfortable, and into a consistent routine after they've relocated, it's how this lifestyle works. I'm the woman who has to have artwork and photos on the wall sooner rather than later. Closets arranged, cabinetry organized, furniture zones established and comfy. "You have a lifetime to unpack now that you own your own house" is not advice that works for me, but it's a truth I've begrudgingly compromised with as day after day, the rooms remained unfinished.

The last room to be touched was my crafty nook. The movers emptied all of the boxes after they piled the furniture into the back corner of the room. Magazines, paper, ribbons, buttons, hole punches, hot melt glue sticks, anything and everything was piled or strewn across every surface... it still makes me shudder to think about it. A few days after Christmas, I couldn't take it anymore. Unorganized and unusable are two things a crafty space should never ever be!

With help from Dear Daughter and Dear Husband (and many thanks to the Wii for keeping The Kindergartner occupied in the family room), things came together nicely:

All I need now are a comfy reading chair, itty bitty table (just the right size for a small plate of nummies and a mug of coffee), and time to create and blog.

Until then, I'll take what I can get, and continue to pinch myself over the fact that what began several years ago as the crafty nook, has now become a craft room.

Crazy Busy

2011-10-10T18:13:00.000-05:00

It's been c-r-a-z-y busy here on my end of the internet!

I'm a full time teacher.

Correction: I'm a full time kindergarten teacher.

I'm a full time wife and mother as well.

We're buying a house. This is a BIG DEAL for our family, since it means Uncle Sam's say-so over where we live is coming to an end.

Yes, Dear Husband is retiring, and preparing himself for his next big adventure, whatever that might be. I strongly suspect he'll be busy fulfilling honey-do wishes that I may or may not be directly responsible for once we have our keys grasped tightly in our fists.

But I **have** snuck some time here and there for myself to create a few kits, and a few custom orders for friends of friends:

Though not photographed, I added green tulle and off-white lace ties between each pennant... hope the birthday girl likes her banner!

Of course by the looks of my table, I'll need to do a bit of cleaning before the packers/movers come to transfer my family out of one home and into another.

Into OUR home.

Into our happily-ever-after.

*****

How have you been? Are you ready for Halloween and other wonderful autumn celebrations?

Crafty Class: Boo-tiful Bunting Fun!

2011-09-24T17:16:00.000-05:00

Our crafting class at The Peacock Cafe was so much fun! Crafty ladies and little misses played with paper, cardstock, ribbon, tulle, lace, and trim remnants to create an autumn mini-banner.

Providing fuel for our creative processes? Kelly and Jen and the Cafe's delicious sandwiches, salads, iced coffee and desserts!

If you were unable to join us today, extra kits are available at the Cafe for $10 (but get there soon, there's only two of each design left!). You can pick one up and follow the step-by-step tutorial (previous post) to "get your craft on" at home to create your own bunting.

Check back in for details on Sheila's October Soldering Workshop on The Peacock Cafe's page on Facebook!

Autumn and Halloween Mini-Bunting Tutorial

2011-09-23T22:25:00.001-05:00

I'm looking forward to the weekend as I'll ~again~ be spending time with other crafty souls at The Peacock Cafe! This time we'll be making autumn/Halloween mini-bunting for gifts and home or holiday decor:

Jacks and Skulls (sounds like Jackson Skulls, doesn't it?)...

Country Pumpkin (soooo much nicer than "Country Bumpkin!")...

The Tatty Boo Bunting (using lace and trim remnants on these has been FUN!)...

... and a much less spooky yet fabulous-for-fall Autumn Song Bunting (the leaves have been cut from music pages).

Several friends and friendly strangers have purchased kits from me, but will be unable to attend tomorrow's class, which means it's time for...

A PHOTO TUTORIAL (insert dramatically happy music here)!

This post will be photo-heavy, which I'm hoping will be more helpful than tedious. I'll be creating more autumn and holiday kits that I'll list in my Etsy shop, but they will not match the ones in this post. Their style and assembly steps will match, making this an easy tutorial to bookmark for a later date.

All printed-design papers, cardstock, ribbon, tulle and buttons were purchased at well-known crafts stores. The paper, vintage text, lace, and trim remnants were found or gifted, which is why the kits are limited. Three cheers for breathing new life into older crafty materials!

*****

Start by laying out the three square panels, and make sure the holes are positioned at the top of the bunting:

Lace your ribbon through the holes, being careful not to pull too hard. While cardstock is pretty sturdy, layered paper is less so.

For this pattern, I've laced the ribbon beginning UNDER the panel, then up and OVER the front surface, diving back down under, but you ~could~ lace it the other way, which would create this:

A peek at the panels laced the way I prefer them:

They slide quite a bit, so make sure that the center panel is positioned at the mid-point of the ribbon, and space the other two panels an equal distance from it. The extra ribbon should be equal lengths on either side for tying.

Make sure your panels have an inch or inch-and-a-half of ribbon between them (you need the space for the tulle and lace ties):

To keep the panels from sliding, use glue or hot glue on the underside of the ribbon and press the ribbon against the paper, OR after positioning the panels, gently lift up the ribbon and add a dollop of hot glue where the ribbon will fall, gently pressing the ribbon into the glue and smoothing it out (it might try to adhere in a wiggly fashion, so work fast):

Find your three pieces of mis-matched lace or trim, and place one on each panel, running horizontally along the middle of each square:

Glue your lace pieces down, trim the edges if necessary (I like a bit of overhang) and find your long strips of cardstock. Fold them accordion style (like a paper fan, back/forth/back/forth):

Make sure both ends of the strip end with folds facing the same direction:

Glue one end over the other to form a ring:

You'll have three rings with which to form center medallions:

Make sure you have your large paper circles handy (you'll need six, one for the top of each medallion and one for the back):

Take a ring and press it down:

When flat, add hot glue to the center and top it with a large circle. You'll need to hold the medallion flat as the glue cools and hardens. Once cool, flip the medallion over, add glue to the center, and use another large circle as the backer:

When all three medallions are cool, glue them to the middle of each square panel:

Organize your leaf cut-outs, smaller round circles, and buttons. You'll layer them on top of each accordion-folded medallion:

Use hot glue to add the leaf:

...and the smaller circle:

...and the button:

Separate the tulle and lace strands:

Tuck one strip of lace into a single width of tulle, pinching it together, and tie it with a knot around the exposed ribbon:

Trim the ends of the ties using pinking shears or scissors, depending on which gives you the finished edges you like:

Gently pull apart the tulle and lace, "fluffing" it a bit:

Cut dovetails into both ends of the tying ribbon:

And **whew**, after you've folded, glued, layered, tied and snipped, you're ready to display your mini-bunting:

FABulous!

*****

Other three-panel mini-bunting kits follow the same steps for assembly; only the items "layered" or lace/trim locations change a bit. Take a close look at the product photo(s) to see how each is completed.

Boo!

2011-09-03T17:22:00.000-05:00

My apologies for the lack of posts: I'm back to school full time and for some reason, our internet/phone service has been spotty at best since the summer heat kicked in mid-June. I'll be able to log on for two minutes, and then *poof*, we're offline for twenty. ~Poof~ and I have service for half an hour, then *poof*, it's gone again. So much for posting, and so much for visiting everyone else's crafty, beautiful blogs!

You can't tell, but I'm typing QUICKLY, trying to beat the next *poof*.

There's an upshot to the on-again-off-again internet dilemma though:

More time in the crafty nook!

I'll be participating in a Halloween Ornie Swap in late September, so I played with paper, buttons, ribbon, and my new favorite crafty stuff: spray adhesive! Oh, the speed! Oh, the ease! Ooooohhhhhh..... the mess from the overspray. I'll figure a less goopy technique out soon I'm sure, but for now, I'm spraying into my trash can in an attempt to not glue my flip flops to the carpet.

You know how it goes.

Are you crafting anything fun for Halloween?

Boo-tiful Banner Class, September 24

2011-08-21T17:38:00.001-05:00

Won't you join me at The Peacock Cafe on Saturday, September 24?

I'll be showing you how to make this:

Not terribly long or wide, but just the right size for that corner, mirror, or hauntingly beautiful Halloween display many of you put up in October.

Who says Halloween can't be boo-tiful?

The banner is made from scrapbook paper, ribbon, tulle, glittered cardstock, and tattered lace and trim remnants.

Call The Peacock Cafe Tuesday-Saturday (11-4 pm), 913-651-9914 to reserve your seat.

The class fee is $15. We'll meet and craft together from 2-4 p.m. Join us earlier if you'd like to have lunch or coffee and a dessert first as Kelly and her staff have been impressing all kinds of foodies with declicious sandwiches, soups, salads, cakes, cupcakes and pies!

Please bring sharp scissors and a low-temp glue gun.

I will have additional autumn kits available for purchase for $10 if you get on a roll and would like to make more!

Hugs,

Michaele

Teaching Myself to Solder: A-B-C

2011-07-05T14:13:00.000-05:00

I love jewelry, especially charms. Charms on necklaces, charms on bracelets, "window" charms encasing beautiful imagery, sparkle, and typography... heavy charms, light charms, clang-y charms, jingle-y charms. Oh yes, bling is g-o-o-d.

Months and months ago, I had a quick introduction to soldering with Sheila out at Farmstead. As intimidating as it was to pick up a new-to-me crafting tool, Sheila shared reassuring tips as I worked, step by step, to solder around a domino. I left not only with a new autumn charm to wear, but with a new-found interest to learn more about wielding a tool I'd only ever seen used by large manly men as they did manly things.

Dear Husband gifted me with a soldering wand several months ago, but it's taken until summer break for me to ~~work up the nerve~~ have the time to plug it in and try my hand at working with copper tape, flux, wire solder, sal amoniac, and my soldering wand.

Though small, I decided to use old Scrabble tiles for practice. After wrapping the letter "A" with copper tape, I decided to use a mini-clamp to keep my fingertips out of the way of the solder, which also made it easy to hold the tile as I worked.

What did I learn with the letter "A?" ACCURACY matters: use enough copper tape to overlap at the ends. Cutting it short just won't work. See the gap?

Letter "B" reminded me that I have to BURNISH the tape firmly to the wood or surface of my charm. See the BLUCKY BUBBLES and rough edges? Burnish, burnish, burnish, but do it carefully. I got a bit too aggressive and actually tore a bit of the tape instead of adhering it.

For letter "C," I slowed down, wrapped the tape CAREFULLY, burnished it using the flat side of my bone folder, fluxed evenly, and held the tile level as the solder cooled on each side. What an improvement!

I've got a long way to go before I'll feel that soldering has become another comfortable component of my craftiness, but hey:

I've started.

*****

Happy 4th of July!

2011-07-04T15:36:00.003-05:00

Happy Birthday America!

2011-07-02T22:28:00.000-05:00

I love the red, white, and blue, don't you?

Have a fun and safe Fourth of July!

DIY Cupcake Topper KITS in My Etsy Shop

2011-07-02T13:34:00.001-05:00

Did you like the tutorial for my summertime cupcake toppers? How would you like to make your own, WITHOUT having to track down the paper, ribbon, buttons and lolly sticks?

I've assembled everything you'll need to make your own set of *12* cupcake toppers! You can purchase your kit from my Etsy shop and then refer back to the tutorial for the step by step directions.

Here's what you'll get:

12 strips of double sided print paper to form the rosettes
12 lolly sticks
12 ribbons
12 buttons
12 glittery flower paper accents
24 denim pattern paper medallions

The url to the tutorial link is also provided with the kit~

Make sure you use a low temp glue gun as your adhesive, and have fun crafting!

Cupcake Topper Tutorial: Patriotic Summer Fun!

2011-06-20T09:02:00.001-05:00

I loved teaching fellow crafty souls how to make party bunting and cupcake toppers at The Peacock Cafe! Paper, ribbon, buttons, medallions, and lolly sticks were combined to make colorful decor for patriotic summertime fun.

Cupcake toppers are easily made with cardstock or scrapbook paper... would ~you~ like to make some?

Here's what you'll need:

Two sheets of matching 12 inch X 12 inch scrapbook paper (or one sheet of cardstock): I used a simple red and white checked "picnic" patterned paper

Scrap strips 1 and 1/2 inches by 12 inches for medallion and flower punches: I used denim scrapbook paper for the round medallions and glittery white cardstock for the flowers

Buttons: red for this design

One inch diameter hole punches: scalloped round and simple flower (I purchased them at either Hobby Lobby or Michael's- they're made by The Paper Studio)

Narrow white ribbon

White cardboard type candy/lolly sticks (found in the candy making or baking section of Joann's): I used cardboard instead of wooden picks or popsicle sticks so they can be cut without creating splinters to shorten the height if necessary...

Plain adhesive (I use an Elmer's glue stick) and low temp melt glue/glue gun

Optional: Paper crimper: the strips that make the cupcake topper are accordian-folded, but if you're arthritic or have difficulty folding the strips in even increments, running the strips through the paper crimper first can make the folding MUCH easier. Brayer: used to help push air bubbles out from scrapbook pages being glued together.

*****

Directions:

If you use cardstock, SKIP THIS STEP (cardstock is thicker than scrapbook paper and will be ~difficult~ to accordian-fold if you double its thickness).

Apply glue (glue stick) evenly across the back of one sheet of scrapbook paper:

Place second sheet of patterned paper on top, "wrong" sides together, matching corner to corner, and smooth all air bubbles out. I use a brayer to prevent air pockets so the paper won't separate once it's cut.

Once dry, cut the scrapbook paper into twelve 1-inch wide strips:

If you'd like to use a paper crimper, run each strip through it one time, making sure that the paper doesn't slide sideways or slant as it goes between the rollers:

I've seen two crimpers made by Fiskars- this one that makes symmetrical grooves across the paper or cardstock (the pattern resembles corrugated cardboard), and another that crimps an uneven wavy pattern across the paper. You'll want the NON-WAVY crimper. I found mine at Michael's.

Accordian-fold the paper strips in 1/2 inch or less widths:

Alas, there's a ~tricky part~ to this cute craft!

See the ends of this strip?

The ends are both folding in toward one another, a big no-no!

If you've folded the paper so that the ends look like this (photo below) as you curve the strip around for the ends to meet, you're in GREAT SHAPE:

If the accordian folds have resulted in the strip having the "no-no"ends pictured in the first photo, simply cut off the last fold with scissors:

Now you're ready to use your hot glue gun to turn your folded strip into a ring. Apply glue so that the facing-up of one end of the strip can stick to the facing-down end of the other:

See the glue?

The seam should be an overlap of one edge of the strip covering the other. Whoops! Apologies- you can see the seam across my uh... middle finger:

After all of your strips have been folded and glued into rings, let the glue dry while you use the hole punches to make 24 denim blue medallions and 12 white flowers (though you can make 24 flowers so that each cupcake topper is decorated on the front AND back if you'd like):

Once the medallions and flowers are punched, grab one of the folded rings. Let it stand on your work surface, and gently press down on the top creases toward the middle of the ring. The folds will start to fan out as you press down:

Continue to press down until the ring collapses completely into a rosette shape:

You'll need some coordination (or help at this point), as you must keep the accordian-folded ring/rosette flat on your work surface with one hand while squeezing some melted glue into the center of the rosette with the other, topping the glue with one of the denim medallions:

Make certain you have a firm hold on the rosette at this point, because it will still try to pop up and spread back open into a ring- NOT fun when there's hot glue involved!

Press the denim medallion into the center of the rosette on top of the hot glue, keeping a firm hold on the rosette as it dries. If the medallion is punched from thin paper, be careful not to let your fingertips get burned as you hold it down.

Once that side is dry, flip the rosette over and add hot glue and a denim medallion to the back. See how the rosette holds its shape once one side has been glued?

After the rosette has dried, choose the prettier side and, using hot glue, add a white flower punch and button to the center of the denim medallion:

Lollipop stick time!

Squeeze a little bit of hot glue into one of the folds/grooves on the back side of the cupcake rosette:

Slide the lolly stick into the groove and glue, and let dry:

Turn the cupcake topper over and tie on a length of ribbon (I cut my ribbon into nine or ten inch lengths so I'm able to tie a nice bow):

If you don't want the bows to slide or twist around the lolly stick, add a small drop of hot glue beneath the rosette and push the bow up into it:

**SO** cute, but we're not quite done! See the ends of the ribbon? Blah. Yes, BLAH. Cut a dove's tail into each end and watch the cuteness factor increase:

Pull off any dried glue "strings" and start baking (or buying!) cupcakes~ it's time to decorate!

Let me know if you make a set of cupcake toppers!

(Psst, did you know the same medallion/rosette design can be used to create ornaments, a gift tag decoration, or to spruce up bunting or handmade cards?)

Is a Bluebird YOUR D.J.?

2011-06-18T11:11:00.000-05:00

Hope you're enjoying a wonderful start to the summer! I'll have some tutorials for bunting and accordion-folded paper cupcake toppers posted this week, so check back for some crafty fun!

(Go ahead, listen to the song again, it's a happy one.)

My Favorite Eight Minute Song

2011-06-08T07:44:00.002-05:00

Summer Rhythm

2011-06-03T14:38:00.000-05:00

This summer, I'm an off-duty kindergarten teacher for about a week before professional development (formerly known as "inservice") begins again, in the form of a seminar in St. Louis. Many of you know that I'm a full-time kindergarten teacher, and a not-enough-time crafter. I look forward to each summer "break" so that I can re-energize, rest, roam, create, read something OTHER than professional texts, experiment in the kitchen and crafty nook, and of course, rest some more.

Unfortunately, I have to down-shift from teacher mode to off-duty teacher mode every year in order to really enjoy the rhythm of summer. It tends to take a week or two, which is NOT a good pace for this year with the upcoming seminar muscling in on my annual down-shift transition. Typically, I need to sleep for the first five or six days. As Dear Daughter's school year ended a week after mine, chauffeuring duties have interfered with the planned snooze agenda. Dear Husband coming home mid-day interrupts my plans for a nap. The Kindergartner (oh yes, he finished pre-school and is now ready for the Big Time) fulfills his mess-making duties with truly remarkable gusto and finesse. More clean-up chores for me.

It's too hot to sit out here during the day, but I am looking forward to relaxing in the fresh air either in the morning with coffee or in the evening with iced tea on my beautiful repurposed bench (a teacher appreciation gift from one of my Super Star Families):

...if my friend is nice enough to share, that is!

*****

How will you be spending your summer?

I'm Teaching a Class!

2011-05-30T17:03:00.000-05:00

Would you like to learn how to make paper and ribbon bunting and picnic-inspired cupcake toppers for your summer parties? If you're in the Leavenworth, Kansas area and would like to join me and Sheila Rumney for some papercrafting picnic-y and polka-dotty fun, call or drop by The Peacock Cafe (phone: 913-651-9914) to register today!

The class registration, materials and instruction fee is $30. Participants will make and take party bunting and a set of cupcake toppers. Don't be surprised if you use these party items as templates for other celebrations and holidays throughout the year: 4th of July, birthdays, weddings, Halloween, Thanksgiving, Christmas, New Year's, Valentine's, Easter... the possibilities are endless!

Please bring scissors (for cutting paper) and a low temp glue gun and sticks. I'll provide the paper, ribbon, buttons, fabric, lollipop sticks and instructions!

Hope to see you soon (June 18, 2011 to be exact!),

Michaele

Beautiful

2011-05-15T19:46:00.000-05:00

~Longing to Belong~ by Eddie Vedder

I can't stop listening to it.

Cake/Cupcake Toppers

2011-05-14T19:26:00.000-05:00

With only nine days left in the school year (I'm a full time kindergarten teacher), I've had little time to hole up in the crafty nook to play with paper to my heart's content. Thankfully, these little accordion-folded rosettes (or do they look more like prize ribbon medallions?) are quick to whip up and glue onto lollipop sticks:

Topping cakes and cupcakes, they bring lollipoppy or pinwheel-ey fun to traditional party desserts!

*****
June 18 is the date for my Polka Dots and Picnics Bunting and Cupcake Topper crafty class! You'll be able to reserve your spot soon through The Peacock Cafe for $30, and you'll need to make sure you bring a glue gun/low-temp melt glue sticks, sharp scissors and a smile! You'll leave with party bunting and cupcake toppers to complete your next picnic or summer party:

Three cheers for summertime fun!

Happy May Day!

2011-05-01T09:55:00.000-05:00

They might not be May flowers brought about by April showers, but these cupcake toppers are certain to bring sunshine to any celebratory summer party!

I do hope the special young lady they were made for has a ~fabulous~ eighth birthday later this week!

Habby Eeser!

2011-04-24T13:06:00.000-05:00

You guessed it: Just in time for Easter, I caught a spring cold.

I hab a code in my doze.

Doesn't mean I can't share the simple, sweet prettiness of eggs dyed by Dear Daughter and the Pre-Schooler though!

Whatever Easter means to you, I hope you have a ~lovely~ day!

(I'm off to track down some more Puffs Plus with Aloe)

Sunday Became the Day...

2011-04-10T15:32:00.000-05:00

... I discovered another use for cupcake liners and gift bag paper shreds.

Oh my... it was a good day in the crafty nook!

How are you decorating for Easter?

Spring Sweetness

2011-04-09T11:54:00.000-05:00

When the family and I returned from our Disneyworld vacation, a sweet crafty spring egg was waiting for me, destined to be displayed next to a spring mâché and fabric bunny in our entryway.

Peach, white, and minty green papers create a nested pocket for a sweet bird and her little eggs, the creation of one of my favorite bloggy/crafty friends, Laurie.

Oh yes, the "awww" factor is high for spring and Easter this year! Thank you Laurie, and be on the look-out when you check the mail over the next week or so!

*****
Would you like to pay Laurie a visit? Hop over to her blog, Indulge Your Shelf. She finds the most amazing and lovely vintage treasures, and even better, she shares them with us via her fabulous photos and her Etsy shops!

Crickets Chirping

2011-04-06T19:51:00.000-05:00

Have you heard them here at Twigs and Tulle while I've been away?

**chirp chirp**

Where did I go? No crafting, no photos, no links, no liberal applications of glitter, tulle, buttons...

**chirp chirp**

Report card time took up many of my work and after-work hours...

Then the family and I went to meet these fine characters for the ~very first time~:

Dear Daughter traveled to a powerlifting competition where she broke and set three new powerlifting records for her weight class (strong girls are COOL)...

... and I was surprised to find that a bump on the back of my leg was a tumor.

Yuck. The "t" word. Thankfully it was benign, and I spent yesterday morning at the doctor's having it removed. Good riddance!

Between teaching, traveling, mothering, all of the aforementioned and tracking down a master salt cellar for my mother's birthday, time escaped me.

Does that happen to you?

****
Dearest Sheila and Kelly have asked me to teach a paper bunting class this May, so I'm busily creating a prototype this week. Never fear, I'll post the details about the class a.s.a.p., and will also catch you all up on the fabulous blogs I discovered during One World One Heart (February).

...not that the crickets' music is bad, but I've missed blogging.

Better Late than Never...

2011-03-06T12:58:00.000-06:00

Better late than never (remember, you can file/bookmark this one for next year's Read Across America activities or Dr. Seuss celebrations), here's a quick and easy Star Bellied Sneetch Tee Tutorial. Sneetch Shirt Numero Uno was lost in the flood, as green marabou (or "foo foo" as my Stars refer to it) silt, mud and flood water did NOT create a flattering fashion statement once everything was laundered and dried. Being a kindergarten teacher means I get to wear ~fabulous~ fashions from time to time, so I happily created another shirt in time for last week's reading fun.

What you'll need (I purchased all of my materials from Hobby Lobby- make sure to sign up for their coupons because 40% off REALLY helps AND because they don't honor competitors' coupons at this point in time):

Oversized *bright* yellow shirt
Green fabric paint (I tried spray paint but followed up with regular fabric paint in green)
Star stencil (you can also free-hand a star OR create a fabric star and iron it on with fusible webbing)
Green marabou (though white would work well too)
Needle and thread
T-shirt "board" or brown paper bag/cardboard insert so paint doesn't bleed through to back of shirt
Napkins or protective paper

The green foo foo comes in a length long enough to trim the bottom edge of the shirt. Though Seuss' illustrations show the feathers at the Sneetch's necks, I don't recommend sewing the marabou there because the stuff is VERY fluffy, feathery, and sheds! Picking foo foo out of your lipgloss or hair all day long isn't fun, trust me on this one.

Use a needle and thread to hand-sew the marabou around the hem of your shirt. Don't be too precise or picky as you'll have to cut the threads to remove the foo foo before laundering.

Have fun rockin' the teacher fashion, or making your own Seuss-inspired costumes for other events!

I'm a Guest-Blogger...

2011-02-21T18:11:00.000-06:00

... over at Farmstead Lifestyle! Take a peek, but never fear, I'll be back here soon with my latest crafty adventure (hint: ... they've got stars upon thars...)!

OWOH Winner!

2011-02-17T18:57:00.000-06:00

What a WONDERFUL ride this year's One World One Heart blogging event has been!

The winner of my K-I-S-S bunting is:

Antonella who said...

Ciao! I am so happy to meet you today on the wings of OWOH! Thanks for a chance to win your wonderful giveaway - love the bunting!!
Hugs, ♥ ♥ ♥ Antonella ♥ ♥ ♥
wing stop #153, snowy New Jersey

Congratulations Antonella!

Please stop by #153 for a chance to win my giveaway!

Crafty ♡'s

2011-02-13T19:05:00.000-06:00

Paper valentine cards for my students, candy pails for the Pre-Schooler's teachers (he'll start kindergarten next year, so this is the last time we can get away with ~Sweet Treating~ them), and valentine crafty clips for colleagues and teacher aides kept me in the crafty nook for most of the day:

... but the cupcakes? They're for the Death by Chocolate Valentine Social that will start off a very busy week at school!

Can you feel the love?

Heart to Heart 2011: Sharing the Love

2011-02-13T11:02:00.000-06:00

Sarah over at Makin' Projiks hosted another Heart to Heart Swap this year! Last year was the first swap in which I ~ever~ participated, so I was thrilled to have the chance to return for a repeat this year!

Look at the sweet, gorgeous, glittery, sparkly, and creative valentines that all of the swappers shared!

Desi made a traditional doily heart ornament and Rachel made a red toile-ish ornie with a special vellum bag attached: inside was a necklace! Mikey made Cupid wings with real feathers glammed up in gold, and Katie created a pocket ornament out of book pages and romantic photos and ribbon.

Shara created a glittery woodland scene tucked into a matchbox covered in extra glittery bling, and Sara crocheted a beautiful heart coaster (that's what I'm using it for after tomorrow!). Colleen made me smile with her nod to the valentine cards I used to give out as a school girl with her "I love you a ton" elephant card, and Kim made ~this~ brunette happy with her decorated valentine candy box (oh yes, there was chocolate inside until about, oh, seven minutes ago!)- look at the sweet brown-eyed girl on the front!

Courtney's fabric heart is soooo soft to the touch, and Jane added a three dimensional quilled heart to the front of a sweet vintage photo (she's a relative of Jane's!) presented on a photo stand created from wire and a repurposed mold. Tiff's "I'm NUTS over you" squirrel has been the pre-schooler's favorite, since he loved collecting acorns on his own last fall!

My dear friend Shannon made a valentine treat that I can carry with me: a covered notepad with stamped notes throughout, and Sarah made a love bird in a nest (it's a vintage nut cup!) which not only reminds me of Valentine's Day, but is a sweet reminder that spring is on its way!

My offering to the swappers was my LOVE bunting:

Thank you Sarah and all of the crafty participants! I've put all of the valentine goodness on display in the front foyer, and mixed in some of my own valentine paper ornies and bottle brush trees... I ♡ crafty swaps!

Proud Momma

2011-02-05T18:44:00.000-06:00

... of her powerlifting daughter!

She joined the powerlifting club to keep in shape off-season for volleyball, and has ended up (out of a whopping two meets), earning five gold medals and one silver!

I'm so pleased and proud that Dear Daughter has found yet another sport/hobby that makes her happy and healthy!

February's Guilty Pleasures: 80's Music

2011-02-03T09:53:00.000-06:00

I know, I know... you're dying watching this... but admit it, you're dancing too, aren't you?

I ~adore~ power ballads, love songs, and upbeat tunes all about affection (and action- oh my!) from the 80's.

There.

I've admitted it.

... and YOUR favorite guilty 80's pleasures a-r-e...?

Snow Days...

2011-02-02T14:35:00.001-06:00

Snow days are for...

Finding tracks... hop, hop, hop...

Sending kids out to play and shovel...

Watching DH play, er, PLOW with the ATV...

Soup and snacks...

Meeting bloggers, crafters, and all around awesome people via OWOH...

Messy crusts...

...and slippered feet, yoga pants, jammie shirt, and bed head relaxing by the fire:

Do you have front row seats to "Snowmaggedon 2011?" What things do you enjoy when the white stuff brings everything to a halt?

One World One Heart 2011: Twigs and Tulle

2011-01-31T02:00:00.003-06:00

Welcome to ~*you*~, new and returning blog visitors!

My name is Michaele (pronounced My-kul, like Michael Jordan) and I'm so glad you stopped by to visit! Whether you've found your way here from Lisa's master list of links, or from my first blog, Kindergarten's 3 R's (there's a giveaway going on there too for teachers/educators/homeschoolers/early childhood advocates!), I hope you'll enjoy your stay.

Twigs and Tulle is my second blog, created after I realized that at forty-one years of age, I compartmentalize my life between home and work: I'm a full time kindergarten teacher who immerses herself in the land of finger painting, math, literacy, and hands-on explorations by day, and a wife, mother, collector and crafter by night and weekend. Consequently, I have many teacher friends, an ever-growing posse of crafty friends, and quite a few (most of them Alaskans, go figure!) who traipse happily between both worlds. Twigs and Tulle is where the non-kindergarten teacher part of my soul comes to share, create and explore.

I can be a bit rant-y at the ~other~ blog, though I do try to balance it out with colorful bulletin board ideas, silly stories, and helpful resources... darn you NCLB.

Ooh, glitter! Pretty paper! Ribbon!

That's me, Michaele-Who-is-Trying-to-Find-Balance. Crafty interventions seem to help.

If you're a fellow blogger, I am SO looking forward to dropping by for a peek, a read, and hopefully a lengthy meander. Lisa's... well, I suppose it's her brainchild, though it seems more to me like her heartchild... blogland event has introduced me to so many creative and friendly people, an incredible gift.

My present back to one lucky visitor?

A mini-bunting, made by me, of paper, tulle and ribbon... it's a small token of kissy affection, spanning only one and a half feet across in pennants, though the tying ribbons on either end lengthen it to almost three feet.

Pin it to a corkboard or pinboard display, drape it across a mirror or even tack it up above your own crafty workspace. It folds away if you'd rather use it for future valentine or anniversary celebrations, but no matter when or where you choose to display it, I hope you'll enjoy, enjoy, ENJOY!

To win, please post a comment ~on this post only~, and make sure I have an email address or blog link (with contact info) for you in case you're the winner.

I'll be drawing the winner on February 17!

Happy reading!

Find-It-Friday: Master Salt Cellars and Spoons

2011-01-28T07:00:00.000-06:00

Here's another collection I'm building, based off of a salt cellar that once belonged to my great-grandmother:

I have over twenty small salt cellars (yes Mother, you read that right!), but have only one "master cellar," about three inches across. I also only have one shovel-design spoon and would love to obtain more.

If you have links to antique stores, vintage/antique glassware sellers or some other magic genie who can help me find footed master salts and shovel spoons, please leave their info in the comments section!

*****

How many "treasure hunters" are out there? If you're looking for a special item, leave a comment here or post about it at your own blog linking back so fellow readers can blog-hop and help you (and me!) track down the goodies we're looking for!

Starting a New Collection

2011-01-25T07:00:00.000-06:00

I've been an Eskimo in Oz for...five years?

These caught my eye at a nearby antique shop (they're salt and pepper shakers made in Japan):

... and these were found on Ebay (also made in Japan):

CUTE Eskimos, not garishly-drawn caricatures, are what I'm on the lookout for to build my newest collection!

Sitting Room

2011-01-24T07:00:00.000-06:00

Thanks to the purchase of a new couch for the family/living room, I now have the "old" loveseat and my huge round coffee table situated in the front room:

There's room for my magazines, a basket of yarn, my laptop and a cup of coffee... heaven!

I can see our china hutch, full of pretty dishes, icons, Russian lacquer and tchotchkes...

... with some twigs and lace nearby for good measure.

I can still keep on an eye on the kids as they negotiate for Wii time in the living room (yes, that's a student desk)...

... but here is where my new tea (or coffee) reading/crocheting/blogging rituals are going to take place.

With the deer looking at me.

**grin**

L-O-V-E Mini Bunting

2011-01-23T15:46:00.000-06:00

... now available in my Etsy Shop!

The "Queen of Hearts" in me LOVES these!

Black and cream harlequin/diamond paper with red medallions... topped with white glitter "stamps" and raised pink glitter letters. Six pennants on red grosgrain ribbon with white tulle ties... so cute, and only 3 feet, 6 inches in length TOTAL (that ~includes~ the tying ribbon).

I think I've got valentines on the brain!

Hearts Everywhere

2011-01-23T08:00:00.000-06:00

... especially in the crafty nook:

The crocheted hearts are waiting to be strung along a single chain to make a garland...

... while the paper ornies haven't decided if they want to be gift tags, cupcake/cake toppers or valentine ornaments...

I still have to decide what kinds of valentines to make for my husband and children... any ideas?

K-I-S-S

2011-01-22T18:35:00.000-06:00

K-I-S-S bunting is now available in my Etsy Shop!

New-to-Me Craft: Bottle Brush Trees

2011-01-22T16:37:00.000-06:00

Two years ago I bought piles of bottle brush trees on clearance from Target, and promptly left them in their packages, tied up in their shopping bags.

When we moved, the bags were moved, but not opened.

Until three weeks ago, when I not only opened the bags, but the product packaging as well! Inspired by all sort of Christmas crafts and links upon which I'd stumbled and bookmarked for uh.... two years... I bleached them... and washed them... and dyed them.

Pink, reddish, and gray. The gray was supposed to be black because I thought it would be fun to make some Halloween decor off-season. Alas, despite the inky hue of the dye wash, the trees came out more chilled and wintery looking than foreboding.

I decided to work with it.

Buttons, pink beads, pom poms and ribbon...

... don't forget some little flowers...

... and what the heck, why not throw in some poly-fill and a cupcake liner for good measure?

These were so much fun to make!

Tell me: are you a mono-crafter or a multi-crafter?

Happiness Sunday

2011-01-16T15:57:00.000-06:00

Happiness for me this Sunday?

Crafting...

Filling up my crafty nook with valentine goodness...

...then emptying it as I package all of the bunting up to send to Sarah for this year's Heart to Heart Swap:

Of *course* I added hearts to the box~ how else will she know what goodies have arrived on her doorstep?

The Peacock Cafe

2011-01-12T18:24:00.003-06:00

... if you can't tell by the photos, is pure ~*bliss*~!

If you're traveling this way, drop in and visit my friend Kelly, and for goodness sake, order her delicious pasta salad! How good were the sandwiches and salads? So good that I never got photos of them, because I was too busy noshing it all down.

Oops. Just means I have to go back.

Soon.

The Peacock Cafe, open Tuesday-Saturday, 10-3.
109 North 5th Street
Leavenworth, Kansas

Humorous Valentines

2011-01-11T07:42:00.000-06:00

I've got Valentine's Day on the brain, and thanks to two snow days in a row, have had time to play with vintage images I've found in local antique malls.

I plan on making some ornaments and more bunting, but for now I'm indulging my humorous side:

Dear Husband and Danielle both say that the expressions the photographer captured on these two may have, in fact, been caused by someone...

*~ahem~*

... passing gas.

If ~that~ isn't humorous, what is?

I ❤ the Heart to Heart Swap!

2011-01-09T13:45:00.001-06:00

Last year, one of my New Year's goals was to participate in my first ever crafty exchange. Sarah at Makin' Projiks hosted her Heart to Heart swap, and I was thrilled to be chosen to participate!

I made blue bitty banners, and sent them on their way to Sarah who was collecting goodies from all the swap members, divvying them up, and mailing them back to us all so that we'd have one valentine from each crafter. Look at what I received last year:

Because the flood destroyed all of our February and October decor, I kept my fingers crossed that Sarah would once again hold the Heart to Heart Swap.

Finger-crossing works!

I've spent this snowy-ish weekend crafting away in the nook, playing with paper, ribbon, adhesive, stickers, buttons, beads and tulle:

Yes, I ❤ the Heart to Heart Swap!

*****

Does anyone out there know of any July 4 or Halloween crafty swaps? Let me know in the comments section!

Cupcake Holder from Target

2011-01-08T15:25:00.000-06:00

A recent visitor to Twigs and Tulle asked what sorts of goodies I had in my white plastic coated wire tiered cupcake stand from Target:

The crafty materials change with each season or holiday, so the cups Dear Husband gave me this Christmas (from Starbucks' holiday tea sets) are now full of red and heart shaped buttons, rick rack, crafty flowers, vintage pricing stickers, white, red, and pink strands of beads, and even lollipop sticks.

Did you notice the Hershey's Kisses AND Halls Cough Drops? What a combo!

I love the cupcake holder, and the tea cups fit perfectly, though small votives also work well. Some crafters recycle baby food jars or other similarly sized glass or plasticware to keep their bits and bobs, odds and ends close at hand but contained.

Target also sold the same cupcake stand in black last October, over which I have been
k-i-c-k-i-n-g myself ever since for not having purchased!

How do you store and display your craft materials?

Work in Progress: Mother in Law

2011-01-06T19:32:00.000-06:00

I'm LOVING working with vintage images, but need to seriously buckle down and learn all I can about Photoshop Elements.

How to find the time? Make the time? Have the time?

Happy New Year

2011-01-01T18:32:00.000-06:00

Imagine.

Welcome, 2011!

My Best Handmade: 2010

2010-12-30T16:12:00.000-06:00

Laurie sent me an invitation asking me to participate in this year's crafty reflection on all things handmade for 2010, and I am thrilled to be sharing the linky love!

Though this blog is the newer of the two I post, it's now the home for all of my present and future crafty endeavors. By day (and school year) I live amongst the general population as a mild-mannered kindergarten teacher, but by night (and weekends and school vacations) I indulge my need to play with paper in my crafty nook and have even taken the ultimate crafty plunge, creating a shop on Etsy.

2010 saw me happily crafting in the first of my crafty nooks, making bunting, paper art for window charms, and prize ribbon gift tags:

Then, in mid-July, Mother Nature decided to throw a monkey wrench into our lives while my husband was deployed overseas, causing a flash flood which successfully destroyed most of my paper, crafts, and our furniture and belongings stored downstairs.

Thanks to the help, support, and assistance from friends, family, neighbors and even strangers, our family relocated and has happily recovered from the summer setback. Friends and fellow crafters donated and gifted paper and other crafty supplies so that I could create "crafty nook 2.0" in our new home, and I've been back to my regularly scheduled (NEEDED) crafty rituals for several months now. I'm grateful and proud of the crafty recovery, and know it will carry on into the new year!

Of which craft have I been most proud and pleased in 2010? That would have to be my recent foray into altering adopted ancestors for art! I've loved scouring antique malls and vintage stores looking for friendly characters:

I'm excited for the next round of papercrafting.... valentines and romantically themed altered art... and for all of the new crafty discoveries and creations that friends, family, blogging compatriots and amazing artisans will inspire me with in 2011!

Crafty Friends KNOW Why Their Thank-You Cards are Late...

2010-12-30T13:15:00.000-06:00

Especially when they send you boxes like this for your birthday:

...full of not only crafting paper and pom poms and Christmas gifts for the family, but buttons galore too!

Yesterday I decided to get down with my Mod-Podgey self to decorate clothespins to use on my twiggy branches:

After the clips were dry, I poured all of my buttons out and started digging, fun, fun, FUN!

Employing my new favorite adhesive (thank you for the tip Sheila!), the clothespins are ready for their clipping duty:

So dearest, darling *~Shannon*~, thank you for our wonderful Christmas gifts and goodies, and thank you for knowing me and my crafty heart so well. It's YOUR fault that none of my other thank-you cards have even been started yet... because I've been busy, crafting.

Love you!

Making Next Year's Gift Tags...

2010-12-29T16:52:00.000-06:00

... from this year's Christmas cards:

I LOVE my tag paper punches, one large and one with three different sizes (though the itty bitty one hasn't been much help yet), and managed to clean off part of my crafting table so I could recycle the festive scenes my family and I enjoyed on the Christmas cards we received this holiday season.

I cut the cards down to size and positioned the punches over images that would look nice on next year's Christmas presents and crafts:

Oh Christmas tree, oh Christmas tree...Pretty pretty pretty!

Do you save and/or recycle your holiday cards?

Merry Christmas!

2010-12-25T03:00:00.000-06:00

... and warmest wishes for a ~very~ Happy New Year!

Happy Birthday!

2010-12-23T19:39:00.001-06:00

Yes, it's ME!

Christmas Decor 2010

2010-12-23T13:07:00.000-06:00

As I reflect on our 2010 blessings and burdens, I appreciate all that we have: our family, friendships, employment, health, hopes and dreams.

Regular readers of my other blog will remember that we experienced a flood in July while Dear Husband was still deployed overseas.

Our Army Family came to our rescue and Uncle Sam sent DH home several weeks early to help us recover what we could, but our losses and the damage to the property (a rental, thank goodness) required that we move onto post.

The tenderheart in me cannot express how grateful I am that our family's Christmas ornament collection and the stockings my mother embroidered/needlepointed for us were spared the mud, silt, and water this summer.

We will be sharing our Christmas dinner and holiday hospitality with an adopted soldier~ please do remember our veterans and their families this holiday season.

Happiness is...

2010-12-21T12:30:00.000-06:00

... purchasing the BIG bag of all-purpose flour and bringing it home for holiday baking!

Just ~how~ big is this bag?

Uh, "377 servings" big.

Hellooooooo Christmas cookies!

Today's batch is Chocolate chip/Macadamia nut/cherry...

What's your favorite holiday cookie?

Beautiful... Silent Night

2010-12-12T09:31:00.001-06:00

I'll Be Participating...

2010-12-10T20:49:00.001-06:00

... will you?

Visit Lisa over at A Whimsical Bohemian for all of the info!

Secret Santa Gift Tags...

2010-12-05T14:26:00.000-06:00

... have been listed in my Etsy shop!

Secret Santa Gift Tags

2010-12-05T14:25:00.000-06:00

... have been listed in my Etsy shop!

Holiday Mess, er, "Pile of Creativity"

2010-12-05T13:12:00.000-06:00

... and what does *your* crafty and creative space look like this weekend?

New to Me: Altered "Adopted" Ancestor Art

2010-11-15T06:00:00.000-06:00

What to do when you find abandoned photos from long long ago?

Turn them into art (in this case, future gift tags for colleagues' use or my Etsy shop)!

Here's a scan of the original (a subdued, respectable looking gentleman):

Which I decided to make black, gray and white since I thought it would work better with the colored paper (the sepia is charming, but didn't blend):

And after some cutting, arranging and gluing, here's what I have (a little cheeky, but hopefully it makes you smile):

How fun would it be to alter images of your family or students for the holidays?

Cleaned Up the Crafty Nook...

2010-11-08T19:54:00.000-06:00

... just in time to make a glittery, paper-y, sticky mess for the upcoming holidays:

Yes, an autumn banner shares space with a white tabletop Christmas tree...

No skeletons in this closet, just fabric, paper, hole punches, ribbon, and bags of new crafty projects...

... and a semi-clean work surface just waiting for the next round of crafting!

Blog Deux

2010-10-25T18:18:00.000-05:00

Why here at Twigs and Tulle, why now?

Over seven hundred posts at my other blog, many years of teaching, not so many years of crafting (unless crocheting all of those granny squares decades ago counts... yes, after some reflection... it does), and Life's inevitable changes, and I've found another facet of my personality that is nudging, nodding, clearing its throat to be at the forefront.

The me who loves prettiness. The me who adores typography. The me, who more and more, finds excitement and anticipation and I-can-do-that confidence opening her eyes to new crafty interests... so nice to have the anxious, nervous, doubtful me putting herself in Time Out.

The diamonds, the glitter, the shine; the rubies and jewel tones and curvy pearls. The soldered window pendants, the ting-ting of the charm bracelets... The velvet, the fur, the silk, lace and denim. The Bohemian print papers, the weight of the brown packaging paper roll and the crisp cuts of the old schoolhouse paper cutter. The smell of scented candles, pumpkin in the fall, Christmas greens and cinnamon in the winter. Long hair clipped up, "artsy fartsy" tendrils framing my Eskimo happy face. Music in the background, acoustic, instrumental, holiday.

I went to college to become the teacher. I learned crocheting and sewing from my mother and enjoyed the pairing of creation and conversation over her dining room table at tea. I should have known ~this~ me would emerge again, asserting her value and importance, friendly but spirited.

Carpets from the Middle East. Mismatched furniture from here, there, and everywhere. Cubbies, drawers, nooks and crannies. Collections, treasures, stories. Photos. Magazines, clippings, web bookmarks.

Rambling. An easy meander. No rush. No deadlines. No rules to follow. Here, I'm enough. And I'll play with earthy twigs, and delicate tulle... and any other inspiring, curious or interesting materials I encounter, or to which friends introduce me.

Welcome.

Christmas "Ornies..."

2010-10-25T04:03:00.000-05:00

... are available in my Etsy shop!

Set of 8 pink snowflake ornaments:

And 8 "traditional" Christmas ornaments:

Time for a New Hobby...

2010-10-20T05:00:00.000-05:00

... since lifelong learning shouldn't just be a goal for my students!

I've admitted to having a more-than-mild paper addiction, and regular readers know it takes a lot for me to step away from my hot glue gun. With a sheepish smile on my face however, I have to share the following:

Soldering intimidates me. Amazes me. Scares me even. Makes me fear for my fingertips and any other exposed skin I might be sporting in my crafty nook.

Odd, considering I wield a curling or straightening iron each morning (taming my mane into something presentable for work), and ~those~ things can leave the *worst* burns ever!

Deep breath in, cleansing breath out, deep breath in, and relax, Sheila is here to help:

First, I chose a domino with two 6's on the back for my birth month, December:

... and after trimming the edges with adhesive backed copper strips (I didn't forget to burnish the strips against the domino), Sheila instructed me to paint on some flux, and pick up some lead with the soldering wand:

It wasn't quite like applying nail polish. Nor was it anything like curling one's hair. But it was fun, and awkward, and intriguing.

I think I'm going to ask Santa Claus for soldering goodies this Christmas. Oh yes.

(Sheila provided domino-sized images that could be cut out and Mod Podged onto the face of the domino- I chose a vintage-y little girl with a jack-o-lantern.)

W-A-Y fun!

Thank you Sheila!

*****

Would YOU like to take a class from Sheila?

She'll be at Farmstead on November 20th:

~ 10 a.m.-12 p.m. Found Treasures Charm Bracelet (wire wrapping techniques) $45

~ 1 p.m.- 3 p.m. A Crown Fit for a Queen (paper/fabric/millinery/bling)$45

~ 2:30 p.m.- 5 p.m. Let it Snow Banner (sewing on paper and using embellishments)$40

Call 816-858-0120 to register by November 17, 2010

Who Says Halloween Can't be Pretty?

2010-10-11T13:33:00.000-05:00

One set of the glitter bat ornies sold yesterday, so I've added another set today! Visit my Etsy shop to take a closer look.

Etsy Shop Re-Opened!

2010-10-09T15:35:00.000-05:00

Yay!

The flood may have destroyed a year's worth of banners and other crafty goodness, but it certainly didn't damage my paper addiction or my love of crafting!

"Boo" banners and autumn paper ornies are available in my Etsy shop- go take a peek!

Going Batty

2010-10-07T20:30:00.000-05:00

... but can you blame me?

*****
I'm not the only one!
~ Teaching Heart Mom created a downloadable pretzel bat and pumpkin sorting activity...
~ Handprint bats can be done by painting students' hands or by tracing them...
~ Colored paper bags (or let your students paint or color white or tan paper sacks) make bat puppetry simple and fun...

ETSY Treasury

2010-07-13T15:41:00.000-05:00

So nice of getSPOONED to include me in her Sugar and Spice treasury on Etsy:

There are my fuschia banners, top row, second from left!

Prize Ribbon Gift Tags

2010-07-13T06:08:00.000-05:00

... some aqua and Christmas red prize ribbon gift tags are drying in the window sill downstairs:

Christmas in July? No, just Christmas-crafting.

Weekend Creativity in the Crafty Nook

2010-07-11T05:28:00.000-05:00

I love prize ribbons... science fair ribbons... spelling champion ribbons... foo foo ribbons, decorative ribbons, and crafty ribbons.

I also love wrapping presents, giving gifts, and making gift tags. With some "tag sale" inspiration, I made picnic tags:

...country floral and plaid tags:

... and digital camouflage tags:

But prize ribbons have been on my mind lately... why couldn't they be used as gift tags? They have pretty medallions, and a gift recipient's name can easily be written, stamped, or painted on the tails...

Preppy pink and green "prize ribbon" gift tags:

Summer "prize ribbon" flower tags:

Patriotic "prize ribbon" gift tags:

... and aqua and red Christmas "prize ribbon" gift tags (I'm adding silver sparkle to the tips tonight):

Once I figure out how to package these and determine how many to sell together as a set, I'll get these put into my Etsy shop for you... any ideas?

A Charming Fortune-Telling Fish

2010-06-19T05:00:00.000-05:00

I took a break from banners and bunting to play with some scraps, odds and ends:

I'd never seen the fortune telling fish before, but it came in a package of ephemera I got during my trip to Farmstead last year. After playing with some more scraps and trying out a new adhesive, I couldn't bring myself to make "inchies," so I settled for 1 3/4 X 1 3/4 bases... I'd love to see how these would look as charms, but, alas, I don't solder:

Bag 'em and Tag 'em: Bake Sale Do's

2010-06-15T05:19:00.000-05:00

Off duty from teaching for the summer, I'm able to do a bit more baking in support of our Family Readiness Group and our deployed soldiers!

Round One: muffins! Blueberry Banana Cream Cheese and Banana Cream Cheese Pecan (with a caramel sprinkle topping)

Round Two: cookies! Oatmeal Raisin Spice and Chocolate Chip Oatmeal Pecan Candy Bar

Bake sales are great fund raisers, and it's easy to make nummy items even more attractive to potential buyers. Obviously it's important to handle all of the ingredients, baking tools and final tasty tidbits with care by washing those hands, cleaning surfaces, and following baking directions. It's also important to bag and tag the treats to be sold: bags keep germs, bugs and other gross stuff off of the food and informational tags make it possible for buyers to avoid possible allergic reactions:

My extra ribbon scraps are put to good use tying each bag and make the cookies and muffins even more appealing to the eye... I guess I'm just not a fan of twist ties!

*****

I used clear cello bags (found in most grocery stores, WalMart, or craft and hobby stores), ribbon, and white address label stickers (2/3 inch by 1 and 3/4 inches; Avery template 5195).

Etsy Shop Update: New Items and SALE!

2010-06-07T15:08:00.000-05:00

I've been having fun downstairs in the crafty nook! The following are available in my Etsy shop:

Country floral (brown) bunting set...

Picnic Party Bunting set (and oh, this would be so cute as a bulletin board display for your colors unit!)...

Summer Garden Party Bunting set (I love this mod floral!)...

Americana Bunting Set (no tulle, no frill)...

*****

While Photobucket catches up on my photo tweaking, take a peek in the shop for the sale prices I've posted for the perfectly pink and brown circle print bunting set (originally 70$!), the aqua and red bunting set that baseball lovers seem to enjoy though I originally made them as a beautiful Christmas pattern (each set originally sold for 40$, three sets are left at $30 per), and the set of five fuschia fun bunting for $35.

Several other bunting sets (bandana and burlap print papers I call "country mouse" and "city mouse" too!) are also marked down so that I can make room for new holiday banners that I'm working on this month.

I love summer sales, don't you?

Special Order on Day 7

2010-06-04T11:24:00.000-05:00

Paper, ribbon, and sunlight... such a wonderful way to start Day 7 of my summer break:

This morning I worked on a special order, a set of seasonal banners:

Spring

Summer

Fall

Winter

Yes, I know "winter" looks a bit more like ~Christmas~, but I'll see if my customer likes it just the same... if not, I'll enjoy using it as holiday inspiration down in the crafty nook once cooler weather hits.

Six Days

2010-06-03T15:17:00.000-05:00

Six days into my break from teaching and I'm reaching the midway point: half of my days are spent in the go-go-GO mode while the other half are spent completely zoned out or napping. My summer transition is happening, but it's an odd sensation.

I will never be an advocate for year-round school. Ever. As I'm not "just" a teacher, but a mother, wife, friend, and enjoyer of crafty hobbies, time is precious. I refuse to believe that spending all of my waking hours in do-or-die mode for my paid profession, chosen responsibilities, and beloved interests will produce the best and most desired results for any of them. Sacrificing one for the others is not an option for me. For some people maybe. Definitely not for me.

I have to recharge my batteries in order to be a good teacher, mom, wife, etc. I think a lot of other people need to make time for themselves too, but don't.

*****

Recent self a-ha-isms:

~ My interest in home decor and design carries over into my beliefs about functionality and form in my classroom. My teaching environment must not only be user friendly and efficient, but interesting, soothing, comfortable and conducive to creativity and learning.

~ Barbeque flavored chips and large curd cottage cheese... divine.

~ Shorter hair totally rocks (I'll update my photo this week- goodbye mane, hello... change!)...

~ I'd love to collaborate with a jewelry crafter with mad soldering skills to use up some of the colorful scraps created by my bitty banners/bunting... I'm thinking pendants for bracelets, necklaces, ornaments...

~ Fashion icons from formative teen years have a way of channeling themselves into my crafty endeavors. Who knew Ralph Lauren's influence would appear in my banners?

*Totally* Ralph, don't you think?

They'll be in my Etsy shop this weekend.

Gift Tag Sunday

2010-05-23T16:14:00.000-05:00

I was *supposed* to work on bunting/banners this weekend.

I glued the paper.

I cut the paper.

And then I got distracted by a hole punch.

That's always how it goes, isn't it?

See the pennants in the upper corner? PROOF that I was going to make bunting...

I've been wondering what to do with the pretty scraps my crafting generates...

MAKE GIFT TAGS!

Oh... the matchy-matchy girl in me is happy, as is the woman who hates things going to waste.

Win-win.

Twigs and Tulle

Like-mindedness

♡ ~Happy Valentine's Day~ ♡

I ♡ Hearts

Christening the New Crafty Nook

Home-Sweet-Crafty-Nook: The Upgrade

Crazy Busy

Crafty Class: Boo-tiful Bunting Fun!

Autumn and Halloween Mini-Bunting Tutorial

Boo!

Boo-tiful Banner Class, September 24

Teaching Myself to Solder: A-B-C

Happy 4th of July!

Happy Birthday America!

DIY Cupcake Topper KITS in My Etsy Shop

Cupcake Topper Tutorial: Patriotic Summer Fun!

Is a Bluebird YOUR D.J.?

My Favorite Eight Minute Song

Summer Rhythm

I'm Teaching a Class!

Beautiful

Cake/Cupcake Toppers

Happy May Day!

Habby Eeser!

Sunday Became the Day...

Spring Sweetness

Crickets Chirping

Better Late than Never...

I'm a Guest-Blogger...

OWOH Winner!

Crafty ♡'s

Heart to Heart 2011: Sharing the Love

Proud Momma

February's Guilty Pleasures: 80's Music

Snow Days...

One World One Heart 2011: Twigs and Tulle

Find-It-Friday: Master Salt Cellars and Spoons

Starting a New Collection

Sitting Room

L-O-V-E Mini Bunting

Hearts Everywhere

K-I-S-S

New-to-Me Craft: Bottle Brush Trees

Happiness Sunday

The Peacock Cafe

Humorous Valentines

I ❤ the Heart to Heart Swap!

Cupcake Holder from Target

Work in Progress: Mother in Law

Happy New Year

My Best Handmade: 2010

Crafty Friends *KNOW* Why Their Thank-You Cards are Late...

Making Next Year's Gift Tags...

Merry Christmas!

Happy Birthday!

Christmas Decor 2010

Happiness is...

Beautiful... Silent Night

I'll Be Participating...

Secret Santa Gift Tags...

Secret Santa Gift Tags

Holiday Mess, er, "Pile of Creativity"

New to Me: Altered "Adopted" Ancestor Art

Cleaned Up the Crafty Nook...

Blog Deux

Christmas "Ornies..."

Time for a New Hobby...

Who Says Halloween Can't be Pretty?

Etsy Shop Re-Opened!

Going Batty

ETSY Treasury

Prize Ribbon Gift Tags

Weekend Creativity in the Crafty Nook

A Charming Fortune-Telling Fish

Bag 'em and Tag 'em: Bake Sale Do's

Etsy Shop Update: New Items and SALE!

Special Order on Day 7

Six Days

Gift Tag Sunday

Crafty Friends KNOW Why Their Thank-You Cards are Late...