Saturday, December 19, 2009

Marvelous Mittens

On the Pennywise Arts Yahoo Group we just completed another fat book swap.  The theme was “Holiday” and we all used precut chipboards from Michael’s craft stores found country wide.  There were several different shapes available to choose from and we let each player decide which shape they would use.  One of the most popular was the mitten.  Who could resist a fun shape that calls to be warmed up with all sorts of wintery designs?

This gorgeous one was created by Bonnie Slipper, a long time member and friend to PWA. 

Bonnie Slipper Bonnie hosted one of the very early PWA shoebox parties and I’ve had the opportunity to meet this kind lady.  Her mitten design truly reflects the classy warmth that is so Bonnie.

The background is made of red and white cardstocks that have been Cuttlebug embossed with two different designs.  Layered on that is the sentiment, felt holly with red pom pom berries and a fun corsage of candy, red and white striped ribbon, green paper curls and white pipe cleaners – Wow!!   And that’s not all…  What totally makes this design for me is the light feathery boa with the iridescent fibers running through.  It simply calls to be touched.

Not shown in this photo are the gold micro beads which are bordering the bottom edge and the back which has been covered with patterned paper and had a foam reindeer complete with a poinsettia and a red nose.  Bravo Bonnie!

Dear Readers, Be sure to leave comments on our Holiday Fat Book designs because once they’ve all been posted we’re planning some more fun prize drawings!

Friday, December 18, 2009

Winter Wonderland

No matter how big I make this photo, or what angle I take the picture at, this blog will not be able to accurately showcase how amazing this gorgeous and sparkly card is!

CJ Christmas Card

Long time PWA friend, CJ Mueller made this beautiful card.  I am guessing that she used a stencil, but I could be wrong.  The background is a yummy rich blue foil and the trees in the foreground are completely made up of micro beads.

Thanks so much CJ, for the friendship, fun memories, swaps and of course for this lovely Christmas card!

Hugs, Suzanne

Thursday, December 17, 2009

Keepin’ Score

I have always been a “game person”.  I love to play games and I especially look forward to the holidays when my family and friends gather around the table to PLAY!  (Okay, we eat first but as soon as the dishes are cleared the games come out!)

I am especially fond of this fun score pad by PWA designer of the month, Dee Moran.  It’s a fun, compact notepad with pen attached for quick and easy score keeping.  And the bright ribbons will insure that I will always be able to spot it in my game drawer!

scorepad

Here is what it looks like on the inside….

scorepadinside

Wanna know how she did it??  If you’ve been around the block with PWA for awhile when I say “four slot slide mailer” you’ll go “Ahh Ha!!”  You’ll definitely want to dig yours out (you know you have some you haven’t done a doggone thing with!)

Dee took a 4 slot slide mailer (something we used to sell at PWA ages ago) and cut it in half.  Then she cut out the “bars” on the inside where the slides would normally go.  She covered the outsides with napkins and Modge Podge and embellished with gold micro beads, letters, and fun oval shaped playing cards.  Finally she drilled two holes in the top to bind with red binder rings which were spruced up with lots of ribbon.  Did you even know that we sell ribbon at Pennywise? 

Sorry girls, this one won’t be raffled off in our blog give away but you still have time to win any of the three previous projects just by leaving a comment on the one you’d like to receive.

And remember, you can always click on the photos in this blog to get a closer look!

Tuesday, December 15, 2009

Got Nestabilities?

Here’s another cute elfish idea from PWA designer, Dee Moran.  Dee used her Nestabilities die cuts to create this fancy beaded window frame.  It almost looks like frosty snow!

elf

We recommend using PWA O’So Sticky Paperback Tape sheets when using die cuts, punches and digital cutters.

Be sure to leave a comment for Dee – you might just win this darling card in our drawing!

Monday, December 7, 2009

Shake It Up For Christmas

Dee Moran is back with another fun idea for Christmas!  This elfish shaker tin could hold small treats for teacher or office gifts.  Use them for stocking stuffers or to show appreciation to the mailman, paperboy, hairdresser,….  Everyone would love to receive this playful tin and it’s so quick and easy to make!

shaker tin

Supplies:

A tin with glass window

1/8 and ¼ “ O So Sticky tape

Micro Beads: white / red / clear

Double sided foam tape

Create the shaker lid:  Trace the lid over a pre-stamped and colored image. Cut just inside the lines. Do one more the same size with colored card stock.

Line the inside of the lid with double sided foam tape. Remove tape liner and pour in clear micro beads, then adhere circle with image and glue down the colored card stock circle over the top to finish the inside.

With ¼” O’So sticky tape….diagonally line and cut around the lid. Remover liner on every other one and add white beads. Remove liner on the rest and adhere the red beads.

Leaving lid on tin, adhere 1/8 “O’so Sticky tape around the base of the tin. Do the same with the ¼ inch. Remove liner and add beads.

For more helpful holiday craft ideas be sure to visit the PWA class archives!   We have tutorials for ornaments, tree stars, photo frames and more!

 Click Here To Go See More Crafty Ideas!

Monday, November 30, 2009

Operation Organized!

Designer Dee Moran has created a fun and functional shopping planner that will help keep you organized and stylish while you’re out trying to conquer the task of acquiring all of those Christmas gifts and goodies.

pic 1With a notepad for making lists, and a filing system for coupons or receipts as well as a matching micro bead embellished pen you will be all set to hit the mall and get what you need for everyone on your shopping list.

Supplies needed to make one for yourself:

Elastic: 1/4” x 8” (1 piece)

Chipboard: 5.5” x 3.5”(2 pieces), 5.5” x 1” (1 piece)

Paper pad 5.5” x 3” (1 piece)

Patterned paper: 6” x 9.5” (1 piece)

Coordinating  paper 2” x 8” (1 piece)

Coordinating Papers 6.5” x 4” (1 piece) and 8” x 5.25”(1 piece)

Plain colored card stock 6”x 6” (6 pieces)

O’So Sticky Tape 1/8” size

Sharpie marker – color to match the paper

How to do it:

Step 1.  Create the cover:  Glue the chipboard pieces as shown below on to the back of the 6” x 9.5” patterned paper leaving a small gap between them.

 

layout1 jpg

Miter the corners and glue all edges down to the chipboard .

Step 2 Attach the elastic:  Punch 2 holes on backside of organizer 3/4” up and 3/4” in from each corner.  Color the elastic with colored Sharpie to match paper.  Thread elastic through the holes and adhere on the inside with O’So Sticky Tape.  Note:  You need  some slack in the elastic to have enough room to close the book - so don’t make it too tight.

Here is a photo of the back cover to show how the elastic comes through:

Elastic

Step 3 Finish the cover”  Glue the  8” x 5.25” coordinating paper inside the cover to give it a finished look.

Step 4.  Create the pocket:  Cover the 5.5” x 3” chipboard with 6.5” x 4” coordinating paper.  Apply 1/8” O’ So Sticky Tape to the back side of this piece, as close to the edges as possible to the bottom and outer edge of the pocket. Place this inside of the back cover of the organizer (the side with the elastic on it) to create a pocket for the paper pad to slip into.  When you insert the paper pad it looks like this:

pocket

Step 5.  Create the file pockets:  Take one of the 6” x 6” cardstock pieces and score 1/2” on 2 sides then fold the whole piece in half like this:

scorefold

Cut away two edges like this:

cutscore

Glue the remaining edge flaps to the inside to create a folder.  Repeat four more times for a total of five folders (shown below).

Step 6.  Create file tabs: With the remaining 6” x 6” cardstock, punch or cut five tabs.  Fold and adhere to each pocket.  Label as desired.

Step 7.  Create accordion with files:   Adhere double sided tape to the center of each of the four pockets and attach them together to create an accordion.  Cover the top pocket with patterned paper (2” x 8” strip of paper) and embellish as desired.  Glue the accordion to the inside of the front cover with pockets facing out.  Here is how Dee did hers:

accordian from top coupons

Step 8.  Embellish as desired.





Dee created a faux bound edge with cardstock and faux brads leaving a gap to store her pen:
binding

To create the coordinating pen, Dee took a plain round barrel pen and wrapped it with O’So Sticky Tape.  She then covered it with coordinating patterned paper and embellished the top edge with 1/4” O’So Sticky Tape and micro beads.

pen 

While the instructions may seem lenthy, it’s only because we have a way of over explaining everything to make it easy for you!  Got an hour or two of down time this week?  Whip one up and see for yourself, and then send a photo so we can see it too!  Ü

Wednesday, November 18, 2009

Happy Birthday To Me

Thanks for all the birthday wishes that have arrived by email, Facebook, text messages, snail mail and hand delivery!  I really appreciate them all because it makes me feel remembered, important and special.  And birthdays really should always be that.

My friend Yvonne made this gorgeous card for me:

birthday

And all I can say is WOW!  I’ve tried doing the label technique and it’s definitely not for the faint hearted, especially not when O’So Sticky Tape is involved! 

Yvonne colored the labels with Staz On ink and sponges then stamped the image in black over the top.  Her transfer technique uses blue painters tape to pick up the labels in rows so they stay aligned as she places them onto the (gasp here!) exposed O’So Sticky Tape.  Once all the labels are in place she fills in the gaps with micro beads.  The effect is quite stunning!  Thanks Yvonne and Happy Birthday To Me!!  Ü