Tag: crafts

DIY Midori Cahier Size Travelers Notebook

Faux leather sampler: https://tinyurl.com/yc6bh3eh

elastic cord: https://tinyurl.com/3z22tmn5

cahier size traveler size notebook inserts: https://tinyurl.com/4nvasj65

Beacon 3 in 1 glue: https://tinyurl.com/jk2cfzfx

Crop a dile big bite hole punch: https://tinyurl.com/msh4bdcp

To make your cover, you’ll need to measure your notepad inserts, and you’ll need to measure the back spine of how thick the spine will be when all three notepads. My notebooks are 5 1/4″ tall by 7 1/2″ wide with a 1/2″ wide spine for 3 of them….I added 1/2″ to the measurements so you will make your cover 8 1/2″ (I made mine 8″ wide but I recommend making it 8 1/2″ instead) wide as this takes the spine into consideration and 5 3/4″ tall . Use your paper trimmer to cut your faux leather.

Fold your leather in half on the 8 1/2″ length and make sure you can see the fold. Then about 1/4″ from the top center, punch a hole with your Crop a dile Big Bite or a similar long reaching hole punch, then drop down another 1/4″ and make another hole, then make a hole in the center and then make a hole 1/4″ from the bottom center and then another hole 1/4″ above that hole.

You’ll take your elastic (don’t cut it off the roll) and push it from the inside second hole from the top out and then in through the top hole then out through the very bottom and in through the second hole. You’ll want the elastic to be tight enough that the journal folds in on itself a little bit. Make a double knot then cut off the excess elastic making sure you leave enough when you cut it to fix it if you made it too short and it won’t stretch enough to allow for the journals. You might also want one of your elastics to act as a bookmark or a charm holder so leave your top length longer as well after it’s knotted. Put one of your notebooks in your cover by opening it in the center and sliding the center through the elastic.

You’ll want to make two free standing elastics to hold journals in your book…Cut about 12″ long and knot it at around 10″ and take a second notebook and lay it side by side with the one you already have in your cover and open both books to their center and slide the elastic over both to hold them in place in your book, then make another elastic and do the same with your third notebook. I slid my pocket page inside behind the other notebooks.

To make the pocket insert for the travelers notebook, I cut two pieces of scrapbook paper from my stash. I initially made the insert too tall so I’m changing the height here so yours will fit in your cover. Cut one piece of designed paper to 11″ wide by 5 1/4″ tall (not 6 1/4″ like I say in the video). Score on the 11″ length at 2″, 5 1/2″, and 9″. Cut a second matching paper (my designs on the 11″ length are in the opposite direction of the other paper), so if you want both papers to face the same direction make sure they lie on top of each other with the pattern facing the same direction. The second paper is 5 1/4″ tall by 7″ wide scored on the 7″ length at 3 1/2′ . Put a bead of glue the length of the 5 1/2″ score line of the 11″ long paper. Then lay the 7″ wide paper on top making sure the center 3 1/2″ score line lays directly on top of the center of the 11″ wide paper. The longer 11″ wide paper has scores on either end, fold them toward the middle so they create a pocket on either end, then put glue from the center folds on both the top and bottom until you’ve got a bead of glue from the center stopping at those score lines. Put clips on them to make sure the glue closes them. Once the glue is dry, remove the clips and your pocket insert is done.

Cut a 10″ elastic cord and string whatever beads you’d like on it and thread both ends in it through the outside center hole of your cover then knot it inside, making sure it’s long enough for you to wrap it around the cover with a little room to grow, but not short so you can’t flatten it out. Make a double knot and check it again to make sure it wraps around correctly, Mine kept coming through the hole, so if this happens you can either make another knot, or you can untie your knot, put a 2 hole button on the inside of the cover threading the two ends through the button and then knotting it in place.

To make the journal cover stronger, you can cut 2 more pieces of leather 5 3/4″ tall by 2″ wide and use Beacon 3 in 1 glue, open your cover and lay one one of these new pieces on the left edge of the front of the journal gluing it along the top, bottom and left edge, then clip it down so the pieces hold, then do the same to the back cover by gluing the top, bottom and right edge down with the new leather. This will make an insert for your notebook covers to hold them more securely, as well as act like a pocket on both the front and back covers.

Fastest Stocking Stuffer Ever: Charms for Mugs; Perfect for Craft Fairs

Keep in mind I came up with this then never checked the internet to see if there are videos showing it being made. I only knew I’d never seen them in stores. I’ve seen the weird straw toppers, but not these. Regardless, I thought it was a fun idea and I’m happy with the result.

Here’s what you will you need to make one:

An old ball key chain most people have in a drawer a couple of focal charms made for beaded pens two flatter bead one round bead plus a pokey tool of some kind to push the chain through the holes

Here are links to US craft stores so you can check to see which beads your local stores have in stock: Joann’s silicone beads : https://www.joann.com/search?q=silicone%20beads

Michaels silicone beads: https://www.michaels.com/search?q=silicone%20beads

Hobby Lobby’s silicone beads: https://www.hobbylobby.com/search?query=silicone%20beads&pageType=products

If you’d like some free key chains, email me at saundralparker@yahoo.com and If you live in the US, I’d be happy to send you some at no cost to you.

I bought my beads through TEMU and here are the links:

flattened beads: https://tinyurl.com/mpkddkym

white round beads came in this set: https://tinyurl.com/yc4e9vv3

llama bead: https://tinyurl.com/ycypvxv9

pink/yellow daisy bead: You can use all of these to create a key chain, https://tinyurl.com/3ezn863u

I’d lay the order you want your beads down first, then start at the closure end (the end with the oval piece) and push the first bead through the other end of the chain with a pointy tool–use an awl, a pokey tool, a thin knitting needle, etc. Once you get your first bead on, push it to the end where the oblong closure is then continue until all beads are on the chain. You’ll need at least an inch of bare chain as the beads won’t allow you to close the key chain unless you have some exposed chain. You can try it with more beads and then pull off ones that don’t allow you to close your keychain.

In the end, I have two focal beads that are larger, two flattened round beads and one round bead on my key chain. I hope this gave you a fun last minute idea for a stocking stuffer. If you’re already making beaded pens, you probably already have everything you need on hand to make these.

Merry Christmas

#lastminutestockingstuffer #mugcharms #diystanleycharms #diymugcharms #craftingforalmosteveryone #diystanleycharms

Making Beaded Pens: Fast & Easy Halloween, Xmas Treats

To make a beaded pen, you’ll need to buy the pens I show in the video…I bought one multi-colored set of pens on Amazon and silver ones from Temu. Most of the items I bought were in a single Temu order that I’ve linked below. I’m not affiliated with them, but find the prices I get from them are a lot lower than ones from Amazon. (For my safety when buying from Temu, I didn’t download their app and bought directly from their website using Paypal to buy the orders. Paypal puts a safety link between you and your credit card information so Temu doesn’t access that.)

You can find pens and beads in sets, with everything you need to create beaded pens, and I did that with the Halloween pens, and of course you can find Christmas sets.. When you look to buy a bead or spacer, make sure in the listing they show the product on a beaded pen so you know the hole in the bead or spacer is large enough to work on a pen.

I unscrewed whichever end I could, but it’s easiest if you unscrew the top and fill the rod from the bottom to the top. I used a small silver ball I had in my stash for some of the pens where the beads I used didn’t seem to work well with the bottom or top of the rod (you’ll understand this when you make your own pens). If you use a pen kit, you shouldn’t need to use the silver round bead but I didn’t always use kits.

You’ll want to use your largest bead at the very top so the pen is comfortable in your hand. I recommend you buying the spacers with rhinestones in them as they add a lot to the pens in terms of bling. I bought the big purple flowers on their own and they are rubber and work well with any beads. The butterflies came in a set and I found the spacers didn’t work well next to them, but the small pink/purple balls did. I used some things from my stash and tried to add listings to those below as well.

Once you fill your pen stem to the screwed area, stop. It might be easier to stop just below the screwed area, but it’s so easy to take the beads on and off, you won’t mind it if you need to add or remove a bead. I had a lot of fun making these and ended up making a lot more. I hope you give this craft a try as I gave three pens to my girlfriend and she loved them…one for her college age daughter, one for work, and one for at home. The more of these pens I make, the more beads I seem to have in my original box… I don’t know how they multiply like that, haha..

Items Used:

Multiple colored pens: https://tinyurl.com/ypj8c3wm

Rest of items used in video: https://share.temu.com/Kkeranom2SA NOTE: The only item that didn’t work with the pens because the holes were too small were 50pcs Zinc Alloy Flower Bead Caps, so don’t buy these for making beaded pens.

Strings to hold charms–said they had a lobster claw, but they don’t. https://tinyurl.com/45rjnu49

Star filled glass orbs used at end of video: https://tinyurl.com/tvy9uynw

Bulb pins I used to attach tassels to the pens: https://tinyurl.com/y9fm89uk

To add charms/tassels etc to the top of the pen using the right tools…use a tube bail bead and at least one O ring. Attach one tube bail bead to the pen with at least one O ring attached to the tube bail bead and then the bead or tassel attached to the o ring so it dangles.

Tube bail beads: I haven’t ordered these yet but I think the opening is large enough for pens. https://tinyurl.com/3x9ttxhe

O rings: 9 x 7 mm stainless steel: https://tinyurl.com/5e87vs2u

I used these beads I had in my stash on a couple of the pens normally used in Pandora bracelets: https://tinyurl.com/26k93y37

Small Button Notebooks, Three Ways, Great for Craft Fairs

I thought it would be fun to make tiny notebooks to carry in a purse. They turned out so cute!

Products you’ll need

Two 2″ wood decorated buttons: https://tinyurl.com/ycxeevj3 or two pieces of thicker cardboard cut to 2″ circle and a sharp object like an awl to poke holes for your button holes.

You’ll need four pieces of decorated cardstock to cover both sides of the cardboard pieces

2″ scallop circle punch or 2″ circle punch or 2″ circle die

Matching embroidery floss: 36 colors at Joanns full price $5.49 use coupons available, usually at least 40% so it would be less than $3 for the set. https://tinyurl.com/zwrzkp88

Tacky Glue: https://tinyurl.com/yev5yzds You can also get a smaller bottle at Dollar Tree…use any kind of glue that dries clear.

Decorative paper scraps

Three options:

1. Using two 2″ decorated wood buttons

2. Using two 2″ plain wood buttons and covering them with decorative paper

3. Use thicker cardboard cut into two 2″ circles then using a sharp object like an awl, poking holes for the button holes.

Directions for all three options: These are the same for all three options. Take a piece of cardstock, (you could also use copy paper,) and punch as many 2″ scallop circles as possible out of one piece of paper.

Alternatives: Use a 2″ circle punch or a 2″ circle or scallop circle die. The circles fit inside the buttons better as you can’t see the edges like you can with the scallop circle. Next, take your glue and put a drop on two side by side scallops near the edge and then lay another scallop circle on top, making sure to line them up perfectly with the one beneath. Make sure your glue is always on the same two scallops so the paper pad is glued on one side only. If you use circles, make a 2″ circle template where you make a pencil mark where you want two spots of glue about 1/8″ from each other then line up the first circle beside your template and put the spots of glue where your marks are on your template, then lay your first circle with glue so it is facing the same direction as your template and continue gluing two spots and laying the circles directly on top of each other until all are glued together. Once you’ve glued them all together, put a clothespin on the glue spot to make sure they are well adhered then let them dry.

Option 1, cut out two 2″ pieces of decorator paper

Option 2 and 3 cut out four 2″ pieces of decorator paper. Glue decorator paper to one side of both of your buttons.

Option 3: Once the glue is dry, use an awl and poke two holes near the center of the button where you’d normally find button holes. All three options: Take about 10″ of embroidery floss using all strands and starting on the underside (where there’s no decorator paper on option 2 & 3) and either side of option 1 and pull the thread up through the underside then down through the other hole, then back up through the first hole, and down through the second…do this at least one more time or until the thread is thick enough for your taste. (While doing this process, hold the one end of the floss tight so you don’t end up entangling your floss strands.) Then double knot the floss on the underside and cut off one length to about 1/4″ and put glue all over that side of the button and pulling the other floss straight, glue decorator paper over that side. Use clothespins to hold the paper in place until it’s dry. Take your other button and repeat the process above with the embroidery floss and gluing the decorative paper over the floss making sure to pull your floss tight. Clothespin the edges to make sure the paper stays in place.

I put some glue between my fingers and run it the length of the floss to keep all of the strands together.

Take one of your buttons and put glue on the top and bottom of your stack of cardstock in the same spot as where you glued them originally then lay the button on top of the pile with the floss strands opposite from the glue spots. Take your other button and lay it the reverse side of the first button and again making sure the floss is in the same spot as the first button. Use clothespins to hold it together until the glue has dried.

Buy Xmas Balls Cheap Now or Use Old Ones! Get Started on 2024

Right before Christmas, Rich and I were in a store called Family Dollar and they had big boxes of red and gold plastic ornaments in different shapes and finishes. They were 75% off, so I got them, as well as two Ho Ho Ho ornaments, and was on my way. Before going home, we stopped at Dollar Tree and bought another tube of red and gold small ornaments and the wreath frame I needed. If you have Christmas (non-glass) ornaments you’re sick of, this is a great way to give them new life. Since you probably can’t find clearance ornaments now, going through the things you’ve recently stored, might be the answer, although I was just at a thrift store and saw a great big container of ornaments similar to the ones I used on this wreath.

I had a smaller foam wreath frame to make a wreath for my great nephew, Finn’s, bedroom door, so using very old Stampin’ Up grosgrain ribbon and hot glue, I covered the small wreath with the red and off white ribbon. I didn’t show wrapping the ribbon as I’ve done several videos showing this system and here’s one you can follow in detail. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0ax5oMWPwRE Once the wreath was wrapped, it was simply a matter of gluing the HoHoHo to it and it was finished. I really thought it turned out cute.

I apologize in advance for not having a photo of the finished ornament wreath, as I gave it to my girlfriend as soon as it was finished and then smacked myself on the head when I realized I hadn’t photographed it, but didn’t want to ask her to….but these things happen, you know me.

To make the ornament wreath, you definitely need a mix of colors, textures and sizes, which is why, if you have a ton of old plastic ornaments you’re tired of using on a tree, you can make a really pretty wreath with them. THEY MUST BE PLASTIC...that’s so important, as you don’t want to have any mishap that would mean having a bunch of very thin glass shattered all over your doorstep. I liked having some with glitter, some super shiny, some with a distinct embossing on them. It was also important to have what I’ll call “fillers.” You’ll find small gaps when making this wreath, and for me, using my stash came in really handy here. I had a bunch of small red and gold metal bells and those were so easy to jam in small holes where you could still see the wreath form.

I didn’t mention this earlier, but when we got the wreath from Dollar Tree, Rich lightly tossed it into my craft room and it broke…and then when we tried to glue it to hold in place, it broke in another spot, so I probably should have covered it with ribbon to hide those flaws, but decided the ornaments would cover the front and I wasn’t worried about what the back looked like, but in retrospect, probably should have thought that through..Oh well..

You will need a lot of hot glue sticks and even more ornaments. Lay your wreath flat on your working surface.. I covered mine with kid’s drawing paper from Dollar Tree, as I knew there would be glitter and hot glue covering it before I was done and wanted an easy way to clean up. Here’s the drawing pad link: https://www.dollartree.com/scribble-pads-9×12/819351 They’ve changed the size and design, so you can use newspaper instead.

Start on the outside of the wreath and use your largest balls (it will be easier for me to call them balls than ornaments so that’s what I’ll call them going forward.) Hot glue the hanging part of the ball to the top or side of the foam wreath, depending on the ball’s size. I found large balls worked best glued to the upper part of the curve, while the slightly smaller ones glued best to the side of the wreath.

Don’t worry if you end up having a spot where you can’t put a ball or if it messes up your pattern of colors, leave a gap and that’s where we’ll put the bow. Next for the very inside of the wreath, glue smaller balls here. Then you’ll glue a variety of sizes on the top, then it’s a matter of filling holes, making sure there isn’t one spot on the side of the wreath that’s missing the dimension of an additional ball. Just keep finding spots to fill and glue the balls together. The very top layer should be your smallest balls and bells.

Once you’re happy with the shape and coverage of balls on your wreath, it’s time for your bow. I bought gold and red wire trimmed ribbon and then immediately lost it. (When you aren’t walking, you lose things the minute you hand them off to be put away,) I hate the bow I ended up with, and plan on replacing it once I find my wired ribbon. You’ll need a pipe cleaner or floral wire, about 1 ft long. I made a loop of ribbon about 6-8″ long and made a lot of loops of ribbon. The more loops, the better the bow. Once you have enough loops to make a full bow, cut the end and using your wire or pipe cleaner, tie it around the center of your loop and make it as tight as possible. You’ll want the center to be scrunched. Then either twist the wire or tie it leaving the excess wire in place. To make the bow full, take the center most loop and pull the first one upward, the second one down, doing both the same, until you’re done. You’ll push one side of the leftover wire through the wreath and the other side of wire through the other side of the foam and then twist it tight in the back, then snip it off or hide it. I made another loop of ribbon and glued it to the back of the top of the wreath and the wreath was finished.