Christmas Crafting Early DIY Wood Toy (Olli) Blocks

Christmas Crafting Early 
I know we are ((ALL)) complaining in our area that Christmas stuff was reaching our local stores in July. Summers at it's peak and they want me to think snow, cocoa and fireplaces. The only real connection I was feeling with that line of thinking was with the fire and the 102 (F) Degrees heat index we had here in Indiana today old frosty would have melted and roasted his chestnuts. However it is never to early to craft! I'm pretty sure old Martha baby (aka Martha Stewart) probably starts Easter 3 years ahead of time so she can find her swiss chocolate eggs and Pastel dipped french yodeling bunnies in time for her family to visit...yup thats a good thing. (It's all fun and games until some bunny poops) yes I had to throw that in.
    I know we are a group of crafters here and we love to make our homemade gifts (normally using our Silhouette Cameo..or other cutting machines) however today we are kickin' it "OLD SCHOOL" we are using scissors (gasps) and let me tell you the end result is so worth it! Let's get started making our OlliBlocks. With a few simple steps you will have a wonderful classy and best of all homemade gift. 
   What are Olliblocks they are small wooden blocks with pictures on them. You can switch the blocks head, body and legs around to create silly monsters, animals, superheroes and more. (each side of the block has a different unique and fun image) both my 2 year old and 6 year old son love these so the blocks are great for a wide age range. 

For this project you will need to log onto the Caravan Shoppe Website found here
 http://www.caravanshoppe.com/product-category/toys/

right now there is a sale going on spend $50 and save 30% with code caravanconfetti

Look for Toys and select and purchase the Ollieblocks pdf printable file of your choice.They have several really terrific options! Then download and print the pages.

SUPPLIES:

1.5" or 2" wooden blocks 
Hobby Lobby carries some wood blocks
However I have a handy hubby who cut me some wood blocks from a 2"x2"x36" poplar board (around $6 makes 17 qty blocks) from Lowes (though the label says 2x2 it's really almost exactly 1.5"x1.5") and I sanded them and painted them 
(Caravan Shoppe recommends craftparts.com)

*If you cut your own blocks*
 you will need a table saw
:-) proper safety gear
electric sander
I used 220 fine grit sand paper
and I painted my blocks before applying the images
I used that convicted felon paint (Martha Stewart Satin)
colors are pool, carrot, arrowhead, scottish highlands, rubber ducky
and Apple Barrel brand paint in flag red

full-sheet label (sticker) paper or card stock
I printed mine on 110lb. weight cardstock at home (hp inkjet) 
CARVAN SHOPPE SUGGESTS: You can print this from home on your home printer but be aware the the colors will probably turn out
darker and more muddy when printed on a home printer.

PRINT SHOP: You can print from the PDF at a local print shop. Caravan Shoppe  uses FedEx Office or Alphagraphics. Printing at a
print shop will give you a nicer, richer result. They recommend printing these on full-sheet label  

Scissors 

(Matte)mod podge

INSTRUCTIONS:
1) Print the artwork onto full-sheet sticker paper or card stock.

2) Cut each square out carefully with scissors or an xacto knife.

3) All heads should go on one block, all bodies on another, and all legs on a third block.

I brushed on a medium thick layer of (matte) Modge Podge.
Line up each paper square with a side of the block.

 The blocks may vary in size slightly, so you will
probably have to further trim down your squares to help them fit more perfectly. Instead of trimming I was going for a worn vintagy rough look so I used a scrapbook paper sanding block and sanded away any excess or over hang sand down and away from the images edge working in a outward motion from the image's center.

I do not worry about the “proper” order or arrangements of the pieces onto the blocks. They’re meant to
mix and match, so don’t worry about making them all face the same direction on all sides of the blocks.
(It’s impossible to do with 6 sides anyway!)

4) Adhere paper to wooden blocks with mod podge or other adhesive that dries clear. Test your adhesive
agent on some paper scraps (like the Olliblocks logo at the top) to make sure that it does not cause your
artwork to smear. We have found that glossy mod podge remains tacky beyond the proper drying time, so
you may also choose to seal with an acrylic sealer or use matte mod podge. Read an article about this

here: http://www.modpodgerocksblog.com/2009/05/wordle-and-solution-for-mod-podge.html

And tah dah!

You have Olliblocks!

I brushed a final top coat of (matte Modge Podge) on top to seal it all off.

You have yourself a wonderful gift for birthday, baby shower or Christmas.

The best part once you buy the file once you can make as many sets as you want!

I think these would be darling stocking stuffers! I could even see the Elf on the Shelf bringing them. Really if you get most your prsents made early then you dont have to run around town in a frenzy you can just enjoy the sights, sounds, smells, tastes, family and the True Meaning of Christmas. <><

Silhouette Cameo Glass Etching Tutorial

The Widow’s Olive Oil

4 The wife of a man from the company of the prophets cried out to Elisha, “Your servant my husband is dead, and you know that he revered the Lord. But now his creditor is coming to take my two boys as his slaves.”

² Elisha replied to her, “How can I help you? Tell me, what do you have in your house?”

“Your servant has nothing there at all,” she said, “except a small jar of olive oil.”

³ Elisha said, “Go around and ask all your neighbors for empty jars. Don’t ask for just a few. ⁴ Then go inside and shut the door behind you and your sons. Pour oil into all the jars, and as each is filled, put it to one side.”

⁵ She left him and shut the door behind her and her sons. They brought the jars to her and she kept pouring. ⁶ When all the jars were full, she said to her son, “Bring me another one.”

But he replied, “There is not a jar left.” Then the oil stopped flowing.

⁷ She went and told the man of God, and he said, “Go, sell the oil and pay your debts. You and your sons can live on what is left.”

Hi everyone!! Truth is my oil stop-ethed (I ran out ha ha) I got to the bottom of my oil pour bottle the other day and being that it is a solid surface in my house I had to Cameo-a-tize it....another words...I saw a fabulous opportunity to craft weeeeeeee!! So I had seen a frosted  bottle at Bed Bath and Beyond for like $19 so though it was pretty, the frugal wifey pooh came out in me and said 'I Can Totally Make That myself." So I set out to do this wonderful project and here is how it went down Sarah's World Style.

Gather your supplies:

1-Glass Pour Bottle 

(I bought a blank at Bed Bath and Beyond & my pour spout a loooong time ago but I'm sure you could even recycle a bottle) 

2-Vinyl 

( I got my vinyl from here  http://www.myvinyldirect.com/category_25/Gloss-Vinyl.htm )

3-Glass Etch Cream

(I bought my etch cream at Hobby Lobby use your coupon!!)

INSTRUCTIONS

First select your images you want to cut. I googled Olive Branch Silhouette I selected a image

and used the trace tool for my  olive branch design. Measure the front surface of your bottle so you know what size to make your font and image.My bottle was about 2.5" however I made the branch larger as I wanted to wrap it around my bottle on the side.  Once everything is lined up and the correct size send it to your cutter. (I use the Silhouette Cameo Vinyl setting to cut)

Next cut your design from your vinyl and...

weed your design (remove the part of your design you want to show up on the bottle)

Next transfer your design to the bottle (I prefer to use clear transfer tape for this project and I  etched my olive branch and words separately as I wanted to align my wording by hand in order to nestle the words against the branch really close and 2 smaller pieces is easier to apply and work with then 1 bigger piece for me)

Use a paint brush and apply the cream pretty thick

 If you have problems with little drips trying to run off simply touch that area with your brush and slide the drip back onto the design and even out the cream. I had to do this a few times (feel free to cut your vinyl larger so your cream does not end up close to the edge. I however don't want to waist any precious vinyl :-)

(DO NOT LET IT DRIP OR RUN OUTSIDE YOUR STENCIL AREA IT WI LL ETCH A BOO BOO)

***TIP*** You can scoop the etch cream on your paint brush and place it right back in the bottle to be reused!! I have done this time after time and it works perfectly on your next use. Rinse any excess cream off remove your vinyl. Wash your bottle and add your EVOO! (Extra Virgin Olive Oil) and now your ready to cook in style or what a wonderfully awesome hostess, wedding, birthday, Christmas or just because gift!

Wedding Guestbook Silhouette Cameo Tutorial

Hi Folks, she is at it again! 

I created a D.I.Y. wedding guest book. I have seen so many really gorgeous wedding guestbooks out there usually W-A-Y overpriced and then some not so clever. I must admit many a wedding I have attended the guest book gets slighted as being incorporated with theme or decor. So here is a inspiration to help your sad and lonely and long forgotten guestbook feel a part of the festivities. This would be a great bridal shower gift too!

WHAT YOU WILL NEED 
Glue Dots (found at Hobby Lobby, Michaels, Arciver's exct.) like these see the link below
http://shop.hobbylobby.com/products/1/2-removable-glue-dots-479378/

3qty Feet/1 yard of Ribbon I used 5/8" (message me on my etsy shop I sell a variety of colors in 5/8" www.etsy.com/shop/Havitalls

3qty Sheets of Adesive Printable Fabric Sheets 
http://www.myvinyldirect.com/item_36/Adhesive-Fabric-Sheets-inkjet-printable.htm

1 Blank Wedding Guest Book
https://www.etsy.com/listing/120973677/diy-blank-guestbook-ready-for-you-to

First start by designing your layout and print patterns on your Silhouette Software Print and cut your design (use the Silhouette cut setting for Cotton Canvas)

Peel off the backing for the Adhesive Printable Fabric cut pieces align them lay flat across the top and smooth down.

Next flip the book and pull taught and smooth down the edges that were overhanging on the inside of the front cover.

Repeat with however many pieces you have cut

smooth all the edges on the inside
the 3rd sheet of Adhesive Printable Fabric is optional it will be used to print and cut a liner for the inside of the front cover to cover these edges. (photo not shown of liner sorry) This would be a good spot to add a special note to your guests.

 Looking good so far!

Now just add some sticky dots were you want to place your ribbon you can just do a band or tie a bow on the front. You could add lace, feathers, charms, crystals or a piece of fabric from a family wedding heirloom.

\

I used 3 sticky dots on the inside of the front cover.

Laid my ribbon across the dots and smoothed it out. 

I shut the book and added 4 dots and lined my ribbon up on the front and smoothed it out

Then I tied a bow. You can use a dot under each bow loop and bow strand that hangs down to secure into place so the bow keeps a pretty shape

I designed a rectangle with 3 layers to it you can print it flat but the layers adds some depth and looks a swankier :-)

And tah dah now your guest book fits with your theme and decor and looks beautiful for your special day.

  

Valentines Day Vinyl Project Silhouette Cameo Tutorial

I LOVE YOU BECAUSE

Valentines Day is coming!

It's been a while peeps but here we are. I love Valentines Day. I know many a modern couples that view it as a Hallmark and Godiva Chocolate Holiday. But really that's okay with me I like both ;-) I really wanted to make a gift that was not so cliche' so I created this "I Love You Because..." Dry erase board all you need to make one is....

FRAME

(I used a 8x10 horizontally)

You can use any size you want

I got this one at Hobby Lobby

Dry Erase Marker

(I used a OXO Brand marker with a twist out tip and small erase topper I bought at Staples)

I hide it behind the frame

Matte Vinyl 

(I used Matte Black) From My Vinyl Direct here is the link

http://www.myvinyldirect.com/item_10/Matte-Vinyl-Single-Sheets.htm

It is available in many sizes and many colors.

Transfer Tape

My Vinyl Direct here is the link

http://www.myvinyldirect.com/category_12/Transfer-Tape.htm

Printable Adhesive Fabric Sheets

From you guessed it My Vinyl Direct link is below

http://www.myvinyldirect.com/item_36/Inkjet-Printable-Adhesive-Fabric-Sheets.htm

*Optional* Embellishments 

The Paper Studio SPARE PARTS fabric flowers

Black Antique Fabric Flower Asst. 9pc. pack

I got them at Hobby Lobby 

I'm sure you just got back from your run to the craft store (your welcome for a excuse to go ;-)

1st take your printable adhesive fabric sheet and print a pattern on it I used a fill pattern from Silouette's store called Labels. I cut mine with the Silhouette to 8"x10" but you can use scissors

You can easily use a piece of scrapbook paper instead ,but I like the subtle texture of the fabric sheets. I'm a interior designer and slightly obsess over textures LOL.

I loved this frame but it had a 5x7 matt I simply flipped it to the back of the frame and added placed the printed fabric sheet on the glass in front...the cardboard insert...and then the matt back in the frame.

I added a little drip drip or 3 of hot glue on the back of the flower embellishments and stuckem' to the frame.

We are getting there this is the progress so far Weeeee! So much fun

You really should stop and pat yourself on the back.

This is how I arranged the flowers. Because yes I had to show a close up. 

 I'm working in the Silhouette Designer Edition Software Program. I like to place a box around the objects or in this case text i'm working with it gives me a easy weed and scissor cut line. Stick your vinyl to the matte (note I'm using a Cricut Matte they take a little adjusting but they are about half the price of Silhouette Matts.

The My vinyl Direct Matte Vinyl has a little shimmer to it which I LOOOOOVE!

Peel up your rectangle

weed all the letters remove all the tiny pieces 

I use a dental pick set I bought at Harbor Freight Tool Store for like $4

cut along the rectangle lines

trace your cut rectangle on your transfer tape leave a little extra space to give room for not perfectly steady hands you need wiggle room

cut along the trace lines

peel and stick the transfer tape to the vinyl letters and burnish it with whatever tool you ave I use my old gift cards ....the vinyl should stick to the tape

peel the backing off the vinyl

stick the vinyl on the glass and burnish it into place smoothing out any bumps or bubbles

remove the transfer tape and viola!

sit back and enjoy

we right notes here and there and leave them for each other my hubby wrote the note on the right I wrote the note on the left LOL his arms really look like that

see told ya ;-)