Festive Pillow

Happy Friday!

I love Friday... I'm not sure why since I typically teach classes on the weekends so it's more like the start of my continuous work week... must just be residual excitement from school days of long ago...

I want to show you a pillow that I created using my Silhouette SD and Flocked Heat Transfer Material (also from Silhouette). It's so easy, you don't need to be a good sewer, you just need to know how to turn on your iron and count!

I cut out a jingle bell and the word "Believe" from the red heat transfer material. I REMEMBERED (the 2nd time!) to mirror my word so that once I ironed it on it would read correctly. Once I cut these beauties out, I peeled off the negative space and then ironed them both onto a 12x12 in. piece of duck cloth (using the instructions on box). I then cut 4 -2x14 in. pieces of coordinating material and sewed them around the edge of my pillow - I just wanted to add a little something. I then cut a square (the same size of my front panel) from fabric and sewed all of my pieces together! Add a few buttons, stuff with a pillow and there you go! Super cute, super easy and I think I've spilled the beans for everyone's Christmas presents this year!

I have a lot more projects to share, so stay tuned!
Andrea

New Release Tuesday!!!

Ahhh, it's such a relief that I can finally post some pictures of projects that I've been making using LifeStyle Crafts "Winter Wishes" gift set, which I think it totally FAB-U-LOUS!!! Here are a few simple but CUTE gift card holders.

You can get 3 cards from 2 pieces of 12x12 paper. Not too shabby, huh? Just slide a gift card or photo into the front pocket and mail it off! I love that you can do this for any occasion, it really is a versatile set. I also love the font that comes with it, very fun and festive.

So, I know that I haven't been posting regularly, but the Holiday's are super busy in the crafting world (which I'm sure you know!), so please keep checking back and I promise to do my best to NOT let my blog wait til the 1st of the year!!! I really do have some super fun projects that I've been working on that I can't wait to share! I've been using a lot of the Silhouette SD lately, I'll be at Pages from the Heart (Monrovia) on Thursday night for a fun night of demo's and chit chat! Please call Kathy and join us!

See you back SOMETIME this week!
Andrea

There's a party in my Mouth! Party Mix

Hello -
Well, at a class on Saturday we made goodie bags filled with an easy and fun "party mix" for all the ladies in the class! We made super simple bag toppers (cut a 4x4 in square from patterned paper - fold in half, use a border punch on one edge, then we cut "Merry Christmas" using the Silhouette and glued them onto the square,) that we staple to platic baggies with munch in them. Easy easy! BUT, since everyone enjoyed the party mix so much I decided to post the recipe. This makes a TON, so make sure that if you make it that you have plenty of people to hand it out to, otherwise you'll have cavities galore!!

12 Cups Popped Popcorn (remove unpopped kernels!) OR 5 Cups Corn Chex
3 Cups Frosted Cherrios (I like to use generic fruit loops for a more colorful mix!)
1.5 Cups peanuts or pecans (I use cocktail peanuts)
1 Lg package M&M's (you can get them in a variety of colors to match your theme or season!)
1 10 oz pkg mini-twist pretzels
3 pkg white chocolate chips
3 tbsp vegetable oil

Line a few cookie sheets with wax paper or spray with pam (you'll need 4 or 5 cookie sheets)

Mix the first 5 ingredients together in an EXTRA LARGE bowl - I've had to use 2 bowls at times. I mix by hand, it just seems easier.

Melt the chocolate chips and oil in the microwave, I do them for a minute in the beginning, then go down to 15 sec intervals as they start to melt. Poor over mix. Stir with spoon.

Spread onto cookie sheets IMMEDIATELY!! You can put them in fridge for the chocolate to set up faster or you can leave them out in a cool room for about 2 hours. Store in air-tight container.

That's it! Very easy but makes a ton! And everyone who tries it can't get enough! Anyways, stay tuned! This week I'll be posting a project that I'm creating with the LifeStyle Crafts (formerly QuicKutz) NEW Christmas dies!!! Fun Fun!
Andrea

Happy Halloween

Buzz, Woody and Jesse all had a blast! Happy Halloween, all!