Tinkerbell Nugget Holder

Happy St. Patrick's Day! I have something else that is green I want to share with you today:  Tinkerbell Nugget Holder.

I created Tinkerbell for Vrushti, my friend's daughter, and her friends to make at her 8th Birthday party.  They had so much fun (and a little confusion with the bent leg). :)  We also took pictures of all the kids with Vrushti and then made a scrapbook page for each guest

The tea box was so cute that I couldn't pass in re-using it.  You know, I feel like "going green" lately.  It stored the little bear and candy I made for Vrushti.

Her expression and eyes are not quite exactly like Tinkerbell herself, I must admit, but it still make Fairy Vrushti very happy!  Thank you for letting me share my creativity with your daughter and her friends, Setu!  It was such a beautiful day!

Have a wonderful day!

Danee

Coach's Basketball Cards

My son, Ryan, has been in the CYO basketball since 2nd grade.  The Fourth Graders celebrated their end of the season basketball last Saturday.  It was really fun to see the kids so excited to receive their trophies and awards.  I put together some quick Basketball cards for the 3 coaches. 

I started out doing the rolling basketball I CASE from SCS gallery by stamper Star, but my cards are 8-1/2" x 5-1/2".

Then I change it into a moving shot.

Finally, I create a Basketball stand by rolling the side of the pencil in the ink to achieve the pole.  Thank you, Coaches Miguel, Juan, and Pedro!

Danee

Labor Of Love For My Valentines

Hello, there!  I hope you had a wonderful Valentines Day and a nice President's Day weekend.  This year, I wanted to simplify the kid's Valentines Day gifts.  So I started out by making gifts for Jake's friends using all the things I have in my stash.

They were so simple that I finished them a couple of weeks before Valentines Day!

I was not sure what to make for Ryan's friends.  So I started to make these bears for my sons instead.  They turned out really cute and then Ryan wanted to me to make them for his friends.

I couldn't possibly finish 30 bears on time with all the activities we've been having lately and told him to save it for next year.  No, he begged and begged me to do so.

While working on these bears, my husband said he couldn't understand why I would spend the time doing this since some kids (the boys) would not appreciate them.  I told him it melted my heart to see Ryan cared enough about his friends to beg me to do them.  It's "Labor of Love" to me.  The next thing I knew, my husband sat down and asked me, "What can I do?"  That's so sweet since it's the first time he had ever crafted with me!

We finished 30 bears on time to pass them out to the 4th graders and teachers.  They loved them!  Some of the kids ran to me to say "Thank You" after school.  Other kids were snuggling and patting on the bears while showing their parents.  One particular boy, Ismael, emphasized, "Everyone liked them!" when I told him that I am glad he liked it.  I think 4th graders are perfect kids in receiving these bears.  They are not too young to take them for granted and they are not too old to feel embarassed to receive them. :)

My kids love them and can't thank us enough!  Who wouldn't when they are only about 2-1/2" tall?  Even the teachers were excited to receive them.

They are ADORABLE!  Thank you, Patty Bennett, for a great tutorial!

Danee

Go Green Western Theme Centerpieces

We had a Live and Silent Auction Dinner at the kid's school last Saturday.  It was so fun!

Beer bottles, old shirts, patterned paper, and twines

I helped out in creating vases for the centerpieces.  I used various recycling materials for this project and sent a few samples out.  The school staff loved the samples and varieties.

Cans, brown bag paper and patterned paper

I had a few retired stamp sets that are Western theme.  I used them along with old shirts, cans, bottles, brown bags, burlap rice bags, jeans and kid's toys.

Snapple and Starbucks bottles, old shirts, patterned paper, etc.

I had some Western theme patterned paper given to me by a friend.  Thanks, Eloisa!  Of course, I never forget to use the punches for a little cowboy punch art.

Pickle and coffee jars with burlap bag, old shirt and jeans.

Mini Bite Brownie Boxes

Well, hello, again!  As you know, I don't normally bake sweets, but my family loves them.  Lately, I have been in the kitchen more - trying out new recipes to give my kids and husband some healthier versions of the sweets out there.  I made some Mini Bite Brownies yesterday.  The kids enjoyed it very much and I thought I pack some for their school snacks today.

These boxes look like cake boxes!  The Brownies are made from black beans, pumpkin puree, and dark chocolate.  I got the recipe from here.

They look like this before putting them in the fridge and wrapping them.  Can you tell I am not too fancy in putting on the toppings? :)

The cute boxes make up for it, right?  To make the box, cut out a 4-1/2" x 7" piece of card stock.  Score 1-1/4" and 3-1/4" on the short side.  Score 1-1/4", 3-1/4", 4-1/2", and 6-1/2" on the long side.  Cut the sides and round the corners of the flap.  Punch a 1-1/4" circle on both the CS and DSP at the top.  For the insert, I use the left over piece and cut into 2" x 2-1/2".  Score 1/4" and 2-1/4" on the long side and punch a hole with 1-3/4" circle to hold the Brownie in place.  Adhere it all the way to the bottom of the box (1/4" high).

I am surprised that they are delicious and healthy!  Hope you will have a sweet day!

Danee

Frog Magnetic Bookmarks

Yesterday, I've shown you Ryan's gifts for his classmates and teachers and the instruction for the bookmarks here.  Today, I am showing Jake's choice.  He decides that he wants frogs on his bookmarks since his class theme this year is Fully Responsible, Organized, and Growing (F.R.O.G.).

He wants to do it all!  So he stamps, punches, and colors all the images.  I just have to re-stamp some of the images with shadows.  Since it's more of a Spring theme, I decide to use {friend to friend} for his friends and "thank you" for his favorite school staffs.  Yes, he is very considerate with this!  All the stamp sentiments are from Teeny Tiny Wishes stamp set which fit perfectly into my little projects.  The frog was from the Turtle & Co. (retired) stamp set.

The bookmark snaps closed around the page with the magnets.

When you give a 5-year old a chance to do what he wants, things won't be perfect and he will make himself unique!  I am OK with this as it sure speeds up the process with little helping hands!

The kids are on Spring Break starting tomorrow so have a very happy Easter this coming weekend!  Yeah!

Danee

Everybunny Chick Bookmarks

I can't hardly believe it has been a 100 days since my Dad passed away and I miss him so much!  My Mother-In-Law has also become ill recently.  Please say a little prayer for them for me.  Thank you!  My youngest son, Jake, is so thoughtful and reminds me that Grandpa loves rosemary and tangerines.  So he picks the tiniest tangerine from our garden to bring it to the cemetery.  How cute is that?

Let's get start with today's project.  I told the boys that we have to start making gifts for their friends for Easter.  This year, I am making magnetic bookmarks that I got the idea from Julie here because every Spring break, the kids have a Read-A-Thon from school.  I like the idea that these bookmarks snap close around the page.  The boys get to choose a stamp based on Easter or Spring theme. 

Ryan selects the chick from Everybunny stamp set.  He has done a great job at stamping, punching, and coloring.  After coloring a few images, he said that he got too many classmates and asked me to finish it up for him. :)

I get to reuse and recycle expired calendar and advertised refrigerator magnets that I no longer need.  My brother also gave me a whole sheet of advertised magnet he got at his auto shop, too.  So there were plenty for both Ryan and Jake's classes!  Each magnet is cut into 1" square and made sure that they are place on the right polarity by turning the top magnet around until it's stuck hard to the bottom magnet.  You really need to do this step right, trust me. :)  I also use the Coloring Coach for these great dynamic dual colors:  Rose Red/Regal Rose and Baja Breeze/Not Quite Navy along with the Daffodil Delight.

I cut my card stock into 5-1/2"  x 8-1/2" and score at 2-3/4" on the short side.  Then I trim it down to 2-1/8" before I run it through the Big Shot with the Two Tags Die.  Line up the fold in the middle line along with the large tag to cut.  You get 8 bookmarks per sheet.

Have a great day!

Danee

Ninjas To Go

Don't you sometimes have trouble following all the names of the characters your kids talk about?  So I create all five color Ninjagos after this post to remember their names.

A few weeks ago, my uncle sent me a picture of a couple of men standing in the park holding a sign, "Ashes To Go" on Ash Wednesday.  He was wondering what else in America would be to go?  Here is another tip.  Whenever I mass-produce these little Nugget holders, I put them in the Stamp Cases flat with everything ready to go.  All I have to do is pop them up and put the Hershey's Nuggets inside when I am ready to finish.

Have a great day, Ninjas!

Danee

Hello Kitty Post It Note Keychains

Who love Hello Kitty?  I have some quick and easy Post It Note Keychains for you!  Well, at least for some friends I will be seeing today.

These are the small Post It Notes cover with card stock.  I cut the CS to 3-3/8" x 2-1/8" and score at 1-5/8" and 1-3/4" on the long side. 

Punches use:  Itty Bitty Punch Pack, Cupcake Builder and 1/4" Circle punches. 

I love the Tiny Tags stamp set.  It's so perfect for this little Hello Kitty!

Have a great weekend!

Danee

Duck and Chick Post It Notes

It has been very nice and warm here.  So I have been outside my backyard more.  Does anybody have any idea on how to get rid of oxalis weeds naturally?  They look like 3-leaf clovers.  I got the boys to come out spraying the cracks of the pavers with a solution of soap and baking soda.  I have to wait to see if that work.  I also got the boys to dig bulbs, bugs, and slugs for the chickens while I weed.  Talking about chickens and worms and someone also asked me to make an owl, here is a picture of some of those critters that I did a few years ago.

Anyhow, on to my post for today.  I got inspired to make these little duck and chick Post It Notes when I saw the cute Coach duck keychain.

The idea to cut the Post It Note into different shapes comes from Becky Roberts' Butterfly PIN. Thank you, Becky!

Duck:  Circle #2 Die, 2-1/2" Circle, 1-3/4" Circle, Small Oval, Modern Label, and Cupcake Builder Punches.

Chick:  Circle #2 Die, 2-1/2" Circle, 1-3/4" Circle, Petite Pennant Builder , Boho Blossoms, and Cupcake Builder, Bird Builder Punches.

Have a beautiful day!

Danee

DIY: Apothecary Jars & Tags

Since I saw the Sweet Table at my niece's wedding here, I've been wanting to have some Apothecary jars.  Well, I want a smaller version and lower prices for those jars.  So I found the idea on Pinterest.

I keep my eyes open for jars, vases, lids, and candlestick holders at garage sales and "vintage" stores.  After removing the tags with Goo Gone, washing with soap, soaking in vinegar, and rising them well in water, I am ready!

It is pretty easy to do!  I just glue the jars to the candlestick holders with E-6000 glue in a well ventilated area, let them dry over night, wash them again and I am done!

I then decorate the lids with some handmade tags:  M&M, Pineapple, and Sunflower punch art.  The kids & our guests couldn't stop stopping by this table!  (I know I still need one more lid to complete the project.)

There are so many uses for them.  Right now, they store our nuts, Wasabi peas, dried fruits, and candies.  Each jar costs less than $3 to make!  I once sent these jars to school for Staff's Appreciation Day and someone thought I sell the food in them. :)

Have a beautiful day!

Danee

LNS Challenge 212: St. Patrick Card

I made this St. Patrick Card using this tutorial here.  I am also entering it in the Late Night Stampers Challenge 212:  Green.

It's actually a birthday card for our Pastor.  He has a very good sense of humor and we love him very much for all that he does for our church, community and school!  We tease him that he should go over to Rome to see what he can do since the Pope is resigning.  He said that Rome wouldn't agree with him.  Well, perhaps he can be our next Bishop here then. :)

This is my work in progress.  Although our Pastor doesn't have beard and mustache, this young Bishop looks too young on the card.  So now he looks like St. Patrick because he is Irish!  Happy Birthday, Father Seamus!

Have a wonderful day!

Danee

Upcycled Glass Jars: Homemade XO Sauce

My husband loves XO Sauce!  We used to buy it, but it was a little bit too pricey and we stopped.   A few weeks ago, my friend Angela brought over some and my husband sure enjoyed it so much again!  So we decide to make them.

I clean out these containers and reuse them.  We soak the dried squid, dried shrimps, and dried scallops. We put them and the Chinese pickled radish through the Magics Bullet to grind them up. We then add dried pepper flakes and garlic and stir-fried all the ingredients together.

 
I love the Hoop La La stamp set as it reminded me of my Home Economic teacher, Mrs. Lin Crow, from 7th grade.  I learned how to cross stitch with her.  She was very kind and caring for me and my younger sisters as we were getting adjusted to the new country.  I am not sure if these kind of classes are being offered any more!  Anyhow, I decide to use the cross-stitched heart with XOXO image for the sauce.

I generate the "Homemade Sauce" labels using MDS, print them out and stamp the image in the center.

Have a lovely day!

Danee

Upcycled Glass Jars: Butterfly Oasis

These wide-mouth glass jars were Almond Butter and Salsa jars!

I got this idea from Crafts Unleashed.  After pruning our trees, I got a couple of sticks and hot glued them down on a traced (around the jar) cardboard and glued down some mosses to cover the cardboard.

I cut the butterfly (using DSP) with the Beautiful Butterflies Die, wrap a piece of colored wire around the butterfly, and add either pearls or colored rhinestones to the body of the butterflies.  I also wrap the wire around a wooden skewer for the butterfly antennas.

I sent these Butterfly Oasis to the kid's school for the WCEA team members to enjoy as one of their centerpieces.  Aren't they beautiful?

Have a beautiful day!

Danee

Upcycled Baby Food Jars

I got a few baby food jars that I saved.

I clean them thoroughly before proceeding to the next step.

I add baking soda to the baby food containers.  I cut out a piece of fabric with the largest Scallop Circle Die, add a rubber band to hold it in place and then tie a nice ribbon around it.  Now I can place it in my freezer or fridge to take care of the odor and still look nice! After a couple of weeks, I will refill them with a fresh batch and use the old baking soda to clean my sink and drain.  There are hundred ways to use baking soda.

Let me know what you think.  Have a nice day!

Danee