Button Owl Tutorial

After making 2 versions of the button bird , I decided to try something else. Since I really like owls, that's my next button creation!

You will need the following paper pieces and buttons as shown in the picture above. I used punches to create these shapes, but you could also cut your own.

Arrange the buttons and feet as shown in the picture above. Adhere. I used foam tape for the buttons, that works especially well if the buttons have a center that is lower than the rest of the button. Also, please note that the top button will be covered up completely, so it doesn't really matter what color it is.

Glue the 2 raindrop shapes together to form the head and adhere to the top button.

Add the beak, eyes and belly.

I thought he was missing something, so I gave him wings.

And then I suddenly thought he could use a branch to sit on. So I went to the yard and collected some small twigs... Then I needed to make another pair of feet, since these needed to be glued on top of the branch.

Then, I added a flower to the branch.

I really like the end result. This would be so cute as a card, for a scrapbook page(although I don't think the twig is acid-free...), in a picture frame as wall art, or glued on the frame itself to make a cute picture frame, or ...

What do you think?

I linked this up to:

Graduation Card

It's graduation time again, and I realized I don't have any graduation-themed stamps or paper. So, I decided to see if I could come up with a simple graduation card, using supplies I had on hand. I liked how simple it was, and decided to take some pictures so that I could make a tutorial.

You are going to need the following supplies:

1. foam tape
2. black diamond shape (cardstock or shiny paper)
3. black circle shape (same material as item 2)
4. brad
5. (white) cardstock, folded in half (this will be your card)
6. a sheet of (black) paper, slightly smaller than 5
7. strip of (silver) paper
(I embossed items 5&6 using my Cuttlebug embossing folders, but you could also use patterned paper or cardstock.)
8. piece of white paper
9. silver colored yarn

Tools:

• adhesive
• paper trimmer
  
• scissors
• needle or other piercing tool
  

First, assemble the card, as shown in the picture above.Then, cut the circle as pictured above.

Use a needle or other tool to poke a hole in the center of the diamond.

Put the brad in the center of the diamond. Use the foam tape to adhere the diamond to the shape that used to be the circle.

Roll the piece of paper to create the diploma, put a little bit of adhesive on the edge to make sure it doesn't unroll itself. Tie the yarn around it. Trim if necessary.

Use adhesive (I used Glue Dots here) to adhere the diploma and cap to the card.

This worked great, since I didn't need any special supplies or tools to create this card.

Also, the material I used for the cap is just the package that the embossing folder that I used came in. It was nice, shiny and sturdy cardstock, so I thought that would look pretty good. (Good thing you can't see that there is text printed on the back - I assume the graduate won't take my card apart...)

The string I used to tie the diploma is ribbon that was wrapped around a gift.

I always like to see how I can turn 'ordinary' things into craft supplies :)

I linked this up to:

Fruity Shake Recipe

This is my favorite way to add something healthy to our lunches! And, it is super easy (and quick) to make this fruity shake.

I usually start with fruits, like bananas, strawberries, blueberries, whatever I have on hand. Frozen berries work really well, too. Then I add milk, and sometimes yogurt. Turn the blender on for a minute or so, and you're done. I usually take a spoon to see if I like the taste. Sometimes I add some more of an ingredient.

My kids love this, and so do I, and I know I am feeding them fruits, milk and yogurt at the same time. Bonus: works great for slow eaters too!

Baby girl card

My husband had a baby shower at work for one of his (male) colleagues who is having a baby soon. I learned about it last minute, so had to get a gift and card at short notice.
I decided to make the card and keep it simple.
This took me only a few minutes.

The grosgrain flower ribbon I used is from Hobby Lobby. It's SO cute, so I decided the card didn't need much more. I'm really a sucker for pretty ribbon!! This one is pretty wide, so it covers a big part of the card. I put the stamped image on foam tape, so it is 3D, but you can't really see that in the picture.
To add a little more texture I used the "Swiss Dot" Cuttlebug embossing folder in my Big Shot. I really like how this changes a normal piece of cardstock into pretty embossed cardstock!

Can't wait for this!

It looks like I'll be sowing these soon. I am so excited!

I just love my little garden, and it's so fun for my girls to learn how things grow and pick fruits and veggies from the garden.

Button bird with fluffy tail

Do you remember this little bird?

I made him a little friend, this time with a fluffy tail!

As we were picking up some toys last night, I picked up some feathers that came from a feather boa from our girls' dress up box. I was heading for the garbage can, and then I suddenly got the idea to use them for this bird!

These are so easy to make!

Supplies needed:

• Buttons
• Googly eyes
• Feather (one makes a lot of tails!)
  
• Patterned paper or cardstock
• Marker
• Adhesive

Cut a little triangle to use as a beak. Cut a piece of the feather. Using the picture above as a guideline, lay the feather and beak down on the paper. Put the button on top of it to see if you like the look. With a marker, draw the feet of the bird.
Glue the beak and feather in place.

Glue the button on the background paper.

Cut a little wing out of patterned paper or cardstock, and attach the wing and the eye.

And that's it.

These are fun to use on cards, in scrapbook projects, or other paper crafts.

I just love the possibilities.

I linked this up to:

Waiting for summer...

I am ready for summer!

Unfortunately, the weather isn't.

I found these cute, cheerful flower pots at Michaels and couldn't wait to fill them with plants and put them on our table outside. They are so cute, but as you can see in the picture, it is raining - again! I guess I need to be patient...