Perler Beads

Based on my lack of posts, I haven't been creative very often. Today I decided to make some Christmas characters/decorations by using the small cylinder beads and plates with 'spikes'. For lack of a better way to describe, see the pictures below.
I sat at the table probably between 2-3 hours non stop, except to blink.  I purchased these beads from Ikea and they came in a large tub so none of the colours were sorted.  So out came the tweezers and patience.  I sorted a good number of them into an ice tray. 
I found a good website by EKSuccessBrands.  I found numerous projects with detailed instructions IN COLOUR.  Very helpful.  The site has projects ranging from the age range of 4 - teen.
I hope my niece and nephew enjoy them.  (Their Christmas tree just went up today.)



Magnet Board

I made this magnet board for a Secret Santa gift, not knowing how much of a problem I was getting myself into.  I saw a picture of this and thought, no problem, looks easy enough.

I used a cooke sheet and apparently adhering the fabric to metal isn't all that easy.  Hot glue doesn't work, strong white glue - no go, so the next option was 3M super 77 adhesive spray for $15.  Mom thought of double sided tape and that worked 10x better.  The problem with the first 2 tries was the metal isn't porous but the fabric was so the glue just stuck to the fabric.  Slightly annoying!

You're probably wondering how I got the ribbon thru the metal, eh?  I had planned on making a dent with a drill but didn't have the right drill bits for metal so used a hammer and nail and banged really hard.  No problem! 

Here is the back.  The red fabric was obviously wrapped around to the back of the pan but what do you cover it with?  I used a piece of cardboard, cut from a box.  I covered it with cardstock, added a red border from cardstock and covered that edge with black ribbon.  The final product is ok.  I didn't see the back of the original board where I got the idea from so don't know what it was like. 

The magnets I made from buttons and bought the magnet part from Michaels with a 50% off coupon and it was less than $2.00!  I hope the recipient likes it.  I asked ahead what her decor colours were and red and black are in her kitchen.

Anniversary Invitations for my Parents

Mom and Dad's wedding date is May 15th.  Caitlin and I had a surprise party for them at her house with about 11 people over.  There were appy's and cake....a professionally made cake too.
The invitation colours were chosen as they were beauce mom's fave colour is red and dad's is yellow.

Recipe Boxes

I made this recipe box last year as a secret Santa gift for a co-worker.

Long Lost Cards

I found this picture of some cards I made with my Cricut machine.  I have the Cricut Create.  It's not like the big ones where you can put in 12"x12" paper, unfortunately, but rather 12"x6" paper.

 

I was seeing what the cricut could produce and my cartridge that makes cards did these.  I ended up giving my Uncle the cake one for his birthday in July.

Christmas Card Kit, but Still Handmade

2012 Calendar - Very Knarly

Here's a preview of a 2012 Recipe Calendar that I'm making for a friend for Christmas.  I have chosen tye-dye as my theme.  I found a great paper pack with about 48 sheets of tye-dye pages (2 of each design).  Each 4"x6" recipe card is laminated and inserted into clear photo corners for easy removal.  This is the second recipe calendar I've made and since the recipes are the main attraction I don't embelish much else on each page as I don't expect the calendar to be saved after the year is finished, but I hope the recipes will be.