OTP Jigsaw - by Annie Zorzo

Happy Boxing Day everyone!!!  I hope you have all had a lovely and festive Christmas with all of those you love.  I'm sure everyone is a bit tired today after yesterdays activites so I thought I would keep today's blog entry on the simple side.  Something you can set the kids up to do...if they're a bit older... and then go have a little kip!!!

Wish this was my idea but I got it from my sister-in-law in Indonesia who was helping me come up with ideas on how to keep my kids occupied over the school holidays in the wet weather....which we're having alot of where we are at the moment!  Quite simply, it's a photo of the child in question, done up as a very simple layout and then cut up to make a jigsaw puzzle.  For the smaller kids, keep the pieces to a minimum and watch their excitment when they see themselves reappear when it all fits back together.   For the older kids - the sky is the limit, use loads of papers and embellishments, then cut the jigsaw up into lots of smaller pieces and keep them occupied for ages!!!

My aim for this one for my youngest daughter was to make it fairly simple, bright and tactile.  And as it's a Christmas photo, the best way to do this is to add lots of sparkle!!!!

So here is what you need for a simple jigsaw:
* Cardboard
* Cardstock
* 2/3 pieces of pattern paper - I've used various October Afternoon papers - Farmfresh, Very Berry
* Ribbon - Lace, Ribbon and Sequin Trim
* Kindyglitz
* Judikins Embossing Powder
* Christmas Stamp
* VersaMagic Ink

And go about it like this...
1. Stick your cardstock to the cardboard.  Ink the edges
IMPORTANT NOTE - as you are going to be cutting this up into pieces, use lots of glue and make sure the undersides to be stuck down are completely covered.  You don't want pieces peeling up or coming lose once it's cut up.
2.  Using a Christmas Stamp I've stamped around the edges of the cardstock.
3.  I've then added some KindyGlitz to the edges for some sparkle.
4.  Cut 10x10" piece of pattern paper, ink the edges and stick down in the centre of the cardstock
5.  Cut two smaller pieces of pattern paper 11x5" and 10x2", ink the edges and stick down across the top section of the layout/jigsaw.
6. Sand the edges of your photo and stick down in the middle of your layout/jigsaw
7. Kindy Glitz around the edge of your photo
8. Taking some loop and thread lace I've glitter embossed the edges and then threaded a second piece of ribbon through.  I've then stuck this down under the photo.
9. Glue another ribbon strip across the top.

10. Cut up with a craft knife into pieces.  I've kept my edges straight and not interlocking since it's for a very young child, but you can cut it up as complicated as you like.

There there is a little Boxing Day Scrapping for you.  You could also do it at any time of the year, for Easter, School Holiday fun - why not make one each year, making it more complicated as you they grow?  Best use of all though, in my opinion, is for Birthday presents - quick, easy and hours of fun for the kids!

I'll leave you with it while I go have a Nana nap!!!  Merry Christmas.

PS - Thanks for the comments last week, my camera is working!!!!! Hip Hip Horray!!!!  Besides a whirring sound, it seems to be working OK, but I think it's days are numbered!!  Least it's got me through Christmas!  Thanks again x

Christmas Advent Calendar - by Annie Zorzo

Have you noticed that all of the Christmas papers that come out from the manufacturers are designed around white and snowy Christmases of the northern hemisphere?  Snow capped houses, snowmen, birds with snow covered hats etc etc.  I guess that's why I tend to steer clear of the a-typical christmas papers.  Like last weeks entry, I've done another Christmas project for you this week and I've stayed almost entirely away from anything Christmas - well a snow related Christmas that is.

This week I have an advent calendar for you based on an Australian Christmas at the beach. 

I know we're now past the first of December but if you can find one and dedicate yourself a day to putting it together, you'll have a basic one done.  Mine has taken a bit longer but that's with alot of stop starting due to kids.  What-ever you do, I can promise you that there is unlikely to be another one exactly the same.  Using stuff out of your stash, plus some great purchases make it just right for you, your family and your home.  My eldest daughter is already getting much enjoyment out of ours!

My materials list for this is also quite long so I'll break it up:
Main Shell
Kaisercraft Advent Calendar
Making Memories Paint
Kindy Glitz

Papers of Boxes
Imaginisce - Splash Dance
My Minds Eye - Penny Lane

Embellishments of Boxes
American Craft Thickers - various
Various Alpha Stickers
Various Christmas Element Stickers, Chipboard & Rubons
Ribbon 
Ribbon Buckles
JudiKins Glitter Embossing Powders
Kindy Glitz
Kaisercraft Rhinestones
Versa Magic Ink Pads
Zig Pen

Papers of Main Photo Area
Glitter Cardstock
Imaginisce - Splash Dance
Vellum

Embellishments of Main Photo Area
Mesh Ribbon 
Ribbon
Stamps
Watermark Stamp Pad
Judi Kins Glitter Embossing Powders
Christmas Chipboard - Tree and Presents
Sequin Ribbon
Bella Bling
Versa Magic Ink Pad
Clear Embossing Powder
Filigree Beads & Sequins (Tanyah has these in the shop but not on-line.  Contact her at ScrapnCraft w T)

Invisible Thread
3D mounting Tape


And like the materials list, if I was to break down how I put this all together into steps, you would be here reading all day.  So I'm just going to give you a few hints, tips and ideas for your construction and embellishments.

Main Shell - HINTS & IDEAS
- I painted mine after it was all put together.  There is no reason why you can't paint it first to do away having to get into all the corners.  I painted everything but the actual back.
- After the paint was dry I applied Kindy Glitz to give it some sparkle - like the sun on the ocean.
- I hot glue gunned my boxes together.  When doing it, I found it easiest to do the two front edges and then the back edges.  This allows you to hold them in place until the glue sets.
- I also painted the bottom, top edges and insides of my boxes.  This is an extra step that you might not decide to do, but I wanted the same ocean colour to show when you pull out the drawers.

Covering and Embellishing the boxes - HINTS & IDEAS

- Make the most out of your paper, measure the height of the box and then cut a rectangle strip the full 12" width of the paper, and then cut in half at 6".  As you're not going to be pulling out the boxes all the way, it won't matter that the paper doesn't completely touch on the back side.

- I can't stress enough that you shouldn't worry if your papers don't have a Christmas theme or if once covered they don't look festive enough.  Be patient - wait until after you have embellished the boxes and created your central scene.  After all this if you still don't think it's festive enough - go back and embellish some more.  Here's a few close ups...

 

 

- When embellishing, be aware that anything else that you wrap around the box - ie ribbon or ribbon stickers will make it more snug for the box and a bit difficult to pull out.  Limit doing this or just have them going across the front.
- I mixed up the type of numerals I used to make it more fun to find the next day.
- To give it that Christmas feel, I added lots of sparkle, some Christmas rubons, stickers and chip embellishments.

Embellishing the Main Area - HINTS & IDEAS
- As I was going for a beach/ocean feel, I wanted a beach scene.  To create the beach I used the American Crafts Glitter Cardstock and glued it down in an arc so it was raised.  You'll have to hold in place until the glue sets and a hot glue gun is good for this.
- For the waves, I pulled some mesh ribbon from each side so it became wavy.  I then folded and stuck it down along the middle in two different lengths.

- As I get a Santa photo of my girls every year, I wanted to incorporate that but also be able to change it.  To make this inter-changeable hanging piece I ripped off the back cover of a Little Golden Book to have something sturdy.  I then cut it down slightly larger than a 6 x 4" photo - leaving more space at the top to secure it to the Advent Calendar.  I then covered it front and back and put a final layer of vellum on the top side.  I then ripped the vellum so I could easily secure a photo in behind the tears without the need to glue it down.  I then embossed the vellum and trimmed it with ribbon.
- To hang the Santa photo, I made two holes along the top edge of my photo board.  I glued the centre section of a length of ribbon to the top underside of the Advent Calendar and threaded the ends through the holes and tied it off in a bow.

- For my Christmas on the beach seen, it wouldn't be complete without a surfboard.  I embossed the hibiscus flower and Christmas tree.  Added some decorations (sequin ribbon and bling) and then layered them on top of my 'sand' using glue and mounting tape.  I did the same with the presents down the bottom.
- My dangling ornaments are filigree beads which I've threaded with invisible thread and secured with sequins and beads.  I've tied it off and glued to the top underside with another sequin disguising the end of the thread.

Other Ideas
- I specially wanted a beach theme as this is where we spend our Christmas holidays.  I haven't made one of these any other way, but I believe if you have a theme or direction in mind before you start, your progress will be quicker.
- For a simple Advent, try using just one or two papers (get a few sheets) and use the numerals within the KaiserCraft pack.
- Depending on where you spend your Christmas, you could have that as your central theme - what about a Christmas on the farm with a tractor, picket fence and a normal tree decorated as a Christmas tree.
- You could also have a monochromatic theme with varying shades of the one colour - this I think could be quite exciting.
- If you have more than one child that is going to be opening the boxes, figure out if they will take turns on alternate days (good for older kids) or if you have to include something on each day for each child.  Some things you can add:
1. Lollies
2. Christmas jokes
3. Money (my kids get 30 cents and 10 cents....Christmas budget LOL!!!)
4. Treasure map to a bigger surprise.
5. Make up tickets for an outing - ie admit one to the local pool.

So I hope I've given you enough ideas to get started.  Grab an idea, set yourself time and get to it.  You might have missed a few days but you can start counting down as soon as you get it finished.

Merry Christmas to you all.  I hope that the festive season has hit your house as hard as it's hit ours.  I have a new love for this time of year when I see the excitement on my little girls face on anything and everything that is related to Santa and Christmas.

Enjoy and see you next week.

Altered Book By our Guest Designer this month Ruby Bisson

Ruby has been a guest Designer and we love her work so much we wanted her to come back and do some more of your amazing creative magie.

We have kits on sale at the moment and why not check out what we have, Today Ruby has used for this project  some of the Lime Rickey CARD KIT designed by Michelle Jamieson...

1.        

    

      It is amazing how different our use for kits can be used... The big advantage is that all the colours all co ordinate for you with no guessing work to be done to do not only the step by step projects if you want to but also create your own unique projects.

   

“KYCK KIDS’ mini album

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As I had already cut up some of the cute designs in the centre of the paper, I adhered the rest of the 12x12 sheet onto a piece of white cardstock...

1.       I then cut the patterned paper backed onto white cardstock into quarters...

2.       Using the same photo technique with paint, I ran some black paint around the edges of each piece.

3.       Using a very simple ‘blanket stitch’ technique, I sewed the pieces together to create a mini album.

4.       I embellished the front, added photos to the left hand side of the pages and journalled in the gaps left by the areas that I left originally and BOB’S YOUR UNCLE!

Thankyou heaps Ruby, love this mini book lots

Thankyou for reading

luv tanXx

Cardstock Shaped Album....fun for everyone to do!

I made made a mini album for my mother in law and my neice saw it and all she wanted was one for her birthday.....and when it was mine she returned one she had made for me... ( I will show you this one later)

This is an easy project for all ages to have a go at


All you need...

• Cardstock
• flowers
• bling
• ribbon 

Step one...
Work out what shapes you want to work with and what size

Step two...
These circle shapes were used for the back page of the album for the tree.

Step three...
Decorate your first page

Step four...
Decorage the back

Step five...
Decorate the sun, I had doodled on this side before placing any photos down

Step six
Decorate the back of the sun.

 Step seven
Decorate the flower...

Step eight
Decorate the back of the flower

Step nine...
Decorate the tree

Combine with a album ring and all done!....

hope you feel inspired to make one of these as a gift for someone special...

enjoy your Wednesday and thanks for poping in
luv tanXx

Welcome to December! Advent Calendar step-by-step

Wow, is it REALLY December already? I can hardly believe it! I bet there are heaps of you running around doing all that shopping and making wonderful presents for your friends and family. I just thought I'd inspire you to spend today creating something that can be treasured at this time of the year for years and years to come...

An Advet Calendar!

Kaisercraft have released a beautiful calendar with 24 boxes and a space for a photo or decorations, PERFECT for this time of the year. Not only does it come with the frame and the little boxes, but it also has all the numbers you need to count down to Christmas (plus some extras in case you muck them up... LOL). This calendar is wonderful for my family, as we all like a little treat for each day of the festive season - so it has got 4 chocolate coins in each drawer, one for each of us...

MATERIALS:

Kaisercraft Advent Calendar kit

5/6 sheets of double-sided Christmas-themed paper (I used Kasiercraft and Basic Grey)

Chipboard frame

Double-sided tape or mod-podge (or similar)

Red paint

Off-white paint

Kindyglitz (crystallina)

Glossy Accents or similar strong glue

Brown ink

Red ink

1 small clip

1 roll of wide ribbon

STEP 1:

This is the not-so-fun part... Pull all the bits of the kit apart and spend some time cutting the extra tabs off. Be sure you lightly sand the corners once you're done to make sure it's all smooth. This can take a little while - I did it while watching the TV...

Step 2:

Using the red paint, paint all the pieces (including the edges). I used a red paint with some glitter in it - just a little bit extra Chrsitmassy! Don't go too overboard on the paint, particularly on the tabs. They're already pretty tight to fit together, and adding paint can make it very hard to fit the tabs together.

STEP 3:

Assemble the calendar. I found I had to use a hammer for most of the assembly. To protect the soft wood from the hammer I used the scrap piece of wood that came in the kit over the top.

STEP 4:

Decide which paper you want to use for the centre of your calendar, and cut a 22cm square out of it. Cut the remaining papers into strips 5cm wide and 20cm long.

STEP 5:

I used double-sided tape to cover my boxes, but you can use mod-podge or something similar if you prefer. Wrap the tap around a little box and position it so the top of the box lines up wth the long edge of the paper.

STEP 6:

Fold the bottom of the paper over the bottom of the box, and use a 4.5x4cm piece of matching paper on the bottom to cover the edges.

STEP 7:

Cut the notch out of the fronts of the boxes.

Now repeat this process 23 more times to cover all of the boxes. Alternate between the fronts and backs of the papers to add variety in the boxes.

STEP 8:

Using some wide ribbon, wrap it around the outside of the calendar, and tie it into a bow at the top left. I held mine down with some double-sided tape, just to make sure it stayed where I wanted it to...

STEP 9:

Round the corners and ink the edges of he 22cm square you cut out before. Use some strong glue to stick it to the inside square of the calendar, and stick a small clip with the strong glue to the top middle (this is so you can add a different photo each year if you want to...).

STEP 10:

Paint the letters and chipboard frame (cut in half at the corners) with the off-white paint, and ink the edges with red ink. Stick them to the calendar with strong glue (I used Glossy Accents - LOVE that stuff). Then use Kindyglitz to make them sparkle. I also used kindyglitz on all of the dividers between the boxes.

So that's it - a beautiful keep-sake that you can use again and again each year. Much better than those chocolate calendars you can buy at the shops, PLUS you can put whatever you want in the boxes - even decorations or small presents!

I considered getting 2 of these kits from Scrap N Craft With T - one as a traditional Advent Calendar, and one to use for storage in my scrap area. I can just picture it painted to match my scrapping area and filled with brads, buttons and small flowers...

I hope you enjoy your start to the festive season!

Kylie