The Crafts Dept. » Blake Ramsey

Love Struck Pencils

Blake Ramsey — Fri, 03 Feb 2012 14:00:47 +0000

Today's guest post comes from Claire Roudabush and Kristin Eddington, of BLOW UP! blog. We are so inspired by their posts everyday, and are thrilled that they've taken the time to share this super cool Valentine DIY.

"Go ahead, get love struck. We made these colored pencil arrows to share with any target your heart desires. Follow our steps and practice your aim, these guys are sure to be a hit

You will need:

1. (x3) black and white turkey quills

2. Wooden pencils

3. Colored acrylic paint

4. Xacto blade

5. Super or hot glue

6. Paint brush"

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2 Step 1: Paint a pattern of stripes on your colored pencil and let them dry.

3 Step 2: Cut the feather down the spine, splitting in two.

4 Step 3: Snip off the rounded top of one half of the feather. Measuring from the new top, cut off two-inch segments of the feather to attach to the end of your pencil

5 Step 4: Glue (x3) pieces of the cut feather to the top of the colored pencil.

Valentine's Day Cards and Gifts

Blake Ramsey — Sat, 28 Jan 2012 14:00:46 +0000

It's still technically January, but trust me, Valentine's day is just around the corner! This weekend is the perfect opportunity to get started on those handmade gifts-

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get the kids involved too-

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While we always like to promote making your own crafts, there are too many cards and gifts out there that are just too cute to resist! Take a look at some of our favorites, and please let us know of any that you think we've forgotten.

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1 Cards by Yellow Owl Workshop http://www.yellowowlworkshop.com/love.html (coming soon: a special Yellow Owl printable valentine on our blog!)

2 http://www.yellowowlworkshop.com/love.html

3 http://www.yellowowlworkshop.com/love.html

4 Yellow Owl "Love You Stamp Set" http://www.yellowowlworkshop.com/stamps.html

5 Find these sweeties in the Upon a Fold shop- and they're on sale now! http://uponafold.com.au/shop/product/eri_eri_pun/

6 Another "gem" from Upon a Fold- http://uponafold.com.au/shop/product/ddc_dbr_jew/

7 A print from Erin Jang of The Indigo Bunting. Coming soon to our blog: a special printable clipart valentine from Erin! http://Theindigobunting.bigcartel.com/product/love-you-like-a-fat-kid-loves-cake

8 Love this one from Bird and Banner- it's so quintessentially crafty with the heart doily and faux stitching. http://www.etsy.com/listing/66356683/pack-of-5-you-have-my-heart-cards

9 This letterpress beauty is from Moontree Press. http://www.etsy.com/listing/65264177/love-letterpress-card

10 Rifle Paper Co. sells these funny postcards in sets of 10, so there are plenty to go around. http://riflepaperco.com/item/Valentine_s_Day_Postcards/259/c34

11 This one's a bit more romantic- http://riflepaperco.com/item/Valentine_s_Balloon_Card/145

12 Banquet's "Swans in Love" http://shop.banquetworkshop.com/product/swans-in-love-hot-pink-valentines-card-doily

13 http://shop.banquetworkshop.com/product/neon-pink-heart-card

14 Banquet's vine gift wrap is almost to pretty to open. http://shop.banquetworkshop.com/product/pink-on-pink-gift-wrap-vines

15 Anglea Liguori sells this pretty XOXO ribbon- I think it'd be sweet to sew a bit of it into a loved one's mitten. http://shop.angelaliguori.com/product/new-xoxoxox-brocaded-ribbon

16 More adorable ribbon from Somerset Market on Etsy- http://www.etsy.com/listing/89409991/valentine-ribbon-red-love-hearts-printed

17 Choose your own colors to embroider these gift tags. http://amhdesignonline.com/Merchant5/merchant.mvc?Screen=PROD&Store_Code=ADL&Product_Code=Heart-tag-white&Category_Code=GIFT_subcategory

18 Some irresistible treat boxes from our very own Martha Stewart Crafts team! http://msc.eksuccessbrands.com/Product/Valentines+Day+Heart+3x3+Treat+Box.aspx

19 Wrap up some homemade treats with these bags. http://msc.eksuccessbrands.com/Product/Valentines+Day++Heart+Shape+Treat+Bag.aspx

20 Mini Treat Boxes- so tiny, so cute! http://msc.eksuccessbrands.com/Product/Valentines+Day+Mini+Treat+Boxes.aspx#

21 Classic heart stickers from Knot & Bow- share them with a classroom, use them to embellish cards or seal envelopes, or even wear one on a lapel. http://www.etsy.com/listing/67183414/144-red-heart-stickers-free-shipping

22 So cute! http://www.etsy.com/listing/62722740/me-you-pencils-gold-engraved-natural

23 This beautiful recycled letterpress banner is from Something's Hiding in Here. http://www.etsy.com/shop/somethingshidinghere?ref=si_shop

24 These yo-yos too! http://www.etsy.com/shop/somethingshidinghere?ref=si_shop

25 Chez Sucre Chez sells these as kits or already completed- you choose! http://www.etsy.com/listing/76109394/squirrelly-love-cross-stitch-kit

26 http://www.etsy.com/listing/90470149/diy-kit-lovebirds-new-colorway

27 http://www.etsy.com/listing/35187442/diy-x-stitch-kit-and-pattern-some-bunny

28 Harriet Damave makes the most beautiful hand-painted pieces. Choose one of these hearts, or one of her sweet animals. http://www.etsy.com/listing/78779450/heart-delft-handpainted-porcelain-wall

3D Valentines

Blake Ramsey — Fri, 27 Jan 2012 15:18:40 +0000

Already making valentine cards? I know I am! Well, if you're tired of doilies and construction paper, then try a few of our 3D cards from the February issue of Living. Inspired by classic pop-up books, these cards include garlands, bold accordion folded graphics, clip art pop-outs, and clever hiding spots for an extra special note, gift card, or invitation to date night.

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1 Our garland cards- aside from basic tools, all you need is a bit of ribbon or cord, our templates, and your favorite scrapbooking papers.

2 See how easy??

4 These templates can be printed straight onto your colored card stock for an easy, but very special, surprise.

5 Print this classic pop-up clip art onto card stock, and follow our guidelines for cutting and folding.

6 Tuck whatever you'd like into these tiny envelopes- a love note, gift card, movie tickets, sweet photo, business card from your favorite restaurant and an invite to date night, or even cash.

7 You'll also find our basic card making tips in the story including some of our favorite tools and materials.

We hope you enjoy making these cards- please tell us how yours turn out! They could look very different depending on which papers you choose. We'd love to see yours. You may have noticed that our new blog header was also inspired by this story!

Valentine Candy Boxes

Blake Ramsey — Mon, 23 Jan 2012 14:59:28 +0000

I had so much fun making the heart-shaped boxes in February's issue of Living- and even more fun creating this iPad animation with the shoot team-

You can find the templates and how-to for these boxes online, the candy came from Candy Warehouse, the ribbon is from Mokuba, and the charms are made by Helen Ficalora. It will make a very sweet surprise for your loved one!

Making Dolls

Blake Ramsey — Thu, 19 Jan 2012 12:00:23 +0000

Did you see the story in February's Living on Jess Brown and her amazing handmade dolls?

You'll find a little sneak peak into her studio, as well as learn a bit about the story behind these beautiful dolls, and her crafting techniques.

And if you feel inspired to make your own dolls, follow our link found in the story to find these little cuties, and their how-tos-

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1 Get creative with the basic template for these cuddly dolls and personalize one for your child.

2 You'll find templates online to make a whole family of these gingham dolls.

3 This braided octopus is simple enough that kids can help.

4 These gals were made by Emily Martin, of the popular blog and Etsy site, The Black Apple. http://theblackapple.typepad.com

5 These little guys will guard your teeth until the tooth fairy comes to pick them up.

6 These cornhusk dolls were made using similar techniques to those used by Native Americans and early colonists.

More Stuffed Bunnies

Blake Ramsey — Fri, 13 Jan 2012 12:00:06 +0000

A few months ago I posted about a stuffed bunny I made based on Silke's pattern. After making the bunny, I decided she needed a little dress. It was easy to make the pattern- I just traced about 3/8" around the arms, then coming out in an A-line at the bottom. Hem the neck, cuffs, and bottom of the dress, then stitch the rest with a 1/4" seam allowance. You barely need any fabric to make the dress, so this is a good chance to use that scrap of special stuff you've been hanging on to.

You can see in the photo that the bunny on the right is smaller. I reduced the pattern to about 85% to make her. Those two on the right were given to my cousin and her little sister- sister bunnies! The one on the left was given to my boyfriend's niece for her 1st birthday. We'd given Zoe a stuffed animal before and she wasn't particularly impressed, so I wasn't sure how she'd like this one. As it turned out, her reaction was priceless!

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1 Surprise!

8 Giving her a big kiss.

10 The next day- still enamored.

Organizing for the New Year

Blake Ramsey — Mon, 02 Jan 2012 19:08:43 +0000

One of my resolutions for 2012 is the same as years past- get organized! If you're looking for the same result, we've got plenty of helpful hints for you in our organizing galleries.

Here are two ideas from the galleries that I plan to start with today-

The binder sewing kit,

and the post-it calendar.

Happy New Year Card

Blake Ramsey — Mon, 26 Dec 2011 12:00:20 +0000

If you're anything like me, you may or may not have left your holiday cards to the very last minute. So last minute in fact, that you may not have sent them yet. Have no fear- everyone loves a Happy New Year card! This card is in the January issue of Living (you can find the number templates online.)

When I mocked up the card for our initial idea meeting, I recruited some co-workers to pose as the family-

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December Good Things

Blake Ramsey — Fri, 23 Dec 2011 12:00:51 +0000

Christmas is almost here! We've pulled a couple ideas from Living's December Good Things that are quick and easy, but sure to be noticed this holiday.

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1 Our bow stencil makes a simple brownie look extra special.

2 These mini-wreaths can be done in a snap with greenery scraps.

3 Use the inner circle of a tiny embroidery hoop, and hot glue your greenery straight on.

Find the how-to and template for the brownie bow on the web.

Our Handmade Holiday Crafts Book

Blake Ramsey — Wed, 21 Dec 2011 15:39:59 +0000

Have you seen our new Handmade Holiday Craft book? It's a great reference for gifts, decorations, and entertaining crafts for every holiday. If you're in need of a gift for a crafty friend or family member- this may be it!

This past weekend I had so much fun making these candy canes from the book-

It was a chilly weekend- so it made for a great stay-cozy-on-the-couch project. I got a little obsessed! I popped a couple on my christmas tree, and the rest I'll use for gift toppers, or stand-alone gifts- with the sparkle of the glass beads they look pretty luxe.

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1 Start with strands of rocaille and tri-cut beads (buy them in hanks), 24-gauge wire, wire cutters, and round-nose pliers.

2 Cut 4 pieces of wire, 7-1/2" long. Twist the end of each into a tiny loop using the pliers.

3 Carefully pull one end of a strand of beads out of the hank.

4 Thread the open end of the wire through the beads as they remain on the thread. This will make for fast and easy beading. Twist wire closed when you've filled it with beads.

5 Once you've finished beading 4 beaded wires, align at one end and begin twisting together.

6 If you have uneven ends when you've finished twisting, snip the loop off with your wire cutters, remove a few beads, and re-twist shut.

7 Now bend one end into a hook shape, and Ta-da! You've got a very special candy cane.

And for a little sneak peak into the making of a book cover, check out our first round of cover-trys-

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A lot of options, right? And they don't look anything like the cover we finally decided on! I think they're all beautiful- which is your favorite?