Framed Christmas Tree

In the December Noel Mignon kit there was some fun fabric that I put to use by making this fun framed tree.

I believe I got this frame from a former student one year.  It is so pretty but I never put it to use.  So I decided to do just that and create the little framed tree.

I cut a piece of felt to fit the size of the cardboard that was in the frame.  I adhered it with hot glue.

I then traced a triangle onto the fabric.  I made sure it would fit in the open window of the frame.  (You wont need the glass).

I then stitched it onto the felt with my sewing machine.

 I then cut a piece of fabric about 1.5 inches.  It will be folded in half to make a yo-yo flower that will be placed on the tree (with hot glue).

Just do a running stitching with enough thread at the end so that you can pull it through.

That's it -- I hot glued all of the flowers and the beads.  So easy and a cute gift!  

 
 
 

Christmas Topiary

I made this simple topiary by using am existing planter that I had. I went to the 99cent store and got some ornaments. I figured you can't go wrong with 99cent ornaments right? that way if I screw it up no biggie.:) I stuffed the bottom of the planter with grocery bags.  I then cut a piece of cardboard to fit squarely on the top.  This will be my base for the topiary.

I then just started gluing.  Really there was no rhyme or reason, I just wanted to make sure to fill the "holes".  This took all of 20 minutes.  Fun and easy!
 
 

Witch Hat

Around the Holidays the craft stores start carrying lots of paper mache items that are ready for decorating.  I picked out a witches' hat.  I think it was no more and $2.

You will need...

Pattern paper

Modge Podge

Ribbon

Anything you want to embellish it with

I used three pieces of pattern paper for this.

I simply tore the pieces of paper into uneven pieces.

I then just layered these pieces until I liked the way it looked.  I added ribbon and some embellishments and I was done!  So easy and cute:)

  
 

Broom Treat Bags

A couple of years ago I saw these for sale at Michael's.  They were Halloween treat bags in the shape of brooms.  So cute - but too much for my wallet.  So I looked around the blogsphere and I found a caouple of tutorials here is my simple version of the bag.

You will need:

Lunch bags (2 per treat bag)

Scissors

Sticks from your yard OR dowels that you can purchase at a crafts store

Pipe cleaners

Ribbon

Thats all - just fasten with a pipe cleaner and you are finished.  Well you must fill the bag of course - but the basic concept of the outer bag is complete.  The stick should stay in there pretty easily if you get long enough ones.

 
 
 
 
 
 

Fabric Pumpkins

These are so easy to make.  I have seen many tutorials like this online so this is not the only way but it is how I do it:)
First choose some fabric.  I actually decided at the last minute to use a towel that I bought at the 99 cent store.  I figured you couldn't go wrong with some soft fabric that is inexpensive right?

You will also need some felt fabric for the stem of the pumpkin.  I free hand cut 2 pieces of fabric (while folded) and had my stem.  Stitch and then turn right side out.

 YOu will need either sand or beans as I have used here to make your "weight" for the bottom of the pumpkin.

 

That's it - so quick and easy - these make great gifts too!:)

  
 

Making Your Layouts "Pop"

*This Tip is from a post I did on the Noel Mignon Blog on July 4, 2009

Ok so taking pictures of your layout is never easy -- I know I put it off until the last possible minute. But here is a couple tips I have for you. First, take your picture in indirect sunlight --- I use the kitchen, and sometimes even take it outside on my patio table. Some other ways I have taken photos are: *scanning it (although I had a 12x18 scanner so I don't know how to "stitch" the layout together) *I also used to place it right on the ground on top of a white towel and shoot directly above it. I did this outside in the evening. *If I am running real late on a deadline I will use my external flash inside and that usually gets a decent picture. I want to show you where I start with all my layouts. I upload into Picasa and usually crop it (for me it is easier there than in PSE. This one is not cropped but it shows you what my photo looks like straight out of camera. Not too hot - look at all that background noise --and just fyi - I have a cookie jar propping my layout up. Sometimes I will use a little display easel but that means everything has to be nice and neat and lately that ain't happening! LOL! Ok so this is what it looks like with the background noise cropped out. Note: This is in Picasa

Ok, now I need to brighten this layout so it looks true to life.

In photoshop elements (and this works in PS too), I go to.. ENHANCE>ADJUST LIGHTING>LEVELS

Now you should see this on your screen. When you do click on the WHITE eye dropper.

ok with that white eye dropper you will take it to your layout and click on anything that is white. When you click it you will see your layout "pop". I would suggest not settleing on the first pop -- some white parts are lighter than others and you have to find the right click to make it look true to life.

This is what my final take looked like

Big difference from the first one huh?

Punch Organization

**this post was taken from a post I did on the Noel Mignon Blog on August 9, 2009.

Hey there! I just happened to reorganize my punches this past week and I thought it would make a perfect tip for you!

First, I originally had all of my punches in a metal cart what had 3 baskets -- it worked perfectly in the last place we lived because it was wider and I could move it about. But since the move I have converted our closet that is narrow but is very long - into my scrap space. The cart thing was bugging me because it was always in the way when I wanted to get to one of my storage shelves. So I finally changed it up and I am happy with the result. It is nothing new - but I changed it so I would like it and like looking at it. Here it is

I have seen this done with the clear shoe organizers and was not really wanting one - but it made sense to me. And all I could find were mesh ones --- so I utilized this shabby chic one that is usually in my daughters room - but we have not used it here - so I gave it a shot. To help me tell which punch was where I punched the design out onto black cardstock and then glued that onto kraft paper. Then I simply used a safety pin to hold it in place.

I can fit about to or 3 punches in each depending on the size. And the top one with no tag has my new ek success ones. 

 So just an idea if you need to free up some space and/or are looking for an alternative to the clear shoe organizer.!

Michelle