Way Crafty

Scrapbooking 101: stretch your supplies by making cards with scraps

2010-02-24T08:26:00.001-08:00

Scrapbooking 101: stretch your supplies by making cards with scraps

Posted using ShareThis

Layouts To Cards

2010-02-22T20:19:00.000-08:00

I always tell myself to make cards with the leftovers from a layout, and lately I'm actually doing it. It's a no-brainer - the papers and embellishments chosen for the page all match perfectly and can be easily put together to make some cards. I love having birthday and thank you cards on hand, and it's a lot cheaper to make them yourself. Sometimes I even wrap up a few cards for a last-minute gift. Plus, using up those scraps means less to put away at the end of a scrap session. Win/win!

Here's a look at some recent layouts I did, followed by cards I made with the same supplies. On the last one, I got 6(!) cards done.

Scrap on!

Spongebob Finallydonepants!

2010-02-20T17:22:00.001-08:00

I thought I'd whip this sucker up for Hannah's birthday, giving myself 2.5 days to get it done. It actually took one whole day more and just about did me in! I was almost done today when I realized I had sewed his legs on upside down...doh! She loves him, and I have to admit he's pretty cute. And one of a kind, because never again will I be taking that on.

Crochet 101: find a crocheting class in Reno NV

2010-02-20T10:41:00.001-08:00

Crochet 101: find a crocheting class in Reno NV

Posted using ShareThis

Scrapbooking 101: learn a new technique

2010-02-18T20:18:00.001-08:00

Scrapbooking 101: learn a new technique

Posted using ShareThis

Knit or crochet a hat for the homeless this winter

2010-02-11T19:41:00.001-08:00

Knit or crochet a hat for the homeless this winter

Posted using ShareThis

Thanks For Making Me #1!

2010-02-11T18:34:00.000-08:00

I just want to say a great big thank you to everyone who is supporting my efforts in my new venture as a writer for examiner.com. It's all new to me and there is definitely a learning curve, but I'm trying to be patient and see where it goes. I truly appreciate you taking the time to read my articles...your efforts have made me the #1 Reno Examiner for the last two days!

I'll keep writing, you keep clicking! You can even subscribe to my feed so you don't miss a thing - hey, this is riveting stuff, right?

If you ever have an idea for an article, have a blog or etsy shop you would like me to showcase, or are interested in learning more about something crafty, please don't hesitate to email me: tracyway@live.com

-Tracy

Ami Elephant

2010-02-10T09:06:00.000-08:00

I made this little cutie for a little girl's birthday present. I rarely buy gifts for kids' parties any more, unless it's one of those, "Mom, I've got a party to go to tomorrow" kind of things. My kids friends know that I crochet so there is usually a special request. I found the pattern for Flora The Elephant on ravelry, whipped it up in a couple of days. The downside of making amigurumi - I have a blister on my thumb from working with such a tight crochet.

She's pretty cute, no?

Tips for scrapbooking on a budget

2010-02-10T08:35:00.001-08:00

Tips for scrapbooking on a budget

Posted using ShareThis

Kids' crafts 101: homemade play dough recipe

2010-02-08T14:04:00.001-08:00

Kids' crafts 101: homemade play dough recipe

Posted using ShareThis

Reno scrapbook store gives back in a big way

2010-02-06T13:50:00.001-08:00

Reno scrapbook store gives back in a big way

Posted using ShareThis

Reno Craft Shows: Is your organization hosting a craft fair?

2010-02-05T16:29:00.001-08:00

Reno Craft Shows: Is your organization hosting a craft fair?

Posted using ShareThis

Melted Crayon Wax Technique

2010-02-05T09:52:00.000-08:00

I love using melted crayon wax in my projects - it's colorful, adds texture, and is cheap! The bargain brand crayons work just fine, I think I paid about $2.00 for a box of 64. Think about how much 64 bottles of paint or 64 stamp pads would be!

Step 1: Melt The Wax

Chose the crayon you want to use, peel off the paper, and break into small pieces. I use a mini muffin tin lined with foil to hold the wax, for easy clean up. You could also just shape some foil into a little cup.

Use a heat gun to melt the wax. Heat until liquid, but not to the point of smoking. You want to do this in a well ventilated area and avoid breathing in the fumes. You can also melt the wax in a warm (250 degrees) oven, but that takes a bit longer.

The wax doesn't stay liquid very long. If it hardens up while you are working with it, just reheat briefly.

2. Stencil Technique

Place some type of stencil over a piece of cardstock and brush with melted wax.

The finished product. Note that black crayons make a bigger mess than most, and kind of rub off a little bit.

Then, your stencil can be used like a "stamp" by briefly heating the wax left from brushing in the last step and then pressing it onto cardstock.

The result is the reverse image of the stenciled piece above. Cool!

3. Splatter Technique

Super easy. Just dip a q-tip into some melted wax and (carefully) flick it onto your paper.

I love the way the yellow crayon looks like pollen on this card:

4. "Wax Seal" Technique

Pour melted wax into a little puddle on a piece of cardstock.

Choose a small stamp and ink it up with clear embossing ink. This is not absolutely necessary, but it does keep it from sticking.

Press the stamp firmly into the wax and hold for a couple seconds before removing.

Ta-Da! Let the "seal" harden, then carefully peel off the paper and trim the excess wax if you like. If it didn't turn out like you want, just re-melt the wax and start over.

Use a glue dot or other strong adhesive to adhere the embellishment to your project. Of course, this would look cool as an actual seal on an envelope.

5. Wax Paper Sandwich Technique

Using an old cheese grater, grate crayon colors of your choice onto a piece of waxed paper. You could also use a knife to chop it up really small.

Put another piece of waxed paper over the crayon bits and heat with the heat gun until melted. The colors will mix and blur. An iron works well for this job too.

Here, I sewed the waxed paper "sandwich" onto an ATC, trimmed the excess and embellished.

Have fun with it!

Crochet 101: What is amigurumi?

2010-02-03T20:27:00.001-08:00

Crochet 101: What is amigurumi?

Posted using ShareThis

Scrapbooking 101: What is an artist trading card (ATC)?

2010-02-02T20:24:00.001-08:00

Scrapbooking 101: What is an artist trading card (ATC)?

Posted using ShareThis

More Valentine's Stuff

2010-01-30T14:28:00.000-08:00

After I finished the little mailbox, I still had all the Valentine's Day paper and stuff out so I decided to keep working with it. I made a dozen full-sized cards and a mini album and still have some scraps left over...all from one 6 pack of patterned paper from the Target dollar spot. I'd say it was worth the investment!

All these cards:

Mini album (from 7 Gypsies small purse chipboard album):

That paper is even glittery and shiny, pretty dang cute. My favorite is the white background with the little birdies and hearts. I don't like the way it smells, but hey...

Crochet a bath puff for a cute, quick, budget friendly gift

2010-01-30T14:16:00.001-08:00

Crochet a bath puff for a cute, quick, budget friendly gift

Posted using ShareThis

Reno craft shows : MalicJewels jewelry and gifts February 26-28, 2010

2010-01-26T17:23:00.001-08:00

Reno craft shows : MalicJewels jewelry and gifts February 26-28, 2010

Posted using ShareThis

Knitting 101: Where to find a knitting class in Reno, NV

2010-01-24T12:43:00.001-08:00

Knitting 101: Where to find a knitting class in Reno, NV

Posted using ShareThis

Valentine's Day Mini Mailbox

2010-01-22T10:51:00.000-08:00

Here is a look at the finished mini mailbox. There are more pictures and some basic instructions here. That glittery, shiny patterned paper is from the Target Dollar Spot: gotta love that!

Decorate a mini mailbox for a budget friendly Valentine's Day project

2010-01-22T10:46:00.001-08:00

Decorate a mini mailbox for a budget friendly Valentine's Day project

Posted using ShareThis

Craft Hope for Haiti: the crafting community lends a hand

2010-01-21T09:44:00.001-08:00

Craft Hope for Haiti: the crafting community lends a hand

Posted using ShareThis

Get in the Olympic spirit with a fun craft project

2010-01-20T12:51:00.001-08:00

Get in the Olympic spirit with a fun craft project

Posted using ShareThis

2010-01-20T11:55:00.000-08:00

Olympic Rings Beanie Crochet Pattern

Materials:

-worsted weight yarn of your choice:
white, blue, yellow, black, green, red

-size H crochet hook

Gauge: not important for this project

*Note: Beginning ch does NOT count as first stitch.

With white, ch 3, join to first ch with sl st to form ring.

Rnd 1: ch 2, work 10 dc in ring, join with sl st to first dc.

Rnd 2: ch 2, 2 dc in same st as joining, 2 dc in each dc around, join with sl st to first dc.

Rnd 3: ch 2, 1 dc in same st as joining, 2 dc in next st, (1 dc in next st, 2 dc in next st) around, join with sl st to first dc.

Rnd 4: ch 2, 1 dc in same st as join, 1 dc in next st, 2 dc in next st, (1 dc in next 2 st, 2 dc in next st) around, join with sl st to first dc.

Rnd 5: ch 2, 1 dc in same st as join, 1 dc in next 2 st, 2 dc in next st, (1 dc in next 3 st, 2 dc in next st) around, join with sl st to first dc.

Rnd 6: ch 2, 1 dc in same st as join, 1 dc in next 3 st, 2 dc in next st, (1 dc in next 4 st, 2 dc in next st) around, join with sl st to first dc.

Rnd 7: ch 2, 1 dc in same st as join, 1 dc in each st around, join with sl st to first dc. Fasten off.

Rnd 8: join blue. Repeat rnd 7, fasten off.

Rnd 9: join yellow. Repeat rnd 7, fasten off.

Rnd 10: join black. Repeat rnd 7, fasten off.

Rnd 11: join green. Repeat rnd 7, fasten off.

Rnd 12: join red. Repeat rnd 7, fasten off.

Rnd 13-16: join white. Repeat rnd 7 for four rows. Fasten off, weave in ends.

Get organized: turn unwanted craft supplies into cash

2010-01-19T20:46:00.001-08:00

Get organized: turn unwanted craft supplies into cash

Posted using ShareThis

Craft therapy for stress management, economical activity

2010-01-19T20:44:00.001-08:00

Craft therapy for stress management, economical activity

Posted using ShareThis