[Tutorial] DIY Happy Birthday Banner

Wow, today is April Fools Day and it marks the start of my birth month.  Yipee!  Oh yeah...  

Happy Birthday to Me!

DIY Birthday Banner

This is a handmade banner that I recently made for a friend while watching "Castle."  Yes, I usually make crafts while listening to music, watching a tv series or a movie.  Don't you?  Tell me about it.  

So, let's start!  Here are the materials and tools that you will need:

Cardstock - I used 2 shades of Teal and Kraft cardstock, 3 pcs

Glue, Tape

Twine

Tools:

Cricut machine and a font (Cricut Base Camp) cartridge

Martha Stewart scoring board

Martha Stewart centering ruler

Fiskars rotary cutter

Steps:

1.  Determine the size of the letters that you want for your banner - I used 4 inches in this particular project.  You may print the letters manually or use a cricut or a similar machine - I used cricuts' Base Camp font here. 

 2.  Prepare the banner by cutting cardstock into 3.5 x 8 inches.

3.  Adhere the letter, making sure it is centered.

 

4.  I measured 1.5 inches from the bottom of the banner, got the center and cut one corner to the center, creating an inverted "V" shape.  You may adjust the height according to your preference, that is, depending on how long you want the tail to be.  I love using my MS centering ruler because it makes it so much easier,

 5.   To make the top flat for the string, measure 0.5 inches.  Score and fold.

6.  Fold the top flap and secure it with an adhesive or tape.  I used hemp cord because the party theme for this project was kinda rustic.

That's all, folks!  It didn't take long to make and wasn't costly at all.  Come back soon to see how we made used of this.  Enjoy!

Happy crafting!

♥ michelle

[Tuesday Tutes] Hep Hep Hooray! DIY pompoms

Hello friends!

Our church's volleyball team is preparing for the play-offs this Saturday.  

This tournament is sponsored by Katy Pinoy Sports, "a Volunteer-run, not-for-profit organization based in Katy, Texas."  There were 16 teams composed of Filipinos with
"at least 25% Filipino blood or a legal spouse of a person with at least 25% Filipino blood"
(as stated in the KPS Eligibility criteria).  

The league started on July 13, 2013 and has been going on every Saturday, with 3 games per team.

Our team is #1 in the standings.  Yay!

The players have been working hard and they are

 "playing for an eternal crown - 1 Corinthians 9:25."  

They have been a blessing to us spectators and fellow players.

In preparation, I made pom-poms.  Here's how:

Materials:

     Empty roll of tissue (or any cardboard will do)

     Tissue paper - i used 10 sheets of 20' x 20" in BLUE

     Stapler and staples

     Tape - small and packaging tape

Tools:

     Scissors

     Cutter

Instructions:

1.  Stack tissue paper and fold in half so it could fit your cutting board and easier to handle.  I used a Fiskar rotating cutter.

2.  Measure 0.5 inches and cut.  I made 40 strips of stacked paper

3.  Since the tissue paper was folded in half before cutting, take the folded end and staple together.

4.  Get an adequate length of tape and wrap around the stapled bunch one at a time until you have taped 3 or 4 bunches together.  This secures the bigger bunch.  Add another tape and adhere it to the inner part of the tissue roll or cardboard.  This ensures that it will not fall off when you get wild when doing the happy dance.

4.  Wrap the cardboard around the bunch and secure with packaging tape.  The empty roll of tissue is large enough to fit perfectly in one hand.

Instructions:
1.  Stack tissue paper and fold in half so it could fit your cutting board and easier to handle.  I used a Fiskars rotating cutter which makes crafting so much easier!
2.  Measure 0.5 inches and cut.  I was able to make 40 strips of stacked paper.
3.  Since the tissue paper was folded in half before cutting, take the folded end and staple together.
4.  Get an adequate length of tape and wrap around the stapled bunch one at a time until you have taped 3 or 4 bunches together.  This secures the bigger bunch.  Add another tape and adhere it to the inner part of the tissue roll or cardboard.  This ensures that it will not fall off when you get wild when doing the happy dance.
4.  Wrap the cardboard around the bunch and secure with packaging tape.  The empty roll of tissue is large enough to fit perfectly in one hand.

There you go!

Rah-rah-rah!  Go team, Go!

Have a wonderful day!

♥  michelle  ♥

[Diaper Cakes] Fast and the Furry Friends Motorcycle Diaper Cake

I would like to introduce you to these three adorable furry friends who are out to go on a bike.

There was a baby shower for 3 mothers in church today and I made these as gifts.  They are  a new twist to the diaper cake.

motorcycle diaper cake

This is "not-so-curious Jorge."  LOL. There are many tutorials on how to make these diaper motorcycles  such as this.  You just need diapers, receiving blankets, socks or mittens, washcloths, a bottle or sippy cup, rubberbands, ribbon or paper and a stuffed toy.  The instructions are simple, it's the shopping that could be a little challenging but fun.

Motorcycle diaper cake

The emblem says: 

"Hello Baby!"

"Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows. - James 1:17"

These mothers are blessed to have children.  I don't have children of my own but I know that I have the responsibility to make a positive influence on them.  

motorcycle diaper cake

Off we go!  Weeeeeee!!!!!

Have a wonderful week!

♥  michelle  ♥

[Focus on Life Week 17 and 7th BSBP] Color and Bead Soup Blog Party

Hello friends!  Oh, it's a busy day over at The Cabby Crafter.

Today is Week 17 of Focus on Life with Ms. Sally Russick and the theme is COLOR.  Wow, I love color especially primary colors because it makes me feel happy and very festive.  This is a photo of the mini buntings that I made for the luncheon that we will be hosting tomorrow.  The width measures 1 inch and was securely hung on a yarn.  Oh, I love how colorful they are! 

Today is also the 3rd Reveal day for Ms. Lori Anderson's 7th Bead Soup Blog Party.  As I mentioned HERE and HERE, I was paired with Rebecca.  She gave me a beautiful assortment of beads along with a polymer clay pendant.and a couple of nice clasps. 

I love being challenged!  Have you stared at your beads and components, doodling on your sketchbook and wondering what to do with them?  The antique bronze clasp was adorable and I wanted to work around it.  I wanted it to be one of the focal points of the necklace.  This was the first time I've made this design and I think it works well - it draws the eyes to the heart pendant.
The clasp was for a 3-strand necklace:  I used one for the chain, 1 for the leather and last for the dangling chain.  I worked the wire wrapped beads around it.  I like the pop of green leaves - it complements the shades of blue beads.

"Lock and Key Necklace"

Next, I made a bracelet.  I did wire work on the rectangular glass bead as well as the round beads.  The upper half of the bracelet is like a bangle and the bottom part is hinged to allow ease of wearing. The earth tones of the bracelet makes it so rich!

Thanks for stopping by.

See the Colors of what other participants took notice of HERE and/or

Join the party over at BSBP HERE.

Have a great weekend!

♥  Michelle  ♥

Travertine Tile Coasters

Welcome back!  It was a fun and hectic weekend for Mr. C and me.  We joined neighborhood street sale for the first time!  It was nice to meet our neighbors and sell some items as well.  More on that on a future post.

I would like to share with you a DIY project:  Travertine Tile Coasters.  You can see a lot of these in blogs or pinterest and though it's quite simple to make, it looks beautiful.

Materials:  1.  Travertine Tile 4x4 inches - It is best to use travertine tile (tumbled tile) for this project versus shiny ceramic tiles.  The tiles come in 9 pieces but some of them had more and bigger 'craters' in them, which also adds character.

2.  Solvent ink pad and rubber stamp cleaner.  StazOn solvent inks work best for this project as they are nicely absorbed by the material.

3.  Rubber stamps 

4.  Cork - to be used as backing.

5.  Cyanoacrylate glue

Procedures (kindly refer to the photo collage):

1.  Figure out your design and choose a nice stamp.  I used a sentiment and a vine stamp.

2.  Apply StazOn ink liberally and carefully stamp the tile.  Avoid "rocking" the rubber stamp instead press firmly.
Allow to completely dry.

3.  While waiting for the ink to dry, cut a cork sheet a little smaller than the tile.

4.  Use cyanoacrylate glue to attach it to the base of the tile.  Allow to dry for several hours to make sure it is secure.

5.  Your tile is ready to use!

I didn't apply a sealer anymore.  Gina K of StampTV said that it is permanent and water proof.  Well, I had to prove it to myself.  I ran tap water over it and true enough. the ink stayed crisp!

Try making these.  Have fun and share your project with me.

Have a blessed week ahead!

♥  Michelle  ♥