Quilled Arbor Perpetual Calendar

Hi all, back with another of the Custom Quilling DT projects.  This is a different perpetual calendar than the previous one that I did.  I saw several of these handy little block style calendar made from wooden blocks or paper and decided to give one a try.  The basic design of these calendars is blocks and bars that have numbers and months that can be mixed and matched for the correct date.

There are many square box templates and tutorials on the Internet and you could also use your Cricut to cut them if you have one.  Here is a good tutorial, with cute examples, that shows how to cut and assemble one of these calendars from card stock.  The month blocks are smaller and the base design is different but you can alter the design as you like.  If you alter the month blocks to be larger be sure to add to the end flaps as well so they will close properly.   

For the calendar assembly I inked and stamped the edges of the number and month blocks before I put the them together.  The numbers were cut from my Storybook Cricut Cartridge.  I printed the months out on my printer and then used punched the ends with a MS punch, cutting off excess to fit the block front. In the tutorial  the three month blocks sit on top of the calendar base and the number blocks fit perfectly on top of them.  Since I wanted to print my month names I made mine a bit bigger and only two fit on top of the base, the third is stored in the base.

The calendar base is constructed from an open rectangular box and a back piece that forms the arbor.  For the arbor back I started with a rectangular piece and used on of my circle Nestabilities that made a nice rounded shape on the top and ran it through my Cuttlebug only half way so it would leave a rounded top.  next I took the next smaller Nestie circle and laid it on the rounded top and did the same half way cut and then used my craft knife to cut the straight edge at the bottom of the half circle to finish the arbor arch.  The white lattice is a MS punch. 

For the quilling I used the pretty shades of blue and green quilling strips in the CQ Feb kit and quilled the flowers and vines adorning the arbor.  The grass on the front is made from hand fringing two strips of green card stock and layering them.  It isn't a straight fringe but one of tall spiky grass like shapes.  A blue bow and some Stickles to the centers of the quilled flowers finish off the design.  It is an easy design and can be altered in so many creative ways for a calendar that you will get many years worth of use from, or give as a gift.  Back tomorrow with another project a quilled bracelet.  Until then,

Shalom,
Sonya
Comments and project links are always read and appreciated!

Rainbow Awning Card

Hi all, back with the projects for the Custom Quilling February Newsletter.  The first on that I have to show you is a window card.  When I saw the scalloped fabric like stickers in the kit it reminded me of the trim on a window awning and it inspired this card.  I used a window stamp from Heartfelt Creations that I stamped, colored with Prisma Colors/oms and then cut out the "glass" portions.  Here is a picture of what it looks like with the awning closed. (That little spot above the ribbon on the awning you see on the first picture is a glue dot that I used to hold up the awning to get a picture and forgot to take off!)

Here is what it looks like open:

 I know that an awning is on the OUTSIDE of a window and not on the inside but for purposes of the design I put it on the "inside", and used some of that "artistic license".  After the window panes were cut out I lined it with a piece of acetate for the glass and put foam tape on the back along the wooden parts of the window.  I drew a rainbow shape on card stock that would fit into the window area and colored it in with my Tombows first.  Then I applied clear glue to each band of the rainbow and glittered it. 

Next the sky was done using a cloud template and blue ink, the rainbow was popped up on the sky.  The outside of the "house" was made with a Cuttlebug folder and I cut out the place where the window would sit.  The window frame was adhered to the cut out embossed panel and then I placed it over the sky and rainbow and finally onto the card front. 

I used the green card stock from the Custom Quilling February kit and cut it to be a bit bigger than the window frame.  It was edged with a EKSuccess punch and then embossed with a Cuttlebug folder about halfway down.  Next I used that cute scalloped sticker and green ribbon to trim my awning.  It was scored about an inch from the top so that it had the awning look and would lift up.  The sentiment was stamped, inked and put on a scallop circle with the cute shamrock that also came in the kit.

The inside of the card also has a little awning and shamrock.  The rainbow really sparkles with the light hits it, unfortunately the camera doesn't pick it up. There are so many things you could do with this window stamp and I will be using it more often.  I think it is a cheery card to send to someone needing an encouraging lift.

Click the link here, and then "Newsletter" on side bar to check out what other projects were made by me and Sue, really CUTE, and what is in the February kit. I will be back tomorrow with another project, a different kind of perpetual calendar.  Until then,

Shalom,
Sonya

Ribbon Flower Bracelets

Hi all, hope you are enjoying the Fred She Said Blog hop that will run through tomorrow midnight.  Click here if you would like to hop before it ends and enter for some great prizes.  Today I have one of my ribbon bracelets to show you.  This is one of the first ones that will be posted for sale in my Etsy shop this week.  I have put a page at the top of the blog where you can find the link to the shop.  This bracelet features a beautiful jacquard ribbon as it's base and has a variety of ribbon flowers.  It is embellished with seed beads, Swarovski crystals, hand dyed lace and a beaded dragonfly.  The ends are finished with bar clamps and has a bar and circle clasp.

This season of life and others have encouraged me to start this business venture that I hope will be successful. I will have many more ribbonry projects listed for sale along with quilling and paper florals in the shop as soon as they are finished.  Working hard to get them finished, photographed and listed. I does take a while to get a selection, samples and examples of what will be for sale and is quite different than making them for fun.  I love all things floral and have been in love with ribbonry flowers for some time and am enjoying getting back to these as well as my paper versions.  There are several great books and video tutorials for making ribbon flowers if you would like to try your hand at them.  Here is a link to Helen Gibb Ribbonry, a great site that has ribbons, books and supplies. Back later with another project.  And a GREAT BIG THANKS to all who stop by and leave such sweet encouraging comments!

Shalom,
Sonya

Fred She Said January Blog Hop Chubby Girl Flinging Hearts

Hi all! Are you ready to HOP again! If you made your way here from Nancy's blog, you are in the right place.  Today, January 28 through February 4th, midnight is the Fred She Said January Blog Hop.  The FSS Design Team has created some LOVE-ly projects for your inspiration using Tracey's wonderful digi images.  As you hop along be sure to collect each DT's members special word and enter the completed phrase at the FSS Challenge blog, the last hop stop.   If you would like to start from the beginning, go to the  Fred She Said main blog here.   There will be two lucky winners, one will receive a $25.00 Gift Certificate to Fred She Said Store, and one will receive a $25.00 Gift Certificate to CropStop!

Here is the order to the hop in case you lose your way or want to revisit a blog:

1. Tracey-Lynn 

2. Robin 

3. Tracy McD 

4. Danielle

5. Anne

6. Marlena 

7. Nancy

8. Sonya - That Me your HERE!

9. Carol 

10. Michelle 

11. Darsie

12. FSS Challenge Blog - Enter your completed phrase here!

My project uses the new Chubby Girl I love you THIS much! precolored image.  The front of the card uses the sentiment and the main image is in the inside to show off the surprise!  When you open the card Chubby Girl flings heart confetti at the recipient of the card.  I made a video so you could see the hearts flinging.  I have been waiting to make this card for just the right image, and isn't she perfect! Here is where I found the great tutorial for making this card:  http://www.hogwildaboutstamping.blogspot.com/. 

I added two hearts on little springs to give added action.  You can either put the card in an envelope or hand deliver so you can see the persons reaction.  I hope you are having fun on the hop, here is my special word:

and 

Don't forget to collect the words and enter for the great prizes.  Your next stop on the hop is at Carol's blog where I know you will see some awesome eyecandy!!  Back later with another project!

Shalom,

Sonya

Faith Prayer and Hope

 Hi all, back with a card this time!  I love fancy folds and this Joy Fold card fits the bill.  I have had this on sitting about 90% finished on my table and couldn't get the right embellishments for it.  I tried several different things and nothing grabbed me.  Finally I was searching though some of my Fred She Said images that I had stashed from a previous project and came across one of the vellum flowers in just the right shade of purple. I cut 3 out and added a purple metallic gel pen accents and then layered them.  I added the wispy punched spike flowers and a little flower punched out of 8 layers of tissue paper.

The sentiment is embossed in gold embossing powder and the edges of the card are edged with my 18KT gold pen.  All the layers are sewn with a straight stitch using a variegated green thread.

                                     
 You can see the card has a lot of room to write a message or to stamp on.  I stamped a floral image on each panel in gold embossing powder for some simmer. 

 The left side panel folds down then the smaller right panel over that and it creates a pretty presentation when opened.  It is done in a rectangle but you could do it in a square or any shape that will fold down correctly.

The ribbon is keeping the card closed and was a design challenge in itself. I put two eyelets on each side of the card and wove the ribbon through them. A knot at the end of the ribbon holds it in.  In these days this is the perfect card to send for encouragement!  I am working on a lot of things and trying to get samples and pieces done for my Esty shop, so check back, thanks for visiting!!

Shalom,
Sonya

Quilled Heart Necklace

Hi all, back with another of the projects for the Custom Quilling Newsletter, a Quilled Heart Necklace.  I have loved making quilled jewelry since I found that I could combine the brass/silver stamped filigree jewelry components with it.  I used several shades of the pinks and reds quilling strips to create the heart.  It started out a little smaller but "grew" with the shapes added.  Click on any picture to enlarge.

The jewelry components that were used for the base of the heart were two angel wings glued together to form a heart shape.  I traced a heart shape and then used curved teardrops shapes to frame the heart shape.  Then I filled in the design with two smaller hearts and s scrolls.  After it was dry I used my 18KT gold pen to gild the edges of the shapes. 

Two filigree side pieces, red crystals and beads drops and chain drape were added to finish.  I have so many more designs in work and will be offering these in my Etsy shop that will be opening this month, promise!

If you try your had at making quilled jewelry, leave a link in the comment section below to share, I and others who visit would love to see it!  Working on some card projects to post soon.  I have rearranged my craft room again, trying to get it better organized and user friendly.  I have acquired a lot of rubber stamps that have never been inked and so I am going to try my best to make projects with them!  I will also be working on the video tutorials that have been requested also.  I am not a techie and it takes a lot of trial, error and figuring out how to do it for me, so it unfortunately takes me longer.  Have a good day and thanks for taking the time to visit me and leaving comments!!

Shalom,

Sonya

Floral Punch Rose and Quilled Hearts Cake Box

Hi, all!  Wishing everyone a blessed and great new year!  I have another project to show you, one that was made for the January Custom Quilling Newsletter, a Rose Cake Box.  This is one of those projects that I have had on my "want to do list" for a bit.  I used two paper mache boxes and painted them a light pink.  Then I sprayed them with Glimmer Mist Bubble Gum for a pearly shimmer to the "icing". As usual that isn't showing up well in the photos.  Next I added the border "icing" from a pre-pleated ribbon that looks like real cake border icing.  For the top icing of the "cake" I used a light pink satin ribbon that has tone on tone circles.  Click on any picture to enlarge.

The "cake" decorations are floral punch roses and punched accent flowers with textured pearl centers.  I used the pinks and pearl papers in the January Custom Quilling kit to make these.  To make the roses I used the medium pear punch and punched about twenty or so per flower.  Then I inked the edges of each pear and snipped a bit from the stem edge.  The pears were then shaped and mounted onto a green 6 pointed snowflake base.   

I used about 1/3 of a styrofoam ball covered in pink tissue paper under the roses on top to give the cake embellishments some height.  The rose leaves were inked and added along with the punched icing and pearl  flowers.  Quilled hearts, made from the strips in the kit, were added and were made from two teardrop shapes glued together with a crimped darker strip around it.  Bits of the pre-pleated ribbon were added in among the roses like real icing would be.  A multi loop bow was added at the back of the flowers on top and has accent flowers and a quilled heart nestled among it.

The roses, buds, flowers and quilled hearts cascade down the front and as an accent on the back.  The top box is glued to the top of the bottom box so you can use each box for trinkets or gift giving.

I used these same punched flowers and quilled hearts to embellish the paper mache frame that came in the kit also.  The only change from the cake is that I sprayed the frame with Glimmer Mist Red Apple instead.

Both were fun projects and I have one more to show you, another quilled jewelry piece that I will post this week.  It has been hectic this last month with graduation, the holidays, visiting with family.  My brother is down from Pittsburgh and we have been seeing the sights of Houston with him.  The last time he has been down was about 20 years ago, he is loving the "warm" weather here in Houston!  Thanks to all who have and do take the time to visit my blog and comment.  It keeps me motivated and is so very encouraging to continue when I am stumped for creativity or down with pain. 

Shalom,

Sonya