St. Patrick's Day and Feelin' Groovy

Hello friends of Crafting with KeepHer and Kaye! Welcome back to our humble blog. At last our schedule has some time for us to again share with you our homey doings by way of this blog. St. Patrick's Day --a day of good luck, good cheer, and unbridled optimism-- seems the perfect time to say hello! In truth we are not zealous St. Patty's Day merrymakers with costumes, parades, green beer, and pinching. But we do consider this holiday a turning point from winter to spring. (It is snowing here today, so that unbridled optimism is essential fuel for our spring time musings!) 

In a low-key nod to the holiday KeepHer and I decorated the kitchen hutch with assorted St. Patrick's Day symbols and costumed Groovy the Sock Monkey in a green top hat and and a fringed scarf. You might remember Groovy from this post in 2014: Groovy the Sock Monkey. Today his good luck is apparent as he sits about piles of coin undoubtedly gathered at the end of the rainbow. Below is a collage of the kitchen hutch all decked out in green. I used the Silhouette Cameo to create the paper decorations including the paper pieced penguin leprechauns and lucky frogs. In our snow blanketed world the green is a wonderful respite and gives hopes that spring will indeed awaken soon.

Happy St. Patrick's Day!

Give Peace a Chance

Peace on Earth

A common sentiment this time of year.

A wishful unreachable dream when listening to news from around the world. But if we give up the dream what is left? For me and my family the wish for Peace on Earth begins at home. Early in the Christmas planning season I came across a few bloggers who captured the sentiment of Peace on Earth using a globe and those words. Some painted the globe entirely in chalkboard paint and hand scribed the words on the surface. Others crafted banners and bunting displaying them on unpainted globes in homage to the season.

We are fortunate to have a stunning world globe hand crafted by a lapidarist using semi-precious stones indigenous to the area to define nations and countries. Obviously it would not do to paint this likeness of Mother Earth, a precious artwork in it's own right. So I imitated the buntings and banners to make my own statement of Peace on Earth.

Normally the globe sits atop the poker table except when card games are in progress. So it seemed fitting to craft my peace bunting from used playing cards using the Silhouette electronic cutting machine. The letter tabs are cut from the face of red heart and red diamond cards and backed with black card stock. The tag for each letter is cut from the back of red Bicycle brand playing cards.

A small tag placed behind and between each letter tag is cut from the face cards from the same Bicycle deck. I used white yarn to string the tags on and then tied each tag in place with baker's twine. I like how the rich patterns from the face card tags contrasts with the opal oceans on the globe.

To secure the banner to the globe I used Scotch(R) Reusable Adhesive Tabs which will not leave a residue on the globe. After great discussion Jim and I agreed the simple word "PEACE" was statement enough without adding the preposition "on Earth."

Peace on Earth. Perhaps an unreachable dream, but what if we all were to give peace a chance, starting at home. Where might the dream take us?

Paper Crafting: Halloween Luminary

This is a sweet little Halloween  Luminary I made using the Silhouette Cameo electronic cutting machine. The cut file is Design  ID #49781 by talented designer Samantha Walker. 

For the frame I used Color Core Cardstock from the Signature Series. The lantern is lined with Silhouette brand vellum. I embellished each pumpkin on the four side panels with glitter. Using beaded ribbon from my stash I added trim to frame the panels.

ColorCore Cardstock on Amazon

The  clever cut file includes a bottom on which a flameless tea light may be set to illuminate this magical lantern from within. Do not use a flame candle in this decoration and risk sending you spooky celebration up in smoke. 

The Luminary measures approximately 5.5-inches tall and 2.75-inches square. The top closes with a drawstring, I used chenille thread in dark purple for contrast. It took just over an hour to create and cost about $1.95 in materials.

For more fun-not-scary  Halloween ideas follow out my Pinterest Board: Halloween

Happy Halloween!

Halloween Craft: Dodecahedrons

I am so into the paper crafted dodecahedron. What's that you say? According to Wiki:

"In geometry, a dodecahedron is any polyhedron with twelve flat faces, but usually a regular dodecahedron is meant, which is one of the five Platonic solids. It is composed of 12 regular pentagonal faces, with three meeting at each vertex, and is represented by the Schläfli symbol."  Wikipedia: Dodecahedron

 Got that?

Do-deca-hedron

I had to cut-n-paste that definition and couldn't repeat it to save my life. Saying the word, dodecahedron, makes me giggle! It's just one crazy absurd word. Dodecahedron.

Math and geometry are, as they say, All Greek to Me!  I have a good friend, Lori D., who would be all over the math and geometry of the dodecahedron! She recently wrote, "I love finding new ways to talk about math." You guessed right, she is a math professor and pregnant times two (twins, don't ya know!) I'll leave the science of the shape to Lori and express my delight that Silhouette Online Store Design ID #21647 is the cut file to simply craft a dodecahedron from a single piece of paper. Genius! Thank you Samantha Walker for your design.

I used this design to make Halloween toys for the KeepHerKitty. One is orange, the other is purple. I used the polygon shape to cut pentagons from two-sided Halloween themed paper. Once the dodecahedron's were assembled with double sided tape I then affixed the polygon shapes in random order, one print to each of the twelve sides.

One dodecahedron holds a muslin sack of fresh catnip, the other holds one dozen loose jingle bells. I was certain this would amuse and captivate the KeepHerKitty. Well, not so much. The only time thus far that she has paid attention to her objects d'art was Sunday morning when I attempted to stage the photo shoot while the sunlight was just right.

For now I've placed the Halloween dodecahedrons on the open shelves of the dining room hutch. A wicked crow has taken to roosting upon one of these bewitching geometric shapes.

So this is a sneak peak at my Halloween decor of 2014. Stay tuned for the great Halloween reveal later this week! KeepHer is anxious to show you all about her tricked-out abode!  In the meantime, get out your Silhouette or other cutting tool and whip up a good ol'fashioned Halloween Dodecahedron! Dazzle all your geometric-phobic friends with your mathematical genius! I won't tell your secret if you don't tell mine!

Paper Crafting: Butterfly Shadow Box

This is another Marji Roy file from the Silhouette Online Store. It is a 3D Shadow Box with a butterfly. Marji's original design has three butterflies. Mine has one enormous butterfly because I made an error when I was adjusting the sizing. I think with butterflies, there is a certain point when the beautiful insect that stars in so many stories of transformation becomes a bit sci-fi and just a little creepy. I may have come in just under the threshold on this one - one bit bigger and that butterfly is scary!  Still, I was pleased with the project, it was completed in just over an hour.

SVG Design ID: 44808
Marji's Tutorial: Butterfly Shadow Box

Metallic Monogram

Using the same Silhouette Cameo electronic cutting machine files from Marji Roy that I used for my SUMMER project I created these metallic letters layering the bronze, copper and gold papers from the Foil Cardstock by DCWV 6x6 Stack. They are lavish and elegant and look foolishly expensive. Materials cost just under $3 per letter - let's keep that our little secret!

Paper Crafting: Shadow Box Summer

This is the open shelving on the hutch I inherited from my Grandmother Flo. The hutch is Federal style and has glass doors on the front with drawers below. I had Jim remove the glass doors and use the shelves for seasonal display as well as glassware storage. The display is in constant change from month to month and over the seasons and I love it. The paper pomander's carried over from the spring display as did the crepe flowers. I know my grandmother would like the way I use this family treasure for seasonal display.

The 3D SUMMER is credited to one of my favorite Silhouette Cameo designers, Marji Roy. Her biography reads "I am Marji Roy and probably just like you, someone that loves to create and apply creative solutions to everyday living. I blog about all facets of creative living over at AshbeeDesign.com and share my Silhouette Solutions with you here at the online store." She is also the author of a blog and website called 3D Cuts. You must explore her tutorials, they are some of the best I've ever seen in the world of craft blogging. Her helpful hints are genius and her instructions are precise. And the projects are positively inspired, just take a look at the 3D Sunflowers.

The Alphabet Shadow Box designs had me at hello. I love words and I bought the entire alphabet and numbers immediately from the Silhouette Online Store. Link here for Mrs. Roy's fabulous tutorial: Shadow Box Alphabet Tutorial. "This tutorial is for all files in the Alphabet Shadow Box series. The construction of each is identical. Each is built from 5 box layers and one background. The finished box is 5" square. Each letter can be used as an independent monogram or combined with other letters for initials or words."

This is a closer look at the S. I used standard card stock for the letters, prints from a coordinated stack for the backing and glitter card stock for the frames. Originally I made the frames with craft paper thinking it would evoke feelings of a sandy beach. But quite truthfully it evoked feelings of doldrums. The glitter frames are much happier.

Paper Crafting: Autumnal Shadow Box

Paper Crafting using my favorite: Silhouette Cameo Starter Kit Bundle

I think I'm hooked on making shadow box collages. This is my latest creation for autumnal display in the kitchen. KeepHer loves her catnaps best when she finds that perfect spot of sunshine, and here she is with her own little calico rug. The foil cardstock adds opulent elegance and lends the rich feel of autumn.  I browsed my Silhouette library and the online store to get a general idea of the cuts and layout and scribbled a rough draft. From there I let it evolve as I made the cuts and played with the paper. The swirl in the upper box is the cut from the cat's body - it was a lucky scrap that fit just right in the upper section. I still need to perfect my skill in making the box itself and look forward to the practice.

Happy Autumn Everyone!

I highly recommend Lori Whitlock's files and website tutorials. She is a talented designer and an inspired instructor. This is the description on the SVG file for the 3D three-spot shadow box in the Silhouette Online Store:

File ID#30613:  11.3x5.8 shadow box 3 equal openings by Lori Whitlock

"Are you ready for a simply adorable 3D project?? With this file you can create a 3D shadow box. This project will take 3.5 sheets of 12x12 cardstock and the final shadow box measures 11.3x5.8. This project CAN be scaled down to fit 8.5x11 cardstock. Embellish the shadow box as desired. Look for more of Lori's 3d Shadow Boxes in her portfolio. You will want to watch one of Lori's Shadow Box Tutorial that you can find at www.loriwhitlock.com (click on her YouTube channel). Enjoy!"

Materials:

• Black cardstock 12x12-inch
• Colored cardstock from the scrap file
• Foil Cardstock by DCWV 6x6 Stack
• Martha Stewart All Purpose Glue
• Wool yarn in calico

Tools:

• Silhouette Cameo Electronic Cutting Machine
Silhouette Cameo Starter Kit Bundle
• Silhouette Cameo cutting mat, blade, scraper, pick-up tool, and spatula
• bone folder

SVG Files purchased from the Silhouette Online Store:

• Life is Good: Design ID#45061  by Sophie Gallo
• Sleeping Cat: Design ID#64503 by Rivka Wilkins
• Love the Fall: Design ID#49550 by Echo Park
• Sunshine: Design ID#18853 by Echo Park
• 3D Apples: A Snapdragon Snippet Design
• Miscellaneous cuts including leaves, 3D flowers, butterflies

In or Out? Quick Craft

KeepHerKitty is known to her home family as Big Shot Night Cat. Though she is a house cat she is still a cat and night prowling is her purpose.  A night sleep for her mom and dad servants never goes uninterrupted by her insistent and persistent plea for access to the night world. With two of us opening and closing doors for the little prowler it becomes confusing to which side of the door she abides at the moment. 

In hopes to resolve confusion in the darkness I crafted these simple IN/OUT door hangers to serve as prompts. So far the system is working.  The cuts are from my Silhouette Cameo Library files using scrap or stash papers and all purpose glue. Sarah Hurley is the designer of the cat silhouette and cat font.

PS: I filed this under Quick Craft, which is quite clever since the craft took less time to complete than it takes for KeepHerKitty to decide to go out whilst I hold the door open for her!

Dilly Beans:Tagged for Holiday Giving

This year I used fun cuts made on the Silhouette Cameo Electronic Cutting Machine to make tags and date circles for the Dilly Beans. I think they are fun for our home, but also make ready a simple holiday gift for those last minute opportunities to show someone you cherish and appreciate them.

KeepHerKitty Birthday K-Card

KeepHer was born in 2006. She is the daughter of a feral cat named Skanky Franky. Being in the country the wild cats come and go, but this little calico, well, she was a keeper. Get it? :) At any rate, I know it was 2006 but I don't know her exact birthday. So each year about March or April when she starts to get cabin fever from our long cold Katie-bar-the-door winters we have a birthday party.  I ask her, "Is today your birthday?" and if I pitch my voice with just the right enthusiasm she'll say, "Yeah" with a meow so long you'd think it was a drawl. Seriously. She really does.

When she gave the affirmative last spring I went all out to celebrate. Using my newly acquired Silhouette Cameo Digital Die Cut Machine I made her this 3D birthday card, my first 3D project actually.

Since she was turning eight I used girly pink and purple with lots of frills and sparkle. I think she liked it. Or maybe it was the Friskies Party Mix cat treats she loved more. At any rate, we beat -- at least for a moment -- the winter blues. The shadow box is 5x5-inches square and about 1/2-inch deep.

Materials:
pink & purple Glitter Cardstock (stash)
pink & ivory cardstock (stash)
gauzy butterfly embellishment (stash)

SVG files from my Silhouette Library:

• Monogram K: Design ID#3082 by Rivka Wilkins
• Floral Flourish: Design ID #45866 by Snapdragon Snippets
• Shadow Box Frame: Design ID #37572 by Lori Whitlock

Wreath: Yarn & Pinwheels Summer Fun

This is a project that took a ridiculous amount of time for me to complete but I am pleased with the results. I found wrapping the 18-inch Styrofoam wreath with yarn a tedious and hideous process. I loved the yarn wreaths I found and posted on my Pinterest board, DIY Crafty Wreaths and wanted one for my own. Some have the yarn wrapped perfectly while others take a looser approach with the yarn over-lapping and criss-crossing. I opted for the perfect alignment. Could have just as well taken a quick trip to the funny farm for how crazy this drove me. At any rate, two weeks later I had the yarn wrapped and then turned focus to paper crafting the embellishments. Then the project was fun again! I like the results and the soft colors which are a departure from my usual green and purples. This is hanging on the French door from the kitchen to the summer deck.

Here are the details:

Materials:
18-inch round Styrofoam wreath form
worsted weight yarn: yellow, aqua, gray (stash)
bakers twine (stash)
craft buttons and pearl head pins (stash)
 cardstock, craft paper, stamping ink (stash)

SVG Files for the Silhouette Cameo:

Flower Garden Alphabet Uppercase: Design ID #57326
by Kolette Hall Studio

Build a Banner Set: Design ID#25737
by Lori Whitlock

Pinwheel File - included with purchase of Silhouette Cameo

Paper Crafting: Leafy Wreath and Blossoms

In January of this year I purchased the Silhouette Cameo Starter Kit Bundle from Amazon even though I'd never seen one live and in person. Reading about the cutting and printing possibilities on blogs and Pinterest pushed me over the edge from interest to obsession. Over the last several months I've worked to learn the machine and crafted numerous projects, some better than others. Most of my projects are home decor. I've collected over 1,000 cut files in my Silhouette library. I've also amassed a large selection of papers from cardstock to printed craft papers. It has been a thrilling learning experience and delightful creative outlet.

An evening rain shower pushed me inside from the gardens yesterday so I seized the chance to grow some blooms from paper. I styled this 11-inch wreath to hang on the nine pane window of our back door.

All cut files are from my Silhouette SVG Library.

Wreath shape: Leafy Frame by Sophie Gallo Design ID #58622

3d layered flowers by Lori Whitlock Design ID #25296

sweet by BasicGrey Design ID #55627 (I only used the butterfly from this 3-cut set)

I used brads from my stash and a few fill-in leafs and floral accents left-over from previous projects. I cut the leaf frame from four different colors of textured cardstock and staggered the layers to create the leafy background for the blossoms. I curled the leaves and the blossoms for depth and assembled all with low temperature hot glue. The butterfly is cut from foil cardstock, curled for depth and affixed with hot glue.

This is a simple wreath easily completed in a few hours. It looks light and fresh against the light of the window and adds just that little extra touch of homey decor that was missing.

I've gleaned much inspiration for paper crafting with the Silhouette Cameo on Pinterest. Visit my board: Silhouette Cameo Crafts

Tissue Flowers: Spring Blossoms

To brighten our home during a long dark winter KeepHerKitty and I crafted tissue paper blossoms. They were fun to create and I found the fluffing and shaping of the paper enjoyable because exactness or precision were unnecessary. I used both zip ties and floral wire to bind the folded sheets and prefered the zip ties because they were easier to tighten. Using them did mean hot gluing a floral wire stem into the center crease rather than using the tightened wire.  The arrangement at left is large, about 40-inches tall and some of the blooms are as large as 12-inches diameter. KeepHer stayed with me for the entire project with a keen eye focused on the details!

To learn this craft I curated a large collection of images on my Pinterest board, Everlasting Paper Flowers. You will find some excellent tutorials from skilled crafters on this board.