Tech Thursday - Basic Wire Wrapped Loop

Crafters always love to embellish their projects, so it's good to know how to make a basic wire wrapped loop. For this technique, I needed some extra hands so I could take the photos, so I got some help from Shari at the Mapunapuna Bead shoppe.There is more than one way to make a wire wrapped loop, most are very similar. This is just one way.

We start off using a chain nose jewelry pliers to hold our piece of wire.

Next, we bend the wire to a 45 degree angle.

Change to a round nose jewelry pliers to hold the wire at the bend.

Take the end of the wire and bend it over the top of the round nose pliers.

 Your wire should look something like this.

Keep wrapping the wire until it goes almost completely around forming a loop.

Remove the round nose pliers and hold the loop with the chain nose pliers.Wrap the wire around tightly just below the loop.

One completed wrap.

Continue to make a few more wraps...

Keep the wraps closely next to each other without any spaces in between for a nice finish.

Use a flush cutter to trim off the excess wire.

Always use your hand to cover the area before cutting, in case the wire flies when it is cut.

To make this into a bead link, add a bead onto the wire.

Next, you will need to make another wrapped loop on the other end of the bead.Start by holding the wire next to the bead with your chain nose pliers.

Repeat the wire wrapping process, start by bending the wire 45 degrees...

With all of the new Sizzix jewjelry making dies coming out as wellas the cute dangly beaded embellishmentw people are putting on their cards, I think basic wire wrapping skills can come in handy!

Thank You to Shari for helping me being my "hands"!

Thanks for stopping by today and I hope your week has been going well. Don't forget to check out tomorrow's Aloha Friday post!

Wednesday's Winnahs!

Last Aloha Friday, I shared my Happy Surprise when I received a RAK in the mail after having such a bummer day. I asked you all to share similar Happy Moments with all of us in blogland and I want to say thanks to those of you who did. Your stories were great!

I decided  not to use Max to help pick the winnah because he's a very FUN and PLAYFUL doggie that weighs in at 120 lbs. I was afraid that he might start eating the slips of paper with all of the names on it.Or grab the bucket by his mouth and take off running!

So, instead I had Jerome from our office help me pick the winnah. Jerome has gotten quite crafty since he started working with us, so I thought he'd be great to do this!

And here's the slip of paper he pulled out...

Congratulations, Jenny V.! You won a $25 Ben Franklin Crafts gift card!

Thanks again for all of you who keep visitng the blog and leaving comments, it's very encouraging. We're half way through the week and I'm looking forward to Saturday's BYOBag sale - 20% off with a re-usable bag!

Happy Crafting !

Two for Tuesday - Round Containers

When I first saw these clear round boxes in the stores, well, I just couldn't "contain" myself! They are a good size for gift and favors, especially if you want to give things like a few yummy cookies!

OK, so Got Containers?

Wrap some fancy paper around, add a few layered circles on the cover, trim with velvety scalloped ribbon and top it all off with a glittered vintage rose.Simple enough, but looks really elegant.

Or, let the paper inspire you! Here, I spied the little funky bird.

Since it was made from simple shapes, I just made a larger version for the cover. I might make a matching mini circle album to put inside, I don't know yet.

Anyway, so that's the 2 different projects using the same containers from our Ben Franklin Craft stores. You should pick up a bunch at Saturday's BYOBag sale, save 20% when you bring your own re-usable bag!

Makeover Monday - Drink Carriers

Fast Food Drink Carriers have always been a favorite useful thing for me. Sometimes, when I'm driving thru Mr. Box's, I'll ask for one even if I don't need it. Mr. Box has the perfect size and it's sturdy and there's nothing printed on it!

So, you take this...

And slap on some paper and stickers and next thing you know, your doggie has a Father's Day gift for his PawPaw!

When you load up the carrier with snacks and their favorite drink, it's a simple gift for anyone, especially the guys!

Thanks for stopping by today! Max and I hope you're having a great week! Don't forget you have until 12 noon HST tomorrow to leave a comment on last week's Aloha Friday Post...you could win a $25 gift card! Maybe I'll let Max pick the winnah!

Long Weekend...Getaway Project!

I was really having too much fun with this Mixed Media Canvas project that I extended my weekend until this morning. Now, most people think that altered art is only dark and grungy looking but I think it can be bright and cute, see...

I took my blank canvas and splashed on some bright blue acrylic paint for the sky with no thoughts on the strokes going any which my hand went. Then, I used  two different green core'dinations papers and tore them into strips and layered them on for the grass.The little flowers are from a Paper Blossoms punch.

My tree is brown kraft paper, the kind for mailing. I have a half toilet paper roll for a base then scrunched up paper for the trunk. The branches are twisted up kraft paper. Some of the branches, I have a chenille stem in the center so I could shape them.

The leaves! I took three shades of green Bo Bunny's Back to Basics dot paper and just went crazy hand cutting leaves. This is where I had a hard time stopping! I just kept cutting more and more.

Every thing is glued together with that amazing 3-in-1 Glue! I just love the way I can just stick the leaves here and there at all kinds of angles and it holds!

I wanted to have some fun, so I took a Hello Kitty key chain, removed the key chain part and stuck her on my little craft stick swing.

And I'm glad I waited until this morning because the store just put out the new Dress It Up buttons and I found these cute owls to nestle in the tree.

Actually, there's more stuff I want to add, so I must say this is still a work in progress. I think it'll be fun to add stuff on as I find them, too.

Thanks for stopping by today and I hope you all have a great week!

Weekend Getaway #2 Hmmm...

I'm ready for a new craft adventure. Hmmm, what am I going to do?
I'll go with Danny Kaye's quote,"Life is a great big canvas, and you should throw all the paint on it you can!"

So, here goes!

Thanks for stopping by today and check back later to see how I bring this canvas to life!
Also, don't forget to check out the Aloha Friday Contest!

ALOHA FRIDAY #2 - WOW! What a sweet surprise!

It's ALOHA FRIDAY...no work 'til Monday...I know some of you lucky crafters get to start your weekend today since it's a holiday! Yipee! More time to craft!

I have a story to share for this Aloha Friday...talk about ALOHA! This week didn't start off too good. On Monday morning, I finally accepted the fact that I need to get a new vehicle. My poor Blazer is turning 13 this month and it is showing it's age. The lastest thing is I can no longer open my back gate. Now that's a big deal for me because as Cheryl will tell you, most of the Joy of Crafting set fits in the back of my Blazer. People are always amazed how I fit it all, counter, shoji screen and trees!

So, I was pretty bummed by the time I got home. But, in the mail I received a package from my Secret Sister Swap. I actually took the plunge in April and signed up for Kris' SSS. Look at the beautiful cards Kim Yu sent me!

And look at the great RAK she sent along with the cards. I believe she makes all of these embellies!

Kim was so cute, too. She apologized for being so late but to me...Kim you had perfect timing! Opening that package just brightened my day! Like I said...talk about ALOHA!

So, for this week's Aloha Friday, I'm going to have another contest. NO, I don't want advice on what kind of car to get, I'm still trying to sort through alof the computer advice!LOL!

What you can leave a comment on is to share one of your surprise moments that made you happy. Again. leave your comment by Wednesday 12 noon and we'll pick a Wednesday Winnah that afternoon!

Thanks for stopping by today! Have a great weekend everybody!

Tech Thursday - Tool Time!

I'm always amazed at how my Sweetie does his hardware or automotive projects so fast and he makes it all look so easy, especially when he makes something for me in lickety-split time!He has all kinds of tools that can do all kinds of things, so cool! Do you buy a lot of crafting tools? I do, and it's not because I'm a shopaholic! It's because the right tools can really make crafting easier, which makes it more FUN!

 So, for today's technique, I wanted to show you my Paper Blossoms flower shaping tools.

To make as flower, you'll need to punch out a bunch of petals, sometimes in different sizes. In this case, I am making a rose, so I will need 12 large pears and 10 small pears punched out. I will also need a green snowflake for the calyx.

There are two really useful tools for shaping the flower petals before assembling the flower. First, the Molding Mat. It's a little softer and cushionier than using foamies and it's thicker than a mouse pad. See, I used both before until I got me a mat, and the mat really does work better.

But my favorite tools are the ball point tip stylus tools which help you shape and "cup" the petals , calyxes and leaves. It also softens the paper a little , making it easier to mold.

By using them on the mat, it helps them glide over the paper really smoothly and you don't have to use a lot of pressure to start seeing results.

Before, people might've gone through the paper and made holes or tears from using too much pressure.It's also easier than shaping by hand which can lead to creases you may not have wanted.

There's also a pair of reverse tweezers which is great for creating veins and bending the edges of petals. I just have to get used to the "reverse" concept.LOL!

Assembling the flower is easy. I like to use a glue like the 3-in-1 Advanced Craft Glue, it's clear and dries fast. It also grabs quickly, which is great when you're trying to stand the petals up.

Just put a little glue on the pointed end of the petal and place it in the center of  the cupped snowflake.

Start with the larger petals, slowly layering and adding more petals.

Then, add the smaller petals and curl up the last two petals for the center bud.

The fun part about making your own flowers is that you can really coordinate the paper to your project. It's also great way to use up some scraps.You can use these tools and techniques on border punches as well as other shapes when you want some dimension, let your creativity go!

Thanks for stopping by today and hope you have a GREAT long weekend!



Wednesday's Winnahs - Computer Advice

First of all, I want to Thank Everyone who told me their own computer stories and gave me some advice on what kind of computer I should get. It was also great to learn what you all do that's crafty on your computer.

The overwhelming resonse points me towards getting a Mac. Funny, my first personal computer was a Mac but I switched later to PCs. Guess I'll start shopping around to see what's out there.

So, I had 11 comments. I didn't feel like going on Random.org to pick the winner, so I instead used my Trusty IT dept. After all, they rescued my work computer!

First, I had Michelle pull a name from the bucket.

Then , Ellaine pulled a name.

And then I had Roy pull  a name.

Then, I emptied the bucket and put the three picks back in. From there, Ken picked the winnah!

And this week's Wednesday Winnah is...

Congratulations, Miss "Just get a MAC!" aka Cheryl from Life is Sweet blog!

Thanks again to everyone for their great advice and sharing their stories. Have a great week and check back on the blog for other contests throughout the month.