Needle Felted Yellow duck and paper adventure

Hello everyone,
A happy Friday to you! Today I had some time to make a larger version of my mini ducks! I think he came out pretty well :) Now there's a mother duck for the baby ones :). 

Anyways, yesterday I had mentioned my paper adventure and I just wanted to share some paper projects with you.  While in Toronto, I picked up this neat 3 in 1 paper tag puncher at Michael's.  I know what you're thinking.  I'm a little crazy for lugging this heavy metal brick from Toronto to Seattle.  In my defense, I got a 50% off coupon and I really liked the fact that this paper punch had a lever to press down on.  With this neat puncher, I've been making some pretty gift tags.  I'm just not sure what to do with them yet!

 Happy Weekend! :)
Janet

Needle Felting: Large Blue Duck

Hey everyone,

Sorry for the lack of updates! Due to unforeseen circumstances, Mr C and I had to go back to Toronto to attend to some family matters.  It was a really rushed trip back home, so I didn't really have time to make any updates.  I'm back now, and working really hard to come up with new things for the shop and for the blog! I've been trying to come up with new items and cooking up new dishes (stay tuned).

This month, I've been noticing that a lot of people have been looking my tiny little duck.  I even had a fellow Etsy buyer suggest to make a larger duck.  So I did it guys.  I made a larger one!

What do you think?

I'm going to post this happy duck? penguin? hybrid in the store soon!  He came out really well, and I hope to make a yellow one soon.  Too bad these furry friends take so long to make... :P

Anyways, one of my closest friend has introduced me to the world of cardmaking/scrapbooking.  It's a magical world, filled with beautiful papers, stamps, ribbon, and paper punches.  While in Toronto I picked up a paper tag puncher.  I also brought back my Martha Stewart heat tool (which I love) for some wet embossing.  This is a little sneak peek of what I've been working on.  I'm still on the search for a small hole puncher/setter tool.  Hopefully next month since I've kind of destroyed my crafts budget.  Whoops? :P haha

Take care! Woo hoo, almost the weekend!

<3 Janet

Craft Project: Decoupage

Hey everyone,

How's it going?! Sorry for the lack of posts guys.  I've been keeping myself busy with different crafts. Last week was sewing and this week is decoupage! hahah, yes you read it correctly.  After getting my crazy $3 paper cutter, I knew I had to get myself a bottle of Mod Podge for decoupaging.  I've always wanted to decoupage since seeing it on the Rosie O'Donnell show (circa the mid 90's).  I know weird right? She talked about it in a few of her episodes, and I thought it was pretty cool how you could glue paper to anything you wanted.   I used my mod podge to glue my favorite paper to a magnetic box.  It came out really well and now I have a perfect tool box.  I've recently become obsessed with magnets as well.  I decided to decoupage some Japanese Washi paper to some heart shaped glass.  Now I just need some magnets for the back! 

 

I also made some tiny magnets from some brads I picked up on the weekend.  I was really attracted to the cute little designs.  Perfect for the fridge or small magnetic message board.  You can find this set in my Etsy store.  Just click the banner on the right side.

 

 

Sewing project: Cord Organizer

Hey everyone,

Hope you're having a great Tuesday.  I haven't been needle felting lately, instead I've been sewing.  After some minor hiccups, I think I finally know how to use the sewing machine.  In fact, I find sewing so peaceful now... my beautiful sewing machine.. how I love you

I know I know, I should be needle felting and coming up with new creations for my store, however I felt the intense need to make this little creation.

Don't you hate it when your cords are a mess? This weekend, I spent 15 minutes trying to untangle my earphones at the gym.  I was so annoyed that I decided to sew these little cord organizers.  I used some fabric I had from my previous project to make this.  It's not really complete yet as I'm waiting for my snap fastner pliers to come in the mail.  I'm really excited though because they look so cute.  I can't wait to use them.  I'll see how they turn out once I add a fastener.     

 A made a couple of these cord organizers with different ribbon designs.  I found some beautiful ribbon from Marshall's this weekend that I had to incorporate into the design. 

I'm so obsessed with ribbon right now! I love the happy cheery designs :)  What do you think? Should I add these cord organizers to my store?  Also what's your current obsession? I'd love to know

Take care,

Janet

 

What's for dinner?

 I love Vietnamese food.  Banh mi's, Pho (beef noodles), cold rice noodles with yummy deep fried spring rolls make my mouth water (hehe).  One of my most favorite dishes/appetizers are these cold spring rolls.  I don't recall the proper name for them (if any of you know, please let me know). 

We are trying to eat heathier by incorporating more seafood and veggies into our diet.  This week is shrimp week.  I decided I had to make this dish. 

 These spring rolls are so easy to make as it requires a bag of rice noodles, shrimp, some sort of veggie like lettuce (I used spinach instead) and of course rice wrapper (resembles pieces of paper made our of rice and tapioca). The hardest part of the process was cleaning the shrimp, but I think this could be eliminated by using tofu or even sausage. 

You have to boil the noodles first and then place them on a flat surface to dry and cool down.  Next you boil the shrimp and now you can assemble :D  For each spring roll, you'll need to quickly soak the rice wrapper in warm water and then quickly place it flat on a dish.  Then you put some shrimp, noodles and lettuce in the middle of the rice paper.  Fold the top down and roll a bit before you fold in the sides.  For my first few rolls I attempted to do the sides first, but realized everything just stuck together (these darn things are so sticky!).  

All done :) Make a peanut sauce and you're good to go.  I think I'm going to try this with tofu tonight!

Take care,
Janet
  

Joann Haul + Needle Felted Magnets

Hey everyone!! Happy May 1st!

I can't believe it's already May.  I can't wait until we have summer weather!  Then I can eat frozen yogurt outdoors without the fear of brain freeze ;)

Guess what? I got my first sale today.  Thanks to the person who purchased my little camera charm <3.   I hope you enjoy it as much as I enjoyed making it.  I was so excited/happy that I made some new things today.  After shipping the package, I decided to walk around Joann's and Michaels.  I got a lot of crafting stuff at Joann's. I even found a mini x-acto cutting board.  Guess how much it was? Only $3.94! Yes, you read that correctly.  I was floored because it was such a great deal! It was on final clearance, and I had to get it.  I even walked around the store once to make sure I really needed it.  I've been wanting to get something like this for awhile (I hate cutting paper with an exacto knife/scissors).  

 My beautiful new x-acto cutting board.  Haha... chop chop

 I made some furry friend magnets! :) I will do some "vanity" shots sometime this week.  Just wanted to come up with more things before the weekend.  It's just a baby chick and a rabbit... you know just chilling around the Washington area.

I finally made something for myself!  It's a little flower for my bag or jacket.  Unfortunately the pins I bought from Joann are terrible... urgh.  I don't think they are useable, but I'll see...

Take care :)

Janet