Wind&Willow Soup Sampling.

Be sure to save some time tomorrow (Saturday, Sept. 29th) to stop in between 1-3pm and sample the Tortilla Con Queso and Baked Potato soups from Wind & Willow. Sometimes it is hard to know what your buying with these types of mixes - so this is the perfect time to give them a try and find a favorite (or figure out that you like them both :) You can find the soup samples in our Kitchen Display room at the front of the store.

And if you do sample them, I would love to know....which is your favorite?

Autumn Vinyl Projects.

Today I wanted to share a bunch of different projects and project ideas that all use one of our Autumn/Fall themed vinyl sayings in one way or another.

As you can see some of the vinyl we used on more than one project - and really that is one of the big advantages of using the vinyl sayings we have - you can put them on almost anything and create a project that best fits your space and/or decor. Add that to the fact that we have vinyl available in many different size options and different colors as well and you can see just how many options you have!

For this piece we painted (and then distressed by dry brushing) one of our wood inlay frames, added vinyl to a 12x12 tile, then glued the tile into the frame using E-6000 glue and embellished with a simple flower on the corner. A project sheet for this project can be found HERE.

For this shadow box we used the same vinyl - just added it to the front glass on the shadow box, placed a fall themed piece of pattern paper in the frame and embellished with a few die-cut leaves. You can find a project sheet for this project HERE. And an instructional video with step by step instructions HERE.

 

Following essentially the same steps for the shadow box above, we created the Autumn Rules frame below, only a different vinyl saying, pattern paper, and embellishments. 

For the project below, we used the same Autumn Rules vinyl - this time we just added it to a wood panel that had been painted and distressed and then embellished with a burlap ribbon. You can find a project sheet for this project HERE.

Here is another example of a 12x12 shadow box that we altered with paper pattern, vinyl and then also added a photo for a personal touch.

One more example of a shadow box - although here we used a smaller vinyl across the bottom section of the glass and then embellished a bit more with the pattern papers we used.

We used the same "Give Thanks" vinyl (this time in black) on the piece below - again very simply just added pattern paper and photo to the frame and then added the vinyl and a floral embellishment. A project sheet for this project can be found HERE.

For the next three samples we used the same "Harvest Blessings" vinyl on different projects and in different ways. For this piece we added the vinyl to a standard white canvas, painted over the vinyl and the canvas and then removed the vinyl once the paint was dry for this masked effect. A project sheet for this project can be found HERE.

We added the same vinyl to a standard plate that we had altered using alcohol ink for this project.

And finally, we also used the Harvest Blessings vinyl to create this decor piece, by altering a wood canvas with paint, pattern paper, and ribbon. You can find a project sheet for this project HERE.

Hanging Frames with Initial.

Last month I had shared a few project ideas on how to create a wall display using our new decorative rods, ribbon, and frames on this post. Today, I wanted to share an additional display/project idea using basically the same pieces - BUT also adding one of our 10" paper mache letters altered to match the theme of your display. Here I simply painted the paper mache letter black and then covered it with a piece of pattern paper from the paper line I used in two of the frames. Then we added eye hooks to the frames and the letter and added ribbon to hang them from the decorative rod. Such a fun and easy way to add something personal and different to your home decor!

A project sheet with detailed instructions for this project can be found HERE.

Flameless Candles.

I'm excited to share some information with you about the new LED Flameless Candles we now have in our Gifts Department! We have a few different brands to choose from and lots of different options with each as well - they come in a variety of colors and scents, come with different auto and timer features, and come in lots of shapes and sizes too. We sell them individually (the prices range from $4.99-$29.99) as well as in sets of various sizes. You can find them on the front wall by the Quilt Shop in the store.

Geomesh Wreaths.

Today I want to share with you some of the gorgeous Geomesh Wreaths our Seasonal department have recently created for the Fall and Winter seasons. You can find all of these wreaths displayed in aisle 5 of the Seasonal department, as well as the supplies to create your own.

Even though the styles, themes and 'looks' of each of these wreaths varies greatly, they all follow the same simple techniques. To help you with these basic techniques we have created a project sheet as well as a video with step by step instructions for the Fall Wreath you see below. You can follow these basic instructions to create any of the additional wreath samples - just swap out the different components with pieces that fit the wreath theme you desire. As I say with most projects - if you have the basics the possibilities are endless with what you can create.

A project sheet (and video) for this Fall Geomesh Wreath can be found HERE.

If you have any questions on the wreaths (or techniques) feel free to ask in the comments or stop in to our Seasonal Department-someone would love to help you get started on your own project!

Metal Trees.

The fall season here in Minnesota definitely has all of us enjoying the sights of the beautiful fall colors on the trees, unfortunately the season doesn't last long (at least not long enough in my opinion) - but I do have a couple tree projects to share today that you can enjoy all year long!

We created these family/photo trees using a couple different styles of the metal trees we have available, which you can find at the front of the store by our vinyl room. We simply embellished them a bit with paper and fabric embellishments and photos. Of course you can follow a specific theme or season while decorating these trees or you can go for a more general theme that will work with any decor or time of year. Either way they are a great way to bring a bit of that love for beautiful trees into your home or office.

You can find a project sheet for this Autumn Metal Tree HERE.

If you want a more general themed tree, you can find a project sheet for this Memories Metal Tree HERE.

Family Themed Projects.

Today I wanted to share a few "Family" inspired projects that we recently created.

Each of them uses a slightly different style of family themed Vinyl Sayings we have available - and all of them can easily be swapped out for another if you prefer a different saying.

I love the general theme of these pieces and the general color scheme too. They would make a great addition to any home decor (especially during the fall season) and could also be a wonderful gift for a special family member.

You can find the supplies to create these (and many other) family themed projects in store and I've also linked the project sheet for each of these projects below.

Family Burlap Lantern

Family Float Frame

Family Glass Block

Saturday Events.

In honor of our 22nd Anniversary Celebration, this month we are offering free Make & Takes and product samples each Saturday from 1-3pm. This Saturday (Sept. 22nd) we will have two fun projects for you to create!!

The first project that we will be offering is this Halloween Decorated Frame. You will be adding pattern paper and a candy corn embellishment to one of our magnetic wood frames - perfect for displaying a favorite Halloween photo from a past year or to have ready for this years shot.

The second Make & Take is this Decorated Paint Can. The general fall theme of this project makes it perfect to use anytime throughout the fall season - and would be great as a decor piece, to fill with treats, or use to deliver a little gratitude gift to yourself or a favorite person.

We would love to have you join us and hope to see you here from 1-3pm on Saturday!!

Acrylic Flower Frames.

Hi Everyone!

Today I have a fun new DIY Home Decor piece to share with you! 

These Acrylic Flower Frames are one of the hottest new things - and making them even better is the fact that they are so easy to make yourself! Not only does DIY equate to saving money - but it also means you can make your piece exactly how YOU want it by using the colors, flowers, and embellishments of your choice. 

Below you can see a few of the project samples we have come up with - but the possibilities are really endless. To help you create your own we have created a project sheet with general instructions, which you can find HERE. And as always, you can visit our Seasonal Department where they would love to help you find supplies to make your own.

Floral Displays.

Today I wanted to share a few of the gorgeous displays our Floral department recently created and set up in their department.

First, you can find this burlap/fall display by the Floral counter. I love the fall look of this display without being over the top with color - the browns and creams are perfect for the fall season!

Following the same color theme they also created this display showcasing a few of the glass and home decor pieces you can find in the Floral Department. You can find this display in aisle 4 of the store.

If you prefer a little more color, this display of fall decor ideas is also in aisle 4. My favorite here is definitely the decorated candle holders - which are decorated with beaded garland and lights.

Finally, if you want to sneak in some Halloween decor before pulling out the Fall items - this Halloween display also has some really cute ideas. These ideas would be great for general decor during the month of October, and would also be fun ideas to incorporate into a Halloween party.

As always, there is so much more to check out in store - so we hope to see you in soon - and be sure to stop by our Floral Department next time you are here!

Make & Take Day!

You are definitely going to want to make some time to stop by Crafts Direct next Monday (9/17) between 3-7pm!!!

We are going to be offering FREE Make & Takes from some of your favorite companies, including: Fancy Pants, Echo Park, Carta Bella and Vinyl Words. They each have some very fun projects and cards ready for you to create - you won't want to miss it!

Saturday Events.

In honor of our 22nd Anniversary Celebration, this month we are offering free Make & Takes and product samples each Saturday from 1-3pm. This Saturday (Sept. 15th) we will have two adorable projects to create and will be sampling our Wind & Willow dips as well.
 
The first project that we will be offering is the cute Halloween Card you see below. Join Heather at our Paper Crafts demo counter between 1-3 to make one for yourself!

At our Beads & Basics demo counter, Brianna will be helping your create this fun Jack-o-Lantern magnet, by embellishing a simple glass marble!

In addition to the projects you can create on Saturday afternoon, you will also be able to sample three flavors of our Wind & Willow dip mixes in our Kitchen display room at the front of the store. The flavors we will be sampling are Chipotle Cheddar, Back at the Ranch and Cheesy Bacon. This is a great opportunity to give them a try and find a favorite (or favorites) before your holiday entertaining begins in a few months.

Hope to see you here from 1-3pm on Saturday!!

Halloween Mini Album Class!

We are so excited to let you know about a class that we will be offering this coming Monday (September 17th) from 1-2:30pm!!

Darcy from Pebbles, Inc. will be here to teach a class and help you create this adorable Happy Halloween Mini Accordion Album, using the latest Halloween line from Pebbles. The class is only $5 - but space is limited so call to reserve your spot today!!

 

New in Gifts.

Hi Everyone!

Today I have a LOT of new things to share from our Gifts Department!! You can find these items across the front of the store - some of them are in their own room in front of the Paper Crafts department, while others you can find displayed by our front registers, by the coffee shop, and also in front of the Fabrics department.

We have new inspirational clocks:

New cross designs, including these new designs from Things with Wings:

We now have our Kyber Room full of hats and mittens!! These always go fast so make sure to pick your favorites up before they are gone!

We also have some new mini-plate sets that are perfect for the Halloween/Fall holidays coming up:

Also perfect, for the new season - a large selection of new scarves:

You can find new Things with Wings pieces by our front registers (I love the weekly chalkboard!):

And finally, in our candle area you can now find these cute new wax warmers and scented wax melts:

Of course this is just a peek, be sure to come in and check out all the new products in our Gifts Department soon!