Something for everyone...

We have been busy making samples for all areas of the store!

They turned out so cute that we wanted to share with you just how they were made - so you can make them for yourself.

Just click on the pictures below to see a project sheet for each item:

NEW PROJECT SHEETS!

Check out these new project sheets:

In the Floral Department you'll find four new project sheets for these adorable clay pot figuines. There's Farm, Winter, Fall & Bug clay pot critters.

In the Soft Crafts Department you'll find several new project sheets, including one on how to crochet your own coasters using plastic shopping bags!
(Just click on the images below to view the project sheets)

Spring is coming

You know how you can tell that spring is on it's way? Because we start getting A LOT of new fabric. This week has been so much fun. Pretty flowers, baby prints, nature prints and great little group of basics and there's more fabrics coming coming.

Kristine has been keeping us busy too. Stop in and check out all the new samples we've been making.

There's one Fabric in particular that I want to be sure to highlight. We have a Shaggy Cuddle Fleece that is to die for. It is the epitome of softness. I find myself walking by it just to pet it frequently through out the day. You can't really tell how amazing it by the picture, you have to stop in and see for yourself.

For the Love of Haiti

I just want to say thank you to the Crafts Direct employees & everyone that volunteered this weekend at the "For the Love of Haiti" food packaging event!

Volunteers packaged a total of
866,160 meals
for the people of Haiti!

Each package provides 6 nutritionally-complete servings and has been formulated by scientists to provide a rich source of easily digestible protein, carbohydrates, and vitamins.


If you missed out on this weekend's event & are interested in volunteering for future events, just visit the Kids Against Hunger website to learn more about them & find an upcoming packaging event!

14 Days of Love 2010: Day 14

Day 14: Hugs& Kisses Glass Block - The perfect way to give that special valentine the gift of chocolate. This is an quick and easy project that requires only a handful of supplies. A large glass block, vinyl saying, some ribbon and desired candy. Perfect project for the last minute crafter. Happy Valentine's Day!

14 Days of Love 2010: Day 13

Day 13: Love Definition Shadowbox - Create this shadowbox as a way to express your love. The vinyl saying on the shadowbox is another new addition to our vinyl collection and can be used in so many ways. All you need to recreate this project is a 12x12 shadowbox, vinyl saying, pattern paper, foam dots, a circle punch and 2o smaller photos. Nicole our Mini Book instructor made this shadowbox and used 20 photos from the first 20 months of her daughter's life. I think that is such a great idea and will definitely be making one for myself.

14 Days of Love 2010: Day 12

Day 12: Adorable Coaster Set-

Who doesn't need some coasters especially when they are this cute. This 5 piece set started off as 4 plain white coasters stored in the black tray. Now look how adorable they are! With some photos, a little Ultra Seal, Bo Bunny patterned paper, Heidi Swapp acetate words, and a little Envirotex you can turn each coaster into a work of art personalized for the one you love. For directions on how to make these follow these steps, as it is the same technique used on the coasters except on a smaller surface.

14 Days of Love 2010: Day 11

Day 11: Love doesn't make...Wall Decor -
I just love this vinyl saying, which is new to our vinyl collection. I think it works perfectly for the upcoming holiday but would fit into any ones home all year round. All you need is an MDF board, desired color of acrylic paint, 3 decorative hooks (we used black spray paint to change out the color of the hooks), vinyl saying, ribbon, 3-5x5 frames, some pattern paper, a little ribbon and a few 4x6 cropped to 4x4. The best part is that Crafts direct carries all these supplies to recreate this masterpiece,

14 Days of Love 2010: Day 10

Day 10: Valentine's Pails - Either of these pails would be perfect for giving a Valentine's Gift. You could even use them as treat pails, or to collect all your Valentine's or love notes in. They come in 3 sizes, the larger two are shown. The "Love" pail uses the gallon pail, Jesse James Heart Buttons (Dress It Up), sticker letters, and a little ribbon. The "Cherish" pail uses the quart pail, one of Imaginisce's newer lines of paper "Sweet Cheri", Thickers (alphabet stickers), and a little ribbon for the handle. They are easy and fun to make, and we sell all the supplies you would need here, at Crafts Direct.

14 Days of Love 2010: Day 9

Day 9: Baby Love Layout - This simple yet festive layout would make a nice addition to any scrapbook, or even give it as a gift by putting it in a frame. Just by changing out the title and paper you can make the layout fit for any occasion.

14 Days of Love 2010: Day 8

Day 8: Love to you card - What better way is there to let someone know you love them, than by making them a handmade card. This card was designed by Heather who helps Sarah Lynn design cards for our Card Chaos Classes. I love the technique she used on this card to create the heart on the front. Here is a list of supplies and instructions to make your own.

Materials

5 ½” x 8 ½” kraft cardstock

5 ¼” x 4” Love Me Do “Rock & Roll Heart” paper (red polka dot side) by My Mind’s Eye

1 ½” x 4” Love Me Do “Rock & Roll Heart” paper (yellow w/red hearts side) by My Mind’s Eye

2 ½” x 3” white cardstock

2 ¾” x 3 ½” red cardstock

Love to you sentiment stamp by Stampendous

Polka dot heart stamp by Savvy Stamps

Versamark ink by Tsukineko

Red ink

Black ink

White ink (for edges)

Red rickrack by May Arts

Clear rhinestones by Kaisercraft

Clear embossing powder

Heat embossing tools

Sponge or dauber

Zip dry paper glue

Dimensionals

Instructions:

1. Stamp “love to you” sentiment onto white cardstock. Let dry.
2. Stamp polka dot heart over sentiment with Versamark ink. Use clear embossing powder to emboss polka dot heart image.
3. Sponge red ink over embossed heart image. The ink will resist where the image is embossed.
4. Attach stamped piece to red cardstock, leaving a wider margin on the left side. Ink edges of red cardstock with white ink.
5. Use Zip Dry glue to attach red rick rack onto the left side of the image piece. Add 3 rhinestones randomly to the polka dot heart image.
6. Fold kraft cardstock in half to form card base. Ink edges of cardfront with white ink. Attach red polka dot paper to the card front and then attach the yellow w/red hearts paper strip to the left side of the red polka dot piece.
7. Attach main heart piece to card front using dimensionals.

14 Days of Love 2010: Day 7

Day 7: L O V E Frames - These small black frames would

make a cute little gift or home decor piece, not just for Valentine's Day but all year round. The frames measure 3"x3" and they come with the a screw eye at the top and the opening is about 2"x2". All I did was cut up a scrap of printed paper to fit into each frame. I also cut a sheet of acetate up to insert into each frame to act as the glass. I then applied each letter of my vinyl word to each piece of acetate. You could apply it directly to the paper and skip the acetate step, but the acetate makes it easier to change out the paper if desired. I used 15" ribbon per frame to create the hanger. A quick and easy project. Although, the "Love" in the black vinyl would have showed up better, but I think it is still cute.

14 Days of Love 2010: Day 6

Day 6: Felt Fortune Cookies - This is an idea that is on Martha Stewart's website. I thought it was a great idea and would be great as little favors for a Valentine's party or dinner.

I would recommend cutting the felt circle out using our Accu-Cut Die-cut Machine at Crafts Direct. I used the 4 " circle die and adjusted the ribbon & wire lengths accordingly. Using hot glue to hold the wire and ribbon in place. You can get the instructions to make these cookies here.

14 Days of Love 2010: Day 5

Day 5: "Be Mine" Mini Book - Make this mini book for that special someone in your life. We sell the supplies to make this mini book, or you can take the class. We are offering it as a class this coming Monday, Feb. 8th starting at 6pm, class fee $25. You can stop in or call to register, we hope you can join us.

14 Days of Love 2010: Day 4

Day 4: Calendar - This calendar would be a lovely addition to any home, and the best part is that it is all magnetic, so it can be changed out easily from month to month. It just takes a sheet of calendar paper, miscellaneous embellishments and such to create the numbers, letters for the month (we used Thickers), and using the glue 527 to adhere the magnets to the back of the embellishments, & letters. It is a fun and easy craft and a great way to use up some odds and ends.

14 Days of Love 2010: Day 3

Day 3: Love You Deerly Notepad - This notepad is
perfect for any dear in your life. It is cute and affordable. The perfect little gift for a teacher, co-worker, friend and/or neighbor. Pick up all the supplies you need to make this lovely notepad at Crafts Direct. Click on project sheet to enlarge.

14 Days of Love 2010: Day 2

Day 2: L O V E Blocks - A day late, as it was a crazy day yesterday. Anyway this cute little craft was worth the wait, and a cinch to make. What you need to recreate this project: Vinyl word "Love", 4 - 2x2 wood blocks, light blue and light pink acrylic paint, 4 sheets of coordinating paper (we used Pink Paislee's Cupid's Collection), and Ultra Seal. Stop by Crafts Direct to pick up the supplies to make your own L O V E Blocks.


How to put it all together:
Paint all the edges on each block, 2 blocks should be pink and two blue, let dry. From each of the 4 sheets of paper cut 6 squares of each pattern measuring 1.75"x1.75". Using Ultra Seal, adhere 6 squares of the same pattern on one block covering all sides. Repeat on the remaining three blocks. Cut out each letter of the vinyl word and apply a letter to each of the wood blocks, and display. How easy is that?

14 Days of Love 2010: Day 1

Day 1: Love - Three Panel Frame - It is hard to believe it is already this time of year, I feel like we just rang in the new year. This is an adorable 3 panel frame that Nicole our mini book club instructor created for the store. It is sold unfinished, but can be embellished however you'd like.
The frame was painted black with vinyl words added to some of the frames. Photos were added, then printed papers from Making Memories and coordinating embellishments were used to decorate the fronts and backs of the frames that didn't contain photos. We sell all the supplies you would need to create your very own here at Crafts Direct.