Gnomie Cards

I made gnomie thank you cards for my birthday. Got to use the new cards I received from the recent Bunny Hop Swap. I simply cut strips of paper, using scalloped scissors on the bottom edge & sewed them on with light blue thread (via a sewing machine). The gnome die cuts ( ♥ ) are from tiny things are cute. I had been saving them for a special occasion. 

To see a photo collage of my cards, click HERE. 

♥

Mystery Cards Tutorial

I found this idea in a book called Make Cards (c 1992) by Kim Solga.

The only supplies needed are: cards (or paper folded into a card shape), a black marker, a black crayon & whatever you choose to draw or create with: crayons/paints/colored markers.

Simply color, paint or draw a design using your medium of choice. Leave an area open in your design for the "secret" message or picture. Here my 5 year old drew a cat. Use a black marker to write your message/picture. Pazely's secret picture is a rat inside the cat's mouth.

Now, color over your secret picture/design with a black crayon, pressing hard to cover the area completely.

This is how Pazely's crazy-neon-cat-thingie turned out.

The recipient of your card will need to use a coin to rub away the crayon & reveal the secret hidden message/picture.

Here's more of my mystery card gallery...

I used watercolors to create a polka-dotted tea cup. The message reveals plans for a tea party!

A secret meeting. Shhh!
Here is a pink stove with a secret message baking inside!

"You're sweeter than a cupcake!"

You could even create riddles with hidden answers.

What did the banana do when it saw the ice cream?

(Answer: It split!)

What a fun idea this would make for party invitations! It will also be perfect for some fun school lunchbox ideas I'm trying to gather for the coming school year! Really, a mysterious & secret card is perfect for any day!

**I also wanted to mention that I always try to reference a project or activity shown on my blog to its original creator (or the source I received the idea from) if it is not my own creative idea.

♥

And, They're Off!!

Aaahhh...the Xmas cards are out of my hands! I can check that off my extremely long holiday to-do list. I'm getting a wee bit late start on everything. My girls were on Christmas card duty today. I quickly printed out our annual holiday letter to stick in with the photos & card. I just printed it on plain ole icky white paper. The girls got to doodle whatever they wanted on the letters to spruce 'em up. Here, they both wanted to copy my Xmas card design. So cute!

And last night I finished making my first Christmas present. It's for my 4 year old. I'm making my girls some blankets this year. It's a totally brainless craft, but sometimes that's necessary. I've always wanted to try making those knotted fleece blankets. I HAD to have this owlie patterned fabric! It's also quite a cozy craft to make. So soft... (And I am not liking this gloomy & dark winter weather! Doesn't leave any good light for taking pics!)

I ordered some oilcloth a couple days ago & I'm hoping it gets here in time for some projects I'm hoping to make as gifts for the girlies of my family. This is going to be a holiday like last year---making presents up to the hour before our family Christmas get-together!

Tonight I'm off to help out in my older daughter's class at church. They're having a par-tay!! The kids will be making lots of crafts & decorating cookies Yeehaw! Bring on the sprinkles!

Hey, I think tomorrow should be "Stocking Day". Let's post pictures of our stockings! (The ones 'hung by the chimney', not the control top/reinforced toe stockings that are draped ever so elegantly over your boudoir chaise.)

P.S. You sure know how to cheer a girl up. Thanks for the comments & emails! I'm feelin' the bloggy love...

Holiday Sneak Peek!!

Only for you, my blog friends!! Here's the 2008 WhiMSy love holiday card! The nifty & super adorable desserts on this card are waiting to give sweet greetings! The ensemble includes: a bundt cake, a frosted & sprinkled sugar cookie, a fruit cake, 2 candy canes, a slice of pumpkin pie, a peppermint candy & a pink frosted Christmas cupcake (a reference to last year's card).

The card can be left blank or I can type this greeting inside. I've got 5"x 7" cards & will soon have notecard sets available for sale later in the week.

And here is this year's ornament. Made from felt, ribbon, vintage fabrics & vintage buttons, these owlies are stuffed with a wee bit of puff to give them a plushie feel. I made two different styles. They're about 3 inches tall. And, they're awful nice & would love to be a part of your holiday decor!

The card & ornaments can be purchased in the shop tomorrow! Thanks for peeking & have a super duper weekend!