3D Calendar

 I had a lot of fun with this project. 
 Nothing too perfect but perfectly timed.

I was asked TO create a 3D Advent Calendar. 
The request was accompanied with this deadline plea...
"Be really good to get that by the weekend Mom. Thanks. I Love You"

24 little boxes into which he could put as many little presents 
 I smiled at the romance of such a thoughtful gift idea.  I grinned happily at the fact that this great guy is my Son. I giggled nervously as I gazed into the future.
  I proceeded with joy and anticipation.
 I enjoy the art of crafting and the challenge of producing the same for a song!

I used a total of 3 different cardboard boxes to complete the 3D Advent calendar project.
 The strongest box with the thickest cardboard was used as the base box. I used the flaps from the other boxes to create the dividers and strips from the sides of the cardboard boxes to create the lids.
The project was completed in several 3 hour time slots. 

Craft an Advent Calendar

  The finished box is  
  approx.10 x16 inches
 
 There are 24 little gift boxes.
 The Advent Calendar is approx 4 inches deep.

3D Advent Calendar

 I found the perfect size cardboard box for the base of this project. 

I cut off the top of the box and spray painted the base with a black spray. 
After drying I used a hot glue gun to attach the wide ribbon to the lower outside of the cardboard box. 
The ribbon folds over and is also glued onto the bottom.


 Because of the time restraints on this request, I was somewhat limited to the amount of "finishing" that could/would  be accomplished on the advent calendar. Had I more time, I would have taken the time to finish the top edge of each little box with possibly, glitter glue, a thin ribbon hot glued onto the top, a bead of metallic fabric paint?? 
Additionally I would have also spray painted the inside of the little gift box. Possibly making each a different color of each? 

  I cut 3 strips of cardboard from the side of several sturdy boxes 
  each 4 inches deep x 16 inches long.
Use a hot glue gun to attach the separator strips to the sides and the bottom of the base box. I glued the 3 strips evenly apart in the base creating 4 even width spaces 16 inches long.. 

I varied the size of the boxes by staggering the strips 
that I then glued within each16 inch length. 

I  needed to have 24 boxes so
I created 4 boxes across and six boxes down.

Make it. Lillian the Domestic Engineer Blog

The inside of the box could be spray
painted at this point.

Pipe cleaners are used to create a ledge for each lid to sit down and on to.
Preform the pipe cleaner for each gift box and affix using a strip of hot glue.
I staggered the lid depths by gluing the pipe cleaner lower into some of the gift boxes. Others were glued at the very top rim of the box creating gift boxes deep enough to hold the 3 inch plastic bottle with lid that was inserted into the box below.

Too Cute Cardboard

    





















    Lid Top Lifters
   Be creative. 
  Select any variety of colors and sizes for your lid toppers.
  Do ensure that the item used is durable enough to pull the lid from the box 
  and that you use sufficient hot glue to attach the lid lifters to the cardboard lid.... buttons, balls, bells, stones??
  As it is, if this box was to be upset the lids may come off and the gifts could fall out. 
   A wee dab of white glue could be tipped down onto two sides of the pipe cleaner
   after the gifts have been inserted into their respective gift box 
   and once you are ready to seal the calendar.

Craft an Advent Calendar

A cardboard lid could be made to fit over the entire box
and a large ribbon tied around the outside. 
Imagine the delight of opening a present that then offers 24 little gifts.

This would be a lovely new Mommy gift. Taking it day by day!
Soothers, teethers, breast pads, socks, earrings, bibs, affirmations.......
 
 Great memory gift for any senior. How Sweet it was. Pictures and candy are great routes to memories
. Correlate the number of boxes with the days of the month and make marking every day memorable for the recipient!

We are only limited by our imagination. If you can dream it you can do it.
Happy Crafting!

More GREAT CRAFTING IDEAS HERE

The comforts of home and the joy of crafting

 

The comforts of home and the joys of crafting.

Comforts of home

No Spring has not quite yet sprung
 but my spring cleaning has now been done.
I confess, I am becoming a little undone.

I am ready for warmer weather and a bit more Sun.
I am anxious to get outside to get my garden going.


I feel all revved up and ready to go but tomorrows forecast now calls for snow!

It was 12 degree above yesterday. A beautiful  close to a spring like week.

It is however only the end of February. Winter persists yet.

It is only spring fever that has arrived.

With the cob webs cleaned and the mirrors all shining
 I set out to seek an indoor project, made to inspire!


Pillows are perfect!
 Brighten up a room and your constitution. 
Stitch together a story that speaks to the day.
No sewing machine required. A needle, a thread, embroidery and cotton thread, as little as half a yard of fabric (depending on the size of pillow you will be re-covering) 2-3 small remnants of complimentary fabric,
scissors, an iron, an afternoon, a hot cup of coffee or a glass of wine and a little imagination will get you on your way. 
 I have certainly been feeling a need to respond to the call for the love of nature. Teased by the weather at this time of year and not weathering well the seasonal variances in temperature, I find myself spending more time inside than I like.
My longing for the greens of growth that will eventually overtake the now empty planters that I pass on my way in the door became my inspiration for design.

Make a pillow cover

I chose a grey cord, blue corduroy, cotton print remnant and felt in my design.
The new pillow covers will slip over the old. 

Fold the grey cord in half with right sides together. Lay the pillow to be covered on top of the folded fabric.  The top of pillow will be at the fold in the fabric.
With a chalk pen mark 2 inches from the pillows outer edge on 3 sides.  This will be your cut line.
Cut 3 sides only. DO NOT cut fold at top.

Open grey cord  fabric and lay on a flat surface.
The front finished area of your pillow will be from the top fold down and across.

Cut the green cotton  fabric smaller than the grey cord to allow for a border around your design.

The green cotton fabric edges will then be folded over 1/2 inch and pressed.

Lay the cotton fabric square onto the grey cord, center it
down from the top fold.  Pin into place.






I next cut the blue cord just smaller than the green cotton. I also made sure that the ridges on the grey corduroy ran horizontal and that the blue cord ridges ran vertically. It adds a wonderful visual to the finished pillow.  Fold over 1/2 on 4 sides and press flat.
Place the blue square evenly on top of the cotton square and pin into place.

Finally the felt pieces are cut and pinned into place.
Once you are content with the design you are ready to stitch things into place.
 I used cotton thread to blind stitch the edges of the green cotton onto the main grey.
I chose to use a light blue embroidery thread on the blue cord to  blanket stitch it in place.
I also used the embroidery to stitch all of the felt pieces in place.

Once the pillow front design is stitched  into place the pillow edges must be stitched together.
Fold the pillow fabric in half with fold at top and edges even all the way around. Fabric will be right sides together.
Pin together and stitch together.
I stitch the length of one side like this    -  -  -  -  -  - the needle goes through all fabric from back to front to back to front and so on
and then I stitch back over the same area bringing the needle and thread up where it passed down the first time. ----------- filling in the space between stitches. Do both sides.

 I stitch the same way on the bottom edge but to only about 2 inches in from each side.
 Reach into the pillow pouch and pull the fabric right side out. Poke out the corners.
The old pillow is now inserted into the case.
Because the pillow will be wider than the opening on the bottom, it does helps to gently fold the pillow
while inserting into case. Reach inside the case to straiten the  pillow and to ensure that each corner has been stuffed into the cases corner. 

Fold under the grey edges at bottom pillow and pin front and back together.  Use a matching thread to stitch together.

 

Lillian the Domestic Engineer

As this is meant to be an enjoyable experience it is understood that there are no rules and no completion dates.
Whatever will be will be is good policy.
I have worked so long on some pillow covers that the finished product didn't end up resembling the original plan whatsoever! None the less the end results were always pleasing.





I worked on two covers over the weekend.
By Sunday evening I was sitting with a smile on my face, satisfaction in my soul and a couple of fine,
freshly covered pillows gracing my sofa.
The joy of creating had satisfied my desire to be inspired.
I found satisfaction in self gratification, without guilt and while enjoying myself.
It was a good weekend in spite of the weather that was.

Make your own Pillows




I just happen to have a corduroy couch! 
 

I hope that the older I get the more I know. Slowly I am coming to know myself. 
When I wake feeling blue
not being motivated about much I have to do
when mounting frustrations and grumbled gripes dare to defeat me long before night
when the sun refrains and the snow turns to rain
I now smile to myself  and run with the game.
No longer able to run from myself  I claim the feelings as mine
even though the world wont wait I need to take some time.
A little self love and a pillow hug feels necessary
and with that I'm fine.

 I  craft in the name of my sanity.


More CRAFTING IDEAS HERE

 

Dress up the table Candle Craft

Serve up a little originality!

These Gel Candle table center pieces are a festive addition to your seasonal table.
The Candles can be created to match home decor and customized to impress upon personality. 

The slow burning candle gel make these an economical as well as a bright gift idea.
 

GEL CANDLE

 Yes you Candle HERE

Candle table piece

One bucket of melt and pour Gel Wax. (Approx. $30.00 at Michael's Craft)

Candle wax coloring and a selection of essential oils ($20.00 initial investment)

Dinner plates and small dishes ($1.00 per at any second hand store.)

Decorations can be gathered year round and collected in a container...

it is a whole lot cheaper to buy Poinsettias in June than it is in Dec.

The small parcels were removed from a store bought corsage,

the red leaf on left was once a Tree ornament,

the greenery has been cut piece by piece from an old wreath,

(total decoration averaging a couple dollars a plate).

I have made many, many a Gel Candle 

still from the original bucket of Gel Wax.

 DIY Best Craft Blog

                                  These candles were made last night to fill a last minute request.
                                                 They were an honor and a joy to create.

DIY Candle Craft

DIY Gel Candle

 Light up your life

More Candles HERE

Merry Christmas to you

and to all a good night.

Creative Christmas Ornaments

Christmas Crafting

 Take another look.
This Christmas Ornament is created on a Styrofoam Ball base that has then been poked with individually folded twist ties.
 The greenery, the bow and the floral accessory and the hanging red string  have simply been hot glued
to the top.
Voila! It really can be that simple to fish up fun in the kitchen.

Creative Christmas Ornaments

 Styrofoam Balls can be purchased relatively inexpensively and are a perfect place to begin

 in the making of fun, quick, creative, home made  Creative Christmas Ornaments.

The first step is to hot glue  a loop of wire, bow, shoelace, glitter thread, fish line or wool to the top of the ball for a hanger. I do this first because it makes it easy to hold the ball for working and because you can then cover any excess hot glue with the decorations that are glued or pinned  over top, to the Styrofoam ball.

Almost everything and anything goes over the ball.
Fabric pieces can be pinned in place or wrapped creatively around the ball and tied with a seasonal bow.
Balls can be dipped in glue and rolled in glitter to deck the halls.
Old Christmas cards can be cut and kept in place using glitter glue smeared all over the place!

The Ornaments at bottom left were created using seeds and legumes;
I used mung beans (beansprouts) popcorn seed and bird seed  but the list could go on and on.
Seeds and legumes come in all colors, sizes and shapes. Use your imagination and as always,
have fun.

The Styrofoam balls are covered with white glue and then rolled gently through a seed or legume bath.
Another layer of white glue is then applied being squeezed right from the bottle tip onto, into and around
 the seeds or legumes that adhered to the ball in the first roll. After several applications of glue and seed or legume has been built up, the balls should be left overnight to dry.

It is optional then to give them an acrylic spray of glitter.

Ornaments of Seeds and legumes

                                                                Deck the Halls HERE
                                                                A Light bulb Moment HERE

 More Ornaments HERE

A Stitch in time

Christmas Ornaments

These of course are not edible

but some Christmas Ornaments are.

Bird Seed Feeder Ornament

Click on this lovely link for details  

 Pine cones are a perfect  pick for pint size crafters and also happen to be loved by the birds! 

Top of the Season to you all.

Button, Button

Button Cards

                  Button, Button, whose got the buttons?
    
   I remember the pleasures of fiddling through the buttons in my Grandma's button box. 
 I would scoop up a handful of buttons up and let them fall through my fingers like sand on the beach, 
imagining that the buttons were all newly discovered diamonds in the rough.

 As I played I pondered. 
 Where did all the buttons come from? 
 Were they all once worn on an article of clothing? 
Why were there so many buttons of one kind and so few of another?
 How did they make the shiny buttons so pretty? 
Would I have my own button box someday?

 I remember the joy of then discovering my Moms button collection. She had both a button box and big jar of buttons. 
I enjoyed spinning the clear jar around to view the vast variety of buttons contained within.
As I recall I used to spend a lot of time finding my own "Waldo"
 in the button jar.  I would select a button to re-find before turning and sometimes even shaking the jar in an effort to lose and then relocate the treasured button.

 My own button collection at that time were buttons with sayings on them. The kind that people pinned to themselves or their belongings. 
I pinned all my button collection to a large wall hanging so I could see them all at one time. Slowly my button collection grew old! 


 I got older too. 
After Jr. High School and the Home Ec. Classes, I began to see 
that my age old assumption may not be sew. (lol)
 To have a good button collection perhaps one did not have to be old.

I had grown old enough to know that I did have a growing thing with buttons!
After being gifted my first Singer Sewing machine in grade 7
 I began to gather folds and buttons of my own.


I was growing into myself while changing the buttons on everything else. The fun, funky, colorful buttons that could make a statement before I had to say anything else were changing me.
My button collection continued to grow.

 As did I. 
In the 80's I was introduced to Fimo Dough (Polymer Clay)
The polymer world opened the doors to the production of creative, colorful, original buttons.
Buttons were all over me!

True to tradition I was amassing a real button collection of my own. 
I never managed to leave old buttons behind 
that I would find in bargain stores for a nickle or a dime.
My beloved button collection is now the result thereof.  

Recently I have discovered the joy of re working old silk ties.

The old buttons I have collected are the perfect mate
 for these old guys...
They become the eyes of the I phone case
that see the joy in the memory of place.

I spent a bit of time the other day looking for the turquoise button 
that below is displayed
 I didn't only find the button I sought
 but also uncovered the sweet memories 
of which I am wrought.

I Phone Case

Buttons on I Phone Case

                                                              HERE- I Phone Cases                       


                                                          More Buttons Click HERE  

Lillian the Domestic Engineer Blogspot.ca

 Click HERE to see more   

Check out the link below for beautiful ideas accomplished with the re-creation of the way we see buttons

Click here Buttons Re Created


 Back to Button Cards...      enjoy!

Button Card

Gift tag and Button Card

Lillian the Domestic Engineer Card Here

Handmade button card

CARD Joy to the World

Merry Craftsmas Card

 Button Card

                             Craft, Love, Laugh More HERE

 

Paper Heart Craft

Lillian the Domestic Engineer
 Happy Valentines Day
 I give you my Heart

 

Paper Hearts

Paper Heart Craft
  I used Foam Core for the base of my Heart Craft.
I cut 3 Heart shapes exactly the size I desired for the finished product and set them aside.
 I then rolled up a 6x9 inch sheet of pink and of purple paper (starting with the long side closest to me)  and finally snipped the roll into bits. 

 The paper roll bits are then glued onto the shapes that I cut from the sheet of Foam Core, bought at the Dollar Store. I apply white glue to the foam core shape and then apply the paper rolls by holding them in place for a bit. Tacky white glue lends itself well to this project because it is a bit thicker and quicker drying.


 The bit rolls of paper do spring open but can be rolled and held until setting it into place on the glued surface. Fill the entire surface area.  
Use any variable of paper colors or patterns. I liked the simple heart shape and the simplicity of the pink and purple. 



Once the shapes are filled I individually finished each by gluing ribbon, the same width as the foam core itself around the edge of each shape, before attaching them to the hanger.
 I used the same gold ribbon for the bows (made separately and glued in place afterwards) and the hanger itself. 

 I then glued the completed shapes to the gold ribbon that I had lay out on a flat surface.
 (Don't forget to create a  loop at the top before looping the ribbon back to the top of the first heart where it is glued in place.
This creates a hook for hanging your project.

Crafting Paper Hearts

Take a peek at my For the Love of Crafting page for more ideas

A Stitch in Time

 Aren't these precious!

I found this lovely little collection of Hand Made Felt Ornaments all together in a freezer bag, at a garage sale many years ago.

Somebody, somewhere, put a lot of love and an awful lot of time into the making of them.They are meticulously made. The simplicity in the designs are exquisite!!.
 Don't you wish they could talk,
 revealing the story behind their very creation and their colorful existence?

Felt Applique Owl Ornament

                                         The Felt Horse

Lillian the Domestic Engineer Blogspot.ca

                                                             Frosty is fine

                                                           but does require a stitch in time.
                                                   The gold loop has hung for the last time.
                                          A quick stitch will mend this wonderful Frosty Ornament of mine...

                                                              More Ornaments HERE

Second hand, second time around

UP-CYCLED

 I recently found these vine hangers

 (I'm guessing)

 at our local second hand store.

 The romantic,Victorian look to these simple but sturdy frames, 

    complete with free formed metal flowers and leaves 
    with an over coat of antique white paint intrigued me!
    For a grand investment of $7.00 I had to take them home.

                                           

Jewelry Hanger

             
 When I got them home I set them on the ground against the wall to ponder their purpose. 

All that glitters is just gorgeous to me! I was giddy. The frame was perfect to be used as a Hanger for my collection of shiny things.

                                           Twice as nice the second time around!


                                         The earrings are hung on the frame with care..

Lillian the Domestic Engineer.blogspot.ca

Jewel display

                              Frame Jewelry display HERE



                                       

  For the Love of Crafting Page.
 More creative ideas HERE


Check out this link to a great gift
   Mothers Day Pen Pot
 

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