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The Christmas Shopper

The Christmas Shopper

I have recently formed an addiction to junk journaling videos. I am especially intrigued by those that show journals made from brown paper bags.

I got the idea that a journal made from a standard lunch size paper bag might make a good shopping list/wallet.

The inside needed a note pad, and I added a ruled 3×3” sticky that I “grunged“ with Tim Holtz distress inks.

In fact, most of the embellishments are from Tim Holtz. As for the others, the gold heart is from wrapping paper, the saying is from a magazine, the angel from a catalog, her star is a sticker, the red star is punched from a toothpaste box!

I left the bag open, and the top makes a pocket for credit cards, coupons and/or cash.

I trimmed it with Dollar Tree lace.

A pen was supposed to tuck in here, but it kept “the wallet” from closing neatly.

So, I tucked the pen, from Amazon, under the tie on the front. The baker’s twine is from Dollar Tree. The pen clip helps hold the wallet shut. Ta Da!

Well, Hello!

Well, Hello!

It has been almost one year since I have posted. It was a most depressing year with a quarantine, political unrest, remote learning, vaccine development, and mask wearing.

You’d think with all that home time, I’d have done a lot of crafting. Not so. Moving to our second home in Charlotte, homeschooling, and clearing out Mama’s house have been my main occupations.

I went a year without seeing my friend, Laura. Now, we’re able to visit, and we are still planning to work a craft show.

Envelopes from magazine pages

My current project is making gift envelopes from magazine and catalog pages. Laura and I will use these to package jewelry that we sell at said craft show.

This one is from a quilt catalog

This is my favorite video on making envelopes:

This one is from the same quilting catalog

I’m enjoying this quite a bit!

Ironing Paper Bags?

Ironing Paper Bags?

That’s right. Today, on my birthday, I am ironing paper grocery bags!

I think I got this idea from the old HGTV show, “Room by Room.” (with Matt and Shari, you can still find them on You Tube.)I am making photo dummies in different sizes. 

I have a photo canvas being created right now that will be 16×20″. In the meantime, I can carry my paper dummy with me to see where it fits best.

I like it flanked on one side with a couple of 8×8’s.

Fairy Lights

Fairy Lights

Today, I’m making fairy lights for Vivien’s recently remodeled room at home.

I am using a string of white bridal lights, all-purpose white glue, and pieces of glittered, pink organza ribbon, cut on the diagonal, and tied in knots on each bulb.

Crafting in the Age of Coronovirus

Crafting in the Age of Coronovirus

This is a terrible time in the history of the world. We are currently in the  middle of a pandemic due to the world-wide spread of the Corona virus, also known as Covid-19.

In NC, we are under orders to stay at home. The exceptions are essential workers and essential services. These folks are daily puting their lives at risk because Covid-19 is a killer. 

Prior to this outbreak, I felt like I had found something I really liked to make, embossed and stamped polymer clay heart pendants. I made a bunch. These are examples:

My friend, Laura, and I had also decided to try working a craft show. We put together a display using things I had on hand. We also chose objects that we could carry!The virus has caused all festivals and shows to be cancelled. More, later.

Another Finally Finished!

Another Finally Finished!

I bought these beads when Peter James, my grandson, was a baby, circa 2011.

I used Margie Deeb’s sketches/templates from her Craftsy class to design different configurations of the beads.



I chose this one, using color blocking.


It was easy, then, to lay it out and string it up!

Finally finished!

Making Molds

Making Molds

I got to work at Mama’s House, again, yesterday. I did some glueing, sorting, and made some molds from stone beads and a drawer knob.I also planned and announced a giveaway.

The contest for my, “Tree Hugger” bracelet can be found and entered at facebook.com/karlakrafts. 

Gluing and Glazing

Gluing and Glazing

I’ve been all down and out over needing to give up my studio,  Mama’s House. If we move to Charlotte to be near the grandkids, it makes no sense to have a studio in N. Wilkesboro.

I’ve barely set foot in the place for the past two months, but I went down for a few hours the past few days.

I glued some Czech glass buttons and cabs into frames. 

I painted and glazed some polymer clay pieces.




This is the liquid piece I tried. I left it in the mold, and baked abd baked and bake. Mostly that was a waist of time, but it tirned out pretty good: 

I felt better those days, my spirits lifted. When a fellow Beady Bunch member posted this, I related: