Cupcakes, Anyone?

Here's a shocking true confession: I don't cook. At all. Having been lucky enough to marry a man who is, in addition to his many other fine qualities, an *awesome* cook; in 41 years, I've probably made dinner eight or nine times, and I'd estimate that six of those consisted of microwaving the leftovers of something he made in the first place. But... I do love to make CUPCAKES... out of yarn, obviously. 

This adorable Amigurumi Cupcake Pattern is one of the first I ever downloaded, probably fifteen years ago, and I was delighted to see that it's still available for free on Nimoe's Blog.* I used Lion Brand Yarn's Vanna's Choice, which is my favorite yarn for amigurumi. The difference in the sizes of these cupcakes is just a variation of hook size; and, for the record, the blue one is not super-crookedy irl, I'm not sure why it looks odd, lol.

I grabbed some inexpensive cupcake boxes from the confectionary section of my crafty big box store, which I think really adds to the presentation. Plus, it made the cupcakes a lot easier to wrap! 

*Where there's also an outstanding Neko Cat Pattern that I enjoyed making, as well!

Sticking with Stockings

It's the second week of our Stocking-centric fun at Jingle Belles, so we're still making cards which showcase that beloved holiday gift-giving tradition.

This week I got to use my Simon Hurley Mantel Decorations die set from Spellbinders for the first time, and I had a lot of fun. I embossed a brick background using an ancient embossing folder, cut a scrap of woodgrain paper into a mantle-shaped chunk and got down to adding dies from the set: the banners, the stockings, the large deer and greenery. Then, for some additional texture and interest to this little scene, I attached Eyelet Outlet Deer, Poinsettia, Nutcracker and Gift Brads; plus a few red Round Brads to hold the stockings and the banner.

JB2620: The Stockings Were Hung runs until next Wednesday evening, October 7th. Hop over to Jingle Belles to see what Stephanie has made this time, then link your own Stocking-centric cards, ASAP.

Just Here for the Candy

Halloween is a month away, but there's still time to make (and send!) some fun Halloween cards adorned with Eyelet Outlet Monster, Candy Corn and Kitten Brads.

Halloween Candy Craving Shopping List:

Monster Brads

Candy Corn Brads

Kitten Brads

Visit the Eyelet Outlet Store for more Halloween Brads and scroll through the Blog and the Idea Gallery for lots more all-occasion inspiration! 

Framed!

Last week's mandala featured repeating motifs that I cut from coloring books and arranged in a mandala design; this week I found a large mandala shape that was filled with, and surrounded by, zen-doodles. I thought it might be interesting to cut out just the large mandala, open up the center circle, and fill it with a little collage of vintage goodies. I stand by that decision!

I hope that your week ahead will be full of cool weather and fun ideas to try!

Birthday Bags

If, like me, you have LOTS of washi tape, paper flowers and journal cards, then you also have the antidote to expensive gift bags, because all of the above are AWESOME for wrapping! 

 

JB2620: The Stockings Were Hung

If you've already guessed that this fortnight at Jingle Belles we want to see cards which feature Christmas Stockings, then HOORAY you're right! If you're feeling ambitious, you could make a stocking-shaped card, for which we've found you some fun templates. But I elected to go with a journal card that has a stocking on it... and then I collaged lots of fun stuff around it. See?

That's an Authentique journal card from a year or two ago, and as soon as I saw it in my journal card stash, I was already pulling the colors and the vibes out for a little collage. I've got some nicely patina-ed sheet music; a page from an old Ideals Christmas magazine plus some poinsettias from another page (backed with cardstock and adorned with Sunflower Stickles in the centers); some text paper; a little border strip with the days of the week; a Graphic 45 sentiment; some miscellaneous holiday washi and a few super-skinny red mats. 

JB2620: The Stockings Were Hung runs until 6pm (Eastern) on Wednesday, October 7th. Visit Jingle Belles today to see Stephanie's inspiring card; then start planning your own Stocking-centric masterpiece!

Hello, Fall!

Fall has officially arrived in the Northern Hemisphere, so here's a card that celebrates some autumnal favorites, in Eyelet Outlet Brad form. There are quite a few different brad styles here, so please jump down to the Handy Shopping List for direct links to each one. Just a reminder that the Clearance Event has now been in progress for a few months, so apologies if any of these have gone out of stock. There are still loads of bargains to be had though... stock up on your favorites today!

Handy Shopping List:

Mini Leaf Brads

Lawn Mower and Rake Brads

Leaf Brads

Sketched Owl Brads

Apple Brads

Scarecrow Brads

Book Brads

Tractor Brads

Squirrel and Acorn Brads

Coffee Brads

Pumpkin Brads

Wishing you an autumn that is full of all YOUR favorite things!