Here are some more of the photo transfer ornaments. These are all of my late mother-in-law who passed away a week ago. They are to be gifts. You can see a tutorial of how they were made at the ScraPerfect blog . I used Mod Podge Matte finish for the photo transfer, and Best Glue Ever for all the other adhering. The decorations are Dew Drops, some other assorted rhinestones, and vintage lace fragments. The yarns are Sugar 'n' Cream and Red Heart.

A tag I've been making double layered stamped butterflies as ephemera for cards and tags. I'll be posting my first video of my process soon. Onto a heavy and lightly textured paper, I stamped the large butterfly in pink, then musical notes in brown. I used my Perfect Crafting Pouch to dry my inks quickly. For the top butterfly I stamped in black over a red and white polka dot. Fussy cut, then edged with brown pigment ink. I stapled them with my Tiny Attacher . For scale: the black lines on the cutting mat show one inch squares. Large Butterfly Stamp: 7 Gypsies Butterflies .

You can see more finished ornaments, and a step by step, today over at the ScraPerfect blog .

These are a combination of Red Heart Buttercup super soft chenille in white and super cozy Loops and Threads Cozy Wool in claret, a lovely wool blend for toasty warm heads. Better than those velour scratchy things.

I see this as an opportunity to layer some scrappy pieces of holiday themed prints, in a harmonious color scheme. The ornaments could be stamped and fussy cut, or die cut, or perhaps oversize stickers. 

I'm excited because I found Martha Stewart paints and specialty finishes at Home Depot. I've grabbed some Antique Gold metallic paint, since I'm running low, and some Paintable White crackle paint. I plan to incorporate the latter into my wooden decorations, and into the super duper holiday cards I will be sending this year. They will incorporate an ornament. I also grabbed some of the MS specialty paint chips, which will be perfect to punch some pretty shapes from for my cards and ornaments. In preparation for starting on the cards, I have stamped, embossed and cut out a whole bunch of small images that will be part of the decorations. All I am in need of now is the right yarn for my homemade tassels.

                        Since Halloween I've been busy with thank you cards and my ongoing tidying. Images of my latest batch of cards may be found at the ScraPerfect blog . However I've also started on another project. Here are some prototypes, works-in-progress, of some wooden tree ornaments made with photocopies of vintage family pictures of Jayn's ancestors. I have decided my first How-To video will demonstrate these, or something similar. I'm still working out the best order of steps - for example, drilling the tiny hole at the start, and considering how many layers of mat medium to use to preserve the image. I'm so lucky to have a really nice stash of family portraits color photocopied already, although I am also planning a variation that will use more contemporary cut out photos, as well. These are the kind of ornaments that could delightfully personalize any holiday tree, and be made in whatever color scheme you are planning. This particula

Jayn decided to be Rose Lalonde in God Tier Costume for Halloween trick or treating. The character is from the web comic, Homestuck . There seem to be some cosplayers online, who like the character and the costume, although Jayn told me that she had to explain her costume a lot to people on Halloween. The sewing was not difficult. We had a few moments of difficulty finding the exact colors at the fabric store, and I ended up custom dyeing white cotton interlock for the hood - after working out the exact dye proportions on scraps. The leggings we bought at JC Penney - and I like them a lot. I'll be going back for more in other colors for fall/winter for me, since they go so well into boots. Initially I tried doing an applique treatment for the sunburst, but it was too big and insufficiently detailed. The stretchy base tunic would not react well to stitching, so I tried Steam a Seam and dimensional fabric paint on the edges. This was a mistake as the fabric from the bad appl

Instead of a sketch this week, here are some Halloween themed silhouettes for you. You can copy and print them if you like, use them on cards or layouts, or enlarge them for your home decor. Silhouettes look fun inside lamps or windows.

My friend C.B. sent me these after I made the costume and doll for Ruby's performances. I love the movement. Can't beat a circle skirt, even if the are a bit tougher to make. These below are from other dances, but - holy cow - just gorgeous:  This girl is 10.

Lots of journaling (how is that spelled darn it?) - tell a long story - with two big images, two small ones (details?). Plus roses or other flower layers. Enjoying playing with my graphics program as you can see. Plus some ragged textures - maybe some fabric layers.

Here's just a taste. Keep your eyes open for the next newsletter from Life Media. My latest "Crafting for a Greener World" column is a tutorial for making a prim style standing doll that could be a tree topper or holiday decor - with almost endless possibilities for variation. It will be up on the Natural Life Magazine website very soon. I'd love to hear your comments, and most of all see your versions of this doll made from recycled materials! You can send them to the magazine, or send me a link here, in the comments below.

As promised the double page layout is up at the ScraPerfect blog . Here's a little taste: By the way, I sent out my latest Creativity Blast newsletter yesterday - 5 Ways to Make Your Own Writing Prompts - are you s ubscribed to get this exclusive content?

Here's a card sketch - I know it should be a "Saturday" sketch. Lots of small embellies on this idea. Stay tuned for a double page layout based on last week's Friday Sketch, at the ScraPerfect blog . I will be making some cards for the ScraPerfect DT's contribution to Operation Write Home this month, and next.

Here is a detailed sketch where I envisage using a stencil (I'd make mine from freezer paper I think) and related stamps to put images and texture onto existing background paper. Alternatively one could cut the two large spirals from a coordinating paper and glue or stitch it down before continuing. If stitched, I'd probably add even more ephemera peeking out from under the spiral shapes. Hmmmm. This is a sketch for a layout with a lot of moments, and a lot of ephemera to keep from the event. I think I'll be using it as the basis for a layout celebrating our trip to NEUC - as soon as I can get some photos printed. Lots still hiding in my camera. I like mixing different sizes of photo too. This is our home schooling life - learning every day. August is over, but summer weather keeps on keeping on. I'm glad I live near a sea breeze . Meanwhile I have sold three dolls in quick succession and donated one, so I'd best get to making. I plan on making a doll to au

A tiny bit late - but fun. I'd like to try this one with some different materials - maybe the banner in felt, and many different textures in the small tags. One large image surrounded by ephemera, and a short story in the corner.

I really enjoyed the details of this doll - inspired by Pride and Prejudice and Zombies . His right arm is detached at the elbow, and looks cute held in his left. The overcoat is removable, although it's not terribly easy to get it back on, so he might be better off keeping it on.

Spent some time over the last few days. Still to come the boots, more distressing and blood, mussing the hair, and final touches..  

Three pretty thank you cards in my Etsy store, made using Best Glue Ever and all the ScraPerfect products. $3.50 each plus shipping. If you like it, Pin it!