Tag Archives: PaperCrafts

Make colorful flower napkin rings from paper bags

Make colorful flower napkin rings from paper bags
Make colorful flower napkin rings from paper bags

 

 

These beautiful napkin rings humble me. Why? Because I attempted to create some mother-daughter bonding time by crafting floral place card settings. As I struggled in vain to figure out how the flowers could uphold the name cards, my daughter breezed in, took one look at the project and said it would be much wiser to make napkin rings. I had to admit, she was right.

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That, my friends, is just the beginning. It turned out she was right many more times. She was right when she suggested we scallop the edges of the flowers, she was right when she said the flowers would look better if we made the centers with a paper fringe, she was right when she said we should add leaves and she was right when she suggested running the pipe cleaner through the leaves.

Just who is the professional crafter around here? I pride myself on my creativity, but it is nothing compared to the unhindered mind of the young.

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Who knew? I should use my Playstation to craft altered tags?

Who knew? I should use my Playstation to craft altered tags?

Question: How do crafters solve problems?

Answer: Just Like everyone else. They Google it!

The problem I need to solve is that I think I must be the slowest crafter in the world. A visit to Facebook leaves me frothing enviously at the astounding rate that many of you produce your art. DO YOU PEOPLE NEVER SLEEP?

Wait, a minute. I never sleep (well, just about, anyway). So I have been trying to figure out how I can be so stinkin’ slow? In desperation I turned to Google for wisdom.

Oh Google, how could you fail me so?.

 

slow-crafting

 

And they called it puppy love

And they called it puppy love
And they called it puppy love

 

 

 

This project takes whiskers to a whole new level. To show off our new puppy in an adorable DIY frame, I combined my love for vintage products*, with some fantastic Whisker Graphics products. Read the rest of this entry

Root-a-toot-toot grad party decorations

Root-a-toot-toot grad party decorations

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My oldest graduating from high school. What is the big meaning of this? Diploma? No. College? No. Employment? Of course not. It’s the opportunity to throw a theme party!

Since my son loves root beer we decided to throw a root beer kegger, complete with root beer flavored candy and vintage root beer decorations.  Please take a look at all the vintage style centerpieces I made (as well as an easy-peasy tutorial) over at the Robin’s Nest.

All aboard for the circus altered art train

All aboard for the circus altered art train

 

 

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Ladies and Gents–step right up because Cirq Alpha is coming to town!

Loaded with spellbinding stars and breathtaking beasts, Paper Calliope’s circus train is sure to dazzle and delight you. Step up close and learn just how this spectacle was created.

I am sooooo excited to be featured as a guest artist at Alphas Stamps, that the over-the-top adjectives of the circus world do not even begin to describe  how I feel. Since my journalism professor would roll over in his grave if he saw me using this superfluous language ( “Omit needless words, Betsy!”), I will move along and get right to the point. Read the rest of this entry

Ahoy there!

Ahoy there!

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Ahoy everyone. Please check out my nautical craft Brie by the Sea over at the Robin’s Nest. I promise, there’s nothing fishy about the link. (See what I did there?)

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Doggone good dog baggie holder

Doggone good dog baggie holder

 

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Big news! We are expecting! Our household is about to go from one 90 pound doggie to two dogs. So, as you and both know, that means a shitload of work–literally.

Since there is no Diaper Genie (do they still make those anymore?) for puppies, I opted to instead create an easy access doggie bag aka pooper scooper holder. Part of my motivation was because Every. Single. Time. someone in my house goes to grab a plastic bag, they drop at least one on the back stairs. Let’s see…slippery plastic bag + staircase = Betsy’s broken face.

I’ve been creating things with Whisker Graphics products for nearly a year and I have to say, I am still just as much in love with their polka dot bags. To me, polka dots represents happy energy, and Lord knows, we are going to have lots of happy energy when our little Golden Retriever bundle of joy arrives.
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Spring has sprung with these 7gypsies boxes

Spring has sprung with these 7gypsies boxes

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While the dark days of winter were still upon us, I made these fun spring pop-up boxes. I also had a little fun with the concept of spring as I played with using different types of springs to make the surprises “pop”.

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Prima summer cone tutorial

Prima summer cone tutorial

 

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Awhile back I posted several different Prima projects. Today, I want to share with you how to make the paper cones. They are relatively easy and a super fun way to decorate your home for summer or for different holidays.

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Make this industrial chic altered art supply tote

Make this industrial chic altered art supply tote

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It was time for a little spiffing up the Paper Calliope studio, so I added to my industrial chic look by creating this altered art suppy tote. Please hop on over to the Robin’s Nest and take a look at the tutorial.

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