JUMPING JACK FLASH

IT'S A GAS! GAS! GAS!

I'm sure you've seen these all over Pinterest.  Frannie and I whipped one up in a flash Sunday morning.  Had everything we needed in stock: vintage playing cards, ribbon, red & white fabrics and a paper punch.

Frannie has a Mickey & Minnie Mouse theme going on this year for Valentine decorations/card/gifts.  She has been drawing up a storm.  Speaking of storms, you see that snow behind the drawing below - that's the beginning of the BLIZZARD!

S.W.A.K.

SING WE JOYOUS, ALL TOGETHER

Simple banner made from vintage French music sheets and gold beads, glitter, chipboard, card stock, pearl beads and star trimmings.

Close-Up. I even made a little pearl loop on each side for hanging.

FA LA LA, LA LA LA, LA LA LA

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WHAT A WONDERFUL WORLD

And I Think To Myself, What A Wonderful World!

(Hello Kitty - Never Leave Home Without Her)

Just in case you're wondering, I did make all of the above. And one other thing, you're all wrong - I'm the lucky one.

S.W.A.K.

P.S. - Any "How To" questions - just ask.

MORE CUTE STUFF

Tomorrow is Frannie's best friend's birthday, so I thought I would show the card I made for her last year. I got my inspiration for this card and also for the happy birthday banner I created from doll dress patterns. I have quite an assortment of those.

Here's how you can do it too: Choose a pattern than you like and take out the instruction sheet that has the drawing of the patterns on it.

Now you need to enlarge the drawing (I make mine the size to fit on an 8-1/2 x 11 paper). I copy it onto card stock (make 2-3 copies) and cut one of the copies out around the entire outline (this becomes my whole pattern piece).

The other copies are used for cutting out the extra pieces. For example, for the birthday dress above, I cut out two cuff pieces for the sleeves and two collar pieces.

Next, I trace the whole pattern piece onto a 4 ply paper (heavy weight, but still able to cut it out with scissors).

Now use the same pattern and cut one out of decorative paper. Glue this piece down to the 4 ply paper (I use spray adhesive), making sure you get out all the air bubbles.

Cover with a sheet of waxed paper and lay underneath a pile of books or magazines for a couple of hours to make sure it's dry and will lay flat.

After it's dry, decorate with other decorative papers to make the cuffs and collars. Try using glitter, small buttons, ribbons, paper flowers, whatever you like.

I even used gathered crepe paper streamer to create the skirt of the bathing suit.

Glittered letters were used to spell out the name and a number for the age.

I also attached a small cardboard easel back so it could stand up.

The sentiment was written on the back.



Did I totally confuse you?



:)

Would you like to see step by step photos?

Next up: Step by step instructions (with photos) on how to get started with bead knitting. I have just begun the orange bead-knitted giveaway purse and I want to show you how it's done.

S.W.A.K.

11 GUESSING DAYS LEFT!