Coming this Fall.....

Happy September 1st!!!!!! Man, this summer has just flown by and soon fall will be upon us. I have been busy this summer getting new things made and signing up for craft shows. Come on out and see me and many more wonderful crafters at these craft shows:
**Saturday October 12th from 10-4 at "The Big Red Church" Craft Show at Blessed Mother Teresa Parish, St James Church Hall, 500 Terrace Blvd. Depew. Admission is $1, children under 12 are free. 45+ crafters will be there!!!!
**Sunday November 24th from 11-2 at Our Lady Of Good Counsel Parish Hall, 10675 Alleghany Rd., Darien Center for their annual Luncheon and Bazaar.
**Saturday & Sunday, December 7th & 8th at Heim Elementary School for the Williamsville PTSA Council Holiday Craft show. Both days from 10-4 at 175 Heim Rd. Williamsville. The show is at BOTH the elementary and middle schools with TONS of wonderful crafts and gifts. Admission is $2.
*** PLUS!!!!! I am super excited to Be having some of my items for sale at Creative Essence. A cute shop at 9450 Clarence Center Rd, Clarence Center. I will be taking them in next week after the girls are in school so if you are in the area or need a cute gift go check them out. All the crafts sold are made by local artists, PLUS you can check out the different classes they have to offer.
WHEW!!!!!! Lots to do this fall--so come on out to a craft show and visit me or check out Creative Essence and help support your local crafter!!!! Thanks !!!!

Something New!!

Hello everyone!! Hope all is well were ever you may be. Have been busy trying my hand at something new and I think I have it to where I would like it to be. So......a few weeks ago while I was at work I  was talking to a customer who was buying a bunch of scrapbook paper. When I asked if she scrapbooked she said no she was going to make journals with her daughter and her friends. Well!!! This of course grabbed my attention, so I asked her how she made her journals. She proceeded to tell me of a wonderful site called Homemade Gifts Made Easy where she learned how to make and bind these cute journals. Needless to say the first thing I did when I got home was hit the computer and find the site. It is really cool!!!! It  is a site made by Stephanie Locsei and her husband Tobias showing how to make tons of  great gifts. I found the page to make your own book using a "Japanese book binding technique" and set about making my own book. The first one I did totally by their directions but it didn't give as much writing room as I would like--so of course, I have to tweek it a bit and I finally got it to a good size and usable amount of writing space.

The top picture shows the Japanese binding--it uses just regular 1/4 inch ribbon and is very sturdy. The middle picture shows the front of the two I have finished--they are simple but would make a great gift for anyone just to throw in their purse and jot down notes. The bottom picture is of the inside showing the writing space. The journal itself is about 5 1/2 x 4 1/4, and has 50 sheets of paper in it. I am in the process of now figuring out inserts to be able to make this into a small address book. They are really cute and fun to make and if I can do what I am hoping  I wouldn't have to buy the pre-made ones, or offer both to give my customers a choice. Let me know what you think, or throw some more ideas my way--love to create!!!
Thanks for checkin' in!!
Denise :)

Happy Mother's Day!!

Well, I just was checking out the weather forecast and they say tomorrow is going to be rainy and a bit chilly. So, what can you do on a chilly wet day????? That's right---GO SHOPPING!!!!!! Come and visit me at the Annual Ladies Day Out at the Town Line Lutheran Church(1159 Town Line Road, Alden 14004), tomorrow May 11th from 1:00-4:00. Last year they had crafts, mini massages,a bake sale and so much more. So I am sure this year will be just as fun. Plus, you might need to pick up that last minute Mother's Day gift not only for Mom but maybe someone just as special.

Happy Mother's Day to all!!! Hope to see you tomorrow!!

Denise :)

First Craft Show of 2013!!!

Happy Spring to all!!!! As I am posting this it is snowing at my house so not sure where Spring is hiding but I have faith it will be here soon.  Just a short note to let you know of the first craft show I will be doing this year, on Saturday, May 11th at the Town Line Lutheran Church. It is located at 1159 Town Line Road in Alden 14004--on the corner of Broadway and Town Line if that is easier. It is the Annual Ladies Day Out and will run from 1:00-4:00 pm. Last year they had some wonderful things--from crafts, to massages and if I remember correctly reflexology too. And a raffle--everyone loves a chance to win!!!! This is a great time to grab some gifts for the kids teachers, aides and even bus drivers!!! I am hoping to have a mixture of everything you have seen here on my blog--but if there is something special you would like, don't hesitate to drop me a message here or on my face book page and I can see what I can do. Or stop by and check out all I have before you decide--most things can be personalized as well!!!

Thanks!!! Hope to see you there!!!

Denise :)

Time to "shower" them with love!!

It has been a busy week at the Ireland household--Jessica went to double digits!!! Yep--the big 10!!! That is why it has been a little quiet over

 here. But, I am back with some ideas for the newly engaged or for the baby on the way!!!  First, lets start with the bride-to-be. Here are some simple but elegant invitations and thank yous. They are mostly done in white, with the wedding color as an accent. But--can always be changed to whatever the bride and groom would like.


                                         

Here is the inside ---with all the space for the information needed on the right. I will usually try and put a little something on the inside left to decorate it a bit. here I have part of Corinthians 13--my personal favorite--or it can just be left blank.

Here is a close up of  the front of the invitation, with the ribbon matching the wedding colors, and double heart charm. I can try and match wedding colors as close as possible, but it is always good to have a lighter or darker shade in mind, just in case.                                                       

Baby on the way??? Same idea with the invitations and thank you for the baby shower. Can be done in pink,blue, or a neutral color (for those who want to be surprised)

                                

Here is a great shower favor--a small wooden box with a shadow box top where I can put some quilled flowers to
match the wedding colors . The box is about 2 3/4 square and about 2" high.

     Here is a close up of the flower itself--it is a nice purple shade--with a purple paper background. 

 

 

Well, those are just a few of the invitation and thank you ideas I have. Can really make any colors work, but as always please be sure to allow enough time for them to be made before you have to mail them. Thanks so much for taking the time to check out my fun projects--pass the word to anyone you may know who made need a little something done for them. I will always try to help!!!

 

           

 

Great gift ideas!

Can not believe it is almost March!!! Time is sure flying by. That said---lots of things will soon be ending, school, lessons, and sports. Maybe you will be in need of some small gifts for those people who gave so freely of themselves, both in time and energy.  Well--I have a few ideas you may like....

On the top left is a box that holds two tealight candle holders and six tealights. On the top right is a decorated journal, and in the middle is a file folder notepad holder.

Here is a better view of the top of the tealight box.. Decorated with bright colors and a cute flower...











...opened up-you can see the two frosted tealight holders, and six tealights. 

 Here is the filefolder notepad holder. This is a nice choice for both guys and gals, and can be personalized...

....opened you can find an 8x5 notepad and pen. There is a pocket as well on the left side for any additional papers you may need to keep with you.

I have to say these little journals are my favorite and a favorite with the kids at craft shows. They are @4x6 and have 100 lined sheets in each.I also add a book mark with a charm at the end to be able to find your page.













Here it is opened just so you can get an idea about the inside. The inside covers are totally covered in paper with coordinating ribbon as a book mark-- this one has a star charm on the ribbon

 So, those are just a few of the  things I have that can be used for all those people you made need just a little something for. I believe I will be doing a craft show in the Alden area the Saturday before Mother's Day--still in the works--so if you find yourself in the need of some little gifts feel free to come and visit. I will post all the details as soon as I have them. If you would like something special or personalized, please leave me a message here or on facebook--and I will get back to you. Just remember to leave me enough time to get them made. Thanks!!!!

Where the creativity begins...

I told a friend of mine that I would post a picture of my "office " for her to see. Took me three years of saving to get it but I LOVE it!!!!!

The picture does not do it any justice. It is the Scrapbox--pretty much a crafters dream storage solution, with 74 different size canvas drawers, 19 different size velcro pockets--on the sides that aren't shown in this picture--, everything is adjustable to how you want to put it and it just ROCKS!!!! And as you can see I have it pretty well filled. So this is where my brain and paper meet--making all the fun stuff that I do. Working right now on some things that I hope to post pictures of next week, I have a first Birthday party to attend tomorrow so I won't get to play with my "toys". Hope you enjoyed my "office" space---and hope you have a great weekend!! :)

Put some color in my designs!!!

OK---I just couldn't stand looking at those templates a minute longer--so---I dug out some paper and got busy!!!! The one on the left is the tea bag holder and the right is the hot cocoa holder. A LOT better than the other pictures!!!

Here is the hot cocoa holder closed, used a "Get Well Soon" stamp and on the bottom is says "chocolate is the best medicine"--now ain't that the truth. ;)

Open it up, and you have two pockets for hot cocoa. Or you can fit the instant/cup a soup packets as well.

Love this little tea bag holder!! It is so cute, and if you put a Ghirardelli chocolate square in each side instead of tea, could be a nice shower favor as well.

New Ideas

Hi all!!!  Well, it is a we, cold dreary Tuesday here--great time to get some new ideas rolling!!!! A friend recently put some ideas in my head and I have been browsing youtube to get some patterns and I think I have a couple good ones. She suggested some type of teabag/hot cocoa holder that can be paired up with a mug  for a great teacher/thank you gift--or just something to say "Thinking of you". S0---below is a template--always do that first before playing with the "nice" paper---of 2 different holders while closed.......                         

                                     .....The picture below on the right shows them both open. They will both hold a Ghiradelli chocolate square as well as a tea bag in case the recipient doesn't drink tea. 
                                                                                                 

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                These are 2 hot cocoa package holders--closed, I know they are not much to look at--but when I make the "real" ones they will be nicely decorated....                                  








                                                                                      ......here they are open. The one on the left can hold two packets,or one packet and maybe a nice note. The one on the right is a "matchbook" style that will just hold one packet. I don't have any in the house, but since they are pretty much the same size, they could hold an instant soup/cup a soup packet for someone not feeling well.  Those are my new ideas for some cute gifts!!!! Would love to hear what you think of them and/or ideas to make them better. Thanks!!!!!               

 

Welcome!!!!

Hi all!!!!! I have decided to try and get a blog going for all my friends who want to follow my paper "addiction". I hope to post new items I am making and get some feedback on them. Good, bad or indifferent--would like it all so I can make the things you would like and feel  you can give as gifts. Plus, feel free to make suggestions--it is the only way I will know what to try. So---Welcome!!!!! Lets take this ride together......