Make Your Own Holiday Houses

It doesn’t matter the holiday or occasion, creating your own village of original houses is an excellent idea for the whole family.

This is an excellent family project. I believe it is a good skill to teach your children. Once they get started, you never know what they’ll come up with next.MakeYourOwn3DHouses

This could be quite motivating for you, too. Wouldn’t it be fun to keep your various attempts throughout the years and see the improvement you’ve all made.

With more practice and trial and error you may be able to create something quite fantastic when all is said and done.

I turn to YouTube for instruction and inspiration. There are many who make houses out of card stock or chip board. Some show how to make the siding of the house and even the roof shingles . . . different windows . . . doors . . . The biggest reward is saying, “I made it myself!!!”

If you need a template to get you started, just click the image and you’ll be taken to a PDF file to print out. You may want to resize the template . . . enlarge it or reduce it with a copy machine once you print it out.

You can always go into the archives here for some buildings you may like to put together. This is a wonderful place to begin, if you’re not comfortable creating your own designs.

I think you may find in time, you’ll want to give it a try, but you’ll have several samples from which to choose. Once you put your mind to this, I’m sure you’ll amaze yourself with what you can do.

Have fun and see what you can create right along with your family and friends.

For some, crafting is a group endeavor and for others a solitary one. It’s up to you what you may want to make for the holiday or special occasion of your choice. Just be sure to give yourself plenty of time . . . and don’t push yourself too hard. Try to relax and have some fun.

It may be worthwhile to keep a journal of your attempts and write notes to remind you of what went wrong and what worked out. Take pictures. Make a video. This is your learning process. And also take notes from the instructional videos you’ve watched. And also of the various PDF files you’ve printed out and put together. You may want to incorporate some of those pieces into your own creations. You may want to put several pieces from various files together as an experiment . . . I enjoy the haunted houses because they are to look a bit off kilter if you happen to assemble it wrong, no one will know.

Remember, this is a learning process. Perhaps with crafts, you’re always learning and trying out new things . . . Everyday can be a wonderful journey and adventure.

And don’t be afraid to buy crafting supplies and templates. Two cutting machines I find helpful are:

They can get to be expensive, but whatever hobby you have is expensive . . . unless you make things to sell . . . and that is all the more reason for you to come up with original designs of your own . . . then the cutting tools will definitely be worthwhile for mass production, but please don’t lose the essential human element only you can apply to your creations.

You can use the same templates and die cuts and get a completely different look using different papers and embellishments.

WIN_20150702_160411 (2)Just as a personal note, I’d like to say that I did purchase the Silhouette Cameo II plus the designer edition upgrade. I thought this could do it all for me . . . and it can, but sometimes we like to make life a bit easier and I found that having a Big Shot was a definite time saver for me in the long run. You see, you can buy die cuts and thinlits and save yourself a lot of time and effort . . . and then you may want to resize them which you can do within the Silhouette Cameo software. I believe the two go together nicely in saving you time and giving you an excellent place to begin when creating cards, 3D projects, scrapbook layouts and whatever you decide to create for home, profit, family and friends.

I don’t know about you, but from watching so many videos about paper crafts, I found there were a lot of people using the Big Shot . . . people I thought were making their own designs and templates. But, they started with the die cut and made variations. They were also using the Silhouette Cameo once they made their altered die cut image so if a customer wanted the same thing in a mini album or centerpiece, you can bring it from your library and get working on it for that person. You won’t have to begin from square one.

Maybe if I was a bit more creative, I’d be able to make it work with just the Silhouette Cameo, but I do like the Big Shot and the magnetic board for holding thinlits in place is a definite “must have.” So many companies are making those thin die cuts that can be used with your Big Shot for making boxes, flowers and beautiful embellishments you may want to add to your paper craft creation.

So, this isn’t to pressure you into buying these machines, it’s just what I do here . . . report on my observations and what I found to be necessary for me to make the things I want to make. And for now, I won’t get started on stamps and punches, papers . . . oh my goodness! You can find out what you need from watching the videos on YouTube.

I do hope you found this helpful and informative.

Until next time,

Sharon

 

 

Peeps On Skateboards

How fun is this!!!

Yes, those Peeps do get around on all kinds of fun and easy things you can put together.peeps-on-skateboards1

These are easy to assemble. And, yes, you assemble them. It’s something the kid can do.

I’m always amazed by what people think of making out of the cookies and candies and sprinkles they have on hand. It does seem like one idea leads to another and then another . . . could these skateboards be surf boards?

The bunny peeps are great, but you can use the chicks, too. They all want to have some “sidewalk surfing” fun this Easter.

Do you feel motivated to go out skateboarding? If peeps can do it, so can you . . . how about a hover board? Would that work for you?

With those orange starburst candies you can fashion the carrots and use the daisy sprinkles for the top . . . and on the wheels and on the peeps . . . you can use either Vienna cookies or Nutter Butter cookies . . . with some tubed frosting, you’ll be sticking the whole thing together in no time at all.

It would be fun to see what the kids put together with your ingredients. They can also make paper backgrounds to make some interesting scenes to go along with their cookie, candy and peep creations.

It’s all about having fun and making this Easter special.

Sharon

A Beautiful Morning

With the change of season comes a change of attitude.

I like this winter to spring transition . . . not as much as the summer to fall . . . but it is what it is.victorian_lady_having_tea

It was a beautiful morning and will go into a beautiful day.

I ran my necessary errands . . . and decided to go to the cemetery. It is usually peaceful. It’s a nice place to walk around and gather my thoughts.

I was reminded of several stories I’ve heard over the years. Strange how that happens when I try to clear my mind.

I did see some women having tea . . . yes, they were spirits. They were carefree . . . maybe as in life . . . I do wonder what they are discussing . . . and what they would say about what they are wearing . . . and if they are aware of the passage of time . . . and compared their attire to mine . . . oh dear.

Well, my thoughts went to a story of a woman who inherited her great aunt’s house after the passing of her mother. She was named after this Aunt Helen. It was a nice enough name . . . could have been worse.

Well, this was a difficult time in Helen’s life. There was the passing of her mother . . . finishing up her college studies for graduation . . . breaking up with her long-term boyfriend . . . and deciding what she was going to do . . . as a career . . .

She did want to see her Great-Aunt Helen’s house again . . . maybe it would be a good place for her to settle and begin her new life.

Helen didn’t remember visiting her great aunt often. Her mother didn’t like the long drive . . . and Aunt Helen was very opinionated. Why she ever named her daughter after the woman was a mystery to Helen.

The attorney handling Great-Aunt Helen’s estate was contacted and he was available to take Helen to the house that afternoon. So, Helen set out early to begin her new life.

The attorney wasn’t very friendly. He kept staring at Helen in a strange way.

Helen confronted him, “Is there something wrong, Mr. Harris?”

“Oh, no, but you are aware that there were many expenses in caring for the house for the past 40 years.”

“Yes, and my accountant did take care of the bills you sent him for such repairs and your overseeing the estate.”

He was surprised Helen knew so much about the money transfers.

“I believe, Mr. Harris, that you have been compensated for your services which will now end once you hand over the keys to my house.”

“There are some matters I must bring to your attention, Helen.”

She waited . . . but nothing was forthcoming.

“The keys please, Mr. Harris. I’ve had a long drive and I’d like to get settled in my new home.”

Reluctantly, he handed over the keys. “Do you know the way?”

“I’ll manage.”

Helen stopped at the local grocery. Then the hardware store. She had every intention of adding dead bolts and changing the locks. Something was on Mr. Harris’ mind and she wasn’t going to take any chances.

Yes, Helen was young, but she and her mother learned to fix a lot of things around the house after her father died. Helen was very confident she could change the locks and secure the windows.

Her accountant had a security system installed with cameras. The cable and internet had been installed at the same time . . . right after the death of Helen’s mother . . .

Helen had planned this move for quite some time. She would dream of having a place of her own. Her great-aunt had left her financially secure as did her mother . . . so working wasn’t an issue . . . at least not for now.

Helen did have an internet business she wanted to pursue further.

While driving “home”, Helen thought of Dan, her former boyfriend. She didn’t know what came over her that evening when they broke up. It was as though she saw things clearly for the first time. Yes, her mother had passed and she had returned to finish up her last year of college. But there was something more . . . something she couldn’t quite put her finger on.

Helen drove into the driveway. Looked around the grounds and went inside.

Over the fireplace was a large portrait of Great-Aunt Helen.

Except for the clothing she looked identical to Helen. It was uncanny. Maybe she had been unfair with Mr. Harris earlier.

She took her purchases out of the car and started unpacking the trunk. She didn’t have much, just her laptop and clothing. Earlier, she and a few of her college friends packed up her mother’s house and spent a weekend at Great-Aunt Helen’s waiting for the movers to bring items Helen wanted to keep.

She was hoping the house would feel like home . . . but it didn’t. She made a sandwich, poured a glass of orange juice in a glass and sat at the table to eat and think.

It was so quiet. She couldn’t remember when she had last been alone . . . except for her drive . . . but it was uncomfortable silent.

“Oh dear, what have I done? Is this going to work?”

She thought of how she later pushed Dan away and even her friends . . . after they had been so kind and helpful to her. Then, she did the same to Mr. Harris. Was she ready for this?

Helen was studying the occult . . . as an elective . . . she had heard rumors about her Great-Aunt Helen and had yet been able to contact her.

She cleaned up her lunch dishes and set out to change the locks on the doors.

“Don’t worry about Paul Harris. He didn’t mean any harm.” Helen heard quite clearly.

“Aunt Helen? Is that you?”

She waited. Nothing more.

“This is something I have to do. Mr. Harris has no reason for coming around. I can manage without him.”

“Of course, dear. I knew you would take care of things here.”

“Yes, and I believe I have . . .”

Helen suddenly realized she was talking with her great aunt. Or was it her imagination?

Over time Helen became comfortable with the silence . . . and the occasional exchange she made with her great aunt. Her research on her family and the house was coming along nicely. And her internet business was going strong.

The only problem was that Helen had no friends. She was completely alone. Neighbors didn’t come around to welcome her. People in town were not at all friendly.

Helen decided to attend the local church. She volunteered for several committees, but no one wanted to be her friend. Helen never had any problem making friends in the past . . . what was different now?

Well, she finally overhead some women talking about how she lived in a haunted house and she was the ghost of Helen Grant who dabbled into witchcraft. She also caught odd comments of how the house was promised to Mr. Harris and who did this witch think she was moving in and taking over the house.

Would it do any good to set the record straight? Did she want to stay there? Was her great aunt a witch?

Over the years, Helen became more reclusive.

She grew herbs in her yard and made a good business out of it with her internet contacts. She did learn of her great aunt’s coven and joined them. She was a full-fledged witch . . . a good witch, not that the locals cared . . . to them a witch was a witch. And it did amuse Helen that the locals thought she was Helen Grant’s ghost.

I suppose the point of this story is: Be yourself, do what you love . . . enjoy your life . . . and what other people think of you is none of your business.

Until next time,

Sharon

Harry Potter Free Printables

I don’t know what got me so jazzed up with Harry Potter . . . but here I am with free printables you may enjoy and love making for family and friends.

It did start out innocent enough with a post I was writing here on my OldHauntedStuff Blog.

One thing led to another and then I got into checking out Harry Potter Chocolate Frog Boxes you can make and fill with Easter goodies . . . or something . . . interesting.ChocolateFrogBoxTemplate

I always love boxes! And these seem quite special for Harry Potter fans. I know there are hundreds of thousands of you.

Just click the image and be taken to a page where you can download the box in a zip file.

Yes, and there are the collectable cards that go with it!!

ChocolateFrogBoxAndCards Just click the image and you’ll be taken to a page where you can download the cards in a zip file.

These will definitely be fun to share with your family and friends. These would be excellent for birthday parties or special get togethers.

It may be good for a back to school party or even one for graduation. You’ll need to get some frog molds to put inside your box . . . it is easy to make your own chocolate . . . and I’m sure there are places where you can buy chocolate frogs.

Here are some helpful links you may enjoy:

Well, there you go. I hope you had as much fun as I had

Sharon

Chick Hard Boiled Egg

It’s always fun to have variations of chicks you can make with your hard boiled Easter eggs.

I do love making something common extraordinary for holidays.ChickHardBoiledEggs

It is fun to experiment and see what you can do.

This chick has a cut carrot for the comb on top and also a piece of carrot for the beak. You could make feet for it using a slice of carrot. For eggs you could use a speck of black pepper or a piece of cut black olive. I’m sure you can think of other things that would work equally well.

As you can see from the picture, you just cut into your hard boiled egg to make room for the comb and beak. You may want to slice off a piece of the bottom so it will stand up . . . or put it in a bed of spinach.

It’s all about having fun and seeing what you can create for your family this Easter.

I do hope this was inspirational for you . . . giving you an idea of what you can do special for your family and friends.

Sharon