Photo Calendar

Doesn’t it look awesome?! I am rather proud of it lol. And it was so easy! I was very pleased. I printed the calendar off on nice HP Photo Paper with my lovely inkjet printer and Davis loves it.

aaaand i’m thinking I need to print another copy for my craft room!

After I printed the calendar out, I simply punched 2 holes in the top with my crop-a-dile and put rings through so Davis could hang it on a board or a wall in his office or just lay it on his desk.

How to Make a Photo Calendar

HP Photo Creations software is user friendly and easy to navigate.

To make this calendar in HP Photo Creations, I used the Print At Home option for Monthly Calendars. Then I uploaded 12 photos, selected the blank white background, applied to all months, and straightened a couple of the rotations the template had on the pictures. And then I hit print and printed off each month with the highest quality print option on my printer with Premium HP Photo Paper. It was magical!

You also have the option to order your photo creations online OR you can print them at home. Very handy. I like having options :)

HP Project Getaway

Now I think I’m going to enter the pictures of my photo calendar into this contest for a change to win a Family Adventure!

To enter HP’s Project Getaway {worth up to $6,000!!} is download their FREE photo editing software called HP Photo Creations, create a photo project, and submit a picture of your project! So head over to HP on Facebook and enter today!

And if you enter HP Project Getaway, be sure to leave a link to your picture on this post for a chance to win a brand new HP ENVY 110 e-All-in-One Printer valued at $199 just for entering the HP Project Getaway contest!!

Disclosure: this post is brought to you by HP. All opinions are mine. Please see my disclosure tab for a complete statement.

Ok, here’s the deal, Brandi needs some help! She currently runs 2 etsy shops, Seamology {a fabric shop} AND BDoodles {a handmade shop with finished products}. And she would like to combine the 2 shops into 1 and so she needs a clever new name. And she needs your help!!

CONTEST: Name the Shop!

PRIZE: Adornits FQ Bundle in Vintage in Tan and a Moda Fat Eights Bundle in Little Apples  {$95 value!}

HOW TO ENTER: simply leave one comment on this post with up to 5 name suggestions.

Rules: Contest ends Wednesday, February 1, 2012 at 11:59pm ET. Brandi will select the winning name. Must be over 18 years old to enter. Open to US residents only.

disclosure: this post is brought to you by Seamology. all opinions are 100% mine.

Those votive holders just wouldn’t be nearly as interesting without the I {heart} U. seriously! They would be blank and blah. These votives are super cute as home decor, but also fun as a gift ideas as well. And they were super easy to make! Here’s how I did it:

How To Write on Glass

supplies: 3D Gloss Enamel by DecoArt in Red, glass, paper

1. Practice what you want to write on a scrap piece of paper.

2. Make sure your glass surface is clean and dry.

3. Write on your glass and lay it flat to dry. Allow to dry for 48 hours. Bake for 30 minutes at 200 degrees Fahrenheit in a non-preheated oven. And now you have loveable votive holders!

Tip: Since my votives are anything but flat, I clothes pinned them together to hold them flat.

I loved the control I got with the fine tip applicator of the 3D Gloss Enamels. The thick consistency of the enamel held its shape very well and dried transparent.

Aaaaaand while I was into this whole “Glass-Votive-Makeover” frenzy, I stenciled one in a pretty turquoise….because we all know turquoise is one of the hottest colors around right now!

How to Stencil Glass

supplies: Gloss Enamels Stick-On Stencils, Gloss Enamels in Indian Turquoise, and Glass Stencil Daubers.

1. Make sure your glass surface is clean and dry. Then peel off your stencil from the packaging. {these sticker stencils ROCK!! there is very little bleed through and so easy to use. plus, you can totally reuse them. yes, i’m a fan!}

2. Apply stencil to your glass. Make sure it lays flat and all bubbles are removed.

3. Grab your Gloss Enamels and daubers.

4. Daub on the enamel. {i like the finish that the daubers give. plus they are easy to control where the enamel goes.}

5. Allow to dry for 48 hours. Remove stencil and bake at 325 degrees Fahrenheit for 30 minutes.

6. And now you have a cute little votive holder!

This glass enamel was great to work with, had great texture, and dried nicely.

***

GIVEAWAY

want to win a Gloss Enamels Package valued at $60 from DecoArt? {includes: 6 Gloss Enamels, 2 Stencils, 3 Glass Markers, daubers and brushes}

Here’s How: simply leave a comment telling me what glass surface you have that is screaming for some enamel! {1 entry, required}

OPTIONAL EXTRA ENTRIES {leave a comment for each entry}

• like DecoArt on Facebook {1 entry} don’t forget to tell them Craftaholics Anonymous send you!
• follow DecoArt on Twitter {1 entry}
• follow Craftaholics Anonymous via RSS or email updates {1 entry}
• pin an image from this post to your pinterest board {1 entry} {OR repin this one: http://pinterest.com/pin/203295370649058477/}
• tweet or FB about this giveaway and include this link: http://wp.me/p1ws4R-1DC  {1 entry for each}   for example:

Loving this Glass Enamel giveaway! $60 value http://wp.me/p1ws4R-1DC from @DecoArt_Inc hosted by @CraftaholicAnon

Rules: Giveaway ends Feb. 1, 2012 at 11:59pm ET. Winner will be chosen at random. Open to residents of the USA only.

disclosure: this post is brought to you by DecoArt. i received free products to try. all opinions are 100% mine.

pssst: i can’t wait to stop by the DecoArt’s CHA booth this weekend in California. i hear they have some new glass paint products in the works….that include glitter! ahhh, i’m so excited to go! only 3 more {long} days until CHA!

I love it! The flowers are so pretty. I made them with my Ruffler Foot. {did you see my Ruffler Foot 101 post yesterday? definitely check it out} And the vintage looking buttons complete the look. Love it!!

How To Make Pleated Fabric Flowers

supplies: fabric cut to 2″x44″ strip, glue gun, scissors, sewing machine, ruffler foot {optional}, felt, hair clip, buttons

1. Iron the fabric strip in half {so it measures 1″x44″}

2. Sew ruffles with your Ruffler Foot on the 6 stitches settings. {see this post that explains the settings}

TIP: Don’t have a ruffle foot? You can make a Pleated Flower using this method.

3. Fabric with pleats sewn.

4. Start at one end and wrap fabric around.

5. Put a little dot of hot glue on the back of the fabric to hold it in place.

6. Continue wrapping the pleats around until you run out of fabric. Then hot glue the end to the back of the flower.

7. Cut a felt circle to be about 2.5″ in diameter.

8. Hot glue the felt circle to the back of the flower.

9. Glue the hair clip to the back of the flower so that you can click it onto your interchangeable wreath {OR in your hair!}

10. Glue a button to the center of the flower.

So that’s how you make these adorable little fabric flowers!

More Valentine’s Day Crafts

• XOXO Canvas + FREE Printable
• Heart Shaped Burlap Wreath
• Twine Heart Wreath

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I will be the first to admit this little contraption can be very intimidating at first. {i mean, seriously, it doesn’t even look like a sewing machine foot!} I remember opening up the box and thinking there had to be a mistake! This hunk of metal was NOT meant for my sewing machine! But alas, it is. And I use it all. the. time. and love it! {oh and i just might have 3 of them….}

What Does a Ruffler Foot Do?

It creates pleats or ruffles and secures them into place  in one pass on the sewing machine. Sounds magical? It is. {examples of projects: Ruffle Trees, Ruffled Nursing Covers}

What Ruffler Foot Should I Buy?

First things first, make sure you know what brand and make your sewing machine is and whether you have a low shank or a high shank. These are crucial tidbits to know when you are searching. There are many generic or off-brand Ruffler Feet that are made to work well with many makes and models of sewing machine. {examples: Distinctive and Inspira}

You may find that one generic brand works better with your machine than another. For example: Distinctive’s Ruffler foot works better on my Viking sewing machine than the Inspira brand although both are made for low shank machines. The Inspira brand worked, but always made a grinding sound when I used it. {yes, red flag, i know.} After only a few months of use, the Inspira foot broke.

Where to Buy

My first ruffle foot was purchased at the local fabric store around the corner. They had to special order it and I paid around $40. I thought that was a lot when I ordered it, but I thought I was buying the name brand {Husqvarna Viking} to go with my Viking sewing machine that I also purchased at that store. When my foot came in a couple weeks later, I was surprised to find that I was charged $40 for a generic Inspira foot.  But I took it home and after some tweaking and much hair pulling, I attached it to my sewing machine. It clunked and clattered, but it worked fine.

Fast forward to a couple months ago, and the blasted thing broke. So this time, I looked online for a new one. And found ruffler feet for as little as $10! And then my friend found the exact same Inspira foot that I had special ordered at the fabric shop in a bin at Joanns…..for $15. She bought it with a 50% off coupon and got it for $7.50.

So, the moral of my story is, you do not need to order a Ruffler Foot from a specialty shop.  You can find them online and in some craft stores. Research online what brands fit your sewing machine and then price shop.

How To Install a Ruffler Foot to Your Sewing Machine

This can seem really tricky, but its not! Here’s how:

1. All you need is the little screw driver that came with your sewing machine.

2. Using the screw driver, loosen and remove your standard pressure foot and the screw.

3. Leave your needle in place.

4. Take your Ruffler Foot and angle it as shown.

5. Insert the foot from the right side of the needle placing the top clasp on the needle bar and the bottom clasp around the shank.

6. Screw the foot into place and use the screw driver to tighten the last little bit. {you want it tight, but not too tight or you could strip the screw}

How to Insert Fabric Into a Ruffler Foot

Now that you have your foot in place, how and where do you put the fabric? I will let the pictures and diagram do the talking. Its kind of hard to explain! haha

Ruffler Foot Settings

With the flick of the wrist, you can change how many ruffles and how big the ruffle pleats are.

1. There are 4 settings on the Ruffle Foot: Star, 12, 6, and 1. These represent how many stitches between each pleat or ruffle. The star gives you a straight stitch so that you don’t have to remove the foot in the middle of a project just to sew a straight seam. {yay!}

2. The orange knob {may be different colors depending on the brand} changes how deep the pleat or ruffle is. For smaller pleats, tighten it. For larger pleats, loosen it. You can also adjust the pleats by varying the stitch length on your sewing machine.

3. Examples of different number of stitches between pleats. I usually set mine to 6 stitches between pleats.

So that’s what the low down on Ruffler Feet. I use mine all the time and love it! And yes, I will have a project tomorrow that uses one of these handy little tools :) So stop by tomorrow for a great Ruffle Foot project!

its is the star of my Valentine’s Day mantel! the red pops very nicely against my white mantel.

How To Make  Your Own Canvas

supplies: canvas {mine is 11×14} , red spray paint, vinyl, digital cutting tool {i used my CAMEO} or exacto knife, white spray paint {optional}.

1. i did a quick coat of white spray paint to make sure my canvas was solid white, but this is optional.

2. cut out your design onto vinyl. i used my Silhouette CAMEO TM with Ariel font and a heart shape to create my XOXO design. remove extra vinyl leaving the letters.

3. transfer vinyl letting to your canvas. canvas is kind of slick, so it can be a little tricky to transfer. go slowly and do one letter at a time.

4. spray paint your canvas red. try to get good coverage with 1 coat because the vinyl may curl with additional coats.

5. after the paint has dried, simply peel away the vinyl and you’re left with a great looking love day decoration!

don’t want to go to all the work of making your own canvas? well, guess what…you can just print it out and slap it into a frame. yup, i created a free printable for you!! {i remembered you wanted more printables from the Reader Survey :}

Click here to download your free copy of this XOXO Printable! prints up to 8×10 size. {watermark is not on download}

**free printables are for Craftaholics Anonymous readers only. don’t forget to sign up for RSS feed or email updates!**

well, today i am bringing you those adorable curvy frames, but at a lot more pocket friendly prices. all you have to do is grab a little paint, add some elbow grease, and you can get the look at a fraction of the price!

To Finish the Frames: i simply spray painted mine {2-3 coats} and then lightly sanded the edges with 100 grit sandpaper. {so easy!} for a more distressed look, paint on a thin coat of black craft paint, then wipe off with a rag. when you get the look you want, spray your frame with a clear sealer. {i’m still debating if i’ll do the coat of black paint or not, so mine have yet to be sealed. #indecisive}

can we say, ADORABLE Valentine’s Day gifts?? yes, please! they hold an 8×10 picture.

i have been decorating my house like crazy with these lovelies. they rock my world! i frame pretty much everything {heart wreath, anyone?} and i love how these frames are perfect for boys and girls. for portraits or a craft. just too dang cute not to love!

so for the 2nd February Craft Kit this month, {yes, Cara and i were ambitious this month!} we are offering these decorative 8×10 wooden frames for $13.50 each. you can also buy them in a set of 3 to save money on shipping.

we have a very limited quantity, so grab them while you can!! these will go fast.

***PLEASE NOTE: these frames DO NOT come with glass. they do however, have metal tabs so that glass may be added later, if you’d like. we currently only ship to the USA. if live outside the USA, please shoot me an email for a shipping quote.

below you can order a Set of 3 frames OR you can click here to purchase frame individually.

>>>>Click here to purchase frames individually.<<<<

But I think my favorite item she makes is her mini monopoly note pads! Anne lives in Denver, Colorado and is following her dream to help her family AND do what she loves every day. She is the head chef, maid, and chauffeur for her husband and three girls. {I’m sure many of us can relate haha}

LOVE vintage keys and old bicycles!

Aren’t they clever? These little notepads would make a great gift for your hubby for valentine’s day! Or your realtor. They might get a kick out of them too lol.

If you have a word of the year, why not wear it each day to remind yourself? Or are you preparing for a marathon? Or a simple, You Rock necklace never hurt anyone!

**DISCOUNT** get FREE shipping on all order over at Anne Franklin Designs! {$5-$8 value}

GIVEAWAY

Want win $30 shopping spree to Anne Franklin Designs?

HOW TO ENTER: simply leave a comment on this blog post telling me who on your V-day list could use a little AFD in their life.

OPTIONAL EXTRA ENTRIES: {leave a comment for each entry}

• Like Anne Franklin Designs on FB {1 extra entry}
• Follow Anne on Twitter {1 extra entry}
• Officially follow Craftaholics Anonymous via RSS or email updates {1 extra entry}

Giveaway ends January 25, 2012 at 11:59pm ET. Winner will be chosen at random. Must be 18 years old or older to enter and be a resident of the USA.

disclosure: this post is brought to you by Anne Franklin Designs. all opinions are 100% mine. please see my disclosure page for a complete statement.

I was going for a “fresh & sophisticated” look. I really like it! Kind of has a Pottery Barn feel with the dark red, white, black and a hint of green. And that’s not a bad thing, right?!

I’ll be posting tutorials for the XOXO canvas and the v-day votive candle holders  next week, so stay tuned!!

The first of 2 February Craft Kits is this pretty little banner! It is perfect just the way it is, or you can embellish it, add lettering or tie on some ribbon or lace.

The kit includes: 13 felt pennants cut to size and 90″ of unique red and pink polka dot bias tape {we made it ourselves!}. To finish the kit, simply place the pennants inside the fold of the bias tape about 1″ apart and either sew the bias tape shut or hot glue it shut. Either way, it is super easy and should take only about 10-15 minutes to complete! You’ll have 10″ on either side to use to tie the banner up.

AND it comes in 2 color choices- Dark red shown above or:

Light red and Pink.

Double kits are available. And as you know, kit quantities are limited. So snag one while you can! **ships to the USA only. if you live outside the US, please email me for a shipping quote**

You can order kits below or click over to the Monthly Craft Kit section.