Halloween Delights And Cake

I just wanted you to know my shop is bursting at the seems with Halloween delights. I've decided to be wild and get my Halloween decor out in September. I just love it that much! Back to work. Tomorrow is my Keegan's birthday party. I'm making a Super Mario cake. I'll show you pics only if it turns out well. I'm crossing my fingers. Have a great weekend.

Back To School Teachers Gift

I hope everyone had a wonderful summer! It seems summer will never end here in Texas. We are in the middle of a heat wave. Temps have been over 100 degrees for days! It’s a perfect excuse to stay in and craft. Meet the teacher day is this Thursday for my almost eleven year old son Keegan. For some reason my sweet little boy has grown a big fat attitude this summer. Is it because he is almost a teenager? Who knows. I thought just in case this “attitude” doesn’t go away I better butter up his new teacher. I created this notepad holder. It would be the perfect teacher gift, hostess gift, or a little something special for anyone you want to thank. It takes very little supplies and time. You could even make a bunch and save for all those last minute gifts you always end up needing.

Supplies


3 Sheets of Coordinating Patterned 12 x 12 scrapbook paper ( I used My Mind’s Eye- Out and About)
Bone Folder
Glossy Accents (by Ranger)
Small 8 x 5 inch Note Pad (I bought mine in bulk from Sam’s Club)
Assorted Matching Ribbon
Brad and Flower Accent
Sewing Machine (Not necessary but nice)
Ruler or Scoring Tool (I use Martha Stewarts Scoring tool)

1 Pick out one of the papers to be the outside of the holder, one for the inside, and one for the pocket.
2 Fold the outside paper in half. The pretty side will be on the outside. Use a bone folder to make the fold crisp.
3 Fold the inside paper in half with the pretty side in. Use the bone folder again.
Trim both down to 10 x 12 inches.

4 Cut the 3rd paper for the pocket down to 12 x 4 inches. Fold in half with pretty side of paper on inside.
5 Using a glue stick, Glue Glider Pro or other adhesive to glue the inside and outside paper together.



6 Glue three outside edges of pocket to inside of holder.

7 I sewed the outside edge and center of pocket. You do not have to do this but it makes it so much nicer and more durable!
8 Take left over paper from the outside and cut down to 5 x 2 inches.
Score the paper longways at ¾ inch and 1 inch.


9 Fold and glue to top of note pad


10 Add buttons, rhinestones, bows, stickers, or any flat embellishment to the top. I used Glossy accents to apply my buttons. It will make any thing stick!

Glue (I used hot glue) ribbon around the outside. Use a ruler when applying to keep it straight. Go all the way around leaving extra for tying.
11 Poke a hole near the front though the ribbon and paper. Insert brad.
12 I cut a little scrap of paper matching the inside and glued on top of the brad’s metal prongs.
13 Place your note book in the pocket and pencils or markers in the other.

Now you have a butter up the teacher...oops I mean new teacher gift.

Please feel free to pass this tutorial on! I appreciate it!
Brandy

Preview Up Coming Tutorial

Come back tomorrow and get a full tutorial on how to make this pretty notepad holder. It makes a perfect New teacher gift!

Autumn Blessings Flip Book

This is the project I am doing for High Cotton Art Camp. I will be adding even more pictures soon!

Autumn Blessings Flip Book

Autumn is my favorite time of year. I love to slow down and count my blessings when the leaves start to turn glorious colors, families come together to bake and cook, and the garden offers its bounty. Come count your blessings with me and make this Autumn flip book and holder. The book has many layers of new and vintage ribbons, papers, gems, glitter, and embellishments. It will have places for you to journal what your thankful for, record your favorite fall memories, and add autumn pictures. You will also make a Plexiglas holder that can adorn your home year around. The holder will have antique mother of pearl buttons, real silver glitter, and vintage lace. In the class you will learn many techniques you need for that vintage distressed look. All the supplies are include. You can however, bring Fall stamps (rubber or acrylic), photos, and any little collected treasures you might want to add. So come on over and creatively put your blessings to paper to remember what your thankful for.

Scrapbooking?!?!

I use almost every tool and product known to man (maybe that should be to woman) for scrapbooking. I get asked if I scrapbook all the time. I mean seriously all the time. When I say "no" I get weird looks and Huh? For some reason I just don't like scrapbooking in its original since. I don't know why. Maybe its that big 12 x 12 blank space staring back at me. It seems to me there are "rules" for scrapbooking. I don't like rules when I create. Or it could even be the whole proportion and make things straight thing. I'm not very good at making things straight. (for proof see above-crooked page) But..... I dream, hope, and so desire to be a designer for scrapbook companies. I want to be on a design team, teach workshops, be part of CHA (Craft Hobby Assosiacion), and get free samples dang it! So practice makes perfect. I am practicing every day. I'm practicing teaching, scrapbooking, and different techniques. Why just this morning I taught my Keegan how to blend ink. And just yesterday I taught Scrappy- doo (our dog) how to use the cuttlebug. He just watched but, I'm sure he could apply what I taught him. So look out scrapbooking world. Here I come and I dream BIG.

New Cubbies

I have been wanting to add some cubbies to one wall of my studio for a while now. All of the ones I found were just to expensive for my frugal ways. So after some brain storming and sweet talking this is what I did.First, I found some white shelves at Target for only $20.oo dollars! You can find them here. Then (after sweet talking) my very talented hubby cut wood squares and added them vertically on each self. He also used nails to assemble the shelves instead of the hardware that came with them. They are surprisingly sturdy for cheap shelves. The cost $40.oo. Oh and all that sweet talking;) You could stack them up or flip them around to fit your room. I'm going to add pretty papers to the backs and side of mine when I have time. I just thought I would share my idea for cheap cubbies!

High Cotton Art Camp

Well I can't wait any longer. Its time for my little announcement. I am honored to be teaching at a brand new local event. Some of the most lovely women I know have organized a wonderful retreat called High Cotton Art Camp. The event will be held in my very own town of Abilene, Texas.It will take place October 15th and 16th
I absolutely assure you it is going to be fabulous. So many amazing women are taking part in this that I am just giddy with excitement. You can go HERE to the web site to get all the details.It would be great if you spread the news too, so feel free to add the button to your blog.

I really hope I get to meet some of YOU there!

Halloween Cuteness

I have been getting request for some Halloween kits. I created this Ornament kit. I think they would look so cool hanging from a chandelier or tied to a pumpkin!School starts in less than 3 weeks here! Also my baby is turning 11 soon! Boohoo.And my husband is turning 33. Lots to do these next few weeks. My big news is coming real soon!

Back Yard

We had a lovely rain shower this afternoon and I thought I would piddle around the yard a bit. See the white pumpkin I'm growing! Of course I had to stop and have a chat with the chickens and gather a few eggs. That's PJ in the first picture. She is the only bantam we have and she is constantly broody. The bottom pic is Scout. She is much nicer that she looks.That's all the pictures I could take before the batteries in my camera went dead. I have some BIG news soon! I can hardly wait to share.

Thank You!

Thank you so much for all of your comments not only on my blog but fanpage and twitter too! I used a random number generator to pick the winner. The winner is: The Cottage Girl said...
Your original art plus sell a kit on how to make it. Just e-mail me your address Cottage Girl and I will send your package.

What y'all like in my shop is pretty clear. I plan to keep it mainly the same with lots of variety and more emphasis on originals and kits. Its going to keep me busy! Thanks again for all your support. I couldn't achieve my dreams without y'all!

BOO!

I just wanted to show you my Boo-banner. They were a big hit last year so I made some more for this year. (I like this one better than last years. Its bigger too) You can find it in my shop.Don't forget about the give away. All of your answers have been SO helpful! I will announce a winner this Thursday.

Coming Soon

Sneak Peek of Brandywine Designs Halloween items. More labels,tags, Banners, and kits also coming soon. Don't you just love my spooky set up! I had a blast with my little Halloween photo shoot. I love the props so much I may have to find a place to keep it up year round. The series True Blood inspired me to make the background prop. If you don't know what True Blood is: its a HBO vampire/werewolf series set in the swampy south. Its also a book series. I will let you know when I start putting the new items in my shop.

Alex

It has been raining since yesterday here. And there is no end to the rain in sight. The temperatures are well below average.Windows are open and the garden is happy. Its WONDERFUL! Its usually extremely dry and very hot this time of year in Texas. We have Alex the hurricane to thank for it. Hurricane are usually a bad thing. And to some people Alex was. But, to others (like our farmers) it has been a blessing. Its just a reminder to me that sometimes in our lives what we see as bad storms may really be blessings.

A Question For You

I have been thinking a lot about what I want my shop to be like. What I know for sure is I only want to sell things I love. Where I'm stuck at is what to offer. Here is where you come in. I would LOVE it if you would tell me what you would like to see in my shop. Examples are: kits, supplies, party items, handmade originals by me, home decor, holiday decor, scrapbook kits, holiday themed party packs, banners, ect. I really feel I need to simplify and pare down what I offer. AND if you leave a comment giving me your two cents I will enter you in a drawing for a give away of all the goodies pictured! You can also comment on my Fan Page or Twitter for extra chances to win! I will announce a winner two weeks from today July 15th.

Tags

I've designed and added some new tags to my etsy shop. I'm really starting to love digital design. I will be adding more soon. Hope your having a great summer. It's VERY hot here!