Happy New Year!!

Hi Bloglanders

Not every day that I do 2 posts BUT there are still 2 hours of 2013 left and I'm off to watch some fireworks. And the point is ................................... I don't want to schedule my post (IMPERFECT ME doesn't trust that one, can you believe it???) and I'm afraid that I won't be back / forget to do it just after midnight. So, here it is, specially for U,  my Blogland friends:

Love U!!
Hazel

2013 Review

Hallo Bloglanders

I hope you are having a ball!!! In Sunny SA we have 6 hours of 2013 left that will most certainly be spent eating good food, drinking great wine and enjoying the company of  EXCELLENT friends.

So, my friend went shopping today and I had time to sit down and do my 2013 review.  Most of the months got only 1 pic but some were rather special so I used more.  No rules for IMPERFECT ME. Here it is:

Yes, it was a long year that passed quickly.  At times it was difficult but we are all healthy, the children have achieved their goals and are happily settling into adulthood. All in all we had lots of fun and are grateful for another prosperous year.

To you, my Blogland friends - my blog really exceeded all my expectations in 2013 and for that I'm grateful to you. I still try my hand at things that take my fancy and share it to keep a record of all my crafty projects but still ................................... it is SO nice to know that someone out there is looking, reading and sometimes joining in the fun. I've made friends all over the world and if things get tough, people that I've never met, will email or comment. That's GREAT!!  I love you all!!

Thanks for looking at my blog ..................................until next year ............................ENJOY the festivities and company of friends and family. We are truly blessed to have them around.

Keep safe.
Hazel

Christmas 2013 Layout

Hallo Bloglanders

I hope you are well ............................... I've got my friend Francileen, all the way from Kakamas here for the week. We became friends when our boys went to kindergarten together - both named Pieter and both only children. So, most of the time their stuff got mixed up and the wonderful thing about it - more than 20 years later, about 5 moves and 1000+ kilometres apart and we are still very, very good friends.

Just after Christmas I try to do a layout with a "Christmassy" feel and when Francileen and her husband went to visit friends this afternoon, I got going and finished my layout.

I try not to dwell on anything, just capture the feeling of everything as I know that tomorrow the focus will shift to the high and lows of 2013 and the next day onto new hopes and dreams for 2014.

Just goes to show what can be done in under an hour.  I love the fact that it's done and filed away in my album - for generations to reflect back upon.

That's it. Tomorrow I'll sneak in an hour to capture my 2013 in a 12 picture layout.  Of course, I'll show! In the meantime, enjoy the festivities, your time with family and friends and keep safe.

Have a great day!
Hazel

Reuse, Recycle and Repurpose cushions

Hallo Bloglanders

I hope you are having a fabulous time!! In my previous post I told you that I just did not get round to blogging about all my 2013 projects. So, I thought I'd sneak in another one before the New Year festivities.  This is one of my Christmas presents - you know me - I try to show the people closest to me that I appreciate what they do for me and this one was custom made for Pieter and his Princess:

Some time ago we bought a new mattress for our camping trailer so I asked the foam supplier to cut the old one into squares ............................... recycling at its best! Out came my stack of black, white and cream scraps from previous projects:

And another picture of my finished cushions:

Normally making something X6 drives me crazy but with all of them being from a different print made it much more fun.

And how did I wrap it? ............................................... I didn't!! Just added the red ribbon repurposed from last Christmas and it was ready for delivery.

That's it another project done and dusted.  Thanks for visiting my blog today. Please check back as I have lots more to share right here.

Hazel

Happy Holidays

Hi there Bloglanders

I'm on my way to get the last things done for dinner with the family.  I still have lots more to share with you but that will have to wait until after Christmas.  Three years ago I stated "Project 52". My idea was to get 52 projects done during a year. (excluding scrapbook and PL pages) Since I started blogging, that amount has upped and I've done more than 150 projects during 2013!! I do get depressed quite easily and it helps to keep me going if I have to put something up for you to see on a daily basis and the creativity around Blogland does wonders for me.

For the first time, I have a whole file of "un blogged" projects.  I can't decide if this means that I've been more depressed during 2013 or just more inspired. Let's go with the "more inspired".  And on that positive note ...................................... Happy Holidays to you, my Blogland friends.

I did bring a project to share!! Here it is:


It started out as another of my Afrikaans Subway Art projects. Once done, I decided to do one for my English Blogland friends as well.  The idea was sort of a chalkboard effect and I used the Silhouette software for everything. Once done, I used the same shape ......................................

For my Christmas cards:

As well as for the little canvas bags I made:

I've done a whole stack of  these. They are approximately 6x4 and inside I've put a framed subway art print. They were mailed to family and friends that I won't see over the festive season. Also, I've stuffed some with little pressies for the neighborhood kids. Nothing like keeping them occupied over the holidays and it's a great way to recycle some of your stash.

The last one didn't get photographed ................................ YET!! To tell you the truth, I totally forgot about them until I started doing this post. See what I mean about Blogging being creative?? I've used the same artwork for tags. Totally unique and in Afrikaans .................................... I love using my home language in crafting projects.

That's it ................................. 1 project - 4 ways. I hope you enjoyed today's crafting fun.  Be safe and enjoy the festivities. I'll be back with some more projects. Just come back to play.

If you want to download my subway art, you are welcome to get it:
here in English
hier in Afrikaans

Love U
Hazel

A Pressie from a Friend

Good morning Bloglanders

I hope you are well, ready and excited about all the upcoming festivities.  I'm going to keep everything low key and just enjoy every second with my family.

Last week I went to Robertson to visit my oldest friend and she gave me a handmade gift. Here it is:

My friend is not the world's biggest crafter - she would rather work in her garden than sew BUT for me she took the time to make something special. She made little rosettes out of scrap fabric and added buttons, beads and little bells to the centres.  When it is in my purse I can hear the little bells chiming - reminds me that I'm special to her. She even made a fabric flower for her craft gift packaging:

And I always get fresh roses from her garden:

Isn't that what this time of the year is all about?? Showing those near to you that you really care.  I know that my friend's special effort made me feel loved and cherished and for years to come I'll remember Christmas 2013 when I hear the little bells chime in my handbag.

Thanks for looking at my blog. Have a great day and please check back as I'll be back with some more crafting fun to share.

Have a great day!!

Hazel

Gingerbread House

Hi there Bloglanders

I hope you are well.  I'm back from Robertson and feel renewed, loved and inspired after my visit to my oldest friend. As promised, I'm here to share my mini, mini gingerbread houses. And this is what it looks like:

Unfortunately it's not my own idea or pattern but I enjoyed making them and will definitely come up with a twist of my own. Hop over to Cutsy Crafts to get the tutorial.  I've also learned how to stiffen felt - very easy. I didn't have any glue on hand so I used Podge - turned out perfectly.

And some more pics:

And these two beauties are dangling on a tree in Robertson. I've already cut some more to make a few for my own tree. Just love giving handmade goodies! Tomorrow I'll share the little gift bag that my friend made for me as a Christmas gift.  Please check back as you don't want to miss out.

Thanks for looking at my blog today. I hope you have a lovely day and that I'll be seeing you over here again soon.

Hazel

Subway Art Gift Bag

Hallo Bloglanders

I'm on my way to Robertson to visit my oldest friend, Anél.  We grew up on neighbouring farms and have known one another since our mothers were pregnant together. She always says we know each other since womb days. Anél's birthday is in December and visiting her has become one of my December traditions. Today I'm sharing the packaging for her birthday gift:

I wrote something in Afrikaans about how grateful I am that she is my WONDERFUL friend and that I love her very much.  Inside is a home made gift but I'll share the gifts once she has opened it up. And here you can see the front and the back of the canvas bag:

And this is what I did: I made the canvas bag myself as I have lots of fabric scraps.  After I have formulated my Subway Art, I shaped and sized it in Silhouette Studio, cut it out of smooth pink heat transfer and ironed it on. As easy as that!  And ................................ remember to flip your image for heat transfer! You can see that I even added a little badge to the back of the bag with "handmade with (red heart) by Hazel".

I love how it turned out and I'm already thinking about making some more.

That's it from me. I'm off to Robertson but I'll be back tomorrow to share my Christmas Gingerbread House. Thanks for visiting my blog today and please come back to play as I have lots more to share right here.

Hazel

In a Jam

Good morning Bloglanders

 I had a wonderful long weekend.  Now I'm trying to finish off my Christmas prep and then I want to give my house a facelift.  It's long overdue but I couldn't decide what to do so I just left it BUT that is about to change ....................................... watch this space and all will be revealed.

In the meantime, with two big boys at home. It's food, laundry, food, laundry, food, laundry 24/7. To top it all, it's summer in Sunny SA so I got hold of some apricots - Wynand's favourite and I had to do my December routine - cook apricot jam! Her they are:

Once again I made my own labels and this time round I used my very own font - Hazel Nut, If you missed out, read about it here.

And here they are before I started giving away and using:

It does look like a lot but I do give away to family and friends. I also use a lot for my family's favourite cookie - Hertzoggies. 

That's it, another December project done and dusted!!  Thanks for looking at my Blog today and please come back to play as I have lots more to share right here.

Have a Terrific Tuesday!

Hazel

Just a Quick Note

Hi there Bloglanders

It's a long weekend in Sunny South Africa and I'm taking off to spend some time with my family and friends. I'll be back in Blogland on Tuesday as I still have a lot of Christmas decor to show.  In the meantime, please hop around my blog and look at the older posts - I'm rather proud of some of them. Especially this one:

This is my ALL TIME FAVE project and I use it again and again. All those little cheery figures dancing around on my porch. Here is the link to the original post.

See you on Tuesday!
Hazel

A Cracker of a Christmas

Hi Bloglanders

I hope you are well. It is very, very hot down here and we are eating outside, swimming, walking in the park and just enjoy being outside.  Wernich is working on his Masters degree and sitting at my craft table every day and as  I don't want to miss out spending time with the boy, I lined up some projects to keep me busy and near them. Yesterday I did home made Christmas crackers:

We do not buy "stuff" for Christmas - we use what we've got, eat great food, drink wine and spend quality time together.  This year I even chose some craft goodies from my stash that fits my colour scheme and will be used for my table decor, December Daily, advent calendar, Christmas tree and tags.

On the right you can see what I collected:

On the left is my Cracker prep. I used the insides lightweight craft paper from the gift wrap rolls, cut it to size and used one of my Vinyl tubes to form the cracker body (just roll it around and glue / tape in place). Cover with recycled gift wrap, tie one end, remove Vinyl tube and tie the other end.  Just add what you have on hand. I did ribbon from my stash, silver bells from last years Christmas wreath and a paper doily from my baking stash.

Inside?  I did a "boy" an "girl" version:

 Tomorrow I'll show how I customized the keyring and I'll also show the crowns that I made with my Silhouette. Please check back.

And a close-up of my DIY recycled gift wrap cracker:

Oh, I nearly forgot ........................... my "Merry Christmas" was a freebie from the Silhouette online store. I did a whole A4 page and use them on everything!!  A little effort saves a lot to time (and money) and if you can get if for free ...................... all the better.

That's it. Thanks for visiting my blog today. Please come back tomorrow as I'll be back to share some Christmas crafting fun right here. Have a Wacky Wednesday!!

Hazel

Over at Craft Storage Ideas

Hallo Bloglanders

I've done two posts over at Craft Storage Ideas. #1 is a South African craft room and here is a pic to show what I mean:

Please hop over there to read the original post. Just click here to be redirected.

And for my fellow sewing enthusiasts - I did a post on storing your thread. You can read all about it here and this is my fave find:

I would love to get my hands on one of these but in the meantime my hardware store plastic cubbies are just perfect!  Read all about them here. And FYI:

There you have it .......................... I've been busy!! Today I'm doing homemade Christmas crackers.  Of course, I'll be back to show.  Thanks for looking at my blog today and remember to leave a comment over at Craft Storage Ideas so that I know you've been reading my posts.

Have a Terrific Tuesday!

Hazel

Strawberry Cheesecake Jars

Hallo Bloglanders

Another week to fill with fun projects.  I'm so sorry for not updating my blogposts on a daily basis but I'm enjoying some quality time with my family and doing my own stuff.  I do take pictures but just don't want to spend time in front of my computer offloading / editing / uploading. After all ............................... if I don't live, I won't have stories to tell!

Yesterday we had lunch with some friends and I had to do the pudding.  Remember, it is summer down under in Sunny SA so I opted for Strawberry Cheesecake. And this is what it looked like:

Because we had to travel out of town, I decided to do individual servings and used these beautiful little jars. No mess, no fuss.  Here is a close-up of the open jars:

I sort of combined two recipes to make my own version. It turned out wonderful so I'm more than prepared to share.

Strawberry Cheesecake:

Crush some shortbread biscuits in chunks and put a portion in each jar. I used about 2 biscuits per jar.

Filling:

Add 1 cup of boiling water to 1 packet of strawberry jelly. Stir until dissolved. Cool.

Beat 1 and a half cup of cream until stiff.

Add to cold jelly mix.

Add 1 tub of cream / cottage cheese.

Add 20 ml of Cherry Liquor.

Blend well and spoon into jars on top of shortcake crust.

Refrigerate.

Strawberry topping:

Cut 250 g of fresh strawberries in slices.

Add 30 ml of Castor sugar.

Add 20 ml of Cherry Liquor.

Mix well and refrigerate until needed. I did mine the previous evening.

Arrange the marinated strawberry slices on the cheesecake.

Add boiling water to the left-over strawberry and liquor liquid - in total it must be about 250 ml.

Add 1 packet of strawberry jelly.

Stir until dissolved.

Cool and pour over the strawberry and cheesecake mix.

Add a mint leaf.

Put lids on the jars and refrigerate until needed.

And my recipe makes:

Yes!! 12 BIG portions. The best part is that I can wash my jars and fill it with something different next time. I think it will even work for a baked pudding.  Watch this space and all will be revealed.

Thanks for visiting my blog today.  Have a Marvellous Monday and please come back to play as I have lots more to share right here.

Hazel

A "thank you" pressie

Hi there Bloglanders

I hope you are well.  Still lots and lots and lots of sunshine in Sunny South Africa.  No complaints - it is summer after all but I do break out in sweat if I hear of all my non South African friends cuddling up in front of a fire. Today I want to show the pressie I received recently from a Blogland friend.  Not only do I love it but it is a great idea to spread some gratitude and share your stash. This is what I received in the mail:

I indulged and started using it straight away but this is what I decided to keep intact for a while - just because it makes me smile ............................................

I'm going to use it to cover an A5 file where I keep my Project Life memorabilia.  I do one every year and this one will be for 2014.  In the meantime, it is happily dangling on my Craft Closet mood board.  Actually it is a recycled garden trellis that got a lick of  blue paint. You can read all about it here. And this is what it looks like right now:

Most important I want to thank Rebecca for sending me this gorgeous gift - it has been a HUGE surprise and it inspired me to forward the favor.  I'll be sending a "lucky craft packet" on to someone ASAP.  Of course, I'll share once it gets to its destination!

That's it from me. Thanks for looking at my blog today and remember to spread some crafting love.

Hazel

Thread it up!

Hallo Bloglanders

I'm trying my best to get stuff done but the more I have to do, less gets done.  So, I was HUGELY disappointed when I looked at MY CRAFT CLOSET post and found that I haven't covered them all - YET!!  This week I'll be over at Craft Storage Ideas with thread storage and even though I showed in my original post how I store my thread, I've never revealed it all.

Here is the original post. And here is the link back to Craft Storage ideas where it was first published. And this is where I store my thread:

On the first shelf above my sewing machines.  Sometimes I don't even get up, just reach for the right color and if I skip to another color, the thread will lie in front of the little drawers until I put them back. I totally hate stuff on my work surface!

And the containers I use???? Ordinary plastic drawers from my local hardware store.  I'm a no dust, no fuss kind of girl. The drawers let my thread stay clean, sorted by color and off my desk. It interlocks which makes it nice and sturdy and the best part - see through!!

I've got a scientific degree and one of the first things I learned in physics were the colors of the rainbow. I still sort everything accordingly. Red - Orange - Yellow - Green - Blue - Indigo - Violet.  I don't do Indigo, in Violet goes all my shades of Purple and Pink goes with Red. Normally I add categories for White, Black, Naturals and Grey as I use a lot of these.

Wanna see??

On the left you can see how the drawers interlock, middle - I don't even label them as they are see through and right is my blue and purple stash opened up.

That's it ........................... my thread sorted!! Later this week I'll be over at Craft Storage Ideas with pictures of thread storage solutions. Once the post is up, I'll insert the link here.

Thanks for looking at my blog today. I'm off to do some sewing.  Tomorrow I'll be back with a crafty idea just for you.  Have a great day!

Hazel

Original Craft Storage Ideas Post

THE CRAFT CLOSET {HAZEL HAMMAN}

Hallo to all of you. It’s Hazel from Sunny South Africa and here to share my Craft Closet with you. I’m not a curious person and normally I wouldn’t put something like this on my blog but part of being a contributor at Craft Storage Ideas is to share your space (and systems and ideas) so here we go!

First of all, it really can’t be called a studio as it is so small. I had to stand outside to take the pictures but it’s more than enough for me. We live in a big, open plan house and since both the boys left home, I have ample room but I love the idea of having everything contained to specific spaces and then I craft all over the place. You will see that most of my furniture is on wheels. When all the children and their friends are at home, I tend to hide in the craft closet but if my husband is working on his ipad or watching TV, I’ll use one of the tables we have nearby – even the deck outside if I feel like it.  Let’s start the tour:

Who would mind the size of the room if this is the view over the park that greets you every time you walk into it?

This is a view of my scrap space. I have two of the same desks – they started out in life as changing tables for my (now) 25 year old son, then my husband used them in his home office and when he upgraded to a full scale office, I snitched them. That’s the only thing I did to my room – painted everything with leftover paint in pretty ice cream colors. On the ends of the desks I’ve got fabric bags – in them goes all my scissors, measuring tapes, rulers – you name it – I have it on hand.
And my sewing corner. I try not to move my sewing machines around so most of my sewing gets done here.

Above my sewing desk are all my sewing goodies. I use these plastic tubs all around my house – the pantry, bathroom, garage, office, etc. No, I don’t like plastic but I hate dusting and we don’t get nice wire baskets down here.

The little drawers on the bottom shelve houses all my different threads and to the right the punched out shapes that I use for packaging. It is much easier storing scraps like this and you are much more likely to use them if they are pre cut.

These two drawers came from my father’s desk. When they downsized the desk was shortened to fit into their spare bedroom as a dressing table and I snitched the drawers. I use them in craft exhibitions – just take them off the wall, use and afterwards they go back. Girlfriend #1 (the interior designer) didn’t want me to paint them but they just looked too drab and dingy so out came the paint brush. You can see – I left the fronts and the handles intact to humor her.

A while ago I shared with you a cutting table made out of storage cubbies. Well, this is my take on it. I used crates that we normally use in the winery. My husband secured them together with cable ties and added the wheels. I made jackets for my trolleys – in the pockets is magnetic sheets so that my nestable dies stick to the outside. I love this as I roll the trolleys around to where I am and everything is available at a glance.

My inspiration board. A painted garden trellis. This comes off the wall for craft fairs as well.
This is on the shelf when you enter my craft closet. The old sewing machine was a pressie from Girlfriend #1, the windmill was my son’s from days gone by and on the far end you can see the patterns that I’m currently using.

I do have an additional closet that is part of my living room furniture where I store my scrap supplies. In there is paper, hardware, stamps, dies – everything to keep my paper addiction satisfied. Nothing is labeled but I know exactly what I have (and I use it!)

Last of all – I also utilized the ceiling space. There is a condude running all the way around the room and I used trouser hangers to hang my items for craft fairs up there. Packed and ready for shipment and I can see what I’ve got at a glance.

You will notice that I don’t have a computer in my craft closet. My husband and I both work from home and we have a separate office (just off the open living space) where all the computers and printers are. Everything is on a wireless network which means that I can work on my laptop anywhere in the house and my photo’s print on the office printers. Works very well for me.
That’s it – it’s small but it’s all mine. I hope you have enjoyed your tour of my craft closet. I’ve never shared this on my blog but plan to do so while I have all these beautiful pictures. You are welcome to follow along as I reveal where everything goes and how I did it. I’ll link them all up to one post – just a click away and all will be revealed. Just click here.

Thanks for coming to Craft Storage Ideas today. Me and my fellow contributors love to have you over. If you want to know something, please let me know in the comments and I’ll gladly answer. Have a great day and please check back to see what’s interesting or new on the storage scene.

Link to the craft storage ideas post: http://craftstorageideas.com/the-craft-closet-hazel-hamman/

Customized baby wear.

Good morning Bloglanders

I hope you had a wonderful weekend and that you got to spend some quality time on the things (and people) you love.  I worked on some Christmas pressies. This time a baby version. A friend of son #2's baby is due next week so I got a creative gift ready to be delivered. Also, my husband has clients with babies so we decided to surprise them with custom made baby gear. And here they are:

And the whole family:

Top left: ek (hart) my pa = i (heart) my dad. I'm rather proud of this one - I did the main part on my Silhouette cut out of green heat transfer but then added a twist by doing the little heart in red.

Top right: my 1ste Kersfees = My first Christmas. Thought it a good idea for a baby born in 2013.

Bottom left: this is the corporate one for son #2's friend. I got the logo from the web, "trace and lift" in Silhouette and ta-da .............................. ready to print in black heat transfer.

Bottom right: corporate version for my husband's clients.

Just a note, remember to flip your image when you do heat transfer!! The wonderful thing about Silhouette is that once you have done the artwork, you can just print on demand. No waste.

Here you can see the whole thing:

Can't believe that my 25-year-old boys once fitted into these!

That's it. Some more Christmas pressies done and dusted.  My husband liked it so much that he immediately ordered some more for his clients. So, back to the Silhouette it is!

Have a wonderful day. Thanks for looking at my blog and please come back to play as I have lots more fun things to share right here.

Hazel