Sunday, August 31, 2014

Sunday Summary Week 35

Hello Bloglanders

It's still hectic @ HQ Hamman.  I have returned all the hired items from the wedding, collected all that was mine, delivered all that was not and started making lists for next week. My Project Life is SO behind schedule but I'm just going to skip July and continue with August ASAP. Talking about August - it has been a weird month and I'm planning to do a layout about it right now. Tell you more about it once it's done.

Back to the wedding. Ever thought of putting a "cut your own lemons station" at the bar??? My daughter in law thought about EVERYTHING!! While I have this pic up, note that ALL the flowers were in different containers. The one with the gold glitter is a recycled jar zussed up with podge, glitter and some clever thinking by the Princess.


I've been asked by friends to do 3 matric farewell dresses for their beautiful daughters.  Two have been cut, the thread on my sewing machines changed and I'll start first thing tomorrow morning. Want to see the inspiration?


I will keep you updated on my progress.Know you don't like my sewing projects but it is such a big part of my life that you will just have to bear with me.

At the beginning of 2014 I decided to write down 50 facts about myself.  The idea came from a mini book that Monika Wright did but as I try to incorporate everything in my PL album, I ended up using 6x4 journaling cards and adding it to my 2014 album. I've got it done and filed and plan to pretty it up when I've got time.


Right now I'm pleased with my progress and plan to do  another project - "My Life in 50 Pics" . I've chosen 50 pictures and will be journaling about what I can remember of each event. The pictures have been sorted - I'll have them printed this week and you will soon have a progress report. Once again, it will be part of my PL album.

I've also registered for this class. I love Big Picture Classes and love, love, love Wilna Fursterberg. Special belated birthday pressy to myself. Once we start,  you will hear more about it right here.

And I had a few days at my fave place in the world - the beach house @ the West Coast.  It is beautiful year to see wildflowers and even our backyard has it's share. Here you can see a layout I did on the flowers of Namakwaland.

























And I needed another pressie!! Fortunately I did cut some extra "cake boxes" and filed them away flat to be folded as required.


































I'll tell you more about this one later this week and show what's inside. Just keep checking back and all will be revealed.

That's it. Another wonderful week. Thanks for visiting my blog today and remember to try something new - TODAY!!


Tuesday, August 26, 2014

Mini Cake Boxes

Hello Bloglanders

I hope you are having a Thunderous Thursday. It's cold and rainy down under in Sunny SA and I'm still trying to get my house sorted after Pieter's wedding.  Can you believe it - I have used more than 20 kilometres (don't know the miles) of thread for the bridesmaid dresses and napkins!!!

But, I did get some time to try something new. As I wanted to surprise a few friends with some wedding cake, I came up with the idea of making mini cake boxes.

First, a pic of the wedding cake:


And my mini cake boxes ready for delivery:


































And a close-up:


































Want to peek inside?


















I used sheets of cardstock that I received in a kit and didn't like as as it was TOO" busy".  Cutting it up made it look oriental and much more toned down.  Just goes to show - it was in my purge pile but in the end I could use it and make something beautiful.

I used a cut file from the Silhouette store, deleted the pieces I didn't need and sized the shape down to 95% to fit two boxes on a 12 x 12 sheet. Want to try it yourself?  This is the file I've used:

This would make the perfect packaging for mini pizzas, maxi cookies or even a little combo of goodies.  I think I'm going to try it for some mini Christmas boxes.

That's it!! It's nice to be back at my craft desk.  Thanks for visiting my blog today and please check back as I have lots more to share.

Remember to try something new and have fun!





Monday, August 25, 2014

Sunday Summary Week 34

Hello Bloglanders

This past week was WEDDING, WEDDING, WEDDING!! ....................... Finally. And everything was fabulous.  I will put up more pictures once I get the ones Moira West took.  Keep checking back and all will be revealed.  I also plan to do a post (and pic's) of the venue later this week.

Without further ado .............................. meet Mr & Mrs Hamman II:



A peek at the venue:


The flowers:


One of the 8 bridesmaid dresses that I made:


The napkins that I did (X 100!!)


What a GREAT idea. Customized (with Vinyl) chairs  for the bride and groom:


And now for the top wedding idea!! All the bridesmaids and groomsmen contributed to get a photo booth for the wedding. It was open all night and anyone could pose and have their pictures taken.  They printed two  pictures of each pose - one you could keep and the second went into an album where you had to write a personal message to the bride and groom.

Bride and Groom being silly at the photo booth:


There you have it!! It was perfect!!

Thanks for looking. Have a wonderful week and I'll be back with some more crafting fun so, keep checking back.



Thursday, August 21, 2014

Over at Craft Storage Ideas with Just 1 Tip

Hello Bloglanders,

Next week I'll be back crafting my life away but this week, I'm putting up my feet and enjoy being "mother of the groom.  I'll take pictures and tell you all about it next week. Please check back - it's a VERY alternative wedding - you don't want to miss out.

In the meantime, I did get time to do a post over at Craft Storage Ideas. Hop over there and see for yourself.  It's a wonderful way to arrange all your different albums, mini books, journals, etc. - BY COLOR. And a sneak peak:


I'm off to enjoy some more wedding prep.

Have fun and remember to try something new.



Sunday, August 17, 2014

Sunday Summary Week 32 and 33

Hi there Bloglanders

I'm still trying to do 100 things all at once and since I was in hospital for a week to have my appendix removed, I really have to fast forward to get everything done in time for THE WEDDING next weekend. First, for the record - me in hospital:


It was totally awful but the hospital, doctors and staff were excellent and I feel SO much better.  Actually, I feel GREAT and had a very creative, crafty and productive week since getting back at home on Monday.

Finished 100 X customized napkins for the wedding:


They still have to be ironed and folded but that's not my job - one of the bridesmaid's going to see to that. While reporting on the wedding progress - bridesmaid #8/8 arrived from Hawaii yesterday. I'll finish her dress on Tuesday as I'm taking tomorrow off to go to Kirstenbosch with Wynand - it's my BIG birthday!!

Today, we had lunch with friends and they surprised me with this:


A massive bunch of purple and black polka dot balloons.  I'm not easily impressed but this one was so over the top gorgeous and unexpected that I love. love. love it. Thanks girls!! (and boys, of course). All the men dressed up with bow ties - so silly but I still loved it as it's so NOT them. Remember, Wynand and his gang is more the Happy Camper type.

I did clean up my craft desk during the week and made tags from the offcuts left from my Multi Media pages.  It's always good to have a stash of tags on hand.


The Simon Says Stamp inspiration for Monday is "scratched up". I don't own distress inks so I just distressed my edges by putting masking tape down and then ripping it off exposing the white, textured watercolor paper underneath. Love it!!

Missed this Multi Media project?  Click here to read all about it and find my product list.

And I spied something while walking through the streets of Stellenbosch ................................ our town council had huge wooden planters placed all around town and they planted it with veggies!!  What a great idea.  Think about it - useful and beautiful.


As we don't have good soil at home, I think I'm going to copy this idea for my own veggie cum herb garden.

That's it, next Sunday will all be about THE WEDDING. Thanks for looking at my blog today and please come back to play. Have a wonderful week.

Thursday, August 14, 2014

Storage for Small Embellishments

Hello Bloglanders

I hope you are having a FUN week.  I'm still under house arrest and not allowed to drive or carry stuff but the doctor didn't say anything about working at my craft desk or sewing. SO, I've been sewing up a storm - YES, THE WEDDING is next Saturday.

I've also been sorting a lot of craft items - sewing patterns, embellishments and paint. Today, I want to share how I store my paperclips.  I did the original post for Craft Storage Ideas but as it was my very, very own idea, I want to have it on my blog as well.


This year, I decided not to buy ANYTHING new. I will use what I have on hand, recycle and re purpose in my quest for less clutter. The biggest problem was – I didn’t know what I had on hand!!
So, after searching through a whole plastic tub to find a “cat” paperclip, I decided to do something about it.  Here is my solution:
1
From my local hardware store and before you think that I’ve bought a whole stash of these – I used 2 left over from my hubby’s garage upgrade last year.
I love these as the dividers can be moved around. Much easier to clean (I wash them in the dishwasher!!) and if you have awkward shapes, you can fit them as well.
And here is my sorted paperclip stash:
2
Stacked and ready to go into my craft cupboard:
3
I just stack them as the lids close firmly, even if they should fall, they will stay intact in their little cubicles.
I think you will agree with me – I made a good call when I decided that “enough was as good as a feast” – this stash will last me a lifetime!
Last but not least.  While browsing Pinterest I stumbled upon this idea for stacking your containers:
LINK (ex Flickr)
I have a birthday coming up and I think Hamman HQ needs one of these. I’m off to show my hubby.
Thanks for sorting paperclips with me today. It has been fun.  Please check back as I'll be sharing some more crafting fun right here on Play as U Go.

Tuesday, August 12, 2014

Use your stash to make a Multi Media page.

Hello Bloglanders

And as promised .................................. my second tutorial for the week!!. A while ago a friend asked me to teach a Multi Media class and I had to take some pictures for the hand-outs. So, I'm sharing my process with you!!























Make a Multi Media page using only what you have in your stash.

TOOLS TO GRAB:
Watercolor paper, paint brushes, cutting mat, scissors, ruler, glue, black pen.

How to:



 
 

You see, you can do Multi Media with what you've got!! And here is a list of the goodies I've used from my stash to create this page. If you want more specific info, leave me a comment and I'll gladly supply.

Stamps: Basic Grey (Stitches), Prima (Rondelle, Birds on Trellis), We R Memory Keepers (rose leaves); Die cut: Cuttlebug with Aquarius mini alphabet die from Letterpress; Paint: Acrylic paint from Jabtex in blue, yellow, orange, cream and brown, White acrylic medium; Ink: Ranger (Jet Black), Jenny Bowlin (Weather Vane); Stencil: from stencils.co.za (Ivy); Mounting paper: Very, very old from Creative Memories; Green and Orange coloring pens (left over from one of the children, don't have a clue which brand it is)

That's it from me. Thanks for looking at my blog and have a WONDERFUL day!




Monday, August 11, 2014

1 File Many Ways Tutorial.

Hello Bloglanders

Today I have a Tutorial for u!!


 Make a mini book, journal, album, maxi card and Project Life insert with what you have on hand - same pattern, same easy steps.


TOOLS TO GRAB: 
Bone folder, cutting mat, scissors, ruler, pencil, half a 30x30cm (12x12 inch) sheet of your favorite cardstock, a loose office file, hole punch, office paper offcuts for inside pages, paperclip.

How to:

































































Decorate according to your own need and / preference. (I always start with my recycle stash.) Insert the file clip and add the paperclip to keep your book open / closed. DONE!!

This is what my mini looks like:











Thanks for looking at my blog today and last but not least - I REALLY appreciate all the good wishes / emails and Facebook messages that you've sent me while being in hospital. I was very sick but it made me realise how precious my health is. I'm SUPER excited to be back at HQ Hamman as well as in Blogland.









Saturday, August 9, 2014

A Bit under the weather

Hello Bloglanders

You wouldn't believe what happened to me ????????????????????? My appendix burst and I've been in hospital since last Wednesday. As the infection was quite far along, I'm still getting antibiotics and will only be home by the middle of next week.

I really wanted to show off my two beautiful projects that I've made for the Scrap-a-Doodles DT BUT ................................ it will just have to wait until I'm well again.

Sorry about that and I'll be back in Blogland the minute I'm back home.

Have fun!
Hazel

Monday, August 4, 2014

Sunday Summery Week 31

Hello Bloglanders

I know!!! It's Monday BUT I just didn't get time to put up my post over the weekend.  And this is what kept me SO busy:

My daughter-in-law's kitchen tea. Isn't she the most beautiful princess ever??  Her mom organized it - and it was SUPER beautiful.  It was a Mad Hatters party held at a beautiful hotel in Stellenbosch, ASARA.


As the princess is allergic to wheat, all the food had to be wheat free.  The hotel managed to put up a beautiful and tasteful spread.


I dressed up as a witch, looked really awful and made this gift box with my Silhouette to match the theme:


Want a peek inside?

I got the smallest notes available, rolled them into cigars and ta-da ......................... daughter-in-law can buy whatever she wants and I didn't even have the trouble to shop for a gift card / present / wrapping paper.

Now for the BIG news!!! Remember I told you here that I'm auditioning for the Scrap-a-Doodles Design Team??? Well ........................ (drum roll) ........................... I'm one of the 10 finalists in the final round!! Now I have to submit 2 tutorials of craft projects but you know me, I can't decide between my children and my head is buzzing with new ideas. 

I think I'll have a walk in the park to think things over BUT you will be the first to know ................. just keep checking back and all will be revealed right here on Play as U Go.

That's it from me. Thanks for coming to play today! Have a wonderful week and remember to try something new.