Monsters and Robots

Hi there Bloglanders

Today I'm sharing my contribution towards my friend's little boy's birthday. The theme of  the party is:  "Monsters and Robots".  As both my boys are all grown up I'm not that into any of these anymore.

I decided to get something small and EXCITING for the birthday boy, a gift card for his mom to spend on new summer gear for him AND to use what I have to make a pretty and exciting themed gift. Everything was packed into a recycled tin suitcase.

Afterwards this would make for a GREAT carry case for small toys or a lunch box for pre-school.

For my tag I used robot stickers from my stash (YES!!!! I still had some) and paint sample cards that I've kept from last year's home reno.

While everything was out, I decided to do a few more. You never know when the next little monster comes along!!

Don't you just love the robot dog on the bottom tag?? I will probably add it to my pressie as I like to "double tag" and the little monster that's receiving this gift is actually a big doggie fan.

The big benefit about using what you have, is that you have more money to spend on a usable and exciting gift. Packaging nowadays costs a fortune!! And nobody would even know that everything except the gift was free.

This week, I'm contribution my project to the

Robot or Monster challenge at DoubleClick Skittles

Great minds think alike!!

Thanks for looking at my blog today. I'll share my small and exciting boy's gift with you in my next post. Please check back and all will be revealed right here on Play as U Go. Until we meet again ......................... have FUN!

Colouring-in

Happy Weekend Bloglanders

Recently I celebrated my birthday and received this from my dear friend, Marelize and her 3 beautiful girls:

I've wanted to try my hand at Adult coloring-in forever and this was it. I'm totally hooked!! But, I also decided to DO something with my finished projects:

I loved this dreamy, spring blooms and decided to cover a notebook with it. It's spring down under and what a better time than now to make lists of new adventures and old ones to re-visit?

While sitting outside in the sun on our porch, sipping my newly invented Pomegranate mocktail, I used my watercolours to paint this page from my book.

Yes, here is the proof!!

Pomegranate juice, ginger ale, soda and Lots of mint and ice.

I do most of my crafting adventures X2. Therefore, I covered another notebook with an uncoloured piece of the same print and will gift this to my neighbor's little girl for her upcoming birthday. I LOVE interactive cards / pressies.

It's totally awesome outside. I'm off to do some more colouring on my porch. Thanks for looking at my blog today. Hop over to PaperCrafter'sCorner Magazine Monday #115 to see what the rest of Blogland did with their colouring pictures.

Sunday Summery Week 21

Hello Bloglanders

Today I'm here to share the recap of my Week 21.  I baked and I cooked!!! One of the things I'm trying to do this year is to try out more new recipes.  At LEAST once a week I page through magazines and cookbooks to find something new to try.

As I have a LOT of birthdays coming up, I decided to use my baking skills to create edible gifts. My sister's twin boys are turning 14 and as they both love coconut, I made tubs of Hertzoggies for each of them. Of course the third boy is getting one as well!!!!!!!

I even made customized tags with a rugby theme. I think this would be as much "gilyness" a 14-year-old would tolerate from his aunt.

I've put their names on the front of the "rugby shirts" and on the back it says "happy birthday".  I does look like real rugby jersey's doesn't it?

Here you can see it on the cookie tub:

My  mum is turning 77 on Sunday and even though she is getting a non edible gift, I did some cookies and rusks for her as well. Have a look at my cookie stash:

And I owed a friend of Wernich's a "thank-you-gift" and when I heard she wanted a water bottle for the office, I got hold of one immediately.

We have a glass factory in Stellenbosch and as I had to get some more solar lamps, I got the water bottle as well. It's beautiful, isn't it??

And the factory shop wrapped everything in white tissue paper, making it easier for me just to add a belly band, some twine and a handmade card. I used the inspiration from SimonSaysStamp's Wednesday Blog for this pressie.

BEFORE:

AFTER:

For the belly band, I used scrap copy paper from the office, black spray paint from Wynand's workshop
and a houndstooth stencil from my stash. I love how it turned out and it didn't cost me a thing!! Better even - I plan to use the same stencil on a layout SOON ................................ watch back and all will be revealed.

And the layout it's going on???? It's a free download from Amy Tangerine as part of her Design on Time series. Hop over and get one for yourself. Maybe we can compare notes .......... or rather - layouts!!

I'm off to get some work done. Next week I'm going on holiday and there is a LOT to be done before that. Thankfully, all my baking is done! Thanks for looking at my blog and please come back to play.

April Showers bring Spring Flowers

Hallo Bloglanders

What a  weird heading for Sunny South Africa heading for winter BUT .................... it's the inspiration for the SimonSaysStamp Wednesday Challenge. You know me and a good challenge ...........................

This is what I did:

Some time ago I invested in a pack of air dry clay and when we went on our last camping weekend I took it with to try.  It's wonderful, soft and easy to work with and dries quickly.  Back home I painted them with acrylic paint and they are ready to use on layouts, decorating presents and I'm even adding one to a bracelet. Watch this space and you will meet again ...................

I've used this one to decorate a pressie:

It's an inexpensive shop bought jewellery box that now looks like a million dollars and would be the the perfect place for a little girl to store her valuables.

Even if you can't get hold of a similar box, you can hop over to this post and see how I've recycled an old book cover to make one. And a peek for the lazy ones:

That's it. I'm off to my craft desk to work on Amy Tangerine's latest challenge - sweet potato, seeds and a food magazine!! I'll be back to show what I did. Just check back on my blog or join me on Instagram and you'll be the first to know.

Have a GREAT day and remember to try something new - TODAY!!

Have a Heart

Good morning Bloglanders

I hope you are having a wonderful, sunny and loved Sunday! At Hamman HQ we are spending some time outside on our stoep, having a barbecue and a swim. It's HOT down under in Sunny SA.

Speaking of hot - the SimonSaysStamp challenge of the week is "Have a Heart". What more do you need to heat things up on your craft table?? Last year I made a kit of different heart themed things to keep on hand to pretty up my occasion and this year I decided to re-use my items and to duplicate the kit and gift a friend with one. The idea is to spread the love, isn't it?

And here is my "Have a Heart" kit:

"Have a Heart Kit": Ribbon, Washi, a handmade heart bunting, red vinyl die cuts, heart confetti, picnic cutlery sets, drawstring bags, straws and note cards.

I really did use what I had on hand. The confetti, heart bunting, straw toppers and paper spools for the ribbon, twine and washi are made from recycled scraps, the drawstring bags from offcuts of fabric and the rest came from my craft and kitchen stash. 

And here are what I made with the same kit last year:

      Cappuccino mugs          Heart bunting gift wrap        Drawstring gift bags       Recycled drink bottles

Just click on the names below the images to see the related posts.  If you want to have some more Valentine's fun, check back later this week as I'll be sharing more links. I do love occasions!!

Thanks for visiting my blog today. I really enjoyed having you over.  Have a GREAT week and remember to TRY SOMETHING NEW.

Sunday Summary Week 45

Good morning Bloglanders

YES, I know it's Wednesday and I know I've skipped my SS Week 44 BUT my mum was diagnosed with cancer a few weeks ago and is starting chemo and radiation next week.  It seems that my life is on a roller coaster ride.  But, I still want to record what happens SO, here we go with Week 45.

Finally, my garden bench is back in the garden:

My "blind side son" is now officially a Masters degree (in Architecture) graduate!! Here he is celebrating with his classmates:

He is the one on the right. I can't wait for Saturday when he will be home.  It would be SO nice having both my boys nearby. Even though I do "keep my distance" - I just LOVE having them nearby. They are totally best, best friends and I love seeing and hearing them interact and doing "young man stuff" together.

And Wynand sold his Harley!!! He is a BIG biker but i'm not that keen but after his back operation earlier this year, he started riding less and less. So, last weekend Bob got a new owner.

Here we are:

I think this was the ONLY time I rode with him!!! SO glad I take pictures and keep memories alive.

And I had to give a few 'thank-you pressies":

I used scraps to die cut and decorate them.

And last but not least - I finished a layout in my album:

It still lacks a title but for now I'm pleased with my effort.

My aunt has been visiting and will return home tomorrow. THEN I'll start on a new venture - I'll make 30 Christmas ornaments in 30 days.  Wanna join in the fun??  Just check back here tomorrow.  I'll be showing my inspiration and then I'll share my take on it.  AND ............................ I'll be making everything X2 as my oldest friend has a BIG birthday in December and I'll be gifting her with a set.

Thanks for looking at my blog today ........................ I'll be back tomorrow to share my first ornament. I'm off to find some inspiration and to try my hand at something NEW.

Have fun today and see you soon.

Scrap Fabric Covered Notebooks

Hello Bloglanders

Happy Friday to you all!!!  I hope you will be having a Wonderful Weekend with lots of time to do the things you love.

Today I'm sharing my Fabric Covered Notebook. I used REAL scraps of bull denim. All the cream and white scraps go into a bin and I wanted to use some of it for my Christmas pressies.  I tore the scraps in strips, dyed it with fabric dye and adhered it to my notebooks.

This will be my girlfriend pressies. Who doesn't need a notebook???? 1st one from the Play as U GO production line:

And for those of you who want the inside info:

1. I only have 3 colours of dye in my stash - yellow, blue and pink.  I used 1 teaspoon of dye dissolved in 1 cup of boiling water. Everything went into empty jars and then I started mixing until I had 5 different colours.
2. Add your strip of fabric to the jar and SHAKE, then hang to dry. It drips and makes a mess. Make sure you put some newspaper underneath.
3. Uses a page from the notebook you want to cover (for size) and start pinning your stips to the paper. Leaving about 1 cm extra fabric for the sides and bottom and about 3 cm at the top.
4. Back view.

5. Stitch in place.
6. Back view.
7. Fold the edges over and pin in place.
8. Stitch around the edge to keep the seam in place.

9. Stitching done.
10 Start decorating. I wanted to try out Amy Tangerine's stitch templates. It worked SO well. Just poke the holes in the backing paper as you wouldn't be able to see it on the fabric.
11. Cover the inside with a piece of cardstock and glue in place. My notebooks doesn't have ANY covers - if yours does, you can glue your fabric cover directly onto it.
12  Some more decorating. DONE!!!

I totally love my project. Lots of scraps, cheap and totally adorable and usable!!

I'm off to make some more. YEAH,  I do have lots of friends and each and every one will get one. Until we meet again, have fun and try something new - TODAY.

Sunday Summary Week 40

Hello Bloglanders

And I'm back with another week in review. First of all - we went camping in Montagu and this was lunch on Saturday!!!

And I kept myself busy. Since I started Wilna's course over at Big Picture classes I haven't had the time to do the painting projects. So, I packed everything and used the time out of doors to be creative and finish some painting.

I love Wilna's course. Great video's, lots of free files AND her stuff is gorgeous. 

And the last of the metric dance dresses:

I'll show pictures of Cara wearing THE red dress once I get them.  And after cleaning up my sewing desk I had about a metre of the cream fabric left (used as lining here and here) so, I made a little informal dress. Next year she is going to university and will wear little dresses like this on most occasions. Students tend to under dress in comparison to metric farewells.

Can you believe it's all the same fabric??? Waste not, want not. 

And in transit to Montagu I was fortunate enough to have an few hours to visit my Robertson BBF, Anel.  I always try to give something homemade to her but this time I just didn't get to it and this was plan B:

At some stage we couldn't get Sweetie Pies down under in Sunny SA and as they are her fave choccies, I bought a stash..

On that sweet note, I have to say goodbye. Have a great week and thanks for looking at my blog. I'll be back to share some more crafting fun right here on Play as U Go. Just check back.

Mini Cake box Pressie

Hello Bloglanders

I hope you are having a wonderful Tuesday.  My first metric farewell dress is cut and ready to be sewn. The office admin is sort of sorted and I had my first spring walk in the park!!

As promised, I took some pictures of one of the mini cake boxes that I filled for a miniature pressie. I just love combo's - a bit and a bob of everything.

And a pic:

I used the same Silhouette cut file that I've used here. The rose was the Silhouette free shape two weeks ago and I've since used it a LOT. Want to to see inside:

Stacked up you really can't really so I took another pic just 4 U:

A pencil and notepad, a smiley face badge, a cookie and loom bands to make your own friendship bracelet. Just what a tween ordered!

I'll be entering my project in the SimonSaysStamp Wednesday challenge - Anything goes. If you want to see what the rest of Blogland did with the same inspiration, just click here.

That's it. Back to the sewing machine. Thanks for looking at my blog today and please come back to play as I have lots more to share right here.

Hazel

Whimsy Dimensional Butterflies

Hello Bloglanders

Last week I promised to show the dimensional embellishments I made from my scraps but never got round to blogging about it.  At the bottom of my post I will explain how my scrap stash works (for those of you you want the inside info).  Important thing is that I keep all pieces smaller than 3x4 in a plastic tub, die cut it into shapes (good old Bug) and use them for dimensional embellishments, cards, on presents, tags, layouts or my PL pages.

Here is a card made with one of my butterfly embellishments:

My inspiration came from the Simon Wednesday Challenge, "Let's be clear".  Can you see the vellum wings and the sparkly beads??

I love to give them "beady bodies". Now, I'm not a "beader" but I do a lot of sewing and other crafts. All the leftover beads go into a mason jar and gets recycled into butterfly bodies or embellishments on sewing / craft projects. I took pictures to show exactly how I make my beady butterfly bodies:

And, the family:

Normally, I keep all my embellishments in a plastic tub and add them to projects when needed. Mostly, I use flowers / butterflies / stars and hearts so these are the ones I make. I shared how I do my scrap flowers here. And this is what they look like when used on gifts:

Last but not least - my card for a "welcome to our neighborhood" pressie:

Tomorrow I'll be back with another "beady butterfly" - you'll never believe the twist in this story!! Thanks for looking at my blog today. See you tomorrow.

Inside Info: My scrap stash works like this: 12x12 in separate holders one for each colour - red, orange, yellow, green, blue, purple, black & white, naturals. Same with printed cardstock. I do have one extra - various colours. I do keep my fave brands together in collections and kits stays together until I've done a layout, a double page PL spread and a multimedia project.

I sort all leftovers to sizes A4, A5, 6x4, 3x4 and 4x4 into plastic tubs (tub for each size). I arrange the paper by colour - once again - red to naturals but I keep them all together by size.

OK, I'll take pics when I work with the tubs again ........................................ what I actually wanted to show today is that anything smaller than 3x4 goes into a box, gets die cut, packed in a cupcake tin.