Followers

Looking for the monthly challenge? Click on the tab below.

Saturday, July 16, 2011

More Comments of Appreciation...


I just wanted to post some of the great comments that are coming in from other sources.  Heres another one:

Hi Donna,
I just wanted you to know how great your EZ Bowz is to work. I love that the 2 posts have a place for them, at least they won't get lost. It is so much easier to make the different bows, single,double and so on. It is also wonderful that I can hang it up in my craft room which makes it so easy for me to reach for as I use it .Thanks again for such a great product. I love, love, love it....Cathy Walsh. 

Donna

Wednesday, July 13, 2011

Let's decorate!


Gee, it's been a while since I posted last.  So much to do, so little time!  (whine, whine!).  I finally had some time today to do something I've been promising  -- to show you some samples of how to decorate the back side of your Craft-Dee BowZ.  Now you may ask, why would I want to do that?  Ummm, because you can??  As crafters, many of us like to personalize our toys and, truthfully, the Craft-Dee BowZ is just begging for just that.  When not in use (which isn't often), I hang my Craft-Dee BowZ within reach, but while it's just hangin' around, it's looking pretty!  So without any further delay, I thought I'd show you two samples of my boards (ones I use for shows and demos).  I hope you enjoy them and that it gets those creative juices flowing!

The first one I did at the suggestion of a store owner who just got this "Fight Like a Girl" paper in -- it's geared quite specifically for breast cancer.  While, thankfully, this has not personally affected me, I know many women that it has.  And so, I made this in honor of them.

This is comprised of two different papers from Fight Like a Girl.  First I cut the striped piece to fit the entire BACK of my Craft-Dee BowZ (this may sound silly, but you really don't want to cover the front as you'll cover the holes for your dowels.)  I just cut a portion of the border from another piece from the same collection and decoupaged it to the top and bottom of my Craft-Dee BowZ.  I did add a small scalloped piece in black to make the top border pop a little.  Part of this paper also included the center emblem with the breast cancer ribbon.  Never one to leave well enough alone, I glittered the ribbon in the center and the little white dots in the top border.  Here's another view of how I finished it off with ribbon all around the Craft-Dee BowZ -- do note the little 1" bow that I finished it off with!

Now the second one is quite a bit different.  I'm such a glitter girl, so much so that one of my students bought me a stamp at the convention that reads "a glittering face is the mark of a true stamper".  (Thanks Pat!)  First, what I did was sprayed text weight paper (I'm sure you can you regular card stock -- this was just handy) with Glimmer Mists in gold and aqua and let dry.  I then cut it to fit the back of the Craft-Dee BowZ and ran it through an embossing folder and decoupaged it.  Next, I used micro glitter and peel-offs  for the butterfly and flowers, etc., cut them out and decoupaged them to the back to create a pleasing effect.  Here's the second one.


Lastly, I wrapped satin ribbon around the perimeter of the Craft-Dee BowZ and used a double sided tape to keep it in place.  Here's another view of the butterfly one.


If you click on any of these pictures, you will see a close up view and the glitter will be quite evident.

Well, that's it for now!  I hope I've inspired you a little.  We will be doing a contest somewhere down the road for "Best of Show" for any of you who want to decorate and submit pictures of your Craft-Dee BowZ and there will be a prize for the winner as well.  Guess I'd better get crackin' on that!

I'd love to hear from you, so don't be afraid to comment.  

Donna 


Monday, July 11, 2011

It's a wrap!


As previously stated, my main thrust for creating the Craft-Dee BowZ bow making tool was to address the issues of people who are bow challenged.  This came about strictly through my experience as a teacher of card making.  Now that's not a bad thing being bow challenged!  However, if you are one of the countless millions who struggle with bows, then this is a tool that you will definitely benefit from.

So, I've shown you how to do single and multiple loop bows (refer to videos in earlier posts).  I also showed you how they can affect your card making projects.  Well, let's look at the other side of the bow making loop, so to speak.  When you think "bows", you generally think "packages or gifts", right?  Well you're on the right track.  So, here are a few packages that I wrapped using the Craft-Dee BowZ bow maker.  I think a visual helps in every sense of the word.

This first package is a simple bag topper.  What a quick and easy way to dress up a package -- especially if you're short on time.  If you're like me, you leave things to the last minute when it comes to wrapping gifts -- not my favorite thing to do.  This is a 1/2" wired ribbon that I used.  A video will follow soon showing you how this is attached.











This second package is for a small wedding or anniversary gift.  Again, using a wider, wired ribbon, I made multiple loops and added an additional tail.  Remember, the Craft-Dee BowZ makes up to 4-1/4" wide bows!  I'll have a short video on how to add additional tails very soon.  Just by adding some beading to your bow, you have a very lovely gift package.



And the last package was made with a soft satiny (polyester) finished ribbon.  This is not wired ribbon.  I added some fancy gold ribbon underneath to create more impact.





Well, I hope I've inspired you to reach beyond your craft room and your card making endeavors.  Don't let that Craft-Dee BowZ collect dust!  It's more valuable than you think!

Thanks for stopping by and I'd love to hear from you.

Donna