Monkey-ing Around

I was so excited to do this craft.  Not only was it for a fellow teacher, but it was going to be for my son's former first grade teacher.

Ms. J.W. is simply awesome.  She is young, vibrant and innovative and loves what she does.  She is structured and loving, just the right combination for a first grade teacher.  My son loved her and we were grateful for the amazing year he had under her instruction.  You remember my best customer Thasha?  This year her daughter is in Ms. W's class and believe me when I say they were overjoyed to get her as well.

One of the activities that Ms. W. does in her class to encourage writing skills is to have the children take home the class mascot 'Marvin the Monkey' for the weekend.  The children include Marvin in their weekend plans and they journal everything that happens.  Well over the years Marvin {and the bag he is carried in} has been loved by many, but so many trips to the homes of friends has left his bag a little worn.  Thasha and the other class mom decided a great birthday gift would be to give Marvin a new bag filled with Ms. W's favorite goodies.

After getting help from the little prince on which Silhouette file to use, I got to work on creating a new bag. I got lucky and bought the last bag Hobby Lobby had in stock and placed an order to Expressions Vinyl for the brown and cream htv that I would need.

I had to separate the file into pieces based on color.  Most of the monkey will be brown with a few cream and black pieces.  The words will be white.

The bag ready to be designed.

It is important when using a cut file with as many pieces as this one that you pay close attention to how the pieces go back together, particularly if you plan to use htv like I did.  I checked and re-checked the file before putting down each piece.

HTV is a wonderful medium to use.  It layered each piece with ease.  I was concerned that I might have trouble with it becoming "sticky" or peeling off due to repeated heat in an area but it held up beautifully.

How adorable is he!?!  I was so pleased with how well this turned out and I waited anxiously to hear how Ms. W felt about her gift.  I didn't have to wait long, Thasha sent me a pic of her loving her new bag {and goodies}.

Happy Birthday Ms. W and happy traveling Marvin!

A Year of Cards

Happy New Year! I don't know about you but I'm looking forward to 2015.  As a crafter, I have a long list of new things I'd like to try and I can't wait to share those with you.

But first things first, let's take a look at my year long commitment of creating handmade cards for my family.  I wish I could say that I was this awesome sister/aunt that remembers birthdays, buys the card and gets it in the mail on time but the truth is I pretty much suck when it comes to that...lol!  It's not that I don't love my family, I just have never been able to get my act together enough to get it done.  Well, a new year meant that I had another opportunity to change things and I'm happy to say that I did.

I made the decision in December 2013 to make each of my family members a birthday card for the next year -- not only make the card, but get it in the mail so they received it on their birthday.  I was successful in doing it for all but one.  Not 100% but certainly a win in my book.

Here is my year of cards review.

My oldest sister Linda's card

My nephew Nathaniel's card

My sister Denise's card -- she turned 50 this year
and she loves a good martini!

My niece Amber's card -- she loves purple!

My sister Gracie's card.  I made this card based on
a piece of artwork she made

My brother Terence's card

My niece Jasmine's card

My sister Sherry's card

My niece Vanessa's card.  This one was missing
the cupcake wrapper bottom but I think it
still looks okay

I was so proud of myself for getting these done that I'm planning to do the same thing again this year.  I didn't stop here though, here are a few others that I did as well.

A thank you card for Cindy, a friend of my sister Gracie

A birthday card for the mom of my co-worker Whitney

As the year ended, I wanted to take the opportunity to teach the little prince about thinking of others at Christmas.  With the help of my co-worker and friend Melissa, she gave me the names and addresses of some of our currently serving military men and we sent six people a little holiday cheer.  We hope that since they were unable to be home with their own families that maybe a little note from us would help bring a bit of Christmas to them.

This was fun and I love being creative -- can't wait to see what 2015 has in store.