"Art is my vehicle through life; may we share the ride together." Ron Wickersham

Monday, August 11, 2014

Red Hot Christmas!



We at the Little Blue House have been busy little elves, getting ready for our 5th annual Little Somethings Christmas Workshop! Yes, we held it in August this year.  We usually present it the first weekend of December, which is a busy time for everyone, and gives little time for anyone to actually use the workshop as intended - to re-create "little somethings" for friends, co-workers, children's classrooms etc. for Christmas.  And last year our workshop fell on the weekend of the record-breaking ice storm of the century in the Dallas/Ft. Worth Metroplex and all three days had to be canceled and re-scheduled during the busiest time of year! At any rate, I think everyone concurred that this was a perfect time to hold the workshop as we sold out in record time.  Despite the over-100-degree days, everyone had a fabulous time!

We always create 8-9 projects, including some kind of bag, for this workshop.  This year we used a brown handled bag, decorated with some pretty patterned paper and a lovely folded star.  Participants received enough pre-cut elements to create a second star - they look great glued back-to-back to form an ornament!

Designed by Lynette Chiles
Designed by Lynette Chiles

Next was a treat box made from envelopes created with the WeR Envelope Punch Board. This is 4.5" square but can be made in just about any size. Everyone received a small bag of popcorn to include in the box.

Designed by Tracy Pounds

Another little box, intended for giving handmade gift tags.  This was created from card stock to be just the perfect size for the manila tags, two of which were embellished for the sides of the box. This would also work well for presenting small gifts or baked goodies.


Box designed by Lynette Chiles

This cute little Rudolph was made using the Reverse Confetti Treat Tent Die.  We added a Tootsie Roll Pop inside (hmm, looks like someone had a treat!) but it could be used for various treats or even a gift card. 

Designed by Susan Tidwell

This darling Santa hat hides a gift card inside. What a fun way to present a card!


Designed by Elaine Howell

This is a fun little gift to give a special someone - a notepad holder, complete with little pencil, made from a mousetrap! Yes, a mousetrap.  (Elaine got lots of stares when she purchased these!)  It is so, so cute - and unique!

Designed by Elaine Howell

This beautiful shabby flower was made into a pin, but would be lovely on gift packages or glued to little clips to adorn your Christmas tree, garland or wreath.  It is made from many layers and textures.

Designed by Susan Tidwell




 And, last but not least, another great gift-giving item - a decorated dry-erase board created from a picture frame. The best part of this is you could cut several different patterned papers to size (maybe one for each month?) and include them in the frame for the recipient to change out.


Designed by Tracy Pounds

And that was Little Somethings 2014! We taught 6 sessions of 18 people each over three days. Needless to say, we were exhausted by Saturday evening, but, as always, it was tons of fun and we're already thinking about 2015! 

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