Heather's Crafts

By Heather Camlot

Keep warm with a bowl of soup

Oh, the weather outside is frightful, a warm bowl of soup, delightful! Nothing beats hunkering down at the dinner table with some thickly sliced bread and a steamy potage filled with hearty favourites.

Why not share your favourite recipe for fine winter dining with friends? Better yet, present the recipe and the ingredients. (If you don’t have a classic soup recipe, visit Epicurious or Williams-Sonoma for ideas.)

Here’s how to make a soup basket.

Step 1: Gather all the ingredients. Fill a glass jar with measured dry goods, such as beans and barley, that go into the pot together. Fill another glass jar with herbs and spices. Continue until all the dry ingredients are packed.

Step 2: Download our recipe card and canister tags template. You can also find ready-made recipe cards at Microsoft Office Online or design your own in Word. Delete cards or tags that you don’t need; copy and paste others that you do. Alter colour, size and font, if desired.

Step 3: On the recipe card, type in the recipe instructions. Include a list of ingredients, even if they have been measured out, so the recipient can guard against any allergies.

Step 4: On the canister tags, type in soup mix, herb mix, etc.

Step 5: Print tags and cards onto the paper of your choosing. (Sticker paper is great for this project, but you can use cardstock or regular paper, too.)

Step 6: Trim the tags and card. Affix the tags to the jars. Attach a ribbon to the recipe card and wrap it around one of the jars.

Step 7: Place all the ingredients — dry and fresh — into a large pot or basket. Don’t forget the bread as well as useful utensils, such as a ladle.

Step 8: Wrap the gift in cellophane, tie a ribbon around the top to hold it all together, and present the gift to the recipient.

Step 9: Linger on the doorstep until you’re invited in for dinner.

Thanks for celebrating

The gift-giving season has drawn to a close. We’re back to work, school and reality. But there’s one last thing we should do before putting the holidays out of our minds until next year: send thank-you cards.

A lot of thought, planning, preparing, shopping and hosting went into throwing seemingly seamless celebrations. While we may have said thanks at the end of the evening, nothing beats sending a quick note to say how much we appreciated it all.

If you saved wrapping paper, tissue paper, ribbons and bows, now’s the time to reuse them.

Step 1: Download a blank notecard template for Word from Avery.ca. The one I picked has two half-fold cards per sheet.

Step 2: Open the template and type a note on the right-hand side box. Change the font, size and colour if desired; then copy and paste the text in the box below. (You can also add a handwritten note later.)

Step 3: Test-print on regular paper. If it looks okay, do a few more test pages and then print as many times as you need onto cardstock. If you’re using the template above, use one of the following compatible Avery papers: 3268, 3379, 5315 or 8315.

Step 4: Return to your template. Search for an appealing black-and-white image (Insert > Clip Art). You’ll be cutting out the black parts later (as you would a pumpkin), so select an image with few details that won’t upset the image when they’re taken out. Insert the image into both boxes on the left-hand side. Flip the images vertically (Format > Rotate > Flip Vertical).

Step 5: Delete the text from the right-hand boxes.

Step 6: Load a test page to print on the opposite side of the printed paper. Fold the paper in half to make sure it prints properly (the image is on the cover and the message is on the inside). If it didn’t work, load a test page another way and try again. When the result is right, add your cardstock and print as many copies as you need.

Step 7: Cut the cards apart. Cut out the black parts of the image.

Step 8: Tape a piece of tissue paper or wrapping paper (with the right side facing the image) to the inside cover.

Step 9: Add embellishments, such as ribbon and bows.

Step 10: Post your thank-you cards and wait for the recipients to call with their thanks and delight.

Star light, star bright

It’s beginning to look a lot like Christmas. Better get cracking! While the kids are threading popcorn for garlands and your partner is wrapping presents, retreat to the computer to create some old-fashioned looking ornaments. Whether you want to embellish your tree or need a quick hostess gift, these simple stars are sure to please.

Materials

• printable fabric paper
• wrapping paper, wallpaper, fabric swatches, etc., optional
• embroidery floss
• embroidery needle
• scissors
• batting
• ribbon or leather lace, optional

Instructions

Step 1: Open a new Word document. Insert a star (Insert > Shapes > scroll down to Stars and Banners > 5-Point Star). Note: you can use any shape you prefer or design your own. Stack three circles for a snowman or layer triangles for a tree.

Step 2: Size the star as desired by pulling on the corners. Copy and paste as many stars as you can (you’ll need two per ornament) onto the document so as not to waste fabric paper.

Step 3: If you’re using tangible materials such as wrapping paper or fabric swatches, scan and save them.

Step 4: Use the Shape Fill option under Format to add scanned materials, downloaded Clip Art, texture, pattern or colour to your star.

Step 5: Alter the star’s outline (Format > Shape Outline) to suit your design: colour it, thicken it or delete the outline altogether. Repeat steps 3—5 for each star.

Step 6: Do a test-print on regular paper to make sure everything looks right; then print at high quality onto the fabric paper.

Step 7: Cut out the stars; then place two back to back. (The designs can match or not.) Blanket stitch most edges of the star with three strands of embroidery floss. Stuff batting into the star; then stitch closed. If you’re in a hurry, you can skip the stitching and stuffing by ironing both stars together. Follow package directions.

Step 8: Sew ribbon, leather lace or embroidery floss to the top of the stars. Hang ornaments on your tree or wrap a few in a tissue-paper lined box for gift giving.

Have a merry Christmas and a happy New Year!

Let’s light the menorah!

Hanukkah is the festival of light. It commemorates the rededication of the Holy Temple in Jerusalem after its desecration and celebrates how a one-day supply of olive oil allowed the temple’s menorah to burn for eight days.

Beginning December 21, Jewish families will gather to partake in holiday traditions including spinning the dreidel, exchanging gifts, eating potato latkes, handing out chocolate gelt and lighting the nine-branch menorah.

Last year, my then three-year-old son and I painted a menorah at a local clay room and used his beautiful creation to light the candles each night. This year, I thought we’d make our menorahs from scratch.

Here’s how:

Step 1: Gather 10 wood craft blocks about 2” to 2.5” in size.

Step 2: Hot-glue two of the blocks (one on top of the other) to make a place for the shamash, the “service” candle that lights the other candles.

Step 3: Open a new Word document and insert holiday-themed Clip Art, as well as the word “Hanukkah” and your child’s name, if desired.

Step 4: Print onto sticker paper and cut out images and letters.

Step 5: Let your child decorate the wood blocks with the stickers. He or she can also paint or colour the stickerless sides of the blocks.

Step 6: Coat with a layer of varnish to protect.

Step 7: Hot-glue a lock nut (just slightly larger than your candle) to the top of each block. These lock nuts will hold your candles in place.

Step 8: Add your candles and bask in the warm glow of the holiday.

Tote along your heap of holiday gifts

I love holiday shopping. I enjoy going to the mall, walking through shops and finding that perfect gift for my loved ones. What I don’t love is the inordinate number of plastic bags I rack up. So this year, I’m going to “green” my holiday shopping with an attractive winter tote.

The beauty of this project is you can make it as simple or as detailed as you like. You can make a basic tote or one with all the trimmings. I’ll show you what I mean as I describe the steps below.

Step 2: Add an image

You have a few choices here based on the look you want.

1. If you want a felt image that you can sew right onto the tote, look for Clip Art that can act as a template or stencil — simple lines, few colours. Try a snowman or a snowflake. Print the image onto cardstock, cut along the lines, trace onto the felt, and cut and sew with a blanket stitch.
2. If you prefer a quick and simple image that you can print onto transfer paper, iron and go, then search for “winter” at Microsoft Office Online, download the image of your choice, open it in Word and print at high or best quality. Try a cabin in the woods, cross country skier or couple walking. Note: This option is only available for a cotton/canvas tote.
3. If you like the idea of embellishing the bag, search for a Clip Art image that suits the addition of buttons, silver threading and the like. For example, you could sew red beads over the blossoms of this winter tree or stitch felt shapes onto this snowflake tile. First print the image onto fabric paper. If you plan to blanket stitch the paper onto the bag, add your embellishments beforehand. If you’d prefer to iron on the paper (to cotton/canvas tote only), add your embellishments afterward.

Finish your bag by sewing buttons onto the ends of the handles, adding embellishments and inserting the cardboard bottom. Then hit the mall in style!

Superhero T-shirts

As I was preparing the craft activity for my two-year-old daughter’s birthday party, I mentioned to a friend and neighbour that the kids would be making princess purses. Her seven-year-old son was none-too-impressed. “What are the boys going to do?” he asked with dire concern.

I knew purses were going to be a no-go with the boys. But I had a special activity planned for them as well: colourable superhero T-shirts. The project is incredibly simple — so simple, in fact, that I wish I had done something similar for the girls.

To create colourable T-shirts, follow these steps.

• Download black-and-white superhero Clip Art images from the Internet.
• Arrange the images side by side in a single Word document, scaling the images if necessary.
• Print the design on as many sheets of T-shirt transfer paper as needed.
• Follow the ironing instructions that come with the transfer paper to transfer the image to the T-shirts.

On the day of the party, I laid a big tablecloth on the grass with an assortment of permanent markers (otherwise the colours would come off in the washing machine). I sat the boys at one end and the girls at the other, and let them all show off their creativity with their respective crafts.

A few days later, I saw my seven-year-old neighbour walking home from the school bus wearing his superhero T-shirt. “You wore it to school?” I asked. His mom replied: “He couldn’t wait!”

Light fright

Halloween is all about mood (okay, it’s about candy and dressing up too), and the darker and eerier that mood is, the better. When else can you pull skeletons out of the closet, let spiders lurking in corners do what they’d like, and leave the cobwebbed broom in sight?

Of course, candlelight is the ultimate mood-enhancing accessory, no matter what time of year. Put tea lights to good (or should I say “evil”) use in transparency-wrapped votive holders, which are perfect for leading trick-or-treaters to your house of horrors or casting a shadow on guests at your bloodcurdling bash. Here’s how:

• Purchase glass votive holders. How many is up to you.
• In a new Word document, create a box (Insert > Shape > Rectangle) measuring the circumference and height of your votive holder. This is your design template.
• Search for Clip Art (Insert > Clip Art). Based on what you see (and before you insert it into your template), decide on an appropriate background colour for the entire transparency (Format > Shape Fill). If you’re looking at white skeletons or skulls, you could choose a black or orange background, for example. If you want orange pumpkins, try a black background.
• Now insert the Clip Art. Be sure to set each image for dragging within the template (Format > Text Wrapping > In Front of Text). Size and arrange as desired. Alternatively, you can insert a Halloween border, available in the Clip Art database, onto the template.
• Test-print your template design on regular paper to make sure it looks right and fits your votive.
• Copy and paste your design to match the number of votives.
• Print onto transparency paper.
• Trim your template and wrap it around the votive. Use a piece of clear tape to hold the ends together.
• Add a tea light and light up your Halloween night.

Book review: Fashioning Technology

I received a new craft book this week. When I saw the cover — a photo of a woman with rock star headphones and the title Fashioning Technology (O’Reilly, 2008) — I knew the book wasn’t going to be your typical Holly Homemaker tome.

Syuzi Pakhchyan — artist, roboticist and teacher — subtitles her book “A DIY intro to smart crafting.” Smart refers to the types of materials used, including fibre optics, phosphorescent powder, LED lights, capacitors and cell phone flashers.

And the 12 projects she crafts, from a Space Invaders tote to the LED chandelier and photochromatic blinds, are real geek chic.

“Smart materials and electronics have opened an exciting new world of possibilities for traditional crafting,” Pakhchyan explains in the enclosed press release. “With this new palette of materials, we can now create objects infused with magical and mysterious qualities.”

I understand and like where she’s going. The idea of a tea table absorbing sunshine into its phosphorescent ink and emitting light at night is pretty cool. And the swaying smart baby mobile triggered by shape memory alloys (muscle wire) is rather striking. But the opening image with the author in a gas mask is a little off-putting.

If you like tinkering with electronics and want to put those skills to crafty use, Fashioning Technology may be for you. If you are a little more traditional and a little less technological, you may want to give it a pass.

The art of giving

Today is the first day of Rosh Hashanah, the Jewish New Year. It’s a time when Jews around the world reflect upon the past year and plan for a better life in the coming one. Some observances for the High Holiday include attending synagogue, listening to the blowing of the shofar (a ram’s horn) and eating apples dipped in honey.

Another tradition is the giving of tzedakah, charity. The commandment is a fundamental part of Jewish life — you give because there are people in need.

Filling a tzedakah box is also a great way to teach children that those who are less fortunate need our help. Tzedakah boxes come in every colour, price and shape, ranging from paper shoeboxes to sterling silver boxes.

Crafting their own tzedakah boxes will help children better understand charity and keep them entertained during holiday family gatherings.

Instructions

Step 1: Purchase a tin bank at a dollar store, or clean a lidded coffee can or similar tin.
Step 2: If using a recycled tin, make a slit in the plastic top big enough for coins to fall through.
Step 3: Measure the height and circumference of your tin.
Step 4: Open a new Word document, insert a rectangle (Insert > Shapes > Rectangle), and size it to your tin’s measurements by pulling on the corners or by entering the values (Drawing tools > Format > Size).
Step 5: Insert and arrange holiday-themed Clip Art within your rectangle (Insert > Clip Art). A search for Rosh Hashanah will net you about 25 images. You can also search for apple, honey, shofar and coins. Don’t forget to select the image and to click on Text Wrapping > In Front of Text to be able to move the image around the screen.
Step 6: Recolour your images to black and white (Picture Tools > Format > Recolor > Black and White).
Step 7: Print the design onto sticker paper.
Step 8: Trim the design to size and wrap around your tin.
Step 9: Hand your child some washable markers and let her unleash her inner Chagall.
Step 10: Fill the tin with a few coins and add more tzedakah each week of the new year.

The calling card returns

This summer, after eyeing it for a decade, I finally pulled The Complete Sherlock Holmes Short Stories off my in-laws’ bookshelf at the cottage.

Once I began reading, I couldn’t get enough. Not only was I captivated by the great detective’s methods and manoeuvres, I was also intrigued by late 19th-century lifestyle and etiquette. I was particularly struck by the calling card — a simple card engraved with a name — delivered to Holmes to announce a visitor or left in his apartment to request a visit.

Seems I’m not the only one with a hankering for the past. According to a recent article in Time magazine, the Victorian-era relic is making a comeback.

Though unsure as to why the cards are reappearing — technology fatigue, a new way of branding — the article makes clear that the demand is increasing, especially by playdate-seeking parents, retirees who once doled out business cards and young professionals with a long list of ways to be contacted.

While you can order calling cards at specialty and stationery stores, it’s just as simple — and more personal — to create them yourself.

• Download and open Avery’s basic business card template for Word.
• Colour the background (Design > Shading) or add a background image or frame (Insert > Clip Art), if desired.
• Insert an apt photo (Insert > Picture) or Clip Art image (Insert > Clip Art), such as a swing set for the playdate set or golf clubs for retirees, if desired.
• Insert a text box (Insert > Text Box) for your name (or perhaps “Juliana’s mommy” for the park crowd) and contact information in preferred font style and colour.
• Copy and paste the completed design into each card space. (You’ll have 10 cards per sheet.)
• Test print on regular paper to make sure the cards appear as you designed them.
• Insert the compatible specialty paper (product numbers can be found on the Avery template page), and print at highest quality.

Place the cards in your wallet or diaper bag and hand them out at your next social event.

Bag tag

I can’t believe my son starts junior kindergarten this week.

Granted, we attended his daycare graduation (yes, graduation). And we’ve been driving past his new school every week for the last two months to get him excited. But I still can’t digest the fact that my little boy is going to big-kid school.

To send him off in style — and safety — I decided to create a name tag for his knapsack.

To create a durable name tag, you can use either Shrinky Dinks shrinkable plastic or thick cardstock that can be laminated at an office supply store.

• Open a new Word document and insert a rectangle (Insert > Shapes > Basic Shapes > Rectangle).
• Size the rectangle to 4” x 8” for Shrinky Dinks or 2½” × 4½” for lamination.
• Colour the rectangle (Format > Shape Fill).
• Insert an image of a favourite character or toy (Insert > Picture or Insert > Clip Art).
• With the image highlighted, select Format > Text Wrapping > In Front of Text to make the image moveable. Size accordingly.
• Insert, colour and size a text box (Format > Insert Shapes > Text Box, then Format > Shape Fill).
• Type in name, phone number and school. (For safety reasons, do not include your child’s address or photo.)
• For Shrinky Dinks, punch a hole and lighten the image by 50 per cent. Shrinky Dinks darken during baking.
• Print at best print quality for lamination, lowest print quality for Shrinky Dinks.
• Laminate the cardstock; then punch a hole. Or, bake Shrinky Dinks according to package directions.
• Thread ball chain or leather strapping through the hole and attach the tag to the knapsack.

Cooking up a stylish apron

Last week I visited a nearby farmer’s market and was surprised to find more than just fruit, vegetables and other edible goodies.

Also on offer were adorable children’s clothes, cooking classes and art stations. But what really caught my eye were the oh-so-stylish aprons hanging in one corner of the massive 30-stand market.

I don’t wear or even own an apron. Nor do I enjoy spending time in the kitchen, trying out recipes or whipping up culinary delights. I am, however, a clotheshorse. I can’t resist buying cute dresses, even though they go unseen by the outside world as I work alone in my basement. But that same “must have” feeling swept over me as I perused the colourful graphic-print aprons.

Somehow I managed to resist, but I still think about those aprons — and about how I can  create my own:

• Insert a Clip art image into a Word document and size according to your plain cotton apron.
• Test print the image on regular paper to make sure size and colour are right; then print at high quality onto T-shirt transfer paper.
• Set your iron to high and no-steam. Follow the package instructions for transferring the image onto the apron.
• Let cool, and then slowly peel off the backing paper.

I’ve included links below to a few striking images, but part of the fun in making the apron yourself is finding that perfect image that speaks volumes about your fab kitchen style — even if you don’t cook.  Wrap an obi-style belt around the waist and let friends salivate.

Some of my favourites include

• Yellow flowers
• Floral explosion
• Love birds

Stencilling my toddler’s room

Before I begin, let me tell you right now that I have a problem. I can’t stop redecorating. Some (my husband, mostly) would call this problem terrifying. Others (my interior decorator mother) would call it fantastic.

My current project is my toddler’s room. Bye bye crib, hello big girl bed!

Finding a sweet white-and-blue quilt and the right medley of throw pillows took me several stores, purchases and returns. (I needed to try everything in the room, right?) I really didn’t want to go through all the frustration again for wall décor. Then I realized I can easily create what’s been brewing in my mind on the computer.

The art of stencilling dates back to prehistoric times, and the technique has changed over the years. But the idea remains the same: use paint to create decorative images on walls (or furniture or floors).

To fashion your own stencils, follow these steps.

• Search for simple Clip art in Word (insert > Clip Art) and save it as a Word document.
• Make the Clip art black and white (Format > Recolor > Black and White); then size accordingly.
• Print onto inkjet-friendly transparency paper.
• Cut out your stencil with a sharp utility knife.
• Stick the stencil against the wall with tape or low-tack spray glue and fill in with a fast-drying acrylic paint.
• For a less time-consuming method, print a colour version of your stencil onto sticker paper, trim and stick.

Voilà! A fabulous wall finish that will make my daughter the envy of the toddler set. Now onto my next project . . .