New Years Resolutions

*Let's Bring on 2013*

We have learned a lot not only about yourselves but we have learned so much through doing our crafts and sharing them with you. This has been an amazing year. We look forward to an even better 2013!!!

We would like to share some our our blogging resolutions that we have made for ourselves, to bring you a better and more friendly experience when you drop by to see what we have done.

Stephanie: 1.) My first resolution that I would like to start with is....That I will post at least 3-4 times a month. I am hoping to get at least one a week. It would be awesome if I could double that but a realistic goal would be once a week.  2.) My second resolution is to introduce more crafts using the Silhouette. Keeping in line with this. I will be releasing for limited time, downloadable vectors for you to cut out for your own personal use. These downloads will be in .PNG or .SVG format so that you can use them not only for cutting machines but that you can print and cut the out to use in our own scrappy way.  3.) Last but not least I would like to see some interactivity between us and our readers. I plan on having link up parties and more giveaways. I know I would love to see what you all do during your crafting adventures.

Crystal: 1) My first and foremost goal is to kick off Kiki Love Creations' first Scrap-a-long! This will get me back into something that I use to love but lost the time for. This scrap-a-long (SAL) will include monthly challenges. A few months will have techniques that I will demonstrate prior to the challenge. Anyone can join in the fun and I will be posting my project at the end of the month and encourage anyone participating to submit their works as well! Watch for the first SAL within the first week of January! 2) My main craft is crochet and this past year has taught me that not only do I love to make things from other's patterns, but I love to design my own as well. Over this next year, I would like to release at least 6 patterns for Kiki Love Creations! 3) My last goal is somewhat vague and I apologize for that but I would like to step outside my comfort zone and learn a new craft that I normally wouldn't consider. What is it you ask? I'm just not sure yet! But when I do figure it out, you'll be sure to get all the details right here on the blog! And if anyone wants to help with ideas, feel free to comment with suggestions!

We would like to take a moment to thank all our family members, friends, and fans!! You all have been the most amazing supporters of our adventure. Without you none of this could have been possible. 

We will see you in 2013!!!!!

Happy Crafting,

Crystal and Stephanie

After Chirstmas Sales that Benefit Crafters!

It's that time of year, Christmas is over and everything is discounted!! That's great for stocking up on new decorations for the next year but it can also benefit us crafters!

If you're out and about, take a look around. There are so many things we can create with this decor. Ornament are one of them.

I love to go out and purchase ornaments, and I try to keep them unrelated to Christmas. This is perfect for making refrigerator magnets!! And here's how...

Supplies
Magnets (any kind will work but make sure your using an appropriate size for the ornament you're using.)
Ornaments
Hot glue gun (other glues can be used but I prefer the glue gun.)
Hot glue sticks

Prep your area.
(If you want to protect your surface you're working on, place card board or newspapers down.)

1) Heat your glue gun with glue in it.
2) Remove any straps or hooks that make it an ornament. (I left my hook on. I was afraid to crack the ornament and its so small, I'm not concerned with removing it.)
3) When the glue gun is ready, glue a magnet on the back side of the ornament.
4) Set aside until its cool.

That's is! Simple, fun and makes for unique magnets!

The one I used is from my sister. We both love owls and while we were out shopping, we found these. We decided to buy one for each other! I really didn't want to put it away with the rest of the Christmas things, and instead keep it out all year round. This is the perfect way!


~ Crystal

New KiKi Love Handles

There are some NEW Handles available in our ETSY Shop!!

  KiKi Love Handles are the newest, stylish way to crochet! Made with polymer clay for a comfortable and unique to fit your personality!! Each handmade hook is durable and polished for a non-yellowing, water proof coat. Also remember if you don't like what you see you can always email us to order your Custom KiKi Love Handle.

I/9 - 5.5mm

<----Glow in the Dark---->

H/8 - 5.00mm

<----Glow in the Dark---->

G/6 - 4.0 mm

Relaxing From Crafting?!?!?!?!?

Relaxing from Crafting?........ Have you ever heard such a thing! HAHAHA

Once in a while I will get asked what do you do to relax from crafting. Well I can't really say that I ever actually take a break from crafting. Sometimes we will go fishing or camping, but I still take my yarn with me. If I had to say there was one thing I love to do when I just want to clear my head from all the crafting and that is painting. I picked up painting as a hobby about a year ago and found that it is so relaxing to me. Whenever I get stressed out I have my husband build me a canvas and after I prime it I put my feelings into the brush and let it go.


A few days ago I wasn't stressed but I just needed a break from filling Christmas orders and working on Christmas gifts. So I pulled out my paints and decided to make my family a nice Christmas Painting for the wall.

I think its important to have something that you can just relax with. What do you do to escape?




Happy Crafting
Stephanie

Recycled Christmas Ornaments

For those that know me I love to upcycle just about anything. I love to give old broken things new life.

If you are looking through your parents or your grandparents old Christmas decorations you might come across those old Christmas lights with the bigger bulbs. You might also be able to find a cheap set at your local thrift shop.


These bulbs make for great recycled Christmas Ornaments.

Supplies Needed
Christmas Bulbs
Glue
Paint Brush
Glitter
Wire

The first thing I did was take the wire and wrapped it around the bulb so that the bulb can hang and you can hold on to the wire while applying the glue. I have to say that I am a HUGE fan of the Crayola School Glue. It doesn't drip and its very easy to work with. Then I  took my paint brush and brushed some glue around where the wire wraps around the bulb to help hold the wire in place, when you go to work on it later. 

After you wrap all your bulbs in wire and glue the wire in place its time to start gluing the bulbs. Take your paint brush and give just the bulb part a nice thick smooth coat of glue.               

Once you get the bulb covered in glue take your glitter and sprinkle an even coat over the entire part of the bulb that you just glued. 

After you go through and do all your bulb colors go back and just glue the part of the bulb that you would screw in and then coat that with gold glitter. When I finished all my bulbs I sprayed them with a clear coat lacquer. This will protect the glitter from being scratched or wrecked.


This little craft makes for a beautiful addition to any tree.









Happy Crafting
Stephanie

More cutting with vinyl

As much fun as I had over the Halloween season using my Silhouette,I have to admit that starting to work on Christmas stuff has been even more fun. I know it may sound silly but I don't know how I survived all this time without my Silhouette Cameo. I have also been getting ready for a craft show coming up this weekend. I wanted to share some of the fun things that I did this week using vinyl cutouts

 I honestly never imagined that I could do all the things that I do on my Cameo. It is simply the most user friendly electronic cutting machine that I believe is on the market. If you are a designer or even if you are not a designer I highly suggest getting the designer deluxe package. Having that package allows you to  create, alter, basically draw up anything you can think of and cut it out.


Recently I have started working with vinyl and it's very easy to work with on the Silhouette. I have used it on walls, windows, wood, and best of all I love to use it as a stencil for other projects like glass etching

These past couple weeks I have been involved in a couple craft fairs and I was even able to make some of my tags using the Silhouette.

Here are just a few other things that I have made recently 

 Look for more Silhouette project ideas to come in 2013.

Happy Crafting,
Stephanie

Big News Update

About a week ago I announced on Facebook that we had something news to share with you. 

KiKi Love Creations is proud to announce that we are setting up shop. KiKi Love creations has always been known for bringing you crafting tips and ideas using all different types of materials. Both of us have a love and a passion for crocheting and everything that comes with it. 

We got together and started brainstorming something that we could do together that will still allow us to have time with our biggest love other than our families.With out further ado I would like to present to you.....

KiKi Love Handles

 You can purchase yours in our new ETSY Store. 

Thank to everyone for all your love and support!!!

Happy Crafting,
Stephanie and Crystal

Cutting Vinyl

A few months back my husband purchased me the Silhouette Cameo. I have to say I am in love with this machine. There is so much that you can do with it. I wanted to share some of my sample pieces that  I have done using vinyl.

I Love working with my Silhouette and starting in 2013, I will be sharing more Silhouette crafting ideas.

If you own a Silhouette we would love to hear what you think of yours.


You can also follow Silhouette's blog.









Happy Crafting,
Stephanie

Pom Pom Christmas Tree

Christmas Decorations!?!?!?!

In our house we seem to skip right over thanksgiving decorations and start Christmas. We actually have a lot going on in December so we wanted to make sure that we had enough time to properly decorate. I would like to share the first Christmas Craft of the season. (at least for us anyway)

last year I won an a massive amount of Pom Poms. I used some here and there on projects through out the year but I wanted to do something using them as the main material.




Materials Used:
Styrofoam Cones
Pom Poms
Hot Glue
Beads,Pins, Etc





So first I had picked out all my Poms Poms to make sure I had enough and an assortment. Using my Styrofoam cone and the hot glue I started by adding hot glue to the lowest part of the cone to start putting the pom poms on. Working your way from bottom to top. Once I got the cone filled I took some glitter poms and glue them to the top to make my tree topper.

For the blue tree I had added some pearl ended sewing pins to use as my tree accents.




As you can see in the background I used more of the glitter poms to make some garland. I have to admit. I like the glitter pom garland. The green and red garland is now hanging over my fireplace. I look forward to sharing you more of our families holiday crafts through out the next month or so.


Happy Crafting,
Stephanie

Fall Glitter Fun

*Happy Halloween 2012*

 to all our readers!!!!

I wanted to share my latest fall decoration projects, just in time for some of  those last minute decoration ideas. This one is great for Halloween all the way to Thanksgiving!

One of my favorite things to use is glitter. Even at 30 I love things that glitter. Although when using it in most projects you usually have to use it sparingly, so not to make your project to over the top. Well if you love glitter as much as I do then I have an awesome project that will make your fall decorations just POP from a Glitter EXPLOSION!

So first I went to the local grocery store NOT with the intention on getting these cute little gourd pumpkins. However for $1.00 for 5 I couldn't pass it up. Now first let me tell you where I first saw this project. I don't mention her much mainly because I don't have any TV stations. (Yes we have a TV but we only have netflix)

So anyway I saw this project on Martha Stewart about 3-4 years ago. Ever since I have always wanted to do this, However I could never find orange glitter unless it was in a kit. So finally I splurged on a glitter kit that included the orange and black glitter that you see in the photos. 

For those of you that have not seen that episode of Martha Stewart or have not scene this technique before. I am going to run you through it. It is so easy and even the kids can do it. 

Supplies Needed:

-Little gourd pumpkins

-Tacky glue

- Paint brush

-Orange,Black, and/or White glitter

-Wax Paper

-Printer Paper (To catch the glitter on)

-Baby Food Jars (Something to place the pumpkins on to dry)

So first I pre-washed all the little pumpkins and towel dried them. the next thing I did was place a piece of wax paper on the table where I would be working. I also placed my paper to collect the glitter right next to my wax paper so that it was handy when I needed it. I also placed my baby food jars out and the lids so that I had a place to set the pumpkins when they were wet. 

Next you will brush your glue just the orange part of your pumpkin so that you can remain holding the stem without getting full of glue. I left a half dollar size clean on the center of the bottom so that when you place these down for decorations it will minimize on the amount of glitter than will be left behind when its time to put it all away. 

After the pumpkin is full of glue it is time to start pouring your glitter over all the parts that are covered in glue. You man need to set it down and turn it to get to all of it before the glue starts to dry. After you have covered your little pumpkin in glitter and had shaken the access glitter off over your glitter catch paper. You can then place your pumpkin on the rim of the lid or the glass and leave it to dry over night. 

Then take your glitter catch paper and pour the remaining back into your glitter jar. 

After you have done this for all your pumpkins just crunch up the wax paper and throw it away. wipe away any left over glitter that may have exploded onto the table and that's it. Now you will have some BEAUTIFUL fall decorations.

HAPPY HALLOWEEN

Stephanie