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