Tuesday, February 18, 2014

Celebrate Sochi

Last week on Studio 5, I had the opportunity to share some Russian themed crafts for kids. This is a link to my segment.


Click on the photos below to link to my posts.

St. Basil's Cathedral


Nesting Dolls


Faberge Eggs


Russian Fairytales


Thanks for stopping by.

Have a Happy and Creative Day!

Risa







Thursday, February 13, 2014

Russian Fairytales online

When I was researching Russian Fairytales, I kept coming across the most beautiful illustrations. They all came from the same book. It's called, The Russian Storybook. I started looking for the book online, and it is not in print. It was written almost 100 years ago. I was so sad not to be able to see the book for myself, but got so excited when I found a link to be able to read the book, for free online!!! The site is called archive.org, and the link to the book is HERE. The thing that is so great about the site, is they scan old books, and let anyone who visits their site, read them! Squeal!!! This one was donated by the New York public library, and is not under copyright. So, I am able to share pictures! I read through a bunch of the stories, and these are a few of my favorites.

WHIRLWIND THE WHISTLER
page 197 

Whirlwind the Whistler carried away the beautiful princess, and imprisons her high in the mountains. Her sons go to look for her. Her youngest son finds her, and rescues her. They come down the mountain by tying sheets together, and sliding down them. All go down except the youngest. At that point, the older brothers pull the sheet rope down, and leave the youngest stranded on the mountain top.


The youngest is left to figure out how to get home on his own. He gets magical powers, and helps a cobbler make shoes for his mother at night. When the shoes are presented to her, she knows that they were made by her son, because they are in the style of the clothing on the mountaintop where she was held captive. Ahh, so sweet. Aren't these pictures gorgeous?!?



PEERLESS BEAUTY THE CAKEBAKER
page 291

A baby who doesn't like to sleep at night is promised by his father The Czar, that if he will behave, he will marry Peerless Beauty, the most beautiful in all the land.


These stories are fun, and the pictures are gorgeous! Visit the site, and read them for yourself.

Thanks for stopping by.

Have a Happy and Creative Day!

Risa

Faberge Egg Craft


Faberge style eggs have been popular for over 100 years, and now you can have the look at home for next to nothing.


I got my Easter box out of the garage, and pulled a few eggs out that looked metallic. Next, I went to my craft supplies, and got out my beads, jewels, and small fake flowers. I used a hot glue gun for this project.


It was fun to see each one come together. I can't decide which one I like the best.


The thing that really makes them is the base.


SMALL SHORT  BASE

Cut two pipe cleaners in half.

Make one of the halves into a circle that will hold your egg. You can use a whole pipe cleaner, if your egg is heavy and you feel like you need extra support or have a large egg. Wrap the ends around the circle to secure.

For the legs, fold each of the three remaining pipe cleaners in half and in half again.

Insert the circle at the fold.

Separate the legs, and twist the open ends together. Bend legs to desired shape. Secure with hot glue if it needs it.


TALL LARGE BASE

You will need 3 pipe cleaners. Cut two pipe cleaners in half.

Make the large pipe cleaner into the circle that will hold your egg. Wrap the ends around each other to secure.

For the legs, fold three of the short pipe cleaners in half. 

Insert the circle to the fold, and twist the legs at the circle to secure.

Divide the legs, and twist around each other. Pull the legs apart, and twist where the legs meet. You can see in the picture above, how the pipe cleaners meet at the bottom, and have been twisted together. I had the silver base meet up again, and left the gold, "feet," open.

Bend into your preferred shape, and set your egg on top. Hot glue in place if you feel like you need to. I hot glued all my eggs.


When I arrived at Studio 5 yesterday, Tiffany was helping me get my bins out of the car, and was worried about damaging the eggs because they look so lifelike! Haha. Just goes to show what old Easter eggs, jewels, pipe cleaners and hot glue can do!

Thanks for stopping by!

Have a Happy and Creative Day!

Risa

Russian Craft (St. Basil's Cathedral)


When you think of Russian architecture, chances you probably think of St. Basil's cathedral. Located in Red Square, it was errected between 1555 and 1561, and commissioned by Ivan the Terrible. Topped with colorful "onion domes," it is known for it's beauty and uniqueness. It was the first of it's kind built to that date.


My challenge was to create a replica easy enough for anyone to complete. 

You will need:
Containers of any type, empty or full.
Tissue Paper, like for wrapping presents.
Tape
Paper and markers, crayons, etc. (optional)


Give your container a "skirt," by wrapping it with finger gathered tissue paper and tape. I use half a piece, and fold over about 2 inches next to where I tape. It is easiest if you tape the back, followed by the middle, then the sides equally measured, and then gather what's left with your fingers, and add the tape.

After you have finished the gathering, flip the "skirt," up. The tape will now be on the inside. Twist the top, and tape it shut. I will demo it on Studio 5 today, and update this post with the link in a few hours.

If you want to,  you can color on paper, and wrap the bottoms of the buildings with it, so the buildings look finished off.

I don't think it could be any easier.


Thanks for stopping by.

Have a Happy and Creative Day!

Risa

Paper Cup Nesting Dolls

Nesting dolls are easy to make, inexpensive, and not fragile, when you make them out of paper cups! 

                           

I have had a love of nesting dolls from time I was a small girl. I don't know if it was my, "mother instinct," but something about them charmed me from a very young age.

I shared some ideas for making these little cuties easily and inexpensively today on Studio 5.


Do you want to see a little more of my collection pictured above?
These posts are from my early days of blogging (be patient, wink), but here you go:


These are pillows I made for my porch. LINK HERE


I also made one for my mom, with a free pattern! LINK HERE


These are the most favorite dishes I own. LINK HERE with more photos. (Again, early blogging photos, haha.)

As promised on the show today, I am offering free nesting doll printables! I got the adorable Russian Doll clipart from the Etsy shop WinchesterLambourne. I scoured the internet for the most darling dolls, and I do believe I found them! I love the personality they show with their lips and eyes. I added the hearts to the ladies, because it is almost Valentines Day.

Feel free to download to your computer and print (for personal use only). They are sized to 5x7.



Here's the whole spread. I have some more fun kids crafts, and will be breaking down the other projects, including Onion dome cathedral dioramas and easy Faberge eggs next.


Thanks for stopping by.

Have a Happy and Creative Day!

Risa


Tuesday, February 11, 2014

Nuts For You Valentine

A healthy, clever and adorable Valentine? I've got you covered. Woodland themed everything is so popular these days. I knew I had to work it into a darling little valentine. It's perfect for that health-nut on your love-list!




The thing that makes this Valentine extra special is the nut filled capsule. I love these fabulous capsules by Bake it Pretty. They are only $2.50 for a 12 pack. They also have local pickup for any of you that live on the Wasatch front. I can only imagine the things you could fill them with!



Here's the free 4x6 printable for you to download to your computer and print (personal use only).


This is an 8x10 that you can download and frame (for personal use only).


I hope you like it as much as I do!

The squirrel and acorn clipart came from HERE.

Thanks for stopping by.

Have a Happy and Creative Day!

Risa




Thursday, February 6, 2014

Matchbox Valentine

This is one Valentine you have probably not seen anywhere else! The cuteness is overflowing with these darling little Valentines dolls that you find living in their house when it's opened. I have been crazy about matchbook dolls ever since I discovered them a few months back. I have a whole entire Matchbox Pinterest Board dedicated to them! I knew they would be perfect for Valentines. 



The problem was… I couldn't find a kit to make them anywhere. So, I just had to create one. These are so easy to make! I wrapped them up in an easy to use printable. All you need to do is download the following printable to your computer, and print it in 4x6. For personal, noncommercial use only.



Choose a back card: 




Get your scissors, tape and a matchbox. Empty your matchbox. Yes… I have a big bag full of unused matches in my house. You will too.


Cut the matchbox liner off the top. Cut the kids out. Cut the bottom house strip off. Leave a little bit of the white above the polka dotted line. You might want to make one first, just to make sure it all fits. I have bought matchboxes in 2 places, and they were sized differently each time. I have left wiggle room for you.


Wrap the inside of the matchbox, folding the paper in place, and tape in the back. It will not overlap. Wrap the house paper around the outside matchbox, and tape in the back. It will overlap.


Cut the little people out however you like, and place them in the box, so whomever opens it gets a nice surprise! You can even write a little love note, and slip it inside. Tape the matchbox to the back piece. They are cute on their own as well.


These would be a perfect craft to do with your kids or grandkids, and even at a class Valentines party!


The house clip art came from HERE.
The Valentine paper and kids clip art came from HERE.

Thanks for stopping by. I have even more fun and clever Valentines printables coming up!

Have a Happy and Creative Day!

Risa

Tuesday, February 4, 2014

Mary Poppins Valentine

I have been working on some fun Valentines for a while now, and today is the day I get to start sharing the cuteness with you!

I love Mary Poppins. I remember getting to stay up and watch it on TV late at night when I was young. It was a special treat.


I decided I had to make a Mary Poppins Valentine when I found the cutest clip art ever at this etsy shop. This is one of my favorite shops. I LOVE her style She will even customize things if you ask nicely ;)

The thing that makes these little cuties extra special is the candy dipped spoons! I picked up a couple bags of spoons at Bake It Pretty. They are only $3 for 48 spoons (they have more colors to choose from), and have local pick-up if you are in Utah! SCORE! I LOVE Bake It Pretty! They have all the little things to make your party pretty! You should also check out their party blog some time. I drool...

I used pink candy melts and sprinkles that I already had. I melted the candies in the microwave, and found that sprinkling works the best for adding the sprinkles. Hence the name, haha ;)


This download is for personal use only. They are all 4x6. I just printed 4 on a regular piece of card stock, for the above pictured.



To download, right or two-finger click on the image above. Choose, download file, and save it to your computer. Then, print from wherever you saved it. I offer these Valentine Printables free of charge, and ask they you please use them for personal use only. Thank you! You can do the same thing for the images below, and tell your printer how many to print per page.

You can add a spoon full of sugar to this one as well.



I hope you love these as much as I do.

I will be sharing more clever unique Valentines up until Valentines Day. You won't want to miss it!

Thanks for Stopping by. Have a Happy and Creative Day!

Risa




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