Quilled Paisley Ornament

I needed a red paisley item for a recent Etsy Treasury, so I quickly made this Christmas ornament.

It is an altered version of the crimped and quilled paisley mobile project in my book. Made with 3/8" wide paper strips, two paisley shapes are glued together back to back. A single strip is glued completely around the paisley to hide the seam. I added the green vintage sequins and Austrian rhinestones.

I used 33 feet (10 meters) of paper strips. It hangs so nicely on a tree because it weighs only 1/4 ounce (7 grams). The ornament measures 2.5" (6.35cm) long, 1.5" (3.8cm) tall and .75" (1.9cm) wide.

Happy holidays!

-Molly

Easy, Easy Tote Box

This box is SO easy and you can use it for anything! It is two inches deep, four inches tall and three inches wide. To make these I trimmed a 12"x12" sheet down to an 11" square and used the one-inch scraps for handles (makes 2). Refer to the template for measurements, scoring and cutting (click to enlarge). I used the following tools and materials.

Scor-pal
paper trimmer
paper crimper
permanent tape runner
hole punch
corner rounder

To make the box, start by scoring vertically at 2, 5, 7, and 10 inches. Turn (either way) and score horizontally at 1.5 inches. Refer to the template; fold on the solid lines and cut on the dash lines. I fold in all bottom flaps except the piece closest to the side flap and add my tape runner to those two pieces only. Line up, adhere and presto! you have a tote box! Attach a handle and embellish a bit if you like.

I embellished with Distress Ink (brushed corduroy), pink rhinestones, clear sticker, quilled flower, word stamp, brass brads.

If you need to put something in the box taller than the handle, attach the handle with brads so you can move it back and forth out of the way. And below, I used a piece of the handle for a matching tag.

Have a safe, delicious and wonderful Thanksgiving Day and long weekend!

~Molly

Coffee Break

My favorite coffee is freshly brewed, strong, with a splash of Half & Half. I always like to experiment and change up our coffees during the holidays.

Starbucks is not a favorite. Too many years of having to go buy it (this was before there was a store on every corner and no drive-through), get it freshly ground and bring it back to the office. We finally got a coffee service and they delivered it in cute little one-pot packages. Much more convenient but I swear that was not Starbucks regular coffee in those packets. Another reason is I can't afford it ... (except for the Vanilla Starbucks Doubleshot Energy Coffee for my four hour road trips :o)

I went through a stage of loving chicory coffee by the truck load. Knowing now that chicory is bad for you, I hope it was a chicory blend. I drink very strong coffee, so I believe that was when I started adding a bit of milk to it.

The flavored coffee was short lived too, along with coffee after supper, flavored creamers and coffee with Baileys. Oh, I still love all of these but in moderation now. And I like the free bottles of hazelnut and cinnamon syrup they have at the convenience store coffee stations. Guess was Starbucks charges for a splash of that in your cup?!?

The following are related Real Simple links.

The Best Coffee
Keeping Tabs on your Caffeine Intake
9 Energy Boosters

-Molly

Thanksgiving Preparations

I know it is early, Thanksgiving is two weeks away, but if time is flying by for you like it is for me it is not that early to be thinking about the Thanksgiving fixings. Here are a few of my favorites links for money-saving, time-saving tips, yummy but easy recipes and fabulous ideas; Real Simple always being on top of the list.

• Real Simple


• Betty Crocker


• Better Homes & Garden


• Kraft Foods

Thanksgiving dinners take eighteen hours to prepare. They are consumed in twelve minutes. Half-times take twelve minutes. This is not coincidence. ~ Erma Bombeck
Enjoy!

Veterans Day

Taking time to honor the more than 19 million living war veterans who have served our country and fought for our freedom. My Dad served in World War II and my husband fought in Vietnam.

I did several Veterans Day quiz's last night. This is the best and shortest one if you want to spend a few minutes with your family (to see who knows what :o)

~Molly

Many quillers are also quilters, not me ...

Unfortunately, I cannot sew on a button much less quilt. If I could, this would definitely be on the top of my wish list. This product would make a great Christmas gift for friends who quilt. What a fun game to play at a sewing circle or quilting group.

My talented friend and designer, Phyllis Dobbs, had a lot to do with the whimsical and fun design of the game board. Read Phyllis' take on it here.

Google for locations to buy, check your local quilt, needlework or craft store or you can get it directly from the creator DMC, here.

Happy November! :o)
-Molly