Join me for Terrorific Tuesdays!

September 24, 2008 by Alexa 13 Comments

If you haven’t already guessed I just love Halloween! I would call myself the queen, but I’ll settle for princess (I do have the tiara after all). And I have my own black cat too! That’s my cat Pixie in the banner above, the official mascot of Terrorific Tuesdays. She’s actually more of a scaredy cat than a scary cat!

If you have been reading my blog for a couple of months, you may have noticed that I’ve been posting a project each Tuesday and titling it my Terrorific Tuesday project. Well, I wanted to expand upon this idea and open it up to all my blog friends out on the “web”! I wanted to create a blog circle for October focusing on Halloween crafts and ideas. Tons of people are looking for clever ideas during this season in every shape and form and I wanted to create a positive, happy network of crafters for that!

You can choose as little or as much as you want to participate. I don’t want this to be something you stress over! Halloween is supposed to be FUN after all!

All I ask is that you please contact me and atleast let me know that you are interested so that I won’t be surprised last minute by someone I don’t know.

Guidelines:

1. Project can be a new or old idea. There will be no set theme from week to week. You can choose to include or not include instructions in your post, but I do ask that you post a photo and a brief description or explanation as to why you were inspired to make that particular project.

Consider one of the following ideas for your post:
– home décor
– jewelry/accessories
– spooky food and drink recipes
– party and table decor
– clever costumes
– cards and paper crafts
– invitations
– outdoor décor
– pumpkin carving/painting

2. I want to keep this simple for everyone. I don’t want there to have to be a set day of the week that you post your project. For example, if you want to post your project on the Friday prior to October 6th, that’s fine, just send me the URL to that post via direct message on twitter (swelldesigner) or e-mail (swelldesigner@yahoo.com). If you want to be included in the Terrorific Tuesday Halloween Crafts and Ideas Roundup for that week, the absolute deadline is 6pm (Eastern time) on each Monday of October 6th, 13th, 20th, and 27th. I will send a reminder on Monday morning on Twitter. Please get it to me each Monday by 6pm, or expect to have your project left off the roundup until the following week.

On that Monday evening, I will compile all the links and create a cute photo mosaic of all the featured projects and write up copy for everyone to use on their blogs. I will e-mail you back late Monday evening this info for you to be able to post in your blogs on Tuesday.

As you probably already know, I like promotion, so I’ll try to stir up some interest on the “web” after our first post! Hopefully it will generate excitement, while also generating us some positive traffic.

Here’s a little button I made for you to be able to promote this fun roundup on your web site. Click on it and it will take you to the HTML code and the Hot link information that you can then copy and paste into your own web site.

I can’t wait to see what you guys “brew” up!

Until next time Swellions!

Alexa

Terrorific Tuesday: Halloween cup labels

September 2, 2008 by Alexa 4 Comments

I don’t know about you guys, but I’m starting to really get pumped for fall, y’all. I love, love, love all things Halloween from decorations to party planning to Halloween food. I guess if you’ve been reading my blog, you already knew that!

Anyway, today, I wanted to present an idea that I came up with a couple of years ago for a Halloween Bridal Shower. Now I realize that it’s a bit early to have a Halloween party, but it is never too early to start planning and getting ideas and plans in order so you are ready for the big event!!! For this project, I wanted to have fun cup labels (they can also double as name badges if you’d rather do that) for the guests to get them talking and mingling. It turned out to be a hit and everyone had fun picking out their very own label. Here’s a quick photo I shot of the ones from that party (not my best photo ever, but it shows the basic idea)…

The ones I made for that party were done on the fly, but I decided to offer you, my swell blog readers, some cool designed ones that I made up this evening in Quark. Click on the picture to be directed to my flickr stream and to download it at it’s biggest size for best resolution. Then print it out on your home printer and cut. It’s easy as pumpkin pie!

I wanted them to reflect classic Halloween characters and movie horror classic icons. I think they are fun!

One of the other major reasons I’m getting psyched about Halloween is that this arrived today at the office:

I even noticed our products being used in a photo article about having a kid’s halloween craft party (I designed the label on the Foam Paint bottle):

Whee! I also wanted to share today a few of my favorite Halloween site discoveries for you to check out…

This Christmas Traditions site is the most fabulous site if you love vintage Halloween decorations! It will make your mouth water!

My friend Lorilyn directed me to this fabulous site called Fancy Flours. There are so many ideas for making funky Halloween sweets and treats! Check it out!

Over at DecoArt, we are gearing up for a great season of crafting with great projects like these (click on the title above the photo to go to the project page)…

Bone Appetit Tray

Celebrate Halloween Frame using Laurie Speltz’s Instant Images

Egg-Shaped Mummy

I’ll try to feature atleast one project each week now until Halloween from the DecoArt site on here. The DecoArt designers are the best and do such a great job coming up with innovative ideas!

Until next time Swellions!

Alexa

All content/photos of cup labels copyright, © Alexa L. Westerfield, 2008

Terrorific Tuesday: Frightfully Funky Feather Wreath

August 12, 2008 by Alexa 23 Comments

This is the first post in my weekly tribute to Halloween this season. Every week, I intend to share an inspired frightening and fun crafting idea. I noticed today that the project I’m about to share with you was featured on a great new creative site I discovered called One Pretty Thing. I realized that I had never posted this project on this blog (even though I did it last year). I went through a phase there where I only posted certain blogs to my myspace and certain ones to this one, but here lately, I’ve been using this as my central blog and not using myspace as much (is it bad to say I’m kinda over it). Anyway, this is a repost from that Myspace post from October last year. I’m going to keep coming up with some unique ideas and will keep you posted on them (literally), so check back here every Tuesday for a spooky idea! And now…the Frightfully Funky Feather Wreath!

I made this last night (stayed up late to finish it)…I have always wanted to make a feather wreath and I wanted something that was going to make me smile as soon as I see my door. It’s light, airy, fun, funky and I think that’s more my approach to Halloween.

Went to Hobby Lobby two nights in a row…the first night to buy the styrofoam form and the feathers and the next night to buy the ornaments (all from the holiday section-half off baby!). It took me an hour or so to pick out just the right ornaments to get the look I was going for.

I heart glitterville and kinda took a page from that book in creating this. I think there are options out there for crafters to get that high end look, but for a reasonable price (this cost me about $16 bucks to make) rather than paying an arm and a leg for something storebought. It’s worth it…you just have to know what you are looking for and watch out for sales (oh, and 40% off coupons help too).

Here’s how I did it….

Supplies:
Medium sized styrofoam wreath blank
2 long black feather boas
3 small silver glitter plastic ornaments
3 sm/medium purple glitter plastic ornaments
3 large round glass orange ornaments
25-30 small padded protectors (they keep lamp bases, frames, etc. from scuffing hardwood)
Black Americana acrylic writer
Black spray paint
1 sharpie marker
Glue gun with glue sticks

1. Glue gun end of feather boa to styrofoam wreath. Wrap around half of wreath and glue other end in place. Glue gun and wrap second boa around wreath blank until entire wreath is covered in feathers.

2. Spray paint sheet of padded protectors. Once dry, randomly stick on orange ornaments for “flocked” look.

3. Create large swirls on purple sparkle ornaments with black writer. Set upright in small container or on an ornament hanger and let dry.

4. Draw stripes on small silver balls with sharpie marker.

5. Once all ornaments are dry, adhere ornaments to styrofoam part of wreath with glue gun. Fluff feathers around each ornament after glue is applied to make styrofoam area unnoticeable. Let dry.

Helpful hint: Store wreath in an ornament wreath keeper to prevent loose feathers or damage to ornaments. Since the orange ornaments are glass, they should be handled with care and stored accordingly.

Hope you find this project enlightening and it gets you excited about crafting for Halloween. It’s my favorite holiday if you didn’t already know! Until next time Swellions!

Alexa

All content/photos copyright, © Alexa L. Westerfield, 2008

a weekend where a kid could be a kid

July 6, 2008 by Alexa 1 Comment

OK, admittedly, Chucky cheese could be mistaken for that other Chucky doll here. He looks insanely creepy.

My 4th of July weekend was pretty uneventful, but that is not a bad thing. Sometimes it’s nice to just have a chill time. I’m not one for a crazy, hectic, always on the go kinda time, anyway. I didn’t really do or watch any fireworks, but I did hear them popping off in my neighborhood. I’ve neven been big on fireworks, other than the occasional sparkler. I tend to photograph them anyway, and not really enjoy myself. So maybe it’s for the best.

My neice came over yesterday and we crafted quite a bit. As I’ve said before on here, she’s my crafty girl. Even when she goes to a professional baseball game, she can be found with a pen and paper in her lap! She’s always drawing or doodling and I think that it is great that she loves being so creative. I encourage it at any opportunity.

We made a few projects together. She had this really cute Strawberry Shortcake craft book and we made some fun fingerprint postcards for her to snail mail to her friends.
Ugh. She also got ahold of my glitter and I didn’t try to stop her. Thankfully, not too big of a mess was made. She kinda went crazy making her own glitter glue and had a ball doing so. We ended up throwing it out, but I guess it’s ok as long as she was having a good time! Also, I have so much glitter I rarely use, that I guess she helped me purge some of my craft supplies. Ha ha!

We also went to Chucky Cheese. Whenever one of them comes into town, I try to make it memorable. I always loved that place as a kid and rarely went. I have noticed that they don’t have that vat full o’ balls anymore, but they still have my favorite…skee ball and a knockoff version of whack-a-mole. We had like 100 tokens, so she had plenty of fun and got a pretty dinky mini connect 4, pink hair extension, slap hand, and some spinning tops. But, yeah, as a kid that is what it’s all and Taylor seemed super excited about her prizes. On a side note, the sandwiches there aren’t half bad. I wasn’t expecting much at all, but I got an Italian Sub with a side of fresh fruit and pasta salad. It was actually pretty yummy.

Here’s some pics from our trip:

My sis and Brock came for a visit today and we went swimming at the pool again. They are really great little swimmers. I was impressed.

Other than that, just gotta deal with the glasses situation (going to one of those value places to get a new lens and get my glasses clean, in general- they are always so dirty and I can’t get them totally clean). Also, have to finalize my coffee shop show, deposit some moolah, and get some packages in the mail. Geez, I hate mailing stuff and going to the bank. For me, it is never an easy task!!! I guess it shouldn’t be all that hard, but I always have a way of making undifficult things difficult.

Until next time Swellions!

Alexa

All content/photos copyright, © Alexa L. Westerfield, 2008

Patriotic Poster Drink Charms

June 25, 2008 by Alexa 13 Comments

It’s Ornament Thursday time again, and this month, in honor of Independance Day, I created Vintage Patriotic Posters Drink Charms! They are colorful, fun, nostalgic, and celebrate the red, white, and blue in all their graphic glory. I just love them!

First off, you may wonder where I got these images? Well, straight from the net, baby! But, I didn’t “steal” them, they are images in the public domain, meaning that anyone can use them for crafting, brochures, web sites, or whatever! There’s lot of public domain images out there and a lot of great resources. I found this resource at Wikipedia. I actually acquired the images I am using for this project at the Online Library at Northwestern that I am using in this project. Their stipulation for using the images was that I state that in my reference.

Anyway, back to the project at hand. Here’s how you create these eye-catching charms:

Materials
– Computer with Inkjet printer
– Charm images (you can get your own at the Northwestern Library web site listed above or use the 12 I used. Find them here.
– White cardstock
– Therm-O-Web self-adhesive laminate
– Small wine glass hoops
– Various-sized beads in red, silver, and blue
– Pliers
– Scissors

INSTRUCTIONS
1. Open up or layout your images in a photo preview program or Adobe Photoshop. Size, if needed where each individual image is about 1″ wide.

2.Cut out each individual image. Tear off laminate from backing and place picture onto sticky surface. Lay another piece of laminate on top. Press firmly over surface with finger to smooth out any wrinkles or air bubbles.

3.Cut out around each laminated image, making sure to leave 1/8″ of laminate around image.

4.Use pin or safety pin to poke a hole through top of image (not through laminate, or it will tear). Put small jump ring through hole to make a charm.

5.String beads in desired fashion onto hoop. Use pliers to bend end of hoop to fit inside wire loop. Undo bended end from loop to secure onto wineglass.

Showcase your charms with pride on the stems of your glasses! They will be instant conversation starters. Who doesn’t like retro Americana ads? If you don’t want to go the trouble of making wine glass charms, print the images out on label stock, cut them out, and slap them silly onto red and blue Silo cups!

And aren’t the old illustrations and fonts fabulous? Posters today don’t even compare. I love the simplicity and the importance of the image. Here’s a detail!

On a final note, when I reviewed these posters a few stood out to me…this one looked oddly familiar. Then I thought about it and realized it’s an image used in the opening credits of Desperate Housewives! There is also a series of ads I found (reposted on That’s my Skull’s blog called Jenny on the Job encouraging women in the war work force to keep restrooms clean, wear low heals, be “fresh” as a daisy, and wear styles designed for victory. They would be incredibly demeaning today, but I’m sure back then, seeing those wouldn’t have raised an eyebrow.

Check out what some of the other Ornament Thursday ladies have made this month!

Cindy Gimbrone aka Lampwork Diva
Celebrate the Independent Spirit

Jules by Lisa
Lisa takes a shot at teeny tiny beads for a change

Linda at BeadStyle Magazine
Childhood memories of Independence Day’s past inspired this necklace.

Michelle at HTTP Design
Over at http design, Michelle has scuplted a piece which gives a different perspective on independence.

Strands of Beads
Melissa sees stars this month while considering the meaning of independence

Michelle McGee
Michelle’s favorite words on our country…

Art Bead Scene
Field of Poppies bracelet project from Heather.

Hope you enjoyed this patriotic project. Until next time Swellions!

Alexa

The best of intentions

June 24, 2008 by Alexa 3 Comments

If you craft like I do, I’m assuming you have the best of intentions with every purchase from a craft store. You leave inspired with thoughts of that next great craft project churning in your head. Well, if you’re also like me, you find that plastic bag several months later, revealing the sad reality that you never actually accomplished that said project. Case in point:

These are random things I purchased over the past couple of months from Hobby Lobby and Michaels with intentions of making stuff. I just haven’t gotten around to it. Don’t know when I will. I’m pretty sure I purchased these things cause they were 50% off or on sale. I’m such a sucker for sales and 40% off craft coupons (about the only time I actually redeem coupons)!

Anyone who comes to my house really can’t believe the amount of crap that I do have. They are always telling me that I should weed some of it out a.k.a. purge, but I can’t do that. Even with vast array of ribbons, pens, scrapbook papers, glues, glitters, paints, beads, felt, etc. there is always, always, without avail, something I have to go to the craft store for. A true crafter has stuff coming out there ears! If they are smart, they somehow find a way to organize it efficiently. I need to study up on that one! Anyway, one purchase I gave into tonight that I did not have on hand was these (I swear, I’ve been eyeing them for a year)…

I do have restraint most times when I do go to the craft store. Sometimes, believe it or not, I leave empty handed. These stamps only cost $2, but they are something I always want, but deny myself. Tonight I gave in. It’s not such a bad thing, I just need to find a cool project to use them for now.

I also walked away with this lovely magazine, Stringing. This is actually a splurge for me. I am super cheap when it comes to magazines, but the cover was just so darn pretty and there were a lot of inspiring ideas in there. I just had to get it.

Yes, this is my workspace. The rug in front of the TV. It’s a mess, but how I do it. I like being able to watch something and relax in the floor. I’ve always done this since I made friendship bracelets taped to my dresser drawer. Must have been 9-10 at the time. Some habits never change.

I seriously wish I had more time to accomplish things, but I guess it’s nice to know I have a stash waiting for me if I ever want to get reinspired by one of those projects. I really need to do that, rather than spending more moolah on stuff I don’t really even have the space for! I seriously need a bigger space.

Be proud of me swellions, I ate pretty healthy today and I walked tonight. Yay. I’m not going to buy bigger pants. I’m not going to buy bigger pants!

Until tomorrow, Swellions!

Alexa

?#@*%! Bleepin’ Bleach Bag

June 19, 2008 by Alexa 1 Comment

Grocery stores have their annoyances. Whether it be that slow-paced old woman in the frozen foods section or the unpleasant clerk who clearly doesn’t believe that the customer is always right, a shopping trip can strain your last nerve. So, the solution? Create this bag that says exactly what you are thinking, without saying anything at all. It’s a quick and uncomplicated project that you can whip up in an evening. Here’s how…

Supplies:
– Recyclable cloth bag (I got mine from www.reusablebags.com)
– Clear contact paper – 12″w x 8.5″h
– Black dimensional fabric paint (I used SoSoft dimensional writer)
– Bleach
– Exacto
– Scissors
– Freehand pattern (or pattern printed from the internet, see link below)
– Ruler
– Pencil, permanent pen
– Tracing paper
– Spray bottle
– small bowl
– Foam brush
– Self-healing cutting mat
– trash bag or cardboard

Instructions:

1. Draw out your design or click on the picture below for a free pattern to print off and create one like mine. If you are using your own pattern, don’t make it too complicated, as this will not transfer well during bleaching process.

2. Measure and cut out contact paper sheet. Seperate sticky part of contact paper sheet from backing. Slide in paper pattern.

3. Using Exacto,on self-healing cutting mat, cut out bubble design on contact paper.

4. Peel off contact paper backing and place contact sheet sticky side down in center of bag. Press firmly into place.

5. Place cardboard or trash bag inside of bag to protect from bleaching through bag

6. Dip brush in small bowl of bleach. Dab inside bubble design sparingly, especially around outer areas, to prevent seepage. You can also just sparingly spray inside bubble using spray bottle, if you prefer.

7. Using spray bottle a couple of feet above project, mist all over front of bag and handles. Let dry.

8. Peel back contact paper to reveal finished bleached design.

9. Using pencil, trace and transfer explatives from printout into center of bubble design.

10. Outline bubble design and letters using SoSoft Dimensional Writers. Let dry.

Special thanks to my friend,Retta, who provided me with the materials and idea to get this project rollin’! I think it turned out fun and is a great way to make a bag a lot less blah, and a lot more ?#@*%! cool!

Also, here’s an alternative idea: My friend Chris, made a sumo wrestler shirt (he placed it on the side of the shirt). At first, it was so intricate and seeped so much that it looked like a blob, but Retta saved the day by going over the stencil again with SoSoft fabric paint (not the dimensional kind I used). It made for an interesting effect…

Have a totally, ?#@*%! awesome day , Swellions!

Alexa

The Swell Designer

Random musings of a crazy, crafty, pop culture-obsessed girl!

Join me for Terrorific Tuesdays!

Terrorific Tuesday: Halloween cup labels

Terrorific Tuesday: Frightfully Funky Feather Wreath

a weekend where a kid could be a kid

Patriotic Poster Drink Charms

The best of intentions

?#@*%! Bleepin’ Bleach Bag