The Brass Paperclip Project

Feelin' Beachy

Just a quick note to say Hi and share some new items that I just listed in my shop today...they are sort of Gatsby-esque...if Gatsby went to the beach.  :)

Gilded ring bearer scallop shells are the ultimate beach glam...I love the crisp preppy ribbon with the elegance of the gilding.  To make these I busted out a jar of vintage liquid gold leaf that I found in my grandmother's stash when she passed away...was fun to put her old craft supplies to good use!  (Click the links below the photos for more information or to buy.) 

Aqua and Navy Ring Bearer Scallop Shell

Pink and Navy Ring Bearer Scallop Shell

And here is a sweet pair of vintage doily flower girl baskets in the most awesome vintage aqua blue color.  The thread has gold running through it, so these would look awesome with the aqua and navy ring bearer shell...just sayin'.  It's so rare to find two matched doilies and I hardly ever find them in this color...truly a special set, so snap them up before someone else gets 'em.  I can even customize the ribbons if you'd like another color.

Aqua Flower Girl Basket - Set of 2

That's all for today.  I'm planning to post some more new beachy things next week, so stay tuned if you're planning a beach wedding...  Thanks for stopping by and have a great weekend!

Oh, The Places You'll Go - Teacher Thank You Note

Last year, my daughter graduated from kindergarten, so being the party mom I am, I signed up to help with our completely over-the-top Dr. Seuss inspired graduation party.  I shared my creative inspiration, the invitations, food ideas, tutorials for decorations and finally, some lousy snap-shots from the big event itself.  I don't know how you could have possibly missed all of those posts, but if you did, click those links to view the madness.  ;)

In the very last post, I shared a photo of the thank you card I designed for the teachers and it's gotten such a warm response that I've decided the post a slightly-updated PDF version for your printing pleasure...figured you wouldn't want another kid's school mentioned in your card, so I swapped out the "BBP" for a more generic "our school days" that anyone can use.... 

The original version was two layers.  The colorful swirls were printed on transparency film and the text was printed on card stock for a fun peek-a-boo effect...similar to the invitations. I used some colorful string to tie the two pieces together. Here is the PDF for that version: Download Thank You Cards - 2-Layer

NOTE: The transparency will print upside down, but when you fold it over the cardstock, it will align correctly

If you don't want to mess around with the transparency, here is a PDF you can print straight onto cardstock and be on your way: Download Thank you - single layer

For both versions, print on standard 8.5 x 11" film or cardstock and then simply fold in half and trim your margins.  (NOTE: For some reason, when I download the PDF from this post it has an odd white margin along the left side and bottom edge...if anyone knows how to correct that, please let me know.  The file looks fine on my computer when I open it from my desktop.) 

That's all there is to it!  I hope you are able to put these to good use. 

UPDATE 6/18/15:  So sorry for any inconvenience, but the custom cards are no longer available.  I closed down this business a few years ago and am no longer creating custom designs.  If you are not the DIY type or would like a custom version with your school name I'll be happy to put those together for you.  You can use the Paypal buttons below to purchase a custom PDF, custom printed card or a generic printed card.  Be sure to enter your school name and make sure to include your shipping or e-mailng address.  PDFs will be e-mailed within 1 business day.  Cards will ship in 2-3 business days.  BTW, this is the first time I'm using paypal checkout from within my blog, so hopefully, it works ok...please let me know if there are any hiccups!!  Don't want to stress anyone out. ;)

Thanks so much for stopping by and be sure to check back soon so you don't miss any of the awesomeness that is The Brass Paperclip Project!  ;)  XOXO, Cindi

 

Hello! I'm Back!

I found this image in a google search and it made me laugh...another blogger used it for the same kind of "Sorry I Dropped Off The Radar" post that I'm about to do.  Great blogger minds think alike??  (Thank you to Jay Garrett on GadgetyNews.com for the image and the laugh!)

So, yes, I've been a slacker blogger, but not without good reason...isn't there always a good reason?  I went on vacation!  Isn't that the best reason of all?   I took a two week road trip with my cute little family in our new VW Vanagon...well, new to us...Bob is 30 years old, after all.  Yes, we did name our van Bob.  I wanted to name her Charlotte, but after driving her once, I decided she was most definitely a HE.  So Bob's Your Uncle!  I ended up naming the sewing beast Charlotte instead.  (In case you missed my FB rants a few weeks back, I was sewing curtains for Bob using my husband's grandmother's (grandmother-in-law??) sewing machine...a vintage (obviously) Singer Featherweight.  Quite a beauty, but all sewing machines are beasts in my mind...I have a true love/hate relationship with all of them...but that is another story all together. 

So back to my slackery...I am so sorry to keep you waiting on the edges of your seats for this most dazzly of "I'm Back!" posts.  I have lots of great stuff planned to post...whether or not most of it is ever released to the blogosphere at large is anyone's guess.  I can tell you that my very next post will be a printable PDF of the Thank You card I did for my daughter's teachers at last year's Oh, The Places You'll Go graduation party.  I've had so many requests for it, that I'm going to make it available to anyone who wants to print it out for their teachers, because they damn well deserve our recognition and undying appreciation.  And if anyone cries more than I did reading it out loud in front of 70+ people, I'll send you a cookie.  (I have video to prove it, so you'll have to share yours first...LOL.)

And with that, I will wrap this up and get off my slackery blogger butt to start working on my next post.  And P.S. I just re-opened my Etsy shop yesterday too, so if there is anything you are looking for or wanting designed, let me know.  I do graduation invitations, announcements and pretty much anything you're willing to pay me to design, so don't be scared of all the gorgeous vintage jewelry and accessories and custom wedding stuff in my shop if you're not planning a wedding.  ;)

Thanks for breathlessly waiting my return!  I appreciate your undying loyalty!  If you want to stay more reasonably caught up, try following me in one of my other online hangouts:

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Not Your Nana's Corned Beef and Cabbage

Want to wow your family for St. Patrick's Day dinner?  Come closer...lean in...that's it.  I'm going to let you in on a little secret...roast your corned beef and cabbage instead of boiling it.  Say what??  I KNOW.  It's not traditional and is, in fact, down right daring, but I promise...your loved ones will thank you. 

Here are three easy recipes for oven roasted corned beef, cabbage and potaotes...I dare you not to salivate...

 

ROASTED HONEY MUSTARD CORNED BEEF

Oh yah...this was good.  And it made the whole house smell uh-ma-zing.  Recipe: Roasted Honey Mustard Corned Beef

ROASTED CABBAGE WITH LEMON

I have made this recipe several times and it never fails to please.  It is quite easy and very tasty.  Works with purple cabbage too. Recipe: Roasted Cabbage with Lemon

PAN ROASTED YUKON GOLD POTATOES

Easy breezy...dice your potatoes, toss with olive oil and roast them while everything else is roasting...takes about 30-40 minutes.  Toss them around occasionaly to get even color. 

If you can't fit everything into your oven at the same time, don't worry.  Cook the meat first and then let it sit while the veggies cook. 

When you're ready to platter up, spread the potatoes on the bottom of a large oven-proof serving dish.  Center your sliced meat on top and arrange the cabbage along the edge.  Keep warm in the oven if needed.  Serve with some fresh soda bread and good Irish beer.

Be brave, have fun and let me know how it goes.  I'll leave ya with an Irish toast...

"May the sound of happy music, and the lilt of Irish laughter, fill your heart with gladness, that stays forever after."

And be sure to check out my other St. Patrick's Day posts for more holiday fun.  Thanks for stopping by! 

Happy St. Patrick's Day!  XOXO, Cindi

 

 

Easy St. Patrick's Day Bento

It's always fun to surprise my daughter with a fun lunch for special occassions.  This St. Patrick's Day bento is done in our Plant Box and was super simple to put together. I stuck to a green and orange "Irish" color scheme and used a shamrock shaped cookie cutter to make some fun shapes.

Here's what I packed going clockwise from the top left:

• shamrock pita bread (1 round will yield a few shamrocks)
• frozen edamame (thaws by lunch)
• green pepper rings (naturally shamrock shaped - score!)
• shamrock cheddar cheese (just cut thick slices and cut with your cookie cutter)
• fresh kiwi
• orange and green gummy worms for dessert

Do you like to play with your kids food?  If so, feel free to share your ideas in the comments section...I'd love to hear them!  And be sure to check out my other St. Patrick's Day posts for more holiday fun.  Thanks for stopping by!  XOXO, Cindi

Pinch Proof DIY St. Patrick's Day Dress and Headband

No one wants to get pinched on St. Patrick's Day for not wearing green, right?  But what's a girl to do if she never wears green?  The only green thing my daughter had to wear last year was a pair of green rubber boots.  Problem was, the kids weren't allowed to wear shoes in the classroom, so my daughter literally had nothing green to wear to school.  I didn't really want to spend a lot on a green outfit that she'd likely never wear again, so what now?  Mmmm....you guessed it...hit the thrift store and pop some tags!  (Like how I slipped in that Macklemore reference?  I featured him on my blog months ago you know...before he blew up...just sayin'.  Lucky you read this blog, so you can keep up on this stuff.)

So, back to the project.  Here's what I did.  This is so stinkin' easy you can practically finish it while your child eats breakfast. And the whole project only cost a couple bucks.  At the thrift store, I found this cute green halter/tube top that was long enough to be a dress on my daughter....all it needed were some straps to keep it up.  To make the straps, I used an old ribbon belt...circa 1993 and sourced from my closet, cause I'm THAT fashionable.

To figure out the length of the straps, I had my daughter try the top on while I held the ribbon over her shoulder and cut it.  Then I pinned the pieces in place while she stood there, so I could get the length and placement right on both sides.  When she took it off, I stitched the ribbons in place. Voila!

And here's the bonus...I had plenty of ribbon left, so I was able to make a matching headband.

I just slid the open end over an old headband and cut it off, leaving about 1/2 extra ribbon on each end.  Last step was to hot glue the edges down and add a flower.

How cute is this?

The finishing touch was a necklace her grandmother made for her...I'd say she's safe from pinching now, if not the giggles.  ;)

And if those photos weren't enough cuteness for one blog post, here's our after school donut run...I have to say the green boots were the pièce de résistance of her whole look. 

That little green dress saw way more action after St. Patty's Day than I thought it would, but eventually met it's doom later that summer when it became a fierce scarecrow for our garden...LOL.  (The best part was watching the balloon head slowly shrink and the features become more and more creepy.)  Eventually, some animal had enough and tore that scarecrow to bits. 

So, that's how you put your goofy old ribbon belts to use, set your kid up for St. Patrick's Day and ensure a top-notch wardrobe for your scarecrow.   You got a little more out of this post than you were expecting, didn't ya?  That's ok, you don't have to thank me.  It's how I am.  I'm a giver.  ;)

Come back again soon...I have two more cute St. Patty's projects to share...a fun Bento lunch and a Leprechaun hat headband.  I'd be honored if you'd like to follow along, so feel free to join me at any of the links below.  Thanks for stopping by!  XOXO, Cindi

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Gorgeous Moscow Wedding

Check out this wedding!  The bride is a breath of fresh air, the flowers are to die for and there's even a swing.  I stumbled across this one on Twitter and had to share.  It comes to you via The Wedding Chicks.  I'll share a few teaser photos, but you'll have to stop by their blog to get the rest of the eye candy...

Thanks for stopping by!  Stay in touch...

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Monday Morning Blues: Blue Hemmed Wedding Dress

Morning!  A funky handmade wedding gown to cure your Monday Morning Blues today.  I love the effect of the colors and the blue hemline....sort of like a colored crinoline without the pouf.  What a fun way to work in that "something blue."   You can check out the rest of the wedding photos and get all the scoop on this earth-friendly DIY wedding over at Offbeat Bride.

Thanks so much for stopping by today!  For more clever ways to add that perfect little "something blue" to your big day, check out the whole Monday Morning Blues series.  Got a favorite indie biz or "something blue" that you think would be a good feature for this series?  Leave your comments below and I'll check them out.  In the meantime, I hope you'll follow along at any of the links below so you don't miss a thing.  XOXO, Cindi

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Friday Flashback: Pocket Valentines 2010

I can't believe it's been three years since I shared my very first DIY project on this blog...seems like 10 years ago!!  LOL.  But it's true...this tutorial for DIY Pocket Valentines was my very first and it went live on February 12, 2010.  I have recently re-edited the photos and updated a few expired links, so I hope you'll check it out!

What were you doing three years ago?  Something for you to ponder...LOL.  Have a great weekend!  XOXO, Cindi

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Handmade Holidays: Wool Ewe Be My Valentine?

It's that time of year again, when I pull out my craft supplies and get busy making Valentines. I make them for my daughter to take to school and for friends and family near and far. This year's design, was inspired by finger knitting.  Strange, but true.  My daughter and many of her schoolmates are really into finger knitting, so I thought it would be fun to incorporate yarn or wool into their Valentines this year.  I did a quick inspiration search online and found a vintage knitting Valentine with the phrase, "Wool you be my Valentine?"  I thought that was pretty cute and my daughter liked it too.  From there, I made the leap to a fuzzy wool sheep and immediately knew I wanted to use some of my felted wool sweaters.  We changed the spelling of "you" to "ewe" and this is what we came up with.

Here's the design sketch my 6-year old had given me to work with...who could resist such a cute client??

I always enjoy sharing my projecst, so....are EWE ready to make some Valentines?  Here's how to do it...

GATHER YOUR SUPPLIES:

*cardstock

*printer

*felt or fabric cut into approx. 2 x 2 1/2 inch ovals  (I did this freehand...no need to be perfect.  If you are really motivated, you could even try to cut a scalloped edge.)

*scissors

*spray adhesive

*google eyes

*heart punch (optional)

*glue

*glitter (optional)

Felting Tip: I find wool and cashmere sweaters at thrift stores all the time and always snap them up to make felt with.  They usually have holes in them, so I have no qualms about cutting them up to make something new. Felting them at home in your washer keeps them from fraying and makes a nice sturdy material to work with.  Just wash them in hot water and dry on high heat...it may take a few cycles to get them where you want them, but it's easy.

STEP 1: Save the image below to your computer by right clicking and saving.  Print it out on 3.5 x 5" cardstock just like you would a photo.  You may need to adjust your printer's settings to do this.  (I cut down an assortment of 8.5 x 11" sheets I had left over from other projects, but you can also buy pre-cut "4 bar" sized cards from places like Paper Source.  If you would rather print four-to-a-page and cut apart after, here is a PDF file for you... Download Wool Ewe Be My Valentine.)

STEP 2: Spread your printed cards out on the table to get them ready for adding the wool sheep bodies.

STEP 3: Lay your ovals face down in a box or on some paper; then spray the backs with spray adhesive. (I used a paper lined pizza box leftover from the previous night's dinner....using a box helps contain the spray, so you don't end up with adhesive all over your floor.) 

STEP 4: Apply your felt ovals to the printed cards. 

STEP 5: Glue on google eyes and punched hearts if you wish. 

I thought they looked pretty cute at this point and could have called it quits, but something was missing. I was feeling a strong urge to add glitter.  So glitter I did...all 45 of 'em! 

KICK IT UP A NOTCH: Pour plain white glue into a shallow dish and pour glitter into a second dish. Dip just the edge of the card into the glue and then into the glitter...repeat for all four sides.  (Be sure to check the back too, so you don't end up with sticky bald spots on the back.)  Set them out somewhere to dry.

And, voila!  The finished product is pretty darn sweet if I do say so myself. 

Now onto the hard part...getting my 6-year old to sign them all...LOL!  So that's the project.  I'm excited to hear what ewe think, so feel free to leave some comments, won't ewe??  XOXO, Cindi

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