Tuesday Thoughts About...

...craft projects!

I don’t like ‘em. It’s true. I don’t like craft projects. But, the girls do. Every year, they ask for a craft project right around the holidays. I always come up with something, well, because it’s the girls. I’ll do whatever they want. It means spending time with them and I’m all about that!

So, this year, Steph and Mindy’s friend (and my friend too), Bonnie, told us she had a project. I should add here that we’ve included Bonnie in some of our projects too. Anyway, they set the date. Originally, I was not going to be able to attend. When our plans changed, I told Steph that I was coming, but not to mention it to Bonnie—basically for a couple reasons:

1. Having taught many scrapbooking classes plus craft projects, I know the work involved. I know what it’s like adding more people later once you’ve already put together the class kits. Designing a project is a lot of work in itself--then there's the cutting and gathering. But then to have to go back and make another is so much extra work.
2. And secondly, well, it’s a craft project! I don't like 'em!

When we got to Stephanie’s, she greeted us with festive, Halloween mimosas. 

You can't tell from the picture, but they are all glittery and sparkly!

Morgan showed up with Joey. He is an Ausie Doodle—Australian Shepherd mixed with a Poodle.

Here's the gang: Bonnie, me, Stephanie, Morgan and Mindy.

On to the project. 

Bonnie got her Cricket in January and has made project after project ever since. You might recall she made everything for our anniversary weekend. 

She is not a scrapbooker, so her focus is on cards, banners, party and home decor. Considering I ordered my Cricket 6 months before they ever came out—what—10-15 years ago—AND taught classes for it at the local scrapbook store, Bonnie is way ahead of me!! She really knows what this baby can do! She uses the Cricket Design Space while my “baby bug” does not have that capability. Design Space gives you access to everything Cricut has to offer. I’m still using my Gypsy—a little computer that has all of the cartridges I own loaded on to it. That works for me and I love it. Unfortunately, it is now obsolete and no longer supported by Provocraft. When it dies, that’s it. But, I digress. Back to the project.

Bonnie even made cute gift bags with each person't supplies. Those names are 4 layers thick! 

As you can see, the project is so darn cute: a glittery framed piece, "pick your poison," two little votive candles and a "witches brew" bottle with purple glittery fluid.

Bonnie used vinyl. You might recall, I used that for the “beach” sign that Butch made for me. But what I was mostly impressed about was how tiny and thin the letters were. I have never tried to cut anything that small—assuming it would just tear. Notice how precise those tiny letters are. They are only about 1/4" tall. Even the tiny, tiny broomstick is perfect!

The girls had so much fun. Stephanie made a delicious, fall salad with apples and pecans along with some acorn squash bisque. Then, for dessert, she made caramel apples. 

When it was all over, Bonnie presented me with the completed project! That was so sweet of her! We had a great time and the girls loved the project. 

I’m more than happy to pass the reigns of planning craft projects to Bonnie. But I do have a couple others up my sleeve just so she can have some fun too!