Magnetic Bookmarks with Sizzix Cut and Stamp Die Sets!

I've seen Magnetic Bookmarks on other Craft Blogs especially Saumya of Scrap Your Idea (who does a really stellar job with them) and I've always wanted to try them. I think there's something particularly challenging about making something one-dimensional which is an essential feature of a bookmark that's going to get smashed flat inside a book most of the time. The only real way to embellish such a creation is to stamp.  So when I got a brand new Sizzix Stamp and Cut die set during the amazing Sizzix Sale last month at ItsyBitsy, I figured it was the perfect opportunity to try them out. 

Here is my first bookmark. The shape is a traditional bookmark rectangle. I added some paper from the DCWV Lemon Flower Stack over white card stock before adding a final layer embossed with the ItsyBitsy Flowers Embossing folder. Then using the butterfly stamps in the Sizzix Die Set, I stamped the designs with green and purple ink. Finally I placed the die over the stamped image and cut my butterflies. Two magnets are concealed in the bookmark, one on either flap. The first is under the middle butterfly and the second is under the green PP inside the flap. This way when the bookmark is in place, the magnet ensures it will not move/ slip or shift. 

For my second bookmark I used some pattern paper from the DCWV Luxury Stack and stamped a pretty flower design from the same Sizzix set. I placed the die exactly where I had stamped the flower and cut it out. I added some scallop layers at the bottom of the bookmark using my ItsyBitsy Scallop Square die. Once again 2 magnets are concealed, one under the center flower and the other under the inside flap. 

For my final bookmark, I took a step back from the conventional bookmark shape and went for an oval design. My Scallop Oval and Regular Oval dies came in handy for that. The stamped die cut is another design from the same Sizzix set and the magnets are concealed as with the other projects 

Aren't these bookmarks a fun and cute way to keep your place in a book. I really enjoyed working on this project. I haven't stamped in a long time so that was satisfying as well.

Have you tried magnetic bookmarks or any other kind of bookmark? Would love to see your work. Leave a comment with your link and I will be sure to pop by!

 Supplies Used

The Itsy Bitsy Great Moving Sale at Paragon Mall New Delhi

We have news folks - good and not so good. The not so good news is that after 18 months of operating in Paragon Mall, Rajouri Garden, New Delhi, we have decided to move. The good news is that we're not closing, we're MOVING! And we want YOUR suggestions on where to go. Plus everyone in the vicinity can enjoy massive discounts on the first ever Itsy Bitsy Great Moving Sale only at Rajouri Garden.  Check out the amazing discounts on offer!!

20% off on the entire range of WOW Embossing Powders

A MASSIVE 50% off on Quilling Supplies

50% off on all our Pattern Papers and DCWV Stacks

30% off on all Sizzix Products

20% OFF on Jesse James Buttons

50% OFF on Kaisercraft Products!!

50% OFF on Boutique Elements Products

20% OFF on Spellbinders!!

50% off on our We R Memory Keepers Range

So what are you waiting for? Come on over to our Paragon Mall, Rajouri Garden store and stock up on your favourite craft supplies!! And don't forget to leave your suggestions for our next location in New Delhi! See you soon!!

Celebrate Diwali with some Homemade Lanterns

First off, on behalf of the entire ItsyBitsy family, here's wishing all our lovely readers, friends, fans and shoppers a very Happy Diwali! I hope it is a wonderful festival for all and that it brings all the prosperity and good fortune possible! I love lighting diyas for Diwali but often get frustrated when I find the wind has blown off all the pretty flames. So this year I started thinking how I could create something that would preserve the beauty of the flame and sustain it. Here are my creations.

This one is a pretty cube shaped lantern with an open top. Slip in the candle or diya, light it with ease and rest assured knowing that the wind cannot blow it out. And you can seriously go to town decorating it. I started with red card stock and created the cube shape. Then I cut out the sides using the Spellbinders Kaleidoscope die. I added some vellum for a semi opaque look and a few flowers made from the Tattered Flowers Die to adorn the corners. I finished off the lantern with some lovely golden bling. Isn't it lovely! Here's how it looks in the night with a diya inside. Love the warm glow!

For my next lantern project, I decided to try some yarn balls. I've seen them all over the Internet and thought it would be perfect to try them out  as a Diwali lantern. There are numerous tutorials online explaining how to do it and I strongly suggest you watch/ read them before you start. But in a nutshell, here's how you do it.

1. Blow a large balloon a little so the shape is still round and knot it.
2. Cover it with Petroleum Jelly or Vaseline
3. Open out your yarn and soak it in a mixture of PVC glue and cornstarch.
4. Then wrap the yarn randomly around the balloon.
5. Leave to dry overnight.
6. Next day, pop the balloons, ease it out with a tweezer and your yarn ball is ready!

Here's how it looks when a light is placed inside. I tried it with a candle but found the heat was too much and the yarn at the top started burning so NO CANDLES in the yarn ball. Instead, you can add some twinkle lights or battery operated tea lights. The effect will be really pretty and the result the same!

Did you make any Diwali lanterns this year or before? Would love to see your creations. Leave a comment and let me know! Till then - once again a very Happy Diwali!!

Supplies Used

Happy Halloween!!! Fun and Easy Kids Costumes

Today is Halloween so Happy Halloween folks! Here in India, we don't celebrate it much but we are aware how big it is overseas and the heat is catching on. Of course the key ingredient is the costume so I decided to get a bit crafty with it.

I found this fabulous idea on Spoonful.com which not only provided the steps but also included a super template. I added a few tweaks here and there. For example, I replaced the red and black felt with card stock - far easier to find and work with. I also replaced the hat containing the antennae with a hairband containing the antennae. The black circles were cut using a circle framelit die - the biggest size and some broad satin ribbon kept the wings in place. 

And here's my little girl Kyra modelling her ladybug antennae. Isn't she looking precious! She is becoming quite a pro showing off my craft projects for Itsy Bitsy - check out more projects for Kyra here and here. 

Did you try making a costume this Halloween? Leave a comment and let me know. Would LOVE to hear from you! Till then Happy Crafting!!

Supplies Used

Calvin & Hobbes Wall Art for a Fun Kid's Room!

As you know, ItsyBitsy is a Hobby and Craft Supplies MEGASTORE so if your hobby extends to art and painting, then this is your definitive destination for all things arty! So when I wanted some wall art for my kids' room, I figured I'd best do it myself and with ItsyBitsy around, it was easy peasy!

The MontMart range at ItsyBitsy is extraordinary! You've got literally EVERYTHING - from brush sets, to paints, to mediums, to canvases to easels. I decided to go with acrylic paints on a canvas background so everything you see here is painted as such.

I know what you're thinking - 'wow, Sunehra's an artist' - not quite! My mother taught me this fantastic way to draw perfect pictures. It's actually the approach followed in many kids activity books to help them draw but I never did it as a kid and I am seeing it's benefits only now.

1. First, I find a picture online that suits my project. 
2. I print it out on a piece of paper.
3. With a pencil and ruler, I create a grid of 12 squares on this printout encompassing the entire picture. 
4. Then I create a similar grid of 12 squares on my canvas with a pencil.
5. I then attempt to copy the picture by using the grid as a guide.
6. Once I'm done, I erase the grid lines from the canvas which is not easy so make sure the grid lines are very lightly drawn. 

Once I was done, I went to my local frame shop and got it framed in different colours. They had a great kids range, brightly coloured frames - perfect for my creations. 

What do you think of my wall art? Have you tried anything for your home? Would love to see. Leave a comment with a link and I'll be sure to pop by!

Supplies Used

Diwali Cards with Stencils and a Video Tutorial

It's a happy and festive time of year! Diwali! North, South, East or West, all over India, everyone is happy during Diwali! Whether it's the sweets, or the gifts or the new clothes or family time or my personal favourite - teen patti - everyone loves Diwali! ItsyBitsy loves Diwali too! They've got a range of really fabulous Diwali Stencils, designed to help you make professional, thematic and very stylish Diwali cards.

For this card, I used the Diwali Flower Pot part of the stencil along with embossing powder and a heat gun to create this fabulous focal feature. There is just one flower pot in the stencil but I just replicated the design 3 times. Love this card not just because of how it turned out but also because flower pots are my favourite crackers. No noise, only pretty lights! To see how I created this effect, don't miss the video tutorial at the end of this post. 

For my second card, I used the Diya stencil with some alcohol markers. I used the stencil as a guide and with a marker outlined the entire drawing. Then I moved the stencil aside and coloured it. As a final touch, I used an ink pad to edge the sides with orange ink. Again, a video of how I did this is at the end of this post. 

Finally a Diwali Lantern Card. This time I used an ink pad with the stencil to create the design and then fussy cut the shape so that it would be a stand-alone embellishment. Isn't that fun! And here's the much awaited tutorial.

How do you like my Diwali Cards! Aren't they bright and festive? Have you been crafting for Diwali? Would love to see your creations. Leave a comment and I'll be popping over very soon! Till then Happy Diwali!

Supplies Used:

Winners of the Itsy Bitsy Pretty P Challenge

Folks! We are here with the winners and finalists for the ItsyBitsy Pretty P Challenge. This time we changed the methodology a bit. We invited all your fabulous entries and then opened the gallery to audience votes. The judges made their choices after considering the audience feedback as well as the number of Ps that were incorporated in the project. Bear in mind that audience feedback was not the sole deciding factor, it was used to help choose a winner.

So without any further delay, here are your winners folks! For Paper Crafting, it's Ayushi for this gorgeous and extremely girly layout! Love the quilled flowers and love that all 4 P's were incorporated in the project.

And for Jewellery Making, it's Berina for this stunning Crystal Set! Berina incorporated 3 of the 4 Ps and also garnered up a lot of audience support for it! Well Done!!!

Here are the Finalists for Paper Crafting in no Particular Order

Sathya for this awesome mosaic design card, 

Tanvi for this outstanding fridge magnet project

 Kaija for this mesmerising creation 

Charu for this perfection of Shabby Chic

Riti for this outstanding star album! Love the bloom! 

 

And Shilpi for this intricate frame! 

Here are the Finalists for Jewellery Making in no Particular Order. Since there were only 17 entries, we have chosen just 3 finalists.

 Radhika for this Quilled Chandbali Set

Anuja for this highly original ear cuff earring

Parimala for this bold and bright quilled set

Well done winners and finalists! You all have created masterpieces for us and I am sure you will be delighted with your accomplishments! We encourage all our participants to strive for originality and uniqueness in your creations. Those are really the projects that catch our eyes and will be rewarded. 

Winners, please write in to info@itsybitsy.in to claim your voucher and winners badge. Finalists please write in to info@itsybitsy.in to claim your finalist badge.

Hope you all are participating in the current challenge - Anything Goes with ItsyBitsy. Looking forward to seeing your entries. Till then, join me in congratulating all the winners and finalists for their amazing creations! Well done and Happy Crafting!!

Floral Hairbands for your Little Princess with a VIDEO TUTORIAL

As some of you may know, I have 2 little children. My son Dhruv is 4 and my daughter Kyra is 2. When I was expecting Kyra, I was really hoping for a little girl, one that I could doll up with pretty dresses, hair accessories and shoes. I was thrilled when she was born and began the dolling up almost instantly. But it is only now, when her hair has really grown long that I can devote my time to her hair accessories. I once did some hair clips using ItsyBitsy supplies which you can see here. This time I decided to make a hairband full of ItsyBitsy blooms and here's how it turned out. 

I started with a regular plastic store bought hairband which I then proceeded to wrap in floral tape from ItsyBitsy. Floral tape has this excellent property, it's sticky enough to stick to itself but generally not sticky, perfect for these kind of projects. My daughter has this lovely pink and blue dress that her grandmother bought her. I decided my hairband was going to be for that dress. After the floral tape, I  pretty much just glued down all the roses in a line and added some ribbon as a final touch. Here's a closeup.

 To see how I did it step by step, here's a video tutorial for you!

And here's little Kyra modelling the hairband. Like most little girls, she LOVES to dress up so she gladly put on the dress, happily let me brush her hair and was thrilled to have the hairband as a matching accessory. As you can see from the photos below, she was happy to pose for photos too!!

What do you think of my floral headband project? Do you think you would like to do something like this for your little girl? Leave a comment and let me know. Would love to hear from you!

Supplies Used