New Year, New Me, New Plans! Freebie Christmas Images too!

Hello Fellow Doodlers!

 





Making gorgeous glassine paper is very easy when using IceResin, which is a clear resin that is jeweler's grade and non-toxic when cured. Used in jewelry, it can also be used on craft projects, paper arts and more. It's safe to use indoors and is the ideal use for projects you want to preserve.

For The Love of Paper, Kimberly Crawford shows how she used IceResin on her poinsettia's Holiday Cheer card. Read more... 

HOW TO PRINT ON FABRIC. With websites galore filled with great images, like Oodles of Doodles News, there’s a world of possibilities on how to use them. However, there are really only a few basic techniques, that you can use, to get them onto your project – and almost all of them require a printer. How you use that printer can be varied in so many ways – and The Graphic Fairy's DIY Projects For The Home, Contributing Editor Gina, has a personal favorite way of printing on fabric. She often shares projects on how to use the prints, and thought it was time to share her step by step method of printing directly onto fabric. (Gina also includes a bike image to use). There’s a billion and one tutorials out there – but she's been doing it the way she does for years. It gets great results every time, it’s quick & easy, and Gina always has what she needs on hand. Win/win, eh?

 

You'll love me, even more, because I love-love-love twist top boxes! And snowflakes! Combine the two, and well-la, what you get is the perfect TWIST TOP SNOWFLAKE BOX ... even better than that, I found a free easy-to-cut PDF/GSD/SVG pattern download to get you going. Scroll down the post, after you've downloaded your box image, and you'll find many more "boxes"!

Got Crabby Sprayers? Are you having trouble with Lindys old sprayers? They got new, great, non-clogging ones that will make you fall in love with your Lindys all over again! For a limited time, Lindy's are offering these sprayers at no cost to you to replace those old crabby sprayers! Please order as many as you need to replace your old sprayers.

 

However, I just recently realized what-a-terrific "spray nozzle" the Frebreeze bottles come with when I became desperate for a sparyer on a project. I use nearly one a month for pet odor, and one for room air freshening (I like things nice and smelly-clean). As I was nearly ready to toss one away, I decided to wash it out and see how well it worked. I found that they aren't chincy-made nozzles and actually quite heavy-duty and the spray is a fine-mist. They'd make g-r-e-a-t sprayers for all sorts of needs when crafting ... so save your bottles!

  

I just want to bite into all of these!! Even if you're NOT a cookie baker, you just have to look at all of these gorgeous cookie photo ideas! Makes ya feel like "it's Christmastime"! Read More...

To help with your holiday crafting and projects here are a few "findings" that I came across years ago, and I thought I'd share some with all of you. They will be listed for a limited time only and then changed to other image findings that I'll share with you until the first of January. So check back frequently. This is my Christmas gift to YOU!



Smiley Snowball-flake Ornament! This is a crochet project that has been keeping me p-r-e-t-t-y busy lately ... ever since I've shown it around. I chuckle at everyone I make ... they are so adorable! Orders are keeping me crochet-i-n-g like crazy along with the many other crochet projects that people are requesting me to make for them too! But, I love it! And it really gets me into the holiday mood. The "flake" is 7-inches in circumference (around) and the snowball section pops out approximately 1-1/2 inches from the center, I've even added a cute little nose! If you would like one too, please click on the DONATION BUTTON (top left column) and enter $13.50 (which includes shipping within the Continental U.S. only). Make sure your address info is included - email address too, and phone number, so that if I have a reason to I can call, I can. This "is" my original pattern, and I am in the process of designing yet another like it!

On the FIRST day of Christmas MyMemories gave to me...

On the SECOND day of Christmas MyMemories gave to me...

On the THIRD day of Christmas MyMemories gave to me...

On the Fourth day of Christmas MyMemories gave to me...

On the Fifth day of Christmas MyMemories gave to me...
 
On the Sixth day of Christmas MyMemories gave to me...

On the Seventh day of Christmas MyMemories gave to me...

Use my Code: STMMMS19631 when you place your order!

Here's a jolly old soul felt Santa Ornament that's an easy-peasy stitching projest to make! See the tutorial here... 

 

You'll just love the way this laser-pre-cut scrapbook paper makes the candles look beautiful both at day and night, and how the glow of candlelight casts lacy patterns of light! Read more...

Stiffen fabrics, ribbons, bows, lace, silk flowers, crochet, and most likely more with STIFFEN STUFF. I've always wanted to stiffen fabrics, bows, and a few other project embellishments but hadn't found a product that was to my liking without incurring some disappointment with the end results. Beacon Stiffen Stuff is a versatile stiffening spray allowing you to saturate fabric quickly and evenly so that you can control the degree of stiffness. No messy dip and drip, dries fast and cleans up with water. Ideal for home decor projects and is non-toxic. 8oz spray bottle prices range anywhere from $5.95 to $18 depending on where it's purchased ... so, be sure to shop around! 

Stiffen Stuff Super Quick Stiffening Spray sounds easy-enough to use; spray sides, **air dry, iron flat if necessary to smooth out any bumps, and viola! When creating "fabric sheets" it comes out crisp like a sheet of paper. Read more... 
**Impatient folks can place item on a paper towel and microwave it for 30-seconds, or use a blow dryer to speed the process up.

by Jennifer OKC

This coming year I'm ending a chapter in my life because, overtime, my creativity needs my undivided attention to create, more so than it does spending time blogging. I asked for little donations, only one person out of all who visit Oodles of Doodles News responded generously. I don't know if it's made me feel worthless; if the articles, project finds, links and freebie images are useless tid-bits, or if I plainly feel stupid for spending so much of my time blogging what isn't appreciated. But then again, that's my issues.

My time is valuable (maybe only to me), as are the freebie images I very often give away. And so, I've made the decision that next year I'm just taking "the time" spent blogging and searching the Internet on more productive ventures; crocheting, sewing, crafting, card making, embellishments, etc. and selling-my-creations here throughout the year. With this change I won't feel so much guilt in spending a lot of my time blogging, when I should of been using it to create for sales at the local craft shows.

I want to thank all of you for spending your time with me on the Oodles of Doodles News blog. I have appreciated your comments and encouragement over the years. I will NOT be shutting down this blog, but instead, will be opening the Dizzy Designs Store in 2013 where I'll do spurts of blogging, mostly about my new designs and projects currently available for purchase. I invite you to take some time to visit me there! Oodles of Doodles News will be left up as a resource for projects, information, links and freebie images.

I hope I've "inspired" some of you to expand your creativity. Have a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year! :0)

GINGERBREAD MARTINI

Gingerbread Martini Recipe  Lime Tree Grove
Yummly 11 Gingerbread Martini Recipe
Outback Steak House (rendition) Gingerbread Martini
 









LUMP OF COAL RECIPE
SANTA'S NAUGHTY LIST...
for folks with a fun sense of humor!

















PINE CONE ARRANGEMENT







The first thing that came to mind for Kim Wilson when she saw the stunning painting “The Tree of Life” art in the Cullen home, her decision was made in an instant. I MUST MAKE THAT! She pays close attention to the props in all the Twilight movies as they are not placed there randomly by some prop hand. There is meaning and purpose in every accessory. This scene in the movie depicts the struggle between Edward & Bella about the viability, value, and risk of their carrying their unborn “vamp-child”. The Tree of Life hanging on the wall is dominant in the scene. Tree of life… just struck her. Then look at what was written on the first page of the Twilight series…

But the tree of knowledge of good and evil,

thou shalt not eat of it:

for in the day that thou eatest therof

thou shalt surely die.

Genesis 2:17

  



MACAROON GINGERBREAD COOKIES

and a printable recipe that tells

the 'Secrets of Macaroons'.

   







Go crazy with the sticky stuff! Get inspired to craft your world with these stylish and imaginative duck tape creations. Celebrity crafter Marisa Pawelko shows you how to cut, rip, layer and fold colorful duct tape to concoct fantastic fashions, school supplies and room decor. Crazy-Cool Duct Tape Projects starts with a basic tutorial on the nine skills every tapester needs to know, from ruffles and rosettes, to bows and petal points. These are the bells and whistles you'll need to get seriously funky as you customize eash of the amazing projects in this book. Marisa shares 24 of her best DIY duct tape ideas, with step-by-step instructions and how-to pictures. You'll learn how to make fashionable wearables like gloves, leg warmers, a kilt and a halter top. You'll also find crafty ideas for functional items like a vase or night light. Projects cover a variety of skill levels, so you'll get plenty of creative inspiration whether you're just a beginner or an experienced duct tape aficionado.

 





SANTA'S CHRISTMAS COUNT DOWN CALENDAR  Here’s a quick and easy way to make a reusable Christmas Countdown that can be used year after year. No more last minute runs to the drug store on December 1st! The best thing about this project is that you can keep costs to a minimum by using a dollar store pizza pan and buying your white pom poms and magnets from Consumer Crafts. I looked around everywhere and let me tell you, pom poms and magnets can get expensive!

DZ Doodles Autumn Freebie's Decor and Projects, and more added throughout the week!

"Happy Autumn Holiday" Doodles Followers!

Now that our shift is into the Christmas-mode, on Nov. 24th, Saturday, "Shop Small Business Day" and show your support!

 



CHRISTMAS CRACKER! Video tutorial and pdf handout newsletter project will only be available for one week: Dec. 20th thru 27th 2012. I've added to my blog for any of you who are fashionably-late. This Christmas Cracker which can be filled with candies or small gift items was created from, yes you guessed it, a toilet paper roll. Of course, I've often saved and used my paper towel "rolls" as well and just cut them to my desired size. Simply alter the colors of the cracker and you have a cracker for your New Year's or birthday celebrations! Download the pdf print handout here. Watch Video's Part 1 and 2 below! :0)
 

 

PASS THE STAMP! A 4 card video using just one stamp image from Hero Arts Stamps, however, a great idea for using stamps from your collection too!

Magnolia Rouge, imagery to inspire from Ruby and Willow Design Studio has a "mint inspiration that's paired with rich copper shades which is simply divine. Find out more...

Marvelous Molds are superior molds because they are flexible, extremely durable, naturally non-stick, very heat resistant and uneffected by freezing. Though every mold is made with food grade silicone, these silicone molds excel when used with non-food materials like polymer clay, paper clay, soap, plaster, casting resins and candle wax. Read more...

My Memories Suite 4 ... "coming soon!"

 

Use my Code: STMMMS19631 when you place your order!

 

 



Ornament week at Crafts `n Coffee has a dozen different ornaments you can make with paper. Who doesn't love paper? It's inexpensive, easy to use, and sold everywhere; not to mention the endless selection! I found a Christmas ornament out of this dozen different ornaments that I just have to make for my tree! Patty Schaffer used her paper punch to make this Red and White Paper Punch Ornament. It looks easy enough to work on during TV time. Read more... 

1 Fine Cookie not only lists the many things she's thankful for, she also shares a "delicious" Spiked Apple Cider Dip ... yes, there's liqour in it, apple brandy sounds just perfect to me! She also includes a pricey "where-to-buy" the Autumn cookie cutter set link, but, don't waste your time, go here... 

Paper roses are everyone's favorite crafts. They can be used on gifts, worn in your hair, adorn apparel, creat a bouquet, and more. Lia, at Ellinee Journal, shares her PDF template rose downloads; white, orange, salmon pink, pale pink, and pale yellow, along with a printable PDF version of instructions. Give it a try! Read more... 

Hi everyone! In just a few short days we will be celebrating Thanksgiving here in the United States. I always look forward to that day and spending time with our loved ones. Of course, the food is pretty enticing too! I hope that wherever you are spending your holiday that it is filled with many blessings!

I have to say, I was so excited when I received my "leaf" cookie cutters in the mail that I had to show them to you - for the prices, they are a great value and are well crafted! Now that I just got my new stove/oven delivered today, I'm all set this week to start making cookies, baking some pies, the turkey and stuff!

I have some great ideas for gifting and creating this week. Be sure to head all the way down to the bottom of the newsletter and pick up the freebie downloads, too!

Show someone you care with this meaningful wall home decor. You won't believe how easy it is to create "I Appreciate U" Wall Decor. If your home needs a refreshing pick-me-up and change in scenery, try these 19 Cool Wall Art and Decor Ideas, great for any room in the house. This guide includes ideas for home decor wall art and outdoor wall decor, as well as vintage and modern bathroom wall decor ideas to liven your wall decor and home accents. It also includes projects for peel and stick wall decorations if you are looking for a temporary change but don't want to make a full commitment to a new design. And the kids can get involved too, with easy kids wall stickers decorations, perfect for livening up their rooms too.



WISE buys ... Attention, Black Friday shoppers: In your rush to nab holiday deals, don't let store displays sway your choices. A study in the Journal of Consumer Research found that retail customers tend to narrow their visual focus to the center of a product display in the final seconds of the decision-making process - and then grab a product within that zone. Just being aware of the effect can help consumers make smarter choices, researchers say. Even better, do your homework before you hit the mall: Make a list of sale items you're hoping to score, and stick to it!

THINK THANKS! Encourage an attitude of gratitude with this fun family activity. Grateful Expectations: Have a Thanksgiving countdown with a gratitude calendar. Make a base - use painted foam core - and every day fill attaches mini craft envelopes with notes describing what family members are thankful for. Opening them becomes an entertaining pairing with pumpkin pie. Pay it forward: If a note says "toys," for example, have each child offer up one for donation.

Congratulations! After years of training and countless solicitations of the magic word, your kids' auto-reply is to say "thank you." Now, if you can get them to mean it. Thankfulness ranks up there with character, integrity, self-control, and shared values in a family. Fostering a thankful attitude is an important responsibility for parents: If your child doesn't absorb the value of thankfulness from you, who will it come from? Fun ideas put appreciation into action toward the absorption. And don't worry if your younger children aren't exactly lofty in counting their blessings. It's "a good start" if kids are thankful for things like toys, trinkets, or even old refrigerator box that they've turned into a clubhouse. As children grow, their thinking changes, and they're better able to recognize things of an abstract nature. At that point, they might value things such as community, warm home, or intelligence. So let the games begin.

"By promoting gratitude you're teaching
your children empathy and understanding."

  

TALK TURKEY! What's good for the goose is good for the gander. Or in this case, gobbler. You'll find inspiration in the Christmas book The Elf on the Shelf and spawn a new tradition: hiding a toy elf every night for the kids (even adults) to find the next day. If you don't have a tiny toy turkey in the house, buy one at the dollar store and take turns hiding it in unexpected places - such as in the medicine cabinet. Each night attach a note of thanks. It'll surprise your family, stir anticipation, and remind everyone to be thankful.

 

Help yourself ... Hectic schedule making you crazy? Try volunteering. In a surprising University of Pennsylvania's study, people who spent precious minutes on a charitable cause felt they had more time to themselves at the end of the day than those who performed a nonaltuistic task. The researchers say that squeezing in a good deed makes people feel good and creates a sense of usefulness, which can put other time demands in perspective. Visit volunteermatch.org to find out how you can lend a hand in your community!

 

Crafting With Class: Got Pie? Karli Miranda has a lattice top apple pie baked right out of the SVG ovens at svgcuts.com's Fall Harvest SVG Kit!

 

 

A quick Christmas card at Tuesday T T Impression Obsession! This is really a lot easier than you think it would be to create, and it uses up leftover pieces of white (or other colors) cardstock. Plus it makes good use of some of your paper punches that you've collected! Oh so pretty when finshed!

 

Stamp Owl Studio created this Christmas stocking tag using Die-namics Jumbo Christmas Stocking as the base to this tag and Sweet Tooth Felt for the white piece of the stocking. It's embellished with the Die-namics Jumbo Snowflake which three dies are cut, 2 trimmed down in varying sizes, from glitter paper to create the gorgeous snoflake! I'm thinking, if stockings were layered together it would make a great "gift card" envelope to hang on the tree, or place atop a gift.

A sweet mini scrapbooking album, Puppy Love, is a gift-album that any dog lovin' two-legger would cherish! I have cats, and sometimes they know they're in-the-dog-house because of their antics! Wouldn't this be a great album to give when you "gift" that new puppy? Makes me wanta ask Santa for a puppy this year, however, I have someone in mind who would love getting this album! And yes, I had to order the stamp set! Read and see more... 

Bare walls are so boring! Nothing brightens up a room like some homemade decor crafts and there are so many options for you to try. Think outside the box and add fabric to a canvas, create a cool clock or use paint chips to create a cool mosaic. Feel free to experiment and try something new with your wall decor projects.

Don't forget that wall decor crafts make great housewarming and holiday gifts! Show off your creativity and make something that is sure to become a conversation piece! Plates On Display! Arrange plates on the wall without visible hangers using these adhesive-back disks with built-in loops. They are available in different sizes, the hangers can be easily applied to (and removed from) the back of any plate using water. Starting at $1.99 each; Hobby Lobby Online Store 3-inch Disc Plate Hanger and 4-inch Disc Plate Hanger.

3D Canvas with Silfk Flowers! Give a floral canvas painting real dimension with stiffened silk flowers and a 3-D vase made from a plastic water bottle. This great project from Heidi Borchers of Inspired at Home is a great way to recycle a plastic water bottle instead of tossing. Read more...

"OMG! Don't you just love it?!" Jean Hardy used Transfer Artist Paper (image transfer sheets) ironed onto white cotton, and then stretched over a square wooden block. Embellished it with ribbon, shell buttons, and lace, then framed the block in a small white box frame, and called it, Little Bird. Read more...

PACKAGE DEAL. Every holiday season, friends clamor for holiday homemade treats. Offer them up with wrappings worthy of the yumminess inside! A scrapbook-paper lining and bands of ribbon dress up a standard baker's box. A cupcake-size box (3x3x3)is perfect for holding a few shortbread coins or sugar cookies, but the same techniques work on a larger box.

Homemade Sparkle Paints. They are called this because they glitter once they are dry due to the salt. Making and using your own sparkle paints is almost a form of therapy. It is just so relaxing. All you'll need is some white flour + salt + water + acrylic paints and plastic squeeze bottles for each color made! Read more...

Redo a plan clock by adding some of your own personality! This clock craft shows you how to turn any old clock into a Glam Chevron Clock using scrapbook supplies and embellishments
Read more at

Cookie Envelopes! Giant monogram cookies are a special delivery inside an embellished pochette (also called a petal envelope). Cut scrapbook paper to fit the interior; adhere with doble-stick tape. Use glue dots to attach two buttons - one to the flap and another 1/2 inch from the fold. Wrap twine in a figure 8 around the buttons to close. Use the template available below to create your own pochette. And for those of you thinking "wine" gifts I've included a wine bottle card template.

 

 

Tool Belt! It may not be Dad's-time-of-the-year right now, but, we still have birthdays to add to our holidaytime list. This card is one that's for a true guy's guy - loves machines, tractors-trucks-cars, tinkering with and building stuff. This tool belt card is also something to think-ahead about for Father's Day!

 

1. To size this pattern, in your printer program select "legal size" paper for printing. Take two 110lb. weight cardstock pieces and butt one end to-another and apply some packing tape over the pieces to attach. Measure and cut this cardstock piece to 11-inches long. Well-la! You've just created a legal size paper to print on. When printing, be sure that the taped side doesn't get printed on; this will make a very nice reindeer size "pattern" and the size I used to create my samples shown. Print and cut each piece out to use as a template. Be sure to be accurate on your cutting and I suggest using an Xacto knife and #11-blade. In doing so, you'll save yourself a lot of headaches in creating a "balanced" finished piece. 2. I used thick cardboard to trace my templates on for each reindeer piece. Using Mod Podge, I quickly and lightly applied the glue to one side of each piece and quickly positioned it onto the 12 x 12 scrapbook paper: allow to dry overnight flat, with a stack of books on top to make sure the page remains flat; when dry trim around each piece using an Xacto knife making sure to also cutout "slots," and do that same application to the other side using the unused paper portion. One 12 x 12 sheet is needed for each reindeer. Again, trim around each piece using an Xacto knife. Match same pattern pieces to one another for each reindeer to make sure both line-up with one another for accurate balance; cut and trim where necessary. Attach pieces where you've cutout slots.

 

 

 

Still not finished! New photo's at the end of the week 

will show "aged look" and added enbellishments!

  

November 14th 2012 was National Pickle Day and Abby Glossenberg created a free pattern for the German legendary Christmas pickle ornament. The pattern is a free PDF and is very quick and easy to make; just 3 pattern pieces (of felt fabric), and a bunch of French Knots (or seed beads)! Read more...  Here's the pickle “legend” from one Web site: “A very old Christmas eve tradition in Germany was to hide a pickle [ornament] deep in the branches of the family Christmas Tree. The parents hung the pickle last after all the other ornaments were in place. In the morning they knew the most observant child would receive an extra gift from St. Nicholas. The first adult who finds the pickle traditionally gets good luck for the whole year.” This Christmas pickle story, with a few minor variations, can be found all over the Web and in print inside the ornament package. It says that Germans hang a pickle-shaped glass ornament on the Christmas tree hidden away so it's difficult to find. The first child to find it on Christmas morning gets a special treat or an extra present.

 

Of course, anyone familiar with German Christmas customs can see the flaws in this “legend.” First of all, the German St. Nick doesn't show up on Christmas Eve. He arrives on the 5th or 6th of December. Nor do German children open their presents on Christmas morning. That happens on Christmas Eve in Germany.