Trick or Treat Swap

Hello ladies, I wondered if you have blogged about your swap packages yet? I think we would all love to see the things you have made and received from your partners. So if you have already blogged about it, will you leave a comment and let us know? I will add links here and then we can visit each other in blog land for a swap show and tell! Sound fun?
So just leave a comment with a link to your posts or even your flickr photos of the swap!
I can't wait to see what you all have made and to show you the most fabulous package I received from my partner!
Cerri xo

Here we go:
Cami posted about her swap here and here!
Brandy is posting about her swap right here!
Cerri posted about her swap here.
Karoline blogged about her swap here.
Carla posted about her swap here.

Cindy posted about her swap here.
Tangie posted about her swap here.
Kelley and Melanie posted about their swap here and here!
Susie posted photos of her swap on flickr.
Shara posted about her swap here.
More on that swap here.
Erica blogged about her swap here.
Tania blogged about her swap here.
Jeane Knee blogged about her swap here.
Kate blogged about her swap here.

Crafting with Kids: Build a MonsterTreat Bags

Do you need a fast and fun activity to do with your kids this week, or have you not picked out your trick or treat bag yet? Then this tutorial is for you! I tested this out with children from the ages of 7-17 and they all had fun making these monster bags. So lets get started!
Gather your supplies. You will need a basic tote bag. You can find all sorts of totes at Hobby Lobby or other craft stores.
You will also need: Various pieces of felt, craft eyes in various sizes, pompoms if you would like, scissors, cardstock, a pen, and either a fabric glue or The Ultimate glue.
You will want to have your child draw a basic monster shape. Younger children may find it easier to draw on cardstock first and then use that as a pattern to cut their felt (or for really young children you can use their drawing and cut the monster from felt for them). However, for older children it is probably easiest to simply draw their monster shape directly on their felt. They will also want to draw some basic shapes for eyes, teeth, ears, arms, etc!

Once you have your felt pieces cut out you will simply begin gluing them in place on your tote bag. (the glue does dry clear)
Let your child be as creative as they would like. They can use wiggly eyes, or make eyes from fetl. Use up some of your fabric scraps you have lying around for this project too. You can reuse these bags year after year, or better yet, make a new monster bag each year based on your child's drawings and see how their creativity changes each year.
And kind of hard to tell, but this particular monster is hiding something behind his back...
:)
I hope you will enjoy this project and spending an afternoon crafting with your children. It might be fun to make these bags Saturday afternoon when the children are impatiently waiting to go trick or treating. If you have any questions, please feel free to email me!
I see some of you have begun to make your kits and to try some of the tutorials. Thanks so much for posting them to the flickr group! We LOVE to see your variations on these projects! Please post your swap packages there as well!
Cerri xo
For more creative ideas, kits, and tutorials please visit me at on my blog and my shop.

It's Getting Closer!

Halloween that is! We hope you are enjoying all the tutorials and that you are having fun creating and decorating your home for Halloween.

(Photo courtesy of the Vintage Dresser)

I wanted to share another tutorial with you. Nancy and Tania from the Vintage Dresser are sharing this super cute Pumpkin Head tutorial with us! A perfect end to this week so be sure and check it out!

We'll be back next week for a few more things before Halloween. If you have created a project with one of our tutorials or kits please be sure and share it in the Joli Flickr group!

Happy Weekend,

Cindy

Antique Cabinet Card Halloween Nut Cups

Hi everyone!!! Jenny & Aaron here!!! :)

Some of the best crafting projects are those that make use of your favorite collectibles. We've got a drawer full of gorgeously old tattered photos & antique cabinet cards...just tons of great pictures of complete strangers whom we now refer to as "instant relatives". You pick them up at junk shops, antique stores, estate sales...and you're not quite sure how you can use them but you know that one day you will.
We are big fans of nut cups. We make them for just about every holiday. They're nostalgic, they're useful, they're fantastic party favors, place settings, candy containers...and best of all...They are super easy to make! These are a bit different then our usual design which are round and have pipe cleaner handles. This is more of a die cut/shelf sitter nut cup hybrid. Here's what you'll need to make these:

-Antique cabinet cards /photos...
(just make sure you've got a good size bust portrait. We didn't want to cut up our cabinet cards so we made color copies of the originals and used those. We also enlarged them on the copier so that they were the right size. approximately 4 inches wide and 4 inches tall.)
-Artist mat board
-cardboard craft boxes. 2 1/2" square x 1 1/2" tall
-ultra fine tip black sharpie marker
-black crepe paper streamer
-cream crepe paper streamer
-black rick rack
-cream or black paper shred
-scissors
-xacto knife
-1" paint brush
-mod podge or an equivalent medium
-all purpose glue
-black & cream patterned paper of your choice

1. cut out your photo copied portraits and apply them with mod podge to the mat board. Brush a thin even coat of mod podge onto the mat board, lay your image on top, press down and with a clean, dry paper towel carefully rub out any bubbles & wrinkles. Let dry.

2. with your ultra fine tip sharpie draw on the masks. Do it in pencil first to avoid shaky hand mishaps.

3. cut out the portrait with scissors and use the xacto knife for the more complicated parts. be sure to use a plastic craft mat underneath. You may have to crop your image to fit right. About 4 inches wide by 4 to 4 and a half inches tall is a good size.

4. flip it over and apply a patterned paper to the back of your portrait die cut. Use the same technique as before with the mod podge. carefully trim away excess paper with xacto knife.

5. apply the pleated crepe streamer to the craft box. do the black first..raise it up about a quarter of an inch when you attach it to the box so that you have a layered look with the black and cream. to apply the pleated streamer use your all purpose glue. it's fairly easy. just start at one corner of the box...put a dab of glue on the box and press the start of the streamer to it and hold til it's set...then put a dab of glue right there on top of the crepe and fold back the crepe on top of itself, about a half inch, hold until set. Keep repeating this process around the box for a pleated effect. Remember...you only have to apply the crepe paper pleat to 3 sides. On the 4th side you will attach the die cut.

6. Once you've got the black pleat on the box, then, using the same exact process, apply the cream pleat right over it...about a quarter inch lower...just make it flush with the bottom of the box so that your box stands evenly. this way you'll have a layered look.

7. now apply the rick rack around the box. Again, using your all purpose glue, just do a dab at a time, press and hold down about an inch and a half til it's set...then move along to the next inch until you've covered 3 sides of the box.

8. next, with the all purpose glue attach your die cut to the front of the box. Just make the bottom flush with the bottom of the box.

9. fill up your nutcup with paper shred...either cream or black.

I hope this was easy for you! These are just so perfect for Halloween because they are fantastic little candy holders...use them as place settings for your little Halloween Happening! Add a handful of sweets & treats and some spooky little surprises. And by all means, make sure you take some pics and add 'em to the Flickr group! For the purposes of this tutorial we kept these pretty basic, but we're sure you'll think of a million ways to add your own personal touches and fabulous embellishments...some fine glitter highlights...maybe add a witch hat to the gals...attach banners so you can personalize them with the names of your party guests...etc.
We just love classic Black & White for Halloween decor. The look is so timeless and works for everyone...plus, all those antique photos that you've got stuffed in boxes and drawers, those "instant relatives" can now join the party, they've got a brand new purpose.
Hope you had fun! Can't wait to see the results! Happy Halloween!!
xoxo Jenny & Aaron

Boo Banner Tutorial

Hi Everyone! I hope you are ready to do some crafting! Today I'm going to teach you how to make an easy Boo Banner for Halloween. I hope you enjoy it!

Supplies Needed:

3 Shipping Tags

Vintage Book Pages or Text Scrapbook Paper

3 White or Cream Buttons

2 Silver Buttons or Round Accents

2 Silver Chenille Stems

White or Ivory Lace

Black Seam Binding or Ribbon

Black Tulle or Decorative Ribbon

Clear Drying Adhesive

Scissors

Sewing Machine with Black Thread (Optional)

Black Pen if you don't want to sew

Letter Stamps or Stencils or Chipboard Letters

Black Paint or Ink

Needle and Black Thread (Optional)

Tip: I encourage you to use items you have on hand. Your banner does not have to look exactly like mine. Go through your scrapbooking supplies, your sewing supplies, even your junk drawers and make use of what you have!

Let's Get Started!

Step 1: Glue your 3 tags onto your book page paper. If you are going to sew around the edges then just put adhesive in the center of the tag. You don't want to gum up your sewing machine with glue. If you are going to draw your stitches on the tag, then go ahead and glue all the way around your tag so it is adhered well.

Step 2: Cut around out the tags using the edge of your tag as a guide.

Step 3: Sew a decorative stitch around all edges of all 3 tags. I used the zig zag stitch. If you don't have a sewing machine you could hand stitch around the tags.

Step 3: (Optional Non Sew) If you don't want to sew at all then you can use a black pen to draw stitch marks around your tags.

Step 4: Stamp your letters on all 3 tags. I used foam stamps with black paint. However, you can use any stamp with paint or ink. You could also use stencils or chipboard letters. Let your letters dry before the next step.

Step 5: Cut 2 lengths of lace and 1 length of chenille stem for each tag. The length should be a little longer than your tag. You can trim it up later.

Step 6: Sew the first piece of lace to the bottom of your tags. If you do not want to sew then just glue your lace down with clear drying glue.

Step 7: Sew the second piece of lace above the first piece and overlap onto the first piece just a bit. Again you can glue this if you don't want to sew.

Step 8: Trim the excess lace from each side of the tags. Tip: turn your tag over and use the edge of the tag as a trim guide.

Step 9: Glue the chenille stem piece at the top of the second piece of lace. Let dry. Tip: I like to "clamp" my pieces with binder clips or clothes pins until dry.

Step 10: Glue or sew on the cream colored button to the bottom of each tag. Let dry if you are gluing.

Step 11: Trim the excess chenille stem off using the back of your tag as a trim guide. Tip: Use a pair of wire cutters or junk scissors to trim chenille stems. The wire inside the chenille stems can make nicks on the blade of your good scissors.

Step 12: Turn the tags over and punch holes on each side of the original tag hole. These holes will be what you thread your hanging ribbon through. If you don't have a hole punch you could use an exacto knife or just carefully punch holes with your scissors.

Step 13: Thread the desired length of seam binding or ribbon through your tags and space tags out evenly, about an inch apart.

Step 14: Tie a loop in each end of the seam binding for hanging.

Step 15: Sew or glue a decorative button or embellishment onto the knot on each loop.

Step 16: Tie a piece of tulle or ribbon under each loop.

Step 17: Hang up your cute little Boo Banner for all to enjoy.

Tip: This process can be used for any holiday banner. Spell out anything you wish! Use any color you wish! You could make cute name banners for your child's bedroom. Banners for birthdays would be great and can be used over and over again. Or banners with your favorite inspirational word would look great hanging in your home! It's a great quick craft project that uses up extra supplies and scraps that you may not have otherwise used.

I hope you have enjoyed this easy tutorial! I encourage you to think out of the box and create some wonderful banners! Please be sure and show us your Boo Banners or variations of the Boo Banner tutorial in the Joli Flickr Group! Also please be sure and mention the tutorial came from Joli Paquet.

Happy Banner Making!

Cindy

A Winner!

Thanks so much for participating in our give away! I didn't take an official "favorite candy" count but I think candy corn might have won!

The winner of the Halloween Magnet set is: Comment #34! (this number was picked by the "official" Random Number Generator)

Which is: Carol Anne!

Congratulations Carol Anne. I'll be emailing you soon to get your mailing info.

Happy Monday Everyone!

Cindy

Filling In...

Cindy isn't feeling well today and so I thought I would post a little more craft goodness found in blogland today. The above image is from the oh so clever Blair of the Wise Craft blog. She created some wonderful Halloween projects and tutorials for this website.
Here is another one of her fabulous projects. You could spend a whole weekend making all of these fun projects and many of them are perfect for crafting with your children too!

I thought I might also share a few fun Halloween images with you here too. You're welcome to use any of these in your own art work or projects. So here you go!
I hope you'll have fun checking out the fun craftiness above and using these images in your Halloween projects.
Cindy will be back as soon as she is feeling better with her tutorial. I know you're going to love it.

Cerri xoxo
PS, Don't forget to mail your swap packages today if you haven't already and please post photos on your blogs or flickr. We would all love to see what you created for your partner and what you receive in the mail!

It's Give Away Time!

EDITED 10/19/09 - Comments are now closed for entries. I will announce a winner later today!

We hope you are enjoying Joli Paquet and it's inspiring you for the fall and Halloween season! Here's a little give away to help get you in the Halloween spirit! Just leave a comment on this post by Sunday, Oct. 18th listing your favorite Halloween candy! One winner will win the set of handmade magnets that comes in a round window tin. I will announce a winner on Monday, Oct. 19th!

I will also be back tomorrow (Friday) with an easy tutorial that you will be able to make in a snap! So be sure and come back tomorrow for the tutorial!

Also we just want to remind you to post your tutorial and kit creations to the Joli Flickr group. You can find it on the left in the side bar!

See you tomorrow!

Cindy

sweet little wee Halloween trick-or-treat bag...

A super fun little tutorial to create this sweet little wee Halloween trick-or-treat bag. A fab little pouch to add candy to and give to your sweet little goblin. You will need the following supplies to create this little trick-or-treat pouch.

2 pieces of black craft felt
1 piece of vintage lace fabric
vintage millinery flowers, trims, etc.
sewing machine or fabric glue

You will need to cut out your shape of pouch into 2 pieces and a long strip for a handle.
You will also need to cut your vintage lace fabric to match the 2 larger pieces.

Next step is to fold your long strip of felt in half lengthwise and stitch shut. If you are not sewing the piece you can skip this part.

Next step you will need to stitch the lace down to each piece of felt at the top only. If using fabric glue the lace to the top of the felt piece and tack all along the outside edges.

Your pouch is almost finished....all that is left is stitching the 2 pieces together along with stitching the handle in place. When I am sewing the 2 pieces together just make sure that the lace is facing to the outside on both front and back and stitch them together starting on one end and sewing all along the edge to the other end. Viola....you have a cute pouch. Now stitch your handle in place on each side (on the inside of the purse).

Lastly add all your embellishments.....vintage millinery,leaves,tags, fabric and trims...whatever your heart desires. Now just fill with goodies and give to your favorite little goblin. This purse would also be adorable to create in a heart shape for Valentine's Day, an egg shape for Easter or use holiday colors for whatever occasion. Enjoy!

Some fantastic tutorials found in blogland

I hope you all are enjoying the tutorials and projects here on the Joli Paquet blog!
I have found a couple of tutorials out in blogland that I thought you would adore as well! (each photo belongs to the respective artist)
First up is an adorable tutorial Karoline of the Cherished Vintage blog posted. Aren't these vintage style treat buckets just the cutest thing you have ever seen? LOVE them! Find out how she made them right here!
Next up is a wonderful tutorial posted by the ever talented Jenny B. on her Halloween blog, "Owlsorts"! She provides a wonderful tutorial and patterns right here! Be sure to check out the rest of the Owlsorts blog for even more fabulous Halloween goodies!


I found this fun coffin treat box on Martha Stewart. I think they would be so much fun to make, and of course there are tons of crafty tutorials on her site.

If you have posted a fun Halloween tutorial on your blog, or you know of someone that has, please send me an email and I may be able to post it here for our readers!

We would all love to see if you have created anything from the tutorials here or once you have put together your kits, so please add them to the Joli Paquet flickr group! (link on the sidebar)

Also a quick reminder that swap packages should be mailed out this week, please mail your package on time!
Check back tomorrow for a new tutorial from one of our team members!
Cerri xoxo