Valentine sugar card

In my believe, it is always better to make cards and gifts by yourself - in that way you show people you do care about them - in the hectic and busy era we live, time is the most precious to give. This card is easy to make, I like to use material I can find at home.

Read this simple tutorial how to make Valentine sugar card.

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Valentine cards

Valentine day is approaching and  although I don't like the commercial pressure of that day, it is nice to dedicate one day to love and friendship. In my country it is not custom to give  cards on that day, but as I like cards, I made some - it was fun and easy, and I have plan to make some more. They can be used also for birthdays, Christmas or any other special day. Of course, I used chalkboard paint again, I just love it and use it whenever I can.

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What to pay attention when buy camera

As a  novice in photography, I decided to buy new camera, nothing very expensive but good enough to take quality photos, shoot my projects and learn 'tricks and tips' step-by-step, and one day, when reach better understanding and experience, take something more advanced. So, I started to google - shops, photo sites, forums, first to see what could be important for my level of (in)experience. 

      I learned that Megapixels over 12 MP is not so important but optical wide-angle zoom could be. The sensor choice -  CCD or CMOS  ( I read the CMOS is better - don't know why) could be important. Battery is also rather important - the plain AA or AAA are probably the best choice as could be bought everywhere.  The ease of use is also good to check. Video possibilities  were not interesting to me, so I didn't check them. Finally, after spending few hours on Internet, I decided to buy Olympus SZ-14. It is travel zoom digital camera -  a bridge between point-and-shoots and mega-zoom cameras. So far, I didn't shoot a lot, can't tell much about this. 

     The  pleasant  surprise is the PC software for photos storing and editing - very user-friendly with the number of possibilities. Unpleasant surprise was the equipment that came with the camera - I didn't get the memory card and got the USB-AC adapter FC-2AC  which is useless here in Croatia (need to buy FC-3AC separately). And in all materials I read, it was not clearly  written what you get with the camera. The memory card and adapter are rather inexpensive, but I am frustrated with the vendor's approach to hide those details. Few years ago, I bought compact camera from the same vendor and got everything - memory card and battery charger. So, as 'devil is in details', check literally everything before your purchase.

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Fonts, letters, text

Fonts and letters are endless inspiration for me in my craft work. There are number of sites you can download various font types for free. Look at this links, eg:
1001freefonts.com
dafont.com
fontzone.net

But there is a script I like very much, although it is not in use any more: Glagolitic alphabet. Look on the pictures how the letters are beautiful and interesting.
It is part of Croatian history and was used for centuries. 

If you are interested in this font, you can download it from this site. 
(Site is on Croatian, download is on the bottom of the page, right side  - 'cijeli paket').

Nowadays, original jewelry and  souvenirs could be found inspired by this alphabet.

If you'd like to read a little bit more about Glagolitic alphabet: 

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Singer machine cabinet makeover

Some time ago I was lucky to get the 100 years old Singer machine cabinet - some aquintances didn't recognize its beauty adn were happy to give it to me. Some wooden parts were not in a very good condition, but I wasn't worried, I saw the hidden beauty of the cabinet. First of all, I decided not to replace the veneer that was in a realy bad shape, but to remove and sanded the surface. After that, I dissasemble all parts of the cabinet (hubby helped) to clean them and sand them, particulary the wooden parts.
This is the unavoidable, but necessary work to be done, and the work I don't like very much, but if you don't do that properly, the finished piece will be defficient.

Metal parts painted with Hammerite silver, wooden with acrylic paint (white) and varnish.

Now I have beautiful table for my notebook, and in the same time, vintage Singer sawing machine. A lot of people get rid of the sawing machine, but for my point of view, this is sin. When you see how it is made, all those inventive details, you can only admire the old craftsmen who created it.

Below you can see how it looked like before I refurbished it.

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Secretaire desk makeover

Secretaire desk after makeover

Secretaire desk before makeover

Furniture makeover is one of my favourite hobbies. In today's consumer society we tend to throw away things,  buy new, then throw them easily, ... I prefer to makeover things and personalize them. This secretaire desk  is one of pieces I refurbished - It was in a good shape and condition, but ugly color and  finished with glossy varnish I hated.

 

First, I dissembled doors and other pieces, then sanded it and put two layers of primer. I am using acrylic paint. After it dries, inner side of the desk I painted gray, and outside white - actually, very light cream color. This was a basis  for the additional  work. Recently I like to use letters and text, so I did for the desk. I made stencils from plastic foil, used few acrylic colors and you can see the result.

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How to enlarge fonts in Microsoft Word

 Text, letters, signs - we use them  in many forms and sizes. There are numerous font types on internet. But how to make large stencils or print very large fonts?
It is rather easy to accomplish. Here are some tips and tricks for Microsoft Word.

Enlarge text using font size

This  is very simple. Type a text, pick the font type you want. And then, under Home tab, just enter the font size (any size you'd like or need).

Enlarge text using Wordart

 Insert Wordart, type text. Pick the font type you would like. By dragging corner dot, you can enlarge text to the size you need. Draging other 'dots' you can narrow or extend your text - that is the additional  feature you get with Wordart.

Tip: In Microsoft Word 2010, this doesn't work without some additional tricks (usually for Microsoft, don't you agree?). You need to save the document as Word 97-2003 document first, reopen it and then you'll get the possibility explained above.

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How to easy make fritters

Sometimes very simple recepies make a difference. These fritters are one of them. The taste is rather neutral, so they can  be combined well  with cream, aivar, chutney  or marmelade and chocolate. I love them most with plum jam. And even the beginners can make them easily.

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How to personalize (almost) everything

Letters come in many shapes, sizes, colors. There are number of letter types as well. I am familiar with Latin and Cyrillic,  unfortunately not with others. But any of them are great to personalize gifts,  decorate home, design jewerly, there are endless possibilities, why not to use them.

Letters on thousand ways

Find below few beautiful examples - some of them I made, some are done by creative crafters community:

 I refurbished old and ugly  secretaire desk and personalized it with names and  topics we love. In one of my future posts I'll publish tutorial how I did it.

For this sign you can find tutorial how to make it on my blog.

For this interesting pillow read how-to.

Letters on lamp ? Fabulous! 

And here is something for our grandparents.

 This little pad could be a great Christmas gift.

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How to wrap gifts for Christmas

Went to the city center this morning - Christmas decoration everywhere, large Christmas tree on the main square, stands with Gluhwein, sausages, decoration, gifts
placed in nearby streets. How can I not think on gifts - what to make, what to buy, how to wrap (and upcycle)?

Old magazine + burlap = Gift wrapping

Old magazines and burlap - perfect combination and source of inspiration. Add
pinecone and ivy, stich a little bit  and gift is wrapped.



Burlap + branches = Christmas tree on the gift

Burlap again - I just love burlap and old coffe or grain sacks. Few hot glue branches make the magic.



Jump to see more detailed 'How to' for the both examples!

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