Craft, photography, life...

Free Grunge Alphabet Letters Printable Digital Collage

2015-01-03T12:46:00.000-08:00

Hello everyone in the new 2015 year. :)

As my new year resolution, I'm trying to get back on track with my blog. So... I'd like to share today a free digital collage sheet with grunge alphabet letters. Look, how cute a personalized pendant looks with such letter :) And it's so easy to make. Just follow this tutorial!

The squares on the collage sheet are 1x1 inch which makes them perfect for glass tiles. Entire page is 8.5x11 (300 dpi resolution) inches which is standard American letter size.

Download this collage sheet, print it and use it! Simple!

I would recommend to print the collage sheet on pretty much heavy paper (~80 lb) on color laser printer. It will eliminate smearing wile your craft.

If the download link doesn't work, please, leave a comment. I'll fix it. And you don't forget to stop by again to download the image.

Please, keep in mind that this free grunge alphabet letters digital collage sheet can not be sold in digital or printed format. It's for personal use only or for craft for sale in very limited quantity.

Happy new year and enjoy your craft! :)

Printable Holidays Garland Banner

2014-12-22T00:32:00.000-08:00

Hello, everybody!

There are only couple days left until Christmas holidays which I'm so so waiting for :) I hope you, dear readers, are also excited about this holiday... I assume, all decorations are ready, and gifts are wrapped up. And today, I'd like to share a printable banner which can be like a final touch to your home decorations.

So you just need to download the images, print them, punch holes and attache to a ribbon. And it's ready!

There are 7 digital files in JPG format: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, and 7. Every letter is 4x6 inches. I would recommend to print them on pretty much heavy paper on laser printer for best results.

Enjoy! And happy holidays :)

Sterling silver earrings giveaway result

2014-09-08T22:25:00.001-07:00

So... It's time to announce who won this giveaway :)

Ta-dam!!!

And the winner is number 11! heather R.

Heather, congrats :)

Sterling silver earrings giveaway

2014-08-21T03:37:00.002-07:00

Hello, my dear readers :)

It's been a really long time since posted last time. So many things happened in my life ... :) Now, it's time to come back. So... I'm posting my very first giveaway for this adorable sterling silver earrings :)

They can be yours, if you participate in the giveaways. Rules are simple... more shares, more chances to win :)

1. Follow my blog: Irina's Cute Box. Comment this post that you are following and provide your email address - 1 entry

2. Like my page on Facebook: Irina's Cute Box. Comment this post that you liked my page and provide your email address - 1 entry

3. Follow me on Twitter: IrinaPhotograph. Comment this post that you liked my page and provide your email address - 1 entry

4. Share this giveaway on a Facebook, Pinterest, Twitter, Google+, and other social networks. Blog about it. Well... just spread a word :) Than comment this post with links to the shares in separate comments. Don't forget to provide your email, so that I can contact you:) Every comment is 1 entry.

Please, keep in mind! All your shares must be public. More shares -> more comments to the post -> higher chance to win :) Posts which are not comply with the rules will be removed.Comments which are not complying with the rules are not participating in the giveaway and will be deleted.

Every comment will be assigned with a number. Entire list is available by this link.

This giveaway is open world wide and will run from until September 7th, 2014. And the lucky winner will be announced on September 8th, 2014.

Good luck!

How to Make Shabby Chic Style Tray

2013-05-23T23:40:00.000-07:00

It's been a while since I was blogging last time...Life is slightly changing for me, and I'm becoming more and more overwhelmed with daily routine. I'd like to share a great tutorial from Katrin from KatrinShine shop on Etsy which she shared with me pretty much long time ago. Sorry, Katrin... I really didn't have time to post it earlier.

So... today's tutorial is about how to make a shabby chic wooden tray.

To make this adorable tray, you'll need:

Small and large paint brushes for large areas and small details
Prime color: brown, light brown
Top color
Candle
Medium grit sand paper
Mat finish in spray
Wooden tray

Make sure that the surface is clean and dry. Paint the wooden tray with the primer color. Let it dry completley

Rub with candle some places on the tray where the prime color will be visible. Rub over the edges and around the corners.

Paint the tray with top color. It may be white, off white, light beige, etc. Let it dry completely.

Use medium grit sand paper to work over surface of the tray. Especially, the places where candle was has been applied. You'll see nice shabby chic texture appeared.

When it's done, finish the tray with mat varnish to protect the shabby chic texture. With the finish it'll last much much longer.

And enjoy the new piece!

I won a giveaway!

2013-03-28T17:58:00.000-07:00

Several weeks back, Kate who is running YarnStories shop on Etsy conducted a giveaway for 3 spools of yarn. I shared the link to the giveaway on Facebook just because I wanted to help her to spread a word about it around my Facebook friends. :) And I was really surprised when I won this giveaway. YAY!

These are pure cotton yarns in 3 different colors which go perfectly together! And the spools are pretty much big.

So... I got couple hooks, and I'm going to refresh my crochet skills :) Yeah... long time back I did crochet, but now I'm pretty much rusty :)

Thank you, Kate!-)) I'm so happy with my prize!

How to make polymer clay leaves

2013-03-16T19:03:00.000-07:00

I have a friend who I've never met in person, but we chat a lot on Internet :) I really feel that we are close and know a lot about each other just because those online chats... Her name is Svetlana from NESWeddingGarden. We like to share our craft ideas, give advises to each other, and generally chat about anything in our lives :) Recently, Svetlana shared a tutorial how to make leaves of polymer clay and how to use them in craft.

Polymer clay fall or summer leaves colors (or mixed)
A roller
Texture mat (canvas sheet is used in this tutorial)
Leaf cutter (set of 3 veined rose leaf plunger cutters are used in this tutorial)

Keen the polymer clay until it's soft, and roll it to a sheet approximately 2 mm thick. Place it on the texture mat and roll a little bit again. Just to make a nice texture on the back of the leaves.

Plunger cutters are usually used for sugar paste craft and for cake decoration. But they are also perfect for polymer clay. just cut different leaves with the cutters. Carefully remove leaves from the cutter. They are fragile!

Bake the leaves according to the instruction to the polymer clay you are using. The instructions are on it's label.

Then, these leaves can be used in many ways... Drill a hole, and it may be a pendant.

If there are two holes, the leaves can make an adorable fall themed bracelet

Or... a great hair pin may be made out of them...

There is no limit of uses to these leaves! Enjoy your craft :)

A walk in a spring park

2013-03-12T18:29:00.001-07:00

Nothing special today:) Just several pictures of our spring :)

Well... In our place, it's always spring comes after fall :) I know there is winter by calender, but it's not a real winter with snow and cold as I got used to in my mother country :)

Fall berries on the bushes are still hanging while new flowers are beginning to bloom.

Gracious calla lilies are surrounding houses.

And of course different fruit trees are in bloom right now with many many beautiful flowers with delicate scent. :) Mmmm..... Love them!

How to make a brush organizer

2013-02-13T09:32:00.000-08:00

Couple days ago, one of my team mates Lana from BelleCoccinelle shared an idea how to make a brush organizer of sushi mat. I found this idea brilliant! I was thinking to make some organizer because I have quite a few of cosmetics brushes that has to be organized So Lana's idea was given in a very right time :)

Here we go... To make the organizer, sushi mat and an elastic are needed.

Wrap the elastic around first couple sticks

Secure it with several stitches

Then, start to weave the elastic around the sticks making small and big holders for the brushes.

Finish them to the end and again wrap the elastic around couple of sticks and secure it.

And this is pretty much it! The brush organizer is ready...

Then, it can be rolled and tied with a ribbon :)

Thank you Lana for this great idea!

Valentine's Day chocolate gift idea

2013-02-08T10:04:00.000-08:00

Hmmm.... Valentine's day is just around the corner. Are you still struggling to find a great gift for the Valentine's day? :) Why not to make a gift with own hands?... It will show how you do care about recipient because you put a piece of your soul and warmth of your hands when you make a gift. :)

Look at this great box of home made chocolate truffles which are really easy to make. And also, the gift won't be inexpensive if you are on tight budget.

Follow the recipe to make the delicious chocolate truffles.

I got this gift box in a dollar store. Yes, you can find cute boxes in such stores :) Decorate it with paper doily and arrange the truffles in the box. And your Valentine's day gift is ready :)

Enjoy!

Dangle beaded earrings tutorial

2013-02-02T21:42:00.000-08:00

Recently, my team mate Svetlana from LiriGal shop on Etsy shared a great dangle beaded earrings tutorial with me. I found those earrings are easy to make, and that's why I'm sharing it on my blog :)

To make these earrings, you'll need some seed beads and super duo beads. Just follow this simple dangle beaded earrings tutorial.

Then, attach ear wires, and enjoy these adorable earrings.

Using different bead combination or adding some cute charms to them, will make the earrings look differently. So even following the same pattern, you can get different result.

Svetlana, thank you for sharing this great tutorial!

Check her LiriGal shop... She has more great tutorials :)

Chocolate truffles recipe

2013-01-30T00:32:00.000-08:00

Do you like chocolates like I do? :) I believe most of the people do. That's why I'd like to share a great chocolate truffle recipe. The initially, it was shared by one of my team mate Inessa who runs Vintageer shop on Etsy. I was trying to follow her idea, but unfortunately, it didn't work for me. So I had to adjust it.

For these chocolate truffles recipe, you 'll need:

1 1/3 cups of semi-sweet chocolate chips or just chocolate pieces
1/2 cup of heavy whipping cream
Whole nuts or pieces (optional)
Cognac, liquor, essence (optional). I added 1 tsp of orange essence and 1 tbsp of orange liquor
Cocoa powder to dust the truffles
Candy paper cups

Mix in a bowl the chocolate tips and the cream. Pick a bowl based on how you are going to heat the chocolate truffles mixture. I microwaved, so for me plastic one was better. Also, you can just heat it on a stove over low heat.

Mix the chocolate truffles mixture until smooth. Add liquor and nuts pieces (those are optional).

Mix it again, cover with plastic wrap and put in a fridge for several hours. I kept overnight. The mixture should become like a play doh.

Than, it's time to form the truffles. Dust hands with cocoa powder. Scoop approximately 1 or 1 and half tsp of the mixture.

If you put nuts pieces, just roll a ball of the chocolate and dust it with cocoa powder. Otherwise, you can add a hole nut inside and roll a truffle. Dust it with cocoa powder.

Also, the truffles can be dusted with ground nuts. Place the chocolate truffles in paper candy cups and serve.

Enjoy those melting rich chocolate taste!

Valentines day printable clipart free to download

2013-01-22T00:11:00.000-08:00

Hey everyone! There is less than a month to Valentine's day, and it's really time to start getting ready for this day :) Especially, if valentines day gifts are going to be handmade. That's why I'd like to share today a printable valentines day clipart with alphabet letters. Using them, you can make, for example, this cute small key chain.

You simply need to download the free printable collage images and print them on laser printer and follow this step by step tutorial how to make a glass tile pendant. Simply attach a key ring, and this cute small Valentine's day gift is ready.

The Valentine's day clipart sheet is designed to be printed on half of letter size paper (8.5" x 11") with resolution 300 dpi.

It's available to download there. If the link doesn't work, please leave me a comment, and I'll fix it. And don't forget to stop by again to download it :) Also, please check GraphicLand shop for more cool designs.

Please, keep in mind that this Valentine's day collage sheet can not be sold in digital or printed format. It's for personal use only or for craft for sale in very limited quantity.

Enjoy your craft!

One More gift from Secret Santa!

2013-01-04T23:14:00.002-08:00

I love Christmas holidays seasons! It's a kinda magical time, and... a lot of gifts :) . I got another gift from another Secret Santa. Yeah... sounds funny... like we have several Santas instead of just one. Haha... Anyhow, I got 2 great personalized stamps from Sarah who runs ahueofduckeggblue shop on Etsy.

It was also nicely wrapped in craft paper with very cute tag with stampped dog on it. Seems like wrapping in craft paper is trendy this season, and I like it :)

When I unwrap the gift, I found there 2 great personalized stamps which Sarah made for me. Sarah, thank you very much! It's a really nice gift, and I definitely will use the stamps. :)

Happy New Year to everyone!

2012-12-31T02:34:00.001-08:00

Inexpensive scarves holder idea

2012-12-30T14:09:00.000-08:00

After I received Eugenie's gift, I had to come up with an idea how to organize all my scarves. I have quite a few of them. I know if I put them in a box or drawer, I'll forget about them, and will never wear :)

I've seen the idea on Internet how to organize scarves, and... to keep them in the place where I can see them :)

It's just $2 dollars scarves holder made of a hanger and shower curtain rings. I got them from dollar store $1 each set (12 rings and 6 hangers)

First, I taped the rings to the hanger.

Then, I taped the rings to each other.

It was enough of them to add second layer, and the holder is ready :)

Adorable gift from Secret Santa this year

2012-12-29T15:04:00.004-08:00

There is a tradition in Russian team on Etsy which I belong to. Every year, we have Secret Santa gift exchange. This year, my Secret Santa was Eugenie from MulberryWhisper.

Once in the morning, a postman knocked in my door and handed me a package. It was so nicely packed in vintage looking craft paper, wrapped around with a rope and sealed with wax. It looked so cute! I haven't seen such packaging since I was a kid.

When I unwrap the package, I found there 2 adorable silk Uzbek ikat scarves.

They both are in very nice neutral colors which are definitely suite to me :) Eugenie, thank you very much for this adorable gift!

Free Cross Stitch Pattern of Christmas Tree

2012-12-19T22:55:00.000-08:00

It's almost a Christmas time, but we still have couple days to do some Christmas craft :) Today, my friend Tanya from SocksAndMittens wants to share a free cross stitch patterns of Christmas tree. I found this cross stitch design very simple and easy to make. Even for me who is a very very beginner :)

It could be framed Like I did, but also you can use it for a note card, book mark, or something else. It's all up to you :) Unleash your creativity!

This free cross stitch chart is available for download there.

Simply get it and use it. Please, remember, it's for personal use only, and can't be sold.

By the way, last year Tanya shared one more cool free cross stitch pattern. It's also can be downloaded and used.

Enjoy and Happy Holidays!

How to make a Christmas paper ball ornament

2012-12-16T12:33:00.001-08:00

I remember this kind of paper ball ornaments from my childhood :) It was fun project in kindergarten when we made them out of old post cards. :) I don't have any post cards to recycle, so I simply got in Michaels scrapbooking heavy paper with holographic finish.

This ball actually not a Christmas tree ornament, unless you have a really tall Christmas tree :). I simply used it as a home decoration. Want to try this? :)

First, you need flower templates. You can download them there in JPG file. Print the page and cut off one or all flowers. This particular home decoration ball was made using template 1 (the big one).

You'll need 12 flowers. Make slots along the dashed lines.

Use the slits to join flower petals together. Keep adding more flowers. So all petals will be connected tho the neighbors.

First six flowers connected will look like a bowl :)

Keep adding flowers until the ornament will be a ball shaped.

And... your Christmas home decoration is ready! :) Place it on a table or book shelf... or any other place. Add a garland or other decorations. :)

Happy Holidays to everyone!

Christmas wreath decoration

2012-12-02T18:04:00.002-08:00

In my mother country, there is no tradition to hang up a Christmas wreath... or any other wreath at all :) That's why this year it's the first time when we have a Christmas wreath on our door. Yes, yes, I'm absorbing :)

I didn't want to buy some artificial wreath, and they are also quite expensive for one time usage (who knows... may be next year I won't hang it up :) ). I wanted to have one which is made of real pine. That's why, my hubby and I got one in Costco which is made of pine and decorated with some pine cones and berries.

After we hung it up, it was clear that it doesn't look like Christmas one. I had to come up with an idea how to decorate it...

In a dollar store, I got a red bow and a couple of garlands made of decorative bells and small ornaments.

I detached the ornaments and bells, and randomly attached them to the wreath.

Now, it looks like real Christmas wreath, and the smell is so good! Mmmmmm...

Also, it cheerfully jingles every time when I open or close the door :)

Once upon in autumn day in Napa

2012-12-01T01:39:00.000-08:00

Napa... In my understanding, it's one of the greatest places on California map. We've been to Napa many times, but it happened to be the first time when we went there on a weekday in fall. Well... I guess it's the best time. It was not crowded, it was warm but not really hot. So it was exactly as I like... calming and relaxing.

This trip we visited only 2 wineries. The goal was to show Napa valley to my parents who were visiting us from Ukraine, and I believe they liked it. First winery that we visited was V.Sattui winery.

This is a pretty popular winery in Napa Valley. Usually in summer time, it's pretty much crowded. I mean so crowded than even overflow parking is full. This time, we found parking very easily. It was nice to walk around, to take pictures, and enjoy the day. It was cloudy this day, and I could really feel like all flowers, trees, and plants are "enjoying" such weather after hot sunny summer :)

Inside the winery, visitors can taste wines before buying them. Or they can just test... without buying :) Testing room is cozy, and the staff is nice and friendly.

All wines are available in the store which is located inside.

Also, there is cute daily section where visitors can by many different cheeses, salamis, oils, and other gourmet snacks. So the idea is to buy a bottle of a good wine, gourmet snacks, and to have a picnic in a beautiful shady picnic area right outside the winery :).

Next winery that we visited was Beringer Winery. It's also one of my favorites because I like their wines, and I like the winery itself.

There is a gift shop inside the winery along with a wine shop where so many beautiful things are sold. I have to admit I'm a big fun of gift shops :) I love all this small and not only small cute things which are there :)

Cute bottle holders...

I could not resist to buy several bottles of wines they I like. They mostly semi-sweet with reach fruity notes. Yummy :)

Well... it was a really nice day. I hope my parents also enjoyed it :)

I uploaded more pictures from the trip in higher resolution there.

Battered Fried Fish Recipe

2012-10-06T11:06:00.000-07:00

I've already mentioned that there were International Cuisine week at Russian team, and we had many great recipes shared from all over the world. I personally would like to thank Tanya who shared a great recipe of battered fried fish :) She reminded me about this simple yet delicious fish which is favorite in my family, but somehow I haven't cooked it for a long time. So... here it is. Delicious fried fish recipe :)

Ingredients that are needed for the fried fish:
1 cup of milk
2 eggs
1 cup of all purpose flour
2 lb of fish filet, defrosted (I prefer tilapia)
Olive oil for frying
Salt and pepper to taste

Whisk milk, eggs, salt, and pepper together until smooth mixture. I also like to add other spices to taste like garlic powder and 21 seasoning blend, but it's optional.

Add flour and whisk the batter until smooth.

Cut the fish to pieces.

Dip every piece of batter to the batter.

Place on preheated on medium heat pan with oil. Fry the fish until golden brown, then flip it over and fry on the other side.

Serve the fried fish with mashed potato, or rice, or just raw vegetables.

Enjoy!

Dangle earrings with pearls

2012-09-23T02:36:00.000-07:00

Last week, I made this beautiful chain maille sterling silver bracelet with pearls. And since I like to wear jewelries in pairs, I had to make something matching for this bracelet. Usually, I make earrings as a pair to a bracelet :) So... I came up with this sterling silver dangle earrings design. This pearl earrings are really easy to make, and I'd like to share entire process.

First, I made one link as I made it for the bracelet and closed the "cage" with small jump rings

Then, I attached one pearl bead on a pin to the lower jump ring...

... and a beautiful long ear wire to the upper one.

The earrings are ready! I took me around 30 minutes to make them.

Chain maille bracelet with pearls

2012-09-19T02:31:00.002-07:00

My first wire work! Not so long time ago, I was surfing the Internet, and found many interesting tutorials how to make jewelries of wire. One bracelet tutorial made in chain maille technique seemed to be easy to make even for beginners like me :)

I'd like to share how I made this chain maille bracelet with pearl.

I made jump rings of sterling silver filled wire (18 ga, half hard). The rings have to be a little bit bigger than beads.

To make first bracelet link, connected 4 rings as it shown on the picture.

Then keeping them in fingers fingers as shown on the image below, I "opened" the rings forming them in a shape of nest. Places a pearl bead inside the nest.

Then, closed upper rings like it shown on the picture...

... and connected them with two more jump rings. This rings are starting next chain maille bracelet link.

Again... opened rings to make a nest, placed a bead inside.

Closed the rings and connected with more jump rings.

And so on until the bracelet is needed length. In the end, I attached a clasp, and the bracelet is ready to wear :)

And there are earrings to match the bracelet. :)

Source.

San Mateo Gem Show

2012-09-18T23:46:00.000-07:00

Eventually, I did it... I went to Gem Show in San Mateo. I've heard about the show long time ago, but it always were coming to my mind when it's already gone. This time, one of my friend reminded about it in right time :)

Well... what to say... I was speechless. :) It was first big gem show I've ever seen. Probably, that's why I was totally lost. :) There were so many different jewelries! I, as jewelry addicted (ha-ha), wanted to by everything! Lucky me I had not so many cash in a pocket. Otherwise, I would spend a lot. :)

Adorable cocktail rings. Too huge :) yet nice looking :)

I really enjoyed walking around ready to wear jeweleries but my intent was to see beads and gem stones. It was unbelievable!

So many varieties!

I was really lost. I ended up buying just 4 gem stones. I couldn't focus on what I need because I wanted to buy everything :).