Free printable tag for your lemon curd

Posted on December 20, 2012 by thelifeoflulubelle

Have I mentioned that I LOVE lemon curd? I really do. I need to find a healthier option, but until then, I will enjoy it as a special treat. But seriously, it is one of my most favorite things ever.

I canned a few jars of it this week and needed a nice little gift tag for it. Fold it in half and write a nice message inside the card. Lemon curd should be consumed no later than a year after it’s been canned (who would wait that long?!), so make sure you write the appropriate dates on the back.

Fold it, punch a hold towards the top fold, and hang by a pretty ribbon or bakers twine.

*Will post a picture soon, my printer is out and I need to get them printed. If you are having problems with the quality, email me or leave a comment.

How to create pendants and charms using resin

Posted on October 23, 2012 by thelifeoflulubelle

It can be easy to make quality photo pendants and charms using resin. Some resin can be tricky to work with, but I’ve found that Castin’Craft’s Easy Cast Epoxy is actually very easy to use. You just need a few supplies and before you know it, you will have fun charms or keepsake photo pendants for you or for gifts!

Supplies:

Castin’ Craft Easy Cast Epoxy
Cup (disposable or only to be used for resin0
Stir stick/plastic knife/Popsicle stick/tongue compressor
Toothpick
Scrabble tiles, picture frame charms, cabochon settings, or other setting (I used charms like THESE)
Glue (if using a bail or glueing a frame or scrabble tile onto another setting, use e600 or something similar)
Scrapbook paper, digital negatives, small pictures, or other paper-type item
Blow dryer (optional, but recommended)
Optional – chain, key ring or ball chain, bails, or cufflinks

Epoxy, digital negatives, and frame charms

For this project, I used Costco’s 5×7 digital negatives and frame charms. In the photo on the top of this post, there are cufflinks made out of scrabble tiles, using pictures from a vintage bug dictionary. You can also do photos or scrapbook paper on scrabble tiles and glue a bail onto the back, or use a cabochon setting.

To make tiny pictures: In a photo editing software or PowerPoint create a 4×6 inch shape, insert the pictures you want to use and minimize them to your setting’s shape. Do a couple different sizes to play around with, fill up your 4×6 shape and have printed at a 1 hour photo place.

Directions:

Follow the Easy Cast directions and mix your epoxy. The amount you need will determine how many items you are using. A little bit goes a long way, so do several pendants at a time.
Cut your paper/photo to fit your setting, tile, or frame; glue into place.

Using your plastic knife, small spoon, or stick, carefully drop a small bit of resin on top of your photo. Use a toothpick to spread it into corners and sides. Add more if needed. Resin is thick enough to “dome” on to of a surface, like water on a penny.
Using a blow dryer on low, directly above your pendant, carefully blow out any air bubbles.
Keep in a warm, dry, place for 24+ hours until no longer sticky
Glue a bail on the back of your tile, attach chain or key ring to your pendant, and enjoy!

Ideas:

Charms for jewelry
Lockets
Key chains
Cufflinks
Necklace pendant
Glue tiles onto bobby pins with settings, or other berets
Wine glass charms
Napkin ring charms
Pins
Glue settings onto rings
Glue onto picture frames
Make 3D stickers by coating store-bought or handmade stickers with resin
Use in goodie-bags and stocking stuffers

Quick and easy photo charm keepsake

Don’t forget to “like” The Life of Lulu Belle on Facebook for extra goodies!

Non-Candy Easter Basket Ideas for Children

Posted on March 7, 2012 by thelifeoflulubelle

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Every year we would get Easter Baskets from the Easter Bunny (just like stockings from Santa). My mom would fill our baskets with special treats and toys along with hiding Easter Eggs. It was almost like waking up on Christmas morning!

This year I only have my toddler-age Godchild to make a basket for, but I have been thinking about lots of other ideas! The following is a list of Easter Basket Filler Ideas that don’t involve candy – some to make and some to buy. Just follow the links for the craft tutorials or instructions!

What to use for baskets:

The cheap wicker Easter baskets they sell at the store
Other stores have more fun “baskets” like fabric animals and colorful pails
Colorful organizational totes at the dollar store (we get these the most – fun and functional for after Easter!)
Decorative bowls
Toy containers: baby doll bath tubs, strollers or cradles, Lego containers, etc. (holds the goodies and doubles as a toy)
Real baskets from a home or craft store
Instead of using Easter grass, use fabric, a new piece of clothing, a baby blanket, etc.

Easter Basket Ideas (other than candy):

Sidewalk Chalk (make your own without any toxic ingredients if you have the time)
Playdough
Gak (another homemade ooze recipe)
Bubbles
Crayons (melt old or new crayons down and more into molds for personalized crayons)
Color books (or print coloring pages from online)
Babydoll or stuffed animal sleeping bags (See how HERE – Sleeping bags are good for boys or girls, just alter the color combinations!)
Spongeballs (great water toy or baby toy. Cheap and easy!)
Chipmunk or other animals from a glove
Teddy bears or a socktopuss from colorful socks
Letters, shapes, or number sponges for bath time
Felt Food for play kitchens (Lots of stuff out there!)
Dinosaur tails for imagination play
Superhero capes (I can personally attest that super hero capes are for boys AND girls!)
Eggs full or small toys (think plastic dinosaurs, army men, Legos, etc)
Eggs full of colorful goldfish or cheerios (love this idea for my Godchild)
Stickers or stamps (My basket always had a ton of Lisa Frank stickers! Here’s a link on how to make your own stickers)
Pencils and stationary (there is so many free printables out there, you could probably print your own out as well)
Art supplies (one of my favorites as a kid)
Kites (we always got one of these in our basket!)
Balls or other sports equipment
Make your own airplane kits (you can buy these for a dollar or two at craft stores usually)
Sippy cups or drink cups (I bought a bunny cup with a straw for my Godchild)
Puzzles and other games
Flash cards or playing cards
Hair or jewelry accessories
Dress-up items
New clothes or shoes
Movies or music (Veggie Tales Jonah DVD is $5 at Target, along with some other kids movies)
Books and comics
Sand toys
Bath toys
Kids gardening supplies
Bug catching supplies
Craft kits

Theme Baskets:

Art supplies – paints, crayons, color books, notebooks, etc.
Sports/outdoor equipment – Frisbee, balls, 2 person paddle games, etc.
Baking or food – Aprons, play food, plates and other containers
Bathtime – foam and sponge shapes, containers, other bath toys
Beach or toy box– Sand pails, shovels, measuring cups, sifters, funnels, etc, This book would be cool too.
Gardening/bug catching/exploring – bug containers, nets, child-size shovels, boots, pots, explorer hats and vests
Superhero: Capes, KIDS comics and movies, action figures
Dress up – Jewelry, shoes, clothing, etc.
Game Time: Games and puzzles, snacks for family game night

What are you putting in your Easter Baskets?

Lots and Lots of Felt Flowers!

Posted on October 26, 2011 by thelifeoflulubelle

Felt flowers are everywhere; these cute flora can be used for brooches, hair bands, home decor and more! Not only are there a ton of different things to use felt flowers for, there are a ton of different felt flowers as well.

Here is a compilation of some of my favorite felt flowers and tutorials. Stay tuned for Christmas Gift Ideas using these rad rosettes!