Perler Bead Design Sheet

My son recently got into Perler beads. I've looked all over for full page design pages and graph paper was the closest thing I could find so I decided to make my own. In the back of one of the Perler design books they have 7 blank plate pages. I copied the square one 4 times, taped them together and then scanned that into the computer. Now I'm going to share my page with all of you so if you want to create larger designs you can plan them out beforehand. The design page is true to size so you can just place your design page under the board and follow it. Just print it as a full letter sized page.

Download the PDF

Happy Crafting,

Crazy Crafter Kitty

How I stay organized...well as organized as I can be.

Today I decided I would write about something that has been very handy for me. I have mixed several ideas I have found on several other blogs. Sorry I don't remember which blogs they were because that was over a year ago. A lot of you may have seen blogs about planners for blogging and making videos. Well I have used some of those ideas for my day to day planners. This year I even designed a planner to suit my needs even more. However the planner in the pictures is found here. I use my blogging planner not just for planning out posts and videos but also for keeping track of bills, appointments, my son's school schedule, paydays, etc. All of that seems like a lot to put on a simple planner but for me it's best to have all my info in one place or stuff gets lost and things get forgotten. I put my printed planner pages in clear glossy page protectors that way I can color code everything with permanent markers...more on that later. I keep all bills (paid and unpaid) and important papers in the 3 ring binder with my planner. This is what my schedule pages tend to look like. I use page protectors because I like to use different colors for different things and I like to be able to erase stuff in case plans change or my handwriting gets too wild when writing things down.

I used pages from 2 different months to give a better example of the type of stuff I write down and the color coding system. Since permanent markers come in so many colors they are great for things like this. I always have a color key somewhere in the front of my planner so I remember what color belongs to which schedule. It usually looks like this.

When I need to write something down I grab the appropriate color and mark down the info that I need. I usually leave very specific details in the notes on the side or hang the invite or whatever on my command central board. If it was in an email I save the email until after the even has passed. When I get a bill I write the amount due on the due date and then stash the bill in the front pocket of the binder. I also have a filing section in my binder to file away bills I've paid. I just took file folders, cut them in half, 3 hole punched the tab half to use in the binder and wrote the bill type on the tab. It's a "no filing" file system. This way I can always look back to see for sure what has been paid and how much for any given month.

When I pay the bill I cross off the bill but leave the total unmarked until it is removed from the bank account. I also write PD for paid under it and either the check number or if it was paid online or by card. 

Then I write on the bill "Paid" with the date I paid it, how it was paid and an amount if it is a different amount than what was on the bill. Then I use my 3 hole punch to punch holes in the bill and file it in the section for that bill type.

Now when I reach the end of the year I have to erase all the permanent marker before I can use the page protectors again. For that I just grab my dry erase marker. I found out about this method when my son drew on my white board with permanent marker. I scoured the net to find out how to salvage it and couldn't believe that this would work until I tried it. It's crazy awesome but only works on nonporous surfaces so make sure you are using glossy page protectors because the matte ones have bumps and can trap some of the ink on the page protector.

Just scribble over the permanent marker with the dry erase marker. Excuse my chipping nail polish. I have 3 bottles of remover but can't seem to find even 1 of them and I really don't want to buy a 4th.

Then just wipe it away. If there is still some permanent ink on it just use the dry erase one again.

Voila. Your page is clear and ready for you to put your new planner pages in the page protectors. 

I hope this can help others as much as it has helped me. 

Peace, Love and Happy Crafting
Crazy Crafter Kitty

To frozen hell and back again.

I'm referring to my trip to MN about 6 weeks ago. As most of you know I had an art exhibit that went on until March 2nd in Marshall, MN. I now live in WA and had to fly back to set up the exhibit and be there for my reception. Over the week I was in Marshall I celebrated my 30th birthday with a couple of friends. It was a great trip. I got to see several friends that I hadn't seen for 3 months and we had a blast. I was really excited to see all of my costumes set up. It made me fully appreciate all the work I've put in them. Normally I complain about the flaws in my work but seeing them all set up just made me so proud of all of it. Since returning home I have taken a break from sewing and I'm finally back in the mood to sew. I also started taking a sewing class to learn more construction techniques and make my costumes better. The class has even taught me better fitting and finishing techniques. It has really made me excited to start new costumes. Later this week I'll post pictures from my exhibit for all of you to see. I hope to start filming tutorials again too. I look forward to bringing more crafting to you guy. Until next time.


Peace, Love and Happy Crafting

OMG!!! Where did the time go.

Well, in 9 days I'll be heading back to Marshall, MN for my exhibit. Where the heck did all that time go? The reception for my exhibit will be on Tuesday the 22nd from 5pm to 7pm at MAFAC. The exhibit will be running until March. If you're in the area feel free to stop by and check it out. That's about all the time I have for an update. I have to get back in my office and finish more costumes. Hopefully I can start doing some tutorials for you guys when I get back from MN. Until then take care.

Peace, Love and Happy Crafting

A great game I had to share

So one of my friends posted on their Facebook wall about this game that one of his friends is trying to get funding for on Kickstarter. The game is called Salem and takes place in 1692 during the Salem witch trials. It's meant to show what it was like back then and how fear can blind people. Being the history nerd that I am I had to check it out. I followed the link (CLICK HERE), watched the video and fell in love with the game. I suggest that everyone should go check it out. If you like it please help this game get funding. The goal is $30k by November 2nd 2012. There are even some upgrades to the game is it exceeds it's funding goal. Money will not be taken out of your account until November and then only if the goal is reached. Below I have posted a picture of what the "citizens" will look like. If I haven't lost you and you are interested please help get this funded.

Peace, Love and Happy Gaming,

Crazy Crafter Kitty

The hard part is done

The move was successful and the hard part of getting our stuff out to Washington is done. We're half way unpacked and our son is enrolled in school. The fluffy butts(cats) have all settled in to the new home. Now all we have left is to finish unpacking and then I can get started working on costumes for my art exhibit. I'll post a pick of my new office once I get it all the way set up and things calm down here. Only downside we have right now is the apartment building is having some work done outside so there has been little to no sleeping in since we've moved here. Our deck is even torn up for now. They say they'll be done soon but all I keep seeing is more stuff being torn off the side of the building. Good thing about that is it forces us to get stuff done.

In other news, my best friend and I are forming a soap company. We make old fashioned handmade soap, no melt and pour here. We've sold some soap at our local hang out and we're looking forward to getting the online store all set up and going. When the site is ready I'll link it for anyone who's interested. I'm still going to do my crafting business and so is she it's just that we've both practically worked together crafting and we both wanted to do something like this that we decided to do it as a joint effort. I think I may have a crafting addiction. I'll check myself into crafters anonymous soon. I swear. I can stop anytime I want. Well, That's it for this post. I'll see you all again soon.

Peace, Love and Happy Crafting,

Crazy Crafter Kitty

What I've been up to

It's been a crazy time around here. I've been packing up our house and trying to sell it while the hubby is looking for a job in Seattle. There has been a whole lot of stress in our house because of it but it'll be all worth it after we get moved out there.

Another big change for us is my best friend and I are stepping away from our crafting businesses for a little bit and focusing on our newest venture...our soap company. We've both worked together on pretty much everything so we figured that we might as well just start a business together ans since both of us have been wanting to add soap making to our skills we were like "why not?" and that was the birth of our newest project. We will be starting it online and at craft fairs/farmers markets and our goal is to eventually have a physical location. Once we get things started I'll let all of you know.

I do still plan to add more patterns and tutorials to this blog as I go. Life just gets a little hectic around here and I forget to take pictures as I craft. Procrastination has me doing quite a bit at the last minute too. If there is something you'd like me to do a tutorial on just message me and I'll see what I can do to get it posted for you.


Peace, Love and Happy Crafting,
Crazy Crafter Kitty