Valerie Salmon Designs

Happy Valentine's Day

Not too late to make Valentine's Cards!
Here are my instructions on the Fiskars website

2014 Sochi Olympics Party Set

All projects created using Fiskars awesome tools!

As the world anticipates the next Olympics, why not host an themed party for the XXII Olympic Winter games?  Amaze your party guest by creating your own custom decorations and accessories that are surely better than anything store-bought.  Check out the many resources on the web for recipes, games, and much more.  Let's get started.

 

PROJECT:  Glittery Olympic Medals

Olympic champs must have their medals!  Not only would these make great decorations, but they are perfect awards for the party game winners. 

STEPS:

1. For each medal, cut 2 pieces of the glittered foam sheets using the Amplify Shears.  Place the foam sheet on the circle die and run it through the Fuse Creativity System.
2. Cut the blue satin ribbon to measure 30 inches.
3. Using a glue gun, attach the ends of the blue ribbon behind one of the glittered foam circle medals.
4. Attach the other glittered foam circle to sandwich the ribbon, glittered sides facing outwards on both sides.

TOOLS:

Fiskars Fuse Creativity System

Medium Circle Die Design Set

Amplify Mixed Media Scissors

Microtip Softgrip No. 5 scissors

glue gun

 

SUPPLIES:

Blue satin ribbon (1-inch wide)

Glittered foam sheets (gold, silver, bronze)

 

PROJECT:  Olympic Flame Torch 

This ceremonial Olympic torch craft uses some unexpected Fiskars Fuse dies & repurposed toilet paper rolls.  It's easier than you think!

STEPS:

1. Cut the gold poster board to fit the Fuse Creativity System.  Place it on the Party Carton die and run it through the Fuse Creativity System.
2. Fold, assemble, and adhere the box.
3. Wrap an toilet paper roll with gold cardboard.
4. Make small cuts on one end of the roll and fold the flaps down.  Put hot glue over these flaps.
5. Place party carton box on top of the paper roll.  Hold down to secure.
6. With the sun die, run 2 pieces each of red and yellow cardstock through the Fuse system.
7. With the scroll die, run 1 piece of red cardstock through the Fuse system.
8. Layer & adhere the orange suns over the red suns as shown.  Place the shortened scroll shape behind one red sun.
9. Cut off the bottom portions of the sun pairs.  The straight edge will be the bottom of the flame.
10. Cut vertical slits:  one on the bottom of the sun pair (with scroll), and one on the top of the other sun pair.
11. Through the slits, slide one sun pair on top of the other to create a dimensional flame.  Place the flame on top of a toilet paper roll that has been cut with slits to secure the flame on.  
12. Hot glue the flame into the inside of the torch bottom.  
13. Use red shredded paper strips to cover the top of the torch and to hide the bottom of the flame.

TOOLS:

Fiskars Fuse Creativity System

Large Design Set - Party Carton

Medium Sun Design Set

Border Scroll Design Set

Amplify Mixed Media Scissors

Microtip Softgrip No. 5 scissors

glue gun

 

SUPPLIES:

Gold poster board

2 empty toilet paper rolls

red cardstock

orange cardstock

red shredded paper strips

 

PROJECT:  Easy Felt Circle Garland

What party can't use a garland or two?  This one is of die-cut felt circles in the well-known Olympic colors, sewn together with a sewing machine.

STEPS:

1. With the Amplify Shears, cut 4-inch squares of felt using green, red, blue, yellow, and black felt sheets.
2. Run the felt squares and the circle die through the Fuse Creativity System.
3. Mark the center of each felt circle by drawing a straight line as a stitch guide.
4. Arrange the circles in alternating colors, then machine-stitch them side by side following the drawn line.
5. Hang it up.

TOOLS:

Amplify RazorEdge Fabric Shears

Microtip Softgrip No. 5 scissors

Sewing machine

SUPPLIES:

Felt sheets in red, blue, yellow, green, and black

Thread

 

 

PROJECT:  Flag of Countries Cupcake Sticks

Cheer for the international athletes and their home countries by adding a flagged cupcake topper.

STEPS:

1. Find images of the flags online.  Print them on white cardstock.
2. Cut them individually, including a blank space on the left of each flag image.   Glue a toothpick behind the flag
3. Fold the blank edge around the toothpick.

TOOLS:

Microtip Softgrip No. 5 scissors

Printer

SUPPLIES:

White cardstock

Wooden toothpicks

Adhesive

 

 

PROJECT:  Olympic Rings Topper

Nothing says Olympics like the infamous 5 interlocking rings in blue, yellow, green, red, and black.  This is a must-have in any Olympic-themed party.  The Fiskars circle cutter is perfect for this craft.

STEPS:

1. First cut a 2" hole on the cardstock using the Circle Cutter.  Then, return the cutter back over the hole & cut a 3" circle to create each ring.  Repeat this until all of the colored rings are cut.
2. Arrange the circles on a grid-mat to help with the alignment.  Dab a small amount of fast-drying liquid glue where the rings meet.
3. Place a wooden stick at the sides of the olympic rings and tie bows using baker's twine.

TOOLS:

Microtip Softgrip No. 5 scissors

 SUPPLIES:

Cardstock in red, blue, yellow, green, and black

2 wooden sticks

baker's twine

 

 

PROJECT:  Olympic Goodie Bags

Send your party guests home with these special packaged bag made of a simple paper lunch sack adorned with a few punched items.  One of the punched shapes is the Branch Out (leaves) to mimic the olive wreath Olympic symbol.  Also, did you know that Fiskars has a Gift Wrap Cutter that has an edge to curl ribbon?!  I love this tool!

STEPS:

1. Cut a 2" strip of kraft paper and wrap it vertically around a folded paper bag.
2. Cut a long piece of blue curling ribbon.  Curl the ends using the Fiskars Gift Wrap Cutter's edge.
3. Wrap the curled ribbon around the kraft-colored band on the bag.  Double-knot it.
4. Turn over a 2.5" circle lever punch to fully view and center the printed Olympics logo.
5. Punch 2 leaf branches and adhere them to the sides of the circle logo.
6. With foam adhesive, add the circle logo over the knotted section of the curled ribbon.

TOOLS:

Circle lever punch XXL

Branch Out Lever Punch

Microtip Softgrip No. 5 scissors

Gift Wrap Cutter/Ribbon Curler

SUPPLIES:

Red lunch sacks

Kraft Paper

Blue curling ribbon

Foam adhesive

 

 

Simple Quilted Potholders

One can never have enough potholders in the kitchen.  These simple potholders make quick & easy projects, even a child can make them with some help.  Need a quick gift for a special mom on Mother's Day?  Try sewing a pair to coordinate with her kitchen decor.  She will love it!

CLICK HERE FOR TUTORIAL.

Moss-Covered Monogram

A large, moss-covered monogram adds an earthy touch to your home decor -- and they are PERFECT for spring!  Forget those costly store or catalog-bought versions.  You can make these yourself, save money, and get the bragging rights for doing it yourself!  Try spelling a word like "spring" or "home" and set them on a mantle or shelf.

CLICK HERE FOR THE TUTORIAL.

Tissue Pom-poms Tutorial

Project:  Tissue Pom-poms

'Got a stack of tissue papers left over from the holidays?  Make them into these impressive tissue paper pom-poms that are surely the easiest and cheapest way to add a festive decor to any room.  Once you make one, you want to keep making more!  They are also perfect in a nursery or a little girl's bedroom.

GO TO THE TUTORIAL.