Annie Lang's Blog!

You just never know who may drop by unexpectedly for the holidays so I've been making some quick and easy last minute gifts to keep on hand for any occasion.  You can also adapt the project for any beverage bottle, be it coffee lattes, bottles fruit juices or full size wine bottles.  Simply use burlap bag sizes to match your bottles.  These dressed up mini bottles are also great for tucking into Christmas stockings, adding to gift baskets and for decorating your luncheon or dinner table.  The empty bottle dress-ups can also be upcycled into mini vases for the shelf or mantle.  Best of all, you only need scissors, a glue gun and odds and ends for embellishments.  So go ahead and make up a batch to have ready for whoever might drop and you can celebrate the season in style! The sample project shown features 5.4" x 3.7"  mini burlap bags purchased at a local craft and hobby store.  If you cannot locate them locally, you can get them for about $.35 each at Amazon .   

Just in time for Holiday Gift Giving!  Make 36 Gift Card Holder Card Pockets in just minutes with Annie Lang's ready to print papercraft project book!   Publication is only available in .pdf format so you just select and print as many project pages as you need them.  36 project pages are 8.5" x 11" format featuring Annie Lang's designs and artwork .  Publication includes easy step by step instructions.  Simply print the page, cut out the design, assemble, personalize and embellish as you wish and give! Great for group and classroom projects.  Finished pocket cards can also be used to hold folded money, checks, coupons, service vouchers and more.  Personal use allows for unlimited printing and resale of FINISHED items .  You can only find this Gift Card Holder Card Pockets printable .pdf activity craft book available for download from Annie Lang's website and Book Store.  So go ahead and check it out and get started right now on your next creative papercrafting ad

One activity I love the most is an annual day trip to a fairly local destination in the fall.  However, the color this year wasn't nearly as vibrant as years past due to rain and warmer temperatures.  Fortunately, frost covered the area a few nights ago and the trees in southern Michigan started to show off their autumn colors just in time for Halloween.  This year, we took a day outing to downtown Chelsea, MI which is about 15 miles west of Ann Arbor.  It's a picturesque little town with plenty of local history, well kept Victorian homes, truly unique shops and great places to eat.  We originally planned to visit the "Jiffy" mix plant but it was closed due to Covid mandates, but here's a little tour of some of the other places we visited as we walked the downtown area. Kitty Face is by far a most unique shop filled with toys, games and vintage curiosities for kids of all ages.   You'll find everything from baby clothing to shower gifts to educational fun to

While recently doing an internet search, I accidentally stumbled upon a Halloween project Crafts 'n Things published in their October 2001 magazine 20 years ago.  I was simply amazed at how many images of the completed clay pot projects were posted anonymously by crafting enthusiasts over the years, making this a timeless project that continues to make the Halloween season fun.   Though Crafts 'n Things magazine is now considered as a vintage craft magazine publication collectible, you can still find variations of many of the finished projects it has inspired being sold today through online EBay and Etsy stores, at craft fairs and bazaars as well as numerous Pinterest board pins.  There are also several sites offering a variety of back issues of the publication which can be purchased.  While I cannot provide the original patterns and instructions for the original project, I can provide basic project instructions so you can make your own.  You can use any size clay or plastic po

  The holidays are fast approaching so I've already started to plan this year's holiday decorating theme!  Potted trees, painted wood round ornaments, evergreen branches, farmhouse style clay pots and painted bottles filled with poinsettias and holly, are on my "to-do" list so I thought I'd get things started with a simple sign that anyone can make.  This sign was hand painted with black, white and forest green acrylic paints.  I also used red and silver Sharpie paint pens to highlight the upper lettering and add accent border lines.  I used a wood innkeepers sign I purchased several years ago, but this design is easily suited for wooden trays, metal sheet signs, painted on burlap, chalkboards and more.  To download the full size free pattern (also suitable for electronic cutting machines) simply right click and save the image to your computer.  You are also encouraged to share this link with friends, family and Pinterest boards!  Happy crafting!

There's a chill in the air as the calendar page turns and the pumpkins come out! In case you missed it... here's a fun post from my 2013 BLOG   I'm sure you'll enjoy if you haven't already seen it.  All month long I'll be sharing fun pumpkin projects, "JOLLY JACKS" themed posts and fun autumn themed features to keep you smiling throughout this festive season. AUTUMN SMILES, EVERYONE!

Well groomed pets are happy pets and so it's time to make some good clean fun with this delightfully whimsical clipart collection from Annie Lang!    Digitally hand rendered with images of dogs, cats and pet owners, you can mix and match any or all of the 14 images for endless creative possibilities.  Collection includes 7 pets being brushed, combed, shampooed, clipped and gussied up by their groomers.  Also included is a bathtub of bubbles with puppy and kitten along with 5 colorfully descriptive and 1 illustrated graphic wordart image. 

Next to my kitchen, the busiest room in the house seems to be the laundry room .  I decided to finally freshen things up a bit in there with a whimsical sign and a few favorite decorative touches.  Here's a fun free DIY project you can try with only basic craft and painting skills needed.  To download the line art pattern, just right click and save to your computer.  You can find most of the supplies at your local hobby or home improvement store.  I found the wood scroll and wooden plaque at Cupboard Distributing.   Happy Laundry Day!

Just released for your seasonal holiday DIY projects!  Annie's Burlap 'n Plaid digital prints from Creative Market are versatile, easily modified and richly textured for any variety of creative project you have in mind. Annie Lang's hand rendered 12" x 12 coordinating, repeatable and seamless textured prints were designed to be used over and over again for creating backgrounds, papers, cutting by hand or machine for appliques, scrapbooking and cardmaking elements, textiles, gift wrap, wallpapers, creative arts imagery projects and more.  So go ahead and get printing to see what you can come up with because Annie Thing IS Possible with a little imagination! 

If you enjoyed my  Wishing Witch project, here's a few more ideas as to what you can make for Halloween with basic craft items you may already have on hand.  All the projects shown here were originally published in magazines nearly 20 years ago and the directions/patterns are no longer available but with the character project ideas are timeless.  Hope you enjoy...and don't forget to share this link! This Candy Holder was made with painted flower pots.  The cape can also be made with a black plastic table covering or black felt. This project is just as easy as can be...just sponge paint a canning jar and add the face with a black permanent marker if you don't want to hand paint the details. My Peek-A-Boo Pumpkin character pattern can be found in Annie Lang's Scarecrows in the Pumpkin Patch line art design book and you can download the pdf from my Annie Things Possible website!    These pumpkin characters were painted on gourds, but you can appl

Thanks to Jackson and Owen's Mom sending me this photo, this pair of busy little bookworms have now been added to my "Bookworm Gallery". You'll find this adorable Bookworm in Annie Lang's storybooks, papercraft activity books, Draw Silly video, clipart, merchandise products and fabric prints.  Join the club and discover just how inspiring these friendly little characters are...because Annie Things Possible when you're a Bookworm !

It's that time of year again so grab the spices and let's make something as sweet as pumpkin pie today!  You can use the images in Annie's Pumpkin Spice Clipart collection from Creative Market to spice up your creative Autumn DIY projects.  

Anyone can paint up this fun DIY wood project to decorate any way you wish for any season of the year!  Here's the basic step-by-step project to get you inspired to welcome the Autumn Season.  So grab your craft supplies and get started...no pattern needed!  You can find the  10" x 20" Door with Panel Kit used for the sample project online from Cupboard Distributing (also comes in smaller sizes!)  Just click the images below to see full size how-to instructions. Please Enjoy and feel free to SHARE THIS PAGE LINK!

Let's have a little fun and get ready for Fall!  I painted up this whimsical little project on a quiet afternoon and can't wait to hang him up once the Autumn decorations come out after Labor Day!  Here's the FREE step-by-step project along with the character lineart ( right click the image and save ).  You can find the 4" x 6" Pumpkin Hollow Ornament I used for the sample project online at  Cupboard Distributing .  ENJOY AND FEEL FREE TO SHARE THIS PAGE LINK!

It's been a long time since we've been able to enjoy a day to get out and explore nearby boutiques filled with handcrafted hidden treasures and vintage curiosities!  My sister-in-law had the perfect destination in mind and the day was filled with sunshine and laughter as we browsed through  Yellow Dog Marketplace in Clarkston, Michigan.                                      Upon entering the establishment, we were warmly greeted by  a friendly staff and I was encouraged to "feel free to snap away"  to my heart's content with my camera.    Multiple vendors booths throughout the marketplace were delightfully staged with everything from apparel and fashion accessories to vintage novelties, Michigan themed items, kitchen goods, handcrafted products, blended coffee and teas and more.    If you're ever in the area, I hope you'll take a little time to spend a few hours exploring this remarkable shopping destination.  Though malls and chain stores are always neede

It won't be long until the leaves begin to fall and the Autumn Pixies Characters come out to play!   The pumpkin harvest will soon be happening soon so it's time for a visit to Pumpkinville so you can get started on your Autumn themed DIY projects.  You'll find all Annie Lang clipart collections along with prints and fonts at the Creative Market Store because Annie Things Possible with a little imagination!  ENJOY!

Spoonflower has just announced that they are now a part of the Shutterfly family which means more creative possibilities for the DIY community and my Annie Things Possible  fabric shop  designs!    Click image to learn more   Click image to see Annie Lang's Spoonflower fabric store