You Did It ! Congrats!

Today, my niece graduates from high school.  She's the youngest of my brothers's children, and I'm almost certain, tears will be shed tonight.  She's also a girl after my own heart; a scrapbooker!  I'd like to say I had a hand in it, but she's an independant girl and does her own thing.  However, one thing I do know - she'll appreciate a hand-made card.

I acquired this stamp set, not too long ago, from My Favorite Things.  It's called Photo Booth and has so many fun elements.  It can be used for graduation, a wedding, a party.... so many occasions.  I also used the coordinating dies to make the chat bubbles.  It's a super fun set and I appreciate MFT so much for sending me this set to play with.

The papers that I chose are from the We R Memory Keepers Inked Rose 6"x6" paper pad.  I LOVE this set.  I mean, really love it.  I've stripped it down to the bare bones so I'll have to find more because it has the most gorgeous polka dot and striped papers EVER!  

To set this piece off, I used my May Arts chevron ribbon and glued it with adhesive dots.  I have several colors of the chevron and they are some of my absolute favorites.  The colors are so fresh and that's just one of the things that keep me coming back to May Arts Ribbon.  

Thanks for stopping by!  I've got a giveaway still going that ends Sunday, Mar. 24th, so look for the post about Deb's Blogiversary if you'd like to enter.

I'm also entering my card into these challenges:

Craftin' Desert Divas Graduation Party

Additional supplies: Basic Grey enamel dots, Spellbinders Celebra'tions Rectangle pierced dies and circle dies, Thermoweb Medium Zots, The Paper Studio Foam Squares, Close To My Heart black archival dye ink

Disclosure: This post may contain affiliate links so, if you purchase a product using the link I may receive a commission. I only participate in the affiliate programs linked above because they are products that I use and love. Your purchase price is not affected in any way, by using my links.  Thank you for your support and helping me keep my content free!

#cre8time #thermoweb #mftstamps #spellbinders #basicgrey #ctmh #cdd #graduation #wedding #party #celebration

Starting A Scrapbook Layout "About Me"

My friend Nancy suggested I start an album about me.  Actually, she suggested this a long while ago, however, I've finally decided it's time to do it.  I've been making cards for so long, I've sort of lost my "touch" with scrapping.  It wasn't until a weekend crop about a month ago, that I renewed my gusto for making layouts.  I would say it was my son who was the impetus.  Or rather, his nagging, that I get back to making layouts of his achievements.

Also, National Scrapbook Day just happened.  It's such a fun time to focus on the craft.  I plan to enter my layout into a couple fun challenges, one of which revolves around NSD.  Look for those at the end of this post and enter yourself!

Keep scrolling and I'll show you how I made this layout.  

I started by cutting some fun embellishments with my Cricut Explore and Graphic 45 papers.  I used the Floral Embellished cartridge for the designs.

I used my Tombow Dual brush pens to make watercolors on an acrylic block.

This is the technique I used, dipping a toothbrush into the color, then misting my doilies.  I also did some font writing using my Cricut to create the beauty sentiment, along with a Cricut pen in blue.  I added some Ranger Tropical Tangerine Stickles Glitter Glue as well.

What would we do without our crafty friends?  My good friend MariLynn made me some quilled flowers.  They're so tiny so I took my Tombow adhesive dots and cut them into four pieces to stick my pretty little flowers down.  It's a great way to use just a small piece, and extend your stash!

Here's a close-up of the butterfly that I cut with my Explore.  My layout background paper is Graphic 45  Time To Flourish and the butterfly is G45 Sweet Sentiments.

I've also added some pretty May Arts Ribbon.  Below, is the scalloped adhesive ribbon.  I also used the tiny floral bud adhesive ribbon, along with natural burlap string.

This definitely took some time to put together, particularly since my brain isn't functioning at full capacity by the days end, but I think I did okay.

Here are the challenges that I'm entering:

Tombow National Scrapbook Day Layout Challenge

Simon Says Stamp Monday Challenge: Coral

Graphic 45 May Challenge Layout on Facebook

Additional supplies: Bo Bunny crochet flower, We R Memory Keepers Enamel Dots, Gold foil chevron washi tape from Hobby Lobby St. Patricks Day collection, 6" doilies from Hobby Lobby, Recollections mini enamel dots pastel, Tombow Mono adhesive Power Bond, Bic Metallic gel pen, Cricut, Prima Marketing Flower clip, foam squares

#ssswchallenge #tombow #mayartsribbon #wrmk #graphic45

Disclosure: This post may contain affiliate links so, if you purchase a product using the link I may receive a commission. I only participate in the affiliate programs linked above because they are products that I use and love. Your purchase price is not affected in any way, by using my links.  Thank you for your support and helping me keep my content free!

Be Happy, Be Inspired

 It's been awhile since I've linked up with the Unity Stamp Company's Be Inspired Challenge.  This is a monthly event and I decided I'm long overdue.  So, I went with the color challenge.  You can also choose the card or layout sketch challenge for inspiration. 

For my project, I decided on a mixed media piece that features the September 2013 Kit of the Month, Happiness Has No Limit.  I did some watercoloring and added some glittered straw fibers, along with some Bo Bunny Pearlescent and Plaid Mod Podge Dimensional Glue for added texture.

 Look closely at the bottom and you can see that I've added layers of scrap paper that closely match the color scheme.  I've also "scrunched" up the paper to give what I like to call "scruffiness"!

This started out as a 6"x6" white card, but I really wanted to give it a unique shape, so I simply hand trimmed the bottom of the card with my scissors, along with the stacked papers so all the layers matched.

I used my Tombow Dual Brush Markers for all the coloring, directly inking my stamp with multiple colors, then adding additional color by spritzing water onto an acrylic block that had been swiped a few times with my markers.

Join in the fun and link up, if you have Unity Stamps.  The contest ends May 13th, 2015.

 

Challenge Link:

Unity Be Inspired April Challenge 

Speckled Egg Easter Cards + Free SVG file and Giveaway!

Here's my project for the Unity Stamp sponsored contest over at Mountain Plains Crafters.  We are so excited to take the time to recognize National Craft Month, and to have Unity Stamps join us by donating not just one prize, but two!  

Be sure you "like" MPC at the link above, and tag your friends on the pinned post to qualify for the prize.  One tagger, and their friend, will each win a grab bag of 25 stamps from the Unity Stamp

Company.  Awesome sauce!

For my project, I'm showing you how I made a set of fun Speckled Easter Egg Shaped cards.  I'm using 3 different Unity stamps today, and will share the links with you below.  If you are a Cricut Explore user, I'm happy to share the cutting file for you, as well.  It will be at the end of this post.

I started by creating an egg shaped card using my Cricut Explore and the online Design Space.  I placed a score line as well, to fold the card.  I also created the accompanying egg shaped panel for the front and inside of the card.  Once folded, I trimmed a flat edge on the bottom of my card so it would stand upright a little better.

Next, I have my Unity stamp called "Bubbly", from the Webster's Pages collection.  I'm going to directly apply ink using my Tombow Dual Brush pens from the Bright Collection.  After applying the ink, I will then spritz with water and apply to my white cardstock.  Repeat this several times to complete cover the egg.

Next, I'm adding a strip of washi tape onto white cardstock for a border on my egg.  You can simply trim a piece of colored cardstock if you'd rather.  

For the sentiment, I'm heat embossing on textured cardstock, using Versamark, Zing Aqua embossing powder and my heat tool.   I love this sentiment font.  It's from the Pretty Easter Finds set.

Here are a couple close-ups of the Speckled Egg cards.  Thanks so much to the Unity Stamp Company for sponsoring our giveaway for National Craft Month!

Now, here's the link for you to cut your own Easter Egg shaped cards with coordinating panels.  This can only be used with the Cricut Explore and the online Cricut Design Space that is only for the Explore.  

https://us.cricut.com/design/#/canvas/26114007  **Please note, before cutting, the mat size wanted to change to 12x24.  Just ignore and keep going, it cuts fine on 12x12.

Copy and paste this link into your address bar at the top of the screen.  It will take you directly to design space where you will then log in.  Be sure and save the file.  Enjoy!

Additional Supplies: Unity Sentiment from the "Feel Better Soon" kit (stamped inside card), Powder Puff Tahini chalk ink, Doodlebug Design glitter enamel dots, Bazill cardstock,  DCWV Quince Blossom cardstock (inside card)

#nationalcraftmonth #tombow #unitystamps #dcwv #easter #americancrafts #cricuteverywhere #cricut #svg

Vintage Guy Birthday card

As many card markers do, I have lots of scraps, in all shapes and sizes.  We crafters are a thrifty lot and we save EVERYTHING!   I decided to dive into the archives to make this manly card for a customer.  I've used bits of Teresa Collins Vintage Finds papers along with some other scrap pieces.  The stamping, inside and out, is from the Unity Stamp Co Birthday Jubilee kit and the ink I chose for today is Colorbox in Saddle.  It was the perfect shade to match the vintage background.

To embellish, I added some May Arts Ribbon natural burlap string and Studio Calico Woodgrain enamel dots, along with the burlap bird sticker from Little Yellow Bicycle.  And, that's a wrap!

 

Additional supplies: Pop Dots, Tombow Xtreme adhesive runner, We R Memory Keepers yellow striped cardstock from the SHINE 12x12 stack.

 

Disclosure: This post may contain affiliate links so, if you purchase a product using the link I may receive a commission. I only participate in the affiliate programs linked above because they are products that I use and love. Your purchase price is not affected in any way, by using my links.  Thank you for your support and helping me keep my content free!

Make Easy Valentine Hearts with Washi Tape

 I'm working on a fundraiser, as my son is going on his first mission trip in a few months, so I decided to make some quick and easy Valentine cards to sell, with proceeds going to the Youth Group Mission Fund.

I snagged this fun washi tape at the dollar tree and alternated strips onto 8.5"x11" white cardstock.  I cut heart shapes onto my washi cardstock with my Cricut Explore, but you can easily use a 3" heart punch as well.

Next, I ran my hearts through my 9" Xyron Creative Station and made my hearts into stickers.  If you don't have a sticker maker, just grab an adhesive runner from your local craft store.   Some Walgreens and CVS stores sell these as well.

 

Add some ribbon or gemstones, a sweet sentiment, and you are done!

 

 

Supplies:

May Arts Ribbon adhesive hearts

Unity Stamp Co Sentiment from "Everything Love" kit  

Thermoweb Medium Zots

Xyron - Xyron 900 Creative Station Sticker Maker - Home
from: Scrapbook.com
Prima - Allstar Collection - Sugar Enamel Dots
from: Scrapbook.com
Doodlebug Design - Sweetheart Collection - Washi Tape - Endless Love
from: Scrapbook.com

Cricut Explore Machine Vinyl Starter Set
from: Cricut


Disclosure: This post may contain affiliate links so, if you purchase a product using the link I may receive a commission. I only participate in the affiliate programs linked above because they are products that I use and love. Your purchase price is not affected in any way, by using my links.  Thank you for your support and helping me keep my content free!


#cre8time #valentinesday #heart #love #washi #cricut #cricutexplore #xyron #mayartsribbon #unitystamps #thermoweb

My Spring Picks from Scrapbook.com and Doodlebug Design + 10% coupon code

Who's ready for Spring?  I am totally loving these fresh colors from Doodlebug Designs.  Anyone who knows me, knows I'm a sucker for enamel dots.  Scroll through my picks and peek at the fun Easter kit.  Be sure to snag the coupon code at the end of this post for 10% off your entire purchase, but hurry....code expires 1/25/15.   Have fun shopping!

Scrapbook.com: Thousands of scrapbooking supplies. HUGE daily discounts!

• Doodlebug Design - Sprinkles - Self Adhesive Enamel Dots - Bubblegum
• 
• Price: $4.99

• Doodlebug Design - Hip Hip Hooray Collection - Sprinkles - Self Adhesive Enamel Dots - Birthday Boy
• 
• Price: $4.99

• Doodlebug Design - Hello Spring Collection - Sugar Coated Cardstock Stickers - Easter Parade
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• Price: $3.99

• Doodlebug Design - Let's Kit Together - Easter
• 
• Price: $18.99

Get an EXTRA 10% off the ENTIRE Store! (Code: TENF222)

Get an additional 10% OFF EVERYTHING in the store. Many items are already on sale, so your final prices in the shopping cart will be 10% to 80% OFF. Use coupon TENF222 at checkout. Coupon expires on January 25, 2015 at midnight MST.

Disclosure: This post may contain affiliate links so, if you purchase a product using the link I may receive a commission. Your purchase price is not affected in any way.  I only participate in the scrapbook.com affiliate program because they are products that I use and love. Thank you for your support!

#cre8time #doodlebugdesign #scrapbook, #easter #spring #bunny #enameldots

Get an EXTRA 10% off the ENTIRE Store! (Code: TENF222) Get an additional 10% OFF EVERYTHING in the store. Many items are already on sale, so your final prices in the shopping cart will be 10% to 80% OFF. Use coupon TENF222 at checkout. Coupon expires on January 25, 2015 at midnight MST. Disclosure: This post may contain affiliate links so, if you purchase a product using the link I may receive a commission. Your purchase price is not affected in any way. I only participate in the scrapbook.com affiliate program because they are products that I use and love. Thank you for your support! #cre8time #doodlebugdesign #scrapbook, #easter #spring #bunny #enameldots

ADORNit feature - Art Print "Craft Room Display" with fabric

On Monday, the design team at Mountain Plains Crafters participated in a joint blog hop with ADORNit; creator of all things, fabric, paper crafts and the all new Art Play Paintables, designed by artist Lindsay Ostrom.  We created sooooo many lovely things that I'm breaking it down in a more detailed format this week, featuring each of my creations in detail with tutorials.

To see all the projects from the ADORNit blog hop, go here:  

 http://www.adornit.com/blog/art-play-blog-hop/

This next piece blends ADORNit fabric with Art Play Prints.  This polka dot fabric is called Bebop Dot Black and the print is called "Craft Room Display".  For this project, I'm using the 11" large ADORNit Pointed Wood Brackets.  Yes, they have wood products too!  

To make this, I took the print and placed one of the smaller coordinating wood panels from ADORNit on top, traced the border with a pencil, then trimmed.  I also traced the outline of the fabric with the larger wood panel and trimmed as well.  The fabric was adhered to the wood with my Tombow Xtreme adhesive runner, which is perfect for using on wood and fabric.  I then used Mod Podge over the fabric and art print, with a second coat as well after the first coat dried.  Next, I used Plaid FolkArt ® Multi-Surface Glitter Acrylic Paints - Sequin Silver - around the edges and coated with DecoArt Glamour Dust.  We crafters love our glitter, right?

I cut strips of the same fabric used on the wood panel, fringed them and fashioned into cute bows.  These were adhered with generous doses of Tombow Mono Aqua glue.  Are they not adorable?  

Additional supplies: We R Memory Keepers large enamel dots

  #cre8time #adornit #Modpodge #decoart #tombow #wavingmywand #Plaid #CHA

Disclosure: This post may contain affiliate links so, if you purchase a product using the link I may receive a commission. I only participate in Amazon’s affiliate program because they are products that I use and love. Thank you for your support! 

Mod Podge and Waffle Flower Pin

My sister always tries to outdo me at Christmas.  So this year, I've come up with a handmade, thoughtful gift, and by golly.....she better like it!

She works for an eye glass company so I thought it would be nice to make her a pin that she could wear to work every day, along with her company uniform.

This is what I came up with:

I wanted it to be in an "eye chart" format with a little play on words.  The lettering is from the Waffle Flower "Be My Guest" font stamp set.  I stamped it onto a piece of DCWV Vintage Essentials tissue paper with black Ranger ink, then Mod Podged it onto a piece of Mod Podge Shapeables.  Those are Basic Grey Candy Buttons glued on with Tombow Mono Aqua Glue.  

Got to make sure they stay put!

For the backing, I used Mod Podge on a piece of white cardstock; the tissue paper is so thin, you could see through, so it needed a white background.  This pin base comes all ready sticky, but I'm not taking any chances on it coming off, so I added an extra strip of Tombow Xtreme adhesive to secure it.  It's heavy duty stuff!

I think my sister will get a kick out of this cute pin.  What do you think?

I'm entering this into the December Waffle Flower Challenge, Anything Goes.  Join in yourself and play along here:  http://waffleflower.com/2014/12/another-thank-you-winners-a-new-anything-goes-challenge/

Disclosure:  If you decide to make a purchase through my affiliate links, Amazon will pay me a commission for it. This doesn’t cost you anything additional. These commissions help to keep the rest of my content free, so thank you!

#waffleflower #cre8time #ranger #dcwv #tombow #modpodge #diy

Bunches of Wheat

This past summer, I attended the Scrapbook Expo in Duluth, GA, where I fell in love with this wheat flower stamp from Jenny Bowlin Studios.  I was lucky enough to hang out with Jenny and her family for a bit.  They are really sweet folks.  At one point, the power went out in the entire building,  so I pulled out my cellphone flashlight app so Jenny's hubby could finish the transaction. 

That was a fun day!

I made this set of cards featuring the Jenny Bowlin wheat flower stamp.   This set is simple, but elegant.  In addition, I've used Queen and Company polka dot washi tape, Tim Holtz distress ink in Brushed Corduroy, May Arts Ribbon natural jute and Prima Marketing enamel dots.  The sentiment is from the Unity Stamp Co Jillibean Soup set "Blossom Soup".

#Cre8time #jennibowlin #queenandcompany #unitystamp



Partial dry embossing, 3 different looks and some bonus tips!

Ever have a day when you start something but just can't seem to finish it?  This project started, oh, about 3 weeks ago.  Other things kept getting in the way.  You know, life.  However, today is a new day and I am going to finish this! 

 

We crafters are known for our tools and yours truly is no exception.  I love my Cuttlebug.  The hubs gave it to me for Christmas one year.  Well, actually, I said give me your credit card and I'll go buy my Christmas present.  Have you tried the partial embossing technique?  Don't you love it?  It's so easy and the possibilities are endless with what you can do.  Using this technique to embellish little things, such as these gift tags, are one way.  Just place your tag where you want the image stamped.  Usually on the the edge is where you want to do this. 

 

*Tip: Make your own tag template and stop spending money on tags!  Especially great for making tags using colored/patterned cardstock.

 

 

 

But don't stop there.  You can really jazz up your embossed image and I've got 3 different tags below that show you what I've done.  I used a snow marker on one (you can buy these at Hobby Lobby for 3.99 right now during the holiday season in the Christmas craft section, plus use a 40% off coupon!)  Snow markers are so fun.  Just run it where you want "snow" and use a heat embossing tool to dry it and it foams right up.

 

 

 On the next tag, I used a little paint and some Tulip Beads in a Bottle and for the last tag, some Zig 2 way glue and Doodlebug Designs glitter.  If you're going to make your own tags, like I do, get yourself a nice tag reinforcer die.  I love this one from Waffle Flower Crafts and it's only around $2.00!  Make all kinds of cool tag reinforcers.

 

*See that washi tape?  Tip: when using on colored cardstock, tape it over white paper, then adhere it to your project.

 

 

 

Hope you enjoy trying out this technique.  Have a wonderful holiday season!

 

Supplies:  Unity Stamp "Special Delivery" stamp from the October 2013 kit of the month, May Arts Ribbon twine, Marvy snow marker, Doodlebug Designs Sugar coating glitter in Lily White, Tulip Gold Beads in a Bottle, Plaid Folk Art white paint, Plaid Folk art Gold metallic paint, Zig 2 way glue marker, Basic Grey candy buttons, The Rubber Cafe sheer glue (for the "snow drops" which were, once dried, then painted white), washi tape, Quick Quotes Powder Puff chalk ink in yellow, Waffle Flower Crafts tag reinforcer die, SEI gold cardstock, The Paper Studio Christmas trees embossing folder, K & Co green plaid cardstock, Lil' Inker Designs stitched oval mat frame die

 

#waffleflowercrafts #unitystampco #mayartsribbon #ilovechristmas #plaidcrafts

Glitter Christmas card

I've made this card for a couple challenges:
 Waffle Flower Crafts and 
 Simon Says Stamp Wednesday Challenge.  

At Waffle Flower, there are 2 ways to enter your project:  a sketch card or build a scene.  I went with the sketch as seen here:

I used a lot of elements on this card, most of which are pictured below, but the stamps are all from the Waffle Flower set "A Homemade Christmas".  For Simon Says Stamps, the challenge is to make a tag or incorporate a tag into your project. 

This was a 2 day project as I used shimmer paint and did some mixed media on the base tag and it needed to dry overnight.  First, I took the Joy stamp and inked all over the tag with Versamark clear ink, then heat embossed with Ranger white embossing powder.

 

  Next, I painted the tag with green shimmer paint and allowed to dry.  I used the same shimmer paint (mixed with a bit of water on an acrylic block) on the trees, painting the stamp and inking on watercolor paper, even experimenting with different shades and generation stamping.

 

Day two, I inked the painted tag with white ink, allowed to dry, then used a damp cloth to wipe and remove some of the white, leaving a textured look.  I also used the tag re-inforcer die from Waffle Flowers and a scrap piece of green paper to use on the smaller tag.  I added mini glue dots to the trees and sprinkled with extra fine red glitter, pressing into the dots and shaking off excess.

It was a lot of work but fun work!  Hope you like it.  :)

P.S.  We're having a fun challenge over at Mountain Plains Crafters so hop on over and enter a project for a cool prize.  Ends 9/24/14.

Supplies: Waffle Flower "A Homemade Christmas" stamp set, My Mind's Eye Mistletoe Magic designer paper, mini glue dots, Basic Grey candy buttons, May Arts Ribbon 2 mm red bakers twine, Martha Stewart gold ink, Spellbinders Luscious Lime Silk Luster, red extra fine glitter, Versamark clear ink, embossing buddy, Ranger white embossing powder

 

Supplies not pictured:  Tombow Xtreme adhesive tape, Tombow hook and loop fastener (inside card, holding twine), American Crafts Rouge ink, Wink of Stella clear glitter brush, Crafter's Essentials wipes (to clean my acrylic block), Recollections white ink, Scotch foam dots, American Crafts glitter tape in red and green, Waffle Flower tag re-inforcer die

#waffleflowercrafts #Cre8time #simonsaysstamps