May Arts Ribbon Flower Challenge + Prize Giveaway!

I'm so happy to have been chosen for the May Arts Ribbon Flower Challenge.  Participants were allowed to choose their own ribbon and were instructed to create a flower from that ribbon.

Click this link to cast your vote for your favorite creation by leaving a comment at the May Arts Blog post here:  https://www.mayarts.com/ribbon-flower-challenge-entries-and-a-giveaway/

But guess what?  You have a chance to win ribbon for yourself!

The prize?  A $25 gift card to the May Arts Ribbon new online store, The Ribbon Resource

For my project, I chose to make a layered flower with a pin backing to wear as jewelry.  The bottom and middle layer of petals were cut in a heart shape with my Cricut Explore.  I've done some ink distressing to some of my ribbon, to give it a bit of a vintage feel, using distress ink and a blending tool.  I ironed on heat n bond to the back of my ribbon prior to trimming the petals.  The first 3 layers of petals were ironed together, then distressed.  The top layer was inked, then Mod Podged for better shaping and to give the petals some shine.

My layers begin with one of the new releases, the Garden Print.  I've hand trimmed a few white and pink leaf-like petals peeking out as well.

There's also a layer of white and pink petals between the top and bottom flower.  To give some texture, I distressed the center ribbon layer by melting it a bit with my heating tool.

I finished my flower with some pearl string accents, a button and enamel dot.  

I recommend you use a hot glue gun to better secure your pin backing.

Bonus Tip!  

I love grabbing up seasonal adhesive felt products on clearance.  They make great backings for just about any jewelry project. 

Ribbons/Accessories used:

JC01 - WHITE

 468-25-19 Garden Print

524-38-09 Ivory (pearl string)

AW17 - PINK/WHITE

#mayartsribbon #challenge #prize #cre8time #cricut #modpodge

DIY Glo Bugs In A Jar and Light It Up Blue for Autism Awareness!

I'm so happy to be invited to participate in the "Light It Up Blue for Autism Awareness" Blog Hop, hosted by Tenia Nelson and Veronica Zalis.  There will be a lot of projects showcased today so I hope you have the chance to check all of them out.  

You can find all the creations and sponsors listed here: 

http://lk2thestarz.blogspot.com/2015/04/the-light-it-up-blue-for-autism.html

If you would like a chance to win a prize from one of these fabulous companies leave a comment on this blog, and any of the other blogs participating in today's hop! Winners will be chosen at random and will be announced on Monday April 6.

My inspiration for this blog hop?  I have a good friend who's child is on the spectrum.  He's the sweetest child and he's my little buddy!  I also work for an agency that serves children with disabilities so bringing awareness to Autism is something that I'm very happy to get behind.  The only instruction we've been given is to create something blue, so with that in mind........

 I have created a Glow in the Dark Bug Jar and mini card, both blue!

I've used most of the products that you see here.

To start, I've applied the Tulip white Glo fabric paint on these branches collected from my yard.  I also added a bit of Doodlebug Design Glitter so it looks pretty during the day.   You can find out more about this awesome Tulip Glo paint here, at ilovetocreate.com.

It takes several hours for this fabric paint to dry, so I decided I needed to prop up my branches to get all sides covered and speed up the process.  Luckily I had a mason jar lid with holes.  You could also use floral foam to poke your sticks upright, or just leave your branches long, place in a mug to paint, then break off the ends that weren't painted, after they've dried.

Next, I painted on shapes and designs with the Tulip white and blue Glo paint on vellum bugs that I cut with my Cricut Explore.  The vellum started to curl, so I decided to tack down my bugs with Tombow adhesive dots (cut in fours) to my craft mat.  

If I had it to do over, I would have gone with all smaller bugs, and let them curl naturally.   They actually look pretty cute.  If you have little toy bugs in your child's room, you could substitute for those.  They would work just as well with a little glo paint and glued to the branches.

In addition to making the fun bug jar, I also water colored and glittered this lovely mini card, which is from ADORNit Art Play Paintables.

This is what it looks like in the dark.  You can use a bright flashlight on it for a few minutes to bring out the glo, however an ultraviolet or black light works best.  This is 5 minutes into the glo process.  The kids will love having this on their shelf or dresser to watch as they drift off to Neverland!

Additional supplies: Stickles Star Dust glitter glue, Tombow Dual Brush pens, Lantern Blue Mason Jar from Hobby Lobby, Decorative straw fiber from the Scrapbook Expo, craft sequins, The Paper Studio gemstones

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!

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!