Latest Projects

I have a tendency to create LOTS of something when I come up with an idea.  This helps me with time management so I create an inventory as well as making the most out of whatever materials I've pulled out.  Such is the case when I decided to use up a bunch of fabric remnants I had been hoarding.

You might not think "flower pins" when you see a bunch of upholstery scraps, but it is what came to mind for me.  I used my Big Shot and the Fun Flowers die (which has been retired- the current Bouquet Bigz die would work well too) to cut out the flowers, layering on two pieces of fabric maximum and running it through the machine twice.  Beforehand, I went ahead and paired some coordinating or contrasting fabrics together so I had an interesting and visually appealing combination after these were cut out.

After cutting all my fabric pieces out, I pulled out the hot glue gun, buttons, pin backs, and lint roller.  Yes, you will WANT a lint roller.  All these pieces of fabric will have little bits of fray, which can make a mess.  For fabrics that want to fray badly, I brought out some clear nail polish (I keep a stash just for crafting) and lightly dabbed the edges.

I used 2 large, 2 medium, and 2 small pieces to construct each flower with a dab of hot glue in between each layer.  Also, make sure you are turning each flower piece on top of the next one at an angle so these don't lay perfectly on top of one another.  I do this by trying to make the petals of the top piece line up in the middle of the piece below it.

Before all the glue dries, I scrunch the pieces together.  So scientific sounding, huh?  By giving a little fluff, the pieces will look more full and will stay that way because the glue drying will help hold the shape.  It really makes a difference with your final project.

Last comes the pin back and the button in the center.  I love how these buttons look in the middle!  Oh, and give each flower one last flick to dislodge any bits of fraying materials before you package them.  Once finished, these are great for adding to a blazer, purse, or for a hair clip!

I ended up with over 100... do you think I have enough?!?

I also made a quick door sign for my new office this week (woohoo!) from a chalkboard I found at the dollar store.  I used a chalk marker to write on the front.  A stencil or free handing a sentiment works great and the marker makes it stand out!  I then painted the back with some black chalkboard paint and added another sentiment.  This way, I can flip the sign over depending on the situation.  I used some eye hooks and a little twine from the banner kit to finish my project.

Treat Pillow Boxes

I love Random Acts of Kindness gifts!  They satisfy my need to constantly be creating AND my love for unexpected little surprises for deserving people.  So, when I came across this idea on Pinterest, I thought they would be perfect RAK gifts.

It all starts with using the bathroom...???  Huh?  See, you need toilet paper rolls to begin this project! :)   We all have some of those eventually, right?  Cut up paper towels rolls work great, too.

I used this awesome Pretty Petals paper stack that is 6x6"and cut 1"off the side.  This will still leave a small edge to the toilet paper roll, but you want a little extra paper on the sides of the roll.

Get out your handy modge podge and apply a layer to the opposite side of your paper with a sponge painter.  Then, event roll the toilet paper roll over the paper, adhering as you go.  Make sure to rub out any bubbles and to adhere the paper and roll together well.  Set aside to let dry.

Once dry, apply another layer of modge podge to the outside of your paper roll.  This will help to seal the seam of your project, plus give a great sheen to your final project.  Let dry.

To create the finished project, bend one side of the roll inward, followed by the opposite end, overlapping slightly.  You can fill the still open end with whatever treats you like (individual Kit Kats fit perfectly in mine!) and then close the open end with the same process.

To finish, I used the Sprinkles of Life stamp set, the Itty Bitty Butterfly punch, and some trim (bakers twine, linen thread and gold thread) to make it extra adorable.  These are now ready for gifting!

Prepping for Salt Lake

My trip to Salt Lake City is coming up soon and I am getting pumped!  I am hosting a swap that uses Stampin' Up! items in fun and unconventional ways (called 3D since they are normally 3 dimensional).  60 women are joining me for this swap, so we will have lots of creativity going around.  I just packed my craft bag a little bit ago and it is STUFFED to the brim with goodies to share.  Oh Lord, please let those zippers hold up!

Here are a few projects I have completed for the swap.  I have had a blast coming up with these.

First, my tried and true clothespins.  I sell these at the Gifted stop all the time and just love them for holding notes, pictures, reminders, recipes, or more.

Second, mini magnets using bottle caps from the local craft store.  The background is the gorgeous Bohemian designer series paper, which is then layered with sayings made with the Alphabet Rotary stamp. A little Crystal Effects has these all shiny and lovely.  I add a strip of magnetic tape on the back and viola!

The last project I will share today are some pens. I used the same Bohemian DSP (can you sense a theme here?) to punch the flowers out with the Fun Flower punch. This was hot glued to the pen top and washi tape was wrapped around the pen base.  I little Crystal Effects or Dazzling Details was added to the flower petal tips to give them a little oomph.  

  

Swap-tastic

I recently had the opportunity to coordinate a swap with friends featuring items from the new Stampin' Up! catalog!  I was so excited to get little packages in the mail with amazing creations that I can share with others.  These cards really are beautiful and inspire me so much!  I just have to brag about these to everyone.

First, let me show you my swap.  It features the Butterfly Basics stamp set and the 2015-2017 In-Color collection, which I love!  Mint Macaron is my favorite color!

Now for the fun part- showing off my friends work!  I am awed by how lovely these are all and completely inspired to make more cards.  I will CASE these for sure!  First up- these cutie by Pat Mayer.  The island indigo insets shine like jewels thanks to some crystal effects!

Jane Harala's creations are always great, including this card set.  The Bohemian DSP is so rich and goes great with the Floral Wings stamp set.  Jane always puts in the best little details, including the inset of this card.

I am literally OBSESSED with Cindy Cort's card.  When I looked at the front- I thought "How adorable!!"  Then, I opened the card and...

 Poww!!!  I love the this balloon and can't get over it's cuteness!  The cotton paper on this is perfect for creating the folds on this 3d feature.  A-m-a-z-i-n-g Cindy!

Tonya Byrd made this adorable card, and I just love how she added the extra touch of popping up one of the flowers with dimensionals.

Last but certainly not least is Denise Knowles' Pinwheel fun fold card.  Isn't this amazing?  Once it is opened, you have this fantastic note space as well as the pinwheel effect repeated.  The Bohemian DSP is really featured here too.  Love it Denise!

Painted Blooms

Lately, I've been on a crafting streak, and it's only partially because I'm avoiding cleaning my house!  On this beautiful Memorial Day in North Carolina, the sun is shining and we (gasp) have very little humidity!  It's wonderful and makes me think of all the flowers blooming. 

I love to harness moments when inspiration hits and go all out with creating things.  This week, I focused on utilizing the stunning Painted Blooms Designer Series Paper before it officially retires.  I had recently purchased a few frames at Ikea, and was happy to find something to fill them!

First, I cut my piece of DSP to 5 x 7 to fit the frame.  I ended up with a little white space in the corner, and decided to free hand a quote that I found on a stamp set several years ago.  I thought it fit well with this paper!  With some of the remnants, I cut out a few blooms and used some Tombo glue and dimensionals to add a little oomph to the mat of the print.  It's subtle, but I really love to affect.  Even a little butterfly or something in the corner of the glass would be nice!

This one uses the same piece of paper, but I've embossed on it instead using the "Hello Life" stamp set. I also added another bloom with dimensionals in the corner.  It adds such a nice touch and really lets the person receiving this know they are special!

Last, I used some scraps to make a fun accent on the side of my card.  Oh how I LOVE scraps and using up every little bit of something.  Doesn't it make you feel accomplished to use everything you have? :)

I broke out the watercolor paper and colored these lovely tulips with Strawberry Slush, Pear Pizazz, and Crumb Cake Ink.  The background has a little Pool Party wash as well.  Tip: I would recommend painting one part of this (such as the leaves, tulips, or newspaper wrapping) and letting it dry before painting another section.  This will help your painting not to bleed as much.  I went back over my tulips with a more concentrated ink on one side of the bloom to add some dimension after the initial color had dried.

Motivating Missionaries

I was asked a few weeks ago to help with preparing some care packages for our students and chaperones doing to South Africa for 12 days for a mission trip.  We were to write each person a note each day to open during their reflection time each evening.  I knew this would be an undertaking, but always look forward to a challenge!  After developing thoughts and scriptures for each day, I set out to put these in the cards.  Originally, I wanted to hand-write these, but quickly learned (thanks to hand cramps after about note 5) that typing notes and signing each would be easier!

Here are a some of the cards that went into the packets.  Some I made specifically for the group, while I used cards on hand for other days.  I really liked how the first one here turned out.  I tried to make a more masculine and more feminine version so the guys on the trip didn't have too many florally things from me!  The Bon Voyage card used Project Life cards- so easy!

Once I had all the cards finished, they were stacked up on my dining room table ready to package.  I used these super cute chevron bags and some paper scraps to make tags for each bag. 

Last but certainly not least, I made journals for each person.  I was going through a box in my craft room and found some simple journals about Midnight before the packets had to be turned in.  Can you tell my best ideas come late at night?  ;) I just had to make a journal for each person to be able to write down their experiences and journey through their mission.  

Again, I tried to make the guys and gals journals a little different, even down to the writing of their names.  I am super obsessed with this chalk pen, so it gave me an excuse to use it even more!

I can't wait for this group to come back so I can hear all of their stories and see their pictures!

The Art of Repurposing

It's that time of year again!  Time to start going through what is retiring and deciding if I am going to use it up or perpetually hoard it because I like it too much to use it! ;)

I am trying to do the former, although I have my moments from time to time.  One of my organizational spurts lead me to my remaining occasions catalogs and taking off the Sale-A-Bration cover.  I loved the design and look of the inside cover so much and just couldn't stand for these to be thrown out!  So, I just had to use these for some projects.  Free patterned paper is always a hit, y'all!

First project is one I CASED (Copy And Share Everything) from those wonderful folks at Stampin' Up!.  I took the background banner from the Sale-a-Bration cover and added some Project Life cork letters that sadly are retiring in a short month (sniff).

This second guy uses a Sale-a-bration stamp set and Bermuda Bay card stock with some Crushed Curry in the banner.  Man, what I wouldn't have given to have had the new build-a-banner punch for this project!  Patience, Erin!

I have to remind myself sometimes that a simple and clean card can be just as beautiful as it's fussy cousins (I have a tendency to go a little overboard with my decorations!).  This card is simple, clean, and a great way to showcase the great pattern in this paper. If you trade out the rhinestone bling for perhaps a little washi tape, this card would be great for a guy, too.

Here they all are together!  I have a few more covers remaining, so who knows what will come next! 

Happy crafting!