Autumn Woods Pop-Up card and Fall Collage

September 23, 2016August 6, 20211 Comment

One of the best things about being on a design team is the opportunity to work with awesome

products. When I got my last box of goodies from Paper House Productions I instantly fell

in love with the Autumn Woods Collection.

The sweet water colored woodland animals are cute without being to cutesy.

I knew as soon as I saw them that they needed to be made into a pop-up card.

Tips…

I apply baby powder on the back of my stickers with a small paintbrush to remove the tackiness. That way I can use my stickers like die-cuts.
On the front of the card: I love adding dimension… so under the “Autumn is in the Air” and the “bunnies” I used 3-D foam mounting squares.
Add even more dimension to the inside of your pop up card by adding thin foam mounting squares to the stickers “tree” and “autumn woods” and strategically placing them on the background.
I created a couple of pop-up steps for my forest friends.

While cleaning up the Autumn Woods scraps laying on my desk, I decided to make a Fall

Collage using a rummage sale frame I picked up last month for next to nothing.

All in all… I would have to say that the Autumn Woods Collection has to be my favorite

Paper House Productions collection so far. (at least for the time being)

Here’s the list of the Paper House Products I used:

These projects were created for and sponsored by Paper House Productions.

Disclaimer: This blog uses ads and affiliate links. If you choose to make a purchase using one of the links, I receive a small commission (at no additional cost to you) that helps offset the costs of maintaining this blog. Thanks for your support!

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Gel Press and the Colors of Autumn

September 21, 2016September 22, 201610 Comments

The first time I watched a video of someone using a Gel Press I was completely intrigued.

The project they were making was artsy, colorful, very cool and it looked like so much fun.

When I got the chance to participate in the Designer Craft Connection monthly design challenge

and receive a Gel Press plate for “free”… I was more than excited.

Never heard of a Gel Press? (Well…It’s just about the coolest thing.)

The Gel Press is a reusable Gel Printing Plate.

Gelatin printing is a form of mono-printing in which a gelatin slab is used as a printing plate to create a variety of images and backgrounds using acrylic paint. Simple to use. Ready for Printing.

Here’s how I created “The Colors of Autumn Print”…

Supplies Needed:

Gel Press Printing Plate 10810 – (5″ x 7″)
Ranger Inky Roller Brayer, Medium 3-5/16-Inch
Acrylic Paint
Metallic Acrylic Paint
Texture Tool
Paper (non-glossy)
Tim Holtz Spiral Bound Sticker Book: Small Talk Occasions

Directions:

Remove clear protective film from your gel press. Apply paint to the exposed Gel Plate.
Roll paint on as a thin layer with brayer.
Create design by pressing textured item into wet paint.
Lay paper onto painted surface.
Gently rub paper with hands to create a transfer image onto the paper.
I traced guidelines around the paper onto my scratch paper to make it easier to line up the second printing.
Pull paper away from printing plate to reveal your background.

I created a second background just like the first by using fall colors.
I placed 3 leaves into the paint.
I place a second piece of white paper over the gel press and pressed. This removes most of the paint from the background. Leaving the paint underneath the leaves.
Remove leaves from the gel press. I masked the corners with a couple of additional leaves.
Lay the first blue background paper over the press. Lining the paper up with the guidelines.
Gently rub paper with hands to create a transfer image onto the paper.
Pull paper away from printing plate to reveal your leaf prints.

Mat print and embellish with “the colors of autumn” chit chat sticker.

The “Colors of Autumn Print” was created for and sponsored by Gel Press.

Make sure to check out the video on the Gel Press site.

*This post uses Amazon Affiliate links. I am a Amazon Affiliate. If you choose to purchase an item from Amazon by clinking on the product link, I will receive a small commission that helps offset the cost of running this blog.

How to Create a Relaxing Sunset Pillow

July 20, 2016January 8, 20232 Comments

There’s something about a beautiful sunset that always stops me in my tracks.

No matter how many I’ve seen, I still marvel at all the vibrant, beautiful colors.

After all the fun we had making the Patriotic Tied Dyed Shirts for the 4th of July…

I decided to create a color wash dyed pillow with the colors you might see during a beautiful sunset.

With the help of my 2 year old Grandson this is how we made the pillow:

We used the Rainbow Tie Dye Kit from Tulip that comes with pre-measured squirt bottles. All you need to do is add water to the bottles and shake to mix.
Squirt dye onto 12″ canvas pillow square one color at a time starting at the top.
Dip medium/large paintbrush into water and brush the dye to spread the color.
Continue with the others colors until canvas pillow square is covered.
Note: When using a helper who’s only 2 1/2 things can get really wet. (he had fun)
Cover dyed fabric with plastic wrap to keep damp.
Let set for 6-8 hours or longer for intense colors. (we waited around 2 hours)
Rinse well with water until excess dye is removed.
Fill washer to “large load” setting with hottest water suitable for fabric and a small amount of laundry soap. Wash and dry separately. (Wash separately for the first few washes.)
Iron the canvas pillow square to get out excess wrinkles.
To add the word “relax”, I used iron-on embroidered letters from Joy. It’s quick and easy – just preheat your iron to the cotton setting, cover the letters with a cotton cloth and iron for about 30 seconds. I ironed it again from the back of the fabric for another 30 seconds.
Stuff pillow with a 12″ pillow form.

Tulip One-Step 5 Color Tie-Dye Kits Rainbow* (affiliate link)

*Disclaimer: This post uses ads and affiliate links. If you choose to make a purchase using one of the links, I receive a small commission (at no additional cost to you) that helps offset the costs of maintaining this blog. Thanks for your support!

DIY for Kids: Doodling on Craft Frames

July 5, 2016July 5, 2016Leave a comment

Doodling on clear acrylic craft frames…

a fun little project to make with the kids this summer that will help keep

the kids Happy and Busy.

Print out a few 4th July or Summer Fun pictures in wallet size and pick up a few

supplies and let their creativity soar. (my frame is 3″ x 4″)

Cut a piece of white paper the size of your frame.
Center and trace around the picture on your paper.

Using a pencil and ruler draw your grid lines on the paper.

Reinsert the paper into the clear acrylic craft frame and retrace the lines.

Using paint pens or sharpies, add additional lines and doodles on the frame.

Tip: When using paint pens, allow drying time in between adding colors.

Deflecto Mini Slanted Sign Holders, 10 Piece, 3 x 4 Inches (20006CR)

“This is a sponsored post. As a member of the Deflecto Design Team I have been
provided product in exchange for my creative ideas, views and opinions.”

*This post uses Amazon Affiliate links. I am an Amazon Affiliate.

Patriotic Tie Dyed Shirts for the 4th of July

July 4, 2016June 5, 20171 Comment

We’re at it again.

This past week, my daughter in law and I did a little Summer Tie Dying.

(see last year’s shirts here)

Inspired by photo’s she saw on Pinterest,

Bonnie made these cute Patriotic Tie Dyed shirts for the boys.

We used Tie Dye Kits that come with the premeasured squeeze bottles.

She gathered the shirt at one corner and rubber banded it in three sections and squeezed the

dye directly onto the shirt and then covered it with Saran Wrap.

We allowed several hours before rinsing out the dye.

Too Cute! (don’t you agree?)

For more summer fun… click on ad below.

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Mr. Elfsnail’s Garden

June 14, 2016May 24, 20172 Comments

This marks the third summer since Nicholas and I started the tradition of creating our

Mini Garden. And…as we exclaim every year… “this one’s our favorite”. (it really is!)

Each year we like to add something new and different for our garden.

It has been noted, that at some point, we may have to get a bigger wagon.

Our Garden has never had an official occupant.

So, this year we added Mr. Elfsnail. (named by Nicholas for obvious reasons)

We picked him up along with a wishing well and a pair frogs at our local Hobby Lobby.

Nick and I (mostly Nick) spent the evening before laying out the garden on the kitchen counter.

We like having a plan and being prepared.

Nick had me outside working on the garden by 7:45 a.m. the next morning.

Have I ever mentioned I’m not a morning person?

For those of you that may not know about our garden, you can read about

the original garden here.

For our garden…we start with an old broken rusty wagon.

After arranging the fence and arbor, Nick quickly set off to work adding a new water feature

using a small, round, black dish (from a microwave desert) into the dirt.

Now that he’s five and a very confident gardener….he didn’t need any help placing the plants.

The “plan” was to add a small path to the new wishing well using crushed shells.

And because more is always better… MORE CRUSHED SHELLS.

It’s starting to look a little more like a beach.

We added cocoa bean shells around the plants to make it looks nice. (love the smell)

N ♥ S

That just warms my heart.

Even though it should be Nick loves Grandma instead of Nick loves Sue.

(Maybe he named the frogs after us?)

Nick loved adding water to the wishing well and making sure it worked.

admiring the garden

Our Finished Garden.

This really is such a fun project to do with kids.

You don’t need anything fancy to use for a container.

And you know what? I enjoy making it as much as him and maybe even more.

It’s important to take time and do something together. (Planting the gardening seed.)

Making memories… My buddy and me.

For more summer fun… click on ad below ↓

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Craft Sticks… not just for Kids!

June 8, 2016May 11, 2020Leave a comment

Craft Sticks for Grown-ups?

Who knew the craft medium we used as kids could produce a grown-up look.

I was messing around one day, looking for something different to stencil on.

Inspired by my favorite “Fixer Upper” show, I decided to create my own mini shiplap.

The projects below are the result of my “playtime”.

This one’s for anyone who loves Americana, old signs, topography and the look of old shiplap.

Or for anyone who loves playing with wood craft sticks.

How to make the Americana Sign: (*Amazon Affiliate Links)

12 Wood Sticky Sticks with Adhesive Tips*
Decoart Americana Decor Stencil American Tribute*
DecoArt Americana Multi-Surface Satin Acrylic Paint: Night Sky*, Dark Scarlet*, Cotton Ball*
Red Twine*
Deco Art Americana Decor Angle Flat Brush, 1-Inch* and Stencil Brush*
Craft Glue*>
Drill
Fine Sandpaper or Sanding Sponge*
Removable Painters Tape*

Finished Size: 6” x 6”

*Disclosure: This blog uses ads and affiliate links. If you choose to make a purchase using one of the links, I receive a small commission (at no additional cost to you) that helps offset the costs of maintaining this blog. Thanks for your support!

Directions:

Create a sign by gluing together 8 tongue depressors on the front and 4 tongue depressors on the back.
Paint both sides of the sign with blue paint.
Using select sections of the stencil, tape stencil in place using removable painters tape.
Using a stencil brush, dip just the tip of your brush into the paint. Tap off excess paint before applying to prevent the paint from seeping under the edges of the stencil.
Apply paint with stencil brush in a straight up and down motion called stippling.
Drill small hole in the top corners and insert red twine to use as a hanger.
Optional Step: For a distressed look, lightly sand the edges of the sign with extra fine sand paper.

Here’s a project I did a few years ago using a product called sticky sticks.

The paint and stencils used in these projects were sponsored by DecoArts.

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Happy Summer Frame

June 3, 2016February 9, 2023Leave a comment

I’m really starting to love this new summer schedule.

Everything seems a little more laid back.

I feel like I’m getting lazier by the minute.

But honestly, I’ve been busier this week than I have in a while.

This week has been full of gardening, cooking out, a couple of really cold dips in the pool,

movies, shopping, a soft ball game and to end out the week…

dance recitals and a retirement party.

And… I don’t want to miss a thing.

Summertime really is Memories just waiting to happen.

In case your wondering…

The Happy Summer Frame was made using clear acrylic frames from Deflecto Craft Solutions

and the “Echo Park Collection Kit 12″”X12″”-Happy Summer”*.

(affiliate link)

“This is a sponsored post. As a member of the Deflecto Design Team I have been
provided product in exchange for my creative ideas, views and opinions.”

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Americana Ribbon Wreath

May 25, 2016May 22, 20186 Comments

How to Create a Americana Ribbon Wreath…

I’ve been concentrating a lot on sprucing up my front porch for Summer.

To complete the look, my front door needed a fresh fun new wreath.

I created a Summer themed Americana Wreath using one of the ruled wreaths* from Smoothfoam. (*affiliate link)

Smoothfoam Ruled Wreaths make design and layout easy.

They molded lines and numbers into the foam to make design and layout simple.

Even on one side, odd on the other.

The wreaths come in several sizes… 8″, 10″, 12″, 14″.

Proudly Made in the USA

How to make the Americana Ribbon Wreath

I used the 14″ ruled wreath.
Glue one end of the ribbon down onto the foam wreath and wrap the ribbon tightly around the first section. Glue second end of the ribbon in place before starting second color. (I used Beacon Fabri-Tac Permanent Adhesive* to glue my ribbon in place.)
Using a thin floral wire, wire the small floral stems onto the base of the wreath.
Glue larger flowers and leaves onto the wreath over the wire.
Add large stemmed butterfly and ribbon to hang.

So many possibilities.