My Favorite Eileen Hull Creations of the Year đź’–

✨ It’s that time of year again!

Every December the Eileen Hull Design Team shares our

Top 3 favorite projects from the year—and I’m so excited to show you mine 🙌

*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!

🎲 Family Game Night Mini Storage Box (January)

I kicked off the year with this little cutie using the

Sizzix #665982 XL Skinny Mini Book Box Die*.

Perfect for stashing cards, dice, and a pencil + paper

for a fun night in. [Check it out here!]

📚 Projects Revisited Mini Album (April)

This one was all about nostalgia—I finally used some vintage

K & Company paper I’ve been hoarding forever.

I paired it with the Sizzix Mini Album by Eileen Hull and loved

how it turned out. [Read more here!]

🍂 Gratitude Tag (October)

Ending the year on a colorful note!

Made with Eileen’s new thinlet dies, this tag is bursting with

vibrant fall vibes and a reminder to stay thankful. [Read more here!]

✨ That’s my Top 3 for the year—so many crafty memories and more to come!

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Disclosure:  This is a sponsored post.  As a member of the Eileen Hull Inspiration Team, I have been provided product in exchange for my creative ideas.  The view and opinions are my own.

5 Creative Ways to Use Vinyl for Holiday Crafts

Creative Ways to Use StyleTechCraft Vinyl

Looking for festive ways to add personality to everyday items around your home?

Here are five fun and creative ideas to get you started!

1. Dress Up Your Daily Water Bottle
We use our water bottles every day—at work, at the gym, or on the go—so why not give them a touch of seasonal cheer?  StyleTechCraft Removable Vinyl is perfect for adding temporary holiday designs that peel off easily once the season is over.

*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!

2. Personalize Ornaments with Adhesive Vinyl
Inexpensive ornaments become keepsakes with StyleTechCraft Adhesive Craft Vinyl.  Add a name, date, or meaningful phrase to create a one-of-a-kind decoration that will be cherished year after year.

(I picked up this plain house ornament at Walmart for a couple dollars.)

DIY Christmas Tree Reusable Gift Bag using StyleTechCraft HTV Vinyl

3. Turn Plain Canvas Bags into Custom Gift Bags
StyleTechCraft Heat Transfer Vinyl can transform simple canvas bags into charming, personalized gift bags.  Add names, holiday icons, or custom phrases to make your gifting extra memorable.

You can see the full project tutorial here.

How to Create a Merry Holiday Banner

4. Create Unique Seasonal Décor
From signs and banners to table accents and wall art, vinyl is perfect for crafting seasonal decorations that suit any style.  Use holiday colors and patterns to bring warmth and personality to your home.

You can see the full tutorial on the Merry Holiday Banner project here.

Kringle's Christmas Tree Truck-A Dollar Store Holiday DIY

5.  Kris Kringle Christmas Tree Truck

This Kris Kringle Christmas Tree Truck is one of my all-time favorite holiday projects.  It uses a MDF Wood Trucks Wall Plaque* from Dollar Tree.  It’s an inexpensive project to make.

Check out the full step-by-step tutorial here.

Ready to add a personal touch to your holiday season?

StyleTechCraft vinyl makes it easy to transform ordinary items into festive, customized creations. Grab your vinyl, fire up your cutting machine, and start crafting memories that will last long after the decorations come down!

“This is a sponsored post.  As a member of the StyleTechCraft Design Team I have been provided product and compensation in exchange for my creative ideas.  The views and opinions are my own.

Winston the Snowman: A Comfort & Joy Holiday Craft

Comfort & Joy for the Christmas Season.

In the midst of the 2020 pandemic, when Holiday gatherings felt distant

and spirits needed lifting, the Eileen Hull team came together to

spark creativity and connection.

By sharing festive projects with the Eileen Hull Fan Club and our readers,

we hoped to deliver a dose of comfort and joy to brighten an

otherwise challenging season.

We called it Comfort & Joy.

The idea was a hit, so we decided to continue the tradition.

Winston the Snowman is my “Comfort & Joy” project for this year.

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Disclosure:  This is a sponsored post.  As a member of the Eileen Hull Inspiration Team, I have been provided product in exchange for my creative ideas.  The view and opinions are my own.

Winston is a snowman with plenty of dimension-

something I absolutely love bringing into my projects!

The Winston Die, designed by Tim Holtz for Sizzix*,

includes an impressive 16 different dies.

Don’t let that number intimidate you, despite all the tiny pieces,

the assembly is surprisingly simple.

Here’s a tip I swear by.  When I’m die-cutting small pieces, I run my paper through the Xyron Disposable Sticker Maker* first.  This way, the adhesive is already on the back, making it quick and easy to piece everything together.

The Winston Die* uses Colorize technology, which means you get a selection of intricate, paper-layering designs that add incredible detail and dimension.  With drop shadows and highlights, you can create a snowman that looks dimensional and full of character.  It’s great for cardmaking, scrapbooking, gift tags, and more.

*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!

Last month, after our family wiener roast, my sister-in-law

had a bunch of lids left over from the disposable soup containers*.

She asked me if I had a use for them.

Besides being a wonderful tray to hold little dies in my workspace.

I knew it would make a great base for my snowman.

I painted the base with white acrylic paint*.

Once the paint was dry, I added dimensional snow* onto the base with a palette knife*.

To make Winston sturdy on the base, I painted two small wooden cubes

crisp white and used them as hidden support.

Once the paint dried, I glued the cubes to the back of the snowman

and then attached them securely to the finished base.

Doesn’t he make a cute little tabletop decoration?

May your holidays sparkle…

with creative projects and heartwarming memories.

Here’s to making something special this season!

Upcycled Lantern with a Snowman Twist

Merry & Bright: Upcycled Lantern with a Snowman Twist

This season, I set out to add a little extra sparkle to my holiday decor

by transforming a simple thrifted lantern into a merry winter wonderland.

While treasure hunting at Goodwill, this simple lantern caught my eye.

Its $2.99 price tag was too good to pass up, and ideas started swirling

in my mind the moment I picked it up.

To create the Upcycled Lantern with a Snowman Twist:

*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!

  • Lift the design from the white protective liner and place it onto the glass.  
  • Rub over the vinyl design with the scraper tool and remove the transfer tape.

The silver glitter vinyl creates a frosted effect, creating the appearance

of etched glass without the mess or commitment.

I had so much fun arranging a simple snowy scene inside the lantern,

complete with a cute little snowman and sparkling faux snow.

Here’s what I used inside the Lantern:  (*affiliate links)

Directions:

Thanks for following along with my latest holiday DIY.

Let your creativity shine, and don’t forget—the best decorations

are the ones that make you smile every time you see them.

“This is a sponsored post.  As a member of the StyleTechCraft Design Team I have been provided product and compensation in exchange for my creative ideas.  The views and opinions are my own.

Make a Gratitude Tag/Bookmark

Start Each Day with a Grateful Heart…

As the warm summer days quickly turn into Autumn, 

I am enjoying having the windows open again, feeling the cool breeze, 

and enjoying the fall colors.  

After years of trying, we have finally grown our own pumpkin.

It’s not that big, but it’s perfectly round and perfect for the front porch.

To Celebrate Fall…

I decided to make a tag/bookmark with the bright and beautiful colors of fall.  

I used a couple of Eileen Hull’s New Sizzix Dies and the New Lacy Leaves Embossing Folder to make the tag.  

*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!

I decided to get “inky” with this tag using Tim Holtz Distress Inks*.  

  • For the base of the tag, I used heavyweight cream cardstock*. 
  • I used a golden yellow ink pad along with Spiced Marigold Distress Ink and lightly applied the inks onto the cardstock using an ink applicator. 
  • Next, I rubbed Vintage Photo Ink onto one side of the embossing folder.  Place the inked cardstock onto the inked side of the embossing folder.  Place the embossing folder into a Big Shot Die-Cutting Machine* and run the embossing folder through the machine.  
  • Cut a tag with the embossed cardstock using the largest of the Tunnel Arch Dies*.   

Want a tip for adhering small pieces?  (for example:  flowers and leaves) I use the Xyron Disposable Sticker Maker*.  I put my cardstock through the Sticker Maker* first, then I die-cut the small pieces.  It makes gluing them in place so much easier.  

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Disclosure:  This is a sponsored post.  As a member of the Eileen Hull Inspiration Team, I have been provided product in exchange for my creative ideas.  The view and opinions are my own.

Holiday Sizzix Cards and More

Holiday Christmas Card Class using Sizzix Dies.

I am teaching a New Holiday Paper Crafting class at Tremont Gallery/Pearl Street Stamping

in Tremont, IL using Sizzix Dies and Stamps.  There will be four class times to choose from.

Join with other crafters for a fun time of creating together.

To sign up, contact the store at 309-925-4438 (Wednesday-Friday)

In the class, we will be making a Holiday Window Shaker Card,

Winter Window Shaker Card dies used: (*affiliate links)

*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!

the Winter Deer Tag,

Tim Holtz Package Gift Card Holder

and the Tim Holtz Winston Snowman* Card.  

Cost:  $25.00

Saturday, November 15th

  • 10:00-Noon

Friday, November 21st

  • 10:00-Noon
  • 1:00 p.m.-3:00 p.m.

Saturday, November 22nd

  • 10:00-Noon

Students Bring:  Scissors, Craft Pick or Needle Tool, Tape Runner, Foam Mounting Squares, Liquid Glue for gluing small pieces.

Creating Vintage-Inspired Shower Dispenser Labels

Adding Personality to Create Vintage-Inspired Shower Dispensers.

Last Spring, we started a complete remodel of our upstairs bathroom.

What was supposed to be a 6-week project ended up taking 14 weeks.

Life happens, and I’m generally a patient person.

(But, not necessarily that patient.)

Anyway, I’ve been working on the finishing touches to the bathroom,

and these Vintage-Inspired Shower Dispensers* are the look that I needed.

(FYI…Finished bathroom before and after video coming soon!)

For the shower niche, I found a set of 3 black plastic refillable shower bottles

on Amazon with gold stainless steel pumps.  

They fit my style and matched the gold handles on my vanity faucets perfectly.

(This is the link to the exact dispensers I purchased*.)

Adding the Personality…

I decided to make gold labels using StyleTechCraft adhesive vinyl

instead of the white labels that came with the dispensers.

Did you know that StyleTechCraft makes several colors of gold vinyl?

The gold craft vinyl ended up being the closest match.

*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:

  • Rub over the transfer tape* with the scraper tool to ensure the vinyl has transferred.
  • Remove the transfer paper.

These bottles elevate the Shower Niche with a Classic Vintage-Style.  

They look a whole lot better than the bottles that they came in.

“This is a sponsored post.  As a member of the StyleTechCraft Design Team I have been provided product and compensation in exchange for my creative ideas.  The views and opinions are my own.

Halloween Ghost with Glow in the Dark Eyes

How to make a Halloween Ghost with Glow-in-the-Dark Eyes.

I picked up this cute wooden ghost cutout at my local Dollar Tree.

I knew it would make a fun Halloween Decoration when added 

with StyleTechCraft Glow in the Dark Vinyl.  

Materials Used:  (*affiliate links)

*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!


My wood ghost was from Dollar Tree.

Here’s where things got a little tricky.  

  • I planned to use black vinyl with an orange vinyl to offset the words.   

  • Once I put the black vinyl letters onto the orange vinyl, I quickly realized that I didn’t like the way it looked on the white ghost.  It actually stood out too much.
  • I recut the words “If you got it Haunt it” using dark gray vinyl instead and ditched the idea of the orange offset.  (much better)

The fun little ghost would look cute in the middle of a wreath hanging from a door.          

StyleTechCraft’s Glow in the Dark Vinyl, once it’s charged,

has an awesome green glow that lasts for about 6 hours.  

“This is a sponsored post.  As a member of the StyleTechCraft Design Team I have been provided product and compensation in exchange for my creative ideas.  The views and opinions are my own.

Winter Shaker Card with Eileen Hull’s New Sizzix Release

Today is Release Day for Eileen Hull’s newest dies for Sizzix,

and I’m excited to share a couple of projects that I’ve made.

As soon as I saw the sneak peek of what was coming,

I knew I wanted to make a winter shaker card.  

So…even though I am hanging onto Summer as hard as I can,

I still am in the mood to make a few Winter cards.

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Disclosure:  This is a sponsored post.  As a member of the Eileen Hull Inspiration Team, I have been provided product in exchange for my creative ideas.  The view and opinions are my own.

For the Winter Window Shaker Card, I used:    (*affiliate links)

*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!

Another project I made was the Winter Deer Tag.

I wanted it to look like a serene winter scene.  

I used the Lacy Leaves Embossing Folder* to emboss the first layer of the tag.

I added thin foam mounting squares* under the deer and

green tree to give the tag dimension.  

Enjoy The New Sizzix Collection

This collection was inspired by nature and the cozy feeling of home.  It was designed to coordinate with the Handbound Journal* (sold separately) to create a tunnel book, but each die set also stands beautifully on its own and can be used in so many creative ways!

Home Sweet Home Die Set*
This 24-piece set includes layered forest animals (deer, fox, bunny, squirrel, and butterflies), pine trees, grassy hills, greenery, clouds, sun, moon, and a cozy house. The sweet deer alone makes this set worth it! Perfect for holiday projects, baby themes, everyday cards, journals, and tags.

Windowsill Flowers & Vase*
A 13-die set designed to coordinate with the Tunnel Arches. The window die matches the largest arch, letting you build a 3D scene that looks as though you’re peering through a window. The tiny vase and flowers are wonderful for using scraps. The little lacy piece also makes a lovely accent for junk journal pockets and cards.

Tunnel Arches*
Who knew arches could be so versatile? Make a rainbow! Use the negative cuts to create graduated windows in journals, cards, and home décor, or the positive pieces as card bases and tags—nothing goes to waste! This 7-die nesting set ranges in size from 4 ½” x 3 ¼” down to teeny-tiny (so cute!). They were designed to fit perfectly inside the Handbound Journal if you’d like to try your hand at a tunnel book.

Watch for upcoming tutorials on Eileen’s YouTube channel!

Lacy Leaves Embossing Folder*
A bold, intricate lacy pattern measuring 6” x 8 ½”—perfectly sized for journal covers and cards. This design was inspired by an actual piece of lace from my collection that reminded me of leaves. I love the mix of nature and lace! Whether you emboss or deboss the pattern, the result is simply beautiful.

Personalized Travel Activity Kit for Kids

Personalized Travel Activity Kit for Kids

A lot of parents nowadays are looking for alternatives to screen time 

to keep little ones happy and busy on trips or when eating out.

When my kids were young, we didn’t have phones or tablets 

to keep them occupied while sitting in church or restaurants.  

When we would go on a long road trip, I’d make each kid a new 

“Busy Box” and bring a few extra items to add along the way.  

I can’t tell you it’s fail-proof, but it did work most of the time. 

Back to School is a great time to look for items to put in your box.

Materials Used:  (*affiliate links)

*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!

Since I’m making a girl box for my granddaughter…

I chose a box that had glitter on it. 

I also used StyleTechCraft Ultra Metallic Glitter Vinyl for my designs.  

Directions:

  • I used a Silhouette to cut out flowers and letters to decorate the box using StyleTechCraft Ultra Metallic Vinyl.  I also cut a 3 1/4″ x 6 1/4″ piece of silver vinyl to put on the lid.  
  • If you don’t have an electronic die-cutting machine, you can also use thin metal dies to cut the vinyl.  
  • Place transfer paper over the cut vinyl.  Gently rub over the vinyl with the scraper tool.  
  • Remove the transfer paper from the white protective backing and place it onto the box.
  • Rub the transfer paper with the scraper tool to ensure the vinyl has transferred.  Remove the transfer paper.

I picked up a few items for my box at Dollar Tree.

Don’t forget to also pick up an age-appropriate snack.

Shop Dollar Tree for Back to School and Crafting Supplies!

To go with the theme, I decorated a plain notebook to match the box. 

Somewhere, I have a picture of my daughter covered in foil stars on one long road trip.   

Oh, and on a side note…make sure you don’t leave crayons in a hot car. 

“This is a sponsored post.  As a member of the StyleTechCraft Design Team I have been provided product and compensation in exchange for my creative ideas.  The views and opinions are my own.