Category: Techniques

How to create an Embroidery Hoop Pumpkin…

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How to Create an Embroidery Hoop Pumpkin

A Quick and Easy Fall Decoration.

What do you get when you find an outdated plaid Fall shirt, a small oval embroidery hoop

and then you add a few simple embellishments and some Joy Iron On Embroidered Letters?

You get a cute little Fall Pumpkin and A Quick and Easy Fall Decoration.

For my Embroidery Hoop Pumpkin I used:            (*affiliate link)

  • Lay the embroidery hoop onto the fabric first and  then place the letters inside the hoop to help you figure the best placement.

  • Set Iron to cotton setting, approx. 350 degrees, or follow garment care label.
  • Position letters with shiny side down onto fabric.
  • Cover letters with a fine cloth.  With a firm pressure, iron cloth over letters for 30 seconds.
  • Turn fabric over and iron the back for another 30 seconds.

  • Loosen the screw on the top of the embroidery hoop and insert fabric making sure to keep the letter alignment straight.  (re-tighten screw)
  • Trim excess fabric from outside of embroidery hoop.
  • Glue the green braided trim around the outside of the embroidery hoop.

  • Tie ribbon and leaves to the top of the frame.
  • Glue small acorn embellishment onto ribbon.
  • Super cute and simple to make.

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

Shop Your Fav Brands at Scrapbook.com

*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!

So many reasons to Laminate…

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Laminating with Xyron…

When Xyron sent me the Double Sided Lamination Refill Cartridge* to use in my

Xyron Creative Station* you might say I got a little carried away.

There are so many uses and things to laminate I couldn’t stop at just one project.

My favorite project and one of the easiest was using the laminating as an overlay…

I cranked the handle of my Xyron Creative Station* with the Laminate Cartridge* inserted

and actually laminated nothing.                              (*affiliate link)

I wanted a clear sheet of laminate to use as an overlay on my “all about ME” mini album*

I added glitter vinyl letters on top my laminated sheet before putting the album together.  

After creating the overlay, I inserted the Xyron Permanent Adhesive Refill Cartridge*

back into the Xyron Creative Station*  to add adhesive on the paper used to cover my album.

Complete coverage and no wrinkling!

I also wanted to make a bookmark using freshly pressed flowers.

I grabbed a few blooms from the garden and stuck them into a heavy book overnight.

Ideally, you’re supposed to leave them alone for 2-3 weeks.

Since I’m an impatient crafter,

I found online that you can speed up the process with a low temp iron.

I used craft glue to lightly and gently glue the flowers onto cream cardstock.

Insert the cardstock in the Creative Station with the Laminating Cartridge.

Laminate, trim, punch a small hole for twine and your ready to read.

Almost every one in the airport has a black suitcase.  (am I right?)

I’m getting ready for vacation in a few weeks and I want my bag to stand out for easy

recognition.   I created a small 3″ x 4″ decorated name tag and added my business card

to the back of the tag.  Then I laminated it.  (so easy)

Technically, this could almost be chalked up to a craft fail…

There’s always the question floating around my house, is the dishwasher clean or dirty?

To solve the problem, I decided to create laminated signs to put on the front of the dishwasher

and added magnets to the back.  Smart?  Right?

I forgot that magnets do not stick to stainless steel dishwashers.

My Mom worked at a middle school for several years before she retired.

One of her jobs, among many others, was laminating things for the teachers.

When we went through her things this summer, we found…

  • Laminated Brochures
  • Laminated Maps
  • Laminated Ticket Stubs
  • Laminated Cartoon Strips
  • Laminated Newspaper Clippings
  • Laminated Recipes

I guess Mom liked laminating too.

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

*Disclosure:  This blog uses 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!

Painted Happiness Pillow

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Happiness Pillow…

One of my favorite childhood memories was the summer I was cast as Lucy in the library’s

production of  “You’re a Good Man Charlie Brown”.

My favorite song was “happiness is”.  At the end of the show we all held hands and sang.

Still makes me happy.

When it comes to using Joy Iron-on letters…

I’ve dyed them, inked them and even misted the letters, I never thought about painting them.

Joy White Embroidered Iron On Letters are great for creating any color you can imagine.

They even work great with acrylic paint.

To Make the Happiness Pillow you’ll need…                            (*affiliate link)

*Disclosure:  This blog uses 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!

  • Paint each letter to create a rainbow of H-A-P-P-I-N-E-S-S.
  • Allow letters to fully dry.

  • Insert cardboard into pillow blank.
  • Add Fabric Medium to acrylic paint white and light blue paint.
  • Paint directly onto the canvas pillow.
  • Allow paint to fully dry.
  • Set Iron to cotton setting, approx. 350 degrees, or follow garment care label.
  • Position letters with shiny side down onto pillow
  • Cover letters with a fine cloth.  With a firm pressure, iron cloth over letters for 30 seconds.
  • Turn pillow over and iron the back for another 30 seconds.
  • Position Embroidered Floral Applique and iron onto pillow the same as the letters.
  • Allow to cool for 1 minute before handling.
  • Insert pillow form or add Polyfil.

Shop Your Fav Brands at Scrapbook.com

Look for Joy® iron-on embroidered letters and numbers at your favorite craft store. They’re available in different sizes, colors and fonts, suitable for every occasion.

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

Shop Amazon Scrapbooking Supplies*

Personalized Pool Party Glasses

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Keeping Cool and Living the Dream…

Here in the Midwest, summer has turned H-O-T!

And because we have a pool, we get a lot of extra visitors. 

To help us all keep cool…we keep the blender whirling.

This is one of my favorite Summer activities.

Today… I’m participating with several designers of the Designer Craft Connection

in a Designer Challenge using Adhesive Vinyl from Styletech Craft.

For a full list of the participating designer’s projects CLICK HERE.

How to make personalized Pool Party Glasses.                  (*affiliate link)

  • Pick up a couple of inexpensive glasses at Dollar Tree*.   While you’re there…don’t forget to pick up the cute palm tree swizzle sticks.
  • Clean the glasses with warm soapy water to remove any grease or residue.
  • I used my Silhouette Cameo 3* to create and cut the words “just chillin” and “living the good life” out of Self Adhesive Glitter Vinyl Sheets- by Styletech*
  • Remove the background vinyl from the words using a vinyl weeding tool or metal pick.

  • Pick up the words off the backing paper with Vinyl Transfer Tape* and apply directly onto glass.  Rub the words to make sure they’ve stuck before removing the transfer tape.
  • If you can…Wait 4 days for the adhesive to fully cure before using the glass.
  • It is recommended to hand wash only.

Ask for Self Adhesive Glitter Vinyl Sheets- by Styletech from Tape Technologies* at your local Scrapbook Store.

Shop Your Fav Brands at Scrapbook.com

*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!

Home is Where the Heart is Stitched Sampler

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Celebrate special occasions with a personalized stitched sampler.

A great gift idea for a wedding, anniversary or new home.

Home is where the Heart is products used:                      (*affiliate link)

*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!

Create custom numbers to match the project by spraying numbers with glimmer mist. 

Allow numbers to fully dry before using .

Directions:

  1. Cut a shapes using the picture above.
  2. The flowers were made using a simple hand drawn flower shape and traced onto the felt.
  3. Add red ink to the tips of the cream flowers with a stencil brush.
  4. Machine stitch the gray scalloped square onto the tan square
  5. Machine stitch the roof onto house and machine stitch onto the gray scalloped square.
  6. Iron numbers onto the center of the red heart.
  7. Arrange and adhere smaller pieces onto house using fabri tac glue.
  8. Hand stitch smaller pieces and buttons into place using needle and thread.
  9. Add finish piece into a shadow box frame.

Look for Joy® iron-on embroidered alphabet letter sheets at your local craft store.

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

 

Translucent Vinyl Suncatcher

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When I received the Translucent Vinyl from Tape Technologies,

I knew it would be perfect for making a Suncatcher.

The translucent vinyl comes in several great colors to choose from.

To make my Suncatcher I used a framed glass sample I rescued from the garbage.

You could also use a small frame and glue the glass into the frame.

To create my shapes I used my Silhouette Cameo*and Jillibean Soup’s Floral Mandala cut file.

*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 used the Vinyl Transfer Tape* to overlay the blue onto the pink.

I then transferred both images onto the glass to create the Suncatcher.

To create a little more sparkle I added adhesive rhinestones onto the glass.

Shop Your Fav Brands at Scrapbook.com

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

Ask for Self Adhesive Glitter Vinyl Sheets- by Styletech from Tape Technologies* at your local Scrapbook Store.

DIY Bloom Planters

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“bloom where you are planted”

A little Inspiration for my Summer Flowers…

I’m not sure if it’s a subliminal message or a direct request.  (to my plants that is)

BLOOM!

I picked up these beautiful purple flowers over the week-end and decided to spruce up a couple

of plain pots into something special.

FYI…the name of the plant with Campanula, a partial shade loving perennial.

How to make a DIY Bloom planter…              (*affiliate link)

  1.  Paint terra cotta pot with 2 coats of white paint.
  2. Brush a thin layer of purple paint along top band.  (no need to be perfect)
  3. Lightly sand pot for a distressed look.
  4. Using a cut file and the Silhouette Cameo*, cut the saying out of the purple glitter vinyl.
  5. Apply the saying onto the pot using transfer paper.  Smooth into place and remove transfer paper.

Shop Your Fav Brands at Scrapbook.com

*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 blue ceramic planter was plain and simple until I added stripes using the glitter vinyl,

and applied the light blue glittered vinyl words using a Vinyl Transfer Tape*.

Perfect decorative accent for my summer front porch.  (or a great gift idea)

      

Don’t Miss a Thing…Make Sure to Follow me

 

Ask for Self Adhesive Glitter Vinyl Sheets- by Styletech from Tape Technologies* at your local Scrapbook Store.

“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.

 

A Cup of Attitude

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After I finished personalizing my new cup, I proudly ran downstairs to show it to my husband.

“I don’t get it”  was his response.

“It’s a cup of Attitude”, I replied.  (I still don’t think he got it.)

I’m generally a very sweet and nice person.  

But sometimes…if you could only hear the snarky comments rolling around in my head,

you just might think otherwise.  I keep it to myself most of the time.  (or at least I try)

The struggle is real.

To personalize my cup…                              (*affiliate links)

  •  I used my Silhouette Cameo* to cut out a cute saying from Jillibean Soup out of translucent

Self Adhesive Glitter Vinyl Sheets- by Styletech from Tape Technologies*

  • I picked up the plain white cup at Dollar Tree* for only $1.00.  (*affiliate link)

Dollar Tree is the perfect place to find inexpensive glassware to personalize with vinyl.

Directions:

  • Clean the cup with warm soapy water to remove any grease or residue.
  • Apply the hot pink glittered  vinyl words onto the cup using a Vinyl Transfer Tape*.
  • Next, add the gray glittered vinyl words.
  • The Vinyl Transfer Tape*  makes it easy to line up the words.
  • Wait 4 days for the adhesive to fully cure before using the cup.
  • It is recommended to hand wash only.  (I have put mine in the dishwasher, just saying.)

If you need to keep your attitude a little more subdued…

the cup also makes a great pen holder.

Shop Your Fav Brands at Scrapbook.com

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

*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!

Shop Amazon Scrapbooking Supplies*

“Dyeing” for Spring

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Welcome Spring with all your beautiful flowers, warmer days and everything renewed.

My Welcome Spring Banner turned into a real labor of love.

I began this project with the idea of using fun pink and purple hand cut felt flowers.

After I cut all the flowers and leaves, I decided to dye the embroidered letters.

The letters turned out so soft and delicate, I needed something softer for the flowers.

So…more flowers and more dyeing!  (make sure to read all the instructions below.)

I could of kept things simple and glued all the flowers in place, but noooo…

instead at the last minute I committed myself to stitching the entire thing.

Let me tell you…I’m not a stitcher!    (But, I am pretty satisfied by the way they turned out.)

To make the Welcome Spring Banner you’ll need:

  1. Add several drops of dye ink to each misting bottle.
  2. Remove letters from backing sheet and place on a Non Stick Craft Mat* or (wax paper).
  3. Spritz the letters with both blue and green ink for a variegated look.  Allow the ink to soak into the letters then dab away excess ink and water with a paper towel.  Let dry.

Look at how beautiful the letters dried.  ↓

4.  Create simple, hand drawn flowers (small, medium and large), circle and leaf patterns onto plain white paper.  Cut then trace around the patterns onto white felt.  Cut out.

5.  Spray the leaves green, set aside then spray the flowers and circles one color at a time.  Allow them to dry overnight.

6.  Layer the circle, small flower and large flower on top of each other then stitch in place.  Use a small amount of glue to hold the pieces in place while you stitch.

I love how the ink pooled at the edges of the pink flowers!

7.  To create the banner shape, fold a 10″ x 14″ piece of white felt in half lengthways.  Cut diagonally across the bottom from the center fold to a point about 3″ up from the bottom corner on the outer edges.  Stitch the flowers to the banner using a button at the center of each one.  Tuck leaves underneath the outer edges of the flowers then stitch in place.

8.  Set iron to cotton setting, approx. 350°, or follow garment care label.  Position letters with shiny side down on felt, then iron the letters in place as shown.  Cover letters with a fine cloth.  With firm pressure, iron cloth over the letters for 30 seconds.  Turn banner over and iron the back of the letters for 30 seconds.

9.  Use a sewing machine to stitch the banner to backing material, then stitch trim in place across the top and around the bottom edge if desired.

 If you need to finish your banner in less time, glue the flowers, leaves and trim in place, then use a fusible interfacing to adhere the felt banner to a backing.

Look for Joy® iron-on embroidered alphabet letter sheets at your local craft store.

My “Welcome Spring” banner was created for and sponsored by Joy SA.

Shop Your Fav Brands at Scrapbook.com

*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!

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DIY Bloom Floral Plaque

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Bloom into Spring with this DIY Bloom Floral Plaque.

I admit it…I’m an adhesive snob.

There’s nothing worse than spending hours on a project and then it  comes undone

from using the wrong adhesives.

I tell people all the time “not all adhesives are created equal”.

That’s one reason why I was so excited to be on the Xyron 2018 Design Team.

Xyron has Good Adhesive!

The DIY Bloom Floral Plaque is the first of many projects to come using Xyron.

DIY Bloom Floral Plaque Products Used:    (*Affiliate Links)

*Disclosure:  This blog post uses 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!

How to make a DIY Bloom Floral Plaque…

  • Lay a piece of a 8 1/2″ x 8 1/2″ piece of decorative scrapbook paper (design side up) on the Xyron Creative Station, 9″* crank the handle to run the paper through the machine.  As it moves through the Xyron Creative Station it adds adhesive to the back side of the paper.
  • Easy to use and it doesn’t need any electricity.

       You get complete coverage, no gluing, no wrinkling, no bubbles!

  • Lay Wood Flower Shaped Plaque onto the adhesive side of the paper.
  • Carefully cut around the wood shape with a craft knife and craft cutting mat.

  • Gently sand away rough-cut edges on the paper using an extra fine sanding block.

  • I used my electronic die cutting machine and cut files to create pieces for my background.  The Xyron Creative Station* is great for adding adhesive to the back of intricate pieces.

  • After the layers are adhered together, I use the XYRON Adhesive Eraser* to remove any extra adhesive from the edges of my pieces.  Remember to use a gentle touch.

The XYRON Adhesive Eraser* is one of my favorites must have tools.  I keep it on my desk at all times.

I think every paper crafter should carry one in their supply box.

  • For added detail…use a gold paint pen to edge around the outside of the Wood Flower Shaped Plaque and the decorative scrapbook paper oval.

  • My Xyron Creative Station* makes quick work of assembling all the pieces of my DIY Bloom Floral Plaque.
  • Finish embellishing the plaque with a few paper flowers glued into place with craft glue.

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