The Blue Album-Projects Revisited

April 28, 2025Leave a comment

Do you have any UFOs lying around your crafting space?

This month the Eileen Hull Creative Team was challenged to

complete an unfinished project.

This one was not as much as a UFO as it was revisiting old stuff.

The Blue Album uses the Sizzix Mini Album by Eileen Hull*

and a very old scrapbook collection from K & Company.

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!

Does anyone remember K & Company?

I created project samples for them for 4 years.

That was 16 years ago.

So, this paper collection is at least 16 years old.

They were one of my favorite companies.

(And this collection was almost too pretty to use.)

To create the mini album…

Add adhesive to the back of the scrapbook paper. I like to use my Xyron Creative Station* to do that. It adds a complete layer of adhesive with no bubbles or puckers.
Adhere paper to both sides of a piece of matboard*.
Use the Mini Album Die* and the Big Shot Die-Cutting Machine* to cut the album from the matboard*.
Decorate the front of the album with stickers and frames.
I also like to add a coordinating paper to the spine to give it visual interest.

I created three small “signature books” using cardstock for the inside of the album.
I cut them approx. 1/4″ smaller than the book.

I added them to the album by wrapping a heavy-duty upholstery thread several times around the spine.

On the ends of the thread, I added a large blue button.
The album measures 5″ x 5″ and is a great size for a small photo album or journal.

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.

DIY Carrot Patch Spring Decoration

April 7, 2025April 7, 2025Leave a comment

Make this cute DIY Easter Carrot Decor craft project

and add a little whimsy to your spring home decor!

This project uses Dollar Tree craft supplies and StyleTechCraft vinyl

to make the cutest little U-Pick carrot patch.

Materials Used: *Affiliate Links

StyleTechCraft Glossy Craft Vinyl*
StyleTechCraft Transfer Tape*
StyleTechCraft Scraper Tool* and Weeding Pen*
Silhouette Cameo Electronic Die-Cutting Machine*
Easter Carrot Patch Sign SVG (from the Silhouette Store)
Mini Crate from Dollar Tree*
Easter Carrott Jute Garland*
Craft Floral Foam*
Hot Glue Gun*
Plaid Acrylic Paint: Melted Chocolate and Black*
Mod Podge Gloss*
Vintage Photo Distress Ink*
Ink Blending Tool*
Double-Sided Foam Tape*

Extreme Values Everyday at Dollar Tree – Shop Now!

Directions:

Paint the Mini Crate* with brown acrylic paint.
To give the crate an aged look, dry brush the edges with black acrylic paint. Wipe off any extra paint with a damp rag.
Seal the crate using Mod Podge Gloss*. (This makes the crate look like it has been varnished.)
Cut a piece of foam to fit inside of the crate.
Paint the foam with black acrylic paint.

Cut the carrots from the garland.

Poke holes into the foam that are large enough for the tips of the carrots to fit down into.
Hot glue the tips of the carrots in the holes.

Cut a small piece of white matboard that will fit onto the side of the crate.
For a distressed look, gently rub Vintage Photo Distress Ink* onto the edges of the matboard with an Ink Blending Tool*.

For the lettering on the sign, I used StyleTechCraft Orange, Brown, and Olive Glossy Craft Vinyl*.

StyletechCraft products brought to you by ATSM Craft*

I used a Silhouette Cameo Electronic Die-Cutting Machine* to size and create my design.
Cut the design using StyleTechCraft Glossy Craft Vinyl*.
Remove the excess vinyl in and around the lettering using a StyleTechCraft Weeding Tool*.

Use the StyleTechCraft Transfer Tape* to transfer the design to the matboard.
Gently rub over the transfer tape with a Vinyl Scraper Tool* and carefully remove transfer tape from the design.

Continue adding the additional pieces of the sign. (Did you know that the transfer tape is reusable?)

Add a couple strips of double-sided foam tape* to the back of the matboard.
Adhere here it to the front of the mini crate.

This little U-Pick Carrot Patch is perfect for displaying on a mantel,

on styled shelves, or in a tiered tray. There are so many ways to style it!

“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.

Spring Mini Album (Scrapping My Stash)

March 25, 2025Leave a comment

Scrapping My Stash

Do you have an enormous amount of saved paper scraps?

Do you have a problem throwing them away?

If you do, you may enjoy my Spring Mini Album.

It’s part junk journal and part bits and pieces.

During March Madness Basketball this past weekend,

I took the opportunity to play around in my studio.

The inspiration was a bag of paper scraps from the many

Spring Paper Collections I’ve saved.

With the excessive amount of paper I’ve collected and hoarded

over the years, I’m trying to use what I have.

The Spring Mini Album measures 5″ x 5″ and uses the

Sizzix Mini Album by Eileen Hull*.

Inside the album, I created a “signature book” that I stitched

together using thin pink twine. I added it to the album by

wrapping the twine several times around the spine.

On the other side of the album,

I made a small waterfall album tied with a cream ribbon.

I made a small embellishment using a metal ring tag* and circles

cut from the scrapbook paper and attached it to the spine.

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.

Happy Spring Card

March 22, 2025March 22, 2025Leave a comment

Don’t you just love Spring?

It makes my heart so happy.

Here’s a quick Spring water colored card made using Sizzix’s Spring Essentials Stamp Set*

Happy Spring!

FYI…The Sizzix’s Spring Essentials Stamp Set* is On Sale right now at Scrapbook.com!

Cute DIY Bunny Treat Container

March 3, 2025Leave a comment

How to make a Cute Bunny Treat Container

With Spring and Easter around the corner, it’s time to start all things bunnies.

The Bunny Treat Container is a fun Dollar Tree* and StyletechCraft* Spring DIY.

When I stopped at Dollar Tree the other day to pick up a

Clear Plastic Craft Jar* to make an Easter Bunny Treat Container,

I saw these cute bunny backside embellishments.

(I’m not sure what the correct description would be.)

I knew they would be great for my little Easter Bunny.

Extreme Values Everyday at Dollar Tree – Shop Now!

Materials Used: (*affiliate links)

StyleTechCraft Glossy Craft Vinyl*
StyleTechCraft Transfer Tape*
StyleTechCraft Scraper Tool* and Weeding Pen*
Silhouette Cameo Electronic Die-Cutting Machine*
Clear Plastic Craft Jar*
Dollar Tree Easter Bunny Feet (available in store)
Glue Dots*
Spring Jellybeans* or Spring M & M’s*
Ribbon and Floral Embellishment
Bunny Face SVG File from The Silhouette Store

StyletechCraft products brought to you by ATSM Craft*

I cut the Bunny Face using the “Bunny Face” SVG from The Silhouette Store using a
Silhouette Cameo Electronic Die-Cutting Machine*.
I used several shades of my StyleTechCraft Glossy Craft Vinyl*.
Use the StyleTechCraft Transfer Tape* to transfer the face to the white vinyl oval.
Gently rub over the transfer tape with a Vinyl Scraper Tool*.

“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.

Place the bunny face onto the Clear Plastic Craft Jar* using transfer tape.
Rub gently over the Transfer Tape* and remove.

Cut a pink circle and bunny ears for the top of the jar. (The ears for the bunny came with the Bunny Face SVG file.) I used white cardstock for the bunny ears and pink vinyl for the inside. You could also use felt to create the bunny ears.
Adhere the bunny ears to the lid with Glue Dots* or hot glue.

Disassemble the “bunny backside” embellishment.
Adhere the feet under the front of the jar.

Use Glue Dots* to adhere the tail to the back of the jar.

Add a ribbon around the top of the lid.
Use Glue Dots* under the ribbon to keep it from slipping.
Glue a small bow and flower embellishment to the front of the lid.
Fill the jar with Spring Jellybeans* or Spring M & M’s*. (Or your favorite treat.)

Celebrating You

February 24, 2025February 24, 2025Leave a comment

How to make a Celebrating You Gift Card.

I love it when I can use a tool or die set in several different ways.

I think the Sizzix Floral Pockets & Paperclips Die Set by Eileen Hull* is one of those.

And I haven’t even made everything you can make with this set.

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.

Materials Used: (*affiliate links)

I used the Floral Square Die included in the set and die-cut it several times.

I die-cut it once using cream cardstock for the cream frame.
I adhered a small piece of blue parchment cardstock to the back of the cream floral base.
I die-cut it using green cardstock and cut off the outside edges that make the frame. I glued the green layer onto the cream layer.
For added dimension, I cut three flowers out of pink cardstock. I glued all three flowers together and then glued them onto the green flower.
I used maroon cardstock to die-cut three centers for the inside of the flower.

I adhered the floral die-cut onto a pink cardstock layer. I added foam mounting squares to the back of the pink layer to give the card added dimension.
I used a Silver Calligraphy Paint Pen* to draw a silver edge onto the maroon cardstock layer.
I stamped the words “celebrating you” (from the Fan Favorites Stamp Set*) onto a small piece of cream cardstock and gave it a simple layer. I added Foam Mounting Squares* to the back of the word layer and added to the front of the card.

For another quick project, I made a Four Seasons Gift Card Set.

The 10-piece die set* also includes dies to make pockets, tags,

birds, paper clips, labels, notes, and lists. It’s a very versatile die set.

Life is Beautiful Tri-Fold Tag Card

February 14, 2025February 17, 2025Leave a comment

How to Make a Simple Tri-Fold Card Using a Large Tag.

I was playing around in my studio when I encountered my oversized tag die.

I hadn’t used it in a while, so I decided to make a tri-fold card.

(I love it when something old becomes new again.)

(The Die Cut Tag measures approximately 6 1/4″ x 10 1/2″.)

To create the tri-fold card…

I die-cut the large tag using a piece of white cardstock.

You can find the Extremely Large Tags* in my Etsy Shop*.

I used a scoreboard and scoring tool* to score the tag lengthways

at 3 1/2″ and 7″ and folded it in three sections.

I grabbed my Echo Park’s Life is Beautiful Scrapbook Collection*

and got to work decorating the first fold of the tag.

I used a corner rounder punch* on one end of the layers.

I made sure to cover up the hole of the tag with a sticker.

I kept the inside of the folded tag simple with simple layers,

a couple of stickers and a journaling card from the collection.

On the front of the tag, I used stickers mounted with

foam mounting squares* to create dimension.

And…you can mail the trifold card in a letter sized envelope.

Sizzix Spring Card Making Class

February 12, 2025February 15, 2025Leave a comment

I am excited to announce that I will be teaching a Spring Cardmaking Class
this March at Tremont Gallery/Pearl Street Stamping in Tremont, Illinois.

Sizzix Spring Card Making Class

In this Sizzix Spring Card making Class, you will create five Whimsical Spring die-cut cards using Sizzix Stamps and Dies.

Friday, March 7th
(two class times to choose from)
10:00-12:00 or 1:30-3:30 pm

Thursday, March 13th
5:00-7:00 p.m.

Cost: $25

You’ll need to bring: a Double Stick Tape Roller, 3D Foam Squares, Scissors, an Ink Blending Tool, and Liquid Glue for gluing small pieces. (Optional: tweezers, needle tool)

Contact Tremont Gallery/Pearl Street Stamping to sign up for the class.
309-925-4438

Tremont Gallery/Pearl Street Stamping Store Hours:
Wednesday 9:00-5:00
Thursday 9:00-7:00
Friday 9:00-5:00
Closed Saturday through Tuesday

Create a Custom Stencil using Removable Vinyl

February 4, 2025February 14, 2025Leave a comment

How to Create a Custom Stencil using Removable Vinyl.

My son Justin asked me recently to help him personalize

an old stool in his room. It really is fairly simple to do.

If you have Removable Craft Vinyl* and an Electronic Die-Cutting Machine*,

then you can make a stencil too.

“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.

Here’s how we made over Justin’s Stenciled Stool.

Sand over the previous image with extra fine sandpaper* to make sure that the surface is smooth.
Paint the stool with Deco Art American Decor Satin Enamels Paint*.
Allow the paint to fully dry and cure before starting the stenciling.

I used a Silhouette Cameo Electronic Die-Cutting Machine* to create my design.
To make the letters curve you will need to follow a few steps.
Draw a circle shape with the shape tool menu.
Use the text tool to type your words.
Double-click the text until the green box pops up.
Grab the small circle with the crosshairs and drag it to the part of the shape where you want the text to contour to.
Adjust the text until it’s just right.
Cut your design using REMOVABLE VINYL*.
Your design will be a one-use stencil. It’s important to use removable vinyl* so it doesn’t stick to the surface you are working on.
I love using StyleTechCraft Removable Vinyl*.

StyletechCraft products brought to you by ATSM Craft*

Remove the vinyl using a StyleTechCraft Weeding Tool*.
Usually, when working with an image on vinyl, you remove the background. When creating a stencil remove the inside of the design leaving the background. Remember to leave the inside of the letters.

Here is the finished design on a 12″ x 12″ piece of removable vinyl.
You will need a large sheet of Low Tack Vinyl Transfer Paper.

Slowly place the transfer paper onto one end of the vinyl.
Pull the transfer paper over the vinyl.
Gently rub over the transfer paper with a vinyl scraper tool to ensure that the vinyl sticks to the transfer paper.

Gently lift the white backing paper from the vinyl.

Place the vinyl onto the stencil and gently rub to eliminate air bubbles.
Make sure that the stencil is securely stuck to eliminate paint seepage.

Lightly paint over the stencil with black multi-media acrylic paint*.

After the paint has dried, carefully remove the vinyl stencil.
You may need a craft pick* or exact-o knife* to remove the inside of the letters.

If desired, lightly sand over the top of the stool with a fine sanding block* to soften the lines.
If the stool will get a lot of use, I recommend spraying the top with a clear matte acrylic sealer*.