I would cross the Ocean for You…

July 29, 2016August 6, 2016Leave a comment

When ever I see a Lighthouse, I think of my sweet Mom.

Mom loved all things Lighthouses.

Knick knack’s, postcards, t-shirts, sweatshirts, you name it.

And… she’d cross the ocean for you. She was that kind of Mom.

My Mom was also a card maker and loved using stamps and stickers to make her cards.

Isn’t it great that the supplies we use as Scrapbookers are perfect for creating Quick and Simple cards.

One tip that Mom and I learned at a Mrs. Grossman’s class (back in the 90’s) was…

to make a sticker non-sticky, apply baby powder on the back of the sticker with a paint brush.

My favorite tip for making dimensional cards.

For this card I used the Nautical Collection from Paper House Productions.

Paper House KTSP-1029E Nautical Paper Crafting Kit, 12″ by 12″, Multicolor**

This card was created for and sponsored by Paper House Productions.

**This post uses Amazon Affliate Links.

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!

Father’s Day Pool Party Layout

July 15, 2016July 15, 2016Leave a comment

A few weeks ago, on Father’s Day, I invited everyone over for a BBQ Pool Party.

There were 30 of us in all.

It was fun, loud and a little bit crazy. (Just like this layout.)

Thanks to the week before being warm and sunny, the pool was perfect for swimming.

No chattering teeth or blue lips this year!

For my Pool Party Layout I used the following from Paper House Productions:

This layout was created for and sponsored by Paper House Productions.

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.

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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Monogramed Jeans Jacket

June 28, 2016June 28, 2016Leave a comment

My daughter was telling me about a store near her that was having a Monogramming Event where

they would custom monogram an item of clothing for you while you waited at the store.

She said it was a pretty big thing.

Being the “thrifty” one…

We used Iron-on Embroidered Letters from Joy instead.

It only took about a minute to create this custom look on her “thrifted” denim jacket.

This project was created for and sponsored by Joy SA.

Live Inspired

June 24, 2016June 19, 2016Leave a comment

Love, Joy, Peace, Patience, Kindness, Goodness and Faithfulness.

That is my prayer.

To have more of this in my life and in my heart.

To Live Inspired.

The card was made using the Faith Paper Collection from Paper House Productions.

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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Em’s Softball Frame

June 10, 2016June 10, 2016Leave a comment

This is my niece Emily and her no#1 fan. (her mom)

I recently went to one of Emily’s High School Softball games to watch her pitch and take pictures.

I asked Emily if it would be ok to use one of her pictures for one my Design Team Projects.

I’ve used Paper House Productions “Sports Collections” for Guys but it’s also great for girls too.

For Emily’s frame I used a 5 x 7 Black Border Acrylic Frame from Deflecto Craft Solutions.

Deflecto Craft Frame, 5 x 7 Inches, Black Border (69575CR)

I embellished the frame with Paper and Stickers from Paper House Productions:

“This is a sponsored post. As a member of the Paper House Productions and 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.

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.