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
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.
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 ↓
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!
Em’s Softball Frame
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!
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*
, 
, 
and 
>
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.
Happy Summer Frame
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”*.
“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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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!
“I’d rather be thrifting” bag
My daughter is an expert at shopping the thrift stores
and finding a great deal…
When she asked me to make her a tote bag similar to the ones she’d seen online.
I knew exactly where to start. I used a large canvas bag from Canvas Corp Brands
and ironed on a fun saying using Joy® embroidered letters.
It’s quick and easy – just preheat your iron to the cotton setting, then remove the paper liner
on back of each letter (exposing the temporary adhesive) and press into place on your tote bag
to spell out your quote. 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.
Fast, Quick, Personalized and Ready to Go!
We’re thinking of adding “take me to a flea market” on the other side.
This project was created and sponsored by Joy SA.
A little Americana for your front porch swing
The quickest way to spruce up the front porch swing for summer is with new pillows.
And if your a little bit handy and have a sewing machine why not try making a few of your own.
When it comes to sewing I’m very simple and it doesn’t get much easier than this.
A simple stenciled and stitched pillow.
Deco Arts has so many 12″ stencils in a variety of patterns, you’re sure to find one you’d love.
DecoArts® Products Used: (*affiliate link)
- ADS16 American Tribute Stencil*
- Americana® Multi-Surface Satin Acrylics: Dark Scarlet, Cotton Ball, Night Sky
- Splendid Gold Dazzling Metallics® Acrylic Paint
Additional Products:
- 14” x 14” Muslin Fabric
- 14” x 14” Red and Cream Ticking Fabric
- Fairfield Poly-Fil Premium Polyester Fiber, White, 1 Bag, 12-Ounce
*
- Stencil Brush*
- Removal Painters Tape*
- X-ACTO Craft Knife*
- Scissors
- Sewing Machine
- Needle and Thread
Directions:
- Lay paper under muslin fabric before stenciling.
- Center and tape stencil onto muslin with removable painter’s tape so that the stencil won’t move.
- Work one color at a time and mask off with painter’s tape the areas that won’t be painted.
- Remove the “star section” of the flag using a craft knife and set aside.
- Stenciling is a “dry” brush technique. 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.
- Once you’ve added the red, blue and gold colors. Replace the star section of the flag back onto the stencil and stencil the stars with white paint.
- Create a simple pillow by sewing the muslin onto the red and cream ticking fabric.
- Stuff pillow with Poly-fil®.
This project was sponsored by DecoArts.
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!
Pretty Pink Rose Card
The challenge, this week, for the Paper House Production Design Team
was to create something using their 3D stickers. They have so many beautiful dimensional stickers
it was hard to choose.
The inspiration for this card came from a small picture frame picked up at Michael’s one spot.
The frame spoke to my soft feminine “girly” side.
The pretty pink rose used on my card comes from the Sisters 3D sticker sheet.
Finished Card Size: 4 1/2″ x 4 1/2″
Paper House Productions Products Used on the Card:
- STDM-0256 Sister 3D stickers
- STP-0306RTE Faith Sculpted Stickers
- P-3092RTE Flamingo Mini Trim Cards 12″ Colorways Scrapbook Paper
- STP-0306RTE Faith Sculpted Stickers
- P-2017RTE Believe 12″ Double Sided Scrapbook Paper
Additional Product Used:
- Spellbinders S4-414 Nestabilities Captivating Squares Die Templates
- White Sheer Ribbon
- 3 Small Adhesive Pearls
- Foam Mounting Squares
“This is a sponsored post. As a member of the Paper House Productions Design Team I have been
provided product in exchange for my creative ideas, views and opinions.”
Americana Ribbon Wreath
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*
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.
to glue my ribbon in place.)So many possibilities.
The Americana Wreath was sponsored by Smoothfoam™, the crafter’s foam.
*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!
No. 14 How to age a Terra Cotta Pot with Chalky Finish Paint
It’s front porch sitting time…
Time for sitting on the porch swing, sipping a glass of iced tea and relaxing the evening away.
But before I can relax, I need to finish putting flowers in containers and I need to give a couple
of old boring terra cotta pots a little sprucing up with a little paint and stencils.
I decided to give this plain terra cotta pot an aged looked with
Americana Décor Chalky Finish Paint from DecoArt.
How to age a Terra Cotta Pot with Chalky Finish Paint
Supplies Used: (*affiliate link)
- Terra Cotta Pot
- Patio Paint Home and Garden Stencils – Vintage Numbers*
- Americana Décor Chalky Finish Paint-* yesteryear, everlasting, new life, relic
- Americana Décor Crème Wax- Golden Brown*
- Paint Brush, Stencil Brush*
- Very Fine Sandpaper*
- Clean Lint Free Cloth
- Removable Blue Painters Tape*
Directions:
- Paint the terra cotta pot with “yesteryear” (gray) chalky finish paint. I gave the pot some white highlights with “everlasting” chalky finish paint.
- Wipe the pot with a clean soft damp cloth (or white paper towel) to remove some of the paint.
- To give the pot a mossy look… Dry brush “new life” (green) chalky finish paint around the base of the pot, under the ridge and on the top edge. Soften the green paint by wiping with a damp cloth if needed.
- Apply reusable stick on stencils to painted pot. Mask around the stencil with removable painter’s tape. Use a stipple brush to apply “relic” Chalky Finish paint inside open stencil area.
- Remove stencil.
- Lightly sand pot with extra fine sand paper.
- Apply Americana® Décor “golden brown” crème wax over pot using a clean lint free cloth. Wipe with cloth to create an aged look.
This post was sponsored by the good folks at DecoArt.
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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!
Sue's Creative Workshop 