My 4 x 4 Canvas

February 7, 20163 Comments

As a member of the Canvas Corp Brands Creative Crew we

were asked to create a 4″ x 4″ canvas to represent “you”.

As a returning member we were given the choice to stay with the one we created

last year or make a new one. I decided I needed a new one.

One that looked a little more my style.

As you might guess, I love the color red. I also love taking pictures.

Since receiving my new camera last year for Christmas, I have taken over 15,000 pictures.

Most of those pictures are of family or of projects I am working on.

The camera is never put away. (always on the counter, ready to go to work)

So this is me described in a canvas. (at least for now)

Love You?

February 3, 2016February 9, 202310 Comments

True story…

I occasionally submit cards and projects to various magazines for publication.

In return I sometimes get a small check.

Usually, the check comes several months later after I’ve completely forgotten all about it.

So…when I opened this check and saw the handwritten note on the stub,

I thought (gee) that’s kind of a personal message.

It had me scratching my head…

That was until I remembered the name of the card. (silly me)

My “Love Ya” Card was featured in Crafts Ideas Winter Edition.

“Love Ya” Card…

A sweet card for Valentine’s Day or any day you want to spread a little love.

Materials List:

Waterbrush
AdornIt Art Play Paintables: 22646 Love You Paintable
AdornIt Blender Basics: 22480 Blue Chevron 12 x 12
AdornIt Blender Basics: 22504 Red Chevron 12 x 12
Denim Fabric (Canvas Corp Brands)
Red and White Gingham Ribbon
Tim Holtz Distress Inks: Fired Brick, Victorian Velvet, Stormy Sky
Tombow Markers: #969 Chocolate, #553 Mist Purple, #850 Flesh, #800 Baby Pink
1/8” Score Tape
Mini Glue Dots
Piece of Acetate

On the card, I used a simple watercolor technique that uses ink from markers and inkpads and uses a small piece of acetate as the palette. By scribbling directly onto the piece of acetate with the marker or by applying the ink directly from the pad, I have a variety of rich color to watercolor with. I simply color in the image using the water-brush.

Directions:

Cut “love you” image from the Art Play Paintable Sheet leaving a thin white border. (approx. 2 3/4” x 3 3/4”)
Give the background of the image a light watercolor wash using ink from the Stonewashed Adirondack inkpad and the #553 Mist Purple marker.
Watercolor the girl’s hair using the #969 Chocolate marker. Color in the face with #850 Flesh marker. Highlight the cheeks with #800 Baby Pink marker. Watercolor the leaves with Peeled Paint ink and color the center of the flower with #993 Chrome Orange.
Watercolor the skirt with Victorian Velvet inkpad and the top and hearts with Fired Brick ink.
Adhere image onto a 3 1/4” x 4 1/4” piece of the Red Chevron plain side.
Adhere those layers onto a 3 1/2” x 4 1/2” Blue Chevron layer.
Cut a piece of denim fabric 4” x 5 1/4”, adhere onto a 4 1/2” x 5 3/4” card using scoretape. Adhere layers onto denim using score-tape.
Add four heart buttons to each side of the layers using mini glue dots.
Tie a red gingham bow around the front of the card.

You & Me Valentine’s Frame

January 28, 2016February 18, 2017Leave a comment

With Valentine’s Day right around the corner…

I wanted to share a simple little project that’s really quick and easy to put together.

A Valentine’s Frame using the You & Me Collection from Simple Stories.

This cute little frame, from Canvas Corp Brands, is only 6″ x 6″ and I love how versatile

it is to decorate. The larger section is perfect for a 4″ x 6″ picture and if white’s not your

style it’s available in wood stained. I added dimension to the frame by adding

cubes made from cardstock behind the “love you lots” and “pail of flowers”.

I dressed it up by gluing on metal corners from Tim Holtz.

Click on the pictures below for ordering information. (affiliate links)

Disclaimer: This post uses affiliate links. If you choose to place an order using one of the links, I will get a small commission that helps maintain the cost of running this blog. Thanks!

Let it Snow Canvas…

January 27, 2016January 26, 2016Leave a comment

After all the Holiday Decorations are down, I like to decorate the house with a Winter theme.

Even though I may not like the cold winter months.

I still find beauty in a blanket of newly fallen snow.

So “Let it Snow”. (just not too much)

Supplies Used:

12 x 12 Denim Canvas (or painted blue canvas)
White Acrylic Paint
White Embroidered Iron Letters from Joy S.A.
Old Firm Toothbrush
Snowflake Embellishments
Lace and Ribbon
Silver Berry Sprig and Greenery
Jingle Bells
Fabri Tac Glue

Directions:

Squirt a small bit of white acrylic paint on to a piece of scrap paper. Lightly apply paint to the bristles of an old toothbrush. Wipe excess paint off. Gently flick paint spraying paint over the canvas.
Glue embroidered letters and snowflake embellishments onto the canvas.
Glue lace and ribbon onto the canvas, wrapping and gluing ends around on the back of the canvas.
Gather up silver berries and greenery, tie them together with a jingle bell and satin ribbon and glue to the bottom corner of the canvas.

This project was created for and sponsored by Joy SA.

Snowball Fight

January 25, 2016January 1, 2023Leave a comment

Ready for some good old fashioned fun?

How about a snowball fight?

If you’re not loving the cold…

Here’s a snowball fight you can have while snuggling up inside.

Here’s what’s you’ll need: (*amazon affiliate link)

Smoothfoam Snowman Body
6″ x 1″ Smoothfoam Disc
1″ Smoothfoam Balls (I used 12)
2″ Smoothfoam Ball
DecoArt DAS9-22 Snow-Tex*
DecoArt Craft Twinkles Paint, Crystal*
Tonic Studios Tim Holtz 372 Retractable Craft Pick*
Ranger Tim Holtz Distress Ink Pad, Vintage Photo*
Stipple Brush*
Paintbrush
Palette Knife and Craft Knife
Craft Glue
Beacon Fabri-Tac Permanent Adhesive*
Toothpicks, Bamboo Skewer and Sticks
Fabric Scraps, Micro Brads, Paint Markers
Scissors

Directions:

Cut the 2″ Smoothfoam ball in half. Cut the top off the rounded side of one of the balls.
Poke two holes into the bottom of the Snowman body using the craft pick. Break a toothpick in half, dip ends into craft glue and insert in holes. Attach the sliced ball onto the Snowman body.
Apply Snow-tex with palette knife over the newly formed Snowman and the 6″ disc. Allow both to dry fully.
To Create a Snowball Wall… Poke holes into the 1″ balls with the craft pick. Insert toothpick halves with craft glue on the ends into balls. Build wall by sticking the balls together.
Apply Snow-tex onto wall using the palette knife. (Allow to dry.)
Create scene by attaching snowman and wall onto the disc. Reinforce the pieces with toothpicks and craft glue.
For a shimmery snowy glow…paint all the pieces with Crystal Craft Twinkles paint. (Allow to fully dry.)
Add shadows to the snowman and snowballs by gently applying vintage photo ink using a stipple brush.
To Create the Snowman Hat… Measure and cut fabric to fit around snowman head. Fold over and glue one of the long edges of the fabric to create a brim. Glue fabric ends together to create a tube. Tie top of the tube with a piece of string, cut excess fabric off top of the tube and fray the ends by making small cuts with the scissors. Glue to the top of the Snowman head.
Add arms to the Snowman using small twigs. Warm him up with a fabric scarf and mittens cut from the fabric scraps.
For the Snowman’s Face… Use two small black micro brads inserted into the snowman face for the eyes. Paint the tip of a bamboo skewer with orange paint, cut and insert into the face for the nose. Add a smile to the snowman’s face using a extra fine black paint marker.
Make a small snowball using a small pieced of paper wadded up and covered with Snow-tex. Glue finished and dried snowball onto mitten.

This project was created for and sponsored by Smoothfoam the crafter’s foam.

Shop Amazon Scrapbooking Supplies*

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!

CardMaker Magazine Spring 2016

January 21, 2016February 9, 20231 Comment

I just got my copy of CardMaker Magazine’s Spring 2016 Issue…

and I still get a kick every time I see one of my cards featured.

My “be yourself card” uses a simple watercolor technique that uses ink from markers and inkpads.

Image is from Adornit’s Be Awesome Art Play Paintables.

For some really great card-making inspiration make sure to pick up a copy for yourself…

and be sure to check out page #76.

Paper House Productions 2016 Design Team

January 19, 20164 Comments

Seriously…

I had just checked their website to see if they’d posted the team

when I got the email letting me know I was chosen. (Insert Happy Dance!)

I am happy to announce that I am now part of The Paper House Production’s 2016 Design Team.

I’ll be still be making all my crafty DIY projects, but in addition, I’ll be making more.

More cards, more layouts, more fun paper projects, more inspiration.

So for those of you who love “paper-crafting”. This ones for you. (and me of course)

I can’t wait to get started.

Cupcake Stand or Craft Supply Storage?

January 7, 2016January 7, 20161 Comment

Deflecto Craft Solutions has several new items debuting at CHA this week in Anaheim, California.

(CHA being the annual Craft and Hobby Association Trade Show.)

One of my favorites products being shown is this Three Tier Desert Stand.

The stand features adjustable heights and a easy knock down compact design for storage.

It is perfect for holding cupcakes and even comes with little holes to insert cake pops. (Pretty Clever.)

The Cupcake Stand will be available January 2016 through local art, craft and educational stores.

Because I don’t make a lot of cupcakes, I decided to use mine for storage instead. ♥

This is what I used to personalize the stand:

Kraft Gift Wrapping Paper
Tim Holtz Idea-Ology Design Tape 10 Yard Rolls 4/Pkg, Yuletide, 1875″ To .625″
Glue Stick
Craft Knife and Cutting Mat
Pencil

Trace each of the tiers onto the back of the kraft paper.
Loosely cut around each circle.
Liberally apply the glue-stick onto the back of the paper around and inside the circle.
Lay tier onto the glued circle and trim excess paper with craft knife.
Smooth paper onto tier.
Cut out the center channels of the tiers with a craft knife.

Washi Tape Border

Apply washi tape around the outside lip.

Assemble stand and fill craft supplies. (or maybe even your favorite cupcakes)

“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 links if you choose to purchase from Amazon, I get a very small commission.