“Dream Big, the Sky is the Limit” …with Clear Scraps and Imagine Crafts

August 28, 2014April 20, 2015Leave a comment

All this week on the Clear Scraps and Imagine Crafts Blogs we are combining efforts with one Big Creative Blog Hop.

My “Dream Big… the sky is the limit” tag features a clear acrylic butterfly from Clear Scraps along with a variety of StazOn Inks for a wonderful effect. I love how the ink works so well with acrylic. And… that Wedding Dress irrRESISTible colored textured spray, LOVE!!!

Products Used:

Butterflies Embellishments (Clear Scraps)
Stazon Inks: Orange Zest, St. Valentine, Spiced Chai, Jet Black, Blue Hawaii (Imagine Crafts)
Wedding Dress irRESISTible colored textured spray (Imagine Crafts)
GlazOn (Imagine Crafts)
L751 Marbled Background (Serendipity Stamps)
“Hello Sunshine” 6 1/2″ Paper Pad (Kaisercraft)
Alpha & Word Stickers Teal (My Minds Eye)
2″ circle punch
Kraft cardstock tag
white acrylic paint and paintbrush
ribbon and trim
sponge
black cardstock
adhesive tape runner

Directions:

Dab with a sponge, Orange Zest and St. Valentine’s inks onto the clear butterfly. (allow to dry)
Ink marble background with jet black ink and stamp directly onto the butterfly.
Paint the center of the kraft cardstock tag with white acrylic paint.
Gently rub with a soft craft sponge Spiced Chai ink around the edges of the tag.
Spray surface of the tag with Wedding Dress irRESISTible colored textured spray. (allow to dry)
Lay circle onto tag to use as a mask. Gently sponge Blue Hawaii ink around circle.
Layer and adhere tag onto a piece of black cardstock.
Add strips of scrapbook paper with the edges inked onto bottom of tag.
Glue butterfly onto tag using GlazOn.
Finish embellishing tag with ribbon, trim and word stickers.

Creative Ideas using Craft Frames by deflecto

August 25, 2014October 9, 2015Leave a comment

I recently started working with a new company called Deflecto. Some of you may recognize the name Deflecto from dryer vents or bicycle reflectors. (among many other things) Deflecto now has Craft Storage Solutions. Providing solutions to stay organized so you can concentrate on your projects not your clutter. (and that’s always a good thing)

Each month Deflect-o will send me something new to play with. This month, I’m getting creative using their Craft Frames.

Call me silly, but, this has to be my favorite frame so far.
This frame is not just a clear 8 1/2″ x 11″ acrylic frame. It is flat backed and comes with heavy-duty magnets, velcro and a push pins attachment so that it can go on a fridge, wall or even a bulletin board. They’ve thought of everything.

For my frame, I went with the velcro and have it attached inside my office cabinet. I’m always losing my Editorial/ Blog calendar on my desk among piles. Now I can find it, take it down and update it anytime I want.

I like that this frame comes with a black edge. I added some personal inspiration with scrapbook paper and stickers.

The purple frame I made into a girly Post It Note Holder. The second picture shows the frame clear with no paper scrapbook paper added. I’m not sure which one I like the best.

How about this mini 2″ x 3″ frame decked out for the Holidays. (too cute right?)

I think I’m going to really enjoy working with this company and all their Crafty Storage Solutions.

I love being organized and this will work out great.

“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.”

Wedding Day Brag Book

August 22, 2014February 9, 2023Leave a comment

Overwhelmed by all the Wedding Pages you need to scrap?

The Wedding Brag book is a perfect way to show off a few of your favorite Wedding photos until you get that larger book finished.

The Wedding Brag Book would also make a perfect gift for your favorite Mother or Mother-in-law.

For my Wedding Brag Book I used the 6″ x 6″ Chipboard 3 Tabbed Album from Clear Scraps and

The “Story of Us” Collection from Simple Stories.

I love these sturdy chipboard books. When I use these books, I can easily trim around the edges with a craft knife and smooth any rough paper edges with a sanding block.

To spice up boring silver book rings, I painted each ring with a gold metallic paint pen.

Tip: Being a frugal scrapper, I used the 1/2″ strip at the bottom of most scrapbook paper to cover the tab. Start with that edge and cut your paper 6″ x 6 1/2″ and include that strip for the perfect tab.

Have a Creative Day!

Make sure to check all the 5 days of the DIY Wedding Projects.

Shop Handmade – The Wedding Store

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!

New Class: Maggie Holmes Clipboard Album

August 20, 2014August 15, 2014Leave a comment

I will be teaching a fun new class in September at The Paper Forest.

The Clipboard Album features Maggie Holmes Clipboard Album and Ephemera kit.

So many elements to this fun and funky album.

If you want, bring pictures to add as we embellish our albums.

Maggie Holmes Clipboard Album Class

Saturday, September 27th

1-2:30 p.m.

Cost: $25.00

Contact The Paper Forest at 309-745-3440 for more details and to sign up.

Hope to see you there.

Happy Little Camper

August 18, 2014April 20, 2015Leave a comment

I’ve always said, “my idea of roughing it is a bad hotel room”.

Maybe, just maybe, if I had a cute little camper like this, I might change my mind about camping.

My Happy Little Camper is on the Smoothfoam Blog today.

For Directions and Details log onto: http://www.smoothfoam.com/blog/happy-little-camper/

Have a great day.

Visiting St. Joe

August 15, 2014August 15, 2014Leave a comment

With not much summer left before school starts next week, we planned a mini vacation to the beautiful town of St. Joseph, Michigan. With life happening yet again, we were only able to get two days.

So….we packed as much fun as possible in the little time we had. We sat on the beach and laid in the sun, walked down the beach to check out the lighthouse and pier, ate a wonderful Italian dinner, visited fun shops, bought ice cream and desert, then watched the sun go down. (and that was just day 1)

The next day as the guys fished off the Pier, I sat on the beach. I closed my eyes and pretended I was at the ocean. With the temperature only being 63 degrees, we didn’t stay long.

Next, we headed off for a rooftop lunch. After lunch we went to the Fun park where Justin hit balls in the batting cages, raced go carts (I won) and then a round of mini golf. We looked up a local winery, tasted a few and then off to find a new beach. Still chilly, we only stayed 45 minutes while I soaked up as much beach as I could. Then off towards Chicago and a quick dinner and then back home again.

This was my first time visiting St. Joseph, I definitely want to go again.

A little Jane Austen Inspiration…

August 7, 2014August 5, 2014Leave a comment

Just a quick share today. Here’s another design team project for The Paper Forest.

The card uses stickers and paper from Authentique Papers “Favorite” Collection.

My “Favorite” Fishing Layouts

August 6, 2014August 2, 2014Leave a comment

Last Summer, for something different to do, I went fishing with the boys.

While the guys fished, I found a cozy spot under a tree and read a good book.

That’s the way I like to fish.

I made these layouts for The Paper Forest Design Team using Authentique’s Papers

“Favorite” Collection.

DCC: Crafting with School Supplies

August 4, 2014August 4, 2014Leave a comment

Every since I was a young girl, I have always loved shopping for back to school supplies.

In my family there were 5 kids. My Mom had to save all summer for this.

It was always a big deal picking out a new outfit and getting supplies.

So when it came time to buy back to school supplies for my kids, I always tried to make it a special day.

I always feel bad for the kids whose mom is going down the aisle stressed and complaining.

That mom just doesn’t get it. (she’s probably the mom who’s complaining in June)

Now that my son is in High School, back to school shopping isn’t quite the same.

But…I still stop and check things out.

l stock up on glue sticks, theme books and any little thing that I think I can use for my crafting

endeavors. (I still have lined notebook paper and folders from several years ago.)

For my Favorite Things Album, I picked up some inexpensive index cards for .48 at Wal-Mart.

When binding my book, I allowed enough space for two rows of cards.

Now, I can list favorite recipes, books, quotes. (anything goes)

Source: Paper and Stickers from Authentique Papers “Favorite” Collection.

This month’s Designer Craft Connection theme is : Crafting with School Supplies.

Look for the Designer Craft Connection Logo to start hopping.

Busy Summer Meal Planning

August 2, 2014August 2, 2014Leave a comment

I was recently thumbing through a magazine and noticed a week of dinner plans.

Each meal was designed to be ready and on the table in 45 minutes or less.

While I like the idea, I looked at the menu and said to myself.

“My family would never go for that.”

Black Bean Burgers with Srirachi Aioli and Greek Cucumber Salad?

Seriously, I wouldn’t even know where to start.

At the risk of sounding horrible… (Healthy Moms close your eyes)

Here’s what my Busy Summer Menu looked like for the week:

Mon: Ham Steak, Cheesy Potatoes, Green Beans

Tues: Fiend for Yourself Night (Baseball Practice, Dad out-of-town) aka leftovers

Wed: Crockpot Italian Beef, Baked Mac and Cheese and because we had three extra teen-age boys show up I added a Wal-Mart Pizza for good measure. (total of 9 for dinner)

Thurs: BLT’s and Chips. (Baseball Practice, Dad out-of-town) Of course, Dad/Grandpa stops by and offers to take me to Cracker Barrel. Who am I to refuse? BLT’s another night.

Fri: Pizza Night (of course!)

Now if this isn’t your idea of good meal planning, please don’t throw me under the bus just yet.

Once school starts, I’ll do much better. (I hope)

Until then, you can enjoy your Grilled Steak Panzanella with Pickled Vegetables and Bourbon Peach Limeade without me.