Graphic 45… A Time to Celebrate Frame

March 1, 2016Leave a comment

I have a hard time resisting the beautiful patterns of Graphic 45 paper and love using

it in my creations whenever possible. The other day, while I was shopping at my local

Scrapbook Store I picked up a few sheets of the “Time to Celebrate Collection”.

I thought it would be perfect for a Spring Frame I wanted to make. I couldn’t decide on

which way I wanted to go with the frame so I created two looks for the same frame.

For a slightly more contemporary look….

I used a older black and white picture of my daughter. (I love the contract.)

There’s a bit of fussy cutting involved with this frame.

I used the border on the Time to Celebrate paper to create a border around my green frame.

Then, I started cutting out the butterflies and flowers, giving them slight bends with my fingers

before layering them onto the frame with foam mounting squares.

The finished frame is 6″ x 8″ and is made to hold a 4″ x 6″ picture.

Here’s what I used:

Deflecto Craft Frame, Green Border, 4x 6 Inches (69574CR)

I used two sheets of paper from Graphic 45’s “Time to Celebrate” collection.

Graphic 45 Time To Celebrate Paper Pad, 12 by 12-Inch(available on Amazon*)

“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

How to Make a Mini Rose Topiary

February 24, 2016September 12, 2017Leave a comment

Maybe it has something to do with my short stature, but, I have always had a thing for

miniatures. My momma always told me “Good things come in small packages”.

(which I whole-heartily believed)

The Mini Rose Topiary is a project that can be easily adapted to make larger topiaries.

I just happen to like mine mini.

How to make a Mini Rose Topiary

Here’s what I used: (*affiliate link)

2″ White Smoothfoam Balls*
Mini Paper Roses (I used approx. 60 mini roses)
Glimmer Mist Chalkboard-Ruby Slipper*
4″ wooden dowel (approx. the width of a Tinker Toy stick)
green acrylic paint
paintbrush
fast drying craft glue
small wood spool
red and cream ticking material
crinkle ribbon
small wood heart

Directions:

Spray Roses and small wood heart with the Mistable Paint. Allow plenty of time to dry.
Paint the 2″ Smoothfoam Ball and the wood dowel with the green acrylic paint.
Poke hole into the end of the 2″ ball. Squirt a little glue in the hole and insert the painted dowel.
Starting at the top of the ball. Glue roses, one by one, onto the ball with a fast drying glue until covered. After the rose ball is formed, you may want to go back and re-mist the flowers for additional coverage.
Cover the wood spool with the ticking material and glue the end in place. Tie a small piece of crinkle ribbon around the ticking and glue the wood heart on top.
Insert rose topiary into the small wood spool.

TIP: Try making a topiary using larger Smoothfoam balls and silk flowers inserted into a pail, vase or containers.

The Mini Rose Topiary was created for and sponsored by Smoothfoam™ The Crafter’s Foam.

*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!

DIY Etching on a Mirror

February 10, 2016June 7, 20181 Comment

It all started with an inexpensive gold mirror that my daughter didn’t want anymore.

I had spray painted it red and left it like that for a couple of years. (it was o.k.)

I took it off the shelf, while cleaning the other day, and decided it needed an immediate update.

Of course, I had to stop cleaning. (when inspiration strikes)

This is how I etched my mirror… (*affiliate links)

I removed the mirror from the frame. I gave the red frame a light sanding and then painted it with Tattered Angels Decor and DIY Paint, Ebony*.
I cut an oval mask using etchall etchmask* vinyl and centered it on the mirror. Make sure to burnish the vinyl to get out air bubbles and to make sure the all edges all down.
Apply a thick coat of etchall Etching Crème* over the sides of the mirror using the squeegee. It’s important to get an even coat of etching crème to achieve a consistent even etch. (remember more is better)
Wait 15 minutes. Scrape excess etching crème from the mirror and return the extra etching crème back into the bottle. (it’s reusable)
Rinse mirror with warm water to clean.
Remove mask and dry.
Return the mirror back into the frame. Apply the gold “love” rub-on onto the mirror.

New to Etching? You might want to check out the video on the Etchall getting started page.

The Etched Mirror project was created for and sponsored by Etchall®.

*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!

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!

My 2016 Personalized Planner

January 6, 2016January 6, 20162 Comments

Have you noticed how popular Specialized Planners have become?

You can find them all over in stores and online in almost any color or size…

with places to doodle, write scriptures, stay organized, you name it.

I am a planner, a list maker and a person who likes to stay organized.

I’ve used planners for years and I’m picky. I know exactly what I want.

I’m also simple and don’t want or need a big fancy planner.

I need a month at a glance, thin, big enough space for writing, with lines planner.

The last couple of years, I have found this super cheap planner for $1.00 at Walmart.

The color selection was bright, but, I knew that didn’t matter.

It was perfect for decorating.

And… better yet, it came with a clear protective cover.

So armed with my inexpensive planner and a few sheets of scrapbook paper and stickers.

I personalized my planner, just how I want it. I now have the perfect planner.

From Drab to Fab, Cheap to Designer. I love it and I couldn’t be happier!

Plenty of space for notes.

(FYI: I save my planners each year, it’s a handy reference to vacations and special occasions you might want to document in your scrapbooks)

Simple Stories Simple Set Collection Kit 12″X12″-You & Me

Homespun Rag Ball Ornaments

December 20, 2015March 25, 2018Leave a comment

This year, I wanted to do a small little tree for the dining room.

A simple homespun tree with strung cranberries and hand-made ornaments.

I had grand ideas and a galvanized pail.

But reality hit, a long with the cold and flu, which knocked me out for a week.

It took my creativity level down to a one.

And sad to say… My small little tree didn’t get done.

I did string the cranberries… (a first for me)

They were so bright and colorful. I loved the look and took lots of pictures.

After a week or so, the cranberries started getting a mushy.

So… I put them out on the tree in the front yard for the birds to eat.

It looks pretty out there too.

Next time, I’ll make them last minute.

For the Rag Ball Ornaments…

Instead of just wrapping the strips of fabric until it formed a ball,

I made the rag ball using a Smoothfoam 2-Inch ball*.

Supplies used: (*affiliate link)

- Smoothfoam 12-Pack Balls Crafts Foam for Modeling, 2-Inch, White*
- Fabric Scraps
- Mod Podge Waterbase Sealer, Glue*
- Paintbrush
- Twine
- Ribbon
- Sanding Block*
- Craft Glue*

Directions:

Lightly sand the ridge around the ball.
Cut the fabric into 3/4″ strips.
Apply Mod Podge onto the back of the fabric and adhere to the ball.
Continue until the ball is fully covered.
Add an additional coat of Mod Podge over the ball to finish and seal.
Poke a hole on the top of the ball and add a dab or glue into the hole.
Insert twine into the hole to use as the ornament hanger.
Embellish ornament by gluing a bow on top.

Wouldn’t a whole bowl of rag balls would be cute? (maybe next year)

Shop Amazon Scrapbooking Supplies*

*Disclosure: This post is sponsored by Smoothfoam and 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!

Merry Christmas Gift Bag

December 18, 2015December 17, 20151 Comment

Make your Christmas Gift Bags a little more special with iron-on letters from Joy.

Start with a plain drawstring bag. (Mine was from Canvas Corp.)

Replace the drawstring cording on the bag with red and white gingham ribbon and add iron-on

letters in red and neon yellow. (in person the neon yellow looked lime to me)

Glue white lace, rick rack, buttons and a small wreath to the front of the bag.

For a truly personalized gift add a name instead of Merry Christmas.

This project was created for and sponsored by Joy SA.

Simple Felt Christmas Tree Ornament

December 17, 2015December 17, 20151 Comment

Every year I make a new Christmas Ornament or two.

As I was putting up the Christmas Decorations, I ran across this one.

The simple little felt Christmas Tree was one I made several years ago.

Still one of my favorites.

Put together using fabric glue. (with a little stuffing inside)

Simple, Simple, Simple…

Christmas in a Pickle Jar

December 6, 2015November 21, 201816 Comments

Christmas Crafting with Repurposed and Recycled Items…

Sometimes you have to find and save something for awhile before their purpose is revealed.

Like the base used on my Christmas in a pickle jar. (the inspiration for this project)

This past summer we had a new ceiling fan installed in my son’s room.

It was flush mounted to the ceiling, so, they didn’t use all of the parts that came with the kit.

I came across the unused parts in the garbage and decided to save them.

FYI…It’s not hoarding if you use them. (I’m just saying.)

Because I wanted to be informative when writing this post,

I emailed my brother for the correct name of the part. I am told it is called a canopy.

I glued the canopy onto the jar using Beacon Glass, Metal & More Premium Glue*.

Here’s what I used for my Christmas in a Pickle Jar:

Small Pickle Jar
Canopy (base)
Old Knob
Black Spray Paint*
Cream Bottle Brush Trees* (*affiliate link)
Plaid Ribbon
Wood Deer Cut-out
Ranger Tim Holtz Distress Ink Pad, Vintage Photo*
Ink Applicator & Blending Tool*
Small Bottle Brush Wreath
Adhesives
Epsom Salt*
Beacon Glass, Metal & More Premium Permanent Glue*

I painted the pickle jar lid and the old knob with semi gloss black spray paint.

I added a circle cut from a decorative scrapbooking paper and glued it onto my lid before

gluing on the knob. (I could have added a hole and screwed on the knob, this was easier.)

I spruced up the plain little wreath by adding a new bow and jingle bell and a small holly

berry embellishment. I added the ribbon to the neck of the jar before gluing on the wreath.

The little wood deer would of looked fine just as it came.

Instead, I decided to rub brown ink onto the deer to give it a stained look.

I used Vintage Photo Distress Inkpad* with a Ink Applicator & Blending Tool* (*affiliate link)

To make installing the deer a little easier, I glued the finished deer onto the front of one

of the trees before I placed it in the jar.

The Cream Bottle Brush Trees* come with a little wood base.

I added a super sticky craft glue dot under the base of each Cream Bottle Brush Tree*

before adding to my jar.

You can use a liquid glue instead of the sticky glue dots. (this was just faster and easier for me)

Next, I added Epson Salts into my jar for snow.

A great Holiday Gift Idea.

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Countdown to Christmas

December 1, 2015February 18, 2017Leave a comment

I had this idea to make a Countdown to Christmas using a small wood clipboard.

I’d been thinking about it and planning it in my head for a while.

When I went to the store all I could find were bright colored acrylic ones.

I knew if I kept searching I could find a wood one…

But, I really didn’t want to go running around to more stores so I picked one up

and decided I would change my plan.

The more I looked at this neon clipboard, I knew I wasn’t happy.

So… I decided to improvise.

I lightly sanded both sides of the clipboard with a fine grit sanding block.

Next, I gave the clipboard a couple of coats of Red Chalky Finish Paint.

After it was completely dried, I masked off an area with removable painter’s tape

and painted the inside of the masked area with black chalkboard paint.

“Hello December” is from a sheet of scrapbook paper from Simple Stories “Claus & Co.” Collection.

I embellished the clipboard with a silver ribbon, jingle bell and sparkly red berries.

I’m never satisfied with my own handwriting on these things…

so I added letter stickers on the bottom. (now I’m happy!)