So many reasons to Laminate…

August 20, 2018August 20, 2018Leave a comment

Laminating with Xyron…

When Xyron sent me the Double Sided Lamination Refill Cartridge* to use in my

Xyron Creative Station* you might say I got a little carried away.

There are so many uses and things to laminate I couldn’t stop at just one project.

My favorite project and one of the easiest was using the laminating as an overlay…

I cranked the handle of my Xyron Creative Station* with the Laminate Cartridge* inserted

and actually laminated nothing. (*affiliate link)

I wanted a clear sheet of laminate to use as an overlay on my “all about ME” mini album*

I added glitter vinyl letters on top my laminated sheet before putting the album together.

After creating the overlay, I inserted the Xyron Permanent Adhesive Refill Cartridge*

back into the Xyron Creative Station* to add adhesive on the paper used to cover my album.

Complete coverage and no wrinkling!

I also wanted to make a bookmark using freshly pressed flowers.

I grabbed a few blooms from the garden and stuck them into a heavy book overnight.

Ideally, you’re supposed to leave them alone for 2-3 weeks.

Since I’m an impatient crafter,

I found online that you can speed up the process with a low temp iron.

I used craft glue to lightly and gently glue the flowers onto cream cardstock.

Insert the cardstock in the Creative Station with the Laminating Cartridge.

Laminate, trim, punch a small hole for twine and your ready to read.

Almost every one in the airport has a black suitcase. (am I right?)

I’m getting ready for vacation in a few weeks and I want my bag to stand out for easy

recognition. I created a small 3″ x 4″ decorated name tag and added my business card

to the back of the tag. Then I laminated it. (so easy)

Technically, this could almost be chalked up to a craft fail…

There’s always the question floating around my house, is the dishwasher clean or dirty?

To solve the problem, I decided to create laminated signs to put on the front of the dishwasher

and added magnets to the back. Smart? Right?

I forgot that magnets do not stick to stainless steel dishwashers.

My Mom worked at a middle school for several years before she retired.

One of her jobs, among many others, was laminating things for the teachers.

When we went through her things this summer, we found…

Laminated Brochures
Laminated Maps
Laminated Ticket Stubs
Laminated Cartoon Strips
Laminated Newspaper Clippings
Laminated Recipes

I guess Mom liked laminating too.

“This is a sponsored post. As a member of the Xyron Design Team I have been provided product and compensation in exchange for my creative ideas. The views and opinions are my own.

*Disclosure: This blog uses 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!

A Very Merry Christmas Frame

December 4, 2017August 5, 2021Leave a comment

Everyone in my family thinks of me whenever they see red buffalo plaid…

I’m not sure why?

But seriously… what’s not to love?

To make my Very Merry Christmas Frame…

I picked up a few sheets of the Simple Stories Very Merry line of scrapbook paper

from my local Scrapbook Store. Along with a few embellishments and a

Deflecto Clear Frame, 8″ x 10″ (597901CR)* (*affiliate link)

I made a cute and simple Very Merry Christmas frame.

If I decide to change the look next year, I have a great start to an awesome scrapbook layout.

“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.”

Shop Amazon Scrapbooking Supplies*

*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!

a little Valentine Love

February 1, 2017February 13, 20172 Comments

When I flipped over the calendar this morning it hit me.

Less than 2 weeks until Valentine’s Day.

After all these years…

it’s still fun to throw a few hearts around to make sure he doesn’t forget.

I created this cute little Valentine’s decoration using a clear 4″ x 6″

acrylic craft frame from Deflecto Craft Solutions, scrapbook paper and stickers.

The sticker in the middle says “I belong with you & you belong with me”.

I think he’ll get the hint.

“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.”

Simple Stories Classic Christmas Cards

November 6, 2016November 15, 2016Leave a comment

I’ll be teaching a new class at The Paper Forest in December.

Simple Stories Classic Christmas Cards…

You may want to grab your elf hat and shoes for this fast-paced Christmas Card Class.

In this class we will create 8 Christmas cards using the Simple Stories Classic Christmas Collection.

All you need to bring is your double stick tape roller, plenty of 3D foam mounting squares and scissors.

Please join me…

Thursday, December 1st
at The Paper Forest in Washington, IL
5:30-7:30 p.m.
Cost: $25

Contact The Paper Forest at 309-745-3868 to sign up.
If there is enough interest we may add a daytime class.

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!

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!)

Here’s what I used:

These products available at your local craft stores or online on amazon.com*

*Disclosure: I am a Amazon Affliate.

Preserving Summer Memories

September 7, 2015February 9, 2023Leave a comment

I’m holding on to Summer as long as I can.

This summer Nicholas learned how to swim the entire length of the pool without the aid

of a floatie and he learned how to float on his back.

Warren learned how to jump off the side of the pool.

Pretty impressive when you consider they’re only 4 and 1 1/2.

Nicholas loves the water, we call him a polar bear because it doesn’t matter how

cold the water is.

Yesterday… we had our last pool party of the season. Thanks to a little 95º heat wave.

I’m going to miss summer.

My Summer Layout uses:

Simple Stories Collections: Summer Vibes and Freedom
Bo Bunny’s Boardwalk

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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!

Their Special Day…

August 29, 20141 Comment

One of the Big surprises of the summer was the wedding of my sweet niece and her new husband.

I am so happy for them. They make a great couple and they look so cute together.

My last design team assignment for The Paper Forest was Simple Stories: The Story of Us.

Once I saw the collection I knew exactly what pictures I wanted to use.

I appreciate my niece sharing her photo’s and allowing me to scrapbook her special day.

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.