Enabler Alert!
Just in case you didn’t get everything you wanted for Christmas. (you’re welcome)
*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!
This month I started working with a company called Tape Technologies, the maker of
Styletch Vinyl, as their New Design Team Coordinator.
Being that it’s November…
I decided my first project should be something that I could use for Thanksgiving.
I perused my new collection of 12″ x 12″ adhesive vinyl and decided on the Sunflower
Transparent Glitter Vinyl sheet. (fyi…Styletech has a great selection of vinyl to work with.)
You can find a 10 assorted pack of 12×12 Glitter Self Adhesive Vinyl Sheets* 
Some of you may gasp…
when I tell you that I still don’t have one of those fancy electronic die cutting machines.
(although it may be on this year’s Christmas list)
To begin this simple project… I cut the word “Thanks” using a thin steel die and my
Sizzix Big Shot Die-Cutting/Embossing Machine*
one for my small plate. Because I only wanted the “thanks” around the edge of the plate
I cut the flourish off the bottom of the “k”.
After figuring out my plate placement, I placed my die-cut “thanks” onto a flat surface and
picked up the die-cut with my Vinyl Transfer Tape*
Once on the transfer paper I peeled back the protective layer and secured it in place on my
plate. I burnished the transferred die and removed the transfer paper.
Because I couldn’t help myself I added another die cut “Thanks” with the flourish in tack onto
a cute little thrift store find.
FYI…While I would not place the plates in the dishwasher, I did try to see how it would hold up to hand-washing. It did fine.
Shop Amazon Scrapbooking Supplies*
*Disclaimer: This post is sponsored by Tape Technologies 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!
Is it too early for a Snowman Banner?
I admit it’s a little early, but when I found this adorable Sizzix Snowman Die by Tim Holtz*
I really wanted to use it in this month’s Designer Craft Connection Blog Hop with Kunin Felt.
Seriously though…Who doesn’t love a snowman?
To see what the other designers made using their Kunin Felt make sure to click on the
Blog Hop link at the bottom of this post.
Here’s what I used to make my Snowman Banner. (*affiliate link)
(*affiliate link)
I die-cut the felt into snowman pieces using the Sizzix Snowman Die*
Did you know???
Kunin Felt recycles billions of water bottles every year that would otherwise be in the landfills and makes them into a product which becomes felt. 12 bottles equals 1 lb. of fabric.
For more fun projects with Kunin Felt click here.
*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!
Sizzix Bigz Die by Tim Holtz, 5.5 by 6-Inch, Assembly Snowman*
Christmas in July…
Last week it was so hot that when I went out at 9:00 in the evening to water my flowers it
was hard to breath. It was so hot that our unheated pool felt like bath water.
Summer’s in full swing and vacation (for me) is fast approaching.
And with all the things I could or should be doing, I felt like making a Christmas Chalkboard.
It’s not too early? Is it?
The Christmas Chalkboard is really easy to make…
and would be a wonderful gift for those of you thinking ahead.
And if you’d like…you could make it a two sided chalkboard and really get creative.
Here’s how I made the Christmas Chalkboard…
(*affiliate link)
to add small white dots around the edge of the chalkboard.
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!
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Enabler Alert!
If you love die-cutting as much as I do.
I thought you might like to know that Sizzix is having a huge sale.
Up to 80% off select items. (just click on the picture)
It’s been a few weeks since the Creativation Trade Show in Phoenix…
and I’m finally getting around to sharing.
You might want to sit back and grab a cup of coffee. (it’s a long one)
The Creativation Show was a fast, busy few days.
Getting the opportunity to see old friends, meeting in person online friends you’ve known for years.
And the best part making new friends.
Creativation, for me, is more than seeing the latest and greatest in the Creative Industry
(although that’s great too)
it’s about the opportunity to meet and network with people from all over the world.
When you’re at a show like this, you sit by a stranger on the convention bus and talk the whole way.
You go to lunch by yourself and instead of looking for a empty table, you sit with a group or
a table of one and the conversations flow. That’s where we share ideas and inspiration.
We ask… “what did you see that excited you?”
During one of those conversations I heard someone say this is where our “tribe” is.
(The cactus in front of my hotel.)
This was my first trip to Phoenix and the first time this Midwest gal saw cactus this large.
Can you tell I was impressed?
I wish I would of been able to see more of Phoenix, it poured the first evening I was there
and the sun didn’t come out until the last day. Most of the time, it really didn’t matter as it was
dark outside when I left and it was dark when I got back to the hotel.
I didn’t even notice the mountains out my hotel window until the second day.
I left the hotel before 7:00 on Saturday morning to take a class before working all day
in the Deflecto booth. We made mini desk calendars using Deflecto’s 3″ x 4″ clear acrylic
frames, paper from Paper House Productions “One Big Happy Family” collection and cute
little calendars from Taylored Expressions.
Also in the booth was the “Caddy Challenge”. ↓
Each challenger was given two empty caddies and a variety of craft supplies.
Every caddy container had to have at least one craft item and put back into the caddy,
each layer had to be locked and put on the base.
The whole thing was timed and the timer stopped when the caddy was lifted.
It was so much fun watching how competitive it became. (there were Visa gift cards at stake)
Co-worker against co-worker, friend against friend, husband against wife.
SO…What’s NEW at Deflecto?
An interlocking wheel base for the craft caddy and the Interlocking Marker Organizer.
Right next to the Deflecto Booth were my good friends at
Canvas Corp Brands, 7Gypsies and Tattered Angels.
So many new things there. They introduced their new line called “Architextures”.
I can’t wait to get my hands on all that vintage inspired goodness.
Coming Soon from Canvas Corp Brands… Relics and Artifacts.
A lot of mixed media potential.
On Sunday afternoon, I got to hang out in the Paper House booth where I helped attendees make
the Discover USA travel mini book project. I’m so lucky to work in such a fun industry.
For full Discover USA project instructions click here.
Monday was the last day of the show and a half day for me.
After working in the booths all day on Saturday and Sunday,
I decided I needed to take some time to do something fun.
DecoArt, 3M and Pinspiration had a clear acrylic booth set up called the “Splatter Room”.
Dressed in a hazmat suit and goggles…
I went to town choosing paint and splattering onto a 12″ x 12″ canvas.
Oh, what a glorious mess. It was the highlight of my day.
After painting and splattering…
I walked the show floor, taking pictures and making connections.
I always wish that I would have taken more pictures and maybe even a video or two.
Time at these shows go fast and I needed to make the most of that time.
Below are a few of the booths that I remembered to take pictures of. (Enjoy!)
Probably one of the most photographed booths is the Tim Holtz Idea-ology booth.
For Vintage lovers this is serious eye-candy.
Lovely Mixed Media from Rebekah Meier Designs.
Somehow my camera setting got changed and I didn’t get a lot of sharable pictures of the Sizzix booth.
And the always impressive Graphic 45 Booth. ↓
Of all the wonderful things I saw, do you want to know what impressed me the most?
Let me start by saying, I’ve been a stamper for 20 years and it takes a lot to impress me…
the clear animated stamps from Uchis Design did just that. (it’s the simple things)
Below is the business card they gave me.
I hoped you enjoyed my adventure to Creativation.
I just want to say…
I am very thankful that I have the opportunity to work with all the wonderful and talented people
and companies in the Creative Industry. I am one lucky girl.
No matter what part of the country you visit, Paper House Production’s
New Discover USA collection has you covered. I used this new collection along with
Eileen Hull’s adorable suitcase die from Sizzix, for a cute little make and take project
in the Paper House Productions booth at Creativation.
It’s a fun project that could be used with Vacation Memorabilia or even as a going away present for someone getting ready to retire and travel the good ole’ USA.
Products Used: (*affiliate link)
*This post uses Affiliate links. If you choose to make a purchase from using one of the links, I will receive a small commission that helps offset the cost of running this blog. Thanks!
Last week, I got the opportunity to attend CHA Paper Arts in Schaumburg, IL.
I hadn’t been able to attend a CHA Show (Craft Hobby Association) since the last time
it was in Chicago a few years ago.
As you can imagine I was excited to go. (any excuse for a get-a-way)
I knew going in that it was going to be a small show.
But…by being a small show, it gave me the opportunity to mix, mingle and really get to know people.
I got to meet, in person, a few online friends, was able to make a few more and make some really
great connections. All in all I was satisfied.
Back in it’s hey day, when I had my store, I remember spending three days walking the show
and still not being able to see everything. (those were the days…)
On the first day of the two day show, I did remember to take a few pictures.
I wish I had taken more. Enjoy!
First off in the Sizzix Booth was dies from Stephanie Ackerman.
I’ve been following Stephanie’s blog, Homegrown Hospitality, for years.
She’s a real Superstar in my books.
New House Dies from Tim Holtz and Sizzix
I love the little house dies from the always popular Tim Holtz.
Tim Holtz Holiday Canvas
Ken Oliver of Ken Oliver Crafts
Ken’s another one of my Favorite Superstars. Here I am with Ken and The Paper Forest girls.
They had just taken a picture with Ken and was rubbing it in my face.
So… I made them take another.
I finally got the opportunity to play with Ken’s Color Bursts.
It only took a few minutes to create this masterpiece.
Eileen Hull’s Vintage Camper, Scotty on The Paper Trail at CHA.
Such a cute little camper. You can read about Eileen and Scotty’s Adventure here.
Eileen Hull’s Samples made using Sizzix Dies.
More samples from Eileen.
I met Eileen a few years back and she’s such a sweet and personable lady.
You can’t help but love her. And her dies… they are just too cute.
If I had her camper, I just might enjoy camping. (well maybe)
Another picture with The Paper Forest girls at the Graphic 45 booth.
Graphic 45 World’s Fair
Graphic 45 Mon Amour
Ready for Christmas Crafting? I am!
More Kaisercraft Christmas…
Kaisercraft
Little B LLC Christmas
I fell in love with Little B’s New Christmas Washi Tape.
This is another one of those booths where I got talking and forgot to take more pictures.
As a reward for all my work (aka…having fun).
I ended my adventure with a trip to my favorite Big Blue Store, IKEA.
Sue's Creative Workshop 