Elegant Bird Decor - w/ a Video!

 

I made this simple wall hanging the other day.  I used glimmer mist for the background, and created a stencil for the design using my Cricut.  Cartridges used were Storybook for the template of the swirls, Serenade for the bird, and Tie the Knot for the branch.  For all the details watch the video below.

That's Better!

So, I got my temporary scrap space all cleaned up.  I don't know how long I'll be up here in the loft, so I'm trying to avoid putting up a bunch of shelves and things and creating holes in the wall.  I hung my Making Memories Embellishment Center, but I NEED that, and there were some hooks left by the previous owners I put my Cricut mats on.

I won't get to paint and decorate and make it pretty.  When I leave the space it will be a playroom for my kids and I haven't decided on the theme yet, so I'm leaving the current decor for now, even though it isn't my style at all.

It feels good to be getting settled in, even if this isn't my long term space.  I will be creating a dream of a room in our new basement, but of course finishing it will take time.  Right now we need to find out what the specific requirements are for submitting for a permit.  We've got to map out all the electrical components and all that stuff.  Ugh.  I like making things pretty, not discussing wiring and drywall.  Bleh!  *LOL*

So, this is why I haven't shot any videos lately!

Yeah, HELLO!  This was taken a few days ago.  It's already improved a lot, but still very much a work in progress.  Hopefully I can finish cleaning up this disaster this weekend and shoot a good video or two.

I've been so busy tending to setting up and unpacking all the other areas of the house that my space for crafting hasn't been getting much needed TLC.  When I do organize I tend to spend FOREVER trying to get everything just so, so I end up taking forever.  I'm trying to get better about that.  

We will be building me a great craft space as we finish our basement.  In the meantime I'm here in the loft.  Later on this will be a play area for the kids.  I know we all say we make craft messes, but I think maybe this one takes the cake.  When we moved I realized just how much craft stuff I really have! I've been trying to pair down and letting my daughter use up some of my old stickers and such in the interest of getting rid of stuff.

Wish me luck!  I hope to bring you videos very soon, I miss it terribly.

A Couple More Halloween Cards

Recipe:

Paper - Die Cuts With a View Midnight Spell Stack

Embellishments - K & COmpany Spook-Tacular

Sentiment - A Haunting We Will Go by Pink by Design

Border Punch - Martha Stewart

Recipe:

Paper - Die Cuts With a View Midnight Spell stack

Embellishment - K & Company Spook-Tacular

Sentiment - Beware from Close to My Heart

Die Cut - Nestabilities Labels 1

Border Punch - Martha Stewart Drippy Goo

Ribbon - Purchased from a local craft store

Trick Or Treat Sign

I designed this for Tracy's Blog Craft Junkie Too!  Make sure you head over there and check out the projects the other gals did today :)  I've been a follower of hers for a long time, and am honored she's letting me be featured on her very fun and fabulous blog.

I designed this sign to hang on the door for the trick or treaters.  I wanted to show everyone that you can create great Halloween projects with the older cartridges too, and not just the fun new ones coming out :)  I love a new cartridge as much as anyone else, but sometimes I like to remind myself how many great images I already have and how versatile the cartridges can be.

I cut the shape for the sign out from Ashylyns Alphabet.  It was designed to be a frame, so I hid the inner contour to get just a basic shape.  It is cut at 5 inches.  I cut it once from a cereal box, and then again in some paper from the DCWV stack Midnight Spell.  I used Deep Plum Glimmer Mist all over it, and then inked all the edges with black.

I cut the letters from Ashylyn's Alphabet at 1 inch.  I ran them through my Xyron twice, once on each side.  I glittered the front side with Martha Stewart glitter, and then adhered them to the sign. 

The bat is cut from Paper Doll Dress up.  I used the actual height (or real dial size) feature and cut him at 1 inch.  I used a white gel pen to trace the lines the Cricut made, and then added tiny googly eyes.

The candy is from Doodlecharms, and all comes together as one cut, which I made at 5 and 1/2 inches.  I used a white gel pen and Diamond Stickles to decorate the candy, and I also used a red marker on the Tootsie Roll.

Ghoul's Night Out Card

I'm back with another simple Halloween card.  

The card base is paper from the DCWV Midnight Spell Stack.  The "Eat, drink, and be scary" decoration is cut from another paper in the same stack.

Ghoul's night out is stamped from Pink By Design's A Haunting We Will Go set.  I cut the stamp to fit the shape of the paper better.  I used the Martha Stewart Drippy Goo Punch along the bottom of that piece.

The fun gal is a K & Company embellishment from the Spook-Tacular line.  I adhered here to a piece of pale blue cardstock.  I added some ribbon from the target dollar spot, punched one edge with the Stampin' Up Scalloped Border Punch, and then did some doodling with a Stamp n' Write Marker by Stampin' Up in Pumpkin Pie.

Haunted House Card

For this card I used a paper from the DCWV Sweet Stack.  Not something you'd typically think to look in for Halloween papers, but it worked.  I created a 6 by 6 card.  The beautiful swirled area was on the paper in a light orange, and I went over it with Black Diamond Stickles.  Then I added a variety of embellishments from the K& Company Spook-Tacular line.  I figured the "Happy Halloween" on the house worked for the sentiment so I didn't stamp one.

I'm in a Halloween mood, so expect lots more simple Halloween cards in the coming days :)

Craft Supplies for Little Ones - Know of Any?

Hi there crafty friends.  I come today not with a project, but with a question.  Do you know of any places that carry reasonably priced art supplies that would entertain my little 2 year old daughter?  Also, websites or good books with projects for toddlers and preschoolers?  She loves to be in my craft room and create with me.  In this picture she is making a birthday card for her Daddy.

I want to get her a nice art table to put in my office for Christmas, and I figure I should start stocking her up on supplies like markers, papers, stickers, glue sticks, self inking stamps, etc.  At her age I have to be careful that everything is designed for kids to use and non toxic.  The only place I know of for great prices on supplies is OrientalTrading.com  they seem to have self inking stamps she could use.

Thanks for reading this, and I hope some of you have crafting with young ones before and might have some advice for me.  :)

Simple Hallowen Card

Here's a simple Halloween card I put together for Scrapmaster's Paradise Color Combo Challenge 69.  I used the stamp set House of Haunts from Stampin' Up for the images. The ribbon is also by Stampin Up.  The bling is by 3 Birds, and the glitter is Black Diamond Stickles.

I Made Craft Junkie Too's Design Team!

Many of you know Tracy's Blog.  If not, be sure and go check it out.  She just announced a new design team she's having to do fun projects for the fall and I'm on it :)  I'm very honored and excited.

Kawaii Hybrid Cards

Today I have a little something different for you. I purchased some really adorable digital images from Digi Crafts and used them to make a few fun cards.

What's the Scoop Card

Ice Cream Image - Digi Crafts

Patterned paper - DCWV Sweet Stack

Ribbon - Celebrate it 

Bling - 3 Birds

Scalloped Heart - 3 Birds

What's the Scoop stamp - Pink by Design, Simply Everything  - I cut it to stamp it like this

Ink - Lovely Lilac by Stampin Up

Glitter - Diamond Stickles on the Ice Cream & Fruit Punch Stickles on the cheeks and around the scalloped circle

You Melt My Heart Card

Popsicle Image - Digi Crafts

Card Base Paper - DCWV Sweet Stack

Purple Paper - Cricut Celebrations Stack

Ribbon - Stampin Up

Brad - I don't remember, just a purple faux rhinestone

Tag - 3 Birds

You Melt My Heart Stamp - Pink By Design, Simply Everything

Glitter - Diamond Stickles & a little bit of loose pink glittter on the cheeks

Let's Chill Card

Popsicle Image - Digi Crafts

Subtle Shimmer - Marshmellow Glimmer Mist was used all over the popsicle, but it is subtle and didn't show up well when photographed

Glitter - Cinnamon Stickles

Both Papers - 3 Birds

Ribbon - Stampin Up

Border Punch - Martha Stewart Drippy Goo
Lets Chill Sentiment from Pink By Design Simply Everything

Butterfly TP Mini Album

 

Remember you can click on any photo to see it enlarged, but then MAKE SURE and use the back button on your browser because the larger photo will open in this same window.

This is a simple album I made to send to a friend.  The paper is from the Die Cuts With a View Blossoms and Butterflies stack.  Almost all the embellishments are from 3 birds, which is a line exclusive to HSN.  I also used a bit of Stampin' Up's satin ribbon and some Fruit Punch colored Stickles.

To make a toilet paper roll album you take your toilet paper rolls and flatten them.  An easy way to do this is to run them through a machine like the Cuttlebug or Big Shot.  Then you will seal one side closed and leave the other side open.  You cover each roll with paper, and punch holes using something strong like a Crop-a-Dile.  You insert binder rings in those holes.  I used 1 inch rings, and purchased them from a local office supply store.  Of course if you have a binding machine, you could use that instead!

The reason that you leave one side of the rolls open is so that you can slip things inside.  Tags look really nice and work well, but in this case I used folded sheets so that there is a lot of extra room when they are opened up.  Here is a photo of one of the inserts, they all look the same.

This is a really simple type of album that is fun and easy to do.  It's a great project for those who want to try a mini album, but feel intimidated.  It's also a great way to use up scraps or supplies that have been sitting in your stash for awhile.  I left parts of this album pretty simple so that the recipient can do what she chooses with it and put her own personal designs in it too.  That's the main reason I left all the inserts blank inside and out.

Cupcake Gift Box

 

Here is a simple cupcake takeout box I created.  The take out box is see through, it's sort of a frosty color though, not completely clear.  I purchased it from The Container Store.  I used leftover Cricut Cuts from the Sweet Treats cartridge that were part of my daughter's birthday party decorations.  Just my luck the cupcakes happened to fit the sides of the box perfectly.  I embellished them with a bit of Diamond Stickles.

For the top of the box I took 2 different flowers and layered them with pop dots, then I added bling in the center.  To attach them to the top of the box I also used pop dots, but I had to make sure and only put the on one side of the box flap so that it can still be opened.  I finished off with some of Stampin' Up's satin ribbon in bows on the sides. 

Since I used pre done cuts this was super quick and easy.  I have a box of random cuts that I haven't used yet, I think maybe it's time to have some fun with them.  Thanks so much for stopping by today :)  I am excited to get back in touch with everyone.  I don't have appropriate lighting for videos yet, but very soon I will.  Stay crafty everyone!